bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of solar cycle 25: applications and comparison
Authors: Penza Valentina , Bertello Luca , Cantoresi Matteo , Criscuoli Serena , Berrilli Francesco
Published: July 2023

Solar activity affects the heliosphere in different ways. Variations in particles and radiation that impact the Earth’s atmosphere, climate, and human activities often in disruptive ways. Consequently, the ability to forecast solar activity across different temporal scales is gaining increasing significance. In this study, we present predictions for solar cycle 25 of three solar activity indicators: the core-to-wing ratio of Mg II at 280 nm, the solar radio flux at 10.7 cm—widely recognized proxies for solar UV emission—and the total solar irradiance, a natural driver of Earth’s climate. Our predictions show a very good agreement with measurements of these activity indicators acquired during the ascending phase of solar cycle 25, representing the most recent data available at the time of writing.
Meiosis and gametogenesis in hybrid, polyploid, and clonal fishes: case studies in the dojo loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus
Authors: Arai Katsutoshi
Published: July 2023

Hybrid, polyploid, and clonal fishes are found naturally in wild populations, but they can also be induced artificially by cross-breeding and chromosome manipulation. The dojo loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus includes various naturally occurring as well as artificially induced hybrid, polyploid, and clonal biotypes. This review aims to organize the results from previous works that used the dojo loach as the model animal for a better understanding of the interrelationship among the constitution of chromosome sets, the meiotic configuration, and the resultant gametogenesis. Autopolyploids with an even number of extra sets of homologous chromosomes were observed to be fertile. However, autopolyploids with an odd number of extra sets of homologous chromosomes and allopolyploids (polyploid hybrids) with exotic non-homologous chromosomes were found to exhibit a broad range of sterility ranging from retarded gonadal development to the production of aneuploid gametes with various abnormal characteristics. Sterile biotypes often showed meiotic configurations, including univalents. Past hybridization events likely triggered the atypical reproduction phenomena, such as the formation of unreduced isogenic gametes by doubling each chromosome for sister chromosome pairing, the elimination of a non-homologous chromosome set by meiotic hybridogenesis, and clonal development by spontaneous gynogenesis of unreduced eggs. The results obtained by studying a series of works using the dojo loach as the model organism highlight the mechanisms of sterility in hybrids and polyploids as well as of unisexuality in isogenic clones. These results contribute to the understanding of basic and aquaculture-oriented reproductive biology and genetics in fishes.
Distinguishing two (unsound) arguments for quantum social science
Authors: Jaksland Rasmus
Published: July 2023

Quantum mechanics supersedes classical mechanics, and social science, some argue, should be responsive to this change. This paper finds that two rather different arguments are currently being used to argue that quantum mechanics is epistemically relevant in social science. One, attributed to Alexander Wendt, appeals to the presence of quantum physical effects in the social world. The other, attributed to Karen Barad, insists on the importance of quantum metaphysics even when quantum effects are negligible. Neither argument, however, is sound. Consequently, the paper concludes that neither of them offers compelling arguments for the view that quantum mechanics has epistemic relevance for social science.
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Extracellular Vesicles from Tissue-Mimetic System Enhance Epidermal Regeneration via Formation of Migratory Cell Sheets
Authors: Hodge Jacob G. , Robinson Jennifer L. , Mellott Adam J.
Published: July 2023

Background

The secretome of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) offers a unique approach to understanding and treating wounds, including the critical process of epidermal regeneration orchestrated by keratinocytes. However, 2D culture techniques drastically alter the secretory dynamics of ASCs, which has led to ambiguity in understanding which secreted compounds (e.g., growth factors, exosomes, reactive oxygen species) may be driving epithelialization.

Methods

A novel tissue-mimetic 3D hydrogel system was utilized to enhance the retainment of a more regenerative ASC phenotype and highlight the functional secretome differences between 2D and 3D. Subsequently, the ASC-secretome was stratified by molecular weight and the presence/absence of extracellular vesicles (EVs). The ASC-secretome fractions were then evaluated to assess for the capacity to augment specific keratinocyte activities.

Results

Culture of ASCs within the tissue-mimetic system enhanced protein secretion ~ 50%, exclusively coming from the > 100 kDa fraction. The ASC-secretome ability to modulate epithelialization functions, including migration, proliferation, differentiation, and morphology, resided within the “> 100 kDa” fraction, with the 3D ASC-secretome providing the greatest improvement. 3D ASC EV secretion was enhanced two-fold and exhibited dose-dependent effects on epidermal regeneration. Notably, ASC-EVs induced morphological changes in keratinocytes reminiscent of native regeneration, including formation of stratified cell sheets. However, only 3D-EVs promoted collective cell sheet migration and an epithelial-to-mesenchymal-like transition in keratinocytes, whereas 2D-EVs contained an anti-migratory stimulus.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates how critical the culture environment is on influencing ASC-secretome regenerative capabilities. Additionally, the critical role of EVs in modulating epidermal regeneration is revealed and their translatability for future clinical therapies is discussed.
Dietary acid load decreases with age and is associated with sagittal abdominal diameter: a nationally representative quantification study in US adults
Authors: Storz Maximilian Andreas , Ronco Alvaro Luis
Published: July 2023

Background

Dietary acid load (DAL) has been associated with frailty and hip fractures in older adults, who often have a reduced kidney function and thus compromised buffering capacities. Studies to quantify DAL in older adults are scarce and controversies persist as to whether DAL in- or decreases with age.

