Low Deposition Research Articles

237 Increasing the threonine-to-lysine ratio improves the growth performance of slow-growing pigs when fed with precision feeding techniques

Abstract Individual precision feeding (IPF) is a suitable tool to account for the nutritional requirement variability among pigs. It was previously reported that, within IPF, pigs require greater Thr:Lys than conventional group-phase feeding (GPF) pigs. It remains unknown if these differences in Thr:Lys requirements occur due to different growth rates (Gr). This study evaluated whether the Thr:Lys requirements of pigs fed with IPF systems are affected by Gr. Sixty pigs (30 barrows and 30 gilts) with 38.1 ± 3.8 kg of body weight were distributed in a completely randomized 3 × 5 factorial arrangement. Pigs were classified into fast (FGr), medium (MGr) and slow (SGr) Gr based on their average daily gain (ADG) during 6 wk previous to the trial. After classification, pens with 2 barrows and 2 gilts from the same Gr group were randomly assigned to one of five treatments (12 repetitions per treatment). Treatments consisted of a conventional GPF (GPF100) receiving 100% of the optimal 0.65 Thr:Lys and 4 IPF treatments providing 140% (IPF140), 120% (IPF120), 100% (IPF100) and 80% (IPF80) of the optimal ratio. GPF100 pigs were fed a single diet with 0.97% standardized ileal digestible Lys. IPF diets of the pigs were adjusted every 2 d to meet the Lys requirements of the most demanding pig in the pen. Body weight was recorded twice a week, and individual feed intake (ADFI) daily over 21 d. At d 1 and 21, pigs were scanned with dual X-ray to estimate their body composition. Body weight, body protein and lipid masses were analyzed as repeated measures over time. The Dunnett test was used to compare the IPF treatments to GPF100 and the Tukey test to compare Gr groups. The pig was considered the experimental unit. FGr maintained greater (treatment × Gr, P < 0.05) ADFI and ADG and greater (P < 0.05) lipid deposition over the trial when compared with MGr and SGr. However, increasing Thr:Lys enhanced (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI of SGr pigs within IPF, resulting in similar (P > 0.05) values between Gr groups in IPF120 and IPF140. Although FGr tended (P = 0.05) to have greater final body protein mass, SGr presented leaner gain (P < 0.05), independently of the Thr:Lys. Threonine supplementation supports metabolic processes like glycine and serine synthesis, impacting gut health, protein synthesis, energy production, and oxidative stress, potentially explaining lower lipid deposition in SGr pigs when the same level of energy in the diet. SGr pigs might need a different AA profile where a higher Thr:Lys ratio likely enhances the metabolic capacity to support fast growth in SGr pigs within IPF. Consequently, increasing the Thr:Lys ratio within IPF led to improved growth performance in SGr pigs.

Accurate and efficient layered-medium modeling of wave propagation in inshore seawater for ground penetrating radar detection

The electromagnetic (EM) wave-based ground penetrating radar (GPR) finds extensive applications due to its ability to propagate through various media with significant penetration power. In the inshore shallow sea regions, the water has a low salinity and high sediment content with a nonuniform distribution. Leveraging GPR in these regions presents a novel approach to acquiring seafloor topographic knowledge. Although the oceanic environment exhibits continuous stratification, we propose a layered-medium model method (LMMM) for simplification. Through meticulous analysis of EM wave propagation within this model, GPR enables the identification of interfaces between water-suspended sediment transition zones and marine sediments, along with effective discrimination of sediment types. The wave propagation at the frequency of f = 9.0 MHz in the GPR is simulated in the environment of the shallow coast and the distribution of the magnetic field is obtained in different directions. The simulation results are compared with those of the well-known HFSS, thus validating the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

The Triassic Buntsandstein sedimentary basins of Sardinia (Italy) and their transition to the Brianzonese Ridge (W Alps): crossroads through the W-Tethys areas

