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Precise statistics on the spatial distribution of photovoltaics (PV) are essential for advancing the PV industry, and integrating remote sensing with artificial intelligence technologies offers a robust solution for accurate identification. Currently, numerous studies focus on the detection of single-type PV installations through aerial or satellite imagery. However, due to the variability in scale and shape of PV installations in complex environments, the detection results often fail to capture detailed information and struggle to scale for multi-scale PV systems. To tackle these challenges, a detection method known as Dynamic Spatial-Frequency Attention SwinNet (DSFA-SwinNet) for multi-scale PV areas is proposed. First, this study proposes the Dynamic Spatial-Frequency Attention (DSFA) mechanism, the Pyramid Attention Refinement (PAR) bottleneck structure, and optimizes the feature propagation method to achieve dynamic decoupling of the spatial and frequency domains in multi-scale representation learning. Secondly, a hybrid loss function has been developed with weights optimized employing the Bayesian Optimization algorithm to provide a strategic method for parameter tuning in similar research. Lastly, the fixed window size of Swin-Transformer is dynamically adjusted to enhance computational efficiency and maintain accuracy. The results on two PV datasets demonstrate that DSFA-SwinNet significantly enhances detection accuracy and scalability for multi-scale PV areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four cerium compounds – (HPy)2[CeCl6]·2(HPyCl) (Ce1-1), (HPy)2[CeCl6] (Ce1-2), (HPy)m[Ce38O56−x(OH)xCl50(H2O)12]·nH2O (Ce38), and (HPy)m[Ce52O80−x(OH)xCl59(H2O)17]·nH2O (Ce52) – were crystallized from acidic aqueous solutions using pyridinium (HPy) counterions. The latter consists of two unique cerium oxide nanoclusters that are built from 52 metal ions and represents the largest chloride capped {CeIII/IVO} and/or {MIVO} (M = Ce, Th, U, Np, Pu) nanocluster that adopts the fluorite-type structure of MO2 that has been reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The characteristics of elements, isotopes, and small shelly fossils were investigated for Late Ediacaran to Early Cambrian stratigraphy division and to discuss their geological implications in the northwestern Sichuan Basin. The results reveal that small shelly fossils can be detected in the high-phosphorous section, with the concentration of phosphorus mainly ranging from 2% to 8%, suggesting that this interval belongs to the Early Cambrian, which is also consistent with the carbon isotopic composition results. In addition, the Early Cambrian is denudated in the Sichuan Basin due to tectonic movement, and the characteristics of some isotopes and small shell fossils are different from those in other basins. It can be proposed that P content can support the recognition of lithological boundaries, and the high phosphorus content can be used as a reference to identify the top and bottom boundaries of the Maidiping Formation in the study area. According to the elemental compositions in the Ediacaran Dengying Formation, the variations in Si, Al, Fe, and K contents are similar in the platform area and rift area, suggesting that the third and fourth member of the Dengying Formation are also developed in the Deyang-Anyue Rift. The results suggest that both the Deng-4 member and Maidiping Formation feature contemporaneous deposition of different facies in the northwestern Sichuan Basin. The strata consist of shale intercalated with thin carbonate rock deposits in the Deyang-Anyue Rift, while carbonate rock deposits in the platform. The Deyang-Anyue Rift expanded gradually in the Late Ediacaran and eventually filled in the Early Cambrian. The data in this study illustrate that elemental compositions, isotopes, and small shelly fossils can be combined to correlate the Late Ediacaran to Early Cambrian strata and provide new evidence for Deyang-Anyue Rift evolution. The results offer some new insights for deep oil and gas exploration in the Sichuan Basin and for the tectonic-depositional-environmental-biological synergistic evolution in the Late Ediacaran to Early Cambrian transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With rising global temperatures, wildfires frequently occur worldwide during the summer season. The timely detection of these fires, based on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) images, can significantly reduce the damage they cause. Existing Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-based fire detection methods usually use multiple convolutional layers to enhance the receptive fields, but this compromises real-time performance. This paper proposes a novel real-time semantic segmentation network called FireFormer, combining the strengths of CNNs and Transformers to detect fires. An agile ResNet18 as the encoding component tailored to fulfill the efficient fire segmentation is adopted here, and a Forest Fire Transformer Block (FFTB) rooted in the Transformer architecture is proposed as the decoding mechanism. Additionally, to accurately detect and segment small fire spots, we have developed a novel Feature Refinement Network (FRN) to enhance fire segmentation accuracy. The experimental results demonstrate that our proposed FireFormer achieves state-of-the-art performance on the publicly available forest fire dataset FLAME—specifically, with an impressive 73.13% IoU and 84.48% F1 Score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although mangrove forests occupy only 0.5% of the global coastal area, they account for 10–15% of coastal organic carbon (OC) storage, and 49–98% of OC is stored in sediments. The biogeochemistry of iron minerals and OC in marine sediments is closely related. To better reveal the role of iron minerals in OC preservation in mangrove sediments, an established dithionite–citrate–bicarbonate (DCB) extraction method was used to extract iron-bound OC (Fe-OC), and then the parameters of OC, Fe-OC, iron content, carbon isotopes, infrared spectroscopy, and XRD diffractions of sediments at a 1 m depth in four typical mangrove communities in the Gaoqiao Mangrove Reserve, Guangdong, China, were systematically measured. XRD diffractograms showed that the iron minerals in mangrove sediments may mainly exist in the form of goethite, which is consistent with the predominant types of iron minerals in marine sediments. About 10% of OC is directly bound to iron, and it is further estimated that about 2.4 × 1012–3.8 × 1012 g OC is preserved in global mangrove forests each year based on the high burial rate of OC in mangrove sediments. Lower Fe-OC/OC molar ratios indicated that iron mainly binds to OC via adsorption mechanisms. More depleted δ13CFe-OC relative to δ13Cbulk indicated that iron minerals are mainly associated with terrigenous OM, and the infrared spectra also revealed that iron minerals preferentially bind to terrigenous aromatic carbon. This work supports the "giant rusty sponge" view, elucidating that iron plays an important role in the preservation of OC in mangrove sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plutonium oxide clusters have attracted great interest as potential complex for the separation or storage of radioactive plutonium elements. However, the structural stability, chemical bonding mechanism and maximum oxygen adsorption capacity for plutonium oxygen clusters are not well understood due to the difference between the radial distribution function and