Northern Western Research Articles

Cancers of the brain and central nervous system: global patterns and trends in incidence.

Global comparisons of the burden and impact of cancers of the brain and central nervous system (CNS) are critical for developing effective control strategies and generating etiological hypotheses to drive future research. National incidence estimates were obtained from GLOBOCAN 2022, and recorded incidence data from the Cancer in Five Continents series, both developed and compiled by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. We examined the estimated age-standardized incidence rates in 185 countries, as well as time trends in recorded incidence in 35 countries, quantifying the direction and change in the magnitude of the rates using the estimated average percentage change (EAPC). In 2022, 322,000 new cases of brain and CNS tumors were estimated globally. By world region, the highest incidence rate was seen in Northern America (5.46 per 100,000), Eastern Asia (3.95), and Western Europe (5.56). Africa had relatively lower incidence rates. By country and age group, Austria and the U.S. exhibited the highest rates in boys (3.5 in both), while in adolescents and young adults (AYA), Norway had the highest incidence rates in both males (4.7) and females (3.8). Among adults (+ 40yo), the highest rates in males were observed in the Northern European countries of Norway (18.6), Lithuania (18.4), and Latvia (16.7). In terms of time trends, incidence rates tended to be rather stable in most world regions over the last decade, though increases were observed in selected countries. Trends-based predictions indicate that if incidence rates remain stable, population ageing and growth would mean there would be 474,000 new cases by the year 2045, a 47% increase from 2022. While the increased incidence rates in certain populations require further study, the future predictions based on stable rates to 2045 are of particular concern, with a close to 50% increase in the number of brain and CNS cancer patients expected over the coming decades. A global 2% decline in rates would be needed to ensure the future brain and CNS cancer burden does not exceed present levels.

Exploring cyanobacteria from diverse habitats of the Konkan region of India, unveiling novel species of the genera Desikacharya, Pseudoaliinostoc, and Chlorogloeopsis using a polyphasic approach.

The Indian subcontinent has emerged as a natural habitat to several cyanobacterial taxa which have been explored and described in the past few years using a polyphasic approach. Various new genera and species of Nostoc morphotypes, heteropolar unbranched as well as branched heterocytous cyanobacteria, have been described from various parts of India such as the central mainland, temperate hill stations of extreme northern India, and the biodiversity hotspots of northeast India. Konkan, a small strip of land bounded by Arabian sea on the west and Sahyadri mountains on the east, has various habitats such as coastal beds, old monuments, freshwater lakes, and rivers; however, this region has been less charted in modern cyanobacterial systematics, relative to others. The region has a tropical climate with heavy monsoon showers owing to its location on the windward side of the northern Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot. Through this study, several districts of the Konkan region of Maharashtra and Goa were explored for cyanobacterial diversity and evaluated through a polyphasic approach with three novel species of the genus Desikacharya, two novel species of the genus Pseudoaliinostoc and one new species of the monotypic genus Chlorogloeopsis being described in accordance with the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants (ICN).

중기구석기시대 유럽의 양면석기문화:지역화된 문화적 행위의 출현

This study argues that the standard narrative currently used in the Korean Paleolithic academic community is the result of the formal taxonomic approach, which was the dominant stone tool research methodology from the late 19th century to the early 19th century, and also attempts to clarify that such a standard narrative does not fit well with archaeological reality even in Europe, where it originated. The bifacial tools cultures that emerged in the late Middle Paleolithic in Europe can be largely divided into five regions: the MTA in southwestern France, the KMG, which is widely observed from the east of the Rhine River to the Altai Mountains, the MOB in northern western Europe, the Bout-Coupé culture in Britain, and the Vasconian, which developed along the northern slope of the Pyrenees. What is interesting is that the various bifacial tools cultures that developed independently in each region of the European continent were concentrated in MIS 3 (60,000–24,000 years ago). It was also the first time in human history that ‘localized cultural practices’ in some sense appeared. In the past, it was thought that such localized cultural practices were first confirmed in the stone tool culture of early modern humans in the Middle Paleolithic period in Africa, but it is now believed that they already existed in Neanderthal society. The fact that localized cultural practices were confirmed in the Neanderthal society, which was not related to early modern humans by blood, sheds new light on the long-standing debate over the cognitive abilities of early modern humans and Neanderthals. Excluding Jeongok ri, which is currently controversial in terms of dating, the bifacial stone tools found in the Korean Peninsula show a pattern of being concentrated in the MIS 3 period, as in Europe, but it is still unknown why such a phenomenon appeared almost simultaneously in the eastern and western parts of Eurasia. As in the cases of Europe and Africa, it is necessary to examine whether ‘localized cultural behaviors’ centered on biface stone tools existed on the Korean Peninsula.

