bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Techno-Economic Optimisation of Green and Clean Hydrogen Production
Authors: Loh Yong Ying , Ng Denny K. S. , Andiappan Viknesh
Published: August 2024

Energy is typically generated from fossil fuels, leading to significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Therefore, cleaner energy needs to be used to reduce GHG emissions in the energy sector. Hydrogen (H2) is identified as a potential resource suitable for replacing fossil fuels as H2 burns with oxygen to produce water (H2O) and generates no emissions as a result of this. However, H2 is normally produced through steam reforming of natural gas, which is a fossil fuel. Clean H2 can be produced if its derived from renewable pathways, such as solar powered water electrolysis, gasification of biomass, etc. However, determining a feasible renewable pathway is challenging. In addition, storage of H2 is another challenge as the energy density of H2 is considerably low. To increase the energy density, H2 must stored at high pressure and low temperature. This causes high storing costs for H2 before being transported to the end-users and high energy consumption requirements. H2 production from renewable sources is also lower in efficiency when compared with conventional production technology. Thus, it is critical to develop a systematic optimisation tool to analyse and optimise the production of clean H2 to overcome the abovementioned challenges. This work presents an optimisation model to optimise the production of clean H2 based on total annualised cost, yield, efficiency, storage and energy consumption of each technology. To illustate the proposed model, a case study with several scenarios, such as an economically feasible and clean H2 process and optimal H2 production and storage technologies in terms of energy consumption, is solved.
Modelling Thought Versus Modelling the Brain
Authors: Shenker Orly
Published: August 2024

What is the connection between modelling thought and modelling the brain? In a model (as understood here), we strip away from the modelled system some non-essential features and retain some essential ones. What are the essential features of thought that are to be retained in the model, and conversely, what are its inessential features, that may be stripped away in the model? According to a prevalent view in contemporary science and philosophy, thought is a computation, and therefore its essential features are its computational features. A necessary part of the computational view of thought is the idea that the same computation can be realised by, or implemented in, physically heterogeneous systems, an idea known as “Multiple Realizability” of the computational features or properties by the physical ones. I will describe why the very idea of Multiple Realizability, especially in the case of mental computation, entails mind-body dualism, and explore some implications of this conclusion concerning the question of which are the essential features of thought to be retained in modeling it.
Almost diagonalization theorem and global wave front sets in ultradifferentiable classes
Authors: Asensio Vicente
Published: August 2024

The main aim of this paper is to prove that the wave front set of $$a^w(x,D)u$$

a
w

(
x
,
D
)

u

, i.e. the action of the Weyl operator with symbol a on u, is contained in the wave front set of u and in the conic support of a in spaces of $$\omega $$
ω
-tempered ultradistributions in the Beurling setting for adequate symbols of ultradifferentiable type. These symbols are not restricted to have order zero. To do so, we prove an almost diagonalization theorem on Weyl operators. Furthermore, an almost diagonalization theorem involving time-frequency analysis leads to additional applications, such as invertibility of pseudodifferential operators or boundedness of them in modulation spaces with exponential growth.
Coercion in psychiatry: psychometric validation of the Portuguese Staff Attitudes to Coercion Scale (SACS)
Authors: Aluh Deborah Oyine , Diaz-Milanes Diego , Pedrosa Barbara , Silva Manuela , Grigaitė Ugnė , Almeida Carolina Rocha , de Almeida Mousinho Maria Ferreira , Vieira Margarida , Cardoso Graça , Caldas-de-Almeida José Miguel
Published: August 2024

Background

There is a growing recognition that staff attitudes toward coercion in mental health care may influence its application. This study presents the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Staff Attitudes towards Coercion Scale (SACS) and describes mental health professionals’ attitudes towards coercion in Portugal.

Methods

Mental health professionals working in five Portuguese mental health services in urban and rural regions of Portugal were invited to complete a questionnaire comprising the SACS and a socio-demographic form. Psychometric analyses including construct validity and internal consistency were carried out using R software.

Results

A total of 91 out of 119 questionnaires completed were valid for analysis. Fifty-seven (62.64%) respondents were female, with an age range of 24 to 69 years (M = 39.33; SD = 11.09). More than half of them were nurses (52.75%, n = 48), and a third were psychiatrists (36.26%, n = 33). A three-factor structure was confirmed and showed the best fit compared to previously proposed models with a cumulative explained variance of 59%. The Portuguese SACS exhibited adequate internal consistency for both the full-scale and subscales. The highest mean score was in the pragmatic attitude domain (20.60; SD = 3.37). A negative correlation was observed between the critical attitude domain and both age and years of experience (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

A three-factor structure was confirmed and showed the best fit compared to previously proposed models. The Portuguese SACS showed excellent psychometric properties and is acceptable for assessing staff attitudes towards coercion.
Internet-based Surveillance Systems and Infectious Diseases Prediction: An Updated Review of the Last 10 Years and Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: McClymont Hannah , Lambert Stephen B. , Barr Ian , Vardoulakis Sotiris , Bambrick Hilary , Hu Wenbiao
Published: August 2024

