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Theoretical predictions suggest that very massive stars have the potential to form through multiple collisions and eventually evolve into intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs) within Population III star clusters embedded in mini dark matter haloes. In this study, we investigate the long-term evolution of Population III star clusters, including models with a primordial binary fraction of |$f_{\rm b}=0$| and 1, using the N -body simulation code petar. We comprehensively examine the phenomenon of hierarchical triple black holes in the clusters, specifically focusing on their merging inner binary black holes (BBHs), with post-Newtonian correction, by using the tsunami code. Our findings suggest a high likelihood of the inner BBHs containing IMBHs with masses on the order of |$\mathcal {O}(100)\,{\rm M}_{\odot }$|⁠ , and as a result, their merger rate could be up to |$0.1{\rm Gpc}^{-3}{\rm yr}^{-3}$|⁠. The orbital eccentricities of some merging inner BBHs oscillate over time periodically, known as the Kozai–Lidov oscillation, due to dynamical perturbations. Detectable merging inner BBHs for mHz GW detectors LISA/TianQin/Taiji concentrate within |$z\lt 3$|⁠. More distant sources would be detectable for CE/ET/LIGO/KAGRA/DECIGO, which are sensitive from |$\mathcal {O}(0.1)$| Hz to |$\mathcal {O}(100)$| Hz. Furthermore, compared with merging isolated BBHs, merging inner BBHs affected by dynamical perturbations from tertiary BHs tend to have higher eccentricities, with a significant fraction of sources with eccentricities closing to 1 at mHz bands. GW observations would help constrain the formation channels of merging BBHs, whether through isolated evolution or dynamical interaction, by examining eccentricities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-term balancing selection acting on mating types or sex-determining genes is expected to lead to the accumulation of deleterious mutations in the tightly linked chromosomal segments that are locally ‘sheltered’ from purifying selection. However, the factors determining the extent of this accumulation are poorly understood. Here, we took advantage of variations in the intensity of balancing selection along a dominance hierarchy formed by alleles at the sporophytic self-incompatibility system of the Brassicaceae to compare the pace at which linked deleterious mutations accumulate among them. We first experimentally measured the phenotypic manifestation of the linked load at three different levels of the dominance hierarchy. We then sequenced and phased polymorphisms in the chromosomal regions linked to 126 distinct copies of S-alleles in two populations of Arabidopsis halleri and three populations of Arabidopsis lyrata. We find that linkage to the S-locus locally distorts phylogenies over about 10–30 kb along the chromosome. The more intense balancing selection on dominant S-alleles results in greater fixation of linked deleterious mutations, while recessive S-alleles accumulate more linked deleterious mutations that are segregating. Hence, the structure rather than the overall magnitude of the linked genetic load differs between dominant and recessive S-alleles. Our results have consequences for the long-term evolution of new S-alleles, the evolution of dominance modifiers between them, and raise the question of why the non-recombining regions of some sex and mating type chromosomes expand over evolutionary times while others, such as the S-locus of the Brassicaceae, remain restricted to small chromosomal regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial communities are ubiquitous in nature and play an important role in ecology and human health. Cross-feeding is thought to be core to microbial communities, though it remains unclear precisely why it emerges. Why have multi-species microbial communities evolved in many contexts and what protects microbial consortia from invasion? Here, we review recent insights into the emergence and stability of coexistence in microbial communities. A particular focus is the long-term evolutionary stability of coexistence, as observed for microbial communities that spontaneously evolved in the E. coli long-term evolution experiment (LTEE). We analyze these findings in the context of recent work on trade-offs between competing microbial objectives, which can constitute a mechanistic basis for the emergence of coexistence. Coexisting communities, rather than monocultures of the 'fittest' single strain, can form stable endpoints of evolutionary trajectories. Hence, the emergence of coexistence might be an obligatory outcome in the evolution of microbial communities. This implies that rather than embodying fragile metastable configurations, some microbial communities can constitute formidable ecosystems that are difficult to disrupt. This Review discusses recent insights into the emergence and stability of coexistence in microbial communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In hierarchical triple systems, the inner binary is slowly perturbed by a distant companion, giving rise to large-scale oscillations in eccentricity and inclination, known as von-Zeipel–Lidov–Kozai oscillations. Stable systems with a mild hierarchy, where the period ratio is not too small, require an additional corrective term, known as the Brown Hamiltonian, to adequately account for their long-term evolution. Although the Brown Hamiltonian has been used to accurately describe the highly eccentric systems on circulating orbits where the periapse completes a complete revolution, the analysis near its elliptical fixed points had been overlooked. We derive analytically the modified fixed points including the Brown Hamiltonian and analyse its librating orbits (where the periapse motion is limited in range). We compare our result to the direct three-body integrations of millions of orbits and discuss the regimes of validity. We numerically discover the regions of orbital instability, allowed and forbidden librating zones with a complex, fractal, structure. The retrograde orbits, where the mutual inclination is |$\iota \ \gt\ 90\ \rm deg$|⁠ , are more stable and allowed to librate for larger areas of the parameter space. We find numerical fits for the librating-circulating boundary. Finally, we discuss the astrophysical implications for systems of satellites, stars, and compact objects. In a companion paper (Paper II), we apply our formalism to the orbits of irregular satellites around giant planets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pro-environmental behavior more emphasizes the initiative and consciousness of environmental behavior, and its formation is usually based on the advanced ecological civilization and long-term behavior evolution. However, the pro-environmental behavior of most organizations or individuals has not yet formed at present, which leads to few mature samples or data available, so this paper can only rely on some simulation or prediction methods to clarify the evolutionary process of environmental behavior of polluting enterprises; furtherly, the optimal control strategy of environmental behavior will also be revealed by adjusting the existing environmental policies. And some conclusions can be obtained: (1) The evolution process of environmental behavior can be divided into three stages, that is, "primary green behavior → positive green behavior → pro-environmental behavior", and the formation of pro-environmental behavior is a gradual process and it strongly needs the intervention of environmental policies; (2) the environmental policies usually need to be adjusted according to the internal and external conditions when necessary, and then they can play a more important role in the guidance of environmental behavior of polluting enterprises; (3) the combination of incentive policy and regulation policy can more effectively promote the behavior evolution of polluting enterprises, but their environmental effects are different; on the whole, the incentive policy has a significant positive effect on the evolution of environmental behavior of polluting enterprises, but its influence efficiency is low; by contrast, the influence efficiency of regulation policy is relative higher, but its positive influence effects is not significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-term evolution of wind resources under climate change is investigated and discussed in the two largest markets of the Western world: Europe and North America. Wind speed projections from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6 are employed considering the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways, the most up-to-date and elaborate climate scenarios proposed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - specifically, a middle-of-the-road scenario and an augmented emissions scenario. In Europe, projections indicate a widespread, substantial decline in wind resources (~15% in wind power density). Whereas an overall decrease in wind energy is also anticipated in North America, this appears to be highly concentrated in different foci. Additionally, the evolution of wind resources in this continent is projected to be notably season-dependent, with strong increases of over 60% and decreases of up to 50%. Conversely, the evolution in Europe shows changes of lesser magnitude but more constant throughout the year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The transposons of the hAT superfamily are the most widespread transposons ever known. SLEEPER genes encode domesticated transposases from the hAT superfamily, which may have lost