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Objective: Automated driving is becoming a reality, and such technology raises new concerns about human–machine interaction on road. This paper aims to investigate factors influencing trust calibration and evolution over time. Background: Numerous studies showed trust was a determinant in automation use and misuse, particularly in the automated driving context. Method: Sixty-one drivers participated in an experiment aiming to better understand the influence of initial level of trust (Trustful vs. Distrustful) on drivers' behaviors and trust calibration during two sessions of simulated automated driving. The automated driving style was manipulated as positive (smooth) or negative (abrupt) to investigate human–machine early interactions. Trust was assessed over time through questionnaires. Drivers' visual behaviors and take-over performances during an unplanned take-over request were also investigated. Results: Results showed an increase of trust over time, for both Trustful and Distrustful drivers regardless the automated driving style. Trust was also found to fluctuate over time depending on the specific events handled by the automated vehicle. Take-over performances were not influenced by the initial level of trust nor automated driving style. Conclusion: Trust in automated driving increases rapidly when drivers' experience such a system. Initial level of trust seems to be crucial in further trust calibration and modulate the effect of automation performance. Long-term trust evolutions suggest that experience modify drivers' mental model about automated driving systems. Application: In the automated driving context, trust calibration is a decisive question to guide such systems' proper utilization, and road safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: The prognosis of prolonged (28 days to 3 months post‐onset) disorders of consciousness (pDoC) due to anoxic brain injury is uncertain. The present study aimed to evaluate the long‐term outcome of post‐anoxic pDoC and identify the possible predictive value of demographic and clinical information. Method: This is a systematic review and meta‐analysis. The rates of mortality, any improvement in clinical diagnosis, and recovery of full consciousness at least 6 months after severe anoxic brain injury were evaluated. A cross‐sectional approach searched for differences in baseline demographic and clinical characteristics between survivors and non‐survivors, patients improved versus not improved, and patients who recovered full consciousness versus not recovered. Results: Twenty‐seven studies were identified. The pooled rates of mortality, any clinical improvement and recovery of full consciousness were 26%, 26% and 17%, respectively. Younger age, baseline diagnosis of minimally conscious state versus vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome, higher Coma Recovery Scale Revised total score, and earlier admission to intensive rehabilitation units were associated with a significantly higher likelihood of survival and clinical improvement. These same variables, except time of admission to rehabilitation, were also associated with recovery of full consciousness. Conclusions: Patients with anoxic pDoC might improve over time up to full recovery of consciousness and some clinical characteristics can help predict clinical improvement. These new insights could support clinicians and caregivers in the decision‐making on patient management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic activity is a ubiquitous feature of stars with convective outer layers, with implications from stellar evolution to planetary atmospheres. Investigating the mechanisms responsible for the observed stellar activity signals from days to billions of years is important in deepening our understanding of the spatial configurations and temporal patterns of stellar dynamos, including that of the Sun. In this paper, we focus on three problems and their possible solutions. We start with direct field measurements and show how they probe the dependence of magnetic flux and its density on stellar properties and activity indicators. Next, we review the current state-of-the-art in physics-based models of photospheric activity patterns and their variation from rotational to activity-cycle timescales. We then outline the current state of understanding in the long-term evolution of stellar dynamos, first by using chromospheric and coronal activity diagnostics, then with model-based implications on magnetic braking, which is the key mechanism by which stars spin down and become inactive as they age. We conclude by discussing possible directions to improve the modeling and analysis of stellar magnetic fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathogenic bacteria respond to antibiotic pressure with the evolution of resistance but survival can also depend on their ability to tolerate antibiotic treatment, known as tolerance. While a variety of resistance mechanisms and underlying genetics are well characterized in vitro and in vivo, an understanding of the evolution of tolerance, and how it interacts with resistance in situ is lacking. We assayed for tolerance and resistance in isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from chronic cystic fibrosis lung infections spanning up to 40 years of evolution, with 3 clinically relevant antibiotics: meropenem, ciprofloxacin, and tobramycin. We present evidence that tolerance is under positive selection in the lung and that it can act as an evolutionary stepping stone to resistance. However, by examining evolutionary patterns across multiple patients in different clone types, a key result is that the potential for an association between the evolution of resistance and tolerance is not inevitable, and difficult to predict. Lay Summary: Antibiotic resistance in bacteria is a major challenge to our ability to treat infections. Understanding how bacteria become resistant is important, but experiments in the lab are not always representative of what actually happens within patients. Studying isolates collected over time from patients may allow us to infer retrospectively how pathogens evolve. We investigated characteristics of bacteria that make them difficult to treat in a unique collection of bacterial isolates spanning 40 years, from Danish individuals with the genetic disease cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis causes the build-up of mucus in the lungs that make bacterial infections difficult to eradicate, despite intensive treatment with antibiotics. We show that the bacteria can evolve "tolerance" to antibiotics even when they are still genetically susceptible by switching their behavior temporarily to a dormant state. Our results suggest that this can allow the bacteria to subsequently evolve genetic resistance, where they are capable of actively growing despite the presence of drugs. In summary, the picture from "real life infections" is more complex than a straightforward expectation of antibiotic treatment leads to selection for resistance, leads to the persistence of infection. Once again, nature proves to be more complex and unpredictable than controlled lab experiments would lead us to expect. But despite the challenges, more studies like this are needed to understand the strategies bacterial cells adopt, and why some infections are hard to treat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since nuclear energy is crucial in the decarbonization of the energy supply, one hurdle to remove is the handling of high-level radioactive waste (HLW). Disposal of HLW in a deep geological repository has long been deemed a viable permanent option. In the design of a deep geological repository, compacted bentonite is the most commonly proposed buffer material. Predicting the long-term chemical evolution in bentonite, which is important for the safety assessment of a repository, has been challenging because of the complex coupled processes. Models for large-scale tests and predictions based on such models have been some of the best practices for such purposes. An 18-year-long in situ test with two dismantling events provided a unique set of chemical data that allowed for studying chemical changes in bentonite. In this paper, we first developed coupled thermal, hydrological, mechanical, and chemical (THMC) models to interpret the geochemical data collected in the in situ test and then extended the THMC model to 200 years to make long-term prediction of the geochemical evolution of bentonite. The interpretive coupled THMC model shows that the geochemical profiles were strongly affected by THM processes such as evaporation/condensation, porosity change caused by swelling, permeability change, and the shape of concentration profiles for major cations were largely controlled by transport processes, but concentration levels were regulated by chemical reactions, and the profiles of some species such as pH, bicarbonate, and sulfate were dominated by these reactions. The long-term THMC model showed that heating prolongs the time that bentonite becomes fully saturated in the area close to the heater/canister; however, once the bentonite becomes fully saturated, high concentrations of ions in bentonite near the heater, which was observed in the field test, will disappear; illitization continues for 50 years but will not proceed further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human infrastructures, such as dams, seawalls, and ports, can affect both the sedimentary budget and nearshore