orbital energy of the plutonium atom. Here, we systematically study the structural evolution and electronic properties of plutonium oxygen clusters with cluster sizes n from 2 to 15 by using the CALYPSO cluster structural prediction method in combination with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The low-lying isomers searched by the CALYPSO method are re-optimised at the theoretical level of B3LYP/ECP60MWB(Pu)/aug-cc-pVTZ(O). Relative stability results indicate that the PuO8 cluster with CS symmetry is the most stable cluster due to the large HOMO–LUMO gap (of 4.84 eV). The high stability of PuO8 cluster is predominantly attributed to the strong interactions between Pu-5f orbitals and O-2p orbitals. The Pu atom can chemically adsorb up to eight O atoms, and the corresponding adsorption energy is −3.84 eV. The present findings shed light on the complex chemical bonding and structural evolution mechanisms of plutonium oxide clusters, which may facilitate the rational design and the synthesis of other actinide-oxygen clusters. Plutonium chemically adsorbs eight oxygen atoms, and its high stability is attributed to the interactions between Pu-5f and O-2p orbitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dementia is a threatening condition that affects communication, thinking, and memory skills, being Alzheimer its most common type. The early detection of this disease allows for better care of the patient. Recently, Machine Learning (ML) methods have been developed to support the finding and forecast of Alzheimer's disease through the analysis of Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI). Existing ML methods present some limitations: (i) require an expert to extract relevant features from MRI, (ii) depend on multistep image preprocessing, or (iii) need complex architectures and several images to train them. To surpass these limitations, in the present work, we analyze different Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) for Alzheimer's classification, formulated to learn from a set of representative MRI sagittal images available in the Open Access Series of Imaging Studies (OASIS-2, 72 non-demented and 64 demented subjects, with ages from 60 to 96 years) and the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI, 200 early Alzheimer and 200 control patients, with ages from 55 to 90 years) datasets. All CNNs were compared with state-of-the-art ML methods, being the VGG-16 variant the best performed architecture with an average validation accuracy of 56% ± 4%, evaluated with a bootstrapping strategy to measure the variability on independent runs. This result confirms the best performance reported so far (< 60%) with different ML methods. The low accuracy evidences the hardness of the problem and contrasts with the higher accuracy levels (up to 97%) reached with preprocessed and well-characterized MRI axial images from the OASIS-1 or ADNI-2 datasets. Thus, opening an interesting discussion about what MRI plane should be considered when training CNNs for Alzheimer's classification, and leaving a wide room for improvement on the performance of CNNs trained with sagittal MRI images. The resulting model implemented in software and experimental data are publicly available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Review addresses the use of X‐ray and neutron scattering as well as X‐ray absorption to describe how inorganic nanostructured materials assemble, evolve, and function in solution. We first provide an overview of techniques and instrumentation (both large user facilities and benchtop). We review recent studies of soluble inorganic nanostructure assembly, covering the disciplines of materials synthesis, processes in nature, nuclear materials, and the widely applicable fundamental processes of hydrophobic interactions and ion pairing. Reviewed studies cover size regimes and length scales ranging from sub‐Ångström (coordination chemistry and ion pairing) to several nanometers (molecular clusters, i.e. polyoxometalates, polyoxocations, and metal‐organic polyhedra), to the mesoscale (supramolecular assembly processes). Reviewed studies predominantly exploit 1) SAXS/WAXS/SANS (small‐ and wide‐angle X‐ray or neutron scattering), 2) PDF (pair‐distribution function analysis of X‐ray total scattering), and 3) XANES and EXAFS (X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure and extended X‐ray absorption fine structure, respectively). While the scattering techniques provide structural information, X‐ray absorption yields the oxidation state in addition to the local coordination. Our goal for this Review is to provide information and inspiration for the inorganic/materials science communities that may benefit from elucidating the role of solution speciation in natural and synthetic processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactive iron (Fe) oxides are vital for long-term soil or sediment organic carbon (SOC) storage. However, the patterns and drivers of Fe-associated organic carbon (Fe-OC) over global geographic scales under various ecosystem types remain controversial. Here, we provided a systematic assessment of the distribution patterns and determinants of Fe-OC content and its contribution to SOC (f Fe-OC) by assembling a global dataset comprising 862 observations from 325 sites in distinct ecosystems. We found that Fe-OC content across global ecosystems ranged from 0 to 83.3 g kg -1 (f Fe-OC ranged from 0 % to 82.4 %), reflecting the high variability of the Fe-OC pool. Fe-OC contents varied with ecosystem type being greater in wetlands with a high molar ratio of Fe-OC / dithionite-extractable Fe (Fe d) compared with marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Furthermore, f Fe-OC in wetlands was significantly lower than that in other ecosystems due to rich organic carbon (OC). In contrast with climate variables and soil pH, the random forest modeling and multivariate analysis showed that the Fe-OC : Fe d and SOC were the predominant predictors of Fe-OC content and f Fe-OC in wetlands and terrestrial ecosystems, whereas Fe d content was a primary driver in marine ecosystems. Based on upper estimates of global SOC storage in various ecosystem types, we further estimated that 83.84 ± 3.8, 172.45 ± 8.74, and 24.48 ± 0.87 Pg of SOC were preserved by association with Fe oxides in wetland, terrestrial, and marine ecosystems, respectively. Taken together, our findings highlighted the importance of reactive Fe oxides in global SOC preservation, and their controlling factors were ecosystem specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several medieval mural cycles in Austria were studied from the material and technical point of view, aiming to confirm (or reject) the art-historical hypothesis of their stylistic and workshop connection. These paintings can be found in the churches of Rust ("Fischerkirche"), Marz (Virgin's Coronation parish church), Kobenz (St. Ruprecht parish church), Ofenbach (St. Veid parish church), and St. Johann am Steinfelde (St. John parish church). They were carried out around 1400 in the International Gothic style. Their workshop connections based on the style are doubtful, therefore, a material and technical study was carried out. Results showed different plaster composition, similar pigment palette, and diverse painting procedures. The murals in Marz, St. Johann, and the older register in Rust reveal important similarities such as plaster composition, predominant a fresco painting technique, the use of natural inorganic pigments, as well as many aspects of the