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Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a group of chronic interstitial pulmonary diseases characterized by myofibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. However, current treatments are not satisfactory. Therefore, more effective therapies need to be explored. Cepharanthine (CEP) is a naturally occurring alkaloid that has recently been reported to have multiple pharmacological effects, particularly in chronic inflammation. Methods: For in vivo experiments, first, a pulmonary fibrosis murine model was generated via tracheal injection of bleomycin (BLM). Second, the clinical manifestations and histopathological changes of the mice were used to verify that treatment with CEP might significantly reduce BLM-induced fibrosis. Furthermore, flow cytometric analysis was used to analyze the changes in the number of M2 macrophages in the lung tissues before and after treatment with CEP to explore the relationship between macrophage M2 polarization and pulmonary fibrosis. In vitro, we constructed two co-culture systems (THP-1 and MRC5 cells, RAW264.7 and NIH 3T3 cells), and measured the expression of fibrosis-related proteins to explore whether CEP could reduce pulmonary fibrosis by regulating macrophage M2 polarization and fibroblast activation. Results: The results showed that the intranasal treatment of CEP significantly attenuated the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis induced by BLM in a murine model. Our findings also indicated that CEP treatment markedly reduced the expression of fibrosis markers, including TGF-β1, collagen I, fibronectin and α-SMA, in the mouse lung. Furthermore, in vitro studies demonstrated that CEP attenuated pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting fibroblast activation through modulating macrophage M2 polarization and reducing TGF-β1 expression. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the potential and efficacy of CEP in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. In particular, this study revealed a novel mechanism of CEP in inhibiting fibroblast activation by regulating macrophage M2 polarization and reducing the expression of fibrosis-associated factors. Our findings open a new direction for future research into the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel analytical model is proposed to improve the accuracy of predicting the mechanical response of a strand with asymmetrically broken wires. This model incorporates a new approach to compute the contact force between the broken wire and the duct. When there is more than one asymmetrically broken wire, the previous method cannot handle this situation due to the large deflection of the center wire near the breaking end. This deflection results in a significant contact force between the center and broken wires. The omission of this force in the previous method leads to unrealistic solutions for two or three asymmetrically broken wires. This paper addresses the issue appropriately. The calculated results have been compared with those from a previous experiment, demonstrating satisfactory agreement. Furthermore, the proposed analytical model has been adopted to predict the mechanical behavior of the broken wire in multi-strand scenarios relevant to a prestressed concrete bridge. The contact force between strands is accurately calculated. The findings indicate that the axial force of the asymmetrically broken wire in multi-strands can recover after a short distance from the broken end. This recovery is attributed to the confinement effect of the other strands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of coherent oxygen injection improves the smelting efficiency and product quality by promoting the homogenization and impurities removal effects in electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking process. CH4 is widely applied as surrounding gas in traditional coherent jets, which inescapability generates some greenhouse gases (GHG), and against the ambitious carbon reduction goal. Herein, H2 instead of CH4 as surrounding gas in coherent jet is introduced. Based on fluid and combustion mechanics, a computational fluid dynamics model with hydrogen–oxygen combustion is developed and validated to study coherent jet characteristics considering H2 flow and ambient temperature. The results indicate that the shrouding hydrogen nozzle has a significant impact on the potential core length of the coherent jet. Shrouding oxygen can solve the problem of excessive consumption of main oxygen by shrouding hydrogen. When the equivalent ratio between shrouding hydrogen and shrouding oxygen maintains 1, increasing the flow rates is highly beneficial for improving oxygen jet performance at tested conditions. The potential core length of the jet increases little with the ambient temperature in the range of 1100–1700 K. This research is expected to extend hydrogen application in EAF steelmaking process for GHG reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The social impact of cultural tourism remains controversial even though tourism development seeks a socially and economically balanced outcome. This article explores the potential of liminality as a means of explaining how cultural tourism development affects social cohesion at the neighbourhood level, particularly through open spaces. A quantitative survey of 349 respondents from two national-level tourism districts in Shanghai, Yuyuan and Xinhua, was conducted using the structural equation modeling technique. Three attributes of cultural tourism destinations (CTDs) that affect social cohesion – cultural expressions, spatial features, and management – as measured by 12 items were identified and validated in the study. The results emphasized that CTDs' cultural expressions, such as the form and appearance of buildings, had a strong positive impact on social cohesion. However, the connotation of social cohesion in CTDs is more about latent cohesion than manifest cohesion, which means people share place attachment and a sense of belonging without necessarily having closer interactions. The findings also indicate that liminality, which provides a sense of reviving and freedom, mediates CTDs' contribution to social cohesion. The study provides a reference for tourism planning and management to enhance social cohesion and further achieve consolidated tourism development by facilitating liminality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The task of food image recognition, a nuanced subset of fine-grained image recognition, grapples with substantial intra-class variation and minimal inter-class differences. These challenges are compounded by the irregular and multi-scale nature of food images. Addressing these complexities, our study introduces an advanced model that leverages multiple attention mechanisms and multi-stage local fusion, grounded in the ConvNeXt architecture. Our model employs hybrid attention (HA) mechanisms to pinpoint critical discriminative regions within images, substantially mitigating the influence of background noise. Furthermore, it introduces a multi-stage local fusion (MSLF) module, fostering long-distance dependencies between feature maps at varying stages. This approach facilitates the assimilation of complementary features across scales, significantly bolstering the model's capacity for feature extraction. Furthermore, we constructed a dataset named Roushi60, which consists of 60 different categories of common meat dishes. Empirical evaluation of the ETH Food-101, ChineseFoodNet, and Roushi60 datasets reveals that our model achieves recognition accuracies of 91.12%, 82.86%, and 92.50%, respectively. These figures not only mark an improvement of 1.04%, 3.42%, and 1.36% over the foundational ConvNeXt network but also surpass the performance of most contemporary food image recognition methods. Such advancements underscore the efficacy of our proposed model in navigating the intricate landscape of food image recognition, setting a new benchmark for the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The temperature of hot metal (HM) is crucial for the energy input and smelting in the electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking process with HM and scrap as the charge structure. However, due to the influence of many factors in the heat dissipation in HM transportation before the EAF steelmaking process, the temperature drop of HM before charged is usually fluctuating and uncertain. This situation is not conducive to the input energy control and energy optimization of the EAF steelmaking process. In this paper, a three-dimensional numerical model of a 90-ton hot metal ladle is established to simulate the heat transfer characteristic of HM transportation through ANSYS Fluent 2023 and verified by on-the-spot