Core Phase Research Articles

Improved clinical outcomes during long-term osilodrostat treatment of Cushing’s disease with LNSC and UFC normalization

Abstract Purpose To assess whether simultaneous normalization of late-night salivary cortisol (LNSC) and mean urinary free cortisol (mUFC) in patients with Cushing’s disease treated with osilodrostat is associated with better clinical outcomes than control of mUFC or LNSC alone. Methods Pooled data from two Phase III osilodrostat studies (LINC 3 and LINC 4) were analyzed. Both comprised a 48-week core phase and an optional open-label extension. Changes in cardiovascular/metabolic-related parameters, physical manifestations of hypercortisolism, and quality of life (QoL) were evaluated across the following patient subgroups: both LNSC and mUFC controlled, only mUFC controlled, only LNSC controlled, and neither controlled. Results Of 160 patients included in the analysis, 85.0% had both LNSC and mUFC uncontrolled at baseline. At week 72, 48.6% of patients had both LNSC and mUFC controlled; these patients generally exhibited greater improvements in cardiovascular/metabolic-related parameters than those with only mUFC controlled or both LNSC and mUFC uncontrolled: systolic/diastolic blood pressure, –7.4%/–4.9%, –6.0%/–5.5%, and 2.3%/0.8%, respectively; fasting plasma glucose, –5.0%, –4.8%, and 1.9%; glycated hemoglobin, –5.1%, –4.8%, and –1.3%. Weight, waist circumference, and body mass index improved with control of LNSC and/or mUFC; physical manifestations of hypercortisolism generally improved regardless of LNSC/mUFC control. Patients with both LNSC and mUFC controlled or only mUFC controlled had the greatest improvement from baseline to week 72 in QoL. Conclusions In osilodrostat-treated patients with Cushing’s disease, normalization of LNSC and mUFC led to improvements in long-term outcomes, indicating that treatment should aim for normalization of both parameters for optimal patient outcomes.

The promise and process of adaptive teacher empathy to support equity in diverse classrooms

Multiple empirical studies suggest teacher empathy supports improved educational outcomes for all students, particularly in diverse settings; however, recent research shows such results to be inconsistent. These mixed findings have been explained as the result of inconsistent measurement practices as well as overly generalized conceptualizations of teacher empathy. Moreover, some educational researchers have cautioned against misapplications of empathy that may harm historically minoritized students. In this manuscript, we offer the conceptual framework of adaptive teacher empathy in response to these concerns. Adaptive teacher empathy is situated in the classroom context and centers the students’ perspective. We identify its three core phases: prioritizing cognitive empathic processes, cultivating beliefs and emotions that support teacher motivation to empathize, and implementing behaviors that support improved educational outcomes for students. Additionally, we articulate our understanding of equitable teaching practices and illustrate how adaptive teacher empathy can support equitable instruction, particularly in diverse classrooms. Further, adaptive teacher empathy is compared to similar classroom constructs and examples of each phase are applied to promote equitable teaching. We close with implications for research and teaching.

5.A. Scientific session: From theory to action - Applying the Medical Research Council framework on complex interventions

Abstract The reasons for the workshop: Globally, public health problems such as obesity, poor mental health, and social inequality in health are on the rise. Tackling these significant challenges requires well-designed complex interventions. Interventions rarely follow linear sequences from intervention design toward large-scale implementation. Rather, they take non-linear trajectories by constantly adapting the intervention design according to the context. This thinking is outlined in the British Medical Research Council’s (MRC) 2021 framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions. This workshop encompasses four case projects, each corresponding to one of the four phases in the framework: i) development, ii) feasibility, iii) implementation, and iv) evaluation. However, recognising the deliberately generic nature of this framework, our workshop also encompasses co-creation, process evaluation, and implementation theories and methodology. Combining these methodologies presents challenges that necessitate clear argumentation and critical reflection. In this workshop, we will share the challenges encountered when applying the MRC 2021 framework and hopefully inspire future innovative opportunities in intervention research. Specifically, this workshop aims to: i) exchange challenges from intervention research methods and theories drawing on presenters’ experiences across four public health case projects. Presenters will critically reflect on the key concepts from the MRC framework including context, programme theory, engagement of stakeholders, uncertainties, and refinement of interventions. ii) discuss opportunities for future complex intervention research and outline best practices for using the MRC 2021 framework for complex interventions. The added value of organising the workshop: The audience attending this workshop will reflect on multiple on-the-ground experiences of applying methodology and principles from the MRC 2021 framework as well as methods and theories relevant to intervention research: co-creation, qualitative (e.g., ethnography, interviews) and quantitative (e.g. experimental, observational) methods applied to all core phases of complex interventions. At the end of the workshop, the audience will be invited to participate in an open, plenary discussion facilitated by the workshop’s chairs: two international experts on complex interventions, Reader Rhiannon Evans and Prof. Helle Terkildsen Maindal. The experts will encourage the presenters and audience to reflect critically on the case projects and ways forward for complex intervention research. Coherence between the presentations in relation to the workshop topic: The four case projects are guided by the MRC 2021 framework for complex interventions and involve public health interventions at the individual, interpersonal, and structural levels in Denmark and Canada. Key messages • Tackling public health challenges demands innovative and well-designed complex interventions combining research traditions, principles from health promotion, and cutting-edge best-practice frameworks. • The symposium will create a platform for cross-disciplinary knowledge exchange through case projects and expert-led joint discussions on how to apply the MRC 2021 framework for complex interventions.