Distimake aparantae (Convolvulaceae), a new species from the coast of the northern Western Ghats, India

Distimake aparantae (Convolvulaceae), a new species from the coast of the northern Western Ghats, India

PDO And AMO Modulated the Interdecadal Change in Relationship of Summer Precipitation Between Western and Eastern Parts of Northern China

ABSTRACTThe summer precipitation over northern China generally presents an obvious dipole pattern, but the relationship between western northern China (WNC) and eastern northern China (ENC) has experienced a significant interdecadal change, with a significant positive correlation for the periods of 1920s–1940s (P1) and 1980s–2000s (P3), while a negative correlation for 1950s–1970s (P2). Further analyses reveal that the atmospheric circulation and water vapour transport anomalies triggered by the negative phase of Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), coupling with an eastward‐propagating Silk Road Pattern‐like teleconnection stimulated by the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), can jointly produce the favourable conditions for summer precipitation in ENC but unfavourable for WNC during P2, comparing with P1 and P3. This results in a dipole pattern of summer precipitation over northern China, leading to a negative correlation between precipitation in these two regions. During P1 and P3, precipitation anomalies in northern China mainly exhibit strong regional consistency, with primarily positive anomalies during P1 and negative anomalies during P3. However, the instability of the precipitation relationship during P3 is greater than those of P1 and P2, which may be attributed to the enhanced impact of the interdecadal variation of ENSO at the same period.

Spatiotemporal Evolution of Air–Sea CO2 Flux in the South China Sea and Its Response to Environmental Factors

Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) from human activities underscores the need to understand air–sea CO2 flux in marine environments, particularly in marginal seas like the South China Sea (SCS). This research analyzes the spatial and temporal patterns of air–sea CO2 flux across four typical regions of the SCS: the northern SCS, western SCS, SCS basin, and northeastern SCS. Our results show that the SCS serves as a carbon source from spring to autumn and shifts to a carbon sink in winter. The northern SCS exhibits strong carbon sink behavior during winter, transitioning to a source in warmer months, while the western SCS and SCS basin consistently act as carbon sources year-round, with summer peaks. The northeastern SCS acts as a source in warmer months, becoming a weak sink in winter. Partial correlation analysis reveals that temperature and wind speed significantly influence air–sea CO2 flux, though regional differences exist. Notably, chlorophyll-a in the northern SCS is negatively correlated with air–sea CO2 flux, indicating that high primary productivity enhances CO2 absorption, whereas other regions show contrasting relationships. These findings provide valuable insights into the complex carbon cycle mechanisms in the SCS.

Molecular and morphological assessment of the Liopholis inornata (Rosén, 1905) species group (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae), with descriptions of two new species from northern Western Australia

Molecular genetic and morphological assessments were undertaken on the Liopholis inornata species group of skinks that occur on sandy soils in both mesic and arid regions of Australia. The primary objective was the taxonomic identification of two outlying peripheral populations from the North-West Cape and Purnululu National Park, in northern Western Australia. To provide adequate context, molecular genetic and morphometric variation was assessed across the wide geographic range of L. inornata, a taxon that is strongly phylogeographically structured. It was also necessary to reassess the taxonomic identity of two previously named taxa from central Australia, L. s. slateri (Storr) and L. s. virgata (Storr). Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear SNPs from extant populations confirm that L. inornata, L. s. slateri and the two outlying populations from northern Western Australia are each distinct evolutionary lineages. Prior to analyses of the extent of morphological divergence between the lineages, we assessed the extent of morphometric differences between the sexes using two well-sampled species, L. inornata and L. striata (Sternfeld) from Western Australian populations. We determined that while males have relatively longer, wider and deeper heads throughout life these differences are relatively slight and the data from both sexes could be pooled for subsequent morphological interspecific comparisons. The two outlying populations are distinguished from congeners based on phylogenetic relationships and divergence in nuclear nucleotide sequences and distinctive morphometric and colour attributes and thus represent new species. The new species both occur in biogeographically significant areas that contain several other endemic reptile species. Liopholis s. virgata, for which we currently lack genetic data, is morphometrically and chromatically different from all the other taxa and very likely represents a distinct species that is potentially extinct as it has not been sighted for more than a century.

