Local Environment Research Articles

How does corporate climate risk exposure affect cash holdings?

ABSTRACT How companies respond to climate change is an important issue. Using data on China’s A-share listed companies and employing a text analysis method to generate a measure of firm-level climate risk exposure, this study investigates how corporate climate risk exposure(CCRE) affects cash holdings in an extended framework of the precautionary motive of corporate cash holdings. The results show that CCRE is negatively associated with cash holdings because the perceived investment opportunities of companies with greater climate risk exposure shrink; moreover, they use much more trade credit. Furthermore, the results show that CCRE’s negative effect on cash holdings is more pronounced for small companies and those with higher financial constraints, in highly competitive industries, and in weaker local speculative environments. The findings provide insights into how companies adapt to climate change when managing their liquidity; these insights are useful for governments in supporting companies’ sustainability.

In-situ Construction of Ionic Liquid Salt-derived Graphene-like Dual-heteroatoms doping Engineering as Efficient Metal-free Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Metal-free heteroatom-doped carbon catalysts can effectively eliminate the degradation and pollution problems caused by metal dissolution. However, single heteroatom doping often restricts the regulation of geometric and electronic structures for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts. Herein, a dual atomic doping engineering to optimize the electronic structure and local coordination environment of ionic liquid salt-derived graphene-like host material as an efficient metal-free electrocatalyst for ORR. The resultant PNG catalyst with a typical nanosheets morphology with a high specific surface area and unique hierarchical porous structure. Benefiting from the uniform doping of P, N heteroatoms, graphene-like structure, optimized electronic structure and coordination environment, thus-prepared PNG-2 exhibits outstanding ORR activity, which the onset potential and half-potential are negatively shifted by around 70mV and 46mV, respectively, as compared to the commercial Pt/C (20wt.%) for ORR. Furthermore, the PNG-2 exhibits the higher diffusion limiting current density, superior long-term stability as well as excellent resistance to methanol oxidation than Pt/C. Experimental studies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the enhanced chemisorption of oxygen species (*OOH, *O and *OH) onto the P and N sites of the PNG catalysts can effectively accelerate the charge transfer kinetics and promote a favorable ORR performance.

Inverse distance weight-assisted particle swarm optimized indoor localization

Indoor localization using wireless fidelity (WiFi) fingerprint has attracted considerable attention due to its extensive deployment and low cost. Most indoor fingerprint localization methods could be computationally inefficient and behave with unsatisfactory positioning accuracy. Therefore, an inverse distance weight (IDW) assisted particle swarm optimized (PSO) indoor localization (IDWPSOInLoc) algorithm is proposed. It is an optimized positioning process in the online stage rather than an offline optimization approach. The main idea is to find the optimal particle with the most similar generated fingerprint to the real-time testing one in the online stage. K nearest neighbors and boundary constraints are combined to initialize particles’ positions. The generated fingerprint of each particle is interpolated based on the IDW algorithm and nearby reference points within a specified range. A new fitness function, the sum of standard deviations between the generated and real-time testing fingerprints, is proposed to find the optimal particle. The position of the optimal particle with the minimal fitness value is taken as the estimated coordinate through iterations updating the particles’ velocities, positions, and generated fingerprints. IDWPSOInLoc achieves a mean positioning accuracy of 2.477 meters in the local environment experimental test and that of about 6 meters using selected floor in the UJIIndoorLoc dataset. Compared with state-of-the-art algorithms, positioning error is decreased by at least 11.9%. In addition, IDWPSOInLoc has the characteristic of low computational complexity. Experimental results show that the proposed IDWPSOInLoc outperforms the considered WiFi indoor positioning algorithms.

Quantifying massively parallel microbial growth with spatially mediated interactions.

