Deposition Patterns Research Articles

Co-Delivery of a High Dose of Amphotericin B and Itraconazole by Means of a Dry Powder Inhaler Formulation for the Treatment of Severe Fungal Pulmonary Infections.

Over the past few decades, there has been a considerable rise in the incidence and prevalence of pulmonary fungal infections, creating a global health problem due to a lack of antifungal therapies specifically designed for pulmonary administration. Amphotericin B (AmB) and itraconazole (ITR) are two antifungal drugs with different mechanisms of action that have been widely employed in antimycotic therapy. In this work, microparticles containing a high dose of AmB and ITR (20, 30, and 40% total antifungal drug loading) were engineered for use in dry powder inhalers (DPIs) with an aim to improve the pharmacological effect, thereby enhancing the existing off-label choices for pulmonary administration. A Design of Experiment (DoE) approach was employed to prepare DPI formulations consisting of AmB-ITR encapsulated within γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) alongside functional excipients, such as mannitol and leucine. In vitro deposition indicated a favourable lung deposition pattern characterised by an upper ITR distribution (mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) ~ 6 µm) along with a lower AmB deposition (MMAD ~ 3 µm). This offers significant advantages for treating fungal infections, not only in the lung parenchyma but also in the upper respiratory tract, considering that Aspergillus spp. can cause upper and lower airway disorders. The in vitro deposition profile of ITR and larger MMAD was related to the higher unencapsulated crystalline fraction of the drug, which may be altered using a higher concentration of γ-CD.

Supercritical antisolvent-fluidized bed for the preparation of dry powder inhaler for pulmonary delivery of nanomedicine

The supercritical antisolvent-fluidized bed coating process (SAS-FB) shows great potential as a technique to manufacture dry powder inhaler (DPI) that incorporate nanodrugs onto micronized matrix particles, capitalizing on the merits of both nanoparticle and pulmonary delivery. In this study, naringin (NAR), a pharmacologically active flavonoid with low solubility and in vivo degradation issues, was utilized as a model active pharmaceutical ingredient to construct nanomedicine-based DPI through SAS-FB. It is showed that processed NAR exhibited a near-spherical shape and an amorphous structure with an average size of around 130 nm. Notably, SAS-FB products prepared with different fluidized matrices resulted in varying deposition patterns, particularly when mixed with a coarse lactose to enhance the fine particle fraction (FPF) of the formulations. The FPF was positively associated with specific surface area of the SAS-FB products, while the specific surface area was directly related to surface roughness and particle size. In vitro dissolution studies using simulated lung fluid revealed that the NAR nanoparticles coated on the products were released immediately upon contact with solution, with a cumulative dissolution exceeding 90% within the first minute. Importantly, compared to oral raw NAR, the optimized DPI formulation demonstrated superior in vivo plasmatic and pulmonary AUC0→∞ by 51.33-fold and 104.07-fold respectively in a Sprague-Dawley rat model. Overall, SAS- FB technology provides a practical approach to produce nanomedicine DPI product that combine the benefits of nanoparticles with the aerodynamics properties of inhaled microparticles.

Abstract 17436: A Diagnostic Copycat: Culture Negative Endocarditis of A Bioprosthetic Valve Presenting as ANCA Vasculitis