Sardinia represented a key area during the Western Tethys opening in late Early-early Middle Triassic times since it was located at the nodal point of several paleogeographic domains. New and revised sedimentological data and petrographical investigations evidence that the Sardinian Buntsandstein Group formational units differ from each other and were deposited in different alluvial to transitional depositional systems related to Alpine rifting basins. Petrographic analysis revealed directional NS and EW compositional differences: they hint at morphotectonic rises separating the diverse depositional areas through lasting barriers related to paleoeuropean ridges in progressive dismantling. The data suggest that 1) the dominating environmental and (micro)climate conditions were diverse from area to area, 2) the sedimentary basins evolved differently through time, and 3) were diachronous in timing. Moreover, the sources of debris were variable, both in morphology and substrate composition, with reliefs from articulated to smoothed. A stratigraphic and sedimentological framework for the Sardinian Buntsandstein is suggested. Comparison analysis with close coeval successions of the Western Tethydian area, particularly regarding the Upper Permian? - Lower Middle Triassic deposits of the Brianconnais ridge have been attempted, as well as their palaeogeographic localization, to frame the Sardinian Buntsandstein Group with the coeval units of SW Europe.

Sediment dynamics shape macrofauna mobility traits and abundance on tidal flats

AbstractTidal flats are valuable ecosystems that depend on complex biogeomorphic processes between organisms and sediment transport. Climate change has led to a rise in extreme weather events, such as storms. This, in turn, has increased sediment dynamics and created risks for the benthic communities inhabiting tidal flats. However, replicating sediment disturbances caused by extreme weather is difficult. To overcome this, we used the plow rake to enhance the natural tidal currents and wave conditions to simulate intensified sediment dynamics. The raking disturbance was repeated on two intertidal zones with different inundation frequencies and wind fetch levels to simulate the increasing frequency of storm impact on sediments due to climate change. We compared the measurements of sediment dynamics and macrofauna between plots that were raked and the control plots that were only influenced by natural hydrodynamics. Results showed that tidal flat sediments experienced erosion by 10–20 mm after six times biweekly raking treatments, depending on the site‐specific hydrodynamic conditions. Sediment dynamics served as a helpful tool for monitoring the species distribution regarding mobility traits: the high dynamic exposed sites were inhabited by mobile species, while the low dynamic sheltered sites were characterized by less‐mobile species. Moreover, the raking treatment decreased the abundance of species with immobile traits, yet the species composition did not experience significant change. Overall, the present findings indicate that tidal flats with low sediment dynamics and immobile macrofauna are at higher risk of declining abundance under intensified sediment disturbances than areas with high sediment dynamics and mobile macrofauna.

Climate variability in a 3.8 Ma old sedimentary record from the hyperarid Atacama Desert

The hyperarid Atacama Desert is one of the driest and oldest deserts on Earth, rendering it a valuable climate archive. However, unraveling its past climate is particularly challenging and the few studied paleoclimate records of the region reveal strong temporal and spatial variabilities. To enhance our understanding of these dynamics we investigated a sedimentary record in the Yungay valley located in the southern hyperarid Atacama Desert. We employed paleomagnetic and radiocarbon dating, and for the first time for Atacama Desert sediments, a meteoric 10Be/9Be based method for determining the depositional age. The respective 4.20 m deep profile comprises a lower alluvial fan deposit with a maximum age of 3.8 ± 0.8 Ma, and an upper 1.84 m thick clay pan deposit that has accumulated over the last 19 ka. Different proxies including grain size, salt concentration, and elemental composition indicate an aridity increase around 2.3 Ma ago and repeated dry and wet phases during the late Pleistocene and the Holocene. The latter climatic shifts can be assigned to variabilities of the South American Summer Monsoon and El Niño Southern Oscillation with moisture sources from the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean, respectively. This study provides deeper insights into the heterogeneous climate of the hyperarid Atacama Desert and underlines the importance of interdisciplinary investigations to decipher climate systems and their effect on potential habitable regions in such an extreme environment.

