bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilizing a forced Van der Pol-Rayleigh-Helmholtz oscillator under heptamodal-frequency operations in Casimir force measurement
Authors: Yilmaz Cagri
Published: August 2024

In this paper, Casimir force sensitivity is investigated by utilizing a micro-cantilever under the driving forces in heptamodal operations. A novel forced Van der Pol-Rayleigh-Helmholtz nonlinear oscillator model is developed to describe the nonlinear dynamics of the micro-cantilever which is subject to the excitation and Casimir forces simultaneously. Demonstrating the effectiveness of the heptamodal operations, single- and tetramodal-frequency excitation schemes are also applied separately to resonate the micro-cantilever at the fundamental and higher eigenmodes. The oscillation observables of the externally driven micro-cantilever are determined in the presence of the Casimir forces in the separation distance range of 200–800 nm. Remarkable variations in amplitude ratio, phase shift, and frequency shift for different effective masses of the micro-cantilever are explored for the higher eigenmodes. In the current work, the AFM micro-cantilever exhibits the amplitude response of 0.82 nm to Casimir force at the fourth eigenmode for the separation distance ranging between 200 and 300 nm. The stable frequency shifts ranging between 103 and 106 Hz are also observed at the first four eigenmodes for larger separation distances (above around 500 nm). Moreover, the maximum phase shift response of around 150 degrees at the sixth eigenmode is achieved using heptamodal-frequency excitation of the lightest micro-cantilever (3.6 × 10−12 kg) at the separation distance of 200 nm. Thus, implementing heptamodal-frequency excitation schemes has considerable potential to improve the phase shift sensitivity to Casimir forces when compared with other excitation schemes. Additionally, the parameters of the nonlinear oscillator significantly determine the patterns of the time-domain sensitivities to the external forces. Correspondingly, displacements of the micro-cantilever under the driving and Casimir forces at different eigenmodes are obtained to investigate diverse system nonlinearities. Furthermore, the virial and dissipated power are also determined for different effective masses of the micro-cantilever to explain the energy dissipation process in the measurement of Casimir forces. Therefore, in the present work, the observable responses and energy quantities for particular system nonlinearities are introduced to be utilized for nanometrological applications.
The effects of temperature and pressure on optical properties of spherical core/shell/shell quantum dot
Authors: Al E. B.
Published: August 2024

In this study, the effects of temperature and hydro-static pressure on the electronic and optical properties of the spherical core/shell/shell quantum dot structure is determined numerically. The energy eigenvalues of the system and their corresponding eigenfunctions are calculated using the diagonalization method within the framework of the effective mass approach. Then, linear, nonlinear and total intersubbands absorption coefficients and relative refractive index changes are calculated theoretically by iterative method within the framework of compact density matrix approach. With the results to be obtained from the study, it is predicted that this system can be recommended as a building block for various applications in the THz electromagnetic spectrum region.
Highly idealized models of scientific inquiry as conceptual systems
Authors: Pesonen Renne
Published: August 2024

The social epistemology of science has adopted agent-based computer simulations as one of its core methods for investigating the dynamics of scientific inquiry. The epistemic status of these highly idealized models is currently under active debate in which they are often associated either with predictive or the argumentative functions. These two functions roughly correspond to interpreting simulations as virtual experiments or formalized thought experiments, respectively. This paper advances the argumentative account of modeling by proposing that models serve as a means to (re)conceptualize the macro-level dynamics of complex social epistemic interactions. I apply results from the epistemology of scientific modeling and the psychology of mental simulation to the ongoing debate in the social epistemology of science. Instead of considering simulation models as predictive devices, I view them as artifacts that exemplify abstract hypothetical properties of complex social epistemic processes in order to advance scientific understanding, hypothesis formation, and communication. Models need not be accurate representations to serve these purposes. They should be regarded as pragmatic cognitive tools that engender rather than replace intuitions in philosophical reasoning and argumentation. Furthermore, I aim to explain why the community tends to converge around few model templates: Since models have the potential to transform our intuitive comprehension of the subject of inquiry, successful models may literally capture the imagination of the modeling community.
Numerical and experimental behavior of fiber reinforced polymer type and layer number effect on the flexural properties of heat-treated black pine wood
Authors: Şimşek Türker Yasemin , Kılınçarslan Şemsettin , Işıldar Nuri
Published: August 2024