Quantitative understanding of microbial growth is an essential prerequisite for successful control of pathogens as well as various biotechnology applications. Even though the growth of cell populations has been extensively studied, microbial growth remains poorly characterised at the spatial level. Indeed, even isogenic populations growing at different locations on solid growth medium typically show significant location-dependent variability in growth. Here we show that this variability can be attributed to the initial physiological states of the populations, the interplay between populations interacting with their local environment and the diffusion of nutrients and energy sources coupling the environments. We further show how the causes of this variability change throughout the growth of a population. We use a dual approach, first applying machine learning regression models to discover that location dominates growth variability at specific times, and, in parallel, developing explicit population growth models to describe this spatial effect. In particular, treating nutrient and energy source concentration as a latent variable allows us to develop a mechanistic resource consumer model that captures growth variability across the shared environment. As a consequence, we are able to determine intrinsic growth parameters for each local population, removing confounders common to location-dependent variability in growth. Importantly, our explicit low-parametric model for the environment paves the way for massively parallel experimentation with configurable spatial niches for testing specific eco-evolutionary hypotheses.

Quantifying the mineral magnetic signature of petroleum systems and their source rocks: A study on the Inner Moray Firth, UK North Sea

Summary This study aims to expand on existing connections between magnetic minerals and hydrocarbons within petroleum systems. Previous studies have focussed on single-source petroleum systems whereas this study, for the first time, analyses a multi-source petroleum system to investigate potential correlations between different kerogen type source rocks and magnetic minerals. To do this, the study investigates the magnetic mineral characteristics of the Inner Moray Firth (IMF), UK North Sea, through room-, low-, and high-temperature techniques, and correlates this to published basin and petroleum systems modelling results that show a three-source hydrocarbon mix. Magnetic mineral analysis identifies extensive evidence for magnetite, goethite, and siderite, alongside more minor lepidocrocite and iron sulphides. Although we find that magnetite is ubiquitous within the IMF, its abundance is relatively low, and, in contrast, the relatively magnetically weak goethite is more likely the most abundant magnetic mineral throughout the IMF. In agreement with previous studies, we find magnetic enhancement at oil-water contacts (OWCs); however, here, we identify two different magnetic enhancement processes at OWCs in wells, which are dependent on the amount of sulphur available in the local environment. Wells with low levels of sulphur have increasing levels of magnetite towards the OWC, with the magnetic enhancement occurring at the top of the water-saturated section. Sulphur-rich environments display an increase in iron sulphides near the OWC at the bottom of the oil-saturated sediments. Additionally, we confirm the presence of siderite as indicator of upward vertical migration. Combining with petroleum system model predictions, we find direct links between iron hydroxide presence and Type I and II-III kerogen source rocks, and iron sulphide presence with Type II kerogen source rocks. This study shows the potential for further utilisation of magnetic mineral analysis within hydrocarbon exploration and petroleum system definition.

Reindeer prey mobility and seasonal hunting strategies in the late Gravettian mammoth steppe

Reindeer are part of the faunal suite that dominated central Europe during the last glacial cycle. Their importance to Late Gravettian hunters as prey and a source of raw materials (hide, bone, antler) is well attested, however the context of Late Gravettian reindeer predation is lesser understood. This paper presents an investigation of human and reindeer predator-prey interactions at the Late Gravettian kill-butchery site of Lubná VI, Czech Republic. We reconstruct seasonal mobility (87Sr/86Sr, δ18O), diet (δ13C, δ15N) and season of death (dental cementum) of up to nine reindeer prey, to inform on the strategic choices made by Late Gravettian hunters. Results indicate that most hunted reindeer lived year-round in the foothills of the Bohemian-Moravian highlands near where Lubná is located, at altitudes between ~ 200–450 m above present sea level, while a smaller number showed evidence of seasonal migration between this area and the open plains of the Elbe river corridor (Bohemian Cretaceous basin). No evidence for long distance migration of reindeer was detected, indicating that productive local environments were supporting reindeer herds within a single annual territory. Meanwhile, areas higher than ~ 450 m above present sea level were avoided entirely by all analysed individuals, consistent with these areas being topographic barriers to movement due to climate severity. We conclude that hunters visited Lubná as part of a logistically-organised subsistence strategy, deliberately targeting reindeer in late autumn when fat supplies, hides and antler are in prime condition knowing that they would reliably encounter their prey at this location.

