Recent ucm items

Cis-regulatory evolution shapes facial diversity in birds and mammals

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Birds and mammals exhibit extraordinary facial diversity, reflecting adaptations to distinct ecological niches and feeding strategies. While core face-building developmental programs are conserved and orchestrated by interactions between ectodermal organizers and the underlying mesenchyme, mechanisms driving facial shape variation remain poorly understood. Here, we integrate single-cell transcriptomic and chromatin accessibility profiling of mouse and chicken developing face to construct a comparative regulatory map. Although both ectodermal and mesenchymal populations display distinct regulatory features in each species, the mesenchyme exhibits markedly greater divergence, pointing to its central role in shaping facial morphology. We further reveal unexpected molecular complexity in the main face-shaping organizer, including a mouse-specific Shh/Wnt5a expression domain. At key morphogen loci (Bmp4, Fgf8, and Wnt5a), conserved and lineage-specific enhancers...

Climatology and trends of annual maximum subdaily precipitation in the Western United States

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Short-duration precipitation extremes can threaten public safety and infrastructure by generating flash flooding and geophysical mass wasting events including mudslides and debris flows. Using two surface gauge-based precipitation datasets (1980-2024), we characterize the climatology of annual maximum subdaily precipitation and quantify trends across the western United States (WUS) – a topographically complex region with widely varying precipitation regimes prone to flash flooding. We find that 60.7% of WUS stations, including the vast majority of those located in the continental interior, typically experience 1-hr annual maximum precipitation (AMP) during summer and during the afternoon and evening hours (12:00-23:00 local time). Although most stations do not show statistically significant trends in 1-hr AMP intensity over the full period of record (1980-2024), a significant 10.3% domain-median increase in 1-hr AMP intensity was observed during 2000-2024. These changes largely...

Vicennial metagenomic time series unveils evolutionary dynamics of giant viruses in a freshwater ecosystem.

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Giant viruses play crucial ecological roles in aquatic ecosystems, yet their evolutionary dynamics in response to environmental changes, particularly in freshwater environments, are not well understood. We analyzed a 20-year time series (2000-2019) of 471 co-assembled metagenomes from Lake Mendota (USA) to reconstruct 1512 giant virus metagenome-assembled genomes, providing insights into viral genome evolution. Viruses in the order Imitervirales dominate the virome, remaining consistent across seasons and years. Our findings reveal gene duplication (23% of genes) and horizontal gene transfer (29% of genes) as key drivers of genomic innovation. A co-occurrence network analysis indicates increased virus-host interactions following the introduction of an invasive predatory zooplankton in 2009, highlighting potential hosts in Bigyra, Perkinsea, and Euglenozoa. While single nucleotide polymorphism analysis shows predominantly purifying selection in viral genes, there is a significant...

Mesoporous peptide frameworks engineered from crystallizable collagen-mimetic peptide amphiphiles

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The rational design of porous frameworks with tunable pore dimensions and chemical functionalities is a critical step toward their implementation in diverse applications. While traditional porous materials are typically constructed from abiotic components, there is increasing interest in employing biologically derived building blocks (e.g., peptides and proteins) that offer unmatched structural and functional diversity. Here, we report the construction of crystalline mesoporous frameworks that are self-assembled from amphiphilic collagen-mimetic peptides. Comprehensive structural characterization via microscopy, spectroscopy, and computational techniques provides insights into the assembly packing model, in which hexagonally packed channels are interconnected by antiparallel-aligned collagen triple helices via hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. Lastly, we demonstrate the functional potential of aCMP frameworks through the encapsulation of various molecular guests,...

Contagious Information: Censorship vs. Creativity in a Time of Crisis

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This comic explores how Chinese internet users creatively responded to online censorship during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through emojis, altered characters, hidden texts, and other forms of language play, it shows how information continued to circulate even when direct expression was suppressed.

It is based on the following research article: Xu, Y., & Liang, J. (2024). “Language play as resistance: Navigating digital censorship during the COVID-19 pandemic.” Language & Communication, 99, 302–312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.langcom.2024.10.008

Mimicry of Crematogaster ionia by “dark morph” chameleon ants: First Lebanese record of Colobopsis imitans (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Ant mimicry is a key defensive strategy of Colobopsis ants in the West Palaearctic. The chameleon ant Colobopsis imitans was initially described as a Western Mediterranean species, differing from the widespread sister species Co. truncata by showing morphological and behavioural adaptations to mimic Crematogaster scutellaris instead of Dolichoderus quadripunctatus. Recently, it was discovered to extend its geographic range to the Eastern Mediterranean and to mimic additional species of ants, including D. quadripunctatus and Cr. ionia. Here, we report the presence of Co. imitans in Lebanon for the first time. Lebanese Co. imitans workers were observed living in close association and following the trails of Cr. ionia and belonged to the Cr. ionia-mimicking “dark” colour morph. The Lebanese record represents the first of the species from the Levant, while old Co. truncata...

Trends in the association between cannabis use disorder and suicidal ideation in the United States, 2014–2023

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Objective Amid rising cannabis use, declining perceived harm, and policy liberalization over the past 15 years, we examined whether the association between cannabis use disorder (CUD) and past-year suicidal ideation among U.S. adults changed from 2014–2023 and varied by sex, age, and race/ethnicity. Method Using data from 415,861 adults in the 2014–2023 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health, we examined temporal association change between past-year suicidal ideation and CUD (≥2 of 9 harmonized DSM-5 criteria). Logistic regression models, adjusted for demographic, social, clinical, and geographic covariates, tested whether survey year moderated the CUD–suicidal ideation association overall and in strata by sex, age, and race/ethnicity. Results Adults with cannabis use disorder had 57% higher odds of past-year suicidal ideation than those without (OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.44–1.72) across years. Joint Wald tests showed no evidence that the association changed over time overall (p =...

Living on the edge: range limits of four short-winged endemic Orthoptera in the Northwestern Alps (Aosta Valley)

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigates the north-eastern distributional limits of four short-winged endemic Orthoptera from the north-western Alps: Anonconotus ghilianii, A. pusillus, Epipodisma pedemontana, and Stenobothrus ursulae. Their spatial and altitudinal distributions were addressed within the Special Protection Area (SPA) IT1202020 “Mont Avic and Mont Emilius”, including the Mont Avic Natural Park, representing the north-eastern biogeographical margin for A. pusillus, E. pedemontana, and S. ursulae. In contrast, A. ghilianii occurs in the area as a small and isolated population of particular biogeographical interest. For comparison, two additional short-winged species with broader European ranges, Bohemanella frigida and Podisma pedestris, were also examined. A total of 258 records collected during 2020–2021 allowed the reconstruction of fine-scale distribution patterns within the study...

Examining ecological niche for six species of whip spider in Colombia

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The conditioning variables for the establishment of Amblypygi populations and their ecological interactions are currently poorly studied. Delving deeper into this can help to conserve this group of short-range distribution species, which are useful as a model in biogeographic research. In this study, we evaluated the distribution and overlapping patterns of ecological niche in six species of amblypygids (Phrynus araya, P. panche, P. pulchripes, Heterophrynus batesii, H. boterorum, H. cervinus) in the Andean and Amazonian ecosystems of Colombia, revealing a clear biogeographic segregation driven by environmental gradients: Phrynus species were associated with inter-Andean valleys with high thermal and water seasonality. While the Heterophrynus occupied more stable and humid conditions of foothills and middle elevations. Overlap analyses showed significant divergence (e.g., D=0.105 between P. panche...

Hydroseasonal and spatial drivers of macroinvertebrate communities in Mediterranean intermittent rivers: the Upper Loukkos Basin (northwestern Morocco)

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Macroinvertebrate communities in the Upper Loukkos basin (northern Morocco) exhibited marked spatio-temporal variability across contrasting hydrological phases, reflecting the dynamic nature of Mediterranean intermittent systems. Sampling at 18 sites, comprising both protected and impacted reaches, during post-flood and post-drought periods (2014–2015), revealed a total of 102 species. Assemblage composition changed across seasons and sites, largely driven by hydroseasonal dynamics, habitat connectivity, and environmental gradients. Chorological patterns showed a clear predominance of taxa associated with Mediterranean biogeographical affinities, with endemic species accounting for 25% of the assemblage. Protected headwater sites supported higher diversity and a greater proportion of specialist taxa, particularly under post-drought conditions, highlighting their role in maintaining community structure under hydrological variability. Some groups, notably Coleoptera, persisted...

Despite rapid warming, seed production is not leading poleward migration in North American and European forests

Fri, 5 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

To survive climate change, forest trees will have to shift seed production poleward. However, warming will not stimulate tree fecundity in the north if it is limited by other habitat variables. We evaluated the responses of tree fecundity to climate change for 292 tree species in North America and Europe, using response velocity, defined as (climate sensitivity) × (climate-change rate). The sensitivities to climate were estimated for each species and combined with rates of climate change to quantify how temperature, moisture deficits, and late freeze are influencing biogeographic shifts in tree reproduction. The results show that moisture deficit and late freeze, not annual temperature, drive changing seed production. Unlike annual temperature, which is increasing generally, change in these climate variables is not driving poleward shifts in seed production. These findings do not challenge the expectation that forests might eventually shift poleward. Rather, they show why current...

