Pressure Range Research Articles

Analytic Correlation for the Thermodynamic Properties of Water at Low Temperatures (200-300 K) and High Pressures (0.1-400 MPa).

Water is vital to all facets of life and is anomalously behaving in its condensed states, making it continually a substance of interest to researchers. Therefore, attempting to capture its properties via correlations and equations of state is extremely valuable. Liquid water has not been studied as extensively in the low-temperature and high-pressure region as in other regions. Some key applications for correlations in this region are cryopreservation (specifically in certain methods of cryopreservation such as hyperbaric (high-pressure) and isochoric (constant-volume) cryopreservation), deep oceans, hydrospheres, clouds, and precipitation. Although there are not nearly as many models for water at low temperatures and high pressures as there are in other temperature and pressure ranges, there are some models that do currently exist. However, these either do not extend to temperatures and pressures as extreme as the data that exist, or they are complex with large numbers of parameters making them more difficult for application. Herein, we present a new correlation for liquid water valid for the temperature range of 200-300 K (-73-27 °C) and pressure range of 0.1-400 MPa that can analytically calculate volume, isothermal compressibility, isobaric expansivity, constant pressure heat capacity, and speed of sound, using only 17 adjustable parameters. The analytical expressions that we derived, and the fitting method that we used can also be applied to other fluids of interest in the future.

Pressure-Driven Crystal Structure Evolution in RbB2C4 Compounds

Abstract As an extreme physical condition, high pressure serves as a potent means to substantially modify the interatomic distances and bonding patterns within condensed matter, thereby enabling the macroscopic manipulation of material properties. We employed the CALYPSO method to predict the stable structures of RbB2C4 across the pressure range from 0 to 100 GPa and investigated its physical properties through first-principles calculations. Specially, we put forward four novel structures, namely P63/mcm-, Amm2-, P1, and I4/mmm-RbB2C4. Under pressure conditions, electronic structure calculations reveal that all of them exhibit metallic characteristics. The calculation results of formation enthalpy show that the P63/mcm structure can be synthesized within the pressure range of 0-40 GPa. Specially, the Amm2, P1, and I4/mmm structures can be synthesized above 4, 6, 10 GPa, respectively. Moreover, the estimated Vicker’s hardness value of I4/mmm-RbB2C4 compounds is 47 GPa, suggesting that it is a superhard material. Interestingly, this study uncovers the continuous transformation of the crystal structure of RbB2C4 from a layered configuration to folded and tubular forms, ultimately attaining a stabilized cage-like structure under the pressure span of 0 to 100 GPa. The application of pressure offers a formidable impetus for the advancement and innovation in condensed matter physics, facilitating the exploration of novel states and functions of matter.

The Once and Future Gas: Methane's Multifunctional Roles in Earth's Evolution and Potential as a Biosignature

Methane (CH4) is a simple molecule that, due to its radiative forcing, wields an outsized impact on planetary heat balance. Methane is formed by diverse abiotic pathways across a range of pressures and temperatures. Biological methanogenesis for anaerobic respiration uses a terminal nickel-containing enzyme and is limited to the archaeal domain of life. Methane can also be produced in aerobic microbes during bacterial methylphosphonate and methylamine degradation and via nonenzymatic reactions during oxidative stress. Abiotic CH4 is produced via thermogenic reactions and during serpentinization reactions in the presence of metal catalysts. Reconstructions of methane cycling over geologic time are largely inferential. Throughout Earth's history, methane has probably been the second most important climate-forcing greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide. Biological methanogenesis has likely dominated CH4 flux to Earth's atmosphere for the past ∼3.5 billion years, during which time CH4 is thought to have generally declined as atmospheric oxygen has risen. Here we review the evolution of the CH4 cycle over Earth's history, showcasing the multifunctional roles CH4 has played in Earth's climate, prebiotic chemistry, and microbial metabolisms. We also discuss the future of Earth's atmospheric CH4, the cycling of CH4 on other planetary bodies in the Solar System (with special emphasis on Titan), and the potential of CH4 as a biosignature on Earth-like extrasolar planets. ▪ Before life arose on Earth, abundant atmospheric CH4 in Earth's early atmosphere was likely key for establishment of habitable conditions and production of organic molecules for prebiotic chemistry. ▪ Biological methanogenesis for anaerobic respiration is only known to exist in some groups of anaerobic archaea, but CH4 can also be produced via enzymatic and nonenzymatic biological pathways that are not directly coupled to energy conservation. The relative importance of each of these pathways to the global CH4 cycle is a topic of active research, but archaeal methanogenesis dominates all other biological pathways for CH4 generation. ▪ As atmospheric O2 rose over Earth history, models suggest that atmospheric CH4 declined; in the distant deoxygenated future, atmospheric CH4 is predicted to rise again. ▪ Future missions to Titan will aid in understanding the complex organic chemistry on the only other planetary body in our Solar System with an active methane cycle.

