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At least 73 records · Page 4

Constraints on charm-anticharm asymmetry in the nucleon from lattice QCD

We present the first lattice QCD calculation of the charm quark contribution to the nucleon electromagnetic form factors $G^c_{E,M}(Q^2)$ in the momentum transfer range $0\leq Q^2 \leq 1.4$ $\rm GeV^2$. The quark mass dependence, finite lattice spacing and volume corrections are taken into account simultaneously based on the calculation on three gauge ensembles including one at the physical pion mass. The nonzero value of the charm magnetic moment $\mu^c_M=-0.00127(38)_{\rm stat}(5)_{\rm sys}$, as well as the Pauli form factor, reflects a nontrivial role of the charm sea in the nucleon spin structure. The nonzero $G^c_{E}(Q^2)$ indicates the existence of a nonvanishing asymmetric charm-anticharm sea in the nucleon. Performing a nonperturbative analysis based on holographic QCD and the generalized Veneziano model, we study the constraints on the $[c(x)-\bar{c}(x)]$ distribution from the lattice QCD results presented here. Our results provide complementary information and motivation for more detailed studies of physical observables that are sensitive to intrinsic charm and for future global analyses of parton distributions including asymmetric charm-anticharm distribution.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Coupling Remote Sensing With a Process Model for the Simulation of Rangeland Carbon Dynamics

Rangelands provide significant environmental benefits through many ecosystem services, which may include soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration. However, quantifying SOC stocks and monitoring carbon (C) fluxes in rangelands are challenging due to the considerable spatial and temporal variability tied to rangeland C dynamics as well as limited data availability. We developed the Rangeland Carbon Tracking and Management (RCTM) system to track long-term changes in SOC and ecosystem C fluxes by leveraging remote sensing inputs and environmental variable data sets with algorithms representing terrestrial C-cycle processes. Bayesian calibration was conducted using quality-controlled C flux data sets obtained from 61 Ameriflux and NEON flux tower sites from Western and Midwestern US rangelands to parameterize the model according to dominant vegetation classes (perennial and/or annual grass, grass-shrub mixture, and grass-tree mixture). The resulting RCTM system produced higher model accuracy for estimating annual cumulative gross primary productivity (GPP) (R 2 > 0.6, RMSE <390 g C m -2 ) relative to net ecosystem exchange of CO 2 (NEE) (R 2 > 0.4, RMSE <180 g C m -2 ). Model performance in estimating rangeland C fluxes varied by season and vegetation type. The RCTM captured the spatial variability of SOC stocks with R 2 = 0.6 when validated against SOC measurements across 13 NEON sites. Model simulations indicated slightly enhanced SOC stocks for the flux tower sites during the past decade, which is mainly driven by an increase in precipitation. Future efforts to refine the RCTM system will benefit from long-term network-based monitoring of vegetation biomass, C fluxes, and SOC stocks.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Environmental controls on ecosystem-scale cold-season methane and carbon dioxide fluxes in an Arctic tundra ecosystem

Abstract. Understanding the processes that influence and control carbon cycling in Arctic tundra ecosystems is essential for making accurate predictions about what role these ecosystems will play in potential future climate change scenarios. Particularly, air–surface fluxes of methane and carbon dioxide are of interest as recent observations suggest that the vast stores of soil carbon found in the Arctic tundra are becoming more available to release to the atmosphere in the form of these greenhouse gases. Further, harsh wintertime conditions and complex logistics have limited the number of year-round and cold-season studies and hence too our understanding of carbon cycle processes during these periods. We present here a two-year micrometeorological data set of methane and carbon dioxide fluxes, along with supporting soil pore gas profiles, that provide near-continuous data throughout the active summer and cold winter seasons. Net emission of methane and carbon dioxide in one of the study years totalled 3.7 and 89 g C m−2 a−1 respectively, with cold-season methane emission representing 54 % of the annual total. In the other year, net emission totals of methane and carbon dioxide were 4.9 and 485 g C m−2 a−1 respectively, with cold-season methane emission here representing 82 % of the annual total – a larger proportion than has been previously reported in the Arctic tundra. Regression tree analysis suggests that, due to relatively warmer air temperatures and deeper snow depths, deeper soil horizons – where most microbial methanogenic activity takes place – remained warm enough to maintain efficient methane production whilst surface soil temperatures were simultaneously cold enough to limit microbial methanotrophic activity. These results provide valuable insight into how a changing Arctic climate may impact methane emission, and highlight a need to focus on soil temperatures throughout the entire active soil profile, rather than rely on air temperature as a proxy for modelling temperature–methane flux dynamics.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Integrating Aquatic Metabolism and Net Ecosystem CO2 Balance in Short- and Long-Hydroperiod Subtropical Freshwater Wetlands

