bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meteor‐Ablated Aluminum in the Mesosphere‐Lower Thermosphere
Authors: Plane John M. C. , Daly Shane M. , Feng Wuhu , Gerding Michael , Gómez Martín Juan Carlos
Published: February 2021

The first global atmospheric model (WACCM‐Al) of meteor‐ablated aluminum was constructed from three components: The Whole Atmospheric Community Climate Model (WACCM6); a meteoric input function for Al derived by coupling an astronomical model of dust sources in the solar system with a chemical meteoric ablation model; and a comprehensive set of neutral, ion‐molecule and photochemical reactions relevant to the chemistry of Al in the upper atmosphere. The reaction kinetics of two important reactions that control the rate at which Al+ ions are neutralized were first studied using a fast flow tube with pulsed laser ablation of an Al target, yielding k(AlO+ + CO) =  (3.7 ± 1.1) × 10−10 and k(AlO+ + O) = (1.7 ± 0.7) × 10−10 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 at 294 K. The first attempt to observe AlO by lidar was made by probing the bandhead of the B2Σ+(v′ = 0) ← X2Σ+(v″ = 0) transition at λair = 484.23 nm. An upper limit for AlO of 60 cm−3 was determined, which is consistent with a night‐time concentration of ∼5 cm−3 estimated from the decay of AlO following rocket‐borne grenade releases. WACCM‐Al predicts the following: AlO, AlOH and Al+ are the three major species above 80 km; the AlO layer at mid‐latitudes peaks at 89 km with a half‐width of ∼5 km, and a peak density which increases from a night‐time minimum of ∼10 cm−3 to a daytime maximum of ∼60 cm−3; and that the best opportunity for observing AlO is at high latitudes during equinoctial twilight.
Crustal Footprint of Mantle Upwelling and Plate Amalgamation Revealed by Ambient Noise Tomography in Northern Vietnam and the Northern South China Sea
Authors: Yang Xuan , Yao Huajian , Huang Bor‐Shouh
Published: February 2021

A high‐resolution crustal and uppermost mantle velocity model of northern Vietnam and the northern South China Sea (SCS) is essential for understanding the evolution of the SCS and its relationship to the Hainan plume, which is still controversial. Based on ambient seismic noise analysis, we processed ambient noise data from 65 broadband stations in southwestern China and northern Vietnam to obtain the crustal and uppermost mantle, S‐wave velocity model, through the direct surface‐wave tomography method, with a lateral resolution of 100–150 km. Our results show distinct lateral velocity variation at shallow crustal depths, such as significant low velocity in the Beibu Gulf Basin and the Yinggehai Basin and relatively higher velocity in Hainan Island. We suggest that the low velocity of the lower crust and uppermost mantle beneath the Yinggehai Basin indicates the present upwelling of upper mantle material. However, the observed high‐velocity upheaval feature beneath the Leizhou Peninsula may represent the ancient magmatic underplating, which has a relation to the Hainan plume. Moreover, our results demonstrate different crustal structures of the two flanks of the Red River Fault, that is, in the middle and lower crust, the S‐wave velocity in the region north of the Red River Fault is higher than that in the south. This may be associated with the collision and amalgamation of the South China and Indochina Blocks. In addition, our results also indicate a crustal footprint of the amalgamation of the Yangtze and Cathaysia Blocks.
Magnetic Pulsations Triggered by Microseismic Ground Motion
Authors: Chen Chieh‐Hung , Lin Jing‐Yi , Gao Yongxin , Lin Cheng‐Horng , Han Peng , Chen Chun‐Rong , Lin Li‐Ching , Huang Rong , Liu Jann‐Yenq
Published: February 2021

Geomagnetic pulsations with an enhanced amplitude of 0.1–1 nT in a frequency band of 0.1–0.2 Hz were observed by three three‐component magnetometers. The geomagnetic pulsations exhibit slight time difference that is unusually observed within a limited area of ∼5 × 5 km2 at the northern end of Taiwan. The time difference suggests the geomagnetic pulsations are not dominated by global effects but local ones. We compare the seismic signals recorded by the cosited broadband seismometers for investigating potential mechanisms of these geomagnetic pulsations. Results from analysis of both seismic and geomagnetic data exhibit consistent source azimuths from the Pacific Ocean to the northeast of the observation sites with a wave propagation speed of ∼2.9 km/s estimated based on P‐SV‐type microseisms. Polarization and particle motion analyses demonstrate that the geomagnetic pulsations move with an elliptical rotation form, showing a close association with the P‐SV‐type microseisms. The 90° phase difference between the horizontal and vertical components of the geomagnetic signals suggests that the time‐lagged geomagnetic pulsations are possibly caused by the motional induction effect after the arrivals of P‐SV‐type microseisms.
The Global Budget of Atmospheric Methanol: New Constraints on Secondary, Oceanic, and Terrestrial Sources
Authors: Bates Kelvin H. , Jacob Daniel J. , Wang Siyuan , Hornbrook Rebecca S. , Apel Eric C. , Kim Michelle J. , Millet Dylan B. , Wells Kelley C. , Chen Xin , Brewer Jared F. , Ray Eric A. , Commane Róisín , Diskin Glenn S. , Wofsy Steven C.
Published: February 2021

