The ETn homologous row of the epidote–törnebohmite polysomatic series is considered, which includes minerals of the epidote (n = 0) and gatelite (n = 1) supergroups and radekškodaite group (n = 2). The crystal structures of members of the series are based upon the alternation of epidote (E) and törnebohmite (T) two-dimensional modules. The aristotype structure types of the members of the row crystallise in the P21/m space group with the unit-cell parameters a ≈ 8.90, b ≈ 5.65, c ≈ (10.10 + 7.50n) Å, β ≈ 116.5° and V ≈ (455 + 338n) Å3. The general formula for the members of the row can be expressed as A2(n+1)Mn+3[Si2O7][SiO4]2n+1Xn+2 (X = O, OH and F). The structure model for the hypothetical ET3 member of the series is constructed and the general formulae are derived for the calculation of the number of atoms per unit cell and the number and multiplicities of the atom sites for any value of n. The concept of K-sequence is introduced that is analogous to the concept of a Wyckoff sequence. The general formulae for the information-based complexity parameters are derived for the ETn homologous row of the epidote–törnebohmite polysomatic series with different parities of n. The present absence of the members of the series with n > 2 reflects the entropic restrictions on the polysomatic series that confirm the principle of maximal simplicity for modular inorganic structures.

The new mineral wiperamingaite, NaCaFe3+Al(PO4)F5(OH)·H2O, was found at the Wiperaminga Hill West Quarry, Boolcoomatta Reserve, Olary Province, South Australia, Australia where it has formed by hydrothermal alteration of triplite–zwieselite. Wiperamingaite occurs in a matrix of quartz, minor triplite and pyrite in association with fluorite, bermanite, leucophosphite and phosphosiderite. Crystals are transparent to translucent, brownish-orange to brownish-pink tablets, up to 0.25 mm across. The mineral has a white streak and vitreous lustre. It is brittle with a splintery fracture. The calculated density is 3.11 g/cm3. Optically, the mineral is biaxial (–) with α = 1.538(2), β = 1.599(2), γ = 1.614(2) (white light); 2V = 52(2)°; distinct r > v dispersion; orientation: X = a, Y = b, Z = c; pleochroism: X colourless, Y brown yellow, Z yellow; Y > Z > X.

Electron microprobe analysis provided the empirical formula Na0.97Ca1.01Fe3+0.92Al1.11(PO4)0.97F4.85(OH)1.32·0.95H2O. Wiperamingaite is orthorhombic, P212121, a = 5.3537(11), b = 5.5911(11), c = 26.279(5) Å, V = 786.6(3) Å3 and Z = 4. The structure of wiperamingaite contains chains of cis-corner connected Feφ6 octahedra (φ = O, OH and H2O) running parallel to [010] decorated with corner-connected PO4 tetrahedra. Adjacent chains link by corner-connection between the octahedra and tetrahedra to form sheets parallel to the (001) plane. Alφ6 octahedra (φ = O and F) attach to both sides of the sheets via corner-sharing with PO4 tetrahedra. Naφ11 polyhedra share edges and faces to form a layer between the sheets that links to the sheets via Alφ6 octahedra and Caφ8 polyhedra.

Two desert cyanobacterial strains, Chroococcidiopsis sp. CCMEE 010 and CCMEE 130, capable far-red light photoacclimation (FaRLiP), were investigated for the stability of biosignatures after six years of desiccation. Biosignature detectability was demonstrated by confocal laser scanning microscopy and Raman spectroscopy thus highlighting that these two FaRLiP cyanobacteria are a novel reservoir of an array of pigments, encompassing canonical chlorophyll a, far-red shifted chlorophylls, phycobilins and carotenoids. The recorded signals were comparable to those of dried cells of Chroococcidiopsis sp. CCMEE 029, CCMEE 057 and CCMEE 064, not capable of FaRLiP acclimation and previously reported for biosignature stability and survivability after exposure to space and Mars-like conditions during the BIOMEX (BIOlogy and Mars EXperiment) and BOSS (Biofilm Organisms Surfing Space) low Earth orbit missions. Since infrared-light driven photosynthesis has implications for the habitability of Mars as well as exoplanets, the stability of far-red shifted chlorophylls in dried Chroococcidiopsis is a prerequisite for future experimentations under simulated planetary conditions in the laboratory or directly into space. It is anticipated that post-flight investigations of FaRLiP cyanobacteria as part of the BioSigN (Bio-Signatures and habitable Niches) space mission will contribute to gather novel insights into biosignature degradation/stability and thus prepare future planetary exploration missions to Mars. In addition, the scored viability of strains CCMEE 010 and CCMEE 130 after prolonged desiccation is relevant to investigate life endurance under deep space conditions, as planned by the BioMoon mission that aims to expose dried and rehydrated extremophiles on the Moon surface after exposure to deep space.

