Recent ucb_postprints items

Imaging nuclear shape through anisotropic and radial flow in high-energy heavy-ion collisions

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Most atomic nuclei exhibit ellipsoidal shapes characterized by quadrupole deformationβ₂and triaxialityγ, and sometimes even a pear-like octupole deformationβ₃. The STAR experiment introduced a new 'imaging-by-smashing' technique ((STAR Collaboration) 2024Nature63567; Jia 2025Rep. Prog. Phys.88092301) to image the nuclear global shape by colliding nuclei at ultra-relativistic speeds and analyzing outgoing debris. Features of nuclear shape manifest in collective observables like anisotropic flowv_nand radial flow via mean transverse momentum[pT]. We present new measurements of the variances ofv_n(n = 2, 3, and 4) and[pT], and the covariance ofvn2with[pT], in collisions of highly deformed²³⁸U and nearly spherical¹⁹⁷Au. Ratios of these observables between the two systems effectively suppress common final-state effects, isolating the strong impact of...

Divergent Rickettsia species exhibit distinct mechanisms of actin-based motility

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Many Rickettsia species undergo actin-based motility to promote cell-cell spread during infection. Rickettsial genomes often encode two motility effectors, RickA and Sca2, which in the spotted fever group I species, Rickettsia parkeri act by activating the host Arp2/3 complex and by mimicking eukaryotic formins, respectively. The function of RickA and Sca2 orthologs in the distantly related species Rickettsia bellii was unclear. We report that R. bellii RickA activates the host Arp2/3 complex but has no discernible role in bacterial motility. The R. bellii Sca2 ortholog, Sca2/6, nucleates and elongates actin with a flexible structure and an unusual actin monomer-binding motif in a mechanism distinct from formins or other microbial actin nucleators. R. bellii motility is solely correlated with Sca2/6 localization and, compared with R. parkeri motility, is slow and meandering, generating distinctly organized actin tails. The evolutionary flexibility in the mechanism and regulation...

Origin of replication discovery for environmentally isolated Pantoea strain enables expression of heterologous proteins, pathways and products

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Leveraging predicted origin sequences from a previously characterized groundwater plasmidome, we constructed a barcoded plasmid library to screen for previously unknown origins. Testing this library against a panel of representative bacterial strains led to the identification of 3 previously unknown origins that replicate in gram-negative bacteria not previously associated with these origin sequences. Experimental validation confirmed that a plasmid bearing origin 6911 as the sole origin could replicate with a copy number of 9 (±2) in Pantoea sp. MT58, a fast growing and metal tolerant, environmentally important bacterium. Plasmids based on this new origin were used to express the reporter protein GFP, and non-native metabolite pathways for the natural product indigoidine and the terpenoid compound isoprenol. Functional previously unknown origins of replication in such non-model organisms can expand the toolkit for genetic manipulations of both model and less-studied bacteria.

Catalytic Borylation of Poly(vinyl chloride) Produces Adhesive Materials

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Postpolymerization functionalization of polymers can create new applications for existing materials, while retaining their most favorable, intrinsic properties. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a widely used, commodity polymer that is particularly challenging to modify. We report a copper-catalyzed protocol that replaces a small fraction of the C-Cl bonds in PVC with C-B bonds to boronic esters. The reaction occurs with an inexpensive catalyst comprising copper(II) chloride and an NHC ligand derived from a common ionic liquid that is distinct from the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) used for the borylation of small alkyl halides. The resulting materials adhere strongly to common surfaces, such as glass and metals, even more strongly than do commercial glues.

Dielectron production in central Pb-Pb collisions at sNN=5.02TeV

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The first measurement of the pair production at midrapidity and low invariant mass in central Pb-Pb collisions at at the Large Hadron Collider is presented. The yield of pairs is compared with a cocktail of expected hadronic decay contributions in the invariant mass ( ) and pair transverse momentum ( ) ranges and . For the ratio of data to the cocktail of hadronic contributions amounts to and , including or not including medium effects in the estimation of the heavy-flavor background, respectively. It is consistent with predictions from two different models for an additional contribution of thermal pairs from the hadronic and partonic phases. In the intermediate-mass range ( ), the pair transverse impact parameter of the pairs ( , where “DCA” denotes “distance of closest approach”) is used for the first time in Pb-Pb collisions to separate displaced dielectrons from heavy-flavor hadron decays from a possible (thermal) contribution produced at the interaction point....

A sorghum pangenome reference improves global crop trait discovery

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Although the green revolution adapted a handful of crops to homogeneous and high-input industrialized agriculture, much of the global population still relies on the local production of variable crop cultivars by low-input smallholder farms. This diversity of unhomogenized crops1, like that of the grain and bioenergy crop sorghum2, 3, 4–5, offers raw materials for genetic gain and cultivar improvement. However, breeding efforts can be constrained by highly specialized traits and breeding targets6. Here, to bridge this diversity, we constructed a 33-member pangenome reference and a diversity panel across 1,984 cultivars and landraces. We leveraged these resources to explore the complex interplay among historical contingency, ongoing adaptation and previously uncharacterized structural diversity. Specifically, our analyses conclusively demonstrated multiple nested and deeply diverged structural variants in the domestication gene SHATTERING1, which distinguish the previously established...

RECONSTRUCTING COPYRIGHT REVERSION: RELEASING AUTHORS FROM THEIR OWN DEAD HANDS

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

RECONSTRUCTING COPYRIGHT REVERSION: RELEASING AUTHORS FROM THEIR OWN DEAD HANDS

Automated TEM Reveals Intercrystalline Correlations of Conjugated Polymers

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) continues to transform polymer science by revealing key aspects of chain packing, phase separation and nanoscale structure. The development of instrumentation and data analyses tools is driving the field forward and enabling new experiments. Here, we use automated high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) and image processing to identify the structure of a conjugated polymer used in organic electronics. Analysis of more than 600 HRTEM images reveals lattice parameters and orientation correlations between crystals, including the preferred alignment of neighboring crystals along the same crystallographic direction that is likely the result of liquid crystalline order.

Impacts of land use and fallowing on coccidioidomycosis incidence in California: A population-based longitudinal study

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever) is a growing public health concern in the western U.S., with California reporting more than an eightfold rise in cases over the past two decades. As climate change, groundwater regulation, and prolonged drought drive major agricultural land-use shifts in the state, including widespread retirement of cultivated lands (i.e., fallowing), understanding their effects on this soil-borne fungal infection is critical. We linked 65,657 confirmed, geolocated cases (2008-2021) to high-resolution maps distinguishing natural vegetation, crop types, and fallowed fields to quantify how land use and land cover were associated with disease rates. Flexible statistical models showed that natural land covers, shrubland, barren ground, and grassland, were associated with higher incidence. Some agricultural uses (grain/hay, field crops, corn, and cotton) were associated with higher incidence, whereas others (orchards, rice, and truck crops/berries) were associated...

D0-meson-tagged jet axes difference in proton-proton collisions at s=5.02 TeV

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Heavy-flavor quarks produced in proton-proton (pp) collisions provide a unique opportunity to investigate the evolution of quark-initiated parton showers from initial hard scatterings to final-state hadrons. By examining jets that contain heavy-flavor hadrons, this study explores the effects of both perturbative and nonperturbative QCD on jet formation and structure. The angular differences between various jet axes, , offer insight into the radiation patterns and fragmentation of charm quarks. The first measurement of -tagged jet axes differences in pp collisions at by the ALICE experiment at the LHC is presented for jets with transverse momentum and mesons with . In this -meson-tagged jet measurement, three jet axis definitions, each with different sensitivities to soft, wide-angle radiation, are used: the standard axis, soft drop groomed axis, and winner-takes-all axis. Measurements of the radial distributions of mesons with respect to the jet axes, , are reported,...

