Complex Evolution Research Articles

Dynamic response of OWT tripod pile foundation in clay considering scour

Tripod-supported offshore wind turbine (OWT) foundation must withstand wind, wave, and seismic loads. In addition, it may be threatened by scouring during its service life, which could affect its bearing capacity and the overall OWT dynamic response. This study develops a three-dimensional numerical model of OWT tripod pile foundation to investigate scour effects. The numerical model incorporates a simplified single bounding surface model to simulate the dynamic stress–strain response of clay soil. The results revealed that scouring can reduce the first-order natural frequency of tripod pile-OWT system; however, the reduction usually does not lead to resonance within the 1P frequency range. Nonetheless, as the scour depth increases under wind and wave loads, the horizontal displacement of the wind turbine structure increases monotonously; however, its peak acceleration increases initially then decreases slightly as the scour depth continues to increase. Under seismic loading only, the OWT response exhibits complex evolution pattern as the scour depth increases. On the other hand, the foundation horizontal displacement and rotation angle increase significantly under combined wind-wave-seismic loads when the scouring depth reaches three times the pile diameter. Finally, the scouring depth has a relatively small impact on the foundation vertical displacement.

Multi-stage evolution of the monzonitic Larvik Plutonic Complex (Oslo Rift, Norway) and its implications for the formation of the Kodal Fe-Ti-P(−REE) deposit

The Larvik Plutonic Complex is a monzonitic complex that was emplaced early during the formation of the Permian Oslo Rift (southern Norway). It extends across its entire width (around 50 km), and is made up of a majority of larvikite (augite monzonite) and lardalite (nepheline monzogabbro to nepheline syenite) distributed in ten successive intrusive units that partially intersect each other. The Larvik Plutonic Complex also hosts occurrences of singular Fe-Ti-P-rich rocks of magmatic origin, including the Kodal deposit. These are mainly composed of titanomagnetite, ilmenite, titanaugite and apatite, the latter also featuring rare earth elements (REE) enrichment. Here, we aim to unravel the conditions that allowed the Kodal deposit to form, and determine why other mineralized bodies are not seen elsewhere in the Larvik Plutonic Complex. We compared the petrography and elemental and isotope (Sr, Nd and Hf) geochemistry of both the Kodal mineralization and the neighboring larvikite, in order to provide evidence of their petrogenetic relationship. Both lithologies share the same isotopic ratios (87Sr/86Sr(i): 0.7035–0.7043; εNd(i): +2.37 − +3.48; εHf(i): +3.39 − +9.16), which would suggest a single homogeneous source. The very low dispersion of our isotopic data also suggests that crustal contamination levels in the area were low to negligible. Normalized trace diagrams of larvikite in several localities of the Larvik Plutonic Complex also show enrichments in most incompatible elements, which becomes more prevalent towards the Kodal deposit. Elements like Sr and Eu(2+) follow an opposite trend, because of their compatibility in plagioclase. We therefore infer that the region around the Kodal deposit hosts more fractionated larvikite due to the previous crystallization of successive plagioclase cumulates. We deduce that the Kodal lobe corresponds to a more evolved intrusion, which is no part of Pluton V per se, as considered in the literature until now, but instead derives at least from a monzonitic magma at the origin of the plutons V to VIII). This also implies that the formation of Fe-Ti-P mineralization at Kodal was most likely a consequence of enrichment of the residual melt in alkaline elements and incompatible elements. These conditions support an early hypothesis of formation by silicate-liquid immiscibility, along with petrographic evidence of disequilibrium at the mineralogical scale. However, further analyses would be required to test the hypotheses of silicate-liquid immiscibility against an accumulation of the Fe-Ti-P mineralization from an evolved intermediate magma.

Influences of channel bed morphology on flow structures in continuous curved channels

Introduction: The formation of bars and pools, characterized by concave and convex bed morphology, is a typical feature of curved rivers. The channel bed morphology has a significant influence on the flow structures in curved channels.Methods: Based on data from physical model experiments, this study employs the RNG k-ε model and the VOF (Volume of Fluid) method to perform three-dimensional numerical simulations of flow in continuous curved channels.Results: By comparing the variations in flow structures between channels with a flat bed and channels with bars and pools, the results show that the presence of bars and pools leads to an increase in longitudinal flow velocity on the convex bank side near the entrance of the upstream bend, while in the downstream bend it is opposite. The high-velocity region shifts slower towards the concave bank along the bend. The presence of point bars weakens the circulation near the convex bank in the upstream bend, resulting in a smaller circulation intensity. The decrease in circulation intensity is the largest (−23.91%) at the apex of the bend. In the downstream bend, the remaining circulation from the upstream bend attenuates slower in the pool and has a greater impact distance, increasing the circulation intensity in the downstream bend. The section near the bend entrance shows the largest increase in circulation intensity, with a rate of 128.18%. The unevenness of the bed topography increases the unevenness of the bed shear stress in the downstream bend.Discussion: The findings of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex flow structures and evolution trends in natural curved rivers, providing scientific basis for the management of curved river channels.

