bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrating Classroom and Community with Undergraduate Civically Engaged Research
Authors: Schmitt Sam , Mehlhaff Isaac D. , Ommundsen Emily Cottle
Published: June 2023

In addition to interest in undergraduate research, political science increasingly recognizes the value of civically engaged research for various educational, professional, and civic outcomes. With limited time and steep tradeoffs, instructors must find ways to cleverly combine undergraduate research experiences with the broader normative civic-education responsibilities of political science and higher education. This article presents a course design that allows instructors to leverage their classroom for both civic education and undergraduate research without the need for previously developed community partnerships that are common to most engaged research and learning. Our approach brings together undergraduate research and community engagement through course design.
Feasibility and initial impact of single-session internet-delivered acceptancevschange skills for emotions for stress- and trauma-related problems: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: McLean Caitlin L. , Ruork Allison K. , Ramaiya Megan K. , Fruzzetti Alan E.
Published: June 2023

Background:

Current psychological trauma-focused interventions have left a gap for individuals who may not be ready for trauma-focused treatment and/or who present with other forms of clinically significant distress, such as subthreshold post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Emotion regulation is a possible transdiagnostic mechanism of change that may promote and maintain some of the varied mental health problems related to trauma exposure.

Aims:

This study examines the feasibility and initial impact of two brief emotion regulation skill trainings targeting different processes hypothesized to reduce trauma-related problems, compared with an active control.

Method:

Subjects (n= 156) were randomized to receive one of three brief internet-based trainings: (1) skill training on accepting emotions, (2) skill training on changing emotions, or (3) stress psychoeducation (control). Participants completed measures of emotion regulation, mindfulness, and affect intensity 24 hours pre- and immediately post-training.

Results:

Results suggested that a brief internet-based skills training programme was feasible and acceptable, with 91.9% completing the training programme to which they were randomized. Results showed that participants in all conditions demonstrated significant decreases in emotion regulation problems over time; yet these improvements did not vary by condition. Participants in the Change condition with higher PTSD symptoms were significantly more likely to have greater increases in positive affect compared with those with lower PTSD symptoms.

Conclusions:

Although the three conditions did not show different outcomes, all three brief internet-delivered trainings were feasible. Results provide direction for future studies to evaluate the delivery of emotion regulation skills in individuals with trauma-related distress.
Local contextual factors of child stunting found via shared values of stakeholder groups: an exploratory case study in Kaffrine, Senegal
Authors: Moreno Juan Manuel , Chapman Annabel J , Ebido Chike C , Sougou Ndèye Marième , Diallo Amadou H , Tening Rahel Neh , Dial Fatou Binetou , Massonnié Jessica , Firoozmand Mahsa , Niang Cheikh El Hadji Abdoulaye , Heffernan Claire , Harder Marie K
Published: June 2023

Objective:

This work aims to demonstrate an original approach to identify links between locally situated shared values and contextual factors of stunting. Stunting results from multi-factorial and multi-sectoral determinants, but interventions typically neglect locally situated lived experiences, which contributes to problematic designs that are not meaningful for those concerned and/or relatively ineffective.

Design:

This case study investigates relevant contextual factors in two steps: by first facilitating local stakeholder groups (n 11) to crystallise their shared-values-in-action using a specialised method from sustainability studies (WeValue_InSitu (WVIS)). Secondly, participants (n 44) have focus group discussions (FGD) about everyday practices around child feeding/food systems, education and/or family life. Because the first step strongly grounds participants in local shared values, the FGD can reveal deep links between contextual factors and potential influences on stunting.

Setting:

Kaffrine, Senegal, an ‘Action Against Stunting Hub’ site. December 2020.

Participants:

Eleven stakeholder groups of mothers, fathers, grandmothers, pre-school teachers, community health workers, farmers, market traders and public administrators.

Results:

Local contextual factors of stunting were identified, including traditional beliefs concerning eating and growing practices; fathers as decision-makers; health worker trust; financial non-autonomy for women; insufficient water for preferred crops; merchants’ non-access to quality produce; religious teachings and social structures affecting children’s food environment.

Conclusions:

Local contextual factors were identified. Pre-knowledge of these could significantly improve effectiveness of intervention designs locally, with possible applicability at other sites. The WVIS approach proved efficient and useful for making tangible contextual factors and their potential links to stunting, via a lens of local shared values, showing general promise for intervention research.
MILNOR K-THEORY, F-ISOCRYSTALS AND SYNTOMIC REGULATORS
Authors: Asakura Masanori , Miyatani Kazuaki
Published: June 2023

We introduce a category of filtered F-isocrystals and construct a symbol map from Milnor K-theory to the group of 1-extensions of filtered F-isocrystals. We show that our symbol map is compatible with the syntomic symbol map to the log syntomic cohomology by Kato and Tsuji. These are fundamental materials in our computations of syntomic regulators which we work in other papers.
The First Indigenous Anglican Diocese of Western Africa: Contested Legacy of the Diocese on the Niger and CMS Mission in Igboland
Authors: Nwokolo Owen C. , Counted Victor
Published: June 2023

