Natural Occurrence Research Articles

Integrative analysis of the Aachen geothermal system (Germany) with an interdisciplinary conceptual model

The comprehension of geothermal systems involves the efficient integration of geological, geophysical and geochemical tools that are crucial in unraveling the distinct features inherent in geothermal reservoirs. We provide a first approach to comprehending the geologically complex geothermal system in the Aachen area, which has been known for its natural thermal spring occurrences since Roman times. Through a comprehensive analysis involving geochemical interpretation of water samples, a review of 2D seismic profiles, stress analysis, and surface geology, a dynamic model has been built, which serves as a conceptual framework providing a clearer understanding of the system. The model characterizes a non-magmatic, detachment fault-controlled convective thermal system, wherein the reservoir exhibits mixed properties of the mainly Devonian carbonate rocks. NW–SE directed fault lines play a pivotal role in fluid transport, enabling the ascent of thermal waters without the need for additional energy. We additionally conducted magnetotelluric (MT) surveys and analyzed apparent resistivity and impedance values obtained through forward modeling, along with an assessment of noise levels. These findings contribute to evaluating the potential use of MT methods in further evaluating the study area and for geothermal energy exploration in general.

Fusarium Head Blight in Argentina, a Profile of Produced Mycotoxins and a Biocontrol Strategy in Barley During Micro-Malting Process

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is the second winter crop in Argentina. In the national market, grains are mainly destined to produce malt for beer manufacture. Fusarium species are common, causing Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) in barley, which generates yield and quality losses, as well as mycotoxin occurrence. The aims of this study were to determine (a) the incidence of the main species causing FHB in different locations of the barley-growing region of Argentina, (b) their ability to produce mycotoxins, and (c) the levels of deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV) natural occurrence in grains at the harvest stage. Additionally, a strain of Bacillus velezensis was studied as a biocontrol agent in order to control F. graminearum sensu stricto and mycotoxin accumulation during the malting process, with the final objective being to reduce DON contamination in the beer manufacture chain. Fusarium graminearum ss was the most prevalent species causing FHB, with Fusarium poae being less distributed. Both species produced several mycotoxins, including NX-2 and NX-3, which is the first report of their production by strains isolated from barley in Argentina. Deoxynivalenol contamination was found in 95% of barley grains during the 2016 harvest season (mean: 0.4 mg/kg), while NIV contamination was present in 29% of samples (mean: 0.49 mg/kg). In the 2017 harvest season, 53.6% of grains were contaminated with DON (mean: 0.42 mg/kg), and 21% with NIV (mean: 0.8 mg/kg). Quantification of F. graminearum ss by real-time PCR during the micro-malting process showed that application of the biocontrol agent before the germination stage was the most effective treatment, with a 45% reduction in fungal DNA levels. Reduction in DON contamination (69.3–100%) in artificially infected grains with F. graminearum ss, was also observed. The present work contributes to the knowledge of FHB in Argentina and to the development of a strategy to control this disease and mycotoxin contamination in barley, promoting at the same time food security.

Natural incidence pattern of cotton pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) larval parasitoids across India

Aim: To identify natural incidence pattern of pink bollworm larval parasitoids across different cotton growing zones in India. Methodology: Green bolls of cotton were collected from farmers field across India encompassing Northern, Central and Southern regions of cotton cultivation. In total 59 locations were selected for sampling and from each cotton field, five hundred matured green bolls were collected, packed and transferred to laboratory at CICR, Nagpur. Dead/inactive larvae were placed individually in plastic tubes under controlled laboratory conditions to monitor parasitoid emergence. Percent parasitization and parasitoid emergence were calculated accordingly. Results: The pink bollworm larval recovery varied among locations, with the highest average recovery and parasitised larvae observed in the Northern zone (480.50 and 12.10 larvae). Additionally, the average parasitization rate was higher in the Northern cotton zone (2.46 %) compared to the Southern (2.16 %) and Central zones (1.70 %). In terms of parasitoids, the Southern zone exhibited the highest average number of Bracon lefroyi (9.17 ± 3.59) with a range of 3.0-17.0 parasitoids, while the Northern zone recorded the highest average number of Apanteles angaleti (9.70 ± 2.83) with a range of 6.0-15.0 parasitoids. Interpretation: The natural parasitization of pink bollworm larvae by Bracon lefroyi and Apanteles angaleti ranged from 0.43 to 4.33 per cent across various cotton-growing zones. This natural occurrence presents a hopeful strategy for controlling pink bollworm populations, potentially reducing the need for chemical interventions and minimizing crop damage. Key words: Apanteles angaleti, Bracon lefroyi, Cotton, Larval parasitoid, Pink bollworm