Measurement of ω meson production in pp and p-Pb collisions at sNN=5.02 TeV

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

We present the measurement of the -differential production cross section of mesons in and -Pb collisions at TeV at midrapidity by ALICE. In addition, the first measurement of the nuclear modification factor for mesons at LHC energies is presented, complementing the existing measurements of lighter neutral mesons such as the and . Within the measured range, the of mesons is compatible with no cold nuclear matter effects within the uncertainties, consistent with previous measurements at lower energies. The ratio is presented for both collision systems, showing no collision system dependence within the uncertainties. The comparison to previously published ratios at lower and higher collision energies in collisions suggests a decreasing trend of the ratio above = 4 GeV/ with increasing collision energy. The data in both collision systems are compared to predictions from PYTHIA 8, EPOS LHC, and DPMJET event generators, revealing significant shortcomings in these...

A Search for Millimeter-bright Blazars as Astrophysical Neutrino Sources

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The powerful jets of blazars have been historically considered as likely sites of high-energy cosmic-ray acceleration. However, the particulars of the launched jet and the locations of leptonic and hadronic jet loading remain unclear. In the case when leptonic and hadronic particle injection occur jointly, a temporal correlation between synchrotron radiation and neutrino production is expected. We use a first catalog of millimeter wavelength (95–225 GHz) blazar light curves from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope for a time-dependent correlation with 12 yr of muon neutrino events from the IceCube South Pole Neutrino Observatory. Such millimeter emission traces activity of the bright jet base, which is often self-absorbed at lower frequencies and potentially gamma-ray opaque. We perform an analysis of the population, as well as analyses of individual, selected sources. We do not observe a significant signal from the stacked population. TXS 0506+056 is found as the most significant,...

The Potential and Cost of Carbon Dioxide Removal Using Direct Air Capture with Land-Based Wind and Utility-Scale Photovoltaics

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The rapid deployment of direct air capture and storage (DACS) is critical for achieving emission targets, necessitating precise evaluation of the scale and cost of carbon dioxide removal. This study examines the availability of land, electricity generation, and geologic CO₂ storage within the United States, estimating a technical potential for low-temperature, adsorbent-based DACS to remove approximately 9 gigatonnes of CO₂ annually. By 2050, a substantial portion of this removal could be achieved at net-removed costs below $300/tonneCO₂, though costs are highly variable depending on factors such as facility scale, construction expenses, climate-dependent productivity and heating efficiency, and geologic storage conditions. In the short term, DACS deployment will help identify key research priorities for advancing technology and reducing removal costs. Concurrently, there is an urgent need for scientifically robust and standardized frameworks for...

Sikh immigration, theology, and pan-ethnic solidarity: A comparative analysis of Sikh theology practiced in three different nation-states

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This paper examines how Sikh theological principles, specifically Miri-Piri (the unity of spiritual and temporal authority) and Sarbat da Bhala (welfare of all humanity), function as operational frameworks for political action and pan-ethnic solidarity across the global Sikh diaspora. Drawing on oral history data from a Sikh-American activist and comparative case studies spanning India, the United States, and Indonesia, the analysis demonstrates that Sikh diasporic solidarity is not merely a sociological response to shared trauma but an active theological practice. The findings suggest that political theology may constitute an under-examined dimension of diaspora formation that existing frameworks do not fully capture.

Recurrent acquisition of nuclease-protease pairs in antiviral immunity

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Antiviral immune systems diversify by integrating new genes into existing pathways, creating new mechanisms of viral resistance. We identified genes encoding a predicted nuclease paired with a trypsin-like protease repeatedly acquired by multiple, otherwise unrelated antiviral immune systems in bacteria. Cell-based and biochemical assays revealed that the nuclease is a proenzyme that cleaves DNA only after activation by its partner protease. Two distinct immune systems, Hachiman and AVAST (antiviral adenosine triphosphatase/nucleoside triphosphatase of the STAND superfamily, Avs), use the same mechanism of proteolytic activation despite their independent evolutionary origins. Examination of nuclease-protease inheritance patterns identified caspase-nuclease (canu) genomic loci that confer antiviral defense in a pathway reminiscent of eukaryotic caspase activation. These results uncover the coordinated activities of pronucleases and their activating proteases within different...

Multimodal Nanoscale Mapping of Local Structure and CO2 Adsorption in Metal–Organic Frameworks

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Diamine functionalization of the metal-organic framework Mg₂(dobpdc) (dobpdc^4- = 4,4'-dioxidobiphenyl-3,3'-dicarboxylate) significantly enhances its selectivity for CO₂ capture from flue gases and air. The structure and CO₂ capacity of such materials are typically assessed using bulk techniques that rely on averaging signal over large ensembles of unit cells, obscuring local heterogeneities, such as variations in CO₂ occupancy across individual nanocrystals. To resolve this limitation, we demonstrate a multimodal, nanoscale characterization of Mg₂(dobpdc) appended with 1,3-diaminopropane. By employing recently developed characterization techniques at progressively smaller length scales, we uncover insights from correspondingly smaller populations of unit cells. First, we use parallel-beam 3D electron diffraction (3D ED) to identify a prominent expansion in lattice parameters upon desorption of CO₂, as...

Neutron stars with exceptionally light QCD axions

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

We present a comprehensive study of axion condensed neutron stars that arise in models of an exceptionally light axion that couples to quantum chromodynamics (QCD). These axions solve the strong-charge-parity ( ) problem, but have a mass-squared lighter than that due to QCD by a factor of . Inside dense matter, the axion potential is altered, and much of the matter in neutron stars resides in the axion condensed phase where the strong- parameter and remains a good symmetry. In these regions, masses and interactions of nucleons are modified, in turn changing the equation of state (EOS), structure, and phenomenology of the neutron stars. We take the first steps toward the study of the EOS of neutron star matter at within chiral effective field theory and use relativistic mean field theory to deduce the resulting changes to nuclear matter and the neutron star low-density EOS. We derive constraints on the exceptionally light axion parameter space based on observations of the...

Hydrogen Electrocatalysis on Perfluorosulfonic-Acid-Coated Pt

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Membrane-electrode assemblies utilize ionomer-coated electrocatalysts to achieve facile ion transport. Consequently, isolation of intrinsic catalyst kinetics from measured polarization curves is challenging, as the properties of the catalyst and ionomer both affect the measurements. Here, we employ a Pt microelectrode coated by a thin perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) layer to measure polarization curves for the hydrogen oxidation reaction/hydrogen evolution reaction (HER/HOR). Intrinsic electrode kinetics are isolated by theoretical analysis of the local catalyst microenvironment, accounting for mass transport and thermodynamics. The observed enhancements in HER and HOR rates with increasing relative humidity (RH) at the working electrode are attributable to two competing factors: the decrease in activity of H+ in the ionomer and the dominant decrease in the water reorganization energy in the Marcus–Hush–Chidsey representation of HER/HOR kinetics. The increase in intrinsic rate with...

Approaching an unknown communication system by latent space exploration and causal inference

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract: We propose a methodology for discovering meaningful properties in data without ground truth by combining manipulation of the latent variables of generative models to extreme values with causal inference in an approach we call causal disentanglement with extreme values (CDEV). Using it, we investigate what properties the model encodes as meaningful when trained on raw audio of sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) communication. The method suggests that the model considers the number of clicks in a sequence, the regularity of their timing, as well as audio properties such as the spectral mean and the acoustic regularity of the sequences as the main components for generating believable and informative data. The first two are consistent with existing hypotheses, while the last two are proposed for the first time. We also argue that our models uncover rules that govern the structure of units in the communication system, suggesting the methodology as a...

