We present the third release of ULYSSES, a Python package for the numerical evaluation of the baryon asymmetry generated through leptogenesis. This version includes code implementing state-of-the-art density matrix equations for low-scale leptogenesis with three quasi-degenerate right-handed neutrinos. We extend the validity of the code in this scenario beyond the 100 GeV right-handed neutrino mass scale, into the regime of resonant leptogenesis, by including neutrino production rates valid in both the relativistic and non-relativistic regimes. In addition, in the high-scale vanilla scenario, we provide routines for computing ΔL=1 scattering processes, enabling full phase-space evolution of the right-handed neutrino and lepton asymmetry. A new --extended parameter interface allows users to pass model-specific inputs beyond the standard leptogenesis runcard without modifying the core infrastructure and demonstrate its use with a toy module that simultaneously solves the vanilla leptogenesis equations and the freeze-in production of dark matter. On top of these improvements, we introduce an alternative parametrisation of the Casas-Ibarra matrix, update the default neutrino oscillation parameters and report cross-checks of the new low-scale leptogenesis module against published benchmarks and independent codes. ULYSSES is publicly available on GitHub https://github.com/earlyuniverse/ulysses and pip-installable from PyPI. PROGRAM SUMMARY Program title: ULYSSESCPC Library link to program files: https://doi.org/10.17632/4cvdr57t2n.1Developer’s repository link: https://github.com/earlyuniverse/ulyssesLicensing provisions: MIT LicenseProgramming language: Python 3Journal reference of previous version: Comput. Phys. Commun. 291 (2023) 108834Does the new version supersede the previous version?: YesReasons for the new version: Extension of the code capabilities to include low-scale leptogenesis scenarios, complete ΔL=1 scattering processes for high-scale leptogenesis, improved user-defined model support, and enhanced usability through a Python API and Jupyter notebook interface.Summary of revisions: Implementation of a unified treatment of low-scale leptogenesis with three right-handed neutrinos; inclusion of complete ΔL=1 scattering processes in the leptogenesis evolution equations; addition of alternative Casas–Ibarra parametrisations; support for user-specified initial heavy-neutrino abundances; extension of the framework to accommodate custom leptogenesis models and parameters; introduction of a Python API and Jupyter notebook workflow.Nature of problem: Numerical solution of coupled Boltzmann and Density Matrix equations governing thermal, resonant, and low-scale leptogenesis, including the evaluation of computationally demanding thermal integrals and reaction rates.Solution method: The evolution equations are solved using the odeint and solve_ivp integrators available in Python. Integrals are evaluated using a Numba-accelerated wrapper around the cquadpack integration library.
Recent advances in photorealistic avatar generation have enabled highly realistic talking-head avatars, raising security concerns regarding identity impersonation in AI-mediated communication. To advance this challenging problem, the task of avatar fingerprinting aims to determine whether two avatar videos are driven by the same human operator. However, current public databases in the literature are scarce and based solely on old-fashioned talking-head avatar generators, not representing realistic scenarios for the current task of avatar fingerprinting. To overcome this situation, the present article introduces AVAPrintDB, a new publicly available multi-generator talking-head avatar database for avatar fingerprinting. AVAPrintDB is constructed from two audiovisual corpora and three state-of-the-art avatar generators (GAGAvatar, LivePortrait, HunyuanPortrait), representing different synthesis paradigms, and includes both self- and cross-reenactments to simulate legitimate usage and impersonation scenarios. Building on this database, we define a standardized and reproducible benchmark for avatar fingerprinting, considering public state-of-the-art avatar fingerprinting systems and exploring novel methods based on Foundation Models (DINOv2 and CLIP). We also conduct a comprehensive analysis under generator and dataset shift. Our results show that, while identity-related motion cues persist across synthetic avatars, current avatar fingerprinting systems remain highly sensitive to changes in the synthesis pipeline and source domain. The AVAPrintDB, benchmark protocols, and avatar fingerprinting systems are publicly available to facilitate reproducible research.