Spatiotemporal Evolution of Slow Slip Events at the Offshore Hikurangi Subduction Zone in 2019 Using GNSS, InSAR, and Seafloor Geodetic Data

AbstractDetecting crustal deformation during transient deformation events at offshore subduction zones remains challenging. The spatiotemporal evolution of slow slip events (SSEs) on the offshore Hikurangi subduction zone, New Zealand, during February–July 2019, is revealed through a time‐dependent inversion of onshore and offshore geodetic data that also accounts for spatially varying elastic crustal properties. Our model is constrained by seafloor pressure time series (as a proxy for vertical seafloor deformation), onshore continuous Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data, and Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar displacements. Large GNSS displacements onshore and uplift of the seafloor (10–33 mm) require peak slip during the event of 150 to >200 mm at 6–12 km depth offshore Hawkes Bay and Gisborne, comparable to maximum slip observed during previous seafloor pressure deployments at north Hikurangi. The onshore and offshore data reveal a complex evolution of the SSE, over a period of months. Seafloor pressure data indicates the slow slip may have persisted longer near the trench than suggested by onshore GNSS stations in both the Gisborne and Hawkes Bay regions. Seafloor pressure data also reveal up‐dip migration of SSE slip beneath Hawke Bay occurred over a period of a few weeks. The SSE source region appears to coincide with locations of the March 1947 Mw 7.0–7.1 tsunami earthquake offshore Gisborne and estimated great earthquake rupture sources from paleoseismic investigations offshore Hawkes Bay, suggesting that the shallow megathrust at north and central Hikurangi is capable of both seismic and aseismic rupture.

Harmonized coexistence of intragenomic variations in diatom Skeletonema strains

Metabarcoding analysis has been demonstrated to be an effective technology for monitoring diversity and dynamics of phytoplankton including Skeletonema species. Although molecular diversity uncovered in metabarcoding projects has generally been interpreted as sum of interspecies diversity and intraspecies diversity, accumulating evidence suggests that it also harbors unprecedentedly high levels of intra-genomic variations (IGVs). As up to thousands of amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) identified in a typical metabarcoding project can be annotated to be Skeletonema species, we hypothesize that substantial portions of these ASVs are contributed by IGVs. Here, the nature of IGVs in Skeletonema species was quantitatively analyzed by carrying out single-strain metabarcoding analysis of 18S rDNA V4 in 49 strains belonging to seven Skeletonema species. Results showed that each Skeletonema strain harbored a high level of IGVs as expected. While many Skeletonema strains each contained one dominant ASV and a substantial number of ASVs displaying much lower relative abundance, other Skeletonema strains each contained multiple ASVs with comparable or nearly equally abundances. Thus the co-existence of multiple dominant ASVs in a single cell indicated a tug-of-war of these variants in evolution, which may eventually result in harmonized coexistence of multiple dominant ASVs. A total of nine dominant ASVs and 652 non-dominant ASVs were found in 49 strains of seven Skeletonema species, indicating rich interspecies and intraspecies variations, and complex evolution of IGVs in genus of Skeletonema. The results confirmed that the extensive degree of IGVs was the main contributor to the high molecular diversity revealed by metabarcoding analysis. This study highlights the importance of quantitative characterization of IGVs in Skeletonema species for accurate interpretation of species diversity in metabarcoding analysis.

In-corporating Crisis: Time to Shift the UK Paradigm away from Shareholder Primacy

Shareholder primacy has reigned supreme for over a century and is considered one of the bedrock principles upon which the modern UK corporation is built. This article explores this complex evolution and argues in favour of an alternative theory for the corporation. This alternative theory is advanced because shareholder primacy is flawed in its modern-day adoption. This article deconstructs the foundations for the leading shareholder primacy model. It argues that shareholder primacy fails to recognise the corporation as an entity where wealth maximisation for shareholders is the primary goal. Moreover, the externalities that this model has resulted in are a net loss to economic and environmental welfare generally. Furthermore, shareholder primacy is based upon the ideology that shareholders are an easily identifiable ‘unit’ with one voice. This article deconstructs this as a basis to justify shareholder primacy and identifies that the wide dispersion of shareholders undermines this argument. It proposes a progressive method, the pluralist approach, to advance the ‘new’ modern corporation to affirm the corporation’s position in the market and to reduce negative externalities.

