bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differential rotation of stars from spot transit mapping: dependence on rotation period and effective temperature
Authors: Araújo Alexandre , Valio Adriana
Published: December 2024

Just like the Sun, other stars also exhibit differential rotation. Currently, the rotation profile of a star that hosts a transiting planet can be estimated if during a transits, the planet occults a spot on the photosphere of the star, causing slight variations in its light curve. By detecting the same spot during a later transit, the stellar rotation period at that latitude is determined. Here, we present the results of differential rotation for 48 stars, 13 from the spot transit mapping method, while the remaining 35 stars from other techniques. The results show that the differential rotation is correlated with the stellar mean rotation period for fast rotating stars and strongly anti-correlated for slow rotators. The transition occuring at rotation period of 5 days. On the other hand, the differential shear increases with effective temperature for fast rotating stars, but the correlation is lost for the slow rotators.
Exploring the Relation Between Magnetic Fields, Starspots, and CMEs
Authors: Menezes Fabian , Valio Adriana , Netto Yuri , Araújo Alexandre , Kay Christina , Opher Merav
Published: December 2024

Solar-type stars, including the Sun, have magnetic fields that extend from their interiors to the surface and beyond, influencing both the stellar activity and interplanetary medium. Magnetic activity phenomena, such as coronal mass ejections (CMEs), significantly impacts space weather. These CMEs, composed of plasma clouds with magnetic fields ejected from the stellar corona, pose a potential threat to planets by affecting their magnetosphere and atmosphere. Despite advancements in detecting stellar CMEs, detection remains limited. We focus on understanding CME propagation by analyzing key parameters like position, velocities, and the configuration of stellar magnetic fields. Using spot transit mapping, we reconstruct magnetograms for Kepler-63 and Kepler-411, employing the ForeCAT model to simulate CME trajectories from these stars. Results indicate that CME deflections generally decrease with radial velocity and increase with ejection latitude. Additionally, stars with stronger magnetic fields, such as Kepler-63, tend to cause more significant CME deflections.
Temporal Variation of Solar Equatorial Rossby Modes with Azimuthal Orders 6 ≤ m ≤ 10
Authors: Lekshmi B. , Gizon Laurent , Jain Kiran , Liang Zhi–Chao , Philidet Jordan
Published: December 2024

We use nearly two decades of helioseismic data obtained from the GONG (2002–2020) and HMI (2010–2020) ring-diagram pipelines to examine the temporal variations of the properties of individual equatorial Rossby modes with azimuthal orders in the range 6 ≤ m ≤ 10. We find that the mode parameters obtained from GONG and HMI are consistent during the data overlapping period of 2010–2020. The power and the frequency of each mode exhibit significant temporal variations over the full observing period. Using the GONG data during solar cycles 23 and 24, we find that the mode power averaged over 6 ≤ m ≤ 10 shows a positive correlation with the sunspot number (0.42), while the averaged frequency shift is anti-correlated (–0.91). The anti-correlation between the average mode power and frequency shift is –0.44.
Intrauterine exposure to a high-fat diet, with different levels of lipids, and its gastrointestinal repercussions: a model of fetal programming in rats
Authors: Fortunato-Silva Jéssica , de Rezende Lívia Prometti , Ferreira-Neto Marcos Luiz , Bispo-da-Silva Luiz Borges , Balbi Ana Paula Coelho
Published: December 2024

It is known that adverse stimuli, such as altered diets during pregnancy and lactation, can result in deleterious effects on the progeny. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible gastrointestinal repercussions in the offspring of Wistar rats exposed to high-fat diets. Pregnant rats were divided into three groups: normolipidic diet (3.5% lipids), a diet containing 28% lipids, and a diet with 40% lipids. Body weight and food, water, daily caloric, and macronutrient intake were evaluated in the pregnant rats. Structural and functional gastrointestinal parameters were assessed in 30-day-old male pups. Depending on the lipid content of the maternal diet, the pups may exhibit gastric mucosal thickening, an increase in the relative weight of the small intestine, a reduction in the jejunal and ileal mucosa, and a decrease in the total thickness of the ileum. Additionally, there may be a reduction in the number of villi per area in these organs and a thinning of the muscular layer in the large intestine. The structural changes induced by the maternal high-fat diet seem to reduce the stomach’s sensitivity to ethanol-induced ulcers, which is the only functional alteration observed. Therefore, the offspring of dams exposed to high-fat diets during pregnancy and lactation exhibits impaired gastrointestinal development, with alterations depending on dietary fat content and specific gastrointestinal regions. Structural changes did not always result in functional abnormalities and, in some cases, appeared protective. The long-term consequences of the observed morphological alterations require further investigation.
The Mechanisms Underlying the Intergenerational Transmission of Substance Use and Misuse: An Integrated Research Approach
Authors: Luo Mannan , Trindade Pons Victória , Thomas Nathaniel S. , Drake John , Su Mei-Hsin , Vladimirov Vladimir , van Loo Hanna M. , Gillespie Nathan A.
Published: December 2024

