bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An attribution analysis of investment risk sharing in collective defined contribution schemes
Authors: Barajas-Paz Andres , Donnelly Catherine
Published: February 2023

A quantification of the financial implications of the design of a funded, collective defined contribution (CDC) pension scheme is presented and illustrated. It is done through an attribution analysis, which allows the importance of various elements of CDC scheme design to be determined. The model of a CDC scheme analysed is based lightly on the first CDC scheme set to be approved in the UK. In the CDC scheme analysed, contributions are fixed and the initial benefit accrued by each contribution is fixed. Once accrued, benefits are subsequently adjusted annually in response to changes in assumptions and returns. An attribution of the benefit payments shows that this design gives higher benefits to the first generations and lower benefits to the last generations, for a scheme which starts with no members. The contributions paid also affect the balance of benefits paid between generations. Too high a contribution is to the advantage of the first generations. Too low a contribution is in the interests of the later generations. The conclusion, within the simple model considered, is that a constant benefit accrual is an important design choice. Its financial consequences across all generations should be carefully analysed, if it is intended to be implemented. Additionally, contributions should be reviewed regularly in such a CDC scheme, to ensure that cross-subsidies are not borne excessively by particular generations.
Snap bean response to pyroxasulfone in a diversity panel
Authors: Williams Martin M. , Saballos Ana , Peachey R. Ed
Published: February 2023

If available for use on snap bean, pyroxasulfone would provide valuable preemergence control of troublesome weed species that currently contaminate the crop postharvest. The extent to which snap bean tolerates pyroxasulfone is poorly documented. The objective of this research was to quantify the extent to which pyroxasulfone tolerance exists in a large collection of snap bean cultivars. A snap bean diversity panel of 277 entries was screened for tolerance to sulfentrazone at a rate of 420 g ai ha−1 in a field trial in 2019 and 2020 near Urbana, IL. Snap bean cultivars exhibited variation in tolerance to pyroxasulfone. While a handful of cultivars were tolerant across variable environments, most cultivars were sensitive in the year that had 30% more water supply (rainfall plus sprinkler irrigation) within 3 wk of planting. Low estimates of broad-sense heritability reflect a large influence of the environment on seedling emergence and growth. With a few exceptions, currently, the margin of crop safety across diverse germplasm is insufficient for registration of pyroxasulfone use on snap bean crops.
Unraveling Textural and Chemical Features in Volcanic Rocks Through Advanced Image Processing: A Case Study From the 2019 Paroxysmal Eruptions of Stromboli
Authors: Visalli Roberto , Giuffrida Marisa , Viccaro Marco
Published: February 2023

The Quantitative X‐Ray Map Analyzer software, a new tool for image processing, has been tested on intertwined pumices and scoriae emitted during the two paroxysmal eruptions of Stromboli of 2019, whose textural and compositional heterogeneities reflect the coexistence of low porphyritic shoshonitic‐basalts and high porphyritic shoshonites. The procedure applied was designed to quantitatively document the complex variations in texture and composition of these products, allowing substantial time reduction of analytical and data processing. The procedure utilizes Principal Components Analysis and supervised Maximum Likelihood Classification for multivariate statistical data handling of an array of X‐ray elemental maps acquired at the millimeter scale in thin‐sections. This technique permits the production of high‐contrast colored images, which allow the classification of rock constituents, extrapolating the associated modal abundances and imaging chemical variations within the glass. Results highlight the close interconnection at the microscale of two types of magma in the erupted products, manifested in each processed image by the presence of contiguous areas preserving textural bulk properties typical of the pumice or scoria. The proportion of the two magmas feeding the eruptions is not simply represented by the proportions of scoria and pumice in individual clasts, as both scoria and pumice contain glass with the composition of shoshonitic‐basalts and shoshonites. This method also allows the recognition of important discordances between the textural and chemical features of the two fractions involved, as well as discernment of the compositions of the two interacting magmas at the microscopic scale, even in those micro‐domains showing evidence of intense interaction processes.
Rotation of a Ferromanganese Nodule in the Penrhyn Basin, South Pacific, Tracked by the Earth's Magnetic Field
Authors: Oda Hirokuni , Katanoda Wataru , Usui Akira , Murayama Masafumi , Yamamoto Yuhji
Published: February 2023

Ferromanganese nodules are cm‐sized, authigenic, abyssal manganese‐iron‐hydroxide concretions. They grow very slowly at rates of a few mm per million years. Although their ages are older than millions of years, they are often found half buried on the modern sediment surface. The mechanisms for the nodules' persistence at the surface without complete burial could be linked to their occasional motion or agitation. Here, we report evidence for the rotation of a nodule from the Penrhyn Basin, South Pacific detected by paleomagnetism. The paleomagnetic inclinations of specimens from the nodules' surface are consistent with the recent geomagnetic fields. The paleomagnetic directions from the surface to the core show successive changes and form a great circle with a pole at (azimuth = 53.9°, dip = 32.1°). This suggests that the nodule rotated along its pole while successively recording magnetizations. As the nodule was found on a gentle slope at the foot of an abyssal hill, it may have moved downslope due to bottom current underwashing. Rock magnetic analyses of the nodule suggest the presence of magnetite in single domain and vortex states. Low temperature magnetometry revealed that magnetite grains were heavily oxidized to maghemite, especially close to the core of the nodule. The rotation may have exposed the rising part of the nodule to oxidative pore water. Oxygenated Antarctic Bottom Water might have caused remagnetization due to low temperature oxidation of magnetite. The rotation would also facilitate the omnidirectional growth of the nodules' mixed layer of diagenetic buserite and hydrogenetic vernadite.
Extreme South Pacific Phytoplankton Blooms Induced by Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Russell Peter , Horvat Christopher
Published: February 2023