Slope basins, headless canyons, and submarine palaeoseismology of the Cascadia accretionary complex

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A combination of geomorphological, seismic reflection and geotechnical data constrains this study of sediment erosion and deposition at the toe of the Cascadia accretionary prism. We conducted a series of ALVIN dives in a region south of Astoria Canyon to examine the interrelationship of fluid flow and slope failure in a series of headless submarine canyons. Elevated head gradients at the inflection point of canyons have been inferred to assist in localized failures that feed sediment into a closed slope basin. Measured head gradients are an order of magnitude too low to cause seepage‐induced slope failure alone; we therefore propose transient slope failure mechanisms. Intercanyon slopes are uniformly unscarred and smooth, although consolidation tests indicate that up to several metres of material may have been removed. A sheet‐like failure would remove sediment uniformly, preserving the observed smooth intercanyon slope. Earthquake‐induced liquefaction is a likely trigger for...

Reconstructing pathogen-specific antibody binding epitopes and age-dependent immune signatures from proteomic-scale peptide libraries.

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

High-density peptide arrays are useful for mapping linear antibody epitopes and resolution of antibody specificity in a single-assay platform. Here, we used peptide library screening to evaluate magnitude and breadth of humoral responses to enteric pathogens in the context of public health interventions. We characterized the epitope landscape to known immunogenic proteins to several viruses, bacteria, and parasites and used that to infer immunological profiles at age 3, 14, and 28 months. The peptide libraries detected immune signatures better for viruses compared with bacteria and parasites and captured distinct dynamics of protein-level variation in immune signatures over time. We found limited sensitivity for bacterial and protozoan pathogens whose humoral responses may depend more on conformational or natively modified epitopes than linear-peptide binding. Unbiased peptide libraries have potential utility for broad analysis of antibody responses in integrated serosurveillance,...

Twentieth century extreme precipitation detected in a high-resolution, coastal lake-sediment record from California

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

California faces increasing economic and societal risks from extreme precipitation and flooding associated with atmospheric rivers (ARs) under projected twenty-first century climate warming. Lake sediments can retain signals of past extreme precipitation events, allowing reconstructions beyond the period of instrumental records. Here, we calibrate AR-related extreme precipitation from the last century to proxy data from lake sediments collected in the latitudinal zone of the highest frequency landfall for modern ARs in California. Excursions in erosional proxy data (Ti/Al) are positively and significantly correlated (rmedian = 0.45, pmedian = 0.04) with modern records of integrated vapor transport (IVT, kg m−1 s−1), a key metric of AR intensity, using correlations that incorporate age-model uncertainty. Despite the land-use change near the study site, the data suggest intense and long-lasting AR storms are identifiable in this sedimentary record. These results allow...

Gamification Enhances User Engagement and Task Performance in Prosthetic Vision Testing

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose: Visual function testing in retinal prosthesis users relies on repetitive psychophysical tasks that are cognitively demanding and fatiguing. Gamification may increase engagement, but its effects on perceptual performance in implanted users remain unclear. Methods: Three Argus II users completed circle localization and motion direction discrimination in clinical and gamified versions. Visual stimuli, trial structure, and response requirements were matched within each participant; gamified versions added scoring, background music, and affectively framed end-of-trial auditory feedback. Difficulty and response format were calibrated to individual abilities (8AFC for two participants; 4AFC restricted to cardinal directions for one participant). Results: Gamification improved accuracy and reduced angular error in localization but did not improve motion discrimination. Effects were task-dependent and varied across participants, with reduced precision in the gamified motion task...

Generalizable Porous Aromatic Framework‐Included Polymer Membranes for Diffusion‐Enhanced Gas Separations

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Industrial separation processes account for 10-15% of global energy consumption. Membrane-based processes are less energy-intensive than traditional gas separation technologies; however, enhanced material separation performance and stability for numerous gas mixtures are needed for widespread industrial adoption. This work presents a generalizable strategy for preparing mixed-matrix gas separation membranes exceeding the performance upper bounds of existing polymer membranes for a wide variety of industrial gases. By incorporating robust porous aromatic framework (PAF) particles into various dense commercial polymer matrices, gas diffusivity and solubility can be enhanced. For diverse gas mixtures (e.g., CO₂/N₂, O₂/N₂, He/CH₄, H₂/N₂, and C₂H₄/C₂H₆), the resulting composite membranes exhibit enhanced gas permeabilities-by as much as 520%-and largely unchanged...

Personalized modeling of stress and blood pressure reactivity using mobile health data

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Psychological stress is a key driver of short-term blood pressure (BP) elevations and cardiovascular risk, yet its moment-to-moment impact in daily life remains difficult to predict. In this longitudinal observational study, we collected multimodal data from 20 adults with self-reported hypertension, including continuous wearable-derived heart rate and activity, ecological momentary assessment (EMA) stress ratings, and ambulatory BP measurements in free-living conditions. The dataset comprised 3694 EMA responses and 3812 BP measurements collected over approximately four weeks per participant (mean 24.1 ± 8.5 days). We evaluated whether participant-specific (“personalized”) models outperform a single pooled population model. Two prediction tasks were examined: (i) prediction of near-term BP elevations from wearable signals and stress EMA responses and (ii) prediction of self-reported stress from wearable signals and BP. Across both tasks, personalized models consistently improved...

Experimental considerations for precise RNA-mediated insertion of transgenes

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Precise RNA-mediated insertion of transgenes (PRINT) is a pioneering method for site-specific, safe-harbor transgene supplementation of the human genome that harnesses a eukaryotic retroelement protein and relies solely on the delivery of RNA. Here we outline important considerations in the design of the two required RNAs, details for the production and transfection of these RNAs to cells, and read-outs for successful transgene addition. Throughout, tips and key concepts are laid out to enable general use of this method.

Challenges and opportunities for scaling up infection prevention and control programmes in rural district hospitals of Tamil Nadu, India

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: The aim of this study was to explore the barriers to implementing an infection prevention and control (IPC) programme in three public district hospitals in Tamil Nadu by interviewing key stakeholders involved in the roll-out of the programme. Materials and methods: Investigators conducted interviews (n = 17) with chief medical officers (CMOs), physicians, and IPC nurses at three secondary public district hospitals and their affiliated primary health centres (PHCs). Results: Six major themes emerged from the interviews: (1) prevalent IPC practices before the programme began; (2) barriers to implementation; (3) perceptions of the effectiveness of the IPC programme; (4) suggestions for future expansion of the programme; (5) the role of healthcare sanitation workers, and (6) water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) infrastructure. Stakeholders noted improvements in IPC knowledge, infection control related behaviour, and overall healthcare quality in...

The rise of carnivoran mammals in Europe through the lens of body mass.

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Carnivoran mammals (cats, dogs, bears, seals, etc.) and their kin radiated during the Palaeogene, among other carnivorous clades (hyaenodonts, mesonychians, and oxyaenodonts). This radiation has often been framed as a competition ultimately won by carnivorans, but the data supporting this hypothesis largely originate from North America. We derive body mass (BM) from dental measurements in European hyaenodonts, mesonychians, oxyaenodonts, and carnivoramorphans ranging from the latest Palaeocene to the end of the Oligocene (MP 6-30; 57.2-23.3 Ma) and compare those with North American data. We show that European assemblages tell a different story, with a marked increase of the disparity of carnivoramorphan BMs at and after the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO; 40 Ma), with no clear effect on hyaenodonts. The 'Grande Coupure' (Eocene-Oligocene transition, approx. 34-33.5 Ma) marks the onset of a progressive decrease in the mean BM of hyaenodonts, while carnivoramorphans continue...

