Complex Hybrid Research Articles

Genomic Footprints of Hybridisation in North Atlantic Eels (Anguilla anguilla and A. rostrata).

Understanding interspecific introgressive hybridisation and the biological significance of introgressed variation remains an important goal in population genomics. European (Anguilla anguilla) and American eel (A. rostrata) represent a remarkable case of hybridisation. Both are panmictic and spawn in partial sympatry in the Sargasso Sea, occasionally producing viable, fertile hybrids, primarily found in Iceland. We studied introgressive hybridisation from American into European eel using whole-genome sequences of 78 individuals, including European, American and 21 putative hybrid eels. Previous studies using few genetic markers could not resolve whether hybridisation involved simple unidirectional backcrossing or a more complex hybrid swarm scenario. However, local ancestry inference along individual chromosomes revealed that Icelandic hybrids were primarily F1 or first-generation backcrosses towards European eel, with some showing more complex backcrossing. All European eels outside Iceland contained short chromosomal blocks from American eel, indicating a porous genome. We found no evidence for previously hypothesised geographical gradients of introgression in European eel outside Iceland. Several chromosomal regions showed high interspecific divergence, but haplotype blocks introgressed from American eel were identified both within and outside these regions. There was little correspondence between regions of high relative (FST) and absolute divergence (dXY), with the former reflecting selective sweeps within species or reduced recombination rather than barrier loci. A single genomic region showed evidence of repeated introgression from American into European eel under positive selection in both species. The study illustrates that species can maintain genetic integrity despite porous genomes and that standing variation in one species can potentially be available for future adaptive responses in the other species.

Thermally Induced FeII Spin Crossover Hybrid Complex incorporating para‐sulfocinnamic acid

Anion‐Driven Light‐Induced Spin Change (AD‐LISC) enables multifunctional materials to switch magnetic states with light, enhancing potential applications in data storage, sensors, and molecular electronics, by improving spin state control by integrating photoactive anions. In this study, we report the synthesis and characterization of new mononuclear FeII coordination complexes, [Fe(3‐bpp)2](psca)2∙solvent (1∙solvent), which includes para‐sulfocinnamic acid (psca) as a non‐coordinated anion. 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility measurements (SQUID) reveals a mixture of high‐spin and low‐spin states in 1 and 1∙2.5H2O, with a predominance of low‐spin sites at room temperature. The desolvated form 1 shows a gradual spin crossover behaviour centred around the room temperature region. Additionally, single crystal X‐ray diffraction, evaluated according to Schmidt's criteria for [2 + 2] photodimerization, revealed that 1∙X does not satisfy the spatial requirements for photodimerization; accordingly, no colour change was noticed upon UV light exposure.

Atomistic Investigation of Crown Ether Complexes with Lithium Iodide as Solid-State Electrolytes

Abstract We investigated the surprising ionic conductivity trend of a series of hybrid complexes based on lithium iodide (LiI) associated with different size of crown ethers. Through a combination of experimental and theoretical methods, LiI hybrid complexes were characterized to rationalize the unexpected tendency of ionic conductivity. Our findings revealed that the solvation structure of the lithium iodide (LiI) complex of crown ethers is influenced by the size of the crown ether. Consequently, the solvation structure of the complex affects the transport properties. Notably, we observed a unique sandwich-like complex is formed between two 12C4 molecules and the Li cation during classical NVT molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, which is rarely observed with larger crown ethers. Based on this observation, we postulate that the idiosyncratic structure of [Li ⸦ 12C4][I] increases the ratio of SSIP solvation structure, ultimately resulting in higher ionic conductivity compared to [Li ⸦ 15C5][I], despite 15C5 is a larger crown ether than 12C4. We also propose a hypothesis, based on the MD simulation, that adjusting the size of crown ether molecules can potentially enhance the transference number.

Controllable z-Polarized Spin Current in Artificially Structured Ferromagnetic Oxide with Strong Spin-Orbit Coupling.