Abstract How aquatic primary productivity influences the carbon (C) sequestering capacity of wetlands is uncertain. We evaluated the magnitude and variability in aquatic C dynamics and compared them to net ecosystem CO 2 exchange (NEE) and ecosystem respiration ( R eco ) rates within calcareous freshwater wetlands in Everglades National Park. We continuously recorded 30-min measurements of dissolved oxygen (DO), water level, water temperature ( T water ), and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). These measurements were coupled with ecosystem CO 2 fluxes over 5 years (2012–2016) in a long-hydroperiod peat-rich, freshwater marsh and a short-hydroperiod, freshwater marl prairie. Daily net aquatic primary productivity (NAPP) rates indicated both wetlands were generally net heterotrophic. Gross aquatic primary productivity (GAPP) ranged from 0 to − 6.3 g C m −2 day −1 and aquatic respiration ( R Aq ) from 0 to 6.13 g C m −2 day −1 . Nonlinear interactions between water level, T water , and GAPP and R Aq resulted in high variability in NAPP that contributed to NEE. Net aquatic primary productivity accounted for 4–5% of the deviance explained in NEE rates. With respect to the flux magnitude, daily NAPP was a greater proportion of daily NEE at the long-hydroperiod site (mean = 95%) compared to the short-hydroperiod site (mean = 64%). Although we have confirmed the significant contribution of NAPP to NEE in both long- and short-hydroperiod freshwater wetlands, the decoupling of the aquatic and ecosystem fluxes could largely depend on emergent vegetation, the carbonate cycle, and the lateral C flux.

Malone, Sparkle L.↗

Environmental application of chlorine-doped graphitic carbon nitride: Continuous solar-driven photocatalytic production of hydrogen peroxide

Solar-driven photocatalytic generation of H 2 O 2 over metal-free catalysts is a sustainable approach for value-added chemical production. Here, we synthesized chlorine-doped graphitic carbon nitride (Cl-doped g-C 3 N 4 ) through a solvothermal method to effectively produce H 2 O 2 with a rate of 1.19 ± 0.06 µM min –1 under visible light irradiation, which was improved by 104 times compared to pristine g-C 3 N 4 . Continuous net production of H 2 O 2 was realized at a rate of 2.78 ± 0.10 µM min –1 up to 54 h with isopropanol as the hole scavenger, whereas H 2 O 2 production was only sustained for ~ 6 h without scavengers. Both molecular simulations and advanced spectroscopic characterizations elucidated that the Cl dopant increased the charge transfer rate, decreased the bandgap, and reduced the activation energy of the rate-limiting step of O 2 reduction, all of which favored H 2 O 2 production. Furthermore, this work implemented a novel metal-free photocatalyst for sustainable H 2 O 2 production and elucidated the mechanism for promoting H 2 O 2 production that can guide future photoreactive nanomaterial design.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Anharmonic lattice dynamics and superionic transition in AgCrSe 2