6907 Continued Improvements in Hypertension and Diabetes During Long-Term Osilodrostat Therapy in Patients with Cushing’s Disease: A Pooled Analysis from the Phase III LINC 3 and LINC 4 Studies

Abstract Disclosure: M. Fleseriu: Advisory Board Member; Self; Recordati Rare Diseases. Consulting Fee; Self; Recordati Rare Diseases, Sparrow, Xeris Pharmaceuticals (Strongbridge). Grant Recipient; Self; Recordati Rare Diseases, Sparrow, Xeris Pharmaceuticals (Strongbridge). R. Pivonello: Consulting Fee; Self; Corcept Therapeutics, Recordati AG, Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, H Lundbeck A/S. Grant Recipient; Self; Recordati AG, Corcept Therapeutics, Xeris Pharmaceuticals (Strongbridge), Neurocrine Biosciences. J. Newell-Price: Consulting Fee; Self; Crinetics, Diurnal, HRA Pharmaceuticals, Recordati Rare Diseases. Grant Recipient; Self; Crinetics, Diurnal, HRA Pharmaceuticals, Recordati Rare Diseases. M. Gadelha: Advisory Board Member; Self; Novo Nordisk, Recordati, Crinetics Pharmaceuticals. Speaker; Self; Recordati, Ipsen, Pfizer, Inc., Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Novo Nordisk. R.J. Auchus: Consulting Fee; Self; Xeris Pharmaceuticals (Strongbridge), Spruce Biosciences, Neurocrine Biosciences, Corcept Therapeutics, Diurnal, Sparrow Pharmaceuticals, Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Recordati Rare Diseases, Adrenas Therapeutics, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Quest Diagnostics, H Lundbeck A/S, Novo Nordisk, Besins Pharmaceuticals. Grant Recipient; Self; Xeris Pharmaceuticals (Strongbridge), Spruce Biosciences, Neurocrine Biosciences, Corcept Therapeutics, Diurnal, Sparrow Pharmaceuticals, Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Recordati Rare Diseases. R. Feelders: Consulting Fee; Self; Recordati. A. Lacroix: Consulting Fee; Self; Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Recordati, Pfizer, Inc.. Grant Recipient; Self; Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Recordati, Pfizer, Inc. A. Shimatsu: Advisory Board Member; Self; Recordati. Consulting Fee; Self; Recordati. Speaker; Self; Recordati. P. Witek: Speaker; Self; Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Ipsen, Recordati, Novo Nordisk, Xeris Pharmaceuticals (Strongbridge), Lilly USA, LLC. Other; Self; Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Ipsen, Recordati, Novo Nordisk, Xeris Pharmaceuticals (Strongbridge), Lilly USA, LLC. M. Bex: Consulting Fee; Self; Recordati. A. Piacentini: Employee; Self; Recordati. A.M. Pedroncelli: Employee; Self; Recordati, Camurus. B.M. Biller: Advisory Board Member; Self; Recordati Rare Diseases. Consulting Fee; Self; H Lundbeck A/S, Recordati Rare Diseases, Sparrow, Xeris Pharmaceuticals (Strongbridge). Introduction: Alleviating the burden of comorbidities such as hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus (DM), through control of hypercortisolism, is an important treatment goal in the management of Cushing’s syndrome. Osilodrostat, a potent oral 11β-hydroxylase inhibitor, provided rapid, sustained cortisol normalization in Cushing’s disease (CD) patients (pts) in two Phase III studies (LINC 3, NCT02180217; LINC 4, NCT02697734), with improvements in clinical manifestations of hypercortisolism. Here, we report on the long-term changes in blood pressure (BP) and markers of glucose homeostasis in a large, pooled pt population from both trials at weeks (W) 48 and 72. Methods: LINC 3 comprised a 48W core phase, including an 8W randomized withdrawal phase for eligible pts. LINC 4 included an upfront 12W, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled period and 36W of open-label osilodrostat. Both studies had an optional extension. Baseline (BL) HTN was defined as prior diagnosis, taking antihypertensive medication, and/or systolic/diastolic BP (SBP/DBP) >130/>90 mmHg. BL DM was defined as prior diagnosis, taking antidiabetic medication, HbA1c ≥6.5%, and/or fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥126 mg/dL. Data from LINC 3 and LINC 4 were pooled in a secondary exploratory analysis for all pts with data at BL and the given visit, excluding periods where pts were randomized to placebo. No formal statistical hypothesis testing was performed; all analyses are descriptive. Results: In pts with BL HTN (n=174/210; 82.9%), mean (95% CI) change in SBP/DBP was -13.9 (-18.5, -9.4)/-9.1 (-12.4, -5.8) mmHg at W48 and -14.7 (-20.1, -9.4)/-9.4 (-13.0, -5.7) mmHg at W72 for those not receiving antihypertensive medication during the study, and -8.4 (-11.9, -4.9)/-5.3 (-7.5, -3.1) mmHg at W48 and -10.1 (-14.3, -5.8)/-5.7 (-8.1, -3.2) mmHg at W72 for those who received antihypertensives. Of pts with BL SBP >130 mmHg (n=110), 50.0% had SBP ≤130 mmHg at W48 and 49.1% at W72. Of pts with BL DBP >90 mmHg (n=65), 64.6% had DBP ≤90 mmHg at W48 and 58.5% at W72. The proportion of pts taking antihypertensive medication declined from 54.3% at BL to 47.3% at W72. Mean (95% CI) change in potassium levels was -0.1 (-0.1, 0.0) mmol/L at W48 and 0.0 (-0.1, 0.1) mmol/L at W72 in pts with BL HTN, and -0.1 (-0.3, 0.1) mmol/L at both W48 and W72 in pts without BL HTN. 40.0% (n=84/210) of pts had BL DM. Of pts with BL FPG ≥100 mg/dL (n=60), 43.3% and 33.3% had FPG <100 mg/dL at W48 and W72, respectively. The proportion of pts taking antidiabetic medication declined from 21.9% at BL to 17.1% at W72. Conclusions: Many pts with CD and HTN or DM showed improvements during osilodrostat therapy, which were maintained or further improved with long-term therapy. Cortisol normalization is associated with improvements in hypercortisolism-associated comorbidities in pts with CD. Presentation: 6/2/2024