painting procedure and modeling. On the contrary, those in Kobenz, Ofenbach, and the younger register in Rust differ considerably. The second group reveals lower quality in plaster composition, larger a secco parts, addition of synthetic pigments (Kobenz), and a rougher color modeling, indicating less skilled artists. The lower quality also results in a worse conservation state of these murals. The obtained results confirm the same workshop, but different artists in the first group, while in the second group no clear workshop/artist connection could be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meromictic lakes of the marine coast, quite widely distributed in the northern hemisphere, are the result of climate changes and glacier retreat. The bottom sediments of these lakes serve as a geological chronicle of the history of marine basin's development with the geochemical occurrence forms of elements indicate various processes of their accumulation. This paper presents research results concerning the occurrence of forms of heavy metals in lake sediments along the coast of the White Sea. These results are based on a sequential seven step leaching procedure, followed by ICP-MS analysis and subsequent statistical data processing. To determine differences among the examined geochemical parameters, Pearson's correlation analysis and Ward's cluster analysis were utilized. The total content of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, V, and Pb in the sediments did not exhibit significant differences based on their degree of isolation from the sea. The major contribution to deposition of these metals in sediments of the meromictic lakes studied is the residual form, encompassing the mineral matrix of the sediment. At the same time, the elevation of mobile forms for all the metals examined corresponds to an increase in the isolation of lakes from the White Sea. In the meromictic lake sediments, concentrations of Cu, Mo, and U demonstrated significant increases in forms tightly bound to organic matter, while Cd exhibited an association with Fe-Mn oxyhydroxides. Notably, a significant difference in the occurrence forms of Cu, Cd, Mo, and U was evident in the reduced sediments of meromictic lakes when compared to those of open sea bays. The meromictic lakes along the White Sea coast, positioned at various stages of isolation, hold promise for investigating the migration of metals in response to environmental changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recycling the charred agricultural residues as a soil conditioner combines the advantages of cycling back the plant nutrition, sequestering carbon, and fixing heavy metals. Cadmium (Cd) as a trace component of fertilizers, is a highly mobile in the soils and is very problematic for plant growth and healthy food production. Cadmium mobility and plant uptake is highly limited in the reduced soil environment. Therefore this study mainly focused on investigating the effects of rice straw biochar (BC) on Cd availability and adsorption at two moisture contents (75% and 100% of the field capacity, FC) and Cd uptake by rice plants. The experiments were set up in completely randomized design in the factorial arrangement by adding increasing doses of BC (0, 2.5, and 5%) and Cd (0, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg kg−1) to soils. Adsorption/desorption and the incubation experiments were executed prior to the pot experiment. The results showed that different moisture regimes had significant effects on the Cd adsorption parameters. Of the isotherms determined, the Freundlich isotherm better fitted to the Cd sorption data than the Langmuir isotherm. The maximum Cd adsorption of the soils varied between 515.4 and 1455 mg kg−1. The Freundlich n parameter ranged between 0.17 to 0.41 mL kg−1, while the Kf parameter showed a very narrow range (264.3–298.1 mg kg−1). The DTPA extractable Cd concentrations were: 1.44, 1.58 and 1.74; 0.179, 0.206 and 0.292 mg kg−1 for 5, 2.5 and 0% BC treatments at 75 and 100% of FC, respectively. The efficiency of BC to reduce Cd bioavailability was significantly pronounced under wet moisture content. The Cd concentration of the grain decreased by the BC treatments. The plant uptake was also limited to some extent by the rice plants. Therefore, reduced materials such as BC can facilitate a faster reducing environment to mitigate Cd mobility in paddling soils, and the rice straw can be considered an economically feasible and environmentally friendly indigenous material for BC production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of unsteady vortex structures in the tip region of an axial compressor rotor is investigated based on delayed detached eddy simulation. The vortex structures are identified by the L T cri method, and the velocity fields are visualized by the particle tracing method. The results show that the evolution of the tip leakage vortex (TLV) can be divided into three phases: the generation phase, the development phase, and the dissipation phase. The unsteadiness of the flow field mainly appears in the dissipation phase as a consequence of the unsteady secondary tip leakage. There are three primary unsteady vortex structures caused by the tip leakage flow (TLF), and these vortex structures are related to each other as a feedback loop. The intermittent formation of the vortex ropes leads to the breakdown of the TLV and thus results in the roll-up of the backflow vortex (BFV) due to the radial velocity gradient. The secondary leakage of the BFV locally enhances the TLF jet and affects the formation of the vortex ropes in turn. This feedback loop causes the unsteady behavior of the TLF and has great impacts on the performance and stability of the compressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the 1990s, sandstone-type uranium in the northern basin of China has become the main target for mining. Uranium mining can cause a series of impacts on the environment. A conceptual model of the geo-environment for sandstone-type uranium in northern China was described, which covers the changes in the geo-environmental characteristics in the natural state, in the mining process, during decommissioning and after treatment. Sandstone-type uranium is mainly distributed in the Songliao, Erlian, Ordos, Turpan–Hami and Ili Basins, which have arid climates and poor stratum permeability. Pitchblende is the main uranium-bearing mineral and is associated with iron, copper, coal, organic matter and other minerals. The mineral often has a low ore grade (0.01–1.0%) and high carbonate content (2–25%). Uranyl carbonate accounts for more than 90% of the total uranium in groundwater. The uranyl content is closely related to the TDS. The TDS of groundwater in the eastern and central ore belts is usually lower than 2 g/L, while in the western region, such as Xinjiang, it can exceed 10 g/L. In situ leaching (ISL) is the main mining method that results in groundwater pollution. Acid leaching leads to a pH decrease (<3), and heavy metals represented by U and Fe exceed the background values by hundreds of times, resulting in groundwater pollution. CO2 leaching is more environmentally friendly, and the excess ions are usually Ca2+, Mg2+, NO3− and HCO3−. Soil chemical anomalies originate mostly from wind erosion and precipitation leaching of decommissioned tailings. Uranium pollution is mainly concentrated within 20 cm of the surface, and the exceedance generally varies from two to 40 times. During ISL, a series of environmental measures will be taken to prevent pollution from being exposed to the surface. After treatment, the decommissioned uranium mines will likely have no impact on the surrounding environment. In the future, the protection of groundwater should be strengthened during production, and remediation methods based on electrokinetic, microbial and permeable reactive barrier (PRB) technology should be further researched. