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Environmental barrier coating (EBC) can reduce the environmental susceptibility of turbine blades due to the increasing problems of high temperature oxidation and vapor corrosion in heating parts of aeroengine made by SiC/SiC. However, in addition to high-temperature corrosion, EBC may be subject to solid particle erosion (SPE) due to sands and peeled coatings. The erosion mechanism is insufficiently studied, and the impact erosion to SiC/SiC is seldom noticed. In this paper, the SPE behavior of SiC/SiC prepared by chemical vapor infiltration (CVI), which was coated with Si/Yb 2 Si 2 O 7 /Yb 2 SiO 5 rare earth silicate EBC prepared by atmospheric plasma spraying (APS), was studied, and the EBC-SiC/SiC were impacted in normal direction by SiO 2 particles with multiple particle sizes and flow rates. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe the damage morphology, and the effects of different flow rates, energies and particle sizes on the SPE behaviors of EBC-SiC/SiC were analyzed. A meso-scale model of progressive damage method - finite element method (PDM-FEM) was built and the SiO 2 particle erosion mechanism for single layer SiC/SiC was simulated, analyzed and compared with the experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a common vibration source, impact pile driving can adversely affect the surrounding environment. Predicting ground-borne vibration intensities and evaluating vibration impact should typically be performed before the start of pile-driving work. However, existing prediction methods based on empirical formulas are often too crude for the reliable analysis of ground-borne vibrations because they cannot reflect the inherent features of dynamic pile–soil interaction or lack a rigorous analytical basis. Furthermore, prediction methods based on sophisticated finite-element modeling and field experiments are too time-consuming to meet practical engineering needs. Given this research gap, this study proposed an efficient and rigorous prediction approach for ground-borne vibrations induced by impact pile driving, wherein hammer-driven closed-end circular concrete piles penetrating into homogenous soil ground were investigated. A simplified pile-driving analysis was developed to compute ground-radiated energy at the pile–soil interface. Wave attenuation equations were applied to predict vibration intensity variation with distance by considering the propagation nature of various types of waves. Finite-element simulations and field measurements verified the accuracy of the proposed prediction approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid rice breeding is an important strategy for enhancing grain yield. Breeding high-performance parental lines and identifying combining abilities is a top priority for hybrid breeding. Yuenongsimiao (YNSM) and its derivative variety Yuehesimiao (YHSM) are elite restorer lines with a high ability of fertility restoration, from which 67 derived hybrid combinations have been authorized to different degrees in more than 110 instances in China. In this study, we found that YNSM and YHSM contained three candidate restorer-of-fertility (Rf) genes, Rf3, Rf4, and Rf5/Rf1a, that might confer their restoration ability. Subsequently, we investigated heterosis and combining ability of YNSM and YHSM using 50 F1 hybrids from a 5 × 10 incomplete diallelic mating design. Our results indicated that hybrid combinations exhibited significant genetic differences, and the additive effects of the parental genes played a preponderant role in the inheritance of observed traits. The metrics of plant height (PH), 1000-grain weight (TGW), panicle length (PL), and the number of spikelets per panicle (NSP) were mainly affected by genetic inheritance with higher heritability. Notably, the general combining ability (GCA) of YHSM exhibited the largest positive effect on the number of grains per panicle (NGP), NSP, PL, and TGW. Thus, YHSM had the largest GCA effect on yield per plant (YPP). In addition, the GCA of YNSM exhibited a positive impact on YPP, mainly due to the critical contribution of seed setting percentage (SSP). Moreover, YNSM and YHSM exhibited negative GCA effects on PH, implying that YNSM and YHSM could effectively enhance plant lodging resistance by reducing the plant height of the derived hybrids. Remarkably, among the hybrids, Yuanxiang A/YNSM (YXA/YNSM), Shen 08S/Yuemeizhan (S08S/YMZ), and Quan 9311A/YHSM (Q9311A/YHSM) represent promising new combinations with a higher specific combining ability (SCA) effect value on YPP with a value more than 3.50. Our research thus highlights the promising application for the rational utilization of YNSM and YHSM in hybrid rice breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The propagation of construction vibration to nearby buildings is a highly complex process. Real-time vibration monitoring is a straightforward means to minimize vibration impact on nearby buildings. Although traditional monitoring systems are typically designed for structural safety, safeguarding the normal operation of vibration-sensitive ultraprecision equipment represents an emerging but increasing need. By developing a tailor-made vibration monitoring system for a hospital, this paper presents the monitoring and assessment of vibration impact on ultraprecision equipment throughout the whole construction period of a hospital expansion project, which, to the best of the authors' knowledge, has not been reported in the literature. The developed system could monitor construction-induced vibration levels, assess the impact on ultraprecision equipment, and issue alarm signals, if necessary, in a continuous and real-time manner. The application of the developed system in a hospital expansion project together with vibration mitigation measures guaranteed the normal operation of ultraprecision equipment throughout the whole construction period. Recorded vibration data were processed and analyzed to evaluate the vibration impact in different construction stages. The empirical prediction formulas for rotary minipiling and demolition work based on statistical analysis results can provide valuable guidance on corresponding construction operations to mitigate excessive environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yadong-Gulu rift (YGR) is the most prominent and seismically active of the seven main ∼ NS-trending rifts in southern Tibet. Although the morphology of the southern YGR clearly indicates it has witnessed large earthquakes in the past, and despite its significant late Quaternary throw rates of ∼1 mm/yr, no large historical or instrumental earthquakes have been reported, including in the southernmost Pagri half-graben, in contrast to the northern part of the rift which is highly seismically active. Here, geomorphic characteristics helped us constrain the timing of a paleoearthquake that produced surface ruptures along the Pagri half-graben, used to document its past activity and evaluate its seismic hazard. We demonstrate that the co-seismic surface ruptures extend for ∼65 km along the Yadong normal fault, with a maximum vertical displacement ranging from 2 to 4.0 ± 0.1 m. Based on empirical relationships between magnitude, surface rupture length, and fault displacement, we suggest that this event may correspond to a M w 6.9–7.2 earthquake. Combined with previous studies, our radiocarbon (14C) and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) ages from three pits within the earthquake wedge across the surface ruptures constrain the paleoearthquake timing at 3470-2056 years BP. We suggest that the southern YGR currently has a high regional seismic hazard for a M w 6.8–7.1 earthquake, considering the significant throw rates and long timespan since the last strong event. Furthermore, we suggest that such different seismic activity and throw/extension rates between the southern and northern YGR may be explained by different upper crustal rheology behavior and mid-crustal structure. • Co-seismic surface ruptures (last earthquake?) in Pagri half-graben of Yadong rift date from 3470 to 2056 yrs BP. • Ruptures extend for ∼65 km with maximum vertical displacement of 2–4 m, corresponding to a paleoearthquake of M w 6.9–7.2. • Distinct extension rates and upper crustal structures between north and south YGR may explain their different seismic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various types of pile driving work may induce high-intensity ground-borne vibrations. Predicting vibration intensity before adopting mitigation measures is vital for minimizing the impact of vibration on nearby structures and occupants. Vibratory pile driving is a commonly applied foundation construction method. However, numerical simulation models for ground vibrations during a complete process of vibratory driving have rarely been studied. This study introduces an axisymmetric finite element model that utilizes the arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian technique to simulate the continuous vibratory driving of a circular closed-ended pile penetrating from the ground surface to a target depth. The model validity was confirmed by assessing the calculated ground vibrations against