Papers

Direct and large-eddy simulations of turbulence are often solved using explicit temporal schemes. However, this imposes very small time-steps because the eigenvalues of the (linearized) dynamical system, re-scaled by the time-step, must lie inside the stability region. In practice, fast and accurate estimations of the spectral radii of both the discrete convective and diffusive terms are therefore needed. This is virtually always done using the so-called CFL condition. On the other hand, the large heterogeneity and complexity of modern supercomputing systems are nowadays hindering the efficient cross-platform portability of CFD codes. In this regard, our leitmotiv reads: relying on a minimal set of (algebraic) kernels is crucial for code portability and maintenance! In this context, this work focuses on the computation of eigenbounds for the above-mentioned convective and diffusive matrices which are needed to determine the time-step à la CFL. To do so, a new inexpensive method, that does not require to re-construct these time-dependent matrices, is proposed and tested. It just relies on a sparse-matrix vector product where only vectors change on time. Hence, both implementation in existing codes and cross-platform portability are straightforward. The effectiveness and robustness of the method are demonstrated for different test cases on both structured Cartesian and unstructured meshes. Finally, the method is combined with a self-adaptive temporal scheme, leading to significantly larger time-steps compared with other more conventional CFL-based approaches.

Structured light, in which the amplitude, phase, and polarization of an optical field are deliberately tailored in space and time, has enabled unprecedented control over optical fields, paving the way for diverse applications across photonics and optical engineering. However, the prevailing design philosophy, which predominantly focuses on converting a single fixed input into a single desired output, relies on tunability to achieve time-division multiplexing rather than intrinsic design, and is fundamentally incompatible with wavelength-division multiplexing. Here, we propose a general framework for designing structured matter capable of achieving multiple input-output relations simultaneously, thereby enabling passive devices to realize both time-division and wavelength-division multiplexing. Using Stokes skyrmions, which have recently gained attention for their topological properties and promising applications in modern optical communication and computing, as an example, we demonstrate that a simple retarder-diattenuator-retarder cascade can be designed to simultaneously satisfy three arbitrary input-output relations, enabling diverse functionalities within a single passive element. This approach enables complex and multiplexed manipulation of topological numbers, paving the way for high-dimensional on-chip photonic computing based on optical skyrmions.

In a recent preprint [1] Jeffrey Bub presents a discussion of neo-Bohrian interpretations of quantum mechanics, and also of von Neumann's work on infinite tensor products [2]. He rightfully writes that this work provides a theoretical framework that deflates the measurement problem and justifies Bohr's insistence on the primacy of classical concepts. But then he rejects these ideas, on the basis that the infinity limit is "never reached for any real system composed of a finite number of elementary systems". In this note we present opposite views on two major points: first, admitting mathematical infinities in a physical theory is not a problem, if properly done; second, the critics of [3,4,5] comes with a major misunderstanding of these papers: they don't ask about "the significance of the transition from classical to quantum mechanics", but they start from a physical ontology where classical and quantum physics need each other from the beginning. This is because they postulate that a microscopic physical object (or degree of freedom) always appears as a quantum system, within a classical context. Here we argue why this (neo-Bohrian) position makes sense.

Studies of quantum thermal effects on molecular excitation dynamics have often relied on oversimplified models, such as energy eigenstates or low-dimensional potentials, which fail to capture the complexity of real chemical systems. In reality, molecules are spatially extended and embedded in anisotropic environments, where molecular orbitals (MOs) play a central role in determining quantum behavior. To advance beyond these limitations, we propose a three-dimensional rotationally invariant system-bath (3D-RISB) model within the MO framework, with explicit inclusion of intramolecular vibrational motion. From this MO foundation, we derive numerically “exact” hierarchical equations of motion (MO-HEOM). As a demonstration, we analyze hydrogen molecules and hydrogen molecular ions with vibrational degrees of freedom, revealing their linear absorption spectra.

Emerging concepts of metamaterials for MRI offer improved image quality through enhanced RF field control. However, current designs are often limited by bulky configurations, dielectric losses, and limited adaptability. Patient-specific optimization - essential for improving field homogeneity, boosting local SNR, and addressing anatomical variability - requires redesigning each setup. To overcome these limitations, we introduce a hexagonally-packed artificial dielectric, free of any lumped-elements, capable of achieving a wide range of high relative permittivities (30-1400) suitable for clinical and ultra-high-field MRI. We identify multilayered and in-plane-shifted hexagonal configurations that support compact, modular layouts. Furthermore, we combine these artificial dielectrics with dipole arrays to create a modular system for adaptable signal enhancement, tuned via electric and magnetic dipole modes by adjusting the length of conductive strips. In-vivo 7T MRI results demonstrate enhanced field control and high-resolution imaging. This lightweight, flexible, and modular platform enables patient-specific RF field shaping, thus opening up new avenues for personalized and adaptable MRI technology.

