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Time-bin (TB) and energy-time (ET) entanglements are crucial resources for long-distance quantum information processing. However, their standard implementations suffer from the so-called post-selection loophole that allows for classical simulation and thus prevents quantum advantage. The post-selection loophole has been addressed in proof-of-principle experiments. An open problem though is to close it in real-life applications based on integrated technologies. This is especially important since, so far, all integrated sources of TB and ET entanglements suffer from the post-selection loophole. Here, we report post-selection loophole-free certification of TB or ET entanglement in integrated technologies, by implementing in a silicon nitride chip the “hug” scheme [Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 040401 (2009) [CrossRef] ] and certifying genuine TB entanglement through the violation of a Bell inequality.

Waste seashells from aquaculture are a massive source of biogenic calcium carbonate (bCC) that can be a potential substitute for ground calcium carbonate and precipitated calcium carbonate. These last materials find several applications in industry after a surface coating with hydrophobic molecules, with stearate as the most used. Here, we investigate for the first time the capability of aqueous stearate dispersions to coat bCC powders from seashells of market-relevant mollusc aquaculture species, namely the oyster Crassostrea gigas, the scallop Pecten jacobaeus, and the clam Chamelea gallina. The chemical-physical features of bCC were extensively characterized by different analytical techniques. The results of stearate adsorption experiments showed that the oyster shell powder, which is the bCC with a higher content of the organic matrix, showed the highest adsorption capability (about 23 wt % compared to 10 wt % of geogenic calcite). These results agree with the mechanism proposed in the literature in which stearate adsorption mainly involves the formation of calcium stearate micelles in the dispersion before the physical adsorption. The coated bCC from oyster shells was also tested as fillers in an ethylene vinyl acetate compound used for the preparation of shoe soles. The obtained compound showed better mechanical performance than the one prepared using ground calcium. In conclusion, we can state that bCC can replace ground and precipitated calcium carbonate and has a higher stearate adsorbing capability. Moreover, they represent an environmentally friendly and sustainable source of calcium carbonate that organisms produce by high biological control over composition, polymorphism, and crystal texture. These features can be exploited for applications in fields where calcium carbonate with selected features is required.

The decline of soil organic matter (SOM) and micro and macronutrients is among the most serious threats that many agricultural soils in the world are facing. In many countries, soil amendments from a wide range of organic wastes are increasingly used as a win-win strategy to mitigate global warming while enhancing soil fertility and, in turn, food security. Digestate, a by-product of the anaerobic digestion, is often used as a fertilizer and an amendment. However, an in-depth understanding of its impacts on native SOM and organic carbon (OC) stabilization mechanisms is still needed. The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of solid vs. liquid digestates on both SOM accrual and distribution in particulate organic matter (POM) and mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) pools, after 0, 3 and 6 months from their application. None of the amendments had significant effects on soil OC and total nitrogen concentrations and stocks. However, after 6 months, a clear difference in OC distribution between SOM pools was observed as a function of the digestate phase applied to soil. In particular, the MAOM to POM ratio decreased in the soil amended with solid digestate with respect to the unamended control soil, while this ratio did not differ following liquid digestate amendment. Thermal analysis suggested that the interaction between SOM and mineral surfaces, rather than the biochemical recalcitrance, is the major SOM stabilization mechanism in both unamended and amended soils. This study highlighted that a more in-depth evaluation of OC accrual through digestate application, especially in the short term, can be achieved by investigating functionally defined fractions rather than bulk SOM.

Molecular nanomagnets (MNMs), molecules containing interacting spins, have been a playground for quantum mechanics. They are characterized by many accessible low-energy levels that can be exploited to store and process quantum information. This naturally opens the possibility of using them as qudits, thus enlarging the tools of quantum logic with respect to qubit-based architectures. These additional degrees of freedom recently prompted the proposal for encoding qubits with embedded quantum error correction (QEC) in single molecules. QEC is the holy grail of quantum computing and this qudit approach could circumvent the large overhead of physical qubits typical of standard multi-qubit codes. Another important strength of the molecular approach is the extremely high degree of control achieved in preparing complex supramolecular structures where individual qudits are linked preserving their individual properties and coherence. This is particularly relevant for building quantum simulators, controllable systems able to mimic the dynamics of other quantum objects. The use of MNMs for quantum information processing is a rapidly evolving field which still requires to be fully experimentally explored. The key issues to be settled are related to scaling up the number of qudits/qubits and their individual addressing. Several promising possibilities are being intensively explored, ranging from the use of single-molecule transistors or superconducting devices to optical readout techniques. Moreover, new tools from chemistry could be also at hand, like the chiral-induced spin selectivity. In this paper, we will review the present status of this interdisciplinary research field, discuss the open challenges and envisioned solution paths which could finally unleash the very large potential of molecular spins for quantum technologies.

The recent fast development of the microalgae-related biotechnologies has enabled the availability of sustainable and nutrients-rich raw materials to be used as substitution of conventional sources in aquafeed formulation. However the cost of energy of the photobioreactors used to produce these microorganisms still constrained their wider inclusion into aquafeed compounds. By exploiting industrial waste outputs, Nannochloropsis sp. and Spirulina sp. were produced and utilised to formulate two experimental enrichments (LM1 and LM2). During a 60 days trial, their efficacy have been tested as Artemia metanauplii enrichments in the diet of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) larvae, in comparison to a commercial control. Larvae were fed with isonitrogenous and isolipidic dietary treatments. Each dietary treatment presented a specific profile for the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids ARA, DHA and EPA. Ratio of DHA/EPA in enriched Artemia of 4:1 as in the case of LM1 and LM2 in the presence of 1.4% of ARA (as a % on total fatty acid) guaranteed equal results to the control which displayed a ratio of DHA/EPA of 2:1 with 2.2% of ARA. No significant effects of the dietary treatments were detected in final survival, growth performance and incidence of skeletal anomalies. Regarding oxidative status, larvae fed with LM2 enrichment presented lower catalase activity than control larvae with no signs of oxidative damage, suggesting a potential antioxidant effect of LM2. The present study contributes to expanding the existing literature on successful utilisation of microalgae and cyanobacteria, used to produce valuable nutrients, in a perspective of circular nutrients economy

