Mass Evolution Research Articles

Body size evolution in otters distinguished from terrestrial mustelids.

Some taxa of mammals live in water, all of which evolved from land-dwelling ancestors. In the family Mustelidae (Mammalia: Carnivora), most species live on land, while otters, comprising the subfamily Lutrinae, inhabit aquatic environments, which include the almost exclusively aquatic sea otters (Enhydra lutris). Thus, the transition from a terrestrial to an aquatic lifestyle has occurred within this family. Despite potentially different selection pressures on body size in aquatic and terrestrial habitats, no divergence in the evolutionary pattern of body size between otters and other mustelids has previously been shown using models of trait evolution on a phylogeny. We applied models that explicitly incorporated lineage-specific directional selection to the evolution of body mass in living mustelids. Using a simulation-based likelihood and approximate Bayesian computation approach, we demonstrated lineage-specific directional selection for larger body mass in otters, which is distinct from other mustelids. There was no evidence of a difference between sea otters and other otters in the strength of directional selection for larger body mass. Additionally, our analyses supported no difference in the rate at which body mass evolves in both directions between otters and other mustelids. These findings suggest that the evolution of body mass in otters is associated with selective advantages of larger size rather than the relaxation of constraints on body size in aquatic habitats, like other aquatic mammals such as sirenians, cetaceans, and pinnipeds.

Macro–Micro Failure and Energy Evolution in Heterogeneous Fault Rock Masses

Macro–Micro Failure and Energy Evolution in Heterogeneous Fault Rock Masses

A conservative sharp interface method for two-dimensional incompressible two-phase flows with phase change

A conservative sharp interface method is proposed in this work to simulate two-dimensional/axisymmetric incompressible two-phase flows with phase change. In this method, we use the cut cell method to generate unstructured meshes near the interface, of which the cell edges overlap with the interface at each time step. On such mesh, the mass and heat transfer during phase change and all the jump conditions can be incorporated into the calculation of fluxes at the cell edges, to ensure that they are strictly satisfied at the interface in a sharp manner. The governing equations, including the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations, heat equation, and vapor mass fraction equation, are discretized by a second-order finite volume method in the arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian framework. To well couple the mass, heat, momentum, and interface evolution, the solution procedure is carefully designed and performed with several techniques. In such a way, the sharp discontinuity of the velocity, stress, temperature gradient, and vapor fraction, caused by the mass/heat transfer during phase change, can be simulated accurately and robustly. The performance of this method is systematically examined by cases of phase change at or below the saturated temperature, including vapor bubble in superheated liquid, film boiling, droplet evaporation at different relative humidity conditions, droplet evaporation under gravity, and droplet evaporation under forced convection. The applicability of the present method for incompressible two-phase flows with phase change is well demonstrated by comparing the numerical results with the benchmark, theoretical or experimental ones.

Black hole growths in gamma-ray bursts driven by the Blandford–Znajek mechanism

ABSTRACT The Blandford–Znajek (BZ) mechanism in stellar-mass black hole (BH) hyperaccretion systems is generally considered to power gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Based on observational GRB data, we use the BZ mechanism driven by the BH hyperaccretion disc to investigate the evolution of the BH mass and spin after the jets break out from the progenitors. We find that the BH growths are almost independent of initial BH masses. Meanwhile, the BH growths will be more efficient with smaller initial spin parameters. We conclude that (i) the BZ mechanism is efficient for triggering BH growths for only 1 of 206 typical long-duration GRBs; (ii) the mean BH mass growths of ultra-long GRBs are marginal for all 7 samples collected; (iii) for the short-duration GRBs, the results that BHs show minimal growths is consistent with the mass supply limitation in the scenario of compact object mergers.

