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Augustine and Mozi are doubtlessly two of the most important theorists about love in the Western and Chinese traditions. Augustine has made a sharp distinction between caritas and cupiditas, whereas Mozi proposes the theory of impartial love (jian'ai 兼爱). Hannah Arendt has made her irreplaceable contribution to the understanding of the Augustinian concept of caritas in her work with the title Der Liebesbegriff bei Augustin, Versuch einer Philosophischen Interpretation (1929). She treats the central question of whether for Augustine love towards neighbors has an independent value. In the Chinese tradition, Mozi proposes the theory of impartial love as a remedy for disposing of the disorders of society on the one hand, but on the other hand to love others impartially comes ultimately from the divine command of tian or Heaven, and tian seems to be the final authority or standard for being morally good and righteousness. It needs explanation or clarification if Mozi commits an inconsistency by holding two different ethical principles. In this article, I will first concentrate on discovering the fundamental characteristics of caritas and cupiditas, and then turn to dealing with the problem of the instrumentalization of the others in the love towards neighbors if they are used as tools to ascend to God's love. In the last part, I will discuss the impartial love of Mozi and compare it with that of Augustine to see their distinctions and similarities. We will see that through the comparison we can obtain a better understanding of the concept of love in different traditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article intends to discover the function of phantasia for phronesis. Its main idea is that the practically wise person has the right sort of phantasia associated with the right kind of pleasure and pain and that through the medium of pleasure and pain phronesis and phantasia become connected. First, I examine what Aristotle means when he says that phronesis is a special kind of practical perception which is concerned with ethical particulars. Second, I illustrate the function of phantasia, especially deliberative phantasia, for the ethical agent based on the essential proposition that phantasia has a motivational force based on its representation of things as objects of desire. The virtuous man has the right kind of practical phantasia and phantasmata in the sense that things appear to him as good or pleasurable in the way they are really so. Finally, I argue that natural phantasia and phantasmata which we possess from birth need to be transformed by the practical intellect so that they might acquire moral values; and the pleasure which the virtuous man takes in doing good actions consolidates his virtuous characters so that he can act out of a settled and steadfast dispositions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landslides which occur at unexpected locations and times, and which have unrecognizable risk areas, often cause mass casualties. Despite there being few preceding landslides in the same season, the catastrophic Qijiaba landslide occurred in the new government-selected settlement of Wufu village, Sichuan Province, China, on September 5, 2021, killing three people and destroying 13 houses. In this paper, the landslide features and causes are discussed based on field investigations, remote sensing interpretations, and laboratory-based soil experiments. The results showed that it was a typical soil landslide within a geomorphic hollow of the slope with a volume of 20,230 m3, recurrence interval of at least 69 years, and runout distance of 137.5 m. This type of landslide is difficult to predict. The soil strength in the sliding surface decreased suddenly as the water content increased, and the soil's rich clay mineral and high clay particle contents determined its high mobility (Heim's ratio of 0.44). The occurrence time of the Qijiaba landslide lagged 1.3 days behind the peak rainfall, and the 2-day cumulative rainfall was a crucial factor in the landslide occurrence. Finally, the large water confluence area behind the main scarp was determined to be 3.9 times the area of the landslide itself, thereby providing abundant water conditions to induce failure. The factors underlying the casualties included inappropriate site selection, insufficient awareness of potential landslides, and failure to evacuate in time. The results of this study provide a basis for future prevention, mitigation, and early warning of similar landslides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2019, the catastrophic Zhaiban slope debris flow (ZSDF) crushed an open road tunnel in Ganluo County, Sichuan Province, China, causing seven deaths and interrupting traffic flow for 16 days. We analyzed the characteristics of the ZSDF disaster by undertaking a comprehensive on-site investigation, evaluating the internal and external dynamic characteristics, and conducting a numerical simulation. The formation mechanism of typical slope debris flows in the arid valley area of the Hengduan