As Nigeria grew as an independent nation, the role of the Church Missionary Society (CMS) began to evolve, reflecting the needs of a burgeoning multi-ethnic society. This transformation is particularly evident in the Diocese on the Niger – the first indigenous Anglican diocese in Western Africa – a topic of debate within various factions of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion. These contentions – centred on historical accuracy, heritage and primacy – mirror broader socio-political disputes concerning the Igbo people’s history and reveal postwar ethnocentric trends in Nigeria. We propose that the strategic positioning of the Diocese on the Niger was part of the CMS mission’s expansion plan into Islamic-dominated Western and Northern Nigeria. Igboland, with its geographical significance and potential as a fertile ground for the gospel, was a deliberate choice. The debates around these contested viewpoints and legacies epitomize the societal disputes over historical interpretation and its theological implications – extending beyond the events themselves and prompting reflection on the embodiment of Christ’s teachings in navigating socio-political complexities. These discussions go beyond religious or geographical disagreements – they symbolize a broader struggle to understand and interpret the past.
An Action‐Oriented Approach to Make the Most of the Wind and Solar Power Complementarity
Authors: Jerez Sonia , Barriopedro David , García‐López Alejandro , Lorente‐Plazas Raquel , Somoza Andrés M. , Turco Marco , Carrillo Judit , Trigo Ricardo M.
Published: June 2023

Solar and wind power are called to play a main role in the transition toward decarbonized electricity systems. However, their integration in the energy mix is highly compromised due to the intermittency of their production caused by weather and climate variability. To face the challenge, here we present research about actionable strategies for wind and solar photovoltaic facilities deployment that exploit their complementarity in order to minimize the volatility of their combined production while guaranteeing a certain supply. The developed methodology has been implemented in an open‐access step‐wise model called CLIMAX. It first identifies regions with homogeneous temporal variability of the resources, and then determines the optimal shares of each technology over such regions. In the simplistic application performed here, we customize the model to narrow the monthly deviations of the total wind‐plus‐solar electricity production from a given curve (here, the mean annual cycle of the total production) across five European domains. For the current shares of both technologies, the results show that an optimal siting of the power units would reduce the standard deviation of the monthly anomalies of the total wind‐plus‐solar power generation by up to 20% without loss in the mean capacity factor as compared to a baseline scenario with an evenly spatial distribution of the installations. This result further improves (up to 60% in specific regions) if the total shares of each technology are also optimized, thus encouraging the use of CLIMAX for practical guidance of next‐generation renewable energy scenarios.
Temporal Variability in Gas Emissions at Bagana Volcano Revealed by Aerial, Ground, and Satellite Observations
Authors: McCormick Kilbride B. T. , Nicholson E. J. , Wood K. T. , Wilkes T. C. , Schipper C. I. , Mulina K. , Itikarai I. , Richardson T. , Werner C. , Hayer C. S. L. , Esse B. , Burton M. , Pering T. D. , McGonigle A. J. S. , Coppola D. , Bitetto M. , Giudice G. , Aiuppa A.
Published: June 2023

Bagana is a remote, highly active volcano, located on Bougainville Island in southeastern Papua New Guinea. The volcano has exhibited sustained and prodigious sulfur dioxide gas emissions in recent decades, accompanied by frequent episodes of lava extrusion. The remote location of Bagana and its persistent activity have made it a valuable case study for satellite observations of active volcanism. This remoteness has also left many features of Bagana relatively unexplored. Here, we present the first measurements of volcanic gas composition, achieved by unoccupied aerial system (UAS) flights through the volcano's summit plume, and a payload comprising a miniaturized MultiGAS. We combine our measurements of the molar CO2/SO2 ratio in the plume with coincident remote sensing measurements (ground‐ and satellite‐based) of SO2 emission rate to compute the first estimate of CO2 flux at Bagana. We report low SO2 and CO2 fluxes at Bagana from our fieldwork in September 2019, ∼320 ± 76 td−1 and ∼320 ± 84 td−1, respectively, which we attribute to the volcano's low level of activity at the time of our visit. We use satellite observations to demonstrate that Bagana's activity and emissions behavior are highly variable and advance the argument that such variability is likely an inherent feature of many volcanoes worldwide and yet is inadequately captured by our extant volcanic gas inventories, which are often biased to sporadic measurements. We argue that there is great value in the use of UAS combined with MultiGAS‐type instruments for remote monitoring of gas emissions from other inaccessible volcanoes.
The Devastating 2022 M6.2 Afghanistan Earthquake: Challenges, Processes, and Implications
Authors: Kufner S.‐K. , Bie L. , Gao Y. , Lindner M. , Waizy H. , Kakar N. , Rietbrock A.
Published: June 2023

On June 21st, a Mw6.2 earthquake struck the Afghan‐Pakistan‐border‐region, situated within the India‐Asia collision. Thousand thirty‐nine deaths were reported, making the earthquake the deadliest of 2022. We investigate the event's rupture processes by combining seismological and geodetic observations, aiming to understand what made it that fatal. Our Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar‐constrained slip‐model and regional moment‐tensor inversion, confirmed through field observations, reveal a sinistral rupture with maximum slip of 1.8 m at 5 km depth on a N20°E striking, sub‐vertical fault. We suggest that not only external factors (event‐time, building stock) but fault‐specific factors made the event excessively destructive. Surface rupture was favored by the rock foliation, coinciding with the fault strike. The distribution of Peak‐Ground‐Velocity was governed by the sub‐vertical fault. Maximum slip was large compared to other events globally and might have resulted in peak‐frequencies coinciding with resonance‐frequencies of the local buildings and demonstrates the devastating impact of moderate‐size earthquakes.
On the Global Decrease in the Deep and Abyssal Density Stratification Along the Spreading Pathways of Antarctic Bottom Water Since the 1990s
Authors: Tan Shuwen , Thurnherr Andreas M.
Published: June 2023

