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RNA interference (RNAi) is being used to develop methods to control pests, yet its widespread application is limited by the high comprehensive application cost of dsRNAs. Here, we utilized the high identity matching between double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and nontarget genes to achieve expanding the dsRNA insecticidal spectrum. First, we found that dsRNA was more likely to induce off-target effects in genes with higher transcript levels and higher sequence identity; the existence of either a completely contiguous matching sequence exceeding 15 nt or a partially contiguous matching sequence of 24 nt between genes can lead to off-target effects in Tribolium castaneum. Accordingly, we successfully interfered with T. castaneumand Laodelphax striatellususing dsRNA targeted against Nilaparvata lugens. Additionally, the use of dsRNA targeting L. striatelluseffectively interfered with N. lugens, both instances resulting in lethal effects. Moreover, the dsRNA spray method proved to be more efficient than the rice seedling soaking method to deliver dsRNA. Our research offers new insights into expanding the insecticidal spectrum of dsRNA mediated by a high degree of sequence identity between genes.

The key mutations, such as the Gly-4891-Glu substitution and the Ile-4734 multiple substitutions within the ryanodine receptors (RyR), are linked to diamide resistance in fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda. In this study, we found that FAW remained sensitive to cyantraniliprole and chlorantraniliprole, while its sensitivity to flubendiamide was reduced. Moreover, a low level of heterozygous mutation at I4743 was observed. To facilitate the detection procedure of these mutations, a simple and efficient loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) protocol was developed for operation. The reaction for detecting the G4891E and I4743 single or multiple mutations was carried out at 68 °C for 85 min and 68 °C for 85 min or 68 °C for 65 min, respectively. These LAMP reactions can be easily observed via visualization of the color change from pink to yellow. This assay provides a simple, convenient, and effective means of detecting mutations in the RyR of FAW for pest management purposes.

The discontinuous energy transfer characteristics of traditional single-inductor dual-output converters can lead to large output voltage ripple and cross-regulation. Thus, this article presents a double step-down dual-output converter implemented in a 0.15 μm bipolar-CMOS-DMOS (BCD) process, adopting hybrid sum and deviation control to achieve a small output voltage ripple of 25 mV and minimize cross-regulation to 0.025 mV/mA. The timing balance mechanism generates the replicated on-time and calibrates by sensing inductor current mismatch, which improves current balance by 90%. The proposed pulse-based highly robust high-speed low stress level shifter enhances transition speed during load transients while reducing the voltage stress on low voltage device.

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) is a highly destructive pest of many crops. Emamectin benzoate (EMB) is a major insecticide for the management of FAW, however potential sublethal effects and regulating mechanisms on the development of FAW remain unknown. In this context, we exposed FAW to two EMB concentrations (LC10 or LC30) and then assess sublethal effect(s) on FAW development and reproduction, as well as evaluated potential regulating mechanisms. We showed that EMB prolonged the larval development time, pupal duration time and adult longevity, and increased pupal weight and fecundity/female, while lowered pupation rate (compared to control group). EMB also impaired FAW larvae molting and reduced levels of ecdysteroids in third-instar larvae and 1st-day pupae. Two new ecdysteroid biosynthesis genes, Neverland (SfNvd) and Shroud (SfSro) were identified from FAW. The spatial and temporal expression patterns and the changes in mRNA levels under EMB exposure of SfNvd and SfSro, along with five Holloween genes, were monitored. Six genes, including SfCYP306A1, SfCYP302A1, SfCYP307A1, SfSro, SfCYP314A1, and SfCYP315A1 were significantly induced, and SfNvd were decreased after exposure to LC10 or LC30 of EMB at specific developmental stages, while SfCYP307A1 was increased by LC10 in pupa and decreased by LC10 and LC30 of EMB in adults. These results suggest that EMB inhibits ecdysteroid biosynthesis by regulating ecdysteroid biosynthetic enzyme genes, thus resulting in ecdysis failure and disruption of larval development.

C16H9BrINO2, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a= 7.9305(12) Å, b= 8.2051(10) Å, c= 11.3141(13) Å, α= 85.384(10)°, β= 85.619(11)°, γ= 87.745(11)°, V= 731.27(17) Å3, Z= 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0397, wRref(F2) = 0.0819, T = 293(2) K.

This article presents a high conversion ratio (CR) boost converter with the protection re-cycling (PRC) technique to prevent the eGaN power FET from being damaged. The PRC technique mainly redirects the current to the storage capacitor. When the eGaN power FET is turned off, not only the eGaN power FET will not be damaged by the high ${L}~\text{d}i$ /d t, but also the redirected current can be used to improve efficiency. For automotive applications, the battery voltage may crank to a low voltage of 4 V in the case of sudden power-ON, and immediately rise to a high voltage of 40 V during a loading pump. Therefore, this article also proposed a wide input range (WIR) boost converter to ensure the correct operation of the light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system in any input voltage conditions.

I. INTRODUCTION In recent years, the life-cycle/permanent-income hypothesis (LCH/PIH) has been applied extensively to economic policy analysis. However, time-series and cross-sectional studies of consumer behaviour in industrial countries reveal that [...]

A study was conducted to compare the welfare effects of funding Social Security with consumption and payroll taxes in an economy where a portion of the population is myopic. It is found that social welfare can be enhanced by a shift from the payroll tax to the consumption tax in Social Security financing as long as there are myopic agents failing to distribute consumption based on the first-order optimality conditions. The higher the rate of return on capital and, to a certain extent, the larger the myopic population, the gains from the tax switch are greater., A large literature has examined how Social Security affects capital accumulation, labor supply, and the dynamic efficiency of the economy. The basic framework for these studies is the life-cycle model [...]