Blue carbon storage in a sub-Antarctic marine protected area

High-latitude ecosystems have been overlooked in carbon budgets, which traditionally focus on mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses. The benthic assemblages and their Nature Contributions to People in Namuncurá – Burdwood Bank I and II, two offshore sub-Antarctic Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), are the conservation values. Here we show that the carbon reservoirs of these MPAs can be greater than those of their Antarctic counterparts, which, together with their extension, emphasize the need to maintain their protected status. Considering their total area, these MPAs stored in biomass 52,085.78 Mg C, corresponding 34,964.16 Mg to organic carbon (OC) and 17,121.62 Mg to inorganic carbon (IC). Surficial sediments stored 933,258,336 Mg C with 188,089,629 Mg of OC and 745,168,707 Mg of IC. However, when accounting for CO2 production through CaCO3 precipitation, the IC fractions decrease to 3,150.37 Mg C and 137,111,042 Mg C for biomass and sediments, respectively. We assume low sediment deposition due to the oceanic location, as direct sedimentation rates for these areas are unavailable. Most blue carbon assessments have focused solely on OC, despite the formation of CaCO3 releases CO2, decreasing net carbon storage. We compared various approaches for incorporating carbonates into carbon estimations. These results underscore the importance of including IC into carbon assessments and highlights the importance of sub-Antarctic benthic ecosystems as nature-based solutions to climate change.

Small Airways Disease Affects Aerosol Deposition in Children with Severe Asthma: A Functional Respiratory Imaging Study.

Background: Small airways disease (SAD) in severe asthma (SA) is associated with high disease burden. Effective treatment of SAD could improve disease control. Reduced end-expiratory flows (forced expiratory flow [FEF]25-75 and FEF75) are considered sensitive indicators of SAD. Inhaled medication should be delivered to the smaller peripheral airways to treat SAD effectively. Aerosol deposition is affected by structural airway changes. Little is known about the effect of SAD on aerosol delivery to the smaller peripheral airways. Functional respiratory imaging (FRI) is a validated technique using 3D reconstructed chest computed tomography (CT) and computational fluid dynamics to predict aerosol deposition in the airways. Aim: This study aims to compare central and peripheral (= small airways) deposition between children with SA and SAD and children with SA without SAD, with different inhaler devices and inhalation profiles. Methods: FRI was used to predict the deposition of beclomethasone/formoterol dry powder inhaler (DPI), beclomethasone/formoterol pressurized metered dose inhaler with valved holding chamber (pMDI/VHC), and salbutamol pMDI/VHC for different device-specific inhalation profiles in chest-CT of 20 children with SA (10 with and 10 without SAD). SAD was defined as FEF25-75 and FEF75 z-score < -1.645 and forced vital capacity (FVC) z-score > -1.645. No SAD was defined as forced expiratory volume (FEV)1, FEF25-75, FEF75, and FVC z-score > -1.645. The intrathoracic, central, and peripheral airways depositions were determined. Primary outcome was difference in central-to-peripheral (C:P) deposition ratio between children with SAD and without SAD. Results: Central deposition was significantly higher (∼3.5%) and peripheral deposition was lower (2.9%) for all inhaler devices and inhalation profiles in children with SAD compared with children without SAD. As a result C:P ratios were significantly higher for all inhaler devices and inhalation profiles, except for beclomethasone administered through DPI (p = .073), in children with SAD compared with children without SAD. Conclusion: Children with SA and SAD have higher C:P ratios, that is, higher central and lower peripheral aerosol deposition, than children without SAD. The intrathoracic, central, and peripheral deposition of beclomethasone/formoterol using DPI was lower than using pMDI/VHC.

Significance of well placement and degree of hydrate reserve recovery for synergistic CH4 recovery and CO2 storage in marine heterogeneous hydrate-bearing sediments

The synergistic CH4 recovery and CO2 storage in marine natural gas hydrate reservoirs presents an emerging strategic solution for energy and environment challenges, yet the efficiency requires innovative engineering designs to enhance. In this study, a water-saturated CH4 hydrate-bearing sediment (HBS, V = 22 L, T = 284 K, and P = 11.2 MPa) was synthesized to investigate the pilot-scale combined processes of CH4 recovery by depressurization followed by CO2 storage through CO2/N2 injection. The synthesized HBS exhibited vertical heterogeneity with higher hydrate saturation observed in the upper sediment and a decreasing saturation trend in the lower sediment. The effect of well placement designs on CH4 recovery and hydrate restoration by mixed CH4/CO2/N2 hydrate (Mix-H) formation was investigated, considering two scenarios: upper well for recovery while lower well for injection (URLI), and lower well for recovery while upper well for injection (LRUI). Additionally, the impact of the degree of hydrate reserve recovery (100% and 80% hydrate dissociated) on subsequent Mix-H formation was also studied. Results indicate that the URLI setting achieves a higher CH4 recovery ratio and rate during depressurization compared to the LRUI setting which encounters low-T shielding. The T variation between upper and lower sediment highlights the influence of heterogeneity on fluid behaviors. Halting the CH4 recovery after 80% hydrate dissociation results in a halved recovery time and water production. During later CO2/N2 injection and Mix-H formation process, the LRUI setting achieves a 13–54% higher Mix-H saturation and a 33–56% higher CO2 hydrate encapsulation than the URLI setting. Moreover, 80% dissociation proves more favorable for Mix-H formation achieving nearly twice higher final amount than 100% hydrate dissociation. However, it results in a lower CO2 encapsulation. This study provides insights into the trade-off between CH4 recovery and CO2 storage efficiency, emphasizing the need for optimized well placement and controlled hydrate extraction.