Optimizing Solar PV Deployment in Manufacturing: A Morphological Matrix and Fuzzy TOPSIS Approach

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The growing energy demand of the industrial sector and the need for sustainable solutions highlight the importance of efficient decision making in solar photovoltaic (PV) implementation. Selecting optimal PV configuration is complex due to the interdependent technical, economic, environmental, and social factors involved. This study introduces an integrated decision-making method combining a morphological matrix and fuzzy TOPSIS to systematically select and rank optimal PV system configurations for manufacturing firms. While the morphological matrix exhaustively examines possible design solutions based on sensing, smart, sustainable, and social (S4) attributes, the fuzzy TOPSIS method ranks the alternatives by handling uncertainty in decision making. A case study conducted in a Mexican manufacturing company validates the methodology’s effectiveness. The optimal PV configuration identified comprehensively addresses operational and sustainability criteria, covering all lifecycle...

Dismantling the United States Agency for International Development Costs Lives and Threatens Global Stability.

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Dismantling the United States Agency for International Development Costs Lives and Threatens Global Stability.

Antimicrobial Resistance Gene Profiles in Integron-Positive and Integron-Negative Third-Generation Cephalosporin-Resistant E. coli from Human and Animal Sources

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background/Objectives: Integrons are genetic platforms that allow bacteria to acquire antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, making them a focal point for many AMR studies and surveillance programs. This study investigated how the prevalence of integrons (intI and attI genes) in third-generation cephalosporin-resistant E. coli (3GCR-Ec) varied across three different sources (i.e., healthy children, domestic animals and urinary tract infections). The study aimed to determine how different classes of AMR genes vary among 3GCR-Ec with integrons present versus those where integrons are absent. Methods: We analyzed 3GCR-Ec isolates collected from semirural parishes of Eastern Quito, Ecuador, that included: (1) 3GCR-Ec from healthy children (n = 946), (2) 3GCR-Ec from domestic animal species (n = 673), and 3GCR-Ec from patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) (n = 138). Genomic analyses were performed for all 1757 sequences...

Cancer Screening and Citizenship Status in the US.

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Importance: Immigrants without US citizenship, or noncitizens, disproportionately endure poverty, labor exclusions, and inadequate health care access-structural drivers of adverse cancer outcomes. While screening is critical for preventing cancer deaths, and cancer is the leading cause of death among noncitizens, little is known about citizenship status and its potential influence on cancer screening. Objectives: To examine cancer screening inequities associated with citizenship status, evaluate whether these inequities vary across states, and determine whether structural factors mediate these inequities. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study used nationally representative data from the National Health Interview Survey (2010-2023). Eligibility for cancer screening and the timing and types of tests considered appropriate were determined using US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines. Data were analyzed from May to August 2025. Exposure: Citizenship status:...

Climate change increases risks of wildfire and biome shifts in United States national parks in California

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Human-caused climate change has increased wildfire above natural levels across extensive areas of the world and caused vegetation biome shifts, detected and attributed from field observations. These changes threaten ecosystem integrity, yet detailed spatial patterns of risks remain unknown. We identify high risk areas in the globally unique ecosystems of Yosemite and three other United States national parks in California through analyses at 10 m spatial resolution. Our results reveal that climate change increased national park average temperatures up to 2.1 °C above pre-industrial levels from 1895 to 2023, exceeding the global average increase of 1.2 ± 0.1 °C. Forests in the region naturally require periodic fire but suppression generated severe fire risks on 6%–13% of park area by 2024. Under the highest emissions scenario (+4.6 °C–5 °C locally), climate change could shift potential biomes hundreds of meters upslope, on up to half of park area, increase fire frequencies 150%–350%,...

Oral and parenteral treatment with a third-generation cephalosporin promotes the proliferation of diverse ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in the chicken intestinal tract

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The global rise of antimicrobial resistance is a major public health threat, with Escherichia coli facilitating the spread of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) genes like bla_CTX-M, which confer resistance to third-generation cephalosporins (3GCs). This study examines the impact of 3GC treatment on resistant E. coli clones and horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of ESBL genes in broiler chickens in Quito, Ecuador. Fifteen-day-old Ross broilers were divided into three groups: oral ceftriaxone (100 mg/kg), parenteral ceftriaxone (100 mg/kg intramuscular), and control (no treatment). The study included three phases: baseline, antimicrobial administration (5 days), and recovery (15 days). Fecal cultures on McConkey agar, with and without ceftriaxone (2 µg/mL), measured the ratio of 3GC-resistant lactose fermenters. Regardless of the administration route, ceftriaxone significantly increased resistant coliforms (>80%). Five E. coli colonies...

Cold War Modernism

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 4 examines how politically driven interpretations of modernism during the 1930s facilitated its utilization in the context of the Cold War. While the Stalinist cultural revolution in the USSR rejected modernity as bourgeois, two exhibitions by New York’s Museum of Modern Art celebrated the American and international potential of the “International Style” modernism. The influx of Bauhaus masters to the US further reinforced these claims. Following the defeat of the Third Reich, West German designers employed International Style modernism as a means of visual denazification. In the Soviet Union, architectural modernity was selectively embraced as a symbol of socialist progress under Khrushchev’s leadership. Mass-produced housing using Western construction methods addressed the housing crisis, while bespoke monuments showcased the achievements of state socialism. International expositions served as platforms for showcasing the architectural prowess of the First and Second...

Extensive Overlap in Avian and Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strains Between Backyard Poultry, Humans, and Dogs in Ecuador

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Escherichia coli is a ubiquitous organism that colonizes a variety of animal hosts and has the ability to persist within the environment. As such, it is not surprising that animals frequently share E. coli strains and contribute to environmental E. coli ecology. It has been well documented that poultry meat can serve as a reservoir of avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) with the potential to cause human disease. However, the impact of backyard poultry rearing on household and community APEC sharing is less clear. In this study, we examined 1348 E. coli isolates from children, dogs, and chickens in 222 households in peri-urban communities of Quito, Ecuador, sampled across five timepoints. Extensive overlap between isolates from all three host sources were identified using Clermont phylotyping and multilocus sequence typing. Human and dog isolates also had a high rate of carriage (37% and 49%, respectively) of genes indicative of APEC. Phylogenetic...

Wildlife movement responses to the press–pulse–pause of the Anthropocene

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Wildlife is increasingly forced to share space with humans, facing disturbances that operate across different spatial and temporal scales. The press-pulse framework, originally developed in the disturbance ecology literature, distinguishes between long-term sustained 'presses' and more acute 'pulses'. Because pulses occur during ongoing press conditions, their ecological effects depend on how they interact with that background, helping explain why certain disturbances result in transient, localized changes, while others lead to lasting, widespread impacts. Here, we expand this framework by applying it to regimes of human disturbances, and incorporating 'pauses' as a third category. Pulses and pauses (e.g. episodes of extreme weather, or drastic changes in human mobility) can substantially affect wildlife behaviour, yet their effects are often modulated by background 'press' conditions. We offer a conceptual framework for disentangling effects across space and time and highlight...

Tracking blaCTX-M transmission through transposable elements in uropathogenic and commensal E. coli

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

AIM: To investigate the nucleotide sequences associated with transposable elements carrying bla_CTX-M allelic variants as potential markers for the transmission of antimicrobial resistance genes between domestic animals, humans and the environment. MATERIALS & METHODS: We conducted whole-genome sequencing and analyzed the nucleotide sequences of most abundant bla_CTX-M allelic variants (bla_CTX-M-27, bla_CTX-M-55, and bla_CTX-M-65) in commensal Escherichia coli (n = 20) from household members in Quito and uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) (n = 149) isolated from nine clinics in Quito, Ecuador. RESULTS: The Ecuadorian commensal E. coli and UPEC displayed identical nucleotide sequences surrounding the bla_CTX-M gene and the synteny was similar to those found in other parts of the world; however phylogenetic analysis indicated that the genetic environments in Ecuadorian isolates were unique. CONCLUSION:...

