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Using the regionally refined mesh (RRM) configuration of the US Department of Energy's Simple Cloud-Resolving Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) Atmosphere Model (SCREAM), we simulate and evaluate four meteorologically distinct atmospheric river events over California. We test five different RRM configurations, each differing in terms of the areal extent of the refined mesh and the resolution (ranging from 800 m to 3.25 km). We find that SCREAM RRM generally has a good representation of the AR-generated precipitation in CA, even for the control simulation which has a very small 3 km refined patch, and is able to capture the fine-scale regional distributions that are controlled largely by the fine-scale topography of the state. It is found that SCREAM generally has a wet bias over topography, most prominently over the Sierra Nevada mountain range, with a corresponding dry bias on the lee side. We find that refining the resolution beyond 3 km (specifically 1.6 km and 800 m) has virtually no benefit towards reducing systematic precipitation biases but that improvements can be found when increasing the areal extent of the upstream refined mesh. However, these improvements are relatively modest and only realized if the size of the refined mesh is expanded to the scale where employing RRM no longer achieves the substantial cost benefit it was intended for. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper primarily investigates a neural-network-based safe control scheme for solving the optimal control problem of continuous-time (CT) nonlinear systems with asymmetric input constraints under non-zero-sum (NZS) differential game scenarios. Initially, by constructing a novel non-quadratic function, the issue of asymmetric input constraints in the non-zero-sum differential game controllers is addressed. Subsequently, the safe Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation is derived from the direct integration of the control barrier function (CBF) into the traditional cost function, ensuring that the system states remain within a safe region. Then, the safe learning control scheme based on single critic neural network (NN) and adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) is proposed to approximate the optimal control strategy, differing from the dual-network update method commonly used in traditional ADP. Based on the constructed neural network weight adjustment rules, the optimal solution to the HJB equation can be derived within the safe learning control framework. Following this, Lyapunov's stability theory demonstrates that the errors in neural network weights and all signals within the closed-loop system are uniformly ultimately bounded (UUB). Finally, the effectiveness of the developed neural-network-based safe learning control method is validated through two simulation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huangshui is a typical organic wastewater in Chinese Baijiu production, with high pollution and valuable ingredients. Conventional wastewater treatment leads to resource-wasting and environmental pollution. It is urgent that the demand for effective Huangshui treatment with the development of the Baijiu-making industry. This review systematically summarizes recent studies, revealing the main characteristics and application of Huangshui, focusing on the application of the rich microbial resources and flavor substances, which provides a practical approach to cascade and full use of Huangshui in medicine, cosmetic, functional food, fertilizer, and wastewater treatment fields. Further research suggested that Huangshui can also be used as an external carbon source for the denitrification system or as an organic liquid water-soluble fertilizer for more fruits and grains. The applications favor improving production efficiency and lowering pollutant emissions and introduce novel concepts for the sustainable development of related industries. Thus, Chinese Baijiu plants can achieve the near-zero emissions of wastewater and cleaner production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatial heterogeneity related to complex topography in California demands high-resolution (< 5 km) modeling, but global convection-permitting climate models are computationally too expensive to run multi-decadal simulations. We developed a 3.25 km California climate modeling framework by leveraging regional mesh refinement (CARRM) using the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s global Simple Cloud-Resolving E3SM Atmosphere Model (SCREAM) version 0. Four 5-year time periods (2015–2020, 2029–2034, 2044–2049, and 2094–2099) were simulated by nudging CARRM outside California to 1° coupled simulation of E3SMv1 under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP)5-8.5 future scenario. The 3.25 km grid spacing adds considerable value to the prediction of the California climate changes, including more realistic high temperatures in the Central Valley and much improved spatial distributions of precipitation and snowpack in the Sierra Nevada and coastal stratocumulus. Under the SSP5-8.5 scenario, CARRM simulation predicts widespread warming of 6–10 °C over most of California, a 38 % increase in statewide average 30 d winter–spring precipitation, a near-complete loss of the alpine snowpack, and a sharp reduction in shortwave cloud radiative forcing associated with marine stratocumulus by the end of the 21st century. We note a climatological wet precipitation bias for the CARRM and discuss possible reasons. We conclude that SCREAM RRM is a technically feasible and scientifically valid tool for climate simulations in regions of interest, providing an excellent bridge to global convection-permitting simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates a dynamic event-triggered robust safety control method for multiplayer fully cooperative games with mismatched uncertainties and asymmetric input constraints under continuous-time nonlinear systems. Firstly, to address the safety constraints on the system states, a suitable barrier function is proposed to transform the original constrained system into an unconstrained system. Subsequently, through the construction of an auxiliary system, the robust control (RC) problem is transformed into optimal control problem with auxiliary control laws. Secondly, the control laws are subjected to asymmetric constraints by designing a non-quadratic function. Unlike traditional static event-triggered control, a new dynamic event-triggered mechanism is introduced for updating the control laws. In addition, a new critic neural network (NN) weight update method is constructed to approximate the solution of the event-triggered Hamiltonian Jacobi Bellman (HJB) equation by using the concurrent learning technique. Furthermore, Lyapunov's theorem proves that the closed-loop system is uniformly ultimately bounded (UUB). Finally, a simulation example of a single-linked robotic arm is provided to verify the validity of the proposed method in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of thermal deformation and heat treatment on microstructure and texture of Ti-6Al-4 V alloy was investigated. As for the deformed microstructures, the misorientation angle around 60° gradually intensified with the increase of strain. For the strain rate of 0.001 s−1, the dislocation density value of the base plane is about twice the dislocation density value of the pyramidal. By TEM analyses, the needle-like α with the thickness of 200-700 nm. Only variants α appear in region III and there are four type variants α. The two subvariants share a similar color to the (110) β to share a crystal plane. The maximum polar density of texture can be reduced by decreasing the strain rate. The preferred grain orientation of 45° direction with CD and 45° direction with ND was enhanced in region III, causing by the β → α' and β → α". For heat treatment at 0.1 s−1condition, the spheroidization of lamellar α was boundary splitting. As for ST 1050 °C/1 h/WQ, there are discontinued lamellar α clusters near the GBα and acicular martensite in the β grain. After the SAT 1050 °C/1 h/WQ + 530 °C/6 h/AC processing, the fraction of internal lamellar cluster is reduced, and the fine martensite is gradually surrounded by grain boundary α. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring the intensive planting scheme to improve the agricultural productivity of coastal salinized farmland, the field positioning trial conducted in Kenli district, Shandong province was carried out since 2015, and 4 treatments were set up by considering fertilizer application amount, fertilizer application period, planting density, soil amendment and other measures including farmer's practice (FP), improved soil management (ISM), improved crops management (ICM), integrated soil crop management (ISCM). Track the population dynamic changes in the key growth period of wheat, analyzed the dry matter accumulation and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium nutrient absorption of wheat and maize during harvest, investigated the changes of wheat and maize yield and yield components, and compared the net income of crop production, soil sodium removal rate and sodium adsorption ratio in the 0--20 cm soil layer after harvest. The results showed that compared with FP treatment, ISM significantly increased the number of ears during wheat and maize harvest, resulting in a 25.2% and 10.0% increase in yield, and a 7.8% increase in net income, respectively. In addition, the soil sodium removal rate of ISM treatment reached 78.6%. The ICM treatment significantly increased the dry matter accumulation of wheat and maize, with a yield increase of 17.8% and 10.7%, respectively, compared to the FP treatment, and the net income increase of 19.3% . The ISCM treatment obtained the highest wheat yield of 11.96 and 10.83 t · hm-2, respectively, the net income increased by 20.8% compared to the FP treatment, and the soil sodium removal rate reached 82.9%. The ISM treatment could significantly reduce the sodium ion content of salinized soil, improve the nutrient absorption capacity of wheat and maize, and increase yield. Although the yield increase effect of ICM treatment was lower than that of ISM treatment, lower input cost could obtain higher net benefit. On the whole, the ISCM treatment could simultaneously achieve soil quality improvement, crop yield increase and economic benefits, which was the optimal management practice scheme under the conditions of this study. This research result could provide technical and theoretical support and demonstration models for improving the production capacity of medium to low yield fields in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the microstructure evolution of as-cast and homogenized Mg-9Gd-4Y-2Zn-0.5Zr alloys during hot compression was studied by electron backscattered diffraction analysis. Specimens were compressed at 420 °C with reductions of 20, 40, and 70%. The results indicated that more recrystallized grains were obtained in the as-cast alloy, which was attributed to many block-shaped phase grains. Under the same conditions, the as-cast alloy had a finer microstructure and weaker texture. In the initial stage, dynamic recrystallization in the form of discontinuous dynamic recrystallization participated in deformation. Further deformation contributed to fine grains in the interior of deformed grains in the form of continuous dynamic recrystallization. Basal slip played an active part in the deformed grains, and the recrystallized grains activated pyramidal slip. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatial heterogeneity related to complex topography in California demands high-resolution (<5 km) modeling, but global convection-permitting climate models are computationally too expensive to run multi-decadal simulations. We developed a 3.25 km California regionally refined model (CARRM) using the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) global Simple Cloud Resolution E3SM Atmospheric Model (SCREAM) version 0. Four 5-wateryear time periods (2015–2020, 2029–2034, 2044–2049, 2094–2099) were simulated by nudging CARRM outside California to 1° coupled simulation of E3SMv1 under the SSP5-8.5 future scenario. The 3.25 km grid spacing adds considerable value to the prediction of the California climate changes, including more realistic high temperatures in the Central Valley, much improved spatial distributions of precipitation and snow in the Sierra Nevada and coastal stratocumulus. Under the SSP5-8.5 scenario, CARRM simulation predicts widespread warming of 6–10 °C over most of California, a 38 % increase in statewide average 30-day winter-spring precipitation, a near complete loss of the alpine snowpack, and a sharp reduction in shortwave cloud radiative forcing associated with marine stratocumulus by the end of the 21st century. We note a climatological wet precipitation bias for the CARRM and discuss possible reasons. We conclude that SCREAM-RRM is a technically feasible and scientifically valid tool for climate simulations in regions of interest, providing an excellent bridge to global convection-permitting simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low biological hydrogen (bioH2) production due to non-optimal metabolic pathways occurs frequently. In this work, magnetic nitrogen-doped activated carbon (MNAC) was prepared and added into the inoculated sludge with glucose as substrate to enhance hydrogen (H2) yield by mesophilic dark fermentation (DF). The highest H2 yield appeared in 400 mg/L AC (252.8 mL/g glucose) and 600 mg/L MNAC group (304.8 mL/g glucose), which were 26.02% and 51.94% higher than that of 0 mg/L MNAC group (200.6 mL/g glucose). The addition of MNAC allowed for efficient enrichment of Firmicutes and Clostridium-sensu-stricto-1, accelerating the metabolic pathway shifted towards butyrate type. The Fe ions released by MNAC facilitated electron transfer and favored the reduction of ferredoxin (Fd), thereby obtaining more bioH2. Finally, the generation of [Fe-Fe] hydrogenase and cellular components of H2-producing microbes (HPM) during homeostasis was discussed to understand on the use of MNAC in DF system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the problem of decentralized safety control (DSC) of constrained interconnected nonlinear safety-critical systems under reinforcement learning strategies, where asymmetric input constraints and security constraints are considered. To begin with, improved performance functions associated with the actuator estimates for each auxiliary subsystem are constructed. Then, the