bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kinetic study of head-on collisions of unequal-sized compound droplets
Authors: Zhao Yaohui , Wang Zhaohui , Yang Qianwen , Zhang Bowen , Gao Quanjie , Hong Shousheng
Published: January 2025

In this study, the head-on collision process of compound droplets of unequal sizes in a liquid environment is investigated using the volume of fluid method. The investigation reveals four main collision mechanisms: coalescence stabilization, coalescence release, rupture entrapment, and rupture coalescence. The transition between these collision mechanisms is analyzed in detail according to We. The effects of various initial collision parameters on the relative offset velocity CSrov, axial thicknesses l* and radial thicknesses h*, deformation coefficients, and core droplet release time Crt of compound droplet core shells were quantitatively analyzed. Additionally, this study examines the collision process of multi-layer compound droplets, revealing a more complex dynamic evolution of the interface, including the coalescence-release-entrapment phase and changes in the release direction. This study not only provides theoretical support for understanding the stability of compound droplets but also provides new insight into understanding multi-phase interactions in complex fluid systems.
Equations and characteristics of the local water head loss for fluid flow at fracture intersections
Authors: Liu Jie , Wang Zhechao , Qiao Liping , Ren Mengzi
Published: January 2025

For fluid flow in fracture networks, the local water head loss will occur due to the fluid convergence or deflection at fracture intersections, which obviously affect the flow characteristics of fracture networks. In this study, equations of local water head losses for fluid flow at the fracture intersections were derived based on the work-energy principle. Then, the nonuniform flow characteristics at fracture intersections were analyzed by numerical simulations and the influences of flow characteristics including flow velocities, flow rate distributions and flow patterns in fracture intersections on local water head losses were studied. Finally, the influence of local head losses at intersections on total head losses in fracture networks was analyzed quantitatively. Through this study, a unified relationship between the local water head loss influence index Th and Reynolds number (Re) was found, by defining the influence index Th as the ratio of the normalized equivalent fracture length for the local head loss to the fracture aperture. For fluid flow in fracture networks with larger fracture apertures, smaller fracture spacing, or higher flow velocity, the influence of local head loss at the fracture intersection will be more significant. This study is beneficial for explicitly describing the local head losses at fracture intersections and quantitatively analyzing the influence of local head losses on the total head losses in fracture networks.
Molecular dynamics investigation of structural, thermal, and dynamic properties of maghemite through thermal cycling
Authors: Sudhindra Shalmali , Sahu Niroj Kumar , D’Aguanno Bruno
Published: January 2025

We analyzed the thermal, structural, and dynamic properties of maghemite using classical molecular dynamics, focusing on bulk and nanoparticle systems. We explored their behavior when heated to high temperatures (above the melting point) and during cooling, as well as under thermal cycles ending at intermediate temperatures. Our findings show that in the bulk system, both the tetrahedral and octahedral iron sub-lattices undergo a phase transition prior to melting. Cooling the system from above this transition, or from above the melting point, leads to the formation of different metastable maghemite structures. In contrast, this sub-lattice transition is absent in nanoparticles, where melting occurs through an interface-mediated process. At temperatures just above the transition, nanoparticles adopt an ellipsoidal shape, which is retained during cooling. In addition, the specific heat of both bulk and nanoparticle systems at temperatures above the Debye temperature is evaluated and compared with the available experimental data. Overall, our results highlight the complex thermal behavior of maghemite across a range of temperatures, which remains insufficiently explored experimentally. Further experimental investigations could also provide valuable feedback for model refinements.
Stability and vibration analysis of a fluid-conveying pipe on a two-parameter foundation under general boundary conditions
Authors: Xiang Qian , Zeng Ruihua , Ma Yongqi , Ruan Rongqian , Shen Yijun , Li Shuzhan , Feng Aichun , You Yunxiang
Published: January 2025

This study examines the stability and vibration characteristics of a pipe on an elastic foundation equipped with two lateral and rotational springs. The equations governing the dynamic motion of the pipe are derived using Hamilton's principle and are then solved using differential quadrature to ascertain the vibration characteristics of the pipe. The study further investigates the effects of flow velocity, elastic stiffness, and the two-parameter foundation on the pipe's vibration frequency and critical velocity. A comparison with literature results substantiates the validity of the findings presented herein. The results indicate that the elastic stiffness at both ends significantly influences the pipe's vibration frequency and critical velocity, revealing a notable distinction between symmetric and asymmetric elastic stiffness. Moreover, the two-parameter foundation is shown to enhance both the vibration frequency and critical velocity of the pipe, thereby contributing to improved stability.
Transmission of photonic entangled states encoded via eigenstates of photon-number parity operator
Authors: Bin Liang , Zhang Dong-Xuan , Chen Lei , Kang Yi-Hao , Zhong Zhi-Rong , Su Qi-Ping , Yang Chui-Ping
Published: January 2025

