bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of Highly Active Silicene Hybrid Sheets for Electrode Applications in Battery-Type Supercapacitors
Authors: Molele D. T. , Saliu O. D. , Abubakar O. , Emenike E. C. , Iwuozor K. O. , Ojo E. D. , Adeniyi G. , Ramontja J.
Published: November 2024

In this study, silicene nanosheets (SNs) were synthesized using molten salt chemical exfoliation. Polythiophene (PTh) and SNs/PTh nanocomposites were prepared through an in-situ chemical oxidative polymerization method. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the formation of SNs, PTh, and various SNs/PTh nanocomposites at different ratios. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis verified the presence of crystalline SNs, the amorphous nature of PTh, and the combination of crystalline SNs with amorphous PTh in the nanocomposites. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed the morphology of silicene sheets and the distribution of PTh granular globes and flakes in the SNs/PTh nanocomposites. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed transparent and reduced-stacking SNs, as well as aggregated PTh flakes and evenly distributed PTh flakes over the SNs surface in the nanocomposites. Electrochemical tests indicated that SNs/PTh nanocomposites exhibited higher specific capacitance, energy density, and stable cycling performance compared to individual SNs and PTh. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements showed that the best performing supercapacitor electrode, SNs/PTh-67 nanocomposite displayed a specific capacitance of 276.25 F/g at a scan rate of 5 mV/s and delivered an energy density of 13.8 Wh/kg. The SNs/PTh-67 nanocomposite also exhibited excellent cycling stability with a capacitance retention of 85.9% after 2000 consecutive charge–discharge cycles at a current density of 4 A/g. This study demonstrates the potential of SNs/PTh-67 nanocomposite as a stable and high-performance electrode material for supercapacitors.
Assessing the awareness of emerging digital technologies among students in architectural education in Ghana
Authors: Ayeke Elom , Acheampong Emmanuel Appiah , Bekoe Ishmael , Attipoe Jeannette
Published: November 2024

The twenty-first century has become synonymous with two primary architectural concepts: sustainability and digital technologies. While the former seeks less carbon footprint within the built environment, the latter drives a novel approach towards efficient and effective productivity. However, previous findings show inadequate study on Emerging Digital Technologies (EDTs) and their Awareness in Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), especially in the Global South. In light of this, the study primarily aims to evaluate the perceived Awareness of students of EDTs within architectural educational institutions in Ghana. The study used a quantitative approach, obtaining data from 243 respondents using a questionnaire. Findings revealed students were aware of most EDTs, indicating an interest specifically in Computer-Aided Design and Building Information Modelling software. However, the students perceived little Awareness and interest in robotics and nanotechnology. Furthermore, the students perceived that inadequate tools and equipment are vital influences that limit their Awareness of EDTs. The authors recommend that HEIs review curricula to incorporate EDTs and collaborate with digital agencies to create an effective environment for students to increase their interest and proficiency in EDTs in architecture. There should also be continuous capacity building for the architectural HEI staff to ensure the transfer of relevant skills in contemporary EDTs in the industry. Moreover, further studies must be conducted into a standardized framework for introducing EDTs in architectural education.
Health and the Body in Early Medieval England
Authors: Batten Caroline
Published: November 2024

This Element explores ideas about the sick and healthy body in early medieval England from the seventh to the eleventh centuries, proposing that surviving Old English texts offer consistent and coherent ideas about how human bodies work and how disease operates. A close examination of these texts illuminates the ways early medieval people thought about their embodied selves and the place of humanity in a fallen world populated by hostile supernatural forces. This Element offers a comprehensive and accessible introduction to medical practice and writing in England before the Norman Conquest, draws on dozens of remedies, charms, and prayers to illustrate cultural concepts of sickness and health, provides a detailed discussion of the way impairment and disability were treated in literature and experienced by individuals, and concludes with a case study of a saint who died of a devastating illness while fighting demons in the fens of East Anglia.
Public Sector Innovation
Authors: Demircioglu Mehmet Akif , Audretsch David B.
Published: November 2024

Governments around the world are under pressure to do more with less. Dispelling the conventional wisdom that government is the enemy of innovation, this book argues that the promise of innovation addressing the most compelling societal problems will only come to fruition if governments become full partners and participants in innovation. The authors provide a systematic overview, analysis, framework, research agenda, and strategic directions for the study of public sector innovation, examining drivers, sources, barriers, typologies, and outcomes of innovation along with ethics. They suggest that innovation in government requires a new approach to public sector strategy, organization, human resources, and culture. Featuring large data analyses and poignant case studies drawn from best practices across the globe, Demircioglu and Audretsch identify what works and what doesn't in transforming governments from the periphery to the very heart of the most profound innovations driving societal change and development.
Security in Sustainable Energy Transitions
Authors: Kivimaa Paula
Published: November 2024