Mountain was revealed, and the material foundations for generating the ZSDF were identified as internal dynamic effects on the slope (including thrust faults and folds), historical earthquake occurrences, and external dynamic effects from an extreme dry and wet cycle (with a low frequency of once in 55 years). Soil failure occurred in a hollow catchment region at the top of the gully (covering an area of 74,084 m2) under a heavy rainfall of 33.4 mm/h, and large boulders (average radius of 2.43 m) were pulled along the gully and down the steep slope gradient, thereby providing the large amount of kinetic energy required for the ZSDF. Large boulders and soil masses remain in gullies on slopes within the study area, providing the high possibility of future slope debris flows under heavy rainfall. The results also suggest the use of large-gradient flumes on top of open tunnels in the arid valley area of the Hengduan Mountains to provide optimum protection against slope debris flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The catastrophic Baige landslide occurred on October 10, 2018 in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China, and formed a barrier lake with a direct economic loss of 6.8 billion RMB (~ 963.5 million USD). After the landslide, field investigations were conducted both to support emergency operations and to understand the failure mechanism immediately after the landslide. Detailed field surveys, borehole exploration, discharge measurements, laboratory experiments, and meteorological analyses were employed in this study to explore the mechanisms underlying the Baige landslide. A key influence from the water source in Bogong Gully on the Baige landslide formation was newly found. The results show that the underground of the slope comprises extremely weathered serpentinite, and fresh rock has not yet been revealed in boreholes. The seepage outlets are 450–550 m higher than the Jinsha River and ~ 118 m lower than the bed of Bogong Gully. Water flow in the channel of Bogong Gully is strongly infiltrated, with a flow loss of 62.6%. Seepage into the Bogong Gully, along with the landslide, caused by the local geological structure and lithology, accelerated the extreme weathering of rock masses and promoted landslide formation. Furthermore, extreme annual rainfall also contributed to the occurrence of the Baige landslide by increasing the discharge of the Bogong Gully. Further risk management measures in this area should include increasing the depth of geological explorations and the construction of drainage systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides an overview of a snow avalanche that took place in Tibet on January 17, 2023. The avalanche occurred unexpectedly near the Duoxiongla Tunnel on the Pai-Mo highway, burying approximately 7 km of the road and causing a three-day blockage. The avalanche was particularly significant due to its magnitude and impact, which were unprecedented in the region. The causes of the avalanche included heavy snowfall, temperature fluctuations, snow and ice melt, and strong winds. The article emphasizes the importance of prioritizing measures to prevent and mitigate avalanches on roads in the future. It also highlights the need for enhanced monitoring and early warning systems, the establishment of refuge points in secure areas, and the improvement of scientific knowledge and awareness regarding snow avalanche prevention. [Extracted from the article]

• We determine the generation mechanisms of a large-scale, low-frequency debris flow in Erkazi gully (EKZG). • Soil mass dynamic characteristics, not rainfall, controlled debris flow formation. • Earthquakes, dry-wet cycles, freeze-thaw erosion promoted debris flow formation. • The mature watershed, basalt columnar jointing, and earthquakes amplified the flow. • Community-based warning systems are vital for mitigating debris flow disasters. Low-frequency heavy rainfall events commonly trigger debris flows. However, it is not currently understood how high-frequency, light rainfall can trigger giant catastrophic debris flow events with return periods of greater than 100 years; for example, the 2014 event in the Erkazi gully (EKZG), Danba County, Sichuan Province, China. This study uses the EKZG debris flow as a case study to determine the main factors controlling the formation of low-frequency debris flows and their generation by high-frequency light rainfall through field investigations, indoor and outdoor experiments, simulated calculations, and statistical analysis. We revealed that the soil mass predominantly controlled the generation of the EKZG debris flow. Moreover, internal geological factors such as earthquakes and external geological factors such as dry-wet cycles and freeze-thaw erosion likely dominated the EKZG debris flow formation process. In contrast, the geomorphological characteristics, basaltic columnar jointing, and earthquakes jointly determined the amplification process of the debris flow. Furthermore, we discussed the critical role of community-based warning systems during debris flow disasters. For