Kinetic, gas emission, reaction pathway and interaction mechanism analysis during oxidative pyrolysis of aluminium electrolysis waste with beech wood

The oxidative pyrolysis kinetic, gas emission, reaction pathway and interaction mechanism during oxidative pyrolysis of spent cathode carbon block (SCCB) and beech wood (BW) were investigated via the thermogravimetry combined with Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (TG-FTIR) analysis. The hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin in BW and the carbon materials and fluoride in SCCB were determined as the main five components based on thermogravimetric experiment. Compared with pure SCCB, the addition of BW increased the comprehensive oxidative pyrolysis index. Furthermore, the total of 44 kinetic parameters were obtained by the Shuffled Complex Evolution (SCE) method, which were used to further forecast the mass loss of the above five main components. The evolved gases were detected by FTIR, and the results indicated that the main gases for BW/SCCB oxidative pyrolysis were CO2, which corresponded to the oxidation of cellulose, lignin and carbon materials. Small amounts of phenols, alcohols, ethers, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids, CO, aromatics, alkene were attributed to the thermal decomposition of hemicellulose and cellulose. Pyrolysis of cellulose and lignin produced small quantities of hydrocarbons. HF was formed by the thermal decomposition of fluoride. Eventually, the reaction pathway was proposed and the possible interaction mechanism was analyzed during the oxidative pyrolysis of BW/SCCB blends.

An Automated Framework to Segment and Classify Gliomas using Hybrid Shuffled Complex Evolution with Convolutional Neural Network

An Automated Framework to Segment and Classify Gliomas using Hybrid Shuffled Complex Evolution with Convolutional Neural Network

Geophysical and geochemical investigations of underwater sulphurous seeps from Western Black Sea (Mangalia area, Romania), in support of habitat conservation

Mangalia area harbors in the western Black Sea a distinctive marine environment thriving under specific hydrochemical conditions, largely influenced by a significant number of sulphurous springs occurring in shallow marine waters. These springs led to the designation of the area as part of the Natura 2000 Marine Protected Area (MPA) network at European level (Underwater Sulphurous Springs from Mangalia - ROSAC0094), as unique hydro-geomorphological features in the region. In 2021 and 2023, two research cruises led by GeoEcoMar investigated underwater sulphurous springs primarily located offshore of Mangalia (Constanţa County, Romania). The study area, located between 17-29 meters water depth and 1.8-3 km offshore, encompasses two marine protected areas: the Underwater Sulphurous Springs from Mangalia (ROSAC0094) and Cape Aurora (ROSCI0281). The research combined geophysical and geochemical techniques and sediment sampling. Considering the susceptibility of these natural systems to human activities such as fishing and dredging, as well as the impact of ecological and climate changes, this paper offers significant insights contributing to the development of effective conservation and management strategies for these environments. The surveys were conducted for benthic habitats mapping, with the objective of improving our understanding of these ecosystems’ distribution, composition and dynamics. As these sulphurous waters are rich in methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, our results also contribute to the inventory of greenhouse gas sources. The results presented in this paper provide valuable new insights into this specific environment, contributing to the understanding of its complex functioning and evolution.

Stable isotopes (O, H) and quartz geochemistry provide insight to melt source and subsolidus fluid:rock interaction in the Cretaceous Little Nahanni LCT Pegmatites (NWT, Canada)