2D Magnetic Materials for Sensor Technologies

Wed, 3 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Two-dimensional (2D) magnetic materials have emerged as a promising platform for next-generation sensing technologies due to their atomic thickness, tunable magnetic properties, and compatibility with van der Waals heterostructures. Rapid progress in material discovery, synthesis, and device integration has expanded opportunities for compact, low-power, and highly sensitive sensor platforms. This review examines selected sensing mechanisms enabled by 2D magnetic materials, highlighting recent experimental advances and emerging device concepts. Current limitations and challenges such as environmental stability, scalability, and room-temperature operation are considered in the context of ongoing research efforts. By examining these approaches, this review aims to provide insight into the current development and potential of 2D magnetic materials for sensing technologies. This review is organized to first introduce the fundamental properties and challenges of 2D magnetic materials,...

Light‐Induced Lattice Coherence and Emission Enhancement in PTM‐Passivated CsSnI3 Perovskites

Wed, 3 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract Metal halide perovskites continue to lead in optoelectronic applications, but the toxicity of lead has driven efforts to identify environmentally benign alternatives. Cesium tin iodide (CsSnI 3 ) is one such, with a direct bandgap and near‐infrared emission, though its performance is limited by instability. We show that phthalimide (PTM) passivation during single crystal growth enhances optical output and stability. Under continuous excitation, PTM‐passivated microscale crystals show up to one order of magnitude increase in photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield, accompanied by reversible sharpening of a low‐frequency Raman mode associated with Cs⁺ rattling. This reveals dynamic, light‐induced lattice reordering that passivates trap states and enhances radiative recombination. Mechanical grinding yields nanocrystals with redshifted, narrowed PL, consistent with a relaxed polymorph and reduced inhomogeneous broadening. Despite increased surface area, PTM remains effective...

Female Servants in Early Modern England

Wed, 3 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Female Servants in Early Modern England

Magnetic field weakening carrier secondary recombination in/on amorphous Co0.07Fe0.93Ox co-catalysts to boost BiVO4/Co0.07Fe0.93Ox film photoanodes for solar water splitting

Wed, 3 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Magnetic field weakening carrier secondary recombination in/on amorphous Co0.07Fe0.93Ox co-catalysts to boost BiVO4/Co0.07Fe0.93Ox film photoanodes for solar water splitting

Understanding risk and resiliency in transmasculine pregnancy: An application and biopsychosocial extension of the Gender Minority Stress Theory

Wed, 3 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Research on transgender health has expanded significantly within the past decade, yet the topic of transmasculine pregnancy remains underexplored. In this article, we extend the Gender Minority Stress Theory (GMST) to examine how psychosocial stressors faced by transmasculine individuals during pregnancy might influence gestational outcomes through key psychobiological pathways, including the HPA axis, immune, and cardiovascular systems. Specifically, we propose an adapted model that incorporates both proximal (e.g. internalized transphobia, concealment) and distal (e.g. discrimination, institutional exclusion) stressors specific to transmasculine pregnancy by synthesizing evidence that these psychosocial stressors are not only consequential for the mental and physical health of the pregnant person but may also have downstream effects on pregnancy outcomes. We also highlight certain personal and social psychosocial resilience resources that might buffer the impact of stressors...

CFD simulation of anisotropic heat transfer and water vapor condensation in gas diffusion layer of a fuel cell

Wed, 3 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Effective water and thermal management are crucial for maximizing the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). This study presents a robust non-isothermal model that integrates two-phase flow, species transport, and heat and mass transfer phenomena to investigate water generation, accumulation, and permeation mechanisms within the gas diffusion layer (GDL) of PEMFCs. Utilizing X-ray computed tomography (XCT) reconstruction, a 2D structure of the Freudenberg GDL is generated. The model incorporates anisotropic thermal conductivity, distinguishes between in-plane and through-plane K IP K TP ratios, and demonstrates its importance to temperature distribution and subsequent condensation rate within the GDL. Additionally, our parametric analysis evaluates the effects of GDL thermal conductivity, current density, operating temperature, and pressure on water condensation and transport processes in PEMFCs. Key findings include the identification of distinct phases...

A Historical Atlas of Kham

Mon, 1 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This atlas presents a comprehensive cartographic reconstruction of the historical geography of Kham (Eastern Tibet) around 1950, immediately prior to the major political, social, and institutional transformations that followed the incorporation of Tibet into the People's Republic of China. Drawing upon a geospatial database of more than 1,500 Buddhist monasteries, temples, hermitages, and Bonpo religious establishments, the atlas maps the distribution of religious institutions, sectarian affiliations, language regions, trade routes, monastic urban systems, and regional interaction networks across eastern Tibet. The atlas accompanies a broader research project examining the role of monasteries as the principal urban, economic, and organizational institutions of Tibetan society. Using historical GIS methods, terrain-adjusted spatial modeling, and reconstructed monastic population estimates, it visualizes the regional systems and sub-systems that structured social, economic, and...

The Environmental Costs and Geography of U.S. Data Center Expansion

Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Environmental Costs and Geography of U.S. Data Center Expansion

Tuberculosis in California: Comparative Analysis of Santa Clara, Alameda, and Merced Counties

Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a persistent communicable disease and an ongoing public health concern in California despite being preventable and treatable. Certain populations continue to experience a disproportionate burden of disease due to structural and social determinants of health, including poverty, housing instability, limited healthcare access, and barriers related to language and immigration status. This report examines TB trends and disparities across Santa Clara, Alameda, and Merced Counties using secondary epidemiological data and a key informant interview with a public health professional involved in TB prevention and control. The counties were selected to highlight differences between highly urbanized Bay Area regions and a Central Valley county with higher poverty levels and a mixed rural-urban population.

Comparative analysis of TB incidence rates shows that Alameda County (7.8 per 100,000) and Santa Clara County (7.4 per 100,000) reported higher TB rates...

Beneath The Watchful Eyes

Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Surveillance has taken many forms over the course of its history; human operatives, listening devices (bugs), and more recently, observation over electronic devices such as mobile phones and computers. Surveillance is justified by its proponents with a variety of reasons; preventing terrorism, ensuring national security, tracking down criminals, etc. With the increase of the ease of surveillance, it would be easy to assume that society has advanced from previous states of law enforcement and benefitted accordingly. However, the advancements made in electronic surveillance technology have in fact caused society to regress. Society has normalized and complied to the authority of surveillance technology, entirely at the mercy of those who watch.

Letter from the Editors

Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Letter from the Editors

From Wanders to Dynasts: Migration and the Legacy of Quetzalcoatl in Mesoamerica

Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This paper argues that migration was a key part of how the legacy of Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl spread across Mesoamerica. Instead of viewing his departure from Tollan as exile or failure, this study reframes it as a form of political migration. The movement of Toltec elites was not random or by chance, but structured, as they carried systems of authority, legitimacy, and belief into new regions. Using sources such as the Florentine Codex and Nicholson, this paper shows how this legacy appears in figures like Kukulkan and Nacxit. Ultimately, migration functioned as a powerful political and cultural process that sustained and reshaped Quetzalcoatl’s legacy over time.

Closing the Asthma Care Gap: Lessons for the San Joaquin Valley

Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Asthma remains a major driver of preventable morbidity and emergency department (ED) utilization in the United States, with a disproportionate burden in underserved communities. This review examines why preventable asthma exacerbations and ED reliance persist despite established management guidelines, and it interprets the evidence through a regional lens focused on California’s San Joaquin Valley (SJV), where structural barriers to preventive care and elevated pediatric acute care use have been documented. I frame ED reliance as the downstream consequence of cumulative failures across the asthma care cascade, in which gaps in diagnosis and risk assessment, controller initiation, inhaler technique, medication adherence, trigger mitigation, written action planning, and timely follow-up allow unstable disease to progress to exacerbation and emergency care. In underserved settings, these cascade failures are amplified by access constraints, affordability pressures, housing and...

Liberation Schools: The Black Panther Party’s Pursuit for Transgressive Education

Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Black Panther Party’s (BPP) 10 point program aimed to empower Black communities, more specifically, point five of their program addressed the inequalities within educational institutions. This study focuses on the Black Panther Party’s creation of liberation schools and investigates how the Party’s alternative curriculum challenged the persistent censorship in conventional school systems of the 1960s and 1970s. Specifically, I analyze how these schools provided students with an education that was inclusive of Black experiences in the midst of educational suppression, fostering self-determination and political consciousness. Additionally, this paper probes how the party’s cultural and political beliefs were embedded in their pedagogy. Ultimately, I highlight important takeaways from the Panther’s pedagogy for modern educators to consider in their classrooms to ensure that every student’s basic right to a satisfactory education is met. This project explores the question:...

AI: Aid or Inhibitor?

Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

AI, or LLM, development and role in our daily lives is growing at a rapid pace. While most fields of research have been around for centuries, AI has only really taken off in the span of a century. This breakneck development speed is already starting to show problems. While AI does show possible future benefits, the AI of today falls short. From educational work in high school and college, to relationship advice, and the assistance or takeover of certain job positions, it would seem that something has to change. While not many people can make an AI, anyone can use the internet to find out about AI. This paper attempts to go over many aspects of AI at once. From the history of AI, to possible scenarios of the future with it. In-between these two points in time, current applications and impacts of AI use will be mentioned. In addition, the more recent issue of AI Induced Psychosis will be introduced, and show how the digital world can draw in people from reality. But most of all,...

