Architectural Organization Research Articles

Form, function, and evolutionary origins of architectural symmetry in honey bee nests.

Symmetry is pervasive across the tree of life,1,2,3,4,5 and organisms (including humans) build symmetrical structures for reproduction, locomotion, or aesthetics.6,7,8,9 Symmetry, however, does not necessarily span across levels of biological organization (e.g., symmetrical body plans often have asymmetric organs).10 If and how symmetry exists in structures built by social insect collectives, where there is no blueprint or central organizer, remains an open question.11 Here, we show that honey bees actively organize nest contents symmetrically on either side of their double-sided comb; 79%± 7% of cell contents match their backside counterpart, creating a mirror image inside the nest. Experimentally restricting colonies to opposite sides of comb, we find that independent colonies will symmetrically mimic each other's nest organization. We then examine the mechanism by which independent colonies can indirectly coordinate nest symmetry, showing that 100% of colonies (n= 6) perfectly co-localize their brood nest with a randomly positioned heat source, indicating that heat drives nest site initiation and early brood production. Nest symmetry also has adaptive benefits: two-sided nests grow more quickly, rear more brood, and have a more stable thermal environment thanone-sided nests do. Finally, examining the evolutionary origins, we show that symmetry persists in three-dimensional (3D) nests of Apis mellifera and across multiple Apis species, coinciding with the onset of double-sided combs, which made it possible to symmetrically stockpile nest contents. This work shows that, similar to molecular mechanisms that create symmetry in multicellular organisms, there are behavioral processes that create functional symmetry in the collective organization of animal architecture.

Architectural Organization of Ecological Tourist Complexes (The South Russia Case Studies)

This article analyzes the domestic and foreign experience in design of ecological tourist complexes, their architectural organization, three architectural models of ecological tourist complexes, and identifies the main design techniques. The relevance is determined by the growing interest of society in ecology; an increase in the tourist potential of the territories of southern Russia due to changing conditions; the emergence of a new type of tourist architecture, as well as an insufficient amount of design experience.Purpose: To identify the architecture of ecological tourist complexes and develop design proposals for such complexes in the south of Russia.Methodology/approach: The analysis of formative factors: urban planning, architectural planning, functional, environmental, affecting the architecture of ecological tourist complexes, their classification by organizational structure, functional content, accessibility, social efficiency and environmental factors. The concept of an ecological tourist complex in Krasnodar is proposed.Research findings: The organization of ecological tourism in the natural environment, environmental education of the population in the process of recreation are considered. Architectural models of ecological tourist complexes are proposed: adventure, scientific and recreational elements of environmental education, their comparative analysis, and selection of the effective model for Krasnodar.

Cathedrals as Instruments of Influence on Public Consciousness in Medieval Western Europe (10th-16th Centuries)

This study explores the functional impact of Christian cathedrals in Western Europe on medieval public consciousness. Utilizing a systemic analysis method and a values-based approach, cathedrals are examined as structural elements within the framework of religious communication, serving as key instruments for shaping public consciousness during the Middle Ages. Through these edifices, the core tenets of Christianity were disseminated to the masses. Special attention is given to the art of stone calendars, which are considered a significant factor in the formation of a Christian worldview during this period. The study identifies the value-laden, symbolic, and functional characteristics of medieval cathedrals as tools of religious communication. It outlines the overarching principles of architectural organization in Catholic churches in relation to their roles in influencing public consciousness. The influence of Romanesque cathedrals on the trajectory of public consciousness in medieval Western Europe is also examined. The author concludes that Christian cathedrals, as instruments of influence on medieval public conscious-ness, possessed a pronounced managerial and motivational effect, fulfilling a wide range of sociocultural functions that contributed to the stabilization and spiritual-moral development of medieval Western European society.

