bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of Fe Grade at an Ore Deposit Using Extreme Gradient Boosting Trees (XGBoost)
Authors: Atalay Fırat
Published: June 2024

Estimating the spatial distribution of ore grade is one of the most critical and important steps to continue investment decision on the deposit. Kriging is the most widely used method to estimate the ore grade while alternative techniques are being developed. Machine learning algorithms can be used as alternative methods to classical kriging. In this paper, Fe grade of a deposit is estimated with XGBoost algorithm, and results are compared with kriging estimation results. For estimation processes, samples collected from the drillholes are used. To mitigate the effect of varying sampling length, both estimations use composites of these samples. Due to the different nature of the estimation methods, different steps have been taken to perform estimations. Results show that XGBoost estimates produced higher ranged estimates which is a desired result in ore grade estimation while minimum and maximum of the estimates were lower and higher than the kriging estimates, respectively. However, like kriging estimates, estimation results were smoother than composites while variance of the XGBoost estimates were lower than variance of composites. This means that even though estimation with XGBoost mitigates the smoothing effect, estimation results suffer from smoothing effect like kriging.
Development and Preliminary Testing of the ATEMO Multi-Purpose Sensing Platform
Authors: Toson Federico , Aboudan Alessio , Bettanini Carlo , Colombatti Giacomo , Terlizzi Irene , Chiodini Sebastiano , Olivieri Lorenzo , Trevisanuto Giovanni
Published: June 2024

In the current global context, where the issue of climate change has gained significant prominence, the ATEMO (Aerospace Technologies for Earth Monitoring and Observation) project introduces an innovative and scalable platform capable of measuring multiple environmental factors, including air pollution, light pollution, and vegetation analysis. This versatile platform can be seamlessly integrated onto various aerial vehicles, such as drones, stratospheric balloons, and tethered balloons. Its primary goal is to establish a comprehensive framework for environmental analysis on multiple fronts, while also contributing valuable data to the scientific literature. Furthermore, it offers a cost-effective alternative with enhanced spatial and temporal resolution for ground-based comparisons. During the initial year of research, ATEMO project focused on amalgamating the technological expertise of the research group into a single device. This device facilitated ground-based light source observations, multi-spectral vegetation analysis, and air quality assessments. The first test campaign, carried out during the summer of 2023, was aimed at estimating vegetation indices and comparing them over time with satellite-derived data. This article provides insights into the current configuration of ATEMO, outlines the testing procedures, and presents the preliminary findings.
Importance of dynamics of acquired phototrophy amongst mixoplankton; a unique example of essential nutrient transmission in community ecology
Authors: Mitra Aditee
Published: June 2024

Transfers of energy and nutrients from producers to consumers are fundamental to ecosystem structure and functioning. A common example is the transfer of essential amino acids and fatty acids, produced by phototrophs, up through successive trophic levels. A highly specialised example is the transmission of acquired phototrophy between certain plankton. There are > 250 species of marine plankton that exploit acquired phototrophy; the Teleaulax-Mesodinium-Dinophysis (TMD) trinity is the most studied complex. In the TMD-trinity, plastids and nuclear material produced by the cryptophyte Teleaulax are transferred during feeding to the ciliate, Mesodinium and these acquired plastids are subsequently transferred from Mesodinium to its predator, the dinoflagellate Dinophysis. These plastidic non-constitutive mixoplankton, Mesodinium and Dinophysis, are globally ubiquitous and ecologically important organisms. Mesodinium can form red-tide blooms, while Dinophysis spp. cause diarrhetic shellfish poisoning events and shellfisheries closures. However, very little is known about the impact of different environmental stressors on the transmissions of acquired phototrophy, the subsequent decay of that phototrophic potential over time, and the implications for community trophic dynamics. Here, for the first time, the implications of the transmission dynamics of acquired phototrophy for the success of the TMD-trinity were explored under different nitrogen and phosphorus (N:P) nutrient ratios and loadings (eutrophic, mesotrophic, oligotrophic). Using a multi-nutrient simulator, bloom dynamics were shown to be markedly different under these scenarios, highlighting the importance of variable stoichiometry in community ecology. Importantly, dynamics were sensitive to the longevity (half-life) of the acquired phototrophy (especially for Dinophysis at low nutrient high N:P), a feature for which appropriate empirical data are lacking. This work highlights the need to enhance our understanding about how environmental stressors arising from anthropogenic activities (including climate change) will impact transference of acquired phototrophy between trophic levels and thence marine biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Use of standardized decision support instruments to inform child welfare decision-making: lessons from an implementation study
Authors: Winters Andrew M. , Collins-Camargo Crystal , Utterback Liz , Minton Lizzie
Published: June 2024

Research has demonstrated children in out-of-home care have experienced trauma and a significant proportion are in need of behavioral health services (e.g. Casaneuva et al., NSCAW II baseline report: Child well-being, US Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC, 2011). Accessing services requires interagency coordination between child welfare and behavioral health professionals; however, challenges to coordination and collaboration may result in lack of service utilization for many youth (Hanson et al. 2016). Utilizing a mixed methodological approach, this paper describes the results of a study conducted five years after full state-wide implementation of processes designed to promote the use of evidence-based practices to inform decision-making for youth dually served by the child welfare and behavioral health systems. Outcomes from the study were used to develop strategies to address programmatic concerns and reinforce implementation supports. Study findings may aid organizations seeking to reinforce data-informed practices and employ strategies for addressing barriers at the worker and agency level.
Heuristics in philosophy
Authors: Williamson Timothy
Published: June 2024