Heat treatment is one of the environmentally friendly methods applied to improve the structural properties of wooden materials. While heat treatment improves some properties of wood material, it also negatively affects its mechanical properties depending on the heat treatment conditions applied. The decrease in mechanical properties due to heat treatment limits the use of wood material in various applications requiring mechanical strength. For this purpose, various fiber-reinforced polymers have been used in recent years. In this study, it was aimed to experimentally and numerically examine the flexural properties of unheat-treated and heat-treated black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold.) wood reinforced 1, 2 and 3 times with carbon, glass and aramid. Following the experimental flexural tests, the samples were modeled and analyzed in the finite element software program. The average flexural strength of the heat-treated sample is 11.72% lower, and the elasticity modulus is 1.23% lower than the unheat-treated sample.It has been determined that carbon-based polymer fabrics, among fiber-reinforced polymer fabrics, have the best reinforcement effect. The flexural strength of the UHT-C-3 sample is 6.1% and the elasticity modulus is 3.52% higher than the UHT-C-1 coded sample. Compared to the sample without reinforcement, flexural strength increased by 30% and elasticity modulus increased by 7%. It is seen that as the number of fiber reinforced polymer layers increases, the flexural properties also increase. When the experimental and numerical analysis results were examined, the flexural strength and modulus of elasticity values gave similar results at the R2: 0.88–0.99 level. In addition to technologies using kinds of reinforcement evaluated in conservation applications, it may be utilized for numerical analysis in the field of repairing or reinforcing different grades, patterns, and types of reinforcement in already-existing wooden structures.
Evaluation of the impact of combustion chamber geometries for biomass plancha-type cookstoves
Authors: Gómez-Heleria Delmer , Beltrán Alberto , Núñez José , Berrueta Víctor M.
Published: August 2024

Improved cookstoves are used to reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere and the impact of deforestation, thus improving the quality of life of their users. The main objective of this work is to evaluate three combustion chamber geometries for biomass plancha-type cookstoves, in the range of 9.5–12.5 kW, which corresponds to real operating conditions. The first geometry corresponds to a traditional rocket elbow section that is widely used in this kind of device. The other two geometries are new modified designs. They make use of three and four chamfers above the rocket elbow. Additionally, for all the geometries, the effect of a baffle close to the exit of the chimney is evaluated. Numerical simulations for fluid flow, heat transfer, and gas-phase chemical reactions for the three-dimensional internal volume of the geometries are conducted using ANSYS Fluent 2019 R3. Results for the average temperature on the comal and total mass flow rate at the exit of the chimney are validated with experimental measurements and a theoretical model, respectively. The main findings are that the use of a baffle in all geometries increases the flow recirculation below the comal; as a result, the average temperature of the comal and hence the thermal efficiency reach higher values. Based upon numerical predictions, the cookstove with three chamfers and a baffle provided a more temperature homogeneous distribution on the comal.
How to compensate for frailty? The real life impact of geriatric co-management on morbi-mortality after colorectal cancer surgery in patients aged 70 years or older
Authors: Pille A. , Meillat H. , Braticevic C. , Lelong B. , Rousseau F. , Cecile M. , Tassy L.
Published: August 2024

In Europe, CRC is the second most common cause of cancer death, and surgery remains the mainstay curative treatment. Age and frailty are associated with an increased risk of postoperative morbidity and 1-year mortality. Chronological age is not sufficient to assess the risk of postoperative complications. The CGA has been developed to better identify frail patients. Geriatric co-management have been developed to optimize the post-operative outcomes. We analyzed the real-life of geriatric co-management within an ERAS program on surgical outcomes at 90 days and oncologic outcomes at 1 year in patients aged 70 years or older after surgery for CRC. This was a retrospective study based on a prospective cohort. Fifty-one patients with a G8 score ≤ 14 were referred to geriatricians for preoperative CGA (Frail Group). They were compared with 151 patients with a G8 score ≥ 15 (Robust Group). In the Frail Group, patients were significantly older with more comorbidities than the patients in the Robust Group. Oncologic characteristics, treatments and global post-operative outcomes were comparable between the two groups. One year after surgery mortality and recurrence rates were similar between the two groups. Our study suggests that geriatric co-management is feasible and contributes to the reduction of postoperative morbimortality. Moreover, performing the CGA after G8 score screening and completion of geriatric interventions resulted in similar 90-day postoperative outcomes, in frail patients than in robust patients. Our results confirmed the benefit of geriatric co-management, involving G8 screening, CGA, and ERAS, for frail older patients undergoing surgery for CRC.
An update on the clinical implications of the microbiome in the development of allergy diseases
Authors: Koidl Larissa , Untersmayr Eva
Published: August 2024

This mini-review is an update on a previous review published in 2021 and aims to summarize recent findings on the influence of the microbiome on allergic diseases. We cover the topics of food allergy, airway allergies, and skin allergies with a particular focus on clinical implications. Articles published between January 2021 and March 2024 were screened to be included in this publication.
Performance Limits and Advancements in Single 2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Transistor
Authors: Chen Jing , Sun Ming-Yuan , Wang Zhen-Hua , Zhang Zheng , Zhang Kai , Wang Shuai , Zhang Yu , Wu Xiaoming , Ren Tian-Ling , Liu Hong , Han Lin
Published: August 2024