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract—It is shown that a large number of organic compounds of autochthonous and allochthonous nature are formed in the bottom sediments of separating waterbodies in the Kandalaksha Gulf of the White Sea, despite their subarctic position. The average content of Corg, Ntot, Stot, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the bottom sediments are 5.33, 0.78, 0.53%, 817 μg/g, and 261 ng/g, respectively, which are significantly higher than in sediments of the open areas of the White Sea. The eutrophication of these waterbodies depends on their connection with the sea. It was found that anoxic pelitic sediments of separating lakes are enriched in Cu, Cd, Mo, Hg and U compared to sediments of the open sea bays in Kandalaksha Gulf. Thereby, the Hg and Mo contents are 2 and 14 times higher than their maximum permissible concentrations (MPC) (0.3 and 3 µg/g, respectively). A positive correlation with total sulfur (r > 0.8, р < 0.01) indicates the prevailing occurrence of these metals in form of poorly soluble sulfides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The climatic effects of aerosols derived from dimethyl sulfide (DMS) (e.g., methanesulfonic acid [MSA]) have long been of concern, particularly in the rapidly warming Arctic Ocean. Melting sea ice and increase in primary productivity can result in increased DMS emissions and MSA. However, the processes affecting MSA are complex. In addition to local sources, atmospheric chemistry processes, deposition, long‐distance transport, and regional heterogeneities influence MSA. This study used aerosol samples from the Chinese Polar Research Expedition during the summer of 2010–2016 and divided them into the Chukchi Sea (CS), high Arctic Ocean (HAO), and sea near Greenland (NG) to study the factors that influence the changes in MSA. For CS, MSA concentrations were primarily influenced by long‐distance transport from the Bering Sea air mass. Moreover, owing to the North Atlantic Oscillation, an increase in the Bering Sea temperature and a decrease in rainfall during air mass transport led to a significant increase in the concentration of MSA in the CS in 2016. When the sea ice concentration was between 0.2 and 0.6, high solar radiation likely promoted MSA formation in the HAO. For NG, the sources, rainfall and atmospheric chemical processes influenced the variations in MSA. This study highlights the importance of MSA transport in the CS and sea ice for MSA in the HAO under global warming. Plain Language Summary: The Arctic is the most sensitive region in the world to climate change. Melting sea ice and rising temperatures are affecting the ecosystems of the Arctic Ocean. Methanesulfonic acid (MSA) are generated by the oxidation of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) produced by marine phytoplankton after being released into the atmosphere. DMS‐derived aerosols in the Arctic Ocean substantially contribute to regional new particle formation and cloud condensation nuclei formation. This could have implications for climate in the Arctic Ocean. As MSA is a good indicator of DMS‐derived aerosols, comprehensively understanding how environmental changes influence MSA concentrations is crucial to clarify how emission sources and aerosol‐cloud interactions. This study demonstrates that the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of MSA and their major influencing factors during summer in different sea areas of Arctic Ocean. The findings highlight that although the Chukchi Sea is one of the regions where the Arctic Ocean has warmed and marine primary productivity has increased significantly, the interannual variability of the MSA in this region is mainly influenced by the long‐distance transport from the Bering Sea. However, for the High Arctic Ocean regions, sea ice contributes significantly to local MSA concentrations. Key Points: The significant increase in methanesulfonic acid (MSA) in the Chukchi Sea is primarily influenced by the long‐distance transport of air masses from the Bering SeaWhen the sea ice concentration is between 0.2 and 0.6, high solar radiation may promote MSA formation in the high Arctic OceanSources, air temperature and rainfall mainly influenced the variations in MSA in the sea near Greenland [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the geochemical and petrological characteristics of 16 carbonate-rich (i.e., chalky marl, chalky limestone, and limestone) samples of the Upper Cretaceous Shu'ayb Formation in the Ajloun region, northern Jordan, to decipher the organic matter characteristics and predict the geological temperatures for oil generation. The carbonate-rich sediments under investigation exhibit high TOC (up to 12.39 wt%) and high hydrogen index (314–920 mg HC/g TOC), indicating Types I-II kerogens. The dominance of such hydrogen-rich kerogen is confirmed by the fluorescent alginite, amorphous organic matter (AOM), and bituminite organic matter. The studied organic facies are sulfur-rich and comprise of Type II organic matter, exhibiting the possibility of producing paraffinic oil with a low wax component, according to pyrolysis–gas chromatography. The broad distributions of activation energy (37–66 kcal/mol) in the bulk kinetic model of the analyzed samples show a mixture of organic matter (i.e., mainly marine-derived organic matter and minor land plant input). The kinetic models suggest that bulk petroleum formation began at relatively low geological temperatures between 104 and 116 °C, which corresponds to a vitrinite reflectance range of 0.58–0.66%. These activation energy distributions and low anticipated vitrinite reflectance values are largely compatible with the Type II-S kerogen organic facies, suggesting that the investigated Upper Cretaceous organic-rich carbonate may have produced sulfur-rich oils during the initial phases of kerogen conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tethyan phosphates were formed during the Upper Cretaceous and Eocene interval as a result of the collision of the African–Arabian and Eurasian plates and the closing of the Neo-Tethys Ocean. This study aimed to reveal the possible precipitation parameters of these phosphates by examining the main oxide, trace element, and rare earth element contents of the phosphates in the study region. The mean major oxide concentrations of the phosphates were found to be 51.6 wt.% CaO, 21.2 wt.% P2O5, 8.03 wt.% SiO2, 18.1 wt.% CO2, 0.51 wt.% K2O, 0.12 wt.% Fe2O3, 0.05 wt.% Al2O3, 0.18 wt.% MgO, and 0.02 wt.