By means of a brief review of the derivation of the causal modified Lorentz-Abraham-Dirac classical equation of motion from the renormalization of the mass in the modified equation of motion of an extended charged sphere as its radius approaches zero, it is shown that Zin and Pylak's objection that the jumps in velocity allowed across transition intervals near nonanalytic points in time of the externally applied force produce delta functions in the radiated fields is incorrect.

Cellular organization and mechanotransduction pathways are crucial regulators of tissue morphogenesis, whereas their dysregulation contributes to pathologies. Overactive myofibroblasts are key drivers of fibrosis, yet how their presence alters collective cellular ordering remains unclear. Owing to steric interactions, elongated cells exhibit local order. Topological defects, where alignment is disrupted, have been postulated to serve as mechanical centers. In this study, we examine how incorporating slower moving myofibroblast phenotype impacts defect relaxation in monolayers consisting of co-cultured fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. In this system, myofibroblasts act as the less active component. Increasing their fraction increases disorder strength and slows defect recombination. On microgrooved surfaces, higher myofibroblast concentrations lead to worse alignment, suggesting single-cell mechanosensing and cell-cell interactions act jointly. Furthermore, we found that myofibroblasts preferentially localize at negatively charged -1/2 defects, whereas fibroblasts localize at +1/2 defects. Consequently, the slowdown of recombination dynamics can be partially attributed to myofibroblasts' preferential association with the less mobile -1/2 defects, increasing local friction and impeding defect mobility. This localization may also reduce compressive stress on myofibroblasts, as indicated by immunofluorescence of a downstream mechanotransducer. This work provides insights into possible connections between topological defects and cell motility in mixed phenotype monolayers.

Mesoscopic models of the optical response of metals have emerged as fundamental building blocks in quantum plasmonics, in principle overcoming the computational bottlenecks of ab initio techniques by implementing aspects of the atomistic description of the metal in otherwise classical calculations. Nonetheless, even these approaches are eventually hindered by demanding computations due to sophisticated material response. Here, this issue is addressed for the advanced Self-Consistent Hydrodynamic Drude Model (SC-HDM), which captures both nonlocal electron dynamics and electron spill-out, through a Volume Integral Equation (VIE) method. Adopting an IE-based method shifts perspective from the commonly employed Differential Equation (DE)-based ones, demonstrating significant computational efficiency. The VIE approach is a valuable methodological scaffold: It addresses SC-HDM and simpler models, but can also be adapted to more advanced ones. For spherical nanoparticles (NPs), using the inherent symmetries, similar performance for three increasingly complicated material models is achieved, breaking the taboo that increased sophistication in material response requires taxing simulations. Mesoscopic material-response functions can be readily extracted from the VIE implementation, thus circumventing the need for lengthy microscopic calculations. This method opens a new way of modeling quantum hydrodynamic NPs and will serve as essential benchmarking tool for recipes addressing more complicated geometries.

In this paper, we investigate coherent control of nonadiabatic dynamics at a conical intersection (CI) using engineered ultrafast laser pulses. Within a model vibronic system, we tailor pulse chirp and temporal profile and compute the resulting wave-packet population and coherence dynamics using projections along the reaction coordinate. This approach allows us to resolve the detailed evolution of wave-packets as they traverse the degeneracy region with strong nonadiabatic coupling. By systematically varying pulse parameters, we demonstrate that both chirp and pulse duration modulate vibrational coherence and alter branching between competing pathways, leading to controlled changes in quantum yield. Our results elucidate the dynamical mechanisms underlying pulse-shaped control near conical intersections and establish a general framework for manipulating ultrafast nonadiabatic processes.