Aim

To enhance the understanding of DAL in older individuals, we examined its relationship with increasing age and selected anthropometric data in a well-characterized sample of US adults.

Methods

Secondary data analysis of nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys data (NHANES 2011–2016). The sample included n = 3018 adults aged 60+, which may be extrapolated to represent n = 45,113,471 Americans. DAL was estimated using 4 formulas, including Potential Renal Acid Load (PRAL) and Net Endogenous Acid Production (NEAP).

Results

All employed DAL scores tended to decline with increasing age. Participants aged 80 years or older yielded the lowest DAL scores. The average US citizen aged 60+ consumed an acidifying diet, yet there were sex-specific differences in the adjusted means for some scores. NEAP was positively correlated with both body mass index (r = 0.26, p < 0.001) and the sagittal abdominal diameter (r = 0.31, p < 0.001) in this nationally representative sample.

Conclusion

The previously reported phenomenon of increasing DAL values in older people in non-Western countries may not apply to the US. Our findings may constitute an important step towards a better understanding of DAL in older US adults, and highlight the need for additional population-specific research in the field.
A Review of Potential Innovation Pathways to Enhance Resilience in Wood-Based Value Chains
Authors: Hoeben Annechien Dirkje , Stern Tobias , Lloret Francisco
Published: July 2023

Purpose of Review

Climate change poses a threat to European forests and threatens their capacity to deliver ecosystem services. Innovation is often considered critical to increasing resilience in wood-based value chains. However, the knowledge about types of innovation processes and how they enhance resilience, if at all, is largely dispersed. In this conceptual paper, we refer to examples from the forestry, bioeconomy, adaptation, and innovation literature to develop an overview of innovation pathways along the wood value chain. Thereafter, we evaluate the extent to which they enhance or compromise resilience to climate change and how they do so.

Recent Findings

We differentiate between forest and value chain resilience and assume that innovation positively influences both types of resilience via three resilience drivers: diversifying the product portfolio, making operations more efficient, or making the processes more flexible. Our literature review revealed nine innovation pathways along the value chain.

The pathways rarely connect forest management and the processing industry. Consequently, a mismatch was identified between the innovation pathways and resilience drivers applied to increase diversification at the beginning of the value chain (in forest management) and those applied to increase efficiency towards the end of the value chain (in the processing industry). Considering this mismatch, we stress that it is critical to reconsider the term innovation as a silver bullet and to increase the awareness of resilience drivers and innovation pathways, as well as reconsider ways to combine them optimally. We recommend engaging in open innovation activities to cooperatively draft innovation strategies across the entire wood value chain and intercept pathways by making processes more flexible.
Vertical 3D Nanostructures Boost Efficient Hydrogen Production Coupled with Glycerol Oxidation Under Alkaline Conditions
Authors: Li Shanlin , Liu Danmin , Wang Guowei , Ma Peijie , Wang Xunlu , Wang Jiacheng , Ma Ruguang
Published: July 2023

Hydrogen production from electrolytic water is an important sustainable technology to realize renewable energy conversion and carbon neutrality. However, it is limited by the high overpotential of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at the anode. To reduce the operating voltage of electrolyzer, herein thermodynamically favorable glycerol oxidation reaction (GOR) is proposed to replace the OER. Moreover, vertical NiO flakes and NiMoNH nanopillars are developed to boost the reaction kinetics of anodic GOR and cathodic hydrogen evolution, respectively. Meanwhile, excluding the explosion risk of mixed H2/O2, a cheap organic membrane is used to replace the expensive anion exchange membrane in the electrolyzer. Impressively, the electrolyzer delivers a remarkable reduction of operation voltage by 280 mV, and exhibits good long-term stability. This work provides a new paradigm of hydrogen production with low cost and good feasibility.
Optimized Electronic Modification of S-Doped CuO Induced by Oxidative Reconstruction for Coupling Glycerol Electrooxidation with Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Fan Ruo-Yao , Zhai Xue-Jun , Qiao Wei-Zhen , Zhang Yu-Sheng , Yu Ning , Xu Na , Lv Qian-Xi , Chai Yong-Ming , Dong Bin
Published: July 2023

Glycerol (electrochemical) oxidation reaction (GOR) producing organic small molecule acid and coupling with hydrogen evolution reaction is a critical aspect of ensuring balanced glycerol capacity and promoting hydrogen generation on a large scale. However, the development of highly efficient and selective non-noble metal-based GOR electrocatalysts is still a key problem. Here, an S-doped CuO nanorod array catalyst (S-CuO/CF) constructed by sulfur leaching and oxidative remodeling is used to drive GOR at low potentials: It requires potentials of only 1.23 and 1.33 V versus RHE to provide currents of 100 and 500 mA cm−2, respectively. Moreover, it shows satisfactory comprehensive performance (at 100 mA cm−2, Vcell = 1.37 V) when assembled as the anode in asymmetric coupled electrolytic cell. Furthermore, we propose a detailed cycle reaction pathway (in alkaline environment) of S-doped CuO surface promoting GOR to produce formic acid and glycolic acid. Among them, the C–C bond breaking and lattice oxygen deintercalation steps frequently involved in the reaction pathway are the key factors to determine the catalytic performance and product selectivity. This research provides valuable guidance for the development of transition metal-based electrocatalysts for GOR and valuable insights into the glycerol oxidation cycle reaction pathway.
Multifunctional Perovskite Photodetectors: From Molecular-Scale Crystal Structure Design to Micro/Nano-scale Morphology Manipulation
Authors: Zhao Yingjie , Yin Xing , Li Pengwei , Ren Ziqiu , Gu Zhenkun , Zhang Yiqiang , Song Yanlin
Published: July 2023