Methanol is the second‐most abundant organic gas in the remote atmosphere after methane, but its sources are poorly understood. Here, we report a global budget of methanol constrained by observations from the ATom aircraft campaign as implemented in the GEOS‐Chem global atmospheric chemistry model. ATom observations under background marine conditions can be fit in the model with a surface ocean methanol concentration of 61 nM and a methanol yield of 13% from the newly implemented CH3O2 + OH reaction. While terrestrial biogenic emissions dominate the global atmospheric methanol budget, secondary production from CH3O2 + OH and CH3O2 + CH3O2 accounts for 29% of the total methanol source, and makes up the majority of methanol in the background marine atmosphere sampled by ATom. Net emission from the ocean is comparatively minor, particularly because of rapid deposition from the marine boundary layer. Aged anthropogenic and pyrogenic plumes sampled in ATom featured large methanol enhancements to constrain the corresponding sources. Methanol enhancements in pyrogenic plumes did not decay with age, implying in‐plume secondary production. The atmospheric lifetime of methanol is only 5.3 days, reflecting losses of comparable magnitude from photooxidation and deposition. GEOS‐Chem model results indicate that methanol photochemistry contributes 5%, 4%, and 1.5% of the tropospheric burdens of formaldehyde, CO, and ozone, respectively, with particularly pronounced effects in the tropical upper troposphere. The CH3O2 + OH reaction has substantial impacts on radical budgets throughout the troposphere and should be included in global atmospheric chemistry models.
Reply to Comment by Velasco on “High‐Resolution, Multilayer Modeling of Singapore’s Urban Climate Incorporating Local Climate Zones”
Authors: Mughal M. O. , Li Xian‐Xiang , Yin Tiangang , Martilli Alberto , Brousse Oscar , Dissegna Maria Angela , Norford Leslie K.
Published: February 2021

In response to the comment on our paper “High‐resolution, multilayer modeling of Singapore's urban climate incorporating local climate zones,” we provide detailed response to each of the incorrect accusations with scientifically based evidence. We have evaluated our model using all the available observational data, and the results showed good agreement. Our modeling study includes assumptions, as all modeling work does, and we have discussed their rationales and possible implications.
Restoration Thinning in a Drought‐Prone Idaho Forest Creates a Persistent Carbon Deficit
Authors: Stenzel J. E. , Berardi D. M. , Walsh E. S. , Hudiburg T. W.
Published: February 2021

Western US forests represent a carbon sink that contributes to meeting regional and global greenhouse gas targets. Forest thinning is being implemented as a strategy for reducing forest vulnerability to disturbance, including mortality from fire, insects, and drought, as well as protecting human communities. However, the terrestrial carbon balance impacts of thinning remain uncertain across regions, spatiotemporal scales, and treatment types. Continuous and in situ long‐term measurements of partial harvest impacts to stand‐scale carbon and water cycle dynamics are nonetheless rare. Here, we examine post‐thinning carbon and water flux impacts in a young ponderosa pine forest in Northern Idaho. We examine in situ stock and flux impacts during the 3 years after treatment as well as simulate the forest sector carbon balance through 2050, including on and off‐site net emissions. During the observation period, increases in tree‐scale net primary production (NPP) and water use persistence through summer drought did not overcome the impacts of density reduction, leading to 45% annual reductions of NPP. Growth duration remained constrained by summer drought in control and thinned stands. Ecosystem model and life cycle assessment estimates demonstrated a net forest sector carbon deficit relative to control stands of 27.0 Mg C ha−1 in 2050 due to emissions from dead biomass pools despite increases to net ecosystem production. Our results demonstrate dynamics resulting in carbon losses from forest thinning, providing a baseline with which to inform landscape‐scale modeling and assess tradeoffs between harvest losses and potential gains from management practices.
Carbon Isotopic and Lithologic Constraints on the Sources and Cycling of Inorganic Carbon in Four Large Rivers in China: Yangtze, Yellow, Pearl, and Heilongjiang
Authors: Shan Sen , Luo Chunle , Qi Yuanzhi , Cai Wei‐Jun , Sun Shuwen , Fan Di , Wang Xuchen
Published: February 2021

Transport of terrigenous carbon by rivers has been affected extensively by climate change and anthropogenic activities in China over the last few decades. Here, we present results on carbon isotopes (13C, 14C) of dissolved and particulate inorganic carbon (DIC and PIC) and combined with major lithologic ions measured in the four largest rivers in China, namely, the Yangtze, Yellow, Pearl, and Heilongjiang rivers, to reveal the sources and transport of terrigenous inorganic carbon in the rivers. The DIC concentrations showed large variations in the four rivers and ranged from 253 to 3,122 μM. The Yangtze, Yellow and Pearl rivers transported high DIC contents that had low Δ14C values of millennium‐aged DIC and very old PIC; however, the Heilongjiang River presented a lower DIC concentration with much younger 14C ages than the global average (1,100 μM). The strong correlations between the DIC isotope values and major lithological ions (Ca2+ and Mg2+) suggest that chemical weathering played important but variable roles in controlling the production and fate of DIC in the rivers. Using dual isotopes and the MixSIAR model, we calculated that the chemical weathering of carbonate rocks contributed 95 ± 5% of the riverine DIC to the headwater of the Yangtze River while silicate rock weathering and riverine organic matter respiration contributed 62 ± 25% and 5 ± 5% of the DIC in the middle and lower reaches of the river, respectively. In contrast, chemical weathering of silicate rocks contributed the dominant fraction of DIC in the Yellow (55 ± 17%), Pearl (61 ± 20%) and Heilongjiang (83 ± 29%) rivers.
Evolution of Near‐Surface Wind Strength in Northeastern Arid Central Asia During the Holocene
Authors: Gao Fuyuan , Zheng Xiangmin , Jia Jia , Li Kaiming , Xia Dunsheng , Yang Junhuai , Lu Hao , Shi Fuxi , Chen Zixuan , Wang Shuyuan
Published: February 2021