The density stratification in the ocean is directly related to the diapycnal mixing, which drives the abyssal cell of the Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC). It is important to understand how stratification has been changing in the world's deep and abyssal oceans under climate change. Using repeat hydrographic data obtained since the 1990s, we find a decreasing stratification associated with changes in the source Antarctica Bottom Water (AABW) properties in its formation basins as well as in basins along its dispersal pathways. Averaged south of 60°S, the squared buoyancy frequency N2 shows a negative trend of −6% per decade in waters deeper than 4,000 m. The observed decadal reduction in stratification is associated with large spatial variability, especially in the Southern Ocean basins with multiple AABW sources. Additionally, there are also significant differences between neighboring basins that are related to the blocking effect of topography.
Magma Transfer at Campi Flegrei Caldera (Italy) After the 1538 AD Eruption
Authors: Trasatti Elisa , Magri Carmine , Acocella Valerio , Del Gaudio Carlo , Ricco Ciro , Di Vito Mauro A.
Published: June 2023

Shallow magma transfer is difficult to detect at poorly monitored volcanoes. Magma transfer before the last 1538 eruption at Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy) was exceptionally tracked using historical, archeological, and geological data. Here, we extend that data set to 1650 to uncover any magma transfer during post‐eruptive subsidence. Results show two post‐eruptive subsidence phases, separated by a previously undocumented uplift during 1540–1582. Uplift highlights the pressurization of the central (∼3.5 km depth) and peripheral (∼1 km depth) pre‐eruptive sources, suggesting an aborted eruption. The subsidence events mainly require the depressurization of the central source and pressurization of a deeper magmatic layer (∼8 km depth). Therefore, despite the overall post‐eruptive deflation, after 1538 the deeper reservoir experienced continuous magma supply, with magma almost erupting between 1540 and 1582, challenging the common assumption of post‐eruptive deflation. This underlies the importance of monitoring the deeper magmatic systems, also after eruptions, to properly assess their eruptive potential.
Deep Learning Regional Climate Model Emulators: A Comparison of Two Downscaling Training Frameworks
Authors: van der Meer Marijn , de Roda Husman Sophie , Lhermitte Stef
Published: June 2023

Regional climate models (RCMs) have a high computational cost due to their higher spatial resolution compared to global climate models (GCMs). Therefore, various downscaling approaches have been developed as a surrogate for the dynamical downscaling of GCMs. This study assesses the potential of using a cost‐efficient machine learning alternative to dynamical downscaling by using the example case study of emulating surface mass balance (SMB) over the Antarctic Peninsula. More specifically, we determine the impact of the training framework by comparing two training scenarios: (a) a perfect and (b) an imperfect model framework. In the perfect model framework, the RCM‐emulator learns only the downscaling function; therefore, it was trained with upscaled RCM (UPRCM) features at GCM resolution. This emulator accurately reproduced SMB when evaluated on UPRCM, but its predictions on GCM data conserved RCM‐GCM inconsistencies and led to underestimation. In the imperfect model framework, the RCM‐emulator was trained with GCM features and downscaled the GCM while exposed to RCM‐GCM inconsistencies. This emulator predicted SMB close to the truth, showing it learned the underlying inconsistencies and dynamics. Our results suggest that a deep learning RCM‐emulator can learn the proper GCM to RCM downscaling function while working directly with GCM data. Furthermore, the RCM‐emulator presents a significant computational gain compared to an RCM simulation. We conclude that machine learning emulators can be applied to produce fast and fine‐scaled predictions of RCM simulations from GCM data.
The Paleozoic Hydrocarbon System in the Gotland Basin (Central Baltic Sea) Leaks
Authors: Warwel Arne , Hübscher Christian , Hartge Matthias , Artschwager Maike , Schäfer Wiebke , Preine Jonas , Häcker Tobias , Strehse Victoria , Karušs Jānis , Lüdmann Thomas
Published: June 2023

The Baltic Basin is known for its numerous Paleozoic hydrocarbon reservoirs. There is published evidence that hydrocarbons are leaking from the seafloor, however, little is known about the hydrocarbon migration pathways from Paleozoic source and reservoir rocks toward the seafloor and their escape structures. To investigate these processes, we utilize a new set of multibeam, parametric sediment sub‐bottom profiler and 2D seismic reflection data. The integrated analysis of seismic profiles, diffraction imaging and bathymetric maps allow to identify a hydrocarbon migration system within Silurian and Devonian strata that consists of layer parallel and updip migration beneath sealing layers, migration across seals along faults, and seafloor escape structures in form of elongated depressions. The general migration trend is directed updip, from the Paleozoic reservoirs below the southeastern Baltic Sea toward the Gotland Depression in the northwest. The locations of the hydrocarbon escape structures at the seafloor and their elongated shape are mainly controlled by the regional geological setting of outcropping Paleozoic layers. In addition, iceberg scouring may have facilitated hydrocarbon migration through the Quaternary deposits. The description of this hydrocarbon migration system fills the gap between the known reservoirs and the observed hydrocarbon accumulations and seepages. With regard to potential Carbon Capture and Storage projects, the identification of this hydrocarbon migration system is of great importance, as potential storage sites may be leaking.
Environmental Co‐Benefits of Maintaining Native Vegetation With Solar Photovoltaic Infrastructure
Authors: Choi Chong Seok , Macknick Jordan , Li Yudi , Bloom Dellena , McCall James , Ravi Sujith
Published: June 2023

