bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Large Language Models and Generative AI, Oh My!
Authors: Cobb Peter J.
Published: September 2023

Overview

We have all read the headlines heralding, often hyperbolically, the latest advances in text- and image-based Artificial Intelligence (AI). What is perhaps most unique about these developments is that they now make relatively good AI accessible to the average Internet user. These new services respond to human prompts, written in natural language, with generated output that appears to satisfy the prompt. Consequently, they are categorized under the term “generative AI,” whether they are generating text, images, or other media. They work by modeling human language statistically, to “learn” patterns from extremely large datasets of human-created content, with those that specifically focus on text therefore called Large Language Models (LLMs). As we have all tried products such as ChatGPT or Midjourney over the past year, we have undoubtedly begun to wonder how and when they might impact our archaeological work. Here, I review the state of this type of AI and the current challenges with using it meaningfully, and I consider its potential for archaeologists.
Numerical investigation of the dynamic stall reduction on the UAS-S45 aerofoil using the optimised aerofoil method
Authors: Bashir M. , Zonzini N. , Longtin Martel S. , Botez R.M. , Ceruti A. , Wong T.
Published: September 2023

This paper investigates the effect of the optimised morphing leading edge (MLE) and the morphing trailing edge (MTE) on dynamic stall vortices (DSV) for a pitching aerofoil through numerical simulations. In the first stage of the methodology, the optimisation of the UAS-S45 aerofoil was performed using a morphing optimisation framework. The mathematical model used Bezier-Parsec parametrisation, and the particle swarm optimisation algorithm was coupled with a pattern search with the aim of designing an aerodynamically efficient UAS-45 aerofoil. The
$\gamma - R{e_\theta }$
transition turbulence model was firstly applied to predict the laminar to turbulent flow transition. The morphing aerofoil increased the overall aerodynamic performances while delaying boundary layer separation. Secondly, the unsteady analysis of the UAS-S45 aerofoil and its morphing configurations was carried out and the unsteady flow field and aerodynamic forces were analysed at the Reynolds number of 2.4 × 106 and five different reduced frequencies of k = 0.05, 0.08, 1.2, 1.6 and 2.0. The lift (
${C_L})$
, drag (
${C_D})$
and moment (
${C_M})\;$
coefficients variations with the angle-of-attack of the reference and morphing aerofoils were compared. It was found that a higher reduced frequencies of 1.2 to 2 stabilised the leading-edge vortex that provided its lift variation in the dynamic stall phase. The maximum lift
$\left( {{C_{L,max}}} \right)$
and drag
$\left( {{C_{D,max}}} \right)\;$
coefficients and the stall angles of attack are evaluated for all studied reduced frequencies. The numerical results have shown that the new radius of curvature of the MLE aerofoil can minimise the streamwise adverse pressure gradient and prevent significant flow separation and suppress the formation of the DSV. Furthermore, it was shown that the morphing aerofoil delayed the stall angle-of-attack by 14.26% with respect to the reference aerofoil, and that the
${C_{L,max}}\;$
of the aerofoil increased from 2.49 to 3.04. However, while the MTE aerofoil was found to increase the overall lift coefficient and the
${C_{L,max}}$
, it did not control the dynamic stall. Vorticity behaviour during DSV generation and detachment has shown that the MTE can change the vortices’ evolution and increase vorticity flux from the leading-edge shear layer, thus increasing DSV circulation. The conclusion that can be drawn from this study is that the fixed drooped morphing leading edge aerofoils have the potential to control the dynamic stall. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the flow analysis of morphing aerofoils in an unsteady flow.
The Glyphosate Saga in Luxembourg: The Annulment by the Judiciary of the Legislative Ban of Glyphosate-Based Products – A Breach of European Union Law?
Authors: Donati Alessandra
Published: September 2023

Administrative Tribunal of Luxembourg, 15 July 2022, case no 44377 and Court of Appeal of Luxembourg, 31 March 2023, case no 47873C

On 15 July 2022, the Administrative Tribunal of Luxembourg annulled the decisions by which the Luxembourg Minister for Agriculture, Viticulture, and Consumer Protection had banned all glyphosate-based products. On 31 March 2023, the Court of Appeal upheld the ruling of the Administrative Tribunal. The ground of annulment was the breach by the Luxembourg State of the adversarial principle enshrined in Article 9 of the Grand-Ducal Regulation of 8 June 1979. Yet, for the sake of completeness, the Administrative Tribunal and the Court of Appeal verified the compliance of the decisions banning glyphosate-based products with Articles 36, 41 and 44 of Regulation no 1107/2009. Against this backdrop, this case note provides a critical assessment of the rulings of the Administrative Tribunal and the Court of Appeal from the perspective of European Union law. This analysis might prove to be useful as it enables us to shed light on the conditions allowing Member States to withdraw the authorisation of plant protection products under Regulation no 1107/2009 as well as to identify the hurdles that Member States might need to overcome when banning glyphosate-based products from their territory.
A length scale for non-local multi-scale gradient interactions in isotropic turbulence
Authors: Encinar Miguel P.
Published: September 2023