Realizing field-free switching of perpendicular magnetization by spin-orbit torques is crucial for developing advanced magnetic memory and logic devices. However, existing methods often involve complex designs or hybrid approaches, which complicate fabrication and affect device stability and scalability. Here, we propose a novel approach using z-polarized spin currents for deterministic switching of perpendicular magnetization through interfacial engineering. We fabricate La0.67Sr0.33MnO3-SrIrO3 (LSIMO) thin films with robust spin-orbit coupling and ferromagnetic order through orbital and lattice reconstruction, integrating SrIrO3 and La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 materials. Our investigation reveals that y- and z-polarized spin currents, driven by the spin Hall and spin-orbit precession effects, enable field-free switching of perpendicular magnetization. Notably, the z-polarized spin currents are tunable via the in-plane magnetization of LSIMO. These findings present a promising pathway for the development of energy-efficient spintronic devices, offering improved performance and scalability.

Amplification-Free Attomolar Detection of Short Nucleic Acids with Upconversion Luminescence: Eliminating Nonspecific Binding by Hybridization Complex Transfer.

The anti-Stokes emission of photon upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) facilitates their use as labels for ultrasensitive detection in biological samples as infrared excitation does not induce autofluorescence at visible wavelengths. The detection of extremely low-abundance analytes, however, remains challenging as it is impossible to completely avoid nonspecific binding of label conjugates. To overcome this limitation, we developed a novel hybridization complex transfer technique using UCNP labels to detect short nucleic acids directly without target amplification. The assay involves capturing the target-label complexes on an initial solid phase, then using releasing oligonucleotides to specifically elute only the target-UCNP complexes and recapturing them on another solid phase. The nonspecifically adsorbed labels remain on the first solid phase, enabling background-free, ultrasensitive detection. When magnetic microparticles were used as the first solid phase in a sample volume of 120 μL, the assay achieved a limit of detection (LOD) of 310 aM, a 27-fold improvement over the reference assay without transfer. Moreover, the additional target-specific steps introduced in the complex transfer procedure improved the sequence specificity of the complex transfer assay compared with the reference assay. The suitability for clinical analysis was confirmed using spiked plasma samples, resulting in an LOD of 190 aM. By increasing the sample volume to 600 μL and using magnetic preconcentration, the LOD was improved to 46 aM. These results highlight the importance of background elimination in achieving ultralow LODs for the analysis of low-abundance biomarkers.

Hybridization and diversity of the genus Vandenboschia in Korea insights from morphological, cytological, and genotype analyses

The genus Vandenboschia exhibits significant diversity, driven by complex hybridization events and varying ploidy levels in the natural habitats of Korea, leads to misidentifications that obscure its true distribution and classification. To address this issue, the present study employed morphological, cytological, and genotype analyses to clarify the taxonomical circumscription and distribution patterns of the Vandenboschia radicans complex in Korea. The V. radicans complex in the genus refers to V. radicans and its closely related species and exhibits significant morphological variation, making classification challenging. Previous molecular studies have revealed that it consists of several non-hybrid and hybrid species among them. Through the present study, comprehensive sampling from Jeju and Ulleung Islands identified five distinct taxa from the V. radicans complex: two non-hybrid species (Vandenboschia kalamocarpa and Vandenboschia nipponica), and three hybrids (Vandenboschia × stenosiphon, Vandenboschia × quelpaertensis, and Vandenboschia kalamocarpa × Vandenboschia nipponica × Vandenboschia striata). Notably, hybrids exhibited broader geographic distributions compared to non-hybrid species, which were confined to specific microhabitats. While overlapping morphological traits among the species complicate identification without genetic analysis, rhizome diameter and the width-to-length ratio of the involucre can serve as key morphological traits for distinguishing members of the Vandenboschia radicans complex in Korea. Additionally, cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) markers and cloning techniques were employed for species identification, particularly when morphological traits were inconclusive. These findings highlight the need to integrate genetic tools with traditional taxonomic methods to resolve complex species relationships within Vandenboschia in Korea and emphasize the importance of conservation efforts for geographically restricted and genetically distinct populations.