Drainage basins of the Northern Apennines, particularly in the clayey settings, bear among the highest rates of landsliding worldwide. A history of major land cover changes has left a landscape characterized by sparse, coppice-managed forest, transitional shrubs, and actively eroding badlands. Historical trends of landslide occurrence are examined in the Sillaro River basin (139 km2) in relation to land cover and climatic changes. To this purpose we have compiled a multi-temporal (1954–2018) landslide inventory (n = 1164) across twelve sequential photo sets that bears decadal (7- to 15-yr) and finer (2- to 6-yr) temporal resolution respectively before and after 1996. To account for changes in meteorological forcing, we examine: (i) the total annual precipitation (PRCPTOT); (ii) the annual maximum daily precipitation (RX1day); and (iii) the precipitation fraction (R99pTOT) due to extremely wet days. We find that landslide activity is strongly controlled by lithology, with landslide densities in claystones 3-to-4 times higher than in marl-sandstone alternations. This difference is chiefly associated with badlands, which are the most active land cover type and where new scars at a site could recur up to nine times. To evaluate the influence of varying temporal resolution on inventory completeness, hence on inference about land cover and climatic effects, we constrain the time scales of landslide visibility and assess the relative rates of undersampling. We find that visibility functions decline non-linearly with time, and that an inventory compiled at 5-year resolution would be missing up to 20 % of the landslide scars, with the size of an additional 27 % that would be underestimated due to revegetation. Overall, detection of entire landslide scars, which varies with land cover, becomes rare after 13 years in transitional shrubs, and after 17 years in badlands and managed forest. The historical analysis shows that landslide count: (i) increases in 1955–1976, a period o

Nanotechnology's potential in revolutionising cancer treatments is evident in targeted drug delivery systems (DDSs) engineered to optimise therapeutic efficacy and minimise toxicity. This study examines a novel nanocarrier constructed with carbon nano-onions (CNOs), engineered and evaluated for its ability to selectively target cancer cells overexpressing the hyaluronic acid receptor; CD44. Our results highlighted that the CNO-based nanocarrier coupled with hyaluronic acid as the targeting agent demonstrated effective uptake by CD44+ PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2 cells, while avoiding CD44- Capan-1 cells. The CNO-based nanocarrier also exhibited excellent biocompatibility in all tested pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells, as well as healthy cells. Notably, the CNO-based nanocarrier was successfully loaded with chemotherapeutic 4-(N)-acyl- sidechain-containing prodrugs derived from gemcitabine (GEM). These prodrugs alone exhibited remarkable efficacy in killing PDAC cells which are known to be GEM resistant, and their efficacy was amplified when combined with the CNO-based nanocarrier, particularly in targeting GEM-resistant CD44+ PDAC cells. These findings demonstrate the potential of CNOs as promising scaffolds in advancing targeted DDSs, signifying the translational potential of carbon nanoparticles for cancer therapy.

Semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides are important optoelectronic materials thanks to their intense light–matter interaction and wide selection of fabrication techniques, with potential applications in light harvesting and sensing. Crucially, these applications depend on the lifetimes and recombination dynamics of photogenerated charge carriers, which have primarily been studied in monolayers obtained from labour-intensive mechanical exfoliation or costly chemical vapour deposition. On the other hand, liquid phase exfoliation presents a high throughput and cost-effective method to produce dispersions of mono- and few-layer nanosheets. This approach allows for easy scalability and enables the subsequent processing and formation of macroscopic films directly from the liquid phase. Here, we use transient absorption spectroscopy and spatiotemporally resolved pump–probe microscopy to study the charge carrier dynamics in tiled nanosheet films of MoS2 and WS2 deposited from the liquid phase using an adaptation of the Langmuir–Schaefer technique. We find an efficient photogeneration of charge carriers with lifetimes of several nanoseconds, which we ascribe to stabilisation at nanosheet edges. These findings provide scope for photocatalytic and photodetector applications, where long-lived charge carriers are crucial, and suggest design strategies for photovoltaic devices.

Drylands account for 45% of the Earth’s land area, supporting approximately 40% of the global population. These regions support some of the most extreme environments on Earth, characterized by extreme temperatures, low and variable rainfall, and low soil fertility. In these biomes, microorganisms provide vital ecosystem services and have evolved distinctive adaptation strategies to endure and flourish in the extreme. However, dryland microbiomes and the ecosystem services they provide are under threat due to intensifying desertification and climate change. In this review, we provide a synthesis of our current understanding of microbial life in drylands, emphasizing the remarkable diversity and adaptations of these communities. We then discuss anthropogenic threats, including the influence of climate change on dryland microbiomes and outline current knowledge gaps. Finally, we propose research priorities to address those gaps and safeguard the sustainability of these fragile biomes.

Undesired microbiota, such as filamentous fungi, negatively impacts the food sector leading to huge losses of food produce. For this reason, preservatives are often used to reduce microbial contamination. In this context, the use of food-grade antagonistic microorganisms has gained international relevance as a promising alternative to synthetic additives. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with antifungal activity might have the strain-specific ability to control decay agents and their application as bio-control tools is growing worldwide. In this work, eight Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains were selected and their antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger, one of the main fungal contaminants of foods, were deeply investigated. The overlay method was used for an initial fast screening, then the presence of antifungal metabolites was evaluated in the cell-free supernatants (CFSs) by HPLC/DAD and in the volatilome by GC–MS analysis. Contribution of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to antifungal activity was assessed in a plate-on-plate method without physical contact between moulds and LAB. In order to determine the presence of inducible antifungal VOCs, fungal-LAB co-cultures were carried out in glass tubes for direct GC-MS analyses. Antifungal VOCs, such as acetic acid, 2-Nonanone and 2-Undecanone are produced constitutively by all strains. Whereas fourteen VOCs appeared only in the fungal-LAB co-cultures. Six VOCs out of fourteen identified in co-cultures, and the three VOCs previously mentioned were individually tested for antifungal activity against A. niger in airtight contact-less petri dishes assay. Among those, trans-2-Octenal and 2-Nonanol had the higher activity against A. niger. These results showed that antifungal VOCs produced by L. plantarum could effectively inhibit the growth of A. niger when tested in vitro. In addition, different antifungal VOCs were detected only in fungal-LAB co-cultures, pointing to metabolism modulation mediated by VOCs that r

Veillonella parvula, prototypical member of the oral and gut microbiota, is at times commensal yet also potentially pathogenic. The definition of the molecular basis tailoring this contrasting behavior is key for broadening our understanding of the microbiota driven pathogenic and/or tolerogenic mechanisms that take place within our body. In this study, we focused on the chemistry of the main constituent of the outer membrane of V. parvula, the lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LPS molecules indeed elicit pro-inflammatory and immunomodulatory responses depending on their chemical structures. Here we report about the structural elucidation of the LPS from two strains of V. parvula and show important and unprecedented differences in both the lipid and carbohydrate moieties, including the identification of a novel galactofuranose and mannitol-containing O-antigen repeating unit for one of the two strains. Furthermore, by harnessing computational studies, in vitro human cell models, as well as lectin binding solid phase assays, we discovered that the two chemically diverse LPS immunologically behave differently and have attempted to identify the molecular determinant(s) governing this phenomenon. Whether a pro-inflammatory potential has been evidenced for the lipid A moiety, by contrast a plausible “immune modulating” action has been proposed for the peculiar O-antigen portion.