Stability and Bioaccessibility of β-Arbutin in Simulated Digestion Conditions

In this study, the effects of physicochemical and biochemical digestion conditions on β-arbutin stability and bioaccessibility were investigated. β-Arbutin, at doses that correspond to its natural occurrence in plant materials (i.e., 1–100 mg), was subjected to gastric and intestinal electrolyte treatments (application of physicochemical factors) or the whole digestion process (application of physicochemical and biochemical factors). Its content in in vitro bioaccessible fractions was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and percentage bioaccessibility was calculated. The study shows very high stability and bioaccessibility of β-arbutin in a wide range of applied concentrations. Especially at doses ≥7.5 mg, bioaccessibility was close to 100% regardless of the stage of digestion and the type of treatment (electrolyte treatment or the whole digestion process). The assessment of phytochemicals in terms of their stability and interactions with the digestion environment can help in the future evaluation of their applicability for therapeutic purposes. The high bioaccessibility of β-arbutin within its multifunctional biological activity makes it a promising substance for phytomedicinal applications.

Analytic Determination of the Roller Length of a Hydraulic Jump in an Open Channel Flow Using a Bouncing Ball

A hydraulic jump is a natural occurrence that occurs in spillways, rivers, and other open channel flows when water or other liquid flowing with a high velocity discharges into a region of lower velocity with an attendant abrupt rise in the liquid surface. Such a phenomenon, known as hydraulic jump, is normally accompanied by substantial dissipation of energy. Many researchers, in the past, focus attention in the numerical study of the hydraulic jump, under varied working situations. Few attempts are made to study the occurrence analytically. In this paper, the author studied the incident analytically using a bouncing ball to develop a model to examine the lengths of hydraulic jumps in a horizontal open channel flow. The model development is based on the laws of motion, the principles of impulse and momentum, and the classical hydraulic jump formula. The model was later verified with the roller length obtained from the series of experiments conducted in a large-size facility. The roller length that the new model estimated compared well with the experimental results conducted within the Froude number ranges of 2.00 and 16.00. The model is ease to use and its accuracy as determined by the Pearson correlation coefficient is between 0.93 and 1.00.

Discovery of an Earthborn quasicrystal approximant

Abstract Natural quasicrystals, compounds with characteristics intermediate between crystalline material and glass, have been so far discovered in extraterrestrial materials only. Further, their occurrence in nature is limited to metallic, Al-bearing alloys. The presence of metallic aluminum in these minerals raised doubts about their potential occurrence in terrestrial rocks. The geochemical conditions needed to form metallic Al are so reducing that they are considered very unlikely in a terrestrial environment. Given the report of dodecagonal symmetry in the synthetic Ta1.6Te quasicrystal, the search for terrestrial quasicrystals was focused on natural tellurides. Here, we report the discovery of the first terrestrial approximant of a dodecagonal quasicrystal, a Pd-Ni-telluride with formula Pd3Ni4Te8 and tetragonal symmetry, which was found as small inclusions in a rock sample coming from Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. Periodic approximants are crystalline materials that share a similar chemical composition with quasicrystals but have a slightly altered atomic structure, aligning their symmetry with the traditional principles of three dimensional crystallography. These crystalline approximants provide insights into the local atomic structure of their corresponding quasicrystals. Natural Pd3Ni4Te8 has been approved as a new mineral by the International Mineralogical Association with the name proxitwelvefoldite (IMA 2024-034). The Pd3Ni4Te8 composition has also been never reported to form quasicrystal approximants among synthetic products and could indicate the possible existence of a 12-fold quasicrystal in the Pd-Ni-Te system. The discovery points to the possibility that the quasicrystalline structure may be much more common than previously thought, even in non-alloy systems.