Wind‐driven mixing and Ekman pumping driven by slow‐moving tropical cyclones (TCs) can bring nutrients to the euphotic zone, promoting phytoplankton blooms (TC‐PBs) observable by satellite remote sensing. We examine an exceptional (z‐score = 18–48) TC‐PB induced by category‐1 Cyclone Oma near the South Pacific island of Vanuatu in February 2019, the most extreme event in the observed satellite record of South Pacific surface Chlorophyll‐a (Chl‐a). Examining all 156 South Pacific TC since 1997, we identify a “hover” parameter derivable from storm track data correlated with post‐TC surface Chl‐a (r = 0.84). Using a data set of synthetic storm tracks, we show revisit times for South Pacific TC‐PBs are O(250) years and O(1,500) years for Oma‐scale TC‐PBs. The episodic, extreme, but consistent nature of such events means they may imprint on sediment records. If so, we show their signature could be used to reconstruct past TC variability assuming near‐stationarity of TC statistics.
Hydrothermal Fluids and Where to Find Them: Using Seismic Attenuation and Anisotropy to Map Fluids Beneath Uturuncu Volcano, Bolivia
Authors: Hudson T. S. , Kendall J. M. , Blundy J. D. , Pritchard M. E. , MacQueen P. , Wei S. S. , Gottsmann J. H. , Lapins S.
Published: February 2023

Mapping fluid accumulation in the crust is pertinent for numerous applications including volcanic hazard assessment, geothermal energy generation, and mineral exploration. Here, we use seismic attenuation tomography to map the distribution of fluids in the crust below Uturuncu volcano, Bolivia. Seismic P wave and S wave attenuation, as well as their ratio (QP/QS), constrain where the crust is partially and fully fluid‐saturated. Seismic anisotropy observations further constrain the mechanism by which the fluids accumulate, predominantly along aligned faults and fractures in this case. Furthermore, subsurface pressure‐temperature profiles and conductivity data allow us to identify the most likely fluid composition. We identify shallow regions of both dry and H2O/brine‐saturated crust, as well as a deeper supercritical H2O/brine column directly beneath Uturuncu. Our observations provide a greater understanding of Uturuncu's transcrustal hydrothermal system, and act as an example of how such methods could be applied to map crustal fluid pathways and hydrothermal/geothermal systems elsewhere.
2‐D Vp and Vs Models of the Indian Oceanic Crust Adjacent to the NinetyEast Ridge
Authors: Contreras‐Reyes Eduardo , Obando‐Orrego Sebastián , Grevemeyer Ingo
Published: February 2023

Until now, few offshore seismic studies have acquired simultaneously P‐ and S‐ wave data to derive in detail the seismic structure of the oceanic crust. We present 2‐D Vp and Vs models using wide‐angle seismic data at the Indian basin adjacent to the NinetyEast Ridge. Here, an outcrop basement located at the middle of the seismic line presents uppermost crustal Poisson's ratios (ν) of 0.28–0.29 (Vp ∼ 4.2 km/s and Vs ∼ 2.3 km/s). At the flanks of the outcrop basement, the sediment cover is 200–300 m thick and ν values are similar (0.28–0.3), but Vp and Vs values are higher (4.5–4.8 and 2.4–2.6 km/s, respectively). We interpret the relatively lower Vp and Vs around the basement outcrop in terms of hydrothermal alteration, while at the flanks of the basement outcrop, hydrothermal alteration has most likely ceased by sedimentation and compaction processes. Across the seismic layer 2, the Vp–Vs trend is linear and follows a ν value of 0.28–0.29, however, at the seismic layer 2/3 transition, the Vp–Vs trend abruptly changes following a ν value of 0.25–0.26. These reduced observed ν values at the layer 2/3 transition are lower than those reported by laboratory measurements for gabbro (ν ∼ 0.293) and are interpreted in terms of epidotization at the dike‐gabbro contact and/or crack‐change properties around the lower part of the intrusive sheeted dike section.
Temporal Variability of the Labrador Current Pathways Around the Tail of the Grand Banks at Intermediate Depths in a High‐Resolution Ocean Circulation Model
Authors: Gonçalves Neto Afonso , Palter Jaime B. , Xu Xiaobiao , Fratantoni Paula
Published: February 2023

The Northwest Atlantic Shelf and Slope have warmed dramatically in the past decade, changing marine life and challenging fisheries management. A rapid warming event in 2009/2010, linked to a reduced supply of cold water from the Labrador Sea, pushed this region to a new state of unprecedentedly high temperatures that persists today. However, a mechanistic understanding of how the Labrador Current connectivity is reduced at the Tail of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland has been lacking. Here, we present the results of a 25‐year (1993–2017) Lagrangian analysis using the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model. Synthetic particles were released in the vicinity of the Labrador Current upstream of the Grand Banks and tracked in a 2‐D velocity field. We found that the Labrador Current can be completely blocked by Gulf Stream eddies and meanders that impinge on the shelf break along the Grand Banks. This blocking can occur in many different locations at, upstream, or downstream of the Tail of the Grand Banks, since the Labrador Current needs a clear passage over a long distance to continue its path. In the simulation, the Labrador Current has been blocked more often since 2008, which led to the warming of the Northwest Atlantic Shelf and Slope. These results, which are consistent with satellite observations, can provide predictability for the New England and Nova Scotia shelf environments potentially helpful for ecosystem management.
A‐CHAIM: Near‐Real‐Time Data Assimilation of the High Latitude Ionosphere With a Particle Filter
Authors: Reid Ben , Themens David R. , McCaffrey Anthony , Jayachandran P. T. , Johnsen Magnar G. , Ulich Thomas
Published: February 2023

