Power outage and environmental justice in Winter Storm Uri: an analytical workflow based on nighttime light remote sensing

The intensity of extreme weather events has been increasing, posing a unique threat to society and highlighting the importance of our electrical power system, a key component in our infrastructure. In severe weather events, quickly identifying power outage impact zones and affected communities is crucial for informed disaster response. However, a lack of household-level power outage data impedes timely and precise assessments. To address these challenges, we introduced an analytical workflow using NASA’s Black Marble daily nighttime light (NTL) images to detect power outages from the 2021 Winter Storm Uri. This workflow includes adjustments to mitigate viewing angle and snow reflection effects. Power outage is detected by comparing storm-time and baseline (normal condition) NTL images using an empirical adjusted equation. The outcomes of the workflow are 500-meter resolution power outage maps, which have the optimal correlation with real outage tracking data when NTL intensity is reduced by 26%. With the resultant power outage maps, we analyzed the relations between power outages and disadvantaged populations in 126 Texas counties and 4182 census tracts to evaluate environmental justice in the storm. The results show that Latino/Hispanic communities tend to suffer more from power outages at both the county and census tract levels

Grain Refinement of a Powder Nickel-Base Superalloy Using Hot Deformation and Slow-Cooling

A pre-hot-deformation process was applied for a polycrystalline nickel-base superalloy to active deformation twins and dislocations, and subsequent slow cooling treatment was used to achieve grain refinement and microstructure homogenization. The microstructural evolution of the alloy was investigated, and the corresponding underlying mechanism was discussed. It was found that twinning mainly occurred in large grains during pre-hot-deformation owing to the stress concentration surrounding the large grains. High density dislocations were found in large grains, and the dislocation density increased approaching the grain boundary. The average grain size was refined from 30 μm to 13 μm after slow cooling with a standard deviation of grain size decreasing from 10.8 to 2.8, indicating a homogeneous microstructure. The grain refinement and microstructure homogenization during cooling process could be achieved via (i) static recrystallization (SRX), (ii) interaction of twin tips and γ’ precipitates, and (iii) grain coarsening hindered by γ’ precipitates in grain boundaries

Effects of nitrogen application rate and leaf age on the distribution pattern of leaf SPAD readings in the rice canopy.

A Soil-Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) chlorophyll meter can be used as a simple tool for evaluating N concentration of the leaf and investigating the combined effects of nitrogen rate and leaf age on N distribution. We conducted experiments in a paddy field over two consecutive years (2008-2009) using rice plants treated with six different N application levels. N distribution pattern was determined by SPAD readings based on the temporal dynamics of N concentrations in individual leaves. At 62 days after transplantation (DAT) in 2008 and DAT 60 in 2009, leaf SPAD readings increased from the upper to lower in the rice canopy that received N levels of 150 to 375 kg ha(-1)The differences in SPAD readings between the upper and lower leaf were larger under higher N application rates. However, as plants grew, this atypical distribution of SPAD readings in canopy leaf quickly reversed to the general order. In addition, temporal dynamics of the leaf SPAD readings (N concentrations) were fitted to a piecewise function. In our model, changes in leaf SPAD readings were divided into three stages: growth, functioning, and senescence periods. The leaf growth period lasted approximately 6 days, and cumulative growing days were not affected by N application rates. The leaf functioning period was represented with a relatively stable SPAD reading related to N application rate, and cumulative growing days were extended with increasing N application rates. A quadratic equation was utilized to describe the relationship between SPAD readings and leaf age during the leaf senescence period. The rate of decrease in SPAD readings increased with the age of leaves, but the rate was slowed by N application. As leaves in the lower canopy were physiologically older than leaves in the upper canopy, the rate of decrease in SPAD readings was faster in the lower leaves

Microstructure and Mechanical Performance of Graphene Nanosheets Reinforced Nickel-Based Superalloy FGH95 Composite

Graphene nanosheet (GNS)-reinforced nickel-based superalloy FGH95 (GNSs/FGH95) matrix composites are prepared via the powder metallurgy approach. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope and static tensile tests are used to investigate the microstructure and mechanical properties of GNS-reinforced nickel-based superalloy FGH95. Mechanical properties and failure behavior at room temperature and high temperature are studied. Static tensile tests at room temperature and high temperature confirm that the strength and plasticity of GNS-reinforced FGH95 have been improved, compared to the unreinforced superalloy. The results show that with the increase of temperature, the failure behavior of GNSs/FGH95 composite changes from the interface debonding of the GNSs/matrix to the failure of the FGH95 matrix. This work suggests that GNSs/FGH95 composite has great potential to be a structural material in aero-engine fields

High temperature oxidation microstructure analysis of Ni-based P/M superalloy coated with an inorganic aluminum coating