their transposable functions during long-term evolution and transformed into host proteins that regulate plant growth and development. Results: This study identified 162 members of the SLEEPER gene family from Brassica napus. These members are widely distributed on 19 chromosomes, mainly in the Cn subgenome, and have promoters with various cis-acting elements related to hormone regulation, abiotic stress, and growth and development regulation. Most of the genes in this family contain similar conserved domains and motifs, and the closer the genes are distributed on evolutionary branches, the more similar their structures are. Transcriptome sequencing performed on tissues at different growth stages from B. napus line 3529 indicated that these genes had different expression patterns, and nearly half of the genes were not detectably expressed in all samples. Conclusions: This study investigated the gene structure, expression patterns, evolutionary features, and gene localization of the SLEEPER family members to confirm the significance of these genes in the growth of B. napus, providing a reference for the study of transposon domestication and outstanding genetic resources for the genetic improvement of B. napus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the proof for the source of exchange flying ring of the biological bosonic state in homochirality of L-amino acids. It is a source of knot in parallel transport of Yang–Mills field in genetic code evolved from natural selection. It serves as a source of protein folding structure in L-amino acids over all the protein structure of a living organism. In the proof, we modified Frank’s model for homochirality and added more properties of nonlinearity and supersymmetry. The mirror symmetries transform their left and right homochiral hidden states of reversed reaction over Frank’s equation for spontaneous autocatalysis. We also change the rate of reaction in the model from the Euclidean norm to Minkowski metric with Lorentz invariant in special relativity theory. The speed of light in Minkowski space in this model is an analogy with a source of all species of all living organisms with common 20 L-amino acids as their constituents. The result of the proof agrees with the existence of L-amino acids in nature. By long-term of evolution, the number of concentration of left homochirality is more than the concentration of right homochirality in amino acids propositional to the Chern–Simons current. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring oil drift by integrating multi-source satellite imagery has been a relatively underexplored practice due to the limited time-sampling of datasets. However, this limitation has been mitigated by the emergence of new satellite constellations equipped with both Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and optical sensors. In this manuscript, we take advantage of multi-temporal and multi-source satellite imagery, incorporating SAR (Sentinel-1 and ICEYE-X) and optical data (Sentinel-2/3 and Landsat-8/9), to provide insights into the spatio-temporal variations of oil spills. We also analyze the impact of met–ocean conditions on oil drift, focusing on two specific scenarios: marine floating oil slicks off the coast of Qatar and oil spills resulting from a shipwreck off the coast of Mauritius. By overlaying oils detected from various sources, we observe their short-term and long-term evolution. Our analysis highlights the finding that changes in oil structure and size are influenced by strong surface winds, while surface currents predominantly affect the spread of oil spills. Moreover, to detect oil slicks across different datasets, we propose an innovative unsupervised algorithm that combines a Bayesian approach used to detect oil and look-alike objects with an oil contours approach distinguishing oil from look-alikes. This algorithm can be applied to both SAR and optical data, and the results demonstrate its ability to accurately identify oil slicks, even in the presence of oil look-alikes and under varying met–ocean conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar thermal plants typically undergo trough operational cycles spanning between 20 and 25 years, highlighting the critical need for accurate assessments of long-term component evolution. Among these components, the heat storage media (molten salt) is crucial in plant design, as it significantly influences both the thermophysical properties of the working fluid and the corrosion of the steel components in thermal storage systems. Our research focused on evaluating the long-term effects of operating a low-melting-point ternary mixture consisting of 30 wt% LiNO3, 57 wt% KNO3, and 13 wt% NaNO3. The ternary mixture exhibited a melting point of 129 °C and thermal stability above 550 °C. Over 15,000 h, the heat capacity decreased from 1.794 to 1.409 J/g °C. Additionally, saline components such as CaCO3 and MgCO3, as well as lithium oxides (LiO and LiO2), were detected due to the separation of the ternary mixture. A 30,000 h exposure resulted in the formation of Fe2O3 and the presence of Cl, indicating prolonged interaction with the marine environment. This investigation highlights the necessity of analyzing properties under actual operating conditions to accurately predict the lifespan and select the appropriate materials for molten salt-based thermal storage systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In August 2023, Xiaomi unveiled the Redmi K60 Ultra, the first multi-frequency smartphone integrated with BeiDou-3 Navigation Satellite System Precise Point Positioning (PPP-B2b) services and employing PPP technology as the primary positioning method. The positioning enhancement service is provided by the Assisted Global Navigation Satellite System (A-GNSS) location platform developed by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology. The signaling interaction between the server and the users strictly adheres to the Third Generation of Mobile Communications Technology Partnership Project Long-Term Evolution Positioning Protocol and the Open Mobile Alliance Secure User Plane Location framework. To comprehensively evaluate the Redmi K60 Ultra's capabilities, this study designed six distinct experimental scenarios and conducted comprehensive research on multi-frequency and multi-GNSS observation noise, Time to First Fix (TTFF), as well as the performance of both GNSS-based and network-based positioning. Experimental results indicate that the GNSS chipset within the Redmi K60 Ultra has achieved a leading position in the consumer market concerning supported satellite constellations, frequencies, and observation accuracy, and is comparable to some low-cost GNSS receivers. A-GNSS positioning can reduce the TTFF from 30 to under 5 s, representing an improvement of over 85% in the cold start speed compared to a standalone GNSS mode. The positioning results show that the A-GNSS PPP-B2b service can achieve positioning performance with RMS errors of less than 1.5 m, 2.5 m, and 4 m in open-sky, realistic, and challenging urban environments. Compared to GNSS-based positioning, cellular network-based Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) positioning achieves an accuracy ranging from tens to hundreds of meters in various experimental scenarios and currently functions primarily as coarse location determination. Additionally, this study explores the potential of the Three-Dimensional Mapping-Aided (3DMA) GNSS algorithm in detecting Non-Line-of-Sight signals and enhancing positioning performance. The results indicate that 3DMA PPP, as compared to conventional PPP, can significantly accelerate PPP convergence and improve positioning accuracy by over 30%. Consequently, 3D city models can be utilized as future assistance data for the A-GNSS location platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The viscoelastic behavior of shale reservoirs indeed impacts permeability evolution and further gas flow characteristics, which have been experimentally and numerically investigated. However, its impact on the gas depletion profile at the field scale has seldom been addressed. To compensate for this deficiency, we propose a multiscaled viscoelasticity constitutive model, and furthermore, a full reservoir deformation–fluid flow coupled model is formed under the frame of the classical triple-porosity approach. In the proposed approach, a novel friction-based creep model comprising two distinct series of parameters is developed to generate the strain–time profiles for hydraulic fracture and natural fracture systems. Specifically, an equation considering the long-term deformation of hydraulic fracture, represented by the softness of Young's modulus, is proposed to describe the conductivity evolution of hydraulic fractures. In addition, an effective strain permeability model is employed to replicate the permeability evolution of a natural fracture system considering viscoelasticity. The coupled model was implemented and solved within the framework of COMSOL Multiphysics (Version 5.4). The proposed model was first verified using a series of gas production data collected from the Barnett shale, resulting in good fitting results. Subsequently, a numerical analysis was conducted to investigate the impacts of the newly proposed parameters on the production process. The transient creep stage significantly affects the initial permeability, and its contribution to the permeability evolution remains invariable. Conversely, the second stage controls the long-term permeability evolution, with its dominant role increasing over time. Creep deformation lowers the