Static atomic charges affect key ground-state parameters of quasi-planar boron clusters B_n, n ≤ 20, which serve as building blocks of borophenes and other two-dimensional boron-based materials promising for various advanced applications. Assuming that the outer valence shells partial electron density of the constituent B atoms are shared between them proportionally to their coordination numbers, the static atomic charges in small planar boron clusters in the electrically neutral and positively and negatively singly charged states are estimated to be in the ranges of –0.750e (B₇⁰) to +0.535e (B₂₀⁰), –0.500e (B₇⁺, B₈⁺, and B₉⁺) to +0.556e (B₁₇⁺), and –1.000e (B₇^–) to +0.512e (B₂₀^–), respectively.

Nickel Oxide (NiO) nanoparticles (NPs), doped with manganese (Mn) and cobalt (Co) at concentrations up to 8%, were synthesized using the composite hydroxide method (CHM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the formation of a cubic NiO structure, with no additional peaks detected, indicating successful doping. The average crystallite size was determined to range from 15 to 17.8 nm, depending on the dopant concentration. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed mostly spherical, agglomerated particles, likely due to magnetic interactions. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the incorporation of Mn and Co into the NiO lattice, consistent with the XRD results. The dielectric properties exhibited a high dielectric constant at low frequencies, which can be attributed to ion jump orientation and space charge effects. The imaginary part of the dielectric constant decreased with increasing frequency, as it became harder for electrons to align with the alternating field at higher frequencies. Both the real and imaginary dielectric constants showed behavior consistent with Koop’s theory, increasing at low frequencies and decreasing at higher frequencies. Dielectric loss was primarily attributed to dipole flipping and charge migration. AC conductivity increased with frequency, and exhibited higher conductivity at high frequencies due to small polaron hopping. These co-doped NPs show potential for applications in solid oxide fuel cells.

Liquid Metal Battery (LMB) technology is a new research area born from a different economic and political climate that has the ability to address the deficiencies of a society where electrical energy storage alternatives are lacking. The United States government has begun to fund scholarly research work at its top industrial and national laboratories. This was to develop Liquid Metal Battery cells for energy storage solutions. This research was encouraged during the Cold War battle for scientific superiority. Intensive research then drifted towards high-energy rechargeable batteries, which work better for automobiles and other applications. Intensive research has been carried out on the development of electrochemical rechargeable all-liquid energy storage batteries. The recent request for green energy transfer and storage for various applications, ranging from small-scale to large-scale power storage, has increased energy storage advancements and explorations. The criteria of high energy density, low cost, and extensive energy storage provision have been met through lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, and Liquid Metal Battery development. The objective of this research is to establish that Liquid Metal Battery technology could provide research concepts that give projections of the probable electrode metals that could be harnessed for LMB development. Thus, at the end of this research, it was discovered that the parameter estimation of the Li//Cd-Sb combination is most viable for LMB production when compared with Li//Cd-Bi, Li-Bi, and Li-Cd constituents. This unique constituent of the LMB parameter estimation would yield a better outcome for LMB development.

This study focuses on the use of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model for water budgeting and resource planning in Oued Cherraa basin. The combination of hydrological models such as SWAT with reliable meteorological data makes it possible to simulate water availability and manage water resources. In this study, the SWAT model was employed to estimate hydrological parameters in the Oued Cherra basin, utilizing meteorological data (2012–2020) sourced from the Moulouya Hydraulic Basin Agency (ABHM). The hydrology of the basin is therefore represented by point data from the Tazarhine hydrological station for the 2009–2020 period. In order to optimize the accuracy of a specific model, namely SWAT-CUP, a calibration and validation process was carried out on the aforementioned model using observed flow data. The SUFI-2 algorithm was utilized in this process, with the aim of enhancing its precision. The performance of the model was then evaluated using statistical parameters, with particular attention being given to Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) and coefficient of determination (R²). The NSE values for the study were 0.58 for calibration and 0.60 for validation, while the corresponding R² values were 0.66 and 0.63. The study examined 16 hydrological parameters for Oued Cherra, determining that evapotranspiration accounted for 89% of the annual rainfall, while surface runoff constituted only 6%. It also showed that groundwater recharge was pretty much negligible. This emphasized how important it is to manage water resources effectively. The calibrated SWAT model replicated flow patterns pretty well, which gave us some valuable insights into the water balance and availability. The study’s primary conclusions were that surface water is limited and that shallow aquifers are a really important source of water storage, especially for irrigation during droughts.

Leadership behavior is a critical component of effective management, significantly influencing organizational success. While extensive research has examined key success factors in road management, the specific role of leadership behaviors in road usage charging (RUC) management remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap by identifying and analyzing leadership behavior dimensions and their impact on management performance within the RUC context. Using a mixed-methods approach, focus group discussions with industry practitioners were conducted to define eight leadership behavior dimensions: Central-Level Leadership Guidance (LE1), Local-Level Leadership Guidance (LE2), Central-Level Leadership Commitment (LE3), Local-Level Leadership Commitment (LE4), Subordinate Understanding from Central-Level Leadership (LE5), Subordinate Understanding from Local-Level Leadership (LE6), Work Motivation (LE7), and Understanding Rights and Obligations (LE8). These dimensions were further validated through a quantitative survey distributed to 138 professionals involved in RUC management in Vietnam, with the data analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) and partial least squares (PLS) estimation. The findings revealed that LE3 (Central-Level Leadership Commitment) had the strongest direct impact on management performance (MP) and mediated the relationships between other leadership dimensions and management outcomes. This study contributes to the theoretical understanding of leadership in RUC management by highlighting the centrality of leadership commitment and offering practical insights for improving leadership practices to enhance organizational performance in infrastructure management.

Theoretically, within the diatomic model, the relative stability of most abundant boron clusters B₁₁, B₁₂, and B₁₃ with planar structures in neutral, positive and negative charged-states is studied. According to the specific (per atom) binding energy criterion, B₁₂⁺ (6.49 eV) is found to be the most stable boron cluster, while B₁₁^– + B₁₃⁺ (5.83 eV) neutral pair is expected to present the preferable ablation channel for boron-rich solids. Obtained results would be applicable in production of boron-clusters-based nanostructured coating materials with super-properties such as lightness, hardness, conductivity, chemical inertness, neutron-absorption, etc., making them especially effective for protection against cracking, wear, corrosion, neutron- and electromagnetic-radiations, etc.