testing and sample analysis. The effects of ambient temperature, air velocity, slag thickness and furnace cover thickness on the temperature drop of HM are investigated and quantitatively analyzed in 30 numerical schemes. The results indicate that slag thickness is the most influential factor, followed by furnace cover thickness, air velocity and ambient temperature. In the case of 50 min transport time, the temperature drop of HM is 55.2, 15.06, 12.08, 10.38, 10.29 and 10.26 °C when the slag thickness is 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mm, respectively. While HM is not covered by slag, the furnace cover can also greatly reduce the temperature drop. Based on the simulated data, a prediction model of HM temperature drop is obtained through the multi-factor coupling analysis and mathematical fitting. This study can help develop targeted insulation measures and determine the temperature of HM, which is expected to control the input energy for deep energy-saving optimization in the EAF steelmaking process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the seismic performance of prefabricated segmental bridge columns (PSBCs) with hybrid post-tensioned tendons and energy dissipation (ED) bars under cyclic loading. PSBCs with unbonded and hybrid bonded prestressed tendons and columns incorporating ED bars are designed to improve the lateral strength, energy dissipation, and limit the residual drift. The PSBCs under cyclic loading were investigated using the three-dimensional finite element (FE) modeling platform ABAQUS. The FE model was calibrated against experimental results, with an overall error of less than 10%. The seismic performance of the proposed PSBCs was evaluated based on critical parameters, including lateral strength, residual plastic displacement, and the energy dissipation capacity. The results show that bonding the tendons in the plastic hinge region as opposed to the overall bonding along the column leads to a better cyclic performance. The lateral strength, and recentering abilities are further improved by bonding tendons up to 2/3 of the length in the plastic hinge region, along with 100–300 mm in the footing. It was also found that selecting a longitudinal length of ED bars crossing multiple precast segmental joints and having a circumferential spread of 70–90% of core concrete results in a higher bearing capacity and energy dissipation compared to ED bars crossing the single joint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferronickel slag is the solid waste slag produced by smelting nickel–iron alloy. After grinding ferronickel slag into powder, it has potential chemical activity. It can partially replace cement and reduce the amount of cement, and is conducive to environmental protection. The mechanical properties of soil cement were investigated through the compressive strength test and inter-split tensile test of ferronickel slag powder soil cement with different dosages. To further study the mechanism of ferronickel slag powder's action on soil cement microscopically, the microstructure of soil cement was analyzed by using a scanning electron microscope and nuclear magnetic resonance equipment. The results of the study show that the incorporation of ferronickel slag powder can enhance the compressive and tensile strength of soil cement. The best performance enhancement of ferronickel slag powder was achieved when it was doped with 45% of its mass. The hydration products of soil cement increased with the increase in the doping amount, but the excessive doping of ferronickel slag powder would lead to a weakening of the hydration reaction and a decrease in the strength of the soil cement. At the same time, ferronickel slag powder plays the role of filling the void of soil cement. With the increase in ferronickel slag powder, the large pores inside the soil cement are reduced and the structure is denser. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the iron and steel industry, evaluating the energy utilization efficiency (EUE) and determining the optimal energy matching mode play an important role in addressing increasing energy depletion and environmental problems. Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steelmaking is a typical short crude steel production route, which is characterized by an energy-intensive fast smelting rhythm and diversified raw charge structure. In this paper, the energy model of the EAF steelmaking process is established to conduct an energy analysis and EUE evaluation. An association rule mining (ARM) strategy for guiding the EAF production process based on data cleaning, feature selection, and an association rule (AR) algorithm was proposed, and the effectiveness of this strategy was verified. The unsupervised algorithm Auto-Encoder (AE) was adopted to detect and eliminate abnormal data, complete data cleaning, and ensure data quality and accuracy. The AE model performs best when the number of nodes in the hidden layer is 18. The feature selection determines 10 factors such as the hot metal (HM) ratio and HM temperature as important data features to simplify the model structure. According to different ratios and temperatures of the HM, combined with k-means clustering and an AR algorithm, the optimal operation process for the EUE in the EAF steelmaking under different smelting modes is proposed. The results indicated that under the conditions of a low HM ratio and low HM temperature, the EUE is best when the power consumption in the second stage ranges between 4853 kWh and 7520 kWh, the oxygen consumption in the second stage ranges between 1816 m3 and 1961 m3, and the natural gas consumption ranges between 156 m3 and 196 m3. Conversely, under the conditions of a high HM ratio and high HM temperature, the EUE tends to decrease, and the EUE is best when the furnace wall oxygen consumption ranges between 4732 m3 and 5670 m3, and the oxygen consumption in the second stage ranges between 1561 m3 and 1871 m3. By comparison, under different smelting modes, the smelting scheme obtained by the ARM has an obvious effect on the improvement of the EUE. With a high EUE, the improvement of the A2B1 smelting mode is the most obvious, from 24.7% to 53%. This study is expected to provide technical ideas for energy conservation and emission reduction in the EAF steelmaking process in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sketch‐based architectural design tasks require considerable time and effort. However, developing an artificial intelligence agent to color and fuse architectural sketches is challenging due to the imaginative nature of the task and technical limitations. Here, we first introduce Y‐shaped generative adversarial networks (GANs), which can color sketches on the basis of temporarily specified reference images by embedding an attention mechanism model that can match spatial and color information and by maintaining a type of triangular equilibrium state. Then, we develop practicable methods for coloring and fusing the given sketches simultaneously using a combination of our Y‐shaped GANs and the denoising diffusion implicit model, yielding results with high quality and veracity. A novel interpolation process is developed as a necessary trick for realizing the fusion function. The testing results indicate that this method works better than the existing methods for the tasks of coloring and fusing architectural sketches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) with excellent mechanical properties and durability is a promising material for reinforcement of existing normal concrete (NC) structures. In this paper, the shear failure behavior of the NC–UHPC interface was studied by the slant shear test and the SEM (scanning electron microscope) visualization test, considering influence of the substrate strength and the interface roughed treatment. As the NC substrate and the UHPC overlay are tightly combined at the interface transition zone (ITZ), the interface exhibits good slant shear performance, and the measured interfacial shear strength could reach 19.4 MPa with C40 substrate and 21.8 MPa with C50 substrate. In addition, the microstructure and composition of the ITZ, the possible interfacial failure modes, and the load-carrying mechanism of the interface under compression–shear force are revealed. The high interface roughness and the substrate strength have positive influence on the shear strength, and greatly affect the prone failure mode and the load-slip characteristic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-dimensional (3D) porous heterogeneous metallic nanomaterials hold remarkable competitiveness in electrocatalytic fields due to their flexible porous structure and the electronic effect between heteroatoms, but challenges in synthesis still remain. Here, we design a facile stepwise reduction