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Abstract Recently, the oxygen potential dependence of the signal of a potentiometric CO 2 sensor, based on a cation conductor with carbonate as gas sensitive layer, has been interpreted as caused by electronic transference through the electrolyte. Though this interpretation is quite correct, the relationships on the basis of which the effect of electronic conductivity has been discussed are wrong and so are the conclusions on the electronic conduction parameter of the electrolyte material under consideration, i.e. of the lithium ion conductor Li 3 PO 4 + SiO 2 (5 mol%). In what follows, the questionable points will be corrected and the role of the electronic conductivity for the understanding of the behaviour of a CO 2 sensor will be re-examined.

Abstract Pore-free microelectrodes (20–100 μm diameter, 100 nm thick) of mixed-conducting perovskites are prepared on dense pellets of Y-doped BaZrO 3 (4–15% Y) as proton-conducting electrolyte. The oxygen reduction reaction is investigated in gas-symmetric cells using AC impedance spectroscopy. The electronic resistance owing to the non-negligible hole conductivity of acceptor-doped BaZrO 3 in oxidizing atmosphere can – even though much larger than the ionic resistance – be much lower than the resistance of the oxygen exchange reaction. This results in a substantial impact of electronic leakage current on the impedance spectroscopic investigations of the oxygen reduction process. Solutions to this problem are demonstrated. The impact of this effect for porous electrodes is discussed.

AbstractHydrogen chloride is a by‐product in important processes like the polyurethane production. The currently most efficient electrochemical process for recycling it to chlorine is based on a liquid‐phase reactor, utilizing aqueous hydrochloric acid as a feedstock. Recent investigations showed that employing a gas‐phase reactor and according novel strategies for product purification leads to significant exergetic savings. This article aims to discuss the efficient electrolysis of gaseous HCl on the reactor level but also on the overall process level in comparison to the current state of the art.

AbstractHeterosis has been widely used in agriculture to increase yield and to broaden adaptability of hybrid varieties and is applied to an increasing number of crop species. We performed a systematic survey of the extent and degree of heterosis for dry biomass in 63 Arabidopsis accessions crossed to three reference lines (Col-0, C24, and Nd). We detected a high heritability (69%) for biomass production in Arabidopsis. Among the 169 crosses analyzed, 29 exhibited significant mid-parent-heterosis for shoot biomass. Furthermore, we analyzed two divergent accessions, C24 and Col-0, the F1 hybrids of which were shown to exhibit hybrid vigor, in more detail. In the combination Col-0/C24, heterosis for biomass was enhanced at higher light intensities; we found 51% to 66% mid-parent-heterosis at low and intermediate light intensities (60 and 120 μmol m−2 s−1), and 161% at high light intensity (240 μmol m−2 s−1). While at the low and intermediate light intensities relative growth rates of the hybrids were higher only in the early developmental phase (0–15 d after sowing [DAS]), at high light intensity the hybrids showed increased relative growth rates over the entire vegetative phase (until 25 DAS). An important finding was the early onset of heterosis for biomass; in the cross Col-0/C24, differences between parental and hybrid lines in leaf size and dry shoot mass could be detected as early as 10 DAS. The widespread occurrence of heterosis in the model plant Arabidopsis opens the possibility to investigate the genetic basis of this phenomenon using the tools of genetical genomics.

As COVID-19 spreads worldwide, governments have been implementing a wide range of measures to contain it, from movement restrictions to economy-wide shutdowns. Understanding their impacts is essential to support better policies for countries still experiencing outbreaks or in case of emergence of subsequent pandemic waves. Here we show that the cumulative decline in electricity consumption within the 5 months following the stay-home orders ranges between 3% and 12% in the most affected EU countries and USA states, except Florida, which shows no significant impact. Italy, France, Spain, California, Austria, and New York have recovered baseline consumption by the end of July, whereas Great Britain and Germany remain below baseline levels. We also show that the relationship between measures stringency and daily decline in electricity consumption is nonlinear. These results illustrate the severity of the crisis across countries and can support further research on the effect of specific measures.

Air pollution and climate change are potential drivers for the increasing burden of allergic diseases. The molecular mechanisms by which air pollutants and climate parameters may influence allergic diseases, however, are complex and elusive. This article provides an overview of physical, chemical and biological interactions between air pollution, climate change, allergens, adjuvants and the immune system, addressing how these interactions may promote the development of allergies. We reviewed and synthesized key findings from atmospheric, climate, and biomedical research. The current state of knowledge, open questions, and future research perspectives are outlined and discussed. The Anthropocene, as the present era of globally pervasive anthropogenic influence on planet Earth and, thus, on the human environment, is characterized by a strong increase of carbon dioxide, ozone, nitrogen oxides, and combustion- or traffic-related particulate matter in the atmosphere. These environmental factors can enhance the abundance and induce chemical modifications of allergens, increase oxidative stress in the human body, and skew the immune system toward allergic reactions. In particular, air pollutants can act as adjuvants and alter the immunogenicity of allergenic proteins, while climate change affects the atmospheric abundance and human exposure to bioaerosols and aeroallergens. To fully understand and effectively mitigate the adverse effects of air pollution and climate change on allergic diseases, several challenges remain to be resolved. Among these are the identification and quantification of immunochemical reaction pathways involving allergens and adjuvants under relevant environmental and physiological conditions.

DIII-D L-mode experiments with local boron powder injection for real-time wall conditioning have been interpreted for the first time with the 3D plasma edge transport Monte Carlo code EMC3-EIRENE. Local B sourcing in plasma scenarios with upstream densities 1.5⋅1019m−3 and 2.2 MW heating results in a non-axisymmetric B distribution in the scrape-off layer (SOL) and on the divertor. The SOL frictional flows at high plasma density cause a strong inboard drag of injected impurities (≈90%), while lower background plasma densities tend to result in a more uniform distribution. The thermal forces prevent B deposition in the near SOL while the frictional force causes B fluxes to cover the divertor plasma-facing components in a region 7–10 cm beyond the strike line. Radiative dissipation occurs for B influxes above 1⋅1020s−1 and causes a moderate, non-axisymmetric reduction of the far SOL divertor heat fluxes. A comparison of top and midplane B injection shows no substantial difference in inboard vs. outboard asymmetries of the B distribution. On the other hand, erosion or recycling at the strike line may distribute the boron more uniformly in the SOL.

Energy dissipation in the plasma edge is key for future tokamaks. The potential of neon as radiating seeding species in disconnected double null (DDN) configuration is assessed in EAST discharges in high confinement mode (H-mode). As the separation between the two separatrices in the studied DDN discharges is minimum 1.5 cm, the configuration is effectively a single null configuration, and the benefits of the double null topology are minimal. Neon seeding, on the other hand, has a favourable effect: both the target heat flux and the divertor temperature decrease more than five-fold with increased seeding rate in high-recycling conditions. Interpretive edge plasma simulations with SOLPS-ITER in support of ongoing transport analysis are presented. For the unseeded case the numerical results agree with the experimental data within a factor two for the target temperature conditions and measured neutral pressures in the active divertor. The key for achieving good agreement is a suitable selection of coefficients for anomalous transport and neutral conductances between the upper cryopump and the main chamber.