Migration Pathways Research Articles

Petrophysical characterization of the Late-Cretaceous Logbaba Formation in the Kribi/Campo sub-basin, Cameroon: Implication on deep-water hydrocarbon exploration

Deep-water hydrocarbon exploration in the Kribi/Campo sub-basin offshore Cameroon is targeting the promising Campanian-Maastrichtian turbidite reservoirs. However, a detailed understanding of the petrophysical properties of these Upper Cretaceous reservoirs is not well documented. In this study, well logs from two boreholes W1 and W2 located in the southern part of the sub-basin provide a unique opportunity to assess the reservoir quality of the Upper Cretaceous Logbaba Formation. Four potential reservoir intervals with thickness ranging between 27 and 105.7 m were delineated in W1, compared with two intervals in W2 with thickness ranging between 72.2 and 93.6 m. Lithological analysis of these reservoir intervals indicates a heterogeneous reservoir matrix consisting of sand, limestone, and dolomite. These reservoir intervals are interpreted as turbidite sand deposits with a clay content ranging from 6.3 to 19.8%, porosity ranging from 15.5 to 21.3%, permeability ranging between 5.65 and 75.09 mD and a water saturation of 34.5–74.2%. Fluid free index, reservoir quality index, and flow zone indicator are insignificant and suggest reservoirs with poor transmissibility. These analyses reflects good petrophysical characteristics for the sandstones of Logbaba Formation. However, both wells were water-bearing with non-mobile hydrocarbon residuals and did not contain commercial quantities of hydrocarbons. There is no evidence of hydrocarbon migration in either reservoir, suggesting that the source rock and the hydrocarbon migration pathways are the main risk factors and reason for the failure of the wells. The findings from this study extend the understanding of the reservoir characteristics of the Upper Cretaceous Logbaba Formation, which will further enhance hydrocarbon prospectivity offshore Cameroon. Since these reservoirs are water-laden, they may serve as potential offshore saline aquifers for geological storage of CO2 offshore Cameroon.

Separator engineering: Assisting lithium salt dissociation and constructing LiF-rich solid electrolyte interphases for high-rate lithium metal batteries

Challenges associated with lithium dendrite growth and the formation of dead lithium significantly limit the achievable energy density of lithium metal batteries (LMBs), particularly under high operating current densities. Our innovative design employs a state-of-the-art 2500 separator featuring a meticulously engineered cellulose acetate (CA) coating (CA@2500) to suppress dendrite nucleation and propagation. The CO functional groups in CA enhances charge transfer kinetics and triggering the decomposition of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI), which leads to the formation of a more robust solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) composed primarily of LiF. Moreover, the introduction of polar functional groups in the CA enhances the separator’s hydrophilic properties, facilitating the uniform Li+ flux and creating a conductive pathway for efficient lithium migration. As a result, the CA@2500 separator exhibits a high lithium-ion transfer number (0.88) and conductivity. The lithium symmetric cell assembles with the CA@2500 separator displays a stable cycling performance over 5500 h at a current density and capacity of 10 mA cm−2 and 10 mAh cm−2, respectively. Additionally, LPF battery with CA@2500 separator shows an excellent capacity retention at 0.2 C with an average decay of 0.055 % per cycle. Moreover, a high capacity of 105 mAh g−1 is maintained after 500 cycles at 5 C with an average decay of only 0.027 % per cycle. This work achieved high stability of LMBs through simplified engineering.

Multi-contamination groundwater risk assessment based on integrated OSPRC framework considering receptor and consequence components