Seagrasses' ability to store information after exposure to stress (i.e. stress memory) and to better respond to further stress (i.e. priming) have recently been observed, although the temporal persistence of the memory and the mechanisms for priming induction remain to be defined. Here, we explored three priming strategies in Posidonia oceanica seedlings, each inducing a different level of stress, for temperature and salinity. We investigated changes in morphometry, growth rate and biomass between primed and non-primed seedlings. The results showed similar behaviour of seedlings when exposed to an acute stress event, regardless of whether they had been primed or not and of the priming strategy received. This opens the debate on the level of stress necessary for inducing a priming status and the persistence of the stress memory in P. oceanica seedlings. Although no priming-induced stress resistance was observed, seedlings showed unexpectedly high resilience to extreme levels of both abiotic stressors.

Raman spectroscopy was employed to investigate nanometric thick films of the organic semiconductor 2,7-Dioctyl[1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene, following a comprehensive vibrational characterization of the compound condensed phases at various excitation wavelengths. UV Raman excitation enabled the characterization of the thin films, revealing that the molecular orientation at the film/air interface is characterized by a different organization and/or a high degree of disorder compared to the bulk phase. The low penetration depth of the UV Raman excitation allows for the retrieval of this information, unlike the XRD data.

Binary evolution theory predicts that the second common envelope ejection can produce low-mass (0.32–0.36 M⊙) subdwarf B (sdB) stars inside ultrashort-orbital-period binary systems, as their helium cores are ignited under nondegenerate conditions. With the orbital decay driven by gravitational-wave (GW) radiation, the minimum orbital periods of detached sdB binaries could be as short as ∼20 min. However, only four sdB binaries with orbital periods below an hour have been reported so far, and none of them has an orbital period approaching the above theoretical limit. Here we report the discovery of a 20.5-min-orbital-period ellipsoidal binary, TMTS J052610.43+593445.1, in which the visible star is being tidally deformed by an invisible carbon–oxygen white dwarf companion. The visible component is inferred to be an sdB star with a mass ∼0.33 M⊙ approaching the helium-ignition limit, although a He-core white dwarf cannot be completely ruled out. In particular, the radius of this low-mass sdB star is only 0.066 R⊙, about seven Earth radii. Such a system provides a key clue in mapping the binary evolution scheme from the second common envelope ejection to the formation of AM CVn stars having a helium-star donor. It may also serve as a crucial verification binary of space-borne GW observatories such as LISA and TianQin in the future.

Western Eurasia witnessed several large-scale human migrations during the Holocene1,2,3,4,5. Here, to investigate the cross-continental effects of these migrations, we shotgun-sequenced 317 genomes—mainly from the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods—from across northern and western Eurasia. These were imputed alongside published data to obtain diploid genotypes from more than 1,600 ancient humans. Our analyses revealed a ‘great divide’ genomic boundary extending from the Black Sea to the Baltic. Mesolithic hunter-gatherers were highly genetically differentiated east and west of this zone, and the effect of the neolithization was equally disparate. Large-scale ancestry shifts occurred in the west as farming was introduced, including near-total replacement of hunter-gatherers in many areas, whereas no substantial ancestry shifts happened east of the zone during the same period. Similarly, relatedness decreased in the west from the Neolithic transition onwards, whereas, east of the Urals, relatedness remained high until around 4,000 BP, consistent with the persistence of localized groups of hunter-gatherers. The boundary dissolved when Yamnaya-related ancestry spread across western Eurasia around 5,000 BP, resulting in a second major turnover that reached most parts of Europe within a 1,000-year span. The genetic origin and fate of the Yamnaya have remained elusive, but we show that hunter-gatherers from the Middle Don region contributed ancestry to them. Yamnaya groups later admixed with individuals associated with the Globular Amphora culture before expanding into Europe. Similar turnovers occurred in western Siberia, where we report new genomic data from a ‘Neolithic steppe’ cline spanning the Siberian forest steppe to Lake Baikal. These prehistoric migrations had profound and lasting effects on the genetic diversity of Eurasian populations.

Glaucoma is characterized by cupping of the optic disc, apoptotic degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their axons, and thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer, with patchy loss of vision. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a major risk factor for hypertensive glaucoma and the only modifiable one. There is a need to find novel compounds that counteract other risk factors contributing to RGC degeneration. The oil derived from the wild olive tree (Olea europaea var. sylvestris), also called Acebuche (ACE), shows powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and retinoprotective effects. We evaluated whether ACE oil could counteract glaucoma-related detrimental effects. To this aim, we fed mice either a regular or an ACE oil-enriched diet and then induced IOP elevation through intraocular injection of methylcellulose. An ACE oil-enriched diet suppressed glaucoma-dependent retinal glia reactivity and inflammation. The redox status of the glaucomatous retinas was restored to a control-like situation, and ischemia was alleviated by an ACE oil-enriched diet. Notably, retinal apoptosis was suppressed in the glaucomatous animals fed ACE oil. Furthermore, as shown by electroretinogram analyses, RGC electrophysiological functions were almost completely preserved by the ACE oil-enriched diet. These ameliorative effects were IOP-independent and might depend on ACE oil’s peculiar composition. Although additional studies are needed, nutritional supplementation with ACE oil might represent an adjuvant in the management of glaucoma.

The presence of gauge symmetry in 1+1 dimensions is known to be redundant, since it does not imply the existence of dynamical gauge bosons. As a consequence, in the continuum, the Abelian-Higgs model (i.e., the theory of bosonic matter interacting with photons) just possesses a single phase, as the higher-dimensional Higgs and Coulomb phases are connected via nonperturbative effects. However, recent research published in Phys. Rev. Lett. 128, 090601 (2022)0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.128.090601 has revealed an unexpected phase transition when the system is discretized on the lattice. This transition is described by a conformal field theory with a central charge of c=3/2. In this paper, we aim to characterize the two components of this c=3/2 theory - namely the free Majorana fermionic and bosonic parts - through equilibrium and out-of-equilibrium spectral analyses.