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) allow for atomic-scale manipulation, challenging the conventional limitations of semiconductor materials. This capability may overcome the short-channel effect, sparking significant advancements in electronic devices that utilize 2D TMDs. Exploring the dimension and performance limits of transistors based on 2D TMDs has gained substantial importance. This review provides a comprehensive investigation into these limits of the single 2D-TMD transistor. It delves into the impacts of miniaturization, including the reduction of channel length, gate length, source/drain contact length, and dielectric thickness on transistor operation and performance. In addition, this review provides a detailed analysis of performance parameters such as source/drain contact resistance, subthreshold swing, hysteresis loop, carrier mobility, on/off ratio, and the development of p-type and single logic transistors. This review details the two logical expressions of the single 2D-TMD logic transistor, including current and voltage. It also emphasizes the role of 2D TMD-based transistors as memory devices, focusing on enhancing memory operation speed, endurance, data retention, and extinction ratio, as well as reducing energy consumption in memory devices functioning as artificial synapses. This review demonstrates the two calculating methods for dynamic energy consumption of 2D synaptic devices. This review not only summarizes the current state of the art in this field but also highlights potential future research directions and applications. It underscores the anticipated challenges, opportunities, and potential solutions in navigating the dimension and performance boundaries of 2D transistors.
A Solvent-Free Covalent Organic Framework Single-Ion Conductor Based on Ion–Dipole Interaction for All-Solid-State Lithium Organic Batteries
Authors: Li Zhongping , Oh Kyeong-Seok , Seo Jeong-Min , Qin Wenliang , Lee Soohyoung , Zhai Lipeng , Li Changqing , Baek Jong-Beom , Lee Sang-Young
Published: August 2024

Single-ion conductors based on covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have garnered attention as a potential alternative to currently prevalent inorganic ion conductors owing to their structural uniqueness and chemical versatility. However, the sluggish Li+ conduction has hindered their practical applications. Here, we present a class of solvent-free COF single-ion conductors (Li-COF@P) based on weak ion–dipole interaction as opposed to traditional strong ion–ion interaction. The ion (Li+ from the COF)–dipole (oxygen from poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate embedded in the COF pores) interaction in the Li-COF@P promotes ion dissociation and Li+ migration via directional ionic channels. Driven by this single-ion transport behavior, the Li-COF@P enables reversible Li plating/stripping on Li-metal electrodes and stable cycling performance (88.3% after 2000 cycles) in organic batteries (Li metal anode||5,5’-dimethyl-2,2’-bis-p-benzoquinone (Me2BBQ) cathode) under ambient operating conditions, highlighting the electrochemical viability of the Li-COF@P for all-solid-state organic batteries.
A systematic literature review of sustainable water management in South Africa
Authors: Olley Jack , Cvitanovic Marin , Ginige Tilak , Bunt-MacRury Laura
Published: August 2024

Addressing global challenges of inequitable and unsustainable natural resource management is imperative. South African water management serves as a critical case study allowing for the deep exploration of the intricate complexities surrounding these issues. South Africa's apartheid era witnessed inequitable water distribution and, despite the efforts made through the post-apartheid National Water Act of 1998 to prioritise equity and sustainability, challenges still persist in its implementation. This review aims to bridge knowledge gaps in sustainable water management in South Africa, focusing on environmental justice and sustainable development within the framework of the three pillars of sustainability. Through a systematic literature review of 57 scientific papers published in the Web of Science database between 1995 and 2021 this study aims to provide a comprehensive examination of the complex dynamics shaping water management in South Africa. Major themes, challenges, and solutions in sustainable water management are identified, emphasising the importance of stakeholder interactions, insufficient collaboration, and a lack of capacity building. The study also explores water policy implementation, environmental impacts of business, particularly in agriculture and mining, and the management of freshwater sources and their overexploitation. Economically, the mining industry's role and associated challenges such as acid mine drainage and water use competition are assessed. The Water-Energy-Food Nexus's influence on water management, water pricing efficiency, user willingness to pay, and the potential of decentralised systems and corporate social responsibility are also explored. With South Africa facing urgent challenges of water scarcity and resource management, integrated approaches that consider environmental, social, and economic dimensions, alongside robust multi-stakeholder collaboration, are essential. This review offers valuable insights for policymakers, water managers, and researchers working toward a sustainable water future in South Africa.
Appearance and prevalence of float glass inclusions with a diameter smaller than 500 µm, focused on the identification of nickel sulphide
Authors: Peters Timon , Schneider Jens
Published: August 2024

In most float glass productions, quality control systems will remove glass inclusions with diameters above 500 µm, since smaller inclusions are usually not visible to the human eye. Yet, they can still become relevant in glass construction, one example being nickel sulphide which can cause spontaneous fracture of thermally prestressed glass. This research presents statistical data on the prevalence of inclusions in the size range with a diameter between 50 and 500 µm, obtained from thorough scans of commercial float glass, showing that the inclusion size distribution follows an exponential curve. Also, many of the found inclusions are investigated by ultra-high-resolution optical microscopy down to resolutions close to the wavelength of visible light, the physical limit of such inspection, while still in the intact glass. Images taken under different lighting conditions and with different types of microscope cameras help in the identification and differentiation of inclusion types. Photoelastic stress measurements and laser interferometry also non-destructively show mechanical stress and deformation inside the glass around inclusions. Due to the risks emerging from this inclusion type, a special focus of the presented work is on the identification of nickel sulphide and its precursors which can be identified by its characteristic surface structure and colour as well as its shape.
Vitamin D und Prädiabetes
Authors: Unterlechner Dominik , Amrein Karin
Published: August 2024