gas flow rate, and hydraulic fracturing plays a predominant role in the early term, as the viscoelastic behavior of the natural fracture system substantially impacts the long-term gas flow rate. A higher in situ stress and greater formation depth result in significant creep deformation and, therefore, a lower gas flow rate. This work provides a new tool for estimating long-term gas flow rates at the field scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional heterogeneous networks (HetNets) are constrained by their hardware design and configuration. These HetNets have a limited ability to adapt to variations in network dynamics. Software-defined radio technology has the potential to address this adaptability issue. In this paper, we introduce a software-defined radio (SDR)-based long-term evolution licensed assisted access (LTE-LAA) architecture for next-generation communication networks. We show that with proper design and tuning of the proposed architecture, high-level adaptability in HetNets becomes feasible with a higher throughput and lower power consumption. Firstly, maximizing the throughput and minimizing power consumption are formulated as a constrained optimization problem. Then, the obtained solution, alongside a heuristic solution, is compared against the solutions to existing approaches, showing our proposed strategy is drastically superior in terms of both power efficiency and system throughput. This study is then concluded by employing artificial intelligence techniques in multi-objective optimization, namely random forest regression, particle swarm, and genetic algorithms, to balance out the trade-offs between maximizing the throughput and power efficiency and minimizing energy consumption. These investigations demonstrate the potential of employing the proposed LTE-LAA architecture in addressing the requirements of next-generation HetNets in terms of power, throughput, and green scalability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-term evolution of slopes affected by Mass Rock Creep deformations is controlled by both time-invariant predisposing factors, such as the geo-structural inheritance, and time-dependent preparatory conditions, including regional uplift and landscape evolution rates. However, the relationship among Deep-seated Gravitational Slope Deformations, drainage network evolution, and tectonics remains poorly defined. Here, we focused on an undocumented Deep-seated Gravitational Slope Deformation affecting an area of about 8 km2 in the SE tip termination of the Siah Kuh anticline in the Lorestan arc (Zagros Mts., Iran), upstream to the Mountain Front Fault. To assess the evolution processes which involved the slope up to the present, we integrated quantitative geomorphic analysis, optically stimulated luminescence dating of geomorphic markers, and SAR interferometry techniques. In detail, we semi-automatically extracted the river terrace treads to which we associated an elevation above the thalweg based on the Relative Elevation Model allowing the order definition. The plano-altimetric distribution of the treads and the OSL ages of two levels of strath terraces sampled in the field have been correlated along the river longitudinal profile, allowing the estimation of an uplift rate of 2.8 ± 0.2 mm year−1 and 0.42 ± 0.03 mm year−1, respectively upstream and downstream of the Mountain Front Fault. SAR interferometry was used to spot present-day shallow ground displacements associated with the ongoing slope deformation, by processing 279 satellite Sentinel-1 (A and B) radar images of the ascending and descending orbit spanning from 06 October 2014 to 31 March 2019. Different landslide mechanisms were distinguished across the fold axis, rototranslative to lateral spreading interpreted as two different evolutionary stages of the same process transposed spatially through the fold axis. Indeed, the rototranslative mechanism represents an advanced stage of the strain evolution while the lateral spreading is an earlier one. Finally, we infer that the variability in the spatial distribution of the slope deformation styles and patterns in the Lorestan arc is strictly related to the coupled evolution of the drainage system and tectonics. Involved volumes (from 0.6 up to 44 km3), local relief (from 400 up to 2000 m), incision rates (from 0.8 to 2.8 ± 0.2 mm year−1), and persistence time (from 104 to 105 years) represent the most important preparatory conditions and are predisposed by a moderately dipping downslope (from 8 to 25°) sedimentary sequence characterised by units with significantly different rheological behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-modulus asphalt mixtures (HMAMs) are potential materials for achieving long-life pavement performance, and understanding their long-term performance degradation mechanism is crucial for analyzing pavement performance degradation under long-term exposure to traffic and environmental coupling conditions. This paper aims to examine the long-term evolution of high- and low-temperature performance and water stability in HMAMs derived from modified nature asphalt, prepared using microparticle suspension technology, under heavy load and humid heat conditions. Four asphalt mixtures (AC-13, BBME-13, SMA-13, SBSAC-13) were prepared, and then their dynamic moduli were tested. A test plan for the long-term performance of the mixtures was designed, and the performances of HMAMs with different gradations and time were analyzed. Furthermore, corresponding long-term performance degradation models of HMAMs were established. The results show that the HMAMs of modified natural asphalt have better high-temperature performance than HMAMs of high-modulus agent/SBS-modified asphalt. However, following prolonged thermal aging and freeze-thaw cycles, the low-temperature performance shows the opposite trend. In addition, thermal aging had the same effect on the long-term low-temperature performance of both types of HMAM, with the HMAMs of modified natural asphalt being less affected by long-term freeze-thaw cycling. The long-term bending tensile strain attenuation of HMAMs can be simulated using an exponential function. Both types of HMAMs display similar water stability under dry-wet cycles and dynamic water erosion condition. The variations in residual stability during dry-wet cycles can be accurately represented using a power function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bit error rate (BER) in relation to the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) serves as a widely recognized metric for assessing the performance of communication systems. The concept of SNR is so integral that many existing studies presume its definition to be understood, often omitting the specifics of its calculation in their simulations. Notably, the computation of SNR from the perspective of the transmitter yields distinct behaviors and outcomes compared to that from the receiver's side, particularly when the channel encompasses more than mere noise. Typically, research papers utilize the transmitter-side (or ensemble-average) SNR to benchmark the BER performance across various methodologies. Conversely, the receiver-side (or short-term) SNR becomes pertinent when prioritizing the receiver's performance. In the context of simulating the long-term evolution (LTE) downlink, applying both SNR calculation approaches reveals that the receiver-side SNR not only produces a significantly lower BER compared to the transmitter-side SNR but also alters the relative BER performance rankings among the channel models tested. It is deduced that while the transmitter-side SNR is apt for broad performance comparisons, it falls short in thoroughly examining the BER behavior of a receiver across varying SNR scenarios. Therefore, the transmitter-side SNR is useful when comparing the performance of the simulated system with other studies. Conversely, if the primary concern is the actual BER performance of the receiver, the receiver-side SNR could provide a more accurate performance assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional medical imaging and biomechanical studies have challenges in analyzing the long-term evolution process of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The homogenized constrained mixture theory (HCMT) allows for quantitative analysis of the changes in the multidimensional morphology and composition of AAA. However, the accuracy of HCMT still requires further clinical verification. This study aims to establish a patient-specific AAA growth model based on HCMT, simulate the long-term growth and remodeling (G&R) process of AAA, and validate the feasibility and accuracy of the method using two additional AAA cases with five follow-up datasets. The media and adventitia layers of AAA were modeled as mixtures composed of elastin, collagen fibers, and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The strain energy function was used to describe the continuous deposition and degradation effect of the mixture during the AAA evolution. Multiple sets of growth parameters were applied to finite element simulations, and the simulation results were compared with the follow-up data for gradually selecting the optimal growth parameters. Two additional AAA patients with different growth rates were used for validating this method, the optimal growth parameters were obtained using the first two follow-up imaging data, and the growth model was applied to simulate the subsequent four time points. The differences between the simulated diameters and the follow-up diameters of AAA were compared to validate the accuracy of the mechanistic