A gravimetric assessment of the Gotthard Base Tunnel geological model: insights from a novel gravity terrain-adaptation correction and rock physics data.

Unlabelled: The Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT) is a 57 km long railway tunnel, constructed in the Central Alps in Switzerland and extending mainly North-South across numerous geological units. We acquired 80 new gravity data points at the surface along the GBT profile and used 77 gravity measurements in the tunnel to test and constrain the shallow crustal, km-scale geological model established during the tunnel construction. To this end, we developed a novel processing scheme, which computes a fully 3D, density-dependent gravity terrain-adaptation correction (TAC), to consistently compare the gravity observations with the 2D geological model structure; the latter converted into a density model.

Establishing primary surface rupture evidence and magnitude of the 1697 CE Sadiya earthquake at the Eastern Himalayan Frontal thrust, India.

Historical archives refer to often recurring earthquakes along the Eastern Himalaya for which geological evidence is lacking, raising the question of whether these events ruptured the surface or remained blind, and how do they contribute to the seismic budget of the region, which is home to millions of inhabitants. We report a first mega trench excavation at Himebasti village, Arunachal Pradesh, India, and analyze it with modern geological techniques. The study includes twenty-one radiocarbon dates to limit the timing of displacement after 1445 CE, suggesting that the area was devastated in the 1697 CE event, known as Sadiya Earthquake, with a dip-slip displacement of 15.

Global quieting of high-frequency seismic noise due to COVID-19 pandemic lockdown measures.

Human activity causes vibrations that propagate into the ground as high-frequency seismic waves. Measures to mitigate the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused widespread changes in human activity, leading to a months-long reduction in seismic noise of up to 50%. The 2020 seismic noise quiet period is the longest and most prominent global anthropogenic seismic noise reduction on record.

Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems: In vivo evaluation of their potential for oral vaccination.

Oral Immunization remains a challenge as antigens are rapidly metabolized in the gastrointestinal tract. In numerous previous studies, Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) have demonstrated to be a promising tool for oral delivery of biologics. In this study, the potential of SEDDS as vehicle for oral vaccination has been evaluated.

Highly mucus permeating and zeta potential changing self-emulsifying drug delivery systems: A potent gene delivery model for causal treatment of cystic fibrosis.

Aim: It was the aim of the study to develop self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) with the ability to change their zeta potential towards higher values at the adsorption membrane and in this way facilitate the release of the DNA-cetrimonium complex and enhance transfection.

Methods: Plasmid DNA was complexed via hydrophobic ion pairing utilizing various surfactants and the complex was incorporated into SEDDS achieving a payload of 1% (m/v). Log P of the complex was determined.