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This special issue of the Geology and Geophysics contains articles presented in the wake of the scientific conference "High-Pressure Mineral Formation Processes: The Origin of Diamonds and Mantle Magmas," dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding researcher of diamond formation, Academician Nikolai Vladimirovich Sobolev. The conference took place from June 17–19, 2025, in the Novosibirsk Akademgorodok at the V.S. Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The range of topics covered, from detailed studies of crystal structure defects in individual diamonds and inclusions in it to the regimes and timing of plate tectonics on the early Earth, fully reflects N.V. Sobolev's contribution to the formation of modern understanding of the evolution of the Earth's mantle composition and the formation settings of kimberlites and diamonds.

The main process that changes Earth’s silicate composition after core segregation is the formation and recycling of continental crust. These processes are closely related to the tectonic regimes that operated at different times during Earth’s history. This review combines recent geochemical data and geodynamic models of how continental crust formed throughout Earth’s history, especially during the Hadean and Archean eons. Continental crust cannot form by direct melting of the dry ultramafic mantle. It requires water, mafic protolith, and minerals compatible with high-field-strength elements (Ti, Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf), such as amphibole, rutile, ilmenite, or jadeite pyroxene. For the early Earth, the most likely model involves two stages: first, basaltic or picritic (oceanic) crust is extracted from the mantle, leaving behind a refractory harzburgitic residue. Then, after hydration, the oceanic crust subducts, melts or releases water to flux melting in the mantle, creating continental-crust magmas. Meanwhile, the remaining refractory residue mixes with refractory mantle material, producing a depleted mantle reservoir. Canonical Nb/U and Ce/Pb ratios are unaffected by mantle melting under dry conditions but change during melt generation when amphibole and high-Ti phases are present. Therefore, these ratios are useful indicators of continental crust formation. Geochemical tracers such as (1) Sr isotope compositions of komatiite melts and plagioclase in anorthosites, (2) element ratios in komatiite melts, (3) trace element contents and Hf isotopic compositions of zircon, and (4) decay products of short-lived Sm and Hf isotopes in rocks either support or do not contradict the operation of active continental crust formation and mantle depletion during the Hadean. Production and recycling of continental crust in this period likely involved episodic, short-lived subduction triggered by plumes. Overall, these findings suggest that tectonic regimes in the Hadean (4.4-4.0 Ga after magma-ocean solidification) and in the Eoarchean (4-3.6 Ga) were more dynamic and varied in time and space than previously thought. However, the development of global plate tectonics—requiring a connected network of subduction zones, mid-ocean ridges, and transform faults—could only start later, during the Archean. The causes of the onset of plate tectonics throughout Earth’s history are still debated, and new ideas (such as those involving surface processes, such as the erosion of continents) are being proposed and require further testing.

Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) has numerous applications. The high demand for ERT is stimulating the active development of equipment and technologies, as well as methods for analyzing, processing, and inversion of ERT data. The use of 3D electrode arrays for surveying complex geoelectrical environments is increasing due to the limitations and shortcomings of 2D electrode arrays. 3D electrode arrays often allow for increased spatial resolution and reliability in the inverted models. The advantages of 3D electrode arrays over 2D electrode arrays for ERT surveying often not obvious. Geophysicists often decline the use of 3D electrode arrays for this reason. This paper reviews ERT technologies that use 3D electrode arrays, methods for building of geoelectric models, their advantages and disadvantages. Based on mathematical modeling/inversion of ERT data, the advantages of 3D electrode arrays and the disadvantages of 2D electrode arrays are demonstrated. We conducted analyses of typical distortions in models and systematized them. We presented a simple 3D electrode array optimized for labor and cost, with current and potential electrodes located on adjacent profiles. We showed that models inverted by ERT data with 3D optimized electrode arrays do not have the distortions typical 2D electrode arrays. Thus, using 3D optimized electrode arrays, labor and cost can be reduced for field work without losing the spatial resolution of models inverted by ERT data. This opens the way for active use of the ERT with 3D electrode arrays to explore ore deposits.

