Evolutionary Process Research Articles

Study on the performances of epoxy asphalt binders influenced by the dosage of epoxy resin and its application to steel bridge deck pavement

The concentration of epoxy resin can outstandingly affect the performance of hot-mixed epoxy asphalt binders. A standard measuring procedure of tensile performance for plastics is applied to investigate epoxy asphalt binders influenced by different dosages of epoxy. The rheological performances and microscope structure evolution process influenced by hot mixed epoxy dosage are investigated by dynamic shear rheometer and laser scanning confocal microscopy respectively. The consequences manifest that the flexibility and anti-rutting ability of epoxy asphalt binders is raised accompanied by raising the dosage of epoxy resin are founded by long time of creep, creep and recovery. Dynamic shear rheometer temperature scans showed that epoxy asphalt binders exhibited excellent thermal stability within the scope of -20 oC and 120oC, when the amount of epoxy resin is no less than 40%. It was observed by laser scanning confocal microscopy that the three-dimensional crosslinked network structure was gradually shaped when the epoxy resin concentration was no less than 40%. These experimental results demonstrated that the excellent performances of epoxy asphalt binders are obtained when the concentration of epoxy resin is no less than 40%. From the viewpoint of epoxy asphalt mixtures, the optimal mixture performances are acquired, when the concentration of epoxy resin is no less than 40%. Finally, when the concentration of epoxy resin is 40%, the excellent cost-performance of epoxy asphalt is obtained, which can be used in steel bridge deck pavement.

Ecological and evolutionary processes involved in shaping microbial habitat generalists and specialists in urban park ecosystems.

Urban parks, as an important urban greenspace, play essential roles in ecosystem services and are important hotspots for microbes. Microbial diversity is driven by different ecological and evolutionary processes, while little is currently known about the distinct roles of ecological and evolutionary features in shaping microbial diversity in urban park ecosystems. We explored the ecological and evolutionary characteristics of prokaryotic and microeukaryotic habitat generalists and specialists in urban park ecosystems based on a representative set of different habitats. We found that different ecological and evolutionary drivers jointly maintained and regulated microbial diversity in urban park microbiomes through analyzing the community assembly process, ecological roles in hierarchical interaction, and species diversification potential. These findings significantly advance our understanding regarding the mechanisms governing microbial diversity in urban park ecosystems.

Mechanism of formation and evolution of bound states in the continuum of split-hole all-dielectric metasurface under asymmetric displacement perturbation

Bound states in the continuum (BICs) with ultra-high Q properties have attracted much attention for their perfect localization in the continuous spectral range coexisting with extended waves. In this study, breaking the traditional excitation form of structure breakage or excitation field asymmetry, a monolithic silicon nanodisk array with relative displacement generated by the complete splitting of square nanopores is proposed based on the unique electromagnetic properties of all-dielectric metamaterials. During the introduction of perturbations by asymmetric displacements of splitting holes, it is shown by numerical simulations that two BICs at different wavelengths can be realized. Combined with eigenmodes of group theory, the symmetric matching relationship between the symmetry-protected BICs and the free-space radiation during the evolution process is analytically demonstrated, and the formation mechanism and the evolution law of the BICs excited by this metasurface are deeply investigated. meanwhile, it also provides a theoretical basis for the polarization dependence of quasi-BICs excitation and the ultra-high Q factor expression of BICs. Furthermore, near-field distribution and multipole decomposition show that the field distribution and surface currents support the excitation of BIC-driven toroidal dipole and magnetic quadrupole dual modes. This study not only provides an effective reference for the stability of high-Q resonance wavelengths, but also solves the problem of the lack of universality in analyzing the resonance mechanism based on resonance phenomena, and provides solid theoretical support for the study of displacement-mediated BICs resonance excitation and evolution.