Silicon (Si) is recognized as a beneficial element for plant growth and plays an increasingly important role in agricultural sustainability and environmental preservation. The Pampean Plain region, characterized by its high fertility and intensive agricultural use, is increasingly affected by pressures that alter soil-plant-environment interactions. This study provides the first field-based data on the dynamics of silicophytoliths and silicon in undisturbed Mollisols of the southeastern Pampean Plain, assessing their influence on soil chemical and mineralochemical properties. Silicophytoliths were characterized by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Contents of silicon, macronutrients, micronutrients, and potentially toxic elements were analyzed in soil solution using spectrophotometry and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Microscopic analyses revealed various elements associated with silicophytoliths, confirming their role as dynamic sources and sinks of elements in the soil solution. Furthermore, nanospherical internal structures inside silicophytoliths were characterized for the first time in surface soil horizons, revealing preferential element retention at internanosphere microsites. Overall, element contents decreased with depth within the studied horizons (A and BA, 0-23 cm). Positive correlations were observed between silicon and most nutrients and potentially toxic elements in both analyzed horizons, whereas phosphorus exhibited an opposite trend. These results establish the first geochemical baseline for silicon dynamics in undisturbed Mollisols and provide a reference framework for evaluating how agricultural intensification, grassland conversion and other land-use changes may alter silicon and silicophytolith biogeochemical dynamics under field conditions in temperate grassland soils.
Tire wear particles (TWPs) are a major source of aquatic microplastic pollution. Because conventional wastewater treatment plants struggle to fully mitigate their continuous release, Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) are increasingly investigated as advanced water treatments for their elimination. This study evaluates the degradation of cryogenic milled tire tread (CMTT) particles of a passenger car tire, a reliable TWP proxy, using a homogeneous photo-Fenton process under ambient conditions to elucidate the structural evolution and mass transfer limitations of filler-loaded elastomers. Initial characterization revealed a silica-rich matrix containing leachable organic additives, including vulcanization accelerators and antiozonants. The photo-Fenton system demonstrated high efficiency, achieving a greater than 90% organic mass reduction and an 88% total organic carbon (TOC) mineralization in 24 h. Furthermore, thermal and spectroscopic analyses of the solid residues indicated selective polymer degradation, suggesting that natural rubber (NR) is consumed significantly faster than the synthetic rubber (SBR/BR) fraction. Kinetic analysis showed that TWP organic conversion was well described by an ash layer diffusion-controlled Shrinking Core Model. Because the highly aggregated silica filler is non-oxidizable, it accumulates as the organic rubber degrades, forming a rigid physical barrier that maintains the initial macroscopic particle size. This continuously thickening silica layer impedes intraparticle diffusion of hydroxyl radicals, making it the primary kinetic bottleneck of the system. Ultimately, while the photo-Fenton treatment successfully mineralizes the polymeric fraction of TWPs, the specific inorganic filler formulation dictates the overall oxidation rate and leaves behind a persistent silica-rich shell. These findings suggest that while AOPs hold potential for advanced water treatment, their overall efficiency may be constrained by the persistent inorganic filler matrix. Furthermore, the applied photo-Fenton system could serve as a complementary accelerated aging tool to help simulate oxidative weathering and better understand the long-term degradation pathways of tire wear particles in aquatic ecosystems.
Research shows that child-directed speech (CDS) supports early language development, particularly through semantically and temporally contingent responses that help children link actions with adult speech (Masek et al., 2021). Most studies focus on dyadic home interactions, yet young children spend considerable time in educational settings where adult attention is shared among peers. Few studies have examined how CDS occurs in group interactions and how children receive responses in these contexts (Albert et al., 2025).This study examines teachers’ responses during structured group interactions in 30 Spanish ECEC classrooms, organized into three age groups (0–1, 1–2, and 2–3 years). Classrooms varied in size (6–16 children) and in children’s linguistic levels. We coded whether each child’s verbal utterance was followed by a temporally contingent teacher response and whether the response was directed to the child, another child, or the group.Findings indicate that children’s utterances were frequently followed by temporally contingent teacher responses. Significant age-related differences emerged: infants received more individual responses than older groups. In toddler classrooms, the likelihood of an individual response depended on the interaction between linguistic level and group size. Specifically, group responses were more common in larger classrooms, particularly for children with lower linguistic levels.These results underscore the importance of considering group dynamics when analyzing linguistic input in educational settings. Group interactions provide diverse opportunities for language exposure, which may support early linguistic development and inclusion.