Three-dimensional turbulent flows enhance velocity gradients via strong nonlinear interactions of the rate-of-strain tensor with the vorticity vector, and with itself. For statistically homogeneous flows, their total contributions to gradient production are related to each other by conservation of mass, and so are the total enstrophy and total dissipation. However, locally, they do not obey this relation and have different (often extreme) values, and for this reason both production mechanisms have been subject to numerous studies, often decomposed into multi-scale interactions. In general lines, their dynamics and contributions to the cascade processes and turbulent kinetic dissipation are different, which poses a difficulty for turbulence modelling. In this paper, we explore the consequence of the ‘Betchov’ relations locally, and show that they implicitly define a length scale. This length scale is found to be approximately three times the size of the turbulent structures and their interactions. It is also found that, while the non-locality of the dissipation and enstrophy at a given scale comes mostly from larger scales that do not cancel, the non-local production of strain and vorticity comes from multi-scale interactions. An important consequence of this work is that isotropic cascade models need not distinguish between vortex stretching and strain self-amplification, but can instead consider both entities as part of a more complex transfer mechanism, provided that their detailed point value is not required and a local average of reasonable size is sufficient.
Le patrimoine culturel subaquatique en Tunisie : défis et opportunités (Étude de cas : le littoral nord et le Cap Bon)
Authors: Slimane Ouafa
Published: September 2023

This article summarises the research, protection, enhancement and awareness-raising activities carried out on coastal and submerged archaeological sites and wrecks discovered on the northern and Cap Bon coasts in Tunisia. The objective of these activities is to better understand and protect the underwater cultural heritage, while ensuring its preservation for future generations. The article also highlights the policy put in place by the supervisory institution to ensure an integrated and sustainable management of this heritage, despite the challenges it faces, in accordance with the principles of the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, ratified by Tunisia in 2009. Furthermore, the article stresses the importance of coordinating the conservation of this heritage with local development, while promoting responsible tourism practices, as part of Tunisia's active search to enhance its tourism and cultural potential – as a source of sustainable development in the coastal and maritime areas concerned.
Increasing fibre intake in the UK: lessons from the Danish Whole Grain Partnership
Authors: Boyle Neil Bernard , Adolphus Katie , Caton Samantha J. , Croden Fiona C. , Dye Louise , Glass Amy , Halliwell Kate , Hansen Gitte L. , Holm Lotte , Jackson Peter , Makinwa Fiyin , Stærk Bente , Wilkinson Nicholas
Published: September 2023

Diets deficient in fibre are reported globally. The associated health risks of insufficient dietary fibre are sufficiently grave to necessitate large-scale interventions to increase population intake levels. The Danish Whole Grain Partnership (DWP) is a public–private enterprise model that successfully augmented whole-grain intake in the Danish population. The potential transferability of the DWP model to Slovenia, Romania and Bosnia-Herzegovina has recently been explored. Here, we outline the feasibility of adopting the approach in the UK. Drawing on the collaborative experience of DWP partners, academics from the Healthy Soil, Healthy Food, Healthy People (H3) project and food industry representatives (Food and Drink Federation), this article examines the transferability of the DWP approach to increase whole grain and/or fibre intake in the UK. Specific consideration is given to the UK’s political, regulatory and socio-economic context. We note key political, regulatory, social and cultural challenges to transferring the success of DWP to the UK, highlighting the particular challenge of increasing fibre consumption among low socio-economic status groups – which were also most resistant to interventions in Denmark. Wholesale transfer of the DWP model to the UK is considered unlikely given the absence of the key ‘success factors’ present in Denmark. However, the DWP provides a template against which a UK-centric approach can be developed. In the absence of a clear regulatory context for whole grain in the UK, fibre should be prioritised and public–private partnerships supported to increase the availability and acceptability of fibre-rich foods.
THE THEME AND TARGET OF PLATO'S DIALOGUES IN NEOPLATONIST COSMO-LITERARY THEORY
Authors: Motta Anna
Published: September 2023

This paper investigates Neoplatonist literary criticism by framing the special interest in the target of each dialogue within the context of cosmo-literary theory. The starting hypothesis is that the themes of Plato's dialogues do not fully meet the expectations of a new didactics based on isagogical schemes as an image of Neoplatonic metaphysics. Among these schemes is the target of each dialogue, whose relation to the theme can be explained, in a fruitful and innovative way, through a cosmic analogy. Thus after examining the more or less explicit criticism of literary criteria of analysis by Plato's ancient exegetes, this article will focus on how Neoplatonists load the Greek termskopos(target) with metaphysical content and, accordingly, on how we should translate it in accordance with the commentators’ intentions. It will show that the target is the literary counterpart to the One, but that it should not be confused with the theme because the latter must be seen as the literary counterpart to the Intellect.
Five new species in the Tremella caloplacae complex
Authors: Freire-Rallo Sandra , Diederich Paul , Millanes Ana M. , Wedin Mats
Published: September 2023