Features of liver structural organization in posttraumatic stress disorder

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe psychological condition resulting from traumatic experiences, leading to long-term physiological changes in the body. It affects mental health and induces hormonal imbalances that disrupt the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, influencing multiple organ systems. While PTSD is often linked with comorbid conditions like depression and anxiety, its effects on the hepatobiliary system are less understood. Aim. This study aimed to assess PTSD's impact on liver morphology in rats of different sexes and compare the severity of changes between males and females, contributing to the understanding of stress-related physiological effects. Materials and Methods. The experiment involved 40 Wistar rats, divided into control and PTSD-induced groups for both sexes. A validated stress induction protocol was used, followed by a thorough morphological analysis of liver specimens fixed in 10% formalin and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Histopathological evaluation focused on liver architecture, hepatocyte condition, vascular integrity, and cellular organization. Results. Control animals displayed standard liver structure, while PTSD-induced groups exhibited significant morphological changes, such as dystrophic alterations in hepatocytes, congestion in hepatic veins, and the formation of blood clots. Female rats showed more pronounced changes than males, including hepatocyte swelling and vacuolization, indicating heightened cellular stress and reduced regenerative capacity. Conclusions. The findings highlight that PTSD-related liver changes were more significant in female rats, emphasizing the importance of considering gender differences in stress-related disorders. These alterations suggest a complex interaction between chronic psychological stress and liver physiology, warranting further research on mechanisms by which PTSD affects the hepatobiliary system and potential therapeutic interventions. for at-risk populations.

Acute effects of resistance exercise on the muscle architecture and tissue organization of the maximal isometrically contracted and uncontracted gastrocnemius medialis muscle

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of resistance exercise on muscle architecture and tissue organization at rest and during isometric maximum voluntary contraction (iMVC) of the gastrocnemius medialis muscle. In 16 healthy adults (25 ± 3 y), ultrasound scans were captured before (pre), immediately after (post), and 15 min after (post_15) single-leg calf raises during rest and iMVCs. Measurements included muscle thickness (MT), pennation angle (PA), and fascicle length (FL). Spatial frequency analysis (SFA) assessed tissue organization (e.g. peak spatial frequency radius (PSFR), quality factor (Q6)). MT increased significantly from pre to post (+5.7%) and post_15 (+5.6%) at rest. During iMVC, MT and FL increased significantly from pre to post (MT: +8.1%, FL: +14.9%) and post_15 (MT: +5.2%, FL: +10.5%), while PA decreased significantly from pre to post_15 (−10.2%). PSFR and Q6 decreased significantly from pre to post (−7.0-8.2%) and increased from post to post_15 (+10.3-10.6%) at rest, with no significant changes during iMVC. Resistance exercise led to altered muscle architecture for more than 15 min, while SFA parameters reverted to baseline within 15 min. Thus, SFA potentially enables early differentiation of potential physiological alterations in muscle micro-morphology.

Architectural organization and in situ fusion protein structure of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus.

The impact of COVID-19 on public health has highlighted the importance of understanding zoonotic pathogens. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is a rodent-borne human pathogen that causes hemorrhagic fever. Herein, we describe the in situ structure of LCMV proteins and their architectural organization on the viral envelope and around the nucleocapsid. The virion structure reveals the distribution of the surface glycoprotein complex (GPC) and the contact points between the viral envelope and the underlying matrix protein, as well as the association with the nucleocapsid. The morphology and sizes of virions, as well as the number of RNA polymerase L inside each virion vary greatly, highlighting the fast-changing nature of LCMV. A comparison between the in situ GPC trimeric structure and prior ectodomain structures identifies the transmembrane and endo domains of GPC and key interactions among its subunits. The work provides new insights into LCMV assembly and informs future structure-guided vaccine design.

Evolution of Thylakoid Structural Diversity.

Oxygenic photosynthesis evolved billions of years ago, becoming Earth's main source of biologically available carbon and atmospheric oxygen. Since then, phototrophic organisms have diversified from prokaryotic cyanobacteria into several distinct clades of eukaryotic algae and plants through endosymbiosis events. This diversity can be seen in the thylakoid membranes, complex networks of lipids, proteins, and pigments that perform the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis. In this review, we highlight the structural diversity of thylakoids, following the evolutionary history of phototrophic species. We begin with a molecular inventory of different thylakoid components and then illustrate how these building blocks are integrated to form membrane networks with diverse architectures. We conclude with an outlook on understanding how thylakoids remodel their architecture and molecular organization during dynamic processes such as biogenesis, repair, and environmental adaptation.

Excitatory neurons and oligodendrocyte precursor cells are vulnerable to focal cortical dysplasia type IIIa as suggested by single-nucleus multiomics.

Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is a heterogeneous group of cortical developmental malformations that constitute a common cause of medically intractable epilepsy. FCD type IIIa (FCD IIIa) refers to temporal neocortex alterations in architectural organisation or cytoarchitectural composition in the immediate vicinity of hippocampal sclerosis. Slight alterations in the temporal neocortex of FCD IIIa patients pose a challenge for the preoperative diagnosis and definition of the resection range. We have performed multimodal integration of single-nucleus RNA sequencing and single-nucleus assay for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing in the epileptogenic cortex of four patients with FCD IIIa, and three relatively normal temporal neocortex were chosen as controls. Our study revealed that the most significant dysregulation occurred in excitatory neurons (ENs) and oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) in the epileptogenic cortex of FCD IIIa patients. In ENs, we constructed a transcription factor (TF)-hub gene regulatory network and found DAB1high ENs subpopulation mediates neuronal immunity characteristically in FCD IIIa. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to validate the changes in protein expression levels caused by some of the key genes. The OPCs were activated and exhibited aberrant phenotypes in FCD IIIa, and TFs regulating reconstructed pseudotime trajectory were identified. Finally, our results revealed aberrant intercellular communication between ENs and OPCs in FCD IIIa patients. Our study revealed significant and intricate alterations in the transcriptomes and epigenomes in ENs and OPCs of FCD IIIa patients, shedding light on their cell type-specific regulation and potential pathogenic involvement in this disorder. This work will help evaluate the pathogenesis of cortical dysplasia and epilepsy and explore potential therapeutic targets. Paired snRNA-seq and snATAC-seq data were intergrated and analysed to identify crucial subpopulations of ENs and OPCs in the epileptogenic cortex of FCD IIIa patients and explore their possible pathogenic role in the disease. A TF-hub gene regulatory network was constructed in ENs, and the DAB1high Ex-1 mediated neuronal immunity was characterstically in FCD IIIa patients. The OPCs were activated and exhibited aberrant phenotypes in FCD IIIa patients, and TFs regulating reconstructed pseudotime traectory were identified. Aberrant intercelluar communications between ENs and OPCs in FCD IIIa patients were identified.

Use of Focus Groups and Reflexive Thematic Analysis to Uncover the Essential Conditions for UK Built Environment Degree Apprenticeships

ABSTRACT Degree Apprenticeships within UK Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) organizations present a raft of unprecedented opportunities. However, little is understood on precisely how AEC Employer Organizations (EO’s) truly engage with Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s) in order to create “meaningful” Built Environment Degree Apprenticeships. Understanding this challenge and minutia of this engagement forms the starting trajectory of this work. To do this, and informed by Boundary Object Theory, an interpretivist approach was used to capture qualitative data from transdisciplinary focus groups – representing domain experts from AEC/HEI sector bodies. Primary data was evaluated using reflexive thematic analysis. An integrated inductive/deductive approach was used to examine nuance, subjectivity, understanding and meaning. Research findings culminate in the form of a thematic map, highlighting four essential conditions to support the delivery of UK AEC DA’s; specifically, the need for: (i) Onboarding, (ii) Structure (iii) Cooperation, and, (iv) Infrastructure. These findings identified that the knowledge needed to support engagement goes beyond existing acknowledged boundaries – ergo, that the corollary impact of these essential conditions require much deeper understanding than first thought. These findings form part of a wider study, the results of which will be reported in later works.

Research on Bank Data Governance Organization Architecture Planning

Banking service capacity building is a critically essential area of study and research because banks, as vital components of the financial system, are key drivers of economic development and industrial progress. In light of the continuous improvement of financial innovation and scientific and technological knowledge, bank data information regarding the current state of the commercial banking industry displays a geometric multiple growth pattern. The complex state of bank data is also brought about by these data, which serve as a reference for bank architecture and planning. Because of this, efficient data management is required to fully reap the benefits of data. In short, the bank's data governance work will further enhance the bank's service capabilities and achieve its comprehensive value improvement.

