Atmospheric Environmental Conditions Research Articles

Variation of Corrosion Characteristics and Tensile Performances of WE43 Alloy Under Marine Atmospheric Environment.

This study aims to examine the variation in corrosion characteristics and tensile properties of WE43 magnesium alloy in an actual marine atmospheric environment by means of outdoor exposure tests. The macroscopic corrosion morphology, microstructure, and tensile properties were analyzed. The results indicated that WE43 alloy will corrode rapidly during exposure under marine atmospheric environmental conditions, resulting in a loose and porous Mg(OH)2 layer on the surface. The Mg matrix was mainly consumed as an anode, leading to the occurrence of corrosion pits. With the increase in exposure time, both the tensile strength and plasticity of WE43 alloy gradually deteriorated. After exposure for six months, the elongation and area reduction were significantly reduced, with a reduction ratio of more than 50%. After 18 months of exposure, the ultimate strength of the alloy decreased from 359 MPa to 300 MPa. According to an analysis of fractures in the alloy, the corrosion pits on the sample surface were the main reason for the decrease in tensile properties.

Tropical cyclone activities in the Western North Pacific in 2022

Based on the best-track dataset from the Shanghai Typhoon Institute/China Meteorological Administration, the paper provides a comprehensive summary and analysis of tropical cyclone (TC) activities in the Western North Pacific (WNP) and the South China Sea (SCS) for 2022. Using the historical climatology from 1951 to 2020, the anomalous conditions during 2022 in TC frequency, origin locations, tracks, intensity, and duration for the entire ocean basin as well as landfall events in China are examined. Results show that the overall TC frequency is slightly lower than normal, but the multiple TC events have a very high frequency of occurrence. Origin locations of TCs, which mark the starting points of their paths, show a large westward and northward deviation from climatology. Around 40% of the named TCs exhibit a shift in their direction of movement from westerly to easterly. Additionally, comparisons of the means, medians, upper and lower quartiles all indicate that the intensity of TCs in 2022 is generally lower than the climatology, with the duration of TCs at tropical storm intensity or above being shorter than usual. A notable observation is the fewer incidence of TC landfalls in China, but with a geographical concentration in Guangdong Province. These anomalous annual TC activities are influenced by related atmospheric and oceanic environmental conditions modulated by multi-scale climate variability. The findings provide useful information for enhancing disaster mitigation strategies in the Asia-Pacific region.

Carbon ion mono-energetic and spread-out Bragg peak measurements using nanocomposite Fricke gel dosimeters with LET-independent response

This study investigates the LET-dependence of dose measurements performed with a nanocomposite Fricke gel (NC-FG) upon irradiation with carbon ion beams to address the problem of quenching of gel dosimeters in high-LET particle therapy. The preparation of the NC-FG in a simple gel preparation device was performed for atmospheric and anoxic environmental conditions and two different container materials. Irradiation was performed with carbon ion beams at energies of 133.39MeV/u or 194.87MeV/u, complemented by a modulated 10 mm carbon ion spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) irradiation. The R1 profiles obtained from the MRI readout were compared to the treatment planning system and a 2D-ionisation chamber array measurement performed for the mono-energetic and SOBP irradiations, respectively. For different dose levels, no difference in the gel response was obtained for the 3D-printed plastic containers, while the glass vials exhibited a linear dose response. Additional use of the glove box changes produced similar results. For both the mono-energetic and the SOBP irradiation, a linear dose response without quenching was observed. For depths ranging up to the Bragg peak position, the mono-energetic profiles deviated by less than ±15% from the planned dose distribution, excluding the lowest entrance surface dose (ESD). For the SOBP profiles, the deviation from the measured dose distribution was less than ±10% for depths between 20 mm and 33 mm. This study presents a LET-independent measurement of mono-energetic carbon ion Bragg peaks and, for the first time, a LET-independent measurement of a carbon ion SOBP with the NC-FG prepared in a simple gel preparation device under atmospheric conditions. The NC-FG provides a possible solution for 3D dosimetry in carbon ion radiotherapy.