The invention relates to a method for simulating phase permeability curve based on conventional logging data

Abstract Phase permeability curve is the curve of relative permeability (effective permeability/oil phase permeability in bound water) and water saturation change obtained through core phase permeability experiment. It is an indispensable data in oilfield development calculation, dynamic analysis, determination of oil-water saturation distribution in reservoirs and other water-driven oil related calculations, and an important index for reservoir evaluation. The study of effective permeability and relative permeability is of great significance for controlling the uniform advance of oil-water or oil-gas boundary and rationally developing oil and gas fields. The only effective way to study the phase infiltration is the core phase infiltration experiment, but the number of lithology samples is very limited, so the phase infiltration in oilfield development and application is still in the estimation stage, the accuracy is low, and the practical application is not strong. In order to improve the applicability of the phase permeability curve, it is necessary to establish a set of electrical interpretation methods associated with logging curves to realize electrical simulation instead of core measurement. In this paper, an electrical interpretation model of oil-water phase permeability is established based on flowable porosity and pore radius, and the effective seepage dynamic prediction and inversion of oil-water phase in each development stage of each reservoir is realized, which lays a solid foundation for the fine development of the reservoir.

Fracture mode of Ti(C, N)-based cermets investigated by experiment and simulation calculation

The high hardness and good wear resistance of Ti(C, N)-based cermets confer excellent applicability as cutting tools. However, the lack of in-depth research on the fracture mechanism limits further improvements in toughness. A typical commercial Ti(C, N)-based cermet with a core–rim structure was prepared through low-pressure sintering. The interface characteristics between the complex core, rim, and binder phases were characterised using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), while the actual hardness and modules of these phases were measured through in situ nanoindenter assessments. The crack propagation behaviour of the cermet was analysed using a 70° angle observation method combined with electron backscatter diffraction in scanning electron microscopy (EBSD/SEM). This study identifies a commonly occurring but long-overlooked fracture mode, termed “trans-rim” fracture. The experimental results were verified through simulation calculations. This novel idea offers insights into enhancing the toughness of Ti(C, N)-based cermets.

Dust evolution during a protostellar collapse: Influence on the coupling between the neutral gas and magnetic field

Context. The extent of the coupling between the magnetic field and the gas during the collapsing phase of star-forming cores is strongly affected by the dust size distribution, which is expected to evolve by means of coagulation, fragmentation, and other collision outcomes. Aims. We aim to investigate the influence of key parameters on the evolution of the dust distribution, as well as on the magnetic resistivities during protostellar collapse. Methods. We performed a set of collapsing single-zone simulations with shark. The code computes the evolution of the dust distribution, accounting for different grain growth and destruction processes, with the grain collisions being driven by brownian motion, turbulence, and ambipolar drift. It also computes the charges carried by each grain species and the ion and electron densities, as well as the magnetic resistivities. Results. We find that the dust distribution significantly evolves during the protostellar collapse, shaping the magnetic resistivities. The peak size of the distribution, population of small grains, and, consequently, the magnetic resistivities are controlled by both coagulation and fragmentation rates. Under standard assumptions, the small grains coagulate very early as they collide by ambipolar drift, yielding magnetic resistivities that are many orders of magnitude apart from the non-evolving dust case. In particular, the ambipolar resistivity, ηAD, is very high prior to nH = 1010 cm−3. As a consequence, magnetic braking is expected to be ineffective. In this case, large size protoplanetary discs should result, which is inconsistent with recent observations. To alleviate this tension, we identified mechanisms that are capable of reducing the ambipolar resistivity during the ensuing protostellar collapse. Among them, electrostatic repulsion and grain-grain erosion feature as the most promising approaches. Conclusions. The evolution of the magnetic resistivities during the protostellar collapse and consequently the shape of the magnetic field in the early life of the protoplanetary disc strongly depends on the possibility to repopulate the small grains or to prevent their early coagulation. Therefore, it is crucial to better constrain the collision outcomes and the dust grain’s elastic properties, especially the grain’s surface energy based on both theoretical and experimental approaches.

Passive battery thermal management and thermal safety protection based on hydrated salt composite phase change materials

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are progressing towards higher energy densities, extended lifespans, and improved safety. However, battery thermal management systems are facing increased demand owing to high-rate charging and discharging, dynamic operating conditions, and heightened thermal safety concerns. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel composite phase change material (CPCM) comprising Na2SO4-10H2O as the core phase change material (PCM) and expanded graphite as the thermal conductivity enhancer. The CPCM offers high latent heat, superior thermal conductivity, and a two-stage temperature control function for battery thermal management and safety. The optimal mass CPCM ratio, determined through comprehensive characterization and thermal property tests, resulted in a melting point of 29.05°C, latent heat of 183.7 J.g−1, and high thermal conductivity of 3.926 W.m−1.K−1. During normal LIB operations, the CPCM efficiently absorbs and transfers heat, reducing the peak LIB temperature from 66 to 34°C at 15°C ambient temperature during a 3.7C high-rate discharge. Under dynamic conditions, the peak temperatures across the three cycles were consistently controlled at 36.7, 36.4, and 35.8°C, respectively. In a thermal runaway state, the thermochemical heat storage of hydrated salt dehydration effectively slowed LIB temperature increase, delaying the time to reach 130°C by 187 s. Suppression of the temperature rise outside the CPCM, combined with an extended dehydration plateau of up to 320 s, prevented the occurrence and propagation of thermal runaway in the battery.