By providing a new qualitative analysis of policy coherence and integration between energy, security, and defence policies between 2006 and 2023, this book analyzes the impacts of policy interplay on energy transition through the lens of sustainability transitions research, security studies, energy security and geopolitics, and policy studies. The security aspects discussed range from national defence and geopolitics, to questions of energy security, positive security, and just transitions. Findings show that the policy interface around the energy-security nexus has often been incoherent. There is a lack of integration between security aspects, leading to ineffective policies from the perspective of decarbonisation and national security, which is evident in the European energy crisis following the war between Russia and Ukraine. This book is intended for researchers and experts interested in the energy transition and its connections to security and defence policies. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
Advancing insights into virus-induced neurodevelopmental disorders through human brain organoid modelling
Authors: Crawford Gabriella , Soper Olivia , Kang Eunchai , Berg Daniel A.
Published: November 2024

Human neurodevelopment is a complex process vulnerable to disruptions, particularly during the prenatal period. Maternal viral infections represent a significant environmental factor contributing to a spectrum of congenital defects with profound and enduring impacts on affected offspring. The advent of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived three-dimensional (3D) human brain organoids has revolutionised our ability to model prenatal viral infections and associated neurodevelopmental disorders. Notably, human brain organoids provide a distinct advantage over traditional animal models, whose brain structures and developmental processes differ markedly from those of humans. These organoids offer a sophisticated platform for investigating viral pathogenesis, infection mechanisms and potential therapeutic interventions, as demonstrated by their pivotal role during the 2016 Zika virus outbreak. This review critically examines the utilisation of brain organoids in elucidating the mechanisms of TORCH viral infections, their impact on human brain development and contribution to associated neurodevelopmental disorders.
Turbulent spherical Rayleigh–Bénard convection: radius ratio dependence
Authors: Fu Yifeng , Bader Shujaut H. , Song Jiaxing , Zhu Xiaojue
Published: November 2024

Direct numerical simulation (DNS) is performed to explore turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection in spherical shells. Our simulations cover six distinct values of radius ratio,

$\eta = r_i/r_o = 0.2$

, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 and 0.8, under the assumption of a centrally condensed mass with gravity profile

$g \sim 1/r^{2}$

; where

$r_i$

,

$r_o$

and

$r$

denote the inner shell radius, the outer shell radius and the local radial coordinate, respectively. The Prandtl number is kept constant at unity while the Rayleigh number (

$Ra$

) is varied from

$3 \times 10^{3}$

to

$5 \times 10^8$

. Our primary aim is to analyze how the radius ratio influences the global transport properties and flow physics. To gain insights into the scaling behaviour of the Nusselt number (

$Nu$

) and the Reynolds number (

$Re$

) with respect to

$Ra$

and

$\eta$

, we apply the Grossmann–Lohse (GL) theory (Grossmann & Lohse, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 407, 2000, pp. 27–56) to the system. It is observed that the scaling exponents for

$Nu$

and

$Re$

in relation to

$Ra$

are more significant for smaller

$\eta$

values, suggesting that the simulations with smaller

$\eta$

reach the classical

$Nu\sim Ra^{1/3}$

regime at a relatively lower

$Ra$

. This observation could also imply the systems with smaller

$\eta$

might transition to the ultimate regime earlier at a smaller

$Ra$

. Based on our extensive DNS data, we establish that the thickness of the inner thermal boundary,

$\lambda _{\vartheta }^{i}$

, follows a scaling relationship of

$\lambda _{\vartheta }^{i} \sim \eta ^{1/2}$

. This relationship, in turn, leads to a scaling law for

$Nu$

in the form of

$Nu \sim f(\eta ) Ra^{\gamma }$

, where the function

$f(\eta )$

is defined as

$f(\eta ) = {\eta ^{1/2}}/{(1+\eta ^{4/3})}$

, and the exponent

$\gamma$

depends on both

$Ra$

and

$\eta$

. Additionally, we characterize and explain the asymmetry in the velocity field by introducing the separate Reynolds numbers for the inner and outer shells. The asymmetry of the kinetic and thermal energy dissipation rates in the inner and outer boundary layers (BLs) is also quantified.
Nutritional status and associated factors among adult tuberculosis patients in public health centres of Horro Guduru Wollega Zone, Oromia Region, Western Ethiopia
Authors: Obsina Dessalegn , Kera Abeza Mitiku , Zenebe Asrat Zewdie , Teferi Sisay , Taye Abonesh , Belachew Tefera
Published: November 2024

This study aimed to assess nutritional status and associated factors among adult tuberculosis patients in public health centres in Horro Guduru Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia, 2021. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 334 randomly selected adult TB patients at public health centres from May 7, 2021, to June 21, 2021. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. The nutritional status was measured by using body mass index (BMI). Data was entered into EpiData version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. A bivariate and multivariable multinomial logistic regression analysis was done to identify factors associated with nutritional status. The prevalence of under and overnutrition was found to be 48.2% and 8.7%, respectively. Female TB patients (AOR = 3.48, 95% CI: (1.918–6.314)), patients who didn’t receive dietary counselling (AOR = 2.51, 95% CI: (1.335–4.720)), TB patients on the initiation phase of treatment (AOR = 3.76, 95% CI: (2.072–6.852)), and meal frequency less than three times per day (AOR = 3.6, 95% CI: (1.942–6.676)) were significantly associated with under nutrition. The prevalence of undernutrition was high in the study area. Being a female, being in the initiation phase of treatment, lack of dietary counselling, and having meal less than three per day were independently associated with undernutrition. Hence, regular nutritional assessments, dietary counselling, and nutritional support should be encouraged at the facility and community level.
Influence of Horizontal Model Resolution on the Horizontal Scale of Extreme Precipitation Events
Authors: Ali S. M. Anas , Tandon Neil F.
Published: November 2024