The last decade has seen major advances and growth in internet-based surveillance for infectious diseases through advanced computational capacity, growing adoption of smart devices, increased availability of Artificial Intelligence (AI), alongside environmental pressures including climate and land use change contributing to increased threat and spread of pandemics and emerging infectious diseases. With the increasing burden of infectious diseases and the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for developing novel technologies and integrating internet-based data approaches to improving infectious disease surveillance is greater than ever. In this systematic review, we searched the scientific literature for research on internet-based or digital surveillance for influenza, dengue fever and COVID-19 from 2013 to 2023. We have provided an overview of recent internet-based surveillance research for emerging infectious diseases (EID), describing changes in the digital landscape, with recommendations for future research directed at public health policymakers, healthcare providers, and government health departments to enhance traditional surveillance for detecting, monitoring, reporting, and responding to influenza, dengue, and COVID-19.
ASEAN Four’s middle income trap dilemma: evidence of the middle technology trap
Authors: Ke Yian
Published: August 2024

In Southeast Asia, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines are defined by the World Bank as countries that failed to overcome the "middle income trap". The four Southeast Asian countries (hereinafter referred to as the "ASEAN Four") entered the ranks of middle-income economies in the late 1970s and early 1980s and achieved rapid economic development throughout the 1980s and 1990s. However, since the early 2000s, the competitive advantages of these countries’ labor-intensive industries have started to decline, while the process of industrial transformation and technological improvement has been stagnated due to the lack of innovation resources. With limited R&D input and insufficient indigenous tech innovation, these countries’ manufacturing industry show a trend of "deindustrialization" and the "middle technology trap" phenomenon emerged. As the manufacturing sector failed to generate value-added that promotes economic growth and national income increase, ASEAN Four have so far yet to enter the high-income ranks. Drawing from the cases of ASEAN Four, this paper argues that the "middle technology trap" is a key contributing factor to the “middle income trap,” and countries fallen into the “middle income trap” often experience the "middle technology trap" as a concomitant phenomenon. The paper first introduces the industrialization process of ASEAN Four while analyzes the challenges they faced in industrial structural transformation and technology advancement. It then discusses major reasons that these countries failed to step over both the "middle technology trap" and the “middle income trap”, including limited technology spillovers from FDI, R&D investment shortages and insufficient industrial policies, low-quality education system, deficient intellectual property protection and underdeveloped regional capital markets. The paper concludes with some implications for China and discussion on potential future research on distinctions of the “middle technology trap” phenomenon between upper middle-income and lower middle-income countries.
Making the Hypar Up pavilion: (in)efficiencies of upcycling surplus timber products
Authors: Colabella Sofia , Pugnale Alberto , Halls Jack , Park Michael Minghi , Mangliár László , Hudert Markus
Published: August 2024

This paper illustrates the design and fabrication processes of the Hypar Up pavilion, which served as a proof-of-concept to demonstrate the viability of a design-to-fabrication workflow for complex yet modular architectural geometries that utilise small and planar timber offcuts geometries discretised as Planar Quadrilateral (PQ) meshes. By integrating computational design and optimisation with efficient manufacturing processes, this research highlights the technical challenges of repurposing materials with unknown characteristics, notably detailing solutions, and evaluates the efficiency of design-to-manufacturing workflows with surplus timber products, using a quantitative cost analysis of the fabrication and assembly phases. While exploring the potential of repurposing scrap wood into hypar-shaped modular construction components, this work expands on existing research on segmented shells and investigates methods and means to move beyond the use of shell structures as monolithic and static artefacts. The pavilion is intended as a 1:1 modular prototype that can be resized to accommodate different dimensions of the timber panel offcuts and potential applications to be tested in future applications, such as load-bearing walls and facade retrofitting.
Fake memories: A meta-analysis on the effect of fake news on the creation of false memories and false beliefs
Authors: Schincariol Alexa , Otgaar Henry , Greene Ciara M. , Murphy Gillian , Riesthuis Paul , Mangiulli Ivan , Battista Fabiana
Published: August 2024

Fake news can affect people in negative ways. A recent line of research has demonstrated that when people are exposed to fake news they can form false memories for the events depicted in the news stories. We conducted a meta-analysis to obtain an estimate of the average rate of false memories elicited by fake news. Thirteen articles were included in the final analysis, revealing that nearly 40% and 60% of the participants reported at least one false memory and belief (respectively) after fake news exposure, while each participant remembered or believed 22% of the total number of fake news presented. Individual differences may affect the rate of false memory formation following exposure to false memories. We therefore examined moderating effects of individual difference variables assessed in the included studies. Participants with better analytical reasoning skills and a high level of interest in the news topic were least likely to report false memories for fake news, with level of interest being also a facilitating factor in remembering true news. No effect was detected for cognitive ability and objective knowledge. Our results provide insightful and practical information in the context of world-wide misinformation dissemination and its impact on people's beliefs and memories.
Return to Orléans: Racism, Rumor, and Social Scientists in 1960s France
Authors: Asseraf Arthur
Published: August 2024