CFD-PK model for nasal suspension sprays: Validation with human adult in vivo data for triamcinolone acetonide

The objectives of this study were to expand and implement a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)-Dissolution, Absorption and Clearance (DAC)-Pharmacokinetics (PK) multi-physics modeling framework for simulating the transport of suspension-based nasal corticosteroid sprays. The mean CFD-predicted peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the curve (AUC) of the plasma concentration–time profile, based on three representative nasal airway models (capturing low, medium and high posterior spray deposition), were within one standard deviation of available in vivo PK data for a representative corticosteroid drug (triamcinolone acetonide). The relative differences in mean Cmax between predictions and in vivo data for low dose (110 µg) and high dose (220 µg) cases were 27.8% and 10.1%, respectively. The models confirmed the dose-dependent dissolution-limited behavior of nasally delivered triamcinolone acetonide observed in available in vivo data. The total uptake from the nasal cavity decreased from 68.3% to 51.3% for the medium deposition model as dose was increased from 110 to 220 µg due to concentration-limited dissolution. The modeling framework is envisioned to facilitate faster development and testing of generic locally acting suspension nasal spray products due to its ability to predict the impact of differences in spray characteristics and patient use parameters on systemic PK.

Atmospheric ion escape and solar wind deposition as a function of planetary radius

ABSTRACT We explore the ability of an unmagnetized planet to retain an atmosphere as a function of its radius. We use a particle-in-cell hybrid code to simulate the global plasma interaction of unmagnetized terrestrial planets at 1 au under average solar wind conditions. We vary the radius of the planet $(R_\mathrm{ p})$ from Mars-sized ($3390 \ \mathrm{km}$) to super-Earth-sized ($9390 \ \mathrm{km}$). We inject hydrogen and oxygen ion outflows from the ionosphere and quantify how the ion escape, recirculation, solar wind deposition, and net atmospheric mass flux vary as a function of planetary radius. We find that as the radius and the corresponding ionospheric outflow rate are varied, the fraction of outflowing $\mathrm{ H^+}$ that escapes remains at $15.5\pm 1.0{{\ \rm per\, cent}}$, while the rest recirculates back towards the planet. The fraction of produced $\mathrm{ O^+}$ that escapes from a Mars-sized planet is $27\pm 1{{\ \rm per\, cent}}$, and decreases to $7\pm 1{{\ \rm per\, cent}}$ for super-Earth, suggesting that smaller planets are less able to retain heavy ions. We find, however, that larger planets have lower solar wind deposition fractions because their bow shocks are at greater distances from the surface of the planet. The ionospheric outflow rate at which mass deposition is equal to mass escape is found to be proportional to $R_\mathrm{ p}^2$. Lastly, we propose that the bulk gyration of the solar wind at the induced magnetosphere can lead to differential escape trajectories of light and heavy ions.

Simulating the Growth of TATA-Box Binding Protein-Associated Factor 15 Inclusions in Neuron Soma.

