bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Localization of internal gravity waves in stratified channel flow
Authors: Toedtli Simon S. , Morra Pierluigi , Zaki Tamer A.
Published: November 2024

Linear and nonlinear contributions to the localization and dynamics of internal gravity waves in a stably stratified turbulent channel flow are investigated using data from direct numerical simulations (DNS). The classification into linear and nonlinear mechanisms is based on the resolvent formulation of the Navier–Stokes equations, which interprets velocity and temperature fluctuations (flow response) as the result of a linear operator (resolvent) acting on the nonlinear advection terms (forcing). Spatial and spatio-temporal power spectral densities computed from DNS data demonstrate that the stratified flow response is localized in spectral space and in the channel core, while the nonlinear forcing is broadband and spans up to the entire channel height. The localization of the velocity and temperature fluctuations in wavenumber and frequency is captured by the leading singular value of the resolvent operator. The wall-normal localization on the other hand results from a combination of linear dynamics and nonlinear forcing, and the latter is further examined using the cross-spectral density (CSD) tensor. Wall-normal subsets of the forcing CSD lead to flow responses that reveal a three-layer structure. The middle one hosts the critical layer of the gravity wave, and is termed the outer layer since it is flanked by an inner layer at the wall and the core region at the channel centre. Forcing within this outer layer generates the majority of the flow response in the channel core. Furthermore, a decomposition of the forcing CSD into velocity and temperature demonstrates that each imprints distinct phase relations on their associated responses, which lead to destructive interference and localization of the gravity waves in the channel core.
Natural convection in a vertical channel. Part 1. Wavenumber interaction and Eckhaus instability in a narrow domain
Authors: Zheng Zheng , Tuckerman Laurette S. , Schneider Tobias M.
Published: November 2024

In a vertical channel driven by an imposed horizontal temperature gradient, numerical simulations (Gao et al., Phys. Rev. E, vol. 88, 2013, 023010; Phys. Rev. E, vol. 91, 2015, 013006; Phys. Rev. E, vol. 97, 2018, 053107) have previously shown steady, time-periodic and chaotic dynamics. We explore the observed dynamics by constructing invariant solutions of the three-dimensional Oberbeck–Boussinesq equations, characterizing the stability of these equilibria and periodic orbits, and following the bifurcation structure of the solution branches under parametric continuation in Rayleigh number. We find that in a narrow vertically periodic domain of aspect ratio 10, the flow is dominated by the competition between three and four co-rotating rolls. We demonstrate that branches of three- and four-roll equilibria are connected and can be understood in terms of their discrete symmetries. Specifically, the

$D_4$

symmetry of the four-roll branch dictates the existence of qualitatively different intermediate branches that themselves connect to the three-roll branch in a transcritical bifurcation due to

$D_3$

symmetry. The physical appearance, disappearance, merging and splitting of rolls along the connecting branch provide a physical and phenomenological illustration of the equivariant theory of

$D_3$

–

$D_4$

mode interaction. We observe other manifestations of the competition between three and four rolls, in which the symmetry in time or in the transverse direction is broken, leading to limit cycles or wavy rolls, respectively. Our work highlights the interest of combining numerical simulations, bifurcation theory and group theory, in order to understand the transitions between and origin of flow patterns.
Identification of cross-frequency interactions in compressible cavity flow using harmonic resolvent analysis
Authors: Islam M.R. , Sun Yiyang
Published: November 2024

The resolvent analysis reveals the worst-case disturbances and the most amplified response in a fluid flow that can develop around a stationary base state. The recent work by Padovan et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 900, 2020, A14) extended the classical resolvent analysis to the harmonic resolvent analysis framework by incorporating the time-varying nature of the base flow. The harmonic resolvent analysis can capture the triadic interactions between perturbations at two different frequencies through a base flow at a particular frequency. The singular values of the harmonic resolvent operator act as a gain between the spatiotemporal forcing and the response provided by the singular vectors. In the current study, we formulate the harmonic resolvent analysis framework for compressible flows based on the linearized Navier–Stokes equation (i.e. operator-based formulation). We validate our approach by applying the technique to the low-Mach-number flow past an airfoil. We further illustrate the application of this method to compressible cavity flows at Mach numbers of 0.6 and 0.8 with a length-to-depth ratio of

$2$

. For the cavity flow at a Mach number of 0.6, the harmonic resolvent analysis reveals that the nonlinear cross-frequency interactions dominate the amplification of perturbations at frequencies that are harmonics of the leading Rossiter mode in the nonlinear flow. The findings demonstrate a physically consistent representation of an energy transfer from slow-evolving modes toward fast-evolving modes in the flow through cross-frequency interactions. For the cavity flow at a Mach number of 0.8, the analysis also sheds light on the nature of cross-frequency interaction in a cavity flow with two coexisting resonances.
Instability evolution on a shock-accelerated cylindrical fluid layer with arbitrary Atwood numbers
Authors: Yuan Ming , Zhao Zhiye , Liu Luoqin , Wang Pei , Liu Nan-Sheng , Lu Xi-Yun
Published: November 2024

Developing a model to describe the shock-accelerated cylindrical fluid layer with arbitrary Atwood numbers is essential for uncovering the effect of Atwood numbers on the perturbation growth. The recent model (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 969, 2023, p. A6) reveals several contributions to the instability evolution of a shock-accelerated cylindrical fluid layer but its applicability is limited to cases with an absolute value of Atwood numbers close to