example, early identification of the blocking characteristics of the EKZG debris flow by observers enabled the successful real-time evacuation of 651 people. The following recommendations are proposed: (1) future research should focus on the dynamic replenishment process of the soil mass through dry-wet and freeze-thaw cycles, and (2) the effectiveness and applicability of community-based warning systems should be improved for the prevention and mitigation of geological hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-frequency debris flows are characterized by strong concealment, high potential danger, and difficulty achieving an early warning; hence early identification of low-frequency debris flow gullies is crucial to mitigation. Here, an identification system for low-frequency debris flow gullies along the traffic arteries in the Chuanxi Plateau is proposed based on the identification and stability calculation of colluvium deposits in a hollow region (CDH) and the quantitative roundness analysis for the stones in a deposit fan. At first, for the watershed without a deposit fan, the CDH is identified and analyzed using the geomorphologic change point detection method combined with high-precision remote sensing images and field investigation. The watershed can be identified as a low-frequency debris flow gully with the safety factors (Fs) of all CDHs greater than 1. Then, the roundness of stones in the deposit fan is quantitatively analyzed. The watershed can also be identified as a low-frequency debris flow gully with the average roundness of the stones ranging from 0.30 to 0.41. Lastly, the identification system was tested and verified based on another ten watersheds along three traffic arteries. It shows that the method proposed in this paper has good applicability and high accuracy. Here we try to achieve the accurate early identification of low-frequency debris flow gullies by combining remote sensing interpretation and field investigation, which can provide theoretical support for predicting and mitigating debris flows in mountainous areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four large hydropower stations are located along the Jinsha River, in an area that has the highest frequency of large damaging debris flows in China. The total power generation capacity of the dams is >42 million kilowatts. Through field investigation, laboratory analysis, model calculation, and statistical analysis, we studied the debris flows occurring in the gullies near the Baihetan hydropower station to determine the characteristics of their dynamic parameters and the effectiveness of existing debris flow control measures. The dynamic parameters of debris flows vary significantly because of the different characteristics of the fluvial basins and their longitudinal slope gradients. Evaluation results showed that the existing debris flow control measures in the Aizi and Dazhai gullies should be able to withstand events with 100-year recurrence period. The debris flow risk in these gullies is therefore low in the present situation. It is important to note that these control measures would also be adequate for events with 500-year recurrence period; therefore, the debris flow risk would remain low in the theoretical future situations. We propose an evaluation method of the effectiveness of debris flow engineering control based on an analysis of the engineering measurements' effectiveness. The research results can be implemented to improve the design of the Baihetan hydropower station. More importantly, the results can be applied for the development of evaluation methods of the effectiveness of other similar and significant projects in China and elsewhere. • Hydropower stations on the Jinsha River experience frequent debris flow disasters. • Disaster mitigation efforts must be based on historical parameters of debris flows. • Two gullies evaluated in the region showed high effectiveness of prevention measures. • Peak clipping analysis of debris flow peak discharge proves prevention efficiency. • We proposed an evaluation method for debris flow control engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Debris flows can be triggered by landslides and lake outbursts, constituting cascading hazards that pose threats to life and property. However, cascading mechanisms are poorly understood due to the complex energy transfer and material transformation among precipitation, landslides, floods, and debris flows. Here, we aim to identify the cascading mechanisms and key controls of the Gaojiashan debris flow and provide insights applicable to other cascading hazards. Our study integrates field measurements and numerical simulations, combining data on runoff discharge, landslide stability, overtopping volume, and debris-flow discharge. We show that gravity-driven high-altitude water sources control the weakening and entrainment of sediment sources in cascading. Water convergence and seepage due to intense precipitation, elevate pore pressure and weaken sediment sources, triggering landslides and initiating cascading hazards. Water from the overtopped