Co‐locating solar photovoltaics with vegetation could provide a sustainable solution to meeting growing food and energy demands. However, studies quantifying multiple co‐benefits resulting from maintaining vegetation at utility‐scale solar power plants are limited. We monitored the microclimate, soil moisture, panel temperature, electricity generation and soil properties at a utility‐scale solar facility in a continental climate with different site management practices. The compounding effect of photovoltaic arrays and vegetation may homogenize soil moisture distribution and provide greater soil temperature buffer against extreme temperatures. The vegetated solar areas had significantly higher soil moisture, carbon, and other nutrients compared to bare solar areas. Agrivoltaics in agricultural areas with carbon debt can be an effective climate mitigation strategy along with revitalizing agricultural soils, generating income streams from fallow land, and providing pollinator habitats. However, the benefits of vegetation cooling effects on electricity generation are rather site‐specific and depend on the background climate and soil properties. Overall, our findings provide foundational data for site preservation along with targeting site‐specific co‐benefits, and for developing climate resilient and resource conserving agrivoltaic systems.
The Impact of Stratospheric Aerosol Injection on Extreme Fire Weather Risk
Authors: Touma Danielle , Hurrell James W. , Tye Mari R. , Dagon Katherine
Published: June 2023

Stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) would potentially be effective in limiting global warming and preserving large‐scale temperature patterns; however, there are still gaps in understanding the impact of SAI on wildfire risk. In this study, extreme fire weather is assessed in an Earth system model experiment that deploys SAI beginning in 2035, targeting a global temperature increase of 1.5°C above pre‐industrial levels under a moderate warming scenario. After SAI deployment, increases in extreme fire weather event frequency from climate change are dampened over much of the globe, including the Mediterranean, northeast Brazil, and eastern Europe. However, SAI has little impact over the western Amazon and northern Australia and causes larger increases in extreme fire weather frequency in west central Africa relative to the moderate emissions scenario. Variations in the impacts of warming and SAI on moisture conditions on different time scales determine the spatiotemporal differences in extreme fire weather frequency changes, and are plausibly linked to changes in synoptic‐scale circulation. This study highlights that regional and spatial heterogeneities of SAI climate effects simulated in a model are amplified when assessing wildfire risk, and that these differences must be accounted for when quantifying the possible benefit of SAI.
Reply to Comment on “Improved Water Savings and Reduction in Moist Heat Stress Caused by Efficient Irrigation” by Meetpal S. Kukal
Authors: Ambika Anukesh Krishnankutty , Mishra Vimal
Published: June 2023

Irrigation has a considerable influence on land surface energy and water budgets. Irrigation‐related processes influence energy partitioning, planetary boundary layer, land surface temperature, evapotranspiration, and runoff. However, observations related to irrigation and its influence on land surface hydrology and climate are limited. Among the limited observations available, most are from the field scale experiments that do not provide information on the regional scale impacts of irrigation. While land surface and climate models do not represent the complexity of field‐scale irrigation, these modeling experiments provide valuable insights into regional‐scale effects. We respond to a recent comment on our modeling study of irrigation impacts on regional climate. We acknowledge the limitations of our modeling experiments. However, we aimed to provide an experimental framework to understand the role of improved irrigation efficiency in water savings and in reducing moist heat stress at the regional scale.
Occupational and Environmental Noise Exposure and Extra‐Auditory Effects on Humans: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Lee Yongho , Lee Seunghyun , Lee Wanhyung
Published: June 2023

Noise is a common harmful factor in our work and the environment. Most studies have investigated the auditory effects of noise exposure; however, few studies have focused on the extra‐auditory effects of exposure to occupational or environmental noise. This study aimed to systematically review published studies on the extra‐auditory effects of noise exposure. We reviewed literature from PubMed and Google Scholar databases up to July 2022, using the Patient, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome criteria and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines to identify studies that reported extra‐auditory effects of occupational or environmental noise exposure. Studies were evaluated utilizing validated reporting tools (CONSORT, STROBE) appropriate to study design. A total of 263 articles were identified, of which 36 were finally selected and reviewed. Upon conducting a review of the articles, exposure to noise can elicit a variety of extra‐auditory effects on humans. These effects include circulatory effects linked to higher risk of cardiovascular disease and decreased endothelial function, nervous system effects correlated with sleep disturbance, cognitive impairment, and mental health problems, immunological and endocrinal effects connected to increased physiological stress response and metabolic disorders, oncological and respiratory effects associated with an elevated risk of acoustic neuroma and respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal effects linked to an increased risk of gastric or duodenal ulcer, and obstetric effects connected to the risk of preterm birth. Our review suggests that there are numerous extra‐auditory effects of noise exposure on human, and further investigations are needed to fully understand these effects.
Methane Seepage Caused by Gas Hydrate Dissociation in the Mid‐Okinawa Trough Since the Last Glacial Maximum
Authors: Li Ang , Wu Nengyou , Li Qing , Wang Zhou , Wan Yizhao , Cai Feng , Sun Zhilei , Feng Dong
Published: June 2023

