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At least 289 records · Page 16

Wintertime losses of ozone in high northern latitudes

Total column ozone data over the past 22 to 30 years from ground-based Dobson and filter ozonometer stations between 30 N and 80 N are analyzed for residual trends remaining after allowance for the known geophysical variations corresponding to: (1) the change of seasons; (2) the quasi-biennial oscillation; and (3) the 11-year solar sunspot cycle. Examination of the data from several ground stations between 45 and 55 N indicated a seasonal difference in the long-term ozone series, with statistically significant losses in several winter months. Accordingly, the data from individual stations were analyzed with multiple regression analysis, seeking trends on a monthly basis after allowance for the known geophysical cycles. Previous statistical analyses were conducted as tests of 1-D model calculations which do not show any differences with the seasons, and any trend toward change in ozone concentrations is expressed in a yearly trend without seasonal variation. Such a model is inappropriate for calculations with a data set which exhibits a pronounced tendency toward seasonal differences in the trends. Comparisons with model calculations then require 2-D models into which seasonal and latitudinal differences can easily be programmed.

Harris, Neil↗

Detection of Flooding Responses at the River Basin Scale Enhanced by Land use Change

The Georges Creek watershed (area 187.5 sq km) in western Maryland (United States) has experienced land use changes (>17% of area) associated with surface mining of coal. The adjacent Savage River watershed (area 127.2 sq km) is unmined. Moments of flood frequency distributions indicated that climatic variability affected both watersheds similarly. Normalizing annual maximum flows by antecedent streamflow and causative precipitation helped identify trends in flooding response. Analysis of contemporary storm events using Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) stage III precipitation data showed that Georges Creek floods are characterized by higher peak runoff and a shorter centroid lag than Savage River floods, likely attributable to differences in current land use. Interestingly, Georges Creek produces only two thirds of the storm-flow volume as Savage River, apparently because of infiltration into abandoned deep mine workings and an associated transbasin diversion constructed circa 1900. Empirical trend analysis is thus complicated by both hydroclimatic variability and the legacy of deep mining in the basin.

McCormick, Brian C.↗

Developing A Continuous Ozone Record Through the SAGE and Aura Missions With NASA Reanalysis Products

During the last quarter of the 20th century, the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) missions were crucial in monitoring the loss and subsequent recovery of the stratospheric ozone layer. Due to the employed solar occultation and self-calibration method, the SAGE monitors have produced stable data throughout the lifetime of each instrument. However, over ten years passed between the end of the SAGE II and SAGE III/M3M missions in 2005 and the launch of SAGE III/ISS instrument in 2017, leaving a gap in the data that must be bridged in order to assess trends in the ozone record. The Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 (MERRA-2) reanalysis product, with output available starting in 1980, is an attractive candidate for trend analysis due to the statistically optimized combination of multiple observing systems and the regular temporal and spatial coverage. However, changes in the assimilated observation systems can introduce discontinuities within the MERRA-2 ozone record, such as in 2004 when the MERRA-2 system shifted from assimilating ozone retrievals collected by SBUV instruments to those collected by instruments onboard the Aura satellite. In this study, we explore using the SAGE II record as a transfer function to develop a stable reanalysis data product, suitable for trend analysis, from the start of the SAGE II record in 1984 through the present. We follow the procedure outlined by Wargan et al. (2018) to address discontinuities in the MERRA-2 ozone dataset at the 2004 transition and during the Aura record. SAGE II ozone profiles are used to correct discontinuities in upper stratospheric ozone associated with changes in the MERRA-2 meteorological observing system in 1998 and 1995. We will then assess the relative performance of the data from different SAGE sensors using the resulting bias-corrected MERRA-2 ozone fields.

Pamela Wales↗

The Far-Infrared Polarization Spectrum of Ρ Ophiuchi A from HAWC+/SOFIA Observations