Tremella caloplacae (Zahlbr.) Diederich is a species complex including at least nine different species. Here, we formally describe the new species Tremella elegantis, T. nimisiana, T. parietinae, T. pusillae and T. sorediatae. Tremella elegantis induces galls in the hymenium of Rusavskia elegans and forms 2-celled basidia, where cells rarely elongate and sometimes give the appearance of two immature, independent basidia. Tremella nimisiana has small basidiomata (less than 1 mm diam.), narrowly ellipsoid to pyriform 2-celled, occasionally clavate to subcylindrical 3-celled basidia, and grows in the hymenium of Xanthocarpia species. Tremella parietinae is characterized by the exclusive growth in the hymenium of Xanthoria parietina, the broadly fusiform to ellipsoid probasidia, and the subspherical, pyriform or ellipsoid 2(–3)-celled basidia. Tremella pusillae has ellipsoidal probasidia, 2(–3)-celled pyriform or ellipsoidal basidia that sometimes are constricted at the septum, and grows only on Calogaya pusilla. Tremella sorediatae is characterized by inducing galls on the thallus of Rusavskia sorediata and by pyriform to ellipsoid basidia that sometimes are constricted at the septum. Three species are not formally described and are left unnamed as Tremella sp. 13 on Calogaya biatorina, Tremella sp. 14 on Calogaya decipiens and Tremella sp. 15 on Polycauliona sp. Tremella caloplacae in the strict sense is re-circumscribed as a species confined to Variospora species.
Coenogonium nimisii – a new isidiate epiphytic lichen similar to Porina rosei
Authors: Malíček Jiří , Coppins Brian , Palice Zdeněk , Vančurová Lucie , Vondrák Jan , Sanderson Neil
Published: September 2023

Our floristic work in British ancient forests resulted in a description of a frequently reported but misidentified species, Coenogonium nimisii. Its thallus is very similar to Porina rosei, but the apothecia and pycnidia correspond with C. luteum. Sterile collections are not easy to distinguish but the new species differs from P. rosei in several microscopic characters of the isidia. Coenogonium nimisii is so far known from bark and epiphytic bryophytes, rarely mossy rocks, in ancient humid forests of Great Britain and Ireland. The genus Coenogonium is poorly represented by molecular data in the GenBank database. Our preliminary results revealed distinct genetic lineages within two traditionally circumscribed species, C. luteum and C. pineti, which may represent cryptic species.
PhyloKey: a novel method to rapidly and reliably identify species in complex, species-rich genera, and an opportunity for ‘non-molecular museomics’
Authors: Lücking Robert , Moncada Bibiana , Dal Forno Manuela
Published: September 2023

We present a novel identification tool called PhyloKey, based on the method of morphology-based, phylogenetic binning developed within the software package RAxML. This method takes a reference data set of species for which both molecular and morphological data are available, computes a molecular reference tree, maps the morphological characters on the tree, and computes weights based on their level of consistency versus homoplasy using maximum likelihood (ML) and maximum parsimony (MP). Additional units for which only morphological data are known are then binned onto the reference tree, calculating bootstrap support values for alternative placements. This approach is modified here to work as an identification tool which uses the same character coding approach as interactive keys. However, rather than identifying individual samples through a progressive filtering process when entering or selecting characters, query samples are binned in batch mode to all possible alternative species in the tree, with each placement receiving a bootstrap support adding to 100% for all alternative placements. In addition to the fact that, after scoring a character matrix, a large number of specimens can be identified at once in short time, all possible alternative identifications are immediately apparent and can be evaluated based on their bootstrap support values. We illustrate this approach using the basidiolichen genus Cora, which was recently shown to contain hundreds of species. We also demonstrate how the PhyloKey approach can aid the restudying of herbarium samples, adding further value to these collections and contributing with large quantitative data matrices to ‘non-molecular museomics’. Our analysis showed that PhyloKey identifies species correctly with as low as 50% of the characters sampled, depending on the nature of the reference tree and the character weighting scheme. Overall, a molecular reference tree worked best, but a randomized reference tree gave more consistent results, whereas a morphological reference tree performed less well. Surprisingly, even character weighting gave the best results, followed by parsimony weighting and then maximum likelihood weighting.
Effect of sediment on meiofauna and Nematoda structure in different freshwater Amazon environments under the influence of mesotides
Authors: Lima dos Santos Tereza Beatriz , Baia Erivaldo , Venekey Virag
Published: September 2023

The present study investigated the horizontal and vertical distribution of meiofauna community and Nematoda assemblages on two sandy beaches and two muddy tidal flats in a freshwater Amazon estuary governed by mesotides. Meiofauna density was significantly higher in muddy environments, explained by the higher food availability. On the one hand, there was no difference between sediment layers in both sandy environments, which suggests that individuals must have migrated to layers deeper than 10 cm. On the other, the highest densities and richness in muddy environments occurred in the upper layer due to higher food and oxygen availability in the surface sediment layer, which decreases with depth. Muddy environments differed on both beaches; they had the highest nematode genera densities and richness. This might be explained by the high nutrient enrichment in these environments. There was no significant difference in Nematoda density and richness between zones in any environment, likely due to the small mid-littoral extension (<40 m), which did not favour the high spatial variability of genera. Nematoda density was higher at a depth of 0–2 cm in both muddy environments, explained by the availability of oxygen and food. The high abundance of deposit-feeder genera in muddy environments indicates high organic enrichment, whereas the distribution of trophic types was more homogeneous on the beaches where abiotic factors tended to be more structuring than food availability.
Phonological Variation in Child-Directed Speech is Modulated by Lexical Frequency
Authors: KO Eon-Suk , JUN Jongho
Published: September 2023

