Rapid Changes Research Articles

Quantifying Altitudinal Mercury Accumulation in Biomonitors along Himalayan Valleys Using Mercury Isotopes.

The Himalayan valleys are important transport channels of atmospheric pollutants from South Asia to the Tibetan Plateau. This study aims to demonstrate the use of biomonitors (i.e., tree foliage, bark, mosses, and lichens) in the Himalayas to understand the sources and accumulation of mercury (Hg), including the transboundary atmospheric Hg transport across the Himalayas. Results showed that the significant variability in the physiological characteristics and nutrient uptake pathways, coupled with rapid changes in topography and climate-forced precipitation, led to significant differences in concentrations and isotopic compositions among biomonitor species. Δ199Hg values (-0.32 to -0.10‰) at the lower altitudes were slightly more positive than values at upper altitudes, likely reflecting signals of transboundary transport of anthropogenic Hg from South Asia. The isotope mixing model determined atmospheric Hg0 as the main source of Hg in most biomonitors (67 ± 13% to 88 ± 13%), except for Usnea longissimas (i.e., a unique type of lichen) with 61 ± 16% contribution of atmospheric Hg2+. Additionally, the morphological structure and epiphytic environment of U. longissimas facilitate aqueous Hg secondary reactions. Our results suggest that the Hg cycling in the Himalayan valleys could mix multiple impacts from montane environments and signals of transboundary transport of anthropogenic Hg from South Asia.

The temporal specificity of BOLD fMRI is systematically related to anatomical and vascular features of the human brain

Abstract The ability to detect fast responses with functional MRI depends on the speed of hemodynamic responses to neural activity, because hemodynamic responses act as a temporal low-pass filter which blurs rapid changes. However, the shape and timing of hemodynamic responses are highly variable across the brain and across stimuli. This heterogeneity of responses implies that the temporal specificity of fMRI signals, or the ability of fMRI to preserve fast information, could also vary substantially across the cortex. In this work we investigated how local differences in hemodynamic response timing affect the temporal specificity of fMRI. We used ultra-high field (7T) fMRI at high spatiotemporal resolution, studying the primary visual cortex (V1) as a model area for investigation. We used visual stimuli oscillating at slow and fast frequencies to probe the temporal specificity of individual voxels. As expected, we identified substantial variability in temporal specificity, with some voxels preserving their responses to fast neural activity more effectively than others. We investigated which voxels had the highest temporal specificity, and tested whether voxel timing was related to anatomical and vascular features. We found that low temporal specificity is only weakly explained by the presence of large veins or cerebral cortical depth. Notably, however, temporal specificity depended strongly on a voxel’s position along the anterior-posterior anatomical axis of V1, with voxels within the calcarine sulcus being capable of preserving close to 25% of their amplitude as the frequency of stimulation increased from 0.05Hz to 0.20Hz, and voxels nearest to the occipital pole preserving less than 18%. These results indicate that detection biases in high-resolution fMRI will depend on the anatomical and vascular features of the area being imaged, and that these biases will differ depending on the timing of the underlying neuronal activity. While we attribute this variance primarily to hemodynamic effects, neuronal nonlinearities may also influence response timing. Importantly, this spatial heterogeneity of temporal specificity suggests that it could be exploited to achieve higher specificity in some locations, and that tailored data analysis strategies may help improve the detection and interpretation of fast fMRI responses.

Cash to Contactless: History, Advantages, and Evolution of this Payment Mode in Albania

Cash Payments have traditionally played a significant role in the economy of Albania, as in many countries. Over the decades, Albanian people prefer cash transactions due to cultural factors, financial inclusions, and economic considerations. Decades ago cash was the only way to perform payments, but the evolution of ATM, Debit Card, Credit Cards and other payment options, has played a significant role. During the latest years, the evolution of contactless payments reflects a significant shift in consumer behaviour and technology development. The 2010s saw rapid adaptation, fuelled by the rise of mobile wallets and smartphones, which integrated payment options seamlessly into daily life. In Albanian Banking Industry as contactless payments became more mainstream, advantages such as speed, convenience, security, and paying without any contact, pushed the Albanian customers to embrace this kind of payment, as the fastest choice to perform transactions. Contactless payments in Albania have been gaining traction in recent years, reflecting a broader trend towards digitalization in financial services, threating PIN & Chip payments. Through analyses between different periods, we will try to understand if the contactless payments are the first choice in Albania, and if the financial industries and customers are prepared to these rapid changes. Received: 16 August 2024 / Accepted: 10 November 2024 / Published: 3 December 2024