How did it become possible to think of a racism without racists? This article tackles this question by looking at the contested interpretation of a racist incident in France. In 1969, Jewish shop owners in Orléans were baselessly accused of kidnapping women in fitting rooms and trafficking them into sexual slavery. This antisemitic agitation rapidly attracted the attention of local authorities, national media, and social scientists, led by sociologist Edgar Morin. Morin’s study made these events into a famous case-study in disinformation, the “rumor of Orléans.” But Morin was only one of several actors who attributed different causes to racism in Orléans. All of them agreed that racism was a serious problem, but they could not agree on its causes. Compared to other incidents at the time which grabbed media attention, the uncertainty of events in Orléans allowed people to debate this. Morin’s contribution was to turn to communications and social psychology to deploy the concept of “rumor.” He dissolved the problem of racism into a problem of communication. This suggests that in order to understand the emergence of “racism without racists,” we have to pay close attention to the context in which theories emerged to make it thinkable, and to the relationship between analyses of racism and communication.
Factors Associated with School Engagement Changes During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Finnish Middle School Students
Authors: Alanko Katarina , Kuhlberg Linda , Lagerström Martin
Published: August 2024

Abstract: Introduction: “School engagement” refers to the feelings and thoughts pupils have for school, which, according to theory, can be divided into behavioral, cognitive, and emotional engagement. Previously identified factors predicting school engagement are teacher-student relationship, individual characteristics, emotional stability, and gender. Aim: The current study addresses changes in behavioral, cognitive, and emotional school engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic. It analyzes the effect of previously identified risk factors on self-reported change in school engagement among middle-school students in Finland. Methods: We collected the data in the spring of 2021. Participants were 1,788 Finnish middle-school pupils (age range 12–17) who responded to an online survey during the school day. Results: After we controlled for multiple tests, the results revealed a few significant factors associated with negative changes in school engagement. However, prior anxiety, depression, or externalizing behavior were related to negative changes. Discussion: Pupils with previous risk factors for low engagement or different kinds of struggles in school were more likely to react negatively to the changes brought forth by the pandemic on several engagement outcomes compared to students with few or no risk factors. In the future, should disruptions of normal school routines be necessary, special attention should be given to planning proper support for at-risk students.
Low‐Interception Waveforms: To Prevent the Recognition of Spectrum Waveform Modulation via Adversarial Examples
Authors: Tan Jia , Xie Haidong , Zhang Xiaoying , Ji Nan , Liao Haihua , Yu ZuGuo , Xiang Xueshuang , Liu Naijin
Published: August 2024

Deep learning is applied to many complex tasks in the field of wireless communication, such as modulation recognition of spectrum waveforms, because of its convenience and efficiency. This leads to the problem of a malicious third party using a deep learning model to easily recognize the modulation format of the transmitted waveform. Some existing works address this problem directly using the concept of adversarial examples in the computer vision field without fully considering the characteristics of the waveform transmission in the physical world. Therefore, we propose two low‐interception waveforms (LIWs) generation methods, the LIW and ULIW algorithms, which can reduce the probability of the modulation being recognized by a third party without affecting the reliable communication of the friendly party. Among them, ULIW improves LIW algorithm by simulating channel noise during training cycle, and substantially reduces the perturbation magnitude while maintaining low interception accuracy. Our LIW and ULIW exhibit significant low‐interception performance in both numerical simulations and hardware experiments.
Sound Velocities of Stishovite at Simultaneous High Pressure and High Temperature Suggest an Eclogite‐Rich Layer Beneath the Hawaii Hotspot
Authors: Chen Sibo , Wang Siheng , Qi Xintong , Xu Man , Yu Tony , Wang Yanbin , Li Baosheng
Published: August 2024

Compressional and shear wave velocities of polycrystalline stishovite (SiO2) have been measured at simultaneous high pressures and temperatures up to 14.5 GPa and 800°C. By fitting velocities to the finite strain equations, the elastic moduli and density were determined to be KS0 = 306.6(46) GPa, KS′ = 4.92(10), ∂KS/∂T = −0.024(1) GPa/K, G0 = 229.0(34) GPa, G′ = 1.07(10), ∂G/∂T = −0.017(1) GPa/K, ρ0 = 4.287(2) g/cm3. Our modeling suggested that, in the eclogite, coesite‐stishovite transition can increase P and S wave velocities by 2.4% and 3.5%, respectively. A comparison between geophysical observations and our model shows that the coesite‐stishovite phase transition in the eclogite can potentially be responsible for the occurrence of the X discontinuity beneath Hawaii. In addition, our current results suggest an eclogite‐rich layer between 340 and 450 km depth beneath Hawaii. The eclogite concentration at the top and bottom of the layer is 41–55 vol% and >77 vol%, respectively.
Numerical Simulations of Magnetic Effects on Zonal Flows in Giant Planets
Authors: Xue Shanshan , Lin Yufeng
Published: August 2024