Human Trafficking as a Community Issue: Prevalence and Reporting in the San Joaquin Valley

Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Human trafficking in the United States has seen an increase in prevalence every year for the past ten years since 2025. Still, not much research has been conducted in rural communities and the specific needs of these communities. Individuals residing in regions that are less developed have greater barriers to seeking help and education regarding human trafficking, such as longer distances compared to urban areas, a lack of community resources, and preexisting social stigmas surrounding smaller and rural communities. In this report, data have been collected from internet searches, non-profit organizations, and resources through the University of California databases to determine the disparities between the prevalence of human trafficking in the San Joaquin Valley and more developed, urban regions. Contrary to what a majority of community members assume, human trafficking is a major issue in the San Joaquin Valley; a majority of which are much higher than state and national averages....

The Importance of Astrology Within Mesoamerican Society

Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

All throughout history, humanity was always fascinated with the sky, and this fascination reached far beyond cultural barriers. Societies all across the globe held some kind of significance in the sky above their heads. That significance would manifest in different ways. Some would look towards the sky for direction, while others based their cultural practices off of what they saw up in the sky. Following this pattern, Mesoamerican societies also held a lot of significance within the sky. This interest was reflected in the calendars that they used. While Mesoamerican societies used both the 365-day calendar and the 260-day calendar, the 365-day calendar was used for things like agriculture and predicting harvest, while the 260-day calendar was used for more ritualistic means. The combination of their fascination with the sky and the Tonalpohualli or the 260-day calendar culminated in the divination practices within Mesoamerica. Within Mesoamerica, the use of astrology and the...

If You Build It, They May Not Come: Willingness to Participate in Managed EV Charging

Thu, 7 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

If You Build It, They May Not Come: Willingness to Participate in Managed EV Charging

Are Consumers Myopic? Evidence from New and Used Car Purchases

Wed, 6 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Are Consumers Myopic? Evidence from New and Used Car Purchases

Investigating Effects of Dynamic Debris Cover Variations on Glacio-Hydrology under Projected Climate Change in High Mountain Asia

Wed, 6 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Debris cover on glaciers in High Mountain Asia (HMA) plays a critical role in shaping glacier evolution and downstream freshwater availability. In Karakoram, glacier melt significantly influences river discharge, yet the interplay of climate change and supraglacial debris cover remains insufficiently quantified. We developed a dynamic debris cover framework using the Spatial Processes in HYdrology (SPHY) model to investigate debris-glacier interactions in the Shigar Basin, Karakoram, Pakistan. Three scenarios (no debris, static debris, process-based dynamic debris) were assessed under four CMIP6 climate projections and emission pathways (SSP-1.26 to SSP-5.85) until 2100. Debris-covered ice accounted for 11% of total glaciated area by 2020 and will expand dramatically to 39% by 2100. Neglecting debris dynamics leads to significant overestimation of glacier retreat (18–25%) and meltwater contributions (40–52%). By 2091–2100, glacier area retains 94% of its 2020 extent under dynamic...

Profiting from Regulation: An Event Study of the European Carbon Market

Wed, 6 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Profiting from Regulation: An Event Study of the European Carbon Market

Wireless Bioelectronic Modulation of Membrane Potential in Glioblastoma Using Carbon Nanotube Porins

Tue, 5 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Disruption of membrane potential (V_mem) can activate pathways associated with cancer proliferation. Manipulating ion channels may therefore present an effective strategy for treating cancers that fail to respond to conventional therapies. One approach to target these channels is to manipulate the membrane charge, which involves the use of wireless bipolar electrodes such as carbon nanotube porins (CNTPs) inserted into cell membranes to modulate membrane charge and ionic flux. By utilizing membrane dyes, we observed alterations in V_mem induced by CNTPs and externally applied voltages. Analyses of cellular behaviors and processes indicated that V_mem is more receptive to stimuli in invasive cancers, while it leads to increased metabolism in less invasive cancers, with notable changes in the cell cycle occurring at approximately 48 h post-treatment in Glioblastoma (GB) cell lines. This work shows that CNTPs, in combination and with externally...

Highly Anisotropic Quasi‐Direct Organic Metal Halide Hybrids: A Platform for Polarization‐Sensitive Optoelectronics

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

ABSTRACT Low‐dimensional organic–inorganic metal halide hybrids (OMHHs) exhibit remarkable optical properties and enhanced environmental stability. We investigate a 1D OMHH with formula C 4 N 2 H 14 PbBr 4 , consisting of Pb–Br chains separated by organic cations, which shows a large Stokes shift (0.83 eV) and broadband emission. Through first‐principles calculations and polarized Raman spectroscopy, we characterize the material's vibrational properties and identify the specific phonon modes that drive exciton self‐trapping. Our novel GW/Bethe‐Salpeter equation force formalism reveals that low‐frequency phonons (100100 cm − 1 , primarily involving Pb–Br motions) couple strongly with excitons, with a remarkably high Huang‐Rhys factor of 137 ± 4, and gives a pathway for ultrafast structural analysis during the absorption process. This phonon‐exciton coupling mechanism explains the material's broadband emission and provides a pathway for controlling optical properties through...

Deriving effective electrode–ion interactions from free-energy profiles at electrochemical interfaces

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Understanding ion adsorption at electrified metal-electrolyte interfaces is essential for accurate modeling of electrochemical systems. Here, we systematically investigate the free energy profiles of Na+, Cl-, and F- ions at the Au(111)-water interface using enhanced sampling molecular dynamics with both classical force fields and machine-learned interatomic potentials (MLIPs). Our classical metadynamics results reveal a strong dependence of predicted ion adsorption on the Lennard-Jones parameters, highlighting that-without due care-standard mixing rules can lead to qualitatively incorrect descriptions of ion-metal interactions. We present a systematic methodology for tuning the cross term LJ parameters to control adsorption energetics in agreement with more accurate models. As a surrogate for an ab initio model, we employed the recently released Universal Models for Atoms MLIP, which validates classical trends and displays strong specific adsorption for chloride, weak adsorption...

On the distribution of the rare Andean snakes, Saphenophis tristriatus (Rendahl & Vestergreen, 1940), and Saphenophis sneiderni Myers, 1973, with an analysis on the snake endemism in the Cauca River basin, Colombia

Wed, 8 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Saphenophis tristriatus and Saphenophis sneiderni are poorly known snake species endemic to the Northern Andes of Colombia. Based on a recently collected specimen and photographs, we present new records for both species in the Central and Occidental (Western) cordilleras of Colombia along an elevational range between 1,700 to 2,940 m a.s.l. We also discuss the representativeness of snake endemism in the Cauca River basin (63,300 km², 4.1% of the Northern Andes) using 0.5° x 0.5° grid cells. The record of S. tristriatus and S. sneiderni, plus additional photograph-based records, extends the known distribution approximately 200 km north from the previous known localities in southwestern Colombia. The review of additional snake species gathered 20 species which are endemic to this basin. A highly endemic snake concentration occurs at the middle Cauca River valley, where nine species are found in two grids. The fact that the Cauca...

Features of the ontogenetic structure of the coenopopulations of Medicago sativa L. in Uzbekistan

Wed, 8 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The aim of this study was to investigate the phytocoenotic associations, age composition, and ontogenetic structure of Medicago sativa L. coenopopulations in Uzbekistan. Research was conducted in the Eastern Cliff of Ustyurt (Karakuduk, Kassarma, Akbulak), in the Pamir – Alay mountain system, including the southwestern and northern spurs of the Gissar Range, the Kukhitangtau Mountains, the Sangardak River basin, Zhindarya, the Baysuntau Mountains (Upper Machai), and the Nuratau Mountains (Hayatsay), as well as in the Tien-Shan mountain system, including the Kuramin Range (Kamchik mountain pass) and the Tashkent Alatau (vicinity of the village Nevich). A total of ten coenopopulations were studied under various ecological and phytocoenotic conditions. The results showed that the coenopopulations are generally normal but incomplete. The basic ontogenetic spectrum is centered, corresponding to the generative stage with a predominance of middle generative individuals...

Genetic affiliation and origin of the European Cat Snake, Telescopus fallax (Fleischmann, 1831), in the Maltese archipelago

Wed, 8 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The snake fauna of the Mediterranean islands has been shaped by multiple processes, including both natural and human-mediated dispersal. Various past human cultures and recent changes in trade and transportation have played a crucial role in the expansion of some species into insular environments. The snakes present on the Maltese archipelago are particularly emblematic of this complex mix of dispersal events. The European Cat Snake, Telescopus fallax (Fleischmann, 1831), forms a species complex widespread from the Balkans to the Middle East and across many eastern Mediterranean islands, regarded in most of the literature as introduced on the Maltese archipelago. Here we genetically investigated the Maltese populations of T. fallax using the mitochondrial marker Cytochrome b, with the aim of properly identifying their genetic affiliation and tracing their possible origin. The eight sequences obtained from the populations of Malta and Gozo shared the same...

Genetic confirmation of the Indotyphlops braminus complex (Serpentes: Typhlopidae) in Afghanistan, with a global “out-of-India” perspective on its introductions

Wed, 8 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Brahminy blindsnake, Indotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803) complex, is a small, parthenogenetic typhlopid widely distributed across tropical and subtropical Asia and represented by numerous introduced populations worldwide. Although reported from neighbouring Pakistan and Iran, its occurrence in Afghanistan has remained unverified. During field surveys in Nangarhar Province, eastern Afghanistan, we collected a specimen morphologically consistent with I. braminus complex and generated mitochondrial DNA sequences (16S, COI, cytochrome b). Phylogenetic analyses, incorporating newly sequenced material from Pakistan, revealed that the Afghan and Pakistani samples form a distinct, well-supported clade within the I. braminus complex that is also known from southern India (I. cf. braminus II), and is genetically distinct from both I. braminus sensu stricto and the globally widespread introduced clade I. cf. braminus...