A 59-year-old female with a history of bicuspid aortic valve (AV) complicated by aortic stenosis and ascending aortic aneurysm s/p bioprosthetic AV and ascending aorta replacement presented with a 6-month history of weight loss, fatigue, and lower extremity rash. Initial laboratory workup identified anemia, leukopenia, and acute kidney injury with proteinuria and microscopic hematuria. Further workup included negative blood cultures, elevated inflammatory markers, elevated rheumatoid factor, hypocomplimentemia, and ANCA positivity (PR3 Ab positive). Biopsy of her palpable purpuric rash demonstrated vascular immune deposition pattern consistent with leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Renal biopsy revealed focal and crescentic glomerulonephritis with immune complex deposition. CT abdomen noted mesenteric lymphadenopathy with fluid surrounding the thoracic aortic graft. Surface echocardiogram showed bioprosthetic AV replacement with diffuse cusp thickening without stenosis or regurgitation. At this point, a multidisciplinary team offered a broad differential diagnosis of inflammatory vasculitis versus culture-negative endocarditis with plan for further testing. Follow-up whole-body and cardiac PET scan identified FDG-avid abnormalities involving the aortic graft and AV with hypermetabolic soft tissue thickening surrounding the aortic root. Transesophageal echocardiogram confirmed AV thickening with a 1 cm mobile echodensity. Additional serologic testing identified positive Bartonella henselae IgG (1:8192) and IgM (>1:20) titers. The final diagnosis was B. henselae prosthetic AV endocarditis and ascending aortic graft infection. She underwent repeat AV and ascending aortic graft replacement, with graft material positive for B. henselae PCR and was treated with a course of doxycycline and rifampin. B. henselae is a fastidious gram-negative bacterium that can cause culture negative endocarditis but is very rarely associated with aortic graft infection. This case highlights (1) a rare example of B. henselae aortic graft infection, (2) the difficulty in differentiating B. henselae endocarditis from inflammatory vasculitis, and (3) the importance of engaging multidisciplinary teams to solve difficult diagnostic cases.

PROVENANCE ANALYSIS OF THE RAMPONG FORMATION SANDSTONE IN THE KETUKAH AREA, GAYO LUES, ACEH

The research location is in Ketukah, Gayo Lues Aceh, which is composed of the Late Oligocene to Early Miocene Rampong Formation. Lithology includes sandstones, conglomerates, and mudstones. The study aims to determine the origin of the sandstones in the Rampong Formation. Provenance studies are beneficial in providing information for oil and gas exploration. The analysis is critical for understanding the sediment transport channel, the overall depositional pattern of the basin, and predicting the location of sand bodies in the basin. Because the Rampong Formation is located in the North Sumatra Basin, the availability of provenance information is useful in efforts to search for oil and gas potential in the future. In this research, we restrict the study to the provenance, which includes the tectonic setting, origin rock, and paleoclimate where these sandstones originate. The methods are geological mapping and petrographic analysis. In petrographic analysis, we use JMicrovision to calculate mineral composition. The results showed that the sandstones of the Rampong Formation are arenite sandstones, especially sub-arkosic and sub-lith arenite. They originate from a tectonic setting known as a recycled orogen, related to the subduction of Eurasia and the Indo-Australian plates. The sandstones were formed from granite that had undergone low metamorphism in the Late Cretaceous to the Eocene period. In addition, the paleoclimate is humid.

Heterogeneous deposition of regular and mentholated little cigar smoke in the lungs of Sprague-Dawley rats

BackgroundQuantifying the dose and distribution of tobacco smoke in the respiratory system is critical for understanding its toxicity, addiction potential, and health impacts. Epidemiologic studies indicate that the incidence of lung tumors varies across different lung regions, suggesting there may be a heterogeneous deposition of smoke particles leading to greater health risks in specific regions. Despite this, few studies have examined the lobar spatial distribution of inhaled particles from tobacco smoke. This gap in knowledge, coupled with the growing popularity of little cigars among youth, underscores the need for additional research with little cigars.ResultsIn our study, we analyzed the lobar deposition in rat lungs of smoke particles from combusted regular and mentholated Swisher Sweets little cigars. Twelve-week-old male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to smoke particles at a concentration of 84 ± 5 mg/m3 for 2 h, after which individual lung lobes were examined. We utilized Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry to quantify lobar chromium concentrations, serving as a smoke particle tracer. Our findings demonstrated an overall higher particle deposition from regular little cigars than from the mentholated ones. Higher particle deposition fraction was observed in the left and caudal lobes than other lobes. We also observed sex-based differences in the normalized deposition fractions among lobes. Animal study results were compared with the multi-path particle dosimetry (MPPD) model predictions, which showed that the model overestimated particle deposition in certain lung regions.ConclusionsOur findings revealed that the particle deposition varied between different little cigar products. The results demonstrated a heterogenous deposition pattern, with higher particle deposition observed in the left and caudal lobes, especially with the mentholated little cigars. Additionally, we identified disparities between our measurements and the MPPD model. This discrepancy highlights the need to enhance the accuracy of models before extrapolating animal study results to human lung deposition. Overall, our study provides valuable insights for estimating the dose of little cigars during smoking for toxicity research.

