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Abstract This paper presents the energy dependence of multiplicity and net-electric charge fluctuations in p+p interactions at beam momenta 20, 31, 40, 80, and 158 $$\text{ Ge }\hspace{-1.00006pt}\text{ V }\!/\!c$$ Ge V / c . Results are corrected for the experimental biases and quantified with the use of cumulants and factorial cumulants. Cumulant ratios are an essential tool in the search for the critical point of strongly interacting matter in heavy ion collisions. Measurements performed in p+p interactions provide a vital baseline estimation in these studies. The measured signals are compared with the string hadronic models Epos1.99 and FTFP-BERT.

Abstract The yields of $$K^0_S$$ K S 0 mesons have been measured in inelastic p+p interactions at incident projectile momenta of 31, 40 and 80 $$\text {Ge}\hspace{-1.00006pt}\text {V}\!/\!c$$ Ge V / c ( $$\sqrt{s_{NN}}=7.7, 8.8$$ s NN = 7.7 , 8.8 and 12.3 $$\text {Ge}\hspace{-1.00006pt}\text {V}$$ Ge V , respectively). The data were recorded by the NA61 $$/$$ / SHINE spectrometer at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron and the $$K^0_S$$ K S 0 mesons identified via their decays into $$\pi ^{+} \pi ^{-}$$ π + π - pairs. Double-differential distributions are presented as function of transverse momentum and rapidity. The mean multiplicities of $$K^0_S$$ K S 0 mesons were determined to be $$(5.95 \pm 0.19 (stat) \pm 0.30 (sys)) \times 10^{-2}$$ ( 5.95 ± 0.19 ( s t a t ) ± 0.30 ( s y s ) ) × 10 - 2 at 31 $$\text {Ge}\hspace{-1.00006pt}\text {V}\!/\!c$$ Ge V / c , $$(7.61 \pm 0.13 (stat) \pm 0.43 (sys)) \times 10^{-2}$$ ( 7.61 ± 0.13 ( s t a t ) ± 0.43 ( s y s ) ) × 10 - 2 at 40 $$\text {Ge}\hspace{-1.00006pt}\text {V}\!/\!c$$ Ge V / c and $$(11.58 \pm 0.12 (stat) \pm 0.55 (sys)) \times 10^{-2}$$ ( 11.58 ± 0.12 ( s t a t ) ± 0.55 ( s y s ) ) × 10 - 2 at 80 $$\text {Ge}\hspace{-1.00006pt}\text {V}\!/\!c$$ Ge V / c . The results on $$K^{0}_{S}$$ K S 0 production are compared with the production of charged kaons in corresponding reactions and with model calculations (Epos1.99, SMASH 2.0 and PHSD) as well as with published data from other experiments.

Abstract The critical point of strongly interacting matter is searched for at the CERN SPS by the NA61/SHINE experiment in central $$^{40}$$ 40 Ar + $$^{45}$$ 45 Sc collisions at 13 A, 19 A, 30 A, 40 A, and 75 A GeV/c. The dependence of the second-order scaled factorial moments of proton multiplicity distributions on the number of subdivisions in transverse momentum space is measured. The intermittency analysis uses statistically independent data sets for every subdivision in transverse and cumulative-transverse momentum variables. The results obtained do not indicate the searched intermittent pattern. An upper limit on the fraction of correlated protons and the intermittency index is obtained based on a comparison with the Power-law Model.

Abstract The NA61/SHINE experiment at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron studies the onset of deconfinement in strongly interacting matter through a beam energy scan of particle production in collisions of nuclei of varied sizes. This paper presents results on inclusive double-differential spectra, transverse momentum and rapidity distributions and mean multiplicities of $$\pi ^\pm $$ π ± , $$K^\pm $$ K ± , p and $$\bar{p}$$ p ¯ produced in $$^{40}\hbox {Ar+}^{45}\hbox {Sc}$$ 40 Ar+ 45 Sc collisions at beam momenta of 13A, 19A, 30A, 40A, 75A and 150A $$\text{ Ge }\hspace{-1.00006pt}\text{ V }\!/\!c$$ Ge V / c . The analysis uses the 10% most central collisions, where the observed forward energy defines centrality. The energy dependence of the $$K^\pm $$ K ± / $$\pi ^\pm $$ π ± ratios as well as of inverse slope parameters of the $$K^\pm $$ K ± transverse mass distributions are placed in between those found in inelastic $$p+p$$ p + p and central Pb + Pb collisions. The results obtained here establish a system-size dependence of hadron production properties that so far cannot be explained either within statistical or dynamical models.