Oniscidea of Liguria (north-western Italy), with the description of a new species (Malacostraca: Isopoda)

Wed, 8 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea) are a diverse and ecologically important taxon, yet knowledge of their diversity in Italy remains uneven. Liguria, a small but biogeographically complex region of north-western Italy, had long lacked a synthesis of its oniscidean fauna despite the numerous studies carried out in early 20th-century. Here we provide a comprehensive assessment of Ligurian terrestrial isopod fauna based on a critical review of historical literature and examination of material preserved in museum collections or collected during recent field surveys. A total of 109 species in 38 genera and 18 families are recorded, representing more than one quarter of all terrestrial isopods known from Italy. Armadillidium genuaense n. sp. is described, and figures of several poorly described species are provided. Haplophthalmus portofinensis, Cylisticus ligurinus, and Armadillidium albigauni are considered junior...

Lights in the Mediterranean night: firefly distribution in Italian islands revealed through citizen-science and scientific field-work

Wed, 8 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Islands represent living laboratories for investigating biodiversity and animal colonization patterns. Despite this, many insect groups remain poorly investigated in these systems, particularly within the Mediterranean Basin. Fireflies (Coleoptera, Lampyridae), besides their ecological, cultural, and conservation relevance, are no exception. Here, we present the first comprehensive synthesis of firefly occurrence across major and minor Italian islands, integrating standardised nocturnal surveys conducted within the L.U.C.E. (“Lighting up the understudied charismatic fireflies of Europe”) project with validated citizen-science records derived from the iNaturalist platform. This integrative approach enabled a complete assessment of species occurrence, spatial patterns, and the complementary value of structured fieldwork and citizen-generated records. Surveys were conducted in Italy between 2023 and 2025 across two major islands (Sardinia and Sicily) and thirteen small islands....

Habitat connectivity analysis of the endangered Sardinian grass snake reveals priority areas for conservation

Wed, 8 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

We studied functional habitat connectivity for Natrix helvetica cetti, a rare and endangered island endemic taxon with a highly fragmented range on Sardinia. Using the habitat suitability model recently developed for this species as input, we applied circuit-theory based connectivity analyses in Julia, combining pairwise runs among all known occurrence localities with an omnidirectional analysis independent of focal nodes. Both approaches converged in identifying the eastern mountain chain as the main connectivity backbone, with a particularly strong corridor linking the Sarrabus reliefs in the south-east to the Barbagia region and, more weakly, to the Monte Limbara area in the north. Additionally, fainter routes were detected along the Iglesiente ranges in south-western Sardinia. Pinch point extraction based on the 95^th percentile further identified the main priority connectivity corridors along this eastern backbone. The highest current flow generally...

First record of the brine shrimp Artemia Leach, 1819 (Branchiopoda, Anostraca) in Armenia, with a synopsis of the anostracan fauna of the country

Wed, 8 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

We report the first record of the brine shrimp genus Artemia (Branchiopoda, Anostraca, Artemiidae) from Armenia, based on specimens collected in two saline ponds (collectively referred to as “Lake Aghi”) in the Yerevan area. Individuals were identified through an integrative approach combining morphological examination and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequencing. All examined specimens were females and exhibited morphological traits compatible with parthenogenetic Artemia, although these characters alone are not sufficient for a definitive identification. Molecular analyses revealed a single COI haplotype attributable to a parthenogenetic lineage widely distributed across the Palaearctic region and closely related to the sexual species A. amati. No evidence of the occurrence of the invasive species Artemia franciscana was found. A synopsis of the anostracan fauna of Armenia based on available literature is also...

Seasonal variations of aquatic hyphomycete communities in a temperate, a Mediterranean and a tropical stream

Wed, 8 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Aquatic hyphomycete diversity and community composition varies with temperature in space and time. The distribution of species is influenced by temperature along latitudinal gradients, and species richness increases from tropical to temperate latitudes. This pattern is thought to result from an adaptation to cold water, as well as from the highest seasonal temperature fluctuation in temperate streams. Seasonal temperature variations actually influence the occurrence of species in temperate streams. However, much less is known about the seasonal variability of tropical aquatic hyphomycete communities, and no study to date compared this variability across latitudes. In this study, we sampled aquatic hyphomycete communities in 3 streams located under different climates (temperate, Mediterranean and tropical), every month during one year. According to our predictions, we found the highest seasonal variability of aquatic hyphomycete communities in the Mediterranean stream, where...

Marine diatom species richness and diversity at different latitudes during the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum: implications for future warming

Wed, 8 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Modeling diversity of marine diatom communities by latitude for the late Paleocene and early Eocene provides context for future warming climates. The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) transition spans ~57 to 48 million years ago with global temperatures ranging from ~9 to 23°C higher than pre-industrial times. There are differing views whether modern carbon increases will lead to similar patterns in temperature and how it may impact global communities. This research used data provided by the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP). The study examines how marine diatom communities responded to the rapid warming of the PETM as a potential analog for future marine diversity under a warming climate. Statistical analyses assess potential changes in diversity of diatom abundance data from existing marine sediment cores from Lomonosov Ridge in the Central Arctic Ocean, Blake Nose in the Western North Atlantic Ocean, and Broken Ridge in the Eastern Indian Ocean. Examining...

Trends and Disparities in Mental Health and Suicidality by Sexual Orientation Among East Asian Adolescents in Canada, 1998-2023.

Wed, 8 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose

Sexual minority East Asian adolescents face distinct stressors that negatively impact mental health and increase suicidality risk. This study examines trends in mental health and suicidality among East Asian adolescents in Canada, focusing on changes in sexual orientation-based disparities over time.

Methods

We analyzed data from East Asian adolescents in the British Columbia Adolescent Health Survey (1998-2023) including 13,086 boys and 13,812 girls. Age-adjusted logistic regression analyses, stratified by gender, were used to examine 25-year trends in extreme stress, hopelessness, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts by sexual orientation (heterosexual, mostly heterosexual, and lesbian, gay, or bisexual [LGB]).

Results

Positive trends among East Asian adolescents included decreased extreme stress among heterosexual boys and girls, hopelessness among heterosexual boys and mostly heterosexual girls, and suicide attempts among heterosexual and LGB...

New records of Orthoptera from Zambia (Tettigoniidae; Pamphagidae)

Wed, 8 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The African Natural History Research Trust in Zambia collected specimens representing many new findings for research. The new tribe Oxyecoini is described for the genus Oxyecous, and the following synonymies are established: Clonia whalbergi maculosa (Walker, 1869) = Clonia whalbergi Stål, 1855 (Tettigoniidae, Saginae), Cultrinotus luanensis Uvarov, 1953 = Cultrinotus poultoni Bólivar, 1915 (Pamphagidae, Porthetinae). Further, the following species are recorded for the first time from Zambia: Pardalota haasi Griffini, 1908, Melidia brunneri Stål, 1876, Phaneroptera nigropunctata Chopard, 1955, Dannfeltia nana Sjöstedt, 1902 (Tettigoniidae, Phaneropterinae), and Enyaliopsis petersii (Schaum, 1853) (Tettigoniidae, Hetrodinae). Some taxonomic considerations are also made about the specialization of the inner side of the hind femur in the genus Cultrinotus.

Potential distribution of Akymnopellis chilensis (Gervais, 1847) (Scolopendridae, Scolopendromorpha, Chilopoda) through Random Forest and MaxEnt in Chilean Ecosystems

Wed, 8 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Akymnopellis chilensis (Gervais, 1847) (Scolopendridae, Scolopendromorpha, Chilopoda), a centipede species endemic to Chile, plays a crucial role in soil ecosystems, but its distribution is still poorly studied. This study aims to predict its potential distribution using three variables sets to build two species distribution models (SDM). We ask: (1) which climatic and environmental variables best explain the distribution of this species, and (2) whether its predicted potential range extends beyond the currently known records. MaxEnt and Random Forest algorithms were performed using three sets of environmental variables: (1) core climate variables, (2) annual temperature and precipitation, and (3) seasonality of temperature and precipitation. All models showed good predictive performance (AUC > 0.92 in all cases) with high AUC values. Species distribution modelling in Chile is centred primarily between 30° and 40° S latitude. The results indicate that current records...

Citizen science-based distribution update of invasive Corythucha species in Italy

Wed, 8 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Globalisation has resulted in the introduction of alien species into new regions at an unprecedented rate. Some of these species become naturalised and pose a risk to the environment, agriculture, and human health. Insects represent one of the most invasive taxa with several disease vectors as well as agriculture and forest pests. Amongst the latter, Corythucha species are considered emerging pests since their life-history traits and host plant trade are helping their rapid spread. Therefore, early monitoring and reporting of highly invasive insect species are fundamental to implement pest management actions aimed at curtailing environmental and socioeconomic damage caused by these species. To this end, I updated the currently known distribution of alien Corythucha species invading Italy using a citizen-science approach, which is an easily repeatable approach that can be applied to other invasive species. In total, 234 records were retrieved from online...