In this paper, we introduce "the Schrödinger plate." This is an infinite two-dimensional linear micro-polar elastic medium, with out-of-plane degrees of freedom, lying on a linear elastic foundation of a special kind. Any free motion of the plate can be corresponded to a solution of the two-dimensional Schrödinger equation for a single particle in the external potential field $V$. The specific dependence of the potential $V$ on the position is taken into account in the properties of the plate elastic foundation. The governing equations of the plate are derived as equations of the two-dimensional constraint Cosserat continuum using the direct approach. The plate dynamics can be described by the classical Germain-Lagrange equation for a plate, but the strain energy is different from the one used in the classical Kirchhoff-Love plate theory. Namely, the Schrödinger plate cannot be imagined as a thin elastic body composed of an isotropic linear material. The main property of the Schrödinger plate is as follows: the mechanical energy propagates in the plate exactly in the same way as the probability density propagates according to the corresponding Schrödinger equation.

Within the framework of the second-order non-relativistic quantum perturbation theory, the methods of the theory of irreducible tensor operators, and nonorthogonal orbitals, the absolute values and shape of the generalized cross-sections of the two-photon double ionization (sweeping) of the K-shell of a heavy neon-like ion of an iron atom were predicted. The complete wave functions of the ground state of the ion and the states of its ionization are obtained in the single-configuration Hartree-Fock approximation. The effects of radial relaxation of ionization states in the field of one and two vacancies in the K-shell are taken into account. The matrix element of the operator of the radiation transition between continuum-spectrum states is taken into account by introducing a correlation function. It was established that the generalized cross-section of the two-photon sweeping of the K-shell at high (greater than or equal to 15.8 keV) energies of absorbed X-ray photons is several orders of magnitude greater than the generalized cross-section of the two-photon single ionization of the K-shell. This result qualitatively reproduces the work of Novikov S.A. and Hopersky A.N. (J. Phys. B 2002. V. 35. P. L339), stimulates future research, in particular, the effects of cascade "evaporation" of electron shells of an atom (atomic ion) when filling an empty K-shell and can be tested in X-ray free-electron laser experiments with high peak radiation brightness and ultrashort photon pulse duration. The scheme of the proposed experiment with two linearly polarized X-ray photons is presented.

Consistent glacier boundary delineation is essential for monitoring glacier change, yet many existing approaches are difficult to scale across long time series and heterogeneous environments. In this report, we present a GeoSAM-based, semi-automatic workflow for rapid glacier delineation from Sentinel-2 surface reflectance imagery. The method combines late-summer image compositing, spectral-index-based identification of candidate ice areas, prompt-guided segmentation using GeoSAM, and physically based post-processing to derive annual glacier outlines. The workflow is demonstrated in the Ny-Alesund and Kongsfjorden region of western Svalbard across multiple years of the Sentinel-2 era. Results show that the approach produces spatially coherent and temporally consistent outlines for major glacier bodies, while most errors are associated with small features affected by water bodies, terrain shadows, or high surface variability. The reliance on derived RGB imagery makes the method flexible and transferable to other optical datasets, with improved performance expected at higher spatial resolution. Although user inspection remains necessary to filter incorrect polygons and adjust thresholds for local conditions, the workflow provides a fast and practical alternative for multi-temporal glacier mapping and ice-loss assessment.

We present relativistic many-body perturbation theory plus configuration interaction (MBPT+CI) calculations of the lowest four excited states of Ni$^{12+}$, a promising candidate for highly charged ion (HCI) optical clocks. By combining the convergence behavior from multiple calculation models, we perform a detailed analysis of the electron-correlation effects and both the excitation energies and their uncertainties are obtained. Our computed energies for the first two excited states deviate from experimental values by less than $10~\mathrm{cm^{-1}}$, with relative uncertainties estimated below $0.2\%$. Building on the same computational procedure, we calculate the mass shift and field shift constants for the lowest four excited states of Ni$^{12+}$, and the resulting isotope shifts exhibit valence-correlation-induced relative uncertainties below the $1\%$ level. These results provide essential atomic-structure input for high-precision isotope shift spectroscopy in Ni$^{12+}$.

In this note I sketch the work of Christiaan Huygens to develop a theory of motion and its application to elastic collisions. In this theory he uses the relativity of uniform linear motion to derive the conservation of momentum and kinetic energy (at the time referred to as living force or vis viva). The conservation of living force was used subsequently by Leibniz as a basic general principle of dynamics, an alternative to that of Newton set forth in the Principia Mathematica.

