Elements Of System Research Articles

Cyclodextrin-Containing Drug Delivery Systems and Their Applications in Neurodegenerative Disorders

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are ubiquitous excipients, constituted of cyclic glucopyranose units, and possess a unique dual nature, that of a hydrophobic interior and a hydrophilic exterior. This enables their interaction with lipid-affinitive compounds and hydrophilic compounds, thereby augmenting their application in pharmaceutical formulations as agents for improving solubility, as well as fundamental elements of advanced drug delivery systems. Additionally, CDs, upon suitable modification, can strategically participate in the interaction with cellular components and physical barriers, such as the blood–brain barrier, where their intricate and multifunctional engagement leads to various biological impacts. This review consolidates the crucial features of CDs and their derivatives, and summarizes the applications of them as drug delivery systems in neurodegenerative disorders, emphasizing their notable potentials.

Alternative Solution for Towing Systems Used in the Automotive Industry

This paper aims, in the context of the need to reduce the weight and price of vehicles, to present theoretical and experimental results regarding towing systems made of alternative materials (fibrous composite materials and aluminum alloys). The study of the main element of the whole system, namely towbar research, was stressed, presenting comparative results. The FEM will be used to obtain the stress and strain field in the towball and the towing system. The experimental tests validate the theoretical results obtained. This paper studies five towing systems made by different materials and finally presents a series of practical recommendations, useful in the industry, regarding the improvement of the analyzed models.

Системи перерозподілення транспортних потоків. Транспортні розв'язки. Застосовувані терміни

Summary Introduction. In the introduction to the paper, the common questions concerning the assurance of the terminological congruence of national standards’ provisions, when being harmonized, with provisions of regional or international standards were outlined and also important sources of appropriate regional information in the sector of the transport infrastructure were identified. Problem statement. The issue of the paper concerns terminological matter in the domain of definitions for the interchange systems on motor roads peculiarly those constituting international traffic arteries and for elements of such systems. Purpose. The paper is aimed on the analysis of scientific sources and provisions of the EU regulatory acts to state the problems and develop the propositions concerning initial points for the enlargement of the structure of terminology relating the interchange systems on motor roads constituting international traffic arteries.

Cretaceous Petroleum System Elements in the Komombo Basin, Egypt

The petroleum system elements in the Komombo Basin have not yet been fully assessed. This study aims to evaluate source rocks, reservoirs, and seals within the basin by integrating 2D seismic profiles, and well logs together with geochemical, core, and petrophysical data. Four source rocks are identified within the Cretaceous shale intervals of the B member of the Six Hills, upper Maghrabi, Quseir, and Dakhla formations. The quality of the B member, upper Maghrabi, and Quseir source rocks is good to very good, while the Dakhla Formation demonstrates good to excellent quality. Geochemical characteristics vary across the basin, with higher kerogen quality and thermal maturity observed in the depocenter compared to the flanks. Four reservoirs are recognized in the basin, including the A member, C member, sandstones within D-G members of the Six Hills, and Sabaya-Maghrabi formations. The A member reservoir demonstrates moderate reservoir quality, while the C member reservoir displays fair quality. Numerous sandstones with 15-25% porosity values are observed within the D-G members. The Sabaya-Maghrabi reservoir generally exhibits good to very good quality and is characterized by high porosity and varying permeability. Due to their high organic matter content, the Dakhla and Quseir formations show potential as unconventional reservoirs. Several shale units within the Komombo Basin serve as potential seal rocks. These include the B member of the Six Hills, Abu Ballas, upper Maghrabi, and Taref formations, as well as intra-formational shales within the reservoir rocks. Seismic interpretation indicates faults are the predominant trapping mechanism in the basin.

Evolution of the Concepts of “Financial Architecture” and “Financial Architectonics”