Detection of Beach–Dune Geomorphic Changes by Means of Satellite and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Data: The Case of Altamura Island in the Gulf of California

Although sandy islands in arid environments are vital protection sites for endemic species, they face constant natural and anthropogenic hazards, such as storm surge impacts and the occasional presence of off-road vehicles. Monitoring the sedimentary dune-beach displacement and balance is essential because sediment transportation usually does not depend on external sources, such as rivers. The latest generation of geomatic applications may be relevant to understanding coastal vulnerability due to their ability to acquire and process spatial data at unprecedented scales. The objective of this study was to analyze the sedimentary dynamics of a distinctive dune corridor on Altamura Island in the Gulf of California, Mexico. We compared three ultra-high spatial resolution digital surface models (DSMs) with geomorphic change detection (DoD), covering the 1150 m coastal stretch. We used light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data and analyzed changes in the coastline with the semi-automatic CoastSat tool. Although the orthomosaics and the DSM collected in April, June, and October 2021 show different conditions in sediment distribution along the beach-dune interface, depending on the direction and intensity of the wind, the two DoDs showed a constant sediment distribution balance of ~13 M m3 between April and June and June and October. LiDAR data along the 40-km length of the sandy island indicate that the entire island could present a similar sedimentation pattern between the dune and beach interface. The CoastSat data indicate a constant accretion of 125 m in the beach-ocean interface between 2015 and 2022. This study demonstrates that the sediment balance between the dune and the beach on arid sandy islands is vital for conserving their shoreline and all associated coastal ecosystems.

Indicators of snow reserves, runoff of melt water and water absorption in the central forest-steppe region

The article examines the indicators of snow reserves, meltwater runoff and water absorption in the central forest-steppe region. In the stationary experiment at the experimental farm of the Novosilsk Zonal Experimental Station - a branch of the Federal Scientific Center for Agroecology of the Russian Academy of Sciences – the observations were made of the main natural factors: snow deposition, freezing and soil moisture. On the drainage sites with a runoffregulating forest belts of a combined design with low-growing spirea shrubs up to 50 cm, the patterns of snow deposition were studied in order to prevent deep freezing of the soil during winters. The research has shown that low-growing shrubs contributed to the accumulation of snow cover. Before snowmelt, the slightly frozen soil, regardless of moisture, had high water absorption. In the protective forest belt, snow reserves were redistributed, which protected the soil from deep freezing. As a result of three years of observations, the surface runoff of melt water in 2018 on the control areas was weak - 11.8 mm, and on other agricultural areas with a combined runoff-regulating forest belt - very weak (6.2-7.5 mm), i.e., almost 2 times less [9] In 2019 and 2020, there was no spring runoff in all variants. Thus, the weakly frozen soil contributed to the seepage of all melt water into the underlying horizons. Water absorption in 2019 is 110.0-127.0 mm, and in 2020 – 34.0-67.0 mm. No soil washout or erosion was observed during the snowmelt period. A runoff-regulating forest belt of a combined design with lowgrowing bushes contributed to snow accumulation and its redistribution, protecting the soil from deep freezing. The effectiveness of protective forest belts, as well as the redistribution of snow reserves, is closely related to the placement of forest plantations relative to the prevailing directions of snowstorm winds. It is also necessary to take into account other factors (precipitation, the presence of thaws, agricultural background, design, qualitative composition of forest plantations, etc.) The prevailing weather conditions of past winters contributed to the accumulation of snow and the absorption of moisture into the soil. This was also facilitated by the correct location of protective forest belts. Knowing the patterns of the main natural factors, it is possible to control the erosion-hydrological process. The work was carried out within the framework of the state assignment of the Federal Scientific Center for Agroecology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, № FNFE-2022-0012 “Theoretical foundations of the erosion-hydrological process in watersheds, and conceptual directions, ways and principles of creating highly effective environmentally friendly systems for managing this process in order to completely prevent soil erosion.”