$1$

, due to the employment of the thin-shell correction and interface coupling effect of the fluid layer in vacuum. By employing the linear stability analysis on a cylindrical fluid layer in which two interfaces separate three arbitrary-density fluids, the present work generalizes the thin-shell correction and interface coupling effect, and thus, extends the recent model to cases with arbitrary Atwood numbers. The accuracy of this extended model in describing the instability evolution of the shock-accelerated fluid layer before reshock is confirmed via direct numerical simulations. In the verification simulations, three fluid-layer configurations are considered, where the outer and intermediate fluids remain fixed and the density of the inner fluid is reduced. Moreover, the mechanisms underlying the effect of the Atwood number at the inner interface on the perturbation growth are mainly elucidated by employing the model to analyse each contribution. As the Atwood number decreases, the dominant contribution of the Richtmyer–Meshkov instability is enhanced due to the stronger waves reverberated inside the layer, leading to weakened perturbation growth at initial in-phase interfaces and enhanced perturbation growth at initial anti-phase interfaces.
Area, volume and ELA changes of West Greenland local glaciers and ice caps from 1985–2020
Authors: Securo Andrea , Del Gobbo Costanza , Citterio Michele , Machguth Horst , Marcer Marco , Korsgaard Niels J. , Colucci Renato R.
Published: November 2024

The behaviour of mountain glaciers on decadal time scales is a useful indicator for assessing climate change. Although less monitored and studied than the ice sheet, local glaciers and ice caps along the coast of Greenland are substantial contributors to meltwater runoff and sea level rise. This study analyses the cumulative area, ice mass and Equilibrium Line Altitude (ELA) change that occurred on 4100 glaciers and ice caps in West Greenland from 1985 to approximately 2020, using remotely sensed data and including glaciers smaller than 1 km2 in the calculations. The glaciers involved in the study decreased in area by 1774 ± 229 km2 which corresponds to almost −15%. Their surface elevation decreased on average by 20.6 ± 3.9 m, corresponding to a rate of −0.5 ± 0.1 m w.e. a−1. The ELA shows a median regional rise of 150 m with marked local variability and higher median rise in the northern part of the study area. Strong regional gradients in ELA of individual glaciers are found, both towards the ice sheet and in areas where local orography affects precipitation. The observed high spatial variability of changes suggests that more monitoring on sub-regional level is needed.
Suppression of Cadra cautella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) development by phytosanitary irradiation doses and their impacts on physiochemical and microbiological quality of dates
Authors: Gabarty Ahlam , Hammad Ali , Zinhoum Rasha A. , Ezz El-Dein Asmaa
Published: November 2024

Cadra cautella is a serious insect pest of stored figs and dates. The irradiation sensitivity of different development stages of C. cautella and large-scale testing of the proposed irradiation quarantine doses (50–500 Gy), were investigated. The impact of a PI dose of 400 Gy on the physiochemical and microbiological quality of dry dates (Bartamoda cv.) stored at room temperature was also investigated. An irradiation dose of 100 Gy prevented egg hatching in the F1 generation when 1–3 days old eggs were irradiated. Irradiation doses of 200 and 300 Gy prevented adult emergence when 2nd and 4th instar larvae were irradiated. When the pupae stage was irradiated, an irradiation dose of 400 Gy prevented the hatchability of F1 generation, indicating that this stage was the most radio-tolerant. The results of large-scale testing of the proposed phytosanitary irradiation dose (400 Gy) applied to 18, 0000 pupae resulted in no reproduction (zero hatching of F1 generation). There were no significant differences in the physiochemical properties of stored dates during the storage period at room temperature. Stable ESR signal intensity was recorded for 6 months in all parts of the irradiated fruits, and the intensity was highest in the kernel. The PI dose of 400 Gy also slightly reduced all microorganisms' counts. In conclusion, the dose level of 400 Gy stopped the reproduction potential of C. cautella. and they maintained the quality characteristics of dry date Bartamoda fruits during storage at room temperature for 6 months in tightly closed packages.
Improvement of some discrete Hardy inequalities with variants
Authors: Das Bikram , Chakraborty S. K. , Sadhu Rudrajit , Manna Atanu
Published: November 2024

In this paper, we establish a new version of one-dimensional discrete improved Hardy’s inequality with shifts by introducing a shifting discrete Dirichlet’s Laplacian. We prove that the general discrete Hardy’s inequality as well as its variants in some special cases admit improvements. Further, it is proved that two-variable discrete
$p$
-Hardy inequality can also be improved via improved discrete
$p$
-Hardy inequality in one dimension. The result is also extended to the multivariable cases.
Enlargements and Morita contexts for rings with involution
Authors: Laan Valdis , Väljako Kristo
Published: November 2024

We study Morita equivalence for idempotent rings with involution. Following the ideas of Rieffel, we define Rieffel contexts, and we also introduce Morita

$*$

-contexts and enlargements for rings with involution. We prove that two idempotent rings with involution have a joint enlargement if and only if they are connected by a unitary and full Rieffel context. These conditions are also equivalent to having a unitary and surjective Morita