This study evaluates the risks associated with geogenic and anthropogenic contaminants in the Azarshahr aquifer situated in the Lake Urmia watershed in NW Iran, an area critically affected by both natural mineral deposits and intensive agricultural activities. This region, characterized by its significant geological diversity and extensive use of pesticides and fertilizers, presents a unique opportunity to study the interaction between natural and human-induced groundwater contamination. Employing the Origin-Source-Pathway-Receptors-Consequence (OSPRC) framework, the research focuses on the linkage between these contaminants and waterborne diseases, particularly examining the less-studied “Receptor” and “Consequence” components using the Groundwater Quality Index (GQI) and health risk indices. Our approach integrates vulnerability assessments through the DRASTIC and SPECTR methods, enhanced by Sugeno fuzzy logic, to produce a detailed risk map highlighting two critical zones: Risk Cell 1, impacted predominantly by agricultural contaminants including nitrate and chlorpyrifos, and Risk Cell 2, affected by geogenic contaminants such as arsenic, lead, nickel, and chromium. This comprehensive analysis not only maps out the source and migration pathways of these contaminants but also evaluates their impact on human health. The findings underscore a strong correlation between identified risks and health impacts, emphasizing the pressing need for targeted health interventions and improved management of water resources in the region. By advancing the application of the OSPRC framework, this research fills a vital gap in our understanding of aquifer contamination dynamics and sets a new standard for future groundwater risk assessments.

Dysregulation of Aquaporin-3 and Glyceryl Glucoside Restoring Action in Hidradenitis Suppurativa in Vitro Models.

Aquaporin-3 (AQP3) is an aquaglyceroporin and peroxiporin that plays a crucial role in skin barrier homeostasis. Dysregulated AQP3 expression has been observed in different inflammatory skin conditions. Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is an autoinflammatory keratinization disease that typically appears between 10 and 21 years of age, characterized by alteration of skin barrier homeostasis. To evaluate in vitro the role of AQP3 in the development of HS, we performed real-time PCR and Western blot to analyze gene and protein levels in human keratinocyte cell lines knock-out (KO) for NCSTN and PSENEN genes, simulating genetic-associated HS. Additionally, we investigated the impact of Glyceryl Glucoside (GG) on biological processes by performing MTT, scratch, proliferation assays and proteome studies. We detected a significant decrease of the levels of AQP3 gene and protein in KO cell lines. GG effectively elevated the levels of mRNA and protein, significantly decreased the hyperproliferation rate, and enhanced cell migration in our in vitro model of genetic Hidradenitis Suppurativa. Pathway enrichment analysis further confirmed GG's role in the migration and proliferation pathways of keratinocytes. Our results suggest that AQP3 may act as a new novel actor in HS etio-pathogenesis, and GG could be further explored as potential treatment option for managingHSinpatients.

The Meanings of Home: The Case of the Vinan Refugee Families and the 1923 Greek-Turkish Population Exchange

Abstract With drastic changes in borders and regimes in the post-World War I period, what meaning did home have for those on the ground? How can we understand different conceptualizations of “home” and “homeland”? The 1923 Greek-Turkish population exchange enshrined a notion of “unmixing” that rested on a presumed overlap between religion and ethnicity: Orthodox Christians in Anatolia would be deported to Greece and Greek Muslim nationals would be deported to Turkey. The reduction of identity left other communities that necessarily did not understand themselves as “Turks” or “Greeks” vulnerable to deportation. This article examines the case of an Albanian-speaking Muslim village in Greece, Vinan (Vineni), and the people from there who were deported to Turkey as part of the exchange process. This case illuminates the ways refugees navigated consulates and new national regimes in an attempt to return to their original village. New migration pathways and concepts of home and homeland were negotiated through the process with and for the refugees. This article takes the 1923 Greek-Turkish population exchange as an ongoing process of forging new migration pathways and conceptions of home, as opposed to understanding the 1923 Greek-Turkish population exchange as a singular event.

Racialising Refugees: The Global Colour Line in US Resettlement

Abstract Following the 2021 Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, there were notable differences in access to resettlement and other pathways of humanitarian migration. Drawing on an analysis of statements by US policymakers, this article considers the global context and implications of the disparate language and approaches used in responses to Afghan and Ukrainian displacement. It shows how racialised and gendered narratives contributed to and were constituted within a broader international hierarchy and global colour line. The positioning of Ukrainians as possessing higher civilisational attributes deserving of solidarity and support, and their portrayal through prisms of strong agency, sovereignty, and kindred Western values, echoed across transnational constructions of collective white identity. In contrast, Afghan resettlement was rendered conditional on extensive security vetting and proof of loyal service to US and NATO missions in Afghanistan. Portrayals of Afghans as less assimilable, as potential terrorist infiltrators, as incapable of self-governance and unable to generate their own progress perpetuated features of the global colour line. Attending to the different logics used to construct refugee and parolee groups and policies broadens our understanding on how multilayered processes of Orientalism and racialisation shape resettlement and disparities in access to protection.