Abstract This paper reports measurements of two-pion femtoscopic correlations in Be+Be collisions at a beam momentum of 150 $$A\,\hbox {GeV}\!/\!c$$ A GeV / c (energy available in the center-of-mass system for nucleon pair $$\sqrt{s_{\text {NN}}} = 16.84$$ s NN = 16.84 GeV) by the NA61/SHINE experiment at the CERN SPS accelerator. The obtained momentum space correlation functions can be well described by a Lévy distributed source model. The transverse mass dependence of the Lévy source parameters is presented, and their possible theoretical interpretations are discussed. The results show that the Lévy exponent $$\alpha $$ α is approximately constant as a function of $$m_{\text {T}}$$ m T , and far from both the Gaussian case of $$\alpha = 2$$ α = 2 or the conjectured value at the critical endpoint, $$\alpha = 0.5$$ α = 0.5 . The radius scale parameter R shows a slight decrease in $$m_{\text {T}}$$ m T , which can be explained as a signature of transverse flow. Finally, an approximately constant trend of the intercept parameter $$\lambda $$ λ as a function of $$m_{\text {T}}$$ m T was observed, similar to previous NA44 S + Pb results (obtained with a Gaussian approximation, but unlike RHIC results).

Abstract The critical point of dense, strongly interacting matter is searched for at the CERN SPS in 40Ar + 45Sc collisions at 150A Ge V /c. The dependence of second-order scaled factorial moments of proton multiplicity distribution on the number of subdivisions of transverse momentum space is measured. The intermittency analysis is performed using both transverse momentum and cumulative transverse momentum. For the first time, statistically independent data sets are used for each subdivision number. The obtained results do not indicate any statistically significant intermittency pattern. An upper limit on the fraction of correlated proton pairs and the power of the correlation function is obtained based on a comparison with the Power-law Model developed for this purpose.

Abstract Double-differential yields of $${\Xi \left( 1530\right) ^{0}} $$ Ξ 1530 0 and $${\overline{\Xi }\left( 1530\right) ^{0}} $$ Ξ ¯ 1530 0 resonances produced in p+p interactions were measured at a laboratory beam momentum of 158 $$\text{ GeV }\!/\!c$$ GeV / c . This measurement is the first of its kind in p+p interactions below LHC energies. It was performed at the CERN SPS by the NA61/SHINE collaboration. Double-differential distributions in rapidity and transverse momentum were obtained from a sample of $$26\times 10^6$$ 26 × 10 6 inelastic events. The spectra are extrapolated to full phase space resulting in mean multiplicity of $${\Xi \left( 1530\right) ^{0}} $$ Ξ 1530 0 ( $$6.73 \pm 0.25\pm 0.67)\times 10^{-4}$$ 6.73 ± 0.25 ± 0.67 ) × 10 - 4 and $${\overline{\Xi }\left( 1530\right) ^{0}} $$ Ξ ¯ 1530 0 ( $$2.71 \pm 0.18\pm 0.18)\times 10^{-4}$$ 2.71 ± 0.18 ± 0.18 ) × 10 - 4 . The rapidity and transverse momentum spectra and mean multiplicities were compared to predictions of string-hadronic and statistical model calculations.