% MnO. The average trace element concentrations were 79 ppm Ba, 1087 ppm Sr, 0.23 ppm Rb, 14.7 ppm Ni, 108 ppm Cr, 262 ppm Zn, 27 ppm Cd, 21.6 ppm Y, 58 ppm V, 6.43 ppm As, 30.3 ppm Cu, 1.36 ppm Pb, 6.32 ppm Zr, 39 ppm U, 0.21 ppm Th, and 1.33 ppm Co. The average trace element contents were 1742 ppm, with this indicating an enrichment assemblage of Sr, Cd, As, and Zn in comparison to PAAS (The Post-Archean Australian Shale). The total REE concentrations in the Mazıdağı phosphates varied from 3.30 to 43.1 ppm, with a mean of 22.1 ppm recorded. All phosphates showed heavy REE (HREE) enrichments and had similar REE patterns to PAAS (The Post-Archean Australian Shale). All samples had strongly negative Ce and positive Eu, Pr, and Y anomalies. These anomalies indicate the existence of oxic and suboxic marine conditions during the formation of the phosphates. According to the proposed genetic model, the phosphates mostly formed in the oxic and suboxic zones of the Tethys Ocean and were precipitated on slopes that depended on strong upwelling from an organic-rich basin in anoxic/suboxic conditions from deeper seawater. The Pb isotope data obtained also indicate the existence of a deep-sea hydrothermal contribution to this phosphate formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acarbose, as an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, is widely used clinically to treat type II diabetes. In its industrial production, Actinoplanes sp. SE50/110 is used as the production strain. Lack of research on its regulatory mechanisms and unexplored gene targets are major obstacles to rational strain design. Here, transcriptome sequencing was applied to uncover more gene targets and rational genetic engineering was performed to increase acarbose production. Results: In this study, with the help of transcriptome information, a TetR family regulator (TetR1) was identified and confirmed to have a positive effect on the synthesis of acarbose by promoting the expression of acbB and acbD. Some genes with low expression levels in the acarbose biosynthesis gene cluster were overexpressed and this resulted in a significant increase in acarbose yield. In addition, the regulation of metabolic pathways was performed to retain more glucose-1-phosphate for acarbose synthesis by weakening the glycogen synthesis pathway and strengthening the glycogen degradation pathway. Eventually, with a combination of multiple strategies and fed-batch fermentation, the yield of acarbose in the engineered strain increased 58% compared to the parent strain, reaching 8.04 g/L, which is the highest fermentation titer reported. Conclusions: In our research, acarbose production had been effectively and steadily improved through genetic engineering based on transcriptome analysis and fed-batch culture strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

40 Jiao, Y.Q., Wu, L.Q., and Rong, H. (2018a) Model of inner and outer reductive media within uranium reservoir sandstone of sandstone-type uranium deposits and its ore-controlling mechanism: Case studies in Daying and Qianjiadian uranium deposits. Several alteration processes among Fe-bearing minerals not only give sandstones distinct colors (e.g., red, green and yellow), considered as a criterion for ore prospecting, but provide a minor U source for mineralization (e.g., Fe-Ti oxides, [5]), and can be used to effectively assess the sulfur source of pyrite closely associated with U-bearing minerals. Both the average values of S SP 2- sp and total organic carbon (TOC) are highest in mineralized gray sandstones, followed by those in barren gray sandstones and yellow sandstones, and decreasing gradually from those in green sandstones to those in red sandstones (Fig. Keywords: Pyrite; 34S; Fe-bearing minerals; alteration; sandstone-type U deposit; Ordos Basin EN Pyrite 34S Fe-bearing minerals alteration sandstone-type U deposit Ordos Basin 1396 1409 14 07/05/22 20220701 NES 220701 Introduction Large-scale sandstone-type U deposits in China are mainly distributed in sedimentary basins generally parallel to the Central Asian Orogenic Belt ([12]; Huang and [32]; [102]; [39]; [113]). [Extracted from the article]

The Triassic Boreal Ocean was a shallow epicontinental basin and the sink of the World's largest delta plain known to date. Nutrient and freshwater supply from this delta have been regarded as important causes for high productivity and water mass stratification, forming Middle Triassic oil‐prone source rocks. Recent studies attribute upwelling and a productivity‐induced oxygen minimum zone as important factors. A multi‐elemental chemostratigraphic study of a Spathian–Carnian mudstone succession exposed in eastern Svalbard was performed to investigate their formation. This includes 89 samples from three localities, from which 34 elements were acquired using combustion and X‐ray fluorescence analyses. The goal is to provide a correlation framework and infer the role of productivity, redox and water mass restriction on organic matter accumulation and source rock formation. These processes had major impact on the source potential. The Spathian Vendomdalen Member suggests deposition during intermittent benthic euxinia and low productivity, corresponding with a reported deep thermocline that obstructed upwelling. The lower Anisian lower–middle Muen Member shows negligible enrichment in redox‐sensitive elements but in situ phosphate nodules, consistent with developing upwelling and moderate productivity. The middle Anisian upper Muen Member formed during high productivity and phosphogenesis and is linked with basin‐wide upwelling. Productivity, phosphate and redox proxies are all strongly enriched in the upper Anisian–Ladinian Blanknuten Member. In the south‐western Barents Sea, the pro‐deltaic environment of the emerging Triassic Boreal Ocean delta system had terminated these conditions. The upper Ladinian upper Blanknuten Member formed within intermittent euxinic bottom waters due to the shallowing sea level. The Carnian Tschermakfjellet Formation marks the dominance of the prograding delta system and the end of Triassic oil‐prone source rock formation in Svalbard. This study investigates the elemental composition of Lower–Upper Triassic marine organic‐rich mudstones from the eastern part of Svalbard, the high‐Arctic archipelago in the north‐western Barents Sea. The aim is to apply elemental chemostratigraphic variations as proxies to understand how palaeoproductivity and palaeoredox conditions affected the petroleum source rock formation in the region. Results from this study indicate that palaeooceanographic reconfiguration and onset of extensive pro‐deltaic sedimentation at roughly the Anisian–Spathian and the Ladinian–Carnian boundaries, respectively, largely influenced the observed palaeoproductivity, benthic palaeoredox conditions and sedimentation rate in the region, ultimately resulting in variable Lower–Upper Triassic source rock properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Review addresses the use of X-ray and neutron scattering as well as X-ray absorption to describe how inorganic nanostructured materials assemble, evolve, and function in solution. We first provide an overview of techniques and instrumentation (both large user facilities and benchtop). We review recent studies of soluble inorganic nanostructure assembly, covering the disciplines of materials synthesis, processes in nature, nuclear materials, and the widely applicable fundamental processes of hydrophobic interactions and ion pairing. Reviewed studies cover size regimes and length scales ranging from sub-Ångström (coordination chemistry and ion pairing) to several nanometers (molecular clusters, i.e. polyoxometalates, polyoxocations, and metal-organic polyhedra), to the mesoscale (supramolecular assembly processes). Reviewed studies predominantly exploit 1) SAXS/WAXS/SANS (small- and wide-angle X-ray or neutron scattering), 2) PDF (pair-distribution function analysis of X-ray total scattering), and 3) XANES and EXAFS (X-ray absorption near-edge structure and extended X-ray absorption fine structure, respectively). While the scattering techniques provide structural information, X-ray absorption yields the oxidation state in addition to