Forecasting power system flexibility requirements: A hybrid deep-learning approach

The rapid growth of Variable and Renewable Energies (VRE) worldwide poses significant challenges to power systems, particularly in managing rapid changes in load and generation. A critical research gap exists in effectively forecasting Residual Load (RL) to enhance power system flexibility, as existing methods often struggle with the volatility and non-linearities introduced by VRE. This paper addresses this gap by proposing a novel hybrid forecasting framework that integrates Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise (CEEMDAN) and a Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory (ConvLSTM-2D) Artificial Neural Network (ANN). This framework is designed to more accurately capture complex patterns in RL data, thereby improving forecast accuracy under high volatility conditions. We apply this methodology to forecast half-hourly RL for 2021 in the French region of Occitanie, achieving an average Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 4.29 %. Our results demonstrate that the proposed framework significantly outperforms existing models, offering consistent accuracy over time and proving highly suitable for practical daily use among energy stakeholders.

Provocările și oportunitățile interacțiunii umane cu inteligența artificială în domeniul teatral - Un studiu despre teatrul telematic

The last few years have seen rapid changes in the technology development in the most varied fields. Even the theater had no way to escape from these new trends, especially with the advent of the pandemic which accelerated the appearance of new types of theater and performances, out of necessity. In this paper, we will present and analyze the personal experience with the telematic theater and the interaction with the character Ogmios, a theatrical robot, all within the Tele-Encounters project. This project aimed to develop telepresence as an artistic language. We talk about the challenges and opportunities regarding the potential of AI to restructure the theatrical world, and about the need for interdisciplinary collaboration between artists, ethicists and robotics experts, and we launch hypotheses about what the future could look like among robots, artificial intelligence and telepresence

Deep Learning Enhanced Wind Speed and Direction Forecasting for Airport Regions

Abstract This work introduces a deep-learning architecture tailored for accurate wind speed and direction forecasting for airports using a grid-based input. Moving beyond the limitations of conventional forecasting methods, which struggle with rapid and localized atmospheric changes and demand substantial computational power, this study positions a machine-learning approach as a superior alternative for wind nowcasting. By employing a comprehensive dataset covering 75 years, the proposed model distinguishes itself by achieving a mean absolute error of 1.26 m/s for wind speed and 16.18° for wind direction in the examined location, Madeira International Airport area. The model's robustness was further validated using transfer learning across ten global airport areas, each with diverse atmospheric conditions, resulting in consistent accuracy. Additionally, a precision forecast focused specifically on the runway was conducted, and its performance was found to be consistent with the broader spatial area forecasts. These results underscore the potential of machine learning in wind prediction for aviation, highlighting a promising pathway for future advancements in weather forecasting technology.

Ocean warming drives immediate mass loss from calving glaciers in the high Arctic

Glaciers in the Arctic have lost considerable mass during the last two decades. About a third of the glaciers by area drains into the ocean, yet the mechanisms and drivers governing mass loss at glacier calving fronts are poorly constrained in part due to few long-term glacier-ocean observations. Here, we combine a detailed satellite-based record of calving front ablation for Austfonna, the largest ice cap on Svalbard, with in-situ ocean records from an offshore mooring and modelled freshwater runoff for the period 2018-2022. We show that submarine melting and calving occur almost exclusively in autumn for all types of outlet glaciers, even for the surging and fast-flowing glacier Storisstraumen. Ocean temperature controls the observed frontal ablation, whereas subglacial runoff of surface meltwater appears to have little direct impact on the total ablation. The seasonal warming of the offshore waters varies both in magnitude, depth and timing, suggesting a complex interplay between inflowing Atlantic-influenced water at depth and seasonally warmed surface water in the Barents Sea. The immediate response of frontal ablation to seasonal ocean warming suggests that marine-terminating glaciers in high Arctic regions exposed to Atlantification are prone to rapid changes that should be accounted for in future glacier projections.