Mistletoe Visitation and Fruit Removal by Birds and Lemurs in a Malagasy Rainforest

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

ABSTRACT Mistletoe species depend on viscid seeds landing on suitable branches for parasitism, often requiring a limited set of seed dispersers. In Madagascar's southeastern rainforests, our study revealed a surprisingly diverse array of birds consuming mistletoe fruits, but with two small nocturnal lemur species as the major contributors to fruit removal. RÉSUMÉ Le gui dépend du dépôt de ses graines collantes sur des branches appropriées pour parasiter ses hôtes, nécessitant souvent peu de disperseurs efficaces. Dans les forêts du sud‐est de Madagascar, notre étude révèle une diversité d'oiseaux frugivores, mais deux petits lémuriens nocturnes demeurent les principaux responsables du retrait des fruits. FAMINTINANA Mila miraikitra amin'ny rantsan‐kazo voatokana ny vihin'ny zavamaniry katsentsitra toy ny tongoalahy, vao maniry—izay mety tanterahan'ny biby mpanamparitaka vihy vitsivitsy. Ny fikarohana nataonay dia nahita karazam‐borona maro nihinana ny voan'ny tongoalahy, saingy...

Machine-Learned Leftmost Hessian Eigenvectors for Robust Transition State Finding

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The reliable determination of transition states (TSs) benefits from second-order information for robust convergence and validation, but the computational expense of Hessians prohibits their routine use in TS optimization. Here, we present a machine-learning-driven TS optimizer that directly predicts the leftmost Hessian eigenvector (LMHE), which is the critical mode that locally approximates the reaction coordinate encompassing the TS. We demonstrate that our LMHE optimizer recovers TS solutions at the same rate as full-Hessian optimizers and robustly from degraded initial guess geometries, thereby eliminating the excessively long wall times characteristic of full-Hessian approaches and reducing total gradient evaluations compared to standard quasi-Newton methods. We further improve accuracy and robustness using uncertainty quantification for identifying occasional LMHE prediction failures, where we then fall back to a full-Hessian update from the machine-learned potential at...

Historicizing the U.S. Model Home

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Historicizing the U.S. Model Home

Do Virtual Environments Close the Gender Gap in Participation in Question-and-Answer Sessions at Academic Conferences? In Search of Moderation by Conference Format

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Consistent with power and status differences between men and women in society, men tend to participate more than women do in question-and-answer (Q&A) sessions at in-person academic conferences. This gap in participation in scientific discourse may perpetuate the status quo. The current research examines whether this gender gap in participation in Q&A sessions extends to virtual conferences, which have become more prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to shifts in conference formats to enable asynchronous, anonymous, and/or simultaneous participation, we examined whether virtual conferences are more inclusive, and mitigate the gender gap in Q&A participation. Across four virtual conferences that varied in gender representation and Q&A structured format, men continued to take a disproportionate amount of time and space in Q&A sessions. Disproportionate participation did not significantly vary between in-person and virtual formats and did not systematically...

iSCORE-PD: an isogenic stem cell collection to research Parkinson’s disease

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Genome-edited human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) provide a powerful platform to study complex diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). Here, we describe iSCORE-PD, an isogenic collection of 65 genome-edited hPSC lines carrying disease-causing or high-risk variants in 11 PD-linked genes (SNCA, PRKN, PINK1, DJ1/PARK7, LRRK2, ATP13A2, FBXO7, DNAJC6, SYNJ1, VPS13C, and GBA1). All lines are derived from a well-characterized female hESC line and subjected to extensive quality control. Whole-genome sequencing reveals that genetic variation between lines, largely confined to non-coding regions, is minimal relative to inter-individual differences in patient-derived hiPSCs, with most variation arising from random mutations acquired during cell culture rather than genome-editing-induced off-target effects. Including multiple independently derived clones per mutation can control for this random genetic drift. Our systematic approach ensures high quality of this publicly available iSCORE-PD...

Optimizing district energy systems by integrating Borehole Thermal Energy Storage Using a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming g-function framework with a Multi-Timescale Rolling Horizon method

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Shallow geothermal has gained increasing attention in recent years; however, a reliable framework for its accurate incorporation into large-scale energy system optimization remains lacking. This study proposes a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) framework combined with the g-function approach to integrate Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES) technology into energy system optimization. Validation against a Modelica-based reservoir network simulation demonstrates that the proposed framework effectively captures the ground thermal response under varying energy loads and accurately estimates the borefield energy supply. To enhance scalability, a Rolling Horizon with Multi-Timescale (RH-MTS) method is further introduced, reducing computational time by 73 % for the 1-year optimization model with only minor loss of optimality. The framework is demonstrated through the case study of the UC Berkeley campus. Results indicate that BTES is a cost-effective and low-carbon solution:...

Out of the Gate: The Relationship Between Dual Enrollment Gateway Course-Taking and College Academic Momentum

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study explores the relationship between dual enrollment (DE) math and English gateway course-taking and academic momentum indicators — earning 30 credits by the end of the first year, first-year credit accumulation, and persistence to the third semester. The study is based on a sample of first-time freshmen at the City University of New York who participated in the citywide DE program, College Now, and utilizes quasi-experimental methodology to identify a balanced sample of former DE students who took math and English gateway courses in DE compared to former DE students who did not. Taking DE gateway courses has a modest, but positive association with credit momentum, particularly first-year credit accumulation when DE credits are included, but had no relationship with persistence. We found an increase in credit momentum for Black/African American students who took a math gateway DE course, as compared to Black/African American and students of any race who did not take a...

Constructing a Virtual Furnace for Solid-State Thermodynamic Models

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Connecting 0 K density functional theory (DFT) energies to finite-temperature, finite-pressure synthesis conditions is a well-established thermodynamic formalism, yet quantified guidance on when and how to accurately calibrate these results to experimental chemical potentials in practice remains sparse. In this work, we systematically benchmark a complete workflowthe virtual furnacethat constructs effective oxygen chemical potentials (μO2) for common synthesis atmospheres (air, Ar, H2, CO) as functions of temperature and partial pressure and propagates quantified errors from formation enthalpies through reaction energies to critical chemical potentials. Applying this workflow to 11 binary oxides, we find that “gas-only” thermal corrections are sufficient at low temperatures and for Group II oxides across all temperatures, while solid-phase vibrational contributions become critical at elevated temperatures for transition metal oxides. We quantify this threshold through the ratio...

Efficient Risk Calculation and Epistemic Uncertainty Propagation for Performance-Based Earthquake Engineering Distributed Systems

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A Report for the ”Performance-based Earthquake Engineering Assessment Tool for Natural Gas Storage and Pipeline Systems” Project. This report is one of a series of reports documenting the methods and findings of a multi-year, multi-disciplinary project conducted by the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER) with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and funded by the California Energy Commission (CEC). The overall project is titled “Performance-based Earthquake Engineering Assessment Tool for Natural Gas Storage and Pipeline Systems,” hereafter referred to as the ”Open-SRA Project.” The overall goal of the OpenSRA project is to create an opensource research-based seismic risk assessment tool for natural gas infrastructure that can be used by utility stakeholders to better understand state-wide risks, prioritize mitigation, plan new gas infrastructure, and help focus post-earthquake repair work. The project team includes researchers from LBNL, UC Berkeley,...

Subseasonal Forecasting and MJO Teleconnections in Machine Learning Weather Prediction Models

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract In recent years, machine‐learning (ML) models trained on reanalysis data have rivaled physics‐based forecast models in terms of performance skill for global weather forecasting. With increased rollout stability, the question of how these models perform for subseasonal to seasonal (S2S, week 3–8) forecasting has emerged. In this study we run a large set of subseasonal hindcasts over 2004–2023 to evaluate two ML weather forecast models at the S2S time scale, SFNO‐HENS (Nvidia, fully ML) and NeuralGCM (Google Research, hybrid). Corresponding hindcasts from the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) are used as a baseline for comparison to a physics‐based model. Because our focus is on predicting moisture transport over the Western United States between October and March, we evaluate the models' prediction skill for the Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) and its associated teleconnections in the North Pacific. We find that both ML models are competitive with...