External Knowledge Management in the Context of Architectural Conservation Organization

External Knowledge Management in the Context of Architectural Conservation Organization

Distinct tumor-TAM interactions in IDH-stratified glioma microenvironments unveiled by single-cell and spatial transcriptomics

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) residing in the tumor microenvironment (TME) are characterized by their pivotal roles in tumor progression, antitumor immunity, and TME remodeling. However, a thorough comparative characterization of tumor-TAM crosstalk across IDH-defined categories of glioma remains elusive, likely contributing to mixed outcomes in clinical trials. We delineated the phenotypic heterogeneity of TAMs across IDH-stratified gliomas. Notably, two TAM subsets with a mesenchymal phenotype were enriched in IDH-WT glioblastoma (GBM) and correlated with poorer patient survival and reduced response to anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI). We proposed SLAMF9 receptor as a potential therapeutic target. Inference of gene regulatory networks identified PPARG, ELK1, and MXI1 as master transcription factors of mesenchymal BMD-TAMs. Our analyses of reciprocal tumor-TAM interactions revealed distinct crosstalk in IDH-WT tumors, including ANXA1-FPR1/3, FN1-ITGAVB1, VEGFA-NRP1, and TNFSF12-TNFRSF12A with known contribution to immunosuppression, tumor proliferation, invasion and TAM recruitment. Spatially resolved transcriptomics further elucidated the architectural organization of highlighted communications. Furthermore, we demonstrated significant upregulation of ANXA1, FN1, NRP1, and TNFRSF12A genes in IDH-WT tumors using bulk RNA-seq and RT-qPCR. Longitudinal expression analysis of candidate genes revealed no difference between primary and recurrent tumors indicating that the interactive network of malignant states with TAMs does not drastically change upon recurrence. Collectively, our study offers insights into the unique cellular composition and communication of TAMs in glioma TME, revealing novel vulnerabilities for therapeutic interventions in IDH-WT GBM.

Methodological considerations on diffusion MRI tractography in infants aged 0-2 years: a scoping review.

Diffusion MRI (dMRI) enables studying the complex architectural organization of the brain's white matter (WM) through virtual reconstruction of WM fiber tracts (tractography). Despite the anticipated clinical importance of applying tractography to study structural connectivity and tract development during the critical period of rapid infant brain maturation, detailed descriptions on how to approach tractography in young infants are limited. Over the past two decades, tractography from infant dMRI has mainly been applied in research settings and focused on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Only few studies used techniques superior to DTI in terms of disentangling information on the brain's organizational complexity, including crossing fibers. While more advanced techniques may enhance our understanding of the intricate processes of normal and abnormal brain development and extensive knowledge has been gained from application on adult scans, their applicability in infants has remained underexplored. This may partially be due to the higher technical requirements versus the need to limit scan time in young infants. We review various previously described methodological practices for tractography in the infant brain (0-2 years-of-age) and provide recommendations to optimize advanced tractography approaches to enable more accurate reconstructions of the brain WM's complexity. IMPACT: Diffusion tensor imaging is the technique most frequently used for fiber tracking in the developing infant brain but is limited in capability to disentangle the complex white matter organization. Advanced tractography techniques allow for reconstruction of crossing fiber bundles to better reflect the brain's complex organization. Yet, they pose practical and technical challenges in the fast developing young infant's brain. Methods on how to approach advanced tractography in the young infant's brain have hardly been described. Based on a literature review, recommendations are provided to optimize tractography for the developing infant brain, aiming to advance early diagnosis and neuroprotective strategies.

Strategies and practices for organizational learning in integrated care

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify important strategies and practices supporting inter-organizational learning (IOL) in integrated care. The two research questions ask how organizational network architectures can help involved organizations overcome the barriers of IOL in integrated care (RQ1) and what design recommendations can strengthen the processes of IOL in integrated care (RQ2).Design/methodology/approachThis study applies a qualitative design to analyze an improvement initiative in a regional, integrated care service for elderly patients with multiple illnesses in Norway. An inductive thematic analysis for the triangulating of qualitative data from different sources was applied. Patterns within the data were organized into themes, categories and subcategories. No software was applied.FindingsThe identified characteristics of the organizational network architectures supporting IOL in integrated care in the case under study were: equality of the involved parties, shared goals, recognition of expertise and the abilities to coordinate, design IOL processes and make joint decisions (RQ1). The categories of practices supporting the process of IOL were: insight into complex realities, contradictions, iteration, motivation and prototypes (RQ2).Originality/valueThis study offers much-needed insight into a successful approach for IOL in integrated care. The results offer strategies to be considered when building organizational networks for the improvement of integrated care and relevant practices useful when designing IOL processes in such care services. We believe such knowledge has important implications for policymakers, frontline personnel, education, research and leaders.

