bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strategies for the Revalorization of Sewage Sludge in a Waste Water Treatment Plant Through the Integration of Hydrothermal Processing
Authors: Aragon-Briceño C. I. , Ross A. B. , Camargo-Valero M. A.
Published: July 2022

Different strategies for sewage sludge management have been implemented to minimize the environmental impacts and benefit from the resources embedded in this waste stream. In that regard, Hydrothermal treatments (HTTs) of biomass can contribute generating high-value products (hydrochar) and enhancing biogas generation. In this work, different strategies were analysed for implementing HTTs at WWTPs considering the effect of 2 different process temperatures (160 and 250 °C) on different sewage sludge samples (primary, secondary and digestate sludge). Determination of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus fate and mass and energy balances in hydrochar and process waters were carried out. HTT promoted solubilization of nitrogen, phosphorus and organic carbon up to 89%, 13% and 124% respectively. Moreover, biomethane yield increased up to 168% reaching methane concentrations up to 79% in the biogas. High heating values of hydrochars ranged from 12.0 to 18.2 MJ kg−1. The integration of HTT as an intermediate step between two-step anaerobic digestion process showed an increase in the net energy balance of up to 124% in comparison with the conventional anaerobic digestion process.

Graphical Abstract
Studies on the impact of road freight transport and alternative modes in Australia: a literature study
Authors: Peters L. J. B. , Chattopadhyay G. , Tuck M. A.
Published: July 2022

The freight sector in Australia has been growing at an ever-increasing rate due to domestic and international demand for goods, commodities, and resources. Increased volume of traffic comes with increased greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gas impacts climate change and air pollution, increasing the risk of public health and safety. The European Union used Marco Polo to shift transit freight from road to sea, rail, and inland waterways to reduce the number of trucks on the road to lessen congestion, less pollution, and more reliable and efficient transport of goods. Fuel Tax Credit was similarly introduced in Australia to address some of these issues. It is now time to analyse the impact of these schemes. This paper is a systematic literature review using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool and Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. Findings include using alternative modes of transport for long distances reduces carbon dioxide and the likelihood of using renewable fuels like electric and hydrogen fuel for trucks. However, research was limited on renewable fuels.
Behaviour of CFST Stub Columns Subjected to Pure Compression
Authors: Horváth A. , Kollár D. , Kövesdi B.
Published: July 2022

Application of concrete-filled steel tubes (CFST) is becoming increasingly prominent in the civil engineering practice. However, the interaction of cross-sectional elements in CFST columns raises a number of questions, which have to be investigated in detail to improve design background and analytical resistance formulae. The aim of the current paper is to examine the structural behaviour of innovative concrete-filled steel tubes using different structural steel grades (S355, S500 and S960) and concrete classes (C30/37 and C60/75). Combination of normal or high strength steel with normal or high-performance concrete is a novel research topic of composite structures resulting in economic and optimal design for distinct civil engineering applications such as buildings, bridges, towers and masts, etc. An advanced finite element model is developed and validated based on previous experimental results found in the international literature in order to investigate the discrepancies in structural behaviour, load-bearing capacity and failure mode of stub columns subjected to pure compression. Validated numerical results are compared to formulae-based resistances and the applicability of standardised design methods are examined. In addition, a novel formula is proposed considering hardening of steel material in accordance with EN 1993-1-5. The developed formula can be used for the economic design of CFST stub columns, combining normal and high strength materials, where elastic shell buckling cannot occur (D/t ≤ 90ε2).
Follow-up after bariatric surgery: is it time to tailor it? Analysis of early predictive factors of 3-year weight loss predictors of unsuccess in bariatric patients
Authors: Voglino Costantino , Badalucco Simona , Tirone Andrea , Ciuoli Cristina , Cantara Silvia , Benenati Nicoletta , Bufano Annalisa , Formichi Caterina , Croce Federica , Gaggelli Ilaria , Vuolo Maria Laura , Vuolo Giuseppe
Published: July 2022

Bariatric surgery (BS) is the most effective treatment strategy for obesity. Nevertheless, a subset of patients does not reach a successful weight loss or experience long-term weight regain. Conflicting evidence exists regarding predictors of BS outcomes. We aimed to define the early factors linked to 3 year unsuccessful weight loss in order to promote a tailored close follow-up. We enrolled 443 patients who underwent BS from January 2014 to December 2018 with a 3 year follow-up. An unsuccessful BS outcome was defined as a percentage of total weight loss (%TWL) < 20. We compared the characteristics between successful and unsuccessful patients in order to identify predictor factors of unsuccess after surgery. We found that the proportion of patients with unsuccessful weight loss progressively increased from one to three years after BS. In a multiple regression model, only 1 month %TWL and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) were significantly associated with 3 year unsuccessful weight loss. We stratified our cohort in four groups according to the risk of BS unsuccess, in terms of 1 month %TWL and type of surgery (SG vs gastric bypass). Interestingly, groups showed a significant difference in terms of %TWL at each follow-up point. Patients submitted to SG with lower 1 month %TWL must be considered at higher risk of future weight regain; consequently, they require a tailored and closer follow-up.