First‐Principles Study on Properties of Ternary Nitrides SrXN2 (X = Ti, Zr, Hf) under Pressure

The structural, mechanical, electronic, optical, and thermodynamic properties of ternary nitrides SrXN2 (X = Ti, Zr, Hf) under pressure (0–8 GPa) are studied by first‐principles calculation. SrXN2 is thermodynamically and mechanically stable in the considered pressures range. The increase in pressure reduces the bandgap of SrXN2. The dielectric constant ε1(0), reflectivity R(0), and static refractive index n(0) of SrXN2 increase with the increase of pressure. Moreover, the Debye temperature of SrXN2 under different pressures is also calculated.

Force-Field Benchmark for Polydimethylsiloxane: Density, Heat Capacity, Isothermal Compressibility, Viscosity and Thermal Conductivity.

Polysiloxanes are versatile polymeric materials with widespread applications in industries ranging from electronics to biomedical devices because of their unique thermal and viscoelastic properties. Accurate molecular simulations of polysiloxanes are essential for understanding their broad applications from a microscopic perspective. However, the accuracy of these simulations is highly dependent on the quality of the force fields used. In this work, we present a comprehensive benchmark and development of force fields tailored for polydimethylsiloxane, which is one of the most widely used polysiloxane materials. Our focus is on their performance in predicting key thermophysical properties including density, heat capacities, isothermal compressibility, and transport properties such as viscosity and thermal conductivity. Experimental measurements are performed in parallel to rigorously validate simulation outcomes. Existing force fields for polydimethylsiloxane, including those derived for organic and inorganic systems, are systematically evaluated against experimental data to identify limitations in accuracy and transferability. Simulation results are compared extensively with experimental observations across a range of temperatures and pressures, revealing the strengths and shortcomings of these commonly utilized force fields for polydimethylsiloxane. Discrepancies between force field predictions and experimental measurements are analyzed in detail for thermodynamic and transport properties of polydimethylsiloxane. This benchmark study serves as a critical assessment of current force fields for polydimethylsiloxane and offers guidelines for their further development, enabling more reliable simulations of polysiloxane-based materials for various industrial applications.

Elastic Anisotropy and Thermal Properties of Sr2ZrMoO6 Double Perovskite under Different Pressure

This study investigates the elastic and thermal properties of the double perovskite Sr2ZrMoO6 under different pressures from 0 to 80 GPa using first‐principles calculations within the generalized gradient approximation of density functional theory. The calculated second‐order elastic constants confirm the mechanical stability of the compound up to 80 GPa. The material exhibits significant elastic anisotropy, with elastic constants C11, C33, and C44 showing distinct pressure‐dependent behavior. The elastic properties, including bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young's modulus, and Poisson's ratio, all increase with a rise in pressure, which enhances the material's stiffness and rigidity, improving its resistance to deformation or fracture. The Pugh ratio greater than 0.57, a negative Cauchy constant, and a low Poisson's ratio suggest that the material remains brittle within the examined pressure range. The calculated tolerance factor and formation energy confirm its thermodynamic stability. The minimum thermal conductivity of the material increases slightly with pressure across all directions, maintaining the anisotropic order > > , indicating improved phonon transport under compression. The specific heat capacity increases with pressure at low temperatures and approaches the Dulong–Petit limit at higher temperatures. These findings suggest Sr2ZrMoO6 holds potential for high‐performance optical waveguides and optoelectronic applications.