This article argues that heuristics play a key role in philosophy, in generating both our verdicts on proposed counterexamples to philosophical theories and philosophical paradoxes. Heuristics are efficient ways of answering questions, quick and easy to use, but imperfectly reliable. They have been studied by psychologists and cognitive scientists such as Gigerenzer and Kahneman, but their relevance to philosophical methodology has not been properly recognized. Several heuristics are discussed at length. Thepersistence heuristiccan be summarized in the slogan ‘Small changes don’t matter’. Without it, updating would present an intractable problem for both natural and artificial intelligence. But our reliance on the persistence heuristic also makes us vulnerable to paradoxes of vagueness.Disquotational heuristicsof various kinds are considered. They play central roles in our ascriptions of truth, falsity, and belief, but they also generate semantic paradoxes such as the Liar and Frege puzzles about coreference. The use of an additive heuristic for combining reasons is also discussed. Our reliance on fallible heuristics in philosophy does not make philosophical knowledge impossible, just as our reliance on fallible heuristics in perception does not make perceptual knowledge impossible. Nevertheless, it should motivate us to take a more critical attitude to our data. By identifying and analyzing the heuristics on which we rely, we may be able to work out where they make us most vulnerable to error.
Re-examining international social work theory: “Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going?”
Authors: Higashida Masateru
Published: June 2024

The purpose of this exploratory study is to present a discussion on new developmental perspectives for international social work (ISW) theory. In order to examine the various aspects of this theory, the author first discusses different theoretical social work frameworks. Since some aspects cannot be discussed according to these frameworks, three main perspectives are applied to examine these ISW theoretical assumptions: (1) the roots of ISW; (2) ISW actors, practitioners, and scholars; and (3) the future of ISW. A new ISW definition is then introduced, after which several proposals are presented to revitalize the discussions on future ISW theory that moves beyond the dominant ISW discourses largely based on Western-rooted professional social work, and related aspects such as positionality and language issues. In this regard, using new ISW viewpoints and recognizing the importance of emotional experiences in such perspectives will not only allow academics and practitioners to move forward, but will also help overcome the dichotomies between ISW theory and practice as well as between the West and the rest.
Differential Responses of Soil Microbial and Carbon‐Nitrogen Processes to Future Environmental Changes Across Soil Depths and Environmental Factors
Authors: Wang Kefeng , Wang Gangsheng , Qu Ruosong , Huang Wenjuan , Zhou Guoyi , Yue Ming , Peng Changhui
Published: June 2024

Accurately predicting carbon‐climate feedbacks relies on understanding the environmental factors regulating soil organic carbon (SOC) storage and dynamics. Here, we employed a microbial ecological model (MEND), driven by downscaled output data from six Earth system models under two Shared Socio‐economic Pathways (SSP1‐2.6 and SSP5‐8.5) scenarios, to simulate long‐term soil biogeochemical processes. We aim to analyze the responses of soil microbial and carbon‐nitrogen (C‐N) processes to changes in environmental factors, including litter input (L), soil moisture (W) and temperature (T), and soil pH, in a broadleaf forest (BF) and a pine forest (PF). For the entire soil layer in both forests, we found that, compared to the baseline period of 2009–2020, the mean SOC during 2081–2100 increased by 40.9%–90.6% under the L or T change scenarios, versus 5.2%–31.0% under the W change scenario. However, soil moisture emerged as a key regulator of SOC, MBC and inorganic N dynamics in the topsoil of BF and PF. For example, W change led to SOC gain of 5.5%–37.2%, compared to the SOC loss of 15.5%–18.0% under L or T scenario. Additionally, a further reduction in soil pH by 0.2 units in the BF, representing the acid rain effect, significantly resulted in an additional SOC gain by 14.2%–21.3%, compared to the LTW (simultaneous changes in the three factors) scenario. These results indicate that the results derived solely from topsoil may not be extrapolated to the entire soil profile. Overall, this study significantly advances our comprehension of how different environmental factors impact the dynamics of SOC and the implications they have for climate change.
Understanding Full‐Depth Steric Sea Level Change in the Southwest Pacific Basin Using Deep Argo
Authors: Lele Ratnaksha , Purkey Sarah G.
Published: June 2024

Using 9  years of full‐depth profiles from 55 Deep Argo floats in the Southwest Pacific Basin collected between 2014 and 2023, we find consistent warm anomalies compared to a long‐term climatology below 2,000 m ranging between 11 ± 2 to 34 ± 2 m°C, most pronounced between 3,500 and 5,000 m. Over this period, a cooling trend is found between 2,000 and 4,000 m and a significant warming trend below 4,000 m with a maximum rate of 4.1 ± 0.31 m°C yr−1 near 5,000 m, with a possible acceleration over the second half of the period. The integrated Steric Sea Level expansion below 2,000 m was 7.9 ± 1 mm compared to the climatology with a trend of 1.3 ± 1.6 mm dec−1 over the Deep Argo era, contributing significantly to the local sea level budget. We assess the ability to close a full Sea Level Budget, further demonstrating the value of a full‐depth Argo array.
Synoptic‐Scale Extreme Variability of Winter Antarctic Sea‐Ice Concentration and Its Link to Southern Ocean Extratropical Cyclones
Authors: Hepworth Ehlke , Messori Gabriele , Vichi Marcello
Published: June 2024