To the best of the author's knowledge, this paper presents the first attempt to develop a mathematical model of the formation and growth of inclusions containing misfolded TATA-box binding protein associated factor 15 (TAF15). It has recently been shown that TAF15 inclusions are involved in approximately 10% of cases of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). FTLD is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's disease (AD). It is characterized by a progressive loss of personality, behavioral changes, and a decline in language skills due to the degeneration of the frontal and anterior temporal lobes. The model simulates TAF15 monomer production, nucleation and autocatalytic growth of free TAF15 aggregates, and their deposition into TAF15 inclusions. The accuracy of the numerical solution of the model equations is validated by comparing it with analytical solutions available for limiting cases. Physiologically relevant parameter values were used to predict TAF15 inclusion growth. It is shown that the growth of TAF15 inclusions is influenced by two opposing mechanisms: the rate at which free TAF15 aggregates are deposited into inclusions and the rate of autocatalytic production of free TAF15 aggregates from monomers. A low deposition rate slows inclusion growth, while a high deposition rate hinders the autocatalytic production of new aggregates, thus also slowing inclusion growth. Consequently, the rate of inclusion growth is maximized at an intermediate deposition rate of free TAF15 aggregates into TAF15 inclusions.

Assessment of nutrient differences in detached soil particles between cropland and revegetated abandoned land

AbstractCropland (CRL) abandonment is a worldwide phenomenon of land use change with significant impacts on agro‐ecosystems. This research attempts to deepen the analysis of the positive and negative effects arising by focusing on the changes in soil properties and the amount and composition of soil particles detached after several periods of rainfall and the resulting exported sediment that occurs in abandoned areas with natural revegetation compared to CRL. The study was carried out in an agroforestry catchment with a temperate climate, on which CRL and abandoned land with natural vegetation were compared. The soil was sampled along two representative hillslopes integrating elements of the landscape and land use/land covers. Sediments were collected after seven periods in which flood events were recorded during the period July 2016 to December 2017, using artificial‐lawn mats. Soil and sediment composition (texture, soil organic carbon [SOC] and nutrients [total nitrogen and total phosphorous]) under both land uses were assessed and compared and related to rainfall characteristics using principal component analysis. Nutrient enrichment factors in the sediments compared to soils were also evaluated. The results highlight that after abandonment, SOC increased significantly, reaching contents almost three times higher than in CRL. Consequently, soil erodibility decreased, resulting in substantially lower sediment generation after erosive rainfall events. On average, sediment generation was three times lower in abandoned areas than in CRL, despite their steeper slopes. Soil total nitrogen also increased on abandoned lands, reaching values about twice as high as those in CRL. However, total phosphorous content was almost twice as high in CRL than in abandoned land posing a potential risk for water due to higher erosion rates recorded in CRL. The results confirmed the association of phosphorous with smaller particles and also demonstrated the total phosphorous‐SOC link in abandoned land. Furthermore, the effect of rainfall intensity on phosphorous mobilisation was confirmed, whilst nitrogen losses were mainly related to the total amount of rainfall recorded. In a scenario of increasing extreme precipitation, both total amount and increased precipitation intensity may exacerbate water pollution problems following nutrient loss in cultivated areas. This research contributes to identifying the impacts on agroforestry systems within the current context of converting natural areas into cultivated land, whilst in other regions revegetated natural areas are developed from abandoned agricultural land.