Nature-Based Solutions for Flood Mitigation in Metropolitan Areas

Flooding is a globally common problem in metropolitan areas including Jakarta, Indonesia. The increased intensity and frequency of rainfall caused by climate change and rapid urbanization have raised the risk of flooding in urban areas. One solution is to implement polders to mitigate flooding in coastal metropolitan areas. Regrettably, the current polder system is inadequate for managing flooding due to rapid land-use changes and regional expansion. This study analyzes flood control in the Jakarta region using the East Sunter Polder System, which experienced flooding in both 1990 and 2020 despite the implementation of the polder system. The polder system, consisting of four catchment areas—Petukangan, KBN 1/Sukapura, KBN 2, and Kebantenan—faces drainage challenges exacerbated by rainfall. To mitigate flood risks, Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) have been implemented, including retention ponds and long storage systems. Hydrological and hydraulic analyses were conducted using HEC-HMS and HEC-RAS, and ArcGIS was employed for floodplain integration. This study underscores the significance of incorporating NBSs in urban flood management, demonstrating how they enhance resilience and mitigate flood risks. By integrating NBSs into the urban planning framework, the findings suggest that flood risk management can be significantly improved, leading to better preparation and long-term sustainability for managing natural hazards.

A Novel Hybrid Approach for Global Maximum Power Point Tracking in Standalone PV Systems

The efficiency of Photo-Voltaic (PV) systems is highly dependent on their ability to accurately track the Global Maximum Power Point (GMPP) under varying environmental conditions. Traditional Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) methods often struggle with issues such as slow tracking speed, susceptibility to local maxima, and the need for complex parameter tuning, particularly in dynamically changing environments with Partial Shading Conditions (PSCs) and rapid irradiation changes. To address these challenges, this study introduces a hybrid approach that combines a modified Rao algorithm with the Perturb and Observe (P&O) method. The modified Rao algorithm was employed in the initial tracking stages to quickly locate the global vicinity, benefiting from its simplicity and the absence of algorithm-specific parameters, whereas the P&O method ensured precise tracking in the final stages. The performance of the proposed method was assessed on a PV array subjected to PSCs and compared with several well-known MPPT algorithms, such as Gray Wolf Optimization (GWO), JayaDE, and the Slime Mould Algorithm (SMO). The proposed approach was implemented and analyzed using the MATLAB/Simulink software.

THEORETICAL APPROACHES TO THE FORMATION OF BUSINESS PROCESSES IN THE SPHERE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN THE CONTEXT OF DIGITALISATION

THE PURPOSE OF THE ARTICLE is to study theoretical approaches to the formation of business processes in the field of information technology in the context of digitalization. RESEARCH METHODS. The following methods were used in the article: SWOT-analysis; PESTLE-analysis; benchmarking; market and competitor research; data analysis and BI (Business Intelligence); project management; analysis and synthesis, graphical and tabular methods. PRESENTING MAIN MATERIAL. Modern development of society, digitalization of the economy, globalization and digitalization of economic processes determine fundamentally new approaches to the formation of business processes in the field of information technology in the context of digitalization. The formation of business processes in the IT sector is determined by the rapid pace of digitalization and its impact on all aspects of modern enterprises. Digitalization is a key factor in achieving competitive advantages in the global market, as it allows optimizing business processes, automating business operations, improving communication and data-driven decision-making. The role of business processes in the context of digitalization is to increase the efficiency and speed of enterprises, which allows them to respond quickly to new challenges, minimize costs and improve the quality of products and services. In the context of IT enterprises, digitalization not only accelerates processes but also radically changes the very nature of business, forcing enterprises to adapt their models, strategies, and business processes. The study of theoretical approaches to the formation of business processes in the context of digital transformation has shown that the main approaches are: classical approaches (process-oriented, Input-Output model, Project-Based Approach); modern approaches (Agile methodologies, Lean Management, DevOps). The following features of IT business processes were identified: dynamism and flexibility; innovation; project-oriented structure. The following tools are used to model and optimize business processes in the IT sector in the context of digitalization: BPMN; ERP systems; project management tools. It is proved that business processes in the IT sector cannot function without a synergistic combination of the main components of digitalization: automation, integration, analytics, flexibility and adaptability, artificial intelligence, cloud technologies. CONCLUSIONS. It is established that the digitalization of IT enterprises provides new opportunities for optimizing business processes and achieving competitive advantages. It is proved that the introduction of digital technologies contributes to the automation, integration, efficiency and flexibility of business processes. It is determined that IT enterprises should actively use innovative approaches to adapt to the latest market conditions, taking into account theoretical variations and functional aspects of digitalization. It is proved that the formation of business processes in the IT sector requires taking into account theoretical and practical aspects, where classical approaches (process-oriented, project approach) remain basic, and modern approaches (Agile, Lean and DevOps) open up new opportunities for optimizing processes and increasing their efficiency. It has been established that technological innovations, in particular artificial intelligence and cloud solutions, play a synergistic role in transforming business processes in the IT sector, helping enterprises to remain competitive in the face of rapid change and globalization. KEYWORDS: business processes; information technologies; digitalization; theoretical approaches; IT enterprises; competitive advantages; digital technologies; automation; integration; adaptation; classical approaches; modern approaches; artificial intelligence; transformation.