A fundamental characteristic of extreme precipitation events (EPEs) is their horizontal scale. This horizontal scale can influence the intensity of an EPE through its effect on the timescale of an EPE as well as its effect on the strength of convective feedbacks. Thus, to have confidence in future projections of extreme precipitation, the horizontal scales of EPEs in global climate models (GCMs) should be evaluated. Analyzing daily output from 27 models participating in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6), including 13 models participating in the High Resolution Model Intercomparison Project (HighResMIP), we computed the horizontal scales of EPEs and extreme ascent for annual maximum EPEs during 1981–2000. We found that the horizontal scales of both EPEs and the associated ascending motion are resolution‐dependent: for a factor of seven increase in horizontal resolution, the horizontal scale decreases by a factor of approximately two to five, with higher sensitivity in the tropics than in the midlatitudes. Further analysis in the southern hemisphere midlatitudes reveals that this resolution dependence results from precipitation during the simulated EPEs that is almost entirely resolved rather than parameterized. However, the EPEs are not simply grid box storms, and analysis of the horizontal scales of geopotential anomalies suggests that the planetary‐scale dynamics in GCMs is not resolution‐dependent. Thus, the dominance of resolved precipitation during EPEs is more likely due to convection on the model grid or formation of strong, poorly resolved fronts, and additional work is needed to explore these possibilities and find a remedy for this resolution dependence.
Imaging Magma Reservoirs From Space With Altimetry‐Derived Gravity Data
Authors: Le Mével Hélène
Published: November 2024

I investigate the detectability of magma reservoirs in the vertical gravity gradient (VGG) anomalies calculated from satellite altimetry data. First, I calculate a suite of synthetic seamount models to show the expected VGG anomaly characteristic wavelength and amplitude for a simplified magmatic system, hydrothermal system, and a caldera infill, varying their dimensions for a given depth and density contrast. I find that most magmatic and hydrothermal systems create VGG anomalies with a characteristic wavelength and amplitude greater than the data uncertainty and are therefore detectable. The proposed approach consists in three main steps: (a) calculate the VGG from the two components of the deflection of the vertical, (b) calculate and remove the gravity contribution of the bathymetry interface using an independent bathymetry data set (e.g., acquired by multibeam echosounders) to obtain a VGG Bouguer gravity anomaly, (c) invert the Bouguer VGG anomaly to obtain a 3D density model. I image a 6‐by‐8‐km low density body between 3 and 9 km depth under Brothers volcano in the Kermadec arc. I hypothesize that it represents the main magmatic system, possibly with a minor fraction of hydrothermal fluids at the shallower depths. There are about 225 submarine volcanoes globally that could be studied with satellite altimetry‐derived gravity data to potentially image their magmatic system. Future altimetry data will increase the gravity data resolution and allow us to image smaller features. This is thus an invaluable data set for the study of underexplored submarine volcanoes and can help improve our volcano hazards assessment.
High‐Resolution Morphology of Lunar Lava Tube Pits Using Photogrammetric Modeling of Multiple Stereo Images
Authors: Zhou Miyu , Ye Zhen , Huang Rong , Zhou Changyu , Chen Chen , Chen Hao , Xu Yusheng , Tong Xiaohua
Published: November 2024

Underground lava tubes are promising candidates for the construction of lunar bases because they are believed to offer good protection against radiation and harsh thermal environments on the lunar surface. Although the extent and structures of the underground lava tubes are uncertain, previously identified “skylights”, believed to represent places where lava tube roofs have collapsed, may provide insights into tube structures. Unfortunately, owing to the steep slopes, considerable depth, and associated difficult illumination conditions, the availability of detailed morphologic models of these pits is limited. In this study, we reconstruct the topography of lava tube pits using a refined photogrammetric approach. We use improved census cost for disparity search, refined point cloud coarse‐to‐fine registration, and weighted fusion of point clouds from several matched stereo image pairs to obtain a high‐resolution topographic model. Experiments are conducted for two prominent skylights, that is, the Mare Tranquillitatis Pit and the Marius Hills Hole, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Several LRO NAC image pairs are selected from images covering these two areas, and fused topographic models with a spatial resolution of 2  are generated. The quality of our generated topographic models is validated against terrain products provided by the LROC team. Compared to these previous models, our model is generated based on a much denser point cloud and provides better coverage and more details. Benefiting from the detailed three‐dimensional models, morphological analysis is carried out to investigate the geometric dimensions (e.g., depth, diameters, slopes) of the lava tube pits.
Practitioners’ Needs for Addressing the Challenges of Sea‐Level Rise—A Qualitative Assessment
Authors: Hirschfeld D. , Archie K. M. , Mateo E. , Arnott J. C. , Vano J. A.
Published: November 2024