The results of performance the magnetovariational sounding in geologically complex Eastern Kamchatka volcanic belt with the active at present time volcanoes are presented. In investigation the geomagnetic variations received at “Paratunka” observatory and its station “Karymshina”, which is about 18 km apart to southwest from it. Calculated at both site tippers were undergone to 3D inversion by means of ModEM program. During inversion the different start models as homogeneous half-space and the same including the water layer of the nearest Pacific Ocean, taken into account its bathymetry, were used. The carried out inversion let to define the conductive blocks in geoelectrical section at depth range about 10-50 km under volcanic belt. In order to test this result, the 3D inversion of tippers taken by means of solving the direct magnetotelluric task for model containing conductive blocks in the same depth range was performed. In the article the most characteristic horizontal slices and vertical sections of received evaluative geoelectrical model of study area, including Paratunka geothermal area and caldera Karymshina, are presented. The results obtained are compared with the results of a seismic tomography at S-waves, which were get in this region.

In conditions of high socio-economic uncertainty and multiple goals of investors, the use of multicriteria optimization in investment projecting allows finding balanced solutions that take into account various factors and preferences, which increases the efficiency and sustainability of investment projects. The article considers the problem of developing an intelligent computer software system for optimizing adaptive control of the investment design process. It is proposed to use network models and methods as a tool for economic and mathematical modeling of the solution to this problem. The paper presents a new optimization network economic and mathematical model that takes into account the presence of several options for acceptable technologies in the investment projecting process, various options for their implementation and using a vector objective function to assess the quality of project implementation. Based on solving a set of network modeling problems of investment projecting processes corresponding to acceptable technologies and various options for their implementation, using the construction of critical paths and the scalarization method of a specific vector objective function, a technique for solving the formed vector optimization problem is proposed. The developed original methodology allows to implement the process of automation and optimization of adaptive control of the investment projecting process based on network modeling, including coding of all operations of investment projecting, determination of interrelations of operations, sequence and terms of their implementation. Based on the proposed methodology, an intelligent computer software system for optimization of adaptive control of the investment prijecting process in the presence of several technologies and a vector target function has been developed and created. The created intelligent computer system OptimumInvest allows to implement automation, optimization and support of management decision-making using feedback in the implementation of complex investment projects.

The article proves that large language models (LLMs) are economically unviable for signature verification. The apparent low cost of token-based pricing is negated by LLMs’ catastrophically low accuracy (59 % error rate), leading to unjustifiably high expenses. Specialized CNN solutions are significantly more efficient and cheaper. LLMs are fundamentally incapable of analyzing details critical for biometrics. The economic paradox of LLMs turns their accessibility into a financial trap. The study proposes a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) model for Russia, accounting for sanctions, and recommends using LLMs only as a pre-filter in hybrid systems.

Using the example of the Isetsky granite quarry (Middle Ural taiga forest region), species diversity, aboveground phytomass, and projective cover of the living ground cover (LGC) were studied during the first years after reclamation under a forestry approach. The relevance of the study is determined by the need to assess the effectiveness of reclamation and the state of ecosystems on disturbed lands. It has been established that 1-2 years after the establishment of forest plantations, the number of LGC species on the surveyed sites ranges from 16 to 29. One year after reclamation, the aboveground phytomass varied from 101.8 to 130.3 kg/ha (oven-dry weight), and after two years, from 552.9 to 1056.5 kg/ha. Species diversity and aboveground phytomass tended to increase already within the first two years after reclamation. In the aboveground phytomass of LGC, synanthropic coenotype species absolutely dominate. Despite the significant number of LGC species, in all seven experimental variants with varying heaping soil-ground thicknesses, one or two species dominated in the aboveground phytomass, accounting for more than half of the total aboveground phytomass in a completely dry state. In the first year after completion of reclamation work, this is white goosefoot ( Chenopodium album L.), and in the second year, fireweed ( Chamaenerion angustifolium (L.) Scop.), common sorrel ( Rumex acetosella L.), and white clover ( Trifolium repens L.).