hydrodynamics, enhancing and accelerating the loss or gain of coastal sediments. Understanding the processes and factors controlling beach morphodynamics is essential for implementing adequate adaptation strategies in coastal areas, particularly in those regions where coastal protection measures are scarce. This study analyzes shoreline changes in the Keta Municipal District, located in southeastern Ghana (West Africa). This area is characterized by the sedimentary input of the Volta River, forming a river delta situated to the west, i.e., updrift, of our study site. Following the construction of two dams (Akosombo and Kpong) on the Volta River in 1965 and 1982, groins and revetments have been built along the coast between 2005 and 2015 to reduce the high rates of coastal erosion in this area. Here, we explore the influence of these dams and the hard protection constructions on beach morphodynamics using historical maps and satellite images complemented by a shoreline survey undertaken with a differential GNSS in 2015. The multi-decadal evolution between 1913 and 2015 reconstructed for 90 km of shoreline suggests that local erosion rates in the region predate the construction of the two dams on the Volta River, indicating that these structures might not be the primary driver of coastal erosion in this area, as previously suggested. We emphasize that delta dynamics under conditions of high-energy longshore drift, modified by anthropogenic drivers such as sand mining, play a key role in the long-term evolution of this coast. Our results also show that the infrastructures built to halt coastal erosion result in localized erosion and accretion down-current along the coastline towards the border with Togo, highlighting the need for a transnational perspective in addressing the problems caused by coastal erosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the long-term evolution of LR-2, LR-3 and LR-4 observations in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhosis based on LI-RADS v2018 and identify predictors of progression to a malignant category on serial gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (Gd-EOB-MRI). Methods: This retrospective study included 179 cirrhosis patients with untreated indeterminate observations who underwent Gd-EOB-MRI exams at baseline and during the follow-up period between June 2016 and December 2021. Two radiologists independently assessed the major features, ancillary features, and LI-RADS category of each observation at baseline and follow-up. In cases of disagreement, a third radiologist was consulted for consensus. Cumulative incidences for progression to a malignant category (LR-5 or LR-M) and to LR-4 or higher were analyzed for each index category using Kaplan‒Meier methods and compared using log-rank tests. The risk factors for malignant progression were evaluated using a Cox proportional hazard model. Results: A total of 213 observations, including 74 (34.7%) LR-2, 95 (44.6%) LR-3, and 44 (20.7%) LR-4, were evaluated. The overall cumulative incidence of progression to a malignant category was significantly higher for LR-4 observations than for LR-3 or LR-2 observations (each P < 0.001), and significantly higher for LR-3 observations than for LR-2 observations (P < 0.001); at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups, the cumulative incidence of progression to a malignant category was 11.4%, 29.5%, and 39.3% for LR-4 observations, 0.0%, 8.5%, and 19.6% for LR-3 observations, and 0.0%, 0.0%, and 0.0% for LR-2 observations, respectively. The cumulative incidence of progression to LR-4 or higher was higher for LR-3 observations than for LR-2 observations (P < 0.001); at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups, the cumulative incidence of progression to LR-4 or higher was 0.0%, 8.5%, and 24.6% for LR-3 observations, and 0.0%, 0.0%, and 0.0% for LR-2 observations, respectively. In multivariable analysis, nonrim arterial phase hyperenhancement (APHE) [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.13, 95% CI 1.04–4.36; P = 0.038], threshold growth (HR = 6.50, 95% CI 2.88–14.65; P <0.001), and HBP hypointensity (HR = 16.83, 95% CI 3.97–71.34; P <0.001) were significant independent predictors of malignant progression. Conclusion: The higher LI-RADS v2018 categories had an increasing risk of progression to a malignant category during long-term evolution. Nonrim APHE, threshold growth, and HBP hypointensity were the imaging features that were significantly predictive of malignant progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term flexible optical network (FON) for high-speed utility with Internet of Things (IoT) assistance refers to a kind of network infrastructure that combines the advantages of FON with IoT technology to make it possible to provide high-speed and effective utility services. IoT applications are a feature of the modern era. In this study, we offered the notion that an optical network is employed to create high-speed IoT assistance. There are many other access network types accessible, but FON is used in this case which has greater efficiency and lower cost than Active Optical Network owing to the easy setup of components, making it highly popular in today's society. Here, FON technologies are explained, and several ways of showing how they relate to the IoT are provided. Use case and requirements of IoT as well as viable solutions for high-speed utility and FON with Performance analysis of FON covers various aspects, such as average broadband speed (2022: 88 Mbps), IoT data access rate (LTE: 20 kb/s, WDM: 39 kb/s, VDSL2: 32 kb/s), FON factors (2022: Optical network equipment: 51, Optical line terminal: 64, Security: 76, Network management: 89), FON types with transmission speed (GFON: 32 Mbps, XGFON: 52 Mbps, TWDM-FON: 67 Mbps, SMA: 73 Mbps, HSMA: 92 Mbps), and energy consumption (Reach: 20, Data rate: 18, Power Rate: 10, Cost: 30) are used to increase the high efficiency of FON. If an IoT over FON architecture network of different nodes is employed, power consumption may be reduced while still using all available capabilities. We also go through the latest developments in optical devices, optical switching, and Optical Network (ON) technologies related to high-speed networks. Finally, we wrap up the study by discussing how these technologies have improved network intelligence and allowed deterministic content delivery across FON's high-speed capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is critical to estimate the location using only Long‐Term Evolution (LTE) and Wi‐Fi information gathered by the user's smartphone and deployable for emergency rescue, regardless of whether the Global Positioning System is received. In this research, we used a vehicle to gather LTE and Wi‐Fi wireless signals over a large area for an extended period of time. After that, we used the learning technique to create a positioning database that included both collection and noncollection points. We presented a two‐step positioning algorithm that utilizes coarse localization to discover a rough location in a wide area rapidly and fine localization to estimate a particular location based on the coarse position. We confirmed our technology utilizing different sorts of devices in four regional types that are generally encountered: dense urban, urban, suburban, and rural. Results presented that our algorithm can satisfactorily achieve the target accuracy necessary in emergency rescue circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Debates over the legitimacy of the Canadian Senate have been ongoing since its creation. In a democracy, should an unelected body have and wield the power to amend or defeat legislation emerging from an elected body? Should senators restrict themselves to sober second thought that is akin to administrative compliance officers, or should they be proactively legislating on issues of concerns to Canadians? In this article, the authors suggest that recent reforms to the Senate’s appointment process and the emergence of a significant number of senators without partisan affiliation present an opportunity to demonstrate the upper chamber’s utility to public policy creation. The authors point to Senate public bills (SPBs) as a tool to advance important policy ideas that may not otherwise be top of mind to the government of the day. Although SPBs were in existence and widely used prior to recent Senate reforms, the authors contend the non-partisan origins of many recent and current SPBs mean they may have different benefits, including: actualizing or accelerating the realization of specific government proposals included in electoral platforms or ministerial mandate letters; tackling policy blind spots and emerging issues that the government fails to address; and drawing attention to, and initiating public debate on, novel ideas, long-term legislative evolution, or politically difficult topics to expand the “Overton Window” in Canada. The authors conclude that SPBs offer “excellent policy value” for Canadians and, if not stymied by internal vetting or horse trading politics, could go a long way to moderating public cynicism about partisan politics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forestry's high-quality development is crucial for China's sustainable ecological, economic, and social progress. To elevate the efficiency of carbon sequestration in forestry, continuously improve the increment of carbon sinks, and contribute to achieving carbon neutrality, it is crucial to accurately assess the level of carbon sequestration efficiency