This study provides a systematic analysis of extreme variability in winter Antarctic sea‐ice concentration (SIC) and its relationship with extratropical cyclones. We characterize sea‐ice variability and cyclone activity in different Southern Ocean sectors using atmospheric reanalyzes and a cyclone‐tracking algorithm, and then quantify the proportion of extreme sea‐ice variability engendered by cyclones of different intensities. The regions with relatively lower sea‐ice area (SIA) (the King Haakon VII, East Antarctic, and Bellingshausen sectors) have an even distribution of cyclones within all intensity ranges, while, in the sectors with higher SIA, the Ross/Amundsen displays a higher number of intense and weak cyclones, and the Weddell sector has the majority of weak cyclones. Our systematic analysis reveals a significant link between extreme variability in winter SIC and: (a) all cyclones in the Ross/Amundsen sector; (b) all but the weakest cyclones in the King Haakon VII, East Antarctic, and Bellingshausen sectors; and (c) all but the most intense cyclones in the Weddell sector. The latter result is explained by the fact that the Weddell sector experiences more frequent, weaker cyclones than the other sectors. Cumulatively, approximately 30%–40% of the extreme sea‐ice variability is caused by extratropical cyclones within all regions.
Observations of the Antarctic Slope Current in the Southeastern Weddell Sea: A Bottom‐Enhanced Current and Its Seasonal Variability
Authors: Darelius E. , Fer I. , Janout M. , Daae K. , Steiger N.
Published: June 2024

The Antarctic Slope Front and the associated Antarctic Slope Current dynamically regulate the exchanges of heat across the continental shelf break around Antarctica. Where the front is weak, relatively warm deep waters reach the ice shelf cavities, contributing to basal melting and ultimately affecting sea level rise. Here, we present new 2017–2021 records from two moorings deployed on the upper continental slope (530 and 738 m depth) just upstream of the Filchner Trough in the southeastern Weddell Sea. The structure and seasonal variability of the frontal system in this region, central to the inflow of warm water toward the large Filchner‐Ronne Ice Shelf, is previously undescribed. We use the records to describe the mean state and the seasonal variability of the regional hydrography and the southern part of the Antarctic Slope Current. We find that (a) the current is, contrary to previous assumptions, bottom‐enhanced, (b) the isotherms slope upwards toward the shelf break, and more so for warmer isotherms, and (c) the monthly mean thermocline depth is shallowest in February‐March and deepest in May‐June while (d) the current is strongest in April‐June. On monthly timescales, we show that (e) positive temperature anomalies of the de‐seasoned records are associated with weaker‐than‐average currents. We propose that the upward‐sloping isotherms are linked to the local topography and conservation of potential vorticity. Our results contribute to the understanding of how warm ocean waters propagate southward and potentially affect basal melt rates at the Filchner‐Ronne Ice Shelf.
Moisture Dependence of an African Easterly Wave Within the West African Monsoon System
Authors: Núñez Ocasio K. M. , Davis C. A. , Moon Z. L. , Lawton Q. A.
Published: June 2024

The growth and propagation of African easterly waves (AEWs) remains an active area of research, especially for those that become tropical cyclones (TCs). This is partly due to the complex role of moisture, realized through AEW‐convection interactions. The goal of this study is to understand how environmental moisture plays a role in influencing the growth and propagation of a case of an AEW‐convection system, that became a TC and how that role relates to the West African Monsoon System. Moisture sensitivity experiments were performed in a regional and convection‐permitting novel configuration. It is found that in a moister environment, diabatic heating associated with convection coupled to the wave is shallower, ultimately, weakening the wave amplitude. Energetics are reduced in a moister environment as the African easterly jet strengthens, yet narrows, and shifts northward limiting interaction with the monsoon and the wave‐convection system. The more intense monsoonal flow in a moister environment can instigate the decoupling between convection and AEW as deep convection is more likely in the ridge rather than in the trough region. Over western Africa, more continuous rainfall over the Guinea Highlands can inhibit phase locking with the AEW. In a moister environment, the mean zonal flow is weaker and as a result, the westward translation speed of the wave due to mean flow advection is slower than in the other experiments. While the mean flow advection dominates the translation, further differences in phase speed arise from differences in convection within the wave.
The Error of Global Ionospheric Map‐TEC During Equatorial Plasma Bubble Event in the High Solar Activity Year
Authors: Tang Long , Zhang Fenkai , Chen Wu
Published: June 2024