The Assimilative Canadian High Arctic Ionospheric Model (A‐CHAIM) is an operational ionospheric data assimilation model that provides a 3D representation of the high latitude ionosphere in Near‐Real‐Time (NRT). A‐CHAIM uses low‐latency observations of slant Total Electron Content (sTEC) from ground‐based Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers, ionosondes, and vertical TEC from the JASON‐3 altimeter satellite to produce an updated electron density model above 45° geomagnetic latitude. A‐CHAIM is the first operational use of a particle filter data assimilation for space environment modeling, to account for the nonlinear nature of sTEC observations. The large number (>104) of simultaneous observations creates significant problems with particle weight degeneracy, which is addressed by combining measurements to form new composite observables. The performance of A‐CHAIM is assessed by comparing the model outputs to unassimilated ionosonde observations, as well as to in‐situ electron density observations from the SWARM and DMSP satellites. During moderately disturbed conditions from 21 September 2021 through 29 September 2021, A‐CHAIM demonstrates a 40%–50% reduction in error relative to the background model in the F2‐layer critical frequency (foF2) at midlatitude and auroral reference stations, and little change at higher latitudes. The height of the F2‐layer (hmF2) shows a small 5%–15% improvement at all latitudes. In the topside, A‐CHAIM demonstrates a 15%–20% reduction in error for the Swarm satellites, and a 23%–28% reduction in error for the DMSP satellites. The reduction in error is distributed evenly over the assimilation region, including in data‐sparse regions.
Novel evidence that the ABO blood group shapes erythropoiesis and results in higher hematocrit for blood group B carriers
Authors: Kronstein-Wiedemann Romy , Blecher Sarah , Teichert Madeleine , Schmidt Laura , Thiel Jessica , Müller Markus M. , Lausen Jörn , Schäfer Richard , Tonn Torsten
Published: February 2023

The ABO blood group (BG) system is of great importance for blood transfusion and organ transplantation. Since the same transcription factors (TFs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) govern the expression of ABO BG antigens and regulate erythropoiesis, we hypothesized functional connections between both processes. We found significantly higher hemoglobin and hematocrit values in BG B blood donors compared to BG A. Furthermore, we observed that erythropoiesis in BG B hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) was accelerated compared to BG A HSPCs. Specifically, BG B HSPCs yielded more lineage-specific progenitors in a shorter time (B: 31.3 ± 2.2% vs. A: 22.5 ± 3.0%). Moreover, non-BG A individuals exhibited more terminally differentiated RBCs with higher enucleation rates containing more hemoglobin compared to BG A. Additionally, we detected increased levels of miRNA-215-5p and -182-5p and decreased expression of their target TFs RUNX1 and HES-1 mRNAs in erythroid BG B precursor cells compared to BG A. This highlights the important roles of these factors for the disappearance of differentiation-specific glycan antigens and the appearance of cancer-specific glycan antigens. Our work contributes to a deeper understanding of erythropoiesis gene regulatory networks and identifies its interference with BG-specific gene expression regulations particularly in diseases, where ABO BGs determine treatment susceptibility and disease progression.
Eoarchean and Hadean melts reveal arc-like trace element and isotopic signatures
Authors: Chowdhury Wriju , Trail Dustin , Miller Martha , Savage Paul
Published: February 2023

Constraining the lithological diversity and tectonics of the earliest Earth is critical to understanding our planet’s evolution. Here we use detrital Jack Hills zircon (3.7 − 4.2 Ga) analyses coupled with new experimental partitioning data to model the silica content, Si+O isotopic composition, and trace element contents of their parent melts. Comparing our derived Jack Hills zircons’ parent melt Si+O isotopic compositions (−1.92 ≤ δ30SiNBS28 ≤ 0.53 ‰; 5.23 ≤ δ18OVSMOW ≤ 9.00 ‰) to younger crustal lithologies, we conclude that the chemistry of the parent melts was influenced by the assimilation of terrigenous sediments, serpentinites, cherts, and silicified basalts, followed by igneous differentiation, leading to the formation of intermediate to felsic melts in the early Earth. Trace element measurements also show that the formational regime had an arc-like chemistry, implying the presence of mobile-lid tectonics in the Hadean. Finally, we propose that these continental-crust forming processes operated uniformly from 4.2 to at least 3.7 Ga.
Novel biomarkers for neoplastic progression from ulcerative colitis to colorectal cancer: a systems biology approach
Authors: Shahnazari Mina , Afshar Saeid , Emami Mohammad Hassan , Amini Razieh , Jalali Akram
Published: February 2023