Practitioners at the local and regional scale are under increased pressure to reduce risks to people and property posed by the threats of sea‐level rise (SLR) and associated impacts. To achieve this, a dialog between practitioners and scientists is imperative. Current research documents impacts of SLR, evaluates local SLR adaptation activities, identifies barriers to action, and works to assess local adaptive capacity. Despite this work, there has been little qualitative assessment of practitioners' needs when it comes to translating SLR science into local changes. To fill this gap, we used a combination of semi‐structured interviews and surveys. The interviews revealed practitioners’ needs, the tools they use, the challenges they face, and the contexts in which they make decisions. The survey allowed practitioners to rank potential interventions according to the level of impact they believed it would have on coastal adaptation planning. In total our study includes the perspectives of 142 practitioners from 24 states, Puerto Rico, the Mariana Islands, and Barbados. Corroborating earlier work, we find that resources broadly and funding specifically is the largest barrier faced by practitioners. We find that practitioners need more localized information and models supported by on the ground monitoring, decision support resources that allow for comparison of different scenarios, and communication tools that will enable them to engage with key audiences. These needs suggest a critical shift toward building trusted relationship between scientists and local practitioners and the need to bolster organizations that can support a bridge between these two contexts.
Exploring Thermospheric Disturbance Patterns Through Space‐Borne Accelerometer Measurement Errors: A Weighted Accelerometer 1B Dataset of GRACE C
Authors: Tzamali Myrto , Pagiatakis Spiros
Published: November 2024

Satellite measurements are essential for understanding Earth's complex system, yet they often lack a reliable a‐priori covariance matrix. This study presents a new methodology to enhance the reliability of satellite measurements by deriving experimental covariance matrices from the original observation. We focus on the accelerometer measurements (1A dataset) from the GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) C satellite. Using autocorrelation analysis, we create a block‐diagonal covariance matrix for the 1A dataset. We then apply a low‐pass Gaussian filter that integrates this covariance matrix into the least squares estimation, resulting in a refined 1B dataset that minimizes spikes and spurious accelerations while preserving measurement error. Our variance analysis uncovers disturbances linked to geomagnetic storms and the satellite's transitions through Earth's shadow and terminator, with fluctuations notably peaking during the equinoxes.
Three‐Dimensional Crustal Channel Flows Beneath the Southeastern Tibetan Plateau Revealed by Full‐Waveform Ambient Noise Tomography
Authors: Li Cong , Yu Chunquan , Hillenbrand Ian , Zhang Wei
Published: November 2024

The growth process of the southeastern Tibetan Plateau remains a fundamental yet unresolved question. Knowledge of detailed lithospheric structures and their potential linkages with surface features offers crucial insights. Here, we present a high‐resolution 3‐D lithospheric velocity model of the southeastern Tibetan Plateau using full‐waveform ambient noise tomography. Our model reveals two prominent low‐velocity anomalies within the middle and lower crust with new characteristics in spatial distribution: Anomaly 1 lies beneath the plateau, and Anomaly 2 beneath the craton has two branches aligning with the Sichuan‐Youjiang tectonic boundary and the eastern margin of the Emeishan igneous province. Furthermore, these two anomalies appear interconnected at deep crust beneath the northern margin of the Emeishan igneous province. We propose that observed crustal velocity lows indicate partially melted materials transported from the high plateau into the cratonic crust along pre‐existing weak zones, which were reactivated during recent continental deformation.
A Test of Functional Balance Theory for Wetland Biomass Allocation in a Global Change Experiment
Authors: Bruns Nicholas E. , Noyce Genevieve L. , Megonigal J. Patrick , Kirwan Matthew L.
Published: November 2024

Forecasts of root growth and carbon sequestration under global change are compromised by uncertainty in how plants will allocate biomass between above and belowground pools. Here, we develop a simple model to assess whether functional balance theory can explain a complex biomass allocation response observed in a brackish marsh under experimental warming and elevated CO2. Our model shows how treatment‐driven changes in nitrogen supply and demand can explain divergent observations of root growth (i.e., maximum responses under intermediate warming and elevated CO2). The model also reveals a surprising interaction between warming and eutrophication, where enhanced N loading to coastal marshes may reduce adverse impacts of warming on root growth. Our findings provide a mechanistic basis for incorporating biomass allocation into forecast models of marsh evolution. They also provide a general example of using ecological theory to decompose complex net responses observed in multi‐factor global change experiments into constituent processes.
Continuable Weathering of Silicate Minerals Driven by Fungal Plowing
Authors: Li Zi‐Bo , Lu Xiancai , Li Gaojun , Jin Zhangdong , Liu Lianwen , Yin Zongjun , Zhu Maoyan , Teng Hui Henry , Ji Junfeng , Chen Jun
Published: November 2024