Multifunctional photodetectors boost the development of traditional optical communication technology and emerging artificial intelligence fields, such as robotics and autonomous driving. However, the current implementation of multifunctional detectors is based on the physical combination of optical lenses, gratings, and multiple photodetectors, the large size and its complex structure hinder the miniaturization, lightweight, and integration of devices. In contrast, perovskite materials have achieved remarkable progress in the field of multifunctional photodetectors due to their diverse crystal structures, simple morphology manipulation, and excellent optoelectronic properties. In this review, we first overview the crystal structures and morphology manipulation techniques of perovskite materials and then summarize the working mechanism and performance parameters of multifunctional photodetectors. Furthermore, the fabrication strategies of multifunctional perovskite photodetectors and their advancements are highlighted, including polarized light detection, spectral detection, angle-sensing detection, and self-powered detection. Finally, the existing problems of multifunctional detectors and the perspectives of their future development are presented. "Image missing"
Immobilization of Oxyanions on the Reconstructed Heterostructure Evolved from a Bimetallic Oxysulfide for the Promotion of Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Yu Kai , Yang Hongyuan , Zhang Hao , Huang Hui , Wang Zhaowu , Kang Zhenhui , Liu Yang , Menezes Prashanth W. , Chen Ziliang
Published: July 2023

Efficient and durable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) requires the electrocatalyst to bear abundant active sites, optimized electronic structure as well as robust component and mechanical stability. Herein, a bimetallic lanthanum-nickel oxysulfide with rich oxygen vacancies based on the La2O2S prototype is fabricated as a binder-free precatalyst for alkaline OER. The combination of advanced in situ and ex situ characterizations with theoretical calculation uncovers the synergistic effect among La, Ni, O, and S species during OER, which assures the adsorption and stabilization of the oxyanion $$\left( {{\text{SO}}_{4}^{{2 - }} } \right)$$

SO

4

2
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onto the surface of the deeply reconstructed porous heterostructure composed of confining NiOOH nanodomains by La(OH)3 barrier. Such coupling, confinement, porosity and immobilization enable notable improvement in active site accessibility, phase stability, mass diffusion capability and the intrinsic Gibbs free energy of oxygen-containing intermediates. The optimized electrocatalyst delivers exceptional alkaline OER activity and durability, outperforming most of the Ni-based benchmark OER electrocatalysts.

Graphical Abstract
Benchmarking a large Twitter dataset for Arabic emotion analysis
Authors: El-Sayed Ahmed , Abougabal Mohamed , Lazem Shaimaa
Published: July 2023

The scarcity of available annotated Arabic language emotion datasets limits the effectiveness of emotion detection applications. Techniques such as semi-supervised self-learning annotation and transfer learning from models trained on large annotated datasets have been increasingly considered as alternative economic options for researchers working on Arabic sentiment and emotion detection tasks. Examining the quality of the data annotated using these techniques is particularly important in applications that require detecting emotions with high granularity such as mental health applications. This paper contributes an approach to benchmarking a semi-supervised self-learning annotated Arabic emotion large dataset. By extracting the lexical correlation of each emotion, and conducting content analysis, the quality of the annotation approach is demonstrated. Further, using a comprehensive set of experiments, we evidence the effectiveness of the transfer learning approach from the large dataset to smaller datasets in emotion and sentiment classification tasks.
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as potential resuscitation factors that promote the isolation and culture of uncultured bacteria in marine sediments
Authors: Sun Chun-Shui , Zhou Liu-Yan , Liang Qi-Yun , Wang Xiao-Man , Lei Yi-Xuan , Xu Zhen-Xing , Wang Feng-Qing , Chen Guan-Jun , Du Zong-Jun , Mu Da-Shuai
Published: July 2023

Many marine bacteria are difficult to culture because they are dormant, rare or found in low-abundances. Enrichment culturing has been widely tested as an important strategy to isolate rare or dormant microbes. However, many more mechanisms remain uncertain. Here, based on 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing and metabolomics technology, it was found that the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in metabolites were significantly correlated with uncultured bacterial groups during enrichment cultures. A pure culture analysis showed that the addition of SCFAs to media also resulted in high efficiency for the isolation of uncultured strains from marine sediments. As a result, 238 strains belonging to 10 phyla, 26 families and 82 species were successfully isolated. Some uncultured rare taxa within Chlorobi and Kiritimatiellaeota were successfully cultured. Amongst the newly isolated uncultured microbes, most genomes, e.g. bacteria, possess SCFA oxidative degradation genes, and these features might aid these microbes in better adapting to the culture media. A further resuscitation analysis of a viable but non-culturable (VBNC) Marinilabiliales strain verified that the addition of SCFAs could break the dormancy of Marinilabiliales in 5 days, and the growth curve test showed that the SCFAs could shorten the lag phase and increase the growth rate. Overall, this study provides new insights into SCFAs, which were first studied as resuscitation factors in uncultured marine bacteria. Thus, this study can help improve the utilisation and excavation of marine microbial resources, especially for the most-wanted or key players.
Right and Wronged in International Relations
Authors: Rathbun Brian C.
Published: July 2023