ASSESSMENT OF SELECTED QUANTITATIVE TRAITS IN A GROUP OF SPRING BARLEY GENOTYPES OF DIVERSE ORIGINS UNDER TRANSYLVANIAN PLATEAU CONDITIONS

The success of a breeding program is closely linked to the variability of morpho-productive traits of interest and their stability in interaction with biotic and abiotic factors. This study evaluated 15 genotypes of spring barley originating from eight countries, including two varieties developed at ARDS Turda (Romania), focusing on key production elements. Given the ongoing changes in environmental conditions, breeders are increasingly interested in varieties with stable yields. Notable genotypes in this regard include RGT Planet, Isaria, Romanița, Turdeana, Avalon, Nimrooz, Quilmes Carisma, Quilmes Alfa, and Tanai. For enhancing resistance to lodging through reduced plant height, the cultivars Rocaforte, RGT Planet, Maja, Avalon, Quilmes Alfa, and Quilmes Carisma are recommended for inclusion in future hybridization programs. We recommend the use of these cultivars in a complex hybridization system to optimize their potential as parent lines.

Up-Conversion Photoluminescence Reconfiguration in Silicon by Inner Microstructure Control of Hybrid Plasmonic-Semiconductor Nanoparticles.

Hybrid metal-semiconductor nanostructures unifying plasmonic and high-refractive-index materials in a single resonant system demonstrate a wide set of unique optical properties. Such systems are a perspective for a broad palette of applications, but the link between their inner structure and optical properties is a very sensitive issue, which is still not revealed. Here, we describe the influence of internal microstructure of a hybrid gold-silicon nanoparticle (the gold nanoparticle with embedded silicon nanograins) on the up-conversion white-light photoluminescence. The evolution in the internal microstructure of the system during thermal treatment up to 500 °C is tracked in situ through the HAADF and EDS STEM techniques. The studies show the redistribution of the materials inside the hybrid nanoparticle and the reduction of the silicon nanograin numbers under heating without an external modification of the nanoparticle shape. We have established numerically that the dependence of the enhancement factor spectral width on the S/V ratio of the nanoparticle plasmonic component is close to the linear behavior. The shrinkage of the photoluminescence spectrum (up to 42%) of the hybrid nanoparticle reconfigured by laser exposure and thermal treatment is shown experimentally, which supports our numerical conclusions. The results shed light on the connection of optical properties of complex hybrid systems with their complex internal composition, providing a powerful tool to control their optical properties through microstructure rearrangement. They also open the way to the development of reconfigurable silicon-based up-conversion light nanosources for integrated optical devices and biophotonics.

Performance Assessment of Atmospheric Water Generators: A Review of Evaluation Tools and Proposal for a Novel Advanced Global Evaluation Index for HVAC–AWG Hybrid Solutions

In the context of an increasing water crisis and rising energy consumption, an integrated approach to plant design and improvement can be highly effective. Specifically, the use of advanced multipurpose Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) machines, integrated into existing or new HVAC systems, can improve efficiency while simultaneously extracting atmospheric water. However, hybrid plant configurations, which encompass both integrated and traditional solutions, can be difficult to assess. This paper presents a brief review of the most widely used AWG evaluation tools and proposes a new index, called AGEI, designed to address the knowledge gap in evaluating hybrid plants from an efficiency perspective. The paper shows how this index provides results that more accurately reflect the real efficiency of hybrid plant configurations compared to the Global Evaluation Index (GEI), which is the only existing tool addressed to the evaluation of integrated multipurpose machines. The work is complemented by the application of AGEI to three complex hybrid plant configurations, two of which include a bottling system supplied by desalination for drinking water production. The index is straightforward and requires only knowledge of the useful effects produced by the analysed plant and their corresponding efficiency indicators.

Exploring the Use of Code-Switching and Code-Mixing Among EFL Faculty Members in Digital Learning Environments