Submarine methane seepage can potentially be promoted by the dissociation of the marine hydrates surrounding the continental margins due to oceanic warming since the Last Glacial Maximum. This seepage could be archived by authigenic carbonates at seeping sites, but the time lag caused by heat transmission through the sediment column leads to an inconsistency between the ages of the carbonate and the period of bottom water warming. Here we present the records of the authigenic carbonate crust from drilling site D1 in the Mid‐Okinawa Trough. Uranium–thorium dating results show that the carbonate crust mainly grew downwards during 14–6 ka. Gas hydrates hosted in the relatively thin stability zone dissociated in a rapid response to bottom water warming and intensified the methane seepage. Our study better supports the hypothesis that a considerable amount of methane can be released from marine hydrates due to global climatic changes.
Performance of GPCP Daily Products Over Oceans: Evaluation Using Passive Aquatic Listeners
Authors: Li Zhe , Thompson Elizabeth J. , Behrangi Ali , Chen Haonan , Yang Jie
Published: June 2023

Passive Aquatic Listeners (PALs) have been increasingly deployed to collect minute‐scale surface oceanic rainfall and wind information, with a sampling area similar to the spaceborne sensor footprints. This provides an unprecedented opportunity to validate satellite precipitation products over oceans. This study evaluates the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) daily products, including the widely used GPCP v1.3 and the newly released GPCP v3.2, over oceans using 58 PALs as references. The study shows that the GPCP performance depends on time scale, region, and rainfall intensity. The two versions of GPCP perform similarly at multi‐year and monthly scales, while GPCP v3.2 shows substantial improvements in representing rain occurrence and rain intensity at daily scale. The results also highlight the challenge of precipitation measurement over certain regions such as the tropical Southeastern Pacific and extratropical North Pacific, where both versions of the GPCP products perform similarly but exhibit noticeable differences compared to PAL observations.
Zapiola Gyre, Velocities and Mixing, New Argo Insights
Authors: Johnson Gregory C. , King Brian A.
Published: June 2023

The Zapiola Gyre is a large, full‐depth, bottom‐intensified, anticyclonic recirculation in the Argentine Basin. It rotates around the Zapiola Drift, a sedimentary rise standing a few hundred meters above the abyssal plain, tall enough to create closed contours of planetary potential vorticity. Hence the gyre has been posited to be an eddy‐driven free mode that is damped primarily by the bottom Ekman layer. It describes approximately a zonally elongated ellipse with a zonal semi‐major axis of ∼440 km and a meridional semi‐minor axis of ∼125 km. Its volume transport is estimated here at ∼110 (±25) × 106 m3 s−1. It has peak depth‐averaged meridional velocities of ∼0.06 and ∼0.08 m s−1, and peak depth‐averaged zonal velocities of ∼0.11 and ∼0.12 m s−1. Peak surface velocities are ∼57% of peak bottom velocities, consistent with the dynamics of a bottom‐intensified Taylor column in a stratified flow. Deep and Core Argo float trajectories follow the gyre, with a couple of Core Argo floats with 1000‐dbar parking depths executing more than three anticyclonic rotations around it, and Core Argo floats that approach within ∼75 km of the gyre center executing on average ∼1.7 circumnavigations. Deep Argo temperature‐salinity profiles combined with historical shipboard CTD profile data afford maps newly illuminating the advective swirling of water‐mass signatures around the gyre at the density of the North Atlantic Deep Water salinity maximum. Their patterns are consistent with a Peclet number of ∼30 estimated here using previously published lateral eddy diffusivities in the region.
Thank You to Our 2022 Peer Reviewers
Authors: East Amy E. , Attal Mikael , (Ton) Hoitink A. J. F. , Sergienko Olga V.
Published: June 2023

Members of the editorial board of the Journal of Geophysical Research—Earth Surface express their appreciation to those who served as peer reviewers for this journal in 2022.
LIMP-2 enhances cancer stem-like cell properties by promoting autophagy-induced GSK3β degradation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Liu Yuantong , Li Shujin , Wang Shuo , Yang Qichao , Wu Zhizhong , Zhang Mengjie , Chen Lei , Sun Zhijun
Published: June 2023

Cancer stem cell-like cells (CSCs) play an integral role in the heterogeneity, metastasis, and treatment resistance of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) due to their high tumor initiation capacity and plasticity. Here, we identified a candidate gene named LIMP-2 as a novel therapeutic target regulating HNSCC progression and CSC properties. The high expression of LIMP-2 in HNSCC patients suggested a poor prognosis and potential immunotherapy resistance. Functionally, LIMP-2 can facilitate autolysosome formation to promote autophagic flux. LIMP-2 knockdown inhibits autophagic flux and reduces the tumorigenic ability of HNSCC. Further mechanistic studies suggest that enhanced autophagy helps HNSCC maintain stemness and promotes degradation of GSK3β, which in turn facilitates nuclear translocation of β-catenin and transcription of downstream target genes. In conclusion, this study reveals LIMP-2 as a novel prospective therapeutic target for HNSCC and provides evidence for a link between autophagy, CSC, and immunotherapy resistance.
Promotion effect of TGF-β-Zfp423-ApoD pathway on lip sensory recovery after nerve sacrifice caused by nerve collateral compensation
Authors: Ma Pingchuan , Zhang Gaowei , Chen Su , Miao Cheng , Cao Yubin , Wang Meng , Liu Wenwen , Shen Jiefei , Tang Patrick Ming-Kuen , Men Yi , Ye Li , Li Chunjie
Published: June 2023