Methods for Gestational Age Estimation during Pregnancy in Africa: A Scoping Review

Monitoring foetal growth and managing pregnancy complications require the precise determination of gestational age. Estimation of gestational age during pregnancy is of utmost importance as it assists with the identification of high-risk pregnancies like polyhydramnios, multiple pregnancy and intrauterine growth restriction. The purpose of the SR was to map the evidence of estimation of gestational age during pregnancy in Africa using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Scoping Review Methodology. Electronic search engines were used to search articles published from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2023. A total of 79 eligible articles were retrieved and uploaded to Rayyan – a web and mobile app for systematic reviews. The selection process included title and abstract screening as well as full text article screening, which resulted in 19 articles. A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) flow chart was developed to report the 19 studies identified for final SR. There was a minimal publication of studies between 2013 and 2014 with a marked increase in 2019 (n = 4) and 2020 (n = 4). Countries where studies were done included Northern Africa (n = 3), Eastern Africa (n = 3), Western Africa (n = 3), Central Africa (n = 2), Southern Africa (n = 3), and multiple countries (n = 5). Among the 19 articles included in the SR, 16 adopted a quantitative design. This scoping review (SR) identified several methods for gestational age estimation, namely, ultrasound; last menstrual period (LMP); symphysis fundal height (SFH); and clinical data. More systematic reviews should be conducted on the estimation of gestational age to add to the information obtained from the SR.

The association between gait speed and depressive disorders – A cross-sectional analysis of very old adults in the 21st century

Objectives To investigate the association between gait speed and depressive disorders among very old adults (≥85 years). Method This study utilized the GERDA-database, which encompasses a representative sample of those aged 85, 90, and 95+ years residing in northern Sweden and western Finland. From four data collections between 2000 and 2017, this study included 1794 participants. Self-paced gait speed was measured over 2.4-m and depressive disorders was evaluated by a specialist in geriatric medicine according to the DSM-IV-TR criteria. T-tests and multivariable logistic regressions were used to explore differences and associations between gait speed and depressive disorders. Results Gait speed was independently associated with depressive disorders among very old adults (p < .001). The results showed significantly different mean gait speeds (m/s) between individuals with/without a depressive disorder (0.34 ± 0.24/0.52 ± 0.26, p < .001), between individuals with a depressive disorder with/without antidepressant treatment (0.35 ± 0.24/0.44 ± 0.24, p < .001) and between non-responders/responders to antidepressants (0.36 ± 0.21/0.42 ± 0.22, p = .020). Conclusion This is the first study focusing on very old adults that has shown an independent association between gait speed and depressive disorders. Responders to antidepressant medication had a higher mean gait speed than non-responders, which may imply shifts in function upon successful treatment.

Range expansion of African Red-eyed Bulbul Pycnonotus nigricans in western South Africa

Data from five citizen science projects were used to document shifting ranges of two species of bulbul in South Africa. We show that African Red-eyed Bulbuls Pycnonotus nigricans steadily replaced Cape Bulbuls P. capensis in the lower Olifants River valley, in northern Western Cape province, South Africa. The first observations of African Red-eyed Bulbuls in this valley were recorded by atlasers in winter 2011. Bird atlas reporting rates were still steadily increasing in this region at the end of 2021. Environmental conditions seem to have been suitable for range expansion of the African Red-eyed Bulbul into the area for at least five decades before they first arrived. This is a common feature of range expansions into the Western Cape. We discuss the value of the citizen science projects. The photographic records of the Virtual Museum have the advantage that they can be verified, and we made use of the habitat features displayed in the background. The bird atlas, in contrast, is based on sight records that cannot be checked; we observed a tendency for bird atlasers, who operate with fieldwork time constraints, to record the bulbuls in the study area as Cape Bulbuls because this was the bulbul that was traditionally observed there.