landslide impulse wave, combined with runoff, entrained wet gully bed materials, and formed the debris flow. A physical approach that accounts for the strength of wet sediment sources and the paths of unstable water release in mountains may therefore be applicable for assessing cascading hazards. This work provides a reference for reducing the losses caused by cascading hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small-scale landslides that occur at unexpected locations and seasons can cause severe losses of life and property. Unusually, the Shidang landslide occurred prior to the rainy season in Jinkouhe County, Sichuan Province, China, resulting in 19 deaths and missing persons. In this paper, landslide characteristics and causes are revealed through a field investigation, laboratory experiments, and numerical calculations. The results show that the Shidang landslide was a small-scale landslide with a total volume of approximately 19500 m3, originating from hollow colluvial deposits. The geomorphological hollow above the landslide provided topographic conditions for the collection of subsurface runoff. Groundwater flow was transported downward along dolomite and accumulated in the area above shale, with a low conductivity. Groundwater table rise combined with the decrease in the soil strength led to landslide occurrence. Improper siting of residential areas and insufficient vigilance against post-rainfall landslides caused this tragedy. Considering the post-disaster lessons, it is strongly recommended that in the future, more attention should be given to the investigation of landslides triggered by groundwater, especially in determining landslide hydrological system boundaries. In mountainous areas where the developable space is limited, areas with hollow landforms are potentially at risk of geohazards. This paper could provide a reference for the prevention and management of similar landslides and new insights for updating landslide investigation systems and residential housing plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-frequency debris flows often lead to severe disasters due to large energy releases and strong concealment. However, the understanding of formation conditions, movement processes, and disaster-causing mechanisms of low-frequency debris flow is still limited, especially regarding occurrences within the large catchment (>50 km2). This study presents a typical case of large-scale, low-frequency debris flow occurring in the Heishui catchment (102.65 km2), Pingwu County, China. The movement process, disaster characteristics, and causes of the Heishui debris flow were analyzed in detail through field investigations and remote sensing interpretation. The results indicated that the Heishui debris flow is a large-scale, low-frequency, dilute debris flow with a recurrence period of over 100 years. The debris flow was primarily initiated from the right branch gully, Longchi gully, triggered by a local rainstorm with a maximum hourly rainfall return period of over 20 years. The main cause of casualties and building damage is attributed to large energy releases from boulder blockages and outbursts that occurred in the middle part of the main channel. This led to a sudden increase in peak discharge to 1287 m3/s, with a volume of 3.5 × 105 m3 of solid materials being transported to the outlet of the gully. It is essential to enhance the identification of debris flows by comprehensively considering tributary gullies' susceptibility and strengthening joint meteorological and hydrological monitoring networks in the middle and upper reaches within large catchments. This preliminary work contributes towards improving prevention and mitigation strategies for low-frequency debris flows occurring within large catchments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated an association between adenovirus viremia and disease severity in immunocompromised children. However, few studies have focused on this association in immunocompetent children. This study explored the association between adenovirus viremia and adenovirus pneumonia severity in immunocompetent children.Methods: We performed a retrospective, observational study of immunocompetent children with adenovirus pneumonia admitted to Shenzhen Children's Hospital in Shenzhen, China. Pneumonia was classified as severe or mild based on the Chinese guideline for the classification of pneumonia severity. Serum samples from all the children included in the study were tested for adenovirus DNA with a quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, and disease severity were compared between children with severe and mild pneumonia.Results: A total of 111 immunocompetent children with adenovirus pneumonia (60 severe, 51 mild) were included. The median age was 40 months, and 64 patients were male. Five patients were admitted to the intensive care unit, and two underwent endotracheal intubation. All patients were discharged after recovery or improvement. Univariate analysis and binary logistic regression analysis showed that leukocytosis (OR = 1.1; 95% CI: 1.0 to 