In recent studies, the void of evaluation and in-depth understanding of unknown clinically relevant potential molecular biomarkers involved in colorectal cancer (CRC) from the inflammatory stage of ulcerative colitis (UC) to CRC metastasis, which can be suitable therapeutic targets, is deeply felt. The regulation and interaction among different cancer-promoting molecules, including messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and micro RNAs (miRNAs) in CRC and its progression, were the aim we pursued in this study. Using microarray data, we investigated the differential expression for five datasets, including mRNA and microRNA samples related to UC, tumor/normal. Then, using robust data analysis, separate lists of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) were identified, which were used for robust rank aggregation (RRA) and co-expression network analysis. Then, comprehensive computational systems biology analyses, including gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomic pathway enrichment analyses, mRNA-miRNA regulatory network, and survival analysis, were employed to achieve the aim of this study. Finally, we used clinical samples to validate this potential and new target. According to this systems biology approach, a total of 98 DEGs and 8 DEmiRNAs with common differential expression were identified. By combining the distinct results of RRA and network, several potential therapeutic targets, and predictive and prognostic biomarkers for UC and CRC were identified. These targets include six common hub genes, CXCL1, CXCL8, MMP7, SLCA16A9, PLAU, and TIMP1, which are upregulated. Among these, the important and new biomarker SLC16A9 is negatively regulated by hsa-mir-194-5p, and hsa-miR-378a-5p take. The findings of the present study provide new insight into the pathogenesis of CRC in UC. Our study suggests future evaluation of the functional role of SLC16A9 and hsa-mir-194-5p and hsa-miR-378a-5p in CRC development.
Bio-physiological susceptibility of the brain, heart, and lungs to systemic ischemia reperfusion and hyperoxia-induced injury in post-cardiac arrest rats
Authors: Aoki Tomoaki , Wong Vanessa , Endo Yusuke , Hayashida Kei , Takegawa Ryosuke , Okuma Yu , Shoaib Muhammad , Miyara Santiago J. , Yin Tai , Becker Lance B. , Shinozaki Koichiro
Published: February 2023

Cardiac arrest (CA) patients suffer from systemic ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury leading to multiple organ failure; however, few studies have focused on tissue-specific pathophysiological responses to IR-induced oxidative stress. Herein, we investigated biological and physiological parameters of the brain and heart, and we particularly focused on the lung dysfunction that has not been well studied to date. We aimed to understand tissue-specific susceptibility to oxidative stress and tested how oxygen concentrations in the post-resuscitation setting would affect outcomes. Rats were resuscitated from 10 min of asphyxia CA. Mechanical ventilation was initiated at the beginning of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We examined animals with or without CA, and those were further divided into the animals exposed to 100% oxygen (CA_Hypero) or those with 30% oxygen (CA_Normo) for 2 h after resuscitation. Biological and physiological parameters of the brain, heart, and lungs were assessed. The brain and lung functions were decreased after CA and resuscitation indicated by worse modified neurological score as compared to baseline (222 ± 33 vs. 500 ± 0, P < 0.05), and decreased PaO2 (20 min after resuscitation: 113 ± 9 vs. baseline: 128 ± 9 mmHg, P < 0.05) and increased airway pressure (2 h: 10.3 ± 0.3 vs. baseline: 8.1 ± 0.2 mmHg, P < 0.001), whereas the heart function measured by echocardiography did not show significant differences compared before and after CA (ejection fraction, 24 h: 77.9 ± 3.3% vs. baseline: 82.2 ± 1.9%, P = 0.2886; fractional shortening, 24 h: 42.9 ± 3.1% vs. baseline: 45.7 ± 1.9%, P = 0.4658). Likewise, increases of superoxide production in the brain and lungs were remarkable, while those in the heart were moderate. mRNA gene expression analysis revealed that CA_Hypero group had increases in Il1b as compared to CA_Normo group significantly in the brain (P < 0.01) and lungs (P < 0.001) but not the heart (P = 0.4848). Similarly, hyperoxia-induced increases in other inflammatory and apoptotic mRNA gene expression were observed in the brain, whereas no differences were found in the heart. Upon systemic IR injury initiated by asphyxia CA, hyperoxia-induced injury exacerbated inflammation/apoptosis signals in the brain and lungs but might not affect the heart. Hyperoxia following asphyxia CA is more damaging to the brain and lungs but not the heart.
UCHL1, besides leptin and fibronectin, also could be a sensitive marker of the relapsing–remitting type of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Górska Ewelina , Tylicka Marzena , Hermanowicz Adam , Matuszczak Ewa , Sankiewicz Anna , Gorodkiewicz Ewa , Hermanowicz Justyna , Karpińska Elżbieta , Socha Katarzyna , Kochanowicz Jan , Jakoniuk Marta , Kamińska Joanna , Homšak Evgenija , Koper-Lenkiewicz Olga Martyna
Published: February 2023

Research on the markers of immunoregulatory response in multiple sclerosis (MS) is still of great importance. The aim of our study was the evaluation of leptin, fibronectin, and UCHL1 concentrations as potential biomarkers of a relapsing–remitting type of MS (RRMS). Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging (SPRI) biosensors were used for the evaluation of proteins concentrations in 100 RRMS patients and 46 healthy volunteers. Plasma leptin, fibronectin, and UCHL1 concentrations were significantly higher in RRMS patients compared to the control group (p < 0.001, respectively). UCHL1 concentration evaluation revealed the highest diagnostic sensitivity (100%) and negative predictive value (100%) in differentiating MS patients from healthy individuals. There was no significant difference in the UCHL1 concentrations depending on the patient’s sex, the presence of relapse within the last 24 months, and the EDSS value (p > 0.05, respectively). In RRMS patients UCHL1 concentration positively correlated with fibronectin levels (r = 0.3928; p < 0.001). In the current cohort of patients plasma UCHL1 concentration was independent of the time of MS relapse and the severity of neurological symptoms. Thus current study may indicate that plasma UCHL1, besides leptin and fibronectin, also could be a promising high-sensitive potential biomarker of relapsing–remitting type of MS. However, these results should be validated with a larger group of patients, taking into account neuroimaging and cerebrospinal fluid analysis data, and by comparing them to patients with other neurological diseases as a control group.
Comparison of portal vein hemodynamics with ultrasound-based elastography for the prediction of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease
Authors: Yamaguchi Kanji , Seko Yuya , Sakai Takamitsu , Kitano Satomi , Okabe Hiromi , Kataoka Seita , Moriguchi Michihisa , Umemura Atsushi , Itoh Yoshito
Published: February 2023