Numerical Study of Effects of Warm Ocean Eddies on Tropical Cyclones Intensity in Northwest Pacific

This study investigates the impact of warm core eddies (WCEs) on the ocean response and intensity of tropical cyclones (TCs) in the Northwest Pacific, focusing on three typhoons in 2018: Jebi, Trami, and Kong-rey. The research uses the Hurricane Weather Research and Forecast (HWRF) model coupled with the MPIPOM-TC ocean model. Idealized WCEs are embedded into the ocean model ahead of each TC. The impacts of WCEs are evaluated by comparing simulations with and without their presence. Uncoupled experiments with the fixed sea surface temperature (SST) serve as a reference for TC maximum potential intensity. To quantitatively assess the impact of WCEs on the SST, enthalpy fluxes, and TC intensity, a Maximum WCE Potential Index (MWPI) is introduced. Our findings indicate that for a WCE with a 200 km radius, the potential to reduce SST cooling ranges from 34 to 37%, while the potential to increase enthalpy fluxes varies between 25 and 39%. The influence of WCEs on TC intensity, as measured by minimum pressure, shows a larger variation from 27% to 48%, depending on the oceanic and atmospheric environmental conditions in each storm. Additional experiments reveal the sensitivity of the MWPI to WCE size, with TC Trami showing less sensitivity due to its slower translational speed. This study underscores the significant role of oceanic thermal conditions, particularly WCEs, in modulating TC intensity.

Multi-scale remote sensing retrieval model for land surface emissivity and its impact on land surface temperature estimation

ABSTRACT As a fundamental parameter of the surface radiation process, land surface emissivity (LSE) is the most direct factor affecting the land surface temperature (LST) retrieval accuracy. Based on the measured data from 2017 to 2023, the characteristics of LSE changes were analysed, different timescale LSE retrieval models were developed, and the impact of LSE on pixel scale observational LST acquisition was evaluated by using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing images. The results show that with changes in atmospheric environmental conditions, the LSE changes are relatively less pronounced at 3.99 µm and 4.02 µm in the mid-infrared band and at 10.8 µm and 11.8 µm in the thermal infrared band than in the other bands. At the timescale above day, the LSE is significant correlation with the normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI). Vegetation is the main parameter that dominates the LSE change under heterogeneous underlying surfaces. On a daily timescale, LSE exhibits typical diurnal variation characteristics, and the amplitude of diurnal variation is influenced mainly by shallow soil water and heat conditions. The developed LSE model based on Fengyun-4A (FY-4A) satellite remote-sensing data can effectively reproduce the daily variation characteristics of LST and avoid the ‘jumping’ phenomenon that may occur in the NDVI threshold method. The root-mean-square error (RMSE) between the retrieved LST and in situ data is reduced to 3.78°C, and the retrieval accuracy is better than that of the published LST product. When using UAVs to obtain pixel-scale LSTs, dry bare soil is more sensitive to LSE. When the LSE increases from 0.95 to 1.0, the average LST obtained by the UAV deviates by approximately 1.0°C. This study preliminarily provides some spatiotemporal variation patterns of LSE and lays a foundation for the later-modified LST retrieval algorithms.

Mixing state and influence factors controlling diurnal variation of particulate nitrophenol compounds at a suburban area in northern China