Orchards and paddy differentially impact rock outcrop amphibians: Insights from community- and species-level responses.

With agricultural demands increasing globally, determining the nature of impacts of different forms of agriculture on biodiversity, especially for threatened vertebrates and habitats, is critical to inform land management. This is especially true for open ecosystems such as the natural rock outcrops and amphibians, both of which are threatened by land-use change. Lateritic plateaus of the northern Western Ghats are rock outcrop ecosystems harboring endemic biodiversity. Since most of these plateaus are located outside protected areas and officially classified as wastelands, they are rapidly lost due to multiple human pressures, including agriculture. We compared amphibian composition, diversity, and species responses across these rocky plateaus (hereafter plateaus), orchards, and rice paddy in the Western Ghats-Sri Lanka biodiversity Hotspot, India. We sampled 50 belt transects across four geographically separated plateaus, covering three land-use classes in three of the plateaus, and recorded information on amphibians and their microhabitats. Each transect was sampled four times across the rainy season. We compared responses of amphibians across three land-use categories at the community level using Hill numbers, beta-diversity measures, and nonmetric multidimensional scaling, and at the species level using joint species distribution modeling. Converting plateaus to paddy and orchards significantly altered microhabitat availability by reducing the rock pool habitat availability in paddy and orchards, and increased deep, water-submerged areas and grass cover in paddy. Conversion to paddy mostly had species- and community-level impacts, that is, lowered species occurrence of certain species, lowered species richness, and more nested communities, whereas conversion to orchards mostly had species-level impacts, that is, lowered species occurrence, highlighting that different forms of agriculture have varying impacts on amphibians that can be determined by examining community- and species-level effects simultaneously. Using only community- or species-level metrics would not have unraveled these impacts completely. We show that large rock pools are critical microhabitats for frogs, most likely serving as refugia and protecting frogs from desiccation during dry spells in monsoons. Since Indian lateritic plateau habitats in low elevations are rapidly being converted to orchards, efforts are needed to conserve them in partnership with local communities, the custodians of these habitats.

Spatio-temporal evaluation of MODIS temperature vegetation dryness index in the Middle East

Drought, a recurring meteorological event, can potentially cause devastating consequences for human populations, and its attributes vary significantly across diverse geographic areas. Therefore, recognizing drought events is paramount for strategically planning and managing water resource systems. In this study, the Temperature Vegetation Dryness Index (TVDI), derived using Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data spanning from 2003 to 2022 in the Middle East, was used as the foundation for both trend and spectral analyses. To assess TVDI trends, the Mann-Kendall test and Sen's slope estimator were utilized, and harmonic analysis was conducted for spectral analyses. These methods were applied to a dataset comprising 258,087 pixels within the specified region, covering various time scales, including monthly and seasonal analyses. The monthly analyses indicated significant growth in March and April, with September showing the least significant increase, suggesting stability or decline. Geographically, upward trends were predominant in the northern Middle East, including Turkey, Syria, Iraq, western Iran, and eastern Jordan. Significant downward trends were observed in the southern Middle East during the warmer months. Seasonal assessments showed no significant TVDI trends in winter, but upward trends in the south, west, and northwest were identified during spring. The annual trend map indicates a long-term declining trend in TVDI for most regions within specific latitudes, particularly those below 34 degrees. The results of harmonic analysis revealed the presence of multiple cycles at a 95 % confidence level. Notably, there was a heightened prevalence of significant sinusoidal cycles, especially the 2–3-year cycles. This cycle was widespread in countries such as Iran, Oman, Yemen, and Turkey, as well as in the southern regions of Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Phytolith spectra of the monotypic grass Danthonidium gammiei (Bhide) Hubb. in Hook. (Danthonioideae) from Northern Western Ghats, India: Taxonomic and environmental significance of its distinctive Bilobates