Screening of Antibodies Against Leptospiral Hardjo Among Bovine Species of Nawalpur, Tanahun and Gorkha Districts of Nepal

Introduction: Leptospirosis, a bacterial zoonosis, can affect livestock species with considerable losses especially cattle and buffalo. Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo is known to be associated with reproductive disorders in bovines. Information on the seroprevalence of antibodies against this serogroup in this territory is important in managing risks and instituting control measures for the area, such as Nepal since these diseases could be overlooked due to the absence of some surveillance practices. The aim of the study was to investigate the seroprevalence of Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo antibodies among cattle and buffalo from Nawalpur, Tanahun and Gorkha districts of Nepal in order to evaluate the extent of the disease and its effect on cattle. Methods: A total of blood samples were collected aseptically using purposive sampling from cattle and buffalo in the study area 174. These samples were analyzed serologically using PrioCHECK®L.hardjo Ab ELISA kit for antibodies to Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo. Results: The serological analysis indicated that the seroprevalence was 1.149% which points out the existence of a natural infection in cattle and buffalo reared without any immunization against leptospirosis. Geographical factors, especially region, combined with other factors like low immunogenicity of their vaccines offered to the animals, might explain the low level seroprevalence of the disease. Conclusion: This current study has highlighted the natural occurrence of the leptospires in the hardjo serovar in cattle and buffalo within the study region. The above studies bring out the necessity for active programs for control and preventative measures to restraints leptospirosis disease among the cattle as the disease prevalence designates low seroprevalence rate.

Sulfonation of IAA in Urtica eliminates its DR5 auxin activity

Key messageN-Sulfonated IAA was discovered as a novel auxin metabolite in Urtica where it is biosynthesized de novo utilizing inorganic sulfate. It showed no auxin activity in DR5::GUS assay, implying possible inactivation/storage mechanism.A novel auxin derivative, N-sulfoindole-3-acetic acid (IAA-N-SO3H, SIAA), was discovered in stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) among 116 sulfonated metabolites putatively identified by a semi-targeted UHPLC–QqTOF-MS analysis of 23 plant/algae/fungi species. These sulfometabolites were detected based on the presence of a neutral loss of sulfur trioxide, as indicated by the m/z difference of 79.9568 Da in the MS2 spectra. The structure of newly discovered SIAA was confirmed by synthesizing its standard and comparing retention time, m/z and MS2 spectrum with those of SIAA found in Urtica. To study its natural occurrence, 73 species in total were further analyzed by UHPLC–QqTOF-MS or targeted UHPLC–MS/MS method with a limit of detection of 244 fmol/g dry weight. However, SIAA was only detected in Urtica at a concentration of 13.906 ± 9.603 nmol/g dry weight. Its concentration was > 30 times higher than that of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and the SIAA/IAA ratio was further increased under different light conditions, especially in continuous blue light. In addition to SIAA, structurally similar metabolites, N-sulfoindole-3-lactic acid, 4-(sulfooxy)phenyllactic acid and 4-(sulfooxy)phenylacetic acid, were detected in Urtica for the first time. SIAA was biosynthesized from inorganic sulfate in seedlings, as confirmed by the incorporation of exogenous 34S-ammonium sulfate (1 mM and 10 mM). SIAA exhibited no auxin activity, as demonstrated by both the Arabidopsis DR5::GUS assay and the Arabidopsis phenotype analysis. Sulfonation of IAA may therefore be a mechanism for IAA deactivation and/or storage in Urtica, similar to sulfonation of the jasmonates in Arabidopsis.

Ochratoxin A and AFM1 in Cheese and Cheese Substitutes: LC-MS/MS Method Validation, Natural Occurrence, and Risk Assessment.

Cheese is vulnerable to contamination with mycotoxins, particularly ochratoxin A (OTA) and aflatoxin M1 (AFM1). This study aims to develop and validate an analytical method for the detection and quantification of OTA and AFM1 in cheese and to assess their prevalence and associated risks. A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was validated for detecting these mycotoxins in 41 cheese samples, including firm-ripened, spreadable, and plant-based alternatives. The results showed that OTA was detected exclusively in grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, while AFM1 was found in both Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino cheeses. This study goes beyond analytical method development by providing a preliminary exposure assessment and risk characterization for OTA and AFM1 in cheese, bridging the gap between analytical chemistry and public health implications. This study identified potential health risks associated with OTA, particularly for children and adolescents categorized as high consumers of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. The findings underscore the need for monitoring of OTA and AFM1 in cheese and further research to establish regulatory limits for these contaminants.

