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Characterizing the coseismic slip behaviors of earthquakes could offer a better understanding of regional crustal deformation and future seismic potential assessments. On 18 December 2023, an Mw 6.0 earthquake occurred on the Lajishan–Jishishan fault system (LJFS) in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau, causing serious damage and casualties. The seismogenic fault hosting this earthquake is not well constrained, as no surface rupture was identified in the field. To address this issue, in this study, we use Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) data to investigate the coseismic surface deformation of this earthquake and invert both ascending and descending line-of-sight observations to probe the seismogenic fault and its slip characteristics. The InSAR observations show up to ~6 cm surface uplift caused by the Jishishan earthquake, which is consistent with the thrust-dominated focal mechanism. A Bayesian-based dislocation modeling indicates that two fault models, with eastern and western dip orientations, could reasonably fit the InSAR observations. By calculating the coseismic Coulomb failure stress changes (∆CFS) induced by both fault models, we find that the east-dipping fault scenario could reasonably explain the aftershock distributions under the framework of stress triggering, while the west-dipping fault scenario produced a negative ∆CFS in the region of dense aftershocks. Integrating regional geological structures, we suggest that the seismogenic fault of the Jishishan earthquake, which strikes NNE with a dip of 56° to the east, may be either the Jishishan western margin fault or a secondary buried branch. The optimal finite-fault slip modeling shows that the coseismic slip was dominated by reverse slip and confined to a depth range between ~5 and 15 km. The released seismic moment is 1.61 × 1018 N·m, which is equivalent to an Mw 6.07 earthquake. While the Jishishan earthquake ruptured a fault segment of approximately 20 km, it only released a small part of the seismic moment that was accumulated along the 220 km long Lajishan–Jishishan fault system. The remaining segments of the Lajishan–Jishishan fault system still have the capability to generate moderate-to-large earthquakes in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oblique convergence across the northern Qilian Shan is accommodated by sub‐parallel strike‐slip and thrust faults that ruptured simultaneously in the Mw 8 Gulang earthquake in 1927. We investigate the kinematics of fault loading in the northern Qilian Shan and provide insights into the conditions necessary for generating multi‐fault earthquakes. We perform Bayesian inversions for the geometry and creep rate on the fault network. We infer that all of the thrust faults are locked north of the Qilian‐Haiyuan strike‐slip fault and are accumulating elastic strain. Multi‐fault earthquakes may occurr in this fault system because the faults are simultaneously loaded by the same source of deformation and are linked together by locked fault segments. The interseismic velocity field alone can not contain the location or activity of individual faults visible in the geomorphology, therefore the short‐term geodetic measurements may not reliably indicate the long‐term behavior of the fault system. Plain Language Summary: This study aims to understand the earthquake hazard in the northern Qilian region of China. We use measurements of ground deformation between earthquakes to infer how the faults are being loaded in the region. We find that the ground deformation can be explained by a simple model with a single, slowly creeping fault at depth that loads all of the overlying faults. Large earthquakes that were caused by slip on many different faults at the same time have occurred in this region before. We suggest these so‐called "multi‐fault" earthquakes may occur because all of the faults are being simultaneously loaded by the same source of stress. Key Points: Oblique convergence in the northern Qilian Shan is accommodated by sub‐parallel thrust and strike‐slip faultingThe short‐term geodetic measurements do not constrain the thrust fault kinematics in the northern Qilian Shan over geological timescalesMulti‐fault earthquakes may be common in the region as all of the shallow thrust faults are linked together by locked fault segments [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structural connectivity and kinematic relationship between the Altyn Tagh sinistral strike‐slip fault (ATF) and Qilian Shan fold‐and‐thrust belt along the north Tibetan margin east of 96°E is an important question for tectonicists interested in the evolving active deformation field of Central Asia and associated earthquake hazards of China's Hexi Corridor region. New results from a detailed 130‐km‐long N‐S magnetotelluric (MT) survey from the Qilian Shan to Beishan elucidates the locations and down‐dip orientations of major faults. Importantly, the results indicate that the Heishan‐Jinta'Nanshan fault system roots steeply into the lower crust, is unconnected to the Qilian Shan thrust wedge, and has reactivated the margin of the North China Craton and an older, regional ductile shear belt. The structurally linked ATF‐Heishan‐Jinta'Nanshan system defines a fundamental kinematic boundary in central Asia between the NE directed Qilian Shan thrust belt to the south and the eastwardly extruding Beishan‐Alxa Block to the north. Plain Language Summary: In this study, we present results of a comprehensive electrical resistivity survey conducted in the western Hexi Corridor region of China. The survey reveals significant sub‐surface faults and crustal boundaries, providing insights into the crustal structure between northernmost Tibet (Qilian Shan) and the Beishan. We document how the strike‐slip crustal boundary known as the Altyn Tagh Fault (ATF)‐Heishan‐Jinta'Nanshan system is steep and spatially unconnected to the Qilian Shan east of 98°E. It separates crustal blocks with contrasting motion histories; the southern block experiences compressional deformation, whereas the northern block accommodates extensional and transtensional deformation. Furthermore, the northeast trending ATF bends and converges into the more east‐west‐oriented Heishan‐Jinta'Nanshan system. We propose that this is a result of the Heishan‐Jinta'Nanshan system reactivating an older ductile shear belt and a mechanically weak boundary along the northwestern margin of the Precambrian North China Craton. Our study confirms the significance of inherited crustal structures in localizing continental interior reactivation and associated earthquake hazards. Key Points: A new detailed 3D resistivity model from Northern Tibet to the Southern Beishan clarifies the crustal structure in the NW Hexi CorridorThe Heishan fault system penetrates steeply to the lower crust and is unconnected to the Qilian Shan thrust wedgeCrustal thickening and mountain uplift in Qilian