Intrinsically low lattice thermal conductivity ( κ l a t ) in superionic conductors is of great interest for energy conversion applications in thermoelectrics. Yet, the complex atomic dynamics leading to superionicity and ultralow thermal conductivity remain poorly understood. Here, we report a comprehensive study of the lattice dynamics and superionic diffusion in A g C r S e 2 from energy- and momentum-resolved neutron and X-ray scattering techniques, combined with first-principles calculations. Our results settle unresolved questions about the lattice dynamics and thermal conduction mechanism in A g C r S e 2 . We find that the heat-carrying long-wavelength transverse acoustic (TA) phonons coexist with the ultrafast diffusion of Ag ions in the superionic phase, while the short-wavelength nondispersive TA phonons break down. Strong scattering of phonon quasiparticles by anharmonicity and Ag disorder are the origin of intrinsically low κ l a t . The breakdown of short-wavelength TA phonons is directly related to the Ag diffusion, with the vibrational spectral weight associated to Ag oscillations evolving into stochastic decaying fluctuations. Furthermore, the origin of fast ionic diffusion is shown to arise from extended flat basins in the energy landscape and collective hopping behavior facilitated by strong repulsion between Ag ions. These results provide fundamental insights into the complex atomic dynamics of superionic conductors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Optimizing Vertical Crystallization for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells by Buried Composite Layers

Planar-heterojunction perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have experienced rapid evolution in recent years because of the low-temperature processing, suitable alignment, and high mobility of the tin oxide buried contact layer. However, improper SnO 2 surface states and poor crystallinity of the top perovskite films are still the main obstacles for the planar PSCs in which performance always lags behind their mesoporous counterparts. Herein, a new buried contact is reported by introducing graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) into the commonly used SnO 2 which performs outstanding transmittance, conductivity, and surface states for a high-quality electron-transporting layer. Moreover, the vertical composition and crystallinity of the top perovskite film are manipulated by rich amino groups on the edge of the g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets which induce the prenucleation of the lead-rich species at the buried interface. Benefiting from the high-quality buried contacts and the optimized perovskite layers, the resultant PSCs achieve a champion efficiency of 21.5% with all photovoltaic parameters enhanced in comparison with their control counterparts (<20%).

planar-heterojunction perovskite solar cells↗

Strategies to improve the mechanical robustness of metal halide perovskite solar cells

We report on the mechanical properties of high-efficiency perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with different chemical components by measuring the fracture energy (G c ) of films and devices. With the help of both macroscopic and microscopic techniques, we identify the locations where fracture takes place in the devices (either adhesive or cohesive failure) with various material and device structures. We propose strategies that can improve the fracture energy of PSCs based on the measured G c : the use of ozone-nucleated atomic layer deposition to improve charge transport layer robustness and the use of 2D perovskites and morphology control to improve the perovskite robustness. Our findings offer a pathway to rationally study the mechanical properties of PSCs and enable such cells to be more mechanically robust to reach commercial viability.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Harnessing Metal-Carbon Interactions to Obtain Enhanced Yield in Aromatics and Improved Coking Resistance in Methane Aromatization

Direct CH 4 conversion to value-added products in one step will transform the carbon-based world of fuel and energy, while valorizing an underutilized resource and reducing flared carbon into the atmosphere. Catalytic methane dehydroaromatization (MDA) directly converts CH 4 to value-added aromatic products such as benzene, light hydrocarbons and a significant amount of hydrogen, all of which are chemical commodities [6 CH 4 (g) → C 6 H 6 (g) + 9 H 2 (g)]. The remarkable feature of this reaction is that the formation of the first C-C bonds from CH 4 and oligomerization of the C 2 species occur in one direct step, thus lowering process costs.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Suppressed superexchange interactions in the cuprates by bond-stretching oxygen phonons