the local coordination. Our goal for this Review is to provide information and inspiration for the inorganic/materials science communities that may benefit from elucidating the role of solution speciation in natural and synthetic processes., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Marine sediments occupy a significant portion of the Quaternary succession in the West Siberian Arctic but, until recently, their ages and distributions have been strongly debated. Based on new geological, palaeontological and geochronological data obtained within the last decade, we hereby postulate the following: (i) Two different Pleistocene interglacial marine formations are exposed across the West Siberian Arctic. The older Kheta marine formation, sandwiched between two Middle Pleistocene till beds, yields optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) ages of c. 200 ka (MIS 7). The younger Karginsky/Payuta marine formation, overlying the Middle Pleistocene Taz till, contains a boreal mollusc fauna and has an OSL age of c. 115 ka (MIS 5e). These Middle and Upper Pleistocene marine beds have been correlated across a vast region between the Ob' and Yenisey estuaries. (ii) The marine transgression during MIS 7 spread as far south into West Siberia as 65°N, almost 1000 km southwards from the present‐day Kara Sea shoreline. Meanwhile, the smaller marine transgression during MIS 5e reached as far south as 68°N. (iii) Both marine formations contain a boreal molluscan fauna, which is not found in the modern Kara Sea but is characteristic of the North Atlantic. We propose that warmer Atlantic waters penetrated much further eastwards during both MIS 7 and MIS 5e than at present. The diagnostic extinct mollusc species Cyrtodaria jenisseae has only been found in the older Kheta marine formation (MIS 7). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the recent few decades, due to climate warming and the continuing exploration of Arctic seas' mineral resources, the scientific interest in contamination problems has deepened significantly. In this study, for the first time, we characterize the distribution features of 47 elements (major and trace elements, including heavy metals, metalloid As, and Cs-137 technogenic radionuclide) in surface bottom sediments from some areas of the Barents, Kara, Laptev, and East-Siberian Seas. The lithogenic material was the main factor that controlled variability in many elements (Be, Al, Ti, Cr, Ga, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, REE, Pb, Th, U, W, and Cs). Among the hydrogenic processes, the formation of Fe and Mn oxyhydroxides has the greatest impact on the Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ge, and Mo, and insignificantly V and Sb, variability in sediments. These, along with minor to moderate values of enrichment factor (EF) for most elements, allowed us to conclude that the observed element distribution is related to predominantly natural processes of thermal abrasion, river-run, and atmospheric input. The exception is As, which exhibited the elevated EF (up to 20) in the western and central Kara Sea, as well as in the Vilkitsky Strait. Since no significant relationship between As and Fe andMn oxyhydroxides distribution was found, we may assume primarily an anthropogenic source of As, related to the peat and/or coal combustion. According to the criteria of Ecological Risks assessment, all the examined areas have a low degree of risk. Data on the specific activity of Cs-137 correspond to the background average values characteristic for these regions. The highest levels of Cs-137 concentration (Bq/kg) were detected in the sediments of the Ob and Yenisei Rivers' estuaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is altering nutrient cycling within the Arctic Ocean, having knock-on effects to Arctic ecosystems. Primary production in the Arctic is principally nitrogen-limited, particularly in the western Pacific-dominated regions where denitrification exacerbates nitrogen loss. The nutrient status of the eastern Eurasian Arctic remains under debate. In the Barents Sea, primary production has increased by 88% since 1998. To support this rapid increase in productivity, either the standing stock of nutrients has been depleted, or the external nutrient supply has increased. Atlantic water inflow, enhanced mixing, benthic nitrogen cycling, and land–ocean interaction have the potential to alter the nutrient supply through addition, dilution or removal. Here we use new datasets from the Changing Arctic Ocean program alongside historical datasets to assess how nitrate and phosphate concentrations may be changing in response to these processes. We highlight how nutrient dynamics may continue to change, why this is important for regional and international policy-making and suggest relevant research priorities for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given their environmental abundances, it has been long hypothesized that geochemical interactions between reactive forms of manganese and nitrogen may play important roles in the cycling of these elements. Indeed, recent studies have begun shedding light on the possible role of soluble, ligand-bound Mn(III) in promoting abiotic transformations under environmentally relevant conditions. Here, using the kinetic data of Karolewski et al. (Geochim Cosmochim Acta 293:365–378, 2021), we provide the chemical mechanism for the abiotic oxidation of nitrite (NO2−) by Mn(III)-pyrophosphate, MnIIIPP, to form nitrate (NO3−). Nitrous acid (HNO2), not NO2−, is the reductant in the reaction, based on thermodynamic and kinetic considerations. As soluble Mn(III) complexes react in a one-electron transfer reaction, two one-electron transfer steps must occur. In step one, HNO2 is first oxidized to nitrogen dioxide, ·NO2, a free radical via a hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) reaction. We show that this inner sphere reaction process is the rate-limiting step in the reaction sequence. In step two, ·NO2 reacts with a second MnIIIPP complex to form the nitronium ion (NO2+), which is isoelectronic with CO2. Unlike the poor electron-accepting capability of CO2, NO2+ is an excellent electron acceptor for both OH− and H2O, so NO2+ reacts quickly with water to form the end-product NO3− (step 3 in the reaction sequence). Thus, water provides the O atom in this nitrification reaction in accordance with the O-isotope data. This work provides mechanistic perspective on a potentially important interaction between Mn and nitrogen species, thereby offering a framework in which to interpret kinetic and isotopic data and to further investigate the relevance of this reaction under environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vascularized bone tissue engineering is regarded as one of the optimal treatment options for large bone defects. The lack of angiogenic properties and unsatisfactory physicochemical performance restricts calcium phosphate cement (CPC) from application in vascularized bone tissue engineering. Our previous studies have developed a starch and BaSO4 incorporated calcium phosphate hybrid cement (CPHC) with improved mechanical strength and handling properties. However, the bioactivity—especially the angiogenic ability—is still absent and requires further improvement. Herein, based on the reported CPHC and the osteogenic and angiogenic properties of strontium (Sr) ions, a strontium-enhanced calcium phosphate hybrid cement (Sr–CPHC) was developed to improve both biological and physicochemical properties of CPC. Compared to CPC, the initial