1.2; P = 0.033), co-infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (OR = 5.0; 95% CI: 2.1 to 12.3; P <  0.001), and high blood viral load (OR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.2 to 2.0; P = 0.001) may be risk factors for severe adenovirus pneumonia.Conclusions: Leukocytosis, co-infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and high blood viral load may be risk factors for severe adenovirus pneumonia in immunocompetent children. Blood viral load may predict pneumonia severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tien Shan Mountain range connects Central Asia with northwestern China and is a crucial transport junction between East and West Asia. It is a common location for regional debris flows, which pose a significant risk to ecological security and the safety of people and property. Nevertheless, limited knowledge exists about the distribution of disaster risks and the impacted populations. This study uses advanced machine learning techniques to identify the key natural and social factors influencing these hazards and incorporates the Social Vulnerability Index (SoVI) to assess societal vulnerability. The outcomes demonstrate that (1) the debris flow hazard in the Tien Shan Mountain area is primarily governed by the geological structure, which dictates the material source and, in turn, dictates the onset of debris flows. (2) The vulnerability demonstrates a high spatial tendency in the north and a low one in the south, with evident spatial clustering characteristics. (3) A total of 19.13% of the study area is classified as high-hazard, with specific distribution zones including the northern foothills of the Tien Shan Mountains, the low-mountain zones of the southern foothills of the Tien Shan Mountains, and the Yili Valley zone. This holistic approach offers valuable insights into the spatial distribution of risks, aiding in prioritizing disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts. Also, our findings and conclusions are beneficial for local decision makers to allocate resources effectively and promote sustainable development practices in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of the uplift history and evolution process of the Cenozoic Tianshan Mountains (TMs) provides important insights for inland Asia geodynamic models and paleoclimate reconstructions. Although uplift rates derived from conventional methods are difficult to compare due to their time scale differences and temporal discontinuities, the bedrock channel profiles of rivers in the Northern Tianshan Mountains provide key insights for exploring the uplift history. In this study, the longitudinal profiles of rivers in the Northern Tianshan Mountains were extracted using a digital elevation model (DEM), the steepness index was calculated, and the uplift history since 1.2 Ma was inverted using a linear transient stream power incision model. Four tectonic events (1.05 Ma, 0.85 Ma, 0.60 Ma, and 0.15 Ma) were identified from the river profile inversion results, and these results agree with the available evidences for Quaternary Tibetan Plateau uplift, indicating that the Northern Tianshan Mountains have a synchronous uplift history with other marginal areas of the Tibetan Plateau. Our results support the viewpoints about the Quaternary uplift of the Tibetan Plateau and further emphasize the potential and significance of inferring the uplift history utilizing channel profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a very common malignant tumor. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) enable discoveries of new therapeutic tumor targets. We aimed to study the role and potential regulatory mechanisms of the lncRNA KIF9-AS1 in HCC. Methods. CCK-8, scratch assay, and flow cytometry were used to detect cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis, respectively. Bax, Bcl-2, ERK, and pERK expression were measured by western blotting. StarBase predicted KIF9-AS1 expression in HCC and paracancerous tissues. RPISeq predicted the interaction score of KIF9-AS1 and DNMT1, and MethyPrimer revealed the CpG island distribution in the RAI2 promoter. MSP was performed to measure RAI2 methylation. RIP and ChIP were performed to examine lncRNA KIF9-AS1, DNMT1, and RAI2 interactions. Finally, the effect of KIF9-AS1 knockdown on HCC was verified with nude mice. Results. We found that KIF9-AS1 expression was increased in HCC tissues. KIF9-AS1 knockdown inhibited the proliferation and migration, and facilitated the apoptosis of HCC cells. lncRNA KIF9-AS1-mediated RAI2 expression led to DNMT1 recruitment and regulated RAI2 DNA methylation. RAI2 overexpression inhibited the proliferation and migration and promoted the apoptosis of HCC cells. KIF9-AS1 knockdown inhibited subcutaneous tumor formation in vivo. Conclusion. This study shows that KIF9-AS1 accelerates HCC growth by inducing DNMT1 promotion of RAI2 DNA methylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abundant water and unstable loess are favorable factors for initiating landslides; landslides induced by hidden layer instability in a