Abstract TP138: Life's Essential 8 Among Stroke Survivors

Background: The AHA uses “Life’s Essential 8 (LE8)” to quantify cardiovascular health (CVH). These metrics assess eight essential components of nicotine exposure, sleep duration, physical activity, diet, body mass index, lipid levels, blood glucose, and blood pressure to calculate a CVH score. However, little is known about LE8 scores in patients with history of stroke compared to the general population. Methods: Data was included on individuals aged 18 and older who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) from 2005 to 2018. A LE8 score ranging from 0 (lowest) to 100 (highest) was calculated for all participants. Subscores of 0 to 100 points were also calculated for each of the metrics. The total LE and individual metric scores of participants with a self-reported history of stroke were compared to those who did not. The characteristics of all participants were stratified across age, gender, race/ethnicity, poverty/income ratio (PIR), education level, insurance status, alcohol consumption, high cholesterol, high high density lipoprotein, and histories of hypertension, diabetes, and/or myocardial infarction. Results: 1,019 participants self-reported a history of stroke of 27,670 total participants. When adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education and PIR, the mean LE8 score was significantly lower in those who reported a history of stroke at (59.2, 95% CI, 57.8-60.5) compared to those who did not (63.8, 95% CI, 63.4-64.2) in those who did not. Stroke survivors had significantly lower mean subscores in 6 of 8 metrics on nicotine exposure (range 66.2-71.5), blood glucose (range 70.8-74.7), physical activity (range 30.8-36.9), diet (range 35.3-40.1), sleep duration (range 73.3-77.7), and blood pressure (range 58-62.4) compared to other participants (p<.001). Conversely, stroke survivors had higher mean lipid subscore (range 66.8-71.6) compared to other participants (range 63.0-64.3). In contrast to general participants who showed improvements over time in smoking, lipid levels, and sleep subscores, stroke survivors did not exhibit significant changes over time in any of these scores. Conclusions: Stroke survivors have inferior overall cardiovascular health and lower total LE8 scores compared to the general population. More intensive and tailored secondary stroke interventions are necessary to ensure improvement in overall cardiovascular health among stroke survivors.

The interplay between compression mechanisms and compaction pressure in relation to the loss of tabletability of dry granulated particles

The study investigated the sequential relationship between composition, fracture strength, degree of fragmentation, and loss of tabletability (LoT) of dry granulated particles to get a deeper insight into the underlying causes controlling the LoT. Surrogate granules, consistent in dimension and composed of a systematic variation of a brittle (lactose) and plastic powder (microcrystalline cellulose), were prepared by compaction. These granules were then compressed into tablets at low compression pressures, considered to correspond to the compression phase during which the main fragmentation occurs. The mechanically weak tablets were gently deaggregated into compressed granules, and the proportion of formed fragments was determined using dry powder laser diffractometry and by sieving as an indication of the degree of granule fragmentation.The compressed granules comprised three sub-populations of particles, i.e., non-fragmented granules, fragmented granules, and fine particles, with fragmentation ceasing already within the restricted pressure range applied. The degree of granule fragmentation was dependent on composition and showed an inverted relationship with granule fracture strength. For tablets formed at 100 MPa, the LoT was primarily controlled by the degree of fragmentation, while for tablets formed at 300 MPa, the LoT was affected by a combination of granule fragmentation and deformation. Thus, the relative impact of fragmentation and deformation on the LoT is dependent on the tableting pressure.

Structural diversity and electronic properties of neodymium borides under high pressure.

Rare earth (RE) borides have garnered significant attention due to their high mechanical strength, superconductivity, and novel electronic properties. In this study, we systematically investigate the structural, electronic, and mechanical properties of RE neodymium borides across a wide range of pressures. Various stoichiometries of Nd-B compounds are predicted using the unbiased CALYPSO structure search method and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our findings indicate that the newly predicted NdB5, NdB7, and NdB8compounds are thermodynamically and mechanically stable at high pressures. Detailed analyses of the electronic band structure and density of states reveal that all neodymium borides exhibit metallic behavior. The hardness of the stable phases has been evaluated using an empirical model. Notably, NdB5compound could also be dynamically stable at ambient pressure with an estimated hardness of approximately 25 GPa, suggesting that NdB5is a potential hard metal boride. Our results provide valuable insights into the structural, electronic, and mechanical properties of Nd-B compounds, enhancing our understanding of their potential applications in various fields.

Impact of gas composition, pressure, and temperature on interfacial Tension dynamics in CO₂-Enhanced oil recovery.