Clinical Significance of IgM and C3 Immunofluorescence Deposition Patterns in Patients with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

Clinical Significance of IgM and C3 Immunofluorescence Deposition Patterns in Patients with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

Review on erosion phenomenon, maintenance, and financial calculation of lifetime as an asset for Pelton turbines

Prevention of greenhouse emissions is the top priority for all countries, which urges them to switch to renewable energy as much as possible. Hydropower is one of the renewables that have high flexibility and at the same time compatibility to be used with any other renewable sources. Moreover, hydropower plants operating in the Himalayas, Andes, and Alps are facing operational challenges due to the high concentration of sediment loads in rivers. Although the arrangement of traditional sediment control mechanisms like dams and sand traps, the erosion tendency of hydro-turbine components operating in this sediment-laden water increases with the increased concentration of sediments. Much past research has been directed towards understanding sediment behaviors, investigation of flow, and effect of concentration, shape, and size, especially with Francis turbines. However, there are very fewer studies regarding sediment erosion and flow behavior in the case of the Pelton turbine. Hence, delving deeper into the flow characteristics, sediment behavior, and performance of the Pelton turbine is important to better understand the flow and sediment pattern of these types of turbines. The paper consists of the evaluation of studies conducted on the flow pattern in the Pelton turbine buckets and its validation with the numerical analysis models using image processing. It is being used in the Waterpower Laboratory at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NTNU. This paper also evaluates the scope of investigations about erosion by sediments in Pelton buckets using image analysis and state-of-the-art technology in the hydropower sector. In addition, a review is done about the predictability of erosion based on the measurements of the quantity of sediments that passes through the turbine. This research paper can build a background for quantifying sediment erosion in Pelton turbines with a certain degree of error, which can be utilized as a reference in future studies. The life cycle estimation of a turbine is also analyzed with the consideration of its location and financial return requirements together with the type of maintenance that it may have and the repair that is foreseen, in the case of a non-coated surface.

Patterns and drivers of atmospheric inorganic nitrogen deposition in Northeast Asia

Elevated nitrogen (N) deposition due to intensified emissions of NH3 and NOx is a global problem with profound consequences on living organisms and the environment. Although N emission rates are currently considered to be high in East Asia, reports on the current N deposition level and composition are still limited, especially in northeastern China, where official N deposition monitoring sites are unavailable. This limits our understanding of the spatio-temporal N deposition patterns and their influencing factors at regional to continental scales. Here, we used data collected mostly during 2019 at 38 sites, comprising 7 sites in northeastern China and 31 EANET (Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia) sites in middle and east Russia, Mongolia, central and southern China, South Korea and Japan to explore the spatial-seasonal variations and drivers of ammonium and nitrate deposition across the Northeast Asia. Total bulk inorganic N (TIN) deposition was 3.7–24.5 kg N ha−1 yr−1 and NH4+-N/NO3−-N ratio in the TIN was 0.8–2.8 in northeastern China. The bulk/wet TIN deposition averaged 7.5 kg N ha−1 yr−1 (predominantly in the form of ammonium-N: NH4+-N/NO3−-N = 1.4) over the Northeast Asia region, with the highest rates being observed in northeastern China (11.6), as well as central and southern China (10.7), followed by east Russia, South Korea and Japan (5.6), and the lowest in middle Russia and Mongolia (1.5). This regional bulk/wet TIN deposition level is about twice of the wet TIN deposition level in Europe and the United States. The TIN deposition in summer and spring was 45–467% higher than in autumn and winter. Out of the ten land uses considered, only agricultural and urban land uses significantly positively correlated with NH4+-N and NO3−-N deposition rates across all monitored sites. This study suggests that the ongoing agricultural and urban expansions are likely to enhance N deposition and its associated effects across global ecosystems.