In this study, the error of total electron content (TEC) derived from the global ionospheric map (GIM) (GIM‐TEC) during equatorial plasma bubble (EPB) event is investigated for the first time. The frequently‐used assessment parameter of ionospheric TEC model, namely difference of Slant TEC (difference of slant total electron content (dSTEC)) is checked and employed based on eight global navigation satellite system (GNSS) stations distributed around the geomagnetic equator during the high solar activity year of 2014. The international GNSS service final GIM products are exemplified. The results present several interesting findings: (a) The observed dSTEC series is biased when an EPB is observed at the highest satellite elevation, leading to a fake bias in GIM‐TEC; (b) When an EPB occurred, the error of GIM‐TEC can increases or decreases and its variation sign is unrelated to the magnitude of EPB; (c) The average of the EPB‐induced GIM‐TEC errors is mainly at −5 to 5 TECU with 76% (24%) of positive (negative) values, and the maximum (minimum) is close to 10 TECU (−10 TECU); (d) The structure of EPB is unable to be captured by the GIM‐TEC series.
GPU‐Accelerated Urban Flood Modeling Using a Nonuniform Structured Grid and a Super Grid Scale River Channel
Authors: Rong Youtong , Bates Paul , Neal Jeffrey
Published: June 2024

New remote sensing technologies, and the meter‐scale geospatial data they create, now allow for detailed urban landscape characterization, thereby advancing grid‐based hydrodynamic models. However, using a uniform fine grid over urban catchments generally result in dense grids and can lead to prohibitive computational costs. Moreover, an inability to see below the water surface and measure river bathymetry in most terrain remote sensing can severely impact local‐scale river hydraulics calculations given the significant volume of water conveyed by the channel. This paper introduces a super grid channel model which allow river channels with any width above that of the grid resolution to be simulated in 1D manner. As an extension of a previous subgrid model, this integration facilitates a seamless transition between subgrid and super grid channels, accommodating situations where channel width may surpass or fall below the grid resolution. The key contribution is the integration of the novel 1D channel representation with a nonuniform structured 2D floodplain hydrodynamic model and then coding this for application on GPU. Compared with the previous pure 2D nonuniform structured approaches, the new model presents an efficient compromise for riverine urban flooding where we are less concerned about fine‐scale details of in‐channel flow. Three tests reveal that the proposed model maintains accuracy but with significantly reduced computational cost. By leveraging GPU architectures, a ∼10× speedup compared to CPU computations is achieved, and a typical 6‐day urban flooding problem (domain size 1.42 km2) at 1 m resolution can be achieved within 10 hr on a single 8 GB GPU.
Revealing High‐Temporal‐Resolution Flood Evolution With Low Latency Using GRACE Follow‐On Ranging Data
Authors: Li Hao‐si , Yi Shuang , Luo Zi‐ren , Xu Peng
Published: June 2024

An emerging approach is utilizing the line‐of‐sight gravity difference (LGD) between the twin Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow‐On (GFO) satellites to refine the temporal resolution of water storage estimates from 1 month to days, thus making the data applicable to transient extreme climate events like floods. However, applying the approach to medium‐scale climate events (with mass changes of several tens of gigatons) is challenging due to surrounding signal contamination and low signal‐to‐noise ratios. To address this problem, this study develops an improved algorithm accounting for peripheral signal sources and temporal correlations in mass variation. Two floods in July 2021 in Western Europe and Central China (CC) are chosen as case studies to demonstrate our approach's applicability to moderate floods in complex hydrological settings. The results present the temporal progression of the floods up to a maximum of ∼40 Gt with a scale of 3–5 days. However, the GFO‐derived water gain in CC is much lower than expected values from land surface models, indicating a mass deficit during the flood. We find that the potent manipulation of water resources by human activities might impact the predictive capabilities of these models, thereby misrepresenting the hydrological evolution during the flood event. This study refines the viability of applying GFO data to restore transient dynamics characterizing extreme climate events of ∼20 Gt magnitude. We also provide insights on the use of LGD data for high‐temporal‐resolution estimation of water storage changes and underscore the non‐negligible influence of human interventions on short‐term hydrological dynamics.
Accuracy and Resolution of SWOT Altimetry: Foundation Seamounts
Authors: Yu Y. , Sandwell D. T. , Dibarboure G. , Chen C. , Wang J.
Published: June 2024

We assess the accuracy and spatial resolution of the surface water and ocean topography (SWOT) swath altimeter for deriving marine gravity anomalies. The analysis is performed at the Foundation Seamounts in the South Pacific where we developed a highly accurate gravity field by combining the long‐wavelength (>40 km) gravity field derived from previous nadir altimeters with the shorter wavelength gravity field from the seafloor topography as constrained by the ship gravity. In this region, the sea surface slope (SSS) of the ocean variability is 50–100 times smaller than the slope signal of the seamounts so can be ignored in the analysis. Each SWOT cycle can deliver SSS accurately with a standard deviation of 2.6 µrad and a spatial resolution of 14 km at typical sea state (significant wave height 4 m), with accuracy diminishing at high significant wave heights (e.g., exceeds 6 m). Averaging repeated SWOT measurements improves the accuracy and resolution. For example, we expect that averaging just 10 repeats (7 months) results in accuracy/resolution that matches the best marine gravity maps based on 230 months of nadir altimetry. With a mission lasting over a year, SWOT promises a substantial leap in marine gravity accuracy and resolution, uncovering previously uncharted details of the seafloor, including thousands of uncharted seamounts.
Significant Reduction of Potential Exposure to Extreme Marine Heatwaves by Achieving Carbon Neutrality
Authors: Oh Seok‐Geun , Son Seok‐Woo , Jeong Sujong , Cho Yang‐Ki
Published: June 2024