Wind dynamics in dust source areas are influenced by climate change on both regional and global scales. Northeastern arid central Asia is one of the most important sources of Asian dust. We conducted grain size analyses of the extracted quartz component of bulk samples from four Holocene aeolian sedimentary sequences in northeastern arid central Asia, in order to reconstruct variations in strength of near‐surface wind, and discussed the possible mechanism. X‐ray diffraction and geochemical analyses were also conducted. The results suggest that in the study area the mean grain size of the quartz component of aeolian sediments is a more reliable proxy for the strength of near‐surface wind and Siberian high‐pressure system. Stronger near‐surface wind and Siberian high‐pressure system occurred during the early to middle Holocene and subsequently their gradually weakened. Lower winter insolation, lower atmospheric CO2 content, and remnant high‐latitude continental ice‐sheets resulted in relatively low winter temperatures in middle and high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere during the early to middle Holocene. The lower winter temperatures indicate a stronger Siberian high‐pressure system, which may have been the cause of the stronger near‐surface winds. Due to increasing winter solar insolation and atmospheric CO2 content, and the shrinking high‐latitude continental ice‐sheets, the Siberian high‐pressure system weakened in response to rising winter temperatures during the middle to late Holocene, likely resulting in decreased near‐surface wind strength.
Tropical Sea Surface Temperatures Following the Middle Miocene Climate Transition From Laser‐Ablation ICP‐MS Analysis of Glassy Foraminifera
Authors: Nairn Michael G. , Lear Caroline H. , Sosdian Sindia M. , Bailey Trevor R. , Beavington‐Penney Simon
Published: February 2021

The mid‐to‐late Miocene is proposed as a key interval in the transition of the Earth's climate state toward that of the modern‐day. However, it remains a poorly understood interval in the evolution of Cenozoic climate, and the sparse proxy‐based climate reconstructions are associated with large uncertainties. In particular, tropical sea surface temperature (SST) estimates largely rely on the unsaturated alkenone Uk37 proxy, which fails to record temperatures higher than 29˚C, the TEX86 proxy which has challenges around its calibration, and Mg/Ca ratios of poorly preserved foraminifera. We reconstruct robust, absolute, SSTs between 13.5 Ma and 9.5 Ma from the South West Indian Ocean (paleolatitude ∼5.5˚S) using laser‐ablation inductively coupled‐plasma mass spectrometer microanalysis of glassy planktic foraminiferal Mg/Ca. Employing this microanalytical technique, and stringent screening criteria, permits the reconstruction of paleotemperatures using foraminifera which although glassy, are contaminated by authigenic coatings. Our absolute estimates of 24–31°C suggest that SST in the tropical Indian Ocean was relatively constant between 13.5 and 9.5 Ma, similar to those reconstructed from the tropics using the Uk37 alkenone proxy. This finding suggests an interval of enhanced polar amplification between 10 and 7.5 Ma, immediately prior to the global late Miocene Cooling.
Reconstruction of the Radiation Belts for Solar Cycles 17–24 (1933–2017)
Authors: Saikin A. A. , Shprits Y. Y. , Drozdov A. Y. , Landis D. A. , Zhelavskaya I. S. , Cervantes S.
Published: February 2021

We present a reconstruction of the dynamics of the radiation belts from solar cycles 17 to 24 which allows us to study how radiation belt activity has varied between the different solar cycles. The radiation belt simulations are produced using the Versatile Electron Radiation Belt (VERB)‐3D code. The VERB‐3D code simulations incorporate radial, energy, and pitch angle diffusion to reproduce the radiation belts. Our simulations use the historical measurements of Kp (available since solar cycle 17, i.e., 1933) to model the evolution radiation belt dynamics between L* = 1–6.6. A nonlinear auto regressive network with exogenous inputs (NARX) neural network was trained off GOES 15 measurements (January 2011–March 2014) and used to supply the upper boundary condition (L* = 6.6) over the course of solar cycles 17–24 (i.e., 1933–2017). Comparison of the model with long term observations of the Van Allen Probes and CRRES demonstrates that our model, driven by the NARX boundary, can reconstruct the general evolution of the radiation belt fluxes. Solar cycle 24 (January 2008–2017) has been the least active of the considered solar cycles which resulted in unusually low electron fluxes. Our results show that solar cycle 24 should not be used as a representative solar cycle for developing long term environment models. The developed reconstruction of fluxes can be used to develop or improve empirical models of the radiation belts.
Development of Space Weather Reasonable Worst‐Case Scenarios for the UK National Risk Assessment
Authors: Hapgood Mike , Angling Matthew J. , Attrill Gemma , Bisi Mario , Cannon Paul S. , Dyer Clive , Eastwood Jonathan P. , Elvidge Sean , Gibbs Mark , Harrison Richard A. , Hord Colin , Horne Richard B. , Jackson David R. , Jones Bryn , Machin Simon , Mitchell Cathryn N. , Preston John , Rees John , Rogers Neil C. , Routledge Graham , Ryden Keith , Tanner Rick , Thomson Alan W. P. , Wild James A. , Willis Mike
Published: February 2021