Jupiter and Saturn exhibit alternating east‐west jet streams. The origin of these zonal flows has been debated for decades. The high‐precision gravity measurements by the Juno mission and the grand finale of the Cassini mission have revealed that the observed zonal flows may extend several thousand kilometres deep and stop around the transition region from molecular to metallic hydrogen, suggesting the magnetic braking effect on zonal flows. In this study, we perform a set of magnetohydrodynamic simulations in a spherical shell with radially variable electrical conductivity to investigate the interaction between magnetic fields and zonal flows. A key feature of our numerical models is that we impose a background dipole magnetic field on the anelastic rotating convection. By varying the strength of the imposed magnetic field and the vigor of convection, we investigate how the magnetic field interacts with the convective motions and the convection‐driven zonal flows. Our simulations reveal that the magnetic field tends to destroy zonal flows in the metallic hydrogen and suppress zonal flows in the molecular envelope, while the magnetic field may enhance the radial convective motions. We extract a quantitative relation between the magnetic field strength and the amplitude of zonal flows at the surface through our simulations, which roughly matches the observed magnetic field and zonal wind speed of Jupiter and Saturn. This discovery provides support from a new perspective for the scenario of deep convection‐driven zonal winds which are confined to the molecular hydrogen layers in giant planets.
Nitrate Uptake and Primary Production Along the Amazon River Plume Continuum
Authors: Umbricht Jacqueline , Burmeister Christian , Dippner Joachim W. , Liskow Iris , Montoya Joseph P. , Subramaniam Ajit , Voss Maren
Published: August 2024

The Amazon River plume (ARP) has been shown to support high rates of nitrogen fixation and primary production. However, nitrogen fixation alone cannot account for total primary production determined in the region, hinting that other nitrogen uptake processes might play a role. For the first time, we measured nitrate uptake rates in the ARP during three cruises in May 2018, June 2019 and April/May 2021, along with primary production rates and an analysis of phytoplankton community composition via high performance liquid chromatography. Based on a classification according to the salt content the region was divided into estuarine (ES), mesohaline (MH) and oceanic (OC) stations. Primary production was light limited near the river mouth at ES stations and was maximal off the coasts of French Guiana and Suriname, where also nitrate uptake was highest with rates of 11.4 mmol m−2 d−1. The role of eddies pinching off a deflecting plume are discussed as possible reason for higher nutrient concentrations at the MH stations. Surprisingly, at most MH stations north of 5°N, nitrate uptake rates were low despite the presence of sufficient substrate concentration (up to 1.44 μM nitrate). Diatoms, dinoflagellates or Synechococcus sp. dominated phytoplankton communities. OC stations showed lowest productivity rates in accordance with oligotrophic conditions. However, rates seem to be sufficient to completely deplete the remaining riverine nitrate, preventing its export to the open ocean.
Seasonal Temperature Distributions and Variations in Salt Marshes: Field Investigation and Numerical Simulation
Authors: Yu Xiayang , Xu Xinghua , Zhan Lucheng , Cheng Haifeng , Xin Pei
Published: August 2024

Soil temperature regulates biogeochemical processes and is a key environmental factor affecting salt marsh ecosystems. Previous studies on soil temperature and heat transport in intertidal marshes predominantly focused on short‐term changes, leaving seasonal variations unclear. This study conducted a yearlong field and modeling investigation to examine temporal and spatial temperature variations in a creek‐marsh section under estuarine and meteorological influences. The results showed that inundating tidal water propagated the seasonal water temperature signal to marsh soils, especially at low elevations, thereby modulating air temperature‐induced soil temperature variations and distributions. The response of soil temperature to air and tidal water temperatures exhibited a damped and delayed pattern. In contrast, tide‐induced porewater circulations near the creek facilitated the temperature responses. A regression model incorporating a Gamma distribution function was developed to quantify the delayed and cumulative thermal effects of tidal water and air on shallow soil temperatures. The model coefficients varied along the creek‐marsh section, capturing the seasonal regulation of periodic tidal inundation on soil temperature in the low‐elevation marsh and near the creek. Sensitivity analyses indicated that relative sea level rise lowered yearly‐averaged temperatures for the marsh platform by enhancing latent heat export. Surface water warming increased the marsh temperatures at lower elevations. This study demonstrates that the creek‐marsh topography, warming, and relative sea level rise jointly affect soil temperature dynamics, advancing our understanding of temperature‐dependent biogeochemical processes in marsh ecosystems.
Astrobiological Potential of Rocks Acquired by the Perseverance Rover at a Sedimentary Fan Front in Jezero Crater, Mars
Authors: Bosak T. , Shuster D. L. , Scheller E. L. , Siljeström S. , Zawaski M. J. , Mandon L. , Simon J. I. , Weiss B. P. , Stack K. M. , Mansbach E. N. , Treiman A. H. , Benison K. C. , Brown A. J. , Czaja A. D. , Farley K. A. , Hausrath E. M. , Hickman‐Lewis K. , Herd C. D. K. , Johnson J. R. , Mayhew L. E. , Minitti M. E. , Williford K. H. , Wogsland B. V. , Zorzano M.‐P. , Allwood A. C. , Amundsen H. E. F. , Bell J. F. , Benzerara K. , Bernard S. , Beyssac O. , Buckner D. K. , Cable M. , Calef F. , Caravaca G. , Catling D. C. , Clavé E. , Cloutis E. , Cohen B. A. , Cousin A. , Dehouck E. , Fairén A. G. , Flannery D. T. , Fornaro T. , Forni O. , Fouchet T. , Gibbons E. , Gomez F. Gomez , Gupta S. , Hand K. P. , Hurowitz J. A. , Kalucha H. , Pedersen D. A. K. , Lopes‐Reyes G. , Maki J. N. , Maurice S. , Nuñez J. I. , Randazzo N. , Rice J. W. , Royer C. , Sephton M. A. , Sharma S. , Steele A. , Tate C. D. , Uckert K. , Udry A. , Wiens R. C. , Williams A.
Published: August 2024