Resection of oral and maxillofacial tumors is often accompanied by the inferior alveolar nerve neurectomy, resulting in abnormal sensation in lower lip. It is generally believed that spontaneous sensory recovery in this nerve injury is difficult. However, during our follow-up, patients with inferior alveolar nerve sacrifice showed different degrees of lower lip sensory recovery. In this study, a prospective cohort study was conducted to demonstrate this phenomenon and analyze the factors influencing sensory recovery. A mental nerve transection model of Thy1-YFP mice and tissue clearing technique were used to explore possible mechanisms in this process. Gene silencing and overexpression experiments were then conducted to detect the changes in cell morphology and molecular markers. In our follow-up, 75% of patients with unilateral inferior alveolar nerve neurectomy had complete sensory recovery of the lower lip 12 months postoperatively. Patients with younger age, malignant tumors, and preservation of ipsilateral buccal and lingual nerves had a shorter recovery time. The buccal nerve collateral sprouting compensation was observed in the lower lip tissue of Thy1-YFP mice. ApoD was demonstrated to be involved in axon growth and peripheral nerve sensory recovery in the animal model. TGF-β inhibited the expression of STAT3 and the transcription of ApoD in Schwann cells through Zfp423. Overall, after sacrificing the inferior alveolar nerve, the collateral compensation of the ipsilateral buccal nerve could innervate the sensation. And this process was regulated by TGF-β-Zfp423-ApoD pathway.
Mechanically resilient, alumina-reinforced carbon nanotube arrays for in-plane shock absorption in micromechanical devices
Authors: Jo Eunhwan , Lee Hojoon , Lee Jae-Ik , Kim Jongbaeg
Published: June 2023

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are of considerable interest due to their compact size and low power consumption when used in modern electronics. MEMS devices intrinsically incorporate three-dimensional (3D) microstructures for their intended operations; however, these microstructures are easily broken by mechanical shocks accompanying high-magnitude transient acceleration, inducing device malfunction. Although various structural designs and materials have been proposed to overcome this limit, developing a shock absorber for easy integration into existing MEMS structures that effectively dissipates impact energy remains challenging. Here, a vertically aligned 3D nanocomposite based on ceramic-reinforced carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays is presented for in-plane shock-absorbing and energy dissipation around MEMS devices. This geometrically aligned composite consists of regionally-selective integrated CNT arrays and a subsequent atomically thick alumina layer coating, which serve as structural and reinforcing materials, respectively. The nanocomposite is integrated with the microstructure through a batch-fabrication process and remarkably improves the in-plane shock reliability of a designed movable structure over a wide acceleration range (0–12,000g). In addition, the enhanced shock reliability through the nanocomposite was experimentally verified through comparison with various control devices.
PPARδ inhibition blocks the induction and function of tumor-induced IL-10+ regulatory B cells and enhances cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Chen Chen , Ma Jianan , Pi Chenchen , Huang Wei , Zhang Tao , Fu Cong , Liu Wentao , Yang Yong-Guang
Published: June 2023

IL-10+ regulatory B cells (Bregs) play a significant role in cancer immunotherapy and their presence is an indicator of negative outcome. We found that PPARδ is significantly upregulated in tumor-induced IL-10+ Bregs with a phenotype of CD19+CD24hiIgDlo/−CD38lo or CD19+CD24hiIgDlo/−CD38hi in both mice and humans, and the level of PPARδ expression was correlated with their potential to produce IL-10 and to inhibit T cell activation. Genetic inactivation of PPARδ in B cells impaired the development and function of IL-10+ B cells, and treatment with PPARδ inhibitor diminished the induction of IL-10+ Bregs by tumor and CD40 engagement. Importantly, immunotherapy with anti-CD40 or anti-PD1 antibody achieved a markedly improved outcome in tumor-bearing mice with PPARδ deficiency in B cells or treated with PPARδ inhibitor. This study shows that PPARδ is required for the development and function of IL-10+ Bregs, providing a new and effective target for selectively blocking Bregs and improving antitumor immunotherapy.
Structural insights into dimerization and activation of the mGlu2–mGlu3 and mGlu2–mGlu4 heterodimers
Authors: Wang Xinwei , Wang Mu , Xu Tuo , Feng Ye , Shao Qiang , Han Shuo , Chu Xiaojing , Xu Yechun , Lin Shuling , Zhao Qiang , Wu Beili
Published: June 2023