Nursing interventions for pediatric patients with CANCER and their families: A scoping review

BackgroundClinical nursing care is an essential element in pediatric oncology. The body of research interventions targeting pediatric oncology patients and their families has grown in recent years. However, no reviews are currently available on nursing interventions for pediatric oncology. AimThe aim was to develop a comprehensive overview of the available nursing interventions for pediatric oncology patients and their families, outline the characteristics of the interventions, and identify any knowledge gaps. MethodsThis review was conducted in accordance with the JBI guidelines for scoping reviews. Citations were retrieved from the following databases: Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, PsyclNFO, and Embase. The following inclusion criteria were applied: peer-reviewed studies written in English, Danish, Norwegian, or Swedish from 2000 onwards, reporting on pediatric patients with cancer and/or family members of a pediatric patient with cancer who received non-pharmacological and non-procedural nursing interventions provided by a pediatric oncology hospital service. Eligible studies were screened by title and abstract, and in full text by two independent reviewers. Critical appraisal was achieved using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. FindingsAmong 2762 references, 26 studies met the inclusions criteria, comprising 25 unique nursing interventions. 89 % had been published from 2013 onwards, reflecting the rapid changes occurring in pediatric oncology treatment. 36 % were qualitative, 58 % were quantitative and 8 % employed mixed methods. The studies were characterized by considerable diversity in terms of intervention content, components, timing of delivery, and delivery mode. 60 % of the interventions were targeted parents among whom mothers were highly overrepresented (75 %). 16 % adopted a family-centered focus. ConclusionThis review contributes to building a more comprehensive understanding of the evidence base within pediatric oncology nursing research. This field is evolving and holds the potential to support families with childhood cancer across various phases of their treatment trajectory. However, a clear need exists to develop and test interventions with a genuinely family-centered focus, targeting both patients and family members. A considerable gap exists in reporting of the intervention development process and intervention characteristics. Improving the reporting of intervention development is needed to enhance research quality and facilitate subsequent adaptation or upscaling of interventions for use in other populations and contexts. Tweetable abstractNursing interventions can support families with childhood cancer but future intervention studies need to enhance transparency in reporting @IJNSjournal.

Understanding Decadal-Scale Dynamics in the Bering Sea: Investigating Trends and Variability in Sea Ice, Winds, and Waves