This study aims to investigate the use of code-mixing and code-switching by English as a Foreign Language (EFL) faculty members in the digital learning environment. While code-switching and code-mixing have been examined in various educational contexts, there remains a notable gap in understanding their intentional use within the digital learning environment, where faculty members deliberately alternate or mix languages to enhance clarity, engage students, and achieve specific teaching objectives in an online context. This study addresses this gap by examining how faculty members strategically employ these linguistic phenomena to enhance the learning experience in technologically mediated instructional settings. Employing qualitative research design and a case study approach, data were collected through documentation, observation, and semi-structured interviews. Two experienced EFL faculty members from a university in Malang, Indonesia, were selected as participants due to their expertise in code-switching and digital learning environments. The findings reveal complex code-mixing patterns, including inner, outer, and hybrid forms, while code-switching is observed in interlanguage transitions and shifts between formal and informal language. EFL faculty members intentionally utilize these linguistic strategies to enhance student comprehension. Switching between languages helps explain difficult concepts, clarify ideas, and foster better understanding. Bilingualism and situational context emerge as key factors influencing language choices in the digital learning environment, shaping the pedagogical practices for EFL educators. The implications of this study highlight the strategic role of language alternation in technologically mediated instructional settings, emphasizing its potential to enrich the pedagogical approaches of EFL educators in digital learning environments.

What can we gain from modeling complex hybrid incompatibilities?

What can we gain from modeling complex hybrid incompatibilities?

Anchoring group regulation in semiconductor/molecular complex hybrid photoelectrode for photoelectrochemical water splitting

AbstractRational interface engineering via regulating the anchoring groups between molecular catalysts and light‐absorbing semiconductors is essential and emergent to stabilize the semiconductor/molecular complex interaction and facilitate the photocarriers transport, thus realizing highly active and stable photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. In this mini review, following a showcasing of the fundamental details of hybrid PEC systems containing semiconductor photoelectrodes and molecular catalysts for water splitting, the state‐of‐the‐art progress of anchoring group regulation at semiconductor/molecular complex interface for efficient and stable PEC water splitting, as well as its effect on charge transfer kinetics, are comprehensively reviewed. Finally, potential research directions aimed at building high‐efficiency hybrid PEC water splitting systems are summarized.

Improvement of CO2 Reduction Photocatalysis of a Ru(II)–Re(I) Complex and Carbon Nitride Hybrid by Coadsorption of an Os(II) Complex Photosensitizer

Improvement of CO₂ Reduction Photocatalysis of a Ru(II)–Re(I) Complex and Carbon Nitride Hybrid by Coadsorption of an Os(II) Complex Photosensitizer

Programming liquid crystal elastomers for multistep ambidirectional deformability.

Ambidirectionality, which is the ability of structural elements to move beyond a reference state in two opposite directions, is common in nature. However, conventional soft materials are typically limited to a single, unidirectional deformation unless complex hybrid constructs are used. We exploited the combination of mesogen self-assembly, polymer chain elasticity, and polymerization-induced stress to design liquid crystalline elastomers that exhibit two mesophases: chevron smectic C (cSmC) and smectic A (SmA). Inducing the cSmC-SmA-isotropic phase transition led to an unusual inversion of the strain field in the microstructure, resulting in opposite deformation modes (e.g., consecutive shrinkage or expansion and right-handed or left-handed twisting and tilting in opposite directions) and high-frequency nonmonotonic oscillations. This ambidirectional movement is scalable and can be used to generate Gaussian transformations at the macroscale.

Low complexity hybrid wideband beamforming for millimeter-wave massive MIMO-OFDM systems

Low complexity hybrid wideband beamforming for millimeter-wave massive MIMO-OFDM systems

Integrated modelling and simulation method of hybrid systems based on X language

AbstractModel‐based systems engineering is now leading the way in supporting the design of complex products or systems. The integration of modelling and simulation of continuous‐discrete hybrid systems is the key of model‐based systems engineering. But the existing languages, formalisms and tools cannot support the unified modelling and simulation of hybrid systems and therefore reduces the efficiency of complex system development. To address this issue, this paper develops a design method of complex hybrid systems, which integrates modelling and simulation of the continuous‐discrete hybrid behaviour. Specifically, the authors provided a modelling method of hybrid systems based on the X language, a simulation method based on XDEVS, and a compilation algorithm to transform the hybrid model constructed with X language into XDEVS simulation files. In this way, the X language hybrid model can be automatically translated into XDEVS simulation files by a compiler. The simulation files can then be simulated by the XDEVS simulation engine. The obtained simulation results will be used to verify whether the design scheme meets the design requirements of the hybrid system. Finally, the correctness and feasibility of the proposed method are verified using a car‐driving model.