Severe space weather was identified as a risk to the UK in 2010 as part of a wider review of natural hazards triggered by the societal disruption caused by the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in April of that year. To support further risk assessment by government officials, and at their request, we developed a set of reasonable worst‐case scenarios and first published them as a technical report in 2012 (current version published in 2020). Each scenario focused on a space weather environment that could disrupt a particular national infrastructure such as electric power or satellites, thus, enabling officials to explore the resilience of that infrastructure against severe space weather through discussions with relevant experts from other parts of government and with the operators of that infrastructure. This approach also encouraged us to focus on the environmental features that are key to generating adverse impacts. In this paper, we outline the scientific evidence that we have used to develop these scenarios, and the refinements made to them as new evidence emerged. We show how these scenarios are also considered as an ensemble so that government officials can prepare for a severe space weather event, during which many or all of the different scenarios will materialize. Finally, we note that this ensemble also needs to include insights into how public behavior will play out during a severe space weather event and hence the importance of providing robust, evidence‐based information on space weather and its adverse impacts.
The Role of Pre‐existing Crustal Weaknesses in the Uplift of the Eastern Tibetan Plateau: 2D Thermo‐Mechanical Modeling
Authors: Xie Renxian , Chen Lin , Xiong Xiong , Wang Kai , Yan Zhiyong
Published: February 2021

The crust of the eastern Tibetan Plateau is cut through by several ancient fracture zones, which existed prior to the Cenozoic uplift of eastern Tibet. However, the role of these pre‐existing crustal weak zones (CWZs) in the Cenozoic evolution of eastern Tibet is still poorly understood. Here, we conduct a series of 2D thermo‐mechanical simulations to investigate the role of CWZs in the uplift of eastern Tibet. Our results show that CWZs embedded in the continental lithosphere facilitate crustal thickening via folding and thrusting deformation and uplift of a rugged surface at the early stage of convergence. As crustal thickening continues, the lowermost crust begins to partially melt due to strain and radioactive heating. With continued thickening and heating, melt volume gradually increases, leading to the lower crust melt preferentially accumulating where the CWZs are situated. At a later stage, the partially molten layer becomes thick enough and starts to flow in a channel with respect to its upper and lower solid layers. CWZs behave as windows to steer the ascension of the partial melts, leading to melt doming through the CWZs. The melt doming contributes to a second local surface uplift. Parameter tests demonstrate that increasing the number of CWZs can accelerate such geodynamical processes, and that the CWZ orientation controls the polarity of lithospheric underthrusting. We suggest that the Cenozoic episodic uplift of the eastern Tibetan Plateau, revealed by thermochronological studies, was likely caused by a combination of pure shear crustal thickening and melt doming along the pre‐existing CWZs.
Heat Dissipation Test With Fiber‐Optic Distributed Temperature Sensing to Estimate Groundwater Flux
Authors: del Val Laura , Carrera Jesús , Pool María , Martínez Lurdes , Casanovas Carlos , Bour Olivier , Folch Albert
Published: February 2021

We measure groundwater flux and thermal parameters around a borehole performing a heat dissipation test by heating the armor of a single fiber‐optic cable and interpreting the resulting heating curves with a new analytical method. The procedure is similar to thermal response tests, but benefitting from the high spatial and temporal resolution of distributed temperature sensing and lasting longer, so as to measure advective dissipation. Field installation relies on an innovative method in hydrogeology, which is based on the installation of the FO cable in the annular space of the well, close to the aquifer matrix. The proposed new analytical method, expands the traditional Moving Infinitesimal Line Source Model to account for the effects of the field set up and cable materials. In fact, we show that the resulting temperature build‐up goes through four periods easy to identify using the log derivative of temperature (dT/d (ln(t))): Initial response, skin (cable insulation), conduction dominated and advection dominated. We test the proposed method in an unconsolidated shallow aquifer with controlled pumping. Results are of the same order of magnitude of independent estimates of groundwater velocity.
Century‐Scale Reconstruction of Water Storage Changes of the Largest Lake in the Inner Mongolia Plateau Using a Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Fan Chenyu , Song Chunqiao , Liu Kai , Ke Linghong , Xue Bin , Chen Tan , Fu Congsheng , Cheng Jian
Published: February 2021