Marine heatwave (MHW), a prolonged period of anomalously warm seawater, has a catastrophic repercussion on marine ecosystems. With global warming, MHWs have become increasingly frequent, intense, and prolonged. To avoid irreversible damages from such extreme events, net‐zero carbon emissions by the 2050s, called carbon neutrality, were proposed. Here, we evaluate the impact of carbon neutrality on MHWs in the late 21st century using multi‐model projections from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) 1–1.9 and SSP3‐7.0 scenarios. It is found that if the current regional rivalry over carbon emissions continues (i.e., SSP3‐7.0), the MHWs in the late 21st century will become stronger and longer than historical ones, especially in the western boundary current and equatorial current regions. Approximately 68% of the global ocean will be exposed to permanent MHWs, regionally 93% in the Indian Ocean, 76% in the Pacific Ocean, 68% in the Atlantic Ocean, 65% in the Coastal Ocean, and 48% in the Southern Ocean. Such MHWs can be significantly reduced by achieving carbon neutrality (i.e., SSP1‐1.9). In particular, the spatial proportion of the ocean exposed to permanent MHWs can be reduced to as low as 0.02%–0.07%, depending on the regions. This result underscores the critical importance of ongoing efforts to achieve net‐zero carbon emissions to reduce the potential ecological risks induced by extreme MHWs.
Local and General Patterns of Terrestrial Water‐Carbon Coupling
Authors: Short Gianotti Daniel J. , Entekhabi Dara
Published: June 2024

Terrestrial carbon uptake and water availability have coupled feedbacks; specifically water uptake for plant growth and soil drying via transpiration. While we might expect this coupling over time at arid sites, climatic water availability also widely covaries geographically with biomass variables that control photosynthetic rates. Using eddy covariance data globally, we find convex, positively‐covarying relations between carbon uptake and a turbulent flux metric controlled by land surface moisture (r = 0.73 monthly across sites) at the site level. We estimate a general, empirical relationship based on site‐wise water‐carbon dynamics. Most sites, and the general relationship, show strong power‐law dependence, implicating the role of sub‐seasonal land‐cover dynamics. We also find that long‐term mean carbon/water states follow a similar convex relationship to the site‐specific temporal dynamics. We discuss opportunities and caveats for space‐for‐time frameworks of carbon/water feedback processes globally.
Classifying 8 Years of MMS Dayside Plasma Regions via Unsupervised Machine Learning
Authors: Toy‐Edens Vicki , Mo Wenli , Raptis Savvas , Turner Drew L.
Published: June 2024

The Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission has probed Earth's magnetosphere, magnetosheath, and near‐Earth solar wind for over 8 years. We utilize an unsupervised learning algorithm, Gaussian mixture model clustering, along with feature generation and simple post‐cleaning methods to automatically classify 8 years of MMS dayside observations into four plasma regions (magnetosphere, magnetosheath, solar wind, and ion foreshock) at 1‐min resolution. With these plasma regions distinguished, we have also identified boundary surfaces (e.g., magnetopause, bow shock). We validate our results on manually generated and rule based region labels described in the literature. We report overlap rates in our cluster determined magnetopauses and bow shocks against Scientist‐in‐the Loop (SITL) identified transitions and published databases. Our features are general and our model is extensible, potentially making it applicable to observational data from multiple other missions.
Patterns of Causative Faults of Normal Earthquakes in the Fluid‐Rich Outer Rise of Northeastern Japan, Constrained With 3D Teleseismic Waveform Modeling
Authors: Qian Yunyi , Chen Xiaofei , Wu Wenbo , Wei Shengji , Ni Sidao , Xu Min , Qin Yanfang , Nakamura Yasuyuki , Zhou Yong , Sun Daoyuan
Published: June 2024

Accurate earthquake source parameters are crucial for understanding plate tectonics, yet, it is difficult to determine these parameters precisely for offshore events, especially for outer‐rise earthquakes, as the limited availability of direct P or S wave data sets from land‐based seismic networks and the unsuitability of simplified 1D methods for the complex 3D structures of subducting systems. To overcome these challenges, we employ an efficient hybrid numerical simulation method to model these 3D structural effects on teleseismic P/SH and P‐coda waves and determine the reliable centroid locations and focal mechanisms of outer‐rise normal‐faulting earthquakes in northeastern Japan. Two M6+ events with reliable locations from ocean bottom seismic observations are utilized to calibrate the 3D velocity structure. Our findings indicate that 3D synthetic waveforms are sensitive to both event location, thanks to bathymetry and water reverberation effects, and the shallow portion of the lithospheric structure. With our preferred velocity model, which has Vs ∼16% lower than the global average, event locations are determined with uncertainties of <5 km for horizontal position and <1 km for depth. The refined event locations in a good match between one of the nodal strikes and the high‐resolution bathymetry, enabling the determination of the causative fault plane. Our results reveal that trench‐ward dipping normal faults are more active, with three parallel to the trench as expected, while five are associated with the abyssal hills. The significant velocity reduction in the uppermost lithosphere suggests abundant water migrating through active normal faults, enhancing both mineral alteration and pore density.
Synthesis of Current Seismicity and Tectonics Along the 1857 Mw7.9 Fort Tejon Earthquake Rupture and the Southernmost San Andreas Fault, California, USA
Authors: Hauksson Egill , Jones Lucile M. , Stock Joann M. , Husker Allen L.
Published: June 2024