P102 PH-SENSOR GPR68 PLAYS A ROLE IN THE CARDIOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF A HIGH FIBRE DIET

Background/Objective: Dietary fibre lowers blood pressure (BP) via short-chain fatty acids, acidic metabolites released from fibre fermentation by the bacteria in the large intestine. This acidic microenvironment may activate pH-sensing receptor GPR68, expressed primarily on immune cells, which play a crucial role in BP regulation. Here, we aimed to investigate whether GPR68 confers the cardioprotective effects of a high-fibre diet in hypertension by regulating inflammatory responses. Methods: 6–8-week-old male wildtype (WT) and GPR68-deficient (Gpr68-/-) fed a control or high-fibre diet underwent subcutaneous implantation of minipumps containing Angiotensin II (0.75 mg/kg body weight/day, 4 weeks, n=8/group). BP was measured weekly by tail-cuff. Morphometric, histological, and flow cytometric analyses were performed following the 4-week protocol. Results: High-fibre-fed WT mice exhibited blunted elevations in systolic BP (week 4; p=0.0508) and lower cardiac interstitial collagen deposition (p=0.0495) compared to WT mice fed a control diet. However, high fibre did not lower BP (week 4; control vs high-fibre, p=0.689) or cardiac collagen deposition (p=0.842) in Gpr68-/- mice. High-fibre-fed WT mice exhibited improved aortic elastin content compared to control-fed WT mice (p=0.0503), whereas this remained negligible in Gpr68-/- mice (p=0.885). Flow cytometric analysis revealed that high fibre decreased aortic macrophage (p=0.0072) and neutrophil cell counts (p=0.0273) in mice, irrespective of genotype. High fibre also decreased overall renal immune cell counts (p=0.0213) and dendritic cells (p=0.0488) in mice, irrespective of genotype. Finally, high fibre-fed mice had overall decreased circulating immune cell counts (p=0.0264), specifically CD8+ T cells (p=0.0235), and γδ T cells (p=0.0264). Conclusions: High fibre intervention on Angiotensin II-treated GPR68-deficient mice did not lower their BP or cardiac fibrosis. All angiotensin II-treated mice fed a high-fibre diet exhibited prominent changes in various immune cell populations, irrespective of genotype. Nonetheless, this study provides novel insight that GPR68 is involved in the cardioprotective effects of a high-fibre diet. This is most likely via in an immune-independent manner, warranting further investigations into its underlying mechanisms of action.

Sample Preservation Solution Increases Nucleic Acid Yield and Environmental RNA Quality in Sediments Across an Estuarine Salinity Gradient

ABSTRACTEnvironmental nucleic acid‐based assessments are powerful tools for understanding microbial ecology, and environmental degradation in aquatic environments. This approach is particularly useful in guiding restoration in estuaries, some of the most degraded ecosystems in the world. The recent popularity of this approach has been accompanied by a parallel increase in the diversity of applied methods. A range of best practice methods exist across the field that can be employed and are selected based on environmental considerations such as physicochemical gradients, maximizing yield, and quality of nucleic acids sampled across sites within a study area. A consistent approach to intra‐study nucleic acid sampling also ensures accurate comparison between those sites. This study evaluates environmental nucleic acid (eNA) sampling methods across salinity gradients in aquatic ecosystems, focusing on the impact of preservation techniques on environmental DNA (eDNA) yield and environmental RNA (eRNA) yield and quality. Fieldwork was conducted at three sites within the Coorong estuary system in South Australia, representing low salinity, marine, and hypersaline conditions. Snap freezing and LifeGuard preservation solution treatments were applied in situ to compare their effects on nucleic acid yields and eRNA integrity. Snap freezing enhanced eDNA yield in low salinity sediments but negatively impacted eRNA integrity in marine and hypersaline conditions. Conversely, treatment with preservation solution consistently improved both eDNA and eRNA recovery across all salinity levels, which makes this approach a good candidate for preserving eNA molecules across environmental gradients. The study underscores the necessity of tailoring sample preservation methods to specific environmental conditions for accurate eNA‐based microbial community assessments in coastal ecosystems. These findings contribute to the development of robust eNA sampling protocols for benthic communities under varying salinity conditions.

The influence of supervised and unsupervised methods in the analysis of low density stream sediments in the regional prospecting of pegmatites in the state of Espírito Santo, Araçuaí Orogen - Eastern Pegmatite Province of Brazil

The state of Espírito Santo is located in Brazil southeastern and it is geologically inserted in the Eastern Brazilian Pegmatite Province in the Araçuaí Orogen. This province is one of the most important pegmatite provinces in the world, known mainly for the occurrence of gem-quality minerals and high grade lithium deposits. Although Espírito Santo has a geological framework with many granite intrusions similar to those hosting mineralized pegmatites in Minas Gerais, it hasn't been acknowledged as a potential pegmatitic area. There are reports of mineralization of beryl (aquamarine), topaz, amethyst, and chrysoberyl in the state's mineral history. I this research we use regional stream sediment geochemical data of the Espirito Santo State, to create prospective geochemical maps to map gemological pegmatites. To do so, primary descriptive statistical analyses as well as Pearson and Spearman correlations and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were used to select elements associated with pegmatites. The geochemical prospectivity mapping was carried out by supervised and unsupervised approaches. The supervised method was based on integration of the elements by C-A fractal models, used to define the geochemical thresholds, and fuzzy logic methodology to integrate weighted geochemical maps. The unsupervised approach, however, was based on interpolation of the representative principal component scores. All models were validated using the Prediction Area plot (P-A plot). The results of our research showed that unsupervised methodology overperformed the other weighted supervised models, with a prediction rate of 78.14 % and prospectivity of 0.87. The final results also show a pegmatite prospectivity map for the Espirito Santo state, that indicates a great exploration potential for gemological minerals.)

