Abiotic and historical factors are major determinants of large-scale patterns of species richness, yet facilitative interactions can strongly influence diversity in low-productivity habitats such as alpine ecosystems. Cushion plants often promote the establishment of other species, but the relative roles of climate, species pools, and facilitation remain largely unknown. We analyzed 454 plots (4 × 4 m each) of vascular plants from the subnival belts of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, using generalized linear mixed models and structural equation modeling. Community species richness was shaped by climate, regional species pools, and cushion presence, with cushions exerting the strongest positive effect in the Hengduan Mountains and Tibetan Plateau. In the structural equation model, cushion presence exerted the strongest positive effect on species richness, whereas climate affected species richness mainly through indirect pathways: wetter conditions enlarged species pools, whereas colder conditions increased cushion presence, which in turn enhanced local species richness. Cushions also buffered the negative effects of aridity. In contrast, species richness variation in the relatively wetter regions of the Himalaya was primarily determined by abiotic factors but not by cushion presence, consistent with the dominant assumption that facilitation is not frequent under favorable climatic conditions. Our findings demonstrate that alpine species richness emerges from the combined effects of species pools and facilitation rather than direct climate effects alone, highlighting the need to integrate biotic and abiotic drivers when explaining biodiversity patterns in extreme environments.

Abstract In this study, we are interested in multiplicity results for positive solutions of the generalized quasilinear Schrödinger equations with critical growth − div ( g 2 ( u ) ∇ u ) + g ( u ) g ′ ( u ) ∣ ∇ u ∣ 2 + V ( ε x ) u = ∣ u ∣ α p − 2 u + Q ( ε x ) ∣ u ∣ α 2 * − 2 u , x ∈ R N , -\mathrm{div}({g}^{2}\left(u)\nabla u)+g\left(u){g}^{^{\prime} }\left(u){| \nabla u| }^{2}+V\left(\varepsilon x)u={| u| }^{\alpha p-2}u+Q\left(\varepsilon x){| u| }^{\alpha {2}^{* }-2}u,\hspace{1.0em}x\in {{\mathbb{R}}}^{N}, where g ∈ C 1 ( R , R + ) g\in {C}^{1}\left({\mathbb{R}},{{\mathbb{R}}}^{+}) , α ∈ [ 1 , 2 ] \alpha \in \left[1,2] , 2 < p < 2 * 2\lt p\lt {2}^{* } , and ε > 0 \varepsilon \gt 0 is a parameter. Under suitable assumptions on g g , V V , and Q Q , we obtain the concentration behavior of positive solutions for ε > 0 \varepsilon \gt 0 small and establish the relationship between the number of positive solutions and the profiles of potentials V V and Q Q using variational methods.

Semi-humid subtropical montane regions face the dual pressures of climate change and water scarcity, making it essential to understand how soil carbon–water coupling varies among forest types. Focusing on seven representative forest types in the central Yunnan Plateau, this study analyzes the spatial distribution, trade-offs, and drivers of soil organic carbon storage (SOCS) and soil water storage (SWS) within the 0–60 cm soil layer, using sloping rainfed farmland (SRF) as a reference. We hypothesize that, relative to SRF, both SOCS and SWS increase across forest types; however, the direction and strength of the SOCS–SWS trade-off differ among plant communities and are regulated by litter traits and soil structural properties. The results show that SOCS in all forest types exceeded that in SRF, whereas a significant increase in SWS occurred only in ACF. Broadleaf stands were particularly prominent: SOCS rose most in the 23 yr SF and the 20 yr ACF (274.44% and 256.48%, respectively), far exceeding the 9–60 yr P. yunnanensis stands (44.01%–105.32%). Carbon–water trade-offs varied by forest type and depth. In conifer stands, SWS gains outweighed SOCS and trade-off intensity increased with stand age (RMSD from 0.48 to 0.53). In broadleaf stands, SOCS gains were larger, with RMSD ranging from 0.21 to 0.45 and the weakest trade-off in SF. Across depths, SOCS gains exceeded SWS in 0–20 cm, whereas SWS gains dominated in 40–60 cm. Regression analyses indicated a significant negative SOCS–SWS relationship in conifer stands and a significant positive relationship in 0–20 cm soils (both p < 0.05), with no significant correlations in other forest types or depths (p > 0.05). Correlation results further suggest that organic matter inputs, N availability, and soil physical structure jointly regulate carbon–water trade-off intensity across forest types and soil depths. We therefore recommend prioritizing native zonal broadleaf species, as well as protecting SF and establishing mixed conifer–broadleaf stands, to achieve synergistic improvements in SOCS and SWS.