Aerosol- and cloud-induced changes in diffuse light have important impacts on the global land carbon cycle, as they alter light distribution and photosynthesis in vegetation canopies. However, this effect remains poorly represented or evaluated in current land surface models. Here, we add a light partitioning module and a new canopy light transmission module to the ORCHIDEE (Organising Carbon and Hydrology In Dynamic Ecosystems) land surface model (trunk version, v5453) and use the revised model, ORCHIDEE_DF, to estimate the fraction of diffuse light and its effect on gross primary production (GPP) in a multilayer canopy. We evaluate the new parameterizations using flux observations from 159 eddy covariance sites over the globe. Our results show that, compared with the original model, ORCHIDEE_DF improves the GPP simulation under sunny conditions and captures the observed higher photosynthesis under cloudier conditions in most plant functional types (PFTs). Our results also indicate that the larger GPP under cloudy conditions compared with sunny conditions is mainly driven by increased diffuse light in the morning and in the afternoon as well as by a decreased vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and decreased air temperature at midday. The observations show that the strongest positive effects of diffuse light on photosynthesis are found in the range from 5 to 20 ∘C and at a VPD 2 uptake. ORCHIDEE_DF underestimates the diffuse light effect at low temperature in all PFTs and overestimates this effect at high temperature and at a high VPD in grasslands and croplands. The new model has the potential to better investigate the impact of large-scale aerosol changes and long-term changes in cloudiness on the terrestrial carbon budget, both in the historical period and in the context of future air quality policies and/or climate engineering.

The impact of atmospheric reactive nitrogen (Nr) deposition on carbon (C) sequestration in soils and biomass of unfertilized, natural, semi-natural and forest ecosystems has been much debated. Many previous results of this dC∕dN response were based on changes in carbon stocks from periodical soil and ecosystem inventories, associated with estimates of Nr deposition obtained from large-scale chemical transport models. This study and a companion paper (Flechard et al., 2020) strive to reduce uncertainties of N effects on C sequestration by linking multi-annual gross and net ecosystem productivity estimates from 40 eddy covariance flux towers across Europe to local measurement-based estimates of dry and wet Nr deposition from a dedicated collocated monitoring network. To identify possible ecological drivers and processes affecting the interplay between C and Nr inputs and losses, these data were also combined with in situ flux measurements of NO, N2O and CH4 fluxes; soil NO3- leaching sampling; and results of soil incubation experiments for N and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as well as surveys of available data from online databases and from the literature, together with forest ecosystem (BASFOR) modelling. Multi-year averages of net ecosystem productivity (NEP) in forests ranged from −70 to 826 g C m−2 yr−1 at total wet + dry inorganic Nr deposition rates (Ndep) of 0.3 to 4.3 g N m−2 yr−1 and from −4 to 361 g C m−2 yr−1 at Ndep rates of 0.1 to 3.1 g N m−2 yr−1 in short semi-natural vegetation (moorlands, wetlands and unfertilized extensively managed grasslands). The GHG budgets of the forests were strongly dominated by CO2 exchange, while CH4 and N2O exchange comprised a larger proportion of the GHG balance in short semi-natural vegetation. Uncertainties in elemental budgets were much larger for nitrogen than carbon, especially at sites with elevated Ndep where Nr leaching losses were also very large, and compounded by the lack of reliable data on organic nitrogen and N2 losses by denitrification. Nitrogen losses in the form of NO, N2O and especially NO3- were on average 27 % (range 6 %–54 %) of Ndep at sites with Ndep −2 yr−1 versus 65 % (range 35 %–85 %) for Ndep > 3 g N m−2 yr−1. Such large levels of Nr loss likely indicate that different stages of N saturation occurred at a number of sites. The joint analysis of the C and N budgets provided further hints that N saturation could be detected in altered patterns of forest growth. Net ecosystem productivity increased with Nr deposition up to 2–2.5 g N m−2 yr−1, with large scatter associated with a wide range in carbon sequestration efficiency (CSE, defined as the NEP ∕ GPP ratio). At elevated Ndep levels (> 2.5 g N m−2 yr−1), where inorganic Nr losses were also increasingly large, NEP levelled off and then decreased. The apparent increase in NEP at low to intermediate Ndep levels was partly the result of geographical cross-correlations between Ndep and climate, indicating that the actual mean dC∕dN response at individual sites was significantly lower than would be suggested by a simple, straightforward regression of NEP vs. Ndep.