$*$

-context between those rings. We also examine how the mentioned conditions are connected to the existence of certain equivalence functors between the categories of firm modules over the given rings with involution.
Are long-lived persons utility monsters?
Authors: Ponthiere Gregory
Published: November 2024

Nozick’s ‘utility monster’ is often regarded as impossible, because one life cannot be better than a large number of other lives. Against that view, I propose a purely marginalist account of utility monster defining the monster by a higher sensitivity of well-being to resources (instead of a larger total well-being), and I introduce the concept of collective utility monster to account for resource predation by a group. Since longevity strengthens the sensitivity of well-being to resources, large groups of long-lived persons may, if their longevity advantage is sufficiently strong, fall under the concept of collective utility monster, against moral intuition.
Insulin-transferrin-selenium supplementation improves porcine embryo production in vitro
Authors: Lin Juan , Ji Zhuqing , Zeng Shenming
Published: November 2024

In vitro production of porcine embryos is a complicated process that includes in vitro maturation (IVM), in vitro fertilization (IVF) and in vitro culture (IVC). Insufficient cytoplasmic maturation, slow zona reaction and improper embryo culture conditions will compromise the efficiency of porcine embryo production in vitro. Previous studies have shown that insulin-transferrin-selenium (ITS) in IVM or IVC medium could improve porcine oocyte maturation, decrease polyspermy fertilization and promote subsequent embryonic development in vitro. However, the effect of ITS both in IVM and IVC media on porcine embryo production in vitro hasn’t been elucidated. In this study, we found that 1.0% ITS supplementation in IVM/IVC media promoted the expansion of cumulus cells, raised mitochondrial membrane potential, increased ATP content and reduced ROS level in matured oocytes, improved blastocyst rate and the cell number of blastocyst, simultaneously. In conclusion, the IVM/IVC media supplemented with 1.0% ITS can improve the efficiency of porcine embryo production in vitro.
Case presentation: successful occlusion of congenital left ventricle to coronary sinus fistula
Authors: Mortezaeian Hojjat , Tabib Avisa , Pouraliakbar Hamidreza , Banazade Dardashty Amir
Published: November 2024

Congenital left ventricle to coronary sinus fistulas are exceptionally rare, and only a few case reports of this condition exist. These fistulas may isolated or occur in conjunction with other CHDs. In this case report, we describe an 18-month-old boy who presented to our centre with a diagnosis of mitral valve insufficiency and a coronary sinus-type atrial septal defect. Upon echocardiographic evaluation, he was found to have a rare congenital left ventricle to coronary sinus fistula. Echocardiographic examination established the diagnosis. Contrary to initial suspicions, mitral regurgitation and atrial septal defect were not present. Instead, the echocardiogram revealed a left ventricular to coronary sinus fistula accompanied by dilation of the coronary sinus. These findings were corroborated by CT angiography. The fistula was then successfully occluded using a transcatheter method. Follow-up assessments at one-year post-procedure showed no complications and no evidence of significant shunting on echocardiography.
Introduction: The Politics of Abortion in the Americas
Authors: Daby Mariela , Moseley Mason W.
Published: November 2024

Sweeping changes in abortion politics are underway in the Americas. Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, and Uruguay have legalized abortion in recent years, marking a sea change in the most Catholic region of the world. At the same time, several states in the United States have restricted abortion access following the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade, and numerous Central American countries have moved to fully criminalize the practice. Abortion is now legal in countries where it was long taboo, whereas the United States is characterized by a patchwork of laws that spans from some of the most progressive in the world to near-total bans. What explains this changing panorama in terms of reproductive rights in the Americas?
Judicial Federalism and Abortion in Mexico and the United States
Authors: Beer Caroline
Published: November 2024

As the US Supreme Court was preparing to overturn Roe v. Wade, the Mexican Supreme Court issued a series of sweeping rulings to liberalize abortion—part of a larger trend across Latin America (Daby and Moseley 2022; Fernandez Anderson 2017; Reuterswärd 2020; Ruibal 2014). Mexico has created a nationwide standard of access to abortion services, whereas the United States has abandoned universal legal abortion and embraced a patchwork system in which each state has different laws regulating reproductive healthcare. Why are these two neighbors on such divergent paths? This contribution to the symposium compares the ways that federalism and judicial politics have interacted in Mexico and the United States to explain the different trajectories of abortion policy. The divergent paths of the United States and Mexico can be explained by the two countries’ different experiences with democracy and political and institutional differences between the judiciaries. A different civil-society and constitutional context also has played a role.
A systematic review on the efficacy of GLP-1 receptor agonists in mitigating psychotropic drug-related weight gain
Authors: Menon Trisha , Lee Serene , Gong Xuan Yi , Wong Sabrina , Le Gia Han , Kwan Angela T.H. , Teopiz Kayla M. , Ho Roger , Cao Bing , Rhee Taeho Greg , Jing Zheng Yang , Valentino Kyle , Lin Kangguang , Vinberg Maj , Lo Heidi K.Y. , McIntyre Roger S.
Published: November 2024

Objective

Many psychotropic drugs are highly associated with related weight gain. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are established anti-obesity and glucose-lowering agents. Preliminary evidence also indicates they are fit for purpose in mitigating psychotropic drug-related weight gain (PDWG). This systematic review aims to synthesize the extant evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of GLP-1RAs on weight change in persons experiencing PDWG.