Centres of Development and Patterns of Distribution of the Family Melastomataceae in Indo-Malesia

1.The Melastomataceae is a homogeneous family of about 220 genera and 5300 species and is generally confined to the tropical and subtropical regions, avoiding arid conditions and attaining prolific developments in the rain forests between the tropic of cancer and the tropic of capricorn. More than one half of the World's melastomataceous genera (about 120) and two-thirds of the total number of species (about 3353) are confined to the New World. The melastomataceous flora of Indo-Malesia consists of 64 genera and about 1300 species. In the Old World the incidence of melastomataceous species for Indo-Malesia and Africa is in the ratio of 2:1.2.The present distribution of Melastomataceae in both the New World and the Old World is discussed on the basis of Wegener's hypothesis of "Continental Drift". Instead of considering the island of Madagascar as the centre of origin of the family in a restricted way, it is considered that "Gondwanaland" was ideally suited for the melastomataceous flora and those blocks that moved away after the breaking up of this huge continental mass in the Late Cretaceous, each carried their own share of melastomataceous species which, after gradual establishment in new situations during a long span of time and space, proliferated into several new taxa by an intensive process of evolution.3.The Deccan Peninsula + Ceylon block in drifting over the Indian Ocean must have carried the original Gondwanaland stock and gene-pool of the Melastomataceae which later-when this block was fused with Laurasia and the Tethys Sea had disappeared-became the centre of development of the family in continental Asia. Then Melastomataceae could further develop on the southern part of Laurasia and from there migrate eastward to the Malesian islands, the Western Pacific and northern Australia.This implies the conclusion that, though Australia also formed part of the ancient Gondwanaland, this cannot have carried part of the ancient Gondwanaland Melastomataceae when Australia drifted apart.4.An attempt has been made to assess the centres of distribution of Indo-Malesian Melastomataceae and from this study the following four centres of development are proposed : (i) The Deccan-Ceylon centre, (ii) The Himalayan-Yunnan centre, (iii) The Sunda centre and (iv) The Philippine-Papuan centre.5.The Island of Borneo is unique in having the largest number of genera-42 out of the Indo-Malesian total of 64 genera-and the largest number of species i.e. 257. Perhaps, it is due to the part played by the mountain of Kinabalu in enriching the floristic composition of Borneo. It is generally considered by phytogeographers that Kinabalu is a great sanctuary of flora, past and present, and a nursery of endemic elements.

Global Inversion of Lunar Surface Oxides by Adding Chang’e-5 Samples

The chemical distribution on the lunar surface results from the combined effects of both endogenic and exogenic geological processes. Exploring global maps of chemical composition helps to gain insights into the compositional variation among three major geological units, unraveling the geological evolution of the Moon. The existing oxide abundance maps were obtained from spectral images of remote sensing and geochemical data from samples returned by Apollo and Luna, missing the chemical characteristics of the Moon’s late critical period. In this study, by adding geochemical data from Chang’e (CE)-5 lunar samples, we construct inversion models between the Christiansen feature (CF) and oxide abundance of lunar samples using the particle swarm optimization–extreme gradient boosting (PSO-XGBoost) algorithm. Then, new global oxide maps (Al2O3, CaO, FeO, and MgO) and Mg# with the resolution of 32 pixels/degree (ppd) were produced, which reduced the space weathering effect to some extent. The PSO-XGBoost models were compared with partial least square regression (PLSR) models and four previous results, indicating that PSO-XGBoost models possess the capability to effectively describe nonlinear relationships between CF and oxide abundance. Furthermore, the average contents of our results and the Diviner results for 21 major maria demonstrate high correlations, with R2 of 0.95, 0.82, 0.95, and 0.86, respectively. In addition, a new Mg# map was generated, which reveals different magmatic evolutionary processes in the three geologic units.

Wiring between close nodes in molecular networks evolves more quickly than between distant nodes.

As species diverge, a wide range of evolutionary processes lead to changes in protein-protein interaction networks and metabolic networks. The rate at which molecular networks evolve is an important question in evolutionary biology. Previous empirical work has focused on interactomes from model organisms to calculate rewiring rates, but this is limited by the relatively small number of species and sparse nature of network data across species. We present a proxy for variation in network topology: variation in drug-drug interactions (DDIs), obtained by studying drug combinations (DCs) across taxa. Here, we propose the rate at which DDIs change across species as an estimate of the rate at which the underlying molecular network changes as species diverge. We computed the evolutionary rates of DDIs using previously published data from a high throughput study in gram-negative bacteria. Using phylogenetic comparative methods, we found that DDIs diverge rapidly over short evolutionary time periods, but that divergence saturates over longer time periods. In parallel, we mapped drugs with known targets in protein-protein interaction and co-functional networks. We found that the targets of synergistic DDIs are closer in these networks than other types of DCs and that synergistic interactions have a higher evolutionary rate, meaning that nodes that are closer evolve at a faster rate. Future studies of network evolution may use DC data to gain larger-scale perspectives on the details of network evolution within and between species.