Silicate weathering acts as a significant carbon sink and sustains ecosystems by supplying essential elements, thus shaping Earth's habitability. However, our understanding the evolution of silicate weathering rates remains incomplete, with most knowledge focusing on rate decreases at solution‐silicate interfaces, while reactivity at fungi‐weathered silicate interfaces is poorly understood. This study shows that the fungus Talaromyces flavus significantly enhances the dissolution of olivine and lizardite covered by Si‐rich layers up to 3.6 μm thick by one to two orders of magnitude compared to abiotic conditions. Initially, fungal hyphae create dissolution channels ∼10–65 nm deep, promoting element release from altered layers and underlying pristine minerals while oxidizing structural Fe(II). Over time, hyphae penetrate these altered layers, exposing and etching the underlying minerals. Our data suggest that fungal etching and penetration degrade the altered layers, leading to increased interdiffusion of weathering agents and released cations, thereby continuously driving silicate weathering.
Storm Dynamics Control Sedimentation and Shelf‐Bay‐Marsh Sediment Exchange Along the Louisiana Coast
Authors: Georgiou Ioannis Y. , FitzGerald Duncan M. , Sakib Md Mohiuddin , Messina Francesca , Kulp Mark A. , Miner Michael D.
Published: November 2024

Hurricanes can benefit wetland accretion by augmenting the delivery of mineral sediment, an essential process allowing marshes to offset submergence during rising sea levels. Using Hurricane Gustav (2008, Louisiana) as a control, we examined eight synthetic storms with varying characteristics (track, speed, intensity, size) to evaluate sediment exchange between the inner shelf and bay and bay‐to‐marsh interfaces. All storms showed net landward sediment exchange from the inner shelf to the bay to the marsh—storms with closer proximity, higher intensity, and slower forward speed positively correlated with net sediment exchange; storm size had little impact. Except for slow‐moving storms (½ speed of Gustav), our analyses suggest that most hurricane scenarios cause net bay erosion, because more sediment is conveyed to landward wetlands than is replenished from erosion of the inner shelf. Our results suggest that the ongoing deepening of the bay will likely worsen because of rising sea levels.
Refining the Global Picture: The Impact of Increased Resolution on CO2 Atmospheric Inversions Using OCO‐2 XCO2 Retrievals
Authors: Lloret Zoé , Chevallier Frédéric , Cozic Anne
Published: November 2024

The threat posed by the increasing concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere motivates a detailed and precise estimation of CO2 emissions and removals over the globe. This study refines the spatial resolution of the CAMS/LSCE inversion system, achieving a global resolution of 0.7° latitude and 1.4° longitude, or three times as many grid boxes as the current operational setup. In a 2‐year inversion assimilating the midday clear‐sky retrievals of the column‐averaged dry air mole fraction of carbon dioxide (XCO2) from NASA's second Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO‐2), the elevated resolution demonstrates an improvement in the representation of atmospheric CO2, particularly at the synoptic timescale, as validated against independent surface measurements. Vertical profiles of the CO2 concentration differ slightly above 22 km between resolutions compared to AirCore profiles, and highlight differences in the vertical distribution of CO2 between resolutions. However, this disparity is not evident for XCO2, as evaluated against independent reference ground‐based observations. Global and regional estimates of natural fluxes for 2015–2016 are similar between the two resolutions, but with North America exhibiting a higher natural sink at high resolution for 2016. Overall, both inversions seem to yield reasonable estimates of global and regional natural carbon fluxes. The increase in calculation time is less than the increase in the number of operations and in the volume of input data, revealing greater efficiency of the code executed on a graphics processing unit. This allows us to make this higher resolution the new standard for the CAMS/LSCE system.
Role of Aerosol Ice‐Nucleus Effect in the Development of the “21⋅7” Henan Extreme Precipitation
Authors: Wang Weishan , Chen Guoxing , Zhang Yijun
Published: November 2024

The aerosol ice‐nucleus (IN) effect, affecting heterogeneous ice nucleation and ultimately shaping cloud properties and precipitation efficiency, remains poorly understood and is overlooked in most operational numerical weather models. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the role of aerosol IN effect in the “21⋅7” Henan extreme precipitation event using two simulations based on an aerosol‐aware configuration of the WRF model. One prescribed spatially uniform ice nucleation particles (INP) concentration (labeled CTL), whereas the other incorporated MERRA2 aerosol concentration fields to represent a more realistic INP spatial distribution (labeled M2), which is marked by a west‐east gradient with higher INP concentration in the west. Results show that M2 simulated heavier precipitation near Zhengzhou closer to the observation regarding both spatial distribution and intensity than the CTL simulation. This improvement is attributed to an INP‐induced feedback akin to the aerosol lifetime effect. Specifically, the M2 simulation had higher INP concentration in the west, causing increased rates of heterogeneous ice nucleation as the convection progressed from west to east. This released additional latent heat, intensifying the convection and subsequently enhancing homogeneous ice nucleation, yielding more but smaller cloud ice particles in M2. These ice particles had reduced sedimentation speeds and lower aggregation rates, suppressing precipitation upstream of Zhengzhou. The intensified convection, carrying more water, propagated eastward, ultimately resulting in extremely heavy precipitation near Zhengzhou. This study underscores the aerosol IN effect on cloud microphysics, convection intensity, and regional rainfall distribution, elucidating the crucial role of aerosol‐meteorology coupling in accurately simulating moderate deep convective cloud precipitation.
A Climatological Study of the Frequency Spectra of Vertical Winds From MU Radar Data (1987–2022)
Authors: Luce Hubert , Nishi Noriyuki , Hashiguchi Hiroyuki
Published: November 2024