Methods

Online databases (ie, PubMed, OVID Medline, Google Scholar) were searched to identify relevant studies from inception to January 1, 2024. Articles were screened by title, abstract, and full-text by three independent reviewers against inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results

We identified six studies with participants aged ≥18 (n=374) that were eligible for inclusion in our systematic review. Most studies reported a significant and clinically meaningful effect of GLP-1RAs on anthropometrics and/or metabolics. All RCTs replicated the finding of modest or greater effects of GLP-1RAs; the most studied agents were liraglutide and exenatide. There was insufficient literature to conduct a meta-analysis.

Conclusion

Evidence suggests that GLP-1RAs are effective in mitigating weight gain in persons prescribed psychiatric medication. It is hypothesized that GLP-1RAs may moderate weight change in persons prescribed psychiatric medication through direct effects on metabolism and cognitive processes implicated in hunger/satiety. Future studies should aim to explore the long-term safety, tolerability, and efficacy profiles of various GLP-1RAs in the treatment and prevention of abnormal weight and metabolic homeostasis in psychiatric populations.
Scribes and their handnotes: The Linear B documents from Rooms 7–8 in The Mycenaean palace of Pylos
Authors: Evrenopoulos John
Published: November 2024

This paper investigates the information that can be drawn from the Linear B tablets in Rooms 7–8 (Archives Complex) and their context, which advocate the ephemeral character of these documents. The morphological and syntactical traits of the various scribes, as well as the physical characteristics of the artifacts themselves, point to non-conventional organisation patterns. The lack of systematic arrangement at all levels of scribal production raises questions regarding the likelihood of having a storage area for tablets kept in the Archives Complex (AC) for an extended period, from several months to a year. Whether these rooms could cope with storing long term (from 2–3 months up to 1 year?) an ever-increasing number of written documents is now open to question. In all aspects, the Linear B documents and their spatially limited context present us with difficulties in accepting their categorisation as an official, archival, assemblage. Moreover, all the archaeological data point to a more temporary and slipshod corpus of tablets than previously thought.
Compact and ultra-wideband high-efficiency rectifier using asymmetric coupled-line impedance transformer
Authors: Cheng Fei , Du Chun-Hong , Wu Li , Gu Chao
Published: November 2024

This paper presents a compact and ultra-wideband high-efficiency microwave rectifier for wireless power transmission (WPT) applications. The input-matching-network utilizes a compact asymmetric coupled transmission line structure, contributing to wideband performance. The rectifier adopts a voltage-doubler topology, resulting in a smooth input impedance across a wide bandwidth. The working principle of the asymmetric coupled transmission line matching network is analyzed. Simulation and measurement are conducted on the proposed rectifier. The fabricated prototype demonstrates a wide bandwidth of 162.5% (0.3–2.9 GHz with the power conversion efficiency (PCE) exceeding 60% at an input power of 18 dBm. Even at an input power of 10 dBm, the measured PCE remains above 50% over the working band. The proposed ultra-wideband rectifier shows promising potential for WPT applications including wireless powering of low-power electronic devices and sensors.
Comparing Three Measures of Legislative Professionalism
Authors: Brown Adam R. , Mitchell Ellie M.
Published: November 2024

We evaluate three measures of state legislative professionalism: Squire’s (1992) index that measures professionalism relative to the US House, Bowen and Greene’s (2014b) two-dimensional scaling, and legislative operating expenditures per member, an older measure that remains in occasional use. Replications of 18 recent articles show that these three measures regularly produce significantly different estimates of the effect of professionalism, particularly in longitudinal analysis; when they do, the choice of measure often affects whether other central variables retain a significant relationship with the dependent variable. These divergent results appear to reflect differences among these measures in terms of missingness, vulnerability to outliers, measurement of session length, and whether to benchmark to the US House. Researchers seeking a general indicator of professionalism should consider these differences when choosing an appropriate measure.
Trends of the Intra‐Annual Onset and End of Humid Heatwaves in the Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Dong Jianquan , Brönnimann Stefan , Hu Tao , Cheng Xueyan , Liu Yanxu , Peng Jian
Published: November 2024

Humid heatwaves negatively affect human health due to the integrating effect of temperature and humidity, and thus the early warning and timely mitigating on climate extremes are essential. Yet, systematic assessment on the intra‐annual onset and end of humid heatwaves, which is associated to the occurrence of first and last humid heatwaves, are missing globally. Using a new station‐based data set of daily maximum wet‐bulb temperature, the start and end dates, cumulative anomaly and extremely humid heat of the first and last humid heatwaves in the Northern Hemisphere were explored. It was found that at 91.54% of stations, humid heatwaves started earlier or ended later in the period of 2001–2020 compared to 1981–2000. High cumulative anomalies of the first or last humid heatwaves were found in the mid‐ and high‐latitude regions. Average difference between all humid heatwaves and the first humid heatwaves in cumulative anomalies increased steadily at stations north of 35°N. At regional scales, South East Asia had become the most prominent area with intensification of intra‐annual onset and end of humid heatwaves and will experience more frequent extreme events by 2100. Our findings demonstrated more intensified characteristics of the intra‐annual onset and end of humid heatwaves, calling for global awareness.
Interannual Ural Atmospheric Variability Under Slow‐Varying Soil Moisture and Snow Cover: Three Quasi‐Equilibrium States
Authors: Li Dongdong , Zhang Renhe , Huang Jianping
Published: November 2024