Abstract Despite the societal and economic importance of the Bering Sea, recent rapid changes in surface ocean conditions are not well documented. We address this gap by characterizing the Bering Sea winter ice–wind–wave climate using satellite observations and reanalysis data. Nine of the last 10 years (2014–23) have experienced anomalously low sea ice extent relative to the 1980–2023 mean. Between 2003 and 2023, gale force wind speeds have become more common and satellite altimeter observations show significant wave height (SWH) has increased ≥6 m, and has increased by 1 m between 2003 and 2023, while 20 days yr−1 exhibit SWH > 9 m. Winters between 2018 and 2023 were the six stormiest since 2003, and the sea ice season decreases by 1–4 days yr−1. Should ice loss in the Bering Sea continue to decline, we hypothesize that the frequency of extreme waves over the Bering Sea shelf would increase, severely impacting coastal communities. In September 2022, extratropical cyclone Merbok caused unprecedented SWH (>15 m) over the shelf which were uncharacteristic for the season, and caused widespread coastal inundation and property damage. Such anomalous wave conditions exemplify the emerging threat storms pose in a future where sea ice is absent more frequently in winter, when severe storms are most common. Satellite altimeters have improved the observation of surface ocean conditions in the Bering Sea during the most intense storms, and we demonstrate that a suite of five or more altimeters is required to capture regional events adequately. Significance Statement Although the Bering Sea region has recently endured rapid sea ice loss and the decline of several species important for subsistence and commercial fishing, it has relatively few resources to monitor and mitigate changing climatic conditions. In this article, we show that extreme wind and wave conditions in the Bering Sea have strongly increased in recent years, as sea ice has declined. This points to a need for reliable and continued monitoring, and with only two wave buoys providing year-round observations, an adequate constellation of ocean remote sensing instruments is required to capture extreme ocean–ice–atmosphere events in an isolated and challenging environment.

Experimental study on dynamic flow and heat transfer performance of silicon-based microchannel under variable thermal load

The issue of high power density in chips has become one of the bottlenecks restricting the improvement of chip performance. Silicon-based microchannel heat sinks (Si-MCHS) can guide the cooling fluid close to the chip junction, significantly enhancing the cooling capability. Due to the rapid changes in chip power consumption, understanding the flow and heat transfer performance of Si-MCHS, especially their dynamic heat transfer performance, is crucial. This paper introduces the fabrication of Si-MCHS and experimentally tests its static and dynamic performance. The microchannels can handle a maximum thermal flux of 71.3 W/cm2. It was found that the temperature response process of Si-MCHS mirrors that of a first-order system’s step response or zero-input response. Upon a sudden change in power consumption, the thermal response can reach 90 % of the steady-state temperature difference (ΔT) within 4 s and 50 % ΔT within 1 s. Increasing the pump speed significantly reduces the response time, while different power step changes have minimal impact on the response time. Consequently, we have formulated a graded flow rate control strategy based on the flow and heat transfer performance of Si-MCHS, which achieves effective flow rate control.

Diverse genomic and epidemiological landscapes of redundant pbp5 genes in Enterococcus spp.: Insights into plasmid mobilization, ampicillin susceptibility, and environmental interactions.

Genetic redundancy in bacteria plays a crucial role in enhancing adaptability and accelerating evolution in response to selective pressures, particularly those associated with rapid environmental changes. Aminopenicillins like ampicillin are important therapeutic options for Enterococcus infections in both humans and animals, with resistance mostly associated with pbp5 gene mutations or overexpression. While the occurrence of redundant pbp5 genes has been occasionally reported, the advantages for the host bacteria have not been explored in detail. During a whole-genome sequencing project of Enterococcus faecium from bacteremic patients, we identified an ST592 strain (Efm57) with redundant pbp5 genes. This presented an opportunity to investigate the prevalence and implications of multiple pbp5 acquisitions in diverse Enterococcus species across various sources, geographical regions, and timeframes. The analysis of 618 complete Enterococcus genomes from public databases revealed that 3.2% harbored redundant pbp5 genes, located on chromosomes or plasmids across different species from diverse epidemiological backgrounds. The proteins encoded by these genes showed homologies ranging from 51.1% to 97.5% compared to native copies. Phylogenetic analysis grouped redundant PBP5 amino acid sequences into three distinct clades, with insertion sequences (mostly IS6-like) facilitating their recent spread to diverse plasmids with varying genetic backbones. The presence of multiple antibiotic resistance genes on pbp5-plasmids, including those conferring resistance to linezolid, underscores their involvement in co-selection and recombination events with other clinically-relevant antibiotics. Conjugation experiments confirmed the transferability of a specific 24kb pbp5-plasmid from the Efm57 strain. This plasmid was associated with higher minimum inhibitory concentrations of ampicillin and conferred bacteria growth advantages at 22°C. In conclusion, the widespread distribution of redundant pbp5 genes among Enterococcus spp. highlights the complex interplay between genetic mobility, environmental factors, and multidrug resistance in overlapping ecosystems emphasizing the importance of understanding these dynamics to mitigate antibiotic resistance spread within the One Health framework.