The transfer of quantum entangled states is of fundamental interest in quantum physics and plays an important role in quantum information processing, quantum communication, and quantum technology. Here, we propose a scheme to transfer quantum entangled states of two photonic qubits by utilizing four microwave cavities coupled to a superconducting qutrit (a three-level quantum system). The photonic qubits are encoded using two orthogonal eigenstates of the photon-number parity operator with eigenvalues ± 1, which allows for various encodings for the photonic qubits. The employment of four cavities at distinct frequencies effectively reduces the inter-cavity crosstalk. The utilization of only a single superconducting qutrit as the coupler significantly reduces the circuit resources. The entanglement transfer can be completed in just one step, making this scheme remarkably efficient. During the state transfer process, the third energy level of the coupler qutrit remains unoccupied, and thus decoherence from this level is diminished. Our numerical simulations demonstrate that within current circuit quantum electrodynamics technology, one can achieve high-fidelity transfer of the entangled states of two photonic qubits encoded via squeezed vacuum states and cat states. Our scheme possesses generality and can be applied to accomplish the same task in a variety of physical systems.
Physics-informed reinforcement learning framework for kinematics optimization of self-propelled articulated swimmers
Authors: Wang Chengyun , Huang Haibo
Published: January 2025

Our study presents a novel optimization framework dedicated to refining the swimming gaits of self-propelled articulated swimmers. The approach integrates a fluid–structure interaction solver for multibody systems with a single-step deep reinforcement learning optimization algorithm. To overcome the computational costs incurred by evaluations during parameter search, we introduced controlled transfer learning to improve performance and efficiency. By leveraging pre-trained policies on low-fidelity models and adapting them to high-fidelity environments, the learning procedure can be accelerated with significantly less high-fidelity evaluations. Moreover, the optimization algorithm is complemented by an intricate mapping procedure designed to enforce stringent constraints derived from prior knowledge within the expansive high-dimensional design space. Then, this framework is applied to investigate the influence of segment length and number on the optimal swimming kinematics of an articulated fish model. Findings reveal that the variable-length approach may yield more parsimonious yet comparable models with fewer segments compared to the equal-length approach. This study contributes valuable insight into the design and behavior of both natural and robotic swimmers, paving the way for future advancements in optimization algorithms and fish body models.
A novel microfluidic chip based on an impedance-enhanced electrochemical immunoassay
Authors: Tsai Sung-Lin , Wey Jiunn-Jye , Lai Szu-Chia , Huang Yu-Yin
Published: January 2025

Electrochemical immunoassays have been employed in clinical diagnostics for a considerable duration. The use of microspheres or microbeads as carriers for biomarkers serves as a foundational platform for biochemical testing. In conventional electrochemical immunoassays, constant potential instruments are predominantly utilized to measure current variations on the electrode surface, thereby achieving optimal sensitivity. However, the bio-modified electrode surface introduces complexities in cleaning, separation, and other applications. We present a novel microfluidic device based on an impedance-enhanced electrochemical immunoassay that introduces a continuous fluid quantitative platform that employs freely moving multiplex beads containing antigens bound to magnetic and dielectric micro/nanobeads, which are measured using an electrochemical impedance biosensor, all within a one-way microchannel of a microfluidic chip. This device utilizes antibody-coated magnetic beads and dielectric beads conjugated with detection antibodies for quantitative analysis in conjunction with portable electronic devices. Additionally, we have developed an innovative algorithm for microbead analysis based on the modeling of coplanar electrodes to detect viral proteins. This unique bead-based technology has been successfully integrated into a microfluidic chip and proved to have effectively detected COVID-19. The proposed device leverages bead-based technology and electrical impedance characteristics, offering substantial potential for integration with miniaturized electronic elements. This microfluidic device facilitates simple, rapid, efficient, portable, compact, and cost-effective high-throughput measurements, thereby enhancing clinical diagnostic capabilities for emerging infectious diseases.
Wave energy evolution and vortex dynamics induced by gap resonance between multiple floating rectangular structures
Authors: Wang Xin-yu , Liu Yong , Wang Fu , Gong Shao-dong , Meringolo Domenico D.
Published: January 2025

This study presents an experimental design and implementation aimed at investigating the processes of wave energy evolution and vortex generation and shedding under wave-induced gap resonance between multiple floating rectangular structures (MFRSs). A synchronized particle image velocimetry system, combined with an efficient data processing method, is adopted to study the wave energy evolution from the initial to the quasi-steady state. The validity of experiment was confirmed by published experimental and numerical data, regarding variations of resonant wave height vs dimensionless incident wave numbers and free surface elevations. The intrinsic nature of two distinct gap resonant frequencies was clarified through comprehensive analyses of the flow field and phase difference of the free surface elevation. The resonant characteristics, total wave energy dissipation, and the contributions of viscous dissipation from wall friction and flow separation around two gaps of MFRSs were estimated quantitatively. The Ω-criterion vortex identification method was selected to investigate vortex generation, shedding, and dissipation modes of MFRSs. The results indicate that the second resonant frequency in gap 1 is primarily induced by fluid motion oscillations in gap 2. A substantial portion of the incident wave energy, approximately 55.4%, is dissipated under gap resonance. The diameter of vortex structures at the fundamental resonant wave frequency in gap 1 is at least three times larger than that at the second resonant wave frequency. The energy accumulated by the water blockage effect of vortex structures significantly exceeds the energy dissipated by the increased vortex generation and shedding under wave-induced gap resonance.
Influence of thermal flux on Marangoni convection in weakly viscoelastic thin films on uniformly heated substrate
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Anandamoy , Bhargavi D.
Published: January 2025