Graphical abstract
Development of an Inundation Model for the Northern Coastal Zone of the Nile Delta Region, Egypt Using High-Resolution DEM
Authors: El-Quilish Mohammed , El-Ashquer Mohamed , Dawod Gomaa , Fiky Gamal El
Published: July 2022

Egypt is facing several hazardous environmental phenomena, particularly Sea Level Rise (SLR) and land subsidence. It has been considered to be one of the countries most likely to be affected by SLR because of the low elevation of the Nile Delta region’s northern coastal zone, like all world Deltas. For that, a GIS inundation model has been generated using an original high accuracy local digital elevation model for the Nile Delta region, Egypt (LDEM) and the SLR data measured by the tide-gauges. This model has been used to determine the vulnerable low laying areas to inundation from future SLR in 2050 and to determine land-use types and percentages that are most likely to be affected in the northern Mediterranean coast of Nile Delta region. Finally, a total Hazard Index Map (HIM) has been produced from combining SLR HIM, and the subsidence HIM for the study area which will present the full danger of the two phenomena on the coastal region. The results have shown that the inundated area calculated from the SLR in 2050 model is about 50 km2. From the land-use maps, the areas flooded by the sea represent almost 38.40 km2, 3.80 km2, 5.20 km2, and 2.60 km2 for the urban, agricultural lands, fishing farms, and bare areas, respectively. The authorities and decision makers should pay more attention to the hazardous effects due to the impacts of subsidence and SLR in the Nile Delta region, especially the northern coastal zone. More protection construction such as seawalls and breakwaters should be built at the northern coastal zone of the Nile Delta region vulnerable to inundation of SLR, to prevent the occurrence of the predicted inundation scenarios that could be occurred to this region in the future.
The slowdown in mortality improvement rates 2011–2017: a multi-country analysis
Authors: Djeundje Viani B. , Haberman Steven , Bajekal Madhavi , Lu Joseph
Published: July 2022

Mortality rates have been falling or ‘improving’ in many demographically developed countries since the 1950s. However, there has been a slowdown since 2010 in the speed of improvement and this phenomenon has been particularly marked at ages over 50. To understand better this mortality slowdown, we have analysed long-run mortality trends of a group of developed countries using data up to 2017 from the Human Mortality Database. Specifically, we have used statistical models to parametrise the historical mortality trends of 21 countries between 1965 and 2010 and then forecast trends beyond 2011. We find that many countries have experienced lower mortality improvement rates in 2011–2017 than in the previous decade and also experienced lower improvement rates in 2011–2017 than would have been forecast based on the models fitted to data prior to 2011. Some of the Scandinavian populations have bucked the stalling mortality improvement trend, experiencing higher mortality improvement rates than the forecasts. We conclude that part of the slowdown in mortality improvement rates of the over 1950s since 2011 would have been expected from historical trends in many countries, especially among men. However, there has been a notable slowdown since 2011, compared with the model forecasts, in many countries especially among women. A few countries had higher mortality improvement rates than forecast. A better understanding of the drivers behind these complex trends would help decision makers in insurance companies and pension funds and also inform public policy.
Action-oriented process mining: bridging the gap between insights and actions
Authors: Park Gyunam , van der Aalst Wil M. P.
Published: July 2022

As business environments become more dynamic and complex, it becomes indispensable for organizations to objectively analyze business processes, monitor the existing and potential operational frictions, and take proactive actions to mitigate risks and improve performances. Process mining provides techniques to extract insightful knowledge of business processes from event data collected during the execution of the processes. Besides, various approaches have been suggested to support the real-time (predictive) monitoring of the process-related problems. However, the link between the insights from the continuous monitoring and the concrete management actions for the actual process improvement is missing. Action-oriented process mining aims at connecting the knowledge extracted from event data to actions. In this work, we propose a general framework for action-oriented process mining covering the continuous monitoring of operational processes and the automated execution of management actions. Based on the framework, we suggest a cube-based action engine where actions are generated by analyzing monitoring results in a multi-dimensional way. The framework is implemented as a ProM plug-in and evaluated by conducting experiments on both artificial and real-life information systems.
Progress in ceramic materials and structure design toward advanced thermal barrier coatings
Authors: Wei Zhi-Yuan , Meng Guo-Hui , Chen Lin , Li Guang-Rong , Liu Mei-Jun , Zhang Wei-Xu , Zhao Li-Na , Zhang Qiang , Zhang Xiao-Dong , Wan Chun-Lei , Qu Zhi-Xue , Chen Lin , Feng Jing , Liu Ling , Dong Hui , Bao Ze-Bin , Zhao Xiao-Feng , Zhang Xiao-Feng , Guo Lei , Wang Liang , Cheng Bo , Zhang Wei-Wei , Xu Peng-Yun , Yang Guan-Jun , Cai Hong-Neng , Cui Hong , Wang You , Ye Fu-Xing , Ma Zhuang , Pan Wei , Liu Min , Zhou Ke-Song , Li Chang-Jiu
Published: July 2022