Peatlands store substantial amounts of carbon and are vulnerable to climate change. We present a modified version of the Organising Carbon and Hydrology In Dynamic Ecosystems (ORCHIDEE) land surface model for simulating the hydrology, surface energy, and CO2 fluxes of peatlands on daily to annual timescales. The model includes a separate soil tile in each 0.5° grid cell, defined from a global peatland map and identified with peat-specific soil hydraulic properties. Runoff from non-peat vegetation within a grid cell containing a fraction of peat is routed to this peat soil tile, which maintains shallow water tables. The water table position separates oxic from anoxic decomposition. The model was evaluated against eddy-covariance (EC) observations from 30 northern peatland sites, with the maximum rate of carboxylation (Vcmax) being optimized at each site. Regarding short-term day-to-day variations, the model performance was good for gross primary production (GPP) (r2 = 0.76; Nash–Sutcliffe modeling efficiency, MEF = 0.76) and ecosystem respiration (ER, r2 = 0.78, MEF = 0.75), with lesser accuracy for latent heat fluxes (LE, r2 = 0.42, MEF = 0.14) and and net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE, r2 = 0.38, MEF = 0.26). Seasonal variations in GPP, ER, NEE, and energy fluxes on monthly scales showed moderate to high r2 values (0.57–0.86). For spatial across-site gradients of annual mean GPP, ER, NEE, and LE, r2 values of 0.93, 0.89, 0.27, and 0.71 were achieved, respectively. Water table (WT) variation was not well predicted (r2 Vcmax and latitude (temperature), which better reflects the spatial gradients of annual NEE than using an average Vcmax value.

Aim of study: The main aim of the work was to summarize availability, quality and comparability of on-going European Research and Monitoring Networks (ERMN), based on the results of a COST FP0903 Action questionnaire carried out in September 2010 and May 2012.Area of study: The COST Action FP0903 involves 29 European countries and 4 non-COST institutions from USA, Morocco and Tunisia. In this study, the total of 22 replies to the questionnaire from 18 countries were included.Materials and methods: Based on the feedback from the Action FP0903 countries, the most popular European Networks were identified. Thereafter, the access to the network database, available quality assurance/quality control procedures and publication were described. Finally, the so-called “Supersites” concept, defined as a “highly instrumented research infrastructure, for both research and monitoring of soil-plant-atmosphere interactions” was discussed.Main results: The result of the survey indicate that the vast majority of the Action FP0903 countries participate in the International Cooperative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forest (ICP Forest). The multi-disciplinary International Cooperative Programme on Integrated Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Ecosystems (ICPIM) is the second most widespread forest programme. Research highlights: To fully understand biochemical cycles in forest ecosystems, long-term monitoring is needed. Hence, a network of “Supersites”, is proposed. The application of the above infrastructure can be an effective way to attain a better integration of research and monitoring networks at forest sites in Europe.Keywords: Supersites; European Research Monitoring Networks; Harmonization; Forest.

Abstract Nanohydroxyapatite (nanoHAP) is widely used in bone regeneration, but there is a need to enhance its properties to provide stimuli for cell commitment and osteoconduction. This study examines the effect of calcination at 1200 °C on the physicochemical and biological properties of nanoHAP doped with magnesium (Mg2+), strontium (Sr2+), and zinc (Zn2+). A synergistic effect of dual modification on nanoHAP biological properties was investigated. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), BET analysis, Fourier-transform spectroscopy, and thermal analysis methods. Furthermore, ion release tests and in vitro biological characterization, including cytocompatibility, reactive oxygen species production, osteoconductive potential and cell proliferation, were performed. The XRD results indicate that the ion substitution of nanoHAP has no effect on the apatite structure, and after calcination, β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) is formed as an additional phase. SEM analysis showed that calcination induces the agglomeration of particles and changes in surface morphology. A decrease in the specific surface area and in the ion release rate was observed. Combining calcination and nanoHAP ion modification is beneficial for cell proliferation and osteoblast response and provide additional stimuli for cell commitment in bone regeneration.