Nitrophenols have received extensive attention due to their strong light-absorbing ability in the near-ultraviolet-visible region, which could be influenced by the atmospheric processes of nitrophenols. However, our knowledge and understanding of the formation and evolution of nitrophenols are still in the nascent stages. In the present study, the mixing states of four mononitrophenol particles (i.e., nitrophenol, methynitrophenol, nitrocatechol, and methoxynitrophenol), and one nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon particles (i.e., nitronaphthol (NN)) were investigated using a single-particle aerosol mass spectrometer (SPAMS) in November 2019 in Qingdao, China. The results showed, for the first time, that mononitrophenols and NN exhibit different mixing states and diurnal variations. Four mononitrophenols were internally mixed well with each other, and with organic acids, nitrates, potassium, and naphthalene. The diurnal variation in the number fraction of mononitrophenols presented two peaks at 07:00 to 09:00 and 18:00 to 20:00, and a valley at noon. Atmospheric environmental conditions, including NO2, O3, relative humidity, and temperature, can significantly influence the diurnal variation of mononitrophenols. Multiple linear regression and random forest regression models revealed that the main factors controlling the diurnal variation of mononitrophenols were photochemical reactions during the day and aqueous-phase reactions during the night. Unlike mononitrophenols, about 62–83% of NN were internally mixed with [NH4]+ and [H(NO3)2]-, but not with organic acids and potassium. The diurnal variation of NN was also different from that of mononitrophenols, generally increased from 17:00 to 10:00 and then rapidly decreaed from 11:00 to 16:00. These results imply that NN may have sources and atmospheric processes that are different from mononitrophenols. We speculate that this is mostly controlled by photochemical reactions and mixing with [NH4]+, which may influence the diurnal variation of NN in the ambient particles; however, this requires further confirmation. These findings extend our current understanding of the atmospheric formation and evolution of nitrophenols.

Combining topography and reflectance indices for better surface water detection

Since the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) was proposed, water indices have served as useful tools for surface water detection. However, existing water indices are highly influenced by atmospheric and other environmental conditions and suffer from limited performance, especially in urban areas. At the core of the limitation is the sole dependency on the spectral distribution of reflectance signals. To overcome this, we propose to utilize topographic data as additional information for better water detection. Accordingly, the new index, namely Combined Water Index (CWI), is developed as the product of the topographic index and the reflectance-based index. These two indices excellently compensate each other: the former is free from noise issues but invariant over time while the latter can capture temporal dynamics of waterbody extents. The CWI is applied to four study areas of different development levels (natural, medium-sized cities, and megalopolis) in the Han River basin, South Korea. The water detection results of the CWI is promising, particularly in the heavily developed urban setting, demonstrated through visual images as well as various statistical measures.

Low Reflection-Loss Thermal Barrier Coating on Hastelloy C276 for Radio Control Rocket Tip Nosecone Using Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) at Extreme Temperature

The nosecone tip during the launch process becomes the first part that experiences friction against the atmosphere so that heat is generated, which continues to increase over time. Therefore, the nosecone tip material must have high-temperature resistance, and the materials used must not interfere with the avionics and telemetry systems of the rocket. When the sounding rocket orbits at an altitude of 200-300 Km, the atmospheric environmental conditions also fluctuate, so the nose cone tip must also be able to adapt to this condition. The end of the nose cone must be protected with a high heat-resistant Thermal Barrier Coating (TBC) coating using Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ). YSZ modified with Al2O3 has impressive performance against high thermal by increasing the temperature resistance of the substrate to about 1200°C. In this paper, the experiment done for the first time using Hastelloy C276 coated with YSZ with thermal spray method has shown good performance. The pull of test results shows the highest bond tensile strength after heat exposure value at 23,04 MPa. And the thermal torch testing resulted in mass decreasing by 0.493 grams at 1200°C. The vector analyser also offers good performance reflection loss, valued at -0.324 dB at 10 GHz, and the thermal gravimetry of the material tip nose is 93,2% at 1200°C.

Deposition of secondary organic aerosol in human lung model: Effect of photochemically aged aerosol on human respiratory system

Ultrafine particles (UFP) of Secondary Organic Aerosol (SOA) penetrate deep into the human respiratory system and exert fatal effects on human health. However, there is little data on the potential deposited doses of UFP-generated SOA in the human respiratory tract. This study is to estimate the fraction of aerosol deposition using a multiple-path-particle-dosimetry (MPPD) model. For relevancy of real life, the model employed measured concentrations of toluene-derived fresh and aged SOA produced within serially connected smog chamber and PAM-OFR (Potential Aerosol Mass-Oxidation Flow Reactor) under atmospheric environmental conditions (NOx and relative humidity). The number concentrations and chemical composition of fresh and aged aerosols produced within the chambers were measured using Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) and High-Resolution Time-of-Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS), while the morphology of individual particles was analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The number concentration of aged SOA-w/s was more than double compared to that of fresh SOA-w/s (maximum reached after 10 h) with its size less than 100 nm. The O:C ratio for aged SOA-w/s were 0.96 and 1.15 depending on RH (0.96 at 3% RH and 1.15 at 50% RH), and individual spherical particles containing water were present in agglomerates with its size of less than 1 µm. In all inhalable fresh and aged SOA produced in the two chambers, 5–22% of aerosol is deposited in the Head airways, 4–8% in the tracheobronchial, and 8–34% in the alveolar regions. The predominant deposition of the aged aerosol occurred in the alveoli (in the generation 20th lobe), and the deposition faction in the alveoli was 2–3 times higher in the children group than the adults group. This study presented a quantitative exposure assessment of SOA generated under a realistic simulation and suggested the possibility of evaluating long-term exposure to SOA and potential health effects by determining the potential inhalable aerosol doses and the fraction of deposition in the human respiratory system.