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) can effectively protect the alloy substrate of hot components in aeroengines or land-based gas turbines by the thermal insulation and corrosion/erosion resistance of the ceramic top coat. However, the continuous pursuit of a higher operating temperature leads to degradation, delamination, and premature failure of the top coat. Both new ceramic materials and new coating structures must be developed to meet the demand for future advanced TBC systems. In this paper, the latest progress of some new ceramic materials is first reviewed. Then, a comprehensive spalling mechanism of the ceramic top coat is summarized to understand the dependence of lifetime on various factors such as oxidation scale growth, ceramic sintering, erosion, and calcium-magnesium-aluminium-silicate (CMAS) molten salt corrosion. Finally, new structural design methods for high-performance TBCs are discussed from the perspectives of lamellar, columnar, and nanostructure inclusions. The latest developments of ceramic top coat will be presented in terms of material selection, structural design, and failure mechanism, and the comprehensive guidance will be provided for the development of next-generation advanced TBCs with higher temperature resistance, better thermal insulation, and longer lifetime.
Coupling of piezocatalysis and photocatalysis for efficient degradation of methylene blue by Bi0.9Gd0.07La0.03FeO3 nanotubes
Authors: Mani Angom Devadatta , Li Jie , Wang Ziquan , Zhou Jiale , Xiang Huaicheng , Zhao Jinlai , Deng Libo , Yang Haitao , Yao Lei
Published: July 2022

Photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants is of great significance for wastewater remediation but is still hindered by the poor catalytic efficiency of the catalysts. Herein, we report a strategy to simultaneously introduce piezocatalysis and to enhance the intrinsic photocatalysis in a single catalyst, which improved the performance for catalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) significantly. Specifically, piezoelectric BiFeO3(BFO) nanotube doped with different contents of Gd and La (Bi0.9(GdxLa1−x)0.1FeO3) were produced by electrospinning. The doping led to a higher concentration of surface oxygen vacancy (OV) in Bi0.9Gd0.07La0.03FeO3, which effectively increased the piezoelectric field due to the deformation of BFO, and suppressed the recombination of photon-generated electron-hole pairs. The Bi0.9Gd0.07La0.03FeO3nanotube showed excellent catalytic performance under simultaneous light irradiation and ultrasonic excitation, giving an extraordinary 95% degradation of MB within 90 min. These findings suggest that the piezoelectric effect combined with defect engineering can enhance the catalytic performance of Bi0.9Gd0.07La0.03FeO3nanotube. This could potentially be extended to other catalytic systems for high-performance pollutant treatment.
Carrier and microstructure tuning for improving the thermoelectric properties of Ag8SnSe6 via introducing SnBr2
Authors: Yu Zhonghai , Wang Xiuxia , Liu Chengyan , Cheng Yiran , Zhang Zhongwei , Si Ruifan , Bai Xiaobo , Hu Xiaokai , Gao Jie , Peng Ying , Miao Lei
Published: July 2022

The argyrodite compounds (A
(12−n)
m/m+
Bn+X
6
2−
(Am+ = Li+, Cu+, and Ag+; Bn+ = Ga3+, Si4+, Ge4+, Sn4+, P5+, and As5+; and X2− = S2−, Se2−, or Te2−)) have attracted great attention as excellent thermoelectric (TE) materials due to their extremely low lattice thermal conductivity Among them, Ag8SnSe6-based TE materials have high potential for TE applications. However, the pristine Ag8SnSe6 materials have low carrier concentration (< 1017 cm−3), resulting in low power factors. In this study, a hydrothermal method was used to synthesize Ag8SnSe6 with high purity, and the introduction of SnBr2 into the pristine Ag8SnSe6 powders has been used to simultaneously increase the power factor and decrease the thermal conductivity (κ). On the one hand, a portion of the Br− ions acted as electrons to increase the carrier concentration, increasing the power factor to a value of ∼698 µW·m−1·K−2 at 736 K. On the other hand, some of the dislocations and nanoprecipitates (SnBr2) were generated, resulting in a decrease of κ1 (−0.13 W·m−1·K−1) at 578 K. As a result, the zT value reaches ∼1.42 at 735 K for the sample Ag8Sn1.03Se5.94Br0.06, nearly 30% enhancement in contrast with that of the pristine sample (−1.09). The strategy of synergistic manipulation of carrier concentration and microstructure by introducing halogen compounds could be applied to the argyrodite compounds to improve the TE properties.
Fabrication, microstructure, and properties of 8 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) transparent ceramics
Authors: Chen Penghui , Li Xiaoying , Tian Feng , Liu Ziyu , Hu Dianjun , Xie Tengfei , Liu Qiang , Li Jiang
Published: July 2022