We investigate whether child-directed speech (CDS) contains a higher proportion of canonical pronunciations compared to adult-directed speech (ADS), focusing on Korean noun stem-final obstruent variation. In a word-teaching task, we observed that mothers use a higher rate of canonical pronunciation when addressing infants than when addressing adults. In a follow-up experiment, adults exhibited a higher rate of canonical pronunciation for high- than low-frequency words. Additional analyses conducted with only the high-frequency monosyllabic words from the two experiments found no evidence for simplified phonology in CDS when lexical frequency was controlled for. Our findings suggest that the higher rate of canonical forms in CDS, with respect to Korean morphophonological rules, is mediated by the frequency of word usage. Thus, the didactic function of CDS phonology appears to be a byproduct of mothers using familiar words with children. These results highlight the importance of considering word usage in investigating the nature of CDS.
Older Men, The Patient–Physician Relationship, and Patient Involvement
Authors: MacRae Hazel
Published: September 2023

Despite the fact that older adults interact frequently with physicians, there is little research examining their preferences, and perceptions of the patient–physician relationship. Research on this topic is particularly sparse when it comes to older men. This study investigates older men’s experiences with physicians, their perceptions of the patient–physician relationship, and the extent to which they wished to be involved in their health care. In-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 23 men 55–96 years of age. Findings reveal that older men want to participate in the medical encounter and be involved in their care, contradicting earlier work suggesting that older adults prefer to be passive patients. Preferred involvement, however, varied along a continuum ranging from “quasi-involvement” to “taking charge”, with most participants being in the middle, preferring a “partnership” patient–physician relationship. Factors influencing patient involvement and potential to negotiate the patient–physician relationship are discussed.
Crime groups as criminal entrepreneurs – stealing heritage and cultural property: A case study
Authors: Kerr John
Published: September 2023

Crime groups are drawn to stealing heritage and cultural property because the thefts can be less dangerous than other illicit activities and there can be a lower chance of detection. In addition, there are financial opportunities such as selling the objects, using them as currency and collateral in illicit markets, and through rewards and ransoms. While these factors remain, crime groups operating as criminal entrepreneurs will continue to be attracted to this type of theft even if situational crime prevention strategies are implemented at locations. Unique and irreplaceable heritage and cultural property will be stolen, and societies will lose in artistic, cultural, heritage, historical, and financial terms. This article argues that, while people tasked with the policing and security of heritage and cultural property should focus on the potential thefts, policing agencies also need to focus on the crime groups, especially as heritage and cultural property thefts can be crime groups’ “Achilles’ heel.”
Evaluative effectiveness of follicular output rate, ovarian sensitivity index, and ovarian response prediction index for the ovarian reserve and response of low-prognosis patients according to the POSEIDON criteria: a retrospective study
Authors: Chen Zhilan , Li Wei , Ma Shufang , Li Yanmin , Lv Liqun , Huang Kecheng , Gong Aidong
Published: September 2023

The aim was to explore the implications of follicular output rate (FORT), ovarian sensitivity index (OSI), ovarian response prediction index (ORPI), and follicle-to-oocyte index (FOI) in low-prognosis patients defined by POSEIDON criteria. In total, 4030 fresh in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles from January 2013 to October 2021 were included in this retrospective cohort analysis and were categorized into four groups based on the POSEIDON criteria. The FORT between Groups 1 and 2 (0.61 ± 0.34 vs. 0.65 ± 0.35, P = 0.081) and Groups 3 and 4 (1.08 ± 0.82 vs. 1.09 ± 0.94, P = 0.899) were similar. The OSI in the order from the highest to the lowest were 3.01 ± 1.46 in Group 1, 2.28 ± 1.09 in Group 2, 1.54 ± 1.04 in Group 3, and 1.34 ± 0.96 in Group 4 (P < 0.001). The trend in the ORPI values was consistent with that in the OSI. FORT, OSI, ORPI, and FOI complemented each other and offered excellent effectiveness in reflecting ovarian reserve and response, but they were not good predictors of clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) from IVF.
Food Insecurity, telomere length and the potential modifying effects of social support in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Lima Sarah M , Ren Xuefeng , Mu Lina , Ochs-Balcom Heather M , Palermo Tia
Published: September 2023

Objective:

Telomere length (TL) is a posited pathway through which chronic stress results in biological dysregulation and subsequent adverse health outcomes. Food insecurity is associated with shorter TL. Social support, which is defined by the size and function of an individual’s social network, is associated with better health outcomes. The present study assesses whether social support modifies the relationship between food security and TL.

Design:

Cross-sectional study design. Linear regression was used to assess the association between food insecurity and TL, stratified by social support level. A multiplicative interacted model was used to formally test modification.

Setting:

Data come from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2000 and 2001–2002 waves.

Participants:

Adults aged 60 years and older who have measurements for TL.