Exploring the superior mild temperature performance of nickel-infused fibrous titania silica for enhanced dry reforming of methane

Carbon (IV) oxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. One potential approach for reducing their environmental impact is transforming these gases into synthesis gas (CO + H2). This study illustrates the advancement of catalysts supported by fibrous titania silica (FTS), which have nickel loadings of 1%, 3%, and 5%. The FTS support, a modified variant of silica-titania, has a distinct fibrous structure and exhibits mesoporous material properties such as a type IV isotherm and an H1 hysteresis loop. After 72 h of operation, the 1Ni/FTS catalyst converted over 80% of CH4 and CO2 with low coke deposition, outperforming other catalysts. The bare FTS support had reduced CH4 conversion at 600°C, CO2 conversion at 650°C, and H2/CO ratio at 700°C. However, the 5Ni/FTS and 3Ni/FTS catalysts showed consistent increases in CH4 conversion at 600°C. The 1Ni/FTS catalyst, with a pore size of 7.39 nm, had strong metal-support interaction and moderate basicity sites, which helped with reactant dissociation and coke gasification. Despite the slightly higher CH4 conversion of the 3Ni/FTS catalyst and the high basicity of the 5Ni/FTS catalyst, the 1Ni/FTS catalyst demonstrated superior thermal stability and coking resistance, as evidenced by negligible weight loss during TGA analysis. Raman shifts revealed the presence of carbon synthesis and the buildup of disordered amorphous carbon. The Id/Ig ratios of FTS, 1Ni/FTS, 3Ni/FTS, and 5Ni/FTS were 1.01, 0.98, 1.01, and 1.01, respectively. The lower Id/Ig ratio of 1Ni/FTS suggests less disorder. The FTS support promises mild-temperature, carbon-neutral CH4 reforming with long-term catalytic applications. This study demonstrates the efficacy of FTS-supported catalysts in constructing long-term and efficient systems for converting greenhouse gasses.

A Lake at the Mt. Fuji (Lake Motosu) Recording Prolonged Negative Arctic Oscillation as Reduction of Aeolian Dust Due To Westerly Pathways During the Holocene

AbstractEast Asia is a major source of dust accounting for 20% of the global dust emission. Work on reconstructing past changes in dust transport in East Asia is complicated by difficulties in distinguishing local sedimentation from aerial material and lack of suitable material for age determination. Here, we address these issues and present a new dust proxy record from Lake Motosu, located on the Pacific side of Japan. The record is anchored by a high‐quality tephra and radiocarbon chronology. Because Lake Motosu is situated in a quartz‐free basaltic volcanic province, all quartz deposited in the lake is likely to be aerially sourced, and variations in quartz content should reflect past changes in dust transport. Our new record detects a low dust deposition event from 3.0 to 2.0 ka. This event corresponds to elevated sea surface temperature in the Sea of Japan and climate conditions similar to a negative phase of the Arctic Oscillation, indicating an association with the weakened Westerlies and with less frequent dust storms in the source region. The increase in spatial resolution of past dust transport reconstructions will further improve our understanding of the mechanism related to dust emission from East Asia.

Competitive Entrapment of Hypervolatiles in Interstellar and Cometary Water Ice Analogs

The distribution of chemical species in protoplanetary disks around young stars, especially their division between gas and solid phases, fundamentally shapes the composition of future planets and planetesimals. This distribution is likely affected by entrapment, a mechanism whereby volatile species are mechanically or chemically bound within a less volatile ice. In this study, we investigate the entrapment efficiencies of four hypervolatiles (CH4, CO, N2, and Ar) in multicomponent water ice mixtures deposited at different temperatures and mixture ratios. At low ice deposition temperatures, we observe small differences in entrapment efficiency (CH4>CO>N2∼Ar) up to a factor of two across species. The differences in entrapment between species increase by up to an order of magnitude with increasing deposition temperature. The relative entrapment efficiencies are also impacted by changes in the overall hypervolatile concentration of the ice mixtures. Collectively, these experiments suggest that relative entrapment efficiencies are mainly regulated by small differences in binding energies to the ice matrix, though competition for the best sites also influences entrapment in more concentrated ices. We use these results to better inform interpretations of hypervolatile observations in comets and related objects.