Impact response characteristics and damage mechanism of continuous carbon-fiber-reinforced magnesium matrix composite materials

The continuous carbon-fiber-reinforced magnesium matrix composite (C_f/Mg) is a new type of composite material made of a magnesium alloy sheet and carbon-fiber-reinforced composite material with alternating layers. It has the advantages of high damage tolerance, light weight, and corrosion resistance, and has become the first choice of lightweight materials in aerospace, transportation, and other fields. Because impact-resistance serves as an important index for its structural design and performance stability, a continuous carbon-fiber-reinforced magnesium matrix composite with indirect bonding using a modified epoxy resin was designed in this study. Moreover, C_f/Mg was chosen to be the object of research through the selection of constituent materials such as magnesium alloys, carbon fibers, resins, and other properties, which matched the aim of realizing a lightweight material. With the help of hot-compression molding technology, dynamic impact mechanical behavior, and damage analysis technology, the structural design and preparation process optimization of epoxy resin carbon-fiber prepregs and magnesium alloy layer materials, as well as the dynamic impact mechanical response characteristics and damage evolution process under different impact energy conditions, were studied. Accordingly, through a combination of low-velocity impact experiments and numerical simulations, the effects of continuous multiple impacts at the same location with the same impact energy, as well as impacts with the same impact energy and different punch diameters, on the low-velocity impact damage behavior and dynamic impact response characteristics of C_f/Mg were investigated. The results of this study show that when the 5J impact is applied four times consecutively, the peak impact load gradually increases with the increasing number of impacts. Moreover, the peak impact loads of the second, third, and fourth impacts increase by 6.09%, 10.7%, and 14.5%, respectively, compared with the results of the first impact.

Directional movement of electron induced by interfacial coupling in CuS@NiCo-LDHs for efficient alkaline oxygen evolution reaction

Heterojunction has the characteristics of adjusting catalyst structure, improving oxygen evolution kinetics and breaking the elevated reaction barrier of oxygen evolution process. In this paper, a heterostructure catalyst of NiCo-LDHs nanosheets encapsulated CuS hollow nano-octahedrals has been reported, which has better stability and higher mass transfer efficiency compared with two-dimensional nanosheets. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that the heterostructure strengthens the orbital hybridization of metal 3d and O 2p, at the same time, the heterointerface coupling induces the directional movement of electrons from NiCo-LDHs to CuS, which together provide abundant high-valence Ni and Co active sites, promote the conversion of *OH to *O species, thus reducing the energy required for the reaction. Hence, CuS@NiCo-LDHs exhibits excellent OER performance and good stability in 1 M KOH. When the current density is 10 mA/cm2, the overpotential and Tafel slope of this catalyst is only 253 mV and 56 mV/dec, respectively. This study furnishes the construction of heterogeneous structures and the catalyst exploitation with serviceable insights.

The role of satellite DNAs in the chromosomal rearrangements and the evolution of the rare XY1Y2 sex system in Harttia (Siluriformes: Loricariidae).

The underlying processes behind the formation, evolution, and long-term maintenance of multiple sex chromosomes have been largely neglected. Among vertebrates, fishes represent the group with the highest diversity of multiple sex chromosome systems and, with six instances, the Neotropical fish genus Harttia stands out by presenting the most remarkable diversity. However, although the origin mechanism of their sex chromosome systems is well discussed, little is known about the importance of some repetitive DNA classes in the differentiation of multiple systems. In this work, by employing a combination of cytogenetic and genomic procedures, we evaluated the satellite DNA composition of H. carvalhoi with a focus on their role in the evolution, structure, and differentiation process of the rare XY1Y2 multiple sex chromosome system. The genome of H. carvalhoi contains a total of 28 satellite DNA families, with the A+T content ranging between 38,1 and 68,1% and the predominant presence of long satellites. The in situ hybridization experiments detected 15 satellite DNAs with positive hybridization signals mainly on centromeric and pericentromeric regions of almost all chromosomes or clustered on a few pairs. Five of them presented clusters on X, Y1, and/or Y2 sex chromosomes which were therefore selected for comparative hybridization in the other three congeneric species. We found several conserved satellites accumulated on sex chromosomes and also in regions that were involved in chromosomal rearrangements. Our results provide a new contribution of satellitome studies in multiple sex chromosome systems in fishes and represent the first satellitome study for a Siluriformes species.