Research Progress and Trends in the Field of Satellite Ozone from 2005 to 2023: A Bibliometric Review

Ozone, an important atmospheric constituent, affects various processes in the troposphere–stratosphere region and significantly contributes to climate and environmental change. The advancement of meteorological satellite technology has enabled the deployment of ozone detection instruments in space, providing accurate and global satellite ozone data in all weather conditions. This study employs scientometric methods, such as collaboration analysis, co-citation analysis, and keyword co-occurrence analysis to investigate the current status, trends, and future directions of satellite ozone research, with a broader search scope and more objective results compared with a manual review. Analyzing a dataset of 5320 bibliographic records from the WoS core collection database reveals the key intellectual frameworks shaping this field during the period from 2005 to 2023. The findings indicate that leading nations, like the United States, Germany, France, and China, along with their respective institutions and authors, spearhead satellite ozone research. Collaborative partnerships between the United States and European countries play a crucial role in advancing research efforts. Moreover, 20 distinct co-citation clusters identify the knowledge framework within the field, demonstrating a consistent progression over time. The focus has expanded from satellite ozone observation instruments to encompass broader areas, such as atmospheric pollution and environmental conditions, with “air quality” emerging as a prominent research area and future trend. Based on these insights, four major research directions are proposed: understanding atmospheric pollution mechanisms, improving ozone detection technologies, utilizing satellite ozone data for weather, and climate phenomena. This study aims to assist scholars by providing a comprehensive understanding of the developmental trajectory of satellite ozone research. Its results can serve as a valuable reference for researchers to identify relevant publications and journals efficiently. Policymakers can also utilize this systematic review as a structured point of reference.

Formation Mechanisms of the “5·31” Record-Breaking Extreme Heavy Rainfall Process in South China in 2021

Based on the fifth-generation European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts reanalysis data (ERA5), the real-time observation data from weather stations, and the radar products in Guangdong Province, we analyze the precipitation properties and formation mechanisms of the “5·31” extreme heavy rainfall process with record-breaking 3-h accumulated rainfall in South China during 2021. The results show that the extreme heavy rainfall process is caused by the joint actions of weather systems such as a weak upper-level short-wave trough, a surface stationary front, and a low-level southwesterly jet. Before the heavy precipitation process, there is large precipitable water content and deep warm clouds, which provides a potential for the occurrence and development of the heavy rainfall process in Longhua Town of Longmen County and its surrounding areas. Simultaneously, the low-level southwesterly jet provides abundant warm-wet water vapor for the heavy rainfall area. The vertical atmospheric environmental conditions, such as strong horizontal temperature gradient, high convective available potential energy, high-temperature difference between 850 hPa and 500 hPa, and low convective inhibition, maintain for a long duration in the heavy rainfall area, which are favorable for the occurrence and development of high-efficiency convective precipitation caused by water vapor condensation due to the uplift of low-level warm-wet airflows. The combined effects of the enhanced low-level southwesterly airflow, the stationary front, the mesoscale surface convergence line generated by cold pool outflows, the terrain influence, and the train effect of the precipitation echoes make heavy precipitation near Longhua last longer and stronger than other areas, leading to the extreme heavy rainfall with the record-breaking 3-h accumulated rainfall in Longhua.