The Perseverance rover has collected seven oriented samples of sedimentary rocks, all likely older than the oldest signs of widespread life on Earth, at the exposed base of the western fan in Jezero crater, Mars. The samples include a sulfate‐ and clay‐bearing mudstone and sandstone, a fluvial sandstone from a stratigraphically low position at the fan front, and a carbonate‐bearing sandstone deposited above the sulfate‐bearing strata. All samples contain aqueously precipitated materials and most or all were aqueously deposited. Although the rover instruments have not confidently detected organic matter in the rocks from the fan front, the much more sensitive terrestrial instruments will still be able to search for remnants of prebiotic chemistries and past life, and study Mars's past habitability in the samples returned to Earth. The hydrated, sulfate‐bearing mudstone has the highest potential to preserve organic matter and biosignatures, whereas the carbonate‐bearing sandstones can be used to constrain when and for how long Jezero crater contained liquid water. Returned sample science analyses of sulfate, carbonate, clay, phosphate and igneous minerals as well as trace metals and volatiles that are present in the samples acquired at the fan front would provide transformative insights into past habitable environments on Mars, the evolution of its magnetic field, atmosphere and climate and the past and present cycling of atmospheric and crustal water, sulfur and carbon.
Impacts of Forest Management‐Induced Productivity Changes on Future Land Use and Land Cover Change
Authors: Luo Meng , Daigneault Adam , Zhao Xin , Hao Dalei , Chen Min
Published: August 2024

Anthropogenic land use and land cover change (LULCC) is projected to continue in the future. However, the influence of forest management on forest productivity change and subsequent LULCC projections remains under‐investigated. This study explored the impacts of forest management‐induced change in forest productivity on LULCC throughout the 21st century. Specifically, we developed a framework to softly couple the Global Change Analysis Model and Global Timber Model to consider forest management‐induced forest productivity change and projected future LULCC across the five Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). We found future increases in forest management intensity overall drive the increase of forest productivity. The forest management‐induced forest productivity change shows diverse responses across all SSPs, with a global increase from 2015 to 2100 ranging from 3.9% (SSP3) to 8.8% (SSP1). This further leads to an overall decrease in the total area with a change of land use types, with the largest decrease under SSP1 (−7.5%) and the smallest decrease under SSP3 (−0.7%) in 2100. Among land use types, considering forest management‐induced change significantly reduces the expansion of managed forest and also reduces the loss of natural land in 2100 across SSPs. This suggests that ignoring forest management‐induced forest productivity change underestimates the efficiency of wood production, overestimates the managed forest expansion required to meet the future demand, and consequently, potentially introduces uncertainties into relevant analyses, for example, carbon cycle and biodiversity. Thus, we advocate to better account for the impacts of forest management in future LULCC projections.
CH4 and CO2 Emissions From Different Tectonic Settings Along the Western Margin of the Ordos Block in China: Output and Correlation With the Regional Tectonics
Authors: Cui Y. J. , Li Y. , Zheng W. , Huang J. N. , Zeng Z. J. , Liu Z. F. , Zhou X. C. , Sun F. X. , Zou Z. Y. , Si X. Y. , Li X. Y. , Du J. G.
Published: August 2024

The investigation of tectonic controls on CH4 and CO2 emissions was conducted by measuring the fluxes of the gases in the different tectonic units along the northwestern margin of the Ordos Block in China, a region renowned for its intricate tectonic configuration. The mean fluxes of CH4 ranged from −1.5 to 1.1 mg m−2 d−1, while CO2 fluxes spanned from 2.0 to 29.2 g m−2 d−1. Notably, the Minqin, Ordos, and Haiyuan blocks primarily exhibited absorption characteristics for CH4. In contrast, within the Hetao and Yinchuan grabens, both degassing and absorption processes coexist. A striking observation was that blocks with high internal deformation exhibited significantly higher CH4 and CO2 fluxes compared to those in the stable blocks. Additionally, regions experiencing extensional deformation demonstrated greater gas emission than those undergoing compressional deformation. The spatial distribution of CH4 and CO2 fluxes at the study points exhibited a similar trend to faults in the Yinchuan Graben. Our findings revealed that CH4 and CO2 are mainly of biogenic origin, accompanied by abiotic emissions from underground. And the gas source, migration pathway, and tectonic stress were the primary factors influencing gas emission, with tectonic stress playing a pivotal role. This stress controlled the formation of tectonic structures, changed the degassing pathway, and served as the driving force for gas migration. The results of this study offer valuable insights into the mechanisms governing CH4 and CO2 emission in faulted regions. Furthermore, our results may contribute to future assessments aimed at quantifying the contribution of geological sources to greenhouse gas emissions.
Caprock Remains Water Wet Under Geologic CO2 Storage Conditions
Authors: Tapriyal Deepak , Haeri Foad , Crandall Dustin , Horn William , Lun Lisa , Lee Alex , Goodman Angela
Published: August 2024