The present work uses the Thermosphere Ionosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIEGCM), under geomagnetically disturbed conditions that are closely related to the southward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), to investigate how the nighttime poleward wind (30°–50° magnetic latitude and 19–22 magnetic local time) responds to subauroral polarization streams (SAPS) that commence at different universal times (UTs). The SAPS effects on the poleward winds show a remarkable UT variation, with weaker magnitudes at 00 and 12 UT than at 06 and 18 UT. The strongest poleward wind emerges when SAPS commence at 06 UT, and the weakest poleward wind develops when SAPS occur at 00 UT. A diagnostic analysis of model results shows that the pressure gradient is more prominent for the developing of the poleward wind at 00 and 12 UT. Meanwhile, the effect of ion drag is important in the modulation of the poleward wind velocity at 06 and 18 UT. This is caused by the misalignment of the geomagnetic and geographic coordinate systems, resulting in a large component of ion drag in the geographically northward (southward) direction due to channel orientation of the SAPS at 06 and 18 UT (00 and 12 UT). The Coriolis force effect induced by westward winds maximizes (minimizes) when SAPS commence at 12 UT (00 UT). The centrifugal force due to the accelerated westward winds shows similar UT variations as the Coriolis force, but with an opposite effect. Nighttime poleward wind changes induced by SAPS exhibit remarkable UT variations, with a maximum at 06 UT and a minimum at 00 UT.The UT variation of the poleward wind changes is caused by the combined effects of pressure gradient, ion drag force and Coriolis force.The ion drag effects on the poleward wind changes result from the displacement between the geomagnetic and geographic poles. Nighttime poleward wind changes induced by SAPS exhibit remarkable UT variations, with a maximum at 06 UT and a minimum at 00 UT. The UT variation of the poleward wind changes is caused by the combined effects of pressure gradient, ion drag force and Coriolis force. The ion drag effects on the poleward wind changes result from the displacement between the geomagnetic and geographic poles.

High latitude upper atmospheric inter‐hemispheric asymmetry (IHA) tends to be enhanced during geomagnetic storms, which may be due to the complex spatiotemporal changes and magnitude modifications in field aligned currents (FACs) and particle precipitation (PP). However, the relative contribution of FACs and PP to IHA in high‐latitude forcing and energy is not well understood. The IHA during the 2015 St. Patrick’s Day storm has been investigated using the global ionosphere thermosphere model (GITM), driven by FACs from the Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment (AMPERE) and PP from the Assimilative Mapping of Ionospheric Electrodynamics (AMIE). A comprehensive study of the (a) relative contributions of FACs and PP to electric potential and Joule heating and (b) sensitivity of electric potential and Joule heating to the changes in magnitude and distribution of FACs and PP is presented. The results indicate that FACs lead to larger potential and Joule heating changes compared with PP. The spatial variations of potential and Joule heating are also affected by variation in FACs. As for asymmetric magnitude and distribution, it is found that electric potential and Joule heating are more sensitive to changes in the distribution of FACs and PP than the magnitude of FACs and PP. A new spatial asymmetry index (SAI) is introduced, which reveals spatial asymmetric details that are often overlooked by previous studies. This sensitivity study reveals the relative contributions in high‐latitude forcing and emphasizes the importance of obtaining accurate FACs and PP in both hemispheres. The high‐latitude upper atmosphere is highly variable and the coupling processes with the Earth’s magnetosphere are very complex. During geomagnetic storms, the high‐latitude electrodynamics and energy deposition can differ significantly between the northern and southern hemispheres, while the knowledge of the associated contribution is limited. In this work, leveraging the flexibility of numerical simulation input specifications, we used a physics‐based model to investigate the relative contribution of these hemispheric differences in electrodynamics and energy from the field‐aligned current (FAC) system and precipitating particle in the auroral area during the 2015 St. Patrick’s Day geomagnetic storm. As a full sensitivity study, we also analyzed the respective sensitivities of hemispheric electrodynamics and energy to the changes in hemispheric magnitude and distribution variations. Our study provides insight into how the storm‐time enhanced currents and precipitating particles affect the Earth’s high‐latitude electrodynamics and energy deposition between the two hemispheres. Field‐aligned currents (FACs) contribute more than particle precipitation to asymmetry in electric potential and Joule heatingMore asymmetry arises from asymmetric distribution rather than asymmetric total magnitude in FACs and precipitation between two hemispheresA new asymmetry index can describe the spatial distribution asymmetry, which reveals asymmetric spatial details that are often overlooked Field‐aligned currents (FACs) contribute more than particle precipitation to asymmetry in electric potential and Joule heating More asymmetry arises from asymmetric distribution rather than asymmetric total magnitude in FACs and precipitation between two hemispheres A new asymmetry index can describe the spatial distribution asymmetry, which reveals asymmetric spatial details that are often overlooked

Using Fabry‐Perot interferometers at five midlatitude stations (Boulder, Palmer, Millstone Hill, Mount John, and Kelan) in both hemispheres, we examine the interhemispheric and seasonal variations of midlatitude thermospheric dynamics. We also use the National Center for Atmospheric Research Thermosphere Ionosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIEGCM) to simulate the seasonal changes of winds and the effects from Sub‐Auroral Polarization Streams. The observations and TIEGCM simulations show a clear seasonal variation with more westward and equatorward summer winds. The TIEGCM runs overestimate the westward zonal winds and underestimate the electron densities in the northern summer. We believe that the underestimated TIEGCM electron density leads to a weak ion drag effect in the model, and strong westward zonal winds. TIEGCM overestimates the Sub‐Auroral Polarization Stream effects on neutral winds in most cases, probably because the empirical Sub‐Auroral Polarization Stream model used by the TIEGCM applies an unrealistic persistent electric field for a long period of time (over 3 hr) due to the low temporal resolution of the Kpindex. Summer zonal (meridional) winds are more westward (equatorward). The seasonal changes in the zonal winds are largerThe TIEGCM simulated zonal winds are more westward in the northern midlatitudes during the June solstice than the measured windsThe SAPS‐enabled TIEGCM overestimates the SAPS effects in most cases due to unrealistic electric field