Life Cycle Assessment of Natural Gas Production in Java Sea-East Java Province, Indonesia

Energy products including natural gas play a very important role in the context of global economic, industrial, and infrastructure development. However, it is undeniable that the production process from raw material extraction to ready-to-use products has an impact on the environment. This study was conducted to evaluate the environmental impact of natural gas production in the Kepodang field, East Java Province, Indonesia. The next objective is to analyze the magnitude and significance of the impact or hotspot analysis. The characterization results for 4 main categories show: Global Warming Potential 70.02 kg CO₂ eq, Ozone Layer Depletion 1.11E-06 kg CFC-11 eq, Acidification Potential 0.65 mol H+ eq, Marine Eutrophication 0.30 kg N eq, and Freshwater Eutrophication 2.17E-03kg P eq. The results also show that throughout the life cycle of this product, the largest contributor to environmental impacts is in the downstream phase, especially the user gas metering unit process. This is due to the 200 km of pipelines for product transportation from the Central Processing Platform (CPP) to the user gate. Pipeline parameters (Ecoinvent database) refer to long-distance pipelines with high capacity. In addition, hotspots were also identified in the core phase: gas measurement and chromatography, gas turbine generators, and flare gas.

Leveraging Higher Education in Our Age-Friendly World

ABSTRACT There is increasing interest in better understanding the connection between higher education and age-friendly community efforts. The global age-friendly community (AFC) movement calls for multi-sectoral engagement in a multi-year model encompassing four core phases (engage, plan, act, measure) to improve livability in domains of community life pertaining to the built, social, and service environment. However, there is limited empirical knowledge regarding the involvement of higher education and how it supports AFC efforts. We used qualitative inquiry to assess the engagement of U.S. institutions as reported by 80 AFCs that completed a five-year cycle of participation. We conducted directed content analysis using paired AFC action plans and progress reports (n = 56) and classified engagement using a priori indicators by higher educational core activities (teaching, research, and service), core phases (e.g. measure), and clustered domain areas (e.g. built environment). Results reveal engagement across all core activities of higher education with most efforts in research, in all areas of the AFC model with most reported in the action phase, and across all clustered domains of practice with the greatest amount identified in the social environment. We identify opportunities for greater engagement and leadership through higher education in our age-friendly world.

Heterogeneous dynamics of diffusive motion in organic ionic plastic crystal studied using spin–spin relaxation time: N,N-diethylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide

Abstract The temperature dependences of the spin–spin relaxation times (T2) of 1H and 19F nuclei were measured for N,N-diethylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide with a plastic crystal phase. In the plastic crystal phase, 2 types of T2 were observed in both 1H and 19F experiments, which were considered to be the appearance of heterogeneous dynamics of diffusive motion. By examining temperature dependences of the T2 values and the existence ratios, the following conclusions were reached. (i) The prepared plastic crystal sample was in a polycrystalline state, and each crystallite comprised 2 phases: the core phase (plastic crystal phase) and the surface phase formed to relieve surface stress. (ii) The 1H-T2 (19F-T2) values of the 2 phases differed, and ions in the surface phase were more mobile. The 1H-T2 (19F-T2) values for the 2 phases increased with temperature rise. In particular, the 1H-T2 (19F-T2) values of the surface phase were smoothly connected to the liquid T2 values. (iii) The cations and anions exhibited a cooperative diffusive motion. (iv) When the temperature was considerably lower than the melting point, the ratio of the surface phase did not significantly differ from when it first formed. However, it rapidly increased near the melting point and became liquid.

A Comprehensive Approach to Modeling Air Injection-Based Enhanced Oil Recovery Processes