The development of financial markets and institutions has led to the complexity of financial systems, which in turn requires new approaches to their analysis and management. In this context, the concepts of “financial architecture” and “financial architectonics” are of particular importance. However, despite the widespread use of these terms in the scientific literature, their interpretation is often ambiguous and controversial. The purpose of the study is to examine the evolution of the essence of the concepts of “financial architecture” and “financial architectonics”, to identify their differences and interrelationships, and to formulate own definitions of these terms, taking into account modern approaches and trends in financial science. To achieve this goal, a number of theoretical methods were used, namely: monographic - for reviewing scientific publications related to the concepts of “financial architecture” and “financial architectonics”; comparative analysis - to identify the differences and common features between the concepts of “financial architecture” and “financial architectonics”, which allowed to formulate the main characteristics and relationships between these definitions; the method of systematic approach - to study the relationships between the elements of the financial system and their structuring, which allowed to consider financial architecture and financial architectonics as integrated concepts with certain characteristics and interactions; the method of historical analysis - to study the evolution of the concepts of “financial architecture” and “financial architectonics”, which allowed to trace changes in the definitions and approaches to these terms in the context of the development of financial science; the method of conceptual modeling - based on the generalization of the data obtained and the analysis of current trends in the financial sector, the author proposed her own definitions of the concepts of “financial architecture” and “financial architectonics”. Financial architecture is defined as a structured model that covers the regulation and management of financial components at the macro-, meso-, and micro-levels of the economic system, and financial architectonics is defined as a comprehensive concept that reflects the structure and interrelationships between the elements of the financial system. The distinction between these concepts allows for a deeper understanding of various aspects of financial management. Financial architectonics offers a broader view of the financial system, taking into account complex interrelationships and dynamic processes, while financial architecture focuses on specific structural components and their regulation.

Sustainable transportation infrastructure in Indian cities of different size-class: towards a research and policy agenda

Owing to the fact that the planning and management of urban transportation systems are convoluted ventures, a sound number of cities in India, especially those lacking strong institutional and financial means – principally small and medium-sized cities – have become incapable of efficiently addressing their transportation challenges. Drawing on a pan-India comparative research on 54 cities, the present study well-demonstrates a previously undetected relationship between size-class of Indian cities and their existing state of sustainable transport infrastructure development. The results speak in accordance with the notion that betterment in non-motorized and public transit infrastructure is typically associated with increasing size of cities. Accordingly, this research argues that with regard to the production of knowledge in the field of urban transportation and associated policymaking, academicians and planners can rethink and branch out the understanding of transport sustainability beyond big-metropolises of the country. This study, therefore, enunciates in support of the need for a small and medium-sized city-based research and policy agenda that can focus on eliminating the ‘sizism’ which has conventionally influenced urban theory and policymaking in India and has led to the condition of such cities as the least understood and perhaps least studied element of urban and regional transport systems.

Numerical Simulation of “Submachinegun - Grenade Launcher” Dynamic System

In modern small arms, one of the most important technical characteristics is the survivability of barrel, which greatly affects the competitiveness of the product on the market. The task of increasing the survivability of the barrel of automatic small arms has not yet lost its relevance. Based on the modern nature of combat and the multitasking of combat operations, complexes of manual automatic weapons with the use of various external devices, such as sighting devices of various designs, under-barrel grenade launchers, low-noise shooting devices, etc., are currently being developed on the basis of a single reference sample. When designing new samples, several approximated mathematical models are currently used, that do not take into account the impact of external devices on the dynamic and oscillatory processes occurring during firing from modern hand-held automatic weapons. This article describes a physical and mathematical model of the dynamic interaction of an under-barrel grenade launcher and small arms (submachine gun), demonstrates a computational mathematical model for different types and methods of securing a device such as an under-barrel grenade launcher. The optimal computational model is revealed, allowing to describe the dynamic process of interaction of the system elements in the numerical simulation of the shot. Advantages and disadvantages have been identified, on the basis of which the goals and objectives of further work have been determined, consisting in studying the influence of external devices on the parameters of the barrel of automatic small arms, in order to improve the operational, tactical and technical characteristics of automatic small arms systems based on the development of a numerical and analytical approach, and a modular mathematical model of automatic small arms weapons.

Rethinking Scale-Up of Rehabilitation for Chronic Disease in Low-Resource Settings: Embracing Complexity for Contextual Impact.

As the burden of chronic disease and multiple long-term conditions is increasing globally, disproportionally affecting those in low-resourced settings, there is an increasing call to action to scale effective models of care that can assist in mitigating the impact of chronic disease on functioning, activity, societal participation, and health-related quality of life. The aim of this paper is to unpack the contextual factors that have been implicitly and explicitly voiced by researchers reporting on rehabilitation interventions used to manage chronic disease in low-resourced settings. We systematically engaged the literature and applied a reflexive qualitative and systems thinking lens to unpack the contextual factors and their interplay. A total of 40 different contextual factors were derived through an iterative analysis of 144 eligible articles. The identified factors could be packaged into nine system elements or subsystems relevant to the scale-up of rehabilitation for people with chronic disease. The complexity identified encourages a focus on innovative and intersectoral approaches to address the rehabilitation needs in low-resourced settings.