Shan is kinematically separated from eastward Beishan‐Alxa Block extrusion further north [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Alzheimer's disease (AD) has an insidious onset, the early stages are easily overlooked, and there are no reliable, rapid, and inexpensive ancillary detection methods. This study analyzes the differences in handwriting kinematic characteristics between AD patients and normal elderly people to model handwriting characteristics. The aim is to investigate whether handwriting analysis has a promising future in AD auxiliary screening or even auxiliary diagnosis and to provide a basis for developing a handwriting-based diagnostic tool. Materials and methods: Thirty-four AD patients (15 males, 77.15 ± 1.796 years) and 45 healthy controls (20 males, 74.78 ± 2.193 years) were recruited. Participants performed four writing tasks with digital dot-matrix pens which simultaneously captured their handwriting as they wrote. The writing tasks consisted of two graphics tasks and two textual tasks. The two graphics tasks are connecting fixed dots (task 1) and copying intersecting pentagons (task 2), and the two textual tasks are dictating three words (task 3) and copying a sentence (task 4). The data were analyzed by using Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney U test to obtain statistically significant handwriting characteristics. Moreover, seven classification algorithms, such as eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) and Logistic Regression (LR) were used to build classification models. Finally, the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and Area Under Curve (AUC) were used to assess whether writing scores and kinematics parameters are diagnostic. Results: Kinematic analysis showed statistically significant differences between the AD and controlled groups for most parameters (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). The results found that patients with AD showed slower writing speed, tremendous writing pressure, and poorer writing stability. We built statistically significant features into a classification model, among which the model built by XGB was the most effective with a maximum accuracy of 96.55%. The handwriting characteristics also achieved good diagnostic value in the ROC analysis. Task 2 had a better classification effect than task 1. ROC curve analysis showed that the best threshold value was 0.084, accuracy = 96.30%, sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 93.41%, PPV = 92.21%, NPV = 100%, and AUC = 0.991. Task 4 had a better classification effect than task 3. ROC curve analysis showed that the best threshold value was 0.597, accuracy = 96.55%, sensitivity = 94.20%, specificity = 98.37%, PPV = 97.81%, NPV = 95.63%, and AUC = 0.994. Conclusion: This study's results prove that handwriting characteristic analysis is promising in auxiliary AD screening or AD diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Measurement of knee laxity after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is crucial for appropriate treatment and rehabilitation decision-making. This study examined the potential of a new digital arthrometer (Ligs, Innomotion, Shanghai, China) to quantify anterior tibial translation (ATT) in patients with ACL injuries and in healthy subjects. Methods: A total of 60 participants included 30 subjects with single-leg ACL injuries and 30 healthy subjects included as controls. The lower leg was immobilized. The thruster is positioned posterior to the lower leg and parallel to the tibial tuberosity in the sagittal plane. The load is applied vertically to the tibia under a dynamic load of 0–150 N, with continuous displacement recorded. The intrarater and interrater reliability will be examined. ATT and side-to-side differences (SSD) between the control and ACL injury groups were compared. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were analyzed, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the Ligs. Results: The interrater ICC was 0.909 and the intrarater ICC was 0.943. Significant differences in the SSD were observed between the control and ACL injury groups (for all P < 0.05), with the largest effect size (ES = 1.12) at 80 N. When comparing ATT at different loads between injured and healthy sides in the ACL injury group, displacement was statistically significant at different loads. At a load of 150 N, the AUC was the maximum (0.857) and the sensitivity and specificity were 0.87 and 0.73, respectively. Conclusions: A digital arthrometer can be used as a quantitative instrument to quantify knee laxity. Quantitative measurement of ATT and SSD under controlled loading can be an objective and effective tool for clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rock glaciers are typical periglacial landforms with tongue or lobate morphological shapes and characterized by the distinct front, lateral margins, and often by ridge-and-furrow surface topography textures as well as kinematic characteristics, widely distributed in alpine environments. Multitemporal Synthetic aperture radar interferometry (MT-InSAR), is a remote sensing technique with demonstrated effectiveness for detecting landform kinematics. However, its application to rock glaciers is challenged by temporal decorrelation and atmospheric phase noises due to complex topography and snow cover. We designed a quadtree segmentation and parallel computing-based MT-InSAR method to improve the quality and efficiency of deformation measurement of rock glaciers. We applied the method to a rock glacier inventory of the Nyainqêntanglha Range, China, derived from high-resolution Gaofen-2 images, to quantify the activity rate of each rock glacier. Results showed that 32.1% (6,389) of the identified rock glaciers exhibited slope-parallel deformation rates exceeding 100 mm/y. The activities of the rock glaciers exhibited strong correlations with their distance to glaciers, precipitation, freeze–thaw magnitude, and permafrost occurrence probability. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed segmentation-parallel MT-InSAR method for monitoring rock glacier deformation over a large region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Natural ester insulating oil not only has a biodegradation rate of almost 100% but also meets the carbon emission requirements of China’s “Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality” and the “European Green Deal” proposed by the European Union. It is considered to be a good substitute for mineral insulating oil. However, due to its higher kinematic viscosity than traditional mineral oil in low-temperature environments, it limits the safety promotion and application of transformers in cold regions. First, we design an experiment to test the kinematic viscosity and density of natural ester insulating oil. Under extremely harsh experimental conditions, we measure key experimental data such as kinematic viscosity. Second, the structure of the four main triglyceride molecules is optimized, and the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation technology is used to establish an MD model that can predict the kinematic viscosity of natural ester insulating oil (−20 °C to 20 °C). Finally, the model is further simplified by the free volume theory to better predict the kinematic viscosity of natural ester insulating oil. This study makes up for the lack of laboratory low-temperature testing of the kinematic viscosity of natural ester insulating oil and provides a convenient and reliable tool for predicting the kinematic viscosity of natural ester insulating oil. It can not only predict the natural ester insulating oil mixed in various proportions but also predict the kinematic viscosity of a certain natural ester molecule. Furthermore, it also provides a guiding direction for the improvement of low-temperature kinematic viscosity of natural ester insulating oil, as well as a strong reference for predicting other properties of other substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the difference of kinematic skill characteristics between the Chinese and world elite female discus athletes. We used the methods of literature, three-dimensional video analysis, and mathematical statistics to compare and analyze the differences of some kinematic parameters between the three Chinese female discus athletes and four world female discus athletes. The result shows that the speed of discus release of the Chinese elite female discus athletes is lower (p < 0.05) than that of the world elite female discus athletes. Compared to the world elite female discus athletes, the height of release is higher (p < 0.05). But there was no significant difference in the angle of release (p > 0.05), rotation rhythm (p > 0.05), and discus speed increment (p > 0.05) in different stages during the throwing procedure from double support stage to delivery stage. The results may provide reference for the special technique training of the Chinese female discus throwers, so as to improve the discus throwing level of Chinese women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Axial disturbances are the most disabling symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Kinect-based objective measures could extract motion characteristics with high reliability and validity. Purpose: The present research aimed to quantify the therapy-response of axial motor symptoms to daily medication regimen and to explore the correlates of the improvement rate (IR) of axial motor symptoms based on a Kinect camera. Materials and methods: We enrolled 44 patients with PD and 21 healthy controls. All 65 participants performed the Movement Disorder Society-Sponsored Revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III and the Kinect-based kinematic evaluation to assess arising from a chair, gait, posture, and postural stability before and after medication. Spearman's correlation analysis and multiple linear regression model were performed to explore the relationships between motor feature IR and clinical data. Results: All the features arising from a chair (P = 0.001), stride length (P = 0.001), velocity (P < 0.001), the height of foot lift (P < 0.001), and turning time (P = 0.001) improved significantly after a daily drug regimen in patients with PD. In addition, the anterior trunk flexion (lumbar level) exhibited significant improvement (P = 0.004). The IR of the axial motor symptoms score was significantly correlated with the IRs of kinematic features for gait velocity, stride length, foot lift height, and sitting speed (rs = 0.345, P = 0.022; rs = 0.382, P = 0.010; rs = 0.314, P = 0.038; rs = 0.518, P < 0.001, respectively). A multivariable regression analysis showed that the improvement in axial motor symptoms was associated with the IR of gait velocity only (β = 0.593, 95% CI = 0.023-1.164, P = 0.042). Conclusion: Axial symptoms were not completely drug-resistant, and some kinematic features can be improved after the daily medication regimen of patients with PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury can lead to changes in tibiofemoral kinematics during gait, but the detailed short-term kinematic changes after ACL injury are still unknown. Purpose: To measure tibiofemoral kinematics during gait in ACL-deficient (ACLD) knees over time after ACL injury. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: The authors categorized 76 patients with unilateral ACLD knees into 4 groups based on the time from injury: <3 months (group 1), 3 to 6 months (group 2), >6 to 12 months (group 3), and >12 months (group 4). The controls were 20 participants with ACL-intact knees. Changes in the knee kinematics and range of motion during gait were compared among ACLD groups and those with ACL-intact knees. Results: Compared with controls, the range of motion of flexion in group 1 was significantly lower (6°; P =.033), and the mean knee flexion was significantly increased (0.7°-3.4°) in groups 1 to 4 (all P ≤.004). There was more internal tibial rotation (2.9°-4.3°) in group 1 and 2, and more anterior tibial translation (4.3 mm) in group 1 during the stance or swing phases than in controls (P ≤.049 for all). The mean internal tibial rotation and anterior tibial translation significantly decreased from group 1 to group 4 (P <.001 for both). Compared with controls, the mean medial tibial translation was significantly greater (1.2-2.5 mm) in all groups, and more medial tibial translations (2.4-3.7 mm) were observed during the stance phase in groups 1, 3, and 4 (P ≤.047 for all). Conclusion: ACLD knees displayed a motion impairment walking strategy within 3 months, and a higher-flexion walking strategy increased with time after injury. Excessive anterior translation and internal rotation of the tibia tended to return to normal, while excessive medial translation of the tibia increased in ACLD knees after 6 months postinjury. These results may provide new insight into the compensatory mechanisms and risk factors for premature osteoarthritis in ACLD knees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The North China Craton (NCC) is an important tectonic element in China, which is characterized by intense seismic activity and complex tectonic setting. Thus quantifying its deformation is essential for studying the tectonic processes and deformation mechanisms in this region. Here we use a combination of dense GPS data sets to analyze the crustal movement and present updated estimates of fault motions based on elastic block models. We uncover spatial variations in deformation patterns, indicating that different mechanisms may dominate the tectonic processes for different parts of the NCC. In the western part, the rifts around the Ordos block manifest strike‐slip and extensional deformation, and the strike‐slip motion is more significant than the extensional component; whereas in the east, the Tanlu fault experiences right‐lateral and shortening slips, consistent with the features from