Fine grained 8 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) transparent ceramics with high optical and mechanical properties were fabricated by air pre-sintering and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) using commercial 8YSZ powders as the raw material. The pre-sintered ceramics with fine grains and appropriate relative density play a key role to achieve high transparency and suppressed grain size after HIP post-treatment at relatively low temperatures. With the increase of HIP temperature from 1350 to 1550 °C, the in-line transmittance of 8YSZ ceramics at 600 nm increases from 56.9% to 71.5% (2.5 mm in thickness), and the average grain size increases from 2.4 to 16.3 µm. The corresponding bending strength of 8YSZ transparent ceramics decreases from 328±20 to 289±19 MPa, the hardness (H) decreases from 12.9±0.1 to 12.5±0.2 GPa, and the fracture toughness (KIC) decreases from 1.30±0.02 to 1.26±0.03 MPa·m1/2. Systematical investigations were carried out to study the combination of high optical transparency and excellent mechanical properties in 8YSZ ceramics.
Repeated amino acid PET imaging for longitudinal monitoring of brain tumors
Authors: Cicone Francesco , Galldiks Norbert , Papa Annalisa , Langen Karl-Josef , Cascini Giuseppe Lucio , Minniti Giuseppe
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Amino acid PET is a useful complement to MRI in a number of clinical settings for the evaluation of brain tumors. However, amino acid PET is rarely used repeatedly over the course of the disease. We reviewed the existing literature on the use of repeated amino acid PET imaging for monitoring primary or secondary brain tumors.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search of articles describing the use of longitudinal amino acid PET imaging of brain tumors was performed on PubMed/MEDLINE using multiple search terms. Additional literature was retrieved from the reference lists of identified studies or based on the authors’ personal knowledge and experience.

Results

With regard to primary tumors, two main clinical settings were identified in whom the performance of repeated amino acid PET imaging was most commonly assessed. These include the detection of malignant progression of patients with grade II or III glioma characterized according to older WHO classifications, and the early response assessment of various treatment options in glioma patients. For patients with brain metastases, only a few studies were identified using longitudinal amino acid PET for the diagnosis of post-treatment changes after stereotactic radiosurgery. The analyzed studies reported that longitudinal amino acid PET imaging frequently anticipate or even outperform the diagnostic performance provided by conventional MRI in these settings.

Conclusions

The available literature suggests that conventional MRI should be accompanied by longitudinal amino acid PET monitoring in these clinical settings. Nevertheless, more reliable evidence derived from larger, prospective multicenter studies is warranted.
Mucociliary Transit Assessment Using Automatic Tracking in Phase Contrast X-Ray Images of Live Mouse Nasal Airways
Authors: Jung Hye-Won , Lee Ivan , Lee Sang-Heon , Morgan Kaye , Parsons David , Donnelley Martin
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The rate of mucociliary transit (MCT) is an indicator of the hydration and health of the airways for cystic fibrosis (CF). To determine the effectiveness of cystic fibrosis respiratory therapies, we have developed a novel method to non-invasively quantify the local rate and patterns of MCT behaviour in vivo by using synchrotron phase contrast X-ray imaging (PCXI) to visualise the MCT motion of micron-sized spherical particles deposited onto the airway surfaces of live mice.

Methods

In this study the baseline MCT behaviour was assessed in the nasal airways of CFTR-null and normal mice which were then treated with hypertonic saline (HS) or mannitol. To assess MCT, the particle motion was tracked throughout the synchrotron PCXI sequences using fully-automated custom image analysis software.

Results

There was no significant difference in the MCT rate between normal and CFTR-null mice, but the analysis of MCT particle tracking showed that HS may have a longer duration of action in CFTR-null mice than in the normal mice.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that changes in MCT rate in CF and normal mouse nasal airways can be measured using PCXI and customised tracking software and used for assessing the effects of airway rehydrating pharmaceutical treatments.
Peracarid Assemblages in a Human-Disturbed Location from South-Western Mediterranean Sea: Role of Surface Orientation and Phytal Structure of the Habitat
Authors: López Eduardo
Published: July 2022

The goal of this investigation was to assess the role of a number of environmental variables on the traits of a peracarid population inhabiting turfs of Ellisolandia elongata in a Mediterranean disturbed location. Samples were collected from a vertical and a horizontal surface to assess the role of orientation, and several structural traits of the turf (number of fronds, their height and width, available phytal area for colonization, and dry weight) were measured. The samples were characterized by their species composition, relative abundance of constant species, total abundance of individuals, and α-diversity (species richness, Shannon index and Pielou’s evenness). Generalized linear models were used to relate environmental variables with ecological descriptors, whereas a cluster plot and a principal correspondence analysis, both based on the Bray-Curtis coefficient, were conducted to detect the presence of distinct assemblages. Results showed orientation to be a key factor governing the assemblages, since samples from vertical and horizontal surfaces formed definite groups based on Bray-Curtis similarities. Moreover, GLMs pointed out that orientation influenced relative abundance of the majority of constant species, as well as species richness and Shannon index. Phytal height had a positive effect on the relative abundances of Hexapleomera bultidactyla, Coxischyrocerus inexpectatus and Hyale stebbingi, and a negative one on Shannon index and evenness, whereas available phytal area influenced positively evenness and negatively the relative abundance of Elasmopus pocillimanus. Thus, it can be inferred that although species composition depended on surface orientation, the spatial structure of the turf was the main driver for assemblage complexity.
The Geopolitical Risk and Strategic Uncertainty of Green Growth after the Ukraine Invasion: How the Circular Economy Can Decrease the Market Power of and Resource Dependency on Critical Minerals
Authors: Nygaard Arne
Published: July 2022