Critical review on effective utilization of 5R technique in life cycle management of lithium ion battery

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are essential elements of electric vehicles and many energy storage systems. Automobile industry has leaded the way to the growth of the transportation industry. This growth has been greatly hampered due to environmental pollution, fossil fuel crisis, and growing injurious effects on individual wellbeing. The environment, and particularly air quality, is worsening as a result of uncontrolled urban growth and development Its utilization is increasing day-by-day with more number of battery-powered vehicles on road. Vehicle electrification has been studied as a possible solution to the problem of climate change for decades. Electrification of transportation is supported all over the world to reduce atmospheric air pollutant emissions, greenhouse gas emissions, and depletion of fossil fuels. Many predictions in recent years have expected widespread adoption of electric vehicles which would mostly be fuelled by lithium-ion batteries due to their high energy and power density and extended cycle life. In present work is, critical review on recycling techniques of LIBs extraction of precious material content and 5R technique has been discussed along with systematic approach for life cycle management of LIBs.

APD: An automated parameter determination system based on in-situ tests

In-situ testing has numerous applications in geotechnical engineering. The interpretation of in-situ test results includes soil stratification and determination of soil parameters. This paper presents an automated parameter determination framework that aims to determine constitutive model parameters based on in-situ tests. The ongoing research project relies on a graph-based approach for determining the parameters. The framework has two main attributes: transparency and adaptability. Transparency is achieved by illustrating how a certain parameter was computed. Adaptability is ensured by allowing users to incorporate their expertise into the framework. The system currently determines parameters based on three main workflows that utilize the results of cone penetration tests, dilatometer tests, and shear wave velocity measurements. This study employs the three main workflows to determine soil parameters for one of the Norwegian GeoTest Sites. Additionally, the connection between the parameter determination system and finite element analysis is discussed, where the parameters for the Modified Cam Clay model are evaluated. The framework is valuable in the early stages of projects, providing detailed soil information when soil data is limited. Ongoing research aims to assess the accuracy of the derived soil and constitutive model parameters and to expand the system’s capabilities by including additional in-situ tests.

Probabilistic safety analysis of the large primary circuit leakages accident scenarios in the VVER-reactor

Probabilistic safety analysis of the loss of coolant accidents in the VVER-type reactor plant has been performed taking into account the internal initiating events of the reactor primary circuit large leakages. Swedish program code RiskSpectrum PSA was used for probabilistic safety analysis. Logical probabilistic models of the accident scenarios of the large primary circuit leakages in the VVER-type reactor were developed taking into account different operation modes of the power plant unit. Critical paths and probabilities of the accident scenarios occurrence of the large leakages were identified. The critical path of development of the reactor primary circuit large leakages accident with large leakages of 140–346 mm diameters is the accident sequence with a leak in the pipeline to the reactor pressurizer vessel. It has been established that the greatest contribution to the failure of safety functions during this initiating event is made by the failures due to common causes of the supporting systems (cooling and ventilation systems), critical consumers cooling circuit, emergency injection system. The critical path of the accident with large leakages of 346–850 mm diameters is the accident sequence with the rupture of any of the four primary circuit loops. The greatest contribution to the failure of safety functions during this initiating event is made by the failures due to common causes of the emergency injection system elements. Based on the accident analysis, recommendations for increase of performance reliability of safety functions during the large leakages accidents under all operation states of the nuclear power plant unit were given. In order to increase reliability of safety systems, it is necessary to eliminate failures due to common causes of equipment, increase the reliability of operation of supporting systems, change the maintenance and checking equipment procedures.

Rapid diagnosis of proportional valve pilot stage stiction fault via dynamic model-based temporal features

As the key flow control elements in modern mechatronic systems, electrohydraulic proportional valves determine the total system operating status. Due to effects such as mechanical wear, micro scale particles may accumulate in the oil and eventually cause stiction in the valve spool. Therefore, early prognosis of valve faults via spool displacement sensing is critical for efficient and economical operations. However, the spool stiction is difficult to measure due to the fully enclosed design of valves, excluding the possible sensor installation options. Traditionally, the sensor-less fault diagnosis is done by machine learning to classify the features extracted using frequency domain methods, which can be time consuming and the trained model is computationally too heavy for the onboard controller. In this paper, a light-weight spool stiction diagnosis method is proposed, where time-series features extracted from coil current signals as well as spool dynamics can be used to quantitively determine the stiction severeness. A hardware-in-the-loop test bed is designed to perform valve spool stiction simulating experiments, and a piloted operated solenoid proportional valve is selected as the validation target. A three-layer regression neural network is established as the baseline. Initial results show the proposed model can detect spool stiction at various degrees, which accuracies are on par with the baseline neural network but nearly three orders of magnitude faster.