historical seismic activity and regional tectonics. Our analysis indicates that the deformation in the eastern NCC is principally influenced by the Pacific subduction, whereas the deformation in the western NCC is mainly related to the India‐Eurasia collision. Moreover, our estimate of motion along the Tanlu fault supports a relatively long seismic interval of ∼10 ka, comparable to those inferred from recent paleoseismic research on this fault and other slow‐slip faults in the NCC. Our study indicates that the faults in the NCC even with very slow motions may still have the potential to produce strong earthquakes. Thus seismic risks across these slow‐slip faults cannot be ignored and should not be determined solely based on the rate of fault motions. Plain Language Summary: North China is situated at the eastern part of the Chinese continent, which is characterized by intense seismic activity and dense population. Numerous strong earthquakes have occurred in this region that caused huge casualties during the past decades. Thus quantifying the fault slip rates is essential for understanding the deformation regimes and seismic risk assessments in this region. Here we use dense space‐geodetic measurements to analyze the crustal movement and fault motion in the study area. We reveal that the fault motion derived in our study exhibits distinct features of deformation from west to east of the region, implying that different regimes may dominate the tectonic processes in different parts of North China. Moreover, our analysis suggests that the faults even with very slow motions in this region may still have the potential to produce strong earthquakes. Thus, seismic hazards across these slow‐slip faults cannot be ignored and should not be determined solely based on the rate of fault motions. Key Points: We use dense GPS measurements and elastic block models to quantify the faulting kinematics and slip partitioning in North ChinaWe find spatial variations of kinematics, implying that different regimes may dominate tectonic processes for different parts of North ChinaSeismic risks along slow‐slip faults cannot be ignored and should not be determined solely based on the rate of fault motions in North China [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the morphology and evolution of the quadrate among early birds and through the evolutionary origin of birds is not well known, we add to knowledge about that past diversity through description of the morphology of the quadrate in the unusually elongate skull of the Cretaceous enantiornithine bird Longipteryx chaoyangensis. The lateral and caudal surfaces of the quadrate are well exposed in two specimens revealing morphologies typical of early birds and their dinosaurian close relatives like a small otic head and two mandibular condyles. However, both skeletons exhibit quadrates with a unique, enlarged lateral crest that has not been previously described among Mesozoic birds. It is possible that the rostral surface of this lateral expansion served as the origination site for enlarged jaw musculature in a manner similar to the enlarged subcapitular tubercle in extant galloanserine birds. The caudally concave surface of the quadrate likely reflects some aspect of cranial pneumaticity, with its shape and position reminiscent of quadrates found in close non‐avialan maniraptoran relatives. It is possible that this lateral crest has a wider distribution among enantiornithines and other early birds and that the crest has been misidentified as the orbital process in some more damaged specimens. In addition, the enlarged lateral mandibular condyle (relative to the medial condyle) differs from the condition typically reported among enantiornithines and could indicate a difference in jaw function or mechanics in this bird with an elongated rostrum, or simply misinterpretations of morphology. Further examination of the quadrate in temporally early and phylogenetically stemward birds, along with their close outgroups, could greatly impact the study of several different aspects of bird biology including assessment of phylogenetic relationships, interpretation of the function and kinematics of the skull, reconstruction of foraging paleoecology, and evolution of skull morphological diversity among Mesozoic birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study provided a preliminary investigation on the kinetic and fragmentation characteristics of the Xuzha rock avalanche, a ridge-top rock avalanche located in the southeast of the Tibetan Plateau, China. Field investigation revealed that the Xuzha rock avalanche originated from a steep slope and caused the tributary of the Jinsha River dammed, showing an extreme high mobility. The vertical profile of avalanche debris showed that it experienced intensive fragmentation during transport. To back-analyze its kinetic and fragmentation processes, the discrete element modeling was conducted. Simulation results suggested that the Xuzha rock avalanche lasted about 80 s and had a maximum velocity of ~ 73 m/s, about 1.5 times the highest average velocity (48 m/s). The travel distance and the thickness of the deposits matched well with the field observations. Notable features including the preservation of the original positional order and the inverse vertical grading of avalanche debris obtained from the simulation were consistent with the field observations. The statistical results of fragments showed that the fragment size distributions could be described by Weibull distribution. In general, with the landslide propagation, the size of fragments gradually decreased and the fragment size distribution became narrower. Further, dynamic fragmentation continuously occurred with the landslide propagation, generating an abundance of fine-grain particles which behaved as interstitial granular fluids between coarse particles. Finally, we inferred that dynamic rock fragmentation and fine particle fluidization were the reasonable explanations for the high mobility of the Xuzha rock avalanche. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation and dynamic process analysis of the rockslide avalanche in mountainous areas are one of the consequences of the catastrophic accident. Such loose accumulation in upslope may saturate partially or completely when the stability of their accumulation dam is distributed or affected by rainfall. We present a case study with respect to the southern Wuyi Mountain located in eastern China, where the wet and rainy climate has led to dozens of similar rockslide hazards. The purpose of this paper was to analyse the mechanism and dynamic characteristics of the rockslide influenced by the same geological conditions and to predict the outburst susceptibility of similar landslides in the future. Detail field surveys, 3D laser scanning, and high-density electrical methods were used to collect the geotechnical information of the complex landslide, to identify the discontinuity between the landslide material and the bedrock, and to investigate the deformation characterization and dynamic process of the rockslide. Based on remote sensing interpretation and field investigation of the deformation process of a landslide in different times and different parts, the background, mechanism, and cause of the landslide were demonstrated. The landslide is controlled by the characteristics of the geological structure, including collapse, circular sliding, plane sliding, and debris flow. In addition, there are rock avalanches on the rear edge of the slope subjected to the combined action of rainfall and gravity. Moreover, there are some resistance anomaly areas of the aquifer and soil between 2 and 50 m where the resistivity is less than 120 ohm-m, and they were deduced to be full of water, confirming a "bathtub" type structure. The mechanism of the catastrophic landslide was a combination of the upper pushing deformation induced by rainfall line uplift and rotational; due to the ancient landslide reactivation in the transposition area, the velocity of the rockslide reached 40.11 m/s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the problems existed of sugarcane harvester in China, the paper analyzes the types and characteristics of the existing sugarcane collection mechanism. A new type of three degree of freedom sugarcane harvester hybrid drive collection mechanism was designed in three dimensions. The geometric model of the new configuration related components and the overall assembly was established. And imported into the ADAMS simulation software. After the simulation, the working point and the force curve of the component node were output and analyzed. In order to obtain the motion law of the new three-degree-of-freedom stacking mechanism, verify the correctness of the theoretical model, and provide reference for the in-depth research and prototype trial production of the stacking mechanism in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The North Liuleng Shan Fault (NLSF) is one of the major active faults in the northern Shanxi Graben System (SGS) in North China. Although the fault has been investigated extensively in terms of late Quaternary activity, its active deformation pattern is still poorly characterized. In this study, we conducted a morphometric analysis of the fault using various geomorphic indices to assess the along-strike relative uplift rates, which include basin relief, slope, mountain front sinuosity (S mf), hypsometric integral (HI) and curves, valley floor width-to-height ratio (V f), asymmetry factor (A f), basin elongation ratio (R e), and normalized channel steepness indices (k sn). Our findings indicate that the central portion of the fault has experienced higher relative uplift rates than the southwestern and northeastern portions, as demonstrated by higher basin-averaged slopes and k sn values, and lower V f , R e , and S mf values. This spatial distribution pattern of relative uplift rates appears to correlate well with along-strike changes in the fault geometry and kinematics of the NLSF. We interpret the EW-striking, central portion of the NLSF as a releasing bend formed by the NE-striking, right-stepping, en-echelon southwestern and northeastern portions of the fault system, which are characterized by right-lateral oblique slip. Furthermore, the northeastward increase in HI values along with the regional basin evolution history suggest that the NLSF likely propagated from southwest to northeast. We propose that the southwestern portion of the fault most probably initiated earlier and that the central and northeastern portions formed later as extensional structures at the termini of the fault zone. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the tectonics and genesis of the basin-and-range geomorphology in the northern SGS. • The relative uplift rate is highest in the central portion of the North Liuleng Shan Fault. • Oblique-slip releasing bend model explains the deformation along the North Liuleng Shan Fault. • The North Liuleng Shan Fault propagated gradually from southwest to northeast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Permafrost distributed in northeast China is the only high-altitude permafrost in China. The deformation monitoring over this permafrost region is of great importance to local climate change and ecological environments. This study focuses on the deformation monitoring of high-latitude permafrost in northeast China with time series InSAR technique. The spatial distribution characteristics, the annual deformation rates and the temporal deformation evolutions of permafrost could be retrieved from multi-temporal InSAR processing with Sentinel-1 TOPS datasets. This work concludes that time series InSAR technique could help to retrieve a comprehensive and reliable permafrost deformation, while a long time-series of displacements facilitated to better understand permafrost kinematics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tan–Lu Fault Zone (TLFZ) is the largest continental‐scale strike‐slip fault zone in East China. It experienced a complex Meso‐Cenozoic deformation and controlled the development and evolution of the Bohai Bay Basin (BBB). Though its Mesozoic sinistral and Cenozoic dextral motions have been well documented, its strike‐slip transition history and mechanism from sinistral to dextral motions in the Early Paleogene remain poorly understood. To investigate these issues, we made a thorough analysis on the fault geometry and kinematics as well as the response of depocentre in the Early Paleogene of the sags adjacent to the TLFZ across the southeast BBB. The results show that the WNW‐/NW‐, E‐W‐, and ENE‐/NE‐trending extensional faults developed in the Early Paleogene of those sags share almost the same geometrical and kinematic features. Such features indicate that the TLFZ is sinistral in Ek3‐Ek2 depositional stage, extension dominated in Ek1 depositional stage, and dextral in Es4L depositional stage. Such strike‐slip transition of the TLFZ is a comprehensive effect of the plate events around the Eurasian Plate. The NNW‐directed subduction of the Pacific to the Eurasian plates triggers the sinistral motion of the TLFZ during 65–55 Ma, but this sinistral motion is terminated by the far‐field effect of the NNE‐directed India–Eurasia collision initiating at 55 Ma. Then, the kinematic adjustment of the Pacific Plate from NNW to WNW breaks the stress balance exerted on the TLFZ by the subduction of the Pacific to Eurasian plates and the India–Eurasia collision and makes it turn into dextral motion gradually during 48–42 Ma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the increasing number of patients with knee osteoarthritis undergoing TKAs in China, there is a clear need for a valid, short, joint-specific patient-reported outcome measure such as the Oxford Knee Score (OKS).Questions/purposes: To test the translated and cross-culturally adapted Chinese (Mandarin) version of the Oxford Knee Score (OKS-CV) and its (1) reliability, (2) construct validity, (3) dimensionality, and (4) responsiveness.Methods: Three native Chinese bilingual translators (a professional English translator, an experienced orthopaedic surgeon, an advanced-practice nursing specialist) translated the English-language OKS into Mandarin Chinese. A consensus panel created a synthesis of those efforts, which then was back-translated by two bilingual nonmedical, professional English-language translators. The OKS-CV was developed according to the guidelines of copyright holders. Between March 2013 and March 2015, 253 patients underwent TKAs. Among them, 114 Mandarin-speaking patients with knee osteoarthritis underwent primary unilateral TKA (age, 67 ± 7 years; range, 55-84 years; female, 80%; preoperatively 54% had moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis), completed the preoperative questionnaires, and were followed up, with a mean postoperative followup of 2.7 years (SD, 0.5 years). Eligibility criteria were (1) patients with knee osteoarthritis who were scheduled to have a primary unilateral TKA, (2) patients who were fluent in Mandarin, and (3) consent to participate. The exclusion criteria were: (1) lack of understanding of Mandarin, and (2) inability to comprehend the questionnaires owing to cognitive impairment. To evaluate test-retest reliability, another group of 35 Mandarin-speaking outpatients with knee osteoarthritis (age, 61 ± 10 years; range, 44-84 years; female, 77%) was recruited to complete the OKS-CV twice at a 1-week interval. Reliability was tested using Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Construct validity was evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient to quantify the correlations between the OKS-CV and the WOMAC, Short Form-8 Health Survey (SF-8TM), and EuroQol Group 5-Dimension Self-Report Questionnaire (EQ-5D). Exploratory factor analysis was performed to clarify dimensionality. The eigenvalue indicates the importance of each factor obtained from factor analysis. Responsiveness was determined by standardized response mean (SRM) and effect size (ES) from preoperative and postoperative scores of the OKS-CV. Floor and ceiling effects also were analyzed.Results: The internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.89) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.93; 95% CI, 0.87-0.97) proved good. Convergent construct validity was supported by moderate to strong correlations between the OKS-CV and the WOMAC (r = -0.80, p < 0.001), the SF-8TM physical component summary (r = 0.65, p < 0.001), and the EQ-5D usual activities (r = -0.41, p < 0.001) and mobility (r = -0.35, p < 0.001). There also were correlations between the OKS-CV and the SF-8TM mental component summary (r = 0.58, p < 0.001) and the EQ-5D anxiety/depression (r = -0.35, p < 0.001). The factor analysis yielded three factors with eigenvalues greater than 1. Responsiveness was excellent (SRM = 1.52; ES = 1.52). No floor or ceiling effect was observed.Conclusions: The OKS-CV showed good acceptability and psychometric properties for the intended population. Future studies are needed to evaluate the mental state of patients with knee osteoarthritis.Clinical Relevance: The OKS-CV appears to be a reliable, valid, and responsive instrument for Chinese patients with knee osteoarthritis. Based on these results we believe the OKS-CV can be used as a valuable tool for the assessment of patient-reported outcomes in Chinese patients with knee osteoarthritis before and after TKA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Conventional moxibustion is a representative non-drug intervention in traditional Chinese medicine, and it has been reported to produce encouraging results and benefits in relieving symptoms and improving the quality of life for patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in previous clinical trials and systematic reviews. Given that increasing concerns on the safety of generated smoke from conventional moxibustion have received much attention, smoke-free moxibustion is regarded as a potential alternative. However, whether smoke-free moxibustion would display a similar efficacy to that of conventional moxibustion still remains unclear. Therefore, this randomized controlled trial attempts to investigate the difference of efficacy between conventional moxibustion and smoke-free moxibustion in patients with KOA.Methods/design: This is a multicenter, randomized, single-blinded, parallel-group clinical trial. A total of 138 eligible participants with KOA will be randomly allocated to two groups (conventional moxibustion group and smoke-free moxibustion group) in seven hospitals in China. Participants will receive 12 sessions of moxibustion treatment at three acupoints (EX-LE4, ST35, and ST36) over a period of 4 weeks (3 sessions per week). A smoke-removing device is placed at the top of the moxibustion device for the smoke-free moxibustion group (n = 69), while the conventional moxibustion group (n = 69) is treated with traditional moxibustion. The primary outcome measure will be the change of the global scale of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) from the baseline to 4 weeks. Secondary outcomes include the visual analog scale VASand Patient Global Assessment scores. Follow-up measurements will be performed on the 8th and 12th weeks after random allocation.Discussion: This study will contribute to providing a solid foundation for the selection of moxibustion in clinical application as well as future research in moxibustion therapy.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02772055 . Registered on 12 May 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landslides are major threats to the construction and operation of electric towers of the Sichuan–Tibet Grid Interconnection Project (STGIP). The long, narrow project corridor is vulnerable to different types of landslides, making risk management a difficult task. In this study, a kinematic-based, landslide risk management framework that includes hazard analysis, risk estimation, risk evaluation, and risk control is proposed and implemented. The spatial density of historical landslides and the spatial distribution of landslide kinematics are used to analyze landslide hazard. Kinetic energy derived from the landslide physical process model is employed to analyze the vulnerability of the towers in the risk estimation step. Then, the landslide hazard and tower vulnerability are used to comprehensively evaluate the landslide risk level of the electric towers. Electric towers with high risk are mainly situated in areas near rivers and faults, with fragile steep slopes. Fragmented rock masses and a thick regolith cover provide abundant materials for landslides, and steep slopes supply the initial conditions and energy that make them a risk. Risk-control strategies are provided based on site-specific risk. The safe construction and operation of the STGIP in the past 10 years show the effectiveness and