Statistical Framework for Western North Pacific Tropical Cyclone Landfall Risk through Modulation of the Western Pacific Subtropical High and ENSO

Abstract Seasonal predictions of tropical cyclone (TC) landfalls are challenging because seasonal landfall count not only depends on the number and spatial distribution of TC genesis, but also whether those TCs are steered toward land or not. Past studies have separately examined genesis and landfall as a function of large-scale ocean and atmospheric environmental conditions. Here, we introduce a practical statistical framework for estimating the seasonal count of TC landfalls as the product of a Poisson model for seasonal TC genesis and a logistic model for landfall probability. We compute spatial variations in TC landfall and genesis by decomposing TC activity in the western North Pacific (WNP) basin into 10° × 10° bins, then identify coherent regions where El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the western extent of the Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) have significant influences on seasonal landfall count. Our framework shows that ENSO and the WPSH are weakly related to basinwide landfalls but strongly related to regional genesis and landfall probability. ENSO modulates the zonal distribution of TC genesis, consistent with past work, whereas the WPSH modulates the meridional distribution of landfall probability due to variations in steering flow associated with the Pacific subtropical high. These spatial patterns result in four coherent subregions of the WNP basin that define seasonal landfall variations: landfall count increases in the southwestern WNP during a positive WPSH and La Niña, the south-central WNP during a positive WPSH and El Niño, the eastern WNP during a negative WPSH and El Niño, and the northern WNP during a negative WPSH and La Niña.

Temporal and Spatial Variations in Black Carbon Aerosol in Different Atmospheric Background Stations in China from 2006 to 2020

Black carbon (BC) aerosol emissions are complex and have important environmental and meteorological effects. In China, the temporal and spatial variations in BC in different atmospheric environmental conditions need to be fully understood. Based on the long-term observational BC data in seven atmospheric background stations in China from 2006 to 2020, combined with meteorological data, emission source data, enhanced vegetation index (EVI) data, and aerosol optical depth (AOD) data, we comprehensively analyzed the characteristics of temporal and spatial variations, long-term evolution, and influencing factors of BC in China. The results showed that the BC and AOD values of different atmospheric environments in China were quite different, and BC positively contributed to AOD. The spatial distribution was high in the east and low in the west owing to the differences in emission sources and meteorological conditions. The ρ(BC) and AOD values were higher to the east of the "Hu Huanyong" line, such as at the Mt. Longfeng, Shangdianzi, Lin'an, and Jinsha stations, where the average values were (1699±2213)-(3392±2131) ng·m-3 and 0.36±0.32-0.72±0.37, respectively. These values were lower to the west of the "Hu Huanyong" line, such as at the Akedala, Mt. Waliguan, and Shangri-La stations, where the average values were (287±226)-(398±308) ng·m-3 and 0.20±0.13-0.22±0.19, respectively. The interannual variability in BC included differences between different atmospheric background stations, which could be divided into four categories:low interannual variability, such as at the Akedala station; an initial increase followed by a decrease and subsequent stabilization, such as at the Mt. Waliguan station; an initial decrease followed by stabilization, such as at the Shangri-La station; and an initial stabilization followed by a decrease, such as at the Mt. Longfeng, Shangdianzi, Jinsha, and Lin'an stations. Seasonal variations in BC included differences in different atmospheric background stations. The BC mass concentrations were lowest in autumn and higher in winter and spring west of the "Hu Huanyong" line and were highest in winter and lowest in summer east of the "Hu Huanyong" line. BC contributed to the AOD being larger in all stations in the spring and summer and contributed less at the stations west of the "Hu Huanyong" line in autumn and the stations east of the "Hu Huanyong" line in winter. The diurnal variations in BC were mainly bimodally distributed in the different atmospheric background stations, but the peak times varied in different stations and seasons.