In this paper, TWL12 + TWL20 inorganic salt aluminum coating was sprayed on the surface of Ni-based P/M superalloy. The microstructure changes of inorganic salt aluminum coating and P/M superalloy after high temperature oxidation at 700, 750 ℃ and 800 ℃ were studied by XRD, SEM, EPMA and TEM. The results show that after high temperature oxidation, the surface structure of the coating peels off, and the aluminum in the coating diffuses with the substrate to form a transition layer composed of oxidation zone, diffusion layer and interdiffusion zone. The oxidation zone is the outermost layer, where is mainly enriched with O and Al elements to form Al2O3 layer. The diffusion layer mainly contains Ni and Al elements, forming NiAl phase and α-Cr phase dispersed in it. Finally, the interdiffusion zone rich in Ti, Cr, Co, Ta and other elements exists between the diffusion zone and the matrix, which is mainly composed of Ni2AlTi phase matrix and σ phase dispersed in it. The analysis shows that the thickness of transition layer changes with the increase of oxidation temperature, it is mainly manifested by the increase of the width of the interdiffusion zone, the increase of the size of α-Cr phase in the diffusion layer and σ phase in the interdiffusion zone, and the growth trend of σ phase along the vertical transition zone is intensified. The oxidation weight gain curve shows that the transition layer exhibits good oxidation resistance during high temperature oxidation at 750 ℃ and 800 ℃ after the surface structure of the coating falls off, it indicates that the TWL12 + TWL20 inorganic salt aluminum coating has the potential to provide high temperature oxidation coating protection for advanced P/M superalloy used in aeroengines

Lipid-albumin nanoassemblies co-loaded with borneol and paclitaxel for intracellular drug delivery to C6 glioma cells with P-gp inhibition and its tumor targeting

Successful chemotherapy with paclitaxel (PTX) is impeded by multidrug resistance (MDR) in tumor cells. In this study, lipid-albumin nanoassemblies co-loaded with borneol and paclitaxel (BOR/PTX LANs) were prepared to circumvent MDR in C6 glioma cells. The physiochemical properties including particle size, encapsulation efficiency and morphology were evaluated in vitro. Quantitative and qualitative investigations of cellular uptake were carried out in C6 glioma cells. The cytotoxicity of the BOR/PTX LANs was determined by MTT assay. After that, the tumor targeting was also evaluated in C6 glioma bearing mice by in vivo imaging analysis. BOR/PTX LANs have a higher entrapment efficiency (90.4 ± 1.2%), small particle size (107.5 ± 3.2 nm), narrow distribution (P.I. = 0.171 ± 0.02). The cellular uptake of PTX was significantly increased by BOR/PTX LANs compared with paclitaxel loaded lipid-albumin nanoassemblies (PTX LANs) in quantitative research. The result was further confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscopy qualitatively. The cellular uptake was energy-, time- and concentration-dependent, and clathrin- and endosome/lysosome-associated pathways were involved. The BOR/PTX LANs displayed a higher cytotoxicity agaist C6 glioma cells in comparion with PTX LANs and Taxol. Moreover, the encapsulation of BOR in LANs obviously increased the accumulation of the drug in tumor tissues, demonstrating the tumor targeted ability of BOR/PTX LANs. These results indicated that BOR/PTX LANs could overcome MDR by combination of drug delivery systems and P-gp inhibition, and shown the potential for treatment of gliomas

Characterization and Pharmacokinetic Study of Aprepitant Solid Dispersions with Soluplus®

Solid dispersions are a useful approach to improve the dissolution rate and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The aim of this study was to improve the physicochemical properties and bioavailability of a poorly water-soluble aprepitant by preparation of solid dispersions. The solid dispersions were characterized by dissolution, FTIR, XRPD, DSC, SEM and pharmacokinetic studies in rats. The dissolution rate of the aprepitant was significantly increased by solid dispersions, and XRD, DSC, and SEM analysis indicated that the aprepitant existed in an amorphous form within the solid dispersions. The result of dissolution study showed that the dissolution rate of SDs was nearly five-fold faster than aprepitant. FTIR spectrometry suggested the presence of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the aprepitant and polymer. Pharmacokinetic studies in rats indicated that the degree drug absorption was comparable with that of Emend®. Aprepitant exists in an amorphous state in solid dispersions and the solid dispersions can markedly improve the dissolution and oral bioavailability of the aprepitant. The AUC0–t of the SDs was 2.4-fold that of the aprepitant. In addition, the method and its associated techniques are very easy to carry out

Temporal dynamics of SPAD readings over leaf lifespan fitted to a piecewise function.

<p>Leaf lifespan was divided into three growth stages: growth, function, and senescence. The leaf age difference is the difference in leaf physiological age between upper and lower leaves. The dynamics of leaf SPAD readings of upper and lower leaves were assumed to follow the same trajectory (piecewise function). Angle <i>β</i> served as an index of the SPAD reading distribution gradient.</p

Temporal changes in the distribution of SPAD readings of rice plants grown under six N application rates during (A - E) 2008 and (F - J) 2009.

<p><i>F</i> is the cumulative leaf area index (LAI) from the top of the canopy, <i>F_t</i> is total LAI; <i>F/F_t</i> is the relative LAI. Each value is an average of 30 measurements. Bars indicate standard error of means. N1 to N6 are the same as in the legend in Fig. 1.</p