Developing reduced-order models for the transport of solid particles in turbulence typically requires a statistical description of the particle–turbulence interactions. In this work, we utilize a statistical framework to derive continuum equations for the moments of the slip velocity of inertial, settling Lagrangian particles in a turbulent boundary layer. Using coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian direct numerical simulations, we then identify the dominant mechanisms controlling the slip velocity variance, and find that for a range of Stokes number ${S{\kern-0.5pt}t}^+$, Settling number ${S{\kern-0.5pt}v}^+$ and Reynolds number $\textit{Re}_\tau$ (based on frictional scales),the slip variance is primarily controlled by local differences between the ‘seen’ variance and the particle velocity variance, while terms appearing due to the inhomogeneity of the turbulence are subleading until ${S{\kern-0.5pt}v}^+$ becomes large. We also consider several comparative metrics to assess the relative magnitudes of the fluctuating slip velocity and the mean slip velocity, and we find that the vertical mean slip increases rapidly with ${S{\kern-0.5pt}v}^+$, rendering the variance relatively small – an effect found to be most substantial for ${S{\kern-0.5pt}v}^+\gt 1$. Finally, we compare the results with a model of the acceleration variance (Berk & Coletti 2021 J. Fluid Mech. 917, A47) based the concept of a response function described in Csanady (1963 J. Atmos. Sci. 20, 201–208), highlighting the role of the crossing trajectories mechanism. We find that while there is good agreement for low ${S{\kern-0.5pt}v}^+$, systematic errors remain, possibly due to implicit non-local effects arising from rapid particle settling and inhomogeneous turbulence. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of this work for modelling the transport of coarse dust grains in the atmospheric surface layer.

The use of nanoparticles in the composition of drilling fluids can improve some of their properties (e.g. thermal, mechanical, electrical and rheological) due to their small size and high surface area, which can diminish the loss of fluid to the formation, thereby increasing thermal conductivity, reducing friction and improving well stability. In this work, we investigated the rheological and static filtration properties and the thermal performance of non-aqueous drilling fluids with organo-palygorskite-containing hydrophobic alumina (Al2O3) and amphiphilic strontium nickelate (SrNiO3) nanoparticles in varying concentrations. The results indicate that the fluids with nanoparticles had greater plastic viscosity and lower filtrate volumes. With regard to thermal performance, the fluids with nanoparticles absorbed more heat when subjected to higher temperatures. However, this excess energy was more easily released upon cooling. This study demonstrates the affinity of nanoparticles with the solvent phase of a drilling fluid and how this interaction affects their properties, with a particular emphasis on amphiphilic nanoparticles, which have been shown to have better performance in non-aqueous fluids with organo-palygorskite.

Temporal storm surge clustering refers to a series of events affecting the same region within a short period of time, which can strongly influence coastal flooding impacts and erosion. Here, we analyze global storm surge clustering from tide gauges and a state-of-the-art global model hindcast to identify geographical hotspots of extreme storm surge clusters and assess event frequencies. We study the spatial distribution as well as the contribution of different event intensities to clustering. On average, globally, 92% of coastal locations show significant temporal clustering for 1-year return period events, and 25% for 5-year return level events, although notable spatial differences exist. Our results reveal two distinct clustering regimes: (i) short timescale clustering, where events occur in rapid succession (intra-annual), and (ii) long timescales (inter-annual), providing varying recovery times between events. We also test the validity of assuming a Poisson distribution, commonly used in storm surge frequency analyses. Our results show that >80% of the stations analyzed do not follow a Poisson distribution, at least when including events that are not the most extreme but exceeded, for example, the 1-year return level. These findings offer insights into temporal clustering dynamics of storm surges and their implications for coastal hazard assessments.