Timing of gully development in a structurally controlled badland landscape, western Turkey

The development of badlands at a global scale has become an increasingly relevant research topic in various earth science disciplines with respect to climate change and extensive erosion over the past few decades. Not only understanding badland forming processes but also investigating the potential causes and timing of badlands at a spatio-temporal scale is of great importance to unravel the genesis of badlands. To address these key aspects, this work focuses on a multi-method study in a Mediterranean badland landscape, Kula Badlands, western Turkey, exposed in two tributary catchments of the Gediz river. The Kula Badlands is recognised with its dense gully network deeply incised into fine grain and weakly consolidated Miocene and Quaternary sediments. These badlands are known to have developed within the extensional tectonic regime of a mini-graben system. However, the genesis, timing and incision history of the gully and badland development of the Kula Badlands require further investigation. In this work, timing and behaviour of gully erosion and sedimentation are studied with age control using appropriate luminescence and radiocarbon dating methods combined with geological and geomorphological observations. Sedimentation pattern and age results demonstrate a staircase-like form resembling river terraces in badland gullies. Sediment burial ages of badland deposits show an estimated age range of 140 ka to 0.5 ka. An accelerated incision is observed during the mid-Holocene with alternating erosion and sedimentation waves in response to upstream erosion. This period coincides with increased human activity in the area. Although, an apparent link between the timing of the preserved deposition and climate change could not be observed. A volcanic damming and subsequent breaching, and an interplay between tectonics and climate are likely to have triggered and accelerated the badland erosion and sedimentation activity within the spatial gully network pattern along the fault lines.

Geomorphic evolution of the craton-derived Sone megafan in the southern Ganga plain, India: A tectono-climatic interplay

The Ganga plain neotectonics has been studied from surface and sub-surface faults, frequent geomorphic readjustment, changing sedimentation pattern, piedmont progradation, pedological variation, and frequent earthquake occurrences. However, being neotectonically stable, the peninsular region’s geomorphic changes are governed by climatic fluctuations, contributing to the Ganga plain’s sedimentation. Therefore, peripheral craton sourced marginal alluvial deposits in the Ganga basin are appropriate features to study the control of both the Himalayan tectonics and climate of core peninsular region away from their respective source areas. This study uses a process-response approach model to describe the geomorphic development of the Sone megafan, located at the marginal part of the Ganga plain to the south of the Ganga River, bordering the Indian craton.Geomorphological mapping, field investigation of the depositional features, soil profiles, and Optical Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) chronology suggest four phases of geomorphic evolution, i.e., in 22–8 Ka, 8.0 Ka–7.3 Ka, 7.3 Ka–2.4 Ka, and 2.4 Ka–0.5 Ka on the Sone megafan. The different evolutionary phases are marked by channel and floodplain abandonment and soil profile development. The megafan surface is divided into four distinct geomorphic units (OdSP – Oldest Sone Plain, OSP – Old Sone Plain, YSP – Young Sone Plain, and AFP – Active Floodplain) based on OSL ages and soil properties. Geomorphology and soil suggest a mixed climate in the source and sink area. The arid climate in the catchment contributed to the sediment production, and the humid climate promoted its transport, which resulted in the largest depositional unit of the megafan, even during the arid period in the Ganga basin. Contrast to the north of the Ganga River, no surface faults are found on the Sone megafan. However, the tectonic activity of the bounded basement faults, i.e., the East and the West Patna faults, are well pronounced in the sediment distribution and fluvial response. Tilting and twisting the fault-bounded block controls the sediment remobilization in space and time. Thus, the climatic fluctuation in the source, the sink, and the activity of the basement faults, propelled by the Himalayan tectonics, contributed to the Sone megafan’s geomorphic evolution. Two events of the Ganga River’s encroachment at the distal part of the Sone megafan were recorded (2.4 ± 0.14 and 1.3 ± 0.16 ka). The correlation between OSL ages of megafan units, climatic fluctuations in the Sone River’s catchment, and established time windows of tectonic episodes in the Ganga basin has also been investigated. As the Sone and the Gandak megafans rest on the same tectonic blocks, their tectono-geomorphic responses to the Himalayan neotectonics are similar.