This study examines the hydrodynamic stability of weakly viscoelastic thin film of Walters liquid B″ type on a uniformly heated rigid inclined plane. The current model incorporates a heat flux (HF) boundary condition, which is a realistic representation. This approach accounts for heat flux and heat loss at the wall–liquid and wall–air interfaces, allowing for an examination of the effects of a nonvanishing temperature gradient at the top of the rigid wall. This consideration is essential, as maintaining a constant temperature throughout the wall in laboratory settings poses significant challenges. A Benney-type evolution equation is derived using the long-wave expansion of the flow variables, describing the film thickness as a function of x, t. A linear stability analysis in normal mode is conducted to determine the onset of instability to the critical Reynolds number. The linear study indicates the dual role of the wall film Biot number (Bw). For small values of (Bw), a destabilizing effect is observed; however, upon reaching a critical value, a stabilizing effect is produced. The linear study confirms that the presence of Bw consistently results in a destabilizing effect on the viscoelastic parameter. The nonlinear free surface equation is numerically simulated using the Fourier Spectral method. The temporal evolution of hmax and hmin in the presence of (Bw) proves the viscoelastic parameter's destabilizing effect.
Accurate inversion of chlorophyll content based on PROSPECT-LSROGF-BAS-BP method
Authors: Zhu Shengfan , Zhang Jin , Wang Dan , Ding Rui
Published: January 2025

Accurate measurement of chlorophyll content in plant leaves is crucial for evaluating plant health. Leaf radiation transfer models are commonly used to estimate chlorophyll content from remote sensing data. However, current methods often show limited accuracy in certain scenarios. This study addresses these challenges by developing a more precise method for chlorophyll content retrieval. First, the PROSPECT model, which does not fully account for optical reflection on leaf surfaces, results in lower spectral simulation accuracy. To overcome this limitation, a surface geometric feature factor (σ) is introduced, leading to the PROSPECT-LSROGF model. This enhanced model incorporates the optical reflection characteristics of the leaf surface, expands the range of light source incident angles, and more accurately describes radiative transfer within the leaf. As a result, the PROSPECT-LSROGF model shows superior spectral simulation accuracy to the traditional PROSPECT and PIOSL models. Next, to improve the retrieval accuracy of traditional BP neural networks for chlorophyll content, the Beetle Antennae Search (BAS) algorithm is used to optimize the weights and thresholds of the BP neural network, forming the BAS-BP model. By combining the PROSPECT-LSROGF model with the BAS-BP network, the PROSPECT-LSROGF-BAS-BP model is developed for accurate chlorophyll content retrieval. The performance of this model is compared with that of the gradient boosting machine retrieval and the PROSPECT-BAS-BP model. Validation is conducted using the LOPEX93, CABO, and ANGERS datasets. The PROSPECT-LSROGF-BAS-BP model achieves root mean square errors (RMSEs) of 4.186, 4.258, and 3.894 g/cm2, with determination coefficients (R2) of 0.876, 0.862, and 0.903, respectively—outperforming the other methods in terms of accuracy. These results demonstrate that the proposed method significantly improves the model’s ability to accurately estimate chlorophyll content from spectral data.
A geophysicist uses Swifties’ seismic activity for science outreach
Authors: Means Hannah H.
Published: January 2025

Eleanor Dunn employs celebrity and crowdsourcing to spark the public’s interest in science.
Understanding rural adaptation to smoke from wildfires and forest management: insights for aligning approaches with community contexts
Authors: Edgeley Catrin M. , Burnett Jack T.
Published: January 2025

Background Rural communities are increasingly impacted by smoke produced by wildfires and forest management activties. Understanding local influences on smoke adaptation and mitigation is critical to social adaptation as fire risk continues to rise. Aims We sought to determine the role of local social context in smoke adaptation and gauge interest in adaptation strategies that might reduce exposure. Methods We conducted 46 semi-structured interviews with 56 residents and professionals in Parks, Arizona, USA, a rural community adjacent to public lands regularly affected by smoke. Key results Rural residents think of smoke as an acceptable risk. Efforts to adapt to potential health impacts are minimal, though inaction is driven by diverse reasoning and tradeoffs. Local social context – particularly elements related to government distrust, forest management, and independence – heavily influences interest in uptake of different adaptation strategies as well as affecting access to, and interpretation of, information about smoke risks. Conclusions Rural approaches to, and understandings of, smoke adaptation vary spatially and temporally. Public interest in broader forest management efforts can be leveraged to engage residents in conversations about proactive smoke adaptation. Implications Smoke adaptation strategies in rural communities must meld evidence of their effectiveness with community preferences grounded in local context to overcome inaction.
Is Ockham’s razor losing its edge? New perspectives on the principle of model parsimony
Authors: Dubova Marina , Chandramouli Suyog , Gigerenzer Gerd , Grünwald Peter , Holmes William , Lombrozo Tania , Marelli Marco , Musslick Sebastian , Nicenboim Bruno , Ross Lauren N. , Shiffrin Richard , White Martha , Wagenmakers Eric-Jan , Bürkner Paul-Christian , Sloman Sabina J.
Published: January 2025