Grass Silica Short Cell Phytoliths (GSSCPs) are regarded as a potential adjunctive tool for grass subfamily identification owing to their definite morphology and affinity towards certain grass subfamilies. In the present study phytolith spectra of the monotypic genus Danthonidium gammiei (Bhide) Hubb. in Hook., collected from northern Western Ghats, Maharashtra is studied in detail for the first time. This grass profusely produces Bilobates along with other GSSCPs and Elongate types. A thorough study is undertaken to find out potential of the Danthonidium gammiei Bilobates in distinguishing this grass from other major Bilobate producing grass sub-families like Panicoideae and Aristidoideae. The possible relationship between Bilobates specific for Danthonidium gammiei and the intensity of rainfall in northern Western Ghats is also discussed here. Statistical analyses (PCA, CA, and CCA) also establish the potential of Bilobate phytoliths in identifying Danthonioideae subfamily and discriminating different rainfall zones of the region.

DNA Barcoding for the Identification of Adult Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Western Australia.

Precise mosquito identification is integral to effective arbovirus surveillance. Nonetheless, the conventional morphological approach to identifying mosquito species is laborious, demands expertise and presents challenges when specimens are damaged. DNA barcoding offers a promising alternative, surmounting challenges inherent in morphological identification. To integrate DNA barcoding into arbovirus surveillance effectively, a robust dataset of mosquito barcode sequences is required. This study established a comprehensive repository of Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) barcodes, encompassing 177 samples representing 45 mosquito species from southern and northern Western Australia (WA), including 16 species which have not been previously barcoded. The average intraspecific and interspecific genetic distances were 1% and 6.8%, respectively. Anopheles annulipes sensu lato had the highest intraspecific distance at 9.1%, signifying a genetically diverse species. While validating the potential of COI barcodes to accurately differentiate mosquito species, we identified that some species pairs have low COI divergence. This includes Aedes clelandi and Ae. hesperonotius, Tripteroides atripes and Tp. punctolaeralis and Ae. turneri and Ae. stricklandi. In addition, we observed ambiguity in identification of the members of Culex sitiens subgroup (Cx. annulirostris, Cx. palpalis and Cx. sitiens) and three members of Cx. pipiens complex (Cx. australicus, Cx. globocoxitus, Cx. quinquefasciatus). In summary, despite presenting challenges in the identification of some mosquito species, the COI barcode accurately identified most of the species and generated a valuable resource that will support the WA arbovirus surveillance program and enhance public health intervention strategies for mosquito-borne disease control.

Multiscale Characterization of the Albian-Cenomanian Reservoir System Behavior: A Case Study from the North East Abu Gharadig Basin, North Western Desert, Egypt

Since its discovery in 2010, the NEAG 2 has been one of the most productive oil fields of the Badr El-Din Petroleum Company (BAPETCO) in the northern Western Desert of Egypt. The Albian-Cenomanian reservoir system has a unique performance but suffers from several issues hindering its production. The latest production report in 2023, NEAG-2 Field was producing 1760 bbls of oil with 36500 bbls of water, i.e., 95% water cut. Despite that, the field has reached a 39% recovery factor but the reservoir forecast suggests a much higher recovery factor. Therefore, the NEAG 2 Field requires a comprehensive geological model to depict its reservoir heterogeneities better. We introduce a solid and integrated workflow to investigate the reservoir characters among different scales of geological heterogeneity and offer solutions to overcome some data gaps. After characterizing the reservoir elements by the structural, stratigraphic, petrographic, and petrophysical analyses, a machine learning-based method was applied to overcome the missing whole rock cores in creating a detailed electro-facies log for all field wells. The Neural-Network algorithm required the facies types to be grouped into definitive reservoir qualities to be applied. The resultant electro-facies log had a very good match with the input logs, which validated the facies grouping. This was followed by the porosity-permeability transforms, estimated from mobility data, to create a permeability curve for all field wells, despite the unavailability of core data. The reservoir was categorized into three rock types, each with a specific range of quality, signifying their different flow abilities which were supported by dynamic data. The Lower Bahariya-Kharita in NEAG 2 was ultimately concluded to be a complex heterogeneous reservoir with varying flow abilities and production behaviors. The recovery factor mismatch is due to unrecovered reserves, and a new production strategy should be introduced to reach the ultimate recovery. This integration of geologic and dynamic data is strongly recommended for any reservoir characterization study to avoid oversimplifying the reservoir system and to design the right reservoir development plan.