Previous studies of the mid-Cretaceous (ca. 85 Ma) LCT-type Little Nahanni Pegmatite Group (LNPG; Northwest Territories, Canada) document disequilibrium textures and pervasive metasomatism associated with rare-metal (e.g., Ta, Nb, Sn) mineralization. As in other pegmatite settings, the source of the melts and the nature and origin of pervasive metasomatism remain enigmatic. To resolve these latter issues, an integrated study of bulk O and H isotope analysis of mineral separates (quartz, K-feldspar, albite, muscovite, garnet), in situ Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) isotopic (O) analysis of quartz and albite, and in situ Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) trace element analysis of quartz was done in concert with cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging and petrographic observations. Quartz with elevated δ18O values (δ18Oquartz = 10 to 16.3‰) also have high Ti-in-quartz temperatures (551 ± 17 °C to 603 ± 16 °C). These data along with their pristine nature from CL imaging suggest some localized melt-wall rock (WR) exchange occurred at the time of pegmatite melt emplacement. Furthermore, the elevated δ18O values indicate a crustal source (i.e., S-type granite) for the LNPG parental melt, which also overlaps with δ18Oquartz data for granitoids of the mid- to Late-Cretaceous Selwyn Plutonic Suite of this area. In contrast, the large range for δ18O values for metasomatic minerals, such as albite (−3.0 to +18.3‰) indicate a complex evolution involving multiple oxygen isotopic reservoirs, in particular incursion of meteoric water previously equilibrated with metasedimentary wall rocks. Finally, the large range for mineral pairs (e.g., Δquartz-albite = −5.1 to +14.3‰) and abundance of dissolution features in late-stage assemblages unequivocally indicates that sub-solidus fluid:rock interaction was responsible for such large spreads in δ18O and values δD values, although other processes (e.g., disequilibrium crystallization, thermal gradients, rapid cooling) might have also contributed, but to lesser extents.

Talbot-like pattern evolution in complex structured light from a unitary transformation

Astigmatic unitary transformations allow for the adiabatic connections of all feasible states of paraxial Gaussian beams on the same modal sphere, i.e., Hermite-Laguerre-Gaussian (HLG) modes. Here, we present a comprehensive investigation into the unitary modal evolution of complex structured Gaussian beams, comprised of HLG modes from disparate modal spheres, via astigmatic transformation. The non-synchronized higher-order geometric phases in cyclic transformations originate a Talbot-effect-like modal evolution in the superposition state of these HLG modes, resulting in pattern variations and revivals in transformations with specific geodesic loops. Using Ince-Gaussian modes as an illustrative example, we systematically analyze and experimentally corroborate the beamforming mechanism behind the pattern evolution. Our results outline a generic modal conversion theory of structured Gaussian beams via astigmatic unitary transformation, offering a new approach for shaping spatial modal structure. These findings may inspire a wide variety of applications based on structured light.

Complete genome sequences of two tombusvirus-like viruses identified in Echinacea purpurea seeds.

Echinacea is an herbaceous plant originating from North America that is cultivated for gardening and landscaping because of its showy flowers. Using high-throughput sequencing, we identified two viral contigs from echinacea seeds that were related to the family Tombusviridae. These two viruses were similar to oat chlorotic stunt virus (OCSV) and other unassigned tombusviruses; therefore, we tentatively named them Echinacea-associated tombusviruses 1 and 2 (EaTV1 and EaTV2, respectively). The EaTVs represent putative readthrough sites and have no poly(A) tails, aligning with the common features of family Tombusviridae. The EaTVs are included in a monophyletic group of OCSV and several unassigned tombusviruses. Because OCSV is the only member of Avenavirus to date, EaTVs are tentative members of Avenavirus, or they are close sister species to OCSV with several unassigned tombusviruses. RNA-dependent RNA polymerases and coat proteins were well conserved among EaTVs and unassigned tombusviruses; however, their similarities were not correlated, implying divergent and complex evolution.

Structural evolution and reaction kinetics of lignin-carbohydrate complex oxidized by chlorine dioxide

Lignin-carbohydrate complexes (LCC) present a significant barrier to pulp purification, and their oxidation mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, chlorine dioxide (ClO2), a common oxidant in the paper industry, was used to treat LCCs from various plant sources. The chemical composition, structural changes, and reaction kinetics of LCC were analyzed. After ClO2 oxidation, the LC bonds connected to syringyl (S)-type lignin structural unit and FA/pCA structures in LCC were effectively degraded, whereas those connected to guaiacyl (G) and p-hydroxyphenyl propane (H)-type units remained stable. Kinetic studies revealed that under conventional oxidation conditions, the degradation rates of LCCs from bagasse, bamboo, and eucalyptus were 0.40, 1.12, and 1.75, respectively, with consumption amounts of 6.23 mg, 10.92 mg, and 15.48 mg. The differences in the degree of LCC oxidative degradation were determined by the composition of lignin structural units. The findings provide theoretical support for the action mechanism of ClO2 on LCCs during the pulp purification process, and offer important guidance for optimizing the pulp purification process.