Visualization of Tetrahedral Li in the Alkali Layers of Li-Rich Layered Metal Oxides.

Understanding Li+ ion diffusion pathways in Li-rich layered transition metal (TM) oxides is crucial for understanding the sluggish kinetics in anionic O2- redox. Although Li diffusion within the alkali layers undergoes a low-barrier octahedral-tetrahedral-octahedral pathway, it is less clear how Li diffuses in and out of the TM layers, particularly given the complex structural rearrangements that take place during the oxidation of O2-. Here, we develop simultaneous electron ptychography and annular dark field imaging methods to unlock the Li migration pathways in Li1.2Ni0.13Mn0.54Co0.13O2 associated with structural changes in the charge-discharge cycle. At the end of TM oxidation and before the high-voltage O oxidation plateau, we show that the Li migrating out of the TM layers occupies the alkali-layer tetrahedral sites on opposite sides of the TM layers, forming Li-Li dumbbell configurations, consistent with the density functional theory calculations. Also occurring are the TM migration and phase transition from O3 to O1 stacking, leading to unstable tetrahedral Li and the absence of Li contrast in imaging. Upon further Li deintercalation to 4.8 V, most of the tetrahedral Li are removed. After discharging to 2 V, we did not identify the reformation of tetrahedral Li but observed permanently migrated TMs at the alkali-layer sites, disfavoring the Li occupying the tetrahedral sites for diffusion. Our findings suggest a landscape of Li diffusion pathways in Li-rich layered oxides and strategies for minimizing the disruption of Li diffusion.

Core-shell nanofiber separator incorporated with PDA-PEI co-modified Li0.33La0.57TiO3 nanowires prepared by co-axial electrospinning for dendrite-free lithium metal batteries

The core-shell nanofibers containing PDA-PEI co-modified Li0.33La0.57TiO3 (LLTO) perovskite nanowires in the shell layer were fabricated by co-axial electrospinning technique to apply as separator in dendrite-free lithium metal batteries. The PVDF-HFP with good mechanical properties and polar C–F bonds was used as the core material, and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) with high thermal stability was employed as the shell layer in nanofibers. The PDA-PEI co-modified Li0.33La0.57TiO3 nanowires, reacting with PF6− anions in LiPF6 salt can not only capture free anions but also provide a lithium-ion migration pathway. Moreover, the core-shell structured nanofibers exhibited high mechanical strength (9.2 N/mm2), robust thermal stability (>0% at 200 °C for 1 h), and favorable electrolyte affinity (electrolyte uptake of 732%). Gelation of PVDF-HFP in liquid electrolyte leads to high-ionic conductivity (3.52 mS/cm), Li+ transference number (tLi+ = 0.68), uniform Li+ flux, and smooth Li deposition. The Li plating/stripping test consisting of Li–Li cells (with CS/LLTO-PDA-PEI) carried out at 0.4 mA/cm2 was conducted for 1000 h without a short circuit. NCM-Li and NCM-Gr coin cells using the CS (core-shell)/LLTO-PDA-PEI separator retained long-term cycle stability and good Coulombic efficiency (CE).

Predicting avian diversity based on land use and cover on a national scale

This study explores the relationship between landscape features and avian diversity in South Korea, examining both taxonomic and functional diversity. The Korean Peninsula serves as a pivotal habitat for resident bird species and a migratory pathway in the East Asia-Pacific flyway. Using a national dataset with block sizes ranging from 3.5 to 4.5 kilometers per side, we found that less urbanized open plains exhibit higher taxonomic diversity, while coastal regions with diverse water bird populations show higher functional diversity. These findings underscore the significance of conserving the existing land types and qualities in specific regions to substantially impact bird distribution and regional biodiversity. Remarkably, closed forests display diversity patterns akin to urban/built-up areas, despite their disparate land use characteristics. The stability of bird diversity indices across different land use types enables us to predict bird diversity indices based on the particular land use and land cover configurations. This study emphasizes the complementary nature of functional biodiversity indices in comprehending bird distribution patterns alongside taxonomic diversity indices.