We study a multiorbital Hubbard–Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model for the one-dimensional (1D) corner-shared cuprates in the adiabatic and nonadiabatic limits using exact diagonalization and determinant quantum Monte Carlo. At half filling and in the adiabatic limit, lattice dimerization can be achieved only over a narrow range of couplings slightly below a critical coupling g c . Beyond this value, the sign of the effective hopping changes, and the lattice becomes unstable. Strong lattice fluctuations replace the dimerization state in the nonadiabatic case. We also examine the model's temperature-dependent uniform and dynamical magnetic susceptibilities and compare them to the results of an effective spin-1/2 Heisenberg model. In doing so, we demonstrate that lattice fluctuations induced by the e-ph interaction suppress the effective superexchange interaction when g < g c . Furthermore, our results elucidate the effect of bond-stretching phonons in the parent cuprate compounds in general and are particularly relevant to 1D cuprates, where strong e-ph interactions have recently been inferred.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Better practices for inferring ecosystem water use strategy from eddy covariance data

Eddy covariance data are critical for inferring ecosystem water use strategies. Yet, such inferences are sensitive to a range of assumptions applied across studies, hindering our understanding of water use strategies within and across eddy covariance sites. A recent analysis across 151 FLUXNET2015 and AmeriFlux-FLUXNET datasets found that poor model performance was the key driver of non-robust inferences of ecosystem water use strategies. Here, we leverage this previous analysis to (i) identify the specific assumptions that improve inference model performance across most sites, (ii) explain the mechanisms behind the performance improvements, and (iii) check whether better performance improves water use inference. We find that the common practice of fitting a model to canopy conductance (G c ) derived from the evapotranspiration (ET) observations, rather than to observed ET itself, artificially amplifies data errors and degrades the model performance. Next, accounting for vegetation dynamics by applying a growing season filter or incorporating satellite LAI data improves performance, but the former practice may remove soil water stress periods. Lastly, using the leaf-to-air vapor pressure deficit (VPD l ) derived from ET observations as a model input may artificially inflate performance. Based on these results, we recommend selecting observed ET (rather than derived G c ) as the response variable, carefully accounting for vegetation dynamics, and avoiding derived VPD l as a model input; these best practices improve model performance by c. 20% and robustness by c. 80% across all eddy covariance sites. Nevertheless, the performance improvements do not always correspond to more robust inference of water use strategies, as model parameter selection and surface energy budget closure corrections still strongly influence the ecosystem water use parameter estimation in a site-specific manner.

AmeriFlux↗

Mo than meets the eye: genomic insights into molybdoenzyme diversity of Seleniivibrio woodruffii strain S4T

Abstract Seleniivibrio woodruffii strain S4T is an obligate anaerobe belonging to the phylum Deferribacterota. It was isolated for its ability to respire selenate and was also found to respire arsenate. The high-quality draft genome of this bacterium is 2.9 Mbp, has a G+C content of 48%, 2762 predicted genes of which 2709 are protein-coding, and 53 RNA genes. An analysis of the genome focusing on the genes encoding for molybdenum-containing enzymes (molybdoenzymes) uncovered a remarkable number of genes encoding for members of the dimethylsulfoxide reductase family of proteins (DMSOR), including putative reductases for selenate and arsenate respiration, as well as genes for nitrogen fixation. Respiratory molybdoenzymes catalyze redox reactions that transfer electrons to a variety of substrates that can act as terminal electron acceptors for energy generation. Seleniivibrio woodruffii strain S4T also has essential genes for molybdate transporters and the biosynthesis of the molybdopterin guanine dinucleotide cofactors characteristic of the active centers of DMSORs. Phylogenetic analysis revealed candidate respiratory DMSORs spanning nine subfamilies encoded within the genome. Our analysis revealed the untapped potential of this interesting microorganism and expanded our knowledge of molybdoenzyme co-occurrence.