Limits on the evolutionary rates of biological traits

This paper focuses on the maximum speed at which biological evolution can occur. I derive inequalities that limit the rate of evolutionary processes driven by natural selection, mutations, or genetic drift. These rate limits link the variability in a population to evolutionary rates. In particular, high variances in the fitness of a population and of a quantitative trait allow for fast changes in the trait’s average. In contrast, low variability makes a trait less susceptible to random changes due to genetic drift. The results in this article generalize Fisher’s fundamental theorem of natural selection to dynamics that allow for mutations and genetic drift, via trade-off relations that constrain the evolutionary rates of arbitrary traits. The rate limits can be used to probe questions in various evolutionary biology and ecology settings. They apply, for instance, to trait dynamics within or across species or to the evolution of bacteria strains. They apply to any quantitative trait, e.g., from species’ weights to the lengths of DNA strands.

Evolutionary pathways to lower biomass allocation to the seed coat in crops: insights from allometric scaling.

Crops generally have seeds larger than their wild progenitors´ and with reduced dormancy. In wild plants, seed mass and allocation to the seed coat (a proxy for physical dormancy) scale allometrically so that larger seeds tend to allocate less to the coats. Larger seeds and lightweight coats might thus have evolved as correlated traits in crops. We tested whether 34 crops and 22 of their wild progenitors fit the allometry described in the literature, which would indicate co-selection of both traits during crop evolution. Deviations from the allometry would suggest that other evolutionary processes contribute to explain the emergence of larger, lightweight-coated seeds in crops. Crops fitted the scaling slope but deviated from its intercept in a consistent way: Seed coats of crops were lighter than expected by their seed size. The wild progenitors of crops displayed the same trend, indicating that deviations cannot be solely attributed to artificial selection during or after domestication. The evolution of seeds with small coats in crops likely resulted from a combination of various pressures, including the selection of wild progenitors with coats smaller than other wild plants, further decreases during early evolution under cultivation, and indirect selection due to the seed coat-seed size allometry.

Estimating scale-specific and localized spatial patterns in allele frequency.

Characterizing spatial patterns in allele frequencies is fundamental to evolutionary biology because these patterns contain evidence of underlying processes. However, the spatial scales at which gene flow, changing selection, and drift act are often unknown. Many of these processes can operate inconsistently across space, causing non-stationary patterns. We present a wavelet approach to characterize spatial pattern in allele frequency that helps solve these problems. We show how our approach can characterize spatial patterns in relatedness at multiple spatial scales, i.e. a multi-locus wavelet genetic dissimilarity. We also develop wavelet tests of spatial differentiation in allele frequency and quantitative trait loci (QTL). With simulation we illustrate these methods under different scenarios. We also apply our approach to natural populations of Arabidopsis thaliana to characterize population structure and identify locally-adapted loci across scales. We find, for example, that Arabidopsis flowering time QTL show significantly elevated genetic differentiation at 300 to 1300 km scales. Wavelet transforms of allele frequencies offer a flexible way to reveal geographic patterns and underlying evolutionary processes.

Representative Dynamic Accumulation of Hydrate-Bearing Sediments in Gas Chimney System since 30 Kyr BP in the QiongDongNan Area, Northern South China Sea