In the high‐latitude thermosphere and ionosphere the Joule (frictional) heating rate is related to both conductivity and electric field. Thus, an accurate calculation of the Joule heating rate requires self‐consistent specifications of high‐latitude particle precipitation and ion convection patterns. However, general circulation models usually use uncorrelated empirical models to specify high‐latitude particle precipitation and ion convection separately and independently. Here, studies have been conducted to examine the significance of the appropriate spatial alignment of the precipitation and ion convection patterns to the energy input estimation for the upper atmosphere. As shown in Defense Meteorological Satellite Program satellite observations, a close alignment between the particle poleward boundary (PPB) and the convection reversal boundary (CRB) can be identified when the interplanetary magnetic field is strongly southward. To illustrate the importance of this alignment, a comparison between two Global Ionosphere‐Thermosphere Model runs has been conducted. In the first case, the uncorrelated empirical models were used in Global Ionosphere‐Thermosphere Model to specify the high‐latitude electrodynamics. In the second case, the PPB was adjusted to be approximately coincident with the CRB. The alignment between the PPB and the CRB causes changes in the Joule heating distribution and a 50% enhancement of hemispheric integrated Joule heating under extreme conditions. The effect of the alignment on Joule heating and neutral density has also been investigated preliminarily during the 5 August 2011 geomagnetic storm. From observations the displacement between the particle and potential patterns is usually within 1–2° when southward Bzis dominantThe displacement between the convection reversal boundary and the particle boundary from empirical models can be more than 10°After appropriately aligning the particle and potential patterns, the total Joule heating increases up to 50% under extreme conditions

A pulsed fluidized bed system was established, targeting the analysis of the drying and separation characteristics of fine lignite. Experiments, involving factors of air velocity, pulsating frequency, and bed height were conducted under room temperature to analyze the influence of each factor on the separation characteristics of −6 + 3 mm lignite and −3 + 1 mm lignite in a pulsed fluidized bed, respectively. The combustible recovery and standard deviation of ash content were implemented to evaluate the separation efficiency. Results show three factors have a significant impact on the separation efficiency of fine lignite. Afterward, the thermal energy characterized by inlet temperature was imported into the pulsed fluidized bed system to study the influence of inlet temperature, air velocity, pulsating frequency, and bed height on the separation efficiency of fine lignite under thermal conditions. Results show that the ash content of the top layer product decreases significantly from 14.44% to 9.82% and from 15.52% to 7.31% when the pulsating frequency increases from 0 Hzto 3.93 Hzunder room temperature and thermal conditions for −6 + 3 mm lignite, respectively. For −3 + 1 mm lignite, the ash content of the top layer product decreases from 17.22% to 10.25% and from 16.77% to 10.01% under room temperature and thermal conditions, respectively. Optimal operation parameters were determined. With the air velocity of 1.09 m/s, inlet temperature of 80 °C, pulsating frequency of 3.93 Hz, and bed height of 120 mm, the optimal separation efficiency was achieved for −6 + 3 mm lignite. For −3 + 1 mm lignite, the optimal is achieved when air velocity, inlet temperature, pulsating frequency, and bed height are 0.55 m/s, 100 °C, 3.49 Hz, and 80 mm. The separation efficiency of lignite with a pulsed fluidized bed was dramatically improved.

The pulsating flow was introduced into the gas–solid fluidized bed to enhance the diffusion and stratification of lignite particles and avoid channeling and short circuits with an attempt to achieve a better drying effect for fine lignite. A pulsed fluidized bed system was established, targeting the analysis of the drying and segregation characteristics of fine lignite. With the thermal input characterized by inlet temperature, thermal energy was transported into the fluidized bed and lignite particles, which accelerates the evaporation of surface water and interior water of lignite particles. Under the combination effect of thermal and pulsating energy, the drying efficiency was significantly improved. This paper mainly focuses on the influence of various operating factors on the drying characteristics of fine lignite in a pulsed fluidized bed and exploring the appropriate kinetic model for the drying process under different inlet temperatures in a pulsed fluidized bed. In the drying process, the drying rate was influenced dramatically in a positive way by the inlet temperature, gas velocity, and pulsating frequency, while the drying rate decreases with the increase of bed height. The increase of inlet temperature, gas velocity, and pulsation frequency reduced the moisture content and increased the drying rate. When the inlet temperature, air velocity, pulsating frequency, and bed height, which are 100 °C, 1.09 m/s, 3.06 Hz, and 120 mm, the water content of −6 + 3 mm lignite decreases dramatically from 31.66% to approximately under 8% after 12 min of drying. The water content of −3 + 1 mm lignite plummets from 29.99% to around 4% after 12 min of drying when inlet temperature, air velocity, pulsating frequency, and bed height are set as 100 °C, 0.61 m/s, 2.62 Hz, and 80 mm, respectively. An infinitesimal effect on the lignite drying can be detected when the gas velocity and the pulse frequency exceed a certain range. In the study of drying kinetics, fitting results under different temperatures combined with a thin layer drying model showed that the logarithmic model was the optimal model for interpreting the drying characteristic of fine lignite. After drying and separation, the calorific capacities of −6 + 3 mm lignite and −3 + 1 mm lignite increase by up to 60% and 67%, respectively. Hence, drying of fine lignite with a pulsed fluidized bed offers a feasible and economical method to enable further industrial application of lignite.