The preference for simple explanations, known as the parsimony principle, has long guided the development of scientific theories, hypotheses, and models. Yet recent years have seen a number of successes in employing highly complex models for scientific inquiry (e.g., for 3D protein folding or climate forecasting). In this paper, we reexamine the parsimony principle in light of these scientific and technological advancements. We review recent developments, including the surprising benefits of modeling with more parameters than data, the increasing appreciation of the context-sensitivity of data and misspecification of scientific models, and the development of new modeling tools. By integrating these insights, we reassess the utility of parsimony as a proxy for desirable model traits, such as predictive accuracy, interpretability, effectiveness in guiding new research, and resource efficiency. We conclude that more complex models are sometimes essential for scientific progress, and discuss the ways in which parsimony and complexity can play complementary roles in scientific modeling practice.
The misalignment of incentives in academic publishing and implications for journal reform
Authors: Trueblood Jennifer S. , Allison David B. , Field Sarahanne M. , Fishbach Ayelet , Gaillard Stefan D. M. , Gigerenzer Gerd , Holmes William R. , Lewandowsky Stephan , Matzke Dora , Murphy Mary C. , Musslick Sebastian , Popov Vencislav , Roskies Adina L. , ter Schure Judith , Teodorescu Andrei R.
Published: January 2025

For most researchers, academic publishing serves two goals that are often misaligned—knowledge dissemination and establishing scientific credentials. While both goals can encourage research with significant depth and scope, the latter can also pressure scholars to maximize publication metrics. Commercial publishing companies have capitalized on the centrality of publishing to the scientific enterprises of knowledge dissemination and academic recognition to extract large profits from academia by leveraging unpaid services from reviewers, creating financial barriers to research dissemination, and imposing substantial fees for open access. We present a set of perspectives exploring alternative models for communicating and disseminating scientific research. Acknowledging that the success of new publishing models depends on their impact on existing approaches for assigning academic credit that often prioritize prestigious publications and metrics such as citations and impact factors, we also provide various viewpoints on reforming academic evaluation.
Environmental variability across space and time drives the recolonization pattern of a historically persecuted large carnivore
Authors: Moqanaki Ehsan , Milleret Cyril , Dupont Pierre , Mattisson Jenny , Dey Soumen , Brøseth Henrik , Aronsson Malin , Persson Jens , Wabakken Petter , Flagstad Øystein , Bischof Richard
Published: January 2025

Wildlife populations are not static. Intrinsic and extrinsic factors affect individuals, which lead to spatiotemporal variation in population density and range. Yet, dynamics in density and their drivers are rarely documented, due in part to the inherent difficulty of studying long-term population-level phenomena at ecologically meaningful scales. We studied the spatiotemporal density dynamics in a recolonizing large carnivore population, the wolverine
Gulo gulo
, across the Scandinavian Peninsula over nine years. We fitted open-population spatial capture-recapture models to noninvasive genetic sampling data collected across Norway and Sweden to estimate annual density surfaces and their drivers. This approach allowed us to model sex-specific changes in wolverine density and the effect of landscape-level environmental determinants over time. Our results revealed that, as wolverines successfully recolonized many parts of their historical range in Scandinavia, the relationship with spatial determinants of density has changed over time. We also found support for sex-specific responses of the Scandinavian wolverine to the environmental determinants of density and differences in the temporal dynamics of their relationships, indicating disproportionate recolonization ability and anthropogenic pressures. We observed significant changes in the relationship of female wolverine density with several determinants during the study period, suggesting still ongoing expansion of female wolverines whereas males might have already reached the range limits. These findings show that the Scandinavian wolverine population is still recovering from centuries of persecution and severe range contraction. Our study sheds light on the dynamics and challenges of recolonizing large carnivores in human-dominated landscapes across time and space.
Carbonate fluorapatite coatings on phillipsite represent a significant sink of phosphorus in abyssal plains of the western Pacific Ocean
Authors: Fan Wenxiao , Zhou Junming , Jiang Xiaodong , Zhang Huan , Mi Mei , Yuan Peng , Dong Yanhui , Liu Dong , Wei Yanfu , Peckmann Jörn
Published: January 2025

As an essential micronutrient, phosphorus plays a key role in oceanic biogeochemistry, with its cycling intimately connected to the global carbon cycle and climate change. Authigenic carbonate fluorapatite (CFA) has been suggested to represent a significant phosphorus sink in the deep ocean, but its formation mechanisms in oceanic low-productivity settings remain poorly constrained. Applying X-ray absorption near edge structure, transmission electron microscopy, and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer analyses, we report a unique mineral assemblage where CFA crystals coat phillipsite in abyssal sediments of the East Mariana Basin and the Philippine Sea. This finding suggests that phillipsite provides an ideal microenvironment for CFA formation due to its ability to release calcium cations and its strong adsorption capacity for phosphate anions. The feasibility of such a mechanism was confirmed by long-term (10 mo) laboratory experiments. Furthermore, the CFA forming in the sediment of abyssal plains is found to be enriched in rare earth elements (REE). The previously unrecognized mechanism of CFA formation may therefore not only contribute to the cycling of phosphorus in oceanic low-productivity environments but may also represent a significant sink of REE.
Vulnerability to natural disasters and sustainable consumption: Unraveling political and regional differences
Authors: Chae Rebecca L. , Siddiqui Rafay , Xu Yan
Published: January 2025