The Relevance of Kwame Nkrumah’s Education for Pan-Africanism in Decolonizing the Nigerian Educational System.

It is often contended that the system of education which the colonial masters brought to Nigeria was not entirely for the good of the citizens. It was a system of education that was meant to serve the colonialists without adding any meaning to the individual. The formulators of Nigerian Educational system, instead of formulating a unique policy of education that integrates our indigenous African educational system with essential elements from colonial education system, still continued with the structures of colonial elements which are not of great benefits to the Nigerian educational system like, the use of the English language as mode of communication in schools, the acceptance and inclusion of the Colonizers’ cultures and religion in the curriculum with the neglect of the indigenous cultures and religions, the too much emphasis on theoretical academic certification rather than merging both the theoretical and practical technical knowledge together for better development. This article presupposes the relevance of Kwame Nkrumah’s Education for Pan-Africanism in Decolonizing the Nigerian Educational System. It acknowledges the legacy of Nkrumah’s education for Pan-Africanism and contends that it can be used as a paradigm in recommending ways of decolonizing the Nigerian educational system. The article contends that with Nkrumah’s education for Pan-Africanism we can remove the colonial educational elements in the Nigerian Educational system that neither edify the indigenous educational system nor efficiently address the needs and problems of the people of Nigeria.

The Effects of Omeprazole on the Neuron-like Spiking of the Electrical Potential of Proteinoid Microspheres.

This study examines a new approach to hybrid neuromorphic devices by studying the impact of omeprazole-proteinoid complexes on Izhikevich neuron models. We investigate the influence of these metabolic structures on five specific patterns of neuronal firing: accommodation, chattering, triggered spiking, phasic spiking, and tonic spiking. By combining omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, with proteinoids, we create a unique substrate that interfaces with neuromorphic models. The Izhikevich neuron model is used because it is computationally efficient and can accurately simulate the various behaviours of cortical neurons. The results of our simulations show that omeprazole-proteinoid complexes have the ability to affect neuronal dynamics in different ways. This suggests that they could be used as adjustable components in bio-inspired computer systems. We noticed a notable alteration in the frequency of spikes, patterns of bursts, and rates of adaptation, especially in chattering and triggered spiking behaviours. The findings indicate that omeprazole-proteinoid complexes have the potential to serve as adaptable elements in neuromorphic systems, presenting novel opportunities for information processing and computation that have origins in neurobiological principles. This study makes a valuable contribution to the expanding field of biochemical neuromorphic devices and establishes a basis for the development of hybrid bio-synthetic computational systems.

Effect of methimazole treatment on Th1, Th17, and Th22 lymphocytes in pediatric Graves' disease patients.

Graves' disease is the leading cause of autoimmune hyperthyroidism. Thyroid hormones are an essential element of the endocrine system, playing a pivotal role in the body's development, especially important in children with intensified growth. Disturbance within thyroid tissue certainly affected the whole body. Nowadays, numerous research studies indicate different factors contributing to the onset of the disease; however, the exact pathomechanism of Graves' disease is still not fully understood, especially in the context of immune-related processes. Th1, Th17, and Th22 effector lymphocytes were found to be crucial participants in the disease outcome, as well as in autoimmune diseases. Here, our study aimed at assessing selected effector T lymphocytes, Th1, Th17, and Th22, in newly diagnosed pediatric Graves' disease patients, together with their association with thyroid-related parameters and the potential outcome of disease management. We indicated significant increases in the frequencies and absolute numbers of selected effector lymphocytes in Graves' disease patients. In addition, their mutual ratios, as well as Th1/Th17, Th/Th22, and Th17/Th22, seem to be significant in those diseases. Notably, low Th17/Th22 ratio values were distinguished as potential prognostic factors for normalizing TSH levels in response to methimazole treatment. To sum up, our research determines the crucial contribution of Th1, Th17, and Th22 cells in the pathogenesis of Graves' disease. Moreover, the mentioned subset of T cells is highly likely to play a substantial role in the potential prediction of therapy outcomes.