Alternative therapeutics to control antimicrobial resistance: a general perspective

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a critical global health challenge, and in this review article, we examine the limitations of traditional therapeutic methods and the emerging role of alternative therapies. By examining the reasons behind the failure of conventional treatments, including the inadequacy of one-drug-one-enzyme approaches, the complex evolution of AMR, and the impact of drug biotransformation, we better understand why conventional treatments failed. Moreover, the review discusses several alternative therapies, including RNA-based treatments, aptamers, peptide-based therapies, phage therapy, and probiotics, discussing their applications, advantages, and limitations. Additionally, we discuss the obstacles to develop these therapies, including funding shortages, regulatory barriers, and public perception. This comprehensive analysis aims to provide insight into the future of AMR, emphasizing the need for innovative strategies and practical approaches.

Heating–cooling–heating cycles within ca. 70 Myr recorded in UHT granulites in the Khondalite Belt, North China Craton

Revealing the thermal evolution history of ultrahigh-temperature metamorphism (UHT) could help shed light on the genesis and evolution of the orogenic crust. However, it is generally difficult to constrain the duration of metamorphism, especially the heating stage due to the complex behavior of the datable accessory minerals (e.g., zircon and monazite). The Khondalite Belt of the North China Craton records Paleoproterozoic UHT metamorphic event which was previously constrained to be ca. 1920 Ma by using the weighted mean age of zircon U–Pb dating results, however, zircon could grow during both prograde and retrograde periods. Thus, the age of ca. 1920 Ma may be an oversimplified explanation and there could be a complex thermal evolution. In this study, combined with zircon U–Pb dating and Ti-in-zircon thermometry, the duration of the UHT metamorphism in the eastern Khondalite Belt was constrained to be 60–70 Myr with two short periods of decompression-heating (both lasting for ∼20 Myr) intervened by a period of cooling process (lasting for ∼30 Myr). This finding further expands our knowledge that there was a heating–cooling–heating cycle rather than a continuously prolonged cooling process in a long-lived UHT metamorphism. Our results show that the UHT metamorphism in the eastern Khondalite Belt requires two stages of lithosphere extension, which were possibly related to shallow slab breakoff and post-collisional lithospheric delamination, respectively. It further indicates that Paleoproterozoic orogenesis, although dominated by subduction of rheologically weak slab, is comparable to the formation of modern Himalaya orogens.

Identification of homologs of the Chlamydia trachomatis effector CteG reveals a family of Chlamydiaceae type III secreted proteins that can be delivered into host cells

Chlamydiae are a large group of obligate endosymbionts of eukaryotes that includes the Chlamydiaceae family, comprising several animal pathogens. Among Chlamydiaceae, Chlamydia trachomatis causes widespread ocular and urogenital infections in humans. Like many bacterial pathogens, all Chlamydiae manipulate host cells by injecting them with type III secretion effector proteins. We previously characterized the C. trachomatis effector CteG, which localizes at the host cell Golgi and plasma membrane during distinct phases of the chlamydial infectious cycle. Here, we show that CteG is a Chlamydiaceae-specific effector with over 60 homologs phylogenetically categorized into two distinct clades (CteG I and CteG II) and exhibiting several inparalogs and outparalogs. Notably, cteG I homologs are syntenic to C. trachomatis cteG, whereas cteG II homologs are syntenic among themselves but not with C. trachomatis cteG. This indicates a complex evolution of cteG homologs, which is unique among C. trachomatis effectors, marked by numerous events of gene duplication and loss. Despite relatively modest sequence conservation, nearly all tested CteG I and CteG II proteins were identified as type III secretion substrates using Yersinia as a heterologous bacterial host. Moreover, most of the type III secreted CteG I and CteG II homologs were delivered by C. trachomatis into host cells, where they localized at the Golgi region and cell periphery. Overall, this provided insights into the evolution of bacterial effectors and revealed a Chlamydiaceae family of type III secreted proteins that underwent substantial divergence during evolution while conserving the capacity to localize at specific host cell compartments.