Brian Rathbun argues against the prevailing wisdom on morality in international relations, both the commonly held belief that foreign affairs is an amoral realm and the opposing concept that norms have gradually civilized an unethical world. By focusing on how states respond to being wronged rather than when they do right, Rathbun shows that morality is and always has been virtually everywhere in international relations – in the perception of threat, the persistence of conflict, the judgment of domestic audiences, and the articulation of expansionist goals. The inescapability of our moral impulses owes to their evolutionary origins in helping individuals solve recurrent problems in their anarchic environment. Through archival case studies of German foreign policy; the analysis of enormous corpora of text; and surveys of Russian, Chinese, and American publics, this book reorients how we think about the role of morality in international relations.
Impact of Lifestyle and Psychosocial Factors on the Incidence of Hepatobiliary Enzyme Abnormalities After the Great East Japan Earthquake: Seven-Year Follow-up of the Fukushima Health Management Survey
Authors: Takahashi Atsushi , Ohira Tetsuya , Hayashi Fumikazu , Yasumura Seiji , Shimabukuro Michio , Sakai Akira , Maeda Masaharu , Yabe Hirooki , Hosoya Mitsuaki , Kazama Junichiro J , Hashimoto Koichi , Nakano Hironori , Nagao Masanori , Sato Shiho , Okazaki Kanako , Harigane Mayumi , Ohto Hitoshi , Kamiya Kenji , Ohira Hiromasa
Published: July 2023

Objective:

Residents who lived near the Fukushima Power Plant accident were forced to change their lifestyle after the 2011 accident. This study aimed to elucidate the association of resident lifestyle and psychological factors with onset of hepatobiliary enzyme abnormalities (HEA) after the accident.

Methods:

This longitudinal study included 15705 residents who underwent a comprehensive health check, as well as a mental health and lifestyle survey between June 2011 and March 2012. Follow-up surveys were conducted between June, 2012 and March 2018. Risk factors for new HEA onset were evaluated using the Cox proportional hazards model, moreover, population attributable risks for new HEA onset were calculated.

Results:

HEA developed in 29.7% of subjects. In addition to metabolic factors such as overweight, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia; there were differences in alcohol intake, evacuation, unemployment, educational background, and psychological distress between subjects with and without HEA onset. After we adjusted for potential confounding factors, an association of being overweight, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, as well as alcohol consumption, evacuation, and psychological distress with increased risk of HEA onset was realized. Among these identified risk factors, evacuation accounted for the greatest share.

Conclusions:

Metabolic characteristics and disaster-related lifestyle aspects, including mental status, were risk factors for HAE onset after the Fukushima Power Plant accident.
Airflow Field and Shelter Effect Around Flexible Plants Using Fluid‐Structure Interaction (FSI)‐Large‐Eddy‐Simulation (LES) Simulations
Authors: Wu Xiaoxu , Fang Hui , Fan Peipei , Yang Xiaofan , Xiang Hongxu , Zou Xueyong , Zhang Chunlai , Wang Rende , Liu Xingchen
Published: July 2023

Vegetative windbreaks have a significant advantage in regulating microclimates and improving soil conditions. Some studies highlight the importance of turbulence and plant flexibility, but few has investigated the relationship between flexibility and the shelter effect of windbreaks. Therefore, we perform a series of 3D fluid‐structure interaction (FSI)‐large‐eddy‐simulation (LES) simulations to study the airflow passing through flexible single‐plant windbreaks. We first model the plants with branches according to their geometric features in the field, present a FSI solver to strongly couple the airflow velocity field and windbreak vibration, and then use a LES turbulent model to resolve the turbulent flows. Based on the simulations, the airflow fields around the plants (Plant #1 and Plant #2) with different flexibilities, evaluated by Young's modulus, were analyzed and compared. Afterward, the shelter effect of flexible plants is analyzed based on three indices, including turbulence intensity, surface shear stress and plant swing displacement. The peak turbulence intensity of the three plants follows the order Plant #1 > Plant #2 > rigid plant. Regardless of wind speed, the surface shear stress around the plants follows the order Plant #1 < Plant #2 < rigid plant. The swing displacement increases as the velocity and flexibility increase. It is concluded that the flexible plant has a better shelter effect than the rigid plant, and within a certain range, the stronger the flexibility of the plant is, the better its shelter effect. This study not only investigates the interaction mechanism between flexible plants and airflow, but also provides a theoretical reference for the application of flexible plants in wind protection engineering.
Erosion‐Driven Isostatic Flow and Crustal Diapirism: Analytical and Numerical Models With Implications for the Evolution of the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis, Southern Tibet
Authors: Yang Jiaming , Cao Wenrong , Yuan Xiaoping , Yang Jianfeng
Published: July 2023

The Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis (EHS) is one of the fastest exhuming regions on Earth since ∼10 Ma, and the mechanism of its fast exhumation is under debate. Different from many other studies based on tectonics‐driven models, we performed analytical analysis and numerical simulations to investigate an erosion‐driven system. Our results show that fast and focused surface erosion alone is able to exhume the lower crust on the timescale of ∼10 Myr. This process leads to the formation of a domal structure, an elevated geothermal gradient, rapid cooling of crustal rocks, and decompression melting in the lower crust. In the upper‐mid crust, the uplift of crustal rocks is caused by isostatic flow driven by pressure gradient, whose rate is limited by the driving erosional forcing. In the mid‐lower crust where decompression melting occurs, rocks entrained in a buoyant diapir experience fast uplift rate exceeding the erosional forcing. Our erosion‐driven model demonstrates an intricate coupling between surface erosion and crustal processes. Positive feedback between surface erosion and rock uplift is possible under certain conditions and crustal diapirism plays a key role in the feedback. Our study shows that both isostatic and diapiric flows play important roles in the uplift and exhumation of crustal rocks in the EHS. We highlight that erosion‐driven crustal diapirism can be one of the missing pieces explaining the evolution of the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis.
Subglacial‐Discharge Plumes Drive Widespread Subsurface Warming in Northwest Greenland's Fjords
Authors: Cowton T. R. , Slater D. A. , Inall M. E.
Published: July 2023

Greenland's glacial fjords modulate the exchange between the ice sheet and ocean. Subglacial‐discharge‐driven plumes adjacent to glaciers may exert an important influence on fjord water properties, submarine glacier melting and the export of glacially‐modified waters to the shelf. Here we use a numerical plume model in conjunction with observations from proximal to 14 glaciers in northwest Greenland to assess the impact of these plumes on near‐glacier water properties. We find that in late summer, waters emanating from glacial plumes often make up >50% of the fjord water composition at intermediate depths. These plume waters are comprised largely of upwelled Atlantic Water, warming the near‐glacier water profile and likely increasing submarine melting. Our findings demonstrate the key role played by plumes in driving water modification in Greenland's fjords, and the potential for simple models to capture these impacts across a range of settings.
The Mantle Viscosity Structure of Venus
Authors: Maia J. S. , Wieczorek M. A. , Plesa A.‐C.
Published: July 2023

The long‐wavelength gravity and topography of Venus are dominated by mantle convective flows, and are hence sensitive to the planet's viscosity structure and mantle density anomalies. By modeling the dynamic gravity and topography signatures and by making use of a Bayesian inference approach, we investigate the viscosity structure of the Venusian mantle by constraining radial viscosity variations. We performed inversions under a wide range of model assumptions that consistently predicted the existence of a thin low‐viscosity zone in the uppermost mantle. The zone is about 235 km thick and has a viscosity reduction of 5–15 times with respect to the underlying mantle. Drawing a parallel with the Earth, the reduced viscosity could be a result of partial melting as suggested for the origin of the asthenosphere. These results support the interpretation that Venus is a geologically active world predominantly governed by ongoing magmatic processes.
Implications of Warm Pool Bias in CMIP6 Models on the Northern Hemisphere Wintertime Subtropical Jet and Precipitation
Authors: Liu Xinhuiyu , Grise Kevin M.
Published: July 2023

Although the multi‐model average compares well with observations, individually most of the latest climate models do not simulate a realistic size of the Indo‐Pacific Warm Pool in the present‐day climate. This study explores the implications of this warm pool size bias in climate models in Northern Hemisphere winter. The warm pool size bias in phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project models is related to the subtropical jet and precipitation distribution, both in the present‐day climate and in response to climate change, through extratropical Rossby wave trains and tropical circulation pathways. Based on these relationships, emergent constraints are developed to observationally constrain the future subtropical jet response over Asia and the Atlantic Ocean and precipitation response over North and Central America, which can help to reduce uncertainty in future projections of these features. Thus, accurate model simulation of the warm pool in the present‐day climate is important for future projections of the subtropical jet and precipitation.
Fault Zone Spatial Stress Variations in a Granitic Rock Mass: Revealed by Breakouts Within an Array of Boreholes
Authors: Zhang Shihuai , Ma Xiaodong , Bröker Kai , van Limborgh Rutger , Wenning Quinn , Hertrich Marian , Giardini Domenico
Published: July 2023

The in situ stress state within fault zones is technically challenging to characterize. At the Bedretto Underground Laboratory in the Swiss Alps, the breakouts observed in an array of eight inclined boreholes penetrating a fault zone offer a unique opportunity to characterize the fault‐associated spatial stress variations. Synthesizing multiple geophysical logs, natural geologic structures intersecting these boreholes are identified, revealing a hierarchy of a major fault zone along with secondary structures. Within the boreholes, breakout rotations occur over multiple scales, spanning individual fractures and the entire major fault zone. We first estimate and rule out the effect of the fracture‐induced anisotropy on the breakout rotations, which are attributed mainly to the stress variations. Based on the stress field around a circular borehole and Mohr‐Coulomb failure criterion, the observed breakout azimuths are used to invert the stress information. Results show that the stress field outside the fault zone features a stress ratio (quantifying the relative stress magnitude) of about 0.9, an inclined overburden stress (inclination: 12°∼18°), and a maximum horizontal principal stress (SHmax) oriented N100∼120°E. Within the fault zone, a substantial reduction of the stress ratio and complicated stress rotations are constrained, likely induced by the stress drop on local fractures. As a result, less critical stress state inside the major fault zone is expected. Our work provides a semi‐quantitative estimation of the in‐situ stress variations around fault zones in the absence of direct stress measurements, which is beneficial to a number of scientific and engineering applications.
Instantaneous Physics‐Based Ground Motion Maps Using Reduced‐Order Modeling
Authors: Rekoske John M. , Gabriel Alice‐Agnes , May Dave A.
Published: July 2023