Characteristics of Resuspended Road Dust with Traffic and Atmospheric Environment in South Korea

Characterizing the influencing factors of resuspended dust on paved roads according to the atmospheric environment and traffic conditions is important to provide a basis for road atmospheric pollution control measures suitable for various road environments in the future. This study attempts to identify factors in the concentration of resuspended dust according to the level of road dust loading and PM10 emission characteristics according to atmospheric weather environment and traffic conditions using real-time vehicle-based resuspended PM10 concentration measuring equipment. This study mainly focuses on the following main topics: (1) the increased level of resuspended dust according to vehicle speed and silt loading (sL) level; (2) difference between atmospheric pollution at adjacent monitoring station concentration and background concentration levels on roads due to atmospheric weather changes; (3) the correlation between traffic and weather factors with resuspended dust levels; (4) the evaluation of resuspended dust levels by road section. Based on the results, the necessity of research to more appropriately set the focus of analysis in order to characterize the resuspended dust according to changes in the traffic and weather environment in urban areas is presented.

Методы расчета дрейфа тяжелых облаков с учетом движения среды

Peculiarities are considered related to the numerical integration of the diffusion equations for describing the formation and motion (drift) of explosive clouds formed on the territories of industrial facilities as a result of the accidental releases of combustible substances. The relevance of the study is associated with the fact that when the contents of an emergency release are mixed with an air, an explosive and flammable mixture is formed. The process of its combustion is determined by the volumetric concentration of the combustible substance. At concentrations below the lower concentration limit of ignition, combustion or explosion of the mixture is completely excluded. If the concentration of the mixture is between the lower and upper concentration limits of ignition, then there is an explosion. When the concentration of the mixture is above the upper concentration limit of ignition, a flash fire or a fireball occurs. Thus, the information is required on the parameters of the explosive mixture that may form due to the accidental release. Accidental releases can occur under the most adverse atmospheric environment and weather conditions. As a result, the focus of the article is on determining the parameters of an explosive cloud in the conditions of drift under the influence of a slight movement of the atmosphere (the most unfavorable scenario for the development of an accident). The results of numerical calculations of the diffusion equation with allowance for the mobility of the atmosphere are presented. The presence of a weak wind is the most unfavorable situation in terms of the drift of an explosive cloud. The methods and criteria are substantiated that allow obtaining the most correct results of calculating its motion.

Collaborative Strategy of Multifunctional Groups in Trifluoroacetamide Achieving Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells

The additive strategy is considered to be an effective scheme to purposefully passivate defect sites in perovskite materials. Herein, a small molecule trifluoroacetamide (TFAA) with C═O, −NH2, and F groups is incorporated into the perovskite precursor solution to alleviate the defect densities of the perovskite material from the source, so as to obtain high‐quality FA0.85MA0.15PbI3 perovskite absorber and its assembled photovoltaic devices. Thanks to the interactions of Lewis acid of C═O and undercoordinated Pb2+, N—H and I− via hydrogen bond, and F and FA+ fragments, the nonradiative recombination sites are effectively inhibited, simultaneously promoting the nucleation and grain growth of perovskite. The analysis results demonstrate that the introduction of TFAA additive greatly enhances the crystal quality of bulk perovskite absorber, ameliorates the surface morphology of perovskite film, and improves the extraction and transfer abilities of photogenerated carriers from perovskite absorber. The perovskite solar cells (PSCs) based on TFAA agent yield a champion power conversion efficiency of 24.16%, 8.3% better than that of the control device (22.31%). More importantly, the modified perovskite film has good harsh humidity stability and the unpackaged PSCs maintain outstanding photovoltaic performance in atmospheric environment, thermal, and light conditions.

First-Principles Study on the Interaction of H2O and Interface Defects in A-SiO2/Si(100)

The defects contained in amorphous SiO2/Si (a-SiO2/Si) interface have a considerable impact on the efficiency and stability of the device. Since the device is exposed to the atmospheric environmental conditions chronically, its performance will be limited by water diffusion and penetration. Here, we simulated the interaction of H2O and interface defects in a-SiO2/Si(100) by using the first-principles method. Our results suggest that H2O penetrated into Pb0 defect is more inclined to interact with the network in the form of silanol (Si-OH) group, while H2O incorporated into Pb1 defect is more likely to remain intact, which can be attributed to the location of Pb1 defect closer to the interface than that of Pb0 defect. Our research provides a powerful theoretical guidance for the interaction of H2O and interface defects in a-SiO2/Si(100).