Chronic liver disease includes nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, progresses from steatosis and hepatitis to fibrosis and cirrhosis, with hemodynamic changes in portal blood flow. This study aimed to compare portal vein hemodynamics with liver stiffness (LS) and steatosis and included 28 subjects with chronic liver disease, in whom LS and steatosis were evaluated in the same image employing two elastography techniques: transient elastography (TE) with controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) using a FibroScan and two-dimensional shear-wave elastography (2D-SWE) with attenuation imaging (ATI). Additionally, peak maximum velocity (Vmax) of the right portal vein and spleen stiffness with 2D-SWE were evaluated. A strong positive correlation was present between LS values obtained with TE and 2D-SWE and between the attenuation coefficients of steatosis obtained with CAP and ATI. Additionally, a negative correlation was present between LS values and the Vmaxof the right portal vein (r = 0.415, p = 0.031). The optimal Vmaxcutoff value for discriminating liver fibrosis with an LS value of > 5 kPa was < 17 cm/s; the ability of Vmaxto predict fibrosis was comparable to that of the FIB4-index. Low Vmaxof the right portal vein was useful for identifying liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease.
Assortativity in cognition
Authors: Bilancini Ennio , Boncinelli Leonardo , Vicario Eugenio
Published: February 2023

In pairwise interactions, where two individuals meet and play a social game with each other, assortativity in cognition means that pairs where both decision-makers use the same cognitive process are more likely to occur than what happens under random matching. In this paper, we show theoretically that assortativity in cognition may arise as a consequence of assortativity in other dimensions. Moreover, we analyze an applied model where we investigate the effects of assortativity in cognition on the emergence of cooperation and on the degree of prosociality of intuition and deliberation, which are the typical cognitive processes postulated by the dual process theory in psychology. In particular, with assortativity in cognition, deliberation is able to shape the intuitive heuristic toward cooperation, increasing the degree of prosociality of intuition, and ultimately promoting the overall cooperation. Our findings rely on agent-based simulations, but analytical results are also obtained in a special case. We conclude with examples involving different payoff matrices of the underlying social games, showing that assortativity in cognition can have non-trivial implications in terms of its societal desirability.
Interconnected hydrologic extreme drivers and impacts depicted by remote sensing data assimilation
Authors: Lahmers Timothy M. , Kumar Sujay V. , Locke Kim A. , Wang Shugong , Getirana Augusto , Wrzesien Melissa L. , Liu Pang-Wei , Ahmad Shahryar Khalique
Published: February 2023

Hydrologic extremes often involve a complex interplay of several processes. For example, flood events can have a cascade of impacts, such as saturated soils and suppressed vegetation growth. Accurate representation of such interconnected processes while accounting for associated triggering factors and subsequent impacts of flood events is difficult to achieve with conceptual hydrological models alone. In this study, we use the 2019 flood in the Northern Mississippi and Missouri Basins, which caused a series of hydrologic disturbances, as an example of such a flood event. This event began with above-average precipitation combined with anomalously high snowmelt in spring 2019. This series of anomalies resulted in above normal soil moisture that prevented crops from being planted over much of the corn belt region. In the present study, we demonstrate that incorporating remote sensing information within a hydrologic modeling system adds substantial value in representing the processes that lead to the 2019 flood event and the resulting agricultural disturbances. This remote sensing data infusion improves the accuracy of soil moisture and snowmelt estimates by up to 16% and 24%, respectively, and it also improves the representation of vegetation anomalies relative to the reference crop fraction anomalies.
Nondestructive thermographic detection of internal defects using pixel-pattern based laser excitation and photothermal super resolution reconstruction
Authors: Lecompagnon Julien , Hirsch Philipp Daniel , Rupprecht Christian , Ziegler Mathias
Published: February 2023

In this work, we present a novel approach to photothermal super resolution based thermographic resolution of internal defects using two-dimensional pixel pattern-based active photothermal laser heating in conjunction with subsequent numerical reconstruction to achieve a high-resolution reconstruction of internal defect structures. With the proposed adoption of pixelated patterns generated using laser coupled high-power DLP projector technology the complexity for achieving true two-dimensional super resolution can be dramatically reduced taking a crucial step forward towards widespread practical viability. Furthermore, based on the latest developments in high-power DLP projectors, we present their first application for structured pulsed thermographic inspection of macroscopic metal samples. In addition, a forward solution to the underlying inverse problem is proposed along with an appropriate heuristic to find the regularization parameters necessary for the numerical inversion in a laboratory setting. This allows the generation of synthetic measurement data, opening the door for the application of machine learning based methods for future improvements towards full automation of the method. Finally, the proposed method is experimentally validated and shown to outperform several established conventional thermographic testing techniques while conservatively improving the required measurement times by a factor of 8 compared to currently available photothermal super resolution techniques.
Putting on the brakes: the shortsightedness of EU car decarbonization policies
Authors: Gheuens Jana
Published: February 2023