Understanding microbial adaptations to the extreme conditions of space is crucial for both astronaut health and the integrity of spacecraft materials. This study comparatively analyses the cosmic radiation resistance and growth responses to simulated microgravity (SMG) of a wild-type strain and an International Space Station (ISS) isolate of Penicillium rubens. Resistance to helium- and iron-ion radiation was determined, alongside growth under SMG using clinorotation. The results revealed that the ISS isolate exhibited higher resistance to both helium- and iron-ion radiation than the wild-type strain, suggesting adaptive mechanisms that enhance survival in space environments. Additionally, while the ISS isolate demonstrated significantly increased growth in SMG compared to normal gravity conditions, the wild-type strain showed no difference between the two conditions. These findings indicate that prolonged exposure to the space environment may select for traits that enhance resistance to cosmic radiation and alter growth dynamics under microgravity. Such adaptations could have implications for microbial monitoring in space habitats, planetary protection policies, and potential biotechnological applications in space. Further investigations into the genetic and metabolic differences between both strains may provide deeper insights into fungal adaptation to space environments.

During the last decade, early Neolithic sites with unique flat-bottomed pottery as distinguishing feature were discovered in the southern part of Western Siberia at the Baraba forest-steppe and identified as the Early Neolithic Baraba Culture (briefly, Baraba culture). The culture is represented in settlements and ritual complexes, has households, as well as implements made of stone and bone. Samples of mammal bones, bird bones and bone artifacts were collected from three sites of the Baraba Culture: Vengerovo-2, Tartas-1, and Ust-Tartas mounds, and dated by accelerator mass-spectrometry (AMS) to reconstruct the chronology of the sites. 36 reliable radiocarbon dates were obtained: 12 of them at the Curt-Engelhorn-Centre of Archaeometry (Mannheim, Germany) and 24 at the AMS Golden Valley (Novosibirsk, Russia). Minimal-to-no differences between radiocarbon dates assessed at GV and MAMS facilities were identified by Bayesian analysis of covariance/analysis of variance. Bayesian chronological modeling supports existence of the Baraba culture between the middle of 8th millennium BC till the start of 6th millennium BC. Two stages of sites’ use were identified, separated by the transitory period of uncertain duration lasting since the end of 7th millennium. The end of the first stage was followed by abandonment of the Tartas-1 site, which we suggest coincided with the start of the 8.2k climatic event.1

Given the ongoing global extinction crisis, preserving genetic diversity is critical for long-term ecosystem resilience. A large, openly available DNA barcoding database could support this goal by allowing the identification of ‘genetic hotspots’ for conservation planning. We studied 77 woody species in the Monte Desert, South America’s largest dryland, using ITS2 and rbcLa markers to identify haplotypes for each species. We modified a previously published genetic diversity criterion, which prioritizes uniqueness, to also consider species ubiquity. We then mapped this genetic diversity metric, calculated Faith’s phylogenetic diversity (PD) index and overlaid our map with protected areas and permanent plantations. We identified five robust genetic hotspots, three of which coalesced into a central ‘mega-hotspot’. Alarmingly, most hotspots lay outside existing protected areas, and two overlapped with permanent plantations. As expected, high PD did not consistently align with high genetic diversity or species richness, suggesting that in the Monte Desert current protected areas overlook key genetic and PD. Our study highlights the importance of integrating DNA barcoding from understudied geographic regions into conservation plans.

Understanding the developmental and occupational histories of Ancestral Maya settlements is crucial for interpreting their roles in broader social, political, and economic dynamics. This article presents 62 new accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C dates from residential groups in the outlying settlement zone at Alabama, a major inland Ancestral Maya center in East-Central Belize. Alabama is a rare example of a “boomtown” in the Maya lowlands, experiencing rapid development primarily during the 8th and 9th century CE, corresponding to the Late to Terminal Classic periods. Using Bayesian stratigraphic sequence models, we construct detailed developmental and occupational histories for the townsite, clarifying the timing of its development, occupation, and abandonment. Our analysis reveals complex residential histories, confirming a rapid tempo of Late and Terminal Classic settlement growth and indicating continuities in occupation into the 10th century CE and beyond. Furthermore, we identify two separate periods of occupation during the Early Classic (cal AD 345–545) and the Late Postclassic (cal AD 1325–1475), demonstrating that parts of the settlement were inhabited at different intervals over many centuries. These results offer the first detailed deep-history perspective for the East-Central Belize region, establishing a framework that addresses challenges in chronology-building posed by poor pottery preservation and the complexities of earthen-core architecture at the site and enabling future chronological modeling in this lesser-known frontier of the eastern Maya lowlands.