method to successfully synthesize urchin-like Au/Pd nanobranches (NBs). In a one-pot synthesis, small Au nanoparticles were initially generated. Later, numerous Pd nanotwigs were epitaxially grown and interlaced on the Au seeds to create unique channels, forming an Au-core/Pd-branches structure eventually. The as-prepared Au/Pd NBs exhibit greatly improved activity and stability for alkaline oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysis compared to the commercial Pt/C, with mass activity (1.4 A mg–1) and specific activity (2.4 mA cm–2) increased by 8.8 and 8.9 times, respectively. The excellent ORR performances of Au/Pd NBs are mainly attributed to the optimized electronic structure, improved utilization of surface active sites, and accelerated mass and charge transfer, which derives from the strong ligand effect, as well as the abundant porous channels of the Au/Pd NBs structure. The controllable design and synthesis of 3D porous Pd-based nanomaterials sheds light on a gigantic potential for ORR electrocatalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Qiantang Sag, as one of the East China Sea Shelf Basin's sags with thick residual Mesozoic strata, has long lacked comprehensive foundational sedimentary research, significantly impeding the understanding of the region's resource potential and geological history. This study focuses on the Cretaceous strata of the Qiantang Sag, proposing a multi-phase sedimentary model for the Cretaceous Period. Through detailed analysis of the regional geological structure and sedimentary strata, this study unveils the complex sedimentary processes experienced by the Qiantang Sag during the Cretaceous. Utilizing drilling and core data combined with seismic geological interpretation, this study identifies that the western part of the Qiantang Sag predominantly developed alluvial fan and braided river deposits in an arid to semi-arid environment during the Cretaceous. Detrital zircon U-Pb dating analysis provides key information on the provenance areas and sedimentation ages, indicating that the Zhe-Min Uplift was the primary source region for the Qiantang Sag during the Cretaceous. Integrating vertical sedimentary sequences with provenance analysis, this study proposes sedimentary models and reconstructs the paleo-depositional evolution of the Qiantang Sag across different geological periods. During the Early Cretaceous Yushan Period, the region was influenced by intense volcanic activity, while also developing alluvial fan deposits in an arid environment. The Late Cretaceous Minjiang Period was characterized by semi-arid alluvial fan and braided river deposits. In contrast, the subsequent Shimentan Period saw the development of similar deposits, with the possible addition of seasonal lake deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, I contend that a concept of hope in terms of process theology can better deal with Miguel De La Torre's criticisms of theology of hope than Jurgen Moltmann's rightly famous treatment of this topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a nanocomposite of LDH/graphene/polyaniline/gold (LDH/rGO/PANI/Au) was synthesized and characterized. The results of characterization showed that the composite material preserved the layered structure of LDH. The composite was dropped onto the glassy carbon electrode and laccase was then immobilized. Electrochemical tests showed that the composite could accelerate the electron transfer between the enzyme and the electrode. The composite/laccase showed an obvious response to rutin and the optimal detection conditions were discussed. The oxidative peak current of the biosensor constructed using the modified electrode was negatively correlated with rutin in the range of 0.05–4 μg/mL. The detection limit was 0.0017 μg/mL at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. This biosensor of rutin also possessed high sensitivity, excellent anti-interference ability, and stability. The contents of rutin in tablets, first determined using HPLC, were also detected using the sensor constructed in this research as an application, and the results were acceptable. This research here provides a facile way for the fast detection of rutin in real samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although frequency-domain optimization approaches are commonly used for noise control, ubiquitous transient behaviors indicate that time-domain approaches cannot be ignored. Thus, this paper minimizes the transient noise radiated from the vibration system with constant gain velocity feedback (GGVF) control by combining topology optimization and parameter optimization. Based on the solid isotropic material with penalization (SIMP) model, the pseudo density is introduced to characterize the presence or absence of piezoelectric material. To satisfy engineering requirements, constraints on the usage amount of piezoelectric material, consumable energy, and maximum transient voltage are considered. Transient sound radiation is predicted by using a finite element/time-domain boundary element method (FEM/TDBEM). Sensitivity formulae of objective function to pseudo density and feedback gain are derived using a combination scheme. Namely, a direct method is applied to obtain the vibration sensitivity information at all boundary nodes, the results of which are input into the sensitivity calculation of transient sound radiation addressed by an adjoint variable method. This scheme integrates the advantages of the direct method which can calculate the vibration sensitivity of all nodes at once and of the adjoint variable method which has high computational efficiency. The gradient-based method of moving asymptotes (MMA) is employed to solve for optimised solutions. Numerical examples demonstrate the accuracy of the sensitivity formulae and the effectiveness of the concurrent optimization strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breaking atomic monogeneity of catalyst surfaces is promising for constructing synergistic active centers to cope with complex multi‐step catalytic reactions. Here, we report a defect‐derived strategy for creating surface phosphorous vacancies (P‐vacancies) on nanometric Rh2P electrocatalysts toward drastically boosted electrocatalysis for alkaline hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR). This strategy disrupts the monogeneity and atomic regularity of the thermodynamically stable P‐terminated surfaces. Density functional theory calculations initially verify that the competitive adsorption behavior of Had and OHad on perfect P‐terminated Rh2P{200} facets (p‐Rh2P) can be bypassed on defective Rh2P{200} surfaces (d‐Rh2P). The P‐vacancies enable the exposure of sub‐surface Rh atoms to act as exclusive H adsorption sites. Therein, the Had cooperates with the OHad on the peripheral P‐sites to effectively accelerate the alkaline HOR. Defective Rh2P nanowires (d‐Rh2P NWs) and perfect Rh2P nanocubes (p‐Rh2P NCs) are then elaborately synthesized to experimentally represent the d‐Rh2P and p‐Rh2P catalytic surfaces. As expected, the P‐vacancy‐enriched d‐Rh2P NWs catalyst exhibits extremely high catalytic activity and outstanding CO tolerance for alkaline HOR electrocatalysis, attaining 5.7 and 14.3 times mass activity that of p‐Rh2P NCs and commercial Pt/C, respectively. This work sheds light on breaking the surface atomic monogeneity for the development of efficient heterogeneous catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breaking atomic monogeneity of catalyst surfaces is promising for constructing synergistic active centers to cope with complex multi‐step catalytic reactions. Here, we report a defect‐derived strategy for creating surface phosphorous vacancies (P‐vacancies) on nanometric Rh2P electrocatalysts toward drastically boosted electrocatalysis for alkaline hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR). This strategy disrupts the monogeneity and atomic regularity of the thermodynamically stable P‐terminated surfaces. Density functional theory calculations initially verify that the competitive adsorption behavior of Had and OHad on perfect P‐terminated Rh2P{200} facets (p‐Rh2P) can be bypassed on defective Rh2P{200} surfaces (d‐Rh2P). The P‐vacancies enable the exposure of sub‐surface Rh atoms to act as exclusive H adsorption sites. Therein, the Had cooperates with the OHad on the peripheral P‐sites to effectively accelerate the alkaline HOR. Defective Rh2P nanowires (d‐Rh2P NWs) and perfect Rh2P nanocubes (p‐Rh2P NCs) are then elaborately synthesized to experimentally represent the d‐Rh2P and p‐Rh2P catalytic surfaces. As expected, the P‐vacancy‐enriched d‐Rh2P NWs catalyst exhibits extremely high catalytic activity and outstanding CO tolerance for alkaline HOR electrocatalysis, attaining 5.7 and 14.3 times mass activity that of p‐Rh2P NCs and