Lysyl oxidase expression in smooth muscle cells determines the level of intima calcification in hypercholesterolemia-induced atherosclerosis

IntroductionCardiovascular calcification is an important public health issue with an unmeet therapeutic need. We had previously shown that lysyl oxidase (LOX) activity critically influences vascular wall smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and valvular interstitial cells (VICs) calcification by affecting extracellular matrix remodeling. We have delved into the participation of LOX in atherosclerosis and vascular calcification, as well as in the mineralization of the aortic valve. MethodsImmunohistochemical and expression studies were carried out in human atherosclerotic lesions and experimental models, valves from patients with aortic stenosis, VICs, and in a genetically modified mouse model that overexpresses LOX in CMLV (TgLOXCMLV). Hyperlipemia and atherosclerosis was induced in mice through the administration of adeno-associated viruses encoding a PCSK9 mutated form (AAV-PCSK9D374Y) combined with an atherogenic diet. ResultsLOX expression is increased in the neointimal layer of atherosclerotic lesions from human coronary arteries and in VSMC-rich regions of atheromas developed both in the brachiocephalic artery of control (C57BL/6 J) animals transduced with PCSK9D374Y and in the aortic root of ApoE−/− mice. In TgLOXCMLV mice, PCSK9D374Y transduction did not significantly alter the enhanced aortic expression of genes involved in matrix remodeling, inflammation, oxidative stress and osteoblastic differentiation. Likewise, LOX transgenesis did not alter the size or lipid content of atherosclerotic lesions in the aortic arch, brachiocephalic artery and aortic root, but exacerbated calcification. Among lysyl oxidase isoenzymes, LOX is the most expressed member of this family in highly calcified human valves, colocalizing with RUNX2 in VICs. The lower calcium deposition and decreased RUNX2 levels triggered by the overexpression of the nuclear receptor NOR-1 in VICs was associated with a reduction in LOX. ConclusionsOur results show that LOX expression is increased in atherosclerotic lesions, and that overexpression of this enzyme in VSMC does not affect the size of the atheroma or its lipid content, but it does affect its degree of calcification. Further, these data suggest that the decrease in calcification driven by NOR-1 in VICs would involve a reduction in LOX. These evidences support the interest of LOX as a therapeutic target in cardiovascular calcification.

The Moscovian–Kasimovian boundary problem in the Northern Urals: A case study of the Moleben-Iz Section, Ilych River

The Kasimovian lower boundary is usually determined by the first appearance of Obsoletes and advanced Protriticites fusulinids; however, this criterion is not always met. In the northern part of the Urals and Pai-Khoi, the Moscovian–Kasimovian boundary is determined by the abrupt appearance of fusulinids of the Subfamily Pulchrellinae. In this paper we present results of our study of the Moleben-Iz section, in an attempt to define the Moscovian–Kasimovian boundary. In this section, the upper Moscovian and lower Kasimovian deposits are represented by shallow-marine carbonates, including a diverse fusulinid complex. The most important stratigraphic level here is the lower part of bed 6, characterized by the abrupt appearance of the fusulinids Kanmeraia, Eowaeringella and Dagmarella. This level is also associated with the diversification of Usvaella (species U. plicata (Shamov and Shcherbovich) and U. porifera Remizova appear) and Pulchrella (Pul. whitensis (Ross and Sabins), Pul. hayasakai (Watanabe), and Pul. pokojamensis (Lebedeva) appear). The later appearance of Obsoletes obsoletus may be related to the later migration of this species from the Russian platform to the Urals. Placement of the Kasimovian lower boundary in the Northern Urals and Pai-Khoi at the base of the Kanmeraia ozawai-Usvaella usvae Biozone allows us to correlate this boundary with the Missourian base of the North American continent.