Carbon storage technology is primarily targeted in saline formations, which is a porous rock matrix filled with brine, sealed with a low permeability caprock. There are significant variations of CO2 wetting properties, typically reported in the literature as contact angle of CO2 and brine interacting with a rock material, suggesting that CO2 could become wetting under geostorage conditions and negatively impact containment effectiveness. Here, we performed the first controlled laboratory measurements of CO2‐brine contact angles on shale rocks from low permeability sealing formations with distinctive mineralogic properties—calcite‐rich, quartz‐rich, and dolomite‐rich. We targeted temperatures at 40° and 100°C, pressures at 8.3, 34.5, and 62.1 MPa, and salinity at 35,000 and 260,000 ppm. Results show no significant change in contact angle with mineralogy, temperature, pressure, salinity, and CO2 bubble size. We conclude that caprocks will remain water‐wet at geologic CO2 storage conditions and will not lose their capillary sealing capacity.
Constraints on the Fate of Delaminated Lithosphere in the Upper and Mid‐Mantle
Authors: Shi Ya‐Nan , Morgan Jason P.
Published: August 2024

Delamination of lower continental lithosphere is known to have occurred under different tectonic settings. However, its fate in the mantle is poorly understood. By analyzing global seismic models, we find that most of likely lithosphere that delaminated during the Cenozoic and Mesozoic is preserved in the mantle transition zone, especially beneath North America and Africa. Numerical experiments indicates that delaminated lithosphere can remain stagnant in the mantle transition zone for tens of millions of years, followed by its potential sinking into the lower mantle or re‐rising to shallower depths depending on its density, the Clapeyron slope of the spinel‐to‐post‐spinel phase change and increase in mantle viscosity at ∼660–1,000 km depths. Re‐ascent occurs when delaminated lithosphere is reheated so that its effective density becomes lower than its surrounding ambient mantle after ∼100 Myr. Delaminated fragments can also potentially be mobilized by underlying global mantle flow to move horizontally away from plume regions.
Plasma Mixing During Active Kelvin‐Helmholtz Instability Under Different IMF Orientations
Authors: Settino A. , Nakamura R. , Blasl K. A. , Graham D. B. , Nakamura T. K. M. , Roberts O. W. , Vörös Z. , Panov E. V. , Simon Wedlund C. , Schmid D. , Hosner M. , Volwerk M. , Khotyaintsev Yu. V.
Published: August 2024

When the velocity shear between the two plasmas separated by Earth's magnetopause is locally super‐Alfvénic, the Kelvin‐Helmholtz (KH) instability can develop. A crucial role is played by the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) orientation, which can stabilize the velocity shear. Although, in a linear regime, the instability threshold is equally satisfied during both northward and southward IMF orientations, in situ measurements show that KH instability is preferentially excited during the northward IMF orientation. We investigate this different behavior by means of a mixing parameter which we apply to two KH events to identify both boundaries and the center of waves/vortices. During the northward orientation, the waves/vortex boundaries have stronger electrons than ions mixing, while the opposite is observed at their center. During the southward orientation, instead, particle mixing is observed predominantly at the boundaries. In addition, stronger local ion and electron non‐thermal features are observed during the northward than the southward IMF orientation. Specifically, ion distribution functions are more distorted, due to field‐aligned beams, and electrons have a larger temperature anisotropy during the northward than the southward IMF orientation. The observed kinetic features provide an insight into both local and remote processes that affect the evolution of KH structures.
Improving HONO Simulations and Evaluating Its Impacts on Secondary Pollution in the Yangtze River Delta Region, China
Authors: Zhang Haoran , Ren Chuanhua , Zhou Xueyu , Tang Keqin , Liu Yuliang , Liu Tengyu , Wang Jiaping , Chi Xuguang , Li Mengmeng , Li Nan , Huang Xin , Ding Aijun
Published: August 2024

Secondary air pollution, especially ozone (O3) and secondary aerosols, are emerging air quality challenges confronting China. Nitrous acid (HONO), as the predominant source of hydroxyl radicals (OH), are acknowledged to be essential for secondary pollution. However, HONO concentrations are usually underestimated by current air quality models due to the inadequate representations of its sources. In the present study, we revised the Weather Research and Forecasting & Chemistry (WRF‐Chem) model by incorporating additional HONO sources, including primary emissions, photo‐/dark oxidation of NOx, heterogeneous uptake of NO2 on surfaces, and nitrate photolysis. By combining in‐situ measurements in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region, we found the improved model show much better performance on HONO simulation and is capable of reproducing observed high concentrations. The source‐oriented method is employed to quantitatively understand the relative importance of various processes, which showed that heterogeneous NO2 uptake on the ground surface was the major contributor to HONO formation in urban areas. Comparatively, photo‐oxidation of NOx is a main contributor in rural areas. The introduction of multiple sources of HONO led to an apparent increase in OH and hydroperoxyl (HO2) radicals. The promoted HO2 levels further increased diurnal O3 concentration by 4.5–12.9 ppb, while secondary inorganic and organic concentrations were also increased by 14%–32% during a typical secondary pollution event. The improved description of HONO emission and formation in the model substantially narrowed the gaps between simulations and observations, highlighting the great importance in understanding and numerical representations of HONO in secondary pollution study.
Single‐Stage Synchronous India‐Asia Collision Model Revealed by Himalayan High‐Pressure Metamorphic Rocks
Authors: Zhang Yanling , Yin Changqing , Ding Lin , Li Shun , Qian Jiahui , Gao Peng , Li Wangchao
Published: August 2024