Physics‐based simulations of earthquake ground motion are useful to complement recorded ground motions. However, the computational expense of performing numerical simulations hinders their applicability to tasks that require real‐time solutions or ensembles of solutions for different earthquake sources. To enable rapid physics‐based solutions, we present a reduced‐order modeling approach based on interpolated proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) to predict peak ground velocities (PGVs). As a demonstrator, we consider PGVs from regional 3D wave propagation simulations at the location of the 2008 MW 5.4 Chino Hills earthquake using double‐couple sources with varying depth and focal mechanisms. These simulations resolve frequencies ≤1.0 Hz and include topography, viscoelastic attenuation, and S‐wave speeds ≥500 m/s. We evaluate the accuracy of the interpolated POD reduced‐order model (ROM) as a function of the approximation method. Comparing the radial basis function (RBF), multilayer perceptron neural network, random forest, and k‐nearest neighbor, we find that the RBF interpolation gives the lowest error (≈0.1 cm/s) when tested against an independent data set. We also find that evaluating the ROM is 107–108 times faster than the wave propagation simulations. We use the ROM to generate PGV maps for 1 million different focal mechanisms, in which we identify potentially damaging ground motions and quantify correlations between focal mechanism, depth, and accuracy of the predicted PGV. Our results demonstrate that the ROM can rapidly and accurately approximate the PGV from wave propagation simulations with variable source properties, topography, and complex subsurface structure.
Timing of the Transition From Sevier‐ to Laramide‐Style Tectonism in Southwestern Montana Based on the Provenance of the Frontier Formation, North American Cordillera
Authors: Finzel E. S. , Rosenblume J. A. , Pearson D. M. , Zippi Pierre A.
Published: July 2023

The Upper Cretaceous Frontier Formation in southwestern Montana is coeval with the transition from Sevier‐ to Laramide‐style tectonism in the Idaho‐Montana sector of the North American Cordillera. To better constrain the timing of initial exhumation above the Laramide‐style Blacktail‐Snowcrest arch, we use biostratigraphic data, sandstone petrography, and detrital zircon (DZ) geochronology to determine the provenance and depositional age of the Frontier Formation. Near Lima Peaks, erosion of Lower Cretaceous strata from the frontal Sevier‐style Tendoy thrust sheet provided sediment to the foreland basin. In the Western Centennial Mountains, sediment sources included those same sources as well as Neoproterozoic and Cambrian strata and Mesoproterozoic plutons in the Belt basin. In contrast, near the Gravelly Range, sediment eroded from Pennsylvanian‐Upper Cretaceous strata atop the Blacktail‐Snowcrest basement‐cored uplift, documenting unroofing to Pennsylvanian‐Permian stratigraphic levels by 87–85 Ma. Palynology corroborates recycling into the Frontier Formation, including from the underlying Blackleaf Formation. The ubiquitous presence of 100–85 Ma DZ ages coupled with different interpreted source regions suggests that an ash‐fall source contributed young zircon grains to the Frontier Formation. The timing of exhumation above the Blacktail‐Snowcrest arch provided by these new data presented herein suggest that Laramide‐style tectonism in Idaho‐Montana may be unrelated to shallow‐angle subduction within a narrow corridor as envisioned by current models. Instead, upper plate controls, such as the locations of inherited faults and basement highs, the distribution and thickness of pre‐orogenic sedimentary cover, and the availability of detachment surfaces, may be responsible for Laramide‐style tectonism during early Late Cretaceous time.
Microenvironmental Snail1-induced immunosuppression promotes melanoma growth
Authors: Arumi-Planas Marta , Rodriguez-Baena Francisco Javier , Cabello-Torres Francisco , Gracia Francisco , Lopez-Blau Cristina , Nieto M. Angela , Sanchez-Laorden Berta
Published: July 2023

Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer due to its high metastatic abilities and resistance to therapies. Melanoma cells reside in a heterogeneous tumour microenvironment that acts as a crucial regulator of its progression. Snail1 is an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition transcription factor expressed during development and reactivated in pathological situations including fibrosis and cancer. In this work, we show that Snail1 is activated in the melanoma microenvironment, particularly in fibroblasts. Analysis of mouse models that allow stromal Snail1 depletion and therapeutic Snail1 blockade indicate that targeting Snail1 in the tumour microenvironment decreases melanoma growth and lung metastatic burden, extending mice survival. Transcriptomic analysis of melanoma-associated fibroblasts and analysis of the tumours indicate that stromal Snail1 induces melanoma growth by promoting an immunosuppressive microenvironment and a decrease in anti-tumour immunity. This study unveils a novel role of Snail1 in melanoma biology and supports its potential as a therapeutic target.
The deubiquitinating enzyme OTUD7b protects dendritic cells from TNF-induced apoptosis by stabilizing the E3 ligase TRAF2
Authors: Harit Kunjan , Bhattacharjee Rituparna , Matuschewski Kai , Becker Jennifer , Kalinke Ulrich , Schlüter Dirk , Nishanth Gopala
Published: July 2023

The cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) critically regulates the intertwined cell death and pro-inflammatory signaling pathways of dendritic cells (DCs) via ubiquitin modification of central effector molecules, but the intrinsic molecular switches deciding on either pathway are incompletely defined. Here, we uncover that the ovarian tumor deubiquitinating enzyme 7b (OTUD7b) prevents TNF-induced apoptosis of DCs in infection, resulting in efficient priming of pathogen-specific CD8+ T cells. Mechanistically, OTUD7b stabilizes the E3 ligase TNF-receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) in human and murine DCs by counteracting its K48-ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. TRAF2 in turn facilitates K63-linked polyubiquitination of RIPK1, which mediates activation of NF-κB and MAP kinases, IL-12 production, and expression of anti-apoptotic cFLIP and Bcl-xL. We show that mice with DC-specific OTUD7b-deficiency displayed DC apoptosis and a failure to induce CD8+ T cell-mediated brain pathology, experimental cerebral malaria, in a murine malaria infection model. Together, our data identify the deubiquitinating enzyme OTUD7b as a central molecular switch deciding on survival of human and murine DCs and provides a rationale to manipulate DC responses by targeting their ubiquitin network downstream of the TNF receptor pathway.
Genetic architecture of dispersal behaviour in the post-harvest pest and model organism Tribolium castaneum
Authors: Pointer Michael D. , Spurgin Lewis G. , Gage Matthew J. G. , McMullan Mark , Richardson David S.
Published: July 2023

Dispersal behaviour is an important aspect of the life-history of animals. However, the genetic architecture of dispersal-related traits is often obscure or unknown, even in well studied species. Tribolium castaneum is a globally significant post-harvest pest and established model organism, yet studies of its dispersal have shown ambiguous results and the genetic basis of this behaviour remains unresolved. We combine experimental evolution and agent-based modelling to investigate the number of loci underlying dispersal in T. castaneum, and whether the trait is sex-linked. Our findings demonstrate rapid evolution of dispersal behaviour under selection. We find no evidence of sex-biases in the dispersal behaviour of the offspring of crosses, supporting an autosomal genetic basis of the trait. Moreover, simulated data approximates experimental data under simulated scenarios where the dispersal trait is controlled by one or few loci, but not many loci. Levels of dispersal in experimentally inbred lines, compared with simulations, indicate that a single locus model is not well supported. Taken together, these lines of evidence support an oligogenic architecture underlying dispersal in Tribolium castaneum. These results have implications for applied pest management and for our understanding of the evolution of dispersal in the coleoptera, the world’s most species-rich order.
Combining amino acid PET and MRI imaging increases accuracy to define malignant areas in adult glioma
Authors: Harat Maciej , Rakowska Józefina , Harat Marek , Szylberg Tadeusz , Furtak Jacek , Miechowicz Izabela , Małkowski Bogdan
Published: July 2023

Accurate determination of the extent and grade of adult-type diffuse gliomas is critical to patient management. In clinical practice, contrast-enhancing areas of diffuse gliomas in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences are usually used to target biopsy, surgery, and radiation therapy, but there can be discrepancies between these areas and the actual tumor extent. Here we show that adding 18F-fluoro-ethyl-tyrosine positron emission tomography (FET-PET) to MRI sequences accurately locates the most malignant areas of contrast-enhancing gliomas, potentially impacting subsequent management and outcomes. We present a prospective analysis of over 300 serial biopsy specimens from 23 patients with contrast-enhancing adult-type diffuse gliomas using a hybrid PET-MRI scanner to compare T2-weighted and contrast-enhancing MRI images with FET-PET. In all cases, we observe and confirm high FET uptake in early PET acquisitions (5–15 min after 18F-FET administration) outside areas of contrast enhancement on MRI, indicative of high-grade glioma. In 30% cases, inclusion of FET-positive sites changes the biopsy result to a higher tumor grade.
Preventing antimalarial drug resistance with triple artemisinin-based combination therapies
Authors: Nguyen Tran Dang , Gao Bo , Amaratunga Chanaki , Dhorda Mehul , Tran Thu Nguyen-Anh , White Nicholas J. , Dondorp Arjen M. , Boni Maciej F. , Aguas Ricardo
Published: July 2023

Increasing levels of artemisinin and partner drug resistance threaten malaria control and elimination globally. Triple artemisinin-based combination therapies (TACTs) which combine artemisinin derivatives with two partner drugs are efficacious and well tolerated in clinical trials, including in areas of multidrug-resistant malaria. Whether early TACT adoption could delay the emergence and spread of antimalarial drug resistance is a question of vital importance. Using two independent individual-based models of Plasmodium falciparum epidemiology and evolution, we evaluated whether introduction of either artesunate-mefloquine-piperaquine or artemether-lumefantrine-amodiaquine resulted in lower long-term artemisinin-resistance levels and treatment failure rates compared with continued ACT use. We show that introduction of TACTs could significantly delay the emergence and spread of artemisinin resistance and treatment failure, extending the useful therapeutic life of current antimalarial drugs, and improving the chances of malaria elimination. We conclude that immediate introduction of TACTs should be considered by policy makers in areas of emerging artemisinin resistance.
Guided construction of single cell reference for human and mouse lung
Authors: Guo Minzhe , Morley Michael P. , Jiang Cheng , Wu Yixin , Li Guangyuan , Du Yina , Zhao Shuyang , Wagner Andrew , Cakar Adnan Cihan , Kouril Michal , Jin Kang , Gaddis Nathan , Kitzmiller Joseph A. , Stewart Kathleen , Basil Maria C. , Lin Susan M. , Ying Yun , Babu Apoorva , Wikenheiser-Brokamp Kathryn A. , Mun Kyu Shik , Naren Anjaparavanda P. , Clair Geremy , Adkins Joshua N. , Pryhuber Gloria S. , Misra Ravi S. , Aronow Bruce J. , Tickle Timothy L. , Salomonis Nathan , Sun Xin , Morrisey Edward E. , Whitsett Jeffrey A. ,   NHLBI LungMAP Consortium, Lin Sara , Xu Yan
Published: July 2023