reliability of the proposed framework. We suggest that the workflow and guidelines for landslide risk management used in this study can be adopted for large engineering projects in complex environments. • Landslide risk management in the STGIP is challenged by complex conditions. • A kinematic-based landslide risk management framework for the STGIP is proposed. • This framework has supported the safe construction and operation of the STGIP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. This study was designed to evaluate the function of the foot undergoing the procedure of percutaneous Achilles tenotomy (PAT) in case of clubfoot management in terms of gait analysis. Methods. Nineteen patients with unilateral clubfeet were retrospectively reviewed from our database from July 2012 to June 2016. The result in all the cases was rated as excellent according to the scale of International Clubfoot Study Group (ICSG). The affected sides were taken as Group CF and the contralateral sides as Group CL. Three-dimensional gait analysis was applied for the functional evaluation of the involved foot. Results. Statistical difference was found in physical parameters of passive ankle dorsiflexion and plantar-flexion. No statistical difference was found in temporal-spatial parameters. There was statistical difference in kinematic parameters of total ankle rotation, ankle range of motion, and internal foot progression angle and in kinetic parameters of peak ankle power. No statistical difference was found in other kinematic and kinetic parameters. Conclusions. It is demonstrated that the procedure of PAT is safe and efficient for correcting the equinus deformity in case of clubfoot management and preserving the main function of Achilles tendon at the minimum of four-year follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Poststroke cavovarus foot greatly affects patients' activities of daily life and raises the risks of falls and consequent fractures. Acupuncture appears to be safe and effective in promoting motor functions and enhancing the activities of daily life among patients with poststroke cavovarus foot. The current study aims to study the biomechanical effect of acupuncture for poststroke cavovarus foot with objective outcome measurements. Methods/design: This is an assessor and analyst-blinded, randomized, controlled pilot study. A total of 60 eligible patients with poststroke cavovarus foot will be allocated by a 1:1 ratio into an acupuncture treatment group and a control group. Patients in the control group will receive conventional rehabilitation therapies, whereas a combination of acupuncture and conventional rehabilitation therapies will be applied in the acupuncture group. The primary outcome measures are three objective biomechanical parameters from the RSSCAN gait system: varus angle, dynamic plantar pressure distribution, and static plantar contact area. Scores of the Berg Balance Scale, the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, and the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale, as well as other biomechanical parameters such as the step length and width, step time phase, and weight shifting phase will be selected as secondary outcome measurements. All assessments will be conducted at baseline, 4 weeks after the treatment course, and after a follow-up period of 3 months. Discussion: Results of the current study will provide detailed interpretations of the biomechanical effect of acupuncture for stroke rehabilitation and foundations for future larger clinical studies. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-IPC-15006889 (8 August 2015). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a promising assistive technology for stroke rehabilitation. Here we present the design and development of a multimuscle stimulation system as an emerging therapy for people with paretic stroke. A network-based multichannel NMES system was integrated based on dual bus architecture of communication and an H-bridge current regulator with a power booster. The structure of the system was a body area network embedded with multiple stimulators and a communication protocol of controlled area network to transmit muscle stimulation parameter information to individual stimulators. A graphical user interface was designed to allow clinicians to specify temporal patterns and muscle stimulation parameters. We completed and tested a prototype of the hardware and communication software modules of the multichannel NMES system. The prototype system was first verified in nondisabled subjects for safety, and then tested in subjects with stroke for feasibility with assisting mul-tijoint movements. Results showed that synergistic stimulation of multiple muscles in subjects with stroke improved performance of multijoint movements with more natural velocity profiles at elbow and shoulder and reduced acromion excursion due to compensatory trunk rotation. The network-based NMES system may provide an innovative solution that allows more physiological activation of multiple muscles in multijoint task training for patients with stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On June 24, 2017, a catastrophic rock avalanche with a volume of 5.08 × 106 m occurred in Xinmo village, Maoxian County, Sichuan Province, SW China. Several studies focusing on the triggering factors, failure mechanism and dynamic process of the Xinmo landslide have been reported in the literature. However, there are few studies with detailed three-dimensional investigations based on numerical modeling that assess the post-failure stage of the landslide. In the present study, the three-dimensional material point method is used to reproduce the kinematics of the landslide to obtain better insight into the disaster by considering the effects of fragmentation and entrainment. Based on this framework, a velocity-weakening friction law is implemented to describe the basal friction between the moving mass and the substrate, and a strain–softening Drucker–Prager constitutive model is used to describe the internal deformation of the moving mass. The entrainment processes obtained with and without the proposed model are compared, and the simulated results generated with the presented models showing the distribution characteristics of the materials in the deposit area match the observed results fairly well. The implementation of a velocity-weakening friction law and a strain-softening Drucker–Prager constitutive model in the material point method may provide valuable insight for the enforcement of physically based risk assessments of "rockslide-debris avalanches". • The 3D material point method modeling of the Xinmo landslide overcomes some limitations of other numerical methods. • The model accurately reflected the effects of fragmentation and entrainment. • Kinematic energy curves were developed to examine the post-failure behavior of the Xinmo landslide. • Topography played a crucial role in kinetic energy growth and