The Parallel Minority Game (PMG) is a synchronous adaptive multi-agent model that exhibits active-absorbing transitions characteristic of non-equilibrium statistical systems. We perform a comprehensive numerical study of the PMG under two families of microscopic decision rules: (i) agents update their choices based on instantaneous population in their alternative choices, and (ii) threshold-based activation that activates agents movement only after overcrowding density crossing a threshold. We measure time-dependent and steady state limits of activity $A(t)$, overcrowding fraction $F(t)$ as functions of the control parameter $g=N/D$, where $N$ is the number of agents and $D$ is the total number of sites. Instantaneous rules display mean-field directed-percolation (MF-DP) scaling with $\beta\approx1.00$, $\delta\approx0.5$, and $\nu_{\parallel}\approx2.0$. Threshold rules, however, produce a distinct non-mean-field universality class with $\beta\approx0.75$ and a systematic failure of dynamical scaling. We show that thresholding acts as a relevant perturbation to the critical behavior of the model. The results highlight how minimal cognitive features at the agent level fundamentally alter large-scale critical behavior in socio-economic and active systems.

Chromatin is repeatedly deformed in vivo during transcription, nuclear remodeling, and confined migration - yet how mechanical response varies from locus to locus, and how it relates to epigenetic state, remains unclear. We develop a theory to infer locus-specific viscoelasticity from three-dimensional genome organization. Using chromatin structures derived from contact maps, we calculate frequency-dependent storage and loss moduli for individual loci and establish that the mechanical properties are determined both by chromatin epigenetic marks and organization. On large length scales, chromatin exhibits Rouse-like viscoelastic scaling, but this coarse behavior masks extensive heterogeneity at the single-locus level. Loci segregate into two mechanical subpopulations with distinct longest relaxation times: one characterized by single-timescale and another by multi-timescale relaxation. The multi-timescale loci are strongly enriched in active marks, and the longest relaxation time for individual loci correlates inversely with effective local stiffness. Pull-release simulations further predict a time-dependent susceptibility: H3K27ac-rich loci deform more under sustained forcing yet can resist brief, large impulses. At finer genomic scales, promoters, enhancers, and gene bodies emerge as "viscoelastic islands" aligned with their focal interactions. Together, these results suggest that chromatin viscoelasticity is an organized, epigenetically coupled property of the 3D genome, providing a mechanistic layer that may influence enhancer-promoter communication, condensate-mediated organization, and response to cellular mechanical stress. The prediction that locus-specific mechanics in chromatin are controlled by 3D structures as well as the epigenetic states is amenable to experimental test.

Accurate long-range weather forecasting remains a major challenge for AI models, both because errors accumulate over autoregressive rollouts and because reanalysis training datasets provide limited sampling of the slow modes of variability underpinning predictability. Most AI and all numerical weather prediction models are autoregressive, repeatedly applying short-lead forecasts to reach subseasonal-to-seasonal (S2S) or seasonal lead times, often causing instability and miscalibration. Long-timestep probabilistic models that generate long-range forecasts in a single step offer an alternative, but training on the 40-year reanalysis record leads to overfitting, suggesting orders of magnitude more data are required. We introduce long-range distillation, whereby a long-timestep probabilistic “student” model is trained to forecast directly at long-range using a huge synthetic dataset generated by an autoregressive “teacher” model. Using the Deep Learning Earth System Model (DLESyM) as teacher, we generate over 10,000 years of simulated climate to train student models across a range of timescales. In perfect-model experiments, the distilled models outperform climatology and approach their teacher's skill while replacing hundreds of autoregressive steps with a single timestep. In the real world, both a diffusion model student fine-tuned on ERA5 and a linear inverse model student with mixed DLESyM-ERA5 training achieve S2S forecast skill competitive with the ECMWF IFS ensemble, with synthetic pre-training providing improvements beyond ERA5-only training. This demonstrates the benefit of synthetic pre-training for both deep learning and classical data-driven methods, and represents the first demonstration that real-world skill can be improved by training on AI-generated synthetic data in volumes far exceeding the observational record.

A metalens is composed of an array of artificially designed meta-atoms which can manipulate the phase, polarization and amplitude of light making it an excellent component for wavefront modulation. In this study, we design an transmittive achromatic metalens (NA equals to 0.05) composed of sapphire substrate and cross-shape silica meta-atom array operating across the entire ultraviolet C (UVC) band (200 to 280 nm) for all incident polarization through numerical simulation. It is shown that the device achieves an average focusing efficiency of 75% with a focal shift of less than 10% across the bandwidth and successfully demonstrates that is polarization-free. The device is expected to perform effectively in ultraviolet imaging and hold great potential for space-based astronomical observations.