Results:

Our sample comprised 2674 participants, and 63·5 % of the total sample had low social support, with 13·3 % being food insecure. In fully adjusted models, food insecurity was negatively though modestly associated (P = 0·13) with TL. Associations between food insecurity and TL were significantly modified by social support (interaction P = 0·026), whereby food insecurity had a stronger effect among individuals with high social support (coefficient = –0·099 (95 % CI: –0·161, –0·038)) compared to low social support (coefficient = –0·001, (95 % CI: –0·033, 0·032)).

Conclusion:

Food insecurity is modestly associated with shorter TL. Contrary to our hypothesis, food insecurity had more deleterious effects on TL among participants with high social support than low social support. Results may indicate that the food insecure population is a higher needs population, and increased social support reflects these needs rather than providing protective effects.
Neuroticism as a moderator of symptom-related distress and depression in 4 noncancer end-of-life populations
Authors: Kredentser Maia S. , Mackenzie Corey S. , McClement Susan E. , Enns Murray W. , Hiebert-Murphy Diane , Murphy Dallas J. , Chochinov Harvey M.
Published: September 2023

Objectives

Neuroticism is a significant predictor of adverse psychological outcomes in patients with cancer. Less is known about how this relationship manifests in those with noncancer illness at the end-of-life (EOL). The objective of this study was to examine the impact of neuroticism as a moderator of physical symptoms and development of depression in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and frailty in the last 6 months of life.

Methods

We met this objective using secondary data collected in the Dignity and Distress across End-of-Life Populations study. The data included N = 404 patients with ALS (N = 101), COPD (N = 100), ESRD (N = 101), and frailty (N = 102) in the estimated last 6 months of life, with a range of illness-related symptoms, assessed longitudinally at 2 time points. We examined neuroticism as a moderator of illness-related symptoms at Time 1 (∼6 months before death) and depression at Time 2 (∼3 months before death) using ordinary least squares regression.

Results

Results revealed that neuroticism significantly moderated the relationship between the following symptoms and depression measured 3 months later: drowsiness, fatigue, shortness of breath, wellbeing (ALS); drowsiness, trouble sleeping, will to live, activity (COPD); constipation (ESRD); and weakness and will to live (frailty).

Significance of Results

These findings suggest that neuroticism represents a vulnerability factor that either attenuates or amplifies the relationship of specific illness and depressive symptoms in these noncancer illness groups at the EOL. Identifying those high in neuroticism may provide insight into patient populations that require special care at the EOL.
Electrical Response of a Reactivated Ancient Suture Revealed by Three‐Dimensional Magnetotelluric Inversion Across the Jinsha River Suture, Northern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Kang Jianqiang , Han Jiangtao , Gao Rui , Liu Lijia , Xin Zhonghua , Meng Fanwen , Guo Zhenyu , Wang Tianqi
Published: September 2023

The northern Tibetan Plateau offers an excellent opportunity to investigate continental collision involving the Indian and Asian plates in this remote, high‐altitude region. However, the deep structure of the region remains incomplete and controversial, which limits our understanding of the processes of continental convergence. This study presents a new 350‐km‐long magnetotelluric (MT) profile across the Northern Qiangtang and Hoh Xil terranes in the western part of the northern Tibetan Plateau to elucidate the lithospheric structure of the reactivated Jinsha River suture. We carry out a three‐dimensional inversion to acquire the electrical structure beneath the Jinsha River suture, and reveal the presence of large‐scale conductive anomalies in the middle‐lower crust of the Northern Qiangtang and Hoh Xil terranes. The high‐conductivity anomaly beneath the Jinsha River suture extends to >80 km depth and is coincident with a zone of high melt fraction (>5%) in the middle‐lower crust beneath the Jinsha River suture, thereby indicating that this suture has become a rheological channel. The convergence of Indian and Asian lithosphere beneath the northern Tibetan Plateau may be the driving mechanism for the reactivation of this ancient suture. Continental subduction leads to enhanced convection in the mantle. This reactivated suture, which is a tectonically weak zone, provides a conduit for the upwelling of hot mantle material to result in the subsequent melting of the middle‐lower crust. Moreover, our findings provide valuable insights into the geodynamic evolution of the northern Tibetan Plateau, as well as contribute to our understanding of continental convergence processes.
Attribution of the Record‐Breaking Extreme Precipitation Events in July 2021 Over Central and Eastern China to Anthropogenic Climate Change
Authors: Wang Liangyi , Gu Xihui , Slater Louise J. , Lai Yangchen , Zheng Yanhui , Gong Jie , Dembélé Moctar , Tosunoğlu Fatih , Liu Jianyu , Zhang Xiang , Kong Dongdong , Li Jianfeng
Published: September 2023