Geological storage of CO 2 in Hungary : the overview of storage potential and the role of natural occurrences

The Pannonian basin system, shared by seven Central-Eastern European countries, is one of the most perspective areas of onshore CO 2 geological storage in Europe. In the Hungarian part of the Pannonian basin system, the storage could be realized in depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs and saline aquifers comprising dominantly of Upper Miocene basin filling sediments. The estimated overall potential for CO 2 storage exceeds the 10 3 Mt in case of Hungarian part of the Pannonian basin system. The depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs correspond to this potential with limited, but well-defined capacities. However, saline aquifers represent large but indefinite capacities in the region. Furthermore, the accessibility of hydrocarbon fields is geographically limited in contrast to saline aquifers, which are regionally widespread in the Pannonian basin system. Structures that developed in the basin filling Late Miocene strata may also have been CO 2 rich or pure CO 2 -containing natural reservoirs. These natural laboratories represent a unique opportunity to study long-term processes taking place in the reservoir-CO 2 system and can be used to predict physical and chemical processes that are characteristic for the subsurface development during and after CO 2 injection in depleted hydrocarbon or saline aquifer reservoir.

Trochopus martydeveneyi n. sp. (Monogenea) infecting the pectoral fins of the southern African endemic Cape gurnard, Chelidonichthys capensis in Table Bay, and the proposal of Trochopus lawleri n. sp. for T. hobo from Australia.

Trochopus martydeveneyi n. sp., a large, elegant species is described from the dorsal surface of the pectoral fins of captive Cape gurnard, Chelidonichthys capensis (Cuvier), at Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape Town, originally collected from Table Bay, South Africa in 2007. The host microhabitat for T. martydeveneyi n. sp. is uncharacteristic for Trochopus species, which are generally known from the gills, and less so from the skin of the body of their hosts. This new species is unique among the known Trochopus species, possessing a large, dark-staining gland on each of the two testes, presumably to produce the contents of the spermatophore plug that is visible in the vagina of two specimens. Two separate individual specimens of T. martydeveneyi n. sp. also presented with unilateral testicular atrophy, which is apparently rare in the Monogenea but considered a natural occurrence. Egg hatching and larval haptoral morphology are also provided. Trochopus lawleri n. sp. is proposed for Trochopus hobo sensu Lawler and Hargis (1968) from the gills of Chelidonichthys kumu (Cuvier) off Australia, and the monotypic Trochopella Euzet & Trilles, 1962 is synonymised with Trochopus Diesing, 1850. The generic diagnosis is revised for Trochopus to incorporate new data, and information previously excluded.

Comprehensive review of the environmental impacts of mining and smelting at the Baiyinchang Cu-Zn-Pb ore deposit, Gansu Province, China, with new inputs from the sulfide compositions

This review paper presents an in-depth synthesis of the environmental aspects associated with the mining of the Baiyinchang Cu-Zn-Pb deposit in China. The review covers contamination by atmospheric deposition and sewage irrigation, soil contamination, and ecosystem health to evaluate current environmental conditions, identify potential impacts, and suggest sustainable mitigation measures for the Baiyin district. With a focus on soil, river water, and crop pollution levels, our review indicates that several heavy metals (HMs), particularly Cd, have been gradually accumulated in soils and streams due to the natural occurrence of the deposits close to the surface and mining-smelting activities, and pose a serious environmental threat. Detailed studies on sulfide minerals have found that although Cd is mainly hosted in sphalerite, all common sulfide minerals (galena, chalcopyrite, pyrite) also contain Cd. There were significant spatial variations in HM speciation; upstream areas near ore deposits exhibited lower pH and higher Zn concentrations, due to acidic mine drainage and the presence of sphalerite. As the stream flows through the Baiyin district, the increasing influence from domestic wastewater led to a rise in pH, impacting HMs mobility. Mining-smelting activities were identified as the primary source of HM pollution. Crops grown near the ore district and irrigated with contaminated water were most susceptible to contamination due to combined soil and atmospheric HM uptake. Our review highlights the importance of stricter pollution control measures, cleaner irrigation sources, and careful crop selection to safeguard food safety and ecosystem health.