Comprehensive Basin Analysis and Petroleum Potential Evaluation of Ayoluengo Oil Field, Basque-Cantabrian Basin, Spain

This study presents a comprehensive basin analysis and petroleum potential evaluation of the Ayoluengo oil field in the Basque-Cantabrian Basin, Spain. Using an integrated approach combining geological, geophysical, and geochemical data, we analyzed the basin's evolution and petroleum system elements. The dataset included 2D and 3D seismic data, well logs, formation tops, and geophysical maps. Our analysis revealed a complex structural framework characterized by salt diapirism and halokinetic structures. Well log interpretation and sequence stratigraphic analysis identified two genetic sequences with associated systems tracts. Four reservoir units were mapped, with the main structural traps related to salt diapirs. Seismic facies analysis highlighted high-amplitude convergent (CBH) and high- and low-amplitude convergent (CBHL) facies as the most promising for reservoir quality. The study identified one play (Jurassic) and two prospects: Lias Limestone (80% geologic chance of success) and Carniolas Dolomite (85% geologic chance of success). Volumetric calculations estimate significant hydrocarbon potential, with STOIIP (Stock Tank Oil Initially In Place) ranging from 3.4 to 4.2 x 10^16 barrels for the Lias Limestone reservoir and 1.26 to 1.56 x 10^16 barrels for the Carniolas Dolomite reservoir.

A Green Chemo-Enzymatic Approach for CO2 Capture and Transformation into Bis(cyclic carbonate) Esters in Solvent-Free Media.

A sustainable approach for CO2 capture and chemo-enzymatic transformation into bis(cyclic carbonate) esters from CO2, glycidol, and organic anhydrides under solvent-free conditions has been demonstrated. The chemo-enzymatic process is based on two consecutive catalytic steps, which can be executed through separated operations or within a one-pot combo system, taking advantage of the synergic effects that emerge from integrating ionic liquid (IL) technologies and biocatalysts. In a first step, lipase-catalyzed transesterification and esterification reactions of different diacyl donors (e.g., glutaric anhydride, succinic anhydride, dimethyl succinate, etc.) with glycidol in solvent-free under mild reaction conditions (70 °C, 6 h) produce the corresponding diglycidyl ester derivatives in up to 41% yield. By a second step, the synthesis of bis(cyclic carbonate) esters was carried out as a result of the cycloaddition reaction of CO2 (from an exhausted gas source, 15% CO2 purity) on these diglycidyl esters, catalyzed by the covalently attached 1-decyl-2-methylimidazolium IL (supported ionic liquid-like phase, SILLP), in solvent-free condition, leading up to 65% yield after 8 h at 45 °C and 1 MPa CO2 pressure. Both key elements of the reaction system (biocatalyst and SILLP) were successfully recovered and reused for at least 5 operational cycles. Finally, different metrics have been applied to assess the greenness of the solvent-free chemo-enzymatic synthesis of bis(cyclic carbonate) esters here reported.

A global assemblage of tax haven clusters: profit shifting, tax dodging and money laundering

In this paper we explore a selection of tax haven clusters in the US and Europe as diverse but recognisable species of some fifty of the phenomena worldwide that have been seldom studied from an economic geography or spatial planning viewpoint. We treat the objects of study as being almost perfect expressions of the classical, canonical cluster configuration. They are: spatial agglomeration, untraded as well as market dependencies, small and medium-sized enterprise status, associative or agentic relationships, interaction with large firms inside or outside the cluster and knowledge acquisition, advisory, consultancy and knowledge translation services from research and innovation intermediaries - public and/or private. However, we think their characteristics demand further recognition of the interactive and often innovative communication networks by means of which these cluster incumbents interact globally. This is because they are set within a worldwide system that can be conceptualised as an exemplar of the well-known construct known as an ‘assemblage’ (Deleuze and Guattari, 2004a). Unlike more recent treatments from De Landa (2019) and others, we try to concentrate on the motive power of the ‘agentic’ impulses of ‘desire’ that motivate human action (e.g. regarding ‘God, Gold or Glory’ as commonly-rehearsed motivators for colonialism of various kinds). It has been more common to use ‘assemblage theory’ to analyse the interlocking ‘machinic’ elements of complex systems like power networks or laboratory interactions. To unlock the mysteries of system interlocking in our selected tax havens, which comprise Wilmington, Delaware (US), Ireland (EU) and Gibraltar (former EU, now British Overseas Territory) – post-Brexit - occupying a ‘quantum’ space ‘in which both the colonial and post-colonial find expression’ (Perera, 2021). Methodologically, we seek ‘pattern recognition’ to identify the lineaments that explain these clusters and the ‘agentic’ actors that motivate them.