decentralized control problem with security constraints and asymmetric input constraints is transformed into an equivalent decentralized control problem with asymmetric input constraints using the barrier function. This approach ensures that safety-critical systems operate and learn optimal DSC policies within their safe global domains. Then, the optimal control strategy is shown to ensure that the entire system is uniformly ultimately bounded (UUB). In addition, all signals in the closed-loop auxiliary subsystem, based on Lyapunov theory, are uniformly ultimately bounded, and the effectiveness of the designed method is verified by practical simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When the equipment is working, it is very important to avoid the occurrence of malignant accidents by providing a highly reliable safety protection means. In this paper, for multiplayer mixed zero-sum games, an optimal safety tracking control scheme based on adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) is proposed, and a control barrier function (CBF) is introduced into the value function of the system to ensure that the system operates within its safe region. Firstly, through system transformation, the original tracking problem is transformed into a state tracking error problem. Secondly, an augmented Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation is derived from the improved augmented error system and the value function. Different from traditional methods, this paper uses a single critic neural network (NN) instead of the actor-critic NN to approximate the Nash equilibrium solution of the system, and introduces a concurrent learning technique that can relax the traditional continuous excitation condition into a simplified condition of recording data. Then, according to the Lyapunov theory, the stability of the system is analyzed in detail. Finally, two simulation examples are used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the safe optimal control method for continuous-time (CT) nonlinear safety-critical systems with asymmetric input constraints and unmatched disturbances based on the adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) is investigated. Initially, a new non-quadratic form function is implemented to effectively handle the asymmetric input constraints. Subsequently, the safe optimal control problem is transformed into a two-player zero-sum game (ZSG) problem to suppress the influence of unmatched disturbances, and a new Hamilton–Jacobi–Isaacs (HJI) equation is introduced by integrating the control barrier function (CBF) with the cost function to penalize unsafe behavior. Moreover, a damping factor is embedded in the CBF to balance safety and optimality. To obtain a safe optimal controller, only one critic neural network (CNN) is utilized to tackle the complex HJI equation, leading to a decreased computational load in contrast to the utilization of the conventional actor–critic network. Then, the system state and the parameters of the CNN are uniformly ultimately bounded (UUB) through the application of the Lyapunov stability method. Lastly, two examples are presented to confirm the efficacy of the presented approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Further improvements to the yield potential of Chinese milk vetch seed are essential for the planting demand of green manure. Flower and pod development directly determines the number of seeds and the seed yield of Chinese milk vetch. However, the accumulation and translocation of dry matter and nitrogen between plant organs directly affects flower and pod development and morphological formation. There are few studies that analyse the relationship between the accumulation and transport of dry matter and nitrogen and the number of flowers, pods, grains and seed yield during Chinese milk vetch's critical development period. This study aimed to determine the seed yield response to dry matter and nitrogen accumulation and translocation during the Chinese milk vetch growth period and to quantify the relationship between these factors to predict Chinese milk vetch seed yield. Experiments were performed during the 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 growing seasons at the Dayuzhuang experimental field. The first experiment involved five foliar application stages (late wintering stage, returning green stage, squaring stage, pre-flowering stage, and 5 days after flowering) and six foliar application concentrations of borate solution (0, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, and 6000 mg L-1). Experiment 2 included five foliar application stages (late wintering stage, returning green stage, squaring stage, pre-flowering stage, and 5 days after flowering) and six foliar application concentrations of paclobutrazol (0, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 mg L-1). When the dry matter mass in the full flowering stage was 3500–4500 kg hm-2, the seed yield reached more than 800 kg hm-2. When the translocated assimilates were stored in the vegetative organs before flowering, the assimilate translocation rate and their contributions to seed yield were 1500–1800 kg hm-2, 30–35%, and 28–38%, respectively, and the Chinese milk vetch seed yield was predicted to reach 800–1000 kg hm-2 at maturity. When the nitrogen translocation amount in the vegetative organs before flowering, the nitrogen translocation rate, and the contribution rate to the seed yield were 68–78 kg hm-2, 65–75%, and 75–85%, respectively, the Chinese milk vetch seed yield was predicted to reach 800–1000 kg hm-2 at maturity. If the accumulation and translocation index values of dry matter and nitrogen were lower or higher than the above ranges, the seed yield was lower than 800 kg hm-2. The results of this study revealed the mechanism by which dry matter and nitrogen accumulation and translocation affect the Chinese milk vetch seed yield. These findings enrich the seed yield formation theory of Chinese milk vetch. They provide an early determination and quantitative regulation of high and stable seed yield for Chinese milk vetch in the field and aid researchers to integrate multiple production technologies for the sustainable production of Chinese milk vetch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorous (P) fixation in saline soils is a concern worldwide. To investigate optimization strategies for P fertilizer application that improve P use efficiency (PUE) and crop yield in saline soil, in terms of P sources and rates, we conducted a two year field experiment in the coastal saline area of China to investigate the effects of P rates and sources, including superphosphate (SSP), monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) on yield, aboveground P uptake, agronomy efficiency (AEP), and soil available P of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Wheat yield, under the three P sources, increased with P rates and reached a plateau under 20 kg P ha−1 SSP,18 kg P ha−1 MAP, and 17 kg P ha−1 MAP, respectively. The application of SSP increased the wheat yield by 9–11% compared to MAP and APP. The aboveground P uptake of winter wheat under SSP was 14% and 13% higher than MAP and APP, respectively, under the optimal P application rate. The AEP under SSP was higher than the other two P sources under the same P rate. SSP