Abstract The gravitational lensing effect of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) holds significant and diverse applications in the field of astronomy. Nevertheless, the identification of millilensing events in GRBs presents substantial challenges. We re-evaluate the gravitational lensing candidacy of six previously proposed GRBs (GRB 081122A, GRB 081126A, GRB 090717A, GRB 110517B, GRB 200716C, and GRB 210812A) using a comprehensive set of temporal and spectral diagnostics. These include χ 2 light-curve similarity tests, photon-count-based hardness ratio (HRcount) comparisons, T 90 duration measurements, spectral lag, Norris pulse-shape fitting, and both time-resolved and time-integrated spectral analyses. We propose an evaluation framework in which any single test that reveals a statistically significant inconsistency between the two pulses is sufficient to reject the lensing hypothesis for that burst. Although certain diagnostics, such as T 90 and parametric model fits, have known limitations, they are applied and interpreted in conjunction with the more robust, model-independent χ 2 and HRcount tests. For all six GRBs, at least one diagnostic shows a significant discrepancy, leading us to conclude that none are consistent with a gravitational lensing interpretation.

In this study, the insufficient ability of tartary buckwheat protein (TBP) to stabilize Pickering emulsions was addressed by preparing TBP-sodium alginate (SA) composite particles via cross-linking and systematic optimization of the preparation parameters. The results showed that at a pH of 9.0 with 1.0% (w/v) TBP and 0.2% (w/v) SA, the zeta potential of the prepared TBP-SA composite particles was significantly more negative, and the particle size was significantly larger, than those of TBP, while emulsifying activity index and emulsifying stability index increased to 53.76 m2/g and 78.78%, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the formation of a dense network structure; differential scanning calorimetry revealed a thermal denaturation temperature of 83 °C. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and surface hydrophobicity results indicated that the complex was formed primarily through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions between TBP and SA, which induced conformational changes in the protein. The Pickering emulsion prepared with 5% (w/v) TBP-SA composite particles and 60% (φ) oil phase was stable during 4-month storage, at a high temperature of 75 °C, high salt conditions of 600 mM, and pH of 3.0-9.0. The stabilization mechanisms may involve: (1) strong electrostatic repulsion provided by the highly negative zeta potential; (2) steric hindrance and mechanical strength imparted by the dense interfacial network; and (3) restriction of droplet mobility due to SA-induced gelation.

Abstract Inverted perovskite solar cells have emerged as leading candidates in next‐generation photovoltaics due to their compatibility with tandem integration, high efficiency, and better stability. A crucial factor in boosting their power conversion efficiency (PCE) lies in optimizing buried interfaces via self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs), with (4‐(3,6‐Dimethyl‐9H‐carbazol‐9‐yl)butyl)phosphonic acid (Me‐4PACz) being the state‐of‐the‐art SAM. Nevertheless, its poor substrate coverage and limited surface wettability, due to weak phosphonic acid chemisorption and surface polarity reduction, impair device reproducibility. To address this, a bilayer SAM (bi‐SAM) approach is proposed by sequentially assembling Me‐4PACz and 3‐mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane (MPTS) on NiOX. The multidentate binding of MPTS effectively launches a successful assembly on NiOX, while its thiol terminal enhances surface polarity and coordinates with undercoordinated Pb2⁺, enabling enhanced surface wettability and improved perovskite film formation. This synergistic bi‐SAM interface promotes uniform crystal growth, reduces interfacial defects, and minimizes energy band offsets. Devices fabricated with a bi‐SAM configuration exhibit a PCE of 25.19 %, along with enhanced open‐circuit voltage and fill factor. Furthermore, the bi‐SAM‐based devices demonstrate excellent operational stability under high temperature, high humidity, and continuous light soaking, confirming the robustness of the bi‐SAM strategy.