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An observational record of global gridded near-surface air temperature change over land and ocean from 1781
Get PDFWe present a new gridded data set of air temperature change across global land and ocean extending back to the 1780s. This data set, called the GloSAT reference analysis, has two novel features: it uses
marine air temperature observations rather than the sea surface temperature measurements typically used by
pre-existing data sets, and it extends further into the past than existing merged land and ocean instrumental
temperature records which typically estimate temperature changes from the middle to late 19th century onwards. New estimates of diurnal-heating biases in marine air temperatures have enabled the use of daytime
observations, extending the data set further into the past compared to nighttime-only marine air temperature
data. The data set uses an extended version of the CRUTEM5 station database over land areas, incorporating newly available bias adjustments for non-standard thermometer enclosures used prior to the adoption of
Stevenson screens and new climatological normal estimates for stations with limited data in the 1961–1990
baseline period. Land and marine temperature anomalies are combined to produce a gridded data set following the methods developed for HadCRUT5. The GloSAT global and hemispheric temperature anomaly
series show close agreement with those based on sea surface temperature for much of the overlapping period of their records but with slightly less warming overall. The GloSAT reference analysis is available from
https://doi.org/10.5285/a2519624a593402a83246bd359d098be (Morice et al., 2025b), the GloSATLAT data set
is available from https://doi.org/10.5285/ef237f578329487eb02fb42f9db56bb2 (Morice et al., 2025a), and the
GloSATMAT data set is available from https://doi.org/10.5285/e6251bf935304cfbb9c9269dc7757a35 (Cornes
et al., 2025b)
Elucidating β-sheet ordering in lipopeptides bearing lysine-rich tripeptide sequences: fibrils versus nanotapes
Get PDFThe self-assembly in aqueous solution and conformation of lipopeptides C16-WKK, C16-KWK, C16-YKK and C16-KYK is compared and examined. Remarkable differences are observed among the systems despite the small sequence changes comparing C16-XKK with the C16-KXK homologue (X = W or Y), depending on pH. These are rationalized using a molecular theory for amphiphile self-assembly (MOLT) to predict the morphology along with atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to probe local conformation and packing, along with new experimental data from small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and FTIR spectroscopy. MOLT correctly describes the high-pH morphology behavior, i.e., fibrils for C16-XKK, and lamellar nanotapes for C16-KXK, although it predicts micelles for all systems at low pH, whereas experiments indicate that this only occurs for the C16-XKK lipopeptides, not the C16-KXK, which form lamellar nanotapes stable over an extended range of pH 2–12. Atomistic MD reveals β-sheet conformation is more favored for the C16-XKK lipopeptides which also have enhanced aggregation propensity compared to C16-KXK analogues. The extent of π-stacking was higher for the latter lamellar nanotape structures. The extent of hydrogen bonding is higher for the tyrosine-containing molecules than the tryptophan-based ones. The combination of a molecular theory and atomistic MD provides a comprehensive insight into the remarkable sequence- and pH-dependent molecular ordering within these model lipopeptides which will enable the rational design of future peptide amphiphiles with targeted nanostructures for desired applications
Personality matters in consumer preferences for cultured meat in China
Get PDFThis study extends our current knowledge of consumer preferences for cultured meat. We explored if personality traits have a role in affecting Chinese urban consumer choice behavior for cultured meat. We performed a choice experiment (CE) and used cultured chicken breast as a case study. The results indicate that personality traits (i.e., agreeableness, neuroticism, and conscientiousness) influence consumer preference for cultured meat. Our findings provide valuable insights into the psychology of consumer preferences and attitudes that can help to effectively communicate the nature of cultured meat to the public. They also have relevant implications for cultured-meat producers, and policy makers
Using semantic iterative keyword sampling for polyonymous concepts in interlingual educational research by example of ‘formative evaluation’ in German