increased the soil Ca2+ concentration by 20–42%, but decreased the Na+ concentration by 14–18% at the P rate of 26 kg P ha−1 in all soil layers, including 0–20, 20–40, 40–60 cm, compared to CK (0 kg P ha−1). The soil Olsen-P concentration under APP was higher than the other P sources. This study suggests that optimizing P sources and rates can improve wheat yield, PUE, and soil quality in the coastal saline soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a major feature of tropical cyclones (TCs), controlling factors of TC outer size or size scaling remains a fundamental scientific question. The Rossby deformation radius and a natural extent associated with potential intensity have been proposed as two scalings of TC size. But neither of them satisfactorily captures the sensitivity of TC size to sea surface temperature (SST) in idealized f‐plane simulations. Inspired by the studies of the Hadley circulation, here we proposed a new TC scaling based on an energetic diagnostic scaling. TC size is primarily a ratio of the secondary circulation strength to subsidence velocity, further determined by the total atmospheric heating in the ascending area, the gross moist stability, the diabatic cooling, and the dry static stability. The former two is based on the moist energetic budget applied to the whole storm structure, while the latter two is based on the dry thermodynamic budget applied to the subsidence areas. The new scaling well captured the sensitivity of TC size to SST in idealized f‐plane simulations, partly resulted from expanded ascending area, increased surface moisture deficit, and weakened subsidence with increased SST. Plain Language Summary: Among the basic quantities of tropical cyclones (TCs), size is probably the most difficult to understand and predict. Due to lack of theories, our understanding of the controlling factors of TC size is rather limited. As a result, we have low confidence about the future change of TC size with warming. Idealized simulations have been used in recent years to study the environmental constraints of TC size, but the conventional scalings cannot capture the strong sensitivity of TC size to sea surface temperature (SST). In this study, we propose an energetic scaling that well predicts the simulated TC size variation with SST. We found that the secondary circulation strength and subsidence velocity essentially constrain the overall extent of TC. In addition, the framework also provides a new perspective to understand the limitation of conventional scalings. Key Points: A new energetic scaling successfully captures the outer size of tropical cyclone (TC) in f‐plane simulationsThe strong sensitivity of TC size to sea surface temperature (SST) depends on ascending area, surface moisture deficit, and subsidence velocityConventional TC size scalings underestimate or neglect the increases in inner‐core heating, which weaken their sensitivities to SST [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of green manure is considered a sustainable management approach to improve soil quality and crop yield in agricultural production. However, few studies have focused on the effects on soil properties and the microbial community when varied green manure rates are applied in rice cropping systems. We examined the soil and microbial properties in paddy soil and evaluated rice productivity and sustainable yield index in response to Chinese milk vetch (MV) application at various rates (0, 22.5, 30, 45, and 60 Mg ha−1, labeled MV0, MV22.5, MV30, MV45, and MV60, respectively) in a seven-year (2014–2020) field experiment. For all treatments, MV application significantly improved rice yield by 22.5–29.7% and sustainable yield index by 10.3–13.0% compared with no MV application, and the highest average yield across the 7 years of the study was found in MV60, followed by MV45, MV30, and MV22.5. Compared with MV0, MV45 and MV60 treatments significantly reduced soil bulk density (BD), increased soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), total potassium (TK), and alkali solution nitrogen (AN), particularly in MV45. Moreover, compared with MV0, a marked decrease in the alpha diversity (Shannon index) of the bacterial community and a significant increase in the relative abundance of Firmicutes were observed under MV45. The alpha diversity of the fungal community did not vary across treatments, but MV45 significantly reduced the relative abundance of Ascomycota and Chytridiomycota compared with MV0. In addition, redundancy analysis indicated that the fungal community structure was significantly related to soil BD, and random forest classification analysis demonstrated that SOC and AN were the most important factors for rice yield in this study. Overall, these results indicated that MV application at 45 Mg ha−1 should be recommended to simultaneously achieve the improvement of rice yield and soil quality in the South China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical cyclones (TCs) are an important source of turbulent mixing for the upper ocean at low latitudes, causing sea surface cooling and subsurface warming. A new estimate of annually accumulated sea surface cooling and upper ocean diapycnal diffusivity induced by TCs is obtained by using quantified cold wake sizes, which were largely ignored by previous studies. Both the annually accumulated tropical cyclone‐induced sea surface cooling and upper ocean diffusivity on a global scale show a significant decreasing trend over the period of 1982–2016, at a rate of −0.09 ± 0.03 °C/decade and −0.03 ± 0.01 cm2/s/decade respectively. The strengthening of ocean stratification with global warming contributes to the decrease of sea surface cooling and mixing, while the changes of tropical cyclone characteristics (such as translation speed, intensity, number, lifetime and size) contribute differently in various ocean basins. Plain Language Summary: The strong winds of tropical cyclones (TCs) greatly enhance upper ocean mixing. Cold water is mixed upwards, leaving cold wakes at the sea surface. Previous studies used cooling of the ocean surface induced by TCs to infer the upper ocean mixing, but some of their assumptions could lead to biases. In this study, based on quantified cold wakes, a new estimate of the sea surface cooling and upper ocean mixing induced by TCs is proposed. Based on observations, for the first time, we noted that the accumulated sea surface cooling and upper ocean mixing induced by global TCs have a significant decreasing trend over 1982–2016. This is primarily related to a more stable upper ocean and the decrease of tropical cyclone cold wake sizes with global warming. Key Points: With quantified cold wake size, a new estimate of sea surface cooling and upper ocean mixing induced by tropical cyclones is providedGlobal tropical cyclone‐induced annually accumulated ocean cooling and mixing have been decreasing in recent decadesThe increased ocean stratification and the decreased cold wake sizes contribute to the decrease of accumulated ocean cooling and mixing [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new adaptive critic design is proposed to approximate the online Nash equilibrium solution for the robust trajectory tracking control of non-zero-sum (NZS) games for continuous-time uncertain nonlinear systems. First, the augmented system was constructed by combining the tracking error and the reference trajectory. By modifying the cost function, the robust tracking control problem was transformed into an optimal tracking control problem. Based on adaptive dynamic programming (ADP), a single critic neural network (NN) was applied for each player to solve the coupled Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman (HJB) equations approximately, and the obtained control laws were regarded as the feedback Nash equilibrium. Two additional terms were introduced in the weight update law of each critic NN, which strengthened the weight update process and eliminated the strict requirements for the initial stability control policy. More importantly, in theory, through the Lyapunov theory, the stability of the closed-loop system was guaranteed, and the robust tracking performance was analyzed. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed scheme was verified by two examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinization is threatening sustainable crop production in coastal saline regions. An integrated approach with combined tillage and mulching may be more successful than sole management practice (e.g., rotary tillage) for reducing soil salinity and improving crop productivity in coastal saline zones. We conducted a 3‐yr field experiment in maize (Zea mays L.) in the Yellow River Delta. We used four treatments: (a) rotary tillage to 15 cm (RT) (local farmers' practice), (b) deep tillage to 25‐to‐30‐cm depth followed by RT (DT), (c) flat planting with the application of plastic mulch after DT (DM), and (d) ridge‐furrow planting together with plastic mulching after DT (DMF). These treatments were intended to improve soil properties and maize productivity, while increasing net returns. Grain yields were significantly increased by 18.5–20.9% under DMF and DM, nitrogen partial factor productivity (PFPN) by 18.5–20.8%, and net returns by US$103–124 ha–1, compared with RT. Grain yields with DMF and DM were also improved by 12.7–15.0%, PFPN by 12.8–15.0%, and net returns by $ 39–60 ha–1, compared with DT. Compared with RT, soil electrical conductivity (EC) and Na+ concentration with DMF and DM were reduced by 16.2–75.4% and 19.0–78.2%; EC and Na+ concentration were also reduced by 6.41–64.4% and 11.1–53.7%, compared with DT. These results demonstrate that combined tillage and mulching is an efficient integrated management approach for improving soil properties, promoting maize productivity, and increasing financial benefits in coastal saline zones. Core Ideas: Ridge‐furrow with plastic mulch alleviated salt stress compared with rotary tillage.Ridge‐furrow with plastic mulch increased maize grain yield due to high ear number and biomass.Despite its high cost, higher yield with ridge‐furrow with plastic mulch improved net return. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spark plasma-sintered Ti-6Al-4V alloy was used as experimental specimens to perform the multi-pass hot compression. The deformation temperature was 950, 900, 850 °C, and the compressed amount was 20, 30, 20% corresponding to one pass, two passes and three passes, respectively. The flow behaviors revealed that the curve with the strain rate of 5 s−1 appeared obvious oscillatory phenomenon after peak. Additionally, the curve with strain rate of 0.1 and 1 s−1 almost kept constant after peak stress during the process of two-pass compression. The microstructures showed that the sintered voids with the average diameter of 7.53 μm could be observed in initial Widmanstatten structures with the aspect ratio of 11.49 ± 0.5. The deformed inhomogeneity had prominent influence on the microstructures. For three-pass deformation with the strain rate of 0.1 s−1, the microstructures of severe plastic deformation area were equiaxial microstructures with the grain diameter of 3.82 μm, while the microstructures for medial and small plastic deformation area were dual and Widmanstatten, respectively. With the strain rate of 0.1 s−1, the fraction of dynamic recrystallization (fDRX) increased from 0.034 through 0.112 to 0.440 with the passes increased, and the variation tendency toward average diameter of grain size versus compressed passes shifted reversely. The β→α phase transformation was the main reason for the misorientation angle nearby 60° for one pass with the strain rate of 0.1 s−1. The fDRX declined from 0.440 through 0.225 to 0.297 with raising the strain rate for three-pass deformation, but the grain size changed oppositely. The CDRX and DDRX were both appeared during multi-pass hot deformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent study noted reduced rainfall and cloud fraction over cold wakes induced by tropical cyclones, but a quantification of top‐of‐atmosphere (TOA) radiation change due to these cold wakes has not been attempted. Based on global TOA radiative flux observations, we show that TOA shortwave and longwave radiations increase by 0.76 W m−2 (0.2%) and 0.74 W m−2 (0.3%) over the cold wake area relative to local climatology, respectively. Due to the cancelation between the shortwave and longwave components, daily average TOA net radiation is only marginally modulated by cold wakes, but stands out in the day and night time average. In addition, the seasonal basin‐wide regulation of TOA net radiation by cold wakes can be up to 1.0 W m−2, locally comparable to the magnitude of radiative forcing due to man‐made aerosols. The regional impact of cold wakes on TOA radiations is therefore highly relevant and potentially important. Plain Language Summary: The upper ocean stirred by tropical cyclones leaves a cold wake at the surface. Though the impact of cold wakes on ocean heat pumping, heat transport, and storm intensity were extensively explored for years, only recently have their modulation effects on rainfall and clouds been demonstrated. A further question is whether cold wakes significantly modify the local and seasonal basin‐wide energy budget. Here, we show that in observations, the top‐of‐atmosphere (TOA) shortwave and longwave radiations can be modified over cold wakes by ∼0.7 W m−2, while the daily‐averaged net radiation is unremarkable due to the cancelation between the shortwave and longwave components. However, the modulation effect of cold wakes on the local net radiation in the daytime and nighttime is much larger than the daily‐averaged radiation. Moreover, the basin‐wide radiative effect is one order larger than the local effect. The regulation of TOA radiation by cold wakes, particularly for the regional impacts and diurnal cycles, is therefore highly suggested for future assessment of Earth's energy budget. Key Points: Local average top‐of‐atmosphere (TOA) longwave and shortwave radiations can be modulated by tropical cyclone cold wakes by ∼0.7 W m−2TOA net radiation change over cold wakes is small due to the cancelation between longwave and shortwave radiationsImpact of cold wakes on TOA net radiation differs over different basins due to different climatological mean radiations [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent study noted reduced rainfall and cloud fraction over cold wakes induced by tropical cyclones, but a quantification of top‐of‐atmosphere (TOA) radiation change due to these cold wakes has not been attempted. Based on global TOA