In einer rezenten Analyse von drei randomisiert kontrollierten Studien wurde ein signifikanter Benefit durch Vitamin-D-Supplementierung für Menschen mit Prädiabetes gefunden in Bezug auf das Risiko, einen Typ-2-Diabetes mellitus zu entwickeln. Mit einer Number Needed to Treat (NNT) von 30 ist Vitamin D dabei nicht weit entfernt von anderen Interventionen wie z.B. radikaler Lebensstiländerung (NNT = 7) oder Metformin (NNT = 14). In absoluten Zahlen bedeutete eine Vitamin-D-Supplementierung eine 3,3 %ige Risikoreduktion. Patient:innen mit einem Body-Mass-Index (BMI) unter 30 kg/m2 sowie einem Vitamin-D-Mangel schienen besonders zu profitieren. Dies unterstreicht auch die Endocrine Society in ihren neuen klinischen Leitlinien zur Vitamin-D-Supplementierung, welche für eine breite Anzahl von Personengruppen empfohlen wird.

Im Anbetracht der steigenden Zahlen von Insulinresistenz/Typ-2-Diabetes mellitus und der hohen Prävalenz des Vitamin-D-Mangels ist es wichtig, diese einfache und kostengünstige Möglichkeit der Vitamin-D-Supplementierung zu nützen.
A Novel Job Similarity Index for Career Transition in the Mining Industry
Authors: Soydan Hilal , Düzgün H.Şebnem , Brune Jurgen
Published: August 2024

In this study, with the primary goal of capturing ongoing digital transformation and automation impacts on the mining industry and its workforce, we conduct several interviews with mining industry experts in the USA and analyze our survey reports qualitatively and quantitatively through exploratory analysis. After the interpretation of the insights of industry experts, we proceed to generate a personalized and customized data analysis through a novel metric based on skills, knowledge, competencies, and occupational requirements, which quantifies the job similarities for occupations in the mining industry based on the publicly available database of the United States Department of Labor. We utilize text analytics to tokenize and classify the interviews to capture a better understanding of major response categories. The temporal analysis shows that the critical competency needs in the data science and autonomy category increases from 28% in current demands to 43%. In defining our metric, we also calculate Kullback–Leibler (KL) divergence for each job profile that enables determining whether and to what extent that job is transitionary in our test set based on the mean, standard deviation, and kurtosis of each job of interest. Our analysis reveals that the in-group job transitions are significantly easier than the between-group transitions, proving our initial assumptions and common sense. The generated heat maps provide the opportunity to present the gap between the current job and desired job profiles that provide feasible career change options, among others, offering individualized career paths for job seekers and promoting potential job transitions. Through the collection of industry-specific individual employee data, the AI system is envisaged to continue to learn as end users engage with the system, thus creating a central data hub specifically for the future workforce in the mining industry. Although the study has limitations on generalizability for qualitative assessments, it presents itself as a valuable application of how qualitative and quantitative approaches could be of value for future worker training in the mining sector.
Sleep duration associated with feelings but not with test scores: an observational study
Authors: Mehta Kosha J.
Published: August 2024

Sleep and mood/emotion influence learning and academic achievement. However, inconclusive/contradictory findings have been reported. Unlike previous studies that examined either sleep or mood and grade-point-average (combined result of several assessments over long period), this study examined UK university students for the relationship of test scores with both, previous night’s sleep-duration, and mood/emotion approximately an hour before the test. Mood/feelings data were collected by presenting a selection of emojis and text. Here, test scores did not associate with night sleep-duration. There were no differences in distribution of scores across sleepers of 5, 6, 7 and 8 h and sleeping for less than these hours did not increase the odds of scoring low (scoring ≤ 25%). There was no significant difference in distribution of night-sleep-hours between high scorers (score ≥ 75%) and low scorers (score ≤ 25%). Furthermore, test scores did not associate with feelings/emotions. There were no significant differences in the distribution of scores across different feelings. Unhappy/negative feelings did not increase the odds of scoring low. However, feelings (specifically expressed through selection of words/phrases) predicted scores (p = 0.01) and both negative and positive feelings associated with increased odds of high score (p ≤ 0.04). Night-sleep-duration positively associated with feelings (p < 0.001). Distribution of night-sleep-duration differed between feelings (p ≤ 0.003). Night sleep of less than 5, 6, 7 or 8 h increased the odds of feeling unhappy/negative (p ≤ 0.01). This data (i) defies the generic notion of a night of sub-optimal sleep-duration negatively affecting scores, (ii) provides empirical evidence of association between night-sleep-duration and emotions/mood/feelings, and (iii) proposes that sleep may affect learning via mood.
Contesting coercion: U.S.-China strategic competition, the middle technology trap, and Chinese government-guided funds
Authors: Pan Xuanming , Aiwen Liu , Zhenzhen Chen
Published: August 2024