in China's forestry and explore its long-term evolution trend. In this paper, a super-efficiency SBM model, which combines the SBM model with the super-efficiency method and considers the relaxation variables, was selected to evaluate the forestry carbon sequestration efficiency of 31 provinces in China; likewise, the temporal development features of the efficacy of Chinese forests in sequestering carbon were examined using the nuclear density estimation method. Secondly, the study constructed traditional and spatial Markov probability transfer matrices to further explore the spatiotemporal evolution of carbon sequestration efficiency within Chinese forestry. Finally, combined with the Markov chain infinite distribution matrix, the future trajectory of carbon sequestration efficiency in China's forestry was scientifically forecasted. The findings indicate that: (1) The average carbon sequestration efficiency of forestry in China showed a stable increase with fluctuations and reached the optimal state in 2018. The carbon sequestration efficiency level of various forest regions was always portrayed as southwest forest region > southern forest region > northeast forest region > northern forest region. From 2003 to 2018, there were significant differences in forestry carbon sequestration efficiency among provinces. The distribution of forestry carbon sequestration efficiency exhibited a "three-pillar" distribution pattern with Xizang, Zhejiang, and Heilongjiang as the core, and the marginal regions continuously promoted the carbon sequestration efficiency to the inland. (2) The type of transfer of forestry carbon sequestration efficiency in China is stable, and it is difficult to achieve cross-stage transfer in the short term. Moreover, the forestry carbon sequestration efficiency of each province tended to converge to a high (low) level over time, showing a "bimodal distribution" of low efficiency and high efficiency, indicating the existence of the obvious "club convergence phenomenon". (3) Forecasting from a long-term evolution trend perspective, the outlook for the future evolution of forestry carbon sequestration efficiency in China is optimistic, and the overall trend was concentrated in the high-value area. Therefore, future forestry development in China should contemplate both internal structure optimization and coordinated regional development. Attention should be placed on forestry carbon sequestration's role while considering the distinctive endowments of each region and developing reasonable, differentiated, and collaborative forestry management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphological changes in an estuarine bay are affected by fluvial and oceanic dynamics, as well as human activities. Human activity has increased considerably in recent years, especially in Lingding Bay of the Pearl River Estuary. Based on mass measured bathymetric data and remote sensing images, morphological changes in Lingding Bay were examined and its long-term morphological evolution from 1964 to 2019 was studied using GIS method and EOF methods. The water area of Lingding Bay gradually decreased through this period due to shore reclamation and the evolutionary characteristics of the underwater topography were different before and after 2007 due to changes in the intensity of human activities. From 1964 to 2007, the water depth and volume of Lingding Bay decreased slightly and the bay experienced a slow silting process with the geomorphic pattern of "three shoals and two troughs" under low-intensity human activity. From 2007 to present, high-intensity sand-dredging activities in the bay have led to considerable deepening and a significant increase in water volume in the East Trough and Middle Shoal areas. The amount of sediment loss caused by the sand-dredging activities after 2007 far exceeded the amount of sediment deposition over the past four decades prior to 2007. Therefore, even if the sand-dredging activities had been banned, the eroded parts of Lingding Bay (i.e., East Trough and Middle Shoal) may not recover in a short time due to the small sediment load from the Pearl River. These recent morphological changes in Lingding Bay may bring about challenges for estuary regulation, disaster control, environmental protection, and the operational safety of the nearby ports and channels. Consequently, the subsequent evolution of the bay requires further research. This will enrich the scientific work for estuarine and coastal research and be conducive to revealing the interaction mechanisms between humans and nature, guiding sustainable development, estuarine disaster control, and promoting interdisciplinary innovation in estuarine research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predicting responses of semi‐arid to montane landscapes in southwestern North America to ongoing anthropogenic changes requires understanding of past interplay among geomorphic, ecologic, and climatic factors. This study utilizes modern weathering and sediment transport processes to inform the interpretation of a 250‐kyr lacustrine sediment record of paleoecology, hydrology, and erosion from a small, closed basin, basaltic catchment on the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau. Geochemical and mineralogical analyses of bedrock, colluvium, and lake sediments indicate that clastic sediments in the basin are a mixture of local physical weathering products (albite and ilmenite) and eolian dust (quartz, illite, and zircon). Dust fractions increase during glacial periods coincident with lower overall sedimentation rates, suggesting this pattern results from decreased local erosion rates and not increased dust deposition. Titanium counts from X‐ray fluorescence core scanning, a proxy for ilmenite content, traces past local erosion rates. The highest erosion rates, inferred from the highest Ti counts, follow climatic transitions toward interglacial conditions (Marine Isotope Stage 5e, 3a, and the Holocene), periods characterized by vegetation changeover (observed in the core's palynology), higher temperatures (piñon‐juniper‐oak pollen abundance), lower effective precipitation (shallow lake facies), and increased wildfire activity (microscopic charcoal particle counts and sizes). While brief inferred episodes of erosion occur following abrupt transitions to cooler and wetter conditions, indicated by the abundance of subalpine tree (spruce and fir) pollen and deeper lake facies, landscapes appear more stable during glacial periods. This long‐term perspective suggests that aridification and resulting vegetation succession and increased wildfires will increase erosion rates in similar settings regionwide. Plain Language Summary: Many humans depend on the dry landscapes of southwestern North America for their livelihood. Identifying potential challenges associated with human‐caused climate change in the decades and centuries to come requires us to examine how these landscapes have responded to past changes in vegetation, precipitation, and forest fires. This study focuses on a lake sediment core from a small watershed on the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau as an archive of the past 250 thousand years, a period spanning multiple significant climate changes. Taken together, indicators of local erosion, climate, fire activity, and plant communities found in lake sediments demonstrate this landscape is shaped by climate change. While transitions toward wetter and cooler conditions can stimulate erosion briefly, the longest lasting increases in erosion occur following transitions toward warmer and drier conditions with greater forest fire activity. Because these types of environmental changes are occurring today due to human‐caused climate change, we expect erosion rates to remain high or increase in similar settings across the region. Key Points: In a semi‐arid landscape, transitions to drier climates cause increases in erosion lasting on the order of 103–104 yearsWildfire activity and pine tree abundance correlate with enhanced erosionAnthropogenic drying trends and increased wildfire in southwestern North America will promote enhanced erosion rates [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wideband omnidirectional antennas are essential components in radio monitoring and communication systems, enabling the reception of signals from all directions over a wide bandwidth. This paper presents a novel wideband omnidirectional antenna design that achieves a 1-dB gain variation across its azimuthal plane within a bandwidth of 1.8 GHz to 7.77 GHz. The antenna's exceptional performance is attributed to two flower-bud-shaped monopoles that, through pattern superposition, generate a wideband omnidirectional radiation pattern. Analysis shows that the use of a circular ground plane also reduces the azimuthal gain variation. Additionally, an embedded matching structure integrated into the antenna's base enhances the impedance bandwidth without compromising its compact size. Analytical investigations demonstrate that the matching structure effectively behaves as a five-order LC circuit, explaining its wideband matching capabilities. Furthermore, structural modifications effectively reduce side lobe levels, ensuring minimal interference. Experimental measurements corroborate the antenna's omnidirectional radiation pattern and confirm that the azimuthal gain variation remains within 1-dB throughout its bandwidth, while maintaining an S11 below −10 dB from 1.8 GHz to 7.7 GHz. The antenna's bandwidth overlaps with the spectrum intensively used in