radiative flux observations, we show that TOA shortwave and longwave radiations increase by 0.76 W m−2 (0.2%) and 0.74 W m−2 (0.3%) over the cold wake area relative to local climatology, respectively. Due to the cancelation between the shortwave and longwave components, daily average TOA net radiation is only marginally modulated by cold wakes, but stands out in the day and night time average. In addition, the seasonal basin‐wide regulation of TOA net radiation by cold wakes can be up to 1.0 W m−2, locally comparable to the magnitude of radiative forcing due to man‐made aerosols. The regional impact of cold wakes on TOA radiations is therefore highly relevant and potentially important. Plain Language Summary: The upper ocean stirred by tropical cyclones leaves a cold wake at the surface. Though the impact of cold wakes on ocean heat pumping, heat transport, and storm intensity were extensively explored for years, only recently have their modulation effects on rainfall and clouds been demonstrated. A further question is whether cold wakes significantly modify the local and seasonal basin‐wide energy budget. Here, we show that in observations, the top‐of‐atmosphere (TOA) shortwave and longwave radiations can be modified over cold wakes by ∼0.7 W m−2, while the daily‐averaged net radiation is unremarkable due to the cancelation between the shortwave and longwave components. However, the modulation effect of cold wakes on the local net radiation in the daytime and nighttime is much larger than the daily‐averaged radiation. Moreover, the basin‐wide radiative effect is one order larger than the local effect. The regulation of TOA radiation by cold wakes, particularly for the regional impacts and diurnal cycles, is therefore highly suggested for future assessment of Earth's energy budget. Key Points: Local average top‐of‐atmosphere (TOA) longwave and shortwave radiations can be modulated by tropical cyclone cold wakes by ∼0.7 W m−2TOA net radiation change over cold wakes is small due to the cancelation between longwave and shortwave radiationsImpact of cold wakes on TOA net radiation differs over different basins due to different climatological mean radiations [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the expression and functions of circular RNA (circRNA) circNINL and miR-921 in breast cancer (BC) in this study. We found that the expression of circNINL increased while the expression of miR-921 decreased in BC tissues and cell lines, and their anomalous expressions were associated with malignant features and poor prognostic of BC. Then, we demonstrated that circNINL could interact with miR-921 and facilitate BC cells malignant process including proliferation acceleration, migration enhancement and apoptosis evasion via sponging miR-921 in vitro. Further investigations revealed that circNINL/miR-921 axis could mediate the expression of ADAM9 which was a direct target of miR-921. In addition, we exhibited that ADAM9 may activate β-catenin signaling by interacting with E-cadherin. We presented the vital roles of circNINL/miR-921/ADAM9/β-catenin signaling in the progression of BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable agricultural intensification to ensure global food security requires increases in both crop yields and nitrogen (N) productivity. Together, these requirements represent a considerable challenge, especially in saline regions where the high soil sodium (Na+) content limits crop growth. An integrated soil and crop management system (ISCM) may be more successful than procedures aimed at improving only soil quality (ISM) or crop management (ICM), or current local farmers' practice for achieving sustainable intensification in coastal saline zones. In this study, we tested different management alternatives for their ability to improve soil quality, agronomic feasibility, and affordability over four harvests in a 2‐yr wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–maize (Zea mays L.) rotation system in China. The ISM treatment with added cow manure and flue gas desulfurization gypsum reduced both Na+ content and pH in the subsoil, thereby improving grain yields and N productivity. The ICM treatment (i.e., optimized plant density and N fertilizer management) also increased crop yields and N productivity. The ISCM treatment integrated procedures of the ICM and ISM treatments to achieve the best agronomic benefit by increasing yields of wheat and maize by 25.3 and 30.8%, respectively, and N productivity by 109 and 97.6%, respectively, while simultaneously improving soil quality by increasing both calcium ion (Ca2+) and soil organic carbon content, and decreasing Na+ and pH in the subsoil. All three management alternatives increased economic benefits, and the ICM treatment was most valuable over the short term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixing of the upper ocean by the wind field associated with tropical cyclones (TCs) creates observable cold wakes in sea surface temperature and may potentially influence ocean heat uptake. The relationship between cold wake size and storm size, however, has yet to be explored. Here we apply two objective methods to observed daily sea surface temperature data to quantify the size of TC‐induced cold wakes. The obtained cold wake sizes agree well with the TC sizes estimated from the QuikSCAT‐R wind field database with a correlation coefficient of 0.51 and 0.59, respectively. Furthermore, our new estimate of the total cooling that incorporates the variations in the cold wake size provides improved estimates of TC power dissipation and TC‐induced ocean heat uptake. This study thus highlights the importance of cold wake size in evaluating the climatological effects of TCs. Plain Language Summary: The wind field of a tropical cyclone can mix warm water downward, leaving a cold wake at the surface. This effect may influence ocean heat uptake within the climate system. We derive a novel oceanic metric of tropical cyclone size based on its induced cold wake using sea surface temperature data for a period from 2002 to 2011. The cold wake size agrees well with the wind field size determined from QuikSCAT surface winds. Furthermore, with the cold wake size incorporated, total cooling provides better quantifications of tropical cyclone power dissipation and cyclone‐induced ocean heat uptake. More reliable estimates of cyclone power dissipation and sea surface cooling may be useful for both understanding and forecasting impacts of tropical cyclones on the climate system. Key Points: The size of the tropical cyclone wind field correlates reasonably well with the size of its mixing‐induced cold wakeWith the cold wake size incorporated, TC‐induced sea surface total cooling has a better correspondence with TC power dissipationCompared to sea surface cooling with a fixed cold wake area, the total cooling provides an improved estimate of TC‐induced ocean heat uptake [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Widespread air pollutions, such as black carbon over East Asia in recent years, could induce a localized diabatic heating, and thus lead to localized static stability and meridional temperature gradient (MTG) changes. Although effect of static stability and MTG on eddies has been addressed by the linear baroclinic instability theory, impacts of a localized heating on