Louie, Tiffany S.↗

Implications of styrenic triblock copolymer gel mechanics on midblock bridging fraction

Triblock copolymer gels have garnered considerable scientific interest over the past few decades and are used in a variety of applications including consumer cushioning, pressure-sensitive adhesives, and ballistics gels. While many of their applications rely upon understanding mechanical properties, mechanical studies of block copolymer gels are relatively disjointed with each focusing on specific copolymers, which inherently have a fixed molecular weight and composition. Here, the present study examines the quasistatic mechanical response of styrenic triblock copolymer gels composed of seven unique triblock copolymers at various concentrations. Resultant stress-extension data is fitted with the slip-tube network (STN) theory that describes gel mechanics based upon crosslinked network (G c ) and chain entanglement (G e ) modulus contributions. Collectively, modulus contributions imply that midblock bridging is independent of copolymer identity (i.e., molecular weight and block fraction) and dependent on triblock copolymer concentration via F b ∝ φ ABA 0.91±0.39 over the concentration range examined (φ ABA = 0.05–0.39). Gels composed of a complementary diblock-triblock copolymer pair were subsequently analyzed to explore the influence of interlocking loop-loop and loop-bridge pairs within the effective midblock bridging population. These results point to the presence of a physically significant quantity of interlocked loops, but quantitative analysis was inconclusive.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Measurements of Born cross sections for e + e − → Λ c + Λ ¯ c ( 2595 ) − + c . c . and e + e − → Λ c + Λ ¯ c ( 2625 ) − + c . c . at s = 4918.0 and 4950.9 MeV

Using e + e − collision data collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII collider, the Born cross sections of e + e − → Λ c + Λ ¯ c ( 2595 ) − + c . c . and e + e − → Λ c + Λ ¯ c ( 2625 ) − + c . c . are measured for the first time at center-of-mass energies of s = 4918.0 and 4950.9 MeV. Nonzero cross sections are observed very close to the production threshold. The measured Born cross sections of e + e − → Λ c + Λ ¯ c ( 2625 ) − + c . c . are about 2–3 times greater than those of e + e − → Λ c + Λ ¯ c ( 2595 ) − + c . c . , providing the similar behavior as semileptonic decays of Λ b 0 , but different behavior from that in the hadronic decays of Λ b 0 . The Born cross sections are 15.6 ± 3.1 ± 0.9 pb and 29.4 ± 3.7 ± 2.7 pb for e + e − → Λ c + Λ ¯ c ( 2595 ) − + c . c . , and are 43.4 ± 4.0 ± 4.1 pb and 76.8 ± 6.5 ± 4.2 pb for e + e − → Λ c + Λ ¯ c ( 2625 ) − + c . c . at s = 4918.0 and 4950.9 MeV, respectively. Based on the polar angle distributions of the Λ ¯ c ( 2625 ) − and Λ c ( 2625 ) + , the form-factor ratios | G E | 2 + 3 | G M | 2 / | G C | are determined for e + e − → Λ c + Λ ¯ c ( 2625 ) − + c . c . for the first time, which are 5.95 ± 4.07 ± 0.15 and 0.94 ± 0.32 ± 0.02 at s = 4918.0 and 4950.9 MeV, respectively. All of these first uncertainties are statistical and second systematic. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗

Thermal acclimation of plant photosynthesis and autotrophic respiration in a northern peatland

Peatlands contain one-third of global soil carbon (C), but the responses of peatland ecosystems to long-term warming are not well understood. Here, we pursue an emergent understanding of warming effects on ecosystem C fluxes at peatlands by constraining a process-oriented model, the terrestrial ECOsystem model, with observational data from a long-term warming experiment at the Spruce and Peatland Responses Under Changing Environments site. Model-based assessments show that ecosystem-level photosynthesis and autotrophic respiration exhibited significant thermal acclimation, with temperature sensitivities being linearly decreased with warming. Using the thermal-acclimated parameter values, simulated gross primary production, net primary production, and plant autotrophic respiration (R a ), were all lower than those simulated with non-thermal acclimated parameter values. In contrast, ecosystem respiration simulated with thermal acclimated parameter values was higher than that simulated with non-thermal acclimated parameter values. Net ecosystem CO 2 exchange was much higher after constraining model parameters with observational data from the warming treatments, releasing C at a rate of 28.3 g C m -2 yr -1 °C -1 . Our data-model integration study suggests that peatlands are likely to release more C than previously estimated. Earth system models may overestimate C uptake by peatlands under warming if physiological thermal acclimation of plants is not incorporated. Thus, it is critical to consider the long-term physiological thermal acclimation of plants in the models to better predict global C dynamics under future climate and their feedback to climate change.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Arbuscular mycorrhiza convey significant plant carbon to a diverse hyphosphere microbial food web and mineral‐associated organic matter