We evaluate seismicity and tectonics along the San Andreas Fault (SAF) in southern California to elucidate ongoing near‐field crustal deformation processes. The principal slip surfaces (PSSs) or the fault core that accommodate major earthquakes, form the boundary between the tectonic plates. We analyze seismicity catalogs extending back to 1857, 1932, and 1981 with progressively improved magnitude of completeness and spatial resolution. The 1857 to present statewide catalog that is complete at M5.5+ documents minimal aftershock activity for the Mw7.9 1857 and 1906 Mw7.8 San Francisco earthquakes. The higher quality 1932 and 1981 catalogs show that the PSSs (the rupture zone) of the 1857 Mw7.9 Fort Tejon earthquake exhibits remarkable seismic quiescence both in the core and in the adjacent extended‐damage zone. Further south, the fault core is still aseismic but the shape of the SAF is more complex, and the rate of adjacent seismicity is much higher. This fault complexity and the seismicity rate are larger the more the strike of the SAF deviates from the Pacific plate velocity‐vector direction. The focal mechanisms of the SAF adjacent earthquakes are also heterogeneous and rarely have strikes and dips that are consistent with slip on the nearby PSSs. We infer that the southern SAF is locked, and a lack of seismicity at the core of the fault may be a standard feature of faults that almost exclusively accommodate high‐slip rates by producing major earthquakes. Correspondingly future aftershock sequences of major earthquakes on the southern SAF will likely have below average aftershock productivity.
Comparing Discrete and Empirical Troposphere Delay Models: A Global IGS‐Based Evaluation
Authors: Yao Yifan , Yang Fei , Li Jian , Wang Lei , Zheng Junxi , Hao Ruixian , Xu Tairan
Published: June 2024

Zenith tropospheric delay (ZTD) is an important atmospheric parameter in radio‐space‐geodetic techniques such as Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), which is pivotal for GNSS positioning, navigation and meteorology. The Vienna Mapping Function (VMF) data server is a widely utilized source for implementing ZTD, offering two types of models, that is, the empirical one and the discrete one with Grid‐wise and Site‐wise models. Therefore, to evaluate the accuracy of these models becomes the focus of this article. Specifically, this study investigates their performances in terms of calculation of ZTD, using the hourly values derived from the International GNSS Service data as references. The results show that the root mean square err (RMSE) of the Site‐wise, Grid‐wise and global pressure and temperature 3 model are 11.71/13.03/38.56 mm, respectively, indicating the discrete model performs generally better than the empirical model, and the Site‐wise model is the better of the two discrete models. From the perspective of spatial resolution, the performance of these three models in ZTD calculation shows obvious influences of latitude changes and elevation differences. From the temporal analysis, the accuracy of the discrete model shows differences over different UTC epochs, while the empirical model can only express the seasonal ZTD characteristics with the average RMSE at different epochs being similar, the specifically values are 39.67, 39.26, 39.38 and 39.18 mm at UTC 0:00, 6:00, 12:00 and 18:00, respectively. The histogram and boxplot well indicate the accuracy differences of the three models in different seasons. Additionally, the time series of three models at different latitudes were also explored in this research. These explorations are conducive to the selection of appropriate models for calculating ZTD based on specific requirements.
Causality or confounding? Applying E values to examine associations between ultra-processed food consumption and risk of weight gain
Authors: Robinson Eric , Jones Andrew
Published: June 2024

Background

Ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption is associated prospectively with weight gain and obesity in observational studies of adults. Unaccounted for confounding is a risk when attempting to make causal inference from observational studies. Limited research has examined how feasible it is that unmeasured confounding may explain associations between UPF consumption and weight gain in observational research.

Methods

We introduce the E value to obesity researchers. The E value is defined as the minimum hypothetical strength of association that one or more unaccounted for confounding variables would need to have with an exposure (UPF consumption) and outcome (weight gain) to explain the association between the exposure and outcome of interest. We meta-analysed prospective studies on the association between UPF consumption and weight gain in adults to provide an effect estimation. Next, we applied the E value approach to this effect estimate and illustrated the potential role that unmeasured or hypothetical residual confounding variables could theoretically have in explaining associations.

Results

Higher consumption of UPFs was associated with increased weight gain in meta-analysis (RR = 1.14). The corresponding E value = 1.55, indicating that unaccounted for confounding variables with small-to-moderate sized associations with UPF consumption and weight gain (e.g., depressive symptoms, trait overeating tendencies, access to healthy and nutritious food) could individually or collectively hypothetically account for observed associations between UPF consumption and weight gain.