Tectonism and fracture-related dissolution induced the formation of the large-scale metamorphic granite reservoir: Implications from Bozhong 26–6 Precambrian bedrock trap, offshore Bohai Bay basin, Northern China

Crystalline rocks in basins are unconventional sites for hydrocarbon exploration. Owing to the lack of primary pores in the bedrock, it remains unclear how later tectonism and dissolution alter crystalline rock within large-scale reservoirs. Notably, the recent discovery of a 200 million-ton oil field of Precambrian metamorphic granite in the Bonan buried hill, Bohai Bay Basin, China provides an important opportunity for exploring this mechanism. Herein, the relationship between fractures and the regional tectonic evolution of this buried metamorphic granite mass, as well as the accompanying phenomena of dissolution and vein filling (which record related fluid interactions contributing to second pore formation from tight crystalline rocks) were investigated. The results indicated that the reservoir space was primarily composed of tectonic fractures and associated dissolution pores (maximum porosity ≤18%). The densely interlaced fractures with dominant NWW-trending flat surfaces indicated that the majority of Precambrian bedrock fractures were induced by Indosinian tectonic compression. The Cenozoic north–south tectonic extensional fault obliquely intersects these NWW-trending fractures, accounting for 73% of the previous dense shearing fractures transformed into open fractures. The dissolution pores were primarily distributed along the fractures and increased the porosity of these fracture-related reservoirs by ≤ 12%. The carbon and oxygen isotopes of the calcite fillings within the fractures suggested that atmospheric freshwater was the primary dissolution fluid, whereas some pores were formed by the dissolution action of deep hydrothermal and organic acid fluids. Thus, regional compressive stress is a necessary tectonic mechanism for the formation of densely interlaced fractures in tight crystalline rocks. The later extensional setting contributing to fracture release and fracture dissolution in the epi-diagenesis stage are two immediate factors in the formation of permeability and storage capacity within buried bedrock traps.

Factors governing the chemical composition of rain at a regional site in South Africa

Precipitation chemistry is influenced by a number of complex processes, which include the temporal and spatial evolution of air masses. Previous wet deposition studies in South Africa could not distinctly relate the influence of air mass history on rain chemistry in order to substantiate the influence of different sources. The Welgegund atmospheric monitoring station in South Africa measures several atmospheric parameters, which include vertical profiling of the atmosphere that could assist in relating rain chemistry to air mass history. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct an advanced assessment on factors influencing chemical composition of rain in the South African interior by relating individual rain events at Welgegund to air mass history at cloud base height (CBH) and arrival heights below clouds, as well as supplementary in situ measurements conducted at the site. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed through two approaches, i.e. clustering based on the chemical composition of rain, as well as grouping based on air masses arriving at CBH and 100 m above ground level (a.g.l.). Although statistical analyses highlighted the complexity associated with correlating rain chemistry to sources of chemical species, it proved useful to determine some correlations between rain chemistry and air mass history. Clustering according to the chemical composition of rain events grouped rain events from high to low volume weighted mean (VWM) concentrations. Correlation of air mass histories to these clusters indicated that higher VWM concentrations were associated with air masses at 100 m a.g.l. passing over anthropogenic source regions. Air mass history clustering grouped air masses passing predominantly over predefined source regions. The rain chemistry of clusters determined for air masses at 100 m a.g.l. arrival heights could be related to the influence of different source regions, with the impact of large point sources, the clean western background region and oceans especially evident. No significant correlations between air mass histories at CBH and ionic composition were evident. It was concluded that below-cloud atmospheric chemical composition was more significant to the chemical composition of rain in this part of South Africa. A few case studies were also conducted in order to further explore factors influencing the chemical composition of rain.

Method for estimating the future annual mass of decommissioned wind turbine blade material in Denmark

AbstractA model of the evolution of the onshore wind turbine blade mass installed in Denmark is proposed described by a Weibull distribution, and the age of the blades is estimated from decommissioning data to = 29 years when half of the blade mass of an installation year has been decommissioned. This is considerably longer than the 20 year design lifetime of onshore turbines, which is often assumed to be an estimate of the End‐of‐Life of turbine blades. Thus, blade waste predictions using the simple assumption may predict that installed blade masses are entering recycling processes about 9 years sooner that what is observed in Denmark. The blade mass for decommissioning in Denmark is estimated to peak at 2000 and 5000 ton/year in 2028 and 2045 using the Weibull model.

Cold wintertime air masses over Europe: where do they come from and how do they form?