Parameterization of the Vertical Mixing for the Luzon Undercurrent in the Northern Western Pacific Ocean

AbstractThe Luzon Undercurrent (LUC) is one of the most significant western boundary undercurrents in the northern western Pacific Ocean (WPO), essential for subsurface water transport and connecting subtropical–equatorial circulations. Over the last three decades, abundant observational progress has been made in revealing the basic features of the LUC. However, the dynamics and thus successful modeling of the LUC remain unresolved. In this work, we conducted a high‐resolution (3 km, 60 levels) numerical investigation of the WPO circulation using the China sea multi‐scale ocean modeling system. We paid particular attention to the vertical mixing, aiming to reasonably resolve the LUC by modifying the vertical mixing parameterization. Based on physics reasoning and experiments of physically based modeling, we designed an adaptive mixing scheme (AMS), which used a Munk‐like function in the thermocline for enhanced vertical mixing in the areas of small Richardson numbers. Using the AMS, we reproduced the two‐layer WPO circulations well and captured the inshore component of the LUC consistent with observations. Furthermore, we studied the dynamics of the LUC by analyzing the momentum balance and found that the LUC is primarily maintained by baroclinic pressure gradient force due to strong thermocline tilting near the western boundary. Enhanced vertical mixing in this highly sheared region crucially provides sufficient geostrophic support to sustain the LUC. Also, nonlinearity and submesoscale motions contribute positively to the LUC. This work advances physical understanding of the current‐undercurrent system and improves numerical capability in capturing the LUC and WPO circulations.

Decoding Variation among the Phenolic Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Some Finger Millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] Landraces Grown in Maharashtra, India

Background: The profiles of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacities of ten finger millet landraces harvested from the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra were investigated. Methods: The antioxidant activity of methanol extracts of ten landraces were assessed using H2O2, FRAP and Phosphomolybdenum assays. Result: Results of the H2O2 scavenging assay exhibit variation in their inhibition activity (59 -90.12 %). The highest H2O2 scavenging activity was shown by T1, followed by T2, T3, T5, T8, T10 and T29 (90.12, 82, 79.8, 82.9, 79 and 85.78 respectively) when compared the control sample T had significantly lower activity (55.87%). While the reducing power was in the range of 1.02-1.76 mM of Fe (II)/gm and the reducing capacity was in the range of 73.86-158.71 equivalents of ascorbic acid in µg/gm of extract. The highest reducing power was shown by T2, T15 and T8 as 1.98, 1.94 and 1.89 mM of Fe (II)/gm respectively; while lower values were recorded in T19 (0.89 mM of Fe (II)/gm) and T1 (1.02 mM of Fe (II)/gm). The total antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract was calculated as ascorbic acid equivalents (AAE) per gram. Based on the results, T2, T5, T8 and T10 had a high reducing potential (158.71, 143.2, 149.5 and 152.65 AAE of a sample, respectively) with reducing capacities ranging from 73.86 to 158.71 AAE. A total of seventeen phenolic compounds were identified in the extracts including seven ûavonoids, with catechin, Iso –orientin and Iso-vitexin being the predominant flavonoids. Ten phenolic compounds were identified in the extracts, with p-hydroxybenzoic acid, genistic acid and gaillic acid being the predominant ones. In conclusion, based on the antiradical activities, the landraces T2, T5, T8, T10 and T29 could be potential cultivars and certainly effective sources of natural antioxidants for applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

High-resolution observations of the ocean upper layer south of Cape St. Vincent, the western northern margin of the Gulf of Cádiz