Expanding the Phase Space for Halide-Based Solid Electrolytes: Li-Mg-Zr-Cl Spinels.

Chloride-based solid electrolytes are intriguing materials owing to their high Li+ ionic conductivity and electrochemical compatibility with high-voltage oxide cathodes for all-solid-state lithium batteries. However, the leading examples of these materials are limited to trivalent metals (e.g., Sc, Y, and In), which are expensive and scarce. Here, we expand this materials family by replacing the trivalent metals with a mix of di- and tetra-valent metals (e.g., Mg2+ and Zr4+). We synthesize Li2Mg1/3Zr1/3Cl4 in the spinel crystal structure and compare its properties with the high-performing Li2Sc2/3Cl4 that has been reported previously. We find that Li2Mg1/3Zr1/3Cl4 has lower ionic conductivity (0.028 mS/cm at 30 °C) than the isostructural Li2Sc2/3Cl4 (1.6 mS/cm at 30 °C). We attribute this difference to a disordered arrangement of Mg2+ and Zr4+ in Li2Mg1/3Zr1/3Cl4, which may block Li+ migration pathways. However, we show that aliovalent substitution across the Li2-z Mg1-3z/2Zr z Cl4 series between Li2MgCl4 and Li2ZrCl6 can boost ionic conductivity with increasing Zr4+ content, presumably due to the introduction of Li+ vacancies. This work opens a new dimension for halide-based solid electrolytes, accelerating the development of low-cost solid-state batteries.

Fate of micropollutants in struvite production from swine wastewater with sacrificial magnesium anode

Struvite recovery shows significant potential for simultaneously recovering nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from swine wastewater but is challenged by the occurrence and transformation of antibiotic residuals. Electrochemically mediated struvite precipitation with sacrificial magnesium anode (EMSP-Mg) is promising due to its automation and chemical-free merits. However, the fate of antibiotics remains underexplored. We investigated the behavior of sulfadiazine (SD), an antibiotic frequently detected but less studied than others within the EMSP-Mg system. Significantly less SD (≤ 5%) was co-precipitated with recovered struvite in EMSP-Mg than conventional chemical struvite precipitation (CSP) processes (15.0 to 50.0%). The reduced SD accumulation in struvite recovered via EMSP was associated with increased pH and electric potential differences, which likely enhanced the electrostatic repulsion between SD and struvite. In contrast, the typical strategies used in enhancing P removal in the EMSP-Mg system, including increasing the Mg/P ratio or the Mg-release rates, have shown negligible effects on SD adsorption. Furthermore, typical coexisting ions (Ca2+, Cl−, and HCO3−) inhibited SD adsorption onto recovered products. These results provide new insights into the interactions between antibiotics and struvite within the EMSP-Mg system, enhancing our understanding of antibiotic migration pathways and aiding the development of novel EMSP processes for cleaner struvite recovery.

Mathematical Model of the Migration of the CO2-Multicomponent Gases in the Inorganic Nanopores of Shale