A megaton-scale industrial demonstration study on hydrothermal mineralization enabled silty waste upcycling

The continual large-scale urbanization and urban renewal in coastal cities of China have accumulated massive silty residue (SR) that may alter the coastal lines and always exerts high stresses to local environments. To meet China’s sustainable development policy, the need for green and high-efficient industrial treatments and reuse of SR is urgent. In this work, we may, for the first time, report a megaton-scale industrial project to upcycle low-quality SR and recycled aggregate (RA) to manufacture construction materials with hydrothermal mineralization (HM). In-situ pilot tests on five batches of SR-RA blocks were conducted. Results demonstrate that the produced blocks possess the compressive strengths of 11.4–15.8 MPa, densities of 1280–1430 kg/m3, porosities of 35–44%, CO2 emissions of 170.22–187.29 kg e-CO2/m3 and costs of 126.49–156.51 CNY/m3, comparable with or superior than the commercial blocks. The silica in SR could react with lime to produce tobermorite with stable pseudohexagonal plate under HM treatment, which improved the microstructure of the material. The findings validate the industrial practicability of upcycling low-quality SR and RA with HM for valuable construction block manufacture.

Probing Short-Range Interactions in Isostructural Hydrate and Perhydrate of Dabrafenib by Magic-Angle Spinning Solid-State NMR.

Dabrafenib (DBF), an anticancer drug, exhibits isostructural properties in its hydrate (DBF⊃H2O) and perhydrate (DBF⊃H2O2) forms, as revealed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Despite the H2O and H2O2 solvent molecules occupying identical locations, the two polymorphs have different thermal behaviors. In general, determination of stoichiometry of H2O in the perhydrate crystals is difficult due to the presence of both H2O and H2O2 in the same crystal voids. This study utilizes magic-angle spinning (MAS) solid-state NMR (SSNMR) combined with gauge-included projector augmented wave calculations to characterize the influence of solvent molecules on the local environment in pseudopolymorphs. SSNMR experiments were employed to assign 1H, 13C, and 15N peaks and identify spectral differences in the isostructural pseudopolymorphs. Proton spectroscopy at fast MAS was used to identify and quantify H2O2/H2O in DBF⊃H2O2 (mixed hydrate/perhydrate). 1H-1H dipolar-coupling-based experiments were recruited to confirm the 3D molecular packing of solvent molecules in DBF⊃H2O and DBF⊃H2O2. Homonuclear (1H-1H) and heteronuclear (1H-14N) distance measurements, in conjunction with diffraction structures and optimized hydrogen atom positions by density functional theory, helped decipher local interactions of H2O2 with DBF and their geometry in DBF⊃H2O2. This integrated X-ray structure, quantum chemical calculations, and NMR study of pseudopolymorphs offer a practical approach to scrutinizing crystallized solvent interactions in the crystal lattice even without high-resolution crystal structures or artificial sample enrichment.

Substantialising: a descriptive framework for studying sociocultural influences on teacher educators

ABSTRACT Researching teacher education often focuses on the content and practices used in training teachers, but rarely focuses on why that particular knowledge or those particular experiences are selected. This paper presents a descriptive framework for investigating the question of ‘why’ in teacher education by exploring sociocultural influences on the work of teacher educators. Beginning with the idea that all educators face dilemmas in deciding what to teach, the framework categorises influences into three domains: the national and local environment, the professional field, and the individual experiences and beliefs. Brief examples in two teacher education contexts serve as illustrations of using the framework in empirical research. The framework presented is applicable across different teacher education content areas and contexts, for both researchers studying the teaching of teacher educators and for teacher educators examining their own practice.