mid-latitude eddy activities have not been well explored and quantified. Via a series of idealized global Held-Suarez simulations with different magnitudes of localized heating at different altitudes and latitudes, responses of mid-latitude eddy activity and circulation to these temperature perturbations are systematically investigated. Climatologically, the localized heating in the lower atmosphere induces a wave-like response of eddy activity near the mid-latitude jet stream. Over the heating region, eddy activity tends to be weakening due to the increased static stability. However, there are cyclonic anomalies over the upstream and downstream of the heating region. The zonal mean eddy activity weakens along the baroclinic zone due to reduced MTG and increased static stability. Furthermore, the response of eddy activity increased as the heating magnitude is increased and moved to higher altitudes. The influence of the heating decreases as the heating is prescribed further away from the climatological mid-latitude jet. This implies that the localized heating is most effective over the region with the maximum baroclinicity. Besides, enhanced storm track downstream of the localized heating area found here suggests that increased aerosols over East Asia might strengthen the North Pacific storm track. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in wastewater is a great risk to the quality of water sources and to human health. Meanwhile, Chinese herb-extraction residues (CHER) are the by-products from the extraction process of Chinese medicine. This study investigated the use of CHER to adsorb Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. Results indicated that adsorption was maximum at solution pH of 2.0 while the Cr(VI) removal efficiencies for chuanxiong rhizome residue (CRR) and Chinese wolfberry residue (CWR) were 86.56 and 99.93%, respectively. Isotherm data were modeled by using Freundlich, Langmuir, and Temkin isotherms. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacities for CWR and CRR were 79.60 and 36.21 mg g, while their corresponding adsorption capacities obtained from experimental data were 37.30 and 32.42 mg g, respectively. However, Freundlich isotherm fitted the data well. Both adsorption and reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr (III) forms followed by complexation onto the adsorbent surfaces favored removing Cr(VI). The results also suggested that the abundant and cheaply available CRR and CWR can be used as efficient adsorbent materials for Cr(VI) removal from wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of some alkalinity sources on the stability of anaerobic digestion (AD) from food waste (FW). Four alkalinity sources, namely lime mud from papermaking (LMP), waste eggshell (WES), CaCO3 and NaHCO3, were applied as buffer materials and their stability effects were evaluated in batch AD. The results showed that LMP and CaCO3 had more remarkable effects than NaHCO3 and WES on FW stabilization. The methane yields were 120.2, 197.0, 156.2, 251.0 and 194.8 ml g−1 VS for the control and synergistic digestions of CaCO3, NaHCO3, LMP and WES added into FW, respectively. The corresponding final alkalinity reached 5906, 7307, 9504, 7820 and 6782 mg l−1, while the final acidities were determined to be 501, 200, 50, 350 and 250 mg l−1, respectively. This indicated that the synergism between alkalinity and inorganic micronutrients from different alkalinity sources played an important role in the process stability of AD from FW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the synergistic effects of the process of iron-carbon microelectrolysis (ICME) followed by struvite (MAP) crystallization on treating antibiotic wastewater. Characteristics of ICME effluent depended mainly on the iron to carbon mass ratio (Fe/C). The optimum reaction conditions of Fe/C ratio of 2:1 and reaction time of 90 min were observed. The ICME effluent was further treated by MAP crystallization using NaHPO·12HO and MgCl·6HO as precipitation agents. The results showed that, the Mg/NH -N/PO -P molar ratio of 1:1:1 and pH 8.5, were suitable for the crystallization process, which could obtain high-quality MAP containing 5.18 % N,10.23 % Mg, and 13.83 % P. Optimal total removal rate of COD and NH -N removal rate achieved 84.6 and 89.9 %, respectively. The economic evaluation of NH -N recovery by the synergistic process was also conducted, indicating that the synergistic process had the potential to benefit COD emission reduction and nitrogen recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northwest China includes Xinjiang Ugyur Autonomous Region, Qinghai Province, Gansu Province, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Shaanxi Province, covering 308×104km2. It is located in the warm-temperate zone and the climate is arid or semi-arid. Precipitation is very scarce but evaporation is extremely high. The climate is dry, the water resources are deficient, the eco-environment is fragile, and the distribution of water resources is uneven. In this region, precipitation is the only input, and evaporation is the only output in the inland rivers, and precipitation, surface water and groundwater change with each other for many times, which benefits the storage and utilization of water resources. The average precipitation in this region is 232 mm, the total precipitation amount is 7003×108 m3/a, the surface water resources are 1891×108 m3/a, the total natural groundwater resources are 1150×108 m3/a, the total available water resources are 438×108 m3/a, and the total water resources are 1996×108 m3/a and per capita water resources are 2278 m3/a. The water resources of the whole area are 5.94×104 m3/(a.km2), being only one-fifth of the mean value in China. Now, the available water resources are 876×108 m3/a, among which groundwater is proximate 130×108 m3/a. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transpirations of three dominated tree species, namely Mongol Scotch Pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica Litvin), White elm (Ulmus pumila) and Gansu Poplar (Populus gansuensis Wang et Yang) in oasis shelter forest (Linze site) and of two dominated tree species, namely Euphrates Poplar (Populus euphratica Oliv.) and Russia olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia Linn.) in lowland desert (Erjinaqi site) have been estimated using measured sapflow in summer, autumn and winter, 2002 and in spring, 2003. An ENVIS System was used for each site to measure microclimate variables, soil moisture and sapflow every half an hour, and the study time scale is one day. In the 104 days of observation during the growing season at the Linze site, the average daily sapflow of Gansu Poplar is 9.93 L· d-1, and the average transpiration per unit leaf area is 1.99 mm · d-1. For White elm tree, the daily average sapflow is 4.08 L· d-1, while the daily average transpiration per unit leaf area is 0.49 mm · d-1. The values for Mongol Scotch Pine are 3.91 L· d-1 and 0.25 mm · d-1, respectively. In the total 73 days of observation during the growing season at the Erjinaqi site, the daily average sapflows of Russia olive and Euphrates Poplar are 12.1 and 20.97 L· d-1, respectively, and the average transpirations per unit leaf area are 0.22 and 0.31 mm · d-1, respectively. In the observation period of