Nanopores in shale reservoirs refer to extremely small pores within the shale rock, categorised into inorganic and organic nanopores. Due to the differences in the hydrophilicity of the pore walls, the gas migration mechanisms vary significantly between inorganic and organic nanopores. By considering the impact of irreducible water and the variations in effective migration pathways caused by pore pressure and by superimposing the weights of different migration mechanisms, a mathematical model for the migration of CO2-multicomponent gases in inorganic nanopores of shale reservoirs has been established. The aim is to accurately clarify the migration laws of multi-component gases in shale inorganic nanopores. Additionally, this paper analyses the contributions of different migration mechanisms and studies the effects of various factors, such as pore pressure, pore size, component ratios, stress deformation, and water film thickness, on the apparent permeability of the multi-component gases in shale inorganic nanopores. The research results show that at high pressure and large pore size (pore pressure greater than 10 MPa, pore size greater than 4 nm), slippage flow dominates, while at low pressure and small pore size (pore pressure less than 10 MPa, pore size less than 4 nm), Knudsen diffusion dominates. With the increase of the stress deformation coefficient, the apparent permeability of gas gradually decreases. When the stress deformation coefficient is less than 0.05 MPa−1, the component ratio significantly impacts bulk apparent permeability. However, when the coefficient exceeds 0.05 MPa−1, this influence becomes negligible. The research results provide a theoretical basis and technical support for accurately predicting shale gas productivity, enhancing shale gas recovery, and improving CO2 storage efficiency.

Adsorption behavior of helium in quartz slit by molecular simulation

Due to the multiple influences of unique physicochemical properties of helium, petrographic characteristics and temperature and pressure conditions, little is known about the helium adsorption behaviors in minerals and rocks at geological conditions. Based on the grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations, this study revealed the adsorption characteristics of pure helium and the competitive adsorption of binary mixtures with different proportions of methane and helium under geological temperature and pressure conditions in quartz slit model. Molecular simulation of pure helium shows that physical adsorption of helium exists in mineral surfaces, which indicates a preservation mechanism of helium in helium source rocks. Binary mixtures simulations indicate that the adsorption capacity of methane in quartz is stronger than that of helium, and the competitive adsorption of methane increases with decreasing burial depth. This means that during the upwards migration processes of natural gas, the adsorbed helium that distributed in the migration pathway will be gradually displaced by methane, then concentrate in the hydrocarbon gases and subsequently accumulate together in favorable traps to form helium-rich natural gas reservoirs. Our results provide a molecular-scale insight into the preservation and accumulation of helium in helium source rocks and are significant for assessing the helium resource potential.

Correlating local structure and migration dynamics in Na/Li dual ion conductor Na5YSi4O12

Na5YSi4O12 (NYSO) is demonstrated as a promising electrolyte with high ionic conductivity and low activation energy for practical use in solid Na-ion batteries. Solid-state NMR was employed to identify the six types of coordination of Na+ ions and migration pathway, which is vital to master working mechanism and enhance performance. The assignment of each sodium site is clearly determined from high-quality 23Na NMR spectra by the aid of Density Functional Theory calculation. Well-resolved 23Na exchangespectroscopy and electrochemical tracer exchange spectra provide the first experimental evidence to show the existence of ionic exchange between sodium at Na5 and Na6 sites, revealing that Na transport route is possibly along three-dimensional chain of open channel-Na4-open channel. Variable-temperature NMR relaxometry is developed to evaluate Na jump rates and self-diffusion coefficient to probe the sodium-ion dynamics in NYSO. Furthermore, NYSO works well as a dual ion conductor in Na and Li metal batteries with Na3V2(PO4)3 and LiFePO4 as cathodes, respectively.

The migration history of the Kamchatka rhododendron (Therorhodion camtschaticum s.l.) indicates two distinct dispersal routes towards Eastern Beringia

Abstract The Kamchatka rhododendron (Therorhodion camtschaticum s.l.) is a small, cold-resistant arcto-alpine shrub species with a controversial taxonomy and a wide Beringian distribution, from northern Eurasia to Arctic North America. Some authors regard T. camtschaticum and the closely related Therorhodion glandulosum as separate species while others suggest that they represent regionally differentiated subspecies. In order to resolve this relationship, we sampled 33 populations within the native species ranges, using three fragments of plastid DNA (ptDNA) and ten nuclear microsatellites (nSSR). We recovered two genetic lineages consistent with species rather than subspecies. The distribution of these genetic lineages are consistent with two different migration pathways of species from western Beringia to eastern Beringia: (i) for T. glandulosum a northern pathway from northern East Asia to the Seward Peninsula in northern Alaska; and (ii) for T. camtschaticum a southern pathway from the southern part of western Beringia to the Aleutian Islands and the seashore of south-east Alaska. The northern route extends from the Okhotsk seashore through the Kolyma region, Chukotka, and central and northern Kamchatka. The southern route begins at the Sikhote-Alin ridge, and goes through Sakhalin Island, the Kuril Islands, and southern Kamchatka. Demographic analysis using nSSR data inferred a divergence time between T. camtschaticum and T. glandulosum long before the Last Glacial Maximum.