Secondary Heteroatoms (S, P) Optimize the Local Coordination Environment of NiFe Sites as a Trifunctional Electrocatalyst for Overall Water Splitting and Zn–Air Batteries

Secondary Heteroatoms (S, P) Optimize the Local Coordination Environment of NiFe Sites as a Trifunctional Electrocatalyst for Overall Water Splitting and Zn–Air Batteries

Hierarchical Modeling of the Local Reaction Environment in Electrocatalysis.

ConspectusElectrocatalytic reactions, such as oxygen reduction/evolution reactions and CO2 reduction reaction that are pivotal for the energy transition, are multistep processes that occur in a nanoscale electric double layer (EDL) at a solid-liquid interface. Conventional analyses based on the Sabatier principle, using binding energies or effective electronic structure properties such as the d-band center as descriptors, are able to grasp overall trends in catalytic activity in specific groups of catalysts. However, thermodynamic approaches often fail to account for electrolyte effects that arise in the EDL, including pH, cation, and anion effects. These effects exert strong impacts on electrocatalytic reactions. There is growing consensus that the local reaction environment (LRE) prevailing in the EDL is the key to deciphering these complex and hitherto perplexing electrolyte effects. Increasing attention is thus paid to designing electrolyte properties, positioning the LRE at center stage. To this end, unraveling the LRE is becoming essential for designing electrocatalysts with specifically tailored properties, which could enable much needed breakthroughs in electrochemical energy science.Theory and modeling are getting more and more important and powerful in addressing this multifaceted problem that involves physical phenomena at different scales and interacting in a multidimensional parametric space. Theoretical models developed for this purpose should treat intrinsic multistep kinetics of electrocatalytic reactions, EDL effects from subnm scale to the scale of 10 nm, and mass transport phenomena bridging scales from <0.1 to 100 μm. Given the diverse physical phenomena and scales involved, it is evident that the challenge at hand surpasses the capabilities of any single theoretical or computational approach.In this Account, we present a hierarchical theoretical framework to address the above challenge. It seamlessly integrates several modules: (i) microkinetic modeling that accounts for various reaction pathways; (ii) an LRE model that describes the interfacial region extending from the nanometric EDL continuously to the solution bulk; (iii) first-principles calculations that provide parameters, e.g., adsorption energies, activation barriers and EDL parameters. The microkinetic model considers all elementary steps without designating an a priori rate-determining step. The kinetics of these elementary steps are expressed in terms of local concentrations, potential and electric field that are codetermined by EDL charging and mass transport in the LRE model. Vital insights on electrode kinetic phenomena, i.e., potential-dependent Tafel slopes, cation effects, and pH effects, obtained from this hierarchical framework are then reviewed. Finally, an outlook on further improvement of the model framework is presented, in view of recent developments in first-principles based simulation of electrocatalysis, observations of dynamic reconstruction of catalysts, and machine-learning assisted computational simulations.

Single-cell transcriptomic insights into chemotherapy-induced remodeling of the osteosarcoma tumor microenvironment

PurposeNeoadjuvant chemotherapy serves as an effective strategy for treating osteosarcoma (OS) not only by targeting cancerous cells but also by influencing the tumor's immune and stromal elements. Gaining insights into how chemotherapy reshapes the tumor's local environment is crucial for advancing OS treatment protocols.MethodsUsing single-cell RNA sequencing, this study analyzed tumor samples from patients with advanced osteosarcoma collected both before and after chemotherapy.ResultsThe results revealed that chemotherapy caused the remaining OS cells to express higher levels of genes associated with stemness. Additionally, this process enhances the presence of cancer-associated fibroblasts, increasing their ability to modify the extracellular matrix (ECM). Chemotherapy also increases the number of endothelial cells, albeit with compromised differentiation capabilities. Importantly, the treatment reduced the immune cell population, including myeloid and T/NK cells, particularly impacting the subpopulations with tumor-fighting capabilities.ConclusionThese findings highlight the complex reaction of the tumor environment to chemotherapy, providing valuable insights into how chemotherapy influences OS cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME). This knowledge is essential for understanding OS resistance mechanisms to treatments, potentially guiding the development of novel therapies for managing advanced OS.