The urgent calls for action on climate change underscore the importance of increasing sustainable behavior among individuals who have traditionally veered away from it, such as those on the political right. Utilizing data from four geopolitical regions across 24 countries, we explore whether vulnerability to natural disasters, brought on by either experiencing or anticipating a natural disaster, is a crucial factor. We find that as vulnerability to natural disasters increases, sustainable consumption intentions significantly increase among rightists in Western Europe, Israel, and the United States. Environmental motives, rather than economic or trend motives, are found to drive this effect. This suggests that, for rightists, the expectation of being directly impacted by climate change can override their established attitudes and foster more sustainable behavior with the goal of helping the environment. In contrast, the same increase in sustainable consumption intentions is weaker among leftists, who already embrace sustainable behavior. Interestingly, in Central and Eastern Europe, this interplay between political ideology and vulnerability to natural disasters is absent, highlighting the unique postcommunist context of this region. These findings underscore the necessity of tailored strategies for promoting sustainable behavior across regional contexts and provide vital insight into how sustainable consumption may increase among groups that have traditionally resisted it. In a quasiexperiment, we test the potential of an intervention using messages that highlight recent natural disasters in one’s locality and demonstrate its effectiveness in pushing rightists toward sustainable consumption.
14-3-3 promotes sarcolemmal expression of cardiac Ca
V
1.2 and nucleates isoproterenol-triggered channel superclustering
Authors: Spooner Heather C. , Costa Alexandre D. , Westhoff Maartje , Hernández-González Adriana , Ibrahimkhail Husna , Yarov-Yarovoy Vladimir , Horne Mary C. , Dickson Eamonn J. , Dixon Rose E.
Published: January 2025

The L-type Ca
2+
channel (Ca
V
1.2) is essential for cardiac excitation–contraction coupling. To contribute to the inward Ca
2+
flux that drives Ca
2+
-induced-Ca
2+
-release, Ca
V
1.2 channels must be expressed on the sarcolemma; thus the regulatory mechanisms that tune Ca
V
1.2 expression to meet contractile demand are an emerging area of research. A ubiquitously expressed protein called 14-3-3 has been proposed to affect Ca
2+
channel trafficking in nonmyocytes; however, whether 14-3-3 has similar effects on Ca
V
1.2 in cardiomyocytes is unknown. 14-3-3 preferentially binds phospho-serine/threonine residues to affect many cellular processes and is known to regulate cardiac ion channels including Na
V
1.5 and the human ether-à-go-go–related gene (hERG) potassium channel. Altered 14-3-3 expression and function have been implicated in cardiac pathologies including hypertrophy. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that 14-3-3 interacts with Ca
V
1.2 in a phosphorylation-dependent manner and regulates cardiac Ca
V
1.2 trafficking and recycling. Confocal imaging, proximity ligation assays, superresolution imaging, and coimmunoprecipitation revealed a population of 14-3-3 colocalized and closely associated with Ca
V
1.2. The degree of 14-3-3/Ca
V
1.2 colocalization increased upon stimulation of
β
-adrenergic receptors with isoproterenol. Notably, only the 14-3-3-associated Ca
V
1.2 population displayed increased cluster size with isoproterenol, revealing a role for 14-3-3 as a nucleation factor that directs Ca
V
1.2 superclustering. Isoproterenol-stimulated augmentation of sarcolemmal Ca
V
1.2 expression, Ca
2+
currents, and Ca
2+
transients in ventricular myocytes were strengthened by 14-3-3 overexpression and attenuated by 14-3-3 inhibition. These data support a model where 14-3-3 interacts with Ca
V
1.2 in a phosphorylation-dependent manner to promote enhanced trafficking/recycling, clustering, and activity during
β
-adrenergic stimulation.
Emergence and evolution of heterocyte glycolipid biosynthesis enabled specialized nitrogen fixation in cyanobacteria
Authors: Pérez Gallego Ruth , von Meijenfeldt F. A. Bastiaan , Bale Nicole J. , Sinninghe Damsté Jaap S. , Villanueva Laura
Published: January 2025