Lake Hulun is the fifth‐largest lake in China, playing a substantial role in maintaining the balance of the grassland ecosystem of the Mongolia Plateau, which is a crucial ecological barrier in North China. To better understand the changing characteristics of Lake Hulun and the driving mechanisms, it is necessary to investigate the water storage changes of Lake Hulun on extended timescales. The main objective of this study is to reconstruct the water storage time series of Lake Hulun over the past century. We employed a machine learning approach termed the extreme gradient boosting tree (XGBoost) to reconstruct the water storage changes over a one‐century timescale based on the generated bathymetry and satellite altimetry data and investigated the relationships with hydrological and climatic variables in long term. Results show that the water storage changes from 1961 to 2019 were featured by four fluctuation phases, with the highest water storage observed in 1991 (14.02 Gt) and the lowest point in 2012 (5.18 Gt). The century‐scale reconstruction result reveals that the water storage of Lake Hulun reached the highest point in the 1960s within the period of 1910–2019. The lowest stage occurred in the sub‐period of the 1930s–1940s, which was even lower than the alerted shrinkage stage in 2012. The predictive model results indicate the effective performance of the XGBoost model in reconstructing century‐scale water storage variations, with the mean absolute error of 0.68, normalized root mean square error of 0.11, Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency of 0.97, and correlation coefficient of 0.94. The annual fluctuations of water storage were mostly affected by precipitation, followed by vapor pressure, temperature, potential evapotranspiration, and wet day frequency. The dominating characteristics of different variables vary evidently with different sub‐periods. The atmospheric circulations of the Arctic Oscillation, El Nino Southern Oscillation, Pacific Decadal Oscillation, and North Atlantic Oscillation have tight associations with the water storage variations of Lake Hulun, which change with different study periods.
Spontaneous Imbibition in a Square Tube With Corner Films: Theoretical Model and Numerical Simulation
Authors: Zhao Jianlin , Qin Feifei , Fischer Robert , Kang Qinjun , Derome Dominique , Carmeliet Jan
Published: February 2021

Spontaneous imbibition in an angular tube with corner films is a fundamental problem in many scientific and engineering processes. In this study, a modified interacting capillary bundle model is developed to describe the liquid imbibition dynamics in a square tube with corner films. The square tube is decomposed into several interacting subcapillaries and the local capillary pressure in each subcapillary is derived based on the specific shape of its meniscus. The conductance of each subcapillary is calculated using single‐phase lattice Boltzmann simulation. The modified interacting capillary bundle model and color‐gradient lattice Boltzmann method are used to simulate the liquid imbibition dynamics in the square tube with different fluid properties. The predictions by the modified interacting capillary bundle model match well with the lattice Boltzmann simulation results for different conditions, demonstrating the accuracy and robustness of the interacting capillary bundle model to describe the imbibition dynamics with corner films. In addition, the interacting capillary bundle model is helpful to investigate the mechanisms during spontaneous imbibition and the influences of fluid viscosity, surface tension, wetting phase contact angle and gravity on imbibition dynamics. Finally, a universal scaling law of imbibition dynamics for the main meniscus is developed and the scaling law for arc meniscus is also analyzed.
A high-stability biphasic layered cathode for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Liang Yue , Xu Hang , Jiang Kezhu , Bian Jingjing , Guo Shaohua , Zhou Haoshen
Published: February 2021

A P2/O3 Na0.62Ni0.33Mn0.62Sb0.05O2 composite cathode was synthesized which displays superior rate electrochemical performance compared with its monophasic counterpart Na0.67Ni0.33Mn0.67O2. P2–O2 phase transition is successfully suppressed and volume strain is extremely small during the electrochemical process.
Design of thiol–lithium ion interaction in metal–organic framework for high-performance quasi-solid lithium metal batteries
Authors: Zhang Qi , Xiao Yingbo , Li Qi , Wang Jia , Guo Sijia , Li Xin , Ouyang Yuan , Zeng Qinghan , He Wenchao , Huang Shaoming
Published: February 2021

A metal–organic framework (Zr–MA) was designed to serve as high-performance solid electrolyte in quasi-solid lithium metal batteries. Both the high-density thiol groups and narrow channels in framework contributed to the improved ion transport.
A universal method for constructing high efficiency organic solar cells with stacked structures
Authors: Wei Yanan , Yu Jianwei , Qin Linqing , Chen Hao , Wu Xiaoxi , Wei Zhixiang , Zhang Xin , Xiao Zuo , Ding Liming , Gao Feng , Huang Hui
Published: February 2021

Quantitative relationship between the protective factor (δ) and PCE of stacked structures of OSC with a record PCE of 17.52% is proposed to understand the mechanism and provide a guideline for solvent choices of eco-friendly solvent protection method.
Investigation of glycated shrimp tropomyosin as a hypoallergen for potential immunotherapy
Authors: Zhang Ziye , Li Xiu-Min , Li Zhenxing , Lin Hong
Published: February 2021

Glycation of shrimp tropomyosin produces hypoallergenic GTM for potential immunotherapy.
Co-construction of sulfur vacancies and carbon confinement in V5S8/CNFs to induce an ultra-stable performance for half/full sodium-ion and potassium-ion batteries
Authors: Xu Lihong , Chen Xiaochuan , Guo Wenti , Zeng Lingxing , Yang Tao , Xiong Peixun , Chen Qinghua , Zhang Jianmin , Wei Mingdeng , Qian Qingrong
Published: February 2021

Sulfur defective V5S8/CNFs is synthesized by an electrospinning method, followed by sulfuration treatment. The obtained composite exhibits attractive capacities and ultra-stable cycling performances when using as anode materials for sodium-ion and potassium-ion batteries.
Key parameters to enhance the antibacterial effect of graphene oxide in solution
Authors: Montes-Duarte Grecia Guadalupe , Tostado-Blázquez Guillermo , Castro K. L. S. , Araujo Joyce R. , Achete C. A. , Sánchez-Salas José Luis , Campos-Delgado Jessica
Published: February 2021