Navigating the Storm: Career Strategies for Today's Tumultuous Work Environment

This article provides a strategic framework to help professionals navigate their careers amid today's disruptive workplace dynamics. After outlining three primary challenges—technological disruption, economic uncertainty, and rapid organizational change—that are contributing to a more tumultuous work environment, the article introduces a career navigation model centered around developing advanced and transferable skills, cultivating a diverse professional network, establishing a strong personal brand, and prioritizing personal well-being. Examples from different industries illustrate how individuals can apply the recommended skills, networking, branding, and self-care strategies to proactively guide their career journeys through periods of turbulence. The goal is to equip professionals with research-backed guidance for strategically steering their own career paths during an era defined by disruptions, unpredictability and constant change in the world of work.

The impact of a storm on the microtidal flat in the Yellow River Delta

Strong hydrodynamic forces generated by storms are key in shaping coastal tidal flats. Most tidal flats achieve equilibrium by adapting to hydrodynamic conditions and sediment inputs. However, high-energy wave activity during storms disrupts this equilibrium, causing rapid and significant changes, particularly in tidal flats, especially in microtidal flats, which are characterized by low tidal ranges. In this study, we conducted an 11-d field campaign on a microtidal flat in the Yellow River Delta (YRD), capturing data during both stormy and calm weather conditions. We measured tidal currents, wave activity, suspended sediment concentrations and sediment grain sizes. The results demonstrated that the tidal flat maintained equilibrium under calm conditions, with minimal fluctuations in bed level (within ±2 mm). Contrastingly, severe erosion and sediment removal during the storm significantly altered the equilibrium of the area. The storm-induced high shear stresses, ranging from 1.02 to 1.48 , along with alongshore sediment transport, resulted in an elevation change of -10 mm. Furthermore, the subsequent bed level recovery was minimal and insufficient to offset the erosion. Compared to that of the mesotidal and macrotidal flats, post-storm recovery on microtidal flats was limited due to shorter inundation periods and weaker hydrodynamic forces. Therefore, frequent storms may lead to continuous shoreline retreat on microtidal coasts. Conclusively, the present findings underscore the significant impact of storm-induced erosion on the evolutionary processes of microtidal flats and suggest that greater attention should be given to protecting these areas during storms in the Yellow River Delta. The insights can guide the development of more effective coastal protection strategies, highlighting the need for enhanced measures to mitigate erosion and promote resilience in microtidal regions.

Multigenerational hybridisation results in heterosis and facilitates adaptive introgression, with no evidence of outbreeding depression in a pair of marine gastropods.

Anthropogenic environmental changes continue to threaten species globally. For example, translocation of species has caused unintentional hybridisation, which has contributed to species declines. On the other hand, hybridisation can be used to increase the evolutionary potential of species vulnerable to rapid environmental change, although the benefits of mixing genetically divergent lineages do not come without risks to individual fitness and the long-term viability of populations. Here, we use a combination of genome-wide Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers, mitochondrial DNA sequencing and measurements of growth rate to determine the genetic consequences of hybridisation between two congeneric marine gastropods across 27 years (~18 generations). Multigeneration hybridisation resulted from the introduction of the intertidal periwinkle Bembicium vittatum (a direct developer) into the native range of its congener Bembicium auratum (a species with planktotrophic larval dispersal). Despite significant genetic divergence between the species, we found no direct evidence of outbreeding depression in the admixed population. Instead, we found evidence for heterosis, which dissipated over time. After an initial lag, the frequency of introduced B. vittatum alleles declined dramatically in the hybrid population. However, a few B. vittatum alleles (3.18%) increased significantly in frequency against the overall trend, providing evidence of adaptive introgression. In the context of hybridisation as a conservation management tool, our results provide some evidence of the potential benefits that can be gained, and suggest that the costs due to outbreeding depression can be small.