Proof-of-Principle of Absolute Dosimetry Using an Absorbed Dose Portable Calorimeter with Laser-Driven Proton Beams

Charged particle beams driven to ultra-high dose rates (UHDRs) have been shown to offer potential benefits for future clinical applications, particularly in the reduction of normal-tissue toxicity. Studies of the so-called FLASH effect have shown promise, generating huge interest in high dose rate radiation studies. With laser-driven proton beams, where the duration of the proton burst delivered to a sample can be as short as hundreds of picoseconds, the instantaneous dose rates are several orders of magnitude higher than those used for conventional radiotherapy. The dosimetry of these beam modalities is not trivial, with conventional active detectors, such as ionisation chambers, experiencing saturation effects making them unusable at the extremely high dose rates. Calorimeters, measuring the radiation-induced temperature rise in an absorber, offer an ideal candidate for the dosimetry of UHDR beams. However, their application in the measurement of laser-driven UHDR beams has so far not been trialled, and their effective suitability to work with the quasi-instantaneous and inhomogeneous dose deposition patterns and the harsh environment of a laser-plasma experiment has not been tested. The measurement of the absorbed dose of laser-driven proton beams was conducted in a first-of-its-kind investigation, employing the VULCAN-PW laser system of the Central Laser Facility (CLF) at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL), using a small-body portable graphite calorimeter (SPGC) developed at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and radiochromic films. A small number of shots were recorded, with the corresponding absorbed dose measurements resulting from the induced temperature rise. The effect of the electromagnetic pulse (EMP) generated during laser–target interaction was assessed on the system, showing no significant effects on the derived signal-to-noise ratio. These proof-of-principle tests highlight the ability of calorimetry techniques to measure the absorbed dose for laser-driven proton beams.

Effects of fiber layout on strength and failure of 3D printed notched composites

This study investigates the effect of printing strategies on the strength of additively manufactured notched fiber reinforced composite specimens. Specimens with varying notch geometries (two radii and two opening angles) and fiber layouts (unreinforced, unidirectional, quasi-isotropic and concentric) were 3D printed and tested under tension. Digital image correlation provided surface strain field data. Results showed that fiber deposition patterns significantly impact notch sensitivity, failure loads and mechanisms, with notch geometry being of secondary importance. The unidirectional layout achieved the highest strength but with progressive failure, while quasi-isotropic specimens failed abruptly from the notch. The concentric layout shielded the notch region but induced premature failure away from the notch due to transverse stress. Stress concentration factor approaches, which work well for conventional laminates, have limitations for 3D printed composites due to local differences and complex interactions. Optimizing fiber deposition, instead of geometry, emerges as a promising design route. Combining unidirectional and contouring algorithms may improve performance. However, further studies utilizing multiscale modelling and local failure analyses are needed to fully understand failure mechanisms and guide optimal notch designs for 3D printed composites. With improved understanding and design methods, 3D printing promises to unlock new possibilities for structurally efficient notched composite parts.

Autogenic and allogenic controls on turbidite lobe stacking pattern and architecture: The case of the Turonian to Coniacian deep‐water turbidite lobe complexes (Dønna Terrace, offshore Mid‐Norway)

ABSTRACTThe mechanisms controlling the stacking patterns of deep‐water turbidite lobes are currently open to a wide range of interpretations. A study of Turonian to Coniacian turbidite lobe complexes in the greater Marulk area (Dønna Terrace, Norwegian Sea) was undertaken to examine the balance and respective influences of various controlling factors using a large sediment core, well‐log and seismic dataset. A four‐tiered lobe hierarchy is described based on a detailed sedimentological study of three Cretaceous turbidite lobe systems, involving a variety of sedimentary processes and flow regimes. The inferred depositional stacking patterns were then used to identify autogenic and allogenic forcings on the large‐scale depositional architecture of turbidite lobes. Autogenic processes (best observed in core data) control the self‐regulation of sediment dispersal and the broad evolution of lobe sub‐environments. Conversely, allogenic forcings (best observed in well‐log data) regulate axial migration within the turbidite lobe succession, and control sediment pulses and ultimately the general evolutionary trend of the turbidite lobe complex. Beyond this, an updated approach is proposed here aiming at deciphering autogenic‐dominant and allogenic‐dominant processes at different hierarchical levels in both confined and unconfined turbidite lobe deposits, which may help with assigning appropriate inputs for geomodels for an improved understanding of the internal and external controls on lobe depositional architecture. It is advocated that this approach may eventually be used in other depositional systems, such as in deltaic complexes from coastal settings, both in actual and ancient sediments.