Organisation design in megaprojects: A systematic literature review and research agenda

Megaprojects have a complex and evolving web of organisations arranged in a multilevel and multiphase structure, with intra- and inter-organisational boundaries evolving during the life cycle. This systematic review explores organisation design in megaprojects, identifying the processes for designing temporary megaproject organisational systems. The review analyses 141 full articles from a sample of 10,078 papers and presents three main contributions: the main theoretical lenses used to develop organisation design research in megaprojects, eight decision dimensions influencing organisation design choices, and the most common organisational capabilities. We present the Megaproject Organisation Design (MegaOD) Framework, as a structure to design organisational boundaries, and to identify the organisational dynamics (design, development, and redesign). We suggest four research streams to advance the design of complex organisations: 1. Design of megaproject ecosystems, 2. Degree of organisational interdependence, 3. Design for integration of product and organisational architectures, and 4. The role of organisational designers.

A critical review of global best practices elements in digital technologies: Advancing a theoretical architecture for quality engineering

Technological advancements and changes in local, regional, and global markets have prompted organizations operating in the quality assurance environments to develop competitive strategies that enhance operational excellence and business sustainability. The current global norm is digital technologies as a key enabler of competitive strategies. The ability to develop and integrate digital into quality assurance environments is a challenge with considerable focus on the development of a theoretical architecture.This study aims at identifying elements influencing the adoption of digital technologies, through a review of global best practices applicable to the integration of digital technologies in quality assurance environments. This study further aims at the consolidation of all elements into the development of an contemporary theoretical architecture specific to the quality assurance environment.This qualitative study utilised a systematic literature review (SLR) of papers published from 2012 to 2022 to assess the elements influencing the adoption of digital technologies and global best practices in quality assurance environments. In addition, to ensure that the most relevant theoretical architecture was developed in this study, a Resource-Based View, together with Dynamic Capabilities theory, and Technology Acceptance Modelling are adopted to ground the study.Key elements influencing the adoption of integrated digital technologies are identified from the results obtained from the SLR. Furthermore, the SLR identifies several theoretical frameworks that combine business sustainability and quality assurance environments principles, with Digital Technologies. Based on the review outcome, a theoretical architecture is developed for adoption in a quality assurance environment for organizations operating in the service sector.This study provides a new perspective on the elements influencing the adoption of integrated digital technologies in a quality assurance environment advancing business sustainability. Further this study also exhumes the Implications with regards to a theoretical architecture for quality assurance organizations that seek to adopt integrated digital technologies and operate within a service.

Epigenetic regulation in liver regeneration

The liver is considered unique in its enormous capacity for regeneration and self-repair. In contrast to other regenerative organs (i.e., skin, skeletal muscle, and intestine), whether the adult liver contains a defined department of stem cells is still controversial. In order to compensate for the massive loss of hepatocytes following liver injury, the liver processes a precisely controlled transcriptional reprogram that can trigger cell proliferation and cell-fate switch. Epigenetic events are thought to regulate the organization of chromatin architecture and gene transcription during the liver regenerative process. In this review, we will summarize how changes to the chromatin by epigenetic modifiers are translated into cell fate transitions to restore liver homeostasis during liver regeneration.

Impact of AEC project organizational design on the mental health of project management practitioners (PMPs) in Australia