In Inner Eurasia, the monthly mean 850‐hPa geopotential height anomaly around the Ural Mountains exhibits a large and irregular interannual variability. Its intrinsic mechanism remains unclear. Based on a nonlinear theoretical model and reanalysis data sets during 1979–2023, we find similar qualitative and quantitative relationships, termed pitchfork‐like (PL) relationships, between the 850‐hPa Ural geopotential height anomaly in June, July, and January, and local soil moisture, snow depth water equivalent, and snow cover in the preceding months, respectively. These months are near the crest and trough of the annual cycle when surface forcing factors vary slowly. These nonlinear PL relationships reveal that the interannual Ural atmospheric variability in June and July (January) is intrinsically a transition between three (two) quasi‐equilibrium states. Moreover, when each forcing factor exceeds its critical threshold, the positive and negative anomaly quasi‐equilibrium states may occur with equal probability, implying a low predictability.
Direct Observations of Coastally Generated Near‐Inertial Waves During a Wind Event
Authors: Kelly Samuel M. , Green Erica L. , Stokes Ian A. , Austin Jay A. , Lucas Andrew J. , Nash Jonathan D.
Published: November 2024

Wind over the ocean generates near‐inertial velocities. In the open ocean, horizontal variability in the inertial frequency and mesoscale vorticity generate internal waves that transport energy laterally and drive diapcynal mixing in remote locations. In the coastal ocean, horizontal variability is produced by the coastline. This study analyzes observations along a straight coastline in Lake Superior, which acts as a “natural laboratory” for the coastal ocean. Depth‐profiles of velocity, temperature, and turbulent miscrostructure were collected during a 96 hr repeat survey from 3 to 20 km offshore in Aug 2018. Wind work was 2 mW and generated 0.2 m near‐inertial velocities that were inhibited within two internal Rossby radii (6 km) of the coast. The velocities are interpreted as a superposition of a “forced flow”, which is horizontally uniform, and a “wave flow”, associated with offshore propagating near‐inertial waves. A 1D momentum equation skillfully predicts the horizontally averaged near‐inertial velocities and the TKE shear production, which matches the 1 mW observed TKE dissipation rate. The offshore propagating wave has an energy flux of 10 W (m‐coastline)−1 and a downward energy flux of 1 mW . These results suggest that most near‐inertial wind work is lost directly to TKE shear production, but some energy is transferred to offshore propagating waves that may help catalyze shear instability away from the coast.
Rhythms of the Agulhas Current Within the Framework of Energetic Anisotropy
Authors: Guo Xin , Yang Xiao‐Yi , Deng Qiang , Lin Hongyang , Wang Dongxiao
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the mechanisms driving the acceleration and meandering of the Agulhas Current (AC), focusing on the role of eddy‐mean flow interactions. The analysis revealed that anticyclones originating from the Mozambique Channel and south of Madagascar played pivotal roles in accelerating the AC. Simultaneously, when anticyclones collide with the AC, they undergo processes of rotating and elongating into ellipses. In addition to the previously suggested barotropic instability induced by anticyclones, this study revealed that the merging of cyclones with the AC plays a role in the generation of meanders. Upstream cyclones reduce the horizontal potential vorticity gradient, facilitating eddies to traverse the current. The AC envelops these cyclones and flows in meandering patterns. The places where these meanders form are not exclusive to the Natal Bight. In addition, we further diagnose the kinetic energy conversion to reveal the interaction between eddy anisotropy (i.e., eddy deformation and orientation) and mean flow strain (i.e., stretching and shearing). The results suggest that the anisotropy of anticyclonic and cyclonic eddies prompts downscale KE transfer and the growth of meanders, establishing a positive feedback loop. Contrary to the findings of previous hypotheses, the acceleration of AC in turn leads to a decrease in the mean flow strain rate, exerting negative feedback on energy conversion and inhibiting the development of meanders. These two feedback mechanisms work together to determine the fate of AC meandering. The energetic anisotropy diagnosis holds potential applicability to other western boundary current systems.
Enhancing River Channel Dimension Estimation: A Machine Learning Approach Leveraging the National Water Model, Hydrographic Networks, and Landscape Characteristics
Authors: Modaresi Rad Arash , Johnson J. Michael , Ghahremani Zahra , Coll James , Frazier Nels
Published: November 2024

Knowledge of bankfull hydraulic geometry represents an essential requirement for various applications, including accurate flood prediction, hydrological routing, river behavior analysis, river management and engineering practices, water resource management, and beyond. Our work builds upon an extensive body of literature about estimating bankfull top‐width and depth at ungauged locations to enhance the understanding of observable factors that affect these parameters. Using more than 200,000 USGS Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) records, we developed a method employing machine learning (ML) using discharge estimates and landscape characteristics from sources, including the National Water Model (NWM), the National Hydrologic Geospatial Fabric network (NHGF), the EPA stream characteristic data set (StreamCat), and an array of satellite and reanalysis data products. Our method achieved log‐transformed R2 = 0.8 predicting bankfull depth (R2 = 0.77 for in‐channel conditions) and R2 = 0.76 predicting bankfull top‐width (R2 = 0.66 for in‐channel conditions) in the testing data set. The depth and width predictions showed lowest skill in mountainous and plateau regions. Our analysis demonstrates the benefit of data‐driven modeling in contrast to other global scaling‐based or regional statistical methods. In summary, our study illustrates how top‐width and depth can be better predicted using ML, reanalysis streamflow simulations, hydrographic networks, and summarized geospatial data.
Single-shot single-beam coherent Raman scattering thermometry based on optically induced air lasing
Authors: Lu Xu , Chen Yewei , Mazza Francesco , He Siyi , Li Zihan , Huang Shunlin , Wang Quanjun , Zhang Ning , Shen Bo , Wu Yuzhu , Yao Jinping , Cheng Ya
Published: November 2024