the findings documented in earlier research. The results showed that the critical penetration depth of piles, at which the maximum peak particle velocity (PPV) occurs, varied with the radial distance and depth of points of interest, contradicting a common preconception. Moreover, the maximum PPV did not always occur on the ground surface across all radial distances. Parametric analysis revealed that an increase in the soil cohesion strength, pile diameter, or soil-pile friction, or a decrease in the driving frequency or soil damping ratio would increase ground vibrations due to vibratory pile driving. • Traditional simulations of vibratory piling cannot reliably predict the max PPV. • ALE-enabled FE modelling is developed to simulate continuous vibratory piling. • The model's validity is confirmed by the findings documented in earlier research. • The maximum PPV does not always occur on the ground surface. • Parameters affecting ground vibrations are systematically investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies dated glacial deposits within the Himalayan‐Tibetan orogen. While most focus on young deposits, i.e., younger than the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM or Marine oxygen Isotope Stage (MIS)‐2, ∼20 ka), older moraines such as those from MIS‐6 (∼130–191 ka) are much harder to date and interpret due to the less well‐preserved nature of their surfaces and boulders, as well as their scattered and continuous age distribution due to long‐lived erosion since deposition. Here, we dated with 10Be, two imbricated moraines near Yadong in southern Tibet, as MIS‐2 and 6, showing that the most extensive, smooth surfaces were abandoned during MIS‐6. Compiling published data from 54 MIS‐6 moraines on the Tibetan Plateau reveals that they exist in most regions, dry or humid. They are particularly well‐preserved (sharp crests) in eastern and northern Tibet, while in southern and central Tibet, their crests are rounded to sub‐rounded. Because both MIS‐2 and 6 were equally cold, and because MIS‐6 moraines are much more extensive than those from the LGM, we conclude that MIS‐6 glacial advances were controlled by more abundant precipitation than during MIS‐2. This would be consistent with the peak in Asian monsoon during MIS‐6, revealed by sediments from the South China Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tennis is a sport that is enjoyed by young and old alike. Participants can decide the style of play and control the speed and spin of the ball according to their ability, so the physical demands on participants are not high and the amount of exercise can be effectively controlled. With the increasing demand for quality of life, the population of tennis is growing rapidly. People have taken up tennis as a form of recreation. For professional players, the serve, as the foundation of the introduction to tennis, has been a challenge. A good serve can effectively control the situation on the court and even turn defeat into victory. Therefore, this paper focuses on capturing tennis trajectories using multidimensional wavelet segmentation in an attempt to provide an effective reference for tennis. The results show that our method has a good trajectory capturing effect and can correct and guide the tennis serving action well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brittle spalling is a crucial problem for hard ceramic coatings under high-angle sand erosion, especially for traditional binary nitride coatings such as ZrN. Here, we deposited the ZrAlSiN coating by co-doping Al and Si into the ZrN coating to improve the toughness and erosion resistance. ZrN coating was also prepared on Ti6Al4V substrates by magnetic filtration cathode vacuum arc technology (FCVA) under the same process for contrast. The microstructure, mechanical properties, and sand erosion resistance of ZrN and ZrAlSiN coatings were studied. The ZrAlSiN coating contains nanocrystalline ZrAlN and amorphous Si 3 N 4. The results show that the ZrAlSiN coating exhibits the highest H, H/E, H3/E2, and W elastic /W plastic among as-deposited coatings with the value of ~30.8Gpa, ~0.12, ~0.43Gpa, and 2.19, respectively. The erosion rate of the ZrAlSiN coating is about half that of the ZrN coating. The dopping of Si element is conducive to inhibition of the grain growth. The enhanced toughness while maintaining high hardness is one of the main reasons for the better anti-sand erosion performance of ZrAlSiN coatings. The research helps promote the application of ZrN-based coatings in the field of anti-sand erosion. • The co-doping of Al and Si elements resulted in a decrease in grain size. • The ZrAlSiN coating exhibited better mechanical properties with the highest H/E, H3/E2, and Welastic/Wplastic. • The co-doping of Al and Si enhances the toughness and erosion resistance of the ZrAlSiN coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traffic information and driving preference play critical roles in the route selection of drivers and further impact transport management in practice. Some studies have explored the difference between actual and shortest paths for private cars during route selection. However, the quantification of the difference and deviation as well as the impacts of the date on route selection is still seldom investigated. The study proposed a method to quantify the deviation between actual and shortest paths based on big trajectory data and the digital map. Firstly, the rules of private car travel are determined according to the definition of a trip, and the travel trajectory is divided based on these rules to attain many trips. Then, the trip routes and their attributes are generated by geographical information methods. Baidu Map's path planning collects the shortest routes with the optimal distance and time, and the deviation between actual and recommended paths is compared. Finally, the results of 2860 private car trips of nearly 400 drivers in Chongqing, China, reveal that only about 67% of the actual trips match well with the shortest path, which was significantly higher compared to existing studies. However, the deviation between the actual and shortest paths is limited to 9 minutes or 2 kilometers. There was no significant difference between the weekday and weekend in the proportion. Compared with the weekday, the indicators of the weekend are more deviated. Path selection and the deviation vary in travel modes, OD types, drivers' preferences, travel time intervals, and distance intervals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More accurate normal fault mapping and more recently constrained extension rates in southern and central Tibet allow to better discuss the mechanical processes responsible for the distribution of extension in Tibet. First, we show that the location of the rifts in southern Tibet south of the Karakorum‐Jiali fault zone (KJFZ) does not exactly correspond to that of the rigid Indian lower lithosphere flattening below southern Tibet (underthrusting) inferred by P‐waves global tomography, thus suggesting an absence of mechanical coupling between the two processes. Instead, E‐W extension south of the KJFZ appears primarily due to divergent, orthogonal thrusting along the curved Himalayan arc, as proposed earlier. North of the KJFZ however, lower amplitude extension, distributed on numerous scattered normal faults in the western Qiangtang terrane, absorbs distributed eastward extrusion, while eastern Qiangtang is extruded more rigidly by the Xianshuihe fault, following a slip‐line resulting from in‐plane forces due to the collision/indenter, visible as a major discontinuity in the GPS velocity field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Channel Pruning is one of the most widespread techniques used to compress deep neural networks while maintaining their performances. Currently, a typical pruning algorithm leverages neural architecture search to directly find networks with a configurable width, the key step of which is to identify representative subnet for various pruning ratios by training a supernet. However, current methods mainly follow a serial training strategy to optimize supernet, which is very time-consuming. In this work, we introduce PSE-Net, a novel parallel-subnets estimator for efficient channel pruning. Specifically, we propose a parallel-subnets training algorithm that simulate the forward–backward pass of multiple subnets by droping extraneous features on batch dimension, thus various subnets could be trained in one round. Our proposed algorithm facilitates the efficiency of supernet training and equips the network with the ability to interpolate the accuracy of unsampled subnets, enabling PSE-Net to effectively evaluate and rank the subnets. Over the trained supernet, we develop a prior-distributed-based sampling algorithm to boost the performance of classical evolutionary search. Such algorithm utilizes the prior information of supernet training phase to assist in the search of optimal subnets while tackling the challenge of discovering samples that satisfy resource constraints due to the long-tail distribution of network configuration. Extensive experiments demonstrate PSE-Net outperforms previous state-of-the-art channel pruning methods on the