Substance use and substance use disorders run in families. While it has long been recognized that the etiology of substance use behaviors and disorders involves a combination of genetic and environmental factors, two key questions remain largely unanswered: (1) the intergenerational transmission through which these genetic predispositions are passed from parents to children, and (2) the molecular mechanisms linking genetic variants to substance use behaviors and disorders. This article aims to provide a comprehensive conceptual framework and methodological approach for investigating the intergenerational transmission of substance use behaviors and disorders, by integrating genetic nurture analysis, gene expression imputation, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis. We also additionally describe two longitudinal cohorts — the Brisbane Longitudinal Twin Study in Australia and the Lifelines Cohort Study in the Netherlands. By applying the methodological framework to these two unique datasets, our future research will explore the complex interplay between genetic factors, gene expression, and environmental influences on substance use behaviors and disorders across different life stages and populations.
Machine Learning Classification Strategy to Improve Streamflow Estimates in Diverse River Basins in the Colorado River Basin
Authors: Maebius Sarah , Bennett K. E. , Schwenk J.
Published: December 2024

Streamflow in the Colorado River Basin (CRB) is significantly altered by human activities including land use/cover alterations, reservoir operation, irrigation, and water exports. Climate is also highly varied across the CRB which contains snowpack‐dominated watersheds and arid, precipitation‐dominated basins. Recently, machine learning methods have improved the generalizability and accuracy of streamflow models. Previous successes with LSTM modeling have primarily focused on unimpacted basins, and few studies have included human impacted systems in either regional or single‐basin modeling. We demonstrate that the diverse hydrological behavior of river basins in the CRB are too difficult to model with a single, regional model. We propose a method to delineate catchments into categories based on the level of predictability, hydrological characteristics, and the level of human influence. Lastly, we model streamflow in each category with climate and anthropogenic proxy data sets and use feature importance methods to assess whether model performance improves with additional relevant data. Overall, land use cover data at a low temporal resolution was not sufficient to capture the irregular patterns of reservoir releases, demonstrating the importance of having high‐resolution reservoir release data sets at a global scale. On the other hand, the classification approach reduced the complexity of the data and has the potential to improve streamflow forecasts in human‐altered regions.
Nonlinear Interactions of Planetary‐Scale Waves in Mesospheric Winds Observed at 52°N Latitude and Two Longitudes
Authors: He Maosheng , Forbes Jeffrey M. , Stober Gunter , Jacobi Christoph , Li Guozhu , Liu Libo , Xu Jiyao
Published: December 2024

Nine‐years of mesospheric wind measurements, from two meteor radars at 52°N latitude, were analyzed to study planetary waves (PWs) and tides through estimating their zonal wavenumbers. The analysis reveals that multi‐day oscillations are predominantly driven by PW normal modes (NMs), which exhibit distinct seasonal variations and statistical association with Sudden Stratospheric Warming events. Specifically, a prominent 6‐day NM emerges in April, followed by dominant 4‐ and 2‐day NMs persisting until June, with subsequent peaks of 2‐, 4‐, and 6‐day NMs extending from July to October. Furthermore, this study presents the first observational verification of the frequencies and zonal wavenumbers of over 10 secondary waves, arising from nonlinear interactions among planetary‐scale waves. A notable finding is the prevalence of non‐migrating components in the winter 24‐hr and summer 8‐hr tides, phenomena attributed to the nonlinear interactions. Our findings highlight the complexity of atmospheric nonlinear dynamics in generating diverse planetary‐scale periodic oscillations.
Tropospheric Thermodynamic Conditions Necessary for Tropical Cyclone Rapid Intensification
Authors: Sentić Stipo , Stone Željka , Raymond David J.
Published: December 2024

As a part of the Tropical Cyclone Rapid Intensification (TCRI) project, we investigated thermodynamic conditions necessary for cyclone intensification. While high sea surface temperature and low tropospheric wind shear are well known environmental factors contributing to storm intensification, they are not sufficient to predict intensification and rapid intensification in particular. To explore thermodynamic factors contributing to intensification, we used dropsondes deployed in pre‐storm and storm environments interpolated on a regular grid via a 3D variational analysis. We find that in mesoscale convective areas an instability index, which measures the stability of the atmosphere to moist convection, and saturation fraction, which measures the moisture content of the atmosphere, show a narrow range of values favorable for intensification, and rapid intensification in particular.
The Impact of Solar Wind Magnetic Field Fluctuations on the Magnetospheric Energetics
Authors: Ala‐Lahti Matti , Pulkkinen Tuija I. , Brenner Austin , Keebler Timothy , Al Shidi Qusai , Hill Shannon , Welling Daniel
Published: December 2024