A stratigraphic complex composed of mass transport deposits (MTDs), where the gas occurrence allows for the formation of a gas chimney and pipe structure, is identified based on seismic interpretation in the QiongDongNan area of the northern South China Sea. During the Fifth Gas Hydrate Drilling Expedition of the Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey, this type of complex morphology that has close interaction with local gas hydrate (GH) distribution was eventually confirmed. A flow-reaction model is built to explore the spatial–temporal matching evolution process of massive GH reservoirs since 30 kyr before the present (BP). Five time snapshots, including 30, 20, 10, and 5 kyr BP, as well as the present, have been selected to exhibit key strata-evolving information. The results of in situ tensile estimation imply fracturing emergence occurs mostly at 5 kyr BP. Six other environmental scenarios and three cases of paleo-hydrate existence have been compared. The results almost coincide with field GH distribution below the bottom MTD from drilling reports, and state layer fracturing behaviors always feed and probably propagate in shallow sediments. It can be concluded that this complex system with 10% pre-existing hydrates results in the exact distribution and occurrence in local fine-grained silty clay layers adjacent to upper MTDs.

Investigating BiMeVOx compounds as potential photoelectrochemical and electrochemical materials for renewable hydrogen production

In this study, BiMeVOx compounds (where Me: Co, Mo, Ce, Zr) were synthesized and characterized as potential photoelectrochemical materials for solar water splitting, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The analysis confirmed the successful formation of phase BiMeVOx compounds with the desired crystal structure. Among the tested materials, BiCoVOx(800) showed the highest photocurrent density (674 μA cm−2) and HER/OER activity (Tafel slope: HER = 100 mV dec−1 and OER = 75 mV dec−1), followed by BiMoVOx(800), BiCeVOx(800), and BiZrVOx(800). The superior photoelectrochemical performance of BiCoVOx(800) can be attributed to its unique electronic structure and optimized band alignment, which promote efficient charge separation and facilitate the water splitting and hydrogen evolution processes. The findings of this study highlight the promising potential of the synthesized BiMeVOx materials, particularly BiCoVOx, as efficient photoelectrochemical catalysts for water splitting. These results contribute to the advancement of renewable energy technologies and provide valuable insights for the design and development of novel photoactive materials.

The tightness of the measure-based method to estimate quantum coherence

With the advancement of quantum information science, the understanding of quantum coherence has become increasingly important. In this paper, we investigate the effects of different channels on quantum states and analyze the evolution process of quantum states during channel transmission. Our findings reveal variations in the impact of different channels on quantum coherence. Additionally, we explore the estimation of lower bounds on coherence after passing through these diverse channels. We observe that channel transmission has a certain influence on the tightness of lower bounds on quantum coherence. We conduct a detailed analysis of this influence and propose improvement method to enhance the tightness of the lower bound estimation. Based on our research results, we draw conclusions that unveil the characteristics of quantum coherence under different channel conditions. Furthermore, we provide an effective estimation method and improvement strategies to accurately assess the coherence of quantum states. This research holds significant implications for further advancements in quantum information processing and quantum communication.

Conserved regulatory switches for the transition from natal down to juvenile feather in birds

The transition from natal downs for heat conservation to juvenile feathers for simple flight is a remarkable environmental adaptation process in avian evolution. However, the underlying epigenetic mechanism for this primary feather transition is mostly unknown. Here we conducted time-ordered gene co-expression network construction, epigenetic analysis, and functional perturbations in developing feather follicles to elucidate four downy-juvenile feather transition events. We report that extracellular matrix reorganization leads to peripheral pulp formation, which mediates epithelial-mesenchymal interactions for branching morphogenesis. α-SMA (ACTA2) compartmentalizes dermal papilla stem cells for feather renewal cycling. LEF1 works as a key hub of Wnt signaling to build rachis and converts radial downy to bilateral symmetry. Novel usage of scale keratins strengthens feather sheath with SOX14 as the epigenetic regulator. We show that this primary feather transition is largely conserved in chicken (precocial) and zebra finch (altricial) and discuss the possibility that this evolutionary adaptation process started in feathered dinosaurs.