We report on polarimetric maps made with HAWC+/SOFIA toward ρ Oph A, the densest portion of the ρ Ophiuchi molecular complex. We employed HAWC+ bands C (89 μm) and D (154 μm). The slope of the polarization spectrum was investigated by defining the quantity R(sub DC) = p(sub D)/p(sub C), where p(sub C) and p(sub D) represent polarization degrees in bands C and D, respectively. We find a clear correlation between R(sub DC) and the molecular hydrogen column density across the cloud. A positive slope (R(sub DC) > 1) dominates the lower-density and well- illuminated portions of the cloud, which are heated by the high-mass star Oph S1, whereas a transition to a negative slope (R(sub DC) < 1) is observed toward the denser and less evenly illuminated cloud core. We interpret the trends as due to a combination of (1) warm grains at the cloud outskirts, which are efficiently aligned by the abundant exposure to radiation from Oph S1, as proposed in the radiative torques theory; and (2) cold grains deep in the cloud core, which are poorly aligned owing to shielding from external radiation. To assess this interpretation, we developed a very simple toy model using a spherically symmetric cloud core based on Herschel data and verified that the predicted variation of R(sub DC) is consistent with the observations. This result introduces a new method that can be used to probe the grain alignment efficiency in molecular clouds, based on the analysis of trends in the far-infrared polarization spectrum.

Santos, Fabio P.↗

Characterizing spatiotemporal patterns of crop phenology across North America during 2000–2016 using satellite imagery and agricultural survey data

Crop phenology represents an integrative indicator of climate change and plays a vital role in terrestrial carbon dynamics and sustainable agricultural development. However, spatiotemporal variations of crop phenology remain unclear at large scales. This knowledge gap has hindered our ability to realistically quantify the biogeochemical dynamics in agroecosystems, predict future climate, and make informed decisions for climate change mitigation and adaptation. In this study, we improved an EVI-curve-based approach and used it to detect spatiotemporal patterns in cropping intensity and five major phenological stages over North America during 2000–2016 using vegetation index in combination with agricultural survey data and other ancillary maps. Our predicted crop phenological stages showed strong linear relationships with the survey-based datasets, with R(exp 2), RMSEs, and MAEs in the ranges of 0.35 –0.99, three to ten days, and two to eight days, respectively. During the study period, the planting dates were advanced by 0.60 days/year (p < 0.01), and harvesting dates were delayed by 0.78 days/year (p < 0.01) over North America. A minimum temperature increase by 1 °C caused a 4.26-day planting advance (r = −0.50, p < 0. 01) or a 0.66-day harvest delay (r = 0.10, p < 0.01). While, a higher maximum temperature resulted in a planting advance by 4.48 days/°C (r = −0.62, p < 0.01) or a harvest advance by 2.22 days/°C (r = −0.40, p < 0.01). Our analysis illustrated evident spatiotemporal variations in crop phenology in response to climate change and management practices. The derived crop phenological datasets and cropping intensity maps can be used in regional climate assessments and in developing adaptation strategies.

North America↗

Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) Assessment for the Chemicals, Metals, and Pesticides (CMP) Pits Operable Unit (OU) and the Pen Branch Wetland

In October 2024, Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) was tasked to conduct an independent review of groundwater data and assess the monitored natural attenuation (MNA) performance related to the Chemicals, Metals, and Pesticides (CMP) Pits Operable Unit (OU) located in the central portion of the Savannah River Site (SRS). The SRNL assessment of MNA entailed an independent analysis of groundwater concentration data, groundwater elevation data, available surface water concentration data, soil concentration data, and relevant historical geological characterization logs for the CMP Pits OU. Historical data tables and records were obtained from both the Savannah River Nuclear Solutions - Area Completion Projects (SRNS&#x2;ACP) team and South Carolina State University (SCSU) and condensed into new data sets by the SRNL project team for more targeted analysis of MNA performance characteristics. All data pertaining to groundwater concentration, surface water concentration, and groundwater elevation were restricted to collection dates after any known active remediation for the CMP OU.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Altered Cytokine Production By Specific Human Peripheral Blood Cell Subsets Immediately Following Spaceflight