model. The growth parameters, especially the stress-mediated substance deposition gain factor, are highly related to the AAA G&R process. When setting the optimal growth parameters to simulate AAA growth, the proportion of simulation results within the distance of less than 0.5 mm from the baseline models is above 80%. For the validating cases, the mean difference rates between the simulated diameter and the real-world diameter are within 2.5%, which basically meets the clinical demand for quantitatively predicting the AAA growth in maximum diameters. This study simulated the growth process of AAA, and validated the accuracy of this mechanistic model. This method was proved to be used to predict the G&R process of AAA caused by dynamic changes in the mixtures of the AAA vessel wall during long-term, assisting accurately and quantitatively predicting the multidimensional morphological development and mixtures evolution process of AAA in the clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formation and evolution processes of natural tombolos involve many interrelated geomorphological, sedimentary, oceanographic and anthropogenic factors, making their measurement and simulation an extremely difficult task. The present study attempts to fill this knowledge gap by detecting the natural tombolos in Greece, formed in the current sea level, through the statistical analysis of their morphometric and socio-environmental parameters. In addition, the long-term evolution of these coastal depositional landscapes has been determined by comparing old aerial photos taken in 1945 or 1960 and recent satellite images taken from 2020 to 2022. Two thirds of the twenty tombolos studied are subject to erosion, while eight are sporadically destroyed and turned into salients. The Greek tombolos are mildly or heavily exploited for touristic purposes, and fourteen of them are protected by national and international environmental laws. Future studies need to focus on the unstable type of these coastal landforms that are modified from tombolo to salient and vice versa to obtain helpful information about the morphodynamic conditions necessary for their evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mineral dust plays an important role in Earth's climate system, yet it is difficult to identify dust imprints in paleofluvial sediments, especially on orbital timescales. Here, we present high‐resolution authigenic carbonate Ca–Mg–Sr compositions in a fluvial sequence under the transport pathway of Asian dust. The Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca, and Mg/Sr ratios exhibit distinct transitions in both secular trends and orbital cycles at ∼8 Ma. Before ∼8 Ma, given similar Mg and Sr partitioning behaviors during carbonate formation, hydroclimate changes yielded strong orbital signals in the Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios but no detectable signals in the Mg/Sr ratios. After ∼8 Ma, given the strengthened input of Mg‐rich dust during cold‒dry periods, the Mg/Sr and Mg/Ca ratios clearly exhibited orbital signals, but the Sr/Ca ratio did not. Such transitions in carbonate composition corroborate the dust‐induced changes in fluvial hydrochemistry, offering an innovative methodology for detecting orbital dust cycles in paleofluvial systems. Plain Language Summary: A set of criteria, that is, transport and sedimentation dynamics, the surface morphology of quartz grains and provenance indices, were employed to recognize eolian deposits in past fluvial sediments. However, distinguishing eolian dust at orbital scales poses a challenge, as high‐resolution records that meet these criteria are difficult to reconstruct. Here, we present high‐resolution records of authigenic carbonate compositions from Neogene fluvial sediments in the Linxia Basin, a key downwind catchment area for Asian dust. The carbonate elemental compositions, in conjunction with sedimentary Sr‒Nd isotopes, exhibit a long‐term two‐stage evolution marked by a pivotal shift at ∼8 Ma. This transition is most likely attributed to an increase in Asian dust deposition since that time. On orbital timescales, the periodic fluctuations in extrabasinal dust flux, characterized by Mg‐rich but Sr‐poor components (mostly dolomite), have led to pronounced alterations in the orbital patterns of carbonate Ca‐Mg‐Sr compositions since ∼8 Ma. Our findings indicate that carbonate Ca‐Mg‐Sr compositions can offer a straightforward and innovative approach for pinpointing eolian dust activity on orbital timescales when extrabasinal dust can be appropriately distinguished. Key Points: A close examination of carbonate compositions offers a new method for identifying orbital dust cycles within continental fluvial systemsThe authigenic carbonate composition in a fluvial sequence in NE Tibet shows a distinct orbital transition at ∼8 MaMg‐rich dust markedly altered the river chemistry during the cold/arid stages, with a less pronounced effect during the warm/humid stages [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. We study a new mechanism of dust accumulation and planetesimal formation in a gravitationally unstable disk with suppressed magnetorotational instability and we compare it with the classical dead zone in a layered disk model. Methods. We used numerical hydrodynamics simulations in the thin-disk limit (FEOSAD code) to model the formation and long-term evolution of gravitationally unstable disks, including dust dynamics and growth. Results. We found that in gravitationally unstable disks with a radially varying strength of gravitational instability (GI), an inner region (of several astronomical units) of low mass and angular momentum transport is formed. This region is characterized by a low effective value for the αGI parameter, often used to describe the efficiency of mass transport by GI in young protoplanetary disks. The inner region is also similar in terms of characteristics to the dead zone in the layered disk model. As the disk forms and evolves, the GI-induced dead zone accumulates a massive dust ring, which is susceptible to the development of the streaming instability. The model and observationally inferred dust masses and radii may differ significantly in gravitationally unstable disks with massive inner dust rings. Conclusions. The early occurrence of the GI-induced dust ring, followed by the development of the streaming instability suggest that this mechanism may be behind the formation of the first generation of planetesimals in the inner terrestrial zone of the disk. The proposed mechanism, however, crucially depends on the susceptibility of the disk to gravitational instability and requires the magnetorotational instability to be suppressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a rare entity with a poor prognosis, usually discovered late due to nonspecific symptoms; therefore, over the last years, attention has been focused on identifying the risk factors for developing this malignancy in order to provide an early diagnosis, as well as new prognostic factors in order to modulate the long-term evolution of such cases. The aim of this review is to discuss both major risk factors and prognostic factors in GBC for a better understanding and integration of relevant and currently available information. Methods: A literature search was performed using Cochrane Library, PubMed, Google Scholar, Elsevier, and Web of Science; studies published after the year of 2000, in English, were reviewed. Results: Over time, risk factors associated with the development of GBC have been identified, which outline the profile of patients with this disease. The most important prognostic factors in GBC remain TNM staging, safety margin, and R0 status, along with perineural invasion and lymphovascular invasion. Both the technique and experience of the surgeons and a pathological examination that ensures final staging are particularly important and increase the chances of survival of the patients. Conclusions: improvements in surgical techniques and pathological analyses might provide better and more consistent guidance for medical staff in the management of patients with GBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple myeloma commonly manifests with symptoms arising from the involvement of various organs, particularly the bone and kidneys. In this report, we detail the case of a 44-year-old man who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma associated with reduced bone density. He exhibited clinical findings of osteomalacia due to Fanconi syndrome (characterized clinically by bone pain and proximal weakness and biochemically by elevated serum alkaline phosphatase, hypophosphatemia, hypouricemia, and glucosuria). With phosphate replacement, there was a notable improvement in bone pain, osteomalacia, and bone mineral density. Nevertheless, the patient continued to experience renal wasting of phosphate, uric acid, and glucose despite achieving remission from multiple myeloma for nearly 2 years. Our case highlights several important clinical features of myeloma-associated Fanconi syndrome, including the need to recognize this complication to appropriately treat the underlying bone disease while avoiding osteoclast inhibitors and the long-term persistence of the proximal renal tubulopathy despite achieving remission from myeloma and correction of osteomalacia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advancements in the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) with physical sciences have led to significant progress in addressing complex phenomena governed by nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs). This