Cloaking is a method of making obstacles undetectable. Here we cloak unit cells of a magnetic pattern squeezed into an otherwise periodic pattern from a magnetically driven colloidal flow. We apply a time-periodic external magnetic field loop to an ensemble of paramagnetic colloidal particles on the deformed periodic magnetic pattern. There exist topological loops where the particles avoid to trespass the cloaked regions by robustly traveling around the cloak. Afterwards the ensemble of particles continues with a motion identical to the motion as if the distorted region were nonexistent and the ensemble would have trespassed the undeformed region. We construct the cloak by continuously squeezing new conformally mapped unit cells between those of the originally undeformed and periodic pattern. We find a cloaking/decloaking transition as a function of the size and shape of the newly squeezed-in region. A cloak is scalable to arbitrary size if the biholomorphic map from the undistorted periodic lattice to the region outside the cloak locally rotates by less than an angle of forty five degrees. The work generalizes cloaking from waves toward particles., Competing Interests: Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

This paper presents the potential for an alternative use of structural polymer composite reinforcement, made from natural industrial hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.) fibres, in the manufacture of selected products in the shipbuilding industry. This research used fabrics made from unmodified and chemically modified industrial hemp fibres. The primary research focus was on determining the impact strength of the new eco-friendly structural composites produced after long-term storage in representative aqueous environments. Also presented are the results of fire response tests of these composites in the context of their disposal by energy recycling. The tests carried out also referred to a well-defined glass fibre-reinforced polymer composite, from which a control slab of the actual product was realistically produced in the form of a representative section of a 34-foot boat hull plate below the waterline. The results of this basic research into these structural composites confirmed the validity of continuing, respectively, application and implementation research, aimed at producing composites dedicated to selected products of the shipbuilding industry.

This paper presents an experimental study on the elastic support in a discrete rail fastening system used in a ballastless tram track structure. The study focuses on the elastic support of the anchor element, specifically the Pm49 baseplate. These elements significantly influence environmental pollution along tram routes, such as vibration (at low frequencies) or noise (at high frequencies), as well as static and dynamic rail deflections. The authors outline a methodology for identifying the static and dynamic characteristics of the discrete elastic support in laboratory conditions. The procedure follows the European standard EN 13146-9 for track category A (tramway), as classified according to the European standard EN 13481-5. The study analyzes how the thickness and density of the tested materials affect stiffness. Additionally, it examines the correlation between parameters identified easily on-site (thickness, Shore hardness and density) and laboratory-determined parameters (static and dynamic stiffness), which are costly and time-consuming to measure. The research confirms that prototype prefabricated vibration isolation baseplate pads made of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) granules, recycled from end-of-life car tires, can achieve equivalent basic static and dynamic parameters, compared to underlays made of two-component polyurethane (PU) resin. This aligns with the strategy of promoting sustainable materials in construction. The innovative and prefabricated SBR rubber baseplate pads can also be used in repair and maintenance works (regardless of weather conditions), as they enable the quick launch of tram traffic. The results of the research included in this article can be used by other scientists, recycled rubber producers, tram track designers or construction site engineers.

Limb amputation often results in a change of profession or withdrawal from the workforce. Occupational rehabilitation plays a key role in assisting individuals with finding, maintaining, and advancing in employment. The aim of this review was to determine the precise number of amputations performed in Poland from January 2014 to June 2022 and to present selected available rehabilitation programs aimed at the social reintegration of individuals after amputations, with a particular focus on vocational rehabilitation. The analysis was conducted in 2 stages. First, the team reviewed data obtained from the central IT system of the National Health Fund and analyzed it. Then, a literature review was conducted using English-language databases: PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Medline, and websites searched through Google Scholar and Google. A total of 29 sources (from the years 2006-2024) out of 75 found were analyzed. Articles were searched using the following keywords: "rehabilitation programs," "amputations," "occupational rehabilitation," "disability," "vocational activation," and "rehabilitation effectiveness." A significant number of amputations are performed in Poland. Individuals who undergo such procedures can benefit from occupational rehabilitation programs that facilitate a faster return to professional activity. It is crucial to develop and implement preventive measures aimed at reducing the incidence of amputations in Poland, as well as to introduce new vocational rehabilitation programs that will enable individuals with disabilities to return to professional activity more effectively and efficiently. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2024;75(5):445-454., (This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.)