Simultaneous 2D Projection and 3D Topographic Imaging of Gas-Dependent Dynamics of Catalytic Nanoparticles.

Catalyst deactivation through pathways such as sintering of nanoparticles and degradation of the support is a critical factor when designing high-performance catalysts. Here, structural changes of supported nanoparticle catalysts are investigated in controlled gas environments (O2, H2O, and H2) at different temperatures by imaging simultaneously the nanoparticle structures in 2D projection and the 3D surface-sensitive topography. Platinum nanoparticles on carbon support as a model system are imaged in an environmental transmission electron microscope (ETEM), with concurrent acquisition of high-angle annular dark field scanning TEM (HAADF-STEM) and secondary electron (SE) images. Particle migration and coalescence occurs and shows gas-dependent kinetics, with nanoparticles moving across and through the support during and after coalescence. The temperature required for motion is lower in O2 than in H2O and H2, explained through the nature of the gas/nanoparticle interactions. In O2 and H2, the carbon support degrades by trench formation along migration pathways, and the particles move continuously, indicating a chemical reaction between gas and support. In H2O gas, motion is more discontinuous and oriented particle attachment occurs, as expected from theoretical predictions. These results suggest that multimodal imaging in ETEM that combines HAADF-STEM and SE data provides comprehensive information regarding catalyst dynamics and degradation mechanisms.

Abstract We070: The role of neutrophil YAP in cardiac inflammation and injury

Background: There is a growing appreciation that neutrophils demonstrate plasticity, not unlike the macrophage, and can modulate both inflammation and repair following organ injury. Neutrophils are rapidly recruited to the heart after acute myocardial infarction (MI) and participate in cardiac inflammation and remodeling. Nevertheless, mechanisms regulating neutrophil function during heart injury remain largely unknown. Research Question/Aim: Previous work demonstrated that Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) regulates macrophage function during heart injury. However, whether YAP regulates neutrophil function in any context, including reperfused MI (I/R), remains unexplored. Approach: We generated neutrophil-specific YAP KO mice (MRP8 Cre ) and subjected them to I/R to elicit inflammation and injury. Cell-based experiments were performed using primary isolated mouse neutrophils. We utilized flow cytometry, single-cell RNAseq, and histological and biochemical assays to investigate underlying mechanisms. Results: Neutrophils isolated from the blood and heart of WT mice subjected to I/R revealed increased YAP expression. Compared to control mice, neutrophil YAP KO hearts had decreased infarct size after 24 hours reperfusion, and better cardiac function after 2 weeks. Single-cell RNAseq of heart leukocytes indicated suppression of inflammatory, migratory, and superoxide production pathways in YAP KO neutrophils. Characterization of neutrophils by flow cytometry indicated a shift toward reparative polarization in YAP KO mice during early reperfusion. Bone marrow-derived neutrophils (BMDNs) from KO mice had attenuated inflammatory gene expression and ROS production compared to control cells. Pharmacological inhibition of YAP using verteporfin produced comparable results. Ongoing experiments are investigating how YAP modulates neutrophil inflammatory function, and will determine the therapeutic potential of targeted YAP inhibition for I/R injury. Conclusion: These results suggest that YAP regulates neutrophil function during I/R injury in the heart and that suppression of neutrophil YAP affords cardioprotection.