paper explores the application of novel operator learning methodologies to unravel the intricate dynamics of flame instability, particularly focusing on hybrid instabilities arising from the coexistence of Darrieus–Landau (DL) and Diffusive–Thermal (DT) mechanisms. Training datasets encompass a wide range of parameter configurations, enabling the learning of parametric solution advancement operators using techniques such as parametric Fourier Neural Operator (pFNO) and parametric convolutional neural networks (pCNNs). Results demonstrate the efficacy of these methods in accurately predicting short-term and long-term flame evolution across diverse parameter regimes, capturing the characteristic behaviors of pure and blended instabilities. Comparative analyses reveal pFNO as the most accurate model for learning short-term solutions, while all models exhibit robust performance in capturing the nuanced dynamics of flame evolution. This research contributes to the development of robust modeling frameworks for understanding and controlling complex physical processes governed by nonlinear PDEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the rare phenomenon of mainstream Euroscepticism that has characterised the British Conservative Party and asks whether a similar pattern has appeared elsewhere in the EU. The study traces the long-term evolution of salience and positions on the EU issue in the manifestos of a heterogenous set of centre-right parties, paying particular attention to whether Brexit or successive EU crises have had some noticeable effect. The thesis of Tory exceptionalism is largely supported by the findings – no other mainstream conservative party in the EU has talked more, and more negatively, about the EU over a long time period. Most other centre-right parties were part of the permissive consensus on the EU and have supported, more or less openly, the integration project throughout the past 30 years. However, some parties of mainstream conservatism have shown a similar negative shift as British Conservatives did in the 2000s, such as the Austrian ÖVP, the Hungarian Fidesz, the Polish PiS and (marginally) the Dutch VVD. Being in opposition or pressured by radical right challengers does not necessarily make the mainstream right more critical of the EU. Internal organisational developments (i.e. the ascent of more Eurosceptic influences within the party) constitute the most convincing proximate explanation for mainstream Euroscepticism on the right. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Greece's entry into the Eurozone was regarded as a unique opportunity to reform the country's inefficient growth model. These hopes were dashed as the decade-long crisis of the 2010s wiped out a substantial part of the wealth accumulated during the previous decades and threatened the stability of Greece's political system. The crisis highlighted the weaknesses of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); the economic governance agreed upon at Maastricht was inadequate to support a monetary union comprising many, widely diverse economies. On the other hand, given the EMU's economic and institutional architecture, Greece was ill-prepared and unwilling to undertake the necessary adjustments to survive in the Eurozone. Understanding the economic and political aspects of this dual and mutually reinforcing failure is crucial for analyzing the challenges facing the Greek economy. In this article, we take a long-term view of the evolution of Greece's political economy, adopting a framework inspired by the recent literature on comparative political economy. The aim is to determine whether Greece's EMU membership affected its growth model and, if so, in what ways. The analysis shows that EMU membership has been crucial for the performance of the Greek economy during different periods but less so for the transformation of its demand-led growth model, which exhibits remarkable stability. This is because neither the ex ante nor the ex post conditionality imposed on Greece in the run-up to EMU entry and during the 2010s crisis, respectively, focused on the structural features of the Greek growth model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surgical management of aortic coarctation in newborns needs to ensure postoperative evolution and long-term results as much as possible. Patients with a Gothic arch have a higher rate of postoperative hypertension, while newborns with a bovine arch have higher rates of restenosis and, thus, an additional risk of mortality. Late hypertension, even in anatomically successfully repaired patients, confers a high risk for cardiovascular events. This review of the literature focuses on the management of aortic coarctations associated with hypoplastic arch and particular arch anatomies, focusing on surgical techniques and their outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper used Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array observations to examine the temporal and spectral features of the Be/X-ray binary pulsar MAXI J1409−619. The timing analysis of the light curve finds the pulsation of the source at |$(501.23\,\,\pm \,\,0.01)$|  s. The pulse profile of the source in various energy bands was analysed and showed weak dependence on energy exhibiting asymmetric character and generally suggests a source accretion in the subcritical regime. The variation of pulse fraction with photon energy in general shows an increasing trend. Assuming a distance of 14.5 kpc, we calculated the 3–30 keV source luminosity to be |$\sim 6.13\,\,\times \,\,10^{34}\,\,$|  erg s |$^{-1}$|⁠. The long-term spin evolution of the source was carried out, where the source underwent torque reversal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent calving of Astrolabe Glacier on the Adélie Coast (East Antarctica) in November 2021 presents an opportunity to better understand the processes leading to ice tongue fracturing. To document the fractures and rift evolution that led to the calving, we used the archive of Sentinel-2 optical images to measure the ice motion and strain rates from 2017 to 2021. The long-term evolution of the Astrolabe ice tongue is mapped using airborne and satellite imagery from 1947 to November 2021. These observations are then compared with measurements of sea-ice extent and concentration. We show that calving occurs almost systematically at the onset of or during the melting season. Additionally, we observe a significant change in the periodicity of sea ice surrounding Astrolabe Glacier in the last decade (2011–2021) compared to previous observations (1979–2011), which has resulted in a change in the Astrolabe calving cycle. Indeed, one can observe a decrease in the duration of sea-ice-free conditions during the austral summers after 2011 in the vicinity of the glacier, which seems to have favoured spatial extension of the ice tongue. However, the analysis of strain rate time series revealed that the calving of November 2021 (20 km 2) occurred at the onset of sea-ice melting season but resulted from the glacier dislocation that took place suddenly in June 2021 in the middle of the winter. These observations indicate that while sea ice can protect and promote the spatial extension of a glacier ice tongue, its buttressing is not sufficient to inhibit rifting and ice fracturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A decrease in atmospheric CO2 partial pressure (pCO2) is considered an important prerequisite for the onset and intensification of Northern Hemisphere Glaciation (NHG). However, how the ocean sequestered missing CO2 during the NHG is still uncertain. Changes in surface productivity and deep ventilation in the Southern Ocean (SO) have been proposed to explain the variations in atmospheric pCO2 over the last eight glacial cycles, but it is unclear whether these mechanisms contributed to the decrease in atmospheric pCO2 during the NHG. Using titanium-normalized contents and mass accumulation rates of biogenic opal and total organic carbon from the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 374 Site U1524A, we reconstruct the productivity in the Ross Sea, Antarctica, from 3.3 Ma to 2.4 Ma. The productivity records exhibit a long-term decreasing trend and several distinct phased evolutionary features. Specifically, the local productivity fluctuated dramatically during 3.3–3.0 Ma, decreased gradually during 3.0–2.6 Ma, and remained relatively constant during 2.6–2.4 Ma. By comparing productivity with its potential influences, we infer that the phased and long-term evolutions of productivity were mainly controlled by changes in deep ocean ventilation. Sea ice expansion might have decreased productivity during 3.3–3.0 Ma by light attenuation. Changes in eolian dust input have little effect on productivity. Further analysis revealed no coupling linkage between productivity and atmospheric pCO2, indicating that the productivity in the SO Antarctic Zone (AZ) was not the main factor controlling the atmospheric CO2 decrease during the NHG. To improve our understanding of the role of SO processes in the NHG, further studies should focus on the potential influences of deep ocean ventilation on atmospheric pCO2 in the AZ, and similar studies should also be extended to the sea area in the Subantarctic Zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