Solar wind drives magnetospheric dynamics through coupling with the geospace system at the magnetopause. While upstream fluctuations correlate with geomagnetic activity, their impact on the magnetopause energy transfer is an open question. In this study, we examine three‐dimensional global magnetospheric simulations using the Geospace configuration of the Space Weather Modeling Framework. We examine the effects of solar wind fluctuations during a substorm event by running the model with four different driving conditions that vary in fluctuation frequency spectrum. We demonstrate that upstream fluctuations intensify the energy exchange at the magnetopause increasing both energy flux into and out of the system. The increased energy input is reflected in ground magnetic indices. Moreover, the fluctuations impact the magnetopause dynamics by regulating the energy exchange between the polar caps and lobes and energy transport within the magnetotail neutral sheet.
Dislocation Creep of Diopside Aggregates Under Unsaturated Hydrous Conditions at a Confining Pressure of 300 MPa
Authors: Li Jianfeng , Song Maoshuang , Wang Hao , Zhang Guinan , Mei Shenghua , Zheng Xiaodong , Wang Xiaoning , Jiang Zhexuan
Published: December 2024

To understand the dislocation creep behavior of clinopyroxene in the upper mantle, hot‐pressed diopside aggregates without predrying treatment were triaxially deformed under water‐unsaturated conditions at a confining pressure of 300 MPa, temperatures of 1323–1523 K, and strain rates of 10−6–10−4 s−1, using a Paterson gas‐medium apparatus. Fourier transform infrared measurements of the water contents of the samples before and after deformation revealed that water diffusion loss occurred during the deformation process. A simple diffusion model based on Fick's law was established to predict the variation in the water content with respect to time during deformation. Fitting the mechanical data with a power flow law yielded a stress exponent n of 4.3 ± 0.3, an activation energy Q of 427 ± 31 kJ/mol and a water content exponent r of 1.2 ± 0.2 for the dislocation creep of the diopside aggregates under water‐unsaturated conditions. When the flow law was extrapolated to anhydrous and water‐saturated conditions, the calculated flow strengths of the diopside aggregates were generally in agreement with the strengths determined directly by deformation experiments, but there also existed contribution from grain boundary water under water‐saturated conditions. The results of our study indicate that the strength of diopside or upper mantle clinopyroxene is comparable to the strength of olivine under anhydrous conditions but weaker than that of olivine under water‐saturated conditions in the dislocation creep regime. Therefore, diopside might dominate the rheological behavior in some clinopyroxene‐enriched and hydrous regions of the upper mantle.
Dynamic Vortex Height Evolution During Tropical Cyclone Rapid Intensification
Authors: DesRosiers Alexander J. , Bell Michael M.
Published: December 2024

The vertical structure of the tropical cyclone (TC) vortex can be quantified throughout the TC life cycle via the dynamic height of the vortex (DHOV) metric, which is sensitive to the rate of decay of the tangential wind field with height. Observed storms always possessed a high DHOV value prior to periods of rapid intensification (RI). When limited to vertically‐aligned TCs where the low‐ to mid‐level vortex tilt magnitude is small, all DHOV values are found to be large enough for RI. Vortex tilt results from environmental vertical wind shear (VWS) and a similar relationship is found in an ensemble of TCs simulated in a moderate shear environment. Once vortex tilt decreases, both the observed and ensemble TCs exhibit a concurrent increase of DHOV and intensity, indicating the metric provides useful information about changing vertical structure in both tilted and aligned TCs. The growth of DHOV during RI is closely coupled with a strengthening warm core at the upper levels. A simulation with an upper‐level jet of VWS is used to better understand the importance of the upper levels during RI by disrupting vortex development there. DHOV and intensity of the TC are effectively capped in the jet simulation relative to its counterpart in a control simulation, indicating shear can limit TC height without appreciable low‐ to mid‐level tilt. Differences in kinematic and thermal structure between the jet and control runs are found from 12‐ to 16‐km altitude, suggesting the importance of warming near the tropopause in powerful TCs.
Emissions and Chemistry of Volatile Organic Compounds in the Los Angeles Basin in Summer 2022
Authors: Jensen A. R. , Morris M. A. , Schulze B. C. , Bradley A. C. , Anderson L. D. , Jenks O. J. , Dresser W. D. , Ball K. , Ward R. X. , Day D. A. , Crounse J. D. , Meinardi S. , Barletta B. , Blake D. R. , Seinfeld J. H. , Wennberg P. O. , Jimenez J. L. , de Gouw J. A.
Published: December 2024

The ozone air quality standard is regularly surpassed in the Los Angeles air basin, and efforts to mitigate ozone production have targeted emissions of precursor volatile organic compounds (VOCs), especially from mobile sources. In order to assess how VOC concentrations, emissions, and chemistry have changed over the past decade, VOCs were measured in this study using a Vocus‐2R proton‐transfer reaction time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer in Pasadena, California, downwind of Los Angeles, in summer 2022. Relative to 2010, ambient concentrations of aromatic hydrocarbons have declined at a similar rate as carbon monoxide, suggesting reduced overall emissions from mobile sources. However, the ambient concentrations of oxygenated VOCs have remained similar or increased, suggesting a greater relative importance of oxidation products and other emission sources, such as volatile chemical products whose emissions are largely unregulated. Relative to 2010, the range of measured VOCs was expanded, including higher aromatics and additional volatile chemical products, allowing a better understanding of a wider range of emission sources. Emission ratios relative to carbon monoxide were estimated and compared with 2010 emission ratios. Average measured ozone concentrations were generally comparable between 2022 and 2010; however, at the same temperature, daytime ozone concentrations were lower in 2022 than 2010. Faster photochemistry was observed in 2022, with average hydroxyl radical exposure being ∼68% higher during midday (statistically significant at 95% confidence), although this difference reduces to ∼35% when comparing observations at ambient temperatures of 25–30°C only. Future trends in temperature are important in predicting ozone production.
Toward Understanding Parametric Controls on Runoff Sensitivity to Climate in the Community Land Model: A Case Study Over the Colorado River Headwaters
Authors: Elkouk Ahmed , Pokhrel Yadu , Livneh Ben , Payton Elizabeth , Luo Lifeng , Cheng Yifan , Dagon Katherine , Swenson Sean , Wood Andrew W. , Lawrence David M. , Thiery Wim
Published: December 2024

