Assessments of arthropod herbivory patterns through deep time are reliant on accurate interpretations of feeding traces on fossil plants, which may be morphologically ambiguous. Prior work has emphasised the importance of ‘reaction rims’ for identifying herbivory, where the plant's histological response forms a region of altered and often thickened tissue that both seals and surrounds the damaged area during healing. However, the potential for diagenesis to form similar rimmed structures on plant fossils has not been well evaluated. In this study, we describe a collection of rimmed, subcircular structures on Glossopteris from the Wilton Formation (Upper Permian) of New South Wales, Australia. Although their morphology is consistent with recognised insect damage types (especially galling or hole feeding), less frequent, more poorly preserved examples that occur outside the leaf margins confirm a diagenetic origin. We hypothesise that these structures are the weathered remnants of small, concentric iron sulphide or siderite growths due to their rimmed morphology, association with iron oxide, and concentrated distribution on or near the fossilised Glossopteris. Our findings emphasise that diagenesis can create structures that superficially resemble insect feeding damage. Thus, although reaction rims remain a key criterion for identifying herbivory, care must also be taken to consider diagenetic and preservational factors so as not to artificially inflate the fossil record of insect herbivory.
Hydrogen (H2) is a promising carbon–neutral energy carrier; however, its deployment is limited by the lack of lightweight, reversible storage media that operate under practical conditions. Here, we establish nitrogen-doped graphdiyne (N-GDY) as a programmable two-dimensional (2D) platform for stabilizing dispersed light-metal dopants and enabling high-capacity molecular H2 physisorption. The computational package involves density functional theory (DFT) combined with ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) and Langmuir‑based statistical thermodynamic modeling. The results revealed that N‑sites of N-GDY bind up to five Li, Na, K, and Ca atoms per primitive cell with binding energies of − 2.27, −1.57, −1.80, and − 2.13 eV, respectively, exceeding their respective bulk cohesive energies. AIMD simulations for 10 picoseconds at 400 K further confirm the structural robustness of the decorated frameworks without observing any evidence of metal aggregation. The polarised metal centres activate reversible H2 adsorption through electrostatic and dispersion interactions, with average adsorption energies falling within the optimal window (−0.15 to −0.35 eV per H2). Sequential adsorption analysis reveals uptake of up to 25 H2 molecules per primitive cell, achieving intrinsic gravimetric capacities of 13.08, 10.82, 9.23, and 9.15 wt% for Li-, Na-, K-, and Ca-functionalized systems, respectively. Thermodynamic analysis indicates favorable adsorption–desorption behavior under near-ambient conditions, with Li- and Ca-functionalized systems exceeding the 6.5 wt% U.S. Department of Energy’s ultimate system-level target when considering intrinsic material capacity. These results identify N-GDY as a chemically tunable scaffold for dispersing lightweight metals and provide a mechanistic design strategy for achieving high-capacity, reversible hydrogen storage in porous 2D materials.
This study addresses the perception of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) as a region with limited financial capabilities and technological advancement to enhance environmental sustainability. Conducted across 24 SSA countries from 2000 to 2021, the research employs instrumental IV and panel quantile regressions. It shows that financialization, when coupled with innovation-driven activities, positively impacts environmental sustainability. The findings reveal refined relationships, indicating that the impact of financialization on environmental sustainability varies based on contextual factors. Notably, positive effects are observed, particularly in terms of enhancing access to credit and promoting innovation initiatives. The study underscores the importance of addressing emissions and promoting environmental sustainability in SSA through strengthened financial systems and innovation promotion. By highlighting the potential for decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation, the research provides valuable insights for policymaking and sustainable development efforts in the region.
This article is a review of the public service announcements (PSAs) disseminated with the G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero cartoon series which aired 95 episodes in the 1980s: 35 PSAs were identified and tabulated. The topics addressed ranged from specific health situations to moral guidance. Most of the PSAs (N = 25, 71.4%) were relevant to childhood safety and reflected the theoretical underpinnings of educational messaging likely to promote the most significant change in children's health and health communication targeted to children. The G.I. JOE series can serve as an exemplar for the development of contemporary PSAs intended to improve children's health.