Abstract. Despite the general warming trend, wintertime cold-air outbreaks in Europe have remained nearly as extreme and as common as decades ago. In this study, we identify six principal 850 hPa cold anomaly types over Europe in 1979–2020 using self-organizing maps (SOMs). Based on extensive analysis of atmospheric large-scale circulation patterns combined with nearly 2 million kinematic backward trajectories, we show the origins and contributions of various physical processes to the formation of cold wintertime 850 hPa air masses. The location of the cold anomaly region is closely tied to the location of blocking; if the block is located farther to the east, the cold anomaly is also displaced eastwards. Considering air mass evolution along the trajectories, the air parcels are typically initially (5–10 d before) colder than at their arrival in Europe, but initially warmer air parcels also sometimes lead to cold anomalies over Europe. Most commonly the effect of adiabatic warming on the temperature anomalies is overcompensated for by advection from regions that are climatologically colder than the target region, supported by diabatic cooling along the pathway. However, there are regional differences: cold anomalies over western Europe and southeastern Europe are dominantly caused by advection and over eastern Europe by both advective and diabatic processes. The decadal-scale warming in the site of air mass origin has been partly compensated for by enhanced diabatic (radiative) cooling along the pathway to Europe. There have also been decadal changes in large-scale circulation patterns and air mass origin. Our results suggest that understanding future changes in cold extremes will require in-depth analyses of both large-scale circulation and the physical (adiabatic and diabatic) processes.

DEIMOS spectroscopy of z = 6 protocluster candidate in COSMOS – a massive protocluster embedded in a large-scale structure?

ABSTRACT We present the results of our Keck/DEep Imaging Multi-Object Spectrograph spectroscopic follow-up of candidate galaxies of i-band-dropout protocluster candidate galaxies at z ∼ 6 in the COSMOS field. We securely detect Lyman α emission lines in 14 of the 30 objects targeted, 10 of them being at z = 6 with a signal-to-noise ratio of 5–20; the remaining galaxies are either non-detections or interlopers with redshift too different from z = 6 to be part of the protocluster. The 10 galaxies at z ≈ 6 make the protocluster one of the riches at z > 5. The emission lines exhibit asymmetric profiles with high skewness values ranging from 2.87 to 31.75, with a median of 7.37. This asymmetry is consistent with them being Ly α, resulting in a redshift range of z = 5.85–6.08. Using the spectroscopic redshifts, we recalculate the overdensity map for the COSMOS field and find the galaxies to be in a significant overdensity at the 4σ level, with a peak overdensity of δ = 11.8 (compared to the previous value of δ = 9.2). The protocluster galaxies have stellar masses derived from Bagpipes spectral energy distribution fits of $10^{8.29}\!-\!10^{10.28} \rm \, M_{\rm \odot }$ and star formation rates of $2\!-\!39\, \rm M_{\rm \odot }\rm \, yr^{-1}$, placing them on the main sequence at this epoch. Using a stellar-to-halo-mass relationship, we estimate the dark matter halo mass of the most massive halo in the protocluster to be $\sim 10^{12}\rm M_{\rm \odot }$. By comparison with halo mass evolution tracks from simulations, the protocluster is expected to evolve into a Virgo- or Coma-like cluster in the present day.

Galaxy–dark matter connection of photometric galaxies from the HSC-SSP Survey: galaxy–galaxy lensing and the halo model

ABSTRACT We infer the connection between stellar mass of galaxies from Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) survey, and their dark matter halo masses in two bins of redshifts between [0.3, 0.8]. We use measurements of the weak lensing of background galaxies from Year-1 shape catalogue from the HSC survey. We bin lens galaxies in stellar mass with varying thresholds ranging from $8.6\le \log [M_*/(h^{-2}{M_\odot })]\le \, 11.2$ and use stringent cuts in the selection of source galaxies to measure the lensing signal. We model these measurements of the lensing signals together with the abundance of galaxies in the halo occupation distribution framework. We obtain constraints on the halo occupation parameters of central galaxies Mmin and σlog M along with parameters that describe the occupation of the satellite galaxies. The measurements of abundance and lensing individually constrain different degeneracy directions in Mmin− σlog M plane, thus breaking the degeneracy in these parameters. We demonstrate that the lensing measurements are best able to constrain average central halo masses, 〈Mcen〉. We compare our measurements to those obtained using the abundance and clustering of these galaxies. We find that the galaxy–dark matter connection does not vary significantly between redshift bins we explore in this study. Uncertainties in the photometric redshift of the lens galaxies need to be studied to understand the true underlying stellar mass–halo mass relation and evolution of galaxies.