The value of improving manure management

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Manure management and land application can improve soil health and nutrient recycling but can also be a major source of air pollutant emissions and regional eutrophication. A high-resolution, regional framework can now facilitate assessment of current and future manure management policies in a representative livestock-dense region of Europe.

Accelerating room air conditioner efficiency in India: Grid, economic, and policy implications through 2035

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

India is poised for a rapid surge in space cooling demand, driven by rising incomes, urbanization, and intensifying heat. Between 2025 and 2035, the country is expected to add 130–150 million new room air conditioners (ACs). If Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) continue to improve at the historical rate of 2–3 % annually, room ACs alone could contribute over 180 GW to peak electricity demand by 2035-nearly 30 % of the projected national total. This study evaluates the impact of an accelerated MEPS trajectory, proposing to raise the 1-star threshold to ISEER 5.0 by 2027, ISEER 6.3 by 2030, and ISEER 7.4 by 2033. Drawing on engineering cost analysis, stock turnover modeling, and retail pricing data, we find that this pathway could reduce peak demand by over 60 GW, save 118 TWh of electricity annually, avoid 49 MtCO₂ of electricity-related emissions per year, avert ₹7.5 trillion (∼US$85 billion) in power system investments, and yield ₹0.7–2.3 trillion (∼US$8–26 billion)...

Understanding the Association Between Substance Use and Loneliness in Midlife and Older Adults.

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Substance use, a significant public health concern, may be associated with worsening social connections and feelings of loneliness among adult populations. This study examined the associations between substance use (i.e., binge alcohol, e-cigarette, and traditional cigarette use) and loneliness among adults aged ≥50 years residing in the US. We conducted a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from the 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Social Determinant of Health Equity module. The sample included 138,614 adults aged ≥50 years, representing approximately 55.4 million individuals in this age group. Substance use was the key independent variable and categorized into two groups: no substance use and substance use-participants who reported current use of ≥1 of three substances (i.e., binge alcohol, e-cigarette, and traditional cigarette use). Overall, 19.0% of participants reported using ≥1 substance use, 21.0% reported feeling lonely sometimes, and 5.1% feeling...

Local pH control for impure-water-fed bipolar-membrane electrolyzers

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

We show that the pH gradient at the catalyst–ion exchange membrane interface in a seawater bipolar-membrane electrolyzer can be mitigated by reducing the catalyst–membrane distance. We further show how water transport can be balanced at steady state. Bipolar membrane (BPM) electrolyzers offer advantages in the electrolysis of impure-waters by controlling ion flux, yet still suffer from performance and durabilty limitations. Here, we investigate the impact of NaCl electrolyte (nominally simulated seawater) on BPM electrolyzer operation and identify local pH gradients at electrode–membrane interfaces, arising from coupled ion transport and electrode reactions, as one origin of performance loss and degradation. NaCl in the catholyte induces pronounced pH gradients at the cathode|cation-exchange-layer interface, leading to increased voltage, while partial Cl − crossover to the anode becomes detrimental under locally OH − -deficient conditions, promoting the chlorine evolution reaction...

Correction: Atomate2: modular workflows for materials science

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D5DD00019J.].

Ten questions concerning low-cost indoor air quality sensors: Perspectives from research and practice

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Low-cost indoor air quality (IAQ) sensors are increasingly being used in homes and commercial and public buildings, driven by growing concerns about the impact of air on health, cognitive performance, and occupant wellbeing. These sensors offer a potentially transformative opportunity to increase spatial and temporal coverage of IAQ monitoring at a fraction of the cost of conventional reference instruments. However, their widespread use raises questions around accuracy, calibration, placement, data handling and interpretation, and integration into existing standards and workflows. This paper presents ten critical questions concerning the use of low-cost IAQ sensors in buildings, drawing on the latest empirical research, field deployments, and emerging practice. It discusses potential frameworks for deployment and evaluation, examines current sensor capabilities for measuring common pollutants, identifies methodological gaps in validation and uncertainty quantification, and outlines...

Functionalized benzylamines from commercial kraft lignin

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Benzylamines are key intermediates in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and polymers, but their conventional production relies on benzyl chloride - a petroleum-derived compound with high toxicity and energy demands. Lignin, accounting for up to 30% of plant biomass, is the largest renewable source of aromatic carbon on Earth. However, its highly complex and recalcitrant structure poses a major barrier to efficient conversion into high-value chemicals. Here, we developed a catalytic approach to convert commercial kraft lignin into phenolic benzylamines through selective depolymerization and subsequent functionalization. We systematically evaluated the effects of three alcohol solvents, formic acid (FA), and a ruthenium-on‑carbon (Ru/C) catalyst on monophenol yield and selectivity. Up to 6.5 wt% monophenol yield was achieved using methanol (MeOH), FA, and Ru/C at 300 °C for 2 h. Quantum thermodynamic simulations based on the COSMO-RS model confirmed the superior solvation...

Oxidative Cascade Cyclization of 1,2-Dicyanoarenes by a Dicopper(I,I) Nitrite Complex to Phthalimide Ligands

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The reactions of [Cu2(μ–κ 1:κ 1 -O2N)DPFN][NTf2] (1; DPFN = 2,7-bis(fluoro-di(2-pyridyl)methyl)-1,8-naphthyridine, NTf2 – = N(SO2CF3)2 –) with 1,4-dicyanobenzene and 1,2-dicyanoarenes are discussed. Treatment of 1 with 1,4-dicyanobenzene produces a tetra-Cu(I) terephthalate complex (2) and dinitrogen via a discrete CN triple bond cleavage at each cyano group. However, reactions of 1 with 1,2-dicyanoarenes appear to proceed via a cascade reaction involving two intertwined CN triple bond activations to yield a series of di-Cu(I) phthalimides, [Cu2(μ–N(CO)2(Ar))DPFN][NTf2] (3-(Ar); Ar = 1,2-arylenes C6H4, 3-NO2C6H3, 4-NO2C6H3, 4-PrOC6H3, 3-NC5H3) and dinitrogen. The dicopper phthalimide bonding interaction in these compounds is robust enough to resist protonation by pentafluorophenol and alkylation by methyl triflate or benzyl chloride at the imide nitrogen. This characteristic presents an opportunity for postsynthetic modifications of the phthalimide ligand. Nevertheless,...

The historical evolution of dynamic capabilities: From resource reconfiguration to strategic orchestration

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose The study reconstructs the historical evolution of research on dynamic capabilities (DCs), perhaps the most influential framework in contemporary strategic management for explaining how firms achieve and sustain competitive advantage. By examining its development over nearly three decades, the study aims to explain how recurring theoretical and practical challenges shaped the framework’s evolution and growing centrality within strategic-management research. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts a Historical Literature Review of 140 articles published between 1997 and 2026 in leading management and organization journals. The analysis combines systematic corpus construction, bibliometric structuring, reflexive thematic analysis and historical periodization to reconstruct the field’s evolution and identify major turning points. Findings DCs research evolved through five historical phases. Each phase emerged from the interaction between shifts in strategic-management...

A prototype hybrid mode cavity for heterodyne axion detection

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In the heterodyne approach to axion detection, axion dark matter induces transitions between two modes of a microwave cavity, resulting in a parametrically enhanced signal power. We describe the fabrication and characterization of a prototype normal conducting cavity specifically optimized for heterodyne detection. Corrugations on the cavity walls support linearly polarized hybrid modes which maximize the signal power while strongly suppressing noise. We demonstrate tuning mechanisms which allow one mode frequency to be scanned across a 4 MHz range, while suppressing cross-coupling noise by at least 80 dB. A future superconducting cavity with identical geometry to our prototype would have the potential to probe orders of magnitude beyond astrophysical bounds.