Conclusions

Unaccounted for confounding could plausibly explain the prospective association between UPF consumption and weight gain in adults. High quality observational research controlling for potential confounders and evidence from study types devoid of confounding are now needed.
Air quality and attributable mortality among city dwellers in Kampala, Uganda: results from 4 years of continuous PM2.5 concentration monitoring using BAM 1022 reference instrument
Authors: Atuyambe Lynn M. , Etajak Samuel , Walyawula Felix , Kasasa Simon , Nyabigambo Agnes , Bazeyo William , Wipfli Heather , Samet Jonathan M. , Berhane Kiros T.
Published: June 2024

Background

Air pollution is a known risk factor for non-communicable diseases that causes substantial premature death globally. Rapid urban growth, burning of biomass and solid waste, unpaved sections of the road network, rising numbers of vehicles, some with highly polluting engines, contribute to the poor air quality in Kampala.

Objective

To provide evidence-based estimates of air pollution attributable mortality in Kampala city, with focus on ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5).

Methods

We utilized a time series design and prospectively collected data on daily ambient PM2.5 concentration levels in micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) using a Beta Attenuation Monitor (BAM-1022) in Kampala city, Uganda. We combined the PM2.5 data with all-cause mortality data obtained from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics and the Ministry of Health in Kampala. We calculated attributable risk estimates for mortality using the WHO AirQ+ tools.

Results

Overall, the annual average concentration for PM2.5 for the period of 4 years, 2018–2021, was 39 μg/m3. There was seasonal variation, with the rainy season months (March–June and October–December) having lower values. PM2.5 concentrations tend to be highest in the morning (09.00 h) and in the evening (21.00 h.) likely due to increased vehicular emissions as well as the influence of weather patterns (atmospheric temperature, relative humidity and wind). Saturday has the most pollution (daily average over 4 years of 41.2 μg/m3). Regarding attributable risk, we found that of all the deaths in Kampala, 2777 (19.3%), 2136 (17.9%), 1281 (17.9%) and 1063 (19.8%) were attributable to long-term exposure to air pollution (i.e., exposure to PM2.5 concentrations above the WHO annual guideline of 5 μg/m3) from 2018 to 2021, respectively. For the 4 years and considering the WHO annual guideline as the reference, there were 7257 air pollution-related deaths in Kampala city.

Impact

Our study is the first to estimate air pollution attributable deaths in Kampala city considering the target as the WHO annual guideline value for PM2.5 of 5 μg/m3. Our monitoring data show that fine particulate matter air pollution in Kampala is above the WHO Air Quality Guideline value, likely resulting in substantial adverse health effects and premature death. While further monitoring is necessary, there is a clear need for control measures to improve air quality in Kampala city.
Deciphering macronutrient information about human milk
Authors: Belfort Mandy B. , Stellwagen Lisa , North Krysten , Unger Sharon , O’Connor Deborah L. , Perrin Maryanne T.
Published: June 2024

Clinicians caring for small, vulnerable newborns increasingly have access to specific nutritional information about human milk through point-of-care analyzers and labeled products. It is critical for clinicians to recognize that there is considerable variability in how human milk nutritional data are derived and reported, which impacts the interpretation of nutritional values, comparison of nutritional data between products, and ultimately the ability to deliver optimal nutritional care. This article distills key issues that will enable clinicians to interpret human milk nutritional labels/analysis more effectively, ultimately allowing them to make better decisions about dietary strategies. We aim to empower clinicians to ask questions about milk sampling techniques, reported nutrient values, analysis techniques, and milk bank pooling practices. This knowledge can put human milk nutrient values in context, improve clinical care, and help to drive more rigorous research for exploring the impact of human milk feeding on infant outcomes.
METTL3-mediated N6-methyladenosine modification of STAT5A promotes gastric cancer progression by regulating KLF4
Authors: Zang Yichen , Tian Zhuangfei , Wang Dandan , Li Yaxuan , Zhang Wenhui , Ma Cunying , Liao Zhenzhi , Gao Wenrong , Qian Lilin , Xu Xia , Jia Jihui , Liu Zhifang
Published: June 2024

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the predominant post-transcriptional RNA modification in eukaryotes and plays a pivotal regulatory role in various aspects of RNA fate determination, such as mRNA stability, alternative splicing, and translation. Dysregulation of the critical m6A methyltransferase METTL3 is implicated in tumorigenesis and development. Here, this work showed that METTL3 is upregulated in gastric cancer tissues and is associated with poor prognosis. METTL3 methylates the A2318 site within the coding sequence (CDS) region of STAT5A. IGF2BP2 recognizes and binds METTL3-mediated m6A modification of STAT5A through its GXXG motif in the KH3 and KH4 domains, leading to increased stability of STAT5A mRNA. In addition, both METTL3 and IGF2BP2 are positively correlated with STAT5A in human gastric cancer tissue samples. Helicobacter pylori infection increased the expression level of METTL3 in gastric cancer cells, thereby leading to the upregulation of STAT5A. Functional studies indicated that STAT5A overexpression markedly enhances the proliferation and migration of GC cells, whereas STAT5A knockdown has inhibitory effects. Further nude mouse experiments showed that STAT5A knockdown effectively inhibits the growth and metastasis of gastric cancer in vivo. Moreover, as a transcription factor, STAT5A represses KLF4 transcription by binding to its promoter region. The overexpression of KLF4 can counteract the oncogenic impact of STAT5A. Overall, this study highlights the crucial role of m6A in gastric cancer and provides potential therapeutic targets for gastric cancer.
Evaluation of epicardial adipose tissue in children with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Trabzon Gül , Güngör Şükrü , Güllü Şeyma Demiray , Çalışkan Osman Fırat , Güllü Ufuk Utku
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), the visceral fat surrounding the heart between the myocardium and visceral pericardium, intersects with Type 1 diabetes (T1D). This review aims to elucidate the intricate association between EAT and childhood T1D.