Mechanical characteristics and energy evolution in a rock mass with a weak structural plane

The present aims to investigate the mechanical characteristics and energy evolution in rock masses containing weak structural planes under conventional triaxial loading conditions. Using a fluid–solid coupling test system of coal rock, numerous conventional triaxial compression tests were performed on rock masses at various dip angles of the structural plane. The obtained empirical outcomes revealed that the deviatoric stress–strain curve of the weak structural plane rock mass with an inclination angle greater than 20° rises step-by-step. On the macro level, slip-stability occurs on the upper and lower parts of the rock mass on the weak structural plane. Then mechanism of the slip-stability phenomenon is explored by analyzing the stress level in the rock mass with various inclination angles. It is found that the energy evolution during deformation and failure reflects the damaged state of the rock. Accordingly, the concept of ‘slip dissipation energy’ is proposed, and the values of each energy are calculated. The results have a good correspondence with the deviatoric stress–strain curve. Furthermore, it was found that the energy evolution of rock mass with a weak structural plane can be primarily classified into four stages, including storage of the initial energy, slip dissipation, abrupt increase in the pre-peak dissipation energy, and sudden drop in post-peak energy. Rock masses with various levels of dip angles exhibit similar elastic strain energy and dissipation energy at the peak point, demonstrating that energy evolution is dominated by energy storage and dissipation. At the same time, a negative correlation is observed between the structural plane dip angle and the occurrence of instantaneous impact instability failure in rock masses, indicating that a greater dip angle makes the rock mass less prone to experiencing instantaneous impact instability failure. This article provides a new idea for analyzing the geological disasters caused by external disturbances.

Modelling the historical and future evolution of six ice masses in the Tien Shan, Central Asia, using a 3D ice-flow model

Abstract. In the Tien Shan, few modelling studies exist that examine in detail how individual ice bodies are responding to climate change. Nonetheless, earlier research demonstrated that the glacier response to climate change in this mountain range is heterogeneous. Here, we use several measurements and reconstructions of the ice thickness, surface elevation, surface mass balance, and ice temperature to model in depth six different ice bodies in the Kyrgyz Tien Shan: five valley glaciers and one ice cap. The selected ice masses are located in different sub-regions of the Tien Shan with different climatic and topographic settings, and they are all characterized by detailed recent glaciological measurements. A three-dimensional higher-order thermomechanical ice-flow model is calibrated and applied to simulate the evolution of the ice masses since the end of the Little Ice Age (1850) and to make a prognosis of the future evolution up to 2100 under different Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) climate scenarios. The results reveal a strong retreat of most of the ice masses under all climate scenarios, albeit with notable variations in both timing and magnitude. These can be related to the specific climate regime of each of the ice bodies and their geometry. Under a moderate warming scenario, the ice masses characterized by a limited elevation range undergo complete disappearance, whereas the glaciers with a larger elevation range manage to preserve some ice at the highest altitudes. Additionally, our findings indicate that glaciers that primarily receive precipitation during the late spring and summer months exhibit a more rapid retreat in response to climate change, while the glaciers experiencing higher precipitation levels or more winter precipitation remain for a longer duration. Projections concerning the overall glacier runoff reveal that the maximum water discharge from the ice masses is expected to occur around or prior to the middle of the 21st century and that the magnitude of this peak is contingent upon the climate scenario, with a higher warming scenario resulting in a higher peak.

‘My how I have walked and worked to get those names’: Petitioning and the Women's Suffrage Movement in the United States, 1908–1920.