M-iridium (M = cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni)) bimetallic alloy catalysts with low iridium (Ir) loading of 0.3–2.0 mg·cm−2 were prepared on copper foam (CF) supports by electrodeposition. The top surface of as-deposited M-Ir catalysts was mainly composed of metallic state and oxides states, such as metallic Ir, Ni(OH)2 or Co(OH)2, Co(Ir) and Ni(Ir) solid solution, Ir oxides. M-Ir catalysts with low Ir loading exhibited excellent catalytic performance. Ni63.4Ir36.6/CF catalyst with low Ir loading of 1.8 mg·cm−2 achieved a current density of 10 mA·cm2 at an overpotential of 52 mV and a Tafel slope of 36 mV·dec−1. Co64.2Ir35.8/CF catalyst with low Ir loading of 0.7 mg·cm−2 was uniformly scattered with small ellipsoidal particles, looking like fine fluff, requiring an overpotential of 51 mV for hydrogen evolution reaction to reach a current density of 10 mA·cm−2, having a Tafel slope of 38 mV·dec−1. After long-term hydrogen evolution testing, M-Ir/CF catalysts exhibited excellent electrocatalytic stability for water splitting in alkaline solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trace metal and rare earth element (REE) abundances in banded iron formations are critical for assessing the chemical composition of ancient seawater and the long-term evolution of the ocean-atmosphere system. Recent studies, however, have highlighted the potential effects of outcrop weathering, raising concerns about whether banded iron formation samples are suitable proxies for ancient redox conditions or if exposure to surficial weathering regimes may have altered key geochemical signals. Here, we present a detailed, high-resolution study of several banded iron formation outcrop samples from the Hamersley Basin, Western Australia, to investigate microscale differences in composition between banded iron formation and weathered surfaces (i.e., weathered crusts). Elemental mapping and bulk-rock geochemical analyses reveal that weathered crust is more enriched in most elements than the banded iron formation, except for silica, which is significantly depleted. There is also a significant loss of redox-sensitive elements (RSEs) in the weathered surface, which suggests that outcrop samples have been affected by higher degrees of chemical leaching than physical erosion. These results are significant, because we clearly show that the geochemical characteristics of the weathered surface--irrespective of how it formed--are distinct from those of the remainder of the sample. This means that with sufficient screening of samples for obvious signs of alteration, banded iron formation outcrop samples may indeed be used as a reliable proxy for the evolution of Earth's coupled ocean-atmosphere system. This increases the volume of easily accessible Precambrian sample material, so that researchers no longer solely need to rely on core recovered through costly drilling programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magmatic oxygen fugacity (fO2) is a fundamental property to understanding the long-term evolution of the Earth's atmosphere and the formation of magmatic-hydrothermal mineral deposits. Classically, the magmatic fO2 is estimated using mineral chemistry, such as Fe-Ti oxides, zircon, and hornblende. These methods, however, are only valid within certain limits and/or require a significant amount of a priori knowledge. In this contribution, a new oxybarometer, constructed by data-driven machine learning algorithms using trace elements in zircon and their corresponding independent fO2 constraints, is provided. Seven different algorithms are initially trained and then validated on a data set that was never utilized in the training processes. Results suggest that the oxybarometer constructed by the extremely randomized trees model has the best performance, with the largest R2 value (0.91 ± 0.01), smallest RMSE (0.45 ± 0.03), and low propagated analytical error (~0.10 log units). Feature importance analysis demonstrates that U, Ti, Th, Ce, and Eu in zircon are the key trace elements that preserve fO2 information. This newly developed oxybarometer has been applied in diverse systems, including arc magmas and mid-ocean ridge basalts, fertile and barren porphyry systems, and global S-type detrital zircon, which provide fO2 constraints that are consistent with other independent methods, suggesting that it has wide applicability. To improve accessibility, the oxybarometer was developed into a software application aimed at enabling more consistent and reliable fO2 determinations in magmatic systems, promoting further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A decrease in atmospheric CO2 partial pressure (pCO2) is considered an important prerequisite for the onset and intensification of Northern Hemisphere Glaciation (NHG). However, how the ocean sequestered missing CO2 during the NHG is still uncertain. Changes in surface productivity and deep ventilation in the Southern Ocean (SO) have been proposed to explain the variations in atmospheric pCO2 over the last eight glacial cycles, but it is unclear whether these mechanisms contributed to the decrease in atmospheric pCO2 during the NHG. Using titanium-normalized contents and mass accumulation rates of biogenic opal and total organic carbon from the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 374 Site U1524A, we reconstruct the productivity in the Ross Sea, Antarctica, from 3.3 Ma to 2.4 Ma. The productivity records exhibit a long-term decreasing trend and several distinct phased evolutionary features. Specifically, the local productivity fluctuated dramatically during 3.3–3.0 Ma, decreased gradually during 3.0–2.6 Ma, and remained relatively constant during 2.6–2.4 Ma. By comparing productivity with its potential influences, we infer that the phased and long-term evolutions of productivity were mainly controlled by changes in deep ocean ventilation. Sea ice expansion might have decreased productivity during 3.3–3.0 Ma by light attenuation. Changes in eolian dust input have little effect on productivity. Further analysis revealed no coupling linkage between productivity and atmospheric pCO2, indicating that the productivity in the SO Antarctic Zone (AZ) was not the main factor controlling the atmospheric CO2 decrease during the NHG. To improve our understanding of the role of SO processes in the NHG, further studies should focus on the potential influences of deep ocean ventilation on atmospheric pCO2 in the AZ, and similar studies should also be extended to the sea area in the Subantarctic Zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant cells harbor two membrane-bound organelles containing their own genetic material—plastids and mitochondria. Although the two organelles coexist and coevolve within the same plant cells, they differ in genome copy number, intracellular organization, and mode of segregation. How these attributes affect the time to fixation or, conversely, loss of neutral alleles is currently unresolved. Here, we show that mitochondria and plastids share the same mutation rate, yet plastid alleles remain in a heteroplasmic state significantly longer compared with mitochondrial alleles. By analyzing genetic variants across populations of the marine flowering plant Zostera marina and simulating organelle allele dynamics, we examine the determinants of allele segregation and allele fixation. Our results suggest that the bottlenecks on the cell population, e.g. during branching or seeding, and stratification of the meristematic tissue are important determinants of mitochondrial allele dynamics. Furthermore, we suggest that the prolonged plastid allele dynamics are due to a yet unknown active plastid partition mechanism. The dissimilarity between plastid and mitochondrial novel allele fixation at different levels of organization may manifest in differences in adaptation processes. Our study uncovers fundamental principles of organelle population genetics that are essential for further investigations of long-term evolution and molecular dating of divergence events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Featured Application: Future 5G/6G and DTT networks implementation in the UHF spectrum. This paper analyzes practical solutions for implementing 5G/6G and Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) network coexistence in the UHF band. Two potential scenarios are explored using the case study of a nationwide DTT network: spectrum splitting and spectrum interleaving. Both scenarios are thoroughly examined based on current UHF spectrum usage and the DTT network structure based on a case study of Poland. The analysis includes potential future benefits and limitations of each scenario. The results presented in this paper can guide administrations in implementing decisions made at the International Telecommunication Union—Radiocommunication Sector, World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (ITU-R WRC23), improving spectrum efficiency and 5G/6G networks development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is currently the greatest threat to the environment as we know it today. The present study aimed to highlight the changes in the main climatic elements during the last five decades (1971–2020) in northeastern Romania (Copou-Iaşi wine-growing center) and their impact on grape quality, as part of precision viticulture strategies and efficient management of grapevine plantations. Data analysis revealed a constant and significant increase in the average air temperature in the last 50 years (+1.70 °C), more pronounced in the last 10 years (+0.61 °C), with a number of days with extreme temperatures (>30 °C) of over 3.5-fold higher, in parallel with a fluctuating precipitation regime. The increase in average temperatures in the last 40 years was highly correlated with the advancement of the grape harvest date (up to 12 days), a significant increase in Vitis vinifera L. white grape sugar concentration (+15–25 g/L), and a drastic decrease in total acidity (−2.0–3.5 g/L tartaric acid). The significant increase in the values of the bioclimatic indices require the reclassification of the wine-growing area in higher classes of favorability, raising the opportunity to grow cultivars that are more suited to warmer climates, ensuring the efficiency of the plantation, and meeting current consumer expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: As the global urbanization process accelerates, the contradiction between economic development demands and ecological protection becomes increasingly prominent. Methods: In this study, we simulated the evolution of the ecological security pattern (ESP) of Pingtan Island from 2000 to 2020 by extracting the ecological sources using Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI), and identifying the ecological corridors and key nodes by combining with Linkage Mapping (LM) and Circuit Theory. In addition, Geodetector was utilized to identify these major determinants affecting RSEI. Results: The results showed 1) From 2000 to 2020, the ecological environmental quality (EEQ) of Pingtan Island continued to improve, and the mean value of RSEI gradually increased from 0.47 to 0.51. 