The genus willow ( Salix L.), characterized by a widespread occurrence of polyploidy (ranging from 2n = 38 to 12n = 228) and chromosome number instability, is of significant interest to evolutionary biology and breeding. Arcto-Montane willows possess valuable adaptations to extreme environmental conditions and ornamental potential for landscape design; however, they remain cytogenetically understudied, particularly in Russia, where taxonomic and ecological research predominates. This work addresses this gap by applying a flow cytometry method to determine the ploidy level of 13 Arcto-Montane willows from the collection of the Botanical Garden, Russian Academy of Sciences, Ural Branch in the city of Yekaterinburg. The study employed an external standardization method, based on calculating the ratio of samples nuclear fluorescence intensity, followed by determining DNA content using internal standardization (with Solanum pseudocapsicum L., garden parsley ( Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss), and Pisum sativum L. as standards). The protocol was optimized by adding 2 % PVP to neutralize secondary metabolites. The results confirmed diploid level (2x) for creeping willow ( Salix repens L.), Pyrenean willow ( Salix pyrenaica Gouan), mountain willow ( Salix arbuscula L.), Salix saxatilis Turcz., and fishy willow ( Salix foetida Schleich. ex DC.), and tetraploid level (4x) for Salix caesia Vill. Specimens of retuse-leaved willow ( Salix retusa L.), Salix glauca var. callicarpaea ‘Haltia’, and Salix foetida × retusa were found to be octoploid (8x), while while gray willow ( Salix glauca L.) was decaploid (10x). The obtained data on ploidy and DNA content are important for taxonomy, hybrid identification, and the selection of perspective breeding material. Further molecular genetic studies are required to confirm the parental forms of the hybrid taxa.

Siberian dwarf pine ( Pinus pumila (Pall.) Regel) , is a valuable source of dietary lipids containing biologically active fatty acids (FA), including pinolenic, linoleic and oleic acids, which have anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic and cardioprotective properties, have a number of beneficial effects on body weight, as well as on fat deposition by increasing energy consumption (oxidation of fatty acids) and reducing energy consumption with food (decreased appetite). Siberian dwarf pine cones were collected in the Irkutsk Oblast, Bodaibinsky District, near the village of Artemovsky and in the Bilibinsky District of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug at the Bayimka (Peschanka) deposit. Gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (GC-MS) has revealed a high lipid content in Siberian dwarf pine seeds: in the Irkutsk Oblast, the total lipid content is 66.25 %, and in the Chukotka Autonomous District - 64.67 %, which confirms their nutritional and functional value. Linoleic acid (42.29-42.43 %), oleic acid (24.58-25.51 %) and pinolenic acid (17.27-18.29 %) were the dominant fatty acids, while the proportion of saturated LC (palmitic and stearic) did not exceed 7.5 %, which further increases the nutritional attractiveness of raw materials. It has been established that the total lipid content and profile of most LC are maintained at a high and stable level. However, statistically significant differences in the content of pinolenic acid were found between seeds from different regions ( p < 0.05), which may be related to the climatic conditions of growth. The results obtained indicate the high prospects of using siberian dwarf pine lipids for the development of innovative functional food products, biologically active additives and pharmaceuticals aimed at correcting metabolic disorders and improving cardiovascular health.

Forests are complex biological systems that constantly interact with the atmosphere and are influenced by man-made pollutants. This article examines anthropogenic emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere from stationary sources, such as large factories, thermal power plants, and others. The morphological and anatomical characteristics of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) undergrowth needles were studied in stands both growing under minimal anthropogenic impact and under the influence of man-made emissions. To study the impact of atmospheric pollution, two sites were selected in Krasnoyarsk (Akademgorodok and Tatyshev Island), one site in the Berezovsky District (Devil’s Finger Rock), and two sites in the Western Sayan Mountains (Medovy Klyuch Stream and Titenkino tract). To maximize the information content, undergrowth up to 2.5 m in height was selected. Data on atmospheric pollution at the selected sites were obtained from the State Report «On the State and Protection of the Environment in Krasnoyarsk Krai in 2023». The morphological and anatomical features of Scots pine needles were studied: needle length, width, and thickness, the width and thickness of the central cylinder, the size of the vascular bundles, and the number and size of resin ducts. Variable and stable features of the internal structure of the needles were identified. The most variable features were needle length, needle thickness, and the number of resin ducts. The most stable features were needle width, the size of the central cylinder, the width of the vascular bundles, and the average diameter of the resin duct. It was shown that under anthropogenic load, needles have a smaller length and width, as well as a smaller number of resin ducts. It has been established that much data regarding the morphology of needles exposed to various influences remains controversial and requires further research. The obtained results demonstrate the high sensitivity of needle morphological traits to environmental changes and once again highlight the potential for using these parameters as indicators of the ecological state of forest ecosystems. The research findings may be useful for monitoring forest health and developing conservation measures under anthropogenic, including recreational, influences.