The use of environmental DNA (eDNA) to assess the presence of biological communities has emerged as a promising monitoring tool in the marine conservation landscape. Moreover, advances in Next-Generation Sequencing techniques, such as DNA metabarcoding, enable multi-species detection in mixed samples, allowing the study of complex ecosystems such as oceanic ones. We aimed at using these molecular-based techniques to characterise cetacean communities, as well as potential prey in the northern coast of Mainland Portugal. During seasonal campaigns, we collected seawater samples, along with visual records of cetacean occurrence. The eDNA extracted from 64 environmental samples was sequenced in an Illumina platform, with universal primers targeting marine vertebrates. Five cetacean species were identified by molecular detection: common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus), harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus). Overall, except for the fin whale (not sighted during the campaigns), this cetacean community composition was similar to that obtained through visual monitoring, and the complementary results suggest their presence in the region all year round. In addition, the positive molecular detections of B. physalus are of special relevance since there are no visual records reported in the area. The detection of multiple known preys of the identified dolphins indicates they use these coastal areas for feeding purposes. While this methodological approach remains in a development stage, the present work highlights the benefits of using eDNA to study marine communities, with specific applications for research on cetacean distribution and feeding ecology, ultimately serving as the baseline of a methodological approach for biodiversity monitoring and marine conservation

Context. Stellar activity is the most relevant types of astrophysical noise that affect the discovery and characterization of extrasolar planets. On the other hand, the amplitude of stellar activity could hint at an interaction between the star and a close-in giant planet. Progress has been made in recent years in understanding how to deal with stellar activity and search for observational evidence of star-planet interactions. Aims. The aim of this work is to characterize the chromospheric activity of stars hosting short-period exoplanets by studying the correlations between the chromospheric emission (CE) in the Ca II H&K and the planetary parameters. Methods. We measured CE in the Ca II H&K lines using more than 1900 high-resolution spectra of a sample composed of 76 targets, observed with the HARPS-N spectrograph between 2012 and 2020. We transformed the fluxes into bolometric- and photospheric-corrected chromospheric emission ratios, R. Furthermore, we completed the sample of hosts digging for data in previous works. Stellar parameters T, B−V, and V were retrieved homogeneously from the Gaia DR3. Then, M, R, and ages were determined from isochrone fitting. We retrieved planetary data from the literature and catalogs. The search for correlations between the log(R) and planetary parameters have been performed through both Spearman’s rank and its statistics as well as the more sophisticated Gaussian mixture model method. Results. We found that the distribution of log(R) for the transiting planet hosts is different from the distribution of field main-sequence and sub-giant stars. The log(R) of planetary hosts is correlated with planetary parameters proportional to the planetary radius to the power of n (R), indicating a common origin for the correlations. The statistical analysis has also highlighted four clusters of host stars with different behavior in terms of their stellar activity with respect to the planetary surface gravity. Some of the host stars have a valu

The cultivation of Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz is rapidly increasing due to oil production resulting in a substantial volume of by-products, which still have an interesting composition in secondary metabolites, especially glucosinolates. Therefore, a green extraction procedure of glucosinolates by Pressurised Liquid Extraction was developed and optimized using a chemometric approach. Furthermore, the glucosinolates were purified by solid phase extraction, and a preliminary study on bioaccessibility and bioavailability study was carried out to evaluate the resistance of the glucosinolates to the digestive process. The application of pressurised liquid extraction to the recovery of glucosinolates from camelina sativa by-product, is a green, automatic, and rapid method, representing a valid alternative to conventional extraction method to obtain ingredients for food industries.

Type Ia supernovae are the outcome of the explosion of a carbon–oxygen white dwarf in a close binary system. They are thought to be the main contributors to the galactic nucleosynthesis of iron-peak elements, with important contributions to the yields of intermediate-mass elements. Recent analyses of the phase diagram of carbon and oxygen containing impurities such as 22Ne and 56Fe in conditions relevant to white dwarf interiors suggest that both isotopes can partially separate when the temperature of the star is low enough to start solidifying. The purpose of the present paper is to examine the impact of this separation on the yields of the different chemical species synthesized during explosions. We used a one-dimensional supernova code to evaluate the impact of the sedimentation assuming different degrees of chemical separation. We find that the main properties of the ejecta, the kinetic energy, and the ejected mass of 56Ni only vary slightly when the separation is taken into account. However, the yields of important isotopes that are used as diagnostic tools, such as manganese, can be strongly modified. Furthermore, the chemical separation studied here is able to change several indicators related to the metallicity of the progenitor (such as the mass ratio of calcium to sulphur in the ejecta or the UV flux of the supernova) and to its mass, whether it is a Chandrasekhar-mass white dwarf or a substantially lighter one (such as the imprint of stable nickel on late-time infrared spectra or that related to the presence of radioactive nickel at the center of the ejecta).

[Context] The chemical evolution history of slow neutron-capture elements in the Milky Way is still a matter of debate, especially in the metal-poor regime ([Fe/H] < −1)., [Aims] Based on Gaia-ESO spectroscopic data, a recent study investigated the chemical evolution of neutron-capture elements in the regime [Fe/H] > −1. Here, we aim to complement this study down to [Fe/H] = −3, and focus on Ba, Y, and Sr, along with the abundance ratios of [Ba/Y] and [Sr/Y], which give comprehensive views on s-process nucleosynthesis channels., [Methods] We measured the local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) and non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) abundances of Ba, Y, and Sr in 323 Galactic metal-poor stars using high-resolution optical spectra with high signal-to-noise ratios. We used the spectral fitting code TSFitPy together with 1D model atmospheres, using previously determined LTE and NLTE atmospheric parameters., [Results] We find that the NLTE effects are on the order of ∼ − 0.1 to ∼0.2 dex, depending on the element. We find that stars enhanced (deficient) in [Ba/Fe] and [Y/Fe] are also enhanced (deficient) in [Sr/Fe], suggesting a common evolution channel for these three elements. We find that the ratio between heavy and light s-process elements [Ba/Y] varies weakly with [Fe/H] even in the metal-poor regime, which is consistent with the behaviour in the metal-rich regime. The [Ba/Y] scatter at a given metallicity is larger than the abundance measurement uncertainties. Homogeneous chemical evolution models with different yield prescriptions are not able to accurately reproduce the [Ba/Y] scatter in the low-[Fe/H] regime. Adopting the stochastic chemical evolution model by Cescutti & Chiappini allows us to reproduce the observed scatter in the abundance pattern of [Ba/Y] and [Ba/Sr]. Based on our observations, we have ruled out the need for an arbitrary scaling of the r-process contribution, as previously suggested by the authors behind the construction of the model., [Conclusions] We show how important it is to properly include NLTE effects when measuring chemical abundances, especially in the metal-poor regime. This work demonstrates that the choice of the Galactic chemical evolution model (stochastic versus one-zone) is key when comparing models to observations. Upcoming large-scale spectroscopic surveys such as 4MOST and WEAVE are poised to deliver high-quality data for many thousands of metal-poor stars and this work gives a typical case study of what could be achieved with such surveys in the future.