Get PDFThis paper details the methodology originally used for a cross-sector literature review of formative evaluation in Germany. The study involved an online keyword search using academic databases and Google Search to uncover documents containing and meaningfully discussing formative evaluation as well as alternative forms of this term in German that matched a predefined conceptualization, a process termed here ‘semantic iterative keyword sampling’ (SIKS). Formative evaluation was recognized from the outset as a polyonym (defined as each of at least four different terms having the same meaning) in German, but the search revealed that German authors use no fewer than 47 terms to refer to this concept – far more than expected. Formative evaluation appears to be a polyonymous concept even in English. This demonstrates the utility of a more comprehensive and structured approach to online keyword searches for lexically flexible concepts. Educational researchers studying other polyonymous concepts may find SIKS to be useful for collecting more data within not only the target context but also other disciplinary and linguistic domains
LAP-MALDI MS analysis of amelogenin from teeth for biological sex estimation
Get PDFThe biological sex estimation of human individuals can be achieved by extracting fragments of the amelogenin protein from small areas of tooth enamel. The amelogenin gene can be found on both sex chromosomes (X and Y) with chromosome-specific differences in its sequence, and consequently the sequences of the expressed protein in teeth. Virtually all current analytical techniques used to identify the occurrence of the male Y chromosome-specific proteoform employ proteoform-specific peptide analysis by LC-ESI MS/MS, which typically results in longer analytical times due to the LC separation step, despite recent efforts of shortening the LC step. We report a rapid analytical workflow for biological sex estimation by combining minimal acid extraction of amelogenin peptides, including the Y chromosome-specific SMoxIRPPY peptide, with LAP-MALDI MS and MS/MS analysis but without the use of an LC system. A total of 27 peptides from amelogenin and ameloblastin were characterized by MS/MS, revealing oxidation and deamidation as chemical modifications and information on the maturation of amelogenin. The entire sample preparation and analysis time for biological sex estimation using the applied workflow is ≤10 minutes, of which only 1 minute is needed for the MS and MS/MS data acquisition. The sample preparation is minimally hazardous, requiring 10% HCl for peptide extraction, and can be undertaken in non-specialised labs before being submitted to MS and MS/MS analysis. The developed workflow can also facilitate the MS/MS analysis of many other amelogenin peptides without LC separation, providing further proteomic information on protein expression and mRNA transcription. It was applied to the teeth of five males and five females, whose biological sex had been estimated using osteological techniques, from three archaeological sites
A forestry investigation: exploring factors behind improved tree species classification using bark images
Get PDFNovel ground-based remote sensing approaches have demonstrated high potential for accurate and detailed mapping and monitoring of forest ecosystems. These methods enable the measurement of various tree parameters important for forest inventory or ecological research, such as diameter at breast height, tree height and volume, and crown parameters. One crucial piece of information is tree species, which is essential for various reasons and challenging to implement within ground-based technology workflows. This study investigates why researchers often focus on segment-specific bark images for tree species classification via deep neural networks rather than large or entire tree images. Additionally, the aim is to determine the most effective algorithmic approaches for efficient tree species classification from bark images and to make these methods more accessible to interdisciplinary researchers. The findings reveal that segment-specific datasets with more overlaps provide better accuracy across various algorithms. Additionally, pre-processing techniques such as scaling can enhance accuracy to a certain extent. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) consistently deliver the highest accuracy, even with diverse datasets, but fine-tuning these algorithms poses significant challenges for interdisciplinary researchers. To address this, we developed Windows-based research software, CNN Parameter Tuner 1.0, which allows the import of various data formats (jpg and png) and efficiently conducts parameter tuning by selecting parameters and values from the menu options
Stonehenge and its Altar Stone: the significance of distant stone sources
Get PDFGeological research reveals that Stonehenge’s stones come from sources beyond Salisbury
Plain, as recently demonstrated by the Altar Stone’s origins in northern Scotland more than
700 km away. Even Stonehenge’s huge sarsen stones come from 24 km to the north, while the
bluestones can be sourced to the region of the Preseli Hills some 225 km away in west Wales.