setting time of Sr–CPHC was prolonged from 2.2 min to 20.7 min. The compressive strength of Sr–CPHC improved from 11.21 MPa to 45.52 MPa compared with CPC as well. Sr–CPHC was biocompatible and showed promotion of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium nodule formation and osteogenic relative gene expression, suggesting high osteogenic-inductivity. Sr–CPHC also facilitated the migration and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro and up-regulated the expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1). In vivo evaluation showed marked new bone formation in a rat calvarial defect model with Sr-CPHC implanted. Sr–CPHC also exhibited enhancement of neovascularization in subcutaneous connective tissue in a rat subcutaneous implantation model. Thus, the Sr–CPHC with the dual effects of osteogenesis and angiogenesis shows great potential for clinical applications such as the repair of ischemic osteonecrosis and critical-size bone defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Angewandte Chemie is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Subtype selectivity represents a challenge in many drug discovery campaigns. A typical example is the FK506 binding protein 51 (FKBP51), which has emerged as an attractive drug target. The most advanced FKBP51 ligands of the SAFit class are highly selective vs. FKBP52 but poorly discriminate against the homologs and off‐targets FKBP12 and FKBP12.6. During a macrocyclization pilot study, we observed that many of these macrocyclic analogs have unanticipated and unprecedented preference for FKBP51 over FKBP12 and FKBP12.6. Structural studies revealed that these macrocycles bind with a new binding mode featuring a transient conformation, which is disfavored for the small FKBPs. Using a conformation‐sensitive assay we show that this binding mode occurs in solution and is characteristic for this new class of compounds. The discovered macrocycles are non‐immunosuppressive, engage FKBP51 in cells, and block the cellular effect of FKBP51 on IKKα. Our findings provide a new chemical scaffold for improved FKBP51 ligands and the structural basis for enhanced selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MIV molecular oxo‐clusters (M=Zr, Hf, Ce, Th, U, Np, Pu) are prolific in bottoms‐up material design, catalysis, and elucidating reaction pathways in nature and in synthesis. Here we introduce Ce70, a wheel‐shaped oxo‐cluster, [CeIV70(OH)36(O)64(SO4)60(H2O)10]4−. Ce70 crystallizes into intricate high pore volume frameworks with divalent transition metals and Ce‐monomer linkers. Eight crystal‐structures feature four framework types in which the Ce70‐rings are linked as propellers, in offset‐stacks, in a tartan pattern, and as isolated rings. Small‐angle X‐ray scattering of Ce70 dissolved in butylamine, with and without added cations (CeIV, alkaline earths, MnII), shows the metals' differentiating roles in ring linking, leading to supramolecular assemblies. The large acidic pores and abundant terminal sulfates provide ion‐exchange behavior, demonstrated with UIV and NdIII. Frameworks featuring CeIII/IV‐monomer linkers demonstrate both oxidation and reduction. This study opens the door to mixed‐metal, highly porous framework catalysts, and new clusters for metal‐organic framework design [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil shale deposits of the mid-Eocene Wadi Shallala Formation in northern Jordan consist of organic-rich limestones and chalks. These organic-rich deposits are exposed at the surface near Wadi Ash Shajara, in a 12-m-thick outcrop. For this study, a total of 21 oil shale samples were analysed for bulk elemental geochemistry, inorganic geochemistry, organic geochemistry and microfacies analysis. Three microfacies types were recognised: pelagic mudstone/wackestone, foraminiferal packstone and bioclastic packstone/wackestone. The observed cyclicity of these microfacies in the study area indicates fluctuations in depositional conditions in Neo-Tethys during the mid-Eocene. A shallow-water, calm, restricted marine environment with limited water circulation and low energy currents evolved into a deeper-water environment with open circulation at or just below the wave base. Wadi Shallala Formation in Wadi Ash Shajara composes mainly of chalk (CaCO3 = ~92 wt%) with a TOC of up to 5 wt % and comprises abundant calcareous nannofossils, foraminifera and ostracods as well as non-clastic components like calcitic fragments. The sulphur content of the analysed samples is significant (1.24 wt %) and is associated with the organic matter. Redox-sensitive elements (Fe, Ni, Zn, S and Zr) are enriched in the oil shale samples, indicating an anoxic depositional environment fluctuating between euxinic and sub-euxinic. These fluctuations in depositional conditions of the basin are a result of many factors such as climate, and tectonisms affected deposition of oil shales during Middle Eocene time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Late Devonian Besa River Formation is an organic-rich shale sequence in Liard Basin, northeastern British Columbia, Canada, with significant natural gas reserves. High-resolution elemental geochemistry of three long continuous cored intervals of the Besa River Formation was used to better understand the paleodepositional environment of organic-rich intervals in this thick marine shale. The studied core intervals were divided into five chemostratigraphic units based on organic and inorganic geochemical proxies. The highest total organic carbon (TOC) content (up to 13 wt.%) was identified in the upper part of the Patry member (Unit III) within the Liard Basin. During the deposition of Unit III, low clastic influx and euxinic bottom conditions mostly contributed to the high accumulation of organic carbon. Moreover, a high productivity and organic influx may have increased organic-rich basinal sediments, which further depleted the seawater column oxygen content in the presence of a large amount of organic matter. This took place within the oxygen-deficient bottom water from the Patry–Exshaw stratigraphic units. This high TOC interval was most likely deposited through abundant biogenic silica production by radiolarians, thereby utilizing the supply of nutrients from the upwelling. Sea level change was also an important factor that controlled organic matter accumulation in the Besa River Formation. The transgression in sea level changed the residence time of the organic matter in oxic zones within the water column, which limited its supply in deeper water; this decreased the TOC content in Unit IV. Before the deposition, silica production collapsed and was replaced by terrestrial sedimentation of clay minerals in the upper part of the Exshaw member, which caused organic matter dilutions in Unit V (under 5 wt.