Effects of basin tectonic evolution on multi-phase dolomitization: Insights from the Middle Permian Qixia Formation of the NW Sichuan Basin, SW China

The platform-marginal shoal carbonates of the Middle Permian Qixia Formation in the NW Sichuan Basin, as important ultra-deep (>5000 m) hydrocarbon reservoirs, experienced multi-phase dolomitization and recrystallization during the long-term and complex basin tectonic evolution; however, there is no consensus on the dolomitization mechanism. Four types of dolomites have been identified: medium- and coarsely-crystalline dolomites within patchy dolomitized limestone (LD) at the top of the carbonate strata, massive medium to coarsely-crystalline dolomites categorized as porous dolomites (MD1) and tight dolomites (MD2) at the bottom of the carbonate strata, and cement coarsely saddle dolomites (SD) in the vugs and fractures. All dolomites exhibit similar REESN patterns to the host limestone with an obviously positively Ce anomaly, and show Sr isotopes falling in the range of Permian seawater. However, the LD dolomites display a higher Sr but lower Mn concentration, and more positive δ13C and δ18O than other types of dolomites. The petrographic and geochemical results suggest the dolomites of the Qixia Formation replaced precursor grainstone by the seawater-derived fluids. A comprehensive dolomitization model is proposed, incorporating seawater-reflux, intermediate-burial and tectonic-squeegee, and hydrothermal dolomitization for forming different types of dolomites. LD dolomites are early diagenetic products after selective dissolution under a near-surface or shallow burial environment, in which the weak-evaporated Permian seawater mixed with minor meteoric water accounting for dolomitizing fluids. MD1 and MD2 dolomites are likely to form due to the residually buried seawater for widely dolomitization driven by the Late Triassic tectonic compression. Subsequently, the dolomitic strata underwent hydrothermal modification due to rejuvenation of the thrust belt to enable saddle dolomites filling pre-forming porosity. This study integrates outcrop, petrographic, geochemical and dating analysis with paleogeography and tectonic events, providing a new perspective to establish a conceptual model for multi-phase dolomitization as an analog in comparative tectonic settings worldwide.

The difficult path to coalescence: massive black hole dynamics in merging low-mass dark matter haloes and galaxies

ABSTRACT We present a high-resolution numerical study of the sinking and merging of massive black holes (MBHs) with masses in the range of $10^3 - 10^7 \, \mathrm{M}_\odot$ in multiple minor mergers of low-mass dark matter haloes without and with galaxies ($4\times 10^8 \, \mathrm{M}_\odot \lesssim {M}_{\mathrm{halo}} \lesssim 2\times 10^{10} \, \mathrm{M}_\odot)$. The ketju simulation code, a combination of the gadget tree solver with accurate regularized integration, uses unsoftened forces between the star/dark matter components and the MBHs for an accurate treatment of dynamical friction and scattering of dark matter/stars by MBH binaries or multiples. Post-Newtonian corrections up to order 3.5 for MBH interactions allow for coalescence by gravitational wave emission and gravitational recoil kicks. Low-mass MBHs ($\lesssim 10^5 \, \mathrm{M}_\odot$) hardly sink to the centre or merge. Sinking MBHs have various complex evolution paths – binaries, triplets, free-floating MBHs, and dynamically or recoil ejected MBHs. Collisional interactions with dark matter alone can drive MBHs to coalescence. The highest mass MBHs of $\gtrsim 10^6 \, \rm M_\odot$ mostly sink to the centre and trigger the scouring of dark matter and stellar cores. The scouring can transform a centrally baryon-dominated system into a dark-matter-dominated system. Our idealized high-resolution study highlights the difficulty to bring in and keep low-mass MBHs in the centres of low-mass haloes/galaxies – a remaining challenge for merger assisted MBH seed growth mechanisms.

Facies architecture and depositional evolution of the Middle Eocene mass flow-dominated fan delta complex in the multifeeder areas: Elazığ Marine Basin (Eastern Türkiye)

Facies architecture and depositional evolution of the Middle Eocene mass flow-dominated fan delta complex in the multifeeder areas: Elazığ Marine Basin (Eastern Türkiye)

Unsupervised evolution of protein and antibody complexes with a structure-informed language model.

Large language models trained on sequence information alone can learn high-level principles of protein design. However, beyond sequence, the three-dimensional structures of proteins determine their specific function, activity, and evolvability. Here, we show that a general protein language model augmented with protein structure backbone coordinates can guide evolution for diverse proteins without the need to model individual functional tasks. We also demonstrate that ESM-IF1, which was only trained on single-chain structures, can be extended to engineer protein complexes. Using this approach, we screened about 30 variants of two therapeutic clinical antibodies used to treat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We achieved up to 25-fold improvement in neutralization and 37-fold improvement in affinity against antibody-escaped viral variants of concern BQ.1.1 and XBB.1.5, respectively. These findings highlight the advantage of integrating structural information to identify efficient protein evolution trajectories without requiring any task-specific training data.