PurposeDesign of architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) project organizations expose project management practitioners (PMPs) to poor mental health due to the influence of project organization designs on project management activities assigned to the PMPs. The AEC project organization design comprises the integration of permanent organization, project organization and external environment layers. In spite of the link between project organization design and mental health, limited studies have examined the impact of permanent organization factors, project organization factors and external environmental factors on mental health management practices. Therefore, this study aims to examine the interactive relationships between permanent organization factors, project organization factors, external environment factors and mental health management indicators.Design/methodology/approachFour organizational theories: institutional theory, agency theory and resource-based theory were integrated to develop a theoretical model guiding the aim of the study. Eighty-two survey data were collected from PMPs in AEC firms in Australia. Structural equation modelling was used to test the relationships between the constructs.FindingsThe study found that mental health management indicators are predicted by the interactive and direct effects of permanent organizational factors, project organizational factors and external environmental factors. The results of the interactive effects of the factors and mental health management indicators revealed that 20 of 26 proposed hypotheses were supported. Based on the established hypotheses, economic factors, technological factors, environmental factors, legal factors and organizational culture positively correlated with mental health management indicators. Likewise, human resources management (HRM), corporate governance, project governance and integrated project delivery (IPD) positively impact mental health management indicators. However, political factors, social factors, knowledge management and project management skills negatively impact mental health management indicators. Moreover, political factors, economic factors, technological factors, environmental factors, legal factors and organizational culture are positively related to corporate governance. Additionally, organizational culture positively impacts corporate governance, project governance and HRM, whereas project governance positively correlated with IPD and knowledge management.Originality/valueThe findings provide guidelines to AEC firms on achieving positive mental health management indicators through concentration on project organization design.

Architectural organization and molecular profiling of 3D cancer heterospheroids and their application in drug testing.

3D cancer cell cultures have enabled new opportunities for replacing compound testing in experimental animals. However, most solid tumors are composed of multiple cell types, including fibroblasts. In this study we developed multicellular tumor heterospheroids composed of cancer and fibroblasts cell lines. We developed heterospheroids by combining HT-29, MCF-7, PANC-1 or SW480 with 1BR.3.G fibroblasts, which we have previously reported support spheroid formation. We also tested fibroblast cell lines, MRC-5, GM00498 and HIF, but 1BR.3.G was found to best form heterospheroids with morphological similarity to in vivo tumor tissue. The architectural organization of heterospheroids was based on histological examination using immunohistochemistry. We found that HT-29 and MCF-7 cells developed spheroids with the cancer cells surrounding the fibroblasts, whereas PANC-1 cells interspersed with the fibroblasts and SW480 cells were surrounded by fibroblasts. The fibroblasts also expressed collagen-1 and FAP-α, and whole transcriptomic analysis (WTA) showed abundant ECM- and EMT-related expression in heterospheroids, thus reflecting a representative tumor-like microenvironment. The WTA showed that PANC-1 heterospheroids possess a strong EMT profile with abundant Vimentin and CDH2 expression. Drug testing was evaluated by measuring cytotoxicity of 5FU and cisplatin using cell viability and apoptosis assays. We found no major impact on the cytotoxicity when fibroblasts were added to the spheroids. We conclude that the cancer cell lines together with fibroblasts shape the architectural organization of heterospheroids to form tumor-like morphology, and we propose that the various 3D tumor structures can be used for drug testing directed against the cancer cells as well as the fibroblasts.

GraphCompass: spatial metrics for differential analyses of cell organization across conditions.

Spatial omics technologies are increasingly leveraged to characterize how disease disrupts tissue organization and cellular niches. While multiple methods to analyze spatial variation within a sample have been published, statistical and computational approaches to compare cell spatial organization across samples or conditions are mostly lacking. We present GraphCompass, a comprehensive set of omics-adapted graph analysis methods to quantitatively evaluate and compare the spatial arrangement of cells in samples representing diverse biological conditions. GraphCompass builds upon the Squidpy spatial omics toolbox and encompasses various statistical approaches to perform cross-condition analyses at the level of individual cell types, niches, and samples. Additionally, GraphCompass provides custom visualization functions that enable effective communication of results. We demonstrate how GraphCompass can be used to address key biological questions, such as how cellular organization and tissue architecture differ across various disease states and which spatial patterns correlate with a given pathological condition. GraphCompass can be applied to various popular omics techniques, including, but not limited to, spatial proteomics (e.g. MIBI-TOF), spot-based transcriptomics (e.g. 10× Genomics Visium), and single-cell resolved transcriptomics (e.g. Stereo-seq). In this work, we showcase the capabilities of GraphCompass through its application to three different studies that may also serve as benchmark datasets for further method development. With its easy-to-use implementation, extensive documentation, and comprehensive tutorials, GraphCompass is accessible to biologists with varying levels of computational expertise. By facilitating comparative analyses of cell spatial organization, GraphCompass promises to be a valuable asset in advancing our understanding of tissue function in health and disease.