In this study, we have attempted to combine standard immunological assays with the cellular resolving power of the flow cytometer to positively identify the specific cell types involved in spaceflight-induced immune alterations. We have obtained whole blood samples from 27 astronauts collected at three timepoints (L-10, R+0 and R+3) surrounding four recent space shuttle missions. The duration of these missions ranged from 10 to 18 days. Assays performed included serum/urine cortisol, comprehensive subset phenotyping, assessment of cellular activation markers and intracellular cytokine production following mitogenic stimulation. Absolute levels of peripheral granulocytes were significantly elevated following spaceflight, but the levels of circulating lymphocytes and monocytes were unchanged. Lymphocyte subset analysis demonstrated trends towards a decreased percentage of T cells and an increased percentage of B cells. Nearly all of the astronauts exhibited an increased CD4:CD8 ratio, which was dramatic in some individuals. Assessment of memory (CD45RA+) vs. naive (CD45RO+) CD4+ T cell subsets was more ambiguous, with subjects tending to group more as a flight crew. All subjects from one mission demonstrated an increased CD45RA:CD45RO ratio, while all subjects from another Mission demonstrated a decreased ratio. While no significant trend was seen in the monocyte population as defined by scatter, a decreased percentage of the CD14+ CD16+ monocyte subset was seen following spaceflight in all subjects tested. In general, most of the cellular changes described above which were assessed at R+O and compared to L-10 trended to pre-flight levels by R+3. Although no significant differences were seen in the expression of the cellular activation markers CD69 and CD25 following exposure to microgravity, significant alterations were seen in cytokine production in response to mitogenic activation for specific subsets. T cell (CD3+) production of IL-2 was significantly decreased after at R+O as was IL-2 production by both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets for most subjects. Production of IFN(sub gamma) did not appear to be affected by microgravity exposure in either T cells in general or in the CD8+ T cell subset. There was a spaceflight-induced decrease in IFN(sub gamma) production in the CD4+ T cell subset, however it did not reach statistical significance. Serum and urine stress-hormone analysis indicated significant physiologic stresses in astronauts following spaceflight. In summary, these results demonstrate alterations in the peripheral immune system of astronauts immediately after spaceflight of 10 to 18 days duration and support continued research regarding microgravity and immunology (including in-flight sampling) prior to routine long-term spaceflight for astronauts.

Crucian, Brian E.↗

Stratospheric Temperature Trends from Small Rockets Between 1969-1995

Between 1958-1995 a significant number of small meteorological rocketsondes were launched by United States (US) agencies from as many as 30 sites to as few as 3-4 sites in 1995. Stratospheric temperature trends were derived for many of the sites for the period 1969-1995. Similar long-term trends also were derived using rocketsondes launched from sites of the Former Soviet Union (FSU). The advantage of these two particular sets of rocket temperature measurements is the internal consistency of the data. All measurements were made with the same instrument, i.e., Datasonde in the case of the US sites and the M100B in the case of the FSU sites. Data from each instrument type were processed using its unique reduction method. Thus, all data were processed in the same manner including the method of applying corrections (necessary because of thermal heating of the thermistor from the high fall velocities experienced and from radiation effects). Straight-line least squares fit to the data made to monthly-mean measurements gave a downward change of 2-3 K per decade. A more complex fitting algorithm would have resulted in finer results but the straight-line fit was adequate for the analysis presented. Trend data are presented for 50 km, 40 km, and 25 km altitude levels. Trends for the US and FSU sites are quite similar. The 25km (50-hPa) level data are compared with radiosonde temperatures. Temperature trends over the 25-year period is different at each of the sites and not always in the same direction.

Schmidlin, F. J.↗

Climate Trends in the Arctic as Observed from Space

The Arctic is a region in transformation. Warming in the region has been amplified, as expected from ice-albedo feedback effects, with the rate of warming observed to be approx. 0.60+/-0.07 C/decade in the Arctic (>64degN) compared to approx. 0.17 C/decade globally during the last three decades. This increase in surface temperature is manifested in all components of the cryosphere. In particular, the sea ice extent has been declining at the rate of approx. 3.8%/decade, whereas the perennial ice (represented by summer ice minimum) is declining at a much greater rate of approx.11.5%/decade. Spring snow cover has also been observed to be declining by −2.12%/decade for the period 1967-2012. The Greenland ice sheet has been losing mass at the rate of approx. 34.0Gt/year (sea level equivalence of 0.09 mm/year) during the period from 1992 to 2011, but for the period 2002-2011, a higher rate of mass loss of approx. 215 Gt/year has been observed. Also, the mass of glaciers worldwide declined at the rate of 226 Gt/year from 1971 to 2009 and 275 Gt/year from 1993 to 2009. Increases in permafrost temperature have also been measured in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere while a thickening of the active layer that overlies permafrost and a thinning of seasonally frozen ground has also been reported. To gain insight into these changes, comparative analysis with trends in clouds, albedo, and the Arctic Oscillation is also presented.