Heterocytes, specialized cells for nitrogen fixation in cyanobacteria, are surrounded by heterocyte glycolipids (HGs), which contribute to protection of the nitrogenase enzyme from oxygen. Diverse HGs preserve in the sediment and have been widely used as evidence of past nitrogen fixation, and structural variation has been suggested to preserve taxonomic information and reflect paleoenvironmental conditions. Here, by comprehensive HG identification and screening of HG biosynthetic gene clusters throughout cyanobacteria, we reconstruct the convergent evolutionary history of HG structure, in which different clades produce the same HGs. We find that rudimentary HG biosynthetic machinery was already present in cyanobacteria before the emergence of heterocytes for functions unrelated to nitrogen fixation and identify HG analogs produced by specific and distantly related nonheterocytous cyanobacteria. These structurally less complex molecules represent precursors of HGs, suggesting that HGs arose after a genomic reorganization and expansion of ancestral biosynthetic machinery, enabling the rise of cyanobacterial heterocytes in an increasingly oxygenated atmosphere. Our results open a chapter in the potential use of diagenetic products of HGs and HG analogs as fossils for reconstructing the evolution of multicellularity and division of labor in cyanobacteria.
Chronic stress–induced cholesterol metabolism abnormalities promote ESCC tumorigenesis and predict neoadjuvant therapy response
Authors: Wang Ting , Wang Xiangyu , Wang Keke , Yu Mengyuan , Bai Ruihua , Zhang Yiru , Zhang Zihan , Liu Feifei , Wang Rui , Shi Xiaodan , Jia Ludan , Liu Kangdong , Li Xiang , Jin Guoguo , Zhao Simin , Dong Zigang
Published: January 2025

Recent studies have demonstrated that chronic stress can enhance the development of multiple human diseases, including cancer. However, the role of chronic stress in esophageal carcinogenesis and its underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study uncovered that dysregulated cholesterol metabolism significantly promotes esophageal carcinogenesis under chronic stress conditions. Our findings indicate that the persistent elevation of glucocorticoids induced by chronic stress stimulates cholesterol uptake, contributing to esophageal carcinogenesis. The activated glucocorticoid receptor (GCR) enrichment at the promoter region of High Mobility Group Box 2 (HMGB2) facilitates its transcription. As a transcription coactivator, HMGB2 enhances Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Transcription Factor 1 (SREBF1) transcription and regulates cholesterol metabolism through LDL particle uptake into cells via Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor (LDLR). These results emphasize the significant impact of chronic stress on esophageal carcinogenesis and establish cholesterol metabolism disorder as a crucial link between chronic stress and the development of ESCC. The implications suggest that effectively managing chronic stress may serve as a viable strategy for preventing and treating ESCC.
New evidence for early Indian Ocean trade routes into the South African interior
Authors: Antonites Alexander , Antonites Annie R. , Peterson Christian E. , Hopf Tyron , Ndlovu Ndukuyakhe
Published: January 2025

The rise and spread of ancient Indian Ocean Rim (IOR) trade networks profoundly impacted southern Africa. Control over this trade played a critical role in the rise and maintenance of complex societies of the second millennium CE such as Mapungubwe and Great Zimbabwe. While the African origins of this trade lie in the first millennium CE, understanding its earliest phases and subsequent development in the far south has been hampered by a general paucity of research. The recovery of Persian Gulf ceramic sherds and Asian glass beads from the Letaba region of northeastern South Africa demonstrates that communities up to 400 km inland were already part of IOR trade by the 10th century. Although glass beads have been found at several late first millennium CE sites throughout the region, glazed wares are much rarer by comparison. In southern Africa, archaeological sites with Persian Gulf ceramics largely date to between the 9th and 10th centuries with a distribution limited to the Limpopo River’s main tributaries. This distribution poses new questions about early IOR trade routes into the southern African interior and suggests Xai-Xai in southern Mozambique as a possible entry point for early IOR trade.
Sustainable plant-based control strategies for late blight disease of potato
Authors: Hari Amal , Echchgadda Ghizlane , Benjelloun Meryem , Lahmamsi Haitam , Belabess Zineb , Laasli Salah-Eddine , Mokrini Fouad , Lazraq Abderrahim , Lahlali Rachid
Published: January 2025

Despite the importance of potato crops for food security, it is threatened by fungal diseases. Late blight caused by
Phytophthora infestans
is one of the oomycetes that pose a major threat to global potato production. In this review, we compiled the recent data on
P
.
infestans
impacts on potato crops with a focus on the management approaches. We discussed the impacts of the mycelium and sporangia on leaves, tuber, and crops of potato plants in the field and during storage. Concerning the management approaches, we demonstrated the negative impacts of chemical fungicides on the environment and public health, as well as the development of resistance in treated
P
.
infestans
. Further, we analyzed the eco-friendly methods with a focus on natural products such as medicinal plant extracts and microbial agents. Essential oils (EOs) and extracts of medicinal plants showed higher antifungal activities against mycelium and spores of
P
.
infestans
due to their richness in chemical compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, sterols, terpenoids, and alkaloids. These biomolecules impact membranes, mitochondria, enzymes, and hyphae of the pathogen cells. Due to the lower stability of plant extracts, nanotechnologies such as nanoencapsulation of biomolecules and EOs were also discussed to clarify their promoting role in enhancing the antifungal activities of plant derivatives. Other modern methods such as RNA interference and biological control agents (BCAs) were also included. In the end, we discussed the limits and challenges of the eco-friendly approaches to demonstrate their ability to substitute the chemical fungicides.
Study on the influence of the Cu ribbon detachment ratio on the electrical characteristics of photovoltaic modules
Authors: Feng Ping , Li Lei , Tu Jielei , Xu Delin , Yang Yanyun , Zhang Qixing , Xu Zhangyang , Deng Qi , Kong Lingfu , Hou Jiahui
Published: January 2025