The new Checklist of the Italian Fauna: Hydrozoa (Cnidaria)

Wed, 8 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The hydrozoan fauna of the Mediterranean Sea is considered as the best-known fauna of this class in the world, and the last monograph covers 457 species representing about 12% of the 3,702 currently valid species reported in the last world assessment of hydrozoan diversity. In this paper the checklist of the hydrozoan marine species is reported for the nine Italian marine biogeographical units, updating the one previously published in the series ‘Checklist delle Specie della Fauna d'Italia’ in 1995 that reported 319 hydrozoans on 463 cnidarian taxa. This note describes the state of the art of the Italian Hydrozoa checklist data set until June 2024. In detail, the updated checklist includes 340 hydrozoan species (128 Anthoathecata; 121 Leptothecata; 53 Siphonophorae; 6 Limnomedusae; 3 Actinulida; 14 Narcomedusae; 15 Trachymedusae), representing 74% of Mediterranean hydrozoan species. In detail in the current Italian Hydrozoa checklist, 40 species were added (increase of 12%)...

Calling Mogadishu: How Reminders of Anarchy Bias Survey Participation

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract How does the fear of anarchy affect telephone survey behaviors? A survey experiment administered to a sample of Mogadishu residents—validated with a natural experiment—is used to assess this question. Randomly assigned reminders of anarchic violence conditioned differential effects on survey participation depending on subjects’ background level of security and welfare. Vulnerable subjects were more likely than non-vulnerable subjects to refuse to provide sensitive survey information after reminders of anarchy.

The development of essentialist beliefs about social status categories in China

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

China has undergone rapid economic changes in recent years, yet little is known about how children in China understand the social status hierarchies around them. The present study addressed this gap by examining whether Chinese children held essentialist beliefs about two social status categories: residency, an important but understudied status-related category in China, and socioeconomic status (SES). We also examined whether children's beliefs about these categories varied with their age or their own social status background (residency, subjective SES). Chinese 5- to 9-year-old children (47 female) who held residency in a prestigious megacity (N = 50) or less prestigious non-megacities (N = 50) completed two tasks that measured whether they viewed residency and SES as biologically based or causally informative, two dimensions of essentialism. Results suggested that children viewed residency but not SES as biologically based, though this decreased with age. Children from megacities...

Reactive MD Screening of Antioxidants for Substituent-Dependent Phenoxyl Radical Stability

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Oxidation limits the performance and lifetime of lubricants, and phenolic antioxidants are commonly used to slow this process by scavenging hydrocarbon peroxyl radicals. The performance of phenolic antioxidants is largely determined by the stability of the antioxidant radical that remains after hydrogen donation. To explore the relationship between antioxidant chemical structure and radical stability, we used REACTER-based reactive molecular dynamics simulations to model the reverse hydrogen transfer reaction from polyalphaolefin hydroperoxides to phenoxyl radicals. Simulations were run for 718 distinct single-ring phenoxyl radicals with varied substituent types and positions in a polyalphaolefin hydroperoxide environment. Reaction rates were obtained from the time evolution of hydrogen transfer events, where lower reaction rates correspond to higher radical stability and better antioxidant performance. Analysis of diffusivity, hydrogen bonding, and steric hindrance showed that...

Mechanochemistry Activated by Confinement- and Shear-Induced Molecular Distortion

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Mechanochemical activation occurs through the direct coupling of mechanical force with a chemical reaction coordinate, distorting reactant molecules from their equilibrium geometries. Understanding how this distortion reshapes the potential energy surface and, more importantly, connecting that understanding to experimentally measured mechanochemical reaction rates is a significant and inherently multiscale challenge. In this review, we first introduce the theoretical framework for defining the reaction coordinate and how it changes due to applied force. We then summarize previous studies that used experiments, molecular dynamics simulations, and quantum chemical calculations to explore mechanochemical activation in the context of confinement- and shear-induced molecular distortion. Experiments yield macroscopic activation parameters, molecular dynamics simulations capture bulk deformation and the local distortion of molecules, and quantum methods resolve electronic-structure and...

Breaking the Rules One Drink at a Time: Prohibition in British Colonial Africa

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Breaking the Rules One Drink at a Time: Prohibition in British Colonial Africa

Effect of Contact Geometry on MoS2-Based Dry Film Lubricants

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Effect of Contact Geometry on MoS2-Based Dry Film Lubricants

FADED: FAult DEtection and Diagnostic System for HVAC Sensors in Commercial Buildings

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

FADED: FAult DEtection and Diagnostic System for HVAC Sensors in Commercial Buildings

Machine Learning Interatomic Potentials Enable Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Doped MoS2

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Dopants can tune the performance of MoS₂ in various applications, but the use of molecular dynamics simulations for doped MoS₂ materials discovery is limited by the lack of multidopant interatomic potentials. Universal machine learning interatomic potentials (MLIPs) could be a solution, but the accuracy of these potentials must first be evaluated. Here, we evaluate the accuracy of a recently developed MLIP, META's Universal Model for Atoms, for 25 different MoS₂ dopants spanning metals, nonmetals, and transition metals in Mo-substitution, S-substitution, and intercalated positions by benchmarking the MLIP-predicted formation energy and the dopant-induced structural change against density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The computational framework for MLIP validation and simulations is described in detail, and the source code is made available online. The MLIP is then demonstrated by performing heating-cooling simulations of MoS₂...

Wear of Lubricated Point and Line Contacts at Matched Hertzian Contact Stress

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Wear, a critical factor governing the performance and durability of mechanical systems, is typically characterized using point-contact and line-contact test configurations. However, it remains unclear whether the wear trends observed in one test configuration would be observed in the other configuration under the same nominal conditions. In this study, ball-on-disk (ASTM G99) and block-on-ring (ASTM G77) tests were conducted under an identical maximum Hertzian contact stress and sliding speed, using the same material pair and lubricating oil, to clarify which contact configuration exhibits more wear and why. The results show that, under the same Hertzian contact stress, the line-contact configuration exhibits a specific wear rate two orders of magnitude higher than the point-contact configuration, despite exhibiting a lower and more stable coefficient of friction. The disk wear is negligible and the ball shows only mild material loss, whereas the line-contact system displays wear...

The Burden of Patient Advocacy: Exploring an Understudied Phenomenon Using a Mixed-Methods Approach

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Although shared decision-making is promoted as a cornerstone of patient-centered care, patients may sometimes need to educate their health-care providers to receive appropriate treatment. Across two studies (n Study 1 = 204; n Study 2 = 202), we examined the frequency and emotional impact of this experience. Study 1 used qualitative methods with a sample of convenience (college undergraduates) to explore participant experiences of this theorized construct. Study 2 used qualitative and quantitative methods with a sample of adults who are living with a chronic condition to further define the construct and examine associations with willingness to seek future care. Qualitative findings across both studies revealed that patients often needed to explain basic aspects of their condition, correct provider misconceptions, and advocate for standard or alternative treatments. This experience was described by a majority of participants in Study 1 (52.9%), and almost all participants (89.7%)...

Simulation Based Sizing of an Off-Grid, Mobile, Agrivoltaic Platform

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

California’s agriculture, an over 60 billion dollar industry in 2024, faces significant challenges from two directions. Extreme temperatures and evaporation increase water requirements, while government policy, such as the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, restricts the amount of water that can be pumped out of groundwater basins, limiting the amount of available water. As droughts in California are a repeating problem and state law continues to promote sustainability, solutions to optimize water use are increasingly important. One promising approach is agrivoltaics, which combines farming with solar panels to provide shade that reduces heat stress and water evaporation. While stationary agrivoltaic systems make it so the land is dual use, being used for farming and energy generation, they also restrict the use of large farm equipment, limiting the productivity and farming potential. To overcome these limitations, Simulation Based Sizing of an Off-Grid, Mobile, Agrivoltaic...

Divided Trust: How Stratification Beliefs and Discrimination Shape Institutional Confidence Among Immigrants and Native-Born Americans

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Despite the considerable attention given to host societies' attitudes toward immigrants, relatively little is known about immigrants' attitudes toward these societies. This study seeks to address the absence of research by examining levels of institutional confidence among immigrant and native-born Americans. Analysis of the 2022 General Social Survey reveals no statistically significant differences between native-born citizens and immigrants in baseline levels of institutional confidence. However, additional analysis shows that stratification beliefs shape immigrants’ institutional confidence in ways that do not extend to their native-born counterparts. I discuss the implications of the positive effect of holding higher stratification beliefs for immigrants possessing greater confidence and more favorable attitudes toward the United States, in contrast to native-born Americans, highlighting how the rhetoric of the American Dream and meritocracy still resonates strongly among...

Designing Safe, Secure, and Effective Control Interfaces for Telepresence Robots

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Telepresence robots enable remote interaction when physical presence is not possible, yet effective control remains a major challenge across desktop, mobile, and wearable settings. This dissertation designs, develops, and evaluates control systems for telepresence robots with a focus on performance, usability, safety, security, and user preference. We first introduce Tele Driver, a desktop interface inspired by driving simulators that maps steering wheel, pedals, and gear shifting to robot navigation. A user study shows it enables faster and more accurate operation than a keyboard-and-mouse interface and reduces perceived workload. We then present TiltWalker, a mobile interface that supports one-handed teleoperation using directional tilt gestures while preserving clear camera views. Iterative studies establish comfortable tilt ranges, appropriate control-display mappings, and demonstrate superior speed, accuracy, and user preference over a baseline mobile method. Next, we develop...