[Context] The Euclid mission of the European Space Agency will perform a survey of weak lensing cosmic shear and galaxy clustering in order to constrain cosmological models and fundamental physics., [Aims] We expand and adjust the mock Euclid likelihoods of the MontePython software in order to match the exact recipes used in previous Euclid Fisher matrix forecasts for several probes: weak lensing cosmic shear, photometric galaxy clustering, the cross-correlation between the latter observables, and spectroscopic galaxy clustering. We also establish which precision settings are required when running the Einstein–Boltzmann solvers CLASS and CAMB in the context of Euclid., [Methods] For the minimal cosmological model, extended to include dynamical dark energy, we perform Fisher matrix forecasts based directly on a numerical evaluation of second derivatives of the likelihood with respect to model parameters. We compare our results with those of previously validated Fisher codes using an independent method based on first derivatives of the Euclid observables., [Results] We show that such MontePython forecasts agree very well with previous Fisher forecasts published by the Euclid Collab oration, and also, with new forecasts produced by the CosmicFish code, now interfaced directly with the two Einstein–Boltzmann solvers CAMB and CLASS. Moreover, to establish the validity of the Gaussian approximation, we show that the Fisher matrix marginal error contours coincide with the credible regions obtained when running Monte Carlo Markov chains with MontePython while using the exact same mock likelihoods., [Conclusions] The new Euclid forecast pipelines presented here are ready for use with additional cosmological parameters, in order to explore extended cosmological models.

HESS J1832−093 is a member of the rare class of gamma-ray binaries, as recently confirmed by the detection of orbitally modulated X-ray and gamma-ray emission with a period of ∼86 d. The spectral type of the massive companion star has been difficult to retrieve as there is no optical counterpart, but the system is coincident with a near-infrared source. Previous results have shown that the infrared counterpart is consistent with an O or B-type star, but a clear classification is still lacking. We observed the counterpart twice, in 2019 and 2021, with the X-Shooter spectrograph operating on the Very Large Telescope (VLT). The obtained spectra classify the counterpart as an O6 V-type star. We estimate a distance to the source of 6.7 ± 0.5 kpc, although this estimate can be severely affected by the high extinction towards the source. This new O6 V classification for the companion star in HESS J1832−093 provides further support to an apparent grouping around a given spectral type for all discovered gamma-ray binaries that contain an O-type star. This may be due to the interplay between the initial mass function and the wind momentum–luminosity relation.

SN 2019neq was a very fast evolving superluminous supernova. At a redshift z = 0.1059, its peak absolute magnitude was −21.5 ± 0.2 mag in g band. In this work, we present data and analysis from an extensive spectrophotometric follow-up campaign using multiple observational facilities. Thanks to a nebular spectrum of SN 2019neq, we investigated some of the properties of the host galaxy at the location of SN 2019neq and found that its metallicity and specific star formation rate are in a good agreement with those usually measured for SLSNe-I hosts. We then discuss the plausibility of the magnetar and the circumstellar interaction scenarios to explain the observed light curves, and interpret a nebular spectrum of SN 2019neq using published SUMO radiative-transfer models. The results of our analysis suggest that the spin-down radiation of a millisecond magnetar with a magnetic field B 6 × 1014 G could boost the luminosity of SN 2019neq.

Differential SAR Interferometry is a largely exploited technique to study ground deformations. A key application is the detection of the effects promoted by earthquakes, including detailed variations in ground deformations at different scales. In this work, an implemented Python script (Snap2DQuake) based on the “snappy” module by SNAP software 9.0.8 (ESA) for the processing of satellite imagery is proposed. Snap2DQuake is aimed at producing detailed coseismic deformation maps using Sentinel-1 C-band data by the DInSAR technique. With this alternative approach, the processing is simplified, and several issues that may occur using the software are solved. The proposed tool has been tested on two case studies: the Mw 6.4 Petrinja earthquake (Croatia, December 2020) and the Mw 5.7 to Mw 6.3 earthquakes, which occurred near Tyrnavós (Greece, March 2021). The earthquakes, which occurred in two different tectonic contexts, are used to test and verify the validity of Snap2DQuake. Snap2DQuake allows us to provide detailed deformation maps along the vertical and E-W directions in perfect agreement with observations reported in previous works. These maps offer new insights into the deformation pattern linked to earthquakes, demonstrating the reliability of Snap2DQuake as an alternative tool for users working on different applications, even with basic coding skills.

Navigation in the Mediterranean in the Neolithic is studied here through the boats that were used, the degree of technical specialisation in their construction and, above all, their chronology. After a brief explanation of the exceptional site of La Marmotta, the characteristics and chronology of the five canoes found at the settlement and one of the nautical objects linked to Canoe 1 are discussed. This will allow a reflection on the capability of Neolithic societies for navigation owing to their high technological level. This technology was an essential part in the success of their expansion, bearing in mind that in a few millennia they occupied the whole Mediterranean from Cyprus to the Atlantic seaboard of the Iberian Peninsula.

Colloidal metal nanoparticles dispersions are commonly used to create functional printed electronic devices and they typically require time-, energy- and equipment-consuming post-treatments to improve their electrical and mechanical properties. Traditional methods, e.g. thermal, UV/IR, and microwave treatments, limit the substrate options and may require expensive equipment, not available in all the laboratories. Moreover, these processes also cause the collapse of the film (nano)pores and interstices, limiting or impeding its nanostructuration. Finding a simple approach to obtain complex nanostructured materials with minimal post-treatments remains a challenge. In this study, a new sintering method for gold nanoparticle inks that called as “click sintering” has been reported. The method uses a catalytic reaction to enhance and tune the nanostructuration of the film while sintering the metallic nanoparticles, without requiring any cumbersome post-treatment. This results in a conductive and electroactive nanoporous thin film, whose properties can be tuned by the conditions of the reaction, i.e., concentration of the reagent and time. Therefore, this study presents a novel and innovative one-step approach to simultaneously sinter gold nanoparticles films and create functional nanostructures, directly and easily, introducing a new concept of real-time treatment with possible applications in the fields of flexible electronics, biosensing, energy, and catalysis.

Associations between subjective well-being (SWB) and dietary habits, employment status, and habitual activities are increasingly capturing the focus of researchers as well as policymakers worldwide. This study aimed to explore these associations in a sample of the population in Greece and Cyprus via an online survey. In total, 936 questionnaires (470: Cyprus, 466: Greece) were analyzed to study the associations between the Mediterranean Diet (MD) (using the 14-item MEDAS score, (14-MEDAS)), subjective well-being (SWB), and several socioeconomic factors. Key remarks of this survey highlight the positive impact of MD adherence on some well-being items. Namely, statistically significant differences were found on the following items: Satisfied with life (p < 0.001), Life worthwhile (p < 0.001), Feeling happy (p < 0.001), worried (p = 0.005), and depressed (p = 0.001), when comparing Low MD adherence (14-MEDAS < 5) to High MD adherence (14-MEDAS > 10). Other lifestyle habits such as spending time with friends and family, spending time in nature, and habitual physical activity were associated with aspects of SWB such as Life satisfaction, Life worthwhile, Feeling happy, and energetic. The findings support adherence to the MD, since it is associated with higher life satisfaction and self-reported happiness in this sample and should be considered when developing health policies on well-being.