Based on the carrier transport path at the welding interface of a Cu ribbon, this study proposes a theoretical model of the Cu ribbon detachment ratio (DR) and the busbar resistance, Cu ribbon resistance, and contact resistance. The relationship between the Cu ribbon DR and the resistance of each welding layer, as well as the relative contribution of the resistance of each welding layer to the series resistance, is analyzed using the designed theoretical model. The results show that with the increase in the DR value, both the busbar resistance and contact resistance increase exponentially, whereas the Cu ribbon resistance decreases linearly. The effects of the busbar resistance, Cu ribbon resistance, and contact resistance on the series resistance are 36.22%, 0.40% and 63.38%, respectively. The results also indicate that series resistance is mainly affected by the busbar resistance and contact resistance. The maximum value of the Cu ribbon detachment was quantitatively calculated, when the DR value is larger than 93%, the detachment of the Cu ribbon can make a photovoltaic (PV) module retired. In this study, PV modules with Cu ribbons having different DR values are fabricated and tested in the laboratory. The results show that the maximum relative errors of the series resistance, fill factor, and output power of the values calculated by the proposed model and experimental test values are 4.77%, 1.05% and 1.40%, respectively. This verifies the feasibility of the proposed theoretical model. Finally, based on the relative contribution of the resistance of each welding layer to the series resistance, this study designs a B-type PV module with a thick-busbar and short-welding Cu ribbon. The results show that the electrical performance of the B-type PV module with a busbar thickness of 30 μm a welding length of the Cu ribbon of 70% performs.
Pulse-by-pulse treatment planning and its application to generic observations of ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) radiotherapy with photons and protons
Authors: Bedford James L
Published: January 2025

Objective. The exact temporal characteristics of beam delivery affect the efficacy and outcome of ultra-high dose rate (UHDR or ‘FLASH’) radiotherapy, mainly due to the influence of the beam pulse structure on mean dose rate. Single beams may also be delivered in separate treatment sessions to elevate mean dose rate. This paper therefore describes a model for pulse-by-pulse treatment planning and demonstrates its application by making some generic observations of the characteristics of FLASH radiotherapy with photons and protons. Approach. A beam delivery model was implemented into the AutoBeam (v6.3) inverse treatment planning system, so that the individual pulses of the delivery system could be explicitly described during optimisation. The delivery model was used to calculate distributions of time-averaged and dose-averaged mean dose rate and the dose modifying factor for FLASH was then determined and applied to dose calculated by a discrete ordinates Boltzmann solver. The method was applied to intensity-modulated radiation therapy with photons as well as to passive scattering and pencil beam scanning with protons for the case of a simple phantom geometry with a prescribed dose of 36 Gy in 3 fractions. Main results. Dose and dose rate are highest in the target region, so FLASH sparing is most pronounced around the planning target volume (PTV). When using a treatment session per beam, OAR sparing is possible more peripherally. The sparing with photons is higher than with protons because the dose to OAR is higher with photons. Significance. The framework provides an efficient method to determine the optimal technique for delivering clinical dose distributions using FLASH. The most sparing occurs close to the PTV for hypofractionated treatments.
A dual-domain network with division residual connection and feature fusion for CBCT scatter correction
Authors: Yang Shuo , Wang Zhe , Chen Linjie , Cheng Ying , Wang Huamin , Bai Xiao , Cao Guohua
Published: January 2025

Objective. This study aims to propose a dual-domain network that not only reduces scatter artifacts but also retains structure details in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Approach. The proposed network comprises a projection-domain sub-network and an image-domain sub-network. The projection-domain sub-network utilizes a division residual network to amplify the difference between scatter signals and imaging signals, facilitating the learning of scatter signals. The image-domain sub-network contains dual encoders and a single decoder. The dual encoders extract features from two inputs parallelly, and the decoder fuses the extracted features from the two encoders and maps the fused features back to the final high-quality image. Of the two input images to the image-domain sub-network, one is the scatter-contaminated image analytically reconstructed from the scatter-contaminated projections, and the other is the pre-processed image reconstructed from the pre-processed projections produced by the projection-domain sub-network. Main results. Experimental results on both synthetic and real data demonstrate that our method can effectively reduce scatter artifacts and restore image details. Quantitative analysis using synthetic data shows the mean absolute error was reduced by 74% and peak signal-to-noise ratio increased by 57% compared to the scatter-contaminated ones. Testing on real data found a 38% increase in contrast-to-noise ratio with our method compared to the scatter-contaminated image. Additionally, our method consistently outperforms comparative methods such as U-Net, DSE-Net, deep residual convolution neural network (DRCNN) and the collimator-based method. Significance. A dual-domain network that leverages projection-domain division residual connection and image-domain feature fusion has been proposed for CBCT scatter correction. It has potential applications for reducing scatter artifacts and preserving image details in CBCT.
Construction of an invertible mapping to boundary conforming coordinates for arbitrarily shaped toroidal domains
Authors: Babin Robert , Hindenlang Florian , Maj Omar , Köberl Robert
Published: January 2025