We investigate the latitudinal and longitudinal variations of thermospheric nitric oxide (NO) cooling rate from 2005 to 2016. We compare the maximum of the NO cooling rate and its altitude from measurements by the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) instrument on National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s TIMED (Thermosphere‐Ionosphere‐Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics) satellite and from simulations by the Thermosphere‐Ionosphere‐Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIEGCM). In both data and model, the maximum NO cooling rate varies with ~11‐year solar cycle, while the altitude of the peak value does not. At local noon, the maximum NO cooling rate from TIEGCM is significantly larger than that derived from SABER, especially in solar minimum. There are differences in the altitudes of the maximum NO cooling rates between the observations and simulations. The largest difference occurs at noon at low latitudes, with SABER values exceeding TIEGCM values by more than 10 km with a maximum difference of 16 km near solar maximum. Model sensitivity tests suggest that the biases are caused by a model temperature overestimation in the low thermosphere, and tides in the TIEGCM lower boundary play an important role in inducing the low‐latitude temperature overestimation by the model. In addition, SABER's height‐integrated cooling rate (NO flux) exceeds that from TIEGCM, primarily due to the lower cooling rates at 140–200 km in the model. Compare maximum of NO cooling rate and its altitude from SABER measurements and TIEGCM simulationsThe SABER median peak cooling altitude usually exceeds the model median peak cooling altitude, sometimes by as much as 16 kmStrong solar cycle and seasonal modulations of the altitude of the maximum NO cooling rate are most evident at midlatitude locations

In this study, we report the electrochemical and corrosion behaviors of Zn anodes in electrolytes (6.0 M KOH) with various additives, such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), polysorbate 20 (Tween 20), and tartaric acid. Data are given as Tafel plots, linear polarizations, cyclic voltammetry measurements, and charge–discharge test results. After the 1000th cycle of charge–discharge measurements, the morphologies of the Zn anodes in electrolytes with various additives were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of linear polarization show that the corrosion resistance was in the order EDTA > Tween 20 > tartaric acid > blank. Based on the SEM images, the prevention of dendrite formation followed the order EDTA > Tween 20 = tartaric acid > blank. In this study, we report the electrochemical and corrosion behaviors of Zn anodes in electrolytes with various additives, such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), Tween 20, and tartaric acid. After the 1000th cycle of charge–discharge measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that the electrolyte with 0.1 wt% EDTA effectively prevented the formation of dendrites. In battery performance results, the voltage during charging and discharging fluctuated greatly for the blank, whereas the 0.1 wt% EDTA showed the best stability. Hence 0.1 wt% EDTA can be used in a Zn–air rechargeable battery and can replace existing primary mechanically rechargeable batteries because electrical recharging is easier than mechanical recharging.

Poynting flux, which describes electromagnetic energy flux, is an important energy source for the high‐latitude upper atmosphere. After the launch of Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) F15 spacecraft with a boom‐mounted magnetometer on board, there was a new opportunity to calculate Earth‐directed Poynting flux at satellite altitudes (~850 km) in the upper atmosphere. A persistent enhancement of thermospheric density in the dayside polar cap boundary regions has been reported in the CHAMP satellite observations. To understand the significance of different physical mechanisms including Poynting flux and particle precipitation, and the correlation between them, a statistical study of Poytning flux and particle energy flux in the dayside cusp and low‐latitude boundary layer (LLBL) regions has been conducted based on DMSP F15 measurements. DMSP satellite observations showed a dominate downward Poynting flux for most cases in the cusp region. Our analysis of DMSP F15 data for five years (2000–2004) reveals that approximately 53% of 660 cusp crossings at 800–850 km showed strong downward Poynting flux (S> 10 mW/m2), 32% of the crossings had noticeable downward Poynting flux (S> 3 mW/m2), and 7% of the crossings did not show clear Poynting flux (S< 1 mW/m2). Only 13 out of 660 cusp crossings (~2%) showed noticeable upward Poynting flux. In the LLBL region, 35% of 11,641 LLBL crossings showed significant downward Poynting flux, 34% of the crossings had noticeable downward Poynting flux, and only 13% of the crossings did not show clear Poynting flux. On average, Poynting flux in LLBL is smaller than that in the cusp. The results show a slightly negative correlation between Poynting flux and particle precipitation energy flux in the dayside polar cap boundary regions. Statistically, Poynting flux in the cusp is enhanced during interplanetary magnetic field Bypositive conditions. Statistical distributions of Poynting flux in the cusp and LLBL regions are presentedDependence of Poynting flux in the cusp on IMF conditions has been studiedCorrelation of Poynting flux and particle precipitation energy flux in the cusp and LLBL has been investigated

The pulsed magneto-oscillation (PMO) technique has the potential to be applied in the production of heavy steel ingot. In order to confirm it and achieve more insights, the solidification of rectangular 65Mn steel ingot with the size of 220 mm × 220 mm × 1000 mm was investigated under the impact of PMO. Experimental results present that PMO treatment can remarkably refine the solidified microstructure of 65Mn steel ingot in comparison with the reference ingot without PMO. The application of PMO not only significantly reduces the grain size, but also promotes the morphology transition of equiaxed grains from well-developed dendritic structures to globular structures. And the resulted globular morphology is mainly due to the fact that the PMO-induced forced flow enhances the stability of crystal growth. As a consequence, the average tensile strength of as-cast samples is enhanced from 643.4 to 762.9 MPa under the application of PMO.

The application of a pulsed magneto-oscillation (PMO) technique during the solidification of a commercial high melting point medium carbon steel ingot (φ140 mm × 450 mm) produced fully equiaxed grains in the cast ingot, indicating that the PMO process significantly promotes heterogeneous nucleation near the solid-liquid interface. The vigorous convection induced by PMO forced the partly solidified grains to move from the solid-liquid interface and became randomly distributed throughout the melt, which resulted in the formation of uniformly sized equiaxed dendrites throughout the whole ingot. Building on the developed nucleation mechanism and a flow field simulation of pure aluminum, a PMO-induced grain refinement model for steel is proposed.