A novel methodology for water-sensitive papers analysis focusing on the segmentation of overlapping droplets to better characterize deposition pattern

Water-sensitive papers (WSPs), as an artificial target, have been generally used to evaluate spray quality in pesticide applications. Though many tools were available to analyze WSPs, they were not effective in processing the presented overlapping droplets, which prevented accurate quantification of spray quality. Here, a novel methodology was proposed to analyze WSPs, focusing on the segmentation of overlapping droplets based on concave point detection and ellipse fitting. Up to 553 WSPs obtained from field trials in apple trees were used to validate this methodology. A high overall segmentation accuracy of 77.8% was achieved for the WSPs with coverage below 25%, which allowed to precisely characterize the corresponding deposition pattern. A universal linear relationship was observed between the droplet density and coverage, independent of the sprayer and canopy characteristics. In addition, the droplet size distributions for all spray applications showed a similar trend. As the proposed methodology was not effective to segment the complex overlapping spots on the WSP with high coverage (>25%), simulated WSPs were generated to estimate the deposition pattern of high coverage based on the droplet size distribution deposited on the WSPs with low coverage. A linear relationship with a much higher slope was observed between droplet density and coverage for the high deposition, which enabled an approximate estimation of the corresponding droplet density. In general, the proposed approaches allowed to obtain more accurate spray quality indicators from the WSP collectors and could be widely used for spray application evaluation to promote precision spraying.

Sedimentary sequence and evolutionary characteristics of the rift system of Neoproterozoic Nanhua System and Doushantuo Formation: A case study from the northeastern margin of Sichuan Basin

Neoproterozoic strata are widely developed in the Upper Yangtze region of South China, among which the Sinian Dengying Formation has been discovered with numerous large gas fields in the Sichuan Basin, and hence they have become an essential domain for natural gas exploration and development. The early‐to‐middle Neoproterozoic Nanhua System and Doushantuo Formation are characterized by rifting deposits in the northeastern margin of Sichuan Basin, but their depositional succession and sequence architectures are still unclear, which has largely restricted our understanding of the resource potential of these strata. In this paper, based on the outcrops of the Neoproterozoic Nanhua System and Doushantuo Formation in the northeastern margin of Sichuan Basin, we describe the stratigraphic distribution and sedimentary evolutionary characteristics, and establish the regional stratigraphic framework, sedimentary cycle and evolutionary sequence of the Nanhua System and Doushantuo Formation. The results show that the lithology of the Nanhua System and Doushantuo Formation is primarily composed of conglomerate, conglomeratic sandstone, medium‐fine sandstone, siltstone, mudstone, shale and tillite; a variety of sedimentary facies including alluvial fan, river, delta, coastal shore, shelf, basin and tillite were developed; five third‐order sequences could be identified, representing multiple cycles of marine transgression and regression. The climate during the deposition of the Nanhua System and Doushantuo Formation underwent from a warm and humid pre‐glacial period through cold and arid multiple glacial periods to a warm and humid interglacial period, which consequently formed a sedimentary sequence of alluvial fan and fluvial delta to tillite during the early period, shelf basin to tillite during the middle period and slope basin to delta facies during the late period. In terms of a plan view, the depositional pattern is composed of alluvial fans and deltas at the proximal part of the rift, deep‐water shelf to slope at the middle part of the rift and slope to basin facies at the central part of the rift. Finally, we propose that large‐scale distribution of high‐quality source rocks developed in the interglacial Datangpo and Doushantuo formations, while fluvial‐deltaic reservoirs occurred in the Gucheng, Nantuo and Doushantuo formations, thus showing favourable resource potential and exploration prospects within the Sichuan Basin.