Burying beetles as a model organism to study sex differences in parental care

AbstractIn species where both sexes care for offspring, one parent—generally the female—typically provides more care than the other. While current theory offers broad predictions on the evolution of sex differences in parental care, it remains unclear whether ecological factors, such as short-term environmental variation and the intrinsic state of parents, also influence the size of existing asymmetries between parents. Here, I highlight how recent work on burying beetles (Nicrophorus sp.), a now well-established taxon to study biparental care, has contributed to research on sex differences in parenting. Although female burying beetles provide more care than males, the extent of this asymmetry is context-dependent as each sex constantly readjusts care depending on the surrounding environment and own state. Nevertheless, despite variation in the magnitude of the sex differences, there are still clear patterns of care specific to each species, highlighting the importance of the evolutionary history. Finally, the presence of sex differences presumably has consequences for the efficiency of parental care and can affect offspring performance. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the life-history and environmental conditions driving sex differences in parenting, we need more natural history research on the less commonly studied Nicrophorus species and more work examining behavioural responses to rapid environmental changes in all taxa. Addressing these gaps will contribute to our understanding of how sexual conflict over care is resolved and how biparental cooperation persists despite asymmetries between caring parents.

Enhancement of battery thermal management effect by a novel MOF based composite phase change material

The introduction of phase change materials (PCMs) into battery thermal management systems (BTMS) can effectively enhance the cooling performance, safety and practical thermal management applications of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, further study is needed to address the low heat conductivity and rapid phase change leakage of PCMs. This study proposed a metal–organic framework based shape-stabilized composite PCM (MOF/expanded graphite (EG) /multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) /paraffin wax (PW)) to construe battery cooling system, and its effect of battery thermal management is experimentally tested under various conditions. The results show the CPCM reveals a superior thermal management effect under varying ambient temperatures and discharge multipliers and outperforms natural convection. Even in the harsh environment of 40 °C and 3 C, the maximum temperature (Tmax) and Tmax difference (ΔTmax) of the CPCM-cooled module are 61.38 and 2.67 °C, which are 22 and 9 °C below the natural air-cooled module. Remarkably, the ΔTmax of the CPCM-cooled battery module in discharge decreases with the temperature rise at the discharge rate of 3 C, which is the exact opposite to the case of the air-cooled module. Moreover, the ΔTmax of CPCM-cooled module is 1.69, 1.84, 2.67 °C, all below the safe 5 °C at high temperatures (40 °C) as the discharge rate increases. The designed MOF-CPCM cooling system can effectively improve the temperature uniformity and thermal safety of the battery in harsh environments. Therefore, this novel MOF-based CPCM shows great promise in BTM.

Restructuring of Femoral Cortical Bone During Growth and Locomotor Development of Wild Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus)

ABSTRACTObjectiveChimpanzees are altricial in terms of their locomotor development and transition from being carried to engaging in suspensory and arboreal locomotor behaviors to eventually relying on terrestrial quadrupedalism as their main form of locomotion. Here, we consider the mechanical implications of femoral cortical bone restructuring during growth and locomotor development in wild chimpanzees.Materials and MethodsCortical bone structure was examined in an ontogenetic sample of wild chimpanzees from a single subspecies (P. t. verus) spanning in age from 2 weeks to 12.6 years. Diaphyseal cross‐sections were extracted from micro‐CT scans of the femur at 35%, 50%, and 65% of total intermetaphyseal length and variation in cortical bone structure was assessed based on bending rigidity (Imax/Imin, Ix/Iy), relative medullary area, and cortical bone porosity.ResultsDiaphyseal shape is relatively circular with a high amount of cortical bone porosity and a large relative medullary area during early infancy. Distinct shifts in cortical bone structure occurred for each studied parameter with the biggest changes occurring within the first 5 years. Values appear to stabilize as quadrupedal walking increases in frequency and is established as the main form of locomotion.DiscussionCollectively, the results suggest a degree of integration in which cortical bone restructures in response to rapid changes in locomotion in addition to nonmechanical influences such as hormonal, and growth factors, without compromising function and structural integrity. The extent of influence of each factor varies throughout growth and highlights the need for caution in functional interpretations of cortical bone geometry.