Thermometric techniques with high accuracy, fast response and ease of implementation are desirable for the study of dynamic combustion environments, transient reacting flows, and non-equilibrium plasmas. Herein, single-shot single-beam coherent Raman scattering (SS-CRS) thermometry is developed, for the first time to our knowledge, by using air lasing as a probe. We show that the air-lasing-assisted CRS signal has a high signal-to-noise ratio enabling single-shot measurements at a 1 kHz repetition rate. The SS-CRS thermometry consistently exhibits precision of <2.3% at different temperatures, but the inaccuracy grows with the increase in temperature. The high measurement repeatability, 1 kHz acquisition rate and easy-to-implement single-beam scheme are achieved thanks to the unique temporal, spectral and spatial characteristics of air lasing. This work opens a novel avenue for high-speed CRS thermometry, holding tremendous potential for fast diagnostics of transient reacting flows and plasmas.
A multiband NIR upconversion core-shell design for enhanced light harvesting of silicon solar cells
Authors: Wang Yue , Xu Wen , Liu Haichun , Jing Yuhan , Zhou Donglei , Ji Yanan , Widengren Jerker , Bai Xue , Song Hongwei
Published: November 2024

Exploring lanthanide light upconversion (UC) has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the near-infrared (NIR) responsive region of silicon solar cells (SSCs). However, its practical application under normal sunlight conditions has been hindered by the narrow NIR excitation bandwidth and the low UC efficiency of conventional materials. Here, we report the design of an efficient multiband UC system based on Ln3+/Yb3+-doped core-shell upconversion nanoparticles (Ln/Yb-UCNPs, Ln3+ = Ho3+, Er3+, Tm3+). In our design, Ln3+ ions are incorporated into distinct layers of Ln/Yb-UCNPs to function as near-infrared (NIR) absorbers across different spectral ranges. This design achieves broad multiband absorption withtin the 1100 to 2200 nm range, with an aggregated bandwidth of ~500 nm. We have identified a synthetic electron pumping (SEP) effect involving Yb3+ ions, facilitated by the synergistic interplay of energy transfer and cross-relaxation between Yb3+ and other ions Ln3+ (Ho3+, Er3+, Tm3+). This SEP effect enhances the UC efficiency of the nanomaterials by effectively transferring electrons from the low-excited states of Ln3+ to the excited state of Yb3+, resulting in intense Yb3+ luminescence at ~980 nm within the optimal response region for SSCs, thus markedly improving their overall performance. The SSCs integrated with Ln/Yb-UCNPs with multiband excitation demonstrate the largest reported NIR response range up to 2200 nm, while enabling the highest improvement in absolute photovoltaic efficiency reported, with an increase of 0.87% (resulting in a total efficiency of 19.37%) under standard AM 1.5 G irradiation. Our work tackles the bottlenecks in UCNP-coupled SSCs and introduces a viable approach to extend the NIR response of SSCs.
Spatial interactions of immune cells as potential predictors to efficacy of toripalimab plus chemotherapy in locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a phase Ib/II trial
Authors: Cheng Ke , Li Xiaoying , Lv Wanrui , Zhao Gang , Zhou Ruihan , Chang Chen , Yang Heqi , Li Ruizhen , Li Zhiping , Chen Ye , Yi Cheng , Yan Ouying , Xiao Chaoxin , Zhang Yi , Xiong Junjie , Huang Zixin , Shao Weikang , You Xin , Guo Wenhao , He Du , Ling Wenwu , Wang Rui , Tian Bole , Zhao Chengjian , Cao Dan
Published: November 2024

Advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a dismal prognosis. Immunotherapy alone offers limited efficacy, but it is still unknown whether its combination with chemotherapy could offer synergistic anti-tumor effects. This phase Ib/II study evaluated the safety and efficacy of combining toripalimab with the gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GnP) regimen as first-line treatment for locally advanced or metastatic PDAC and explored predictive biomarkers (ChiCTR2000032293). The primary endpoints were safety and overall survival (OS). The secondary outcomes were objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and progression-free survival (PFS). Immune-related biomarkers including programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, genetic status, cytokine levels, and spatial features of the tumor immune microenviroment (TIME) were investigated. Neither serious treatment-related adverse events nor grade 4 immune-related adverse events were reported. Among the 72 patients, the median OS was 8.9 months, 12-month OS rate was 31.9%, with median PFS of 5.6 months, ORR of 33.3%, and DCR of 90.3%. Higher PD-L1 expression, without liver metastases were associated with higher ORR, however these factors could not effectively distinguish responders and non-responders. Importantly, dendritic cells - T helper cells - cytotoxic T lymphocytes (DC-Th-CTL) enriched immune niche and their spatial interactions were dominant predictors of response based on TIME analysis using a cyclic multiplex tissue staining assay, with an area under the curve value of 0.8. Overall, GnP plus toripalimab exhibited good safety and differentiated efficacy in selected population, and the spatial interactions of DC-Th-CTL represent promising predictors to efficacy of immunochemotherapy in locally advanced or metastatic PDAC.
Decreased prefrontal glutamatergic function is associated with a reduced astrocyte-related gene expression in treatment-resistant depression
Authors: Wada Masataka , Nakajima Shinichiro , Honda Shiori , Takano Mayuko , Taniguchi Keita , Homma Saki , Ueda Risako , Tobari Yui , Mimura Yu , Fujii Shinya , Mimura Masaru , Noda Yoshihiro
Published: November 2024