This study examines the possible emergence of a Middle Technology Trap (MTT) in U.S.-China strategic competition through the lens of the Global Financial Network (GFN) and the Global Innovation Network (GIN). By conducting doctrinal analysis, theoretically informed case studies, and in-depth interviews, we offer a granular study into how the U.S. has been weaponizing its leading position in the GFN to affect China’s level of participation in the GIN. Our findings reveal three U.S. tactics to induce the MTT with China: first, leveraging U.S. private equity and venture capital (PEVC) to enhance its technology advantage over China; second, pushing U.S. investors to withdraw from China’s PEVC market, thereby restricting Chinese access to American capital; and third, inducing Advanced Business Services (ABS) supporting innovation and global business to cease or reduce their operations in China, thereby increasing intermediation costs for innovation. Although Chinese government-guided funds (GGFs) have managed to partially mitigate the “funding gap” from the departure of American PEVCs, they have yet to assume the brokerage role previously played by American PEVCs in both the GIF and the GIN. As such, our study contributes to a better understanding and theoretical advancements of the MTT by linking up the scholarship of innovation and finance with financial statecraft.
Abscission in plants: from mechanism to applications
Authors: Li Jiahuizi , Su Shihao
Published: August 2024

Abscission refers to the natural separation of plant structures from their parent plants, regulated by external environmental signals or internal factors such as stress and aging. It is an advantageous process as it enables plants to shed unwanted organs, thereby regulating nutrient allocation and ensuring the dispersal of fruits and seeds from the parent. However, in agriculture and horticulture, abscission can severely reduce crop quality and yield. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in plant abscission from the perspectives of developmental and molecular biology, emphasizing the diverse regulatory networks across different plant lineages, from model plants to crops. The sophisticated process of plant abscission involves several overlapping steps, including the differentiation of the abscission zone, activation of abscission, tissue detachment, and formation of a protective layer. Finally, we discuss the potential applications of physiological modifications and genetic manipulations of plant abscission in sustainable agriculture in the future.
State Municipal Associations as Intermediaries in Service Learning
Authors: Zeemering Eric S.
Published: August 2024

Service-learning courses help students to identify career opportunities and foster civic engagement, but links to projects with local governments may be difficult to forge. State municipal associations are well positioned as intermediaries to link local governments and higher-education institutions, and their historic roots affirm their capacity to invest in the professionalization of the future public-service workforce. Yet, a recent survey of municipal associations revealed limited contact with higher-education institutions for the purpose of engaging students. Examples from Georgia, Iowa, and Washington highlight the potential role that municipal associations can have in the creation of service-learning opportunities for students. The demand for skilled workers in local government necessitates action by municipal associations and educators in political science to expand service-learning opportunities and access to local government.
Systematic Exploration of Antisocial Behavior
Authors: Moreira Diana , Azeredo Andreia , Ramião Eduarda , Figueiredo Patrícia , Barroso Ricardo , Barbosa Fernando
Published: August 2024

Abstract: The concept of the Dark Triad (DT) refers to three interrelated and negative personality traits: Psychopathy, Narcissism, and Machiavellianism. The relationship between DT traits and antisocial behaviors has been shown in recent years. The current study aimed to obtain a systematized summary of the presence of DT traits, assessed through Dirty Dozen (DD) and Short Dark Triad (SD3), in studies evaluating participants with measures of antisocial behavior. Studies were identified by searching EBSCO, PubMed, and Web of Science. A total of 367 studies published between 2010 and 2023 were identified through database searches. After full-text analysis, 32 articles were retained for this review. Data suggests that, among adolescents, global DT traits were significantly associated with delinquency, with Psychopathy, Narcissism, and Machiavellianism showing distinct correlations. Conduct disorder was positively linked to Psychopathy and Machiavellianism. Adult samples also exhibited associations between DT traits and various forms of antisocial behavior, such as bullying, aggression, violence, and cyberstalking. Psychopathy showed the most robust correlation with antisocial behavior, although Machiavellianism was comparable in some studies. Narcissism, while generally less correlated, exhibited associations with reactive aggression and ego-threat. The review underscores the importance of Psychopathy in predicting antisocial behavior and highlights its role in reducing the influence of Machiavellianism and Narcissism. Overall, this review provides valuable contributions to comprehending the intricate dynamics between DT traits and antisocial behavior, emphasizing the need for continued exploration in this evolving field.
Predicting Food‐Security Crises in the Horn of Africa Using Machine Learning
Authors: Busker Tim , van den Hurk Bart , de Moel Hans , van den Homberg Marc , van Straaten Chiem , Odongo Rhoda A. , Aerts Jeroen C. J. H.
Published: August 2024