commercial Pt/C, respectively. This work sheds light on breaking the surface atomic monogeneity for the development of efficient heterogeneous catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing clean energy is the key to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and addressing global climate change. Photovoltaic energy systems are considered to be clean and sustainable energy resources due to their wide distribution and easy deployment. However, the environment can still be impacted during the processes from the production to recycling of such systems. Therefore, this study was conducted based on the whole life-cycle analysis to establish a mathematical model for carbon emissions during the processes of production, transportation, and waste disposal of photovoltaic power systems. The main conclusions are as follows. (1) The carbon emissions of a centralized photovoltaic power station with a unit installed capacity of 1 kWp during its entire life cycle would be 2094.40 kg, while the carbon recycling period would last 1.89 years, which would be shorter than the expected life cycle of a photovoltaic system of 25 years, indicating significant environmental benefits. (2) The calculated results from 2022 showed that the newly constructed centralized photovoltaic power stations in China could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 31,524.26 tons during their life cycles, and their carbon emissions from 1 kWh are approx. 1/10 of those of thermal power generation, which is significantly lower than that of thermal power generation. (3) From the perspective of the soil carbon sequestration capacity and opportunity cost, the economic cost of carbon emissions from the new centralized photovoltaic power stations in China in 2022 was 1.083 billion yuan. (4) The analysis of the relationship using the Granger causality test revealed that, with a lag of one period and a significance level of 5%, the carbon emissions from the new centralized PV power stations from 2013–2022 were the Granger cause of the added value from the secondary industry in China, while the added value from the secondary industry was not the Granger cause of the carbon emissions from the new PV power stations. The findings of the performed study could increase the utilization rate of photovoltaic energy by ensuring it is a secure sustainable low-carbon emission resource, while also reducing the impact of climate change on the planet and promoting individual well-being and social development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we report a strong in-phase covariability of tropical cyclone (TC) activity between the Bay of Bengal (BOB) and the South China Sea (SCS) during October–December of 1979–2019, and which is also the dominant mode of BOB–SCS TC activity, accounting for 35% of the total variances in TC track density. This inter-basin TC covariance is closely linked to the anomalies of tropical sea surface temperature, appearing as the intrinsic Indo-Pacific Tripole mode, which significantly affects the atmospheric circulations overlying the BOB–SCS. Interestingly, this mechanism works via modulating the local TC genesis frequency in the BOB–SCS. However, in terms of the migrated TCs among them, the Indo-Pacific Tripole mainly regulates their genesis location but not their frequency. More importantly, such inter-basin TC covariability still exists significantly even when the TC track data migrating from the SCS into the BOB are excluded. After all, only 19 TCs during the 41 years (1979–2019) are observed to migrate from the SCS to the BOB, which can only contribute slightly to increasing the covariability of BOB–SCS TC-track activity, but do not play a dominant role. Further, the numerical simulations suggest that although both the Indian and Pacific Oceans contribute to the atmospheric anomalies that affect the BOB–SCS TC activity, the Pacific-effect is twice as important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the Early-Middle Ordovician, the Upper Yangtze Platform experienced extensive development of a distinctive set of mixed siliciclastic-carbonate deposits known as the Meitan Formation. To conduct a comprehensive study of the relationship between mixed sedimentation and sea-level changes, the Hailong section, situated at the southwest margin of the Upper Yangtze Platform in SW China, was selected as the study area due to its typical mixed sedimentary sequence. This section was effectively compared with sections in other regions. Clustering analysis of the point-count groups from the Honghuayuan and Meitan Formations revealed nine microfacies that developed during this period. Such a diverse range of microfacies provides the evidence of frequent sea-level changes in the Yangtze Platform throughout this period. Specifically, two sea-level rises were identified during the early TS.2b and early TS.3b, with the early TS.2b event occurring globally. Furthermore, four sea-level falls were observed in the late TS.2b, TS.2c, TS.3a, and late TS.3b periods. The late TS.2b sea-level fall was globally significant. From TS.2c onwards, distinct variations in sea-level changes among the Yangtze Platform, North China, Baltoscandia, Australia, and North America emerged due to alterations in the paleogeographic pattern. By comparing the sea-level curves in the Upper Yangtze Platform with the diversity curves of chitinozoans, acritarchs, and brachiopods, it became evident that environmental changes played a crucial role in the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event (GOBE), especially during the Floian. The rising sea level and increased detrital materials fostered the development of diverse habitats, prompting organisms to adapt to varying environments. In general, rising sea levels favored increased brachiopod diversity, while falling sea levels favored enhanced planktonic diversity among chitinous and acritarch species. By shedding new light on the relationship between Ordovician sea-level changes and biodiversification in the Yangtze region, this study offers a fresh perspective on the subject from the microfacies analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft soil foundations in marine environments are under coupling actions of seawater erosion and dry–wet cycles due to tides. Ferronickel slag is a solid waste produced in the smelting of ferronickel alloys. To recycle industrial solid waste and conserve energy, ferronickel slag is partially substituted for cement to solidify the soft soil foundations in marine environments. Unconfined compression tests were conducted for soil–cement mixed with ferronickel slag of various proportions to investigate its apparent erosion characteristics and mechanical characteristics under dry–wet cycles. In the tests, the corresponding numbers of cycles were set to 0, 6, 12, and 18. To further investigate the microscopic action mechanism of ferronickel slag on soil–cement, a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) device was utilized to analyze the microstructure of the soil–cement. According to the testing results, the unconfined compressive strength of soil–cement first increased and then decreased when the number of cycles of seawater erosion increased. With other conditions being the same, the addition of ferronickel slag can improve soil–cement strength, and changes in soil–cement strength were more significant than that with no ferronickel slag mixed. Moreover, the optimal amount of admixture was proved to be 45%. As the number of dry–wet cycles increased, the mass of soil–cement first increased and then decreased. With the same number of dry–wet cycles, soil–cement mixed with ferronickel slag had a smaller mass loss rate than that with no ferronickel slag added. After six dry–wet cycles, apparent erosion of soil–cement becomes increasingly serious, including the absence of edges and corners, deformation of surfaces, and even spalling and cracking. The NMR analysis revealed that dry–wet cycles can promote the evolution of small pores into larger ones within the soil–cement, thereby increasing the number of larger pores, leading to an increase in porosity, a decrease in the compactness of the soil–cement, and a reduction in strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The onset of Indian summer monsoon (ISM) in 1990 is ascertained to be the earliest in recent decades. Analysis attributes this extreme event to an unusual northwestward-moving tropical cyclone (TC) in the Bay of Bengal (BOB). The TC released strong latent heat over the western BOB, which enhanced the upper-tropospheric South Asian High with divergent easterlies to the south. Meanwhile, the TC-heating intensified the lower-level cross-equatorial southwesterlies in the Arabian Sea, prompting a downstream moisture convergence. Under the concurrent upper- and lower-level