Following the invasion of Ukraine, there is a call to replace Russian gas and oil with green electric energy. A prime sector subject to electrification is the transportation sector. Consequently, access to the critical minerals for electrification has become an important strategic issue in the electric vehicle industry. Our analysis indicates that the markets for scarce and critical minerals, like cobalt, graphite, lithium, and rare earth elements, are in a highly concentrated number of countries. China, a strategic partner of Russia, has a dominant power position in both graphite and rare earth elements and is a dominant player in the processing of copper, nickel, cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements. Furthermore, at least 70% of cobalt, graphite, and rare earth element resources are in corrupt or very corrupt states. Transportation sector electrification might therefore increase Europe’s and the USA’s resource dependency on totalitarian, corrupt, and unstable countries. The surging resource dependency on China, Russia’s most important strategic partner, intensifies the geopolitical risk to the green transition. We suggest strategies like vertical control of supply chains, specific technology and infrastructure investments, innovation of other green energy sources, and exploration of critical minerals in other countries. Substitution and closed-loop technology also reduce resource dependency and geopolitical risk. However, closed-loop recycling cannot compensate for the short-run growth in the electric vehicle markets. Thus, the circular economy will reduce but not eliminate geopolitical risk. Countries, supply chains, and companies should examine the geopolitical risk and strategic uncertainty associated with different green energy sources and technology.
Intermediate Dynamics
Authors: Hamill Patrick
Published: July 2022

This advanced undergraduate physics textbook presents an accessible treatment of classical mechanics using plain language and clear examples. While comprehensive, the book can be tailored to a one-semester course. An early introduction of the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms gives students an opportunity to utilize these important techniques in the easily visualized context of classical mechanics. The inclusion of 321 simple in-chapter exercises, 82 worked examples, 550 more challenging end-of-chapter problems, and 65 computational projects reinforce students' understanding of key physical concepts and give instructors freedom to choose from a wide variety of assessment and support materials. This new edition has been reorganized. Numerous sections were rewritten. New problems, a chapter on fluid dynamics, and brief optional studies of advanced topics such as general relativity and orbital mechanics have been incorporated. Online resources include a solutions manual for instructors, lecture slides, and a set of student-oriented video lectures.
A First Course in General Relativity
Authors: Schutz Bernard
Published: July 2022

Clarity, readability, and rigor combine in the third edition of this widely used textbook to provide the first step into general relativity for advanced undergraduates with a minimal background in mathematics. Topics within relativity that fascinate astrophysics researchers and students alike are covered with Schutz's characteristic ease and authority, from black holes to relativistic objects, from pulsars to the study of the Universe as a whole. This third edition contains discoveries by astronomers that require general relativity for their explanation; two chapters on gravitational waves, including direct detections of gravitational waves and their observations' impact on cosmological measurements; new information on black holes and neutron stars; and greater insight into the expansion of the Universe. Over 300 exercises, many new to this edition, give students the confidence to work with general relativity and the necessary mathematics, while the informal writing style and worked examples make the subject matter easily accessible.
A Typology for Characterizing Human Action in MultiSector Dynamics Models
Authors: Yoon Jim , Romero‐Lankao Patricia , Yang Y. C. Ethan , Klassert Christian , Urban Nathan , Kaiser Kendra , Keller Klaus , Yarlagadda Brinda , Voisin Nathalie , Reed Patrick M. , Moss Richard
Published: July 2022

The role of individual and collective human action is increasingly recognized as a prominent and arguably paramount determinant in shaping the behavior, trajectory, and vulnerability of multisector systems. This human influence operates at multiple scales: from short‐term (hourly to daily) to long‐term (annually to centennial) timescales, and from the local to the global, pushing systems toward either desirable or undesirable outcomes. However, the effort to represent human systems in multisector models has been fragmented across philosophical, methodological, and disciplinary lines. To cohere insights across diverse modeling approaches, we present a new typology for classifying how human actors are represented in the broad suite of coupled human‐natural system models that are applied in MultiSector Dynamics (MSD) research. The typology conceptualizes a “sector” as a system‐of‐systems that includes a diverse group of human actors, defined across individual to collective social levels, involved in governing, provisioning, and utilizing products, goods, or services toward some human end. We trace the salient features of modeled representations of human systems by organizing the typology around two key questions: (a) Who are the actors in MSD systems and what are their actions? (b) How and for what purpose are these actors and actions operationalized in a computational model? We use this typology to critically examine existing models and chart the frontier of human systems modeling for MSD research.
Temporal Source Apportionment of PM2.5 Over the Pearl River Delta Region in Southern China
Authors: Chen Yiang , Fung Jimmy C. H. , Huang Yeqi , Lu Xingcheng , Wang Zhe , Louie Peter K. K. , Chen Wanying , Yu Chi Wai , Yu Rui , Lau Alexis K. H.
Published: July 2022

