Function-on-scalar regression models feature a function over some domain as the response while the regressors are scalars. Collections of time series as well as 2D or 3D images can be considered as functional responses. We provide a hands-on introduction for a flexible semiparametric approach for function-on-scalar regression, using spatially referenced time series of ground velocity measurements from large-scale simulated earthquake data as a running example. We discuss important practical considerations and challenges in the modelling process and outline best practices. The outline of our approach is complemented by comprehensive R code, freely available in the online appendix. This text is aimed at analysts with a working knowledge of generalized regression models and penalized splines.

The continuously increased demand for electrical energy and the associated strong growth in renewable energy necessitate robust, sustainable, and cost‐effective stationary energy storage solutions. This review paper evaluates zinc‐based batteries as viable alternatives to conventional lithium‐ion and vanadium redox flow systems for stationary storage applications. Highlighting zinc's accessibility, cost‐effectiveness, lower environmental impact, and well‐developed recycling infrastructure, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of various zinc battery chemistries, including zinc‐metal, zinc‐air, and zinc redox flow batteries. The study provides a historical context of zinc battery development from primary to secondary cells while identifying key challenges, such as low cell voltage, dendrite formation, passivation, and hydrogen evolution. Current advancements in electrode design, including novel 3D architectures, tailored electrolyte formulations, and optimized catalyst development, are discussed in detail. Additionally, a techno‐economic analysis compares material costs and operational efficiencies of zinc systems with state‐of‐the‐art alternatives, underscoring their competitive advantage. The interplay between material properties and system performance is also addressed, offering insights into improving cycling stability and energy density. Overall, this review describes the potential to position zinc batteries as promising candidates for large‐scale, sustainable energy storage, capable of complementing and potentially replacing existing technologies in an evolving energy landscape.

There is increasing awareness about the adverse environmental and ‘food’ animal welfare impacts associated with the production of meat-based pet food. However, little is known about cat guardians’ acceptance of more sustainable food choices for the global population of approximately 476 million pet cats. By surveying 1380 cat guardians, this study explored feeding patterns used by guardians, determinants of their cat food choices, and their acceptance levels of more sustainable cat food alternatives. The sources of information used by cat guardians to obtain information about the cat diets they chose were also investigated. Key results included: (1) 51% (620/1211) of cat guardians currently feeding meat-based cat food (raw or conventional) considered at least one or more sustainable alternatives to be acceptable, with cultivated meat-based cat food being the most popular alternative, followed by nutritionally sound vegan cat food; (2) the top five characteristics alternative diets needed to offer to be considered viable were good health outcomes, nutritional soundness, palatability, quality, and environmental sustainability; (3) diet types consumed by cat guardians and their cats were strongly associated; and (4) labels/packaging and veterinarians were the information sources most used, although veterinary staff may have been less trusted as reliable sources of dietary advice by guardians feeding unconventional diets. It should be noted that, due to the reliance on convenience sampling and the overrepresentation of respondents from the UK, of female guardians, of respondents with higher education and of vegan guardians, the reported relative frequencies of subgroups were not fully representative of the global cat guardian population. Association estimates were based on regression analyses to minimize any resultant bias effects.

Interest in more sustainable diets for the global population of 528 million companion dogs is steadily increasing, encompassing nutritionally sound cultivated meat, vegan, and microbial protein-based dog foods. Factors driving these alternative dog foods include lower impacts on the environment, fewer welfare problems related to intensively farmed animals and wild-caught fish, and potentially superior canine health outcomes, relative to conventional meat-based dog food. Through a questionnaire with 2639 responses, this study aimed to gain insights into dog guardians’ current feeding patterns and dog food purchasing determinants, acceptance of more sustainable dog diets, and sources of information used for decisions about dog diets. Key results included that 84% (2188/2596) of respondents currently fed either conventional or raw meat-based dog food. More than 43% (936/2169) of this group of respondents who answered found at least one of the more sustainable alternative dog foods acceptable, with purchases of these alternatives hinging most commonly upon the nutritional soundness of the products. Cultivated meat-based dog food was the most popular alternative (selected by 24%, 529/2169), followed by vegetarian (17%, 359/2169), insect-based (16%, 336/2169), and vegan (13%, 290/2169) dog food. The top three information sources used to make decisions regarding dog diets were labels/packaging (selected by 42% of all respondents, 1080/2596), scientific articles/books (38%, 989/2596), and business webpages (35%, 900/2596). Numerous human and dog demographic variables had impacts on current diets, acceptance of alternative diets, and information sources used. Notably, human diet and dog diet were the factors most commonly associated with current and potential purchasing decisions, as well as with information sources used. For instance, greater reductions by guardians in the consumption of animals were associated with greater acceptance of more sustainable dog diets. It should be noted that, due to the reliance on convenience sampling and the overrepresentation of respondents from the UK, of female guardians, of respondents with higher education, and of vegan guardians, the reported relative frequencies of subgroups were not fully representative of the global dog guardian population. Association estimates were based on regression analyses to minimize any resultant bias effects.

This study examines how travel behaviour patterns change over time. It addresses the limitations of traditional segmentation studies, which often focus on static snapshots of travel behaviour. A comprehensive approach is proposed, integrating multi-dimensional segmentation and temporal analysis. Based on a large, repeated, cross- sectional dataset (1983–2018) from Germany, the study employs a research design that combines fuzzy clustering, to identify distinct tourist types including their heterogeneous behaviour, and additive logistic regression analysis, to analyse temporal changes in travel behaviour patterns. The findings reveal five tourist types based on their travel behaviour. These tourist types differ in sociodemographic characteristics and are related to each other. The chance of belonging to those tourist types changes over a tourists' life cycle (age), over time due to external factors (period) and across generations (cohort), providing insights into evolving travel behaviour. The findings from this study can help tourism stakeholders to adapt their strategies to changing tourist behaviour and improve destination management and marketing efforts.