Small-scale fishing plays a major role in regional economies worldwide and, with a large number of small vessels involved, it provides employment and livelihood to coastal communities. Generally recognized as more selective than other fishing practices, small-scale fishery can nevertheless be subjected to high rates of discards of both non-target species and small-sized individuals, which in turn could lead to both decreased incomes for fishers and increased depletion of fish stocks. However, if the relationship between fish size and price has long been assessed, the effect of enhanced size-selectivity of fishing gears and consequent economic gains has been little investigated. This study, set in the Porto Cesareo Marine Protected Area (Italy, Ionian Sea), aimed at testing effective strategies to improve trammel net selectivity, reducing discards and maximizing the income for fishers. Different mesh sizes (20, 22 and 24 mm) trammel nets were employed. The study consisted in 72 fishing days from July 2012 to September 2013 and each day involved experimental fishing with the three mesh sizes. A total of 16008 specimens (103 species) were collected but the analysis focused on the 18 most common species in the area for a total of 12782 individuals. Mesh size trammel nets of 20 mm and 22 mm yielded most of the biomass, 324.8 and 321.5 kg respectively, while the 24 mm mesh yielded 280.7 kg. The 24 mm mesh, even if accounted for lower income compared to the 22 mm mesh (2383.9 € vs 2590.5 €, respectively), provided significant 50% reduction of discards compared to the 20 and 22 mm mesh. The use of 24 mm mesh size was found to be an effective strategy to reduce the number of discarded organisms and, consequently, the pressure exerted on local fish stocks with associated higher revenue for fishers. The results of this study demonstrated that trammel net selectivity can improve and support conservation measures and concurrently increase profitability of local fishery

Nanocrystalline calcium carbonate (CaCO) and amorphous CaCO (ACC) are materials of increasing technological interest. Nowadays, they are mainly synthetically produced by wet reactions using CaCO reagents in the presence of stabilizers. However, it has recently been discovered that ACC can be produced by ball milling calcite. Calcite and/or aragonite are the mineral phases of mollusk shells, which are formed from ACC precursors. Here, we investigated the possibility to convert, on a potentially industrial scale, the biogenic CaCO (bCC) from waste mollusk seashells into nanocrystalline CaCO and ACC. Waste seashells from the aquaculture species, namely oysters (Crassostrea gigas, low-Mg calcite), scallops (Pecten jacobaeus, medium-Mg calcite), and clams (Chamelea gallina, aragonite) were used. The ball milling process was carried out by using different dispersing solvents and potential ACC stabilizers. Structural, morphological, and spectroscopic characterization techniques were used. The results showed that the mechanochemical process produced a reduction of the crystalline domain sizes and formation of ACC domains, which coexisted in microsized aggregates. Interestingly, bCC behaved differently from the geogenic CaCO (gCC), and upon long milling times (24 h), the ACC reconverted into crystalline phases. The aging in diverse environments of mechanochemically treated bCC produced a mixture of calcite and aragonite in a species-specific mass ratio, while the ACC from gCC converted only into calcite. In conclusion, this research showed that bCC can produce nanocrystalline CaCO and ACC composites or mixtures having species-specific features. These materials can enlarge the already wide fields of applications of CaCO, which span from medical to material science.

Although compositional variation in the gut microbiome during human development has been extensively investigated, strain-resolved dynamic changes remain to be fully uncovered. In the current study, shotgun metagenomic sequencing data of 12,415 fecal microbiomes from healthy individuals are employed for strain-level tracking of gut microbiota members to elucidate its evolving biodiversity across the human life span. This detailed longitudinal meta-analysis reveals host sex-related persistence of strains belonging to common, maternally-inherited species, such as Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum. Comparative genome analyses, coupled with experiments including intimate interaction between microbes and human intestinal cells, show that specific bacterial glycosyl hydrolases related to host-glycan metabolism may contribute to more efficient colonization in females compared to males. These findings point to an intriguing ancient sex-specific host-microbe coevolution driving the selective persistence in women of key microbial taxa that may be vertically passed on to the next generation.

In recent years, progress in nanotechnology provided new tools to treat cancer more effectively. Advances in biomaterials tailored for drug delivery have the potential to overcome the limited selectivity and side effects frequently associated with traditional therapeutic agents. While autophagy is pivotal in determining cell fate and adaptation to different challenges, and despite the fact that it is frequently dysregulated in cancer, antitumor therapeutic strategies leveraging on or targeting this process are scarce. This is due to many reasons, including the very contextual effects of autophagy in cancer, low bioavailability and non-targeted delivery of existing autophagy modulatory compounds. Conjugating the versatile characteristics of nanoparticles with autophagy modulators may render these drugs safer and more effective for cancer treatment. Here, we review current standing questions on the biology of autophagy in tumor progression, and precursory studies and the state-of-the-art in harnessing nanomaterials science to enhance the specificity and therapeutic potential of autophagy modulators.

Nowadays, finding innovative technologies to efficiently adsorb/desorb CO2 over several cycles with low energy consumption is a pressing environmental concern. In this work, a new bioionspired coating based on the copolymerization of benzene-1,2-diol and hexamethylenediamine, with a CO2 uptake of 7.28 mmol/g under humidified conditions with an outstanding chemical stability and regenerability process is reported. Further functionalization with glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride increases the uptake capacity up to 9.96 mmol/g while lowering the desorption temperature down to 50 °C for 20 min. Moreover, the coating shows strong adhesion on cotton and paper, without modifying their intrinsic permeability and mechanical properties, allowing for the recycling of fully available and environmentally friendly biomass. These results demonstrate the competitive advantages of this bioinspired coating compared with current technologies to capture CO2 while accomplishing the resource efficiency of bioeconomy policies.