mobile communication technologies, such as LTE, Bluetooth, and IEEE 802.11be, as well as radiolocation applications, making it a promising choice for unmanned aerial vehicles conducting communication and radio monitoring missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constraining the spatial variability of the thickness of the ice shell of Enceladus (i.e., the crust) is central to our understanding of the internal dynamics and evolution of this small Saturnian moon. In this study, we develop a new methodology to infer regional variations in crustal thickness using measurements of tidally‐driven elastic strain that could be made in the future. As proof of concept, we recover thickness variations from synthetic finite‐element crustal models subjected to diurnal eccentricity tides. We demonstrate recovery of crustal thickness to within ∼2 km of true values across the crust with ∼10% error in derived spherical harmonic coefficients at degrees l ≤ 12. Our computed uncertainty is significantly smaller than the inherent ∼10 km ambiguity associated with crustal thickness derived solely from gravity and topography measurements. Therefore, future measurements of elastic strain can provide a robust approach to probe crustal structure at Enceladus. Plain Language Summary: Inferences of the thickness of Enceladus's ice shell—or crust—can provide valuable insights for understanding the processes which control the long‐term evolution and heating of this moon of Saturn. We develop a new method to infer regional variations in crustal thickness at Enceladus using proposed measurements of deformation caused by tidal interactions with Saturn. Using models of Enceladus's ice shell, we demonstrate recovery of crustal thickness with a deviation of ∼2 km (i.e., ∼10%) relative to input values. Our approach to inferring crustal thickness complements traditional methods that rely solely on analyzing gravity and surface topography to constrain the crustal structure of the satellite. Key Points: Determinations of variations in ice shell (i.e., crustal) thickness are crucial for understanding the dynamics and evolution of EnceladusWe develop a new method to infer spatially‐varying crustal thickness using proposed measurements of tidally‐driven elastic strainUsing our method, we demonstrate recovery of crustal thickness to within ∼2 km of true values with ∼10% accuracy over length scales >60 km [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in an organism's environment, genome, or gene expression patterns can lead to changes in its metabolism. The metabolic phenotype can be under selection and contributes to adaptation. However, the networked and convoluted nature of an organism's metabolism makes relating mutations, metabolic changes, and effects on fitness challenging. To overcome this challenge, we use the long-term evolution experiment (LTEE) with E. coli as a model to understand how mutations can eventually affect metabolism and perhaps fitness. We used mass spectrometry to broadly survey the metabolomes of the ancestral strains and all 12 evolved lines. We combined this metabolic data with mutation and expression data to suggest how mutations that alter specific reaction pathways, such as the biosynthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, might increase fitness in the system. Our work provides a better understanding of how mutations might affect fitness through the metabolic changes in the LTEE and thus provides a major step in developing a complete genotype-phenotype map for this experimental system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) are successful cosmological distance indicators and important element factories in the chemical evolution of galaxies. They are generally thought to originate from thermonuclear explosions of carbon–oxygen white dwarfs in close binaries. However, the observed diversity among SNe Ia implies that they have different progenitor models. In this article, we performed the long-term evolution of NS+He star binaries with different initial He star masses (⁠|$M_{\rm He}^{\rm i}$|⁠) and orbital periods (⁠|$P_{\rm orb}^{\rm i}$|⁠) for the first time, in which the He star companions can explode as SNe Ia eventually. Our simulations indicate that after the He stars develop highly degenerate oxygen–neon (ONe) cores with masses near the Chandrasekhar limit, explosive oxygen burning can be triggered due to the convective Urca process. According to these calculations, we obtained an initial parameter space for the production of SNe Ia in the |$\rm log\,$| |$P^{\rm i}_{\rm orb}{\text {--}}M^{\rm i}_{\rm He}$| plane. Meanwhile, we found that isolated mildly recycled pulsars can be formed after He stars explode as SNe Ia in NS+He star binaries, in which the isolated pulsars have minimum spin periods (⁠|$P_{\rm spin}^{\rm min}$|⁠) of ∼30–110 ms and final orbital velocities of |${\sim} \rm 60{\!-\!}360\, km\, s^{-1}$|⁠ , corresponding to initial orbital periods of 0.07–10 d. Our work suggests that the NS+He star channel may contribute to the formation of isolated mildly recycled pulsars with velocity |$\rm {\lesssim} 360\, km\, s^{-1}$| in observations, and such isolated pulsars should locate in the region of pulsars with massive white dwarf companions in the |$P_{\rm spin} {\!-\!}\dot{P}_{\rm spin}$| diagram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In previous works, we computed abundances for the red giant in nearly four dozen S-type symbiotic systems (SySt). The abundances provide information about metallicity, evolutionary status, and possible memberships in Galactic stellar populations. Here, we extend our studies with a northern hemisphere sample of SySt. This northern sample is dominated by Galactic disc/halo objects, whereas our previous southern sample is heavily biased toward the bulge population. Spectrum synthesis of high-resolution (R ∼ 50 000), near- IR spectra using standard LTE analysis and atmospheric models have been used to measure abundances of CNO and elements around the iron peak (Fe, Ti, Ni, and Sc) in the atmospheres of the red giant component. The SySt sample shows generally slightly sub-solar metallicity, as expected for an older disc population, with a median at [Fe/H]  ∼ −0.2 dex. Enhanced 14N, depleted 12C, and decreased 12C/13C, indicate that all these giants have experienced the first dredge-up. Comparison with theoretical predictions indicates that additional mixing processes had to occur to explain the observed C and N abundances. Relative O and Fe abundances agree with those represented by Galactic disc and bulge giant populations in the APOGEE data, with a few cases that can be attributed to membership in the extended thick-disc/halo. As an interesting byproduct of this study, we observed a blue-shifted additional component on the wings of absorption lines in the spectra of AG Peg, which could be connected with accretion on to the hot component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acidic oxygen evolution electrocatalysts based on earth abundant elements are essential for the widespread application of proton-exchange membrane water electrolyzers. Spinel oxides containing cobalt and manganese are promising candidates. Here, the oxygen evolution activity and stability of surfactant-free cobalt and manganese spinel oxides with an average side length of 7 nm are evaluated in 0.1 M HClO4. The oxygen evolution activity follows the trend Co3O4/CP > Co1.27Mn1.27Fe0.46O4/CP > Co2MnO4/CP > Mn3O4/CP, and only Co3O4/CP is stable towards the long-term OER in acid. The origin for increased activity of Co3O4/CP is also investigated, and the results indicate that the Co site is intrinsically more active towards the OER than the Mn site. The lower charge transfer resistance, lower apparent activation energy and close to optimum hydroxyl group adsorption energy corroborate the higher intrinsic OER activity of Co3O4/CP. For Co1.27Mn1.27Fe0.46O4 and Co2MnO4, electron interaction that alters the acidity of the metal center exists. The OER mechanism involves a decoupled proton–electron transfer process, as indicated by the non-zero reaction order of [H+] in the reversible hydrogen scale. Severe leaching of metal-containing species is detected during the long-term oxygen evolution reaction in acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existence of a thin, weak asthenospheric layer beneath Earth's lithospheric plates is consistent with existing geological and geophysical constraints, including Pleistocene glacio-isostatic adjustment, modeling of gravity anomalies, studies of seismic anisotropy, and post-seismic rebound. Mantle convection models suggest that a pronounced weak zone beneath the upper thermal boundary layer (lithosphere) may be essential to the plate tectonic style of convection found on Earth. The asthenosphere is likely related to partial melting and the presence of water in the sub-lithospheric mantle, further implying that the long-term evolution of the Earth may be controlled by thermal regulation and volatile recycling that maintain a geotherm that approaches the wet mantle solidus at asthenospheric depths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents an overview of fifth-generation (5G) technology, its key functionalities, and its applications. Then, we introduce the topic of 5G radio network planning, making analysis and design methods for coverage and capacity determinations, considering 3GPP standards. With these results, we apply the standards and procedures for a business/dense urban area in Quito city, considering the relevant parameters for calculations and simulations using the Atoll tool. Specifically, we consider the following: the key propagation models Macro/Micro, bandwidths, use cases, data rates, frequency bands (3.5/28 GHz), and modulation orders, etc. Finally, we discuss the proposed network planning and provide some useful insights regarding the 5G mobile network in Quito. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an overview of the findings in the handover (HO) process performance within three routes in Quito, Ecuador. We used the Net-Monitor Software to gather information from one of the three national mobile operators. Then, we used the R tool to analyze the HO performance. We analyze several performance metrics, such as HO types, HO conditions, and the ping-pong process. Analysis of the results of the outdoor drive tests demonstrate that the radio frequency (RF) parameters, such as Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), power margin, times radio frequency measurements repeats, and HO percentage to nearest BS, are extremely important during different HO types and ping-pong processes because there are statistical differences in these measured RF parameters. The main measurement results demonstrate that RSSI difference between inter HO and intra HO is 20 dB, whereas HOs are performed when the mobile device (MS) gets farther from the base station (BS), approximately 50% of total HOs. Operator achieves a high ping-pong rate of approximately 10% of total HOs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The usage scenarios defined in the ITU-M2150-1 recommendation for IMT-2020 systems, including enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra-reliable Low-latency Communication (URLLC), and massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC), allow the possibility of accessing different services through the set of Radio Interface Technologies (RITs), Long-term Evolution (LTE), and New Radio (NR), which are components of RIT. The potential of the low and medium frequency bands allocated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the fifth generation of mobile communications (5G) is described. In addition, in the Internet of Things (IoT) applications that will be covered by the case of use of the mMTC are framed. In this sense, a propagation channel measurement campaign was carried out at 850 MHz and 5.9 GHz in a covered corridor environment, located in an open space within the facilities of the Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia campus. The measurements were carried out in the time domain using a channel sounder based on a Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP) to obtain the received signal power levels over a range of separation distances between the transmitter and receiver from 2.00 m to 67.5 m. Then, a link budget was proposed to describe the path loss behavior as a function of these distances to obtain the parameters for the close-in free space reference distance (CI) and the floating intercept (FI) path loss prediction models. These parameters were estimated from the measurements made using the Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) approach. The estimated path loss exponent (PLE) values for both the CI and FI path loss models at 850 MHz and 3.5 GHz are in the range of 2.21 to 2.41, respectively. This shows that the multipath effect causes a lack of constructive interference to the received power signal for this type of outdoor corridor scenario. These results can be used in simulation tools to evaluate the path loss behavior and optimize the deployment of device and sensor network infrastructure to enable 5G-IoT connectivity in smart university campus scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regional variability in the spatial distribution of resident population and across-country density divides have consolidated heterogeneous demographic patterns at the base of modern urban systems in Europe. Although economic, historical, institutional, and cultural factors have demonstrated to affect the spatial distribution of resident population, density-dependence and path-dependence are mechanisms persistently shaping demographic dynamics at both local and regional scale. Analysis of density-dependent patterns of population growth (and decline) over sufficiently long time intervals allows a refined comprehension of socioeconomic processes underlying demographic divides. Despite a long settlement history, empirical investigation of the role of density-dependence in the long-term evolution of human populations along urban–rural gradients is relatively scarce especially in Mediterranean countries. The present study performs a comparative analysis of population distribution in 1033 Greek municipalities identifying (and testing the significance of) density-dependent and path-dependent mechanisms of population growth between 1961 and 2011, using spatially implicit and explicit econometric approaches. Results highlight a positive impact of density on population growth where settlements are concentrated. Assuming goodness of fit of the tested models as a proxy of density-dependence, the empirical findings clarify how density-dependent mechanisms were not significant all over the study period, being instead associated with specific phases of the city life cycle—basically urbanization with population concentrating in central locations. Density-dependence was less intense with suburbanization and counter-urbanization—when population sprawled over larger areas at medium–low density. An improved understanding of density-dependent and path-dependent mechanisms of population growth contributes to rethink spatial planning, regional development strategies, and socio-demographic policies adapting to heterogeneous (and rapidly changing) local contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assumption of nighttime ozone chemical equilibrium (NOCE) is widely employed for retrieving the O x -HO x components in the mesopause from rocket and satellite measurements. In this work, the recently developed analytical criterion of determining the NOCE boundary is used (i) to study the connection of this boundary with O and H spatiotemporal variability based on 3D modeling of chemical transport and (ii) to retrieve and analyze the spatiotemporal evolution of the NOCE boundary in 2002–2021 from the SABER/TIMED dataset. It was revealed, first, that the NOCE boundary reproduces well the transition zone dividing deep and weak photochemical oscillations of O and H caused by the diurnal variations of solar radiation. Second, the NOCE boundary is sensitive to sporadic abrupt changes in the middle-atmosphere dynamics, in particular due to powerful sudden stratospheric warmings leading to the events of an elevated (up to ∼ 80 km) stratopause, which took place in January–March 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2018, and 2019. Third, the space–time evolution of this characteristic expressed via pressure altitude contains a clear signal of an 11-year solar cycle in the 55 ∘ S–55 ∘ N range. In particular, the mean annual NOCE boundary averaged in this range of latitudes anticorrelates well with the F10.7 index with the coefficient of -0.95. Moreover, it shows a weak linear trend of 56.2±42.2 m per decade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play dual roles in plant stress response, but how plants modulate the dual roles of ROS in stress response is still obscure. OsJAB1 (JUN-activation-domain-binding protein 1) encodes the rice CSN5 (COP9 signalsome subunit 5). This study showed that, similar to the Arabidopsis homolog gene CSN5B, OsJAB1-overexpressing (driven by a CaMV 35S promoter) plants (OEs) impaired rice salt stress tolerance; in contrast, OsJAB1-inhibited-expression (using RNA-interfering technology) plants (RIs) enhanced rice salt stress tolerance. Differing from CSN5B that negatively regulated ascorbate (Asc) biosynthesis, Asc content increased in OEs and decreased in RIs. ROS analysis showed that RIs clearly increased, but OEs inhibited ROS accumulation at the early stage of salt treatment; in contrast, RIs clearly decreased, but OEs promoted ROS accumulation at the late stage of salt treatment. The qPCR revealed that OEs decreased but RIs enhanced the expressions of ROS-scavenging genes. This indicated that OsJAB1 negatively regulated rice salt stress tolerance by suppressing the expression of ROS-scavenging genes. This study provided new insights into the CSN5 homologous protein named OsJAB1 in rice, which developed different functions during long-term evolution. How OsJAB1 regulates the Asc biosynthesis that coordinates the balance between cell redox signaling and ROS scavenging needs to be investigated in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to develop a laboratory model that enables the monitoring of communications carried out through mobile phones and their blocking in cases where it is prohibited. The main goal was to realise an intelligent jammer that blocks only illicit communications. The jammer was built with a software-defined radio (SDR) that can be found on the market and is accessible from a financial point of view. This study consisted of an analysis of the behaviour of mobile phones and mobile networks using the long-term evolution (LTE) of UMTS technologies so that the jamming technique can disrupt the communication of the cellular mobile system by using the software-defined radio and Python ecosystem. Because the 5G standalone (5G SA) is not yet implemented in Romania, we could not start developing a laboratory model for