A Nonergodic Ground-Motion Model for the San Francisco Bay Area for Small-Magnitude Earthquakes

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

ABSTRACT Recently, generative models have become a computationally efficient alternative to physics-based numerical simulations of ground motions. Neural networks can learn from existing ground-motion data to generate unobserved ground-motion data at new source and site locations. A key challenge with generative models is ensuring that predicted ground motions remain within a physically realistic range. For this purpose, we developed an empirical, nonergodic ground-motion model (GMM) for small-magnitude earthquakes in the San Francisco Bay area based on about 5000 recordings per component for Mw ≤ 4 earthquakes. The nonergodic GMM predicts spatially varying median source, site, and path effects for both the Fourier amplitude spectrum (FAS) and the Fourier phase derivative (a proxy for duration), as well as the corresponding epistemic uncertainty for each term. For FAS, our model shows above-average source and site effects in the western part of the region and below-average effects...

Elucidating the Effects of LiF on Lithium Metal Anodes

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

LiF is widely recognized as a crucial component of a solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) for Li metal anodes. However, the roles of LiF in the SEI remain elusive. Herein, we examined the evolution of SEI influenced by LiF and identified distinct features that elucidate functional characteristics of LiF for Li metal anodes. Through comprehensive empirical and theoretical analyses, we found that LiF enriches Li₂O within the SEI, forms LiF/Li₂O interfaces, exhibits non-negligible solubility with spontaneous dissolution-reprecipitation behavior in the electrolyte, and works synergistically with Li₂O. These findings shed light on the effects of LiF on Li metal anodes and the arrangement characteristic of LiF within the SEI. By integrating key discoveries regarding LiF, a projected working mechanism for LiF is illustrated. Overall, our study on LiF provides valuable insights that advance the understanding of the SEI and interphase nanostructures, contributing...

Adaptive optical correction for in vivo two-photon fluorescence microscopy with neural fields

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Adaptive optics restore ideal imaging performance in complex samples by measuring and correcting optical aberrations but often require custom-built microscopes with carefully aligned wavefront sensing/shaping devices and can be susceptible to sample motion. Here we describe NeAT, a computational framework using neural fields for adaptive optics two-photon fluorescence microscopy. NeAT estimates wavefront aberration and recovers sample structure from a 3D image stack without requiring external datasets for training. Incorporating motion correction in learning and correcting conjugation errors commonly found in commercial microscopes, NeAT is designed for deployment in biological laboratories for in vivo imaging. We validate NeAT’s performance using a custom-built microscope with a wavefront sensor under varying signal-to-noise ratios, aberration and motion conditions. With a commercial microscope, we demonstrate real-time aberration correction for in vivo morphological and functional...

Wet-Bulb Temperature from Pressure, Relative Humidity, and Air Temperature

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract The algorithms currently in use for calculating the wet-bulb temperature from pressure, relative humidity, and air temperature have errors of a degree or more. Here, the equation for the thermodynamic wet-bulb temperature is derived using the Rankine–Kirchhoff approximations, which are highly accurate for meteorological and climatological applications. Likewise, equations are derived for the thermodynamic ice-bulb temperature and for the psychrometric wet-bulb and ice-bulb temperatures. The equations are fast to solve, requiring only a microsecond on a current laptop computer, and the results match empirical data to within hundredths of a degree. Furthermore, the equations reveal the existence of air temperatures and humidities that generate bistability: Evaporating liquid water is stable at a liquid temperature above freezing and, simultaneously, sublimating ice is stable at an ice temperature below freezing.

Carbon–Mineral Slurry Electrodes for Energy-Efficient Lithium Leaching from Low-Grade Clay Feedstocks

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Lithium extraction from clay deposits is typically hampered by low lithium grades and the high capital and energy demands of conventional processing. We report an ambient temperature electrochemical leaching method that bypasses high-temperature roasting and concentrated-acid leaching, directly liberating 93% of lithium from low-grade hectorite in 24 h at 1 V, with 77% Faradaic efficiency, an energy intensity of 3.91 MWh/t lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE). Utilizing a carbon-mineral composite slurry electrode strategy we achieve electron-driven lattice deconstruction through iron oxidation coupled with proton uptake to drive lithium deintercalation, offering a new strategy for low-temperature critical-metal recovery. A preliminary cost analysis highlights pathways to achieving cost intensities below $3000/t LCE. Challenges remain in improving current density, extraction kinetics, and demonstrating process scalability, however, this work establishes a foundation for effective...

Vegetation responses to air dryness amplify future land surface warming

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Temperature exerts a first-order control on vegetation photosynthesis and transpiration. Yet most studies investigating temperature impacts on plants rely on near-surface air temperature, rather than canopy temperature—the temperature plants actually experience. Because canopy temperature directly regulates ecosystem function, it provides a more accurate measure of vegetation–climate interactions. Combining Earth System Model (ESM) simulations and satellite observations in a dual emergent constraint, here we show that canopy temperature is projected to increase substantially more than air temperature (~0.11-degrees more or a 16% increase in their difference) over the 21st century. The ESM ensemble median fails to capture these stronger increases in the majority of vegetated regions. We find that the largest projected increases in the difference between canopy and air temperature are predicted to occur in regions where elevating moisture stress—particularly rising vapor pressure...

Palestinian Rural History Project: Golan/Jawlan Oral History Corpus (PRHP-GJ): Corpus Description and Methodology

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This document describes the scope, methodology, source criticism, access conditions, and versioning principles of the Golan/Jawlan Oral History Corpus (PRHP-GJ), a component of the Palestinian Rural History Project. As of August 2026, the corpus comprises approximately 500 oral-history interviews concerning more than 140 Golan/Jawlan villages and localities. It documents historical geography, rural settlement, landholding, migration, material culture, collective memory, displacement, and the subsequent histories of displaced communities, while integrating oral testimony with documentary, cartographic, archaeological, geographical, and other comparative evidence.

Influence of understory vegetation on fungal communities and 2,4,6-trichloroanisole contamination in raw cork from standing trees

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Cork oak forests are of considerable economic importance, they serve as pastures, and they produce the raw material used by the cork industry. In many instances, the economic value of cork oak forests is closely linked to the demand for cork stoppers used in winemaking, and any decline in cork quality can have significant undesirable consequences. This is particularly relevant for cork taint associated with off-flavours caused by 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA) and formed by microbial methylation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP), a precursor that can originate either from anthropogenic sources, such as pollution or pesticides, or from natural cork components. This study compared fungal communities and TCA contamination levels in cork from forests with and without shrub understory, selected to assess the potential influence of understory vegetation on fungal composition and TCA formation. The correlation analysis showed a highly significant relationship (p = 0.005) between understory...

Computed tomography datasets and 3D models of California Quaternary tar seep faunas for education and research

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Computed tomography datasets and 3D models of California Quaternary tar seep faunas for education and research

Magneto-optical Kerr effect in an A-type antiferromagnet

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Magneto-optic Kerr effect (MOKE) is a powerful probe of broken time-reversal symmetry (T$${{\mathcal{T}}}$$), typically used to study ferromagnets. While MOKE has been observed in some antiferromagnets (AFMs) with vanishing magnetization, it is often associated with structures whose symmetry is lower than basic collinear, bipartite order. In contrast, theory predicts a mechanism for MOKE intrinsic to all AFMs of A-type, i.e. layered AFMs in which ferromagnetic layers are antiferromagnetically aligned. Here we report the experimental confirmation of this mechanism in a bulk AFM. We achieve this by measuring the imaginary component of MOKE as a function of photon energy in MnBi2Te4, an A-type AFM where T$${{\mathcal{T}}}$$ is preserved in combination with a translation, and comparing the experimental results with model calculations. Our model suggests that observable MOKE should be expected in all collinear A-type AFMs with out-of-plane spin order, thus enabling optical detection...