2) Univariate analysis showed that elevation and slope were the most significant factors affecting the spatial variability of the RSEI, with the interaction between slope and proportion of built-up area having a significant effect on EEQ. 3) The number and extent of ecological sources were expanded year by year with significant spatial variability. At the same time, the number and range of ecological corridors also underwent phase adjustment. 4) Further exploration of ESP of Pingtan Island in 2020 identified 32 ecological pinch points (EPPs) and 52 ecological barrier points (EBPs), which were mainly located within or near the ecological corridors, indicating key areas for future ecological restoration efforts. Discussion: These insights help to enhance urban spatial planning and ecosystem restoration on Pingtan Island and provide a blueprint for ESP development in comparable island urban environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the long-term evolution of two bodies in nearby initially coplanar orbits around a central dominant body perturbed by a fourth body on a distant Keplerian orbit. Our previous works that considered this setup enforced circular orbits by adding a spherical potential of extended mass, which dampens Kozai–Lidov oscillations; it led to two qualitatively different modes of the evolution of the nearby orbits. In one scenario, their mutual interaction exceeds the effect of differential precession caused by a perturbing body. This results in a long-term coherent evolution, with nearly coplanar orbits experiencing only small oscillations of inclination. We extend the previous work by (i) considering post-Newtonian corrections to the gravity of the central body, either instead of or in addition to the potential of extended mass, (ii) relaxing the requirement of strictly circular orbits, and (iii) removing the strict requirement of complete Kozai–Lidov damping. Thus, we identify the modes of interorbital interaction described for the zero eccentricity case in the more general situation, which allows for its applicability to a much broader range of astrophysical systems than considered initially. In this work, we scale the systems to the orbits of S-stars; we consider the clockwise disc to represent the perturbing body, with post-Newtonian corrections to the gravity of Sagittarius A* playing the role of damping potential. Considering post-Newtonian corrections, even stellar-mass central bodies in compact planetary systems can allow for the coupled evolution of Keplerian orbits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluation of the apportionment of genetic diversity of human bacterial commensals within and between human populations is an important step in the characterization of their evolutionary potential. Recent studies showed a correlation between the genomic diversity of human commensal strains and that of their host, but the strength of this correlation and of the geographic structure among human populations is a matter of debate. Here, we studied the genomic diversity and evolution of the phylogenetically related oro-nasopharyngeal healthy-carriage Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus pneumoniae, whose lifestyles range from stricter commensalism to high pathogenic potential. A total of 119 S. mitis genomes showed higher within- and among-host variation than 810 S. pneumoniae genomes in European, East Asian and African populations. Summary statistics of the site-frequency spectrum for synonymous and non-synonymous variation and ABC modelling showed this difference to be due to higher ancestral bacterial population effective size (Ne) in S. mitis, whose genomic variation has been maintained close to mutation-drift equilibrium across (at least many) generations, whereas S. pneumoniae has been expanding from a smaller ancestral bacterial population. Strikingly, both species show limited differentiation among human populations. As genetic differentiation is inversely proportional to the product of effective population size and migration rate (Nem), we argue that large Ne have led to similar differentiation patterns, even if m is very low for S. mitis. We conclude that more diversity within than among human populations and limited population differentiation must be common features of the human microbiome due to large Ne. Author summary: The genetic variation of human-associated bacteria and the evolutionary mechanisms leading to that variation are crucial for the establishment of highly contextual interactions with their host, giving rise to phenotypes such as virulence. Here, we studied Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus pneumoniae, who share a common ancestor but evolved lifestyles on different ends of the pathogenic potential spectrum: S. mitis is mainly commensal, whereas S. pneumoniae has high pathogenic potential. Genomic variation of worldwide healthy-carriage strains is considerably higher for S. mitis. We show this to be due to a larger ancestral population in S. mitis, whose population effective size (Ne) and mutation gain and loss (by genetic drift) have been kept stable over the generations. In contrast, S. pneumoniae population has expanded from an ancestral population with smaller Ne. We also observe low genetic differentiation among populations in both species. We deduce that this is due to large Ne which, even with limited dispersal rate as in S. mitis, leads to significant effective dispersal among populations. As both species' properties of Ne and dispersal are common among human-associated bacteria, more diversity within rather than among human populations and limited population differentiation must be common features of the human microbiome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the face of rising population, erratic climate, resource depletion, and increased exposure to natural hazards, environmental monitoring is increasingly important. Satellite data form most of our observations of Earth. On-the-ground observations based on in situ sensor systems are crucial for these remote measurements to be dependable. Providing open-source options to rapidly prototype environmental datalogging systems allows quick advancement of research and monitoring programs. This paper introduces Loom, a development environment for low-power Arduino-programmable microcontrollers. Loom accommodates a range of integrated components including sensors, various datalogging formats, internet connectivity (including Wi-Fi and 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE)), radio telemetry, timing mechanisms, debugging information, and power conservation functions. Additionally, Loom includes unique applications for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. By establishing modular, reconfigurable, and extensible functionality across components, Loom reduces development time for prototyping new systems. Bug fixes and optimizations achieved in one project benefit all projects that use Loom, enhancing efficiency. Although not a one-size-fits-all solution, this approach has empowered a small group of developers to support larger multidisciplinary teams designing diverse environmental sensing applications for water, soil, atmosphere, agriculture, environmental hazards, scientific monitoring, and education. This paper not only outlines the system design but also discusses alternative approaches explored and key decision points in Loom's development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the effectiveness of mitigation measures, long-term simulations of the debris environment are often analysed and evaluated using simple metrics such as the total number of objects or the frequency of fragmentation events. In addition, more complex criticality metrics have been developed in the past to rank objects according to their environmental impact and evaluate the overall state of the debris environment. In this context, three different perspectives are particularly worth highlighting: object-specific metrics that characterise the criticality of individual objects and orbits, spatial metrics that can be used to identify particularly vulnerable orbital regions, and global metrics which describe the sustainability of the environment as a whole. Typically, the criticality metrics are specific to one of the respective perspectives, but unification across and