arctic↗

Analyzing historical snow trends in interior Alaska

Study region The Chena River watershed in Interior Alaska, USA Study focus This study examines 40 years (water years 1982–2021) of snowpack characteristics to consider its hydrological implications in the 5350 km² Chena River basin. Using observations and a fine-scale physics model, we analyzed trends of snow water equivalent (SWE), snow onset and disappearance, and snow cover duration (SCD). New hydrological insights for the region Results indicate a decline in SWE across the modeled domain, averaging a decrease of 3 mm per decade, with larger decreases (up to 10 mm per decade) at lower elevations. While domain-averaged SWE trends were not statistically significant, observed SCD showed statistically significant decreases: −5.2, −5.0, and −4.4 days per decade at Teuchet Creek, Fairbanks F.O., and Little Chena Ridge, respectively. Notably, observations at SNOTEL stations and modeling revealed no statistically significant change in domain-averaged Rain-on-Snow (ROS) events over the 40-year period, contrasting some regional future estimates of increased ROS frequency. Peak streamflow did not consistently correlate with peak SWE levels, suggesting that other environmental factors such as ROS events and rapid temperature increases (e.g., a 10°C spike observed in 1992) are key drivers of hydrological outcomes. These findings improve understanding of complex subarctic hydrological processes impacting permafrost and highlight the need for adaptive water resource management to mitigate multi-factor risks like flooding and wildfire, requiring proactive planning.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Synthesis and Characterization of Homoleptic Rare Earth Nitrato Complexes with the Quaternary Ammonium Cations Et 4 N + and n Pr 4 N +

Two periodic series of homoleptic rare earth nitrato com plexes, [R 4 N] x [M(NO 3 ) y ](M = La-Nd, Sm-Lu, Y); R = Et, $n$ Pr; x = 2-3; y = 5-6) have been synthesized, and charac terized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, IR and Raman spectroscopy, comparing the solid state speciation of the nitrate ions as a function of lanthanide ion and quarternary ammonium cation. The series of the form [Et 4 N] 3 [Ln(NO 3 ) 6 ] crystallizes in the rhombohedral space group $R$$\bar{3}$, as a twelve-coordinate hexanitrato complex [Et 4 N] 3 [Ln(NO 3 ) 6 ] with cocrystallized HNO 3 for La, Pr, and Nd. For Ce, a distinct orthorhombic phase retaining the same formula, [Et 4 N] 3 [Ce(NO 3 ) 6 ] is isolated in the absence of HNO 3 to prevent oxidation of the Ce(III) to Ce(IV) in nitric acid. A ten-coordinate pentanitrato complex, [Et 4 N] 2 [Ln(NO 3 ) 5 ], in monoclinic symmetry forms for the remainder of the series, and for Y(III). The entire series crystallized in the presence of [ $n$ Pr 4 N] + counterions forms a pentanitrato complex [ $n$ Pr 4 N] 2 [M(NO 3 ) 5 ] in the orthorhombic space group, $Pccn$. In conclusion, analysis of trends in the structural and spectroscopic characteristics of these series reveal insight into the structure directing influences of both the lanthanide contraction and the quarternary ammonium cations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Comparative geochemistry of flowback chemistry from the Utica/Point Pleasant and Marcellus formations

Flowback/Produced fluid samples were collected from several wells from two Utica/Point Pleasant (UPP) sites (UPPW and UPPS) in Ohio, and one Marcellus (Marcellus Shale Energy and Environment Laboratory (MSEEL)) site in West Virginia over a period of approximately two years. Although these formations have different ages, depositional environments, diagenetic histories, and geochemical and mineralogical compositions (i.e. the UPP is significantly more carbonate rich than the Marcellus which is more siliceous), analysis of trends in fluid species over time shows that, overall, the TDS and major solubilized elements (Na, Ca, Cl) in the UPP and Marcellus brines are remarkably similar. Total dissolved solutes (TDS) in these brines ranged from approximately 40 to 250 g/L salt, and in general, concentrations increased with time elapsed since natural gas well completion and stimulation. The behavior of Na, Br, and Cl suggests that the produced water signatures from these formations are largely derived from the native formational brines which display evidence of originating from evaporated seawater. There is a strong correlation between Cl and Br, indicating that both species behave conservatively, and the similarity among each of these brines suggests no appreciable contribution of salt from halite dissolution because Br is excluded from the halite structure. Cl/Br ratios in the brines range from ~80 to 120 (mg/L/mg/L). Other elements, such as K, which readily reacts between fluids and ion exchange sites on clays, generally exhibit conservative behavior for an individual site, but show significant variations among each of the different well pads. The concentrations of Sr and Ba vary dramatically among well sites, and increase with respect to Cl- over time, suggesting increasing solubilization, presumably from desorption from clay minerals or dissolution of carbonates or sulfates from the source formation(s). The UPPW well site has very low Ba due to high-sulfate input fluid, which resulted in precipitation of barite/celestite in the brines. In contrast the UPPS well site had elevated Sr (~ 3500 mg/L), presumably due to the use of Sr-rich recycled brine used in hydraulic fracturing. The Marcellus site had the highest Ba concentrations (up to 10 g/L) and highest Ba/Sr ratios in the fluids, due to the high concentration of barium in the Marcellus target (~ 1000 ppm, as compared to ~200 ppm in the UPP). These observations suggest that solutes in the FP fluids are derived from native brines, water-rock interactions that have occurred over geologic time scales, as well as some contribution from contemporaneous reactions in the subsurface. The results also show that the composition of the injected fluid can influence flowback fluid chemistry and possibly production efficiency.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Electro-osmo-dialysis through nanoporous layers physically conjugated to micro-perforated ion-exchange membranes: Highly selective accumulation of trace coions