Climate change policies are driving the oil and gas industry to explore CO2 injection for carbon dioxide storage in reservoirs. In the United States, a substantial portion of oil production relies on CO2-enhanced-oil-recovery (CO2-EOR), demonstrating a growing interest in using CO2 to address various production challenges like condensate mitigation, pressure maintenance, and enhancing productivity in tight reservoirs. CO2 injection introduces gases like natural gas and N2, either pre-existing or as impurities in the injected CO2 gas. These gases alter the interaction of CO2 with the oil or condensate in the reservoir, with interfacial tension playing a crucial role in governing miscibility, mobilization, and phase distribution. Effectively implementing gas injection techniques requires a precise understanding of interfacial tension between injected gases and reservoir fluid under reservoir conditions. This study aims to evaluate the effects of oil composition, gas composition, pressure, and, temperature on interfacial tension and provides a comprehensive understanding of IFT dynamics for CO2-EOR implementation. The study utilizes the pendant drop analysis technique to assess the impact of pressure, temperature, and gas composition on crude oil and condensate interfacial tension. Measurements span a range of temperature (30-85 oC), pressure (0.7-7MPa), and mixture composition (CO2: N2 ratios of 90:10 and 10:90), including pure CO2 and N2 with crude oil and condensate. Accurate measurement of interfacial tension incorporates changes in oil and gas density as functions of pressure and temperature. Results show that interfacial tension is significantly influenced by pressure, temperature, and gas composition. It decreases with increasing pressure at constant temperature and gas composition for both crude oil and condensate. While temperature-induced reductions in interfacial tension occur, they are overshadowed by the more pronounced effect of pressure. Gas composition significantly affects system interfacial tension; an increase in CO2 mole fraction decreases it, while an increase in N2 mole fraction causes an upturn. Changes in CO2 mole fraction result in concave downward trends, whereas changes in N2 mole fraction lead to concave upward trends. These findings are crucial for understanding the interaction of injected gas with reservoir fluid and can be applied to model interfacial tension with hydrocarbon fluid. This study offers an in-depth understanding of interfacial tension dynamics in CO2-EOR, a process that is increasingly attracting global attention for CO2 utilization. The research stands out for its innovative experimentation and detailed analysis, which focus on evaluating the impact of individual parameters crucial for modeling. Additionally, it sheds light on the combined effects of these parameters, which are essential for practical field applications. This knowledge is instrumental in designing processes such as CO2-EOR and condensate banking, incorporating the effects of pressure, temperature, and gas composition at the reservoir scale.

Functional flexible adsorbents and their potential utility.

Physisorbents are poised to address global challenges such as CO2 capture, mitigation of water scarcity and energy-efficient commodity gas storage and separation. Rigid physisorbents, i.e. those adsorbents that retain their structures upon gas or vapour exposure, are well studied in this context. Conversely, cooperatively flexible physisorbents undergo long-range structural transformations stimulated by guest exposure. Discovered serendipitously, flexible adsorbents have generally been regarded as scientific curiosities, which has contributed to misconceptions about their potential utility. Recently, increased scientific interest and insight into the properties of flexible adsorbents has afforded materials whose performance suggests that flexible adsorbents can compete with rigid adsorbents for both storage and separation applications. With respect to gas storage, adsorbents that undergo guest-induced phase transformations between low and high porosity phases in the right pressure range can offer improved working capacity and heat management, as exemplified by studies on adsorbed natural gas storage. For gas and vapour separations, the very nature of flexible adsorbents means that they can undergo induced fit mechanisms of guest binding, i.e. the adsorbent can adapt to a specific adsorbate. Such flexible adsorbents have set several new benchmarks for certain hydrocarbon separations in terms of selectivity and separation performance. This Feature Article reviews progress made by us and others towards the crystal engineering (design and control) of flexible adsorbents and addresses several of the myths that have emerged since their initial discovery, particularly with respect to those performance parameters of relevance to natural gas storage, water harvesting and hydrocarbon gas/vapour separation.