ImageNet dataset while retaining superior supernet training efficiency. For example, under 300M FLOPs constraint, our pruned MobileNetV2 achieves 75.2% Top-1 accuracy on ImageNet dataset, exceeding the original MobileNetV2 by 2.6 units while only cost 30%/16% times than BCNet/AutoAlim. • We propose PSE-Net, a novel parallel-subnets estimator for efficient channel pruning. • The prior-distributed-based sampling algorithm to facilitate subnets search. • 30%/16% total time for estimator training compared with BCNet/AutoSlim. • Exceeds the SOTAs on ImageNet and downstream tasks for a variety of FLOPs budgets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the impacts of road network density on motor vehicle travel through traffic flow and network analysis of cities in China from three perspectives: multi-city comparison with traffic flow data, multi-city and multi-period comparisons with structural characteristics. When we examine the correlation between road network density and traffic flow characteristics including the travel time and speed of 35 major cities in China, no correlation exists between them which may result from different network structures, dynamic traffic demands, traffic control plans, driving behaviors, and so on. It inspires us to explore the correlation between road network density and static travel indicators. Then structural characteristic of road networks can be treated as a fixed relatively attribute and becomes the next research emphasis of this work. Comparative analysis results of three current cities (Xiamen, Washington D.C., San Jose) indicate that the average travel distance in different cities with the similar land area will not increase significantly as road network density increases. Results of an analysis of road network evolution of Changchun, China show that the increase of road network density shortens the average road segment length as well as travel distance in general. This impact on average travel distance is also related to evolution periods or modes of urban road networks. These findings provide important empirical support for planners and policymakers to understand the impacts of road network density on transport performance and design more effective urban road networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the impact of the built environment on traffic congestion can provide reliable references for alleviating traffic congestion. Previous research has explored traffic congestion evolution but often overlooks two key aspects: the frequency of congestion state updates and the spatial-temporal impact of built environment features. Based on data from Hefei, China, we propose a novel geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) model that integrates temporal variables and spatial grids into the traditional GWR model. The empirical results show that public facilities most significantly impact congestion during morning peak hours, scenic spots during afternoon peaks, and motorcycle services in the evening. The study also reveals the rules for the spatiotemporal impact of the built environment on traffic congestion. Finally, the comparison of models shows that the GTWR model outperforms the OLS and GWR models. The findings can guide traffic managers in creating targeted strategies to enhance transportation system efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work is an improved version of the previous work. In order to solve the problem that the seamlines are too close to the edges of buildings, a thickened edge diagram are firstly generated and then used for searching seamlines with A* algorithm. The height gradient term is replaced by the root mean square value of height gradients term to generate thickened edge diagram. The thickened edges also bring some troubles that the edges of the adjacent buildings may be connected to each other. It will block the searching algorithm from finding a path through the two buildings. To tackle this problem, the height term is added to the cost function. By doing this, the searching algorithm will find a path across the area between two adjacent buildings since the area between the buildings have small height than on the building. We also defined constrained areas for searching the seamlines. The constrained areas make sure that the seamlines will not intersect to each other. Preliminary results show that the proposed method produces better results than the previous work by both visual and quantitative comparison. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper aims to discover how to connect with each other between roads from the perspective of degree–degreecorrelation in network science. Named street approach and stroke-like analysis were first combined to define the road from the perspective of the cognition of the residents. Then, we constructed a series of new measures to characterize urban road networks based on lane properties. We applied this method to the road network in Xiamen, China. Based on a standard method from statistical physics, we examined in more detail the distributions of these new measures and found that the original degree still conforms to the power-law distribution under this road definition. Then, a clear parity value classification was found in hierarchical measure, and both of them have a good performance in power-law fitting. For the improved degree and adjusted degree, their whole rounding estimates are in good agreement with the Gaussian distribution, and the power-law effect of their long tail is significant. In considering the connection properties of networks, no solo assortative or disassortative characteristic exists. Based on ANND (average nearest neighbour degree) and LC (link coefficient), they present a distinct segmentation property that is different from existing conclusions. Highlights • A method to quantify the interaction between roads in the traffic network is proposed. • Named street approach and stroke-like analysis are combined to determine a road or street. • The original degree still conforms to the power-law distribution under new road definition. • A series of new measures based on lane properties to characterize an urban road network. • Correlation of the new measures exhibits significant segmentation in urban street network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: Shuhui498 (R498) is an elite parent of heavy panicle hybrid rice by pyramiding the rare gn1a and null gs3 alleles. This finding reveals the genetic basis and great potential application in future breeding of R498.Abstract: The heavy panicle trait, defined as 5 g or more of grain weight per panicle, is one of the target traits in super-high-yield rice breeding programs. The use of heavy panicle-type hybrid rice has been shown to be a successful strategy for super-high-yield breeding programs, particularly under the environmental conditions of high humidity and deficient solar radiation in southwestern China. However, the genetic components of the heavy panicle trait in hybrid rice remain elusive. Here, we report that the combination of loss-of-function mutations in Grain number 1a (Gn1a) and Grain Size 3 (GS3) is responsible for the heavy panicle phenotype of the elite hybrid rice restorer line Shuhui498 (R498). The null gn1a allele is the determinant factor for heavy panicles through increased grain number, while gs3 is associated with grain size and weight. R498 pyramided the two major null alleles, resulting in heavy panicles with a high grain number and large grains. Clustering analysis revealed that the null gn1aR498 allele is a rare haplotype which has been innovatively utilized in R498, underscoring the great potential of R498 for breeding purposes. Our research thus sheds light on the distinct genetic compositions of heavy panicle-type rice and may potentially facilitate super-high-yield rice breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring construction-induced vibrations is crucial for mitigating their adverse impacts on surroundings; hence, contractors have collected a large amount of construction-induced vibration data. Unfortunately, corresponding construction activities were usually not recorded during vibration data acquisition. Consequently, such an unclassified historical vibration database cannot be efficiently utilized to establish empirical models for vibration prediction. Therefore, automatic recognition of the corresponding construction activity types from vibration monitoring data has great potential in practice and research. Previous relevant approaches rely primarily on either manual identification or supervised deep learning algorithms. However, these methods are tedious and require a large amount of labeled data that is usually unavailable in actual scenarios. An advanced approach for the recognition of construction activity types based on semi-supervised deep learning is proposed in this paper to solve this problem. The proposed method comprises a one-dimensional (1D) convolutional neural network (CNN) and a semi-supervised Ladder network. The Ladder-CNN was trained and tested on raw acceleration data measured on real construction sites generated by four different piling operations and one excavation operation. Experiments showed that the Ladder-CNN