the growing season, tree conductances of Mongol Scotch Pine, White elm, Gansu Poplar or Russia olive show an exponential relationship with the daily average air temperature or vapour pressure deficit, but the relationship is not so obvious between tree conductance and global radiation. The transpiration process of each tree species is affected by all the observed four environmental variables. The response of tree conductance to different climatic factors changes with tree species. The effect of the same factor to the same tree species is also variable in different growing stages. The sapflow of every tree species is relatively large in later spring to early summer, and low in summer, and then reaches its largest value in later September. In the mid-November, the sapflow is relatively large, especially the deciduous tree species. This may be characteristic of the tree species in Arid Regions of Northwest China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Firstly, the hydrological and meteorological features of the upper reaches of the Yellow River above Tangnag are analyzed based on observation data, and effects of EI Nino and La Nina events on the high and low flow in the upper Yellow River are discussed. The results show El Nino and La Nina events possess consanguineous relationship with runoff in the upper Yellow River. As a whole, the probability of low flow occurrence in the upper Yellow River is relatively great along with the occurrence of El Nino event. Moreover, the flood in the upper Yellow River occurs frequently with the occurrence of La Nina event. Besides, the results also show dissimilarity of El Nino event occurring time exerts greater impact on high flow and low flow in the upper Yellow River, that is, the probability of drought will be greater in the same year if El Nino event occurs in spring, the high-flow may happen in this year if El Nino occurs in summer or autumn; the longer the continuous period of El Nino is, the lower the runoff in the upper Yellow River is. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As efforts to close crop production yield gaps increase, the need has emerged to identify cost-effective strategies to reduce yield losses through soil improvement. Maize (Zea mays L.) production in coastal saline soil is limited by high salinity and high pH, and a limited number of soil amendment options are available. We performed a field experiment in 2015 and 2016 to evaluate the ability of combined flue gas desulfurization gypsum and furfural residue application (CA) to reduce the maize yield gap and improve soil properties. We carried out the same amendment treatments (CA and no amendment as a control) under moderate (electrical conductivity (EC1:1) ≈ 4 dS m−1) and high (EC1:1 ≈ 6 dS m−1) salinity levels. Averaged over all salinity levels and years, maize yields increased from 32.6% of yield potential in the control to 44.2% with the CA treatments. Post-harvest CA treatment increased the calcium (Ca2+) and soil organic carbon (SOC) contents while decreasing the sodium (Na+) content and pH in the upper soil layer. Corresponding nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium accumulations in maize were significantly increased, and Na accumulation was decreased in the CA group compared with the control. The economic return associated with CA treatment increased by 215 $ ha−1 at the high salinity level compared with the control, but decreased at the moderate salinity level because of the minor increase in yield. The results of this study provide insight into the reduction of yield gaps by addressing soil constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic activated carbon (MAC) was fabricated to improve biohydrogen (bio-H2) production. The MAC exhibited higher biocatalytic capability and better microbial immobilization than activated carbon (AC) during the bio-H2 process. Glucose supplemented with 200 mg/L MAC obtained the highest H2 yield of 214 mL/g glucose, much higher than that (130 mL/g glucose) of the control group without MAC. Suitable dosage such as 300 mg/L AC or 200 mg/L MAC promoted volatile fatty acid (VFA) formation and H2 generation. Besides, the metabolites showed that AC or MAC did not change the bio-H2 evolution pathway. Some possible biochemical mechanisms were as follows: MAC served as a microbial carrier to promote cell colonization and electron transfer rate, and it released Fe3+ to enhance glucose acidogenesis and Fe2+ to increase microbial concentration and activity in the bio-H2 evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Certain minerals possess structures that convey properties which improve soil quality; however, their application in coastal saline areas has been poorly studied. In this study, we explored the effects of combining mineral amendments on the improvement of wheat yield and soil properties in a two-year field experiment in mildly saline coastal soil areas of the Yellow River Delta, China. Five mineral materials were combined into the following four treatments: zeolite + rock phosphate (ZP), zeolite + silica calcium soil conditioner (ZC), vermiculite + rock phosphate (VP), and vermiculite + medical stone (VS). For all treatments, combined mineral amendments increased wheat yield compared to the control, with similar increases in yield following treatment with VP (45.7%), ZP (43.5%), and ZC (43.6%), and a significantly smaller increase following VS treatment (26.3%). These increases in grain yield were attributed to larger dry matter accumulation and higher grain numbers per ha. Compared to the control, ZP and ZC application substantially reduced soluble magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na) contents, electrical conductivity (EC), and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and increased soil organic carbon (SOC) at a soil depth of 0–20 cm. VP application increased soil available phosphorus (P) by 34.7% and soluble potassium (K) by 69.3% at a soil depth of 0–20 cm. VS application slightly increased the SOC, total nitrogen (N), available P, and soluble K compared to the control. Overall, these results indicate that combining mineral amendments significantly increases wheat yield and improves soil properties in a saline area. Thus, we recommend the use of mineral amendments in saline coastal areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work has been performed to investigate the use of lime mud filtrate (LMF) pretreatment to enhance hydrogen (H2) evolution from sewage sludge (SS). The SS samples were pretreated with LMF (pH 8.0-11.0) at 55 °C for 48 h, prior to the H2 fermentation. The maximum H2 yield of 38.30 ml/g-VS (volatile solid) was obtained from the SS pretreated by LMF pH of 10.0, with the corresponding lag time of 3.10 h, which was well described by the modified Gompertz model. Adequate pH of LMF facilitated the solubilization of SS and the release of organic matters, providing adequate substrates for subsequent bio-H2 evolution. The soluble chemical oxygen demand was increased from 25.0 to 91.7%, as compared with the control test without LMF soak. However, further increase in pH of LMF could decrease the concentration of available substrate, thus reducing the H2 yield. This technique revealed sustainable waste management and energy recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]