Pseudo-Jahn-Teller Effect Breaks the pH Dependence in Two-Electron Oxygen Electroreduction.

The hydrogenation of small molecules (like O2 and CO2) often exhibits strong activity dependence on pHs because of discrepant proton donor environments. However, some catalysts can show seldom dependence on two-electron oxygen electroreduction, a sustainable route of O2 hydrogenation to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). In this work, a pH-resistant oxygen electroreduction system arising from the pseudo-Jahn-Teller effect is demonstrated. Thorough operando Raman spectra, local environment analyses and density function theory simulations, the lattice distortion of TiOxFy that introduces the pseudo-Jahn-Teller effect contributing to regulating local pHs at electrode-electrolyte interfaces and the absorption/desorption of key *OOH intermediate is revealed. Consequently, as comparison to 78.6% activity attenuation for common catalyst, the TiOxFy displays minor activity decay (3.2%) in the pH range of 1-13 with remarkable Faradaic efficiencies (93.4-96.4%) and H2O2 yield rates (595-614mgcm-2h-1) in the current densities of 100-1000mAcm-2. Further techno-economics analyses display the H2O2 production cost dependent on pHs, giving the lowest H2O2 price of $0.37kg-1. The present finding is expected to provide an additional dimension to pseudo-Jahn-Teller effect that leverages systems beyond traditional conception.

Internal and external spatial analysis of trace elements in local crayfish

ABSTRACT Pollution in urban environments is a major health concern for humans as well as the local wildlife and aquatic species. Anthropogenic waste and discharge from storm drainage accumulate nutrients and environmental contaminants in local water systems. Locating contaminated sites using water samples over the vast landscape is a daunting task. Crayfish thrive in urban environments and have been used for biomonitoring pollutants. This study aimed to use crayfish as sentinels to monitor for elements in local environments. In this study, crayfish were used to measure metals and metalloids in lotic environments using ICP-OES analysis of abdominal and exoskeletal tissue. Using cluster analysis, geographical zones of trace element accumulation were determined. Eighteen total elements were analysed providing baseline data on local genera, biometric data, and element concentrations averaging 267.3 mg/kg Mn in the exoskeleton and with Zn averaging 6.88 mg/kg being significantly higher in the abdomen. Correlations of elements with biometric data allowed for internal analyses of elements. The elements As, Cr, Hg, Ni, and Tl demonstrated equivalent concentrations in both tissues. The crayfish locations with high abundance of elements allowed for the determination of contaminated areas with higher accumulations being areas of active urban development. These analyses gave measurable results of metal and metalloid to pinpoint potential sources of pollutants. Since crayfish are consumed globally as a food source, these methods can be used to determine the risk of toxic metals being passed through the food chain to the public.

An Atlas on Multitudinous Risk Factors Associated with Incident Hypertension: Comprehensive Exposome-Wide Association and Wide-angled Genetic Analyses.