achieved accuracy up to 98.4% with 10% labeled data and 93.8% with only 1% labeled data. The effects of varying amounts of unlabeled data, different noise levels, and different layer weights were also investigated. Another semi-supervised algorithm (i.e., Pseudo-label) and a supervised 1D CNN model were also tested and compared. The experimental study showed that the Ladder-CNN outperforms the Pseudo-label and is comparable to supervised 1D CNN, demonstrating excellent competitiveness and apparent advantages in practical applications. [Display omitted] • Proposed a novel construction activity classification method using semi-supervised deep learning. • Applied the proposed method to a real construction vibration database. • Achieved an accuracy of 98.4% with 10% labeled samples and 93.7% with 1% labeled samples. • Achieved an accuracy performance comparable to a supervised deep learning method. • Discussed the effects amount of labeled and unlabeled samples on macro F1-score. • The proposed method has a potential to be extended to other classification tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the effect of relevant variables on secondary crashes could provide reliable traffic intervention evidence for decision makers, which ultimately would contribute to the prevention of secondary crashes. Road crashes present obvious spatiotemporal heterogeneity, and previous studies (e.g., geographically weighted regression [GWR] based method) only analyzed the spatial heterogeneity without considering the timescale of related variables. This study proposes a geographically and temporally weighted regression model (GTWR), which adds a time variation to the conventional GWR model. The GTWR model is used to explore the spatiotemporal effects of relevant variables on the secondary crashes on expressways. The empirical study using expressways in Anhui, China, illustrates that the density of rainy days, snow and ice, and occupied middle lanes are negatively associated with secondary crashes. Then the temporal variation characteristics of each influencing factor at different timescales (e.g., weekdays, weekends, and time of day such as night, morning, afternoon, and evening) are analyzed, which reveals the spatial distribution characteristics of the influencing factors in each time period. The finding indicates that the explanatory variables have heterogeneous effects on the frequency of secondary crashes. The model comparison further demonstrates that the proposed GTWR model outperforms the ordinary least squares (OLS) and GWR methods in data fitting and spatiotemporal modeling. The research findings can aid in prevention of secondary crashes on freeways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complex network theory is applied to the study of urban road traffic network topology, and we constructed a new measure to characterize an urban road network. It is inspiring to quantify the interaction more appropriately between nodes in complex networks, especially in the field of traffic. The measure takes into account properties of lanes (e.g. number of lanes, width, traffic direction). As much, it is a more comprehensive measure in comparison to previous network measures. It can be used to grasp the features of urban street network more clearly. We applied this measure to the road network in Xiamen, China. Based on a standard method from statistical physics, we examined in more detail the distribution of this new measure and found that (1) due to the limitation of space geographic attributes, traditional research conclusions acquired by using the original definition of degree to study the primal approach modeled urban street network are not very persuasive; (2) both of the direction of the network connection and the degree’s odd or even classifications need to be analyzed specifically; (3) the improved degree distribution presents obvious hierarchy, and hierarchical values conform to the power-law distribution, and correlation of our new measure shows some significant segmentation of the urban road network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• TiN coatings deposited on Ti6Al4V substrate by filtered cathodic vacuum arc. • Impact erosion wear performance of TiN coatings studied using impact erosion tests. • Energy absorption rate increases rapidly before and slowly after 5000 impacts. • Alternative testing configuration of the ball impact test and erosion test. Depositing TiN coating is an effective way to improve the erosion resistance of titanium alloy. However, few studies have been carried out to analyze the damage process of TiN coated specimens. In this study, a TiN coating was prepared on the Ti6Al4V by employing a filtered cathodic vacuum arc. The erosion performance and damage evolution of TiN coating were investigated, accompanied by varying the impact cycles from 500 to 10,000. The change of peak impact force and energy absorption rate with increasing impact numbers were analyzed. A white-light interferometer was used to characterize the 3D surface topographies of the damaged surface. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometer were used to observe the state of the eroded surface. The results show that the sand is embedded in the substrate with the increase of impact numbers. With decreasing the number of impacts, the energy absorption rate of the TiN coating increased rapidly, while the peak impact force decreases rapidly. The formation of impact pits, plow grooves, micro-cutting, brittle spalling, and cracks can be regarded as the wear mechanisms of the samples under sand erosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a common construction activity, rock excavation using hydraulic breakers often generates high-level ground- and structure-borne vibrations, which may adversely affect nearby buildings in terms of structural safety, occupant comfort, and ultraprecision equipment functionality. However, building vibrations induced by rock excavation have not been well investigated and understood in the literature. For example, the coupling attenuation at column bases and the floor-to-floor vibration attenuation inside a building have rarely been quantitatively studied. Moreover, traditional dynamic analysis methods in earthquake engineering may not apply to simulations of rock excavation-induced building vibrations. This paper proposed a novel assessment framework based on the mechanical impedance concept, which can quantify the coupling attenuation at column bases and the floor-to-floor vibration attenuation inside a building in a computationally efficient manner. Systematic finite element simulations of rock excavation were performed to characterize vibration propagation in the ground and buildings. The finite element simulations and field measurements successfully verified the accuracy of the proposed prediction formulas, which offers a convenient vibration impact assessment framework to construction practitioners. • Traditional seismic analysis methods are not applicable to the simulations of construction-induced building vibrations. • The mechanical impedance concept is adopted to derive a new computation and assessment framework. • The framework considers two main wave division mechanisms: column base coupling attenuation and floor-to-floor attenuation. • The impedance-based method is simple and efficient for vibration predictions and vibration impact assessment for buildings. • The proposed method is verified through numerical simulations and field measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Measured ground vibrations on construction sites are used to locate impact sources. • Using square layout or increasing monitoring points improves localization accuracy. • A two-stage method improves localization accuracy for deep impact sources. • Localized impact sources and empirical formula enable global vibration assessment. Excessive ground-borne vibrations induced by construction activities may pose adverse effects on the surrounding environments. On-site vibration control is typically based on vibration monitoring results at a few selected locations. However, this approach cannot predict vibration intensities at locations other than the monitored points because the locations of vibration sources are usually unknown in vibration assessment processes. The localization of impact sources (e.g., impact piling) becomes a critical problem to be addressed before vibration intensities can be quantified in a broad area instead of at several discrete points. Therefore, this paper develops a two-stage impact source localization method based on wave propagation characteristics obtained in finite element analyses of an infinite half-space soil domain. The localization accuracy of this approach is validated by numerical examples and field experiments on a construction site with ongoing impact piling work. The results indicate that the plan coordinates of the impact sources can be localized with satisfactory accuracy. The variations of the measured vibration intensities along with the distance from the localized impact source are modeled by using an empirical formula. The estimated impact source locations and the obtained empirical formula can jointly extend vibration intensity