Unveiling the Potential of Room-Temperature Synthesis of a Mixed-Linker Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-76 for CO2 Capture

A room-temperature synthesis was used to prepare ZIF-76 by combining the organic linker imidazole and 5-chlorobenzimidazole, with the addition of NaOH as a modulator. The synthesis process was optimized by modifying the existing method, which includes the introduction of heating, different types of solvent, and adjustment to the reactant ratio. The synthesized MOFs were characterized to evaluate their crystallinity, textural properties and surface morphology. The result demonstrated that the introduction of heat led to the formation of ZnO whereas the replacement of DEF–DMF with methanol resulted in the production of amorphous material. Moreover, a change in precursor ratio led to the production of ZIF-76 with a low yield and surface area. Meanwhile, CO2 adsorption was performed in a pressure range of 0–1.2 bar at 298.15 K. Notably, ZIF-76B with a low surface area exhibited a greater CO2 uptake capacity of 1.43 mmol/g compared to ZIF-76A, which recorded 1.29 mmol/g. Furthermore, the isotherm and kinetic models were applied to fit the experimental CO2 adsorption data. The analysis of the adsorption models indicated that the CO2 adsorption was primarily governed by a monolayer formation on a homogeneous surface. Nevertheless, there was a slight diversion in terms of predicted qm with experimental data, which could be attributed to the adsorption not yet reaching equilibrium. Additionally, the kinetic model was applied to the initial stage of adsorption in the pressure range of 0–0.24 bar. The Elovich model was found to fit better with the CO2 uptake capacity data of ZIF-76A and ZIF-76B suggesting that the adsorption process may involve multiple mechanisms.

NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION ON THE EFFECTS OF TBM FACE SUPPORT PRESSURES–A PARAMETRIC STUDY

Shield tunnelling operations, particularly those employing pressurized face tunnel boring machines (TBMs) such as earth pressure balance and slurry shields, are complex processes influenced by various driving parameters. Among these parameters, face support pressure plays a critical role in controlling ground and pile responses induced by tunnelling. This paper presents a numerical investigation on the effects of TBM face support pressures through a parametric study. Using data obtained from full-scale field research and through a validated numerical framework, this study aims to investigate how variations in TBM face support pressures affect pile responses and ground settlement during tunnelling operations. The findings emphasize the necessity of maintaining adequate face support pressures to mitigate excessive ground settlement and pile deformations. Notably, an optimum face support pressure range between 0.8 to 1.1 times the overburden pressure was identified, associated with minimal pile responses and ground settlement. These insights provide valuable guidance for optimizing face support pressure management strategies in shield tunnelling projects.

Hierarchical Iontronic Flexible Sensor with High Sensitivity over Ultrabroad Range Enabled by Equilibration of Microstructural Compressibility and Stability.

Despite improved sensitivity of iontronic pressure sensors with microstructures, structural compressibility and stability issues hinder achieving exceptional sensitivity across a wide pressure range. Herein, the interplay between ion concentration, mechanical properties, structural geometry, and aspect ratio (AR) on the sensitivity of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide/thermoplastic polyurethane (LiTFSI/TPU) ionogel is delved into. The results indicate that cones exhibit superior compressibility compared to pyramids and hemispheres, manifesting in an enhanced sensitivity toward the LiTFSI/TPU ionogel. Subsequently, by strategically combining cones with varying ARs, a harmonious balance between structural stability and compressibility is achieved, culminating in the fabrication of hierarchical iontronic flexible sensors (HIFS). Remarkably, HIFS-III with a three-level hierarchical conical microstructure demonstrates a preeminent sensitivity of 127.65 kPa-1 within ∼500 kPa. Even within the ultrabroad pressure range of 1500-3000 kPa, the sensitivity remains exceeding 10 kPa-1. Furthermore, HIFS-III boasts swift response and relaxation times (∼11 and 18 ms, respectively), a low detection limit (∼6.35 Pa), as well as remarkable durability (15,000 cycles). The exceptional sensing capabilities of HIFS-III underscore its emergence as a promising high-performance sensing and feedback solution tailored for applications in human-machine interaction and e-skin.