jamming this technology. When 5G SA is implemented, we will adapt this intelligent jamming solution to the new technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the evolution of precipitation over Asian continent in the Holocene and the associated mechanisms, we used a set of simulations of the transient climate evolution over the past 21,000 years (TraCE‐21ka), multimodel results from the Paleoclimate Modeling Intercomparison Project Phase 4 (PMIP4), and proxy records in Asia. The TraCE‐21ka results showed a tripole pattern in suborbital‐scale precipitation trends over the Asian continent during the Holocene, with a trend of increase over southern parts of the monsoon regions and arid Central Asia (ACA), and a trend of decline over northern parts of the monsoon regions and their areas of transition with ACA. This tripole pattern was corroborated by proxy records from multiple regions and multimodel results from the PMIP4. Further analysis based on single‐forcing simulations of TraCE‐21ka indicated that influences from different external forcings were different on the Asian precipitation in the main rainy seasons in the Holocene and that their combined effects shaped the tripole pattern. In summer, orbital forcing, by reducing solar radiation in mid‐to‐high latitudes and weakening the land‐sea thermal contrast, has been the dominant factor in the long‐term evolution of precipitation in the monsoon region and West Asia. In winter and spring, changes in meltwater flux played dominant roles in intensifying local water cycle and horizontal moisture advection, which drove the trend of increase in precipitation in ACA. Additionally, changes in greenhouse gas concentration and continental ice sheet forcings both also contribute to the increase in precipitation in ACA. Plain Language Summary: The change in precipitation in Asia plays an important role in shaping the pattern of the natural environment and affecting the development of human civilization. However, our understanding of the precipitation evolution in some regions of Asia in the Holocene remains of controversy, and the factors that govern the long‐term changes in Asian precipitation are not fully understood. Simulations and proxy data used in this study revealed a tripole pattern in the trend of precipitation in Asia during the Holocene. The pattern features a trend of increase in precipitation over southern parts of the monsoon regions and arid Central Asia (ACA), and a trend of decline in precipitation over northern parts of the monsoon regions and their areas of transition with ACA. Further analyses showed that solar insolation changes induced by the Earth's orbital movements have dominated the long‐term evolution of precipitation in the Asian monsoon region, and that the increasing greenhouse gas concentration, the changes in topography and extent of the retreating continental ice sheet over the Northwestern Europe and North America, and especially the decreasing amount of freshwater into oceans due to the retreating ice sheets have contributed to the increase in precipitation in ACA. Key Points: Both simulations and proxy records reveal a tripole pattern in suborbital‐scale precipitation trends over Asia during the HoloceneTripole pattern in precipitation trend reflects the combined effects of various external forcings during the HoloceneOrbital forcing dominates precipitation trend in the monsoon region, while meltwater flux dominates precipitation trend in the arid region [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A eukaryotic cell is a microscopic world within which efficient material transport is essential. Yet, how a cell manages to deliver cellular cargos efficiently in a crowded environment remains poorly understood. Here, we used interferometric scattering microscopy to track unlabeled cargos in directional motion in a massively parallel fashion. Our label-free, cargo-tracing method revealed not only the dynamics of cargo transportation but also the fine architecture of the actively used cytoskeletal highways and the long-term evolution of the associated traffic at sub-diffraction resolution. Cargos frequently run into a blocked road or experience a traffic jam. Still, they have effective strategies to circumvent those problems: opting for an alternative mode of transport and moving together in tandem or migrating collectively. All taken together, a cell is an incredibly complex and busy space where the principle and practice of transportation intriguingly parallel those of our macroscopic world. Leveraging a label-free interferometric scattering microscope, scientists tracked numerous cargos within a crowded cellular environment. Intriguingly, cells employ effective strategies echoing human transportation systems to manage such transportation hurdles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controlling large-scale dynamical networks is crucial to understand and, ultimately, craft the evolution of complex behavior. While broadly speaking we understand how to control Markov dynamical networks, where the current state is only a function of its previous state, we lack a general understanding of how to control dynamical networks whose current state depends on states in the distant past (i.e. long-term memory). Therefore, we require a different way to analyze and control the more prevalent long-term memory dynamical networks. Herein, we propose a new approach to control dynamical networks exhibiting long-term power-law memory dependencies. Our newly proposed method enables us to find the minimum number of driven nodes (i.e. the state vertices in the network that are connected to one and only one input) and their placement to control a long-term power-law memory dynamical network given a specific time-horizon, which we define as the 'time-to-control'. Remarkably, we provide evidence that long-term power-law memory dynamical networks require considerably fewer driven nodes to steer the network's state to a desired goal for any given time-to-control as compared with Markov dynamical networks. Finally, our method can be used as a tool to determine the existence of long-term memory dynamics in networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Documenting long‐term changes in the trophic structure of food webs and how species respond to these changes is essential to forecast their vulnerability and resilience to environmental stressors. Over the past decades, the St. Lawrence marine ecosystem (Canada) has experienced major changes in its physical, chemical, and biological conditions from overfishing, acoustic and chemical pollution, climate change, and the increased abundance of some top predators. These changes have likely affected the trophodynamics of the ecosystem, and are suspected to have deleterious effects on endangered species of mammals and other components of the ecosystem, such as blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus), fin whales (B. physalus), and beluga (Delphinapterus leucas). This study examined the trophic structure of the St. Lawrence marine ecosystem, including the isotopic niche of various species, over two periods of contrasting pressures from anthropogenic and climatic stressors (1995–2003 vs. 2019–2021). Stable isotope ratios were measured in 1240 samples of 21 species of marine invertebrates, fishes, and mammals sampled during both periods. A significant change in the isotopic value and niche position between periods is observed in most of the sampled species. While the direction of change and effect size were not uniform among species, these changes confirmed that substantial modifications in community structure have occurred over time. Niche overlap decreased considerably among some of the pelagic and demersal fishes, and among whale species during the most recent period. Combined with a concomitant reduction in niche breadth in several species, these observations suggested that resource sharing was limited among these species. This study highlighted some degree of dietary plasticity in several species, and a long‐term change in the trophic structure of the St. Lawrence marine ecosystem, with likely effects on diet composition and energetics of several populations, including endangered species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transiting planet K2-18 b is one of the best candidates for a relatively nearby world harboring biological life. The long-term orbital evolution of this planet is investigated using theoretical and purely numerical techniques for two possible configurations: A single planet orbiting the host star, and a two-planet system including the proposed inner planet close to the 4:1 mean motion rationalization. The emphasis is made on the secular changes of eccentricity and orbital inclination, which are important for the climate stability of the planet. It is demonstrated that the secular orbital dynamics of planet K2-18 b with an internal companion are accurately represented by the periodic eccentricity and inclination exchange on the time scales of a few Kyr. A single planet is not expected to experience fast orbital changes, with the much weaker tidal and rotation-driven perturbations mostly reflecting in a slow periastron and nodal precession. The tidal decay of the orbit is too insignificant on the time scale of the stellar age. However, the conditions for the habitability of a single K2-18 b planet are much improved if, like the Earth, it rotates faster than the mean motion and its rotation angle is tilted by a hypothetical moon. Milanković's cycles of the habitable planet's