atmospheric Gill-type responses, convective activities over the equatorial Arabian Sea moved northward, triggering an early ISM onset. This study highlights the direct and more efficient promotion of ISM onset by the strong convective heating over the western BOB. It further reveals that relatively weak heating over the western BOB (corresponding to the weak northwestward-moving TCs) presents limited influence and may be damped by other factors, while strong heating over the eastern BOB (corresponding to the strong northeastward-moving TCs) cannot induce significant atmospheric conditions for the ISM onset, emphasizing the locations and intensities of the BOB convection deserve more attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selecting suitable agronomic measures can strengthen the application of intercropping in the remediation of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soil. In this study, the effects of different planting densities and fertilizer applications on the crop growth and Cd absorption of a pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata)–Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. intercropping system was determined. The goal was to provide enhanced means and a scientific basis for the promotion and application of this intercropping system. The Cd content of pumpkin in different planting systems was lower than the national food safety standard (0.05 mg kg−1). In the IN-1 (4 pumpkin plants intercropped with 200 A. hypochondriacus plants) and IN-2 (4 pumpkin plants intercropped with 400 A. hypochondriacus plants) intercropping systems, the bioconcentration amount (BCA) per plant of Cd in A. hypochondriacus increased by 32.43% and 25.25%, respectively, compared with that of the monocropping system (P < 0.05). The IN-2 system had the highest equivalent ratio of heavy metal removal (3.08), indicating that this model had a substantial advantage for removing Cd. The land equivalent ratio of IN-1 (2.89) and IN-2 (2.60) was significantly higher than that of other intercropping systems, indicating that these two models had obvious yield advantages. In our study, chicken manure was the best at promoting the growth and yield of the two plants and sludge treatment significantly enhance Cd absorption of A. hypochondriacus. In general, intercropping four pumpkin plants with 400 A. hypochondriacus plants and applying chicken manure fertilizer can strengthen the application of this intercropping system in Cd-contaminated soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The addition of steel fibers and coarse aggregates can greatly improve the toughness and compressive performance of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC), however it will also introduce more interface transition zones (ITZ) with lower strength. This study reveals the evolution of compressive mechanical properties and the fiber toughening mechanism of UHPC. Combined with the concrete damaged plastic (CDP) model and the meso-random method, the 2D mesoscopic compression damage process of UHPC is simulated. The accuracy of the mesoscale numerical model and the feasibility of the research method are verified. The damage of ITZ occurs earlier than that of mortar and coarse aggregates under the compression load, and the development of damage ratio in ITZ is obviously different from those of coarse aggregates and mortar. The fiber stress changes significantly from compression state to tensile state, and the development of stress in a toughened functional fiber is related to its distribution angle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the bond failure performance between precast normal concrete (NC) and cast-in situ ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC), emphasizing the influence of interfacial roughness. The interfacial bonding behavior under tension and under shear was investigated based on 72 groups of pull-off tests and 36 groups of bi-shear tests, considering six different interface treatment methods and two different NC strength levels. The results demonstrate that certain interfacial roughness is essential to gain a reliable bond connection between NC and UHPC. Its enhancement on the tensile bond performance could be described by the positive linear relationship between the mean roughness and the pull-off strength. However, further research is required to determine the characterization method of its influence on the shear bond performance. The higher strength of the base concrete is beneficial to the bond performance. Though this effect is evident in the pull-off tests under tension, the influence on the shear interfacial performance could be offset by that of the interface morphology in the case with high interfacial roughness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-dimensional nanowires have emerged as compelling ideal materials due to their characteristic structure, properties, and applications in nanodevices. Herein, based on experimental vdW-chain bulk crystals, a series of one-dimensional (1D) XVYVIZVII (X = As, Sb, Bi; Y = S, Se, Te; Z = Cl, Br, I) ternary nanowires are theoretically investigated. Such exfoliated 1D nanowires possess excellent stability and moderate band gaps (1.76–3.16 eV). The calculated electron mobilities were found to reach a magnitude of 102 cm2 V−1 s−1 and even up to 322.95 cm2 V−1 s−1 for 1D BiSeI nanowires, which are much larger than those of the previously reported 1D materials. Furthermore, the appropriate band edge alignments and considerable optical absorption endow 1D XVYVIZVII nanowires with prospective photocatalytic properties for water splitting. Notably, AsSI and AsSeI nanowires possess a unique non-centrosymmetric structure and exhibit promising 1D ferroelectricity. Large spontaneous polarization values, Ps, of 11.31 × 10−10 and 6.92 × 10−10 C m−1 are obtained for 1D AsSI and AsSeI nanowires, respectively, and such 1D ferroelectricity can be regulated by intra-chain strains. Our calculations not only broaden the family of 1D materials but also reveal their great potential applications in electronic, optoelectronic, and ferroelectric devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To more accurately describe the mechanical behavior of prestressed steel strands with symmetrical wires breaking in unbonded post-tensioned concrete beam, this paper establishes the equilibrium equation after the bending deformation of the broken wire, taking into consideration bending deformation of the broken wires and the friction between wires and duct. The results derived from this equation fit well with the experimental data. The increase of friction between the center and outer wire and the friction between the broken wire and duct can reduce the recovery length and the strain ratio of the unbroken wire within the recovery length. The increase of axial force before wires breaking will increase the recovery length and the strain ratio of the unbroken wire within the recovery length. The rise in the number of broken wires can reduce the strain the broken wire fully recovers to and recovery length and increase the strain ratio of unbroken wires within the recovery length. In addition, we find that the stress of the unbroken wires near the breaking end becomes greater after symmetrical wires breaking, which is harmful to the structural safety. If there is corrosion in the unbroken wires near the breaking ends, these wires are likely to break immediately following the symmetrically broken wires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To promote the recycling of industrial waste residues in the reinforcement of foundation soil, the anti−seawater erosion of cement soil with ferronickel slag powder in the marine environment was studied. Specifically, this paper employed ferronickel slag powder to partially replace the cement. Then, the apparent morphology, unconfined compressive strength, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tests were performed on specimens of cement soil with ferronickel slag powder soaked in purified water and seawater. The research results reveal that with the rise in the content of ferronickel slag powder, the erosive effect of seawater on cement soil weakens, while the compressive strength of cement soil increases first and then decreases. With an excessive amount of ferronickel slag powder added to the cement soil, its chemically active effect decreases, leading to a decrease in the strength of the cement soil. When the admixture of ferronickel slag powder in cement soil is 45%, it achieves good performance. The addition of ferronickel slag powder improves the plasticity of cement soil. The higher the content of ferronickel slag powder, the greater the failure strain and residual strength of the cement soil. Microscopic studies indicate that with the increase in the content of ferronickel