Exploratory modeling of social‐ecological systems

AbstractNavigating social‐ecological systems toward sustainable trajectories is an important challenge of the Anthropocene. Models of social‐ecological systems can increase our understanding of how social and ecological subsystems interact, their response to environmental changes, and how their dynamics may be altered by management interventions. However, the level of representational detail required for models to describe a particular social‐ecological system with high fidelity (i.e., accurately quantifying system dynamics) may hamper both the interpretability of model results and our ability to identify key processes and feedbacks within the system. In contrast, stylized models describe simplified interactions between a small subset of social‐ecological system elements. Stylized models are a useful tool to identify potential consequences of specific key processes and feedbacks on system functioning. However, the relatively low level of representational detail in these models limits their ability to deliver concrete management options for a particular social‐ecological system. Here, we describe how an exploratory modeling approach can utilize the strengths of stylized models before the construction of social‐ecological system models with high fidelity and representational detail. This exploratory modeling approach is an iterative strategy, with the initial steps comprising the development of stylized models informed by empirical observations. We illustrate this with two examples of stylized modeling of isolated and connected social‐ecological systems. Through repeated confrontation of alternative models with empirical data, exploratory modeling provides useful stepping stones toward the development of models that describe social‐ecological systems in increasingly specific settings with increasing levels of representational detail. When these latter types of models reach a high level of fidelity, they could be used for scenario‐based analyses and participatory decision‐making processes. At this stage, the conceptual insights previously obtained during the exploratory modeling phase may aid in the interpretation and communication of the outcomes of scenario‐based analyses. Hence, exploratory modeling aims to create a synergy between the insights obtained from stylized models and system‐specific, high‐fidelity models in order to generate a deep understanding of the drivers of social‐ecological system dynamics, and how to leverage these drivers to initiate desired changes.

Quantifying mass-dependent isotope fractionation and nuclear field shift effects for the light rare Earth elements in hydrous systems

The improving sensitivity of mass-spectrometers has opened the potential of using stable isotope signatures of the rare Earth elements (REE) as geochemical tracers. However, thus far only limited studies have utilised REE stable isotopes, despite resolvable variations having been observed in a range of systems. An interesting but poorly explored area remains variations in aqueous environments across a range of temperatures including seawater, marine sediments, ion adsorption deposits or hydrothermal systems. Furthermore, the magnitudes and competing effects of mass-dependent isotope fractionation and mass-independent nuclear field shift effects, which can be significant factor for heavy elements especially at high temperatures, remain poorly understood.To contribute to a holistic understanding of REE isotope signatures, we calculated reduced partition function ratios (as 103lnβ) for mass-dependent and nuclear field shift effects for aqueous La, Ce, and Nd complexes from first principles. Theoretical calculations were compared with experimental data, and this demonstrates that calculations involving a combination of two explicit hydration shells and additional implicit solvation effects are required to accurately describe the coordination and molecular vibrations of aqueous complexes. This data was then combined with speciation modelling of seawater and hydrothermal fluids to assess isotope fractionation in hydrous systems. The predicted magnitude of isotope fractionation is significant in low (T = 25 °C) temperature systems (Δ139/138LaMax-Min = 0.20 ‰, Δ142/140CeMax-Min = 0.33 ‰, Δ146/144NdMax-Min = 0.34 ‰) and remains above currently achievable analytical uncertainties even at high (T = 500 °C) temperatures (±0.015 ‰ for δ146/144Nd; ±0.040 ‰ for δ142/140Ce). Unless oxidation occurs, which is only relevant for Ce in terrestrial environments, nuclear field shift effects are negligible even at temperatures up to 500 °C. The large difference in nuclear charge radius between 140Ce and 142Ce strongly enriches the lighter Ce isotope in the higher oxidation state (103lnβCe(IV)-Ce(III) = −0.45 at 25 °C) which almost completely cancels out the opposing mass-dependent effect (103lnβCe(IV)-Ce(III) = +0.46 at 25 °C). This means that variations in δ142/140Ce isotope signatures cannot easily be related to oxidation in ancient or recent environments.