Oxygen Nonstoichiometry, Electrical Conductivity, Chemical Expansion and Electrode Properties of Perovskite-Type SrFe0.9V0.1O3−δ

X-ray diffraction analysis of the pseudo-binary SrFe1−xVxO3−δ system showed that the solid solution formation limit at atmospheric oxygen pressure corresponds to x ≈ 0.1. SrFe0.9V0.1O3−δ has a cubic perovskite-type structure with the Pm3¯m space group. The oxygen nonstoichiometry variations in SrFe0.9V0.1O3−δ, measured by coulometric titration in the oxygen partial pressure range of 10−21 to 0.5 atm at 1023–1223 K, can be adequately described using an ideal solution approximation with V5+ as the main oxidation state of vanadium cations. This approach was additionally validated by statistical thermodynamic modeling. The incorporation of vanadium decreases both oxygen deficiency and the average iron oxidation state with respect to undoped SrFeO3−δ. As a result, the electrical conductivity, thermal expansion and chemical expansivity associated with the oxygen vacancy formation all become lower compared to strontium ferrite. At 923 K, the conductivity of SrFe0.9V0.1O3−δ is 14% lower than that of SrFeO3−δ but 21% higher compared to SrFe0.9Ta0.1O3−δ. The area-specific polarization resistance of the porous SrFe0.9V0.1O3−δ electrode deposited onto 10 mol.% scandia- and 1 mol.% yttria-co-stabilized zirconia solid electrolyte with a protective Ce0.9Gd0.1O2−δ interlayer, was 0.34 Ohm×cm2 under open-circuit conditions at 1173 K in air.

Optimization of the Design of Underground Hydrogen Storage in Salt Caverns in Southern Ontario, Canada

With the issue of energy shortages becoming increasingly serious, the need to shift to sustainable and clean energy sources has become urgent. However, due to the intermittent nature of most renewable energy sources, developing underground hydrogen storage (UHS) systems as backup energy solutions offers a promising solution. The thick and regionally extensive salt deposits in Unit B of Southern Ontario, Canada, have demonstrated significant potential for supporting such storage systems. Based on the stratigraphy statistics of unit B, this study investigates the feasibility and stability of underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in salt caverns, focusing on the effects of cavern shape, geometric parameters, and operating pressures. Three cavern shapes—cylindrical, cone-shaped, and ellipsoid-shaped—were analyzed using numerical simulations. Results indicate that cylindrical caverns with a diameter-to-height ratio of 1.5 provide the best balance between storage capacity and structural stability, while ellipsoid-shaped caverns offer reduced stress concentration but have less storage space, posing practical challenges during leaching. The results also indicate that the optimal pressure range for maintaining stability and minimizing leakage lies between 0.4 and 0.7 times the vertical in situ stress. Higher pressures increase storage capacity but lead to greater stress, displacements, and potential leakage risks, while lower pressure leads to internal extrusion tendency for cavern walls. Additionally, hydrogen leakage rate drops with the maximum working pressure, yet total leakage mass keeps a growing trend.

Modeling and Relative Permittivity Modulation of Cu/PDMS Capacitive Flexible Sensor for Pressure Sensing

This study aims to establish an equivalent parallel capacitance model for a copper/polydimethylsiloxane (Cu/PDMS) capacitive flexible pressure sensor and modulate its relative permittivity to optimize pressure sensing performance. The Cu/PDMS composite material is an ideal dielectric layer for sensors due to its high dielectric constant and tunable elasticity. By adjusting the different mixing ratios of PDMS and copper particles in micro size, the components and structure properties of the composite material can be modified, thereby affecting the electrical and mechanical performance of the sensor. We used finite element analysis (FEA) to model the sensor structure and studied the capacitance changes under various normal loading conditions to assess its sensitivity and distribution characteristics. Experimental results show that the sensor has good sensitivity and repeatability in the pressure range of 0 to 50 kPa. Additionally, we explored the effect of the addition of carbon black particles. It could be inferred that the added carbon black can enhance electrical properties due to its conductivity, which would be consequenced by the distribution optimization of Cu particles for carbon black’s low density, and it can mechanically restore some flexibility up to nearly 20%. Through these studies, our work can provide theoretical support for the design and application of flexible pressure sensors.

Botrytis cinerea PMT4 Is Involved in O-Glycosylation, Cell Wall Organization, Membrane Integrity, and Virulence.

