The gut microbiota is closely associated with seasonal reproductive activity in nonprimate mammals such as muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) and Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus). Gut microbial dynamics are also correlated with season in male black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) and Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata). However, whether the gut microbiota correlates with mating behavior is unclear. We integrated behavioral (frequency of mating and aggression), physiological (fecal testosterone), and metagenomic (gut microbial community composition and diversity) data to explore the association between gut microbiome and seasonal reproductive activity in wild male Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana). We studied ten adult male individuals, and analyzed 26 fecal samples collected during the mating season and 15 collected during the nonmating season. We found no significant differences in alpha diversity (Sobs and Shannon indices) between the two seasons. Nevertheless, PCoA based on Bray–Curtis distances detected significant seasonal differences in gut bacterial community composition and RDA identified mating and aggressive frequencies as the key drivers of community variation. We found a significant negative correlation between gut bacterial richness and mating frequency, while the frequency of both mating and aggression predicted the differentiation of gut microbiome communities between the mating and nonmating seasons. The relative abundances of dominant microbial taxa showed marked seasonal divergence: Actinomycetota and its affiliated Bifidobacterium were significantly enriched during the mating season and positively correlated with mating frequency, whereas Clostridium and Candidatus limimonas showed the opposite abundance patterns. Furthermore, functional genes related to energy accumulation and reproductive activities were enriched in the gut microbiome during the mating season, while we detected enrichment of genes related to basic metabolism in the nonmating season. This study suggests a close link between gut microbiota and mating frequency in terms of community composition, structure, and function, providing valuable insights for further investigation into the reproductive regulation mechanisms of wild primates.
Sintered Nd-Fe-B magnets are essential for high-efficiency energy conversion (e.g., in motors and generators), while ultra-thick magnets (>10 mm) further expand their applicability to high-power-density systems such as wind turbines and maglev transportation. However, the coercivity enhancement offered by conventional grain boundary diffusion (GBD) is significantly limited in thick magnets due to restricted penetration depth. This study proposes a scalable terbium hydride (TbH2)-assisted bonding-diffusion process that simultaneously achieves diffusion and bonding through spray coating and stacking of magnets, overcoming the thickness constraint of standard GBD. The coercivity of a 15 mm-thick magnet assembly is increased by 10 kOe, reaching 27.20 kOe. Electron probe microanalysis and transmission electron microscopy confirm the formation of a rare-earth-rich bonding interface and a core-shell structure induced by the process, along with an improvement in the shear strength of the magnets. Micromagnetic simulations further clarify the mechanism behind coercivity enhancement via multilayer diffusion. This work provides a scalable strategy for fabricating ultra-thick, high-performance Nd-Fe-B magnets through integrated diffusion bonding, validating their feasibility for high-power applications.
All-perovskite four-terminal tandem solar cells offer a promising platform for high-efficiency photovoltaics due to their electrical independence and flexible subcell optimization. However, optical losses such as interfacial reflection and parasitic absorption limit device performance. In this study, a systematic light-management optimization framework was established, and multiphysics simulations were employed to reveal how perovskite layer thickness, intermediate light-coupling layer (ILCL) materials and thickness, and top cell structural inversion collaboratively regulate light distribution, electromagnetic field phase, and transmission and reflection characteristics. Optimizing the perovskite layer thickness balances light absorption between subcells, increasing the power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 25.0% to 26.1%. Further introduction of the ILCL with phase-control design enhances optical coupling, raising the PCE to 28.10%. Numerical simulations indicate that top cell structural inversion effectively suppresses long-wavelength reflection and enhances bottom cell absorption, resulting in a simulated PCE of 33.73%, approaching the theoretical limit predicted by a semiempirical model guided by experimental data. Quantitative analysis based on admittance and phase matching elucidates the optical mechanisms, providing generalizable guidance for the design of multijunction photovoltaic devices. These results demonstrate that a unified light-management strategy not only systematically enhances device performance but also provides deep insights into the optical physics of all-perovskite tandem solar cells.
Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is closely associated with multiple health indicators. The Body Round Index (BRI) is a new indicator of obesity, yet few studies have examined its association with CRF. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether CRF in adolescents is associated with BRI. From September to December 2023, a cross-sectional assessment of height, weight, waist circumference, and 20 m shuttle run test(20-m SRT) performance was conducted among 42,341 [boys, 21849 (51.6
Global demand for hydrogen was about 100 million tonnes in 2024. Driven by net-zero emissions scenarios, this demand is growing rapidly. Projections from the International Energy Agency (IEA) indicate that global hydrogen demand is expected to exceed 200 million tonnes/year by 2030. The commercial deployment of blue and green hydrogen will be the main contributor to this demand growth. In comparison to green hydrogen production, blue hydrogen production (BHP) currently holds a commercial deployment advantage, because it is an improvement upon existing hydrogen production technologies rather than a complete redesign. However, the commercial deployment of BHP still faces cost and safety challenges. This study proposes a weighted risk index (WRI) method to assess the overall process risk of BHP process and considers the impact of changes in operating temperature and pressure on overall process risk. Compared with the Dow's fire and explosion index (F&EI), WRI is more sensitive to changes in operating conditions because it balances the influence of different risk factors. In addition, an integrated model is developed to investigate the relationship between potential process safety improvements and economic benefits. The results of integrating risk and economic analysis showed that the recommended operating temperature should be between 800 and 1000 degrees C. Operating pressures above 30 bara should be avoided. Furthermore, an additional cooling unit located between the main reformer and the water gas shift (WGS) helps avoid hazards caused by high operating temperatures.