Climate change is causing alterations in annual temperature regimes worldwide. Important aspects of this include the reduction of winter chilling temperatures as well as the occurrence of unpredicted frosts, both significantly affecting plant growth and yields. Recent studies advanced the knowledge of the mechanisms underlying cold responses and tolerance in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. However, how these cold-responsive pathways will readjust to ongoing seasonal temperature variation caused by global warming remains an open question. In this review, we highlight the plant developmental programmes that depend on cold temperature. We focus on the molecular mechanisms that plants have evolved to adjust their development and stress responses upon exposure to cold. Covering both genetic and epigenetic aspects, we present the latest insights into how alternative splicing, noncoding RNAs and the formation of biomolecular condensates play key roles in the regulation of cold responses. We conclude by commenting on attractive targets to accelerate the breeding of increased cold tolerance, bringing up biotechnological tools that might assist in overcoming current limitations. Our aim is to guide the reflection on the current agricultural challenges imposed by a changing climate and to provide useful information for improving plant resilience to unpredictable cold regimes.

We study primordial non-Gaussian signatures in the redshift-space halo field on nonlinear scales, using a quasi-maximum likelihood estimator based on optimally compressed power spectrum and modal bispectrum statistics. We train and validate the estimator on a suite of halo catalogs constructed from the Quijote-pngN-body simulations, which we release to accompany this paper. We verify its unbiasedness and near-optimality for the three main types of primordial non-Gaussianity (PNG): local, equilateral, and orthogonal. We compare the modal bispectrum expansion with a k-binning approach, showing that the former allows for faster convergence of numerical derivatives in the computation of the score function, thus leading to better final constraints. We find, in agreement with previous studies, that the local PNG signal in the halo field is dominated by the scale-dependent bias signature on large scales and saturates at k ∼ 0.2 h Mpc−1, whereas the small-scale bispectrum is the main source of information for equilateral and orthogonal PNG. Combining the power spectrum and bispectrum on nonlinear scales plays an important role in breaking degeneracies between cosmological and PNG parameters; such degeneracies, however, remain strong for equilateral PNG. We forecast that PNG parameters can be constrained with Df = 45 NLlocal , Df = 570 NLequil , and Df = 110 NLortho on a cubic volume of - 1 Gpc h 1 3 ( ) at z = 1, considering scales up to = - kmax 0.5 Mpc h 1.

This work studies the combination of direct femtosecond laser structuring of metal surfaces and Spatial Atomic Layer Deposition (SALD) of metal oxides as a novel approach to generate colours on different types of day-to-day metallic objects. In particular, a stainless-steel knife and an outdated 25 ct Dutch florin coin have been selected for the study. Our results show that it is possible both, to preserve the iridescence properties produced by laser processing and to tune the final metal surface colour by controlling the thickness of the ZnO coating. At the same time, this oxide coating could act as a protecting layer for the original material. We thus explore two different strategies to generate colour, namely, iridescence and interference, which can be even developed selectively. This novel methodology to colour metallic surfaces is a promising route to achieve cheap, scalable, and high-throughput processing methods and opens up a new avenue of possibilities and applications related to colour.

We introduce a classical-quantum hybrid approach to computation, allowing for a quadratic performance improvement in the decision process of a learning agent. Using the paradigm of quantum accelerators, we introduce a routine that runs on a quantum computer, which allows for the encoding of probability distributions. This quantum routine is then employed, in a reinforcement learning set-up, to encode the distributions that drive action choices. Our routine is well-suited in the case of a large, although finite, number of actions and can be employed in any scenario where a probability distribution with a large support is needed. We describe the routine and assess its performance in terms of computational complexity, needed quantum resource, and accuracy. Finally, we design an algorithm showing how to exploit it in the context of Q-learning.

Ageing is the main risk factor common to most primary neurodegenerative disorders. Indeed, age-related brain alterations have been long considered to predispose to neurodegeneration. Although protein misfolding and the accumulation of toxic protein aggregates have been considered as causative events in neurodegeneration, several other biological pathways affected by brain ageing also contribute to pathogenesis. Here, we discuss the evidence showing the involvement of the mechanisms controlling neuronal structure, gene expression, autophagy, cell metabolism and neuroinflammation in the onset and progression of neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, we review the therapeutic strategies currently under development or as future approaches designed to normalize these pathways, which may then increase brain resilience to cope with toxic protein species. In addition to therapies targeting the insoluble protein aggregates specifically associated with each neurodegenerative disorder, these novel pharmacological approaches may be part of combined therapies designed to rescue brain function.

Almond [Prunus dulcis Miller (D. A. Webb), syn. Prunus amygdalus L.)] is the major tree nut crop worldwide in terms of production and cultivated area. Almond domestication was enabled by the selection of individuals bearing sweet kernels, which do not accumulate high levels of the toxic cyanogenic glucoside amygdalin. Previously, we showed that the Sweet kernel (Sk) gene, controlling the kernel taste in almond, encodes a basic helix loop helix (bHLH) transcription factor regulating the amygdalin biosynthetic pathway. In addition, we characterized a dominant allele of this gene, further referred to as Sk-1, which originates from a C1036!T missense mutation and confers the sweet kernel phenotype. Here we provide evidence indicating that the allele further referred to as Sk-2, originally detected in the cultivar “Atocha” and arising from a T989!G missense mutation, is also dominantly inherited and confers the sweet kernel phenotype in almond cultivated germplasm. The use of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data from genotyping by sequencing (GBS) for population structure and hierarchical clustering analyses indicated that Sk-2 occurs in a group of related genotypes, including the widespread cultivar “Texas”, descending from the same ancestral population. KASP and dual label functional markers were developed for the accurate and high-throughput selection of the Sk-1 and Sk-2 alleles, and the genotyping of a panel of 134 almond cultivars. Overall, our results provide further insights on the understanding of the almond cultivation history. In addition, molecular marker assays and genotypic data presented in this study are expected to be of major interest for the conduction of almond breeding programs, which often need to select sweet kernel individuals in segregant populations

The implementation of a universal quantum processor still poses fundamental issues related to error mitigation and correction, which demand to investigate also platforms and computing schemes alternative to the main stream. A possibility is offered by employing multi-level logical units (qudits), naturally provided by molecular spins. Here we present the blueprint of a Molecular Spin Quantum Processor consisting of single Molecular Nanomagnets, acting as qudits, placed within superconducting resonators adapted to the size and interactions of these molecules to achieve a strong single spin to photon coupling. We show how to implement a universal set of gates in such a platform and to readout the final qudit state. Single-qudit unitaries (potentially embedding multiple qubits) are implemented by fast classical drives, while a novel scheme is introduced to obtain two-qubit gates via resonant photon exchange. The latter is compared to the dispersive approach, finding in general a significant improvement. The performance of the platform is assessed by realistic numerical simulations of gate sequences, such as Deutsch-Josza and quantum simulation algorithms. The very good results demonstrate the feasibility of the molecular route towards a universal quantum processor.