Glutamatergic dysfunction is involved in the pathophysiology of treatment-resistant depression (TRD). However, few physiological studies have evaluated its pathophysiology in vivo in individuals with TRD. Transcranial magnetic stimulation-electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) techniques can assess intracortical facilitation (ICF), which reflects glutamatergic neurophysiological function in specific cortical regions. The objectives of this study were (1) to compare glutamatergic receptor-mediated function as indexed with ICF TMS-EEG in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) between participants with TRD and healthy controls (HCs) and (2) to explore the relationships between cell-specific gene expression levels and the group difference in glutamatergic neural propagation using virtual histology approach. Sixty participants with TRD and thirty HCs were examined with ICF TMS-EEG measure (80 single-pulse TMS and paired-pulse ICF) in the left DLPFC. Both sensor and source-level ICF measures were computed to compare them between the TRD and HC groups. Furthermore, we conducted spatial correlation analyses interregionally between ICF glutamatergic activity and cell-specific gene expression levels employing the Allen Human Brain Atlas dataset. DLPFC-ICF at the sensor level was not significantly different between the two groups, whereas DLPFC-ICF at the source level was reduced in the TRD group compared with the HC group (p = 0.026). Moreover, the reduced ICF signal propagation of TRD correlated with astrocyte-specific gene expression level (p < 0.0001). The glutamatergic neural activities indexed by ICF in the left DLPFC were decreased in participants with TRD. Additionally, a relative reduction in glutamatergic signal propagation originating from the DLPFC in TRD may be associated with astrocytic abnormality.
Spatiotemporal functions of leukemia inhibitory factor in embryo attachment and implantation chamber formation
Authors: Aikawa Shizu , Hiraoka Takehiro , Matsuo Mitsunori , Fukui Yamato , Fujita Hidetoshi , Saito-Fujita Tomoko , Shimizu-Hirota Ryoko , Takeda Norihiko , Hiratsuka Daiki , He Xueting , Ishizawa Chihiro , Iida Rei , Akaeda Shun , Harada Miyuki , Wada-Hiraike Osamu , Ikawa Masahito , Osuga Yutaka , Hirota Yasushi
Published: November 2024

Embryo implantation is crucial for successful pregnancy, requiring appropriate uterine responses to implantation-competent blastocysts. Molecular communication at the maternal–fetal junction governs this process. Leukemia inhibitory factor (Lif) plays a pivotal role in implantation across species. Lif is abundantly expressed in the glandular epithelium during blastocyst-receptive phase and is induced in the stroma surrounding attached blastocysts. While diminished Lif expression leads to infertility, its influence on peri-implantation uteri remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the role of Lif in uterine physiology using its uterine-specific knockout (uKO) and uterine epithelial-specific KO (eKO) in mice. Lif eKO and uKO mice displayed infertility owing to failed embryo attachment. Recombinant Lif supplementation rescued the reproductive phenotype of Lif eKO mice, but not Lif uKO mice; however, recombinant Lif injection rescued embryo attachment in Lif uKO mice. RNA-seq analysis indicated that Lif governs uterine epithelial genes, but not embryonic genes, to facilitate embryo attachment via activating nuclear Stat3. Concordantly, three-dimensional imaging of the uterine epithelium revealed that luminal closure and crypt formation are regulated by the uterine Lif–Stat3 axis as well as the presence of blastocysts. Collectively, our findings shed light on previously unknown mechanism on how Lif influences uterine functions molecularly and physiologically during early pregnancy.
Universal salt-assisted assembly of MXene from suspension on polymer substrates
Authors: Zhao Liang , Bi Lingyi , Hu Jiayue , Gao Guanhui , Zhang Danzhen , Li Yun , Flynn Aidan , Zhang Teng , Wang Ruocun , Cheng Xuemei M. , Liu Ling , Gogotsi Yury , Li Bo
Published: November 2024

Two-dimensional carbides and nitrides, known as MXenes, are promising for water-processable coatings due to their excellent electrical, thermal, and optical properties. However, depositing hydrophilic MXene nanosheets onto inert or hydrophobic polymer surfaces requires plasma treatment or chemical modification. This study demonstrates a universal salt-assisted assembly method that produces ultra-thin, uniform MXene coatings with exceptional mechanical stability and washability on various polymers, including high-performance polymers for extreme temperatures. The salt in the Ti3C2Tx colloidal suspension reduces surface charges, enabling electrostatically hydrophobized MXene deposition on polymers. A library of salts was used to optimize assembly kinetics and coating morphology. A 170 nm MXene coating can reduce radiation temperature by ~200 °C on a 300 °C PEEK substrate, while the coating on Kevlar fabric provides comfort in extreme conditions, including outer space and polar regions.
The Acrasis kona genome and developmental transcriptomes reveal deep origins of eukaryotic multicellular pathways
Authors: Sheikh Sanea , Fu Cheng-Jie , Brown Matthew W. , Baldauf Sandra L.
Published: November 2024