Summary Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) transport substantial plant carbon (C) that serves as a substrate for soil organisms, a precursor of soil organic matter (SOM), and a driver of soil microbial dynamics. Using two‐chamber microcosms where an air gap isolated AMF from roots, we 13 CO 2 ‐labeled Avena barbata for 6 wk and measured the C Rhizophagus intraradices transferred to SOM and hyphosphere microorganisms. NanoSIMS imaging revealed hyphae and roots had similar 13 C enrichment. SOM density fractionation, 13 C NMR, and IRMS showed AMF transferred 0.77 mg C g −1 of soil (increasing total C by 2% relative to non‐mycorrhizal controls); 33% was found in occluded or mineral‐associated pools. In the AMF hyphosphere, there was no overall change in community diversity but 36 bacterial ASVs significantly changed in relative abundance. With stable isotope probing (SIP)‐enabled shotgun sequencing, we found taxa from the Solibacterales, Sphingobacteriales, Myxococcales, and Nitrososphaerales (ammonium oxidizing archaea) were highly enriched in AMF‐imported 13 C (> 20 atom%). Mapping sequences from 13 C‐SIP metagenomes to total ASVs showed at least 92 bacteria and archaea were significantly 13 C‐enriched. Our results illustrate the quantitative and ecological impact of hyphal C transport on the formation of potentially protective SOM pools and microbial roles in the AMF hyphosphere soil food web.

13C SIP↗

The Hidden Path to the Resonance-Stabilized Fulvenallenyl Radical (C 7 H 5 ) via the Bimolecular Reaction of Tricarbon (C 3 , X 1 Σ g + ) with 1,3-Butadiene (C 4 H 6 ; X 1 A g )

Here, we report a novel bimolecular reaction pathway forming the resonance-stabilized fulvenallenyl radical (C 7 H 5 ) via the gas-phase reaction of tricarbon (C 3 , X 1 Σ g + ) with 1,3-butadiene (C 4 H 6 , X 1 A g ). Crossed molecular beam experiments combined with high-level electronic structures and statistical calculations reveal a rich potential energy surface. The reaction proceeds via tricarbon addition to a double bond of 1,3-butadiene, overcoming a 30 kJ mol –1 barrier, followed by ring closure, isomerizations (ring opening/closures, hydrogen shifts), and eventual hydrogen atom loss, yielding the fulvenallenyl radical (p1) almost exclusively via two dominant pathways. Considering the entrance barrier, this reaction may occur in high-temperature environments, like circumstellar envelopes of carbon stars, but is suppressed in colder regions such as molecular clouds and Titan’s atmosphere. These findings highlight the unexpected reactivity of small carbon clusters in shaping the molecular complexity of our universe, from the flicker of a flame to the death of a star.

Aromatic compounds↗

Sodium Cationization Enables Exotic Deprotonation Sites on Gaseous Mononucleotides

In this work, we report observation and photoelectron spectroscopic characterization of sodium cationization on four doubly deprotonated mononucleotide dianions Na + ·[dNMP-2H] 2- (N = A, G, C, or T) in the gas phase. Multiple tautomers with distinct deprotonated sites are identified, in which Na+ enables novel double deprotonation patterns and folds resultant mononucleotide dianions. The most stable isomer for the whole family is derived from detaching one proton from phosphate and the other from nucleobase (amino group for N = A, G and C, but nitrogen atom for T), while a high-lying isomer with protons detached separately from phosphate and hydroxy group of sugar coexist. Particularly, an exotic deprotomer with both protons deprived from guanosine is populated as well. This work thus displays a remarkably diverse binding landscape enabled by sodium cationization, a potentially critical element in developing general formulism to better model metal cation and nucleotide interactions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