Intelligent Buildings: Adaptive Learning & Data-Driven Control for Energy Efficiency and Comfort

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Buildings account for over 40% of the nation’s energy consumption, with heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems responsible for nearly half of that use. Yet, many buildings still struggle to maintain occupant comfort efficiently due to limited sensing fidelity, the absence of real-time occupancy data, and non-adaptive control strategies. This dissertation presents a unified progression of data-driven sensing and control frameworks that advance building intelligence from accurate occupancy estimation to adaptive, energy-efficient HVAC control. First, we develop MODES, a Multi-sensor Occupancy Data-driven Estimation System that fuses vibration and thermal signals through a data-driven optimization and particle filtering pipeline. MODES improves occupancy estimation accuracy by up to 40% and enables HVAC systems to achieve up to 77% energy savings and 10% comfort improvement through occupancy-informed control. Building upon this foundation, we introduce TODOS, a...

Mechanistic and Environmental Controls on Mercury Cycling: The Roles of Redox Conditions, Mineral Associations, and Organic Ligands

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Mercury (Hg) is a globally distributed contaminant of critical environmental and public health concern. Although naturally occurring, its prevalence and mobility in the environment have been greatly amplified by industrial activity, leading to widespread contamination of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Understanding the biogeochemical processes that control Hg speciation, transformation, and mobility is essential for predicting its fate and mitigating its ecological impacts. This dissertation investigates the coupled roles of redox conditions, mineral associations, and ligand interactions in regulating Hg cycling across multiple environmental contexts, ranging from managed wetlands to contaminated soils and sediments.The first component of this work examined Hg transformation and transport within seasonally managed wetlands to evaluate how hydrological manipulation and redox dynamics influence Hg speciation and methylation potential. Over three years of field sampling, wetland...

Metal Halide Perovskite Response to Environmental Factors

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) are at the forefront of materials research due to their superior optical and electronic properties, which have led to their utilization in a wide range of applications. Despite their performance, their susceptibility to environmental degradation remains a critical challenge for widespread deployment. This dissertation investigates the response of MHPs to various environmental factors and explores novel functionalities that can be enabled by leveraging these interactions. This work first explores the surface passivation of MHPs using perovskite quantum dots (PQDs). Different coverage densities of PQDs, varying in composition and surface functionalization were deposited onto methylammonium lead iodide (MAPI) thin films. We found that low-density PQD coverage passivated surface defects of MAPI, enhancing emission intensity and recombination lifetimes. An investigation into space-based applications revealed the resilience of MAPI films to ultraviolet...

Leveraging Flexible Loads and Energy Storage to Enhance the Cost Efficiency, Reliability, and Resilience of Renewable-Energy-Driven Grids

Mon, 9 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

As the global energy transition accelerates, from coal and natural gas to renewable sources like solar and wind, ensuring year-round grid reliability becomes increasingly complex due to the intermittency of these renewables. This dissertation investigates two key strategies for addressing these challenges: (1) deploying energy storage to shift excess generation to periods of need, and (2) leveraging flexible electric vehicle (EV) charging to better align demand with renewable supply. Using capacity expansion modeling, the study explores how these solutions can enhance both the cost-efficiency and resilience of renewable-powered grids. Results show that promoting midday charging of light-duty EVs can significantly reduce grid reliance on costly energy storage, saving billions of dollars in California's renewable-energy-driven grid. To address the high costs of non-residential charging infrastructure, the study proposes widespread deployment of low-cost level-1 chargers at workplaces,...

Quantifying Household Food Waste Generation and Composting Potential in the San Joaquin Valley, California

Mon, 9 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Household food waste is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions and a critical barrier to achieving state and national climate goals. Efforts to divert food waste from landfills as a means to reduce methane emissions requires local data. In California’s San Joaquin Valley, an agricultural region with limited composting infrastructure and scarce household-level data, understanding food waste generation is essential for designing effective organics diversion strategies. This study quantified household food waste generation, examined socioeconomic drivers of waste, and assessed willingness to participate in different composting systems across three San Joaquin Valley counties. We used a citizen science approach that recruited 134 households to sort and record food waste daily for seven consecutive days. These data were coupled with demographic and behavioral surveys. We found an average per-capita food waste generation of 76.5 ± 6.3 kg y-1, consistent with global estimates...

An expanded registry of candidate cis-regulatory elements

Mon, 9 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Mammalian genomes contain millions of regulatory elements that control the complex patterns of gene expression1. Previously, the ENCODE consortium mapped biochemical signals across hundreds of cell types and tissues and integrated these data to develop a registry containing 0.9 million human and 300,000 mouse candidate cis-regulatory elements (cCREs) annotated with potential functions2. Here we have expanded the registry to include 2.37 million human and 967,000 mouse cCREs, leveraging new ENCODE datasets and enhanced computational methods. This expanded registry covers hundreds of unique cell and tissue types, providing a comprehensive understanding of gene regulation. Functional characterization data from assays such as STARR-seq3, massively parallel reporter assay4, CRISPR perturbation5,6 and transgenic mouse assays7 have profiled more than 90% of human cCREs, revealing complex regulatory functions. We identified thousands of novel silencer cCREs and demonstrated their...

Multi-Object Tracking: StrongSORT Tracking with Diffusion Models

Mon, 9 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Multi-object tracking (MOT) in dynamic and crowded environments is still a difficult problem in computer vision. The main reasons are that objects often get occluded and many of them look very similar. Current tracking-by-detection methods, such as StrongSORT, rely a lot on appearance-based re-identification (Re-ID) models to keep track of object identities. However, features extracted by traditional Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) are not very robust. When real-world issues like motion blur, partial occlusion, or low-light conditions appear, these features often break down and cannot provide stable identity information. This weakness leads to more identity switches (IDSW) and fragmented trajectories, which directly limit the performance of the tracker in complex scenes. In this thesis, I propose a new MOT framework to address this problem by replacing the usual CNN feature extractor with a stronger embedding from a pre-trained Denoising Diffusion Probabilistic Model...

Testing How Mindfulness Skills Change for Novice Meditators Using Headspace: Examining Trait Mindfulness and Perceived Stress as Moderators

Mon, 9 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Mindfulness-based interventions are found to effectively reduce stress and improve mental health outcomes. Yet, it is not always clear how the mindfulness skills of attention and acceptance that are expected to produce these improvements develop throughout the intervention. This knowledge gap is especially pertinent for novice meditators learning these skills for the first time, including whether some individuals are more prone to learning them. Purpose: Using a randomized waitlist-controlled trial, we tested the effect of the mindfulness app Headspace on changes in attention and acceptance over eight weeks among participants new to mindfulness meditation. Further, we tested the moderating effects of trait mindfulness and perceived stress. Method: Non-faculty university employees were randomized to a Headspace or waitlist control condition. Trait mindfulness and perceived stress were measured at baseline. Ecological momentary assessment survey data for attention and...

Power Prediction In Agricultural Mobile Robot

Mon, 9 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Battery-powered mobile robots are increasingly deployed in orchards for tasks such as sensing, monitoring, and crop management. In these settings, robots must traverse long distances on unstructured terrain with limited opportunities to recharge, so energy usage directly constrains mission duration and coverage. However, accurately predicting power consumption in agricultural environments is challenging because it depends on a combination of route geometry, speed profiles, terrain conditions, and payload configuration. This thesis investigates how these factors influence the power demand of an agricultural mobile robot and develops a context-aware learning framework for forecasting its power consumption. The study uses a real-world dataset collected from 72 autonomous navigation trials executed on three representative route types: rectangular paths, capsule-shaped circuits, and unstructured trajectories in a commercial pistachio orchard. Each trial includes synchronized motor...

Experimental Study of Dynamics in a Microtubule-based Confined Active Nematic Systems

Sat, 7 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In this thesis, we experimentally studied the microtubule-based active nematic confined in a microfluidic channel. By using controlled channel geometries, we examine the influences of confinement on flow behavior, defect dynamics, and motion. We used Fluorescence microscopy, particle image velocimetry (PIV), and manual defect tracking to characterize the system’s flow and dynamic behavior. PIV measurements reveal the complex flow fields generated by ATP-driven active stresses in the system and capture spontaneous flow and velocity fluctuations associated with the defect motion and active turbulence, while remaining statistically steady over long times. The root-mean-square velocity vrms provides a quantitative measure of the speed of the flow field in both channels, the bounded active flow fluctuations indicating a nonequilibrium steady state. The analytical data show that the left channel shows slightly higher velocities and larger fluctuations, demonstrating the sensitivity...

Generating Qubit Cluster States Using Cavity QED Approach

Sat, 7 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Cluster states are a class of highly entangled quantum states which act as an important resource in measurement-based quantum computing. The generation of cluster states has been studied in many platforms which typically depend on high-fidelity, controlled quantum logic gates performed between the qubits. These qubit logic gates can be difficult to implement in many practical physical systems. Here, we propose a scheme to generate cluster states of spin defects in a phononic quantum network. Such a system lacks the direct coupling which is typically required for generating cluster states. In our scheme, the qubits are coupled to mechanical modes in an optomechanical system and the interaction between these mechanical modes and a common optical cavity facilitates the entanglement generation. The interaction between the qubits and the mechanical mode is tuned such that the overall state of them both exhibits two-level system (TLS) behavior. Thus, their combined systems interacting...

Financialized Administrative Burdens: Unequal Institutional Student Debts in California Public Higher Education

Sat, 7 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A growing body of research shows how administrative burdens for receiving social benefits act as rationing policies that reduce access to resources through enacting learning, compliance, or psychological costs on those seeking resources. Burdens are commonly enacted through policies, paperwork, and procedural steps that beneficiaries go through to gain access to resources. Parallel research has shown the growth of inequalities from the increasing financialization of social benefits through their management according to financial logics or the delivery as loan-based benefits. This paper integrates these recent theoretical advances regarding inequalities in social and educational programs by theorizing institutional student debts as financialized administrative burdens. The paper then elaborates the theory by evaluating whether institutional student debts vary across public higher education institutions in relationship to their interrelated governance arrangements, marketization,...