The six-tonne Altar Stone is of Old Red Sandstone from the Orcadian Basin, an area that
extends from the Northern Isles of Orkney and Shetland to Inverness and eastwards to Banff,
Turriff and Rhynie. Its geochemical composition does not match that of rocks in the Northern
Isles, so it can be identified as coming from the Scottish mainland. Its position at Stonehenge
as a recumbent stone within the southwest arc of the monument, at the foot of the two tallest
uprights of the Great Trilithon, recalls the plans of recumbent stone circles of north-east
Scotland. Unusually strong similarities in house floor layouts between Late Neolithic houses
in Orkney and the Durrington Walls settlement near Stonehenge also provide evidence of
close connections between Salisbury Plain and northern Scotland. Such connections may be
best explained through Stonehenge’s construction as a monument of island-wide unification,
embodied in part through the distant and diverse origins of its stones
How bad is the rain? Applying the extreme rain multiplier globally and for climate monitoring activities
Get PDFA typical question posed following an extreme precipitation event is: How does this compare to past events? This question is being asked more frequently and is of importance to climate monitoring services, such as the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). Currently, the statistics extensively used for this purpose are not generally understandable to the wider public, or they are not tailored towards presenting extremes. To mitigate this situation, this article uses a modified version of the Extreme Rain Multiplier (ERM), which was developed for tropical cyclones, and applies it to precipitation events globally. For daily precipitation considered herein, the ERM is calculated by dividing the daily precipitation accumulation during an event by the mean historical annual maxima of daily precipitation (RX1day), which is computed over 1991–2020. Using the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts ERA5 reanalysis, the calculation of the ERM is illustrated for six extreme events around the world; these included convective systems, atmospheric rivers, and tropical cyclones. A maximum ERM of 4 was found during Storm Daniel, in Greece, and in Tropical Cyclone Jasper in Australia, implying that four times the mean RX1day precipitation occurred. The ERM will be useful in C3S reporting activities because it can objectively identify extreme precipitation events. Furthermore, after extracting the number of precipitation events per year at each grid point that had an ERM exceeding 1, a trend analysis was undertaken to ascertain if the frequency of extreme events had changed with time. Results showed that the most widespread increasing trends in ERM were in the tropics, but these trends are thought to be questionable in ERA5. There were few clear trends in other regions. In conclusion, the ERM can communicate the level of extreme precipitation in a clear manner and can be used in climate monitoring activities
Drivers and mechanisms contributing to excess warming in Europe during recent decades
Get PDFOver the period 1979-2022, European surface air temperatures warmed around three times as fast as the global mean temperatures in both winter and summer. Here we define “excess” European warming as the difference between the rate of European regional warming and the rate of global warming and investigate the causes. Using a simple observation-based method, we estimate that around 40% ± 39% (in winter) and 29% ± 10% (in summer) of excess European warming is “dynamical” - attributable to changes in atmospheric circulation. We show that the rate of European warming simulated in CMIP6 models compares well with the observations, but only because these models warm too fast in the global mean; excess European warming is underestimated, particularly in winter. The CMIP6 models simulate well the magnitude of the thermodynamic component of excess European warming since 1979 in both winter and summer, they suggest only a weak dynamical contribution in the multi-model mean. The models suggest greenhouse gas-induced warming made the largest contribution to excess thermodynamic warming in winter, whereas changes in anthropogenic aerosols made the largest contribution in summer. They also imply a substantially reduced future rate of excess European warming in summer. However, the failure of current models to simulate observed circulation trends (either as a forced response or as a combination of forced response and internal variability) also implies large uncertainty in future rates of European warming
Changes in the bioactive content and aroma profile of aged garlic with processing conditions
Get PDFThe use of aged garlic (AG) for food supplement manufacturing benefits from the evaluation of how the processing conditions may affect its bioactive content and sensory profile. In this study, aging of untreated or
crushed garlic bulbs under controlled temperature and humidity conditions (ActiveNature™ Technology) was
evaluated for 0–40 days. To that aim, a multicomponent characterization including the LC-MS analysis of
bioactive S-allyl-L-cysteine (SAC) and S-1-propenyl-L-cysteine (S1PC), the volatile profiling by HS-SPME-GC-MS,
and the identification of key odourants by HS-SPME GC-O was addressed for the first time. Results were
compared with those of fresh garlic and of commercial black garlic samples. Aging of uncrushed bulbs for 21
days afforded a trade-off to meet the highest content of SAC and S1PC (1.55 and 0.11 mg g− 1, respectively) in the
shortest time, and a better aroma associated with a lower content of pungent organosulfur compounds (diallyl
sulfide, allyl methyl disulfide, diallyl disulfide, allyl methyl trisulfide, etc) and higher levels of volatiles with
fresh, green and sweet notes (e.g. 1.2 and 0.07 μg g− 1 of benzaldehyde and furfural, respectively). These findings
are a contribution to satisfy industry and consumer demand for processing methods and analytical approaches
providing AG with premium quality