Deformable and flexible electronics have garnered significant attention due to their distinctive properties; however, their current applications are primarily limited to the thermoelectric domain. Expanding the range of these electronics and their application scope represents a pivotal trend in their development. In this work, a plastic inorganic semiconductor material, Sn2BiS2I3, with a band gap of 1.2 eV was synthesized and fabricated into a three-electrode flexible and portable electronic tongue capable of detecting heavy metal elements. The electronic tongue device exhibits exceptional linearity and demonstrates resistance against interference from impurity ions. The linear regression equation is expressed as Y=0.24+19.06X, yielding a linear coefficient of approximately 0.96, and the detectable limit stands at around 1.1 ppb, surpassing the 2.0 ppb limit of the ICP-AES instrument. Furthermore, mechanical testing reveals the favorable plasticity of Sn2BiS2I3, as evidenced by the absence of cracks during nanoindentation. The indentation hardness of Sn2BiS2I3 is approximately 1.67 GPa, slightly exceeding the hardness of Cu, which is 1.25 GPa. This study expands the repertoire of deformable and flexible electronics, offering a new and exceptional choice for biomimetic tongue sensor materials.

We study energy dissipation and propagation of information encoded by Josephson vortices in two types of circular shift register: a) a uniform register composed of sections of discrete Josephson transmission lines (JTL) forming a closed loop with a flux pump allowing to change the number of moving fluxon; b) a nonuniform register composed of sections of the regular JTL and sections of JTLs utilizing nSQUIDs - dc-SQUIDs with negative inductance between their arms - instead of single Josephson junctions. nSQUIDs are parametric devices with a flexible double-well potential that were proposed as components for reversible computing. For the uniform register, we demonstrate the energy dissipation per bit-shift operation below the Landauer's thermodynamic limit $E_T=k_BTln2$ up to propagation delays of ~0.7 ns, corresponding to the circular information motion with frequencies up to ~1.4 GHz. This does not contradict Landauer's minimum energy requirement for computations since information is not destroyed. For the nonuniform register, we find the minimum energy dissipation per bit-shift of about 16$E_T$ and attribute this to a nonuniform movement of vortices and energy barriers between the regular JTL and nSQUID sections. Differences of Josephson vortex propagation in both types of circular registers are discussed based on the measured current-voltage characteristics, extracted effective resistance and the terminal speed of Josephson vortices, and their dependences on the number of moving vorticies. nSQUID inductance connecting JJs to the ground leads to an unusual type of lossless discrete transmission line with frequency-dependent impedance and propagation speed, both different from the regular JTLs.

The development of sophisticated integrated photonic circuits demands microresonators that combine exceptional optical confinement with dynamic operational flexibility. Here, we demonstrate a racetrack resonator on the thin-film lithium niobate platform that achieves an electro-optically tunable coupling strength while maintaining a stable, high intrinsic Q factor on the order of 10^6. By incorporating a Mach-Zehnder interferometer into the coupling region, the device facilitates a continuous and reversible transition across the entire coupling spectrum from under-coupling and critical coupling to deep over-coupling. To ensure high spectral purity, we employ Euler bends to facilitate an adiabatic transition between the straight and curved waveguide sections. This design effectively suppresses the excitation of higher-order modes, resulting in a clean transmission spectrum characterized by exclusive fundamental mode operation. At the critical coupling point, the resonator exhibits a high extinction ratio exceeding 30 dB. The integration of stable ultra-high Q, single-mode purity, and full-range coupling reconfigurability positions this device as a vital component for adaptive microwave photonics, high-efficiency nonlinear optics, and programmable quantum photonic networks.

We analyze a new Rydberg gate design based on the original $\pi-2\pi-\pi$ protocol [Jaksch, et. al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 85, 2208 (2000)] that is modified to enable high fidelity operation without requiring a strong Rydberg interaction. The gate retains the $\pi-2\pi-\pi$ structure with an additional detuning added to the $2\pi$ pulse on the target qubit. The protocol reaches within a factor of 2.39 (1.68) of the fundamental fidelity limit set by Rydberg lifetime for equal (asymmetric) Rabi frequencies on the control and target qubits. We generalize the gate protocol to arbitrary controlled phases. We design optimal target-qubit phase waveforms to generalize the gate across a range of interaction strengths and we find that, within this family of gates, the constant-phase protocol is time-optimal for a fixed laser Rabi frequency and tunable interaction strength. Quantum control techniques are used to design gates that are robust against variations in Rydberg Rabi frequency or interaction strength.