slag powder, the pores in the cement soil become smaller and smaller, the total pore volume decreases, the continuity of the pore size distribution improves, and the structure becomes more compact, thus enhancing the erosion resistance of cement soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, research on the safe utilization and green remediation of contaminated soil by intercropping has become common. In this study, the growth of an intercropping system of Luffa cylindrica–Semen cassiae in soil contaminated with medium amounts of arsenic (As) was studied using field (91.60 mg kg−1) and pot (83.34 mg kg−1) experiments. The field experiments showed that intercropping significantly increased the yield per plant of L. cylindrica by 27.36%, while the yield per plant of S. cassiae decreased by 21.66%; however, this difference was not significant. Intercropping reduced the concentration of As in all organs of L. cylindrica but increased the concentration of As in all parts of S. cassiae. The accumulation of As per plant of L. cylindrica was reduced by 20.72%, while that in a single plant of S. cassiae was increased by 201.93%. In addition, the concentration of As in the fruit of these two crops in these two planting modes was low enough to meet the National Food Safety Standard of China (GB2762-2017). In addition, the land equivalent ratio and As metal removal equivalent ratio of the intercropping mode was 1.03 and 2.34, indicating that the intercropping mode had advantages in land use and As removal. In the pot experiment, the biomass and As concentration of L. cylindrica and S. cassiae were roughly consistent with those in the field experiment. During the sampling period, intercropping reduced the concentration of As in the rhizosphere soil solution of L. cylindrica by 3.1–23.77%, while it increased the concentration of As in the rhizosphere soil solution of S. cassiae by 13.30–59.40%. The changes in pH and redox potential were also closely related to the content of water-soluble As in the rhizosphere environment, which affects the absorption of As by plants. In general, the L. cylindrica–S. cassiae intercropping system is a planting mode that can effectively treat soil that is moderately contaminated with As and remove it from the soil to an extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of respiratory tract microbes and the relationship between respiratory tract and gut microbiomes in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) remain uncertain. Here, the metagenomes of sputum and fecal samples from 66 patients with COVID‐19 at three stages of disease progression are sequenced. Respiratory tract, gut microbiome, and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples are analyzed to compare the gut and respiratory tract microbiota of intensive care unit (ICU) and non‐ICU (nICU) patients and determine relationships between respiratory tract microbiome and immune response. In the respiratory tract, significantly fewer Streptococcus, Actinomyces, Atopobium, and Bacteroides are found in ICU than in nICU patients, while Enterococcus and Candida increase. In the gut, significantly fewer Bacteroides are found in ICU patients, while Enterococcus increases. Significant positive correlations exist between relative microbiota abundances in the respiratory tract and gut. Defensin‐related pathways in PBMCs are enhanced, and respiratory tract Streptococcus is reduced in patients with COVID‐19. A respiratory tract–gut microbiota model identifies respiratory tract Streptococcus and Atopobium as the most prominent biomarkers distinguishing between ICU and nICU patients. The findings provide insight into the respiratory tract and gut microbial dynamics during COVID‐19 progression, considering disease severity, potentially contributing to diagnosis, and treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, prestressed structures are widely used in offshore buildings and bridges. After corrosion, the prestressed structure's mechanical properties decline, significantly reducing the structure's bearing capacity and threatening the prestressed system's safety. Therefore, it is necessary to study the variation of mechanical properties of corroded prestressed strands. In the past, researchers mainly studied the rusty prestressed strands in the state of no stress, which is different from the prestressed strands in the actual structure. It can provide many benefits to study how the strain level affects the corrosion of prestressed strands. In this work, the mechanical properties of corroded prestressed steel strands under different strain levels were tested by experiment. The results show that the existence of strain will increase the corrosion amount, but the effect of strain on the corroded strand's mechanical properties is not uniform. The mechanical properties of strands decrease linearly with increase of corrosion amount, but the dispersion is large, so the probability method is more suitable. The probabilistic prediction model of corroded strands' mechanical properties is proposed in this paper, and the prediction results are compared with the experimental results. The prediction results are consistent with the test results, and the range of prediction results is narrower than the test results. But the prediction result of elongation does not align well with the experimental work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The awareness of mechanical properties evolution of cable-stayed bridges in service stage is crucial for structural condition assessment. However, the ambient temperature and concrete time-dependent effects are indispensable for the accurate calculation of long-term mechanical properties, which greatly increase the computational cost. Thus, an intelligent method based on the artificial neural network is presented to recur and predict long-term mechanical properties of in-service cable-stayed bridges. Sequences of daily maximum and minimum ambient temperature of an in-service cable-stayed bridge in 1 year are analyzed. Periodic field measurements and step-by-step finite element method are used to collect sample data of long-term mechanical properties. Artificial neural networks are then constructed to map mechanical properties of an in-service cable-stayed bridge. The generalization capabilities of neural network models are examined with the linear regression analysis. Comparing reproduced results with on-site measurements, the maximum relative cable force difference is about ± 10%, while the maximum difference of girder deflections is 0.029 m. The results indicate that the presented method can reproduce mechanical properties of in-service cable-stayed bridges. The evolution pattern of long-term mechanical properties of an actual in-service cable-stayed bridge within the 10 years of service are then determined. The presented intelligent method can effectively recur and predict long-term mechanical properties evolution of in-service cable-stayed bridges with a limited amount of sample data under an acceptable computation cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial infection and poor osteogenic capacity can result in the loosing or failure of titanium (Ti)‐based implants in the clinic. Therefore, it is urgent to design an effective approach to enhance the osteogenic property and restrict bacterial activity. In this study, a layered double hydroxide (LDH) composed of Ga and Sr ions on Ti substrates by a hydrothermal method, then calcined in 250°C and denoted as LDH250. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were confirmed that the LDH films were successfully formed on the Ti substrates. Importantly, the obtained LDH films can induce an alkaline microenvironment around the Ti surface and regulate the behaviors of osteogenic cells and bacteria. In vitro cellular experiments, the LDH250 can enhance the differentiation of both MC3T3‐E1 cells and osteoblasts, stimulate alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), collagen secretion, and mineralization levels. Meanwhile, antimicrobial assay against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) demonstrated that the LDH250 samples had strong antibacterial abilities, which attributed to the release profile of Ga3+ could act as a "Trojan horse" to destroy the bacterial iron metabolism, inducing of local alkaline environment, and producing reactive oxygen species. Hence, this study provides an effective method for reducing antibacterial infection and enhancing the bone integrative capacity of Ti‐based implants for orthopedic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial infection and poor osteogenic capacity can result in the loosing or failure of titanium (Ti)‐based implants in the clinic. Therefore, it is urgent to design an effective approach to enhance the osteogenic property and restrict bacterial activity. In this study, a layered double hydroxide (LDH) composed of Ga and Sr ions on Ti substrates by a hydrothermal method, then calcined in 250°C and denoted as LDH250. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were confirmed that the LDH films were successfully formed on the Ti substrates. Importantly, the obtained LDH films can induce an alkaline microenvironment around the Ti surface and regulate the behaviors of osteogenic cells and bacteria. In vitro cellular experiments, the LDH250 can enhance the differentiation of both MC3T3‐E1 cells and osteoblasts, stimulate alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), collagen secretion, and mineralization levels. Meanwhile, antimicrobial assay against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) demonstrated that the LDH250 samples had strong antibacterial abilities, which attributed to the release profile of Ga3+ could act as a "Trojan horse" to destroy the bacterial iron metabolism, inducing of local alkaline environment, and producing reactive oxygen species. Hence, this study provides an effective method for reducing antibacterial infection and enhancing the bone integrative capacity of Ti‐based implants for orthopedic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We aimed to assess the efficacy of psoas density (PD) for predicting hepatic encephalopathy (HE) after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedures. Methods: Data were collected from patients who underwent TIPS procedures at a single institution between 2013 and 2019. PD was manually measured using software on unenhanced CT scans at the level of third lumbar vertebra. Laboratory and physical examination data were collected within 24 h after admission in order to compare the differences between patients with and without post-TIPS HE. Results: A total of 251 patients were included in this study. Among these patients, 77 (30.7%) developed post-TIPS HE within one year after TIPS creation. The threshold of PD for predicting HE was 51.24 Hounsfield unit (HU). PD values less than this threshold were correlated with an increased risk of HE (hazard ratio 0.92; 95% CI 0.89–0.95, P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of PD was 0.743 (95% CI 0.685–0.796), which was superior to Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) (0.569, P = 0.007), albumin–bilirubin score (ALBI) (0.641, P = 0.018), and Child–Pugh score (0.583, P = 0.003). Conclusion: PD measurement showed good HE predictive value in cirrhotic patients who underwent TIPS. This measure also performed better than MELD, ALBI and Child–Pugh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quasi-two-dimensional organic–inorganic hybrid halide perovskite materials have attracted extensive attention in the field of optoelectronic devices owing to their unique photoelectric properties. However, lead toxicity greatly hinders their practical applications. Using environmentally friendly elements to substitute lead is an effective solution, but even worse stability and photoelectric performance pose a great challenge for further device fabrication. Here, high-performance lead-free photodetectors (PDs) are developed based on a BA2FAn-1SnnI3n+1 (n = 1, 2) film via a one-step spin coating method. The films could be stable for two to three hours in ambient conditions. The devices show the dark current of 2.1 × 10−9 (n = 1) and 2.6 × 10−9 A (n = 2), the on/off ratio of 458 (n = 1) and 1108 (n = 2), and the detectivity of 1.46 × 1013 (n = 1) and 6.23 × 1012 Jones (n = 2), which were outstanding in the reported Sn-based PDs. The excellent performance is attributed to the low Sn4+ self-doping realized by adding Sn powder and SnF2 in a precursor solution in the synthesis process and the high-performance optoelectronic properties of FA-based perovskite. This study demonstrates that BA2FAn-1SnnI3n+1 is a promising material for photovoltaic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many in-service bridges with steel–concrete composite beams are currently aging and experiencing performance deterioration. Under long-term cyclic loads from traffic on bridges, headed shear studs in steel–concrete composite beams are vulnerable to fatigue damage. The comprehensive understanding of fatigue behaviors and the feasible detection of fatigue damage of headed shear studs is, thus, crucial for the accurate numerical simulation of the fatigue crack propagation process. The paper, thus, experimentally investigates the fatigue behaviors of headed shear studs through push-out tests of three specimens. The fatigue failure modes and cyclic strain evolution of specimens are analyzed. The fatigue lives of headed shear studs are compared with the S–N curves of the AASHTO, Eurocode 4 and BS5400 codes. The fatigue crack details of shear studs in push-out tests are then detected using the ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The results show that the root fracture is the main fatigue failure mode of shear studs under fatigue loading. The fatigue life estimations based on the three current codes (i.e., AASHTO, Eurocode 4 and BS5400) can be safely guaranteed only with different safety redundancies. The strain at the shear stud with fatigue damage shows a consistent increasing trend followed by decreasing behavior after reaching the peak value with the loading cycles. Moreover, the feasibility of the ultrasonic non-destructive testing with the combination of a strain measurement for fatigue crack details detection of headed shear studs in composite beams is proved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mammary gland development primarily occurs postnatally, and this unique process is complex and regulated by systemic hormones and local growth factors. The mammary gland is also a highly dynamic organ that undergoes profound changes at puberty and during the reproductive cycle. These changes are driven by mammary stem cells (MaSCs). Breast cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer-related death in women. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play prominent roles in tumor initiation, drug resistance, tumor recurrence, and metastasis. The highly conserved Notch signaling pathway functions as a key regulator of the niche mediating mammary organogenesis and breast neoplasia. In this review, we discuss mechanisms by which Notch contributes to breast carcinoma pathology and suggest potentials for therapeutic targeting of Notch in breast cancer. In summary, we provide a comprehensive overview of Notch functions in regulating MaSCs, mammary development, and breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates seasonality of interdecadal changes in latitude‐longitude covariability of the Northwest Pacific (WNP)‐mean tropical cyclogenesis location (TCGL). It is found that the latitude‐longitude covariability in WNP‐mean TCGL of typhoons has experienced seasonally distinct interdecadal shifts since 1998, weakening in summer and strengthening in autumn. Since significant westward shift of WNP‐mean TCGL exists in both summer and autumn, but robust poleward shift is only detected in autumn. The linchpin of such seasonal difference is the subtropical WNP sea‐surface temperature (SST) warming in the key region of 125°–140°E, 15°–30°N, where numbers of typhoons increase in autumn but not in summer. Two main factors are responsible for the SST warming in the key region: the interdecadal trend of local SST and the Central Pacific La Niña‐teleconnected warming. However, neither condition occurs in summer, highlighting the importance of seasonal difference in climatological background when interpreting climatic changes in typhoons. Plain Language Summary: The abrupt increase in quasi‐annual‐mean covariability between latitude and longitude of the Northwest Pacific (WNP)‐mean tropical cyclogenesis location (TCGL) since 1998 has been reported previously. However, the seasonality of interdecadal changes in such a relationship and the associated physical mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we found that the latitude‐longitude covariability in WNP‐mean TCGL of typhoons has experienced seasonally distinct interdecadal shifts since 1998, which weakened in summer and strengthened in autumn, respectively. Two reasons are proposed for this phenomenon. First, significant westward shifts of WNP‐mean TCGL exists in both seasons, due mainly to the enhanced zonal sea surface temperature (SST) gradient across the tropical western‐central Pacific induced by the interdecadal La Niña‐like tendency since 1998. Second, a robust poleward shift of WNP‐mean TCGL occurs only in autumn, attributed largely to the increase in SST over 125°–140°E, 15°–30°N. Two main factors are responsible for this SST warming: the interdecadal trend of local SST and the Central Pacific La Niña‐like