Long term measurements of neutron dose rates at Testa Grigia high altitude research station (3480 m. a.s.l.)

At the Testa Grigia high altitude research Station (3480 m. a.s.l, Italy, 45°57′ N, 7°42’ E) several dosimetric campaigns for the measurement of the dose due to secondary neutrons produced in the atmosphere and in the surrounding environment by primary cosmic rays have been carried out from 2014 until 2021. Because of the high altitude of the site, the neutron flux at Testa Grigia is 10–15 times higher than at the sea level. Various instruments has been used to evaluate the dependence of the ambient dose equivalent rate from different factors as atmospheric parameters, environmental conditions and solar activity. Moreover, since October 2014 a modular neutron monitor designed, realized and tested by the SVIRCO Observatory Group INAF-IAPS in Rome, is permanently operating in the laboratory, providing a continuous monitoring of primary cosmic ray variability and making the laboratory an ideal place for dosimetric studies, instrument calibration and “in field” tests. In this paper the results of several neutron measurements carried out in the last years in periods of different solar activity and environmental conditions are reported, with a discussion on the origin of the observed variations of the ambient dose equivalent rate.

Development of an Edible Coating from Okra Mucilage to Preserve the Crispiness in Soft Dough Biscuits Upon Storage

Baked food products are considered to be one of the most popular processed foods in the world. Among all the bakery products, biscuits are the most frequently consumed snack food item. There is a vast and diverse market for biscuits as a leader in ready-to-eat baked goods. Biscuits have long shelf life than other bakery products when stored under proper conditions. But immediately after exposure to the air by opening or damaging the package, biscuits absorb moisture from the air and reduce its crispiness of the biscuits. According to the market survey results, the highest number of respondents (53.7 %) suggested developing an edible coating for biscuits to prevent the loss of crispiness in biscuits upon storage. As well as 98.5 % of respondents prefer edible coatings developed using natural sources. Polysaccharide-based edible coatings maintain the physicochemical, microbiological & sensorial properties of the food. Therefore, okra mucilage was used as the main ingredient for edible coating preparation for biscuits. The coating was applied on biscuits with different coating methods, different baking stages and stored in different environmental conditions to identify the efficiency of the coating. According to the results, a coating applied before the baking stage displayed better moisture barrier properties than that of the coating applied after baking in controlled, semi-controlled, and normal atmospheric environmental conditions. It's responsible for the reduction of moisture absorption of biscuits upon storage

Sedimentary environment and organic enrichment mechanisms of lacustrine shale: A case study of the Paleogene Shahejie Formation, Qikou Sag, Bohai Bay Basin

Recent Chinese shale oil (or gas) exploration efforts have focused on the Shahejie Formation of Bohai Basin. However, this work has been handicapped by a lack of state-of-the-art investigations of the targeted shale. Specifically, there is a need for an improved understanding of the role that paleoenvironmental aspects of the basin played in the organic enrichment of these deposits. The present study provides the insights into the paleoenvironmental and depositional history of various of shales of the Es1 Member of Paleogene Shahejie Formation, Qikou Sag, Bohai Basin, and addresses the controlling factors of organic matter (OM) accumulation and preservation in these deposits based on petrographic characteristics, organic geochemistry, and major and trace elements data. Our results suggest that the organic-enriched Es1 oil shale is a desirable exploration target, especially felsic and mixed shale. The felsic shale, mixed shale, dolostone and carbonate shale accumulated under relatively humid climatic conditions but in saline lacustrine environment. Climate, salinity, and redox conditions appear to have varied at least three times during the depositional history of the studied interval. Paleoenvironmental conditions favored stable productivity levels and only a modest supply of clastic detritus sediment resulting in a diminished rate of deposition. Felsic and mixed shale deposits that have the greatest source potential accumulated under more humid atmospheric and oxygen-depleted environmental conditions than dolostone and carbonate shale. The present study suggests infers that organic carbon content of the Es1 oil shale was controlled principally by salinity and secondarily by primary productivity and redox conditions.