In July 2021, Typhoon In‐Fa produced record‐breaking extreme precipitation events (hereafter referred to as the 2021 EPEs) in central and eastern China, and caused serious socioeconomic losses and casualties. However, it is still unknown whether the 2021 EPEs can be attributed to anthropogenic climate change (ACC) and how the occurrence probabilities of precipitation events of a similar magnitude might evolve in the future. The 2021 EPEs in central (eastern) China occurred in the context of no linear trend (a significantly increasing trend at a rate of 4.44%/decade) in the region‐averaged Rx5day (summer maximum 5‐day accumulated precipitation) percentage precipitation anomaly (PPA), indicating that global warming might have no impact on the 2021 EPE in central China but might have impacted the 2021 EPE in eastern China by increasing the long‐term trend of EPEs. Using the scaled generalized extreme value distribution, we detected a slightly negative (significantly positive) association of the Rx5day PPA time series in central (eastern) China with the global mean temperature anomaly, suggesting that global warming might have no (a detectable) contribution to the changes in occurrence probability of precipitation extremes like the 2021 EPEs in central (eastern) China. Historical attributions (1961–2020) showed that the likelihood of the 2021 EPE in central/eastern China decreased/increased by approximately +47% (−23% to +89%)/+55% (−45% to +201%) due to ACC. By the end of the 21st century, the likelihood of precipitation extremes similar to the 2021 EPE in central/eastern China under SSP585 is 14 (9–19)/15 (9–20) times higher than under historical climate conditions.
Sea Level Rise Learning Scenarios for Adaptive Decision‐Making Based on IPCC AR6
Authors: Völz Vanessa , Hinkel Jochen
Published: September 2023

Adaptation decision‐scientists increasingly use real‐option analysis to consider the value of learning about future climate variable development in adaptation decisions. Toward this end learning scenarios are needed, which are scenarios that provide information on future variable values seen not only from today (as static scenarios), but also seen from future moments in time. Decision‐scientists generally develop learning scenarios themselves, mostly through time‐independent (stationary) or highly simplified methods. The climate learning scenarios thus attained generally only poorly represent the uncertainties of state‐of‐the‐art climate science and thus may lead to biased decisions. This paper first motivates the need for learning scenarios by providing a simple example to illustrate characteristics and benefits of learning scenarios. Next, we analyze how well learning scenarios represent climate uncertainties in the context of sea level rise and present a novel method called direct fit to generate climate learning scenarios that outperforms existing methods. This is illustrated by quantifying the difference of the sea level rise learning scenarios created with both methods to the original underlying scenario. The direct fit method is based on pointwise probability distributions, for example, boxplots, and hence can be applied to static scenarios as well as ensemble trajectories. Furthermore, the direct fit method offers a much simpler process for generating learning scenarios from static or “ordinary” climate scenarios.
Evaluating and Improving the Models' Prediction Skills for the Relationship Between the Summer NWPSH in Different Months
Authors: Li Shuai , Yang Jie , Wang Xudong , Zhang Renhe , Gong ZhiQiang , Feng Guolin
Published: September 2023

Compared to interannual and interdecadal variations, inadequate attention has been given to intraseasonal changes in the summer northwest Pacific subtropical high (NWPSH). During 1981–2005, the north Indian Ocean (NIO) and NWPSH exhibit significant relationships from June to August, while the influences of the Boreal Summer Intraseasonal Oscillation 1 (BSISO1) in June and August differ from its impacts in July, resulting in a significant correlation between the NWPSH in June and August. The models capture NIO's roles but underestimate BSISO1's influences, leading to an underestimation (overestimation) of the relationship between NWPSH in June and August (adjacent two months). A dynamical‐statistical approach based on the close relationship between June and August NWPSH is proposed to improve models' prediction capabilities. Improved results show the mean correlation coefficients (root mean square errors) between prediction and observation for August precipitation and geopotential height increase by 57% and 21% (decrease by 0.27 mm/day and 1.61 m).
Modeling of Multi‐Ion Plasma Bubbles in the Equatorial Ionosphere
Authors: Jiang Chunhua , Wei Lehui , Yokoyama Tatsuhiro , Tian Rong , Liu Tongxin , Yang Guobin
Published: September 2023

Equatorial plasma bubbles (spread F/ionospheric irregularities) are plasma density irregularities or depletion in the ionosphere. It can be observed by radio waves, optical and in situ instruments during postsunset in equatorial and low‐latitude regions. Severe scintillations in radio waves can be caused by the presence of plasma bubbles. Therefore, studies of plasma bubbles become one of the most important and hot topics. Many studies have been devoted to the physical mechanism and characteristics of plasma bubbles in the ionosphere. However, some critical issues (e.g., day‐to‐day variability, complex structures, and ions composition) are still not well known. In this study, a new two‐dimensional model of multi‐ion (H+, He+, N+, O+, N2+, NO+, and O2+) plasma bubbles was developed. The photoionization, chemical reaction, and recombination processes of multiple ions have been added to the new model. The present model was used to simulate the nonlinear evolutions of multiple plasma bubbles in the equatorial region. Results show that the merging, disconnection and connection processes of plasma bubbles can be reproduced in this simulation. In addition, simulations first present morphological structures of molecular ions (NO+, O2+) of multiple plasma bubbles, which are significantly different from plasma bubbles. Molecular ion NO+ is manifested as plasma blobs. However, molecular ion O2+ is manifested as bubbles at low altitudes but blobs at high altitudes. The complex structures of multiple plasma bubbles and morphological structures of molecular ions in the present simulation are mostly consistent with observations.
The Impact of Extreme Rainstorms on Escarpment Morphology in Arid Areas: Insights From the Central Negev Desert
Authors: Shmilovitz Yuval , Marra Francesco , Enzel Yehouda , Morin Efrat , Armon Moshe , Matmon Ari , Mushkin Amit , Levi Yoav , Khain Pavel , Rossi Matthew W. , Tucker Greg , Pederson Joel , Haviv Itai
Published: September 2023