residential area would cause marked damage. On March 27, 2021, a landslide caused by loess interlayer instability occurred in Dege County, Sichuan Province, China. In total, 20 houses were damaged, and the lives of 1100 residents were threatened. This study explores the failure mechanism of the landslide caused by loess interlayer instability through field investigation, laboratory tests, and circular slide stability analysis. The results show that (1) Dege landslide is a small thrust-type landslide caused by the instability of loess hidden under colluvium; (2) precipitation convergence by hollow landform and domestic water leakage increased the moisture content of the loess interlayer; domestic water leakage occupied 91.7%; (3) the loess interlayer zone has high porosity, strong collapsibility, and high clay mineral content, which causes softening by water; and (4) multiple water sources reduced the anti-sliding force by approximately 3.3%, and newly building load increased the sliding force by approximately 15.9%. The combination of multiple water sources and building load led to landslide failure. This study provides new insights into the hidden loess interlayer landslide in mountainous urban areas of western China and can be a reference for landslide prevention and mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk assessments for potential glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) are primarily focused on large, rapidly expanding lakes. However, the mechanism of cascading hazards that cause small outbursts to transition into big disasters is poorly understood. We investigated the Gongbatongshaco GLOF in the Himalayas, to reveal a novel disaster model and mechanism, considering increasing regional temperature, glacial lake area, and glacial retreat. Global warming drives glacial retreat, and uncover loose sediment that can be mobilized as debris flows, triggering small glacial lake outbursts in high mountain regions. Sediment generated from earthquake-induced landslides exacerbates the flow magnitude in a valley to increase the disaster risk. Concentrations of inhabitants located in these areas are subject to socioeconomic vulnerability, leading to post-disaster poverty within these communities. A reasonable GLOFs resilient mitigation framework is proposed. The results offer new insights into risk assessment, especially for small glacial lakes in tectonically-active high mountain environments influenced by climate change and earthquake activity. • Global warming drives glacier retreat and lake expansion, and extreme precipitation and temperatures trigger GLOFs. • Earthquake-induced landslides amplify flow magnitude in the valley. • GLOFs occurring after earthquakes exacerbate poverty among residents in the valley. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • We studied the effects of moisture content, slope angle, and clay contents on mass failure. • A self-designed hollow model was used. • Indoor hollow-flume experiments were conducted under the condition of surface runoff. • Soils with 5%, 7.5%, and 10% initial water content generate fatal mass failure. • Soil mass failure occurs when critical water and clay contents are reached. Soil mass failure disasters are among the most destructive disasters in mountainous areas worldwide, and they continue to receive significant attention in the literature. However, factors that influence soil mass failure in hollows have not been explored via experimental approaches. In this study, we conducted a series of indoor hollow–flume experiments to exhibit how the three factors, namely, initial moisture content, slope angle, and clay content, influence the collapse of soil mass under surface runoff conditions. Our findings revealed that the major processes causing soil mass failure were internal seepage erosion resulting from subsurface runoff, migration of fine particles, development of tension cracks, increase in pore water pressure, and decrease in cohesion. Fluctuations in pore water pressure were characterized by two main trends: (1) an abrupt rise under static liquefaction and (2) a decrease before failure due to dilatancy. The time required for soil mass failure first decreased and then increased with the increase in moisture content. The soil mass with an initial moisture content of ∼12.5% was more critical to the failure. In addition, the time required for soil mass failure decreased with increasing slope angle, revealing a slope angle of 40° to be more prone to failure. The buildup of pore water pressure was found to increase with clay content; soil with a clay content of ∼7.5% required the shortest amount of time to initiate slides. Thus, our results provide a thorough insight into the processes and factors involved in the initiation and development of soil mass failure in hollow areas, which can be used by public agencies to improve monitoring, early warning, and forecasting systems. Notably, our study can help identify risk-prone source areas, and sensors can be installed to monitor potential mass failure locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]