Abstract. This article presents an Eulerian physical and biogeochemical dataset from the Iberian Margin Cape St. Vincent Ocean observatory (IbMa-CSV), a facility of the European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and water column Observatory European Research Infrastructure Consortium (EMSO-ERIC), located 10 nautical miles south of Cape St. Vincent (Portugal), the southwest tip of the Iberian Peninsula and western limit of the northern margin of the Gulf of Cádiz (GoC). The observatory was installed on the shelf break, and the data time series spans 4 months for most of the variables. The upper 150 m were sampled intensively with a wave-powered vertical profiler at an average rate of 4.5 profiles per hour recording at 2 Hz when ascending at an approximate velocity of 0.2 m s−1 and 10 Hz when descending at a variable velocity. The vertical resolution was always higher than 0.2 m. Measured channels were conductivity, temperature, pressure, chlorophyll a, dissolved O2 concentration, and turbidity. Derived channels are sea pressure, depth, salinity, speed of sound, specific conductivity, dissolved O2 saturation, density anomaly, spiciness, and Brunt–Väisälä frequency. The acquired dataset includes the flow velocity and direction along the water column, taken from an upward-looking 300 kHz acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) recorded every hour for 3 m depth bins extending the same depth range of the vertical profiler. A standard quality-control scheme was applied to the dataset. The dataset is preserved for multiple use and is accessible in the Sea Open Scientific Data Publication (SEANOE) repository via the following address: https://doi.org/10.17882/94769 (Rautenbach et al., 2022).

An OSL-dated, stacked Holocene dust mass accumulation rate record on the Chinese Loess Plateau and its implications for Northern Hemisphere dust activity

Accurate reconstruction of geological dust activity is crucial for understanding past climate change and its interaction with dust cycle. Loess on the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) is an ideal and sensitive material for revisiting past dust activity. Previously, the changes in the dust mass accumulation rate (MAR) over various time scales were widely established on the CLP. However, few absolutely dated dust records have been obtained and synthesized for the Holocene. This study addresses this gap by compiling 23 optically stimulated luminescence-dated Holocene loess sections across the CLP. We developed a high-quality chronology via Bayesian age-depth modeling and derived a MAR record for each section. Then, we obtained a mean MAR record for the CLP by stacking individual records. We propose that, in contrast to site-specific MARs, stacked MARs represent the mean dust accumulation conditions for the entire CLP and can be used to track relatively large-scale dust activity and climate change. The stacked MAR record suggests a moderate weakening trend of dust accumulation from ∼11.5 to 7.5 thousand years ago (ka BP), followed by a pronounced strengthening trend from ∼7.5 to 3.0 ka BP. A comparison with other regional dust records reveals a shift in dust activity at ∼8–6 ka BP in northern China and western Mongolia. We argue that the East Asian winter and summer monsoons jointly contributed to Holocene mean dust MAR variations on the CLP by changing dust transport wind energy and dust source aridity, respectively. A comparison of Holocene dust records in Asia with those in the northwestern Pacific Ocean and Greenland suggests asynchronous variations in dust activity between proximal and distal Asia-sourced dust deposition. This is because, unlike proximal deposition, distal deposition can be controlled not only by the dust source conditions but also by the intensity and the position of the Westerlies.

Detection of Dominant Rainfall Patterns in Indonesian Regions Using Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) and Its Relation with ENSO and IOD Events

Several studies indicate that Indonesia’s position on the equator, where winds from the northern and southern hemispheres converge, leads to year-round rainfall in Indonesia. Previous studies have also shown the presence of monsoon winds over Indonesia, which causes rain in Indonesia to follow the Asian and Australian monsoon wind patterns. Recently, variations in rainfall patterns and intensity in Indonesia have been highly volatile and difficult to predict. This study uses gridded data analysis of ocean-atmospheric rainfall for 69 years (1948–2016) to detect monsoonal, equatorial, and local signals and relate them to ENSO and IOD events. Rainfall analysis reveals that the first mode accounts for 38.57%, the second 13.92%, and the third 8.93% of the total variance. These results show that these variants are very variable, both in space and time. Monsoonal patterns were detected in the southern region of Indonesia, equatorial patterns in northern Sumatra and western Kalimantan, while local patterns were detected in Maluku and the Maluku Islands. Furthermore, the monsoonal and local rainfall patterns are strongly correlated (&gt; 0.85) with local SST, but the equatorial rainfall pattern is weakly correlated (&lt; 0.5) with local SST. Note that the equatorial pattern is associated with the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) phase. The varied vector correlation map illustrates the asymmetric fluctuations in sea surface temperature and the simultaneous existence of winds coming from the west from the Indian Ocean and winds coming from the east from the Pacific Ocean during the period of heavy precipitation.