In this paper, we present a statistical analysis of the frequency spectra of vertical velocity W based on data collected by the VHF middle and upper atmosphere (MU) radar from 2.025 to 19.875 km altitude during several days per month over 36 years (1987–2022). We analyzed the mean spectral slopes in the band [0.5–6 hr], which is in the core of the period range for internal gravity waves at the MU radar latitude (∼36° N). First, we tested the performance of several spectral estimators when data are missing to minimize estimation bias on and variance. Second, we analyzed the properties of . We found a dependence on radar echo power aspect ratio and power imbalance between oblique beams maybe due to contaminations of measurements by the horizontal wind . After corrections, we found that: (a) in the troposphere ( is almost seasonally invariant (∼−0.8) despite the strong variability of and (b) is highly variable in the stratosphere ( from ∼0 to −1.2 and shows a clear exponential dependence on at least up to . An empirical expression of the apparent frequency spectra in the stratosphere is with, for example, and . From numerical simulations, we show that Doppler shift effects cannot explain the dependence on . Therefore, the variation of with may represent a real change in the shape of the intrinsic frequency spectrum, which is not considered in the theoretical models.
Unsupervised Coherent Noise Removal From Seismological Distributed Acoustic Sensing Data
Authors: Konietzny Sebastian , Lai Voon Hui , Miller Meghan S. , Townend John , Harmeling Stefan
Published: November 2024

Recent advances in sensing technologies, particularly Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS), have significantly improved the collection and analysis of seismological data. DAS is a powerful method for detecting vibrations from various sources, including earthquakes. However, the vast amount of data produced by DAS requires sophisticated analytical methods to differentiate between signals of interest and noise, such as traffic signals. We introduce an innovative approach by extending the Noise2Self framework to effectively remove unwanted, structured coherent noise from DAS data. By creating masks based on the characteristics of traffic signals, we isolate and preserve earthquake signals while maintaining the denoising performance of the original Noise2Self approach, which reduces noise without requiring clean reference data. To evaluate our method, we used synthetic data generated from seismic recordings of closely spaced seismometers and then applied our approach to data from a DAS array crossing the Alpine Fault near Haast, New Zealand. Our results demonstrate that our model successfully removes traffic noise and other non‐coherent noise while preserving seismic signals, leading to improvements in both Signal‐to‐Noise Ratio (SNR) and waveform coherence. Evaluations on real‐world DAS data further confirm the robustness of our method, positioning it as a valuable tool for analyzing large‐scale DAS data sets in various geoscientific contexts. This approach, which we refer to as “CoherentNoise2Self” to emphasize the extension of Noise2Self to coherent noise, advances the capabilities for near real‐time monitoring and analysis of seismic DAS data.
Dimethyl fumarate and extracorporeal photopheresis combination-therapy synergize in inducing specific cell death and long-term remission in cutaneous T cell lymphoma
Authors: Şener Özge Ç. , Melchers Susanne , Tengler Luisa , Beltzig Paul L. , Albrecht Jana D. , Tümen Deniz , Gülow Karsten , Utikal Jochen S. , Goerdt Sergij , Hein Tobias , Nicolay Jan P.
Published: November 2024

Primary cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCL) are characterized by high relapse rates to initially highly effective therapies. Combination therapies have proven beneficial, particularly if they incorporate extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP). The NF-κB inhibitor dimethyl fumarate (DMF) has proven a new, effective drug in CTCL in a clinical phase II study. In vitro experiments with patient-derived SS cells and the CTCL cell lines HH, HuT 78, and SeAx revealed a synergistic effect of DMF and ECP on cell death induction in CTCL cells. Furthermore, an additional increase in the capacity to inhibit NF-κB in CTCL was detected for the combination treatment compared to DMF monotherapy. The same synergistic effects could be measured for ROS production via decreased Thioredoxin reductase activity and glutathione levels. Consequently, a cell death inhibitor screen indicated that the DMF/ECP combination treatment induces a variety of cell death mechanisms in CTCL. As a first step into clinical translation, 4 patients were already treated with the DMF/ECP combination therapy with an overall response rate of 100% and a time to next treatment in skin and blood of up to 57 months. Therefore, our study introduces the combination treatment of DMF and ECP as a highly effective and long-lasting CTCL therapy.
Size-selective microfluidics delineate the effects of combinatorial immunotherapy on T-cell response dynamics at the single-cell level
Authors: Chatterjee Ayan , Bandyopadhyay Aniket , Maiti Tapas Kumar , Kanti Bhattacharyya Tarun
Published: November 2024