The key problems in addressing air pollution include determining the source of the pollutants and developing a means to control them. In addition to the source area and source category of pollutants, the contributions of pollutants emitted during various periods is an important factor that must be better understood for effective and efficient policymaking. A temporal source apportionment module in the Comprehensive Air Quality Model with Extensions was developed and applied to analyze the temporal contributions of emissions to the concentration of atmospheric particulate matter with a diameter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region. The results showed that in addition to cross‐boundary transport, the PM2.5 concentration in the PRD region was generally influenced by emissions on the current day and previous day. Local emissions from 06:00–17:59 on the current day accounted for approximately 30% of the PM2.5 concentration, whereas regional sources (cross‐city transport) had greater contributions during earlier emission periods. During the periods of episodic pollution, a weak wind situation hindered the transportation and diffusion of pollutants; thus, pollutants from 2 days earlier were trapped within the PRD region. When only the emissions from the PRD region were considered, particulate nitrate was more affected by regional emissions from the previous day, whereas the main contributors of other major components of PM2.5 were emissions from the current day. Our results suggest that emission control measures should be implemented 2 days in advance when adverse meteorological conditions are predicted.
A Hierarchy of Global Ocean Models Coupled to CESM1
Authors: Hsu Tien‐Yiao , Primeau Francois , Magnusdottir Gudrun
Published: July 2022

We develop a hierarchy of simplified ocean models for coupled ocean, atmosphere, and sea ice climate simulations using the Community Earth System Model version 1 (CESM1). The hierarchy has four members: a slab ocean model, a mixed‐layer model (MLM) with entrainment and detrainment, an Ekman MLM, and an ocean general circulation model (OGCM). Flux corrections of heat and salt are applied to the simplified models ensuring that all hierarchy members have the same climatology. We diagnose the needed flux corrections from auxiliary simulations in which we restore the temperature and salinity to the daily climatology obtained from a target CESM1 simulation. The resulting three‐dimensional corrections contain the interannual variability fluxes that maintain the correct vertical gradients of temperature and salinity in the tropics. We find that the inclusion of mixed‐layer entrainment and Ekman flow produces sea surface temperature and surface air temperature fields whose means and variances are progressively more similar to those produced by the target CESM1 simulation. We illustrate the application of the hierarchy to the problem of understanding the response of the climate system to the loss of Arctic sea ice. We find that the shifts in the positions of the mid‐latitude westerly jet and of the Inter‐tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) in response to sea‐ice loss depend critically on upper ocean processes. Specifically, heat uptake associated with the mixed‐layer entrainment influences the shift in the westerly jet and ITCZ. Moreover, the shift of ITCZ is sensitive to the form of Ekman flow parameterization.
Holocene Multi‐Centennial Variations of the Asian Summer Monsoon Triggered by Solar Activity
Authors: Sun Weiyi , Liu Jian , Wang Bin , Chen Deliang , Wan Lingfeng , Wang Jing
Published: July 2022

Solar activity affects Asian summer monsoon (ASM) at various time scales. However, it remains unknown if and how solar activity can influence ASM on the centennial time scale. Using the Community Earth System Model, we conduct a solar activity forced Holocene transient simulation with an acceleration factor of 10 and show that during the middle–late Holocene ASM precipitation exhibits a significant 300–600‐year periodicity under solar forcing. This model‐produced multi‐centennial variation is also suggested by proxy data. The leading mode of the multi‐centennial ASM variation shows a “wet tropics–dry subtropics” pattern, which lags the corresponding solar activity by about a quarter cycle. The western North Pacific (WNP) circulation system is responsible for the multi‐centennial ASM variation, through enhancing the climatological south Asia–WNP monsoon trough. We suggest that solar activity modulates the zonal SST gradients of the tropical Pacific, inducing the anomalous WNP cyclone and enhancing ASM precipitation in a delayed mode.
Potential Seismicity Along Basement Faults Induced by Geological Carbon Sequestration
Authors: Chang K. W. , Yoon H. , Martinez M. J.
Published: July 2022

Large‐scale CO2 sequestration into geological formations has been suggested to reduce CO2 emissions from industrial activities. However, much like enhanced geothermal stimulation and wastewater injection, CO2 sequestration has a potential to induce earthquake along weak faults, which can be considered a negative impact on safety and public opinion. This study shows the physical mechanisms of potential seismic hazards along basement faults driven by CO2 sequestration under variation in geological and operational constraints. Specifically we compare the poroelastic behaviors between multiphase flow and single‐phase flow cases, highlighting specific needs of evaluating induced seismicity associated with CO2 sequestration. In contrast to single‐phase injection scenario, slower migration of the CO2 plume than pressure pulse may delay accumulation of pressure and stress along basement faults that may not be mitigated immediately by shut‐in of injection. The impact of multiphase flow system, therefore, needs to be considered for proper monitoring and mitigation strategies.
Neutral Mode Dominates the Forced Global and Regional Surface Temperature Response in the Past and Future
Authors: Liu Fukai , Lu Jian , Leung L. Ruby
Published: July 2022

Using a large suite of Green's function perturbation experiments, we construct the emergent dynamical operator for surface temperature and extract the most excitable mode. The leading mode turns out to be the most dominant mode excited by the climate forcing of doubling CO2, alone capturing 56% of the total spatial variances of the surface temperature response. The pattern of the leading mode is partly organized by the atmospheric annular modes in both hemispheres, and further modulated by the feedbacks from ocean circulations. Though derived from a single model, the leading mode can capture the spatio‐temporal variabilities of the global mean surface temperature over the past century in both the CMIP6 model simulations and observations. Moreover, the leading mode is most efficiently excited by radiative forcings from the midlatitude bands centered around 45°N and 25°S, where most human activities take place, suggesting the potency of human influence on the climate change.
First Experimental Verification of Opacity for the Lightning Near‐Infrared Spectrum
Authors: Wang Xuejuan , Wang Haitong , Lyu Weitao , Chen Lyuwen , Ma Ying , Qi Qi , Wu Bin , Xu Weiqun , Hua Leyan , Yang Jing , Wang Jinhu
Published: July 2022