Generative Models for Approximating Cardinality Sketches

Sat, 7 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Sketches are data structures that can probabilistically estimate various statistics. One such statistic is cardinality — the count of elements in a set. In database systems, the cardinality of a query operation — the size of its result — predicts the computational cost of subsequent operations and is therefore crucial for optimizing query execution. However, a sketch is typically only applicable to the limited set of queries for which it was specifically constructed. For example, a sketch for the cardinality of a join query may be inapplicable to another query with the same join but different filter conditions. Although highly accurate, their lack of generality hinders their adoption for improving systems. This dissertation explores the use of machine learning models for generating sketches to estimate the cardinality of arbitrary queries on the fly. Experiments show that the generated approximations are accurate, while being both more time and memory-efficient than the original...

Mechanistic Effects of Non-Thermal Plasma Activation on Biochar

Fri, 6 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced through the pyrolysis of agricultural and forestry residues, playing a critical role in managing excess organic waste in California’s Central Valley and Sierra Nevada regions. Beyond waste valorization, biochar’s structural and chemical tunability make it a promising platform for environmental remediation, catalysis, and energy storage applications. This dissertation examines the mechanistic interactions between non-thermal plasma and biochar and explores how plasma-based post-treatments can enhance biochar properties by modifying its structure, surface chemistry, and electrical behavior at substantially lower temperatures than conventional activation processes (800–1000 ◦C). A key focus is understanding how biochar interacts with non-thermal plasma during exposure, and whether these interactions can be leveraged to enhance the inherent properties of the material. Two complementary studies were conducted to address this. The first utilized...

Rewiring of Host Cellular Metabolism by Human Adenovirus

Fri, 6 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Viral infections continue to pose significant threats to global health, even in the age of modern medicine. These pathogens manipulate host cellular processes by reprogramming metabolic pathways to support their replication. Understanding how viruses hijack host metabolism is crucial for elucidating their mechanisms of pathogenesis and identifying potential therapeutic targets. Metabolomics, an emerging field within systems biology, enables comprehensive analysis of cellular metabolites, providing a direct reflection of the phenotypic alterations that occur during infection. This dissertation examines the dynamic relationship between viral infection and host metabolic reprogramming, emphasizing the role of metabolomics in uncovering viral strategies that disrupt key metabolic pathways. Chapter I traces the current understanding of host–viral interactions, with a focus on metabolism. I discuss how the application of metabolomics has advanced knowledge of viral manipulation of host...

Inverse Problems and Inverse Eigenvalue Problems in Quantum Sensing

Fri, 6 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Recent advancements in quantum sensing have pushed measurement sensitivities far beyond classical limits. These advancements in measurement capability have improved our ability to probe quantum systems, producing datasets that were previously inaccessible or prohibitively noisy. This access to high quality data has shifted quantum science research from measurability to interpretability.The observable, measured data from quantum systems is frequently not the quantum system’s parameters of interest, but rather a complicated function of these parameters. Recovering the underlying physical parameters from the measured data constitutes an inverse problem. We consider a variety of problems of this form where the quantum systems are modeled by Hamiltonian matrices, the measured data corresponds to the eigenenergies of these Hamiltonians, and the parameters of interest are contained within the Hamiltonian matrices. By measuring the system’s excited energy levels at varying electric fields,...

Fabrication and characterization of elastic and novel viscoelastic polyacrylamide hydrogels as a platform for epithelial cell mechanobiology studies

Fri, 6 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Hydrogels and elastomers are commonly used substrates for mechanobiology and cell mechanics studies to mimic the mechanical properties of native extracellular matrices (ECM). This is partly due to the ability to tune the elastic properties within the range relevant to soft tissues (Young's modulus of 1–40 kPa) by adjusting their chemical composition with relative simplicity. For affine gels, two (of three) elastic constants -- the Young’s modulus (E), the shear modulus (G), and the Poisson’s ratio (ν) -- are needed to describe the purely elastic response to external forces. While the need for accurate estimation of the Young’s modulus is well recognized, the importance of correctly estimating the Poisson’s ratio is often overlooked. For instance, for computational ease, in traction force microscopy measurements, hydrogels are approximated as incompressible (ν = 0.5). Here, I present evidence indicating that the Poisson’s ratio of soft materials is directly proportional to the...

Characterization of primary to motile cilia transition in the developing brain

Fri, 6 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Cilia are evolutionarily conserved organelles that play critical roles in brain development, yet their spatiotemporal dynamics in the embryonic and postnatal ventricular system remain poorly characterized. Here, we investigate the morphological transitions of primary and motile cilia on the surface of the developing brain ventricles, focusing on radial glial cells (RGCs) and their differentiation into ependymal (E1/E2) cells and adult neural stem (B1) cells. Using whole-mount staining and a cilia-specific transgenic mouse model, we reveal region- and time-specific patterns of cilia remodeling. During embryogenesis, we observed a progressive increase in cilia length and a significant decrease in cilia density in both the neocortex and ganglionic eminences, with a sharp elongation of cilia in the ventral telencephalon (LGE and MGE) at E17, coinciding with early multiciliogenesis. In contrast, the lateral wall undergoes postnatal multiciliogenesis, with a rapid transition from single-ciliated...

CLIMATE SUITABILITY AND AGRONOMIC INTEGRATION OF HIGH-VALUE SPECIALTY CROPS IN CALIFORNIA: COFFEE, OLIVES, AND SAFFRON AS MODELS FOR CLIMATE-RESILIENT DIVERSIFICATION

Fri, 6 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

California’s agricultural systems face dual pressures of water scarcity and climate variability intensified by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). This dissertation integrates spatial modeling, climate analysis, and agronomic feasibility assessments to evaluate three high-value specialty crops — coffee, olives, and saffron — as models for sustainable diversification in the San Joaquin Valley and other water-limited regions. Using high-resolution historical and future climate data, thermal suitability thresholds were mapped and coupled with floodplain and irrigation demand models to define zones of opportunity and constraint. The results show that coffee can be cultivated in coastal and foothill microclimates, olives provide a water-smart alternative to tree nuts, and saffron offers ultra-low water use and seasonal dormancy aligned with SGMA objectives. Collectively, these findings demonstrate how data-driven crop substitution and system optimization can reduce water...

Nano-doping Liquid Crystal Systems for Fundamental Studies of Phase Behavior and Structure

Fri, 6 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This dissertation investigates how nanomaterials—nanoparticles and amphiphilic additives —modify phase behavior and structural organization in two classes of liquid crystal systems: a thermotropic nematic host doped with functionalized quantum dots and a lyotropic lipid membrane that models the pulmonary surfactant. In the thermotropic study, calamitic organic ligands were designed to compatibilize CdSe/ZnS quantum dots with 5CB, enabling controlled phase-transition–templated assembly into architectures such as microshells and filamentous networks. Early-stage nematic domain formation and the accompanying nanoparticle transport were acquired with high-speed fluorescence microscopy and quantified with ilastik-based machine-learning segmentation, allowing the influence of cooling rate and nanoparticle concentration on nucleation density, initial domain growth, and quantum dot redistribution at the moving phase boundary to be determined. In the lyotropic system, Langmuir-trough...

Diabetes Online Communities as a Source of Social Support for People with Type 1 Diabetes

Fri, 6 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Social support is crucial for effective management of type 1 diabetes (T1D), but support is not always helpful and sometimes can undermine management efforts. Aside from family and friends, adults with T1D can utilize the diabetes online community (DOC) to receive support from other people with diabetes. Support from experientially similar others is theorized to be different and preferred to support from close significant others, but this has not previously been explored in the context of T1D. We assessed social support from family/friends and from experientially similar others on the DOC to examine: a) differences in satisfaction with support and frequency of multiple forms of social support (i.e., emotional and instrumental support, controlling and illness avoiding behaviors) between sources, b) whether source moderates associations between support and indicators of diabetes management (i.e., self-efficacy, self-management behaviors, diabetes distress, and HbA1c), and c) whether...

Enhanced Fuel Flexibility for Biomass Pyrolysis: A Machine Learning Approach for Pyrolysis and Biochar Applications

Fri, 6 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Biomass conversion plays an important role in producing renewable fuels and reducing the environmental burden of waste organic residues. The work in this dissertation focuses on the thermal conversion of biomass through pyrolysis and combines physics-based modeling, controlled experiments, and machine learning to improve predictability and process control. A one-dimensional finite volume model was developed to describe the propagation of pyrolysis-front inside a top-lit updraft (TLUD) pyrolyzer. The model incorporates detailed heat transfer, gas flow, species transport, and reaction kinetics. It was used to study the influence of operating conditions such as air velocity, porosity, and particle properties on temperature evolution, front speed, and energy release. A machine learning model was then used to predict pyrolysis front propagation and peak solid temperature in a multi-feedstock experiment using peach and plum pits, utilizing a digital twin framework for fuel flexibility,...