This study explores theoretically and numerically the phenomenon of counter-flow accumulation of trace coions during electro-osmo-dialysis through composite membranes containing nanoporous and perforated ion-exchange layers. The combination of charged nanopores and perforations allows electroosmosis, and ion concentration polarization appears near the ion-exchange layer. Accumulation of trace coions occurs because their advective and electromigration flow velocity components have opposite signs and are locally compensating in depletion regions where electric fields are high. This local compensation of flow components can give rise to high accumulation factors (>1000 in some cases) for trace coions at some distance from the interface between the nanoporous and ion-exchange layers. Moreover, the extent of this accumulation depends on the trace-coion diffusion coefficient. The resulting selectivity between different coions might serve as a basis for environmentally friendly separation of ionic species such as synthetic peptides or rare-earth elements. For example, a periodic process might include accumulation followed by species release into smaller volumes of solution. For both rare-earth ions and peptide-like species, the accumulation selectivity between ions with small differences in mobilities depends on system parameters such as nanoporous-layer thickness, distance between the perforations, and the zeta potential of the nanopore surface. Here, the use of optimal values of these membrane parameters may enable tuning of the electro-osmo-dialysis system for separation of specific ions. Modelling reveals that despite inhomogeneous patterns of fluid and ion flows close to the nanoporous/perforated ion-exchange interface, at relatively short distances from this interface (less than half the distance between the perforations) all the flows become practically one-dimensional (1D). Similarly, the concentration profiles of trace coions also become 1D. The flow one-dimensionality at short distances from the current-polarized interface enables a simple 1D approximation that is useful for an approximate analysis of trends in this multi-parameter system.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Conducting polymer-based electrochemical sensors: Progress, challenges, and future perspectives

Conducting polymers are promising due to their unique properties, such as excellent electrical and optical properties, physical and chemical stability, high conductivity, and effective redox properties with high-temperature stability and biocompatibility. Due to these properties, conducting polymers are useful in diverse applications like sensors, batteries, oil industries, biosensors, biomedicines, catalysis, cancer treatment, etc. This review article aims to discuss the recent trends and analysis of conducting polymer-based electrochemical sensors in diverse areas with all required sensor characteristics, such as the derived limit of detection, utilized techniques for the sensing analysis and derived linear dynamic range with the stability of the sensors. Conducting polymers and their nanocomposites-based electrochemical sensors have demonstrated exceptional capabilities towards detecting various biomolecules, heavy metals, pesticides, and viruses like SARS-COV-2. Incorporation of redox mediators, use of conducting hydrogels, and molecular imprinting are promising strategies for better performance of the derived sensor. The article has demonstrated the existing challenges and limitations and provided solutions in the field. In the future, conducting polymers-based electrochemical sensors can be utilized in wearable sensors and integrated with IoT devices for better reach in real-time applications. They can also be made more accessible with precise control and data output by following specific methodologies. Utilizing green and sustainable conducting polymers can be crucial in advancing eco-friendly practices in the future. Conducting polymer-based electrochemical sensors has affectivity in neurochemical and pathogen sensing, which is essential for brain function and mental health.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Formic Acid Electrooxidation on Pt or Pd Monolayer on Transition-Metal Single Crystals: A First-Principles Structure Sensitivity Analysis