Heterodimerization of the metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlus) has shown importance in the functional modulation of the receptors and offers potential drug targets for treating central nervous system diseases. However, due to a lack of molecular details of the mGlu heterodimers, understanding of the mechanisms underlying mGlu heterodimerization and activation is limited. Here we report twelve cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the mGlu2–mGlu3 and mGlu2–mGlu4 heterodimers in different conformational states, including inactive, intermediate inactive, intermediate active and fully active conformations. These structures provide a full picture of conformational rearrangement of mGlu2–mGlu3 upon activation. The Venus flytrap domains undergo a sequential conformational change, while the transmembrane domains exhibit a substantial rearrangement from an inactive, symmetric dimer with diverse dimerization patterns to an active, asymmetric dimer in a conserved dimerization mode. Combined with functional data, these structures reveal that stability of the inactive conformations of the subunits and the subunit–G protein interaction pattern are determinants of asymmetric signal transduction of the heterodimers. Furthermore, a novel binding site for two mGlu4 positive allosteric modulators was observed in the asymmetric dimer interfaces of the mGlu2–mGlu4 heterodimer and mGlu4 homodimer, and may serve as a drug recognition site. These findings greatly extend our knowledge about signal transduction of the mGlus.
Realistic phase diagram of water from “first principles” data-driven quantum simulations
Authors: Bore Sigbjørn Løland , Paesani Francesco
Published: June 2023

Since the experimental characterization of the low-pressure region of water’s phase diagram in the early 1900s, scientists have been on a quest to understand the thermodynamic stability of ice polymorphs on the molecular level. In this study, we demonstrate that combining the MB-pol data-driven many-body potential for water, which was rigorously derived from “first principles” and exhibits chemical accuracy, with advanced enhanced-sampling algorithms, which correctly describe the quantum nature of molecular motion and thermodynamic equilibria, enables computer simulations of water’s phase diagram with an unprecedented level of realism. Besides providing fundamental insights into how enthalpic, entropic, and nuclear quantum effects shape the free-energy landscape of water, we demonstrate that recent progress in “first principles” data-driven simulations, which rigorously encode many-body molecular interactions, has opened the door to realistic computational studies of complex molecular systems, bridging the gap between experiments and simulations.
Identification of BRCA1/2 mutation female carriers using circulating microRNA profiles
Authors: Elias Kevin , Smyczynska Urszula , Stawiski Konrad , Nowicka Zuzanna , Webber James , Kaplan Jakub , Landen Charles , Lubinski Jan , Mukhopadhyay Asima , Chakraborty Dona , Connolly Denise C. , Symecko Heather , Domchek Susan M. , Garber Judy E. , Konstantinopoulos Panagiotis , Fendler Wojciech , Chowdhury Dipanjan
Published: June 2023

Identifying germlineBRCA1/2mutation carriers is vital for reducing their risk of breast and ovarian cancer. To derive a serum miRNA-based diagnostic test we used samples from 653 healthy women from six international cohorts, including 350 (53.6%) withBRCA1/2mutations and 303 (46.4%)BRCA1/2 wild-type. All individuals were cancer-free before and at least 12 months after sampling. RNA-sequencing followed by differential expression analysis identified 19 miRNAs significantly associated withBRCAmutations, 10 of which were ultimately used for classification: hsa-miR-20b-5p, hsa-miR-19b-3p, hsa-let-7b-5p, hsa-miR-320b, hsa-miR-139-3p, hsa-miR-30d-5p, hsa-miR-17-5p, hsa-miR-182-5p, hsa-miR-421, hsa-miR-375-3p. The final logistic regression model achieved area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.89 (95% CI: 0.87–0.93), 93.88% sensitivity and 80.72% specificity in an independent validation cohort. Mutated gene, menopausal status or having preemptive oophorectomy did not affect classification performance. Circulating microRNAs may be used to identifyBRCA1/2mutations in patients of high risk of cancer, offering an opportunity to reduce screening costs.
Quantitative constraints on flood variability in the rock record
Authors: McLeod Jonah S. , Wood James , Lyster Sinéad J. , Valenza Jeffery M. , Spencer Alan R. T. , Whittaker Alexander C.
Published: June 2023

Floods determine river behaviour in time and space. Yet quantitative measures of discharge variability from geological stratigraphy are sparse, even though they are critical to understand landscape sensitivity to past and future environmental change. Here we show how storm-driven river floods in the geologic past can be quantified, using Carboniferous stratigraphy as an exemplar. The geometries of dune cross-sets demonstrate that discharge-driven disequilibrium dynamics dominated fluvial deposition in the Pennant Formation of South Wales. Based on bedform preservation theory, we quantify dune turnover timescales and hence the magnitude and duration of flow variability, showing that rivers were perennial but prone to flashy floods lasting 4–16 h. This disequilibrium bedform preservation is consistent across 4 Ma of stratigraphy, and coincides with facies-based markers of flooding, such as mass-preservation of woody debris. We suggest that it is now possible to quantify climate-driven sedimentation events in the geologic past, and reconstruct discharge variability from the rock record on a uniquely short (daily) timescale, revealing a formation dominated by flashy floods in perennial rivers.
Enhanced spin Seebeck effect via oxygen manipulation
Authors: Kim Jeong-Mok , Kim Seok-Jong , Kang Min-Gu , Choi Jong-Guk , Lee Soogil , Park Jaehyeon , Van Phuoc Cao , Kim Kyoung-Whan , Kim Kab-Jin , Jeong Jong-Ryul , Lee Kyung-Jin , Park Byong-Guk
Published: June 2023