teleconnection during autumn. Key Points: Distinct seasonal interdecadal changes in latitude‐longitude covariability of Northwest Pacific (WNP)‐mean tropical cyclogenesis location (TCGL) are detectedNorthward and westward shifts of WNP‐mean TCGL since 1998 only co‐occurred in autumn, with the subtropical WNP sea‐surface temperature (SST) warming as the linchpinBoth the Central Pacific La Niña and local interdecadal SST trend contributed to the subtropical WNP sea‐surface warming [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inspired by the typical two-dimensional (2D) black-phosphorene-type structure with mm2 point-group symmetry, the structural stability, electronic structure, and intrinsic piezoelectricity of 2D ternary GaXY (X = Se and Te; Y = Cl, Br, and I) monolayers are systematically studied by the first-principles density functional theory. Our calculations show that these ternary monolayer compounds exhibit desirable dynamical and thermal stabilities and a large variety of bandgaps. The calculated piezoelectric coefficients d11 is as large as 15.57 pm/V for GaTeF, and the largest d12 reaches to 3.78 pm/V for GaSeI. It is worth noting that the eij and dij coefficients of GaXY monolayers display anisotropic periodic trends with respect to the constituent elements, which could be interpreted by a linear correlation between the piezoelectric coefficients and the differences in anionic polarizabilities α X or α Y . It is found that d11 of GaXY monolayers is directly proportional to (α X - α Y) , while d12 is inversely proportional to (α X - α Y) . Such anisotropic correlation could be applicable to elucidate the origin of the piezoelectricity in other 2D ternary compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional (2D) GaInS3 nanosheets are found to exhibit thermal and structural stabilities, good oxidation resistance, and tunable and layer-dependent electronic properties from first-principles calculations. Remarkably, the nanosheets with arbitrary thickness possess robust in-plane piezoelectricity without the odd-even effect commonly observed in other 2D piezoelectric materials, which is attributed to the retention of noncentrosymmetry resulting from their homogeneous and direct stacking patterns. The piezoelectric stress coefficient e 11 3 D of the nanosheets is about 0.23 C/m2, almost independent of the numbers of atomic layers of 2D GaInS3. The stability in piezoelectricity and the high carrier mobility of 2D GaInS3 nanosheets could endow them with promising application prospects in nanoelectronic and nanoelectromechanical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Viral nucleic acid detection is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, unsuitable sample types and laboratory detection kits/methods lead to misdiagnosis, which delays the prevention and control of the pandemic. Methods: We compared four nucleic acid detection methods [two kinds of reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR A: ORF1ab and N testing; RT-PCRB: only ORF1ab testing), reverse transcription recombinase aided amplification (RT-RAA) and droplet digital RT-PCR (dd-RT-PCR)] using 404 samples of 72 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, including oropharyngeal swab (OPS), nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) and saliva after deep cough, to evaluate the best sample type and method for SARS-CoV-2 detection. Results: Among the four methods, dd-RT-PCR exhibited the highest positivity rate (93.0%), followed by RT-PCR B (91.2%) and RT-RAA (91.2%), while the positivity rate of RT-PCR A was only 71.9%. The viral load in OPS [24.90 copies/test (IQR 15.58-129.85)] was significantly lower than that in saliva [292.30 copies/test (IQR 20.20-8628.55)] and NPS [274.40 copies/test (IQR 33.10-2836.45)]. In addition, if OPS samples were tested alone by RT-PCR A, only 21.4% of the COVID-19 patients would be considered positive. The accuracy of all methods reached nearly 100% when saliva and NPS samples from the same patient were tested simultaneously. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid detection methods should be fully evaluated before use. High-positivity rate methods such as RT-RAA and dd-RT-PCR should be considered when possible. Furthermore, saliva after deep cough and NPS can greatly improve the accuracy of the diagnosis, and testing OPS alone is not recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Due to their broken out-of-plane inversion symmetry, Janus two-dimensional (2D) materials exhibit some exceptional and interesting physical properties and have recently attracted increasing attention. Herein, based on first-principles calculations, we propose a series of Janus 2D titanium nitride halide TiNX0.5Y0.5 (X, Y = F, Cl, or Br, and X ≠ Y) monolayers constructed from 2D ternary compounds TiNX (X = F, Cl, or Br), where the halogen atoms X or Y are located on each side of the monolayer, respectively. Our calculations confirm that the Janus monolayers are both dynamically and thermally stable. As compared with those of perfect TiNX monolayers, the band-structure changes of Janus TiNX0.5Y0.5 monolayers are very limited and the corresponding bandgaps only increase by about 0.1–0.2 eV. Meanwhile, the Janus TiNX0.5Y0.5 monolayers show remarkable out-of-plane piezoelectricity by virtue of their broken centrosymmetry. The calculated out-of-plane piezoelectric coefficient d31 is as high as 0.34 pm V−1, which is larger than those of most 2D piezoelectric materials reported previously. In addition, it is found that the formation of Janus structures could effectively improve the carrier mobility. The hole mobilities along the x-direction (y-direction) of Janus TiNF0.5Cl0.5 and TiNF0.5Br0.5 monolayers reach as high as 5402 (5118) and 5538 (4135) cm2 V−1 s−1 at 300 K, respectively, which is almost twice as large as those of perfect TiNX monolayers. The giant out-of-plane piezoelectricity and high carrier mobility of Janus TiNX0.5Y0.5 monolayers suggest that these novel 2D materials could be promising for applications in electronic and piezoelectric devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An innovative two-phase model updating technique is developed to accurately assess the mechanical state of an in-service cable-stayed bridge. In the first stage, a sensitivity analysis is performed to select the updating parameters. Objective functions are established according to the measured values and numerical results of the static performance of the in-service cable-stayed bridge. The finite-element model updating of the bridge is developed into a multiobjective optimization problem. The Pareto optimal solution set for the updating parameters is solved using the genetic algorithm. In the second stage, the fuzzy outranking method is adopted to rank the noninferior solutions from the first stage and identify the best compromise solution for the updating parameters. The proposed two-phase model updating technique is applied to assess the dead load mechanical state of Haihe Bridge (old) in Tianjin China. Periodic field measurements are also conducted to detect its actual mechanical state after 10 and 12 years of service. The relative differences between the original numerical results and the periodic measurements of cable forces are up to −17.15%. However, after model updating, the relative differences between the calculated and periodically measured values of cable forces are controlled within ±10% throughout. The results indicate that the updated model can reproduce the periodic field measurements with considerably improved accuracy. Based on the updated model, the vertical deformation of the main span girder is evident, and that of the side span girder is small. The maximum girder vertical deformation of Haihe Bridge (old) is −0.271 m and is located at approximately 3/4 of the main span. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel insulated gate bipolar transistor modulated by a high-k dielectric (HK-IGBT) is presented. By laterally alternating the HK-pillar and N-drift, HK-IGBT can offer a quick and complete depletion to the drift region during the turn-off transient. This merit greatly reduces the current varying time of an HK-IGBT. Moreover, HK-IGBT can obtain a better electric field distribution, which enables the carrier stored layer (CSL) to have a higher doping dose when compared to a typical carrier stored trench gate bipolar transistor (CSTBT). These advantages improve the relationship between the static and transient power losses. According to the simulation results, HK-IGBT obtains a 66% lower turn-off loss than that of a field stop (FS) IGBT with the same ON-state voltage. Moreover, by using a CSL, the performance of an HK-IGBT can be comparable with that of a super-junction IGBT (SJ-IGBT). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]