We investigate the effects of material morphology, exposure time, exposure methodology and concentration of graphene oxide (GO) and GO-based materials on two pathogenic bacteria.
Signatures of continuous hexatic–liquid transition in two-dimensional melting
Authors: Guo Jialing , Nie Yunhuan , Xu Ning
Published: February 2021

Two-dimensional melting can evolve from discontinuous to continuous with the change of particle stiffness, density, and structural disorder. The continuous melting is signaled by robust defect concentrations and correlation length.
Silver nanoparticle driven signal amplification for electrochemical chiral discrimination of amino acids
Authors: Wu Shanshan , Wang Hui , Wu Datong , Fan Gao-Chao , Tao Yongxin , Kong Yong
Published: February 2021

β-CD/AgNPs were facilely prepared via a simple one-pot method, which can be used for the electrochemical chiral discrimination of tyrosine enantiomers.
Identification of potential biomarkers associated with immune infiltration in the esophageal carcinoma tumor microenvironment
Authors: Wang Zhicheng , Chen Meilin , Qiu Yanbing , Yang Yuqin , Huang Yumei , Li Xiaoxu , Zhang Wenling
Published: February 2021

Tumor immune cell infiltration was significantly correlated with the progression and the effect of immunotherapy in cancers including esophageal carcinoma (ESCA). However, no biomarkers were identified which were associated with immune infiltration in ESCA. In the present study, a total of 128 common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinomas (EAC). The results of gene ontology (GO) enrichment and Reactome pathway analysis displayed that the up-regulated DEGs were mainly involved in the regulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), while the down-regulated DEGs were mainly involved in the regulation of cornification and keratinocyte differentiation. The most significant module of up-regulated DEGs was selected by Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE). Top ten similar genes of COL1A2 were explored, then validation and the prognostic analysis of these genes displayed that COL1A2, COL1A1, COL3A1, ZNF469 and Periostin (POSTN) had the prognostic value which were up-regulated in ESCA. The expressions of COL1A2 and its four similar genes were mainly correlated with infiltrating levels of macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) and showed strong correlations with diverse immune marker sets in ESCA. To summarize, COL1A2 and its four similar genes were identified as the potential biomarkers associated with immune infiltration in ESCA. These genes might be applied to immunotherapy for ESCA.
Functional expression and localisation of HOPS/TMUB1 in mouse lens
Authors: Bartoli Daniela , Piobbico Danilo , Castelli Marilena , Pieroni Stefania , Scopetti Damiano , Ferracchiato Simona , Di-Iacovo Nicola , Cagini Carlo , Servillo Giuseppe , Della-Fazia Maria Agnese
Published: February 2021

Transparency represents the functional phenotype of eye lens. A number of defined steps including quiescence, proliferation, migration and cell differentiation culminates in cell elongation and organelle degradation, allowing the light to reach the retina. HOPS (Hepatocyte Odd Protein Shuttling)/TMUB1 (Trans Membrane Ubiquitin-like containing protein 1) is a nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling protein, highly expressed both in vivo and in vitro proliferating systems, bearing a ubiquitin-like domain. The present study shows HOPS expression during the phases of lens cell proliferation and fiber differentiation, and its localisation in lens compartments. In lens, HOPS localises mainly in the nucleus of central epithelial cells. During mitosis, HOPS/TMUB1 shuttles to the cytoplasm and returns to the nucleus at the end of mitosis. The differentiating cells share distinct HOPS/TMUB1 localisation in transitional zone depending on the differentiation phases. HOPS/TMUB1 is observed in lens cortex and nucleus. Here, it is attached to fibers, having a structural function with crystallin proteins, probably acting in the ubiquitin–proteasome system.
KLHDC7B-DT aggravates pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma development via inducing cross-talk between cancer cells and macrophages
Authors: Li Mu-xing , Wang Hang-yan , Yuan Chun-hui , Ma Zhao-lai , Jiang Bin , Li Lei , Zhang Li , Xiu Dian-rong
Published: February 2021

Tumor microenvironment (TME) exerts key roles in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) development. However, the factors regulating the cross-talk between PDAC cells and TME are largely unknown. In the present study, we identified a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) KLHDC7B divergent transcript (KLHDC7B-DT), which was up-regulated in PDAC and correlated with poor survival of PDAC patients. Functional assays demonstrated that KLHDC7B-DT enhanced PDAC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Mechanistically, KLHDC7B-DT was found to directly bind IL-6 promoter, induce open chromatin structure at IL-6 promoter region, activate IL-6 transcription, and up-regulate IL-6 expression and secretion. The expression of KLHDC7B-DT was positively correlated with IL-6 in PDAC tissues. Via inducing IL-6 secretion, KLHDC7B-DT activated STAT3 signaling in PDAC cells in an autocrine manner. Furthermore, KLHDC7B-DT also activated STAT3 signaling in macrophages in a paracrine manner, which induced macrophage M2 polarization. KLHDC7B-DT overexpressed PDAC cells-primed macrophages promoted PDAC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Blocking IL-6/STAT3 signaling reversed the effects of KLHDC7B-DT on macrophage M2 polarization and PDAC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In conclusion, KLHDC7B-DT enhanced malignant behaviors of PDAC cells via IL-6-induced macrophage M2 polarization and IL-6-activated STAT3 signaling in PDAC cells. The cross-talk between PDAC cells and macrophages induced by KLHDC7B-DT represents potential therapeutic target for PDAC.
Optimization strategy of price‐based demand response considering the bidirectional feedback effect
Authors: Yang Hejun , Wang Lei , Ma Yinghao , Zhang Dabo , WU Hongbin
Published: February 2021