Pressure fluctuations contribute to the instability of separation process in air dense medium fluidized bed, which provides a high motivation for further study of underlying mechanisms. Reasons for generation and propagation of pressure fluctuations in the air dense medium fluidized bed have been discussed. Drift rate and collision rate of particles were employed to deduce the correlation between voidage and pressure fluctuations. Simultaneously, a dynamic pressure fluctuation measuring and analysis system was established. Based on frequency domain analysis and wavelet analysis, collected signals were disassembled and analyzed. Results show gradually intensive motion of particles increases magnitudes of signal components with lower frequencies. As a result of violent particle motion, the magnitude of real pressure signal’s frequency experienced an increase as air velocity increased moderately. Wavelet analysis keeps edge features of the real signal and eliminates the noise efficaciously. The frequency of de-noised signal is closed to that of pressure signal identified in frequency domain analysis.

Using the Millstone Hill incoherent scatter radar observations during 2015 St. Patrick's Day storm, subauroral polarization streams (SAPSs) have been specified in the nonhydrostatic Global Ionosphere‐Thermosphere Model simulations. The results reveal that the effect of SAPS on the coupled thermosphere‐ionosphere system includes the following: (1) Sudden frictional heating of SAPS results in acoustic‐gravity waves in the thermosphere. The vertical oscillation is localized, while the meridional disturbance propagates poleward and equatorward. (2) The SAPS‐associated horizontal wind field includes an enhanced westward wind within SAPS channel and a twin of vortex‐like winds north (clockwise) and south (anticlockwise) of subauroral latitudes. (3) Due to the neutral‐ion drag, ions in the vicinity of SAPS channel oscillate vertically with neutrals, resulting in a perturbation of ~0.3 TECu in ionospheric total electron content. The SAPS‐induced traveling atmospheric disturbances can elevate the plasma and increase the total electron content in midlatitude ionosphere. (4) It is confirmed that the Coriolis force can contribute to the poleward turning of the neutral wind during the post‐SAPS interval. In addition, the traveling atmospheric disturbance induced by the variation of auroral input and high‐latitude convection is possibly the primary cause of the poleward neutral wind surge during the magnetic storm on 17–18 March 2015. The combination of the two factors can make the northward meridional wind surge reach a magnitude of 100 m/s. This study improves our understanding of the SAPS's effect on neutral dynamics and ion‐neutral coupling processes during geomagnetically disturbed intervals. Sudden frictional heating of SAPS results in acoustic‐gravity waves (AGWs) in the thermosphereSAPS can produce a twin of vortex‐like winds north (clockwise) and south (anticlockwise) of SAPS channelThe combination of SAPS and high‐latitude heating can result in significant disturbance in meridional wind

This study developed an adaptive weighted nonlinear least squares (AWNLS) method for solving the problem of high variability in the estimates of the microrate constants of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) kinetics caused by measurement noise. In the AWNLS method for adaptive quantitative analysis, the cost function is adjusted according to the characteristics of the tissue time-activity curve (TTAC). Specifically, the average of the early part of the TTAC was used to modify the cost function when fitting the FDG model to the TTAC. A computer simulation study applying different sets of parameter values and noise conditions was conducted. The accuracy and reliability of the parameter estimates obtained using AWNLS were compared with those of nonlinear least squares (NLS), weighted nonlinear least squares (WNLS), linear least squares (LLS), and generalized linear least squares (GLLS). The errors in k1–k3obtained using NLS indicate this method’s poor precision in the presence of high noise levels. NLS and WNLS were sensitive to the initial values. Moreover, the results of k4estimated using LLS and GLLS were inaccurate because of large bias. By contrast, the microrate constants (k1–k4), the FDG metabolic rate (K), and the volume of distribution (k1/k2) obtained using AWNLS were stable and accurate regardless of the noise level and initial values. The AWNLS method could estimate the FDG metabolic rate (K) and the microrate constants (k1–k4) of the FDG model accurately at various noise levels, irrespective of the initial values.

Vertebrate glycoproteins and glycolipids are synthesized in complex biosynthetic pathways localized predominantly within membrane compartments of the secretory pathway. The enzymes that catalyze these reactions are exquisitely specific, yet few have been extensively characterized because of challenges associated with their recombinant expression as functional products. We used a modular approach to create an expression vector library encoding all known human glycosyltransferases, glycoside hydrolases, and sulfotransferases, as well as other glycan-modifying enzymes. We then expressed the enzymes as secreted catalytic domain fusion proteins in mammalian and insect cell hosts, purified and characterized a subset of the enzymes, and determined the structure of one enzyme, the sialyltransferase ST6GalNAcII. Many enzymes were produced at high yields and at similar levels in both hosts, but individual protein expression levels varied widely. This expression vector library will be a transformative resource for recombinant enzyme production, broadly enabling structure–function studies and expanding applications of these enzymes in glycochemistry and glycobiology.

AbstractThe prevalence of smartphones has increased the demand for and application of location-based services. However, the Global Positioning System, currently the most widely used positioning technology, cannot provide accurate positioning services when obstructed by obstacles. Consequently, this system can only provide outdoor application services such as outdoor navigation and tracking. In 2013, Apple Inc. released iBeacon, a positioning technology based on Bluetooth low energy (BLE). This device transmits Bluetooth signals within a specific range, in which the signals are received by other smartphones to calculate distances for providing indoor positioning-related services. In this study, the iBeacon transmission power level is adjusted to significantly increase Bluetooth signal differences in indoor environments. Therefore, it can reduce received signal strength indicators (RSSI) similarity for some reference points by adjusting the power level. Subsequently, radio frequency signals are filtered using a modified moving average filter to reduce signal variations after reception. Next, pattern matching and the K-Nearest Neighbors (KNNs) algorithm are integrated to facilitate positioning. The integration of the modified moving average filter with the KNNs algorithm increases the positioning accuracy by 23.08% during the online phase. This finding can thus improve location-based services.