Boundary conforming coordinates are commonly used in plasma physics to describe the geometry of toroidal domains, for example, in three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium solvers. The magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium configuration can be approximated with an inverse map, defining nested surfaces of constant magnetic flux. For equilibrium solvers that solve for this inverse map iteratively, the initial guess for the inverse map must be well-defined and invertible. Even if magnetic islands are to be included in the representation, boundary conforming coordinates can still be useful, for example to parametrize the interface surfaces in multi-region, relaxed magnetohydrodynamics or as a general-purpose, field-agnostic coordinate system in strongly shaped domains. Given a fixed boundary shape, finding a valid boundary conforming mapping can be challenging, especially for the non-convex boundaries from recent developments in stellarator optimization. In this work, we propose a new algorithm to construct such a mapping, by solving two Dirichlet–Laplace problems via a boundary integral method. We can prove that the generated harmonic map is always smooth and has a smooth inverse. Furthermore, we can find a discrete approximation of the mapping that preserves this property.
A 3-DOF multi-mode parallel positioning platform utilizing piezoelectric–electromagnetic hybrid actuation
Authors: Zhang En , Liu Jia , Ma Jijie , Li Xinhui , Hu Yili , Li Jianping , Chen Kang , Wen Jianming
Published: January 2025

To improve the overall performance of 3-DOF parallel position platforms such as resolution, travel range, and linearity, this study proposes a novel compact piezoelectric–electromagnetic platform (PEP). The platform supports motion in

X
Y

θ
Z

directions and operates in three working types: high-speed mode, low-speed stepping mode, and high-precision positioning mode (HPM). The PEP utilizes signal control to switch modes, enabling tasks such as rapid movement, precise positioning, and fine position adjustments. It also supports object rotation for orientation adjustments. A theoretical model was developed to analyze the actuator’s working principle. A prototype was then fabricated, assembled, and tested through a series of experiments to evaluate its performance across the three modes. The experimental results demonstrate the following: the PEP achieves a resolution of 20 nm in HPM, continuous and stable minimum rotary step movement of 0.37 μrad, and a linear coupling of less than 3.14%. The maximum forward and backward speeds reach 2681 μm s−1 and 2697.5 μm s−1, respectively, under 100 VP-P and 300 Hz. The piezoelectric–electromagnetic hybrid structure proposed in this study not only simplifies structural design but also delivers excellent output performance.
Growth of (Cu,C)Ba2Ca2Cu3O9±δ thin films on flexible Hastelloy tapes
Authors: Ou Meng-Jun , Liu Yuecong , Wang Yi , Wen Hai-Hu
Published: January 2025

The applications of superconducting cable or magnet require that the superconductors are made into wires or tapes. For cuprate superconductors, this is a big challenge because of the friability and short coherence length of the materials; weak links are easy to be formed at the grain boundaries hindering the flowing of the supercurrent. One of the ways is to fabricate superconducting films on flexible metallic tapes with oxide buffer layers. The successful one so far is the REBa2Cu3O7 (RE = rare earth elements) films in tape form, as called the coated conductors. While the superconducting transition temperature of REBCO system is limited to around 90 K. Here we report the successful fabrication of another new non-toxic superconducting film, namely (Cu,C)Ba2Ca2Cu3O

9
±
δ

on these flexible metallic tapes with LaMnO3 and CeO2 as the top buffer layers. The onset superconducting transition occurs at 112 and 110 K, and the zero-resistance transition temperatures are about 96 and 98 K, respectively. The temperature dependent resistivity under magnetic fields in different directions reveals a relatively small anisotropy. Further optimization of the films will improve the zero resistance transition temperature, thus can also improve the characteristic properties for applications. Our results show that the (Cu,C)Ba2Ca2Cu3O

9
±
δ

is a promising candidate material for the high power applications in liquid nitrogen temperature region.
Wave structures and its evolution modeled by variant Mikhailov-Novikov-Wang equation
Authors: He Yalin , Kai Yue
Published: January 2025

In this study, we first transform the variant Mikhailov-Novikov-Wang equation into a corresponding dynamical system using the traveling wave transform. In order to derive the Gaussian soliton solutions of the equation, the generalized trial equation method is employed. We employ the complete discrimination system for polynomial method for qualitative analysis and concluded the existence of periodic and soliton solutions of the equation by exploring the relationship between the roots and coefficients of the polynomials without explicitly solving the solutions. Further quantitative analysis verifies these conclusions by presenting the corresponding solutions. Sensitivity evaluation is conducted via multiple situations using numerical simulations, which demonstrate how the initial conditions influence the evolution of the system. Additionally, chaotic phenomena are also discovered by introducing a perturbation term, confirming the presence of chaotic behavior. To the best of our awareness, this study is the first to explore the sensitivity and chaotic properties of this equation. Considering the significances of the equation in plasma physics and fluid dynamics, that we obtained can have the practical applications in the real-physical world.