Accurate cell type identification is a key and rate-limiting step in single-cell data analysis. Single-cell references with comprehensive cell types, reproducible and functionally validated cell identities, and common nomenclatures are much needed by the research community for automated cell type annotation, data integration, and data sharing. Here, we develop a computational pipeline utilizing the LungMAP CellCards as a dictionary to consolidate single-cell transcriptomic datasets of 104 human lungs and 17 mouse lung samples to construct LungMAP single-cell reference (CellRef) for both normal human and mouse lungs. CellRefs define 48 human and 40 mouse lung cell types catalogued from diverse anatomic locations and developmental time points. We demonstrate the accuracy and stability of LungMAP CellRefs and their utility for automated cell type annotation of both normal and diseased lungs using multiple independent methods and testing data. We develop user-friendly web interfaces for easy access and maximal utilization of the LungMAP CellRefs.
Observation of geometry-dependent skin effect in non-Hermitian phononic crystals with exceptional points
Authors: Zhou Qiuyan , Wu Jien , Pu Zhenhang , Lu Jiuyang , Huang Xueqin , Deng Weiyin , Ke Manzhu , Liu Zhengyou
Published: July 2023

Exceptional points and skin effect, as the two distinct hallmark features unique to the non-Hermitian physics, have each attracted enormous interests. Recent theoretical works reveal that the topologically nontrivial exceptional points can guarantee the non-Hermitian skin effect, which is geometry-dependent, relating these two unique phenomena. However, such novel relation remains to be confirmed by experiments. Here, we realize a non-Hermitian phononic crystal with exceptional points, which exhibits the geometry-dependent skin effect. The exceptional points connected by the bulk Fermi arcs, and the skin effects with the geometry dependence, are evidenced in simulations and experiments. Our work, building an experimental bridge between the exceptional points and skin effect and uncovering the unconventional geometry-dependent skin effect, expands a horizon in non-Hermitian physics.
Kinetic drop friction
Authors: Li Xiaomei , Bodziony Francisco , Yin Mariana , Marschall Holger , Berger Rüdiger , Butt Hans-Jürgen
Published: July 2023

Liquid drops sliding on tilted surfaces is an everyday phenomenon and is important for many industrial applications. Still, it is impossible to predict the drop’s sliding velocity. To make a step forward in quantitative understanding, we measured the velocity $$(U)$$

(

U

)

, contact width $$(w)$$

(

w

)

, contact length $$(L)$$

(

L

)

, advancing $$({\theta }_{{{{{{\rm{a}}}}}}})$$

(

θ

a

)

, and receding contact angle $$({\theta }_{{{{{{\rm{r}}}}}}})$$

(

θ

r

)

of liquid drops sliding down inclined flat surfaces made of different materials. We find the friction force acting on sliding drops of polar and non-polar liquids with viscosities ($${\eta }$$
η
) ranging from 10−3 to 1 $${{{{{\rm{Pa}}}}}}\cdot {{{{{\rm{s}}}}}}$$
Pa
⋅
s
can empirically be described by $${F}_{{{{{{\rm{f}}}}}}}(U)={F}_{0}+\beta w\eta U$$

F

f

(

U

)

=

F

0

+
β
w
η
U
for a velocity range up to 0.7 ms−1. The dimensionless friction coefficient $$(\beta )$$

(

β

)

defined here varies from 20 to 200. It is a material parameter, specific for a liquid/surface combination. While static wetting is fully described by $${\theta }_{{{{{{\rm{a}}}}}}}$$

θ

a

and $${\theta }_{{{{{{\rm{r}}}}}}}$$

θ

r

, for dynamic wetting the friction coefficient is additionally necessary.
Cryo-EM structure of a RAS/RAF recruitment complex
Authors: Park Eunyoung , Rawson Shaun , Schmoker Anna , Kim Byeong-Won , Oh Sehee , Song Kangkang , Jeon Hyesung , Eck Michael J.
Published: July 2023

RAF-family kinases are activated by recruitment to the plasma membrane by GTP-bound RAS, whereupon they initiate signaling through the MAP kinase cascade. Prior structural studies of KRAS with RAF have focused on the isolated RAS-binding and cysteine-rich domains of RAF (RBD and CRD, respectively), which interact directly with RAS. Here we describe cryo-EM structures of a KRAS bound to intact BRAF in an autoinhibited state with MEK1 and a 14-3-3 dimer. Analysis of this KRAS/BRAF/MEK1/14-3-3 complex reveals KRAS bound to the RAS-binding domain of BRAF, captured in two orientations. Core autoinhibitory interactions in the complex are unperturbed by binding of KRAS and in vitro activation studies confirm that KRAS binding is insufficient to activate BRAF, absent membrane recruitment. These structures illustrate the separability of binding and activation of BRAF by RAS and suggest stabilization of this pre-activation intermediate as an alternative therapeutic strategy to blocking binding of KRAS.