Ion bombardment with 30 keV Ga + ions can locally change the magnetic properties of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy ferrimagnetic Tb/Co based multilayers. The induced changes in the effective magnetization create high gradients of magnetic fields in the proximity of the perimeters of the bombarded areas. Superparamagnetic, micrometer-sized beads floating in an aqueous suspension over such a patterned structure respond to the ensuing magnetostatic energy landscape. This landscape, and its associated forces on the beads, can be controlled with a time varying, external, homogeneous magnetic field. It is shown that with a 3.37 kA/m (approx. 4.2 mT) field and switching the direction at 10 Hz frequencies the beads can be driven with average forward velocities reaching 40  μ m/s. This has the potential for use in lab-on-a-chip type assays., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

These days, the use of natural materials is required for sustainable and consequently plus-, zero- and low-energy construction. One of the main objectives of this research was to demonstrate that pelite concrete block masonry can be a structural and thermal insulation material. In order to determine the actual thermal insulation parameters of the building partition, in situ experimental research was carried out in real conditions, taking into account the temperature distribution at different heights of the partition. Empirical measurements were made at five designated heights of the partition with temperature and humidity parameters varying over time. The described experiment was intended to verify the technical parameters of perlite concrete in terms of its thermal insulation properties as a construction material used for vertical partitions. It was shown on the basis of the results obtained that the masonry made of perlite concrete blocks with dimensions of 24 × 24.5 × 37.5 cm laid on the mounting foam can be treated as a building element that meets both the structural and thermal insulation requirements of vertical single-layer partitions. However, it is important for the material to work in a dry environment, since, as shown, a wet perlite block has twice the thermal conductivity coefficient. The results of the measurements were confirmed, for they were known from the physics of buildings, the general principles of the formation of heat and the moisture flow in the analysed masonry of a perlite block. Illustrating this regularity is shown from the course of temperature and moisture in the walls. The proposed new building material is an alternative to walls with a layer of thermal insulation made of materials such as polystyrene or wool and fits into the concept of sustainable construction, acting against climate change, reducing building operating costs, improving living and working conditions as well as fulfilling international obligations regarding environmental goals.

Global sewage sludge production is rapidly increasing, and its safe disposal is becoming an increasingly serious issue. One of the main methods of municipal sewage sludge management is based on its agricultural use. The wastewater and sewage sludge contain numerous antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and its microbiome differs significantly from the soil microbial community. The aim of the study was to assess the changes occurring in the soil microbial community and resistome after the addition of sewage sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in central Poland, from which the sludge is used for fertilizing agricultural soils on a regular basis. This study used a high-throughput shotgun metagenomics approach to compare the microbial communities and ARGs present in two soils fertilized with sewage sludge. The two soils represented different land uses and different physicochemical and granulometric properties. Both soils were characterized by a similar taxonomic composition of the bacterial community, despite dissimilarities between soils properties. Five phyla predominated, viz. Planctomycetes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi and Firmicutes, and they were present in comparable proportions in both soils. Network analysis revealed that the application of sewage sludge resulted in substantial qualitative and quantitative changes in bacterial taxonomic profile, with most abundant phyla being considerably depleted and replaced by Proteobacteria and Spirochaetes. In addition, the ratio of oligotrophic to copiotrophic bacteria substantially decreased in both amended soils. Furthermore, fertilized soils demonstrated greater diversity and richness of ARGs compared to control soils. The increased abundance concerned mainly genes of resistance to antibiotics most commonly used in human and animal medicine. The level of heavy metals in sewage sludge was low and did not exceed the standards permitted in Poland for sludge used in agriculture, and their level in fertilized soils was still inconsiderable., (© 2024. The Author(s).)