The impact of climate on topography, which is a theme in landscape evolution studies, has been demonstrated, mostly, at mountain range scales and across climate zones. However, in drylands, spatiotemporal discontinuities of rainfall and the crucial role of extreme rainstorms raise questions and challenges in identifying climate properties that govern surface processes. Here, we combine methods to examine hyperarid escarpment sensitivity to storm‐scale forcing. Using a high‐resolution DEM and field measurements, we analyzed the topography of a 40‐km‐long escarpment in the Negev desert (Israel). We also used rainfall intensity data from a convection‐permitting numerical weather model for storm‐scale statistical analysis. We conducted hydrological simulations of synthetic rainstorms, revealing the frequency of sediment mobilization along the sub‐cliff slopes. Results show that cliff gradients along the hyperarid escarpment increase systematically from the wetter (90 mm yr−1) southwestern to the drier (45 mm yr−1) northeastern sides. Also, sub‐cliff slopes at the southwestern study site are longer and associated with milder gradients and coarser sediments. Storm‐scale statistical analysis reveals a trend of increasing extreme (>10 years return‐period) intensities toward the northeast site, opposite to the trend in mean annual rainfall. Hydrological simulations based on these statistics indicate a higher frequency of sediment mobilization in the northeast, which can explain the pronounced topographic differences between the sites. The variations in landscape and rainstorm properties across a relatively short distance highlight the sensitivity of arid landforms to extreme events.
Oral squamous cell carcinomas: state of the field and emerging directions
Authors: Tan Yunhan , Wang Zhihan , Xu Mengtong , Li Bowen , Huang Zhao , Qin Siyuan , Nice Edouard C. , Tang Jing , Huang Canhua
Published: September 2023

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) develops on the mucosal epithelium of the oral cavity. It accounts for approximately 90% of oral malignancies and impairs appearance, pronunciation, swallowing, and flavor perception. In 2020, 377,713 OSCC cases were reported globally. According to the Global Cancer Observatory (GCO), the incidence of OSCC will rise by approximately 40% by 2040, accompanied by a growth in mortality. Persistent exposure to various risk factors, including tobacco, alcohol, betel quid (BQ), and human papillomavirus (HPV), will lead to the development of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs), which are oral mucosal lesions with an increased risk of developing into OSCC. Complex and multifactorial, the oncogenesis process involves genetic alteration, epigenetic modification, and a dysregulated tumor microenvironment. Although various therapeutic interventions, such as chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and nanomedicine, have been proposed to prevent or treat OSCC and OPMDs, understanding the mechanism of malignancies will facilitate the identification of therapeutic and prognostic factors, thereby improving the efficacy of treatment for OSCC patients. This review summarizes the mechanisms involved in OSCC. Moreover, the current therapeutic interventions and prognostic methods for OSCC and OPMDs are discussed to facilitate comprehension and provide several prospective outlooks for the fields.
FBXW2 suppresses breast tumorigenesis by targeting AKT-Moesin-SKP2 axis
Authors: Barik Ganesh Kumar , Sahay Osheen , Mukhopadhyay Anindya , Manne Rajesh Kumar , Islam Sehbanul , Roy Anup , Nath Somsubhra , Santra Manas Kumar
Published: September 2023

Oncogene Moesin plays critical role in initiation, progression, and metastasis of multiple cancers. It exerts oncogenic activity due to its high-level expression as well as posttranslational modification in cancer. However, factors responsible for its high-level expression remain elusive. In this study, we identified positive as well as negative regulators of Moesin. Our study reveals that Moesin is a cellular target of F-box protein FBXW2. We showed that FBXW2 suppresses breast cancer progression through directing proteasomal degradation of Moesin. In contrast, AKT kinase plays an important role in oncogenic function of Moesin by protecting it from FBXW2-mediated proteasomal degradation. Mechanistically, AKT phosphorylates Moesin at Thr-558 and thereby prevents its degradation by FBXW2 via weakening the association between FBXW2 and Moesin. Further, accumulated Moesin prevents FBXW2-mediated degradation of oncogene SKP2, showing that Moesin functions as an upstream regulator of oncogene SKP2. In turn, SKP2 stabilizes Moesin by directing its non-degradable form of polyubiquitination and therefore AKT-Moesin-SKP2 oncogenic axis plays crucial role in breast cancer progression. Collectively, our study reveals that FBXW2 functions as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer by restricting AKT-Moesin-SKP2 axis. Thus, AKT-Moesin-SKP2 axis may be explored for the development of therapeutics for cancer treatment.
Guadecitabine plus ipilimumab in unresectable melanoma: five-year follow-up and integrated multi-omic analysis in the phase 1b NIBIT-M4 trial
Authors: Noviello Teresa Maria Rosaria , Di Giacomo Anna Maria , Caruso Francesca Pia , Covre Alessia , Mortarini Roberta , Scala Giovanni , Costa Maria Claudia , Coral Sandra , Fridman Wolf H. , Sautès-Fridman Catherine , Brich Silvia , Pruneri Giancarlo , Simonetti Elena , Lofiego Maria Fortunata , Tufano Rossella , Bedognetti Davide , Anichini Andrea , Maio Michele , Ceccarelli Michele
Published: September 2023