Resiliency-informed optimal scheduling of smart distribution network with urban distributed photovoltaic: A stochastic P-robust optimization

An increased worldwide emphasis on resilience has resulted in a greater concentration on the distribution networks' resiliency. Therefore, the conventional approach to advance scheduling for power distribution networks is no longer sufficient, thereby requiring the creation of resilient scheduling approaches. This paper examines a proactive day-ahead scheduling method for distribution networks that are linked with significant renewable energy sources. The suggested approach employs a probabilistic scenario-generating strategy to quantify the uncertainties related to wind speed, solar irradiation, catastrophe duration, and load fluctuations. This study utilizes a hybrid stochastic p-robust optimization technique to enhance the analysis and provide robust strategies against risks. The present methodology employs a regret-based metric to quantify the adverse impacts of uncertainty inside the proactive scheduling procedure. The suggested methodology is verified using an IEEE 33-bus test system that includes significant distributed photovoltaic sources. The findings indicate a significant decrease of 43% in the highest level of regret, accompanied by a relatively limited rise of 1.22% in the operational expenses of the distribution network. This framework efficiently manages natural occurrences in the day-ahead scheduling process, making it a very promising method for improving the robustness of power distribution networks.

Insight into the Nutraceutical Potential of Garcinia Species

Background:: A wide variety of Garcinia species have been used over decades, as traditional home remedies starting from their use in flavored food to the treatment of various ailments. The presence of the essential primary and secondary metabolite with curative properties in Garcinia has enhanced its value in the therapeutic world. These have captivated the use of Garcinia in expanding nutritional values and adding extra health benefits. Hereby, observing the potential of different Garcinia species for their use as nutraceuticals. Objective:: The present-day lifestyle and current health trends are the reasons why the public has accumulated a lot of interest in the nutraceutical food market. Traditionally the various remedies used from plants, fruits, and fruit extracts used in the cure of multiple ailments since antiquity have now made their way into pharmaceutical nutraceuticals. The fruits of Garcinia species have many culinary, nutritional, and pharmaceutical uses. Therefore, the paper aims to focus on the different Garcinia species having nutritional potential along with various therapeutic properties. Methods:: Studies of different Garcinia species are reviewed, with a focus on their nutritional and medicinal actions on ailments that are the reason for today's lifestyles and current health trends. Results:: Different varieties of Garcinia species are found to have various potential primary and secondary metabolites which have curative properties like anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, anti-microbial, anti-cancer, anti-inflammation, and anti-bacterial potential. Conclusion:: The natural occurrences of the plant product with nutraceutical value have boosted the quality of life. The Garcinia species containing the essential primary and secondary constituents are accountable for numerous biological activities. Many of the Garcinia species are marketed these days for a better and healthy life. Thus, Garcinia could be used as a nutraceutical to alleviate several disease conditions.

Artisanal Gold Mine Management Based on Ecological Justice in the Peulumat Mountains, South Aceh

Aceh represents one of the autonomous regions situated on the western frontier of Sumatra Island within the unitary structure of the Republic of Indonesia. Despite the abundance of natural resources in Aceh, a substantial portion still needs to be adequately managed systematically and in a contemporary manner. Among these resources are artisanal gold mines, where extraction processes rely on manual labor and limited tools. One such mining site is located in the Peulumat Mountains. The operation of this mine suffers from a dearth of technical expertise, primarily managed manually by the local community. However, the utilization of these natural resources should not be managed by entities that neglect ecological justice, which is crucial for fostering the sustainability of nature itself. This research investigates how laborers at the artisanal gold mine in Mount Peulumat navigate their operations to achieve ecological justice. This qualitative research employed a socio-legal approach and was conducted in the rural community of Gampong Gunong Rotan. This study finds a patron-client relationship in the management and allocation of mining proceeds. Two pivotal elements influencing the realization of ecological justice within the mining locale emerged: natural phenomena and a belief in divine principles. Locals perceive certain natural occurrences, such as the flooding of the mining wells, as an indication to cease gold extraction promptly. Furthermore, a prevailing belief dictates that extracted gold should not be solely for personal gain but shared with those in need, reflecting a commitment to divine values.