Using the spectral data of a lightning continuing discharge process observed on the 600‐m‐high Canton Tower, experimental verification of the optical thickness of lightning neutral nitrogen (NI) and neutral oxygen (OI) radiation in the near‐infrared spectrum is presented first by comparing the measured relative intensities of two NI multiplets with theoretical values. For the first time, the spectral evolution characteristics of the tall structure lightning continuing discharge process show that visible band singly ionized lines were apparent for approximately 320–400 µs. The ionized lines with higher excitation energies and the neutral lines with lower excitation energies coexist for approximately 240–320 µs, which means that there is a hot region radiating ionized lines in a radial direction from the lightning channel, but at the same time there is also a cold region radiating neutral lines.
Multi‐Pulse Corona Discharges in Thunderclouds Observed in Optical and Radio Bands
Authors: Li Dongshuai , Luque Alejandro , Lehtinen Nikolai G. , Gordillo‐Vázquez F. J. , Neubert Torsten , Lu Gaopeng , Chanrion Olivier , Zhang Hongbo , Østgaard Nikolai , Reglero Víctor
Published: July 2022

How lightning initiates inside thunderclouds remains a major puzzle of atmospheric electricity. By monitoring optical emissions from thunderstorms, the Atmosphere‐Space Interactions Monitor (ASIM) onboard the International Space Station is providing new clues about lightning initiation by detecting Blue LUminous Events (BLUEs), which are manifestations of electrical corona discharges that sometimes precedes lightning. Here we combine optical and radio observations from a thunderstorm near Malaysia to uncover a new type of event containing multiple optical and radio pulses. We find that the first optical pulse coincides with a strong radio signal in the form of a Narrow Bipolar Event (NBE) but subsequent optical pulses, delayed some milliseconds, have weaker radio signals, possibly because they emanate from a horizontally oriented electrical discharges which does not trigger full‐fledged lightning. Our results cast light on the differences between isolated and lightning‐initiating electrical discharges.
A Small Peak in the Swarm‐LP Plasma Density Data at the Dayside Dip Equator
Authors: Song Hosub , Park Jaeheung , Buchert Stephan , Jin Yaqi , Chao Chi Kuang , Lee Jaejin , Yi Yu
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we statistically investigate an artifact in Langmuir Probe (LP) observations of Swarm satellites. A small peak of electron density (Ne) is frequently found in the Swarm data around the dayside dip equator. On the contrary, they appear in neither the Total Electron Content data of the Swarm/Global Positioning System Receivers nor COSMIC‐2 in‐situ measurements at similar altitudes but with low orbit inclination. Arguably, this peak does not represent natural ionospheric irregularities but is likely to result from artifacts. The phenomena are found regardless of the season, solar activity, and the velocity direction of the satellite (ascending and descending). They predominantly occur when the magnetic declination is close to zero, that is, when the Swarm ram direction and the Earth's magnetic field are aligned under sunlight. Hence, we attribute the phenomenon to intensified secondary electrons escape when the geomagnetic field lines are normal to conducting surfaces that emit secondary electrons. Since the magnitude of the artifact is only a few percent of the large‐scale background, it does not have a serious impact on the value of the Swarm/LP data in scientific research. Nevertheless, future efforts to determine the exact cause of the artifacts will contribute to improving the reliability and quality of plasma density and temperature measured by Swarm/LP.
The Representation of Spiral Gravity Waves in a Mesoscale Model With Increasing Horizontal and Vertical Resolution
Authors: Nolan David S. , Onderlinde Matthew J.
Published: July 2022

Recent observational and numerical studies have investigated the dynamics of fine‐scale gravity waves radiating horizontally outward from tropical cyclones. The waves are wrapped into spirals by the tangential wind of the cyclone and are described as spiral gravity waves. This study addresses how well numerical simulations of these waves compare to observations as the horizontal grid spacing is decreased from 2.0 to 1.0 to 0.5 km, and the number of vertical levels changes from 25 to 50 to 100. Spectral filtering is applied to separate the fine‐scale waves in vertical velocity (w) and the larger‐scale waves in pressure (p) from moist updrafts and downdrafts in the eyewall and rainbands. As the grid spacing decreases, the radial wavelengths of the w waves decrease from 20 to 7 km, approaching observed values. For grid spacing 1.0 km, the p waves become well‐resolved with wavelength 70 km. The outward phase speeds range from 15 to 30 ms−1 for the w waves and 50 to 70 ms−1 for p waves. Analysis of the upper‐level outflow region finds that the spiral w waves propagate 5–10 ms−1 faster due to radial advection, but also finds what appear to be different classes of larger‐amplitude, slow‐moving spiral waves. Similar waves can be seen in satellite images, which appear to be caused by dynamical instability of the strongly vertically sheared radial and tangential winds in the TC outflow.
LIN28B inhibition sensitizes cells to p53-restoring PPI therapy through unleashed translational suppression
Authors: Shi Jiahao , Jin Xiaoliang , Wang Yihao , Zhu Tianyu , Zhang Dongmei , Li Qian , Zhong Xiaomin , Deng Yaqi , Shen Jianfeng , Fan Xianqun
Published: July 2022