The paper elaborates an empirical study on the relation between trade competitiveness and energy policy based on a bilateral gravity model applied to a panel of 19 EU countries over the period 1990–2015. We focus on harmonisation of domestic policies and on the speed of convergence towards low-carbon energy targets. By explicitly connecting international trade with innovation and economic competitiveness, we fill a gap in the literature on the sustainable energy transition. Our analysis yields three main findings. First, bilateral policy alignment matters for trade performance. Second, the more balanced and comprehensive the domestic policy mix, the higher the export capacity. Third, countries at the frontier of the EU transition process gain market shares at the expense of those lagging behind.

The paper focuses on the nexus between climate change and armed conflicts with an empirical analysis based on a panel of 2653 georeferenced cells for the African continent between 1990 and 2016. Our econometric approach addresses unobservable heterogeneity in predicting the probability of violent events and the persistency of conflicting behaviour over time. The proposed strategy also accounts for both changes in climatic conditions and spatial dynamics. The two main findings carry policy-relevant implications. First, changes in climatic conditions influence the probability of conflicts over large spatial ranges, thus suggesting that the design of adaptation policies to reduce climate vulnerability should account for multiple spatial interrelations. Second, the persistency of violence calls for planning adaptation strategies for climate resilience jointly designed with measures in support of peacekeeping.

Yttrium aluminium gallium garnet (YAGG, Y3Al2Ga3O12) doped with rare-earth ions has drawn large attention owing to its optical properties with applications ranging from persistent luminescent phosphors to nanothermometers. Herein, three different YAGG materials were synthesized via the urea glass route followed by thermal treatment, relatively undoped; doped with Ce3+, Cr3+, and Nd3+; and doped with Ce3+, Cr3+, and Yb3+. The garnet formation was studied in situ upon thermal treatment from 300 to 1000 °C using synchrotron powder diffraction. Our results show that with this method, the onset of formation of the garnet is about 860 °C, with comparable cell parameters for both undoped and doped YAGG. A possible growth mechanism of YAGG is therefore discussed on the basis of observed microstructural parameters such as occupancy, microstrain, and crystallite size.

Ocean acidification has been consistently evidenced to have profound and lasting impacts on marine species. Observations have shown seagrasses to be highly susceptible to future increased pCO2 conditions, but the responses of early life stages as seedlings are poorly understood. This study aimed at evaluating how projected Mediterranean Sea acidification affects the survival, morphological and biochemical development of Posidonia oceanica seedlings through a long-term field experiment along a natural low pH gradient. Future ocean conditions seem to constrain the morphological development of seedlings. However, high pCO2 exposures caused an initial increase in the degree of saturation of fatty acids in leaves and then improved the fatty acid adjustment increasing unsaturation levels in leaves (but not in seeds), suggesting a nutritional compound translocation. Results also suggested a P. oceanica structural components remodelling which may counteract the effects of ocean acidification but would not enhance seagrass seedling productivity

In the search for improved permanent magnets, fueled by the geostrategic and environmental issues associated with rare-earth-based magnets, magnetically hard (high anisotropy)-soft (high magnetization) composite magnets hold promise as alternative magnets that could replace modern permanent magnets, such as rare-earth-based and ceramic magnets, in certain applications. However, so far, the magnetic properties reported for hard-soft composites have been underwhelming. Here, an attempt to further understand the correlation between magnetic and microstructural properties in strontium ferrite-based composites, hard SrFe12O19 (SFO) ceramics with different contents of Fe particles as soft phase, both in powder and in dense injection molded magnets, is presented. In addition, the influence of soft phase particle dimension, in the nano- and micron-sized regimes, on these properties is studied. While Fe and SFO are not exchange-coupled in our magnets, a remanence that is higher than expected is measured. In fact, in composite injection molded anisotropic (magnetically oriented) magnets, remanence is improved by 2.4% with respect to a pure ferrite identical magnet. The analysis of the experimental results in combination with micromagnetic simulations allows us to establish that the type of interaction between hard and soft phases is of a dipolar nature, and is responsible for the alignment of a fraction of the soft spins with the magnetization of the hard. The mechanism unraveled in this work has implications for the development of novel hard-soft permanent magnets.

Severe droughts limit tree growth and forest productivity worldwide, a phenomenon which is expected to aggravate over the next decades. However, how drought intensity and climatic conditions before and after drought events modulate tree growth resilience remains unclear, especially when considering the range-wide phenotypic variability of a tree species. We gathered 4632 Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) tree-ring width series from 281 sites located in 11 countries across the Mediterranean basin, representing the entire geographic and bioclimatic range of the species. For each site and year of the period 1950–2020, we quantified tree-growth resilience and its two components, resistance and recovery, to account for the impact of drought and the capacity to recover from it. Relative drought intensity of each year was assessed using SPEI (Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index), a climatic water deficit index. Generalized additive mixed models were used to explore the non-linear relationships between resilience and its two components and drought intensity, preceding and following years climatic conditions. We found that P. halepensis radial growth was highly dependent on the SPEI from September of the previous year to June of the current year. Trees growing under more arid bioclimates showed higher inter-annual growth variability and were more sensitive to drought, resulting in an increased response magnitude to pre-, during and post-drought conditions. In contrast to our expectations, drought intensity only slightly affected resilience, which was rather negatively affected by favorable preceding conditions and improved by favorable following conditions. Resilience and its components are highly dependent on preceding and following years climatic conditions, which should always be taken into account when studying growth response to drought. With the observed and predicted increase in drought frequency, duration and intensity, favorable conditions followi

Assembling DNA barcode reference libraries for various taxonomic groups allows researchers to use metabarcoding or environmental DNA approaches to gain a rapid understanding of diversity in given environments. However, our ability to use reference libraries depends on how accurately DNA barcodes are able to recover taxonomic boundaries and identify species, which is rarely considered. We constructed an extensive COI barcoding library for amphibians of the Western Palearctic and successfully recovered barcodes from 60 urodele and 73 anuran species (representing 94% and 98% of the nominal anuran and urodele species in the Western Palearctic, respectively), covering the intraspecific diversity of the majority of species in this region. We tested the effectiveness of our assembled DNA barcode dataset for species identification using barcoding gap, efficiency analyses, and two phylogenetic species delimitation methods. We obtained DNA barcodes for 1251 specimens (691 anurans and 560 urodeles) with a high success rate (92-96%) of species identification. The absence of a barcoding gap in a number of samples was linked to species misidentifications, which suggest incipient speciation or cryptic diversity, or previously described mitochondrial introgression events. The phylogenetic species delimitation methodsresulted in substantial oversplitting of currently accepted taxonomy. This COI barcoding library provides an almost complete and reliable reference library for Western Palearctic amphibians. We highlight the importance of generating comprehensive and well curated reference libraries that include intra- and interspecific genetic variability and the need of detailed taxonomic revision when ambiguous or incorrect DNA barcodes exist.