assessment from the discrete monitored points to the global surrounding area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Southern Tibet is characterized by seven main N-S trending rifts bounded by normal faults which accommodate E -W extension. Quantifying the throw and extension rates along these rifts is essential to understand their activity, onset timing, regional seismic hazard and kinematic role in the tectonic evolution of the Tibetan Plateau. The Yadong-Gulu rift (YGR), near Lhasa, is the longest and most prominent rift in southern Tibet, and one of the few that crosses the Himalayas, however it remains poorly studied and understood. Here, we focus on the Yadong rift, i.e., the southern section of the YGR, south of the Yarlung Zangbo suture. We determine the late Quaternary/Holocene throw rates at four sites, where the active Yadong normal fault vertically offsets glacial and fluvial geomorphic surfaces. Using terrestrial LiDAR, UAV and kinematic GPS, we precisely measured vertical offsets (up to 17 m) and constrained the age of abandoned surfaces using 32 10Be cosmogenic surface-exposure ages (~10–20 ka), one optically stimulated luminescence age and two travertine samples dated using U-series dating. The offset-age reconstructions yield uniform throw rates of 0.9 ± 0.3 mm/yr along the entire Yadong rift. Taking a fault dip of 50° as measured in the field, we obtain late Quaternary E -W extension rates of 0.8 ± 0.3 mm/yr, which is similar to but at the lower end of those along other rifts in southern Tibet (~1–2 mm/yr). • Late Quaternary throw rates are uniform all along the rift at 0.9 ± 0.3 mm/yr. • Extension rate is 0.8 ± 0.3 mm/yr (dip of 50°), slightly lower than along other rifts. • No vertical offsets >17 m exist along the entire rift due to climatic reasons. • Seismic hazard exists in the Yadong rift, especially in the Pagri graben. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a fast and accurate iterative method for camera pose estimation problem. The dependence on initial values is reduced by replacing unknown angular parameters with three independent non-angular parameters. Image point coordinates are treated as observations with errors and a new model is built using a conditional adjustment with parameters for relative orientation. This model allows for the estimation of the errors in the observations. The estimated observation errors are then used iteratively to detect and eliminate gross errors in the adjustment. A total of 22 synthetic datasets and 10 real datasets are used to compare the proposed method with the traditional iterative method, the 5-point-RANSAC and the state-of-the-art 5-point-USAC methods. Preliminary results show that our proposed method is not only faster than the other methods, but also more accurate and stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Implementing continue straw returning practices and optimizing nitrogen application can mitigate nitrogen losses and enhance nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in dryland. 15N-labeled technique offers a robust approach for tracking fertilizer nitrogen fate and assessing nitrogen use efficiency. Based on the continue (>6 yr) experiment, we conducted a two-year experiment (2020 and 2021) to evaluate the effects of straw returning and nitrogen management under plastic film mulching on 15N recovery rates, N 2 O emissions and maize yield with three treatments: no straw returning with 225 kg N·ha−1 under plastic film mulching (RP-N 225), straw returning with 225 kg N·ha−1 under plastic film mulching (RPS-N 225), and straw returning with 20% nitrogen reduction (180 kg N·ha−1) under plastic film mulching (RPS-N 180). After six years, both continue straw returning with plastic film mulching increased uptake of fertilizer nitrogen, had higher 15N recovery rates than RP-N 225 , leading to increased 15N accumulation in grain and aboveground biomass, ultimately enhancing yield. The RPS-N 225 treatment exhibited the highest spring maize yield and nitrogen harvest index. The RPS-N 180 treatment significantly increased maize yield more than RP-N 225 and had the highest NUE, partial factor productivity of nitrogen fertilizer, and nitrogen uptake efficiency, with improvements ranging from 1.7 to 2.4%, 19.3–29.6%, and 17.3–27.5%, respectively, compared to the other treatments. Moreover, RPS-N 225 resulted in significantly higher cumulative N 2 O emissions and yield-scaled N 2 O emissions than the other treatments, whereas the RPS-N 180 treatment significantly decreased yield-scaled N 2 O emissions compared to RP-N 225. Hence, combining continue straw returning with appropriate nitrogen reduction can effectively increase maize yield and yield-scaled N 2 O emissions. By offering insights into optimizing nitrogen fertilizer management after continue maize straw return, this study is contributed to widespread adoption of straw return practices and sustainable agricultural development in semi-arid areas. • Continue straw returning with film mulching increased uptake of fertilizer nitrogen and grain yield. • RPS-N 180 demonstrated highest 15N recovery rate, NUE, and NupE in three treatments. • RPS-N 180 achieved a higher grain yield than RP-N 225 , albeit lower than RPS-N 225. • RPS-N 225 increased yield-scaled N 2 O emissions, RPS-N 180 decreased compared to RP-N 225. • Continue straw returning partially replaces inorganic fertilizers while sustained high grain yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant achievements have been made in breeding programs for the heavy‐panicle‐type (HPT) rice (Oryza sativa) in Southwest China. The HPT varieties now exhibit excellent lodging resistance, allowing them to overcome the greater pressures caused by heavy panicles. However, the genetic mechanism of this lodging resistance remains elusive. Here, we isolated a major quantitative trait locus, Panicle Neck Diameter 1 (PND1), and identified the causal gene as GRAIN NUMBER 1A/CYTOKININ OXIDASE 2 (Gn1A/OsCKX2). The null gn1a allele from rice line R498 (gn1aR498) improved lodging resistance through increasing the culm diameter and promoting crown root development. Loss‐of‐function of Gn1a/OsCKX2 led to cytokinin accumulation in the crown root tip and accelerated the development of adventitious roots. Gene pyramiding between the null gn1aR498 allele with two gain‐of‐function alleles, STRONG CULM 2 (SCM2) and SCM3, further improved lodging resistance. Moreover, Gn1a/OsCKX2 had minimal influence on overall rice quality. Our research thus highlights the distinct genetic components of lodging resistance of HPT varieties and provides a strategy for tailor‐made crop improvement of both yield and lodging resistance in rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf senescence is one of the most precisely modulated developmental process and affects various agronomic traits of rice. Anti-senescence rice varieties are important for breeding application. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying the metabolic regulatory process of leaf senescence in rice. In this study, we performed transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of the flag leaves in Yuenong Simiao (YN) and YB, two indica rice cultivars that differ in terms of their leaf senescence. We found 8524 genes/204 metabolites were differentially expressed/accumulated in YN at 30 days after flowering (DAF) compared to 0 DAF, and 8799 genes/205 metabolites were differentially expressed in YB at 30 DAF compared to 0 DAF. Integrative analyses showed that a set of genes and metabolites involved in flavonoid pathway were significantly enriched. We identified that relative accumulation of PHENYLALANINE AMMONIA-LYASE (PAL), CINNAMATE 4-HYDROXYLASE (C4H), 4-COUMAROYL-COA LIGASE (4CL), CHALCONE SYNTHASE (CHS) and CHALCONE ISOMERASE (CHI) in YN30/0 was higher than that in YB30/0. Three flavonoid derivatives, including phloretin, luteolin and eriodictyol, showed lower abundances in YB than in YN at 30 DAF. We further revealed a MYB transcription factor, which is encoded by OsR498G0101613100 gene, could suppress the expression of CHI and CHS. Our results suggested a comprehensive analysis of leaf senescence in a view of transcriptome and metabolome and would contribute to exploring the molecular mechanism of leaf senescence in rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the reliability and lifespan requirements of modern equipment continues to escalate, the problems with very high cycle fatigue (VHCF) has obtained increasingly widespread attention, becoming a hot topic in fatigue research. Titanium alloys, which are the most extensively used metal materials in the modern aerospace industry, are particularly prone to VHCF issues. The present study systematically reviewed and summarized the latest (since 2010) developments in VHCF research on titanium alloy, with special focus on the (i) experimental methods, (ii) macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the fatigue fractures, and (iii) construction of fatigue fracture models. More specifically, the review addresses the technological approaches that were used, mechanisms of fatigue crack initiation, features of the S–N curves and Goodman diagrams, and impact of various factors (such as