Despite numerous risk factors being associated with hypertension, the breadth of research remains constrained, with a notable absence of systematic, data-driven exploration into established and novel factors across a broad spectrum of exposures. This study aims to construct an atlas on known and emerging factors for hypertension through comprehensive epidemiological and genetic analyses. We conducted exposome-wide association studies (ExWAS) via Cox regression models on two equally sized datasets for discovery and replication in UK Biobank, a large prospective cohort study. A maximum of 10,806 exposome variables were included in ExWAS and were grouped into 13 categories: genomics, sociodemographic, lifestyle, physical measure, biomarkers, medical history, imaging markers, sex-specific factors, psychosocial factors, cognitive function indicators, local environment, family history, and early life factors. The credibility of epidemiological associations was assessed through meta-analyses. The genetic underpinnings were explored through linkage-disequilibrium score regression (LDSC), quantifying global genetic correlation. Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) studies were conducted to investigate the causal effects of each exposure on hypertension, with co-analyses undertaken to identify associations supported by both epidemiological and genetic evidence. This study included 214,957 UK Biobank participants, hypertension-free at baseline. In our ExWAS analyses, 964 significant exposome variables were replicated. In meta-analyses, 462 were backed by convincing and highly suggestive evidence. Among 10,765 exposures in LDSC, 1923 had global genetic correlations with hypertension. The MR analyses yielded robust evidence for a causal relationship with 125 phenotypes, probable evidence for 270 phenotypes, and suggestive evidence for 718 phenotypes. Co-analyses identified 146 associations supported by strong epidemiological and genetic evidence. These primarily encompassed traits like anthropometry, lung function, lipids, and factors such as urate and walking pace. This coverage further extended from well-studied factors (like BMI and physical activity) to less explored exposures (including high light scatter reticulocyte count and age at first live). All study results are compiled in a webserver for user-friendly exploration of exposure-hypertension associations. This study provides an atlas on established and novel risk factors for hypertension, underpinned by epidemiological and causal evidence. Our findings present a multiple perspective to prioritize hypertension prevention strategies, encompassing modifiable risk factors like television watching time and walking pace. The study also emphasized the roles of urate in hypertension pathogenesis. Consequently, our study may serve as a critical guide for hypertension prevention and bear significant clinical implications.

Impact of Solvent Electrostatic Environment on Molecular Junctions Probed via Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy.

The electrostatic environment around nanoscale molecular junctions modulates charge transport; solvents alter this environment. Methods to directly probe solvent effects require correlating measurements of the local electrostatic environment with charge transport across the metal-molecule-metal junction. Here, we measure the conductance and current-voltage characteristics of molecular wires using a scanning tunneling microscope-break junction (STM-BJ) setup in two commonly used solvents. Our results show that the solvent environment induces shifts in molecular conductance, which we quantify, but more importantly we find that the solvent also impacts the magnitude of current rectification in molecular junctions. By incorporating electrochemical impedance spectroscopy into the STM-BJ setup, we measure the capacitance of the dipole layer formed at the metal-solvent interface and show that rectification can be correlated with solvent capacitance. These results provide a method of quantifying the impact of the solvent environment and a path toward improved environmental control of molecular devices.

Ecosystem Services Approach in Turnicki National Park Planning: Factors Influencing the Inhabitants' Perspectives on Local Natural Resources and Protected Areas.

Despite changing paradigms in nature conservation, protected areas, such as national parks, remain key tools for nature conservation. Today, protected areas are perceived as socio-ecological systems, therefore using an ecosystem services approach may help in their designation. Here, we focus on the planned Turnicki National Park located in the far eastern part of the Polish Carpathian Mountains and conflict between proponents of the park establishment and local stakeholders. We used an ecosystem services-driven questionnaire survey among local communities to analyze interactions between the perception of ecosystem services and opinions about national parks, and the role of social and economic status in shaping these opinions. We found links between opinions towards national parks and other factors: age, life span in a municipality, level of education, and an average net income. Respondents who perceived benefits from nature were more positive towards national parks in general and the Turnicki National Park specifically; however, those who prioritized provisioning services were more skeptical. Also, we distinguished four Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis models which describe factors shaping opinions on national parks, respectively. The study has shown that the ecosystem services lens perspective can help in exploring the factors crucial while establishing the protected areas in specific social and economic context. The main implication for the study is careful consideration of the role of national park to protect the local environment in harmony with social needs and economic development.