Human Rights in the Context of Global Migration

Purpose: The general objective of the study was to explore human rights in the context of global migration. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to human rights in the context of global migration. Preliminary empirical review revealed that global migration is deeply intertwined with significant human rights issues that vary across different regions and migrant populations. Migrants, regardless of their reasons for moving or legal status, frequently faced exploitation, discrimination, inadequate access to essential services, and social exclusion. The study emphasized that these human rights violations were often systemic and influenced by broader socio-political and economic structures. It highlighted the pervasive nature of rights violations at multiple stages of the migration process and pointed out substantial gaps in the implementation and enforcement of international frameworks designed to protect migrants. Specific groups, such as women, children, and undocumented migrants, were identified as particularly vulnerable, necessitating tailored interventions. The study argued that protecting migrants' human rights was both a moral and pragmatic necessity for fostering inclusive societies and called for a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to work collaboratively towards this goal. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Human Rights Theory, Push- Pull Theory of Migration and Social Capital Theory may be used to anchor future studies on global migration. The study recommended further development of migration and human rights theories to account for the complexities of contemporary migration flows, suggesting interdisciplinary approaches to enhance theoretical frameworks. Practically, it underscored the need for targeted support services for vulnerable migrant groups, the creation of safe migration pathways, and the establishment of specialized services addressing their unique needs. Policy recommendations included the adoption of comprehensive national and international policies that uphold the rights of all migrants, the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws, and the establishment of independent monitoring bodies. The study advocated for enhanced international cooperation to address migration challenges and suggested investing in data collection and research for informed policy-making. It also recommended promoting public awareness and education campaigns to foster inclusive attitudes towards migrants and counteract negative stereotypes, aiming to create a more just and humane global migration system.

Synergy of sulfur vacancy and piezoelectric effect to tune charge migration in Sv-ZnIn2S4/UiO-66-NH2 for efficient photocatalytic H2 evolution

High-performance photocatalytic H2 evolution materials require strong light absorption capability, excellent photogenerated charge separation ability and efficient charge carrier migration capability. In this study, we designed a piezoelectric photocatalytic heterojunction composed of UiO-66-NH2 and ZnIn2S4 nanosheets with sulfur vacancies. The Sv-UZ-45 heterojunction achieved piezoelectric photocatalytic H2 evolution performance of 3886.4 μmol·g-1·h-1, with a 4.6 times enhancement due to the synergistic effect of piezoelectric effect and defect engineering. The introduction of sulfur vacancies enables the heterojunction to obtain stronger light absorption, while the higher CB position of rich-sulfur vacancies ZnIn2S4 is more favorable for the photocatalytic reduction reaction. In addition, the heterojunction with rich-sulfur vacancies exhibits a stronger piezoelectric effect than without vacancies, thus providing a powerful driving force for the separation of photogenerated charge carriers. Finally, ESR was used to explain the potential photocatalytic mechanism and showed that Sv-UZ-45 adheres to the Z-scheme carrier migration pathway. This work elucidates the synergistic interaction between piezoelectric effect and defect engineering, providing new insights for the further development of high-performance piezoelectric photocatalysts.

Potential migration pathways of broadleaved trees across the receding boreal biome under future climate change.

Climate change has triggered poleward expansions in the distributions of various taxonomic groups, including tree species. Given the ecological significance of trees as keystone species in forests and their socio-economic importance, projecting the potential future distributions of tree species is crucial for devising effective adaptation strategies for both biomass production and biodiversity conservation in future forest ecosystems. Here, we fitted physiographically informed habitat suitability models (HSMs) at 50-m resolution across Sweden (55-68° N) to estimate the potential northward expansion of seven broadleaved tree species within their leading-edge distributions in Europe under different future climate change scenarios and for different time periods. Overall, we observed that minimum temperature was the most crucial variable for comprehending the spatial distribution of broadleaved tree species at their cold limits. Our HSMs projected a complex range expansion pattern for 2100, with individualistic differences among species. However, a frequent and rather surprising pattern was a northward expansion along the east coast followed by narrow migration pathways along larger valleys towards edaphically suitable areas in the north-west, where most of the studied species were predicted to expand. The high-resolution maps generated in this study offer valuable insights for our understanding of range shift dynamics at the leading edge of southern tree species as they expand into the receding boreal biome. These maps suggest areas where broadleaved tree species could already be translocated to anticipate forest and biodiversity conservation adaptation efforts in the face of future climate change.