ABSTRACT This article analyses the evolution of mass petitioning within the woman suffrage movement in the United States, with a focus on the decade leading up to the ratification of the 19th Amendment (1920). Its central argument is that suffrage activists skilfully and imaginatively refashioned what was a venerable form of mobilization. In their hands, the petition served a range of purposes beyond enacting legislative change. It was a fulcrum for public parades and pilgrimages that grabbed public and press attention. In the form of the initiative petition, it was a tool to put the question of woman suffrage directly before voters. When aimed at individual lawmakers, and even in the face of a deadly pandemic, petition campaigns served to swing crucial votes. Focussing on the petition helps us to rethink certain aspects of the suffrage movement. It draws our attention to the role of rank-and-file activists on the ground. Furthermore, while reinforcing the importance of racial division, it challenges the notion of a movement split into radical and conservative wings. Whatever their differences, both sides understood the value of petitioning in an era of mass democracy.

Introducing a new floodplain scheme in ORCHIDEE (version 7885): validation and evaluation over the Pantanal wetlands

Abstract. Adapting and improving the hydrological processes in land surface models are crucial given the increase in the resolution of the climate models to correctly represent the hydrological cycle. The present paper introduces a floodplain scheme adapted to the higher-resolution river routing of the Organising Carbon and Hydrology In Dynamic Ecosystems (ORCHIDEE) land surface model. The scheme is based on a sub-tile parameterisation of the hydrological units – a hydrological transfer unit (HTU) concept – based on high-resolution hydrologically coherent digital elevation models, which can be used for all types of resolutions and projections. The floodplain scheme was developed and evaluated for different atmospheric forcings and resolutions (0.5∘ and 25 km) over one of the world's largest floodplains: the Pantanal, located in central South America. The floodplain scheme is validated based on the river discharge at the outflow of the Pantanal which represents the hydrological cycle over the basin, the temporal evolution of the water mass over the region assessed by the anomaly of total water storage in the Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE), and the temporal evaluation of the flooded areas compared to the Global Inundation Extent from Multi-Satellites version 2 (GIEMS-2) dataset. The hydrological cycle is satisfactorily simulated; however, the base flow may be underestimated. The temporal evolution of the flooded area is coherent with the observations, although the size of the area is underestimated in comparison to GIEMS-2. The presence of floodplains increases the soil moisture up to 50 % and decreases average temperature by 3 ∘C and by 6 ∘C during the dry season. The higher soil moisture increases the vegetation density, and, along with the presence of open-water surfaces due to the floodplains, it affects the surface energy budget by increasing the latent flux at the expense of the sensible flux. This is linked to the increase in the evapotranspiration related to the increased water availability. The effect of the floodplain scheme on the land surface conditions highlights that coupled simulations using the floodplain scheme may influence local and regional precipitation and regional circulation.

Plasticity of red wine sensory profiles: improved understanding through grape berry sugar loading profiles

Reproducible aromatic red wine styles can be predicted based upon the measurement of grape berry sugar accumulation (corresponding to the quantity of sugar that accumulates per berry; mg/berry/day) and berry fresh mass. Distinct maturity stages, “Fresh Fruit” reminiscent of fresh/red fruits notes and “Mature Fruit” associated with dark fruit and plum characters could be correlated to berry sugar accumulation (mg/berry) and berry fresh mass evolution without any direct relationship with berry sugar concentration. After berry sugar accumulation plateaued, wine aromatic and phenolic maturity were uncoupled from technological maturity.

Evolution of pion mass with temperature

We study the evolution of light quarks with isospin symmetry and the pion masses in the presence of a thermal bath and study their temperature dependence. In addition, we analyze the inclusion of a coupling with temperature dependence. We attempt to study the dissolution of bound-states at temperatures higher than the critical temperature, but we found that the model shows that the bound-state's mass increases. We base our study on a momentum-independent symmetry-preserving truncation scheme contact interaction in the Schwinger-Dyson equations framework.