Association with hypomethylating agents is a promising strategy to improve the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors-based therapy. The NIBIT-M4 was a phase Ib, dose-escalation trial in patients with advanced melanoma of the hypomethylating agent guadecitabine combined with the anti-CTLA-4 antibody ipilimumab that followed a traditional 3 + 3 design (NCT02608437). Patients received guadecitabine 30, 45 or 60 mg/m2/day subcutaneously on days 1 to 5 every 3 weeks starting on week 0 for a total of four cycles, and ipilimumab 3 mg/kg intravenously starting on day 1 of week 1 every 3 weeks for a total of four cycles. Primary outcomes of safety, tolerability, and maximum tolerated dose of treatment were previously reported. Here we report the 5-year clinical outcome for the secondary endpoints of overall survival, progression free survival, and duration of response, and an exploratory integrated multi-omics analysis on pre- and on-treatment tumor biopsies. With a minimum follow-up of 45 months, the 5-year overall survival rate was 28.9% and the median duration of response was 20.6 months. Re-expression of immuno-modulatory endogenous retroviruses and of other repetitive elements, and a mechanistic signature of guadecitabine are associated with response. Integration of a genetic immunoediting index with an adaptive immunity signature stratifies patients/lesions into four distinct subsets and discriminates 5-year overall survival and progression free survival. These results suggest that coupling genetic immunoediting with activation of adaptive immunity is a relevant requisite for achieving long term clinical benefit by epigenetic immunomodulation in advanced melanoma patients.
Increasing associative plasticity in temporo-occipital back-projections improves visual perception of emotions
Authors: Borgomaneri Sara , Zanon Marco , Di Luzio Paolo , Cataneo Antonio , Arcara Giorgio , Romei Vincenzo , Tamietto Marco , Avenanti Alessio
Published: September 2023

The posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS) is a critical node in a network specialized for perceiving emotional facial expressions that is reciprocally connected with early visual cortices (V1/V2). Current models of perceptual decision-making increasingly assign relevance to recursive processing for visual recognition. However, it is unknown whether inducing plasticity into reentrant connections from pSTS to V1/V2 impacts emotion perception. Using a combination of electrophysiological and neurostimulation methods, we demonstrate that strengthening the connectivity from pSTS to V1/V2 selectively increases the ability to perceive facial expressions associated with emotions. This behavior is associated with increased electrophysiological activity in both these brain regions, particularly in V1/V2, and depends on specific temporal parameters of stimulation that follow Hebbian principles. Therefore, we provide evidence that pSTS-to-V1/V2 back-projections are instrumental to perception of emotion from facial stimuli and functionally malleable via manipulation of associative plasticity.
Dual enzyme-powered chemotactic cross β amyloid based functional nanomotors
Authors: Ghosh Chandranath , Ghosh Souvik , Chatterjee Ayan , Bera Palash , Mampallil Dileep , Ghosh Pushpita , Das Dibyendu
Published: September 2023

Nanomotor chassis constructed from biological precursors and powered by biocatalytic transformations can offer important applications in the future, specifically in emergent biomedical techniques. Herein, cross β amyloid peptide-based nanomotors (amylobots) were prepared from short amyloid peptides. Owing to their remarkable binding capabilities, these soft constructs are able to host dedicated enzymes to catalyze orthogonal substrates for motility and navigation. Urease helps in powering the self-diffusiophoretic motion, while cytochrome C helps in providing navigation control. Supported by the simulation model, the design principle demonstrates the utilization of two distinct transport behaviours for two different types of enzymes, firstly enhanced diffusivity of urease with increasing fuel (urea) concentration and secondly, chemotactic motility of cytochrome C towards its substrate (pyrogallol). Dual catalytic engines allow the amylobots to be utilized for enhanced catalysis in organic solvent and can thus complement the technological applications of enzymes.
Defining a TCF1-expressing progenitor allogeneic CD8+ T cell subset in acute graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Lee Solhwi , Lee Kunhee , Bae Hyeonjin , Lee Kyungmin , Lee Junghwa , Ma Junhui , Lee Ye Ji , Lee Bo Ryeong , Park Woong-Yang , Im Se Jin
Published: September 2023

Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a severe complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation driven by activated allogeneic T cells. Here, we identify a distinct subset of T cell factor-1 (TCF1)+ CD8+ T cells in mouse allogeneic and xenogeneic transplant models of acute GvHD. These TCF1+ cells exhibit distinct characteristics compared to TCF1- cells, including lower expression of inhibitory receptors and higher expression of costimulatory molecules. Notably, the TCF1+ subset displays exclusive proliferative potential and could differentiate into TCF1- effector cells upon antigenic stimulation. Pathway analyses support the role of TCF1+ and TCF1- subsets as resource cells and effector cells, respectively. Furthermore, the TCF1+ CD8+ T cell subset is primarily present in the spleen and exhibits a resident phenotype. These findings provide insight into the differentiation of allogeneic and xenogeneic CD8+ T cells and have implications for the development of immunotherapeutic strategies targeting acute GvHD.