We demonstrate a compact stabilization scheme for terahertz (THz) sources by exploiting the complementary advantages of microresonator-based optical frequency combs (microcombs) and resonant tunneling diodes (RTDs). A microcomb-driven photomixing THz signal is employed as the master for injection locking of an RTD, enabling faithful transfer of the microcomb stability into the RTD. Using this approach, the free-running RTD linewidth of 50 MHz was narrowed to 165 Hz, while the single-sideband phase noise reached -80 dBc/Hz at a 10 kHz offset with a locking range of 80 MHz. Compared with conventional electronic frequency multiplier or fiber-comb-based schemes, this method avoids high-order frequency multiplication and associated noise penalties, offering a compact and practical alternative. The dual functionality of linewidth narrowing and power scalability highlights the potential of microcomb-assisted injection locking as a route toward chip-scale, spectrally pure THz sources for beyond-5G/6G wireless communication and radar, with prospects for future extension to time-frequency metrology and precision sensing.

Achieving fast and continuous fabrication of large-scale complex 3D structures is key to unlocking industrial-scale adoption of two-photon lithography (TPL). Despite substantial improvement in peak optical patterning rates enabled by recent parallel exposure strategies, the practical fabrication rate of TPL for large structures remains low. This gap is primarily attributed to the mismatched bandwidth among toolpath generation, data transferring, and laser patterning, and the stop-and-go operation for part stitching etc. Here, we present a line-illumination temporal focusing TPL (Line-TF TPL) solution that, for the first time, demonstrates true continuous 3D nanolithography with full-bandwidth data streaming, grayscale voxel tuning, and cost-effective large-scale fabrication capability. To achieve the goal, we use a digital micromirror device (DMD) to temporally focus femtosecond laser pulses into a programmable line with enhanced 3D resolution, pixel-level grayscale control, and a high-refresh rate (>10 kHz), realizing continuous fabrication at a hardware-limited maximum rate. Specifically, we fabricated centimeter-scale 3D structures with sub-diffraction features down to 75 nm laterally and 99 nm axially. Our method eliminates stitching defects by continuous scanning and grayscale stitching; and provides real-time pattern streaming at a bandwidth that is one order of magnitude higher than previous TPL systems. The line-scanning strategy also substantially lowers the pulse-energy requirement, hence the cost for parallel TPL; and maximizes the machine uptime through continuous operation, both of which are critical metrics for industrialization. Finally, we demonstrated centimeter-scale artworks, fine 3D features, and complex miniaturized optics, revealing the Line-TF TPL's large-scale application potential in photonic packaging, metamaterial discovery, and biomedicine.

When a droplet impacts a liquid film, a vortex ring form and govern momentum and species transport. We experimentally investigate vortex ring formation, propagation and instability during droplet impact onto liquid films, with particular emphasis on vortex ring-wall interactions. Particle image velocimetry and laser-induced fluorescence are used to study the effects of Reynolds number Re, Weber number We and dimensionless film thickness \delta over ranges Re \leq 3900, We \leq 61 and 0.09 \leq \delta \leq 1.35. As film thickness decreases, a transition from a single axisymmetric vortex ring to azimuthally unstable, multi-vortex structures is observed. A regime map in Re-\delta space is constructed, showing that vortex ring instabilities occur at lower Re for thinner films, while no instabilities are detected for thick films up to the highest Re studied. The azimuthal wave number increases with Re and decreases with \delta. Thinner films exhibit faster decay of primary vortex ring circulation due to wall interactions, accompanied by the formation of secondary vortex ring at lower Re. An empirical model is proposed to predict the temporal evolution of total vortex ring circulation, accounting for both generation and decay.

Due to the prohibitive cost of resolving all relevant scales, direct numerical simulations of turbulence remain unfeasible for most real-world applications. Consequently, dynamically simplified formulations are needed for coarse-grained simulations. In this regard, eddy-viscosity models for Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) are widely used both in academia and industry. These models require a subgrid characteristic length, typically linked to the local grid size. While this length scale corresponds to the mesh step for isotropic grids, its definition for unstructured or anisotropic Cartesian meshes, such as the pancake-like meshes commonly used to capture near-wall turbulence or shear layers, remains an open question. Despite its significant influence on LES model performance, no consensus has been reached on its proper formulation. In this work, we introduce a novel subgrid characteristic length. This length scale is derived from the analysis of the entanglement between the numerical discretization and the filtering in LES. Its mathematical properties and simplicity make it a robust choice for reducing the impact of mesh anisotropies on simulation accuracy. The effectiveness of the proposed subgrid length is demonstrated through simulations of decaying isotropic turbulence and a turbulent channel flow using different codes.