Crucial to the assessment of future water security is how the land model component of Earth System Models partition precipitation into evapotranspiration and runoff, and the sensitivity of this partitioning to climate. This sensitivity is not explicitly constrained in land models nor the model parameters important for this sensitivity identified. Here, we seek to understand parametric controls on runoff sensitivity to precipitation and temperature in a state‐of‐the‐science land model, the Community Land Model version 5 (CLM5). Process‐parameter interactions underlying these two climate sensitivities are investigated using the sophisticated variance‐based sensitivity analysis. This analysis focuses on three snow‐dominated basins in the Colorado River headwaters region, a prominent exemplar where land models display a wide disparity in runoff sensitivities. Runoff sensitivities are dominated by indirect or interaction effects between a few parameters of subsurface, snow, and plant processes. A focus on only one kind of parameters would therefore limit the ability to constrain the others. Surface runoff exhibits strong sensitivity to parameters of snow and subsurface processes. Constraining snow simulations would require explicit representation of the spatial variability across large elevation gradients. Subsurface runoff and soil evaporation exhibit very similar sensitivities. Model calibration against the subsurface runoff flux would therefore constrain soil evaporation. The push toward a mechanistic treatment of processes in CLM5 have dampened the sensitivity of parameters compared to earlier model versions. A focus on the sensitive parameters and processes identified here can help characterize and reduce uncertainty in water resource sensitivity to climate change.
ADNP is essential for sex-dependent hippocampal neurogenesis, through male unfolded protein response and female mitochondrial gene regulation
Authors: Shapira Guy , Karmon Gidon , Hacohen-Kleiman Gal , Ganaiem Maram , Shazman Shula , Theotokis Paschalis , Grigoriadis Nikolaos , Shomron Noam , Gozes Illana
Published: December 2024

Essential for brain formation and protective against tauopathy, activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) is critical for neurogenesis and cognitive functions, while regulating steroid hormone biogenesis. As such, de novo mutations in ADNP lead to syndromic autism and somatic ADNP mutations parallel Alzheimer’s disease progression. Furthermore, clinical trials with the ADNP fragment NAP (the investigational drug davunetide) showed efficacy in women suffering from the tauopathy progressive supranuclear palsy and differentially boosted memory in men (spatial) and women (verbal), exhibiting prodromal Alzheimer’s disease. While autism is more prevalent in boys and Alzheimer’s disease in women, both involve impaired neurogenesis. Here, we asked whether ADNP sex-dependently regulates neurogenesis. Using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) as a marker of neurogenesis, we identified two-fold higher labeling in the hippocampal sub-ventricular zone of ADNP-intact male versus female mice. Adnp haplo-insufficient (Adnp+/−) mice or mice CRSIPR/Cas9-edited to present the most prevalent neurodevelopmental ADNP syndrome mutation, p.Tyr718* (Tyr) showed dramatic reductions in male BrdU incorporation, resulting in mutated females presenting higher labeling than males. Treatment with NAP compensated for the male reduction of BrdU labeling. Mechanistically, hippocampal RNAseq revealed male-specific Tyr down-regulation of endoplasmic reticulum unfolded protein response genes critical for sex-dependent organogenesis. Newly discovered mitochondrial accessibility of ADNP was inhibited by the Tyr718* mutation further revealing female-specific Tyr downregulation of mitochondrial ATP6. NAP moderated much of the differential expression caused by p.Tyr718*, accompanied by the down-regulation of neurotoxic, pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic genes. Thus, ADNP is a key regulator of sex-dependent neurogenesis that acts by controlling canonical pathways, with NAP compensating for fundamental ADNP deficiencies, striding toward clinical development targeting the ADNP syndrome and related neurodevelopmental/neurodegenerative diseases.
Influence of network heterogeneity on the nanoscale mechanical properties of epoxy resins
Authors: Nguyen Hung K. , Shundo Atsuomi , Yamamoto Satoru , Tanaka Keiji , Nakajima Ken
Published: December 2024