Depositional model and sedimentation controls of a complex hybrid carbonate–siliciclastic ramp (Albian) – SW Campos Basin, Brazil

Depositional model and sedimentation controls of a complex hybrid carbonate–siliciclastic ramp (Albian) – SW Campos Basin, Brazil

Optimization of Thermal Non-Uniformity Challenges in Liquid-Cooled Lithium-Ion Battery Packs Using NSGA-II

Abstract Heat removal and thermal management are critical for the safe and efficient operation of lithium-ion batteries and packs. Effective removal of dynamically generated heat from cells presents a substantial challenge for thermal management optimization. This study introduces a novel liquid cooling thermal management method aimed at improving temperature uniformity in a battery pack. A complex nonlinear hybrid model is established through traditional full-factor design and back propagation neural network (BPNN) approximation. This model links input parameters such as the number of baffles, baffle angle, and inlet speed to output parameters including maximum temperature, temperature difference, and pressure drop. Global multiobjective optimization is carried out using the Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II to sidestep locally optimal solutions. Pareto optimal solutions are sorted using multiple criteria decision-making techniques. Through thermal management optimization, the maximum temperature rise of the battery relative to the initial temperature is controlled within 7.68 K, the temperature difference is controlled within 4.22 K (below the commonly required 5 K), and the pressure drop is only 83.92 Pa. Results presented in this work may help enhance the performance and efficiency of battery-based energy conversion and storage. The optimization technique used in this work helps maximize the benefit of an innovative battery thermal management technique.

Efficient Transfer of Chirality in Complex Hybrid Materials and Impact on Chirality-induced Spin Selectivity.

Transfer of chirality, or transmission of asymmetric information from one system to another, plays an essential role in fundamental biological and chemical processes and, therefore, is essential for life. This phenomenon also holds immense potential in spintronics in the context of chirality-induced spin selectivity (CISS). In the CISS, the spatial arrangement of chiral molecules influences the spin state of electrons during the charge-transfer processes. Transfer of chirality from chiral molecules to an achiral material in a hybrid environment enables induction of spin polarization in the achiral material, thus vastly expanding the library of CISS-active electronic materials. Such "induced" CISS signals could have different responses compared to pure chiral molecules because the electronic properties of the achiral material come into play in the former case. In addition, multiple chiral sources can be used, which can have a nontrivial contribution to the induced CISS effect and can act either synergistically or antagonistically. This opens the way to achieving tunability of the CISS signals via chemical means. Earlier, such a chirality-transfer phenomenon and the resulting induced CISS effect were demonstrated in a hybrid system containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) functionalized with a chiral agent (Fmoc-diphenylalanine l/d). In this context, we extend this result by investigating the role of an additional chiral moiety (l-lysozyme enzyme crystals) in this system. Here, the chiral crystal surrounds the chiral-functionalized CNTs, and we show that synergistic interactions result in more efficient chirality transfer, resulting in nontrivial changes in the CISS effect. This manifests in the form of (a) a stronger CISS signal compared to only one single chiral agent, (b) nonmonotonic temperature dependence and sign reversal of the CISS signal, and (c) persistence of the CISS signal at higher temperatures. Hybrid chiral materials with multiple chiral sources could, therefore, offer intricate control of the CISS signal via modification of its constituents, which is not possible in homogeneous chiral systems with single chiral sources.

A Morphological Analysis of Polish Complex Nie-Nouns: A Case of a Morphosyntactic Hybrid

The aim of this paper is to explore the thus far unstudied territory of a class of Polish hybrid complex nouns with the initial negative morpheme nie. The study seeks to determine the morphological structure of what seems to be a case of “syntax-inside-morphology” in the domain of Polish word-formation. Among a rich array of morphological structures in which the negative morpheme in question can be found, there is one word-formation type whose derivational base is, as will be argued below, a syntactic phrase. I wish to demonstrate conclusively that what appears to be sheer concatenation of morphological building blocks is, in fact, a complex noun built on a phrasal unit. This atypical combination of seemingly incompatible categories in separate grammatical domains can be referred to as a morphosyntactic hybrid. I believe that the study may have far-reaching consequences for the descriptive adequacy of the Polish word-formation system and point to new directions in the discussion on the morphology-syntax interface.