Browse Articles

Not so binary or generalizable: Brain sex differences with artificial neural networks

Investigating slope stability of multiple stopes prone to instability in the Ziluoyi iron ore mining site

Author Correction: Mechanical properties and damage characterization of cracked granite after cyclic temperature action

Improved YOLOv8n based helmet wearing inspection method

DNA barcoding of invasive Gambusia holbrooki Girard, 1859 and Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810 inhabiting Upper Euphrates River Basin, Türkiye

Phylogeographic analyses reveal recent dispersal and multiple Wolbachia infections of the bright-eyed ringlet Erebia oeme within the European mountain systems

Abstract The genus Erebia comprises numerous species in Europe. Due to preference of cold environments, most species have disjunct distributions in the European mountain systems. However, their biogeographical patterns may differ significantly. The Bright-eyed ringlet Erebia oeme is widespread in high-altitude grasslands of the European high mountains, hence showing a disjunct distribution pattern. Over its distribution, E. oeme shows high morphological variability indicating pronounced intraspecific differentiation. We analysed two mitochondrial (COI, Cytb) and eight nuclear markers as well as the Wolbachia surface protein-coding gene (WSP). A total of four lineages were identified: two Balkan lineages, one Slovenian lineage as well as one lineage containing all other individuals (Alps, Massif Central, Pyrenees). COI data only indicate a fifth lineage in the southern Carpathians. The region of origin of E. oeme is most likely the western Balkans. From here, E. oeme spread to the eastern Balkan area and further to the southern Carpathians as well as to Slovenia, from where it rapidly crossed the Alps to Massif Central and Pyrenees. Wolbachia was found to be highly prevalent with multiple strains, partly within one population. However, recent Wolbachia impact on the mitochondrial DNA and consequently influence on the intraspecific genetic structure was not detected.

Workflow-driven catalytic modulation from single-atom catalysts to Au–alloy clusters on graphene

Abstract Gold-based (Au) nanostructures are efficient catalysts for CO oxidation, hydrogen evolution (HER), and oxygen evolution (OER) reactions, but stabilizing them on graphene (Gr) is challenging due to weak affinity from delocalized $$p_{z}$$ carbon orbitals. This study investigates forming metal alloys to enhance stability and catalytic performance of Au-based nanocatalysts. Using ab initio density functional theory, we characterize $${\text {M}_{(n-x)}\text {Au}_{x}}$$ sub-nanoclusters (M = Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, and Ag) with atomicities $$n=1-4$$ , both in gas-phase and supported on Gr. We find that M atoms act as “anchors,” enhancing binding to Gr and modulating catalytic efficiency. Notably, $${\text {Pt}_{(n-x)}\text {Au}_{x}}$$ /Gr shows improved stability, with segregation tendencies mitigated upon adsorption on Gr. The d-band center ( $$\varepsilon _{\text {d}}$$ ) model indicates catalytic potential, correlating an optimal $$\varepsilon _{\text {d}}$$ range of $$-1 \text { to }-2$$ eV for HER and OER catalysts. Incorporating Au into $${\text{M}_n}$$ adjusts $$\varepsilon _{\text {d}}$$ closer to the Fermi level, especially for Group-10 alloys, offering designs with improved stability and efficiency comparable to pure Au nanocatalysts. Our methodology leveraged SimStack, a workflow framework enabling modeling and analysis, enhancing reproducibility, and accelerating discovery. This work demonstrates SimStack’s pivotal role in advancing the understanding of composition-dependent stability and catalytic properties of Au-alloy clusters, providing a systematic approach to optimize metal-support interactions in catalytic applications.

Expression and characterization of exosomal miRNAs in healthy, sub-clinical mastitis and pasteurized milk of buffaloes

IoT-based prediction model for aquaponic fish pond water quality using multiscale feature fusion with convolutional autoencoder and GRU networks

Systemic inflammatory response index improves prognostic predictive value in intensive care unit patients with sepsis

Targeted dual biologic therapy for erythroderma of unknown etiology guided by high-parameter peripheral blood immunophenotyping

Author Correction: 3D hydrogen-like screening effect on excitons in hBN-encapsulated monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides

Liquid flows induced in a rotating drum with different fill ratios

Abstract In the present study, we experimentally investigate the liquid flow induced in a rotating drum (cylindrical tank with a short aspect ratio) aligned horizontally, focusing on the variation in the time-averaged and fluctuating flow structures with different fill ratios. For each fill ratio, controlled by varying the water height, we measure the velocity fields at different cross-sectional planes with particle image velocimetry while varying the rotational speed of the drum. Compared to the condition of a fill ratio of 1.0, in which the liquid inside the drum rotates forming a large-scale (solid-body rotation) organized flow structure, a substantial asymmetric flow structure shows up in partially-filled conditions driven by the imbalance between (i) the momentum diffusion along the radial direction and the centrifugal acceleration, and (ii) the downward (gravitational) flux of the induced flow. In addition to the mean flow structure, we examine the fluctuating velocity fields together with the dynamics of the free surface, and we also briefly discuss the difference between the liquid flow and granular (particle) flow in a partially-filled drum. We think that the present results provide valuable insights on the partially-filled liquid drum toward various engineering applications.

Retraction Note: Thermal cooling efficacy of a solar water pump using Oldroyd-B (aluminum alloy-titanium alloy/engine oil) hybrid nanofluid by applying new version for the model of Buongiorno

Assessment of mechanical properties and durability of compressed mud bricks stabilized with stone dust, wheat straw, and cement

The interaction of <i>Serratia</i> bacteria and harmonine in harlequin ladybird confers an interspecies competitive edge

The harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis , is a predatory beetle used globally to control pests such as aphids and scale insects. Originating from East Asia, this species has become highly invasive since its introduction in the late 19th century to Europe and North America, posing a threat to local biodiversity. Intraguild predation is hypothesized to drive the success of this invasive species, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, a feeding assay revealed that while harlequin ladybirds survive feeding on seven-spotted ladybird eggs, the reverse is not true. However, seven-spotted ladybirds that had fed on harlequin ladybird eggs were able to survive the feeding assay when treated with penicillin. Microbiome sequencing and whole genome analysis of harlequin ladybird eggs revealed a newly discovered pathogenic bacterium strain named Serratia harmoniae. The median lethal concentration (LC50) of S. harmoniae was found to be 2.1 × 10 5 times higher in the harlequin ladybird compared to the seven-spotted ladybird. The high tolerance observed in harlequin ladybirds was attributed to harmonine, specifically produced in the fat body of this species. Silencing three key genes in the harmonine biosynthesis pathway— Spidey , Sca2 , and Desat— reduced the production of the compound, leading to increased S. harmoniae levels and higher mortality. Treating RNAi-altered individuals with penicillin reversed this effect, successfully reducing S. harmoniae presence and increasing insect survival. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that S. harmoniae , a newly identified pathogenic bacterium carried by harlequin ladybirds, interacts with harmonine to confer an interspecies competitive advantage over native ladybird species in nonnative regions.

Dynamic treeline and cryosphere response to pronounced mid-Holocene climatic variability in the US Rocky Mountains

Climate-driven changes in high-elevation forest distribution and reductions in snow and ice cover have major implications for ecosystems and global water security. In the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem of the Rocky Mountains (United States), recent melting of a high-elevation (3,091 m asl) ice patch exposed a mature stand of whitebark pine ( Pinus albicaulis ) trees, located ~180 m in elevation above modern treeline, that date to the mid-Holocene (c. 5,950 to 5,440 cal y BP). Here, we used this subfossil wood record to develop tree-ring-based temperature estimates for the upper-elevation climate conditions that resulted in ancient forest establishment and growth and the subsequent regional ice-patch growth and downslope shift of treeline. Results suggest that mid-Holocene forest establishment and growth occurred under warm-season (May-Oct) mean temperatures of 6.2 °C (±0.2 °C), until a multicentury cooling anomaly suppressed temperatures below 5.8 °C, resulting in stand mortality by c. 5,440 y BP. Transient climate model simulations indicate that regional cooling was driven by changes in summer insolation and Northern Hemisphere volcanism. The initial cooling event was followed centuries later (c. 5,100 y BP) by sustained Icelandic volcanic eruptions that forced a centennial-scale 1.0 °C summer cooling anomaly and led to rapid ice-patch growth and preservation of the trees. With recent warming (c. 2000–2020 CE), warm-season temperatures now equal and will soon exceed those of the mid-Holocene period of high treeline. It is likely that perennial ice cover will again disappear from the region, and treeline may expand upslope so long as plant-available moisture and disturbance are not limiting.