Summary Modeling of air-injection-based processes for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is a challenging task, mostly due to the complexity of the chemical reactions taking place. Also, the applicability of currently available kinetic models is limited to the reservoir systems they were originally developed for. The objective of this study is to derive a general chemical reaction framework that could be used to develop a kinetic model for a variety of crude oils (i.e., light or heavy oils). The work is based on the modeling of high-pressure ramped temperature oxidation (HPRTO) experiments, and combustion tube (CT) tests, performed on two different oil systems: a volatile oil that is near critical at reservoir conditions (44 °API), and a bitumen sample (10 °API). The HPRTO test is a kinetic experiment that intends to mimic the flow conditions within the reservoir and allows the determination of kinetic parameters of the different reactions. On the other hand, the CT test is meant to provide quantitative information on the combustion performance that can be expected in the field. Therefore, a kinetic model was derived for each of the cases based on the history match of an HPRTO experiment. The resulting model was validated by history matching a CT test for each of the oils. An important feature of these experiments is that they were performed at representative reservoir pressure conditions. The modeling approach chosen is an extension of the methodology originally proposed by Belgrave et al. in 1993, which is arguably the most comprehensive kinetic model available in the air injection literature. However, their model was developed from experiments performed on Athabasca bitumen, and it fails to represent the high-pressure air injection process as it occurs in light oil reservoirs, which are typically encountered at higher pressure conditions. For example, Belgrave’s model is based on the deposition and combustion of semisolid residue commonly known as “coke,” which is rarely present during the combustion of light oils at high pressure. As in Belgrave’s model, this study also describes the original composition of the oil in terms of maltenes and asphaltenes. The main difference lies in the presence and importance of oxygen-induced cracking reactions, as well as the combustion of a liquid-vapor flammable hydrocarbon mixture that is generated by cracking and oxidation reactions, which take place in the gas phase. Also, a unique feature of these simulations is that, apart from history-matching traditional variables such as thermocouple temperatures, fluid recovery, and produced gas composition, they also capture changes in the physical properties of the produced oil, such as viscosity and density, as well as the amount of the residual phases in the post-test core. This enhancement to Belgrave’s reactions allows modeling the air injection process in cases where coke is not the main source of fuel, such as in high-pressure light oil reservoirs. This work changes a paradigm deeply rooted in the original in-situ combustion (ISC) theory, by deriving a general chemical reaction framework that is used to develop a kinetic model for two crude oils, which are at opposite ends of the density spectrum. This allows the consolidation of a new and comprehensive general theory for the description of the ISC process as applied to oil reservoirs. Moreover, as the pseudocomponents representing the fuel are not present in the original oil, the method is not limited to a fluid characterization in terms of maltenes and asphaltenes but could potentially be applied along with any type of characterization of the original oil.

High-mass star formation across the Large Magellanic Cloud

Context. The formation of massive stars passes through a so-called hot molecular core phase, where the temperature of molecular gas and dust rises to above 100 K within a size scale of approximately 0.1 pc. The hot molecular cores are rich in chemical compounds found in the gas phase, which are a great probe of ongoing star formation. Aims. To study the impact of the initial effects of metallicity (i.e., the abundance of elements heavier than helium) on star formation and the formation of different molecular species, we searched for hot molecular cores in the sub-solar metallicity environment of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Methods. We conducted Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) Band 6 observations of 20 fields centered on young stellar objects (YSOs) distributed over the LMC in order to search for hot molecular cores in this galaxy. Results. We detected a total of 65 compact 1.2 mm continuum cores in the 20 ALMA fields and analyzed their spectra with XCLASS software. The main temperature tracers are CH3OH and SO2, with more than two transitions detected in the observed frequency ranges. Other molecular lines with high detection rates in our sample are CS, SO, H13CO+, H13CN, HC15N, and SiO. More complex molecules, such as HNCO, HDCO, HC3N, CH3CN, and NH2CHO, and multiple transitions of SO and SO2 isotopologues showed tentative or definite detection toward a small subset of the cores. According to the chemical richness of the cores and high temperatures from the XCLASS fitting, we report the detection of four hot cores and one hot core candidate. With one new hot core detection in this study, the number of detected hot cores in the LMC increases to seven. Conclusions. Six out of seven hot cores detected in the LMC to date are located in the stellar bar region of this galaxy. These six hot cores show emission from complex organic molecules (COMs), such as CH3OH, CH3CN, CH3OCHO, and CH3OCH3. The only known hot core in the LMC with no detection of COMs is located outside the bar region. The metallicity in the LMC presents a shallow gradient increasing from outer regions toward the bar. Various studies emphasize the interaction between the LMC and the Small Magellanic Cloud, which resulted in the mixing and inhomogeneity of the interstellar medium of the two galaxies. These interactions triggered a new generation of star formation in the LMC. We suggest that the formation of hot molecular cores containing COMs ensues from the new generation of stars forming in the more metal-rich environment of the LMC bar.