Materials and methods

In this retrospective study, two pediatric groups were involved children with type 1 diabetes, and healthy children. Epicardial fat thickness was measured appropriately, and the study documented HbA1c levels and time to diabetes diagnosis for comprehensive analysis.

Results

Encompassing 51 children with T1D and 69 healthy controls, revealed that children with type 1 diabetes had a mean HbA1c level of 9.4 ± 0.2, and a mean insulin dose of 0.94 units/kg/day. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) values were significantly higher in the Type 1 DM group. It has been shown that epicardial fat thickness may have a specific and sensitive value in type 1 diabetics.

Discussion

The increased presence of epicardial fat tissue in children with type 1 diabetes is highlighted, prompting the consideration of various mechanisms. However, the complexity of this relationship underscores the need for further studies to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the underlying factors. Ongoing research in this area is crucial for advancing our knowledge and potential therapeutic interventions.

Impacts

Cardiac complications are one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in people with type 1 diabetes.

Being able to detect cardiological complications of diabetes at an early stage contributes to morbidity.

We found that epicardial fat tissue thickness was thicker in children with type 1 diabetes than in healthy children.

Epicardial fat tissue thickness may be associated with poor control in children with type 1 diabetes and maybe a guide in terms of cardiac risks.
Efficacy and safety of outpatient fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab based allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in adults with severe aplastic anemia
Authors: Gilmore Rachel M. , Abernathy Karin , Shultes Kendall , Eplin Dwight D. , Orton Lindsay , Kassim Adetola , Sengsayadeth Salyka , Chinratanalab Wichai , Kim Tae Kon , Dholaria Bhagirathbhai , Jayani Reena V. , Savani Bipin N. , McNeer Elizabeth , Choi Leena , Gatwood Katie
Published: June 2024

The age effect in severe aplastic anemia (SAA) following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) favors the use of reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens in older adults. We implemented a non-myeloablative regimen consisting of fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (FCR) to improve HCT outcomes in SAA. Patients who underwent first HCT for SAA utilizing an FCR regimen between January 2016 and May 2022 were included. Outcomes analyzed included time to engraftment, incidence of graft failure, GVHD, viral reactivation, disease recurrence, and GVHD-free, relapse-free survival (GRFS). Among 24 patients included, median age was 43.5 years (22–62) and a variety of donor types and stem cell sources were represented. At median follow-up of 26.9 months (2.4–72.7), no cases of grade III-IV acute (aGVHD) or severe chronic GVHD (cGVHD) were recorded. Viral reactivation was minimal, and there were no cases of graft failure or PTLD, with 100% disease-free and overall survival at last follow up. The estimate of 1-year GRFS was 86.3% (95% CI: 72.8–100%), with moderate cGVHD accounting for all events. The FCR regimen in SAA was well tolerated, even in older adults, with 100% disease-free survival with low GVHD and infection rates. These encouraging findings should be validated in larger prospective trials.
Lactylation of NAT10 promotes N4‐acetylcytidine modification on tRNASer-CGA-1-1 to boost oncogenic DNA virus KSHV reactivation
Authors: Yan Qin , Zhou Jing , Gu Yang , Huang Wenjing , Ruan Mingpeng , Zhang Haoran , Wang Tianjiao , Wei Pengjun , Chen Guochun , Li Wan , Lu Chun
Published: June 2024

N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C), a conserved but recently rediscovered RNA modification on tRNAs, rRNAs and mRNAs, is catalyzed by N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10). Lysine acylation is a ubiquitous protein modification that controls protein functions. Our latest study demonstrates a NAT10-dependent ac4C modification, which occurs on the polyadenylated nuclear RNA (PAN) encoded by oncogenic DNA virus Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), can induce KSHV reactivation from latency and activate inflammasome. However, it remains unclear whether a novel lysine acylation occurs in NAT10 during KSHV reactivation and how this acylation of NAT10 regulates tRNAs ac4C modification. Here, we showed that NAT10 was lactylated by α-tubulin acetyltransferase 1 (ATAT1), as a writer at the critical domain, to exert RNA acetyltransferase function and thus increase the ac4C level of tRNASer-CGA-1-1. Mutagenesis at the ac4C site in tRNASer-CGA-1-1 inhibited its ac4C modifications, translation efficiency of viral lytic genes, and virion production. Mechanistically, KSHV PAN orchestrated NAT10 and ATAT1 to enhance NAT10 lactylation, resulting in tRNASer-CGA-1-1 ac4C modification, eventually boosting KSHV reactivation. Our findings reveal a novel post-translational modification in NAT10, as well as expand the understanding about tRNA-related ac4C modification during KSHV replication, which may be exploited to design therapeutic strategies for KSHV-related diseases.