The presence of structural heterogeneities in glassy epoxy networks can strongly affect the adhesiveness and mechanical properties of epoxy-based materials. Recent studies have demonstrated that the size and architecture of structural heterogeneities can be monitored during the curing process, thus providing an effective way to control multiple physical properties of epoxy resins. However, because the size of heterogeneities is believed to be at the nanoscale, obtaining insights into the direct correlation between the local behavior of heterogeneities and the preparation conditions remains challenging. Here, we combine two recently developed atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based methods, bimodal amplitude and frequency modulation and nanoscale dynamic mechanical analysis (nDMA), to directly visualize and quantify the nanoscale mechanical properties of epoxy resins obtained via different curing conditions. Our AFM maps clearly show a correlation between the curing conditions and the heterogeneous behavior of the resulting epoxy networks, which is in excellent agreement with those predicted from macroscopic measurements. Notably, our nDMA results revealed a relationship between network heterogeneity and the glass transition behavior of the epoxy resins.
Development of mirror-image monobodies targeting the oncogenic BCR::ABL1 kinase
Authors: Schmidt Nina , Kumar Amit , Korf Lukas , Dinh-Fricke Adrian Valentin , Abendroth Frank , Koide Akiko , Linne Uwe , Rakwalska-Bange Magdalena , Koide Shohei , Essen Lars-Oliver , Vázquez Olalla , Hantschel Oliver
Published: December 2024

Mirror-image proteins, composed of d-amino acids, are an attractive therapeutic modality, as they exhibit high metabolic stability and lack immunogenicity. Development of mirror-image binding proteins is achieved through chemical synthesis of d-target proteins, phage display library selection of l-binders and chemical synthesis of (mirror-image) d-binders that consequently bind the physiological l-targets. Monobodies are well-established synthetic (l-)binding proteins and their small size (~90 residues) and lack of endogenous cysteine residues make them particularly accessible to chemical synthesis. Here, we develop monobodies with nanomolar binding affinities against the d-SH2 domain of the leukemic tyrosine kinase BCR::ABL1. Two crystal structures of heterochiral monobody-SH2 complexes reveal targeting of the pY binding pocket by an unconventional binding mode. We then prepare potent d-monobodies by either ligating two chemically synthesized d-peptides or by self-assembly without ligation. Their proper folding and stability are determined and high-affinity binding to the l-target is shown. d-monobodies are protease-resistant, show long-term plasma stability, inhibit BCR::ABL1 kinase activity and bind BCR::ABL1 in cell lysates and permeabilized cells. Hence, we demonstrate that functional d-monobodies can be developed readily. Our work represents an important step towards possible future therapeutic use of d-monobodies when combined with emerging methods to enable cytoplasmic delivery of monobodies.
Evolution of fast-growing piscivorous herring in the young Baltic Sea
Authors: Goodall Jake , Pettersson Mats E. , Bergström Ulf , Cocco Arianna , Delling Bo , Heimbrand Yvette , Karlsson O. Magnus , Larsson Josefine , Waldetoft Hannes , Wallberg Andreas , Wennerström Lovisa , Andersson Leif
Published: December 2024

The circumstances under which species diversify to genetically distinct lineages is a fundamental question in biology. Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) is an extremely abundant zooplanktivorous species that is subdivided into multiple ecotypes that differ regarding spawning time and genetic adaption to local environmental conditions such as temperature, salinity, and light conditions. Here we show using whole genome analysis that multiple populations of piscivorous (fish-eating) herring have evolved sympatrically after the colonization of the brackish Baltic Sea within the last 8000 years postglaciation. The piscivorous ecotype grows faster, and is much larger and less abundant than the zooplanktivorous Baltic herring. Lesions of the gill rakers in the piscivorous ecotype indicated incomplete adaptation to a fish diet. This niche expansion of herring in the young Baltic Sea, with its paucity of piscivorous species, suggests that empty niche space is more important than geographic isolation for the evolution of biodiversity.
Pairing at a single Van Hove point
Authors: Ojajärvi Risto , Chubukov Andrey V. , Lee Yueh-Chen , Garst Markus , Schmalian Jörg
Published: December 2024

We show that an interacting electronic system with a single ordinary or extended Van Hove point, which crosses the Fermi energy, is unstable against triplet superconductivity. The pairing mechanism is unconventional. There is no Cooper instability. Instead, pairing is due to the divergence of the density of states at a Van Hove point, leading to a superconducting quantum critical point at a finite detuning from the Van Hove point. The transition temperature is universally determined by the exponent governing the divergence of the density of states. Enhancing this exponent drastically increases Tc. The Cooper pair wave function has a non-monotonic momentum dependence with a steep slope near the gap nodes. In the absence of spin–orbit coupling, pairing fluctuations suppress a 2e spin-triplet state, but allow pairs of triplets to condense into a charge-4e singlet state at a temperature of similar order as our result.
Evolution of sexual size dimorphism in tetrapods is driven by varying patterns of sex-specific selection on size
Authors: Slavenko Alex , Cooper Natalie , Meiri Shai , Murali Gopal , Pincheira-Donoso Daniel , Thomas Gavin H.
Published: December 2024

Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) is highly prevalent in nature. Several hypotheses aim to explain its evolution including sexual selection, differential equilibrium and ecological niche divergence. Disentangling the causal mechanism behind the evolution of SSD is challenging, as selection arising from multiple pressures on fitness may act simultaneously to generate observed patterns. Here, we use phylogenetic comparative methods to study the evolution of SSD across tetrapods globally. We estimate directional changes in body size evolution, and compare the number, phylogenetic position and magnitude of size changes between sexes. We find evidence that directional changes in size associated with SSD are typically more common in males—even in lineages where females are larger. However, underlying mechanisms differ among lineages—whereas SSD in amphibians becomes more male-biased with greater increases in male size and mammalian SSD becomes more female-biased with greater decreases in male size. Thus, differing mechanisms of directional body size evolution across sexes are essential to explain observed SSD patterns.
Steering perovskite precursor solutions for multijunction photovoltaics
Authors: Hu Shuaifeng , Wang Junke , Zhao Pei , Pascual Jorge , Wang Jianan , Rombach Florine , Dasgupta Akash , Liu Wentao , Truong Minh Anh , Zhu He , Kober-Czerny Manuel , Drysdale James N. , Smith Joel A. , Yuan Zhongcheng , Aalbers Guus J. W. , Schipper Nick R. M. , Yao Jin , Nakano Kyohei , Turren-Cruz Silver-Hamill , Dallmann André , Christoforo M. Greyson , Ball James M. , McMeekin David P. , Zaininger Karl-Augustin , Liu Zonghao , Noel Nakita K. , Tajima Keisuke , Chen Wei , Ehara Masahiro , Janssen René A. J. , Wakamiya Atsushi , Snaith Henry J.
Published: December 2024

Multijunction photovoltaics (PVs) are gaining prominence owing to their superior capability of achieving power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) beyond the radiative limit of single-junction cells1–8, for which improving narrow-bandgap (NBG) tin–lead perovskites is critical for thin-film devices9. Here, with a focus on understanding the chemistry of tin–lead perovskite precursor solutions, we find that Sn(ii) species dominate interactions with precursors and additives and uncover the exclusive role of carboxylic acid in regulating solution colloidal properties and film crystallization and ammonium in improving film optoelectronic properties. Materials that combine these two functional groups, amino acid salts, considerably improve the semiconducting quality and homogeneity of perovskite films, surpassing the effect of the individual functional groups when introduced as part of separate molecules. Our enhanced tin–lead perovskite layer allows us to fabricate solar cells with PCEs of 23.9%, 29.7% (certified 29.26%) and 28.7% for single-junction, double-junction and triple-junction devices, respectively. Our 1-cm2 triple-junction devices show PCEs of 28.4% (certified 27.28%). Encapsulated triple-junction cells maintain 80% of their initial efficiencies after 860 h maximum power point tracking (MPPT) in ambient. We further fabricate quadruple-junction devices and obtain PCEs of 27.9% with the highest open-circuit voltage of 4.94 V. This work establishes a new benchmark for multijunction PVs.
HED LANG – A Hierarchical Event Descriptors library extension for annotation of language cognition experiments
Authors: Denissen Monique , Pöll Bernhard , Robbins Kay , Makeig Scott , Hutzler Florian
Published: December 2024

Experimental design in language cognition research often involves presenting language material while measuring associated behavior and/or neural activity. To make the collected data easily and fully analyzable by both the original data authors and others, it is important to have detailed information about the stimulus presentation events, including the nature and properties of the presented stimuli, using a common vocabulary and syntax. We present HED LANG, a library extension of the Hierarchical Event Descriptors (HED) event annotation schema for time series behavioral and neuroimaging data. HED LANG provides an open source, standardized vocabulary for building detailed, human- and machine-actionable annotations for language cognition datasets. It builds on existing annotation systems in linguistics and is supported by a suite of HED tools for annotating, validating, searching, and characterizing HED-tagged datasets. HED LANG is specific enough to allow event data annotation at the range of levels needed to support many current research paradigms and analyses. Both HED and HED LANG are open to community input and participation, enabling them to evolve with continuing developments in language cognition research.
Adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma associated with gastric ulcers in alpacas
Authors: Neubert Saskia , Wagener Matthias Gerhard , Ganter Martin , Puff Christina
Published: December 2024

In pathological examinations, gastric ulcers are often detected in South American camelids. The aetiology cannot be clarified in every case. However, tumour-related gastric ulcers are observed repeatedly. This study reports clinical, laboratory and pathological findings in six alpacas, three each with adenocarcinoma- and squamous cell carcinoma-associated gastric ulcers. Clinically they were presented with general symptoms like emaciation, anorexia and recumbency. Laboratory findings of these animals were non-specific. All animals were at least nine years old. The adenocarcinomas as well as the squamous cell carcinomas were metastasised in various organs, especially in the lymph nodes. Two adenocarcinoma-associated gastric ulcers were perforated. In summary, squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas can lead to ulcerative lesions in the gastrointestinal tract. Although neoplasms are rare overall, they should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis in the case of non-specific symptoms. In particular, older animals seem to be affected more frequently.
Residual power series scheme treatments for fractional Klein-Gordon problem arising in soliton theory
Authors: Rida Saad Z. , Arafa Anas A. M. , Hussein Hussein S. , Ameen Ismail Gad , Mostafa Marwa M. M.
Published: December 2024