Integration of single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing revealed immune heterogeneity and its association with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory, systemic autoimmune disease characterized by cartilage, bone damage, synovial inflammation, hyperplasia, autoantibody production, and systemic features. To obtain an overall profile of the immune environment in RA patients and its association with clinical features, we performed single-cell transcriptome and T-cell receptor sequencing of mononuclear cells from peripheral blood (PBMC) and synovial fluid (SF) from RA patients, integrated with two large cohorts with bulk RNA sequencing for further validation and investigation. Dendritic cells (DCs) exhibited relatively high functional heterogeneity and tissue specificity in relation to both antigen presentation and proinflammatory functions. Peripheral helper T cells (TPHs) are likely to originate from synovial tissue, undergo activation and exhaustion, and are subsequently released into the peripheral blood. Notably, among all immune cell types, TPHs were found to have the most intense associations with disease activity. In addition, CD8 effector T cells could be clustered into two groups with different cytokine expressions and play distinct roles in RA development. By integrating single-cell data with bulk sequencing from two large cohorts, we identified interactions among TPHs, CD8 cells, CD16 monocytes, and DCs that strongly contribute to the proinflammatory local environment in RA joints. Of note, the swollen 28-joint counts exhibited a more pronounced association with this immune environment compared to other disease activity indexes. The immune environment alternated significantly from PBMCs to SF, which indicated that a series of immune cells was involved in proinflammatory responses in the local joints of RA patients. By integrating single-cell data with two large cohorts, we have uncovered associations between specific immune cell populations and clinical features. This integration provides a rapid and precise methodology for assessing local immune activation, offering valuable insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms at play in RA.

Analytical advances in horseracing medication and doping control from 2018 to 2023.

The analytical approaches taken by laboratories to implement robust and efficient regulation of horseracing medication and doping control are complex and constantly evolving. Each laboratory's approach will be dictated by differences in regulatory, economic and scientific drivers specific to their local environment. However, in general, laboratories will all be undertaking developments and improvements to their screening strategies in order to meet new and emerging threats as well as provide improved service to their customers. In this paper, the published analytical advances in horseracing medication and doping control since the 22nd International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians will be reviewed. Due to the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 on the worldwide economy, the normal 2-year period of this review was extended to over 5years. As such, there was considerable ground to cover, resulting in an increase in the number of relevant publications included from 107 to 307. Major trends in publications will be summarised and possible future directions highlighted. This will cover developments in the detection of 'small' and 'large' molecule drugs, sample preparation procedures and the use of alternative matrices, instrumental advances/applications, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, the detection and prevalence of 'endogenous' compounds and biomarker and OMICs approaches. Particular emphasis will be given to research into the potential threat of gene doping, which is a significant area of new and continued research for many laboratories. Furthermore, developments in analytical instrumentation relevant to equine medication and doping control will be discussed.

Regulating electronic structure of anionic oxygen by Ti4+ doping to stabilize layered Li-rich oxide cathodes for Li-ion batteries

Abstract Layered Li-rich oxide cathodes enable to activate lattice oxygen anions redox in the charge compensation process and provide superior high specific capacity over 250 mAh/g due to their unique configuration, and thus attracting great attentions as promising cathode candidates for Li-ion batteries. However, how to better stabilize the bulk lattice oxygen framework and surface structure, and slow down the release of oxygen, is still major bottleneck to develop high performance Li-rich materials. Transition metal ions with outer d0 electronic configuration have distortable configuration, which can accommodate the local structure and chemical environment of the material, and then improve structural stability. Herein this work, the d0 transition metal Ti4+ is used as doping element to improve the chemical and structural stability, capacity retention and lithium ion diffusion kinetics of Li-rich material. The role of Ti in the material modification is revealed through synchrotron-based soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy, XRD, XPS and electrochemical tests. The improvement in structural stability can be attributed to that Ti doping can adjust the hybridization of O2p and TM3d to regulate the local electronic structure of both bulk lattice oxygen and surface oxygen vacancies. It is hoped that this work should shed light on the development of high-performance cathode materials for Li-ion Batteries.&amp;#xD;