A New Large-Scale Monitoring Index of Desertification Based on Kernel Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and Feature Space Model

As a new vegetation monitoring index, the KNDVI has certain advantages in characterizing the evolutionary process of regional desertification. However, there are few reports on desertification monitoring based on KNDVI and feature space models. In this study, seven feature parameters, including the kernel normalized difference vegetation index (KNDVI) and Albedo, were introduced to construct different models for desertification remote-sensing monitoring. The optimal desertification remote-sensing monitoring index model was determined with the measured data; then, the spatiotemporal evolution pattern of desertification in Gulang County from 2013 to 2023 was analyzed and revealed. The main conclusions were as follows: (1) Compared with the NDVI and MSAVI, the KNDVI showed more advantages in the characterization of the desertification evolution process. (2) The point–line pattern KNDVI-Albedo remote-sensing index model had the highest monitoring accuracy, reaching 94.93%, while the point–line pattern NDVI-TGSI remote-sensing monitoring index had the lowest accuracy of 54.38%. (3) From 2013 to 2023, the overall desertification situation in Gulang County showed a trend of improvement with a pattern of “firstly aggravation and then alleviation.” Additionally, the gravity center of desertification in Gulang County first shifted to the southeast and then to the northeast, indicating that the northeast’s aggravating rate of desertification was higher than in the southwest during the period. (4) From 2013 to 2023, the area of stable desertification in Gulang County was the largest, followed by the slightly weakened zone, and the most significant transition area was that of extreme desertification to severe desertification. The research results provide important decision support for the precise monitoring and governance of regional desertification.

Addiction: A Decease Theory with a Definitive Piousness-Spiritual Correlation

This article bear attention to scholars as well as who are working as professionals in the realms of addiction-related paradigms. That is the introduction. The purpose therefore of the article is to bring a way (methodology), how individuals (both those the professionals as well as the addicted individuals), in how should they interpret the Higher Power or Spiritual propositions, and the reason is that it will align the reader's knowledge of the proposed appreciation of a Higher Power/Spiritual (therefore the piousness) concept regarding addiction. Relucted analyses have studied the 12-act paradigms in grasping the Higher Power or Spirituality concept in the groundwork of therapy behaviourism of piousness-religion and Spirituality, although the efforts have been little and too far between. Considering the accepted hindrances towards elevated exhaustion of the addicts and approvals together using reciprocal-abed differentials, further enhanced research must take place to amend and grasp the piousness- Deity or Spirituality propositions among the 12-act research paradigms and realms at work in these intended rehabilitation attempts. The following methods will be used: In a survey concentrating on fixation and piousness, sixty percent of the enclosed articles remain affiliated with this twelve-act doctrine/ideology, pinpointing a percolated theory in addiction research. The results could be either or, for instance yet and notwithstanding IT, is it difficult enough to pass the test, to get sober and to be cleansed. Still, and here is the core message: if not achieved it is still not the end of the world, as it still stays part of an evolutionary process. You did not sober-up yet and therefore not (un) conditionally.

The most probable transition pathway of a predator–prey system under noise

Stochastic population dynamics plays a crucial role in biological systems. The number and distribution of biological populations often affect the stability of ecosystems, and even lead to the transition of ecosystems from one steady-state to another. The transition between different states of a population has a significant impact on both population dynamics and biological evolution. In this paper, we examined a stochastic population model and used Onsager–Machlup action functional and neural shooting method to obtain the most probable transition pathway between different states. Moreover, we analyzed the influence of noise intensity, maximum harvest rate [Formula: see text] and time [Formula: see text] on most probable transition pathway in two different parameter scenarios. Our research may provide a better understanding of evolutionary process such as genetic variation in populations and the evolution of species adaptation, meanwhile, may provide a theoretical guidance for species conservation and management in real world.

Study on Permeability Evolution Law of Rock Mass under Mining Stress

In order to study the stress–strain–permeability coefficient relationship of overlying strata in a fractured zone after coal mining, taking the Changcun coal mine in the Changzhi basin as an example, the permeability evolution law of coarse sandstone, fine sandstone, siltstone and mudstone during a stress–strain process was analyzed through a triaxial compression permeability test. The generalized model of the rock mass permeability evolution process under mining stress was summarized, and then a coupling model of the stress–water pressure–permeability coefficient of fractured rock was established based on the continuum model of rock mass. The results showed that the maximum permeability coefficient of different coal overburden types was quite different, and the peak strength of the rock mass preceded the maximum permeability coefficient during the rock mass failure process; the permeability coefficient first decreased and then increased, reaching its maximum value after the peak stress, which occurred during the strain-softening stage; the generalized model of rock mass permeability included the compaction stage, elasticity stage, stable fracture stage, unstable fracture stage, macroscopic failure stage and residual strength stage.