The Klein-Gordon problem (KGP) is one of the interesting models that appear in many scientific phenomena. These models are characterized by memory effects, which provide insight into complex phenomena in the fields of physics. In this regard, we propose a new robust algorithm called the confluent Bernoulli approach with residual power series scheme (CBCA-RPSS) to give an approximate solution for the fractional nonlinear KGP. The convergence, uniqueness and error analysis of the proposed method are discussed in detail. A comparison of the numerical results obtained by CBCA-RPSS with the results obtained by some well-known algorithms is presented. Numerical simulations using base errors indicate that CBCA-RPSS is an accurate and efficient technique and thus can be used to solve linear and nonlinear fractional models in physics and engineering. All the numerical results for the studied problems were obtained through implementation codes in Matlab R2017b.
Unveiling the impact of pipe materials on water hammer in pressure pipelines: an experimental and numerical study
Authors: Kandil M. , El-Sayed Tamer A. , Kamal A. M.
Published: December 2024

Water hammer (WH) is a phenomenon characterized by the rapid opening or closing of valves or pumps in pipelines, resulting in a disruptive noise, intense vibrations, and potential damage to pipes, fittings, structures, and even human safety. While WH arresters are commonly employed to mitigate this issue in smaller plumbing systems, alternative solutions are required for larger applications like power plants. Researchers have proposed the utilization of pipe materials with a low modulus of elasticity in areas prone to WH events, as these materials possess the capability to absorb a significant portion of the resulting vibrations. This study focuses on investigating the influence of pressure and strain induced by the WH phenomenon. Experimental data collected from measurements using a specially designed test rig, as well as numerical and dimensionless analyses applied to the same rig, are employed to examine this effect. The experimental and numerical investigations encompass a range of flow rates and pressures. Five pipe materials, namely Galvanized steel, Copper, uPVC, PPr, and GRP, were selected for evaluation. The results indicate a deviation between the numerical and experimental results of WH frequency which can be explained from the pipeline rigidity. A Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis was performed to analyze the frequency components of the pressure transients resulting from water hammer events in the different pipe materials. The results indicate that pipe materials with lower elastic modulus, such as PPr and uPVC, exhibit reduced WH effects compared to materials with higher elastic modulus, such as steel. This research highlights the importance of selecting appropriate pipe materials for pressure pipelines in order to mitigate the dangers associated with WH. The results of the FFT analysis revealed distinct frequency responses for each material, illustrating how their unique viscoelastic properties affect the transient behavior.
Deep regression analysis for enhanced thermal control in photovoltaic energy systems
Authors: Elmessery Wael M. , Habib Abadeer , Shams Mahmoud Y. , Abd El-Hafeez Tarek , El-Messery Tamer M. , Elsayed Salah , Fodah Ahmed E. M. , Abdelwahab Taha A. M. , Ali Khaled A. M. , Osman Yasser K. O. T. , Abdelshafie Mohamed F. , El-wahhab Gomaa G. Abd , Elwakeel Abdallah E.
Published: December 2024

Efficient cooling systems are critical for maximizing the electrical efficiency of Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels. However, conventional temperature probes often fail to capture the spatial variability in thermal patterns across panels, impeding accurate assessment of cooling system performance. Existing methods for quantifying cooling efficiency lack precision, hindering the optimization of PV system maintenance and renewable energy output. This research introduces a novel approach utilizing deep learning techniques to address these limitations. A U-Net architecture is employed to segment solar panels from background elements in thermal imaging videos, facilitating a comprehensive analysis of cooling system efficiency. Two predictive models—a 3-layer Feedforward Neural Network (FNN) and a proposed Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)—are developed and compared for estimating cooling percentages from individual images. The study aims to enhance the precision and reliability of heat mapping capabilities for non-invasive, vision-based monitoring of photovoltaic cooling dynamics. By leveraging deep regression techniques, the proposed CNN model demonstrates superior predictive capability compared to traditional methods, enabling accurate estimation of cooling efficiencies across diverse scenarios. Experimental evaluation illustrates the supremacy of the CNN model in predictive capability, yielding a mean square error (MSE) of just 0.001171821, as opposed to the FNN’s MSE of 0.016. Furthermore, the CNN demonstrates remarkable improvements in mean absolute error (MAE) and R-square, registering values of 1.2% and 0.95, respectively, whereas the FNN posts comparatively inferior numbers of 3.5% and 0.85. This research introduces labeled thermal imaging datasets and tailored deep learning architectures, accelerating advancements in renewable energy technology solutions. Moreover, the study provides insights into the practical implementation and cost-effectiveness of the proposed cooling efficiency monitoring system, highlighting hardware requirements, integration with existing infrastructure, and sensitivity analysis. The economic viability and scalability of the system are assessed through comprehensive cost-benefit analysis and scalability assessment, demonstrating significant potential for cost savings and revenue increases in large-scale PV installations. Furthermore, strategies for addressing limitations, enhancing predictive accuracy, and scaling to larger datasets are discussed, laying the groundwork for future research and industry collaboration in the field of photovoltaic thermal management optimization.
High early strength concrete incorporating waste derived nanomaterials for sustainable construction
Authors: Hamed Nehal , Serag M. I. , El-Attar M. M. , El-Feky M. S.
Published: December 2024