Time of use pricing strategy can not only reduce the load fluctuation but also improve the power system reliability. Generally, before carrying out a time of use pricing optimization, it needs to perform a period partition optimization for dividing peak‐valley periods. In existing researches, however, the period partition optimization and the time of use pricing optimization are implemented independently. Although the output of period partition optimization is used as the input of time of use pricing optimization, the bidirectional feedback effect between period partition optimization and time of use pricing optimization is not considered, which will lead to the existing time of use pricing optimization may not be the globally optimal solution. Therefore, this paper investigates a new optimization method for time of use pricing optimization with the consideration of bidirectional feedback effect, establishes a comprehensive customer satisfaction degree model considering the customer load proportion coefficient, and defines an elastic cofactor to describe the electricity price response difference of multiple types of customers. The Roy Billinton test system is used to verify the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed method in this paper.
VVV survey near-infrared colour catalogue of known variable stars
Authors: Herpich F. R. , Ferreira Lopes C. E. , Saito R. K. , Minniti D. , Ederoclite A. , Ferreira T. S. , Catelan M.
Published: February 2021

Context. The Vista Variables in the Via Lactea (VVV) near-infrared variability survey explores some of the most complex regions of the Milky Way bulge and disk in terms of high extinction and high crowding.

Aims. We add a new wavelength dimension to the optical information available at the American Association of Variable Star Observers International Variable Star Index (VSX-AAVSO) catalogue to test the VVV survey near-infrared photometry to better characterise these objects.

Methods. We cross-matched the VVV and the VSX-AAVSO catalogues along with Gaia Data Release 2 photometry and parallax.

Results. We present a catalogue that includes accurate individual coordinates, near-infrared magnitudes (ZYJHKs), extinctions AKs, and distances based on Gaia parallaxes. We also show the near-infrared CMDs and spatial distributions for the different VSX types of variable stars, including important distance indicators, such as RR Lyrae, Cepheids, and Miras. By analysing the photometric flags in our catalogue, we found that about 20% of the stars with measured and verified variability are flagged as non-stellar sources, even when they are outside of the saturation and/or noise regimes. Additionally, we pair-matched our sample with the VIVA catalogue and found that more than half of our sources are missing from the VVV variability list, mostly due to observations with low signal-to-noise ratio or photometric problems with a low percentage due to failures in the selection process.

Conclusions. Our results suggest that the current knowledge of the variability in the Galaxy is biased to nearby stars with low extinction. The present catalogue also provides the groundwork for characterising the results of future large variability surveys such as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time in the highly crowded and reddened regions of the Galactic plane, as well as follow-up campaigns for characterising specific types of variables. The analysis of the incorrectly flagged stars can be used to improve the photometric classification of the VVV data, allowing us to expand the amount of data considered useful for science purposes. In addition, we provide a list of stars that are missed by the VIVA procedures for which the observations are good and which were missed due to some failure in the VIVA selection process.
Memories of past close encounters in extreme trans-Neptunian space: Finding unseen planets using pure random searches
Authors: de la Fuente Marcos C. , de la Fuente Marcos R.
Published: February 2021

Context.The paths followed by the known extreme trans-Neptunian objects (ETNOs) effectively avoid direct gravitational perturbations from the four giant planets, yet their orbital eccentricities are in the range between 0.69−0.97. Solar system dynamics studies show that such high values of the eccentricity can be produced via close encounters or secular perturbations. In both cases, the presence of yet-to-be-discovered trans-Plutonian planets is required. Recent observational evidence cannot exclude the existence, at 600 AU from the Sun, of a planet of five Earth masses.

Aims.If the high eccentricities of the known ETNOs are the result of relatively recent close encounters with putative planets, the mutual nodal distances of sizeable groups of ETNOs with their assumed perturber may still be small enough to be identifiable geometrically. In order to confirm or reject this possibility, we used Monte Carlo random search techniques.

Methods.Two arbitrary orbits may lead to close encounters when their mutual nodal distance is sufficiently small. We generated billions of random planetary orbits with parameters within the relevant ranges and computed the mutual nodal distances with a set of randomly generated orbits with parameters consistent with those of the known ETNOs and their uncertainties. We monitored which planetary orbits had the maximum number of potential close encounters with synthetic ETNOs and we studied the resulting distributions.

Results.We provide narrow ranges for the orbital parameters of putative planets that may have experienced orbit-changing encounters with known ETNOs. Some sections of the available orbital parameter space are strongly disfavored by our analysis.

Conclusions.Our calculations suggest that more than one perturber is required if scattering is the main source of orbital modification for the known ETNOs. Perturbers might not be located farther than 600 AU and they have to follow moderately eccentric and inclined orbits to be capable of experiencing close encounters with multiple known ETNOs.
Measuring linear electric quadrupole susceptibility of non-centrosymmetric crystals with reflectivity difference
Authors: Zhu X. D.
Published: February 2021

I report experimental methods for measuring real and imaginary parts of the linear electric quadrupole susceptibility tensor of nonlinear optical crystals that lack inversion centers. The third-ranked tensor is related to the corresponding second-order nonlinear susceptibility tensor. For opaque materials such as GaAs, the methods involve normal-incidence reflectivity difference detection schemes. For transparent materials, quadrupole susceptibility tensor elements may be measured with similarly construed transmission difference detection schemes.
Hua Loo-Keng’s problem for primes of a special form
Authors: Eminyan K. M.
Published: February 2021

Hua Loo-Keng’s problem is solved for primes, four of which have binary expansions of a special form, whilst the fifth satisfies the inequality

, where

.