In this study, we present a machine‐learning model capable of predicting food insecurity in the Horn of Africa, which is one of the most vulnerable regions worldwide. The region has frequently been affected by severe droughts and food crises over the last several decades, which will likely increase in future. Therefore, exploring novel methods of increasing early warning capabilities is of vital importance to reducing food‐insecurity risk. We present a XGBoost machine‐learning model to predict food‐security crises up to 12 months in advance. We used >20 data sets and the FEWS IPC current‐situation estimates to train the machine‐learning model. Food‐security dynamics were captured effectively by the model up to 3 months in advance (R2 > 0.6). Specifically, we predicted 20% of crisis onsets in pastoral regions (n = 96) and 20%–50% of crisis onsets in agro‐pastoral regions (n = 22) with a 3‐month lead time. We also compared our 8‐month model predictions to the 8‐month food‐security outlooks produced by FEWS NET. Over a relatively short test period (2019–2022), results suggest the performance of our predictions is similar to FEWS NET for agro‐pastoral and pastoral regions. However, our model is clearly less skilled in predicting food security for crop‐farming regions than FEWS NET. With the well‐established FEWS NET outlooks as a basis, this study highlights the potential for integrating machine‐learning methods into operational systems like FEWS NET.
Simulated Slidequakes: Insights From DEM Simulations Into the High‐Frequency Seismic Signal Generated by Geophysical Granular Flows
Authors: Arran M. I. , Mangeney A. , De Rosny J. , Toussaint R.
Published: August 2024

Geophysical granular flows generate seismic signals known as “slidequakes” or “landquakes”, with low‐frequency components whose generation by mean forces is widely used to infer hazard‐relevant flow properties. Many more such properties could be inferred by understanding the fluctuating forces that generate slidequakes' higher frequency components and, to do so, we conducted discrete‐element simulations that examined the fluctuating forces exerted by steady, downslope‐periodic granular flows on fixed, rough bases. Unlike our previous laboratory experiments, our simulations precluded basal slip. We show that, in its absence, simulated basal forces' power spectra have high‐frequency components more accurately predicted using mean shear rates than using depth‐averaged flow velocities, and can have intermediate‐frequency components which we relate to chains of prolonged interparticle contacts. We develop a “minimal model”, which uses a flow's collisional properties to even more accurately predict the high‐frequency components, and empirically parametrize this model in terms of mean flow properties, for practical application. Finally, we demonstrate that the bulk inertial number determines not only the magnitude ratio of rapidly fluctuating and mean forces on a unit basal area, consistent with previous experimental results, but also the relative magnitudes of the high and intermediate‐frequency force components.
Scientists Captured the First Glimpse of a Rare Polar Aurora
Authors: Barbuzano Javier
Published: August 2024

After a decade-long search, scientists captured a type of elusive aurora on camera.
Anatomy of the 2022 Scorching Summer in the Yangtze River Basin Using the SINTEX‐F2 Seasonal Prediction System
Authors: Lu Xinyu , Doi Takeshi , Yuan Chaoxia , Luo Jing‐Jia , Behera Swadhin K. , Yamagata Toshio
Published: August 2024

In July and August 2022, the Yangtze River basin (YRB) experienced its hottest summer since 1961. The SINTEX‐F2 seasonal prediction system initialized in early May predicted the hotter‐than‐normal summer due to its successful prediction of central Pacific La Niña, negative Indian Ocean Dipole and the resultant warming in the tropical West Pacific‐East Indian Ocean (TWP_EIO). The common SST forcing explains only about 26% to the heatwave strength, while the internal variations in the anomalous warming in the TWP_EIO and Europe, surplus precipitation in Pakistan, and local land‐air interaction account for approximately 65%, based on the analysis of 108 ensemble members. These factors have collectively increased the maximum temperature over the YRB through the enhancement and westward expansion of western North Pacific subtropical high. Our findings quantify the relative contributions of external forcing and internal variations to the unprecedented hot event, offering insights into its forming mechanism and potential predictability.
Imbalanced Regressive Neural Network Model for Whistler‐Mode Hiss Waves: Spatial and Temporal Evolution
Authors: Chu Xiangning , Bortnik Jacob , Shen Xiao‐Chen , Ma Qianli , Li Wen , Ma Donglai , Malaspina David , Huang Sheng , Hartley David P.
Published: August 2024

Whistler‐mode hiss waves are crucial to the dynamics of Earth's radiation belts, particularly in the scattering and loss of energetic electrons and forming the slot region between the inner and outer belts. The generation of hiss waves involves multiple potential mechanisms, which are under active research. Understanding the role of hiss waves in radiation belt dynamics and their generation mechanisms requires analyzing their temporal and spatial evolutions, especially for strong hiss waves. Therefore, we developed an Imbalanced Regressive Neural Network (IR‐NN) model for predicting hiss amplitudes. This model addresses the challenge posed by the data imbalance of the hiss data set, which consists of predominantly quiet‐time background samples and fewer but significant active‐time intense hiss samples. Notably, the IR‐NN hiss model excels in predicting strong hiss waves (>100 pT). We investigate the temporal and spatial evolution of hiss wave during a geomagnetic storm on 24–27 October 2017. We show that hiss waves occur within the nominal plasmapause, and follow its dynamically evolving shape. They exhibit intensifications with 1 and 2 hr timescale similar to substorms but with a noticeable time delay. The intensifications begin near dawn and progress toward noon and afternoon. During the storm recovery phase, hiss intensifications may occur in the plume. Additionally, we observe no significant latitudinal dependence of the hiss waves within |MLAT| < 20°. In addition to describing the spatiotemporal evolution of hiss waves, this study highlights the importance of imbalanced regressive methods, given the prevalence of imbalanced data sets in space physics and other real‐world applications.
Enhancing Winter Wheat Representation in Noah‐MP‐Crop for Improved Dynamic Crop Growth Simulation in the North China Plain
Authors: Wang Fei , Li Yanping , Li Zhenhua , Cai Xitian , Lin Xiaofeng , Guo Lifeng , Han Dongrui , Fang Jingchun
Published: August 2024