Spin Seebeck effect (SSE) refers to the generation of an electric voltage transverse to a temperature gradient via a magnon current. SSE offers the potential for efficient thermoelectric devices because the transverse geometry of SSE enables to utilize waste heat from a large-area source by greatly simplifying the device structure. However, SSE suffers from a low thermoelectric conversion efficiency that must be improved for widespread application. Here we show that the SSE substantially enhances by oxidizing a ferromagnet in normal metal/ferromagnet/oxide structures. In W/CoFeB/AlOx structures, voltage-induced interfacial oxidation of CoFeB modifies the SSE, resulting in the enhancement of thermoelectric signal by an order of magnitude. We describe a mechanism for the enhancement that results from a reduced exchange interaction of the oxidized region of ferromagnet, which in turn increases a temperature difference between magnons in the ferromagnet and electrons in the normal metal and/or a gradient of magnon chemical potential in the ferromagnet. Our result will invigorate research for thermoelectric conversion by suggesting a promising way of improving the SSE efficiency.
Uncovering the chiral bias of meteoritic isovaline through asymmetric photochemistry
Authors: Bocková Jana , Jones Nykola C. , Topin Jérémie , Hoffmann Søren V. , Meinert Cornelia
Published: June 2023

Systematic enrichments of l-amino acids in meteorites is a strong indication that biological homochirality originated beyond Earth. Although still unresolved, stellar UV circularly polarized light (CPL) is the leading hypothesis to have caused the symmetry breaking in space. This involves the differential absorption of left- and right-CPL, a phenomenon called circular dichroism, which enables chiral discrimination. Here we unveil coherent chiroptical spectra of thin films of isovaline enantiomers, the first step towards asymmetric photolysis experiments using a tunable laser set-up. As analogues to amino acids adsorbed on interstellar dust grains, CPL-helicity dependent enantiomeric excesses of up to 2% were generated in isotropic racemic films of isovaline. The low efficiency of chirality transfer from broadband CPL to isovaline could explain why its enantiomeric excess is not detected in the most pristine chondrites. Notwithstanding, small, yet consistent l-biases induced by stellar CPL would have been crucial for its amplification during aqueous alteration of meteorite parent bodies.
Bioinspired engineering of fusogen and targeting moiety equipped nanovesicles
Authors: Wang Lixue , Wang Guosheng , Mao Wenjun , Chen Yundi , Rahman Md. Mofizur , Zhu Chuandong , Prisinzano Peter M. , Kong Bo , Wang Jing , Lee Luke P. , Wan Yuan
Published: June 2023

Cell-derived small extracellular vesicles have been exploited as potent drug vehicles. However, significant challenges hamper their clinical translation, including inefficient cytosolic delivery, poor target-specificity, low yield, and inconsistency in production. Here, we report a bioinspired material, engineered fusogen and targeting moiety co-functionalized cell-derived nanovesicle (CNV) called eFT-CNV, as a drug vehicle. We show that universal eFT-CNVs can be produced by extrusion of genetically modified donor cells with high yield and consistency. We demonstrate that bioinspired eFT-CNVs can efficiently and selectively bind to targets and trigger membrane fusion, fulfilling endo-lysosomal escape and cytosolic drug delivery. We find that, compared to counterparts, eFT-CNVs significantly improve the treatment efficacy of drugs acting on cytosolic targets. We believe that our bioinspired eFT-CNVs will be promising and powerful tools for nanomedicine and precision medicine.
DNA methyltransferase 1 deficiency improves macrophage motility and wound healing by ameliorating cholesterol accumulation
Authors: Zhao Chuanrong , Yang Qianru , Tang Runze , Li Wang , Wang Jin , Yang Fangfang , Zhao Jianan , Zhu Juanjuan , Pang Wei , Li Ning , Zhang Xu , Tian Xiao Yu , Yao Weijuan , Zhou Jing
Published: June 2023

Healing of the cutaneous wound requires macrophage recruitment at the sites of injury, where chemotactic migration of macrophages toward the wound is regulated by local inflammation. Recent studies suggest a positive contribution of DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) to macrophage pro-informatory responses; however, its role in regulating macrophage motility remains unknown. In this study, myeloid-specific depletion of Dnmt1 in mice promoted cutaneous wound healing and de-suppressed the lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-inhibited macrophage motility. Dnmt1 inhibition in macrophages eliminated the LPS-stimulated changes in cellular mechanical properties in terms of elasticity and viscoelasticity. LPS increased the cellular accumulation of cholesterol in a Dnmt1-depedent manner; cholesterol content determined cellular stiffness and motility. Lipidomic analysis indicated that Dnmt1 inhibition altered the cellular lipid homeostasis, probably through down-regulating the expression of cluster of differentiation 36 CD36 (facilitating lipid influx) and up-regulating the expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCA1 (mediating lipid efflux) and sterol O-acyltransferase 1 SOAT1 (also named ACAT1, catalyzing the esterification of cholesterol). Our study revealed a Dnmt1-dependent epigenetic mechanism in the control of macrophage mechanical properties and the related chemotactic motility, indicating Dnmt1 as both a marker of diseases and a potential target of therapeutic intervention for wound healing.