Palynological response deduced through spatially distinct surface samples to reconstruct palaeoecology and palaeoclimate of the Barak Valley, Assam (Indo-Burma region), northeast India

Establishing modern pollen analogues under various vegetation types in a location is necessary without which it is difficult to accurately interpret fossil pollen assemblages in any region in terms of the past environment and palaeoclimate. We have analysed the modern pollen dataset of 30 surface soil and sediment samples from the forested, cropland, wetland and river sites of the Karimganj District in south Assam, to comprehend the connection between the recent pollen assemblage and the vegetation patterns in the Barak Valley. The overall pollen data reflect the tropical moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forest comprising Syzygium, Schleichera, Terminalia, Lagerstroemia, Duabanga, Sapotaceae, Ilex, Mesua and Schima under a warm and humid climate in response to rainfall variations in the region. The presence of Euphorbiaceae and Convolvulaceae inferred high monsoonal activity in and around the region. A robust relationship between local herbaceous vegetation and pollen was observed. The steady occurrence of cereal pollen (average 18.67%) along with other cultural pollen taxa like Brassicaceae, Coriandrum and Solanaceae illustrate intense agricultural activity around the valley areas. Multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) and box plot were applied to the quantified data obtained from pollen frequency analyses of the surface samples which clearly revealed a significant variation and similarity in vegetation types. Thus, an attempt has been commenced to precisely observe the behavioural pattern of modern pollen deposition in a varied depositional setting, which could, in turn, help in assessing the expanse of agricultural practices and the depth of deterioration of pristine forests and surrounding areas. This modern training dataset could also help in the precise reconstruction of past climate and vegetation shifts in the Barak Valley region. A correlation of regional palynodata with other regions of the Indian subcontinent and Indo-Burma will also be assessed for better interpretation.

Significance of site-specific factors to peat accumulation indicated by differences in Holocene histories of dust delivery and peat deposition at two neighboring locations in the Altai Mountains, northwestern China

Peatlands can archive exceptional paleoenvironmental histories of dust delivery because of their uninterrupted and elevated accumulation rates, yet long-term records of dust deposition and its effect on peat accumulation are rare in the arid and semiarid Asian regions that can be major dust sources. We present here high-resolution Holocene peat accumulation and paleodust records from the Tielishahan (TLSH) and Halashazi (HLSZ) peatlands in the Altai Mountains of northwestern China. We find that although the two peatlands share common histories of external climate forcing and dust delivery, they have significantly different long-term rates of peat accumulations. Peat deposition initiated ~2 kyr earlier in the HLSZ peatland than in the TLSH peatland, exhibiting higher peat accumulation rates and greater mineral dust fluxes during the early Holocene, but it has constantly smaller values from the mid-Holocene to the present. The TLSH peatland has a higher peat accumulation rate and mineral dust flux during the early Holocene, lower values during the mid-Holocene, and increasing values during the latest Holocene. The elemental proxies in the two peat cores indicate that atmospheric deposition is the major factor in controlling delivery of mineral elements in HLSZ peatland, whereas elemental delivery in the TLSH peat record is affected by both the regional atmospheric dust flux and the water table under this sequence.We also find that peat accumulation is closely related to mineral dust deposition, as most Asian locations generally share similar patterns in long-term peat accumulation and dust deposition. We postulate that increased aridity in the dust sources of arid central Asia and stronger westerly winds induced by negative NAO variations are key drivers on greater dust deliveries. We further postulate that local factors, such as site-specific differences in permafrost thawing, the areas of the peatlands, and their hydrology are the main reasons for the asynchronous Holocene histories of these two neighboring peatlands. These local factors should be considered when interpreting long-term paleoclimate records from rates of peat accumulation and paleodust delivery.

Observation of a volatile astatine hydroxide species in online gas-adsorption thermochromatography experiments

During recent online gas-phase experiments with the transactinide elements copernicium (Cn, Z = 112) and flerovium (Fl, Z = 114), the transport of a volatile astatine species was observed. Comprehensive Monte Carlo simulations of the deposition pattern of 211At on the given quartz, selenium, and gold chromatographic surfaces were carried out, and the corresponding adsorption enthalpies were estimated. Based on the astatine speciation from previous model experiments, the compound observed in this work was ascribed to AtOH/HAtO. The herein presented results assist in paving the way toward a future chemical characterization of tennessine (Ts, Z = 117) with similar gas adsorption chromatography techniques.