Solidification experiments were carried out in Al-Cu (w(Cu) = 5%) alloy to investigate the influence of pulse magneto-oscillation (PMO) on the efficiency of the Al3Ti1B refining agent at high superheat. The experimental solidification results show that the degree of superheat has remarkable influence on the efficiency of the grain refiner. However, the application of PMO has the potential to reduce the influence of superheat variation on the efficiency of the grain refiner. Finally, the mechanism underlying this phenomenon is discussed by performing a numerical simulation to show the forced flow inside the melt caused by PMO.

In this study, the influences of the electric fields at low and middle latitudes on the ionosphere and thermosphere are investigated by using the nonhydrostatic Global Ionosphere and Thermosphere Model (GITM). The equatorial ionization anomaly and the equatorial thermosphere anomaly (ETA) are well reproduced in the simulation when the electric fields are included. The term analysis of the continuity equation of the neutral mass density shows that the daytime upward vertical wind near the geomagnetic equator tends to increase the local neutral mass density at 400 km altitude, while the divergence in the meridional wind associated with the meridional ion‐drag force tends to transport the neutral mass density away from the geomagnetic equator which might contribute to the formation of the ETA trough. The vertical dynamics is modulated by the vertical forces including ion‐drag force and pressure gradient force acting on the neutrals, and the changing vertical dynamics can also feedback to vertical ion‐drag and pressure gradient forces, particularly near the geomagnetic equator. The daytime vertical ion‐drag force near the geomagnetic equator is generally upward, while the daytime vertical pressure gradient force near the geomagnetic equator is reduced at most times after adding in the electric fields at low and middle latitudes. Meanwhile, the sudden introduction of the electric fields at low and middle latitudes induces an acoustic wave. EIA and ETA are well reproduced in GITM after including the low‐ and middle‐latitude electric fieldsThe daytime vertical dynamics contributes positively to the neutral mass density near the geomagnetic equator and roughly balances the effect of the meridional divergenceThe daytime vertical dynamics also impacts the vertical ion‐drag and vertical pressure gradient forces

Thermospheric temperature and density recovery during the 5 April 2010 geomagnetic storm has been investigated in this study. Neutral density recovery as revealed by Thermosphere‐Ionosphere‐Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIEGCM) simulations was slower than observations from GOCE, CHAMP, and GRACE satellites, suggesting that the cooling processes may not be fully represented in the model. The NO radiative cooling rate in TIEGCM was also compared with TIMED/SABER measurements along satellite orbits during this storm period. It was found that the model overestimated the NO cooling rate at low latitudes and underestimated it at high latitudes. The effects of particle precipitation on NO number density and NO cooling rate at high latitudes were examined in detail. Model experiments showed that while NO number density and NO cooling rate do change with different specifications of the characteristic energy of auroral precipitating electrons, neutral temperature and density recovery remain more or less the same. The reaction rates of key NO chemistry were tested as well, and the NO number density between 110 and 150 km was found to be very sensitive to the reaction rate of N(2D) + O2→NO + O. A temperature‐dependent reaction rate for this reaction proposed by Duff et al. (2003) brought the TIEGCM NO cooling rate at high latitudes closer to the SABER observations. With the temperature‐dependent reaction rate, the neutral density recovery time became quite close to the observations in the high‐latitude Southern Hemisphere. But model‐data discrepancies still exist at low latitudes and in the Northern Hemisphere, which calls for further investigation. The sensitivity of thermospheric temperature and density recovery rates after storms to nitric oxide cooling is testedUsing the Duff et al. reaction rate for N(2D) + O2 in the TIEGCM improves agreement with recovery rates obtained from satellite observationsThe nitric oxide cooling rate is not very sensitive to the characteristic energy of auroral precipitation for the event studied

Perturbations caused by geophysical and anthropogenic events on the ground have been observed to propagate upward and impact the upper atmosphere. Gravity waves with wavelengths less than 750 km are known to be responsible for the total electron content (TEC) perturbations and to play a significant role in the mass, momentum, and energy budgets of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere. These waves are, however, difficult to continuously measure, globally resolve, and deterministically specify in first‐principle ionosphere‐thermosphere (IT) models. In this study, we investigate IT response to induced acoustic‐gravity waves resulting from strong time‐varying lower atmospheric wave forcing, including a traveling wave packet (TWP) and stochastic gravity wave (SGW) fields using the nonlinear Global Ionosphere Thermosphere Model (GITM) with high‐resolution grids of 0.08° in longitude and latitude. When TWP and SGW forcing occurs concurrently, the induced gravity waves (GWs) cause variation of ±8.8% in neutral, ±6.2% in electron density, and ±1.5% in TEC. The magnitudes decrease by 2.4% (from ±8.8% to ±6.4%) with the SGW effects simulated separately and subtracted; importantly, interactions between TWP and SGW contribute to ±1.4% of the perturbations. On the other hand, the induced acoustic waves (AWs) cause variation of ±13.9% in neutral, ±2.1% in electron density, and ±0.4% in TEC. Furthermore, GWs sustain tens of minutes after the TWP has passed through the lower atmosphere and clear traveling ionospheric disturbances and traveling atmospheric disturbances are developed. We demonstrate that clear wave structures from an episodic event can be isolated even under a ubiquitously and overwhelmingly perturbed atmosphere. The induced AWs have stronger localized impacts, and GWs sustain much longer in the ITThe wave‐wave interactions contribute up to 3% of the perturbationsEvent‐induced TEC perturbations can be isolated with proper modeling efforts