Enhancement of mechanical properties of NbCN-Ni cermets via WC addition

In this study, the microstructural and mechanical properties of sintered NbCN-Ni cermets with various WC contents were investigated. The density and grain size of the NbCN-Ni cermets increased with an increase in the sintering temperature from 1420 to 1510 °C, whereas after WC addition, the average grain size of NbCN decreased significantly. The added WC was initially dissolved in the binder phase and then dissolved in NbCN crystals and formed a white W-rich (Nb,W)CN shell phase and gray Nb-rich (Nb,W)CN core phase structure for WC contents up to 10 wt%. Meanwhile, the formation of the shell-core structure enabled the morphology of NbCN grains to gradually change from polygonal to spherical, which can be attributed to the high solubility of WC in the Ni binder. The hardness and transverse rupture strength (TRS) of the cermets first increased and then decreased with increasing sintering temperature and WC content. At a WC content of 10 wt% and sintering temperatures of 1480 and 1450 °C, the HV10 and TRS of the cermets reached maximum values of 1405 kg/mm2 and 1280 MPa, respectively. The friction coefficient of the NbCN-Ni cermets decreased from 0.7 to 0.55–0.6 after WC addition. Hence, the cermets exhibited excellent wear resistance because the introduction of WC decreased their friction coefficient and increased their hardness.

Construction of multifunctional interface engineering on Cu‐SSZ‐13@Ce‐MnOx/Mesoporous-silica catalyst for boosting activity, SO2 tolerance and hydrothermal stability

Although small pore Cu-SSZ-13 catalysts have been successful as commercial catalysts for controlling NOx emissions from mobile sources, the challenges of high light-off temperature, SO2 tolerance and hydrothermal stability still need to be addressed. Here, we synthesized a multifunctional core-shell catalyst with Cu-SSZ-13 as the core phase and Ce-MnOx supported Mesoporous-silica (Meso-SiO2) as the shell phase via self-assembly and impregnation. The core-shell catalyst exhibited excellent low-temperature activity, SO2 tolerance and hydrothermal stability compared to the Cu-SSZ-13. The Ce-MnOx species dispersed in the shell are found to enhance both the acidic and oxidative properties of the core-shell catalyst. More critically, these species can rapidly activate NO and oxidize it to NO2, which allows the NH3-SCR reaction on the core-shell catalyst to be initiated in the shell phase. Meanwhile, Ce-MnOx species can react preferentially with SO2 as sacrifice components, effectively avoiding the sulfur inactivation of the copper active sites. Furthermore, the hydrophobic Meso-SiO2 shell provides an important barrier for the core phase, which reduces the loss of active species, acid sites and framework Al of the aged core-shell catalyst and mitigates the collapse of the zeolite framework. This work provides a new strategy for the design of novel and efficient NH3-SCR catalysts.

The velocity studies in the pure viscoelastic liquid core in displacement flow with interfacial instabilities

The velocity profiles in the core of a pure viscoelastic liquid displacing a Newtonian oil in a 500 µm microchannel were measured with micro-particle image velocimetry (µPIV) to investigate the onset of elastic turbulence. During displacement, a film of the displaced phase remains on the channel wall while interfacial instabilities develop upstream of the displacing core. Two displacing phase flow rates were investigated at 0.1 ml/min and 0.2 ml/min, corresponding to elastic Mach numbers, Ma, of 0.43 and 0.86 respectively. It was found that the velocity profiles in the streamwise and wall-normal directions are almost symmetric with respect to the centre of the core phase, apart from the case at high Ma and at the position of maximum interface deformation. Velocity fluctuations are present for the 0.2 ml/min while they are almost zero for the 0.1 ml/min, indicating the presence of elastic turbulence at large flow rate. Similarly, the calculated turbulence strengths at different directions (which make up the turbulent kinetic energy) and the Reynolds stresses have significant values at 0.2 ml/min but are almost zero at the low flow rate. In both flow rates, a circulation pattern is formed below the interfacial instability.

How P‐Wave Scattering Throughout the Entire Mantle Mimics the High‐Frequency Pdiff and Its Coda

AbstractWe document the arrival of seismic energy in the core shadow zone up to large distances beyond 150° more than 100 s prior to the core phases. Numerical simulations of the energy transport in an established heterogeneity model show that scattering throughout the entire mantle explains these observations. Diffraction at the core‐mantle boundary is unlikely in our 1–2 Hz frequency band and is not required indicating misleading terminology with reference to Pdiff for the scattered P∗P‐energy. Records of the largest deep earthquakes at low‐noise stations are key to the observation of the faint precursory signal which changes appearance with increasing distance from a coda‐like decay over a constant amplitude level around 130° to an emergent wave train. According to our simulations, different depth layers in the mantle dominate different time‐distance windows of the scattered wave train, providing the opportunity to improve the depth resolution of mantle heterogeneity models.

Predicting Emotional Experiences through Eye-Tracking: A Study of Tourists' Responses to Traditional Village Landscapes.