climate are discussed for both configurations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research has suggested that East Asia has experienced a prevailing monsoon climate since the Eocene. However, there is little knowledge about the development of the East Asian monsoon system before the Miocene, particularly in southern China, due to a lack of well‐dated continuous sediment records. Here, we present new magnetic proxy records from International Ocean Discovery Program Site U1501 in the northern South China Sea. We conducted rock magnetic experiments, made scanning electron microscopy observations and performed diffuse reflectance spectrum analysis on the late Eocene‐early Oligocene core sediments. The magnetic signal of the sediments is dominated by detrital magnetite and titanomagnetite formed during the silicate weathering and erosion processes, which were used to infer the evolution of summer monsoon precipitation in southern China. Our results along with geochemical and clay mineral data from Site U1501 strongly indicate that the East Asian summer monsoon generally weakened across the Eocene‐Oligocene transition. This change was linked to coeval global cooling rather than tectonic processes. Prior to the Eocene‐Oligocene transition, the summer monsoon intensified, likely due to the latest Eocene warming event caused by the enhancement of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, which may have preconditioned the Earth system for the greenhouse‐to‐icehouse transition. Plain Language Summary: To date, there is little knowledge regarding the long‐term evolution of monsoon climate in South China before the Miocene due to a lack of well‐dated continuous sediment records. The recent International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 368 retrieved continuous late Eocene‐early Oligocene sediments at Site U1501 within the northern South China Sea, thus providing an opportunity to fill this gap. In this study, we investigate the evolution of the East Asian summer monsoon in South China during the late Eocene‐early Oligocene through a comprehensive analysis of the magnetic properties of the sediments. The results strongly indicate that the summer monsoon generally weakened across the Eocene‐Oligocene transition, which was linked to coeval global cooling. A short‐term strengthening of the summer monsoon prior to the Eocene‐Oligocene transition was also recorded. This change is attributed to the warming caused by the latest Eocene strengthening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, which may have preconditioned the Earth system state before causing a transition into an icehouse Earth. Key Points: The environmental magnetic record in the northern South China Sea indicates monsoon evolution during the late Eocene to early OligoceneThe East Asian summer monsoon weakened across the Eocene‐Oligocene transitionGlobal cooling drove the long‐term weakening of East Asian summer monsoon [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates a wideband omnidirectional antenna that possesses 124.7% of fractional bandwidth. The antenna's two crescent‐shaped radiating patches and their ultrawideband matching structures are printed on two laminates that are crossly placed vertically over the ground plane. Simulation shows that the structure on a single laminate radiates an "8"‐shaped pattern on the horizontal plane. The cross formation of the two printed laminates generates an omnidirectional radiation pattern by superimposing two "8"‐shaped patterns perpendicularly. The proposed antenna is fabricated and measured for demonstration. The measured results agree well with the simulation, indicating the omnidirectional antenna works from 1.38 to 5.95 GHz with a return loss of −10 dB. Simulation and measurement also show the gain variation on the xoy plane is 2 dB in the band of interest, which is small if the ultrawide bandwidth is considered. The above features make the proposed antenna a promising candidate for applications in the digital cellular system (DCS1800), long‐term evolution (LTE2300/2600), wireless local area network (WLAN2400), and IEEE 802.11p. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geopolymers are widely considered be low-carbon and cost-effective binders and are used for the stabilization of soft soils in recent years. The current study investigated the stabilization efficacy of low-calcium fly ash (FA) geopolymer for soft clay. The influence of FA content, initial water content, and curing time on stabilization efficacy was investigated. A range of laboratory tests were conducted to investigate the strength and permeability performance of the geopolymer-stabilized clay, including unconfined compressive strength (UCS), falling head permeability, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that the mechanical performance of the soft clay at high water content was greatly improved by low-calcium FA geopolymer, exhibiting obvious characteristics of continuous long-term strength development and more ductility compared with cemented clay. A linear empirical relationship was proposed to overcome the shortcomings of the traditional logarithmic function for predicting the long-term strength evolution of low-calcium FA geopolymer–stabilized clay. The UCS of the mixtures increased rapidly with increasing FA content from 16% to 30% and from 25% to 30% for clay water content at liquid limit (LL) and 1.4 LL, respectively. Thirty percent FA content is needed for stabilizing soft clay at 1.0 LL by the deep soil mixing (DSM) method but is obviously not enough at higher initial water content. The major reduction in permeability of the geopolymer-stabilized clay occurred within 28 days of curing while the FA content reached 12%. Despite the increase in curing time up to 90 days and the increase in FA content to 30%, permeability decreased quite slowly. Comparing with the cemented clay, the stabilized clay showed better hydraulic performance but slightly lower permeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pavilion combines multi-modal interaction based on Time-Division Long Term Evolution (TD-LTE) to increase the exhibition's interactivity and attractiveness with development of digital technology. Multi-modal interaction enables consumers to engage easily and intuitively with exhibitions or display material with the use of a touch screen, voice recognition, posture detection, and other interactive tools for immersive displays. This paper investigates the construction of a multi-modal interactive exhibition space using digital media technology. In contrast to the usual data collection techniques, which are costly, deficient in 3D pictures, suffer from a lack of spatial position data, and have other drawbacks, key techniques such as deep learning and posture estimation employed in immersive displays sometimes require huge training datasets to enhance the generality of the models. A 6D network architecture for target object estimation is proposed in this research to lower the cost of data collection. The interactive experience of visitors in the exhibition space, exhibit display, and exhibition space management can be improved by multi-modal interaction based on TD-LTE. Visitors can peruse exhibit material, watch movies, and play interactive games more freely due to the engagement modes. Exhibition managers may optimize the layout of the exhibition space and the placement of the exhibits through real-time monitoring, data collection, and analysis. The multi-mode interaction mode based on TD-LTE wireless communication technology can give visitors a rich and more user-friendly exhibition experience with a wide range of application prospects and potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mongol-Okhotsk Orogenic Belt is the last main orogen that constructs modern tectonic framework of northeastern Asia. It has recorded the long-term evolution of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean (MOO) from its Early Paleozoic initial opening, through the Late Paleozoic-Early Mesozoic subduction, to its Mesozoic final closure, leading to the amalgamation of the Siberian Craton (SIB) and North China-Amuria Block (NCC-AMB). Opening of the MOO can be traced to the early stage of the Early Paleozoic. Northward subduction of the Mongol-Okhotsk oceanic slab beneath the southern margin of the SIB initiated in the Silurian, whereas the southward subduction beneath the northern margin of the NCC-AMB started in the Late Devonian. The bidirectional subduction of the Mongol-Okhotsk oceanic slab resulted in pulse arc magmatism, with three main peaks in the earliest Carboniferous, Late Permian, and Late Triassic-Early Jurassic. In the Late Triassic, the collision between the AMB and Western Mongolian Blocks led to the bending of the Western Mongolian Blocks, which caused the initial closure of the MOO in its western segment. Due to the clockwise rotation of the SIB and counterclockwise rotation of the NCC-AMB, the MOO showed a scissor-like closure from west to east. The final closure of the MOO occurred in the Middle-Late Jurassic, which also resulted in the formation of the Mongol Orocline. Since then, the amalgamation of blocks in northeastern Asia has finished, and the northeastern Asian continent went into the intraplate evolutional stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the course of long-term evolution, cells have developed intricate defense mechanisms in response to DNA damage; these mechanisms play a pivotal role in maintaining genomic stability. Defects in the DNA damage response