RADAI: A Large-Scale Realistic Dataset for Radiation Detection Algorithm Development

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Open, realistic datasets are essential for developing and benchmarking radiation detection algorithms, yet they remain scarce. The Radiological Anomaly Detection and Identification (RADAI) project was develop to create datasets that meet the training and testing needs for sophisticated radiation detection algorithms. The RADAI dataset is a large-scale synthetic resource that integrates high-fidelity Monte Carlo simulations with realistic urban scenarios to capture both background variability and source signatures. RADAI models construction-material NORM, people and vehicles, urban clutter, and dynamic environmental effects such as cosmic-ray and rain-induced transients, and they provide list-mode detector data with motion and response modeling suitable for algorithm training and evaluation. The RADAI project resulted in three publicly-released complementary datasets together with an online scoring portal for standardized performance assessment and an open software toolkit that...

The Palestinian Rural History Project: Official Gazetteer of Documented Localities (2026)

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Established in 2014, the Palestinian Rural History Project (PRHP) is an independent, non-institutional research initiative devoted to documenting, preserving, studying, and publishing knowledge concerning the rural history and heritage of Palestine and the southern Levant. The PRHP is the largest non-institutional rural-history archive in the region and possesses the widest spatial coverage. It encompasses more than 1,100 Arab localities documented through over 2,500 oral-history interviews.This public release provides preferred toponymic forms and administrative or regional attributions established according to PRHP editorial conventions. Enquiries concerning scholarly collaboration may be directed to the project curator. Access to the materials is subject to project policy, participant consent, privacy considerations, and the nature of the proposed research.

Operation-Induced BiVO4 Surface Reconstruction Modulates Photoelectrochemical Glycerol Photooxidation Stability and Activity

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract Operation-induced surface reconstruction of photoelectrodes is underexplored as a path to control stability and performance. We show how adaptive junctions form via surface reconstruction of BiVO4 during glycerol photooxidation and how these surfaces affect electrolyte-dependent kinetics and durability. Preferential V dissolution in both acidic and alkaline media forms a Bi-rich layer. In situ measurements through a dual-working-electrode platform quantify the changes in photovoltage and charge-transfer resistance derived from adaptive junction formation, while enabling quantitative separation of the driving forces for charge separation and interfacial catalysis. The reconstructed surface in acidic media improves hole-transfer kinetics, functions as a glycerol-oxidation catalyst, and imparts photostability. Surface reconstruction in alkaline media exhibits the opposite behavior, impeding hole injection. This instability is mitigated by trace Ni2+ ions, which drive in...

Measurement of the Higgs boson production in association with top quarks in multilepton final states in pp collisions at s=13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A measurement of the associated production of a top-quark pair with the Higgs boson (tt¯H$$ t\overline{t}H $$) in multilepton final states is presented. The analysis is based on a data sample of proton-proton collisions at s=13$$ \sqrt{s}=13 $$ TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 140 fb−1. Six final states defined by the number and flavour of reconstructed charged leptons are combined in a simultaneous likelihood fit to extract the tt¯H$$ t\overline{t}H $$ signal and constrain the most relevant backgrounds. The measured tt¯H$$ t\overline{t}H $$ cross-section normalised to Standard Model (SM) prediction is σtt¯H/σSM=0.63−0.19+0.20$$ {\sigma}_{t\overline{t}H}/{\sigma}^{\mathrm{SM}}=0.{63}_{-0.19}^{+0.20} $$. This result corresponds to an observed (expected) significance of 3.3σ (5.3σ). Additionally, two other fits are used to measure the tt¯H$$ t\overline{t}H $$ cross-section differentially in bins...

High Genetic Diversity of the Cypress Canker Pathogen Seiridium cardinale in the Southern Hemisphere

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

ABSTRACT Cypress canker, caused by several species of Seiridium , affects Cupressaceae worldwide. Of the seven described pathogens that cause this disease, S. cardinale is one of the most aggressive and widespread. This study examined the genetic diversity of S. cardinale isolates from the Southern Hemisphere, with a focus on South Africa and New Zealand. Three S. cardinale genomes were sequenced to evaluate the utility of existing microsatellite markers and to identify and develop new microsatellite markers. Sixty isolates from the Southern Hemisphere, together with 22 reference strains from Europe and California, were genotyped at 10 loci. Genetic diversity was high for the South African ( H exp = 0.80) and New Zealand ( H exp = 0.67) populations, though rarefaction indicated even greater diversity in California, the presumed native range of the pathogen. Southern Hemisphere populations showed no evidence of recombination and isolates were closely related to one another and...

Plutonium(III) versus uranium(III) and samarium(III) in small molecule activation chemistry

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

We report the PuIII complex, [PuIII(CpMe4)3] (1-Pu), and demonstrate its differences in small molecule reactivity compared to the UIII and SmIII analogs, [UIII(CpMe4)3] (1-U) and [SmIII(CpMe4)3] (1-Sm), respectively. 1-Pu reductively cleaves the small molecule (PhS)2, affording a PuIII complex, [{PuIII(CpMe4)2}2(μ-SPh)2] (2-Pu), while retaining the PuIII center and eliminating (CpMe4)2 as a by-product, a fingerprint of a sterically induced reduction (SIR) reaction. Sm is often used as a surrogate for Pu, but the analogous [SmIII(CpMe4)3], (1-Sm), is unreactive. The (PhS)2 cleavage by 1-U proceeds solely via a metal-based oxidation (i.e., UIII → UIV), to form [UIV(CpMe4)3(SPh)] (3-U). Only 1-U reacts with (PhHN)2, affording the reductive cleavage product, [UIV(CpMe4)3(NHPh)] (4-U). The difference in reactivity of 1-Pu compared to complexes 1-Sm and 1-U was unexpected, and since SIR chemistry can enable complexes to participate in otherwise impossible reductive transformation of...

Snow-eater heat waves of the western United States

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Abrupt snowmelt, triggered by rain-on-snow events or "snow-eater heat waves," can cause flooding, initiate or accelerate snow drought, and affect water availability. However, the characteristics (e.g., area, duration, and frequency), impacts, and trends of snow-eater heat waves have received little attention. To address this gap, we developed a method to identify snow-eater heat waves and estimate their melt potential using 20th Century Reanalysis version 3 air temperature data, the TempestExtremes algorithm, and an operational snowmelt model (SNOW-17) across 1850-2015. Melt season snow-eater heat waves typically last 3 to 5 days, with three to five events, doubling snowmelt rates. Seven of 11 spring superfloods are shown to coincide with snow-eater heat waves. Since the 1850s, snow-eater heat waves have increased in area and frequency, decreased in duration, and shifted earlier in the melt season. Incorporating snow-eater heat-wave impacts into SNOW-17 enhances extreme melt estimates,...

Polyketide synthase-based controlled synthesis of polycyclopropanated fuel molecules

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Reducing carbon emissions from aviation and long-distance transportation sectors requires the development of sustainable biofuels with suitable energy density, freezing point, and other physical properties. We previously demonstrated biological production of high energy polycyclopropanated fatty acids (POP-FAs, class I) using an iterative polyketide synthase (iPKS) pathway in a Streptomyces host. Here, we used a computational model of fuel properties to identify chain length and cyclopropanation control as critical steps to engineer this iPKS for biofuel applications. We next explored the natural diversity of POP biosynthesis by investigating homologous pathways. Then, by in vivo gene exchange, we determined cyclopropanase (CP) catalysis to be key for POP-FA engineering. Leveraging both natural and engineered pathway product diversity, we demonstrate targeted production of improved POP-FAs, namely shortened POP-FAs with predicted superior freezing point properties for aviation,...

Field Evaluation of Do-It-Yourself Air Filtration Solutions for Evaporative Coolers to Reduce Ambient Particle Infiltration in Homes in Wildfire-Affected Communities