Effect of the PakCat program on nutrition status, dietary pattern and nutrition knowledge and skills of Pakistani women living in Catalonia evaluated by a mixed-method randomized control trial (RCT)

Background Pakistani women are among the most affected groups by obesity and heart failure in Catalonia. Due to cultural and linguistic barriers, their participation in standard health promotion programs is limited. To address this issue, we implemented a culturally and linguistically appropriate food education program called the PakCat Program. Methods The study employed a community-based participatory research (CBPR) design, utilizing a two-arm, cluster-assignment, non-blinded mixed-method randomized control trial (RCT) implemented in Badalona and Santa Coloma de Gramenet, two neighboring municipalities with a substantial Pakistani population. Participants were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 67) and the intervention group (n = 70). The intervention group received ten weekly culturally and linguistically appropriate food education sessions over ten weeks, while the control group attended three general sessions. The main outcome measures included nutritional status, nutrition knowledge and skills, dietary patterns, and satisfaction with the intervention, which were assessed pre-and post-intervention combining quantitative methods based on a survey and qualitative approaches consisting of conducting focus group discussions (FGDs). Results The quantitative analysis conducted through a two-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures indicated a significant improvement in the study variables across the entire sample (p &lt; 0.001 within group), with the intervention group experiencing greater improvements in nutrition knowledge and skills and dietary pattern (p &lt;0.001 for interaction and between groups). These findings were corroborated by thematically analyzed qualitative data confirming a more pronounced improvement in the study outcomes of the intervention group. Furthermore, both groups reported a high level of satisfaction with the intervention. Conclusions The PakCat Program effectively improved the nutrition knowledge, skills, and dietary patterns of immigrant women of Pakistani origin residing in Catalonia. However, future research involving a larger sample size and combining the behavioral and clinical parameters is needed to enhance the generalizability of the results.

DCFE-YOLO: A novel fabric defect detection method

Accurate detection of fabric defects is crucial for quality control in the textile industry. However, the task of fabric defect detection remains highly challenging due to the complex textures and diverse defect patterns. To address the issues of inaccurate localization and false positives caused by complex textures and varying defect sizes, this paper proposes an improved YOLOv8-based fabric defect detection method. First, Dynamic Snake Convolution is introduced into the backbone network to enhance sensitivity to elongated and subtle defects, improving the extraction of edge and texture details. Second, a Channel Priority Convolutional Attention mechanism is incorporated after the Spatial Pyramid Pooling layer to enable more precise defect localization by leveraging multi-scale structures and channel priors. Finally, the feature fusion network integrates Partial Convolution and Efficient Multi-scale Attention, optimizing the fusion of information across different feature levels and spatial scales, which enhances the richness and accuracy of feature representations while reducing computational complexity. Experimental results demonstrate a significant improvement in detection performance. Specifically, mAP@0.5 increased by 2.9%, precision improved by 3.5%, and mAP@0.5:0.95 rose by 2.3%, highlighting the model’s superior capability in detecting complex defects. The project is available at https://github.com/lilian998/fabric.

Classification and spatial characteristics of different development stages in China: Evidence from the contribution rate of production factors

This paper aims to reveal the changing characteristics of the contribution rates of different production factors in China since the reform and opening up from two dimensions: stage and space. The study used national data from 1978 to 2021 and provincial data from 2000 to 2020, combined with methods such as C-D production function and spatial econometrics for analysis. Research has found that: (1) In terms of stage characteristics, during the structural adjustment stage (1978–1998), economic growth mainly relies on capital and labor input, and the contribution rate of land factors gradually decreases. During the high-speed development stage (1998–2012), the contribution rate of technological factors gradually increased, while the contribution rate of land factors remained relatively stable. In the stage of high-quality development (2012 present), the contribution rate of technological factors continued to rise and become the dominant factor, while the contribution rate of land factors has decreased to a lower level. (2) Regarding spatial characteristics, the spatial econometric model reveals significant spatial agglomeration characteristics of capital and labor, and land factors positively affect local and neighboring economic growth. From 2000 to 2020, the contribution rate of capital factors in various provinces showed a difference of "low in the east and high in the west," which decreased year by year. The contribution rates of labor and land factors have declined to low levels in all provinces; The contribution rate of technological elements has significantly increased, with a higher contribution rate in the southeast region; High-quality development progress in each province can be identified based on the contribution rates of different production factors. The research findings help to understand the impact of varying production factors on economic development at a temporal and spatial scale and provide a scientific basis for achieving a high-quality development pattern of rational allocation of factors and regional coordinated development.