dissipation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purely empirical and numerical methods are widely used in landslide movement prediction because they can forecast the failure time and consider influence factors, respectively. However, the combination of these two methods for prediction is rare. This paper develops an integrated landslide movement prediction model that can fully consider landslide kinematics and external influence factors using the Verhulst inverse function (VIF) and the random forest (RF) algorithm. The VIF is applied to describe the kinematic behavior of landslides using the rationale of three-stage creep deformation. The RF algorithm is to quantify the response of landslide displacement to the influence of external factors such as reservoir water level and rainfall intensities. The novelty of the VIF-RF model is illustrated by applying to a reservoir landslide, Gapa Landslide, in Southwestern China. The results show that the VIF-RF model shows significant improvement in predicting landslide movement compared with the VIF or RF model. The error analysis confirms that the root mean square error of the VIF-RF decreases by more than 20% compared with the VIF and RF models. In addition, the mean absolute percentage error of the VIF-RF models is less than 5%, a decrease by 2.3% and 10.1% compared to the VIF and RF models, respectively. The feasibility of the VIF-RF model for predicting movement of other reservoir landslides was successfully verified by the Majiagou landslide in the TGRA. The developed VIF-RF model indicates the Gapa landslide deformation is at the primary stage over the monitoring period. The displacement at the G1 and G2 monitoring locations of the Gapa landslide is projected to increase to 2719.8 and 2438.8 mm in January 2021, respectively, and the average rate in the accelerated deformation periods is projected to be 67.8 mm/month. The presented VIF-RF model provides an effective approach for predicting the long-term landslide deformation and identifying its deformation stage. • A novel prediction approach incorporating Verhulst Inverse Function (VIF) and Random Forest (RF) algorithm is proposed. • The VIF-RF model can consider landslide kinematic characteristics and external influence factors. • Predictions can be used to identify the deformation stage of a landslide. • The model overcomes the limitation of machine learning models in predicting future displacements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gaoqing-pingnan fault zone characterized as "S" plane shape is the boundary ofwestern Dongying depression. The western Dongying depression includes twosecondary negative tectonic units: Huagou and Boxing sub-depression. The study areaunderwent several phases of extension in the early Cenozonic, but the extensionaldirection mainly deflects along nearly N-S. According to the changes of the faultstrike, Gaoqing-pingnan fault zone can be divided into three segments: Huagou(E-W), Pingnan (NNE), and Binnan (NEE). By analysis of 3D seismic interpretationresults and geometry model, we find that the attitude and combination type of thethree segments are markedly different although they are influenced by the sameextension stages. On attitude, Huagou and Binnan segments paralleling to earlyCenozoic structural strike of Dongying depression are characterized by slowerdip angles, but the Pingnan segment which parallels to strike of Tanlu fault zoneis characterized by steeper dip angles. On combination types of faults, Huagouand Binnan segments mainly develop extensional types; Binnan segment not onlydevelop extensional types like formers, but also develop strike-slip types such as halfa flower and horsetail faults in vertical profile, feathery and en echelon faults inplane. In order to explain the structural differences, further study on kinematics wasdone with seismic coherence cube and Strata thickness data of wells. The timeslices of coherence cube and seismic sections indicate that nearshore fans whichdevelop in hanging wall of Pingnan segment in the Es4-Es1 migrate along the NWdirection. What is more important, Strata isopachous map reveals the same kinematicsregularity that the depocenter of Boxing sub-depression also migrate along the NNEdirection in Es4 -Es1. In contrast, both of migratory direction of fans and depocenter inHuagou sub-depression are perpendicular to the strike of Huagou segment during Es4-Es1. In conclusion, the structural evolution of Pingnan segment is controlled bythe oblique extension, but the Huagou and Binnan segments are controlled by theperpendicular extension in the early Cenozonic. This study offers a case study onunderstanding the evolution of a segmented normal fault zone in rift basin of eastern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the most common chronic diseases in the elderly and is the primary cause of the loss of motor function and disability in this population. Exercise therapy is a core, basic and matureand treatment method of treating patients with KOA. Exercise therapy is "strongly recommended" or "recommended" in the diagnosis and treatment guidelines of osteoarthritis in many countries, and most scholars advocate exercise therapy as the preferred rehabilitation method for KOA patients. However, poor long-term adherence is a serious problem affecting the therapeutic effect of this mature treatment. The objective of this study was to construct a concise and practical adherence rating scale (ARS) based on the exercise therapy adherence prediction model in patients with knee osteoarthritis.Methods: A binary logistic regression model was established, with the adherence of 218 cases of KOA patients as the dependent variable. The patients' general information, exercise habits, knowledge, attitude, and exercise therapy were independent variables. The regression coefficients were assigned to various variables in the model, and the ARS was constructed accordingly. Receiver operating characteristic curves and curve fitting were used to analyse the effect of the ARS in predicting the adherence and to determine the goodness of fit for the adherence. The external validity of the ARS was examined in a randomized controlled trial.Results: The construction of the adherence model and the ARS included the following variables: age (1 point), education level (1 point), degree of social support (2 points), exercise habits (3 points), knowledge of KOA prevention and treatment (2 points), degree of care needed to treat the disease (1 point), familiarity with exercise therapy (4 points) and treatment confidence (3 points). The critical value of the total score of the ARS was 6.50, with a sensitivity of 87.20% and a specificity of 76.34%.Conclusions: A KOA exercise therapy adherence model and a simple and practical ARS were constructed. The ARS has good internal validity and external validity and can be used to evaluate the adherence to exercise therapy in patients with KOA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]