The EU styles itself as a climate leader, yet its emission reduction objectives are seen as insufficient to limit global warming. While the European Green Deal (EGD) increased the farsightedness of some aspects of EU climate legislation, its objectives still fall short of what is required. To better understand shortsightedness in EU climate policy, this article examines the shortsightedness of sectoral climate legislation: the EU Regulations on the CO2 emission performance standards of new passenger cars (2009, 2014, 2019, Fit For 55). It applies a shortsightedness framework composed of four criteria: (1) consistency of standards with long-term goals; (2) stringency and (3) adaptability of the legislation; and (4) presence of long-term thinking. The assessment shows that the Car Regulations have been characterized by a high degree of shortsightedness, worsened by loopholes for carmakers and symbolic stringency. While the inconsistency between the car emission standards and the economy-wide emission reduction objectives increased over time, the zero-emissions by 2035 standard of the Fit For 55 Regulation is in line with the economy-wide net-zero by 2050 objective. Research into what drives shortsightedness in the EU could shed light on the nature of this shift.
A multi-pathway exposure assessment for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons among residents in the Athabasca oil sands region, Canada
Authors: Zhan Faqiang , Parajulee Abha , Binnington Matthew J. , Gawor Anya , Wania Frank
Published: February 2023

The dietary intake of PAHs with traditional food, estimated with a mechanistic food chain bioaccumulation model, is compared with the exposure arising from ingesting market food and smoking cigarettes.
Degradation of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBA) with calcium hydroxide: a thermo-kinetic analysis
Authors: Ali Labeeb , Sivaramakrishnan Kaushik , Kuttiyathil Mohamed Shafi , Chandrasekaran Vignesh , Ahmed Oday H. , Al-Harahsheh Mohammad , Altarawneh Mohammednoor
Published: February 2023

Thermal treatment of bromine-contaminated polymers (i.e., as in e-waste) with metal oxides is currently deployed as a mainstream strategy in recycling and resources recovery from these objects.
Hybrid carbonaceous adsorbents based on clay and cellulose for cadmium recovery from aqueous solution
Authors: Azaryouh Leila , Abara Hajar , Kassab Zineb , Ablouh El-houssaine , Aboulkas Adil , El Achaby Mounir , Draoui Khalid
Published: February 2023

The current work describes the synthesis of carbonaceous composites via pyrolysis, based on CMF, extracted from Alfa fibers, and Moroccan clay ghassoul (Gh), for potential use in heavy metal removal from wastewater.
A theranostic abscisic acid-based molecular glue
Authors: Chen Jing , Nguyen Huong T. X. , Yang Ming , Zeng Fangxun , Xu Hang , Liang Fu-Sen , Wang Wei
Published: February 2023

A theranostic ABA-based molecular glue, capable of sensing Fe(ii) and triggering the release of ABA and NIR fluorophores, has been developed for spatiotemporal monitoring and manipulating cellular functions.
A double-redox aqueous capacitor with high energy output
Authors: Slesinski Adam , Sroka Sylwia , Aina Sergio , Piwek Justyna , Fic Krzysztof , Lobera M. Pilar , Bernechea Maria , Frackowiak Elzbieta
Published: February 2023

The concept of a double-redox electrochemical capacitor operating in an aqueous electrolyte.
Unraveling the Li+ desorption behavior and mechanism of Li4Ti5O12 with different facets to enhance lithium extraction
Authors: Zhao Bing , Qiao Yingjun , Qian Zhiqiang , Wei Wenfei , Li Jun , Wu Zhijian , Liu Zhong
Published: February 2023

Based on DFT calculations, the mechanisms of Li+ diffusion and desorption in adsorbent are revealed by preparing materials with different exposed crystal facets.
A newly designed benzodithiophene building block: tuning of the torsional barrier for non-halogenated and non-aromatic solvent-processible photovoltaic polymers
Authors: Cho Hye Won , Jeong Sang Young , Wu Ziang , Lim Hyojin , Park Won-Woo , Lee Woojin , Suman Krishna Jonnadula Venkata , Kwon Oh-Hoon , Kim Jin Young , Woo Han Young
Published: February 2023

A new benzodithiophene (BDT)-based building block, 3-FBDT, was synthesized and incorporated into PBDB-T-2F to yield an eco-friendly (non-aromatic and non-halogenated) solvent-processible photovoltaic copolymer, PBDB-T-2F(3/4).
Role of cobalt phthalocyanine on the formation of high-valent cobalt species revealed byin situRaman spectroscopy
Authors: Jia Jinzhi , Zhao Xiaohua , Hu Wenhui , Wang Yantao , Huang Junfeng , Huang Jier , Li Hua , Peng Yong , Ma Haiyan , Xu Cailing
Published: February 2023

In situRaman spectroscopy reveals that CoPc facilitates the formation of disordered-CoOOH and high-valence-CoO2, endowing Co-MOF-74@CoPc with outstanding OER performance.
A biopolymer functionalized two-dimensional WS2@TiO2 nanocomposite for in vitro biomedical and photocatalytic applications: facile synthesis and characterization
Authors: Kasinathan Kasirajan , Marimuthu Karunakaran , Samayanan Selvam , Yim Jin-Heong
Published: February 2023

Dye and microorganism-containing industrial wastewater have harmed both the environment and human health. Multifunctional nanomaterials are highly urgent. So, CS/WS2@TiO2 NCs have potential candidates for biological and environmental applications.
Multifunctional magnesium-organic framework doped biodegradable bone cement for antibacterial growth, inflammatory regulation and osteogenic differentiation
Authors: Wang B. , Chen H. , Peng S. , Li X. , Liu X. , Ren H. , Yan Y. , Zhang Q.
Published: February 2023