Despite a half‐century of intense research, the timing and diachroneity of initial collision between India and Asia remain highly debated, largely due to different definitions of “initial collision” and correspondingly different methods adopted. This study focuses on high‐pressure pelitic granulites of the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis (EHS) to elucidate their metamorphic evolution and provide new constraints on the timing of initial India‐Asia collision. Petrological examination and phase equilibria modeling show that high‐pressure pelitic granulites have undergone four metamorphic stages, with the peak assemblage of garnet + K‐feldspar + kyanite + biotite ± plagioclase ± rutile + ilmenite + quartz at P‐T conditions of 13.1–15.7 kbar and 790–850°C. Clockwise P‐T paths suggest that the Indian continent underwent tectonometamorphic processes of initial collision and subsequent continent subduction. Zircon and monazite dating results indicate that the metamorphic ages of pelitic granulites range from 60 to 15 Ma, with the oldest ones clustered at 60–58 Ma. The oldest metamorphic ages of high‐ to ultrahigh‐pressure Himalayan metamorphic rocks can provide an upper age limit of the initial collision. Therefore, the initial India‐Asia collision must have occurred before 60–58 Ma in the EHS, roughly consistent with ca. 57 Ma in the western Himalaya and 63–60 Ma in the central Himalaya. Collectively, we conclude that the northern margin of India most likely underwent a single‐stage synchronous collision with the southern margin of Asia initially at around 60 Ma along the entire Yarlung‐Tsangpo suture zone.
Assessment of air quality in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania subway
Authors: Karim Anjum Shahina , Malone Maeve , Bruno Alex , Eggler Aimee L. , Posner Michael A. , Shakya Kabindra M.
Published: August 2024

Background

Subways are popular and efficient modes of transportation in cities. However, people are exposed to high levels of particulate matter (PM) in subways. Subway air quality in the United States has been investigated in a few cities, but data is lacking on simultaneous measurement of several pollutants, especially ultrafine particles (UFP) and black carbon (BC), in combination with different size fractions of PM.

Objectives

The goals of this study are to assess air quality in a belowground subway and compare it with outdoor ambient levels, to examine temporal variability of PM in the subway, and to analyze the correlation between PM and BC.

Methods

Particulate matter of varying sizes (PM1, PM2.5, PM10), UFP, and BC were measured using DustTrak, nanoparticle detector, and micro aethalometer, respectively. Measurements were made at the belowground subway platform and the aboveground street level at 15th Street subway station in Philadelphia during summer 2022.

Results

Belowground mean PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 were 112.2 ± 61.3 µg/m3, 120 ± 65.5 µg/m3, and 182.1 ± 132 µg/m3, respectively, which were 5.4, 5.7, and 7.6 times higher than the respective aboveground street levels. The UFP lung deposited surface area (LDSA) (59.4 ± 36.2 µm2/cm3) and BC (9.5 ± 5.4 μg/m3) belowground were 1.7 times and 10.7 times higher than the aboveground. The pollutant concentration varied from day-to-day on both the locations. A higher positive correlation was found between the belowground BC and PM2.5 (r = 0.51, p < 0.05) compared to the aboveground (r = 0.16, p < 0.05).

Impact

This study showed high levels of particulate matter exposure at a belowground subway station in Philadelphia. Particulate matter levels were about 5 to 8 times higher at belowground subway station than the corresponding aboveground street level. Higher levels were also observed for UFP lung deposited surface area (LDSA), while black carbon levels showed the highest concentration at the belowground level by a factor of ten compared to the aboveground level. The study shows the need for air quality management at belowground subways to reduce particulate matter exposure for the commuters.
Effectiveness of biofeedback on blood pressure in patients with hypertension: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jenkins Sian , Cross Ainslea , Osman Hanad , Salim Farah , Lane Dan , Bernieh Dennis , Khunti Kamlesh , Gupta Pankaj
Published: August 2024

Hypertension is the leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but less than 50% have their blood pressure controlled. A possible avenue to support hypertension management is a holistic approach, using non-pharmacological interventions. Since hypertension is mediated in part by dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), biofeedback may help improve hypertension management by targeted self-regulation and self-awareness of parameters that regulate the ANS. This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness of biofeedback on blood pressure in hypertensive patients. The review was pre-registered on PROSPERO and followed the PICO strategy. A total of 1782 articles were retrieved, 20 met the inclusion criteria. Sample sizes ranged from 15 to 301 participants; with a median age of 49.3 (43.3–55.0) years and 45% were female. There was a significant effect of biofeedback on systolic (−4.52, Z = 2.31, P = 0.02, CI [−8.35, −0.69]) and diastolic blood pressure (−5.19, Z = 3.54, P = 0.0004, CI [−8.07, −2.32]). Six different biofeedback modalities were used, with biofeedback delivered by psychologists, trained therapists and research assistants. There was no publication bias, heterogeneity was rated as substantial and data quality was rated to be poor. This review demonstrated that biofeedback had a significant effect on blood pressure. However, this should be viewed in the context of included studies being limited by heterogeneity and dated literature, meaning the research does not reflect the current biofeedback technology such as wearable devices. Future research should incorporate these technologies with robust methodology to fully understand the effect of biofeedback on hypertension.
AMDHD1 acts as a tumor suppressor and contributes to activation of TGF-β signaling pathway in cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Ma Zuyi , Sun Jia , Li Zhenchong , Huang Shanzhou , Li Binglu
Published: August 2024