Explicitly representing the world's most frequently cultivated winter wheat in land surface model (LSM) is important for understanding carbon and energy cycling over cropland and its interactions with climate, which is crucial for global food security. However, in the latest version of Noah‐MP‐Crop LSM, winter wheat is significantly underrepresented. This study improved the winter‐wheat parameterization in Noah‐MP‐Crop model by optimizing the phenological scheme, incorporating vernalization process, and calibrating several key parameters associated with winter wheat photosynthesis and carbon allocations. Focusing on the North China Plain as area representative region, model performance in simulating crop dynamic growth, carbon flux, and energy fluxes was validated at both site and regional scales. Results showed that the simulated phenological development matched well with the real‐world phenological records. A comparison between the simulated results by the default and developed parameterizations revealed the significant improvements in the reproductions of leaf area index (LAI) and gross primary production (GPP). The determination coefficient (R2) value of GPP was increased from 0.15 to 0.46 to 0.39–0.91. Simulations of energy fluxes showed smaller improvements, with R2 values increasing from 0.46 to 0.67 to 0.61–0.84 for latent heat (LE) and 0.18–0.55 to 0.25–0.61 for sensible heat. Additionally, the mean average error of net radiation was reduced. Improvements in spatial and temporal variations of LAI, GPP, and LE in regional simulation were also observed. This work can facilitate incorporating winter wheat cultivation and its interactions with climate system, particularly when coupling the Noah‐MP‐Crop model with the widely used Weather Research and Forecasting model.
Controllable Seismic Velocity Synthesis Using Generative Diffusion Models
Authors: Wang Fu , Huang Xinquan , Alkhalifah Tariq
Published: August 2024

Accurate seismic velocity estimations are vital to understanding Earth's subsurface structures, assessing natural resources, and evaluating seismic hazards. Machine learning‐based inversion algorithms have shown promising performance in regional (i.e., for exploration) and global velocity estimations, while their effectiveness hinges on access to large and diverse training data sets whose distributions generally cover the target solutions. Additionally, enhancing the precision and reliability of velocity estimation also requires incorporating prior information, for example, geological classes, well logs, and subsurface structures, but current statistical or neural network‐based methods are not flexible enough to handle such multimodal information. To address both challenges, we propose to use conditional generative diffusion models for seismic velocity synthesis in which we readily incorporate those priors. This approach enables the generation of seismic velocities that closely match the expected target distribution, offering data sets informed by both expert knowledge and measured data to support training for data‐driven geophysical methods. We demonstrate the flexibility and effectiveness of our method through training diffusion models on the OpenFWI data set under various conditions, including class labels, well logs, reflectivity images, and the combination of these priors. The performance of the approach under out‐of‐distribution conditions further underscores its generalization ability, showcasing its potential to provide tailored priors for velocity inverse problems and create specific training data sets for machine learning‐based geophysical applications.
Cyld restrains the hyperactivation of synovial fibroblasts in inflammatory arthritis by regulating the TAK1/IKK2 signaling axis
Authors: Rinotas Vagelis , Iliaki Kalliopi , Pavlidi Lydia , Meletakos Theodore , Mosialos George , Armaka Marietta
Published: August 2024

TNF is a potent cytokine known for its involvement in physiology and pathology. In Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), persistent TNF signals cause aberrant activation of synovial fibroblasts (SFs), the resident cells crucially involved in the inflammatory and destructive responses of the affected synovial membrane. However, the molecular switches that control the pathogenic activation of SFs remain poorly defined. Cyld is a major component of deubiquitination (DUB) machinery regulating the signaling responses towards survival/inflammation and programmed necrosis that induced by cytokines, growth factors and microbial products. Herein, we follow functional genetic approaches to understand how Cyld affects arthritogenic TNF signaling in SFs. We demonstrate that in spontaneous and induced RA models, SF-Cyld DUB deficiency deteriorates arthritic phenotypes due to increased levels of chemokines, adhesion receptors and bone-degrading enzymes generated by mutant SFs. Mechanistically, Cyld serves to restrict the TNF-induced hyperactivation of SFs by limiting Tak1-mediated signaling, and, therefore, leading to supervised NF-κB and JNK activity. However, Cyld is not critically involved in the regulation of TNF-induced death of SFs. Our results identify SF-Cyld as a regulator of TNF-mediated arthritis and inform the signaling landscape underpinning the SF responses.
PDK4-mediated metabolic reprogramming is a potential therapeutic target for neovascular age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Kim Juhee , Jeon Yujin , Son Jinyoung , Pagire Haushabhau S. , Pagire Suvarna H. , Ahn Jin Hee , Uemura Akiyoshi , Lee In-Kyu , Park Sungmi , Park Dong Ho
Published: August 2024