The Influence of Race and Socioeconomic Status on Filipinx Educational Attainment

Fri, 6 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Filipino Americans cross race, class, and nativity hierarchies. Because of a colonial relationship between the United States and the Philippines, agrarian and working class Philippine nationals had freer passage to the US mainland, growing their US population much later into the 20th century than for other Asian origin groups. Upon the resumption of migration, immigration policy after 1965 created pan-ethnic Asian incentives for middle- and professional class individuals. Using US Census data, I show that US born Filipinos whose families arrived before 1965 have persistently lower rates of college attainment than those whose families arrive after 1965. Drawing on 34 in depth interviews with Filipinx Americans, I show that cultural embeddedness, cultural identity, and shifting racialized cultural status hierarchies for Filipinx may contribute to this divergence. My research contributes to empirical knowledge of Filipino Americans, a large but understudied group of Asian Americans.

3D Carbon Electrode Architectures for Electrochemical Systems Enabled by Additive Manufacturing

Fri, 6 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

As the world shifts toward renewable energy, the major challenge of how to store energyfrom intermittent sources like wind and solar remains. Advanced batteries and other energy storage technologies offer promising solutions, but current manufacturing methods limit how effective and efficient these devices can be. This dissertation explores how 3D printed polymer electrode templates can help create improved energy storage devices. By printing thick, precisely designed electrode architectures, it's possible to increase the amount energy-storing material and improve performance. However, turning printed parts into electrically conductive components often requires pyrolysis at very high temperatures, which can cause parts to shrink or warp and produce little usable carbon. Chapter 1 of this dissertation surveys the existing literature on the additive manufacturing of pyrolyzed carbon from polymeric precursors. The background of the pyrolytic conversion of polymers to carbon is described...

Data-Efficient Learning and Optimization Methods for Image Processing

Fri, 6 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This dissertation investigates data-efficient methods for applications in image processing under conditions of sparse, limited, and noisy observations. Many imaging applications, such as synthetic aperture radar (SAR), non-destructive testing, and photon-limited systems, operate with low-dimensional measurements or limited labeled data. Deep learning approaches are typically known to require large datasets, and for large-scale optimization approaches, the problem is often ill-conditioned in nature. The goal of this research is to develop and analyze both learning-based and model-based frameworks that overcome these concerns in various image reconstruction applications despite these data constraints.The first part of the dissertation focuses on learning-based and deep learning strategies. A recurrent neural network (RNN) architecture is introduced for image denoising, emphasizing the impact of convolution padding on preserving spatial structure. This is followed by a study of machine...

Influence of drought-associated genetic variants and microbial symbionts on conifer drought response under climate change

Fri, 6 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Under climate change, increasing drought stress has been directly linked to tree death in forests worldwide and indirectly linked to tree death via insect or pathogen outbreaks. Selecting tree seedlings with higher drought tolerance for reforestation may increase forest stability and carbon storage. On one hand, genome-environment associations (GEAs) can be used to predict seedling stress response by associating single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) alleles with trees’ historical environment. On the other hand, symbiotic microbes can influence the growth and survival of plants under drought and could be used alone or in combination with genetic selection to increase seedling drought tolerance. However, few studies have investigated how the interaction of genotype and microbiome influences drought response in trees. Conifers represent ecologically and economically important tree taxa in many arid temperate regions. The goal of this study is to better understand conifers’ drought...

An expanded registry of candidate cis-regulatory elements

Wed, 4 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

An expanded registry of candidate cis-regulatory elements

Wed, 4 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Community Health Worker Perspectives on Building Patient-Provider Trust in Rural Communities of the San Joaquin Valley, California: A Qualitative Study.

Mon, 2 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction

Patient-provider trust is essential for effective healthcare delivery, influencing care engagement, disclosure, and adherence. Mistrust can delay diagnoses, reduce care utilization, and worsen outcomes. While cultural competence trainings aim to improve provider awareness, few studies examine how community health workers (CHWs) perceive and support trust-building in clinical care.

Purpose

To explore strategies for building and maintaining patient-provider trust from the perspectives of CHWs.

Methods

Using a Community-Based Participatory Research approach, 39 CHWs from 3 rural-serving health centers in California participated in semi-structured focus groups. English and Spanish sessions were co-led by University researchers and trained CHW partners. Deductive thematic analysis was conducted in Dedoose, and descriptive statistics were generated using Stata 17.

Results

CHWs identified 3 factors that shape patient-provider trust: (1) Power...

Increasing digital media visibility and tourism messaging promote US National Park system integration.

Mon, 2 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The National Park Service (NPS) faces a paradoxical dual mandate-to preserve invaluable environmental and cultural resources for future generations and to ensure their public accessibility for recreational enjoyment. Yet with >124 million visitors in 2019, the US national parks (NPs) are at risk of being loved to death a challenge faced by protected areas the world over. This growing demand for ecosystem services calls for new strategies to enhance public appreciation and commitment to protecting natural capital. Against this backdrop, we analyzed the structure and dynamics of the NP system through a public-facing lens constructed from >426,000 digital media articles mentioning at least one park by its official name. Our analysis reveals that from 2010 to 2019, NP media visibility grew by over 3,900%, outpacing 29% growth in visitation, and a 15% decline in federal budget support for NPs. We find that this disproportionate media growth is driven by tourism-oriented articles...

Parental education disparities in childhood vaccination in Denmark: A test of two explanations for the role of misinformation

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

How does misinformation contribute to socioeconomic disparities in childhood vaccine uptake? While prior research has extensively examined the determinants of vaccination at the population-level, less attention has been paid to the mechanisms generating disparities across socioeconomic status (SES) groups. A fundamental cause theory perspective suggests that vaccination disparities driven by misinformation are due to unequal access to resources that enable higher-SES parents to avoid the influence of such misinformation. By contrast, a neoliberal cultural frames of parenting perspective suggests that higher-SES parents, in trying to avoid risks for their child, would be more receptive to inaccurate claims that arise outside the mainstream medical and scientific community. We test hypotheses from these two perspectives using 22 birth cohorts of Danish national health registry data (1990-2011) analyzing uptake of children's first dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR1)...

Mechanism and reconstitution of circadian transcription in cyanobacteria

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Circadian biological clocks evolved across kingdoms of life as an adaptation to predictable cycles of sunrise and sunset. In the cyanobacterium Synechococcuselongatus, a protein-based clock precisely controls when different genes are turned on and off during the 24-h day but the phasing mechanism remains unclear. Here we show the molecular basis of this regulation and reconstitute clock-controlled transcription in vitro using purified components. Biochemical and structural analyses revealed that the clock-regulated transcription factor RpaA can function as either an activator or a repressor of cyanobacterial RNA polymerase, depending on its binding position relative to core promoter elements. Leveraging the repressor mechanism, we developed a heterologous in vitro system driven by bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase that sustains circadian transcription for multiple days. These findings explain how a single clock output generates opposite phases of gene expression and define the minimal...

Unmasking survey fraud: investigating data quality issues in an MTurk sample

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Social scientists increasingly rely on Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) for survey participant recruitment, but emerging research suggests a decline in data quality, raising concerns about its reliability. In November 2023, a sample of 221 U.S. MTurk workers was recruited for a survey experiment examining the impact of affordable housing rhetoric on self-esteem. Despite implementing several best practices for recruitment on MTurk – such as system qualifications, screening questions, and virtual private server/network detection – we found that an estimated 65–84% of the workers seeking compensation submitted fraudulent survey responses. This study details five strategies we used to identify fraudulent data: survey re-entry, duplicate demographic data, similar open-ended responses, nonsensical open-ended responses, and repeated geographic coordinates. Our findings reveal critical shortcomings in current MTurk best practices and suggest that, without additional third-party fraud prevention...

An expanded registry of candidate cis-regulatory elements

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Seabirds shaped the expansion of pre-Inca society in Peru.

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This research investigates the influence of seabird guano on agriculture in the Chincha Valley of southern Peru through multi-isotopic, archaeological, and historical data. We conduct stable carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur analyses of 35 late pre-Hispanic maize (Zea mays) cobs and 11 seabirds from archaeological contexts spanning the late Formative period (c. 200 BCE - 150 CE) to the Colonial period (1532-1825 CE). We report the strongest evidence yet for pre-Inca use of marine fertilizers in Chincha. Isotopic and radiocarbon data corroborate colonial-era records and regional avifauna iconography and assemblages, indicating that Indigenous communities fertilized maize with guano by at least 1250 CE. Maize δ15N values are consistent with archaeological studies on guano manuring in Chile, expanding the known geographical extent of this agricultural practice. Maize δ34S values overlap with experimental field data but are not enriched in 34S, possibly reflecting various environmental...

A systematic review investigating policy design and implementation of US state and local policy to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco products

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

INTRODUCTION: State and local jurisdictions in the United States (U.S.) are increasingly adopting flavored tobacco sales restrictions (FTSRs) to mitigate tobacco initiation and use. Policy implementation is highly understudied yet can impact policy effectiveness. This review examines existing literature on state and local FTSR policy design and implementation in the U.S. METHODS: We systematically searched for PubMed articles published by 12/31/2024 which were: original research articles in English focused on a U.S. state or local FTSR that reported at least one policy implementation outcome measure. We excluded articles that were systematic reviews or reported on federal or non-FTSR policy. Guided by policy and implementation science frameworks, we developed a data extraction template to report: policy design elements, study characteristics, and implementation measures (i.e., inputs, activities, outcomes). RESULTS: Of 1,595 articles identified, 30 were retained for review. Most...

The Sad Citizen

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This comic is based on the book The Sad Citizen: How Politics Is Depressing and Why It Matters. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2025, by Christopher Ojeda.