Bibliography: 13 titles.
New Histories for the Age of Speed: The Archaeological–Architectural Past in Interwar Afghanistan and Iran
Authors: Green Nile
Published: February 2021

By conceiving two emergent nation-states as a single region linked by conjoining roads, shared technologies and circulating researchers, this essay traces the emergence of a common “intellectual infrastructure” that during the interwar decades enabled European, American, Iranian, Afghan and Indian scholars to promote archeological and architectural interpretations of the Iranian and Afghan past. Taking Robert Byron’s Road to Oxiana as a fixed point of reference, the following pages survey the motor-linked sites where these new disciplinary approaches were developed and disseminated. By positioning Byron amid a larger cadre of investigators publishing in Farsi, Dari and Urdu no less than English, French and German, the essay shows how shifts in Iranian perceptions of the ancient and medieval past were part of a larger regional development, unfolding not only in familiar dialogue with Europe, but also in conversation and to some degree competition with nationalist scholarship in Afghanistan and India. Together with the journals, museums, learned societies and congresses which were launched in the 1920s and 1930s, cars and cameras—those key tools of the “age of speed”—were central to these learned ventures. Far from generating uniformity, this shared intellectual infrastructure enabled multiple interpretations of the archaeological and architectural past that were nonetheless mutually intelligible and methodologically consistent.
Dependency in a financialised global economy
Authors: Musthaq Fathimath
Published: February 2021

Drawing on Samir Amin’s writings, this article proposes a contemporary form of dependency that manifests in the subordinate integration of developing countries into a financialised global economy. Using insights from the emergent financialisation literature, the article updates two themes in Amin’s work: imperialist rent and the role of the peripheral state in perpetuating dependency in the global economy. In contemporary capitalism, imperialist rent is not limited to labour arbitrage but also includes financial arbitrage, and the peripheral state, rather than retreating, now actively manages the financial sphere. The article advances an updated understanding of dependency in the context of financialisation.
Consideration of differences in drug usage between young-onset and elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis with target of low disease activity
Authors: Kumagai Kosuke , Okumura Noriaki , Amano Yasutaka , Yayama Takafumi , Mimura Tomohiro , Maeda Tsutomu , Kubo Mitsuhiko , Mori Kanji , Barrett-Jolley Richard , Imai Shinji
Published: February 2021

Objectives

Elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (EORA) is reported to differ from young-onset rheumatoid arthritis (YORA) with regard to patient background and drug treatment. We examined the amount of drug administered to patients who achieved low disease activity (LDA) for rheumatoid arthritis at our hospital.

Methods

Demographics, clinical history, and treatments were compared between patients with EORA (n = 70) and YORA (n = 190).

Results

There was a significant difference in the average age (73.8 vs. 57.8 years), disease duration (6.66 vs. 14.7 years), and sex (62.9% males vs. 83.7% females), but no difference in rheumatoid factor positivity (85.3% vs. 80.7%), anti-citrullinated peptide antibody positivity (86.5% vs. 87.7%), simplified disease activity index (4.28 vs. 4.59), or disease activity score 28-CRP (1.99 vs. 2.04) in the EORA and YORA groups, respectively. There were also no significant differences in prednisolone use (37.1% vs. 36.3%), amount of methotrexate administered (MTX) (1.45 vs. 1.41 mg), and MTX use (55.7% vs. 65.3%). However, the MTX dose (2.89 vs. 4.09 mg/week, p = .011) and overall biologics use (32.9% vs. 56.3%, p = .0012) were significantly lower in patients with EORA than in those with YORA.

Conclusion

Patients with EORA may be able to achieve LDA with lower drug dosage than those with YORA.
Differences in knee joint degeneration between primary hip osteoarthritis and hip osteoarthritis secondary to hip developmental dysplasia: A propensity score-based analysis
Authors: Sato Ryuichi , Ando Wataru , Hamada Hidetoshi , Takao Masaki , Saito Mitsuru , Sugano Nobuhiko
Published: February 2021

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate differences in lower limb alignment and the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis (OA) among patients with primary hip osteoarthritis (PHOA) versus those with hip osteoarthritis secondary to developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH-OA).

Methods

We compared 83 patients who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty for unilateral PHOA or DDH-OA after performing propensity score matching. The prevalence of knee OA and lower limb alignment were evaluated on preoperative plain radiographs.

Results

The prevalence of knee OA on the ipsilateral side was significantly higher in the PHOA group than in the DDH-OA group (p =.019), whereas there was no difference between the groups on the contralateral side (p = .631). Lower-limb alignment was more valgus on the ipsilateral side in the DDH-OA group than the PHOA group, whereas it was not significantly different on the contralateral side between groups.

Conclusion

The prevalence of knee OA and lower-limb malalignment on the ipsilateral side of hip OA were different for PHOA and DDH-OA patients. Shifting the mechanical axis of lower limbs might be associated with the prevalence of knee OA and lower limb malalignment in the presence of unilateral hip OA.