The tribological behavior of aged Al-Sn-Cu alloy rubbed in the presence of lubricant over a range of sliding velocities and normal loads was investigated. The results showed that peak-aged (PA) alloy had a better tribological behavior than under-aged (UA) and over-aged (OA) alloys, which could be attributed to the optimized strength-ductility matching and a better hardness under PA condition. Wear rate and friction coefficient showed great sensitivity to applied sliding velocity and normal load. The wear rate and friction coefficient of the alloy exhibited a reduction trend with the increase in sliding velocity. The low wear rate and friction coefficient of alloy at high velocities were due to the effectively protected film and homogeneous Sn on surface. However, an increase in normal load led to an obvious increment in wear rate. The friction coefficient exhibited a fluctuant trend with the increase of normal loads. The seriously destroyed film and abraded Sn resulted in poor tribological behavior at high normal loads. The Sn particles and lubricant film which includes low shear interfacial lubricating layer and oxide tribolayer are the key to the tribological behavior of Al-Sn-Cu alloy.

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) pesticides, those based on RNA interference (RNAi) technology utilizing dsRNA, have shown potential for pest control. However, the off-target effects of dsRNA pose limitations to the widespread application of RNAi and raise concerns regarding potential side effects on other beneficial organisms. The precise impact and underlying factors of these off-target effects are still not well understood. Here, we found that the transcript level and sequence matching jointly regulate off-target effects of dsRNA. The much lower expressed target genes were knocked down to a lesser extent than genes with higher expression levels, and the critical sequence identity of off-target effects is approximately 80%. Moreover, off-target effects could be triggered by a contiguous matching sequence length exceeding 15 nt as well as nearly perfectly matching sequences with one or two base mismatches exceeding 19 nt. Increasing the dosage of dsRNA leads to more severe off-target effects. However, the length of mismatched dsRNA, the choice of different RNAi targets, and the location of target sites within the same gene do not affect the severity of off-target effects. These parameters can be used to guide the design of possibly selective sequences for RNAi, optimize the specificity and efficiency of dsRNA, and facilitate practical applications of RNAi for pest control.

Providing a customer with tailored location-based services (LBSs) is a fundamental problem. For location-estimation techniques with radio-based measurements, LBS applications are widely available for mobile devices (MDs), such as smartphones, enabling users to run multi-task applications. LBS information not only enables obtaining the current location of an MD but also pro- vides real-time push-pull communication service. For indoor environments, localization technologies based on radio frequency (RF) pattern-matching approaches are accurate and commonly used. However, to survey radio information for pattern-matching approaches, a considerable amount of time and work is spent in indoor environments. Consequently, in order to reduce the system-deployment cost and computing complexity, this article proposes an indoor positioning approach, which involves using Asus Xtion to facilitate capturing RF signals during an offline site survey. The depth information obtained using Asus Xtion is utilized to estimate the locations and predict the received signal strength (RF information) at uncertain locations. The proposed approach effectively reduces not only the time and work costs but also the computing complexity involved in determining the orientation and RF during the online positioning phase by estimating the user's location by using a smartphone. The experimental results demonstrated that more than 78% of time was saved, and the number of samples acquired using the proposed method during the offline phase was twice as much as that acquired using the conventional method. For the on- line phase, the location estimates have error distances of less than 2.67 m. Therefore, the proposed approach is beneficial for use in various LBS applications.

A probability wheel app is intended to facilitate communication between two people, an “investigator” and a “participant”, about uncertainties inherent in decision-making. Traditionally, a probability wheel is a mechanical prop with two colored slices. A user adjusts the sizes of the slices to indicate the relative value of the probabilities assigned to them. A probability wheel can improve the adjustment process and attenuate the effect of anchoring bias when it is used to estimate or communicate probabilities of outcomes. The goal of this work was to develop a mobile application of the probability wheel that is portable, easily available, and more versatile. We provide a motivating example from medical decision-making, but the tool is widely applicable for researchers in the decision sciences.

Research on recycling waste Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) is at the forefront of preventing environmental pollution and finding ways to recycle resources. The Tapered Column Separation Bed (TCSB) is invented aiming at disposing the problem that fine particles of waste printed circuit boards cannot be separated efficiently so as to obtain further insight about the underlying mechanisms and demonstrate the separation feasibility in the tapered column separation bed. In this work, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) coupled with Discrete Element Method (DEM) model for two-phase flow has been extended to simulate the fluid–solid flow in the tapered column separation bed. Its validity is demonstrated by its successful capturing the key features of particles’ flow pattern, velocity, the pressure distribution, the axial position with time and axial force for particles with different densities. Simulation results show that the plastic particles and resin particles become overflow, while copper particles, iron particles and aluminum particles successively become underflow, with a discharge water flow rate of 1m3/h, an obliquity of 30°. The simulated results agree reasonably well with the experimental observation. Using this equipment to separate waste PCBs is feasible, theoretically.

Appendiceal tumors, particularly those with patterns of advanced malignancy, are rare in clinical practice. This study describes a patient with a mucinous adenocarcinoma originating from the appendix, who also had disseminated peritoneal carcinomatosis and abundant mucinous ascites despite chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Salvage cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) resulted in nearly complete remission.

With the rapid development of society, universities also develop its digital, intelligent business, which gradually increases the network data transmission needs. Wireless networks are an important part of the campus network, it is very important to build the campus wireless network as a supplement to a campus network. This design introduces a wireless network technology, and uses He Zhou College West Campus as a platform to design the campus wireless LAN-building program. The wired network and wireless network combine to provide better conditions for the campus information technology.