p53 is the most highly mutated tumor suppressor across multiple types of human cancers. The level and function of p53 are fine-tuned through multifaced mechanisms in which the protein–protein interaction between p53 and MDM2 is considered as a major circuit. Recent studies suggest therapeutic strategy attempts to restore p53 function by small molecule inhibitors targeting p53–MDM2 interaction can be a promising direction in treating cancers with wild-type or functional p53. Currently, clinical tests of the p53–MDM2 protein–protein interaction inhibitors (PPIs) are underway. However, it remains elusive about the biomarkers that may predict the therapeutic responses to those inhibitors. Here we report that RNA-binding protein LIN28B directly regulates p53 through binding to the 5′΄ untranslated region of p53 mRNA and blocks its translation by competing with a translation enhancer protein, ribosomal protein L26 (RPL26). This regulatory mechanism of LIN28B does not involve let-7 maturation or the canonical protein turnover pathway of p53. Furthermore, we show that inhibition of LIN28B unleashes the translational suppression of p53 through RPL26, and leads to enhanced sensitivities of cancer cells to inhibitors of p53–MDM2 interaction. Together, we demonstrate a competitive regulatory mechanism of p53 by LIN28B, which has important implications in developing biomarkers to the therapies aiming to reinstate p53 function.
The clinically relevant CYP2C8*3 and CYP2C9*2 haplotype is inherited from Neandertals
Authors: Haeggström Sigrid , Ingelman-Sundberg Magnus , Pääbo Svante , Zeberg Hugo
Published: July 2022

Genetic variation in genes encoding cytochrome P450 enzymes influences the metabolism of drugs and endogenous compounds. The locus containing the cytochrome genes CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 on chromosome 10 exhibits linkage disequilibrium between the CYP2C8*3 and CYP2C9*2 alleles, forming a haplotype of ~300 kilobases. This haplotype is associated with altered metabolism of several drugs, most notably reduced metabolism of warfarin and phenytoin, leading to toxicity at otherwise therapeutic doses. Here we show that this haplotype is inherited from Neandertals.
Investigation of the monopole magneto-chemical potential in spin ices using capacitive torque magnetometry
Authors: Anand Naween , Barry Kevin , Neu Jennifer N. , Graf David E. , Huang Qing , Zhou Haidong , Siegrist Theo , Changlani Hitesh J. , Beekman Christianne
Published: July 2022

The single-ion anisotropy and magnetic interactions in spin-ice systems give rise to unusual non-collinear spin textures, such as Pauling states and magnetic monopoles. The effective spin correlation strength (Jeff) determines the relative energies of the different spin-ice states. With this work, we display the capability of capacitive torque magnetometry in characterizing the magneto-chemical potential associated with monopole formation. We build a magnetic phase diagram of Ho2Ti2O7, and show that the magneto-chemical potential depends on the spin sublattice (α or β), i.e., the Pauling state, involved in the transition. Monte Carlo simulations using the dipolar-spin-ice Hamiltonian support our findings of a sublattice-dependent magneto-chemical potential, but the model underestimates the Jeff for the β-sublattice. Additional simulations, including next-nearest neighbor interactions (J2), show that long-range exchange terms in the Hamiltonian are needed to describe the measurements. This demonstrates that torque magnetometry provides a sensitive test for Jeff and the spin-spin interactions that contribute to it.
Anti-dissolution Pt single site with Pt(OH)(O3)/Co(P) coordination for efficient alkaline water splitting electrolyzer
Authors: Zeng Lingyou , Zhao Zhonglong , Lv Fan , Xia Zhonghong , Lu Shi-Yu , Li Jiong , Sun Kaian , Wang Kai , Sun Yingjun , Huang Qizheng , Chen Yan , Zhang Qinghua , Gu Lin , Lu Gang , Guo Shaojun
Published: July 2022

As the most well-known electrocatalyst for cathodic hydrogen evolution in water splitting electrolyzers, platinum is unfortunately inefficient for anodic oxygen evolution due to its over-binding with oxygen species and excessive dissolution in oxidative environment. Herein we show that single Pt atoms dispersed in cobalt hydrogen phosphate with an unique Pt(OH)(O3)/Co(P) coordination can achieve remarkable catalytic activity and stability for oxygen evolution. The catalyst yields a high turnover frequency (35.1 ± 5.2 s−1) and mass activity (69.5 ± 10.3 A mg−1) at an overpotential of 300 mV and excellent stability. Mechanistic studies elucidate that the superior catalytic performance of isolated Pt atoms herein stems from optimal binding energies of oxygen intermediate and also their strong electronic coupling with neighboring Co atoms that suppresses the formation of soluble Ptx>4 species. Alkaline water electrolyzers assembled with an ultralow Pt loading realizes an industrial-level current density of 1 A cm−2 at 1.8 volts with a high durability.