convertibility between perspectives would allow for a more comprehensive assessment of sustainability. In this context, a methodology is developed to transform object-specific and spatial metrics into one another. The conversion concept enables a comparison of two structurally different metrics from their respective initial object-specific and spatial domain. Furthermore, the third perspective is taken into account by using different aggregation methods to retrieve a global metric from the initial object-specific and spatial description. The three perspectives then are compared by conducting environment evolution simulations for various baseline scenarios using a common space debris population in low Earth orbit. The comparative analysis identifies commonalities and differences of the chosen metrics in the three different perspectives and how the conversion between them affects their quantification of sustainability. The multi-perspective convertibility and aggregation of single-perspective metrics represents a contribution to the generalisation of sustainability metrics for different scopes of application. • Relationship between mission- and environment level criticality metrics. • Comparison of criticality metrics in the context of spatial distribution and long-term environment evolution. • Critical density theory applied to criticality assessment. • Criticality metrics show quantitative differences in environmental state assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of inclined third-body perturbation on the perturbed body's inclination evolution has been investigated extensively. However, under various initial orbital elements, the exact effect of the J 2 perturbation and the inclined third-body perturbation on perturbed body's inclination is still an open problem. In this paper, we use a simplified model for long-term orbital variations to analyze the free and forced inclinations for almost circular orbits with low inclinations. We analyze the influence of the J 2 perturbation on the inclination evolution under various initial orbital elements. The results show that the J 2 perturbation consistently decreases the maximum value of the inclination. Besides, the J 2 perturbation either decreases the amplitude of the inclination's oscillation, or enables the perturbed body to orbit closer to the equator of the central body. These effects enable the objects with initially low inclinations to maintain their orbits near the equator of the central body for a long time. The results of the study are applied to circum-Jovian orbits and the triple asteroid system 87 Sylvia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolutionary forces underlying the rapid evolution in sequences and functions of new genes remain a mystery. Adaptation by natural selection explains the evolution of some new genes. However, many new genes perform sex-biased functions that have rapidly evolved over short evolutionary time scales, suggesting that new gene evolution may often be driven by conflicting selective pressures on males and females. It is well established that such sexual conflict (SC) plays a central role in maintaining phenotypic and genetic variation within populations, but the role of SC in driving new gene evolution remains essentially unknown. This review explores the connections between SC and new gene evolution through discussions of the concept of SC, the phenotypic and genetic signatures of SC in evolving populations, and the molecular mechanisms by which SC could drive the evolution of new genes. We synthesize recent work in this area with a discussion of the case of Apollo and Artemis , two extremely young genes (<200,000 years) in Drosophila melanogaster , which offered the first empirical insights into the evolutionary process by which SC could drive the evolution of new genes. These new duplicate genes exhibit the hallmarks of sexually antagonistic selection: rapid DNA and protein sequence evolution, essential sex-specific functions in gametogenesis, and complementary sex-biased expression patterns. Importantly, Apollo is essential for male fitness but detrimental to female fitness, while Artemis is essential for female fitness but detrimental to male fitness. These sexually antagonistic fitness effects and complementary changes to expression, sequence, and function suggest that these duplicates were selected for mitigating SC, but that SC has not been fully resolved. Finally, we propose Sexual Conflict Drive as a self-driven model to interpret the rapid evolution of new genes, explain the potential for SC and sexually antagonistic selection to contribute to long-term evolution, and suggest its utility for understanding the rapid evolution of new genes in gametogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article evaluates the long-term outcomes of matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) for knee cartilage injuries. Twenty-six patients were treated with MACI and underwent magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography and clinical examinations at midterm and long term after surgery. The results showed that while imaging studies indicated deterioration of the grafts, the patients did not experience significant clinical deterioration. The decrease in clinical scores was not significant, but modified MOCART scores decreased significantly. Overall, MACI appears to be a viable treatment option for knee cartilage injuries. [Extracted from the article]

Pathogen adaptation to multiple selective pressures challenges our ability to control their spread. Here we analyze the evolutionary dynamics of pathogens spreading in a heterogeneous host population where selection varies periodically in space. We study both the transient dynamics taking place at the front of the epidemic and the long-term evolution far behind the front. We identify five types of epidemic profiles arising for different levels of spatial heterogeneity and different costs of adaptation. In particular, we identify the conditions where a generalist pathogen carrying multiple adaptations can outrace a coalition of specialist pathogens. We also show that finite host populations promote the spread of generalist pathogens because demographic stochasticity enhances the extinction of locally maladapted pathogens. But higher mutation rates between genotypes can rescue the coalition of specialists and speed up the spread of epidemics for intermediate levels of spatial heterogeneity. Our work provides a comprehensive analysis of the interplay between migration, local selection, mutation, and genetic drift on the spread and on the evolution of pathogens in heterogeneous environments. This work extends our fundamental understanding of the outcome of the competition between two specialists and a generalist strategy (single- vs. multiadapted pathogens). These results have practical implications for the design of more durable control strategies against multiadapted pathogens in agriculture and in public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In post-pandemic period of COVID-19, the increase in the number of sub-healthy population, coupled with factors such as global travel, climate change, and increased contact with wildlife, may lead to a rise in the incidence of central nervous system (Central nervous system, CNS) infections by potential zoonotic pathogens, which has become one of the main reasons for the increase in adjusted life years lost due to human disability. Due to the high case fatality rate of CNS infection and the severe sequelae of the body, it is also one of the most serious global public health challenges at present. To resist pathogen invasion, hosts have constructed a series of barrier structures on their surfaces and within their bodies, including skin barrier, blood-lung barrier, blood-testis barrier and blood-brain barrier (BBB). Among these, the BBB is a complex barrier structure composed of various cellular and non-cellular components. As a biological barrier isolating the CNS from the periphery, BBB can prevent a vast majority of harmful substances from entering the brain, thus ensuring the dynamic equilibrium of the brain’s internal environment and the normal functioning of the CNS. However, through long-term evolution, pathogens have developed multiple pathways to cross the BBB and invade the CNS. Currently, five invasion pathways have been confirmed by researchers, including infection or disruption of brain endothelial cells; crossing the BBB through transcellular migration; infiltrating through the BBB as a “Trojan horse” via infected leukocytes; entering the CNS through paracellular spaces; and bypassing the BBB and entering the CNS through axonal transport from the periphery. The severity and complexity of CNS infectious diseases are influenced by the nature of the pathogen itself, the structure and function of the host BBB and the diversity of neural invasion pathways. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms by which pathogens utilize protein interactions, regulate BBB permeability, and invade the CNS through phagocytosis have been elucidated in detail. This has made CNS delivery of certain drugs possible and also laid a theoretical foundation for the development of entirely new CNS drug delivery systems. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the structure of the BBB and the pathways through which pathogens invade the CNS will contribute to the development of strategies to control pathogen invasion, novel brain-targeted drugs, and new delivery systems to mitigate established infections in the host CNS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]