This study investigates the relationship between eye-tracking metrics and emotional experiences in the context of cultural landscapes and tourism-related visual stimuli. Fifty-three participants were involved in two experiments: forty-three in the data collection phase and ten in the model validation phase. Eye movements were recorded and the data were analyzed to identify correlations between four eye-tracking metrics-average number of saccades (ANS), total dwell fixation (TDF), fixation count (FC), and average pupil dilation (APD)-and 19 distinct emotional experiences, which were subsequently grouped into three categories: positive, neutral, and negative. The study examined the variations in eye-tracking metrics across architectural, historic, economic, and life landscapes, as well as the three primary phases of a tour: entry, core, and departure. Findings revealed that architectural and historic landscapes demanded higher levels of visual and cognitive engagement, especially during the core phase. Stepwise regression analysis identified four key eye-tracking predictors for emotional experiences, enabling the development of a prediction model. This research underscores the effectiveness of eye-tracking technology in capturing and predicting emotional responses to different landscape types, offering valuable insights for optimizing rural tourism environments and enhancing visitors' emotional experiences.

Single-Dye Multispectral PLIF (SDMS-PLIF) For Quantitative Thermographic Visualisation Of Nucleate Boiling

The boiling of dielectric fluids in miniaturised channels has emerged as one of the most promising solutions to high- density electronics cooling. Although significant breakthroughs have been made, a fundamental understanding of the hydrodynamic and thermal performance in relevant flows is still lacking, which calls for further development of state-of-the-art measurement techniques and their deployment for the provision of high-quality, detailed experimental information. To this end, we conducted an experimental investigation of flow boiling in a miniaturised vertical square channel with a hydraulic diameter of 5 mm, using HFE-7100 as the working fluid. A whole-field thermographic imaging approach referred to as single-dye multispectral planar laser-induced fluorescence (SDMS-PLIF) was developed and applied to measure spatiotemporally-resolved temperature fields. For its implementation, Nile Red, a thermosensitive lipophilic dye, was dissolved in HFE-7100 as a fluorophore. The measurements were taken at selected conditions to achieve a nucleate boiling regime in a laminar flow. Time-lapse temperature maps provided direct evidence for bubble-induced mixing observed as thermal plumes, where a portion of hot fluid is advected above the thermal boundary layer at the heated wall and penetrates the colder bulk phase in the flow core.

ALMA-IMF

Context. The star formation process leads to an increased chemical complexity in the interstellar medium. Sites associated with high-mass star and cluster formation exhibit a so-called hot core phase, characterized by high temperatures and column densities of complex organic molecules. Aims. We aim to systematically search for and identify a sample of hot cores toward the 15 Galactic protoclusters of the ALMA-IMF Large Program and investigate their statistical properties. Methods. We built a comprehensive census of hot core candidates toward the ALMA-IMF protoclusters based on the detection of two CH3OCHO emission lines at 216.1 GHz. We used the source extraction algorithm GExt2D to identify peaks of methyl formate (CH3OCHO) emission, a complex species commonly observed toward sites of star formation. We performed a cross-matching with the catalog of thermal dust continuum sources from the ALMA-IMF 1.3 mm continuum data to infer their physical properties. Results. We built a catalog of 76 hot core candidates with masses ranging from ~0.2 M⊙ to ~80 M⊙, of which 56 are new detections. A large majority of these objects, identified from methyl formate emission, are compact and rather circular, with deconvolved full width at half maximum (FWHM) sizes of ~2300 au on average. The central sources of two target fields show more extended, but still rather circular, methyl formate emission with deconvolved FWHM sizes of ~6700 au and 13 400 au. About 30% of our sample of methyl formate sources have core masses above 8 M⊙ and range in size from ~1000 au to 13 400 au, which is in line with measurements of archetypical hot cores. The origin of the CH3OCHO emission toward the lower-mass cores may be explained as a mixture of contributions from shocks or may correspond to objects in a more evolved state (i.e., beyond the hot core stage). We find that the fraction of hot core candidates increases with the core mass, suggesting that the brightest dust cores are all in the hot core phase. Conclusions. Our results suggest that most of these compact methyl formate sources are readily explained by simple symmetric models, while collective effects from radiative heating and shocks from compact protoclusters are needed to explain the observed extended CH3OCHO emission. The large fraction of hot core candidates toward the most massive cores suggests that they rapidly enter the hot core phase and that feedback effects from the forming protostar(s) impact their environment on short timescales.