Acrasids are amoebae with the capacity to form multicellular fruiting bodies in a process known as aggregative multicellularity (AGM). This makes acrasids the only known example of multicellularity among the earliest branches of eukaryotes (the former Excavata). Here, we report the Acrasis kona genome sequence plus transcriptomes from pre-, mid- and post-developmental stages. The genome is rich in novelty and genes with strong signatures of horizontal transfer, and multigene families encode nearly half of the amoeba’s predicted proteome. Development in A. kona appears molecularly simple relative to the AGM model, Dictyostelium discoideum. However, the acrasid also differs from the dictyostelid in that it does not appear to be starving during development. Instead, developing A. kona appears to be very metabolically active, does not induce autophagy and does not up-regulate its proteasomal genes. Together, these observations strongly suggest that starvation is not essential for AGM development. Nonetheless, development in the two amoebae appears to employ remarkably similar pathways for signaling, motility and, potentially, construction of an extracellular matrix surrounding the developing cell mass. Much of this similarity is also shared with animal development, suggesting that much of the basic tool kit for multicellular development arose early in eukaryote evolution.
Streptolysin O accelerates the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin
Authors: Tang Di , Khakzad Hamed , Hjortswang Elisabeth , Malmström Lars , Ekström Simon , Happonen Lotta , Malmström Johan
Published: November 2024

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a human-specific bacterial pathogen that can exploit the plasminogen-plasmin fibrinolysis system to dismantle blood clots and facilitate its spread and survival within the human host. In this study, we use affinity-enrichment mass spectrometry to decipher the host-pathogen protein-protein interaction between plasminogen and streptolysin O, a key cytolytic toxin produced by GAS. This interaction accelerates the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin by both the host tissue-type plasminogen activator and streptokinase, a bacterial plasminogen activator secreted by GAS. Integrative structural mass spectrometry analysis shows that the interaction induces local conformational shifts in plasminogen. These changes lead to the formation of a stabilised intermediate plasminogen-streptolysin O complex that becomes significantly more susceptible to proteolytic processing by plasminogen activators. Our findings reveal a conserved and moonlighting pathomechanistic function for streptolysin O that extends beyond its well-characterised cytolytic activity.
Features of membrane protein sequence direct post-translational insertion
Authors: Kalinin Ilya A. , Peled-Zehavi Hadas , Barshap Alon B. D. , Tamari Shai A. , Weiss Yarden , Nevo Reinat , Fluman Nir
Published: November 2024

The proper folding of multispanning membrane proteins (MPs) hinges on the accurate insertion of their transmembrane helices (TMs) into the membrane. Predominantly, TMs are inserted during protein translation, via a conserved mechanism centered around the Sec translocon. Our study reveals that the C-terminal TMs (cTMs) of numerous MPs across various organisms bypass this cotranslational route, necessitating an alternative posttranslational insertion strategy. We demonstrate that evolution has refined the hydrophilicity and length of the C-terminal tails of these proteins to optimize cTM insertion. Alterations in the C-tail sequence disrupt cTM insertion in both E. coli and human, leading to protein defects, loss of function, and genetic diseases. In E. coli, we identify YidC, a member of the widespread Oxa1 family, as the insertase facilitating cTMs insertion, with C-tail mutations disrupting the productive interaction of cTMs with YidC. Thus, MP sequences are fine-tuned for effective collaboration with the cellular biogenesis machinery, ensuring proper membrane protein folding.
Discovery and mechanism of K63-linkage-directed deubiquitinase activity in USP53
Authors: Wendrich Kim , Gallant Kai , Recknagel Sarah , Petroulia Stavroula , Kazi Nafizul Haque , Hane Jan André , Führer Siska , Bezstarosti Karel , O’Dea Rachel , Demmers Jeroen , Gersch Malte
Published: November 2024

Ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) represent the largest class of human deubiquitinases (DUBs) and comprise its phylogenetically most distant members USP53 and USP54, which are annotated as catalytically inactive pseudoenzymes. Conspicuously, mutations within the USP domain of USP53 cause progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis. Here, we report the discovery that USP53 and USP54 are active DUBs with high specificity for K63-linked polyubiquitin. We demonstrate how USP53 mutations abrogate catalytic activity, implicating loss of DUB activity in USP53-mediated pathology. Depletion of USP53 increases K63-linked ubiquitination of tricellular junction components. Assays with substrate-bound polyubiquitin reveal that USP54 cleaves within K63-linked chains, whereas USP53 can en bloc deubiquitinate substrate proteins in a K63-linkage-dependent manner. Biochemical and structural analyses uncover underlying K63-specific S2 ubiquitin-binding sites within their catalytic domains. Collectively, our work revises the annotation of USP53 and USP54, provides reagents and a mechanistic framework to investigate K63-linked polyubiquitin decoding and establishes K63-linkage-directed deubiquitination as a new DUB activity.