A new study published in Forest Ecosystems explores how different management strategies affect beetle diversity in spruce plantations severely impacted by bark beetle outbreaks.

The add-on acoustic black hole (AABH), as a vibration reduction device with light weight, rich modal density, and high damping characteristics, has been extensively studied in the vibro-acoustic control of structures. However, there has been no research on application of AABH in the control of the typically aeroelastic instability phenomenon of a panel in supersonic flow. Meanwhile, the prediction of aerodynamic response and flutter boundary of panel structures with attached AABH presents a complex challenge, requiring a sophisticated numerical strategy. Therefore, establishment of a numerical method for coupled aeroelastic analysis of a panel in supersonic flow with AABH and the performance of AABH in suppression of the panel's aeroelastic instability is of great significance.The add-on acoustic black hole (AABH), as a vibration reduction device with light weight, rich modal density, and high damping characteristics, has been extensively studied in the vibro-acoustic control of structures. However, there has been no research on application of AABH in the control of the typically aeroelastic instability phenomenon of a panel in supersonic flow. Meanwhile, the prediction of aerodynamic response and flutter boundary of panel structures with attached AABH presents a complex challenge, requiring a sophisticated numerical strategy. Therefore, establishment of a numerical method for coupled aeroelastic analysis of a panel in supersonic flow with AABH and the performance of AABH in suppression of the panel's aeroelastic instability is of great significance.

Toughening glass matrix ceramics remains a challenge due to their intrinsic brittleness, yet high-toughness ceramics are crucial for various applications, especially dental restoration. Dental glass ceramics require a toughness above 5 MPa∙m¹/² to prevent fractures and extend lifespan. The key challenge is enhancing mechanical properties without sacrificing translucency. In this study, ZrO₂-SiO₂ glass ceramics were doped with amorphous Al₂O₃ at the nanointerface and nano-domains. This modification significantly improved mechanical performance, achieving a flexural strength of 960 MPa and a toughness of 8.05 MPa∙m¹/². Despite these enhancements, the material maintained excellent translucency, demonstrating its potential for dental restoration and other structural applications.

Thaxterogaster is the second largest genus within the family Cortinariaceae, comprising nearly 200 species worldwide. However, the diversity of the genus in China remains largely unknown. Based on morphological evidence and phylogenetic inference of a five-locus dataset, 112 species belonging to seven subgenera and 23 sections of Thaxterogaster, were analyzed. The authors describe 15 of those present in China, including eight species new to science, namely T. crassimultiformis, T. lavendulaceus, T. flavocapitatus, T. pallidopurpurascens, T. atricapitatus, T. cupreus, T. sordidus, T. alboparvus, and one species new to China, viz. T. indopurpurascens. Two new combinations, Thaxterogaster subgenus Vibratiles and Thaxterogaster tenuipes, are further introduced.

In a paper published in Mycology, the research team from the Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Natural Medicines, Chinese Academy of Sciences, conducted the study on the phylogeny and species diversity of Geoglossomycetes in China. In this study, the team examined 34 samples from China, representing four genera. Based on ecological comparisons, morphological studies, and phylogenetic analyses of combined internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and the large subunit of the ribosomal RNA gene (LSU), the research team proposes ten new species of Geoglossomycetes and identifies four known species. Additionally, they combined ITS and LSU sequences to reconstruct the phylogenetic tree of Geoglossomycetes. Furthermore, they summarized the sexual morph characteristics of the two largest genera in the class, Geoglossum and Trichoglossum.

Protonic ceramic electrolysis cells (PCECs) have attracted significant interest due to their efficiency and environmental sustainability in energy conversion. However, their commercial application is hindered by the absence of effective and robust electrodes capable of performing in harsh environments, such as those characterized by high vapor or CO₂ concentrations. In this study, we developed a stable steam electrode composed of PrBaMn₂O_5+δ (PBM) and the durable proton conductor BaZr_0.85Y_0.15O_3-δ (BZY), enhanced with the deposition of PrO_x nano-catalysts. The composite electrode exhibited a low polarization resistance (~0.34 Ω·cm² at 600 °C), comparable to conventional cobalt-based electrodes. Additionally, extensive testing over hundreds of hours under severe conditions revealed exceptional durability without significant degradation. Notably, the electrode composited with cube-shaped BZY microcrystals and PBM showed a higher proton conductivity of 2.15×10⁻⁵ S·cm⁻¹ at 500 °C, representing an entire order of magnitude increase compared to the electrode composited with irregular nanosized BZY. Besides, the single cell achieved a superior electrolysis current of 2.0 A cm^-2 at 700°C and 1.3 V. These findings demonstrate the superiority of constructing an innovative interface between the mixed ionic-electronic conductor (MIEC) and the proton conductor. Our work presents a promising strategy for the design of durable steam electrodes for PCECs through a rational compositing approach.

This study unveiled the role of Lrrk2 gene in regulating macrophage polarization and immune response. This finding provides significant insights into the role of Lrrk2 in M1 macrophage modulation, potentially uncovering new therapeutic targets for immune-related diseases.

Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) offers distinct advantages, including low equipment cost, high deposition efficiency, and suitability for fabricating large-scale components. 921A steel (10CrNi3MoV) is widely used in the offshore industry and shipbuilding. Therefore, the application of WAAM technology to 921A steel structure manufacturing and component repair is of great significance. In order to understand the melt pool heat transfer flow and microstructural evolution during the WAAM process of 921A steel, a multi-scale model combining computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and cellular automata (CA) methods was developed. The model successfully predicted the temperature and flow fields, as well as the microstructural evolution within the deposition layer.