Cellular communication at the single-cell level holds immense potential for uncovering response heterogeneity in immune cell behaviors. However, because of significant size diversity among different immune cell types, controlling the pairing of cells with substantial size differences remains a formidable challenge. We developed a microfluidic platform for size-selective pairing (SSP) to pair single cells with up to a fivefold difference in size, achieving over 40% pairing efficiency. We used SSP to investigate the real-time effects of combinatorial immunotherapeutic stimulation on macrophage T-cell interactions at the single-cell level via fluorescence microscopy and microfluidic sampling. While combinatorial activation involving toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists and rapamycin (an mTOR inhibitor) has improved therapeutic efficacy in mice, its clinical success has been limited. Here, we investigated immune synaptic interactions and outcomes at the single-cell level in real time and compared them with bulk-level measurements. Our findings, after tracking and computationally analyzing the effects of sequential and spatiotemporal stimulations of primary mouse macrophages, suggest a regulatory role of rapamycin in dampening inflammatory outputs in T cells.
Reformed islets: a long-term primary cell platform for exploring mouse and human islet biology
Authors: Haq N. , Toczyska K. W. , Wilson M. E. , Jacobs M. , Zhao Min , Lei Y. , Shen Z. , Pearson J. A. , Persaud S. J. , Pullen T. J. , Bewick G. A.
Published: November 2024

Pancreatic islets are 3D micro-organs that maintain β-cell functionality through cell–cell and cell-matrix communication. While primary islets, the gold standard for in vitro models, have a short culture life of approximately 1–2 weeks, we developed a novel protocol that employs reformed islets following dispersion coupled with a fine-tuned culture environment. Reformed islets exhibit physiological characteristics similar to primary islets, enabling high-resolution imaging and repeated functional assessment. Unlike other in vitro platforms, reformed islets retain an immune population, allowing the study of interactions between β cells and resident and infiltrating immune cells. Analyses showed that reformed islets have a similar composition and cytoarchitecture to primary islets, including macrophages and T cells, and can secrete insulin in response to glucose. Reformed islets exhibited partial dedifferentiation compared to native islets but were otherwise transcriptionally similar. The reformed islets offer a useful platform for studying diabetes pathology and can recapitulate both T1DM and T2DM disease milieus, providing an advantage over other models, such as mouse and human β-cell lines, which lack the input of non-β-endocrine cells and immune cell crosstalk.
BAP1 inactivation promotes lactate production by leveraging the subcellular localization of LDHA in melanoma
Authors: Zheng Guopei , Shi Jiahao , Li Qian , Jin Xiaoliang , Fang Yan , Zhang Zhe , Cao Qin , Zhu Lili , Shen Jianfeng
Published: November 2024

BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) acts as a tumor suppressor and can affect the cell cycle, tumor immunity, and cellular metabolism through multiple pathways. In melanoma, BAP1 mutations promote tumor cell glycolysis, leading to increased lactate production. The tumor microenvironment with high lactate levels is often associated with immunosuppression and tumor progression. The inhibitory effect of BAP1 on glycolysis has been found in a variety of tumors, but the specific mechanism by which BAP1 inhibits lactate production still needs to be elucidated. In this study, we show that BAP1 can interact directly with lactate dehydrogenase (LDHA), causing LDHA to accumulate in the nucleus. Conversely, BAP1 deletion leads to the accumulation of LDHA in the cytoplasm, catalyzing the production of lactate from pyruvate that results in increased lactate levels inside and outside the cell. By elucidating the interaction between BAP1 and LDHA and the subsequent effects on lactate production in melanoma cells, this work provides insights into the mechanism of BAP1-mediated metabolic regulation. Furthermore, it may provide novel directions for the clinical treatment of BAP1-mutant melanoma.
Characterization of the landscape of the intratumoral microbiota reveals that Streptococcus anginosus increases the risk of gastric cancer initiation and progression
Authors: Yuan Li , Pan Libin , Wang Yunzhe , Zhao Jing , Fang Luo , Zhou Ying , Xia Ruihong , Ma Yubo , Jiang Zhengchen , Xu Zhiyuan , Hu Can , Wang Yanan , Zhang Shengjie , Zhang Bo , Ding Haiying , Chen Mengxuan , Cheng Haibo , Goel Ajay , Zhang Zhao , Cheng Xiangdong
Published: November 2024

As a critical component of the tumour immune microenvironment (TIME), the resident microbiota promotes tumorigenesis across a variety of cancer types. Here, we integrated multiple types of omics data, including microbiome, transcriptome, and metabolome data, to investigate the functional role of intratumoral bacteria in gastric cancer (GC). The microbiome was used to categorize GC samples into six subtypes, and patients with a high abundance of Streptococcus or Pseudomonas had a markedly worse prognosis. Further assays revealed that Streptococcus anginosus (SA) promoted tumour cell proliferation and metastasis while suppressing the differentiation and infiltration of CD8+ T cells. However, antibiotic treatment significantly suppressed tumorigenesis in SA+ mice in vivo. We further demonstrated that the SA arginine pathway increased the abundance of ornithine, which may be a major contributor to reshaping of the TIME. Our findings demonstrated that SA, a novel risk factor, plays significant roles in the initiation and progression of GC, suggesting that SA might be a promising target for the diagnosis and treatment of GC.
Genotypes and phenotypes of neurofibromatosis type 1 patients in Japan: A Hereditary Tumor Cohort Study
Authors: Futagawa Mashu , Okazaki Tetsuya , Nakata Eiji , Fukano Chika , Osumi Risa , Kato Fumino , Urakawa Yusaku , Yamamoto Hideki , Ozaki Toshifumi , Hirasawa Akira
Published: November 2024