%). These results provide new insights into the effects of relative sea level changes on redox conditions, productivity, and detrital flux, which are related to organic matter enrichment patterns and their geographic variations. Unit III is characterized by an organic-rich interval as well as an abundance of biogenic silica that is closely related to fracturing. Thus, Unit III is expected to have the highest shale gas potential in the Devonian Besa River Formation. The high-resolution geochemical data integrated with well log and/or seismic data can be used to determine the distribution of the perspective interval for shale gas production in the Liard Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uranium(IV) oxide clusters, colloids, and materials are designed and studied for 1) nuclear materials applications, 2) understanding the environmental fate and transport of actinides, and 3) exploring the complex bonding behavior of open‐shell f‐elements. UIV‐oxyhydroxsulfate clusters are particularly relevant in industrial processes and in nature. Recent studies have shown that counter‐cations to these polynuclear anions differentiate rich structural topologies in the solid‐state. Herein, we present nine different structures with wheel‐shaped [U70(OH)36(O)64(SO4)60]4− (U70) linked into one‐ and two‐dimensional frameworks with sulfate, divalent transition metals (CrII, FeII, CoII, NiII) and UV. Small‐angle X‐ray scattering of these phases dissolved in butylamine reveals differing supramolecular assembly of U70 clusters, controlled primarily by sulfates. However, observed trends in transition metal linking guide future design of U70 materials with different topologies. Finally, U70 linking via UIV‐O‐UV‐O‐UIV bridges presents a rare example of mixed‐oxidation‐state uranium oxides without disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cascade Range in the Pacific Northwest, USA, developed as an Eocene to recent volcanic arc along the Pacific/North American ocean‐continent subduction zone. The volcanic arc is characterized by temporally and spatially variable magmatism. Crustal deformation that accompanied development of the arc transitions from N‐S transpression in the Yakima Fold Belt and Puget lowland (western Washington, northern Oregon) to generally E‐W transtension in the south (central and southern Oregon). Orography focuses precipitation along the western flank of the Cascade Range, whereas the eastern flank is relatively arid. We use the unique spatial variation in deformation, magmatic history, and orographic precipitation to investigate the contributions from tectonic and surface processes to rock uplift. We reconstruct the exhumation pathway of plutonic rocks throughout the Cascade Range by exploiting the unique juxtaposition of basalt‐capped ridges above valleys exposing exhumed Cenozoic plutons. Multiple bedrock geochronometers and thermochronometers constrain the thermal history in six catchments along the Cascade arc from southern Oregon to southern Washington. U‐Pb geochronology defines circa 10–24 Ma pluton crystallization ages. Apatite and zircon (U‐Th)/He thermochronology ages range from circa 8–23 Ma. 40Ar/39Ar geochronology defines circa 5–8 Ma basalt emplacement. Our results reveal spatially and temporally variable shallow exhumation in the southern Washington and Oregon Cascades and that the timing of exhumation is earlier than circa 6–12 Ma exhumation previously reported in the Washington Cascades. Spatially and temporally variable exhumation highlights that crustal deformation plays a significant role in rock uplift in addition to erosional mass removal in concert with orographic precipitation. Plain Language Summary: Geoscientists have long wondered whether slow, incremental plate tectonics that shapes our planet have direct impacts on Earth surface processes (like precipitation or erosion). More provocatively, could surface processes actually impact tectonics? Existing studies have provided a range of interpretations but often focus on places where intense precipitation (like the Indian monsoon) and deformation (the Himalaya) change spatially together. This makes it challenging to determine whether tectonics or climate is the main driver. We wanted to investigate this problem along the Cascade Range in Oregon and Washington, where precipitation and deformation patterns do not vary together, allowing us to disentangle the influence of surface and tectonic processes. We use geochronology and thermochronology to determine when rocks were exhumed from deep to shallow levels in the earth. This gave us clues on the timing of rock uplift. We hypothesized that if climate was the main driver, which is similar in the Cascades from north to south, the timing would be synchronized north to south. However, we found that the timing is variable along the Cascades. We conclude that the combination and interaction between tectonic and surface processes, rather than an either‐or scenario, is more likely to explain the Cascade Range development. Key Points: Low‐temperature thermochronology highlights spatially, temporally variable shallow exhumation in Oregon, southern Washington CascadesThe timing of exhumation is earlier than recorded in the Washington CascadesCrustal deformation likely plays a more important role in driving rock uplift than orographic precipitation in the Cascades [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Droplet microfluidics has provided lab-on-a-chip platforms with the capability of bacteria encapsulation in biomaterials, controlled culture environments, and live monitoring of growth and proliferation. The droplets are mainly generated from biomaterials with temperature dependent gelation behavior which necessitates stable and size-controlled droplet formation within microfluidics. Here, the biomaterial is agar hydrogel with a non-Newtonian response at operating temperatures below 40 °C, the upper-temperature threshold for cells and pathogens. The size of the produced droplets and the formation regimes are examined when the agar is injected at a constant temperature of 37 °C with agar concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, and 2% and different flow rate ratios of the dispersed phase to the continuous phase (ϕ: 0.1 to 1). The numerical simulations show that ϕ and the capillary number (Ca) are the key parameters controlling the agar droplet size and formation regime, from dripping to jetting. Also, increasing the agar concentration produces smaller droplets. The simulation data were validated against experimental agar droplet generation and transport in microfluidics. This work helps to understand the physics of droplet generation in droplet microfluidic systems operating with non-Newtonian fluids. Pathogenic bacteria were successfully cultured and monitored in high resolution in agar droplets for further research in antibiotic susceptibility testing in bacteremia and urinary tract infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of the Indonesian Tropical Animal Agriculture is the property of Diponegoro University & Indonesian Society of Animal Agriculture, Faculty of Animal Agriculture and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Uranium(IV) complexation by 2‐furoic acid (2‐FA) was examined to better understand the effects of ligand identity and reaction conditions on species formation and stability. Five compounds were isolated: [UCl2(2‐FA)2(H2O)2]n (1), [U4Cl10O2(THF)6(2‐FA)2]⋅2 THF (2), [U6O4(OH)4(H2O)3(2‐FA)12]⋅7 THF⋅H2O (3), [U6O4(OH)4(H2O)2(2‐FA)12]⋅8.76 H2O (4), and [U38Cl42O54(OH)2(H2O)20]⋅m H2O⋅n THF (5). The structures were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and further characterized by Raman, IR, and optical absorption spectroscopy. The thermal stability and magnetic behavior of the compounds were also examined. Variations in the synthetic conditions led to notable differences in the structural units observed in the solid state. At low H2O/THF ratios, a tetranuclear oxo‐bridged [U4O2] core was isolated. Aging of this solution resulted in the formation a U38 oxo cluster capped by chloro and water ligands. However, at increasing water concentrations only hexanuclear units were observed. In all cases, at temperatures of 100–120 °C, UO2 nanoparticles formed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]