This paper contributes to the expanding knowledge base on nanomaterial-enhanced cementitious composites, offering valuable insights for developing high-performance, sustainable concrete solutions. The study assessed the effects of three different types of nanomaterials—nano clay (NC), nano silica (NS), and nano cellulose (NCel)—on the compressive strength of high-early-strength concrete (HESC) through both experimental studies and a 23 factorial design. Incorporating nanomaterials into the HESC matrix led to a decrease in workability, with NCel demonstrating the least impact on this property across all studied replacement percentages. All HESC mixes containing nanomaterials exhibited higher compressive strength than the control mix (M mix) across all ages. The optimal percentages for compressive strength enhancement were 4.5% NC (33.43% increase at 3 days, 22.29% at 7 days, and 12.15% at 28 days), 4.5% NS (20.12%, 11.14%, and 4.89% respectively), and 0.0375% NCel (34.91%, 25.76%, and 13.46% respectively). The highest compressive strength was observed in the hybrid mix containing 4.5% NC and 0.0375% NCel, yielding strength enhancements of 35.7%, 26%, and 12.75% compared to the M mix. Statistical analysis indicated that nano cellulose had the most significant contribution to enhancing compressive strength, followed by nano clay. The mathematical models derived from the statistical analyses provide a reliable means of predicting the compressive strength of HESC at 3, 7, and 28 days based on nanomaterial content. Contour plots illustrated the optimization of compressive strength across different nanomaterial contents at each age. In summary, the findings underscore the potential of waste-derived nanomaterials to enhance the performance of HESC, paving the way for innovative waste utilization strategies in construction. The study emphasizes the importance of reducing curing times, improving structural durability, and minimizing the environmental impact associated with concrete production.
Evaluation of some photosensitizers against the cotton leaf worm, Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in relation to spectral and thermal reflectance
Authors: Yones M. S. , Maamoun Shireen A. M. , Khidr Abd El Aziz A. , Sayed Mahmoud , Al-Ashry Hend A. A. , Attia Radwa G.
Published: December 2024

Photosensitizing compounds are eco-friendly promising organic dyes for managing insect pests without facing the risk of resistance. The photodynamic efficacy of four Photosensitizing compounds (rose Bengal, rhodamine B, methylene blue and methyl violet) was monitored against the third larval instar of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval), after exposure to sunlight. The LC50 values of the four compounds; rose Bengal, rhodamine B, methylene blue and methyl violet recorded 0.029 × 10–5, 0.24 × 10–5, 14.69 × 10–5 and 15.59 × 10–5 M, respectively. Therefore, rose Bengal was the most effective compound followed by rhodamine B, Methylene blue and methyl violet. Compared to similar previously documented photosensitizer compounds, these four tested compounds recorded higher mortality percentage. The effect of those compounds on the larval biochemical components was assessed by measuring larval spectral and thermal reflectance. Larvae fed on photosensitizing compounds showed distinct spectral reflectance patterns. Treated larvae had same reflectance manner; which were higher than that of control samples. Along the whole spectrum, the highest reflectance was after 60 min of exposure to sunlight in case of rose Bengal, rhodamine B and methylene blue. Methyl violet reflected sunlight mostly at zero time then the reflectance decreased after 30 min then increased again after 60 min. There was a noticeable absorption of IR wavelengths at ~ 1900, 1400, 1200 and 950 nm in all treated samples. Thermal imaging indicated abnormal larval warmth after treatment. Differences in reflectance were monitored immediately after feeding, confirming the speed and mode of action of those compounds.
Comparative study of the removal of urea by electrocoagulation and electrocoagulation combined with chemical coagulation in aqueous effluents
Authors: Shaban A. , Basiouny M. E. , AboSiada Osama A.
Published: December 2024

Urea is a major issue in human wastewater because it may be easily broken down by the urease enzyme produced by bacteria, leading to ammonia production. Due to its ability to increase soil pH and eutrophicate streams, ammonia-containing effluent emissions pose environmental and health risks. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of various treatment approaches in reducing urea concentrations by comparing the removal rates of conducting electrocoagulation (EC), EC followed by chemical coagulation (EC-CC), and CC followed by electrocoagulation (EC-CC). Numerous electrocoagulation parameters have been investigated, including current density, electrode gap distance, electrolyte type, concentration, and electrolysis duration. The electrode morphology was examined using a scanning electron microscope, while the produced sludge was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Three kinds of aluminum coagulants—potash alum, aluminum sulfate, and aluminum chloride—were used in the chemical coagulation, while the electrocoagulation was optimized at 30 A/m2. The results of this investigation suggest that the application of EC-CC, regardless of the type of coagulant used in both synthetic and real effluent, could marginally improve the efficacy of urea removal. Conversely, CC-EC exhibits an adverse effect on the efficiency of urea removal in both synthetic and real wastewater. The application of CC-EC demonstrated a significant improvement in the effectiveness of COD removal from actual wastewater, according to experimental results. The study emphasized the effectiveness and economic advantages of electrocoagulation over EC-CC and CC-EC techniques, used to remove urea from both real and synthetic wastewater.