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) presents with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, including an increased risk of tumor development and hypertension. Comprehensive data on genotype‒phenotype correlations in patients with NF1 are limited. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to elucidate the detailed genetic and clinical characteristics of NF1 in a hereditary tumor cohort. We performed sequencing and copy number assays in a clinical laboratory and analyzed the clinical data of 44 patients with suspected NF1. Germline pathogenic variants were detected in 36 patients (81.8%), and 20.7% of the variants were novel. Notably, 40.0% of adult patients presented with malignancies; female breast cancer occurred in 20.0% of patients, which was a higher rate than that previously reported. Hypertension was observed in 30.6% of the adult patients, with one patient experiencing sudden death and another developing pheochromocytoma. Three patients with large deletions in NF1 exhibited prominent cutaneous, skeletal, and neurological manifestations. These results highlight the importance of regular surveillance, particularly for patients with malignancies and hypertension. Our findings provide valuable insights for genetic counseling and clinical management, highlighting the multiple health risks associated with NF1 and the need for comprehensive and multidisciplinary care.
Trapping of spermine, Kukoamine A, and polyamine toxin blockers in GluK2 kainate receptor channels
Authors: Gangwar Shanti Pal , Yelshanskaya Maria V. , Aktolun Muhammed , Yen Laura Y. , Newton Thomas P. , Strømgaard Kristian , Kurnikova Maria G. , Sobolevsky Alexander I.
Published: November 2024

Kainate receptors (KARs) are a subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptor (iGluR) channels, a superfamily of ligand-gated ion channels which mediate the majority of excitatory neurotransmission in the central nervous system. KARs modulate neuronal circuits and plasticity during development and are implicated in neurological disorders, including epilepsy, depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, and autism. Calcium-permeable KARs undergo ion channel block, but the therapeutic potential of channel blockers remains underdeveloped, mainly due to limited structural knowledge. Here, we present closed-state structures of GluK2 KAR homotetramers in complex with ion channel blockers NpTx-8, PhTx-74, Kukoamine A, and spermine. We find that blockers reside inside the GluK2 ion channel pore, intracellular to the closed M3 helix bundle-crossing gate, with their hydrophobic heads filling the central cavity and positively charged polyamine tails spanning the selectivity filter. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of our structures illuminate interactions responsible for different affinity and binding poses of the blockers. Our structures elucidate the trapping mechanism of KAR channel block and provide a template for designing new blockers that can selectively target calcium-permeable KARs in neuropathologies.
Multi-omic and single-cell profiling of chromothriptic medulloblastoma reveals genomic and transcriptomic consequences of genome instability
Authors: Smirnov Petr , Przybilla Moritz J. , Simovic-Lorenz Milena , Parra R. Gonzalo , Susak Hana , Ratnaparkhe Manasi , Wong John KL. , Körber Verena , Mallm Jan-Philipp , Philippos George , Sill Martin , Kolb Thorsten , Kumar Rithu , Casiraghi Nicola , Okonechnikov Konstantin , Ghasemi David R. , Maaß Kendra Korinna , Pajtler Kristian W. , Jauch Anna , Korshunov Andrey , Höfer Thomas , Zapatka Marc , Pfister Stefan M. , Huber Wolfgang , Stegle Oliver , Ernst Aurélie
Published: November 2024

Chromothripsis is a frequent form of genome instability, whereby a presumably single catastrophic event generates extensive genomic rearrangements of one or multiple chromosome(s). However, little is known about the heterogeneity of chromothripsis across different clones from the same tumour, as well as changes in response to treatment. Here we analyse single-cell genomic and transcriptomic alterations linked with chromothripsis in human p53-deficient medulloblastoma and neural stem cells (n = 9). We reconstruct the order of somatic events, identify early alterations likely linked to chromothripsis and depict the contribution of chromothripsis to malignancy. We characterise subclonal variation of chromothripsis and its effects on extrachromosomal circular DNA, cancer drivers and putatively druggable targets. Furthermore, we highlight the causative role and the fitness consequences of specific rearrangements in neural progenitors.
Can quantum computers do nothing?
Authors: Nico-Katz Alexander , Keenan Nathan , Goold John
Published: November 2024

Quantum computing platforms are subject to contradictory engineering requirements: qubits must be protected from mutual interactions when idling (‘doing nothing’), and strongly interacting when in operation. If idling qubits are not sufficiently protected, information ‘leaks’ into neighbouring qubits, becoming ultimately inaccessible. Candidate solutions to this dilemma include many-body localization, dynamical decoupling, and active error correction. However, no protocol exists to quantify this effect in a similar way to e.g. SPAM errors. We develop a scalable, device non-specific, protocol for quantifying idle information loss by exploiting tools from quantum information theory. We implement this protocol in over 3500 experiments carried out across 4 months (Dec 2023–Mar 2024) on IBM’s entire Falcon 5.11 processor series. After accounting for other error sources, we detect information loss to high degrees of statistical significance. This work thus provides a firm quantitative foundation from which the protection-operation dilemma can be investigated and ultimately resolved.