processing, temperature, and corrosion). In addition, it elucidates the damage mechanisms, evolution, and modeling of VHCF in titanium alloys, thereby improving the understanding of VHCF patterns in titanium alloys and highlighting the current challenges in VHCF research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the antitumor activity of zeylenone in colorectal cancer and its related regulatory mechanism. Methods: Human colorectal cancer cells (DLD-1 and HCT116) and control cell (HcoEpic) were treated with different concentrations of zeylenone (0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 µmol/L) for 48 h. Cell viability of DLD-1, HCT116 and HcoEpic were determined by CCK-8 kit. TUNEL staining was used to evaluate cell apoptosis. Caspase-3 activity and LDH level were measured by ELISA. Relative levels of M1 and M2 polarization markers, p-PI3K/PI3K and p-AKT/AKT were detected by Western blot and qRT-PCR. DLD-1 cells were subcutaneously injected into the armpit of nude mice to establish a mouse xenograft tumor model. Intraperitoneal dose of zeylenone given to nude mice was 30 mg/kg, administered once every two days. After 2 weeks, the effect of zeylenone on growth of colorectal cancer tumors was detected. Results: Zeylenone inhibited cell activity and promoted cell apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells. Additionally, zeylenone stimulated M1-polarization and inhibited M2-polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (P<0.05). PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was inhibited by zeylenone in colorectal cancer cells (P<0.05). PI3K/AKT signaling pathway activator (740 Y-P) attenuated the effect of zeylenone on colorectal cancer cells. In mouse xenograft model, zeylenone inhibited the growth of colorectal cancer tumors (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Zeylenone can inhibit colorectal cancer cell activity, promote colorectal cancer cell apoptosis, and promote M1 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages by regulating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, ultimately inhibiting the progression of colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice quality is one of the main targets of rice breeding and is a complex trait that involves grain appearance, milling, cooking, eating and nutritional quality. For many years, rice breeding has contended with imbalances in rice yield, quality, and disease and lodging resistance. Here, the milling and appearance quality, cooking quality, starch rapid viscosity analyzer (RVA) profile, and nutritional quality of grains of Yuenongsimiao (YNSM), an indica rice variety with high yield, high quality and disease resistance, were determined. YNSM had excellent appearance and quality, with low amylose contents and high gel consistency, and these characteristics exhibited significant correlations with the RVA profile such as hot paste viscosity, cool paste viscosity, setback viscosity, and consistency. Moreover, 5 genes related to length-to-width ratio (LWR) as well as the Wx gene were used to detect the main quality genotype of YNSM. The results showed that YNSM is a semilong-grain rice with a relatively high brown rice rate, milled rice rate and head rice yield and low chalkiness. The results indicated that the LWR and food quality of YNSM might be related to gs3, gw7 and Wxb. This study also reports the quality characteristics of hybrid rice developed using YNSM as a restorer line. The quality characteristics and the genotype for grain quality determined through gene analysis in YNSM may facilitate the breeding of new rice varieties that achieve a balance of grain yield, resistance and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In wireless sensor and actor networks (WSANs), a set of static sensor nodes and a set of (mobile) actor nodes form a network that performs distributed sensing and actuation tasks. In [1], Abbasi et al. presented DARA, a Distributed Actor Recovery Algorithm, which restores the connectivity of the interactor network by efficiently relocating some mobile actors when failure of an actor happens. To restore 1 and 2-connectivity of the network, two algorithms are developed in [1]. Their basic idea is to find the smallest set of actors that needs to be repositioned to restore the required level of connectivity, with the objective to minimize the movement overhead of relocation. Here, we show that the algorithms proposed in [1] will not work smoothly in all scenarios as claimed and give counterexamples for some algorithms and theorems proposed in [1]. We then present a general actor relocation problem and propose methods that will work correctly for several subsets of the problems. Specifically, our method does result in an optimum movement strategy with minimum movement overhead for the problems studied in [1]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is imperative to design efficient and effective online spectrum allocation methods since requests for spectrums often come in an online fashion. In this paper, we propose SALSA, strategyproof online spectrum admission for wireless networks. We assume that the requests arrival follows the Poisson distribution. Upon receiving an online spectrum request, our protocol will decide immediately whether to grant its exclusive usage or not, and how much the request should pay. Preempting existing spectrum usage is not allowed. We proposed two protocols that have guaranteed performances for two different scenarios: 1) random-arrival case: the bid values and requested time durations follow some distributions that can be learned, or 2) semi-arbitrary-arrival case: the bid values could be arbitrary, but the request arrival sequence is random. We analytically prove that our protocols are strategyproof, and are both approximately social efficient and revenue efficient. Our extensive simulation results show that they perform almost optimum. Our method for semi-arbitrary-arrival model achieves social efficiency and revenue efficiency almost 20-30 percent of the optimum, while it has been proven that no mechanism can achieve social efficiency ratio better than 1/e \simeq 37 \rm percent. Our protocol for the random-arrival case even achieves social efficiency and revenue efficiency two-six times the expected performances by the celebrated VCG mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A novel optical method for ultrawideband (UWB) monocycle pulse generation and bipolar coding is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The proposed scheme is based on the cross-polarization modulation effect in highly nonlinear photonic crystal fiber (HNPCF). The monocycle pulse with a time duration of 84 psis generated, and four groups of bipolar codes are obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To accurately predict traffic flow and optimize the operations of freeway bottleneck areas in a mixed-vehicle driving environment, this paper proposes a traffic prediction model and a variable speed limit (VSL) cooperative control strategy. Firstly, a lane-level short-term traffic prediction model, physics informed Transformer and cell transmission model (PIT-CTM), is constructed by combining the Transformer neural network and lane-level cell transmission model (CTM) based on the physics-informed deep learning framework. On this basis, the accuracy and transferability of PIT-CTM are analysed. Secondly, a lane assignment decision model is presented, which enables the dynamic planning of the optimal traffic distribution across lanes. Furthermore, a lane-level VSL control model is constructed based on the model predictive control (MPC) framework. The model induces vehicles to change lanes earlier by setting the speed limit difference between lanes. By regulating the input flow in the bottleneck area of the freeway, it reduces conflicts between mainline vehicles and ramp vehicles. Finally, the feedback regulation between the lane assignment decision model and the lane-level VSL control model promotes the cooperative optimisation of the lateral and longitudinal flows and adapts the control strategy to the dynamic traffic characteristics. A three-lane freeway merging zone is selected, the numerical experiment is conducted and compared with differential lane-level VSL. The results show that the strategy can effectively optimise the mixed-vehicle traffic state and maintain better control performance under any connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) penetration rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We study a ∼1000 km-long sinistral fault in central Tibet: the Qixiang Co fault. • We determine a post ∼120 ka horizontal slip rate of 3.5 ± 0.2 mm/yr along the fault. • This fault connects central Tibet to the Ganzi-Xianshuihe fault in eastern Tibet. • It acts as a major tectonic boundary that governs eastward escape of central Tibet. • Including this fault is now essential in models of Tibetan Plateau deformation. A quantitative kinematic model of present-day deformation across the Tibetan Plateau is essential to understand its growth mechanism. Dominant dextral movement along the ≥2500 km-long Karakorum-Jiali fault zone, long considered the southern boundary of plateau-wide