Here, we present a density functional theory analysis of trends for the electrooxidation of formic acid (FAO) on a single Pt or Pd monolayer supported on the close-packed (111) facet of transition metals (Pt*/M or Pd*/M): Au, Ag, Cu, Pt, Pd, Ir, and Rh, the close-packed (0001) facet of Os, Ru, and Re, and the open (100) facet of Au, Ag, Pt, Pd, Ir, and Rh. We show that the deposition of Pt or Pd pseudomorphic monolayers on these single crystals modifies the electronic structure of the Pt or Pd monolayer. Specifically, we found a direct correlation between the d-band center of the Pt and Pd monolayer and the free energy of adsorbed CO*, the latter being a reactivity descriptor for FAO. Together with the free energy of adsorbed OH* as a second reactivity descriptor, we depict the thermochemistry of the reaction network as phase diagrams showing calculated free energies across regions of rate-determining steps. We found that FAO is structure-sensitive on most surfaces studied. Pt*/Au(111) is predicted to be the most active among all Pt*/M(111/0001) surfaces studied, despite binding CO*, the strongest among the close-packed facets. This is the case because of its superiority in activating water to OH*, thus removing CO* at lower potentials than other surfaces. On similar grounds, Pt*/Pd(100), Pd*/Re(0001), Pd*/Au(111), Pd*/Ag(111), and Pd*/Pt(111) are predicted to show higher FAO activity than the corresponding monometallic Pt and Pd surfaces.

(100) facets↗

Biogeophysical Effects of Land-Use and Land-Cover Change Not Detectable in Warmest Month

Land-use and land-cover changes (hereafter simply “land use”) alter climates biogeophysically by affecting surface fluxes of energy and water. Yet, near-surface temperature responses to land use across observational versus model-based studies and spatial-temporal scales can be inconsistent. Here we assess the prevalence of the historical land use signal of daily maximum temperatures averaged over the warmest month of the year (t LU ) using regularized optimal fingerprinting for detection and attribution. We use observations from the Climatic Research Unit and Berkeley Earth alongside historical simulations with and without land use from phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project to reconstruct an experiment representing the effects of land use on climate. To assess the signal of land use at spatially resolved continental and global scales, we aggregate all input data across reference regions and continents, respectively. At both scales, land use does not comprise a significantly detectable set of forcings for two of four Earth system models and their multimodel mean. Furthermore, using a principal component analysis, we find that t LU is mostly composed of the nonlocal effects of land use rather than its local effects. These findings show that, at scales relevant for climate attribution, uncertainties in Earth system model representations of land use are too high relative to the effects of internal variability to confidently assess land use.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

COVIDScholar: An automated COVID-19 research aggregation and analysis platform

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic produced far-reaching effects throughout society, and science is no exception. The scale, speed, and breadth of the scientific community’s COVID-19 response lead to the emergence of new research at the remarkable rate of more than 250 papers published per day. This posed a challenge for the scientific community as traditional methods of engagement with the literature were strained by the volume of new research being produced. Meanwhile, the urgency of response lead to an increasingly prominent role for preprint servers and a diffusion of relevant research through many channels simultaneously. These factors created a need for new tools to change the way scientific literature is organized and found by researchers. With this challenge in mind, we present an overview of COVIDScholar https://covidscholar.org/, an automated knowledge portal which utilizes natural language processing (NLP) that was built to meet these urgent needs. The search interface for this corpus of more than 260,000 research articles, patents, and clinical trials served more than 33,000 users at an average of 2,000 monthly active users and a peak of more than 8,600 weekly active users in the summer of 2020. Additionally, we include an analysis of trends in COVID-19 research over the course of the pandemic with a particular focus on the first 10 months, which represents a unique period of rapid worldwide shift in scientific attention.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

System Study: Auxiliary Feedwater 1998-2020

This report presents an unreliability evaluation of the auxiliary feedwater (AFW) system at 69 U.S. commercial nuclear reactors. Demand, run hour, and failure data from calendar year 1998–2020 for selected components were obtained from the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) Industry Reporting and Information System (IRIS), formerly the INPO Consolidated Events Database (ICES). The unreliability results are trended for the most recent 10-year period while yearly estimates for system unreliability are provided for the entire active period. Statistically significant decreasing trends were identified in the industry-wide estimates of AFW system start-only unreliability and AFW system 8-hour mission unreliability.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