Proteins found within the fungal cell wall usually contain both N- and O-oligosaccharides. N-glycosylation is the process where these oligosaccharides (hereinafter: glycans) are attached to asparagine residues, while in O-glycosylation the glycans are covalently bound to serine or threonine residues. The PMT family is grouped into PMT1, PMT2, and PMT4 subfamilies. Using bioinformatics analysis within the Botrytis cinerea genome database, an ortholog to Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pmt4 and other fungal species was identified. The aim of this study was to assess the relevance of the bcpmt4 gene in B. cinerea glycosylation. For this purpose, the bcpmt4 gene was disrupted by homologous recombination in the B05.10 strain using a hygromycin B resistance cassette. Expression of bcpmt4 in S. cerevisiae ΔScpmt4 or ΔScpmt3 null mutants restored glycan levels like those observed in the parental strain. The phenotypic analysis showed that Δbcpmt4 null mutants exhibited significant changes in hyphal cell wall composition, including reduced mannan levels and increased amounts of chitin and glucan. Furthermore, the loss of bcpmt4 led to decreased glycosylation of glycoproteins in the B. cinerea cell wall. The null mutant lacking PMT4 was hypersensitive to a range of cell wall perturbing agents, antifungal drugs, and high hydrostatic pressure. Thus, in addition to their role in glycosylation, the PMT4 is required to virulence, biofilm formation, and membrane integrity. This study adds to our knowledge of the role of the B. cinerea bcpmt4 gene, which is involved in glycosylation and cell biology, cell wall formation, and antifungal response.

Time in Target Range for Blood Pressure and Adverse Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

Blood pressure (BP) time in target range (TTR) reflects the proportion of time that BP measurement is within a specified target range. We aim to summarize the evidence for relationships between TTR and adverse health outcomes. Seven databases were searched. After quality assessment and data extraction, meta-analyses were performed to generate pooled estimates of the association (hazard ratios) between TTR and health outcomes. Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality and cardiovascular death. Secondary outcomes included major adverse cardiovascular events, myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and adverse kidney events. In all, 21 studies were included, mostly rated at low risk of bias. TTR was defined by systolic BP (SBP) in 15 studies and by both SBP and diastolic BP in 6 studies. Per SD increase of TTR was associated with significantly decreased risks of all-cause mortality (110-130 mm Hg SBP TTR: hazard ratios, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.82-0.89]; 120-140 mm Hg SBP TTR: 0.81 [95% CI, 0.70-0.94]; and 70-80 mm Hg diastolic BP TTR: 0.88 [95% CI, 0.83-0.93]), cardiovascular death (110-130 mm Hg SBP TTR: 0.83 [95% CI, 0.78-0.87]; 120-140 mm Hg SBP TTR: 0.76 [95% CI, 0.65-0.89]; and 70-80 mm Hg diastolic BP TTR: 0.85 [95% CI, 0.80-0.90]), major adverse cardiovascular events (120-140 mm Hg SBP TTR: 0.76 [95% CI, 0.70-0.83]), and heart failure (110-130 mm Hg SBP TTR: 0.84 [95% CI, 0.76-0.93] and 120-140 mm Hg SBP TTR: 0.78 [95% CI, 0.68-0.89]). However, there was not sufficient support for the association of TTR with myocardial infarction, stroke, atrial fibrillation, or adverse kidney events. Higher TTR was associated with reduced risks of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular death, major adverse cardiovascular events, and heart failure, highlighting the importance of sustained BP control in clinical practice. URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/; Unique identifier: CRD42023486437.

Phase Equilibrium of CO2 Hydrate with Rubidium Chloride Aqueous Solution

Salt lakes are a rich source of metals used in various fields. Rubidium is found in small amounts in salt lakes, but extraction technology on an industrial scale has not been developed completely. Clathrate hydrates are crystalline compounds formed by the encapsulation of guest molecules in cage-like structures made of water molecules. One of the most important properties for engineering practices of hydrate-based technologies is the comprehension of the phase equilibrium conditions. Phase equilibrium conditions of CO2 hydrate in rubidium chloride aqueous solution with mass fractions of 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20 were experimentally investigated in the pressure range from 1.27 MPa to 3.53 MPa, and the temperature was from 268.7 K to 280.6 K. The measured equilibrium temperature in this study decreased roughly in proportion to the concentration of the RbCl solution from the pure water system. This depression is due to the lowering of the chemical potential of water in the liquid phase by the dissolution of RbCl. Experimental results compared with other salt solution + CO2 hydrate systems showed that the equilibrium temperatures decreased to a similar degree for similar mole fractions.