Unveiling subsidence patterns: Time series analysis for land deformation investigation in the west-Qurna oil field, Iraq

Land subsidence is a worldwide geological and environmental risk caused by natural occurrences and human actions. Its effects include a range of socio-economic, environmental, and hydrogeological consequences, such as damage to infrastructure like buildings, roads, bridges, and pipelines, as well as increased flooding and reduced groundwater storage capacity. Due to these diverse impacts, it is crucial to monitor the spatial and temporal scope of land subsidence. This study presents an investigation into land subsidence within the West-Qurna oil field, a large oil reservoir situated in Iraq's Basrah governorate. The study employs Multi-Temporal Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (MT-InSAR) analysis from the European Space Agency Sentinel 1A over six years, from June 2017 to May 2023. The Stanford Method for Persistent Scatterers (StaMPS) has been utilised to assess the scale and magnitude of land deformations in this region. Results revealed a notable subsidence within the central urban area of the oil field, forming an ellipsoidal subsidence bowl spanning 86 km2. The peak subsidence rate is identified at −13.2 ± 0.4 mm/yr within this bowl, with a cumulative vertical displacement of 75 mm throughout the six-year observation period. Furthermore, uplifting phenomena are also detected at the study area's peripheries, reaching a maximum rate of 12 ± 0.4 mm/yr and a cumulative shift of 54 mm. Temporal analysis showcases a significant alteration in subsidence rates, with rates of −18 mm/yr observed between 2017 and 2020, followed by −5 mm/yr post-2020. This change is attributed to COVID-19-related oil production reductions enacted by the government to boost prices. Our analysis points toward oil extraction as a probable primary driver of subsidence in the studied area, although a deeper probe into the impact of groundwater extraction for reservoir injection remains essential.

Bismuth sensitized iron oxide on exfoliated graphene oxide (Bi–Fe2O3@GO) for oxygen evaluation reaction

Electrochemical water splitting is a promising approach towards a sustainable and renewable energy source. However, the demand for high anodic potential and sluggish kinetics of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) restrict the efficiency and feasibility of the water-splitting process. In this quest, transition metal oxides and alloys are considered potential candidates owing to their natural occurrence and high redox potential for OER. However, many associated challenges in their use are still there to be addressed. Here, we designed a new class of bismuth-doped iron oxide on exfoliated graphene oxide by optimizing the metal loading on the conductive support to facilitate the flow of charge during catalysis. The catalytic ability of the synthesized Bi-doped nanocomposites was evaluated in activating the OER under extreme alkaline conditions (1 MKOH). On screening different combinations, 20Bi–Fe2O3@GO was identified as the most efficient and sustainable electrocatalyst even under harsh operating conditions, with an onset potential of 1.48 V and a Tafel slope of 65 mV/dec. The current study offers a new class of Bi-doped electrocatalysts, where the precise doping of Bi and the optimized loading of metal was found the key to achieving low onset potential and high current density to initiate OER.Graphical abstract

Partially Fluorinated Electrolyte Formulations Enabling Safe Performance of Anode-Free Na-Based Batteries

