Browse Articles

Subnational variations in the quality of household survey data in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract Nationally representative household surveys collect geocoded data that are vital to tackling health and other development challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. Scholars and practitioners generally assume uniform data quality but subnational variation of errors in household data has never been investigated at high spatial resolution. Here, we explore within-country variation in the quality of most recent household surveys for 35 African countries at 5 × 5 km resolution and district levels. Findings show a striking heterogeneity in the subnational distribution of sampling and measurement errors. Data quality degrades with greater distance from settlements, and missing data as well as imprecision of estimates add to quality problems that can result in vulnerable remote populations receiving less than optimal services and needed resources. Our easy-to-access geospatial estimates of survey data quality highlight the need to invest in better targeting of household surveys in remote areas.

Orbital textures and evolution of correlated insulating state in monolayer 1T phase transition metal dichalcogenides

Abstract Strong electron-electron interaction can induce Mott insulating state, which is believed to host unusual correlated phenomena such as quantum spin liquid when quantum fluctuation dominates and unconventional superconductivity through doping. Transition metal compounds as correlated materials provide a versatile platform to engineer the Mott insulating state. Previous studies mostly focused on the controlling of the repulsive interaction and bandwidth of the electrons by gating or doping. Here, we performed angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) on monolayer 1T phase NbSe2, TaSe2, and TaS2 and directly observed their band structures with characteristic lower Hubbard bands. By systematically investigating the orbital textures and temperature dependence of the energy gap of the materials in this family, we discovered that hybridization of the chalcogen p states with lower Hubbard band stabilizes the Mott phase via tuning of the bandwidth, as shown by a significant increase of the transition temperature (T C) at a stronger hybridization strength. Our findings reveal a mechanism for realizing a robust Mott insulating phase and establish monolayer 1T phase transition metal dichalcogenide family as a promising platform for exploring correlated electron problems.

Thermodynamic computing system for AI applications

Rapid flips between warm and cold extremes in a warming world

Coordinating power sector climate transitions under policy uncertainty

Abstract Effective climate policy requires coordination among political jurisdictions with large differences in institutional make-up and interest group structures. We model the effects of realistic coordination barriers and policy heterogeneity on optimal low-carbon electricity pathways in the western United States using a capacity expansion model with operational and coordination mechanism details. We estimate the aggregate costs of fully coordinated power systems (ignoring extreme conditions) to be just a few percent lower than baseline (i.e., current) levels, noting that state-level differences can be an order of magnitude larger. Key infrastructure of a decarbonized power system that facilitates trade such as larger transmission networks is enhanced under multiple complementary coordinating policies, while select location-dependent investments such as energy storage and renewable energy respond more to the degree of market coordination. Degrees of regional coordination have limited impacts on firm low-carbon capacities, whose deployment is driven more by policy stringency, cost and availability assumptions. Climate and energy models should consider the political feasibility of different levels of market and policy coordination when evaluating optimal policy pathways.

Green growth in the mirror of history

Solving perfect matchings by frequency-grouped multi-photon events using a silicon chip

Bell inequality violation in gate-defined quantum dots

Deletion of splicing factor Cdc5 in Toxoplasma disrupts transcriptome integrity, induces abortive bradyzoite formation, and prevents acute infection in mice

Halogen bond-modulated solid-state reordering and symmetry breaking of azahelicenes

Model-based evaluation of the impact of a potential HIV cure on HIV transmission dynamics

Efficient learning for linear properties of bounded-gate quantum circuits

Topographically driven vigorous vertical mixing supports mesoscale biological production in the Tsugaru Gyre

Acid-resistant chemotactic DNA micromotors for probiotic delivery in inflammatory bowel disease

Genetics of circulating proteins in newborn babies at high risk of type 1 diabetes

Abstract Type 1 diabetes is a chronic, autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of insulin-producing β-cells in the pancreas. Early detection can facilitate timely intervention, potentially delaying or preventing disease onset. Circulating proteins reflect dysregulated biological processes and offer insights into early disease mechanisms. Here, we construct a genome-wide pQTL map of 1985 proteins in 695 newborn babies (median age 2 days) at increased genetic risk of developing Type 1 diabetes. We identify 535 pQTLs (352 cis-pQTLs, 183 trans-pQTLs), 62 of which characteristic of newborns. We show colocalization of pQTLs for CTRB1, APOBR, IL7R, CPA1, and PNLIPRP1 with Type 1 diabetes GWAS signals, and Mendelian randomization causally implicates each of these five proteins in the aetiology of Type 1 diabetes. Our study illustrates the utility of newborn molecular profiles for discovering potential drug targets for childhood diseases of significant concern.

Structure of a lasso peptide bound ETB receptor provides insights into the mechanism of GPCR inverse agonism

Apolipoprotein-A1 transports and regulates MMP2 in the blood

Detecting and calibrating large biases in global onshore wind power assessment across temporal scales

Atomically precise Ni clusters inducing active NiN2 sites with uniform-large vacancies towards efficient CO2-to-CO conversion

Structural basis of human Mediator recruitment by the phosphorylated transcription factor Elk-1

Abstract One function of Mediator complex subunit MED23 is to mediate transcriptional activation by the phosphorylated transcription factor Elk-1, in response to the Ras-MAPK signaling pathway. Using cryogenic electron microscopy, we solve a 3.0 Å structure of human MED23 complexed with the phosphorylated activation domain of Elk-1. Elk-1 binds to MED23 via a hydrophobic sequence PSIHFWSTLSPP containing one phosphorylated residue (S383p), which forms a tight turn around the central Phenylalanine. Binding of Elk-1 induces allosteric changes in MED23 that propagate to the opposite face of the subunit, resulting in the dynamic behavior of a 19-residue segment, which alters the molecular surface of MED23. We design a specific MED23 mutation (G382F) that disrupts Elk­-1 binding and consequently impairs Elk-1-dependent serum-induced activation of target genes in the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK signaling pathway. The structure provides molecular details and insights into a Mediator subunit-transcription factor interface.