Mg-MOF doped CS/CC/DCPA biodegradable bone cement not only promotes osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, but also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory functions. In addition, the doped Mg-MOF also improves the compressive strength of bone cement.
A salicylaldoximate-based AIE probe for the detection of the nerve agent simulant DCP
Authors: Li Dan , Zong Liang , Li Daxue , Sui Shaohui , Xiao Yanhua , Zhuang Bo , Shen Yongling , Huang Zhiping , Wu Weihui
Published: February 2023

A salicylaldoximate-based AIE probe TPE-D successively undergoes the formation of nitrile and the phosphorylation of phenolic hydroxyl group when detecting DCP, which will give a significant fluorescence ‘light-up’ response within minutes.
Construction of heterocycle-fused tetrahydrocarbazoles through a formal [3 + 3]-annulation of 2-indolylmethanols with para-quinone methides
Authors: Singh Gurdeep , Sharma Sonam , Pandey Rajat , Rekha  , Vijaya Anand Ramasamy
Published: February 2023

A metal-free approach for the synthesis of tetrahydroindolo[2,3-b]carbazoles, tetrahydrothieno[2,3-b]carbazoles and tetrahydrothieno[3,2-b]carbazoles has been developed.
One-step fabrication of three-dimensional macropore copolymer-modified polycarbonate array by photo-crosslinking for protein immunoassay
Authors: Peng Kaimei , Wang Runping , Zhou Jianhua
Published: February 2023

The three-dimensional macropore copolymer with controllable structure possesses high protein immobilization density and efficiency.
Direct formation of amide/peptide bonds from carboxylic acids: no traditional coupling reagents, 1-pot, and green
Authors: Freiberg Kaitlyn M. , Kavthe Rahul D. , Thomas Rohan M. , Fialho David M. , Dee Paris , Scurria Matthew , Lipshutz Bruce H.
Published: February 2023

Technology for generating especially important amide and peptide bonds from carboxylic acids and amines that avoids traditional coupling reagents is described.
Influence of solute association on the phase behavior of 12-hydroxystearic acid/n-alkane solutions
Authors: Lai Tzu-Yu , Khabaz Fardin , Cavicchi Kevin A.
Published: February 2023

The association of the solute in the liquid phase stabilizes the solid phase a low concentration.
Preparation of functionalized diene-elastomers upon top-down pyrolysis of their vulcanizates via dynamic covalent polymerization
Authors: An Xinglong , Wu Siwu , Xiong Shafan , Yu Shuangjian , Tang Zhenghai , Guo Baochun , Zhang Liqun
Published: February 2023

Di/polysulfide linkages in vulcanizates can be thermally cleaved to initiate the addition of functional vinyl monomers into rubber skeletons, leading to the formation of functionalized diene-elastomers via dynamic covalent polymerization.
Multi-stimuli responsive organic polymorphic crystals: anisotropic elasticity and plasticity, mechanochromism and photomechanical motions
Authors: Jiang Zhicheng , Zhao Hongtu , Wu Wenbo , Chen Kui , Yu Hui , Wang Ting , Huang Xin , Wang Na , Zhou Lina , Hao Hongxun
Published: February 2023

The development of organic crystals responsive to multiple external stimuli (mechanical force, light and heat) as potential smart materials is always compelling but challenging.
Direct 129Xe-NMR spectroscopy evidence of a mesogenic dendrimer with free void space
Authors: Lu Yao-Chih , Anedda Roberto , Chen Hsiu-Hui , Hsu Hui-Chu , Hsu Shun-Ju , Ratcliffe Christopher , Lai Long-Li , Ripmeester John , Hsu Hsiu-Fu
Published: February 2023

A mesogenic dendrimer with three-fold symmetry was determined, using 129 Xe-NMR spectroscopy, to contain free void space in the columnar or solid state.
Three element resonator lowpass filter
Authors: Di Yingjie , Wang Xiyuan , Chen An
Published: February 2023

The conventional lowpass prototype filter with the finite transmission zeros close‐to‐band edge often yields negative circuit elements that lead to a practical difficulty of physical realizations. This paper presents an alternative topology of the lowpass prototype filter named three element resonator lowpass filter, which is composed of series inductances and shunt three element resonators. For one‐section three element resonator lowpass filter, the closed‐form solutions of the non‐negative circuit elements are deduced based on its characteristic function recovered from a prescribed transmission zero. For multi‐section one, the associated numerical synthesis procedure using gradient‐based optimization is presented. In physical realization, a much more practical configuration of three element resonator is proven by the equivalent circuit transformation. A synthesis example of lowpass prototype filter with 12 pairs of transmission zeros illustrates the effectiveness of the numerical synthesis method. Also, a design example of five‐section three element resonator lowpass filter, which has a passband up to 1775 MHz, is implemented by the distributed elements based on its prototype circuit of the numerical synthesis. The measured results of the fabricated lowpass filter experimentally validate the prototype filter.
Kinematics signature of a giant planet in the disk of AS 209
Authors: Fedele D. , Bollati F. , Lodato G.
Published: February 2023