eastward extrusion, was later challenged by a locally restrained, symmetrical shortening model co-involving short (200-300 km) conjugate strike-slip faults. Here, based on meter-resolution satellite data and field measurements, we document a previously undocumented, ∼1000 km-long, ∼ENE to E-trending sinistral fault, the Qixiang Co fault (QXCF), that wholly crosses central Tibet to connect the Ganzi-Xianshuihe fault in eastern Tibet with the Gyaring Co fault and Tangra Yum Co rift in central/southern Tibet. High-resolution unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) topographic surveys, 10Be cosmogenic and U-series dating of a lake shoreline and several alluvial fans at 3 sites ∼240 km apart, show that up to ∼450 m of sinistral offset accrued in the last ∼120 ka, implying a horizontal slip rate of 3.5 ± 0.2 mm/yr along the fault. Four recent large paleoearthquakes (M w 7.9–8.0) may have ruptured a > 300 km stretch of the QXCF with characteristic slips of ∼9–10 m and return times of ∼2500–2900 a. Such results demonstrate that the hitherto previously undocumented QXCF is the single most important tectonic boundary across the Qiangtang terrane, contributing predominantly to large-scale eastward escape of central Tibet and challenging the 'V-shaped conjugate faults' model. Including this major fault is thus now essential in models of Tibetan Plateau deformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, two new cholesterol-based compounds O1 and O2 were designed and synthesized. The compound O2 could selectively gel in 1,4-dioxane with porous ribbon structure. The aggregation mode of O2 molecules were characterized by SEM, IR, UV–vis and XRD experiments. Interestingly, the gel of O2 was also fluoride-responsive. The addition of TBAF on the gel surface would trigger the gel–sol transition, and the collapse time could be controlled by amount of fluoride ions. The response process was also accompanied by dramatic color changes from orange to purple. From the NMR titration experiments, it was deduced that the hydrogen bonding competition between the anion-receptor and self-assembly of the receptor played an important role for the gel–sol transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the structural deformation at the Arabia-Anatolia-Africa junction is critical for understanding eastern Mediterranean tectonics, it remains debatable (extensional or compressional). Field survey of the 2023 Mw7.7 Pazarcik earthquake surface rupture along the Amanos Range, and microstructure and composition analyses of related fault rock were performed to investigate this issue. The surface rupture shows transtensional branches, with the main and secondary strands displaying sinistral (normal) offsets of 2.0–4.0 (0.4–0.9) and 1.0 (0.2) m. Slip plane of the secondary fault is marked by a ∼20 cm wide extensional fracture dividing fault breccia from gouge. Meanwhile, the gouge (26 % calcite, 38% serpentine and 36% smectite) is also dominated by tension cracks microscopically. In contrast to the widespread extensional deformation, geological evidence imply that this fault had experienced reverse slip in the Quaternary, as shown by thrusting of serpentine onto alluvium and the consistency of R foliations with reverse shear. We interpret it as the SW continuation of the East Anatolia fault (EAF) that was formerly characterized by transpressional deformation, and reactivated transtensionally due to the change of fault strike during this earthquake. In the broader Mediterranean tectonics framework, the Amanos segment might be interpreted as a recently formed component linking the Karasu fault to the EAF. • The coseismic rupture along the Amanos Range is overall transtensional. • The largest branch fault reactivated was previously transpressional. • This transformation happened in the Quaternary. • It highlights the tectonic evolution in the Arabia-Anatolia-Africa junction zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constraining the timing and extent of past glaciations can help understand how glaciers respond to climate change as well as study past changes in atmospheric circulation patterns, precipitation and temperature. Southern Tibet, thanks to its numerous, well-preserved, glacial deposits, is an ideal place to conduct such study, as it receives occasional winter precipitation from the mid-latitude Westerlies and abundant summer precipitation (snowfall at high elevation) from the Indian and East Asian monsoons. The fact that amounts of precipitation varied in space and time over the plateau, greatly influenced past glaciations, now recorded as successive moraine deposits. Here, we study two large moraines from the southern Yadong rift (China-Bhutan border) and determined (using 19 new 10Be cosmogenic samples) that at Jichu, which is located at the base of high summits (~7000 m), glacial deposits were abandoned during Marine oxygen Isotope Stage (MIS)-3 (~29–57 ka), and that at Qudui, located at the base of lower summits (~6000 m), the moraine was deposited during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, 19–26.5 ka). Both moraines directly rest on top of presumably MIS-6 (~130–191 ka) remnant surfaces. We suggest that while abundant MIS-3 precipitation allowed MIS-3 moraines to be deposited at the base of the highest summits (such as at Jichu) despite warmer temperature than during the LGM, smaller amounts of precipitation occurred during colder MIS-2, blocked by high summits, preventing deposition of large LGM moraines. By contrast, where restricted LGM precipitation can easily reach across lower summits, large MIS-2 moraines exist at their base (such as at Qudui). In addition, we compiled published ages from 22 most extensive moraines (≤MIS-6) from the northern Himalaya to central Tibet (211 samples) along three N-S transects (~50–400 km-long). We found that the relative extent of LGM and MIS-3 moraines varies between different regions, that we infer is due to spatial variations in precipitation: in general, MIS-3 (or maybe MIS-4 at places) moraines are more extensive than MIS-2 moraines, except in the Yadong rift, where LGM monsoon was able to reach, thanks to low topographic barrier and proximity to the monsoonal front. This thus allows to draw the limit of monsoonal precipitation during the LGM. [Display omitted] • We dated one MIS-3 moraine at the base of >7000 m-high peaks in the Yadong rift. • We dated one LGM moraine at the base of ~6000 m peaks with abundant LGM precipitation. • We compiled ages from three N-S transects from northern Himalaya to central Tibet. • LGM moraines >MIS-3 moraines only where LGM precipitation are strongest. • We show new LGM monsoon limit from relative moraine extents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of lodging resistance core traits and their screening principles were first proposed on the basis of previous research. Afterwards, a lodging resistance breeding method based on phenotypic trait index was proposed based on a case study of screening lodging resistant aromatic rice by Yuehesimiao and Xiangyaxiangzhan. In other words, the materials that meet the breeding goals could be selected quickly by constructing breeding population and referring to lodging resistance core traits in each generation. Eventually, the advantages and disadvantages of the method were analyzed in combination with the actual situation, in order to provide the reference for rice breeding researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzing the characteristics of group behavior, leader-follower model which adopts dynamic group floor field to represent the attraction in a group is used to model pedestrian group behavior. Pedestrian choice model of vertical walking facilities based on support vector machine (SVM) with the effect of group behavior is established. Fusing pedestrian choice model of vertical walking facilities and leader-follower model into a cellular automata (CA)-based pedestrian simulation model, we simulate the pedestrian choice process for vertical walking facilities with the effect of group behavior. The simulation results indicate that with the effect of group behavior, the choice results of some pedestrians are changed, and the efficiency of pedestrians passing is reduced. To some extent, the efficiency of pedestrians passing is improved with the mean distribution of luggage in each group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acid-solubilized collagen (ASC) and pepsin-solubilized collagen (PSC) were obtained from Nibea japonica swim bladders. The denaturation temperature (Td) of ASC and PSC was approximately 33.8 °C. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses indicated that ASC and PSC contained triple-helical type I collagen when compared to rat tail collagen type I. Moreover, the microstructure of collagen sponges was uniform and porous. In addition, ASC and PSC exhibited antioxidant properties and in vitro scratch assays showed that PSC at various concentrations (0, 12.5, 25, and 50 μg/mL) had significant effects on the scratch closure rate. Furthermore, collagen sponge from Nibea japonica swim bladders exhibited an increased efficacy of wound healing when compared to the control mice. The levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the collagen sponge treated mice were significantly decreased when compared to the control group. Thus, our results suggested that collagen sponge from Nibea japonica swim bladders has potential wound healing applications. Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The measured dose was shown to be dependent on the angle of beam incidence and influenced by couch absorption when a 2D detector was used in a stationary phantom. The use of a 2D array (MatriXX) in combination with a solid water phantom (RW3) dose verification system was explored, which could take into account the couch absorption influences, generate correction factors (CFs) for each detector element, and also calibrate the measured dose for accurate validation of intensity-modulated arc therapy (IMAT) treatment plans. Based on the introduction of a homogeneous treatment bed model in the Monaco treatment planning system, CFs(θ) were constructed for all incidence angles using 6 MV photon lines in a 28 cm × 28 cm field for MatriXX at different field incidence angles (0°–360°) as a relative ratio of simulated and measured values. The accuracy of the 2D array in combination with the solid water phantom (MatriXX/RW3) was systematically investigated by verifying 12 IMAT plans with and without CFs. In addition, the resulting assessments were evaluated by 40 additional IMAT plans of different tumor sites, using the COMPASS three-dimensional (3D) dose validation device measurements as a benchmark. After correction based on CFs(θ), the effect of the mean pass rates (3%/3 mm) of the MatriXX 2D array for 12 IMAT plan QA can be seenan explicit improvement of 6.1% was observed with the CFs(θ). The average pass rate increased from 92.0% to 98.1%, and the additional 40 IMAT plans QA γ(3mm/3%) matched well between COMPASS and the measurements for MatriXX/RW3, with CFs(θ)'s of 98.4 ± 1.5 vs. 99.1 ± 0.9 for the phantom plans. For different tumor sites, the cervical, thoracic, and abdominal cases for the 3D COMPASS validation devices were 97.9 ± 1.5 vs. 99.4 ± 0.3, 99.1 ± 0.9 vs. 98.6 ± 1.6, and 98.7 ± 0.9 vs. 99.3 ± 0.7, respectively, with P = 0.051, 0.420, and 0.175. For head tumors, the 2D MatriXX validation pass rate was slightly lower than 3D COMPASS (97.7 ± 2.0 vs. 99.2 ± 0.5, P = 0.048). The combination of MatriXX with the solid water RW3 phantom and CFs(θ)'s incorporation of the main couch model (iBEAM evo Couchtop EP) proved to be a fast and reliable method for pre-treatment verification of arc therapy with sufficient accuracy. Slight deviations were found for patients with head tumors treated with the treatment bed extension plate assembly iBEAM® evo Extension 415. These could be minimized by constructing the extension plate couch model and then reconstructing the MatriXX/RW3 calibration factor. • A 2D array in combination with RW3 phantom dose verification system was explored. • Correction factors (CFs) were developed to calibrates the measured dose. • Measurements with and without CFs were compared with simulations in Monaco TPS. • CFs were also evaluated using the COMPASS as a benchmark by 40 additional IMAT plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present GDA, a generalized decision aggregation framework that integrates information from distributed sensor nodes for decision making in a resource efficient manner. Different from traditional approaches, our proposed GDA framework is able to not only estimate the reliability of each sensor, but also take advantage of its confidence information, and thus achieves higher decision accuracy. Targeting generalized problem domains, our framework can naturally handle the scenarios where different sensor nodes observe different sets of events whose numbers of possible classes may also be different. GDA also makes no assumption about the availability level of ground truth label information, while being able to take advantage of any if present. For these reasons, our approach can be applied to a much broader spectrum of sensing scenarios. In this paper, we also propose two extensions of the GDA framework, i.e., incremental GDA (I-GDA) and parallel GDA (P-GDA) to deal with streaming and large-scale data. The advantages of our proposed methods are demonstrated through both theoretic analysis and extensive experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

High on-aspirin platelet reactivity (HAPR) has been associated with compromised aspirin efficacy in patients with diabetes suffering from acute cardiovascular events, but the key mechanisms remain elusive. The objective of this study was to uncover the potential link between pathogenic accumulation of salicylic acid (SA), the major metabolite of aspirin, and HAPR in diabetic state. Aspirin failed to inhibit platelet CD62P expression and thromboxane (TX) B 2 /6-keto-prostaglandin（PG）F 1α ratio in a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) mice model, particularly in the female, which were unanimously accompanied by significantly higher plasma SA concentrations. Pre-administration with SA increased both platelet CD62P expression and TXB 2 /6-keto-PGF 1α ratio in female T2DM mice, while pretreatment with NaHCO 3 caused the opposite effect. On the in vitro human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)-platelet interaction assay, SA suppressed inflammation-induced cyclooxygenase-2 upregulation on HUVECs and attenuated their inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner. The prolonged retention of SA in diabetes may be partially explained by the downregulation of various SA efflux transporters in the kidney and the decreased urine pH. Importantly, in female aspirin non-responsive patients, the trough plasma concentration of SA are markedly increased with T2DM treated with long-term aspirin, and TXB 2 /6-keto-PGF 1α ratio and uric acid level in plasma are positively correlated with SA concentration. Our findings support that the accumulation of SA represents an important factor in causing HAPR in diabetes, and that targeting impaired SA excretion may become a novel intervention strategy to diabetes-associated HAPR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on a study which fabricated the edge junction by using epitaxial multilevel deposition technique. Discussion on the direct and alternating current Josephson effects in liquid nitrogen temperatures; Current-voltage characteristics of the junction; Description of the dynamic resistance above the critical current; Effect of the dependence of height of the microwave.

Modern communication systems require high linearity, usually in addition to high output power. High linearity requires a flat device transconductance ( g m ) vs. gate-source voltage (V gs ), while at the same time, transconductance must be high for high gain. In spite of much research to investigate device/system linearity, GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) devices generally show a bell-shaped g m curve characteristic much like other FET devices. In this study, we examine g m behavior and conclude that the bell-shaped g m is caused by: (1) devices operating in the linear region, generally under low to moderate V ds bias, (2) nonlinear source and drain resistances, and (3) self-heating thermal effects. When I ds no longer follows a linear increase with V gs due to these three causes, g m decreases and forms a bell shape. The key to maintain the g m flatness is to reduce both parasitic electrical and thermal resistances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 24 new thermochronometric ages from the bend section of the Xianshuihe fault system are reported. • New data indicate migration of the locus of fast exhumation towards the fault zone from ∼ 25 to ∼ 10 Ma. • Oligocene-early Miocene fast exhumation along the fault system resulted from crustal shortening. Large-scale strike-slip faults in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau are considered to have accommodated significant crustal extrusion and deformation during the plateau growth. However, the long-term deformation and exhumation history along the large-scale strike-slip faults is still unclear. Here, we present new thermochronological datasets from the near-field of the bend section of the Xianshuihe fault system, they reveal migration of the loci which show rapid exhumation between ∼ 25 Ma and ∼ 10 Ma towards the fault zone. Our new results clearly show a phase of rapid Oligocene-early Miocene basement exhumation, indicating contemporaneous crustal shortening along the fault. Through synthesizing the evidence of Oligocene-early Miocene fast exhumation along the Xianshuihe fault system, and synchronous deformation along adjacent strike-slip and thrust faults in the region, we propose that the southeastern Tibetan Plateau may have reached a remarkable high-elevation topography during this period. This was accompanied by significant crustal shortening under a contractional regime, with northeastward advance of the eastern Himalayan syntaxis and southeastward crustal extrusion originated from the plateau hinterland. Our findings are generally in agreement with sedimentary records in the marginal sea basins and paleo-altimetry studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]