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a malignant tumor of the digestive system, characterized by its aggressive behavior and the absence of effective therapeutic biomarkers. Although recent studies have implicated AMDHD1 in tumor formation, its role in CCA development has been insufficiently explored. We utilized multiple bioinformatic datasets alongside 108 clinical samples to examine AMDHD1 expression in CCA. Then, in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to assess its impact on tumor growth and metastasis. Furthermore, proteomic analysis and immunoprecipitation mass spectrometry were employed to identify the downstream effectors of AMDHD1. We discovered that AMDHD1 was down-regulated in CCA and this down-regulation was associated with adverse clinicopathological features and prognosis. We also demonstrated that overexpression of AMDHD1 hindered G1/S progression in the cell cycle and promoted apoptosis, thereby inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis. Mechanistically, we found that AMDHD1 operated in a TGF-β-dependent manner and the inhibition of TGF-β signaling abrogated the effect of AMDHD1 overexpression on CCA cells. Specifically, AMDHD1 inhibited the ubiquitination and degradation of the SMAD4 protein through binding to the MH2 domain and synergistically enhanced SMAD2/3 phosphorylation, which activated of TGF-β signaling pathway and resulted in the suppression of CCA cell proliferation and migration. Our study identifies AMDHD1 as a significant prognostic biomarker and a tumor suppressor in CCA. It underscores the pivotal role of the AMDHD1/TGF-β signaling pathway in the development and progression of CCA.
Accurate de novo design of heterochiral protein–protein interactions
Authors: Sun Ke , Li Sicong , Zheng Bowen , Zhu Yanlei , Wang Tongyue , Liang Mingfu , Yao Yue , Zhang Kairan , Zhang Jizhong , Li Hongyong , Han Dongyang , Zheng Jishen , Coventry Brian , Cao Longxing , Baker David , Liu Lei , Lu Peilong
Published: August 2024

Abiotic d-proteins that selectively bind to natural l-proteins have gained significant biotechnological interest. However, the underlying structural principles governing such heterochiral protein–protein interactions remain largely unknown. In this study, we present the de novo design of d-proteins consisting of 50–65 residues, aiming to target specific surface regions of l-proteins or l-peptides. Our designer d-protein binders exhibit nanomolar affinity toward an artificial l-peptide, as well as two naturally occurring proteins of therapeutic significance: the D5 domain of human tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) and human interleukin-6 (IL-6). Notably, these d-protein binders demonstrate high enantiomeric specificity and target specificity. In cell-based experiments, designer d-protein binders effectively inhibited the downstream signaling of TrkA and IL-6 with high potency. Moreover, these binders exhibited remarkable thermal stability and resistance to protease degradation. Crystal structure of the designed heterochiral d-protein–l-peptide complex, obtained at a resolution of 2.0 Å, closely resembled the design model, indicating that the computational method employed is highly accurate. Furthermore, the crystal structure provides valuable information regarding the interactions between helical l-peptides and d-proteins, particularly elucidating a novel mode of heterochiral helix–helix interactions. Leveraging the design of d-proteins specifically targeting l-peptides or l-proteins opens up avenues for systematic exploration of the mirror-image protein universe, paving the way for a diverse range of applications.
Standardized wireless deep brain stimulation system for mice
Authors: Grotemeyer Alexander , Petschner Tobias , Peach Robert , Hoehl Dirk , Knauer Torsten , Thomas Uwe , Endres Heinz , Blum Robert , Sendtner Michael , Volkmann Jens , Ip Chi Wang
Published: August 2024

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has emerged as a revolutionary technique for accessing and modulating brain circuits. DBS is used to treat dysfunctional neuronal circuits in neurological and psychiatric disorders. Despite over two decades of clinical application, the fundamental mechanisms underlying DBS are still not well understood. One reason is the complexity of in vivo electrical manipulation of the central nervous system, particularly in rodent models. DBS-devices for freely moving rodents are typically custom-designed and not commercially available, thus making it difficult to perform experimental DBS according to common standards. Addressing these challenges, we have developed a novel wireless microstimulation system for deep brain stimulation (wDBS) tailored for rodents. We demonstrate the efficacy of this device for the restoration of behavioral impairments in hemiparkinsonian mice through unilateral wDBS of the subthalamic nucleus. Moreover, we introduce a standardized and innovative pipeline, integrating machine learning techniques to analyze Parkinson’s disease-like and DBS-induced gait changes.