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causes severe blindness in the elderly due to choroidal neovascularization (CNV), which results from the dysfunction of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). While normal RPE depends exclusively on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation for energy production, the inflammatory conditions associated with metabolic reprogramming of the RPE play a pivotal role in CNV. Although mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK) is a central node of energy metabolism, its role in the development of CNV in neovascular AMD has not been investigated. In the present study, we used a laser-induced CNV mouse model to evaluate the effects of Pdk4 gene ablation and treatment with pan-PDK or specific PDK4 inhibitors on fluorescein angiography and CNV lesion area. Among PDK isoforms, only PDK4 was upregulated in the RPE of laser-induced CNV mice, and Pdk4 gene ablation attenuated CNV. Next, we evaluated mitochondrial changes mediated by PDK1-4 inhibition using siRNA or PDK inhibitors in inflammatory cytokine mixture (ICM)-treated primary human RPE (hRPE) cells. PDK4 silencing only in ICM-treated hRPE cells restored mitochondrial respiration and reduced inflammatory cytokine secretion. Likewise, GM10395, a specific PDK4 inhibitor, restored oxidative phosphorylation and decreased ICM-induced upregulation of inflammatory cytokine secretion. In a laser-induced CNV mouse model, GM10395 significantly alleviated CNV. Taken together, we demonstrate that specific PDK4 inhibition could be a therapeutic strategy for neovascular AMD by preventing mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming in the RPE under inflammatory conditions.
CYLD/HDAC6 signaling regulates the interplay between epithelial-mesenchymal transition and ciliary homeostasis during pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Ni Hua , Chen Miao , Dong Dan , Zhou Yunqiang , Cao Yu , Ge Ruixin , Luo Xiangrui , Wang Yutao , Dong Xifeng , Zhou Jun , Li Dengwen , Xie Songbo , Liu Min
Published: August 2024

The primary cilium behaves as a platform for sensing and integrating extracellular cues to control a plethora of cellular activities. However, the functional interaction of this sensory organelle with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during pulmonary fibrosis remains unclear. Here, we reveal a critical role for cylindromatosis (CYLD) in reciprocally linking the EMT program and ciliary homeostasis during pulmonary fibrosis. A close correlation between the EMT program and primary cilia is observed in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis as well as TGF-β-induced EMT model. Mechanistic study reveals that downregulation of CYLD underlies the crosstalk between EMT and ciliary homeostasis by inactivating histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) during pulmonary fibrosis. Moreover, manipulation of primary cilia is an effective means to modulate the EMT program. Collectively, these results identify a pivotal role for the CYLD/HDAC6 signaling in regulating the reciprocal interplay between the EMT program and ciliary homeostasis during pulmonary fibrosis.
Offshore wind and wave energy can reduce total installed capacity required in zero-emissions grids
Authors: Gonzalez Natalia , Serna-Torre Paul , Sánchez-Pérez Pedro A. , Davidson Ryan , Murray Bryan , Staadecker Martin , Szinai Julia , Wei Rachel , Kammen Daniel M. , Sunter Deborah A. , Hidalgo-Gonzalez Patricia
Published: August 2024

As the world races to decarbonize power systems to mitigate climate change, the body of research analyzing paths to zero emissions electricity grids has substantially grown. Although studies typically include commercially available technologies, few of them consider offshore wind and wave energy as contenders in future zero-emissions grids. Here, we model with high geographic resolution both offshore wind and wave energy as independent technologies with the possibility of collocation in a power system capacity expansion model of the Western Interconnection with zero emissions by 2050. In this work, we identify cost targets for offshore wind and wave energy to become cost effective, calculate a 17% reduction in total installed capacity by 2050 when offshore wind and wave energy are fully deployed, and show how curtailment, generation, and transmission change as offshore wind and wave energy deployment increase.
Rp3: Ribosome profiling-assisted proteogenomics improves coverage and confidence during microprotein discovery
Authors: Vieira de Souza Eduardo , L. Bookout Angie , Barnes Christopher A. , Miller Brendan , Machado Pablo , Basso Luiz A. , Bizarro Cristiano V. , Saghatelian Alan
Published: August 2024

There has been a dramatic increase in the identification of non-canonical translation and a significant expansion of the protein-coding genome. Among the strategies used to identify unannotated small Open Reading Frames (smORFs) that encode microproteins, Ribosome profiling (Ribo-Seq) is the gold standard for the annotation of novel coding sequences by reporting on smORF translation. In Ribo-Seq, ribosome-protected footprints (RPFs) that map to multiple genomic sites are removed since they cannot be unambiguously assigned to a specific genomic location. Furthermore, RPFs necessarily result in short (25-34 nucleotides) reads, increasing the chance of multi-mapping alignments, such that smORFs residing in these regions cannot be identified by Ribo-Seq. Moreover, it has been challenging to identify protein evidence for Ribo-Seq. To solve this, we developed Rp3, a pipeline that integrates proteogenomics and Ribosome profiling to provide unambiguous evidence for a subset of microproteins missed by current Ribo-Seq pipelines. Here, we show that Rp3 maximizes proteomics detection and confidence of microprotein-encoding smORFs.