To reduce Europe's dependence on third-party countries during the transition to a green and digital economy, it's imperative to optimize existing and develop new battery technologies prioritizing lifetime, sustainability and safety. Next to exploring alternatives to lithium, creating safe batteries that don't rely on critical raw materials like cobalt, copper, and nickel is of vital importance. Sodium emerges as a strong contender due to its abundance, natural occurrence, and low cost, akin to lithium.[1] As a result, the momentum has shifted towards the development of sodium-based batteries (SBBs), especially to electrolyte optimization and development in recent years. In this way the risk of thermal runaway and prolonged electrolyte decomposition can be effectively addressed, ensuring enhanced safety and reliability in battery systems. Through systematic research and development efforts focused on electrolyte optimization, the quest for next-generation high-performance batteries capable of meeting the diverse demands of modern energy storage applications continues to advance.Compared to traditional battery designs, anode-free battery cells typically boast higher energy density by eliminating the need for an anode material, allowing for greater energy storage capacity within the same volume or weight. This streamlined manufacturing process holds potential for cost savings and improved production efficiency. By utilizing aluminium as the current collector, the need for more expensive copper is avoided.[2] Prussian White as cathode material is an ideal candidate for battery applications, not only on account of its abundance and low cost, but also due to the absence of critical elements. The relatively high theoretical specific capacity of up to 150 mAh·g-1 is especially advantageous for applications requiring compact and lightweight battery systems, such as portable electronics or electric vehicles[3, 4].In this study we demonstrated enhanced galvanostatic cycling performance of Prussian White || aluminium anode-free cells, achieved through the strategic utilization of a newly developed partially fluorinated electrolyte. In addition to its intrinsic non-flammability, the safety aspects of the cell are further enhanced by the inclusion of a flame-retardant additive in the electrolyte design. Detailed investigations into the physicochemical and electrochemical properties of the electrolyte in the resulting battery chemistry were conducted, encompassing as ionic conductivity assessment, self-extinguishing time (SET)and electrochemical stability determination, hand in hand with charge/discharge measurements. Performed study collectively underscores the flame-retarding capabilities and enhanced compatibility of the in situ plating of sodium metal on the aluminium current collector exhibited by the optimized electrolyte formulation. This multifaceted approach not only propels performance but also reinforces safety protocols, marking a significant stride forward in the realm of the emerging sodium-based battery technology.

The impact of diurnal temperature range on the risk of hospitalizations in a low-income setting: the case of the Central Coast of Vietnam.

The study aims to evaluate the effects of diurnal temperature range (DTR) on all causes, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions in the Central Coast of Vietnam, a tropical, low-income region with high DTR exposure but limited research. Daily hospital admission data from the largest hospitals in three provinces were analyzed alongside meteorological data. A time-series analysis using a generalized linear distributed lag model was conducted to examine the non-linear DTR-hospitalization association. A random-effect meta-analysis using restricted maximum likelihood was performed to calculate the pooled effects across three provinces. Stratified analyses by gender, age, season and natural disaster occurrence were conducted to identify vulnerable subpopulations. The multi-province pooled effects indicated that a 1°C increase in DTR raised the risk of hospitalizations for all causes and respiratory diseases by 1.5% [1.2-1.8%] and 0.5% [0.0-1.0%], at lag 0-6 days. The effects of DTR on cardiovascular diseases, as well as those stratified by subgroups, were not statistically significant. Additionally, DTR had a greater adverse effect during the dry season and in the presence of natural disaster. Females and the elderly were slightly more susceptible to respiratory admissions, while males and younger individuals had a higher risk of all-cause admissions due to greater DTR effects. DTR was an independent risk factor for the exacerbation of all and specific causes, particularly among the susceptible subgroups. The findings suggested that it is necessary to take preventive measures to protect these at-risk populations from the adverse effects of extreme DTR exposure.

Turbulent features of nearshore wave–current flow

Abstract. Waves and currents influence nearly all nearshore physical processes. Their complex interaction gives birth to complex turbulence features that are far from being completely understood. In this regard, previous studies mainly focused on mean flow or inferred turbulent features from averaged velocities, seldom examining turbulent fluctuations. Moreover, the dynamics of wave–current flow have mostly been replicated in experimental channel setups, i.e., overlooking the natural occurrence of waves and longshore currents intersecting at a near-orthogonal angle. In the present work, the hydrodynamics of near-orthogonal wave–current interaction are investigated through a physical model study. Experiments were carried out in a laboratory basin in the presence of fixed sand and gravel beds, where current-only, wave-only, and combined flow tests were performed. Flow velocities were measured by means of acoustic Doppler velocimeters, through which time-averaged, phase-averaged, and turbulent velocities were obtained. Results revealed two main features of the wave–current flow. First, we observed that the superposition of waves does not necessarily induce an increase in the current bed shear stresses. Indeed, depending on bed roughness, current freestream velocity and wave orbital velocity, enhancements or reductions of the current bed shear were observed. Moreover, application of quadrant analysis revealed a periodic evolution of the current turbulent bursts. Specifically, the number of current turbulent ejections and sweeps is reduced or increased as the wave phase progresses from antinodes to nodes and from nodes to antinodes, respectively.