The duration of ship-generated waves (wake waves) and accelerated currents can generate significant influences on the sediment transport. A 3-D numerical model is presented to estimate these effects. The hydrodynamic model is the 3-D Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (Rans) equations including the standard k- εmodel while the 3-D convection-diffusion model is for the resuspended sediment transport. This hydro-sedimentary model is firstly validated with the trench experimental results, and then applied to the open channel with a moving ship. The computed results demonstrate that the resuspension generation mainly depends on ship speeds, barge number, and the relative distance away from ship. The acceleration effects of ship on the sediment transport are analyzed as well.

In this paper, we present an adaptive two-step contourlet-wavelet iterative shrinkage/thresholding (TcwIST) algorithm for remote sensing image restoration. This algorithm can be used to deal with various linear inverse problems (LIPs), including image deconvolution and reconstruction. This algorithm is a new version of the famous two-step iterative shrinkage/thresholding (TwIST) algorithm. First, we use the split Bregman Rudin-Osher-Fatemi (ROF) model, based on a sparse dictionary, to decompose the image into cartoon and texture parts, which are represented by wavelet and contourlet, respectively. Second, we use an adaptive method to estimate the regularization parameter and the shrinkage threshold. Finally, we use a linear search method to find a step length and a fast method to accelerate convergence. Results show that our method can achieve a signal-to-noise ratio improvement (ISNR) for image restoration and high convergence speed.

This paper studies the locating method for character 2D barcode. In this kind of character 2d barcode, the solid circle is designed as the position detection patterns. The locating method for character 2D barcode is different with the traditional method for DM barcode. In this paper, according to the geometric characteristics of the solid circle, connected region regarded as suspected solid circle can be filtered through the cross method rapidly. Then the edge of connected area is detected through the shape angle and the solid circle can be found through the circularity values. Experiment results show that this method can locate the character 2D barcode rapidly and effectively.

JMCT is a large-scale, high-fidelity, three-dimensional general neutron–photon–electron–proton transport Monte Carlo software system. It was developed based on the combinatorial geometry parallel infrastructure JCOGIN and the adaptive structured mesh infrastructure JASMIN. JMCT is equipped with CAD modeling and visualizes the image output. It supports the geometry of the body and the structured/unstructured mesh. JMCT has most functions, variance reduction techniques, and tallies of the traditional Monte Carlo particle transport codes. Two energy models, multi-group and continuous, are provided. In recent years, some new functions and algorithms have been developed, such as Doppler broadening on-the-fly (OTF), uniform tally density (UTD), consistent adjoint driven importance sampling (CADIS), fast criticality search of boron concentration (FCSBC) domain decomposition (DD), adaptive control rod moving (ACRM), and random geometry (RG) etc. The JMCT is also coupled with the discrete ordinate SNcode JSNT to generate source-biasing factors and weight-window parameters. At present, the number of geometric bodies, materials, tallies, depletion zones, and parallel processors are sufficiently large to simulate extremely complicated device problems. JMCT can be used to simulate reactor physics, criticality safety analysis, radiation shielding, detector response, nuclear well logging, and dosimetry calculations etc. In particular, JMCT can be coupled with depletion and thermal-hydraulics for the simulation of reactor nuclear-hot feedback effects. This paper describes the progress in advanced modeling, high-performance numerical simulation of particle transport, multiphysics coupled calculations, and large-scale parallel computing.

In this study, an anodic aluminum oxide nanomold was obtained by etching on an aluminum substrate at a purity of 99.7% with an oxalic acid electrolyte. After etching, a nanomold was prepared with pores that were measured at 80 nm in diameter. This nanomold was used as a base. Using the vacuum casting method, the Pb-Sn alloy was die-cast into the nanomold and consequently shaped into a Pb-Sn alloy nanowire of 80 nm in diameter and 50 µm in length. After solidification, a Pb-Sn nanowire array was obtained. The array of Pb-Sn nanowires prepared in this study can be applied to a gas sensor. Microstructural analysis of the AAO nanomold and the Pb-Sn nanowire array are performed by SEM and XRD.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of natural herb material Galla Chinensis extraction (GCE) on the wear resistance of dentine in vitro. Forty sound bovine dentine blocks were prepared and randomly divided into two groups. The samples were first treated with 4000 ppm aqueous solution of Galla chinensis and distilled deionized water (DDW) was used as a control. Then the samples were subjected to 5,000 cycles of attrition bathed under artificial saliva with 150 N loads. Wear measurement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) analysis were utilized to evaluate the effects of GCE on the wear resistance. The depth of the wear scar of DDW-treated surface (mean = 32.5 μm, SD = 11.8 μm) was significantly greater than that of GCE-treated surface (mean = 26.4 μm, SD = 13.9 μm) (p &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, the SEM images showed severe wear on the DDW specimens and less wear on the GCE-treated samples. Finally, from EDX data, GEC group had higher percentage of Ca and P than the control. In conclusion, our study suggested that Galla chinensis could enhance wear resistance of dentine.

Global positioning system (GPS) is the most common technology providing location–based services. When a GPS receiver receives satellite signals, the distance between the satellite and the user is calculated, and then the users current position is located using the triangulation method. However, there is a possibility that landforms, shelters and the number of satellites can have an impact on the satellite signal. This paper combines different heterogeneous wireless networks (i.e., WiFi and ZigBee networks) to improve localisation accuracy, especially when GPS receivers cannot receive a signal. In addition, this paper further demonstrated that combining the WiFi and ZigBee localisation systems achieves almost the same precision as the GPS given without shelter.

Based on the bubble dynamics, the generation and separation of bubble plays a leading role in the heat transfer of boiling condition. Before the bubble separation, micro liquid layer below bubbles is evaporated to dryness and heat transfer deterioration is the ultimate cause of boiling crisis, proposed a critical heat flux mechanism in the conditions of low velocity and narrow channel. A critical heat flux mechanism model is established. By calculation, in the low mass flow range the mechanism model has a high precision to predict CHF in a larger pressure and export dry degree ranges. Using the model the relationship of parameters is studied.