Quaternary ZrCuCa-based thin films metallic glasses deposited by cathodic arc deposition

The current study’s aim is to obtain quaternary ZrCuCa based thin films using a physical vapor deposition method (PVD) - cathodic arc approach – in order to improve the surface properties of 316L stainless steel and Ti6Al4V implantable materials. The developed ZrCuCa-based layers could be potential candidates in the medical industry if they are able to combine their exceptional mechanical properties with the corrosion resistance of amorphous metallic glasses. Furthermore, addition of Mo, Mg, Si, and Sr was taken into consideration for the ZrCuCa structure and the resulted quaternary systems were analysed in detail, through electrochemical tests and bioactivity assay, which were carried out in synthetic body fluid (SBF) at human body temperature (37 °C). Surface morphology and roughness of the specimens before and after the tests were also evaluated. The results showed that regardless the substrate type, the roughness of the surface has increased for all coatings from 19 nm for 316L, and 50 nm for Ti6Al4V, to 2000 nm). The adhesion of obtained coatings was reached from 8 N to 18, the coatings on Ti6Al4V alloy was found to be from 12 N to 18 N, while on 316L steel was from 8 N to 15 N, indicating that the coatings deposited on Ti alloy have a better adhesion. The corrosion current density parameter for ZrCuCaMo and ZrCuCaMg sjowe the lowest value (316L: 21.99 µA/cm2 and 11.37 µA/cm2; Ti6Al4V: 1.62 µA/cm2 and 13.37 µA/cm2), indicating the best corrosion resistance. The mass evolution of the coatings deposited on 316L was ranged from the −0.47 mg to 1.37 mg, while for those deposited on Ti6Al4V, the values were ranged from −0.08 mg to 2.66 mg, indicating a degradation and biomineralization process, respectively. In conclusion, the electrochemical studies and bioactivity experiments demonstrated that the suggested coatings improve the substrate’s behaviour in simulated conditions, highlighting their potential as biomaterials.

Damage evolution and constitutive model of the rock masses with non-penetrating cracks under repeated impact loading.

A large number of cracks exist in natural rock masses, which significantly affects the stability of surrounding rocks in engineering under impact loading. Repeated impact tests by Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar are performed on non-penetrating cracked granite specimens with different prefabricated-crack inclination angles (0, 30, 45, 60, and 90°). The damage evolution law of cracked rock under repeated impact loading is investigated. Macroscopic damage variables considering geometric and mechanical parameters of cracks are proposed. Further, a constitutive model for the impact loading test is developed based on the coupling damage. It has been found that, the impact resistance of fractured rock first decreases and then increases with the increased prefabricated-crack inclination angle. The impact resistance for specimens with an inclination angle of 45° is the minimum. Theoretical results from the developed model agree with the experimental data. The model could well describe the progressive damage characteristics of cracked rock masses.

Ancillary Ligand Lability Improves Control in Cyclic Ruthenium Benzylidene Initiated Ring-Expansion Metathesis Polymerizations.

The synthesis of well-defined cyclic polymers is crucial to exploring applications spanning engineering, energy, and biomedicine. These materials lack chain-ends and are therefore imbued with unique bulk properties. Despite recent advancements, the general methodology for controlled cyclic polymer synthesis via ring-expansion metathesis polymerization (REMP) remains challenging. Low initiator activity leads to high molar mass polymers at short reaction times that subsequently "evolve" to smaller polymeric products. In this work, we demonstrate that in situ addition of pyridine to the tethered ruthenium-benzylidene REMP initiator CB6 increases ancillary ligand lability to synthesize controlled and low dispersity cyclic poly(norbornene) on a short time scale without relying on molar mass evolution events.

Mechanical behavior and failure characteristics of double-layer composite rock-like specimens with two coplanar joints under uniaxial loading

To study the combined action of joints and bedding plane on crack evolution of flawed layered rock masses, uniaxial compression tests and digital image correlation (DIC) tests were carried out on double-layer composite rock-like specimens with multi-inclination two coplanar joints under different bedding angles. Based on the experimental results, the existence of bedding plane and joints performs a significant effect on characteristics of stress-strain curves and strength parameters. The failure modes are divided into four different types. The existence of bedding plane inhibits the coalescence of cracks in rock bridge area, and the variation of bedding angle affects the crack propagation path and failure mode transition greatly. For specimens with bedding angle of 30° and 45°, the larger the joint angle, the less the influence of bedding plane on failure characteristics. Besides, a new tensile crack type which initiates from the bedding plane and is easier to propagate in the upper layer was observed.