Westerly wind bursts (WWBs) have long been known to have a major impact on the development of El Niño events. In particular, they amplify these events, with stronger events associated with a higher number and stronger WWBs. We consider here a noise-driven recharge oscillator model of ENSO. Commonly, WWBs are represented by a state-dependent Gaussian noise that naturally reproduces the amplification of warm events. However, we show that many properties of WWBs and their effects on sea surface temperature (SST) are better captured by a conditional additive and multiplicative (CAM) noise, which presents a promising alternative to represent WWBs. In addition to recovering the sporadic nature of WWBs, CAM noise leads to an asymmetry between El Niño and La Niña events without the need for deterministic nonlinearities. Furthermore, CAM noise generates SST dynamics with a higher frequency of WWBs accompanying the largest events. This suggests that extreme warm events are better modelled by CAM noise. To cover the full spectrum of warm events, we propose a conditional noise model in which the wind stress is modelled by additive Gaussian noise for sufficiently small SSTs and by additive CAM noise once the SST exceeds a certain threshold. We show that this conditional noise model captures observed bulk statistical properties of ENSO equally well as the commonly used multiplicative Gaussian red noise model, but additionally better reproduces dynamical signatures such as the increased number of WWBs preceding large El Niño events.

Sensing biological forces with microscopic lasers is an emerging technique that offers significant advantages over conventional fluorescent probes and imaging-based techniques. However, the limited availability of suitable deformable or elastic microlaser materials is restricting the scale of forces that can be detected which strongly narrows their overall applicability. Here, we describe the synthesis of spherical whispering gallery mode microbead lasers from a commercially available elastomer material in a microfluidic system with high viscosity. Upon doping with an organic dye, the microbeads show multimode lasing with thresholds in the range of 2-11 nJ. Measurements of the mechanical properties reveal that the width of the laser modes is directly proportional to the applied external force. The measured mean Young's modulus is 36 kPa, comparable to the stiffness of single cells and soft tissues. We also demonstrate that elastomer microlasers are stable under cell culture conditions for several days and observe splitting of the laser modes for intracellular microlasers. The observed properties render elastomer microlasers as a robust material platform for biointegrated lasers that also allows further tuning of the mechanical and optical properties for tailored force sensing inside cells, tissues, and small animals.

Internal modes of climate variability, such as El Niño and the North Atlantic Oscillation, can have strong influences upon distant weather patterns, effects that are referred to as "teleconnections". The extent to which anthropogenic climate change has and will continue to affect these teleconnections, however, remains uncertain. Here, we employ a covariance fingerprinting approach to demonstrate that shifts in teleconnection patterns affecting monthly temperatures between the periods 1960-1990 and 1990-2020 are attributable to anthropogenic forcing. We further apply multilinear regression to assess the regional contributions and statistical significance of changes in five key climate modes: the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, North Atlantic Oscillation, Southern Annular Mode, Indian Ocean Dipole, and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation. In many regions, observed changes exceed what would be expected from natural variability alone, further implicating an anthropogenic influence. Finally, we provide projections of how these teleconnections will alter in response to further changes in climate.

X-ray computed tomography (CT) is widely used in medical imaging, with sparse-view reconstruction offering an effective way to reduce radiation dose. However, ill-posed conditions often result in severe streak artifacts. Recent advances in deep learning-based methods have improved reconstruction quality, but challenges still remain. To address these challenges, we propose a novel semantic feature contrastive learning loss function that evaluates semantic similarity in high-level latent spaces and anatomical similarity in shallow latent spaces. Our approach utilizes a three-stage U-Net-based architecture: one for coarse reconstruction, one for detail refinement, and one for semantic similarity measurement. Tests on a chest dataset with orthogonal projections demonstrate that our method achieves superior reconstruction quality and faster processing compared to other algorithms. The results show significant improvements in image quality while maintaining low computational complexity, making it a practical solution for orthogonal CT reconstruction.