pathways can give rise to various diseases, including cancer. The DNA damage response (DDR) system is instrumental in safeguarding genomic stability. The accumulation of DNA damage and the weakening of DDR function both promote the initiation and progression of tumors. Simultaneously, they offer opportunities and targets for cancer therapeutics. This article primarily elucidates the DNA damage repair pathways and the progress made in targeting key proteins within these pathways for cancer treatment. Among them, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) plays a crucial role in DDR, and inhibitors targeting PARP1 have garnered extensive attention in anticancer research. By delving into the realms of DNA damage and repair, we aspire to explore more precise and effective strategies for cancer therapy and to seek novel avenues for intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through its long-term evolution and development, human society has gradually formed stable and effective norms to maintain normal social production and social activities. Altruistic punishment is indispensable in maintaining social norms. Altruistic punishment includes second-party and third-party punishment, and third-party punishment refers to punishing violators by unbiased bystanders who have not suffered damage to their interests. Cooperation is an important form of human social interaction. Third parties play an essential role in maintaining social cooperation. Third parties' behaviors in maintaining cooperative norms may be related to their social environment. We used the prisoner's dilemma (PD) game and distinguished between the gain and loss contexts of the economy to explore how the group environment modulates the cognitive neural mechanisms and psychological processing of the third-party punishment decision. Twenty-six college students (Mage = 19.88 ± 1.58) participated in the experiment; data from four participants were excluded from analyses of the EEG data due to large artifacts. The behavioral results show that the degree of punishment from the third party in a loss context was greater than in a gain context. ERP analysis results show that the third party applied a lower P300 in the loss context. The loss context induced a greater N100 than the gain context in the individual environment. At the same time, alpha-band power activated by the individual environment was greater than that activated by the group environment under the gain context. These results suggest that a third party maintaining the norms of social cooperation in different contexts will adjust punishment decisions according to the environment, and this process is mainly dominated by the negative emotions caused by environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accretion of debris seems to be the natural mechanism to power the radiation emitted during a tidal disruption event (TDE), in which a supermassive black hole tears apart a star. However, this requires the prompt formation of a compact accretion disk. Here, using a fully relativistic global simulation for the long-term evolution of debris in a TDE with realistic initial conditions, we show that at most a tiny fraction of the bound mass enters such a disk on the timescale of observed flares. To "circularize" most of the bound mass entails an increase in the binding energy of that mass by a factor of ∼30; we find at most an order-unity change. Our simulation suggests it would take a timescale comparable to a few tens of the characteristic mass fallback time to dissipate enough energy for "circularization." Instead, the bound debris forms an extended eccentric accretion flow with eccentricity ≃0.4–0.5 by ∼two fallback times. Although the energy dissipated in shocks in this large-scale flow is much smaller than the "circularization" energy, it matches the observed radiated energy very well. Nonetheless, the impact of shocks is not strong enough to unbind initially bound debris into an outflow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LTE-M vehicle-ground wireless system based on 1.8 GHz dedicated frequency band is superior to WLAN in terms of security, delay, communication quality, coverage, adaptability to higher speed and interconnection. It has become the standard configuration for carrying CBTC service of signaling system. This paper analyzes the key elements in different stages of LTE-M replacing WLAN without affecting the operation of existing lines, and puts forward the vehicle ground wireless system renovation scheme of urban rail transit signaling system, which provides reference for similar projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LTE-Advanced is an integral part of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 12 onwards technologies, in which the high speed mobile services and number of smart phone users have been increased drastically. The increase in the demand of high data rate has placed huge traffic load at the base stations. In 5th generation the Device to Device (D2D) communication is the most promising technology which offload the data traffic from the conventional cellular networks. It provides an increase in system throughput, spectral efficiency and reduces the overall transmitted power. However there is an issue of interference between D2D and cellular users, as they are using the same frequency slot called resource block (RB) in sharing mode. In this paper we have proposed a scheme to maximize the sum rate and throughput of the system and minimize the co-tier interference that occurs between cellular and D2D users. In proposed scheme we have designed interference limited area (ILA) based algorithm for the resource allocation to the D2D and cellular users. The ILA provides a spatial separation of the interference aggressor and victim. The proposed algorithm has been simulated and the simulation results have been compared with other conventional scheme. The maximum achievable sum rate using proposed scheme ILA with RA is 30 bps/ Hz, and as the number of active D2D users increased to 50 the sum rate is maintained to a value of 25 bps/Hz. The maximum achievable throughput of the system is obtained near about 0.9 when the number of active D2D users is taken 50. It shows the improved sum rate and throughput. We have also analyzed the computational complexity and the degree of convergence of proposed algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a review of cutting-edge technologies poised to shape the future of railway transportation systems, focusing on enhancing their intelligence, safety, and environmental sustainability. It illustrates key aspects of the energy-transport-information/communication system nexus as a framework for future railway systems development. Initially, we provide a review of the existing challenges within the realm of railway transportation. Subsequently, we delve into the realm of emerging propulsion technologies, which are pivotal for ensuring the sustainability of transportation. These include innovative solutions such as alternative fuel-based systems, hydrogen fuel cells, and energy storage technologies geared towards harnessing kinetic energy and facilitating power transfer. In the following section, we turn our attention to emerging information and telecommunication systems, including Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and fifth generation New Radio (5G NR) networks tailored for railway applications. Additionally, we delve into the integral role played by the Industrial Internet of Things (Industrial IoT) in this evolving landscape. Concluding our analysis, we examine the integration of information and communication technologies and remote sensor networks within the context of Industry 4.0. This leveraging of information pertaining to transportation infrastructure promises to bolster energy efficiency, safety, and resilience in the transportation ecosystem. Furthermore, we examine the significance of the smart grid in the realm of railway transport, along with the indispensable resources required to bring forth the vision of energy-smart railways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This communication presents the significance of a four-port 2×2 multiple input multiple output antenna operating in mid-band frequency for 5G handheld device application. A microstrip-fed reference truncated decagonal monopole antenna operating at 3.9 GHz and a modified split-ring resonator (SRR)-based low-pass filter that excites at a cut-off frequency of 6.5 GHz are designed. On introducing a stub line in the SRR structure, the proposed filter shows a good out-of-band rejection beyond 6.5 GHz. By integrating the filter into the reference monopole, a wideband filtering monopole with improved stopband performance is obtained. A four-port MIMO array is constructed by orthogonally positioning the antenna with a center-to-center separation of 0.25 λ 0. To improve isolation, a pair of inverted L-stubs of varying lengths is introduced. The closed loop formed by the interconnection of stubs enhances isolation within the frequency range of 3–3.5 GHz. The fabricated prototype fosters an impedance bandwidth of 66.67%, isolation >18.5 dB, an average suppression of 15 dB, an average peak gain >3.7 dB, envelope correlation coefficient < 0.015, Actual Diversity Gain (ADG) > 9.9 dB, Effective Diversity Gain (EDG) > 8.8 dB, and efficiency >88%. The proposed design is suitable for 5G sub-6 GHz applications such as n48, n77, n78, n79 bands, WiMAX, and LTE bands 42, 43, 46, 47, 48. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]