Observations of dust in protoplanetary disks with the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) are revealing the existence of substructures such as rings, gaps, and cavities. This morphology is expected to be the outcome of dynamical interaction between the disks and (embedded) planets. However, other mechanisms are able to produce similar dust substructures. A solution to discriminate the gap formation mechanism is to look at the perturbation induced by the planet on the gas surface density and/or the kinematics. In the case of the disk around AS 209, a prominent gap has been reported in the surface density of CO atr ~100 au. A further gas gap was identified atr~ 200 au. Recently, a localized velocity perturbation was reported in the12COJ= 2−1 emission along with a clump in13COJ= 2−1 at nearly 200 au and this was interpreted as a gaseous circumplanetary disk. In this paper, we report a new analysis of ALMA archival observations of12CO and13COJ= 2−1 in AS 209. We detected a clear kinematics perturbation (kink) in multiple channels and over a wide azimuth range in both datasets. We compared the observed perturbation with a semianalytic model of velocity perturbations due to planet-disk interaction. Based on our analysis, the observed kink is not consistent with a planet at 200 au, as this would require a low gas-disk scale height (<0.05) in contradiction with the previous estimate (h/r ~0.118 atr= 100 au). When we fix the disk scale height to 0.118 (atr= 100 au), we find instead that a planet at 100 au induces a kinematics perturbation similar to the one observed. The kink amplitude in the various channels implies a planet mass of 3–5MJup. Thus, we conclude that a giant proto-planet orbiting atr~ 100 au is responsible for the large-scale kink as well as for the perturbed dust and gas surface density previously detected. The position angle of the planet is constrained to be between 60° and 100° (east of north). The 200 au gap visible in the12COJ= 2−1 moment zero map is likely due to density fluctuations induced by the spiral wake. Future observations using the high-contrast imaging technique in the near- and mid-infrared (e.g., with JWST and/or VLT/ERIS) are needed to confirm the presence and position of such a planet.
CCD astrometric measurements for the dwarf planet Haumea by ground-based telescopes
Authors: Peng Q. Y. , Guo B. F. , Vienne A. , Tian W. , Lu X. , Zheng Z. J.
Published: February 2023

Aims. The purpose of this work is to investigate an astrometric method to accurately measure the precise position of the center of mass of the dwarf planet Haumea and its satellites, based on the unresolved images taken by ground-based telescopes.

Methods. A total of 29 nights of CCD observations are reported of the dwarf planet Haumea, taken during the period from February 7 to May 25, 2022 by three telescopes located in Yunnan Province, China. The pixel centroid of the unresolved image of Haumea and its satellites is measured with respect to its reference stars in the Gaia EDR3 star catalog. The new theoretical position of Haumea (the center of mass of Haumea and its satellites is assumed) is computed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Horizon System. The observed minus computed (O–C) positional residuals of Haumea in right ascension and in declination show a significant and periodic variation. Furthermore, when the ephemeris position of Hi’iaka, the larger and brighter satellite of Haumea, with respect to Haumea itself is taken from the Miriade ephemeris service of the Institut de mécanique céleste et de calcul des éphémérides (IMCCE) website, the observed positional measurements of the center of mass of Haumea and Hi’iaka are derived precisely after using a new method.

Results. The (O–C) positional residuals are confirmed to be caused mainly by the motion of Hi’iaka around its primary. The final mean (O–C) residuals of Haumea and its satellites are found with respect to the most recent version of the JPL ephemeris. As a by-product, a parameter that connects the mass ratio to the light ratio of Haumea and Hi’iaka (by Eq. (2) in the text), is introduced to derive the final mean (O–C) residuals.
X-ray luminosity function of high-mass X-ray binaries: Studying the signatures of different physical processes using detailed binary evolution calculations
Authors: Misra Devina , Kovlakas Konstantinos , Fragos Tassos , Lazzarini Margaret , Bavera Simone S. , Lehmer Bret D. , Zezas Andreas , Zapartas Emmanouil , Xing Zepei , Andrews Jeff J. , Dotter Aaron , Rocha Kyle Akira , Srivastava Philipp M. , Sun Meng
Published: February 2023

Context. Many physical processes taking place during the evolution of binary stellar systems remain poorly understood. The ever-expanding observational sample of X-ray binaries (XRBs) makes them excellent laboratories for constraining binary evolution theory. Such constraints and useful insights can be obtained by studying the effects of various physical assumptions on synthetic X-ray luminosity functions (XLFs) and comparing them with observed XLFs.

Aims. In this work we focus on high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) and study the effects on the XLF of various, poorly constrained assumptions regarding physical processes, such as the common-envelope phase, core collapse, and wind-fed accretion.

Methods. We used the new binary population synthesis code POSYDON, which employs extensive precomputed grids of detailed stellar structure and binary evolution models, to simulate the entire evolution of binaries. We generated 96 synthetic XRB populations corresponding to different combinations of model assumptions, including different prescriptions for supernova kicks, supernova remnant masses, common-envelope evolution, circularization at the onset of Roche-lobe overflow, and observable wind-fed accretion.

Results. The generated HMXB XLFs are feature-rich, deviating from the commonly assumed single power law. We find a break in our synthetic XLF at luminosity ∼1038 erg s−1, similar to observed XLFs. However, we also find a general overabundance of XRBs (up to a factor of ∼10 for certain model parameter combinations) driven primarily by XRBs with black hole accretors. Assumptions about the transient behavior of Be XRBs, asymmetric supernova kicks, and common-envelope physics can significantly affect the shape and normalization of our synthetic XLFs. We find that less well-studied assumptions regarding the circularization of the orbit at the onset of Roche-lobe overflow and criteria for the formation of an X-ray-emitting accretion disk around wind-accreting black holes can also impact our synthetic XLFs and reduce the discrepancy with observations.

Conclusions. Our synthetic XLFs do not always agree well with observations, especially at intermediate X-ray luminosities, which is likely due to uncertainties in the adopted physical assumptions. While some model parameters leave distinct imprints on the shape of the synthetic XLFs and can reduce this deviation, others do not have a significant effect overall. Our study reveals the importance of large-scale parameter studies, highlighting the power of XRBs in constraining binary evolution theory.