Search

This quasi-experimental study was aimed at investigating the effects of wearing an abdominal girdle belt on pulmonary function variables of postpartum women. 40 consenting postpartum women aged between 18 and 35 years were recruited from a post-natal clinic in Enugu, Nigeria. The participants were conveniently assigned into girdle belt and control groups (20 each). Their lung function (forced expiratory volume in first second[FEV1], and %FEV1, forced vital capacity[FVC], peak expiratory flow [PEF], forced expiratory flows [25th, 75th & 25–75th percentiles]) values were measured prior to and after eight weeks of the study intervention period for each participant. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Following the intervention period, 19 and 13 participants completed the study in the girdle belt and control groups, respectively. The main results showed that both groups were comparable at baseline for all the study variables assessed (p > 0.05). Following the intervention period, only the PEF was significantly reduced in the girdle belt group compared to control group participants (p = 0.012). Thus, wearing girdle belts for an extended period of time has no effect on the lung function values of postpartum women. What is already known on the subject? Postpartum abdominal girdle belts are commonly utilised for resolution of abdominal protrusion and obesity after childbirth. Unfortunately, several adverse effects, including bleeding, compressive pain and discomfort and abnormally increased intra-abdominal pressure, have been associated with this practice. Consistent increase in intra-abdominal pressure of variable duration has been reported to affect pulmonary functions. What do the results of this study add? The study findings indicate that wearing girdle belts for eight weeks by postpartum women has no substantial effect on the pulmonary function variables. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Utilisation of abdominal girdle belts of equal or less than 8 weeks duration should not be discouraged for post-partum women due to fear of its potential negative impact on pulmonary function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Pain related to the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) accounts for low back pain in 15%–30% of patients. One of the most common treatment options is the use of pelvic belts. Various types of pelvic belts exist; however, the mechanisms underlying treatment and their effectiveness remain unclear to date. OBJECTIVE: To analyze stress distribution in the pelvis when a pelvic rubber belt or a padded pelvic belt is applied, to assess the effectiveness of treatment from a numerical biomechanical perspective. METHODS: The pressure distribution at the pelvic belts was measured using a device and subsequently modeled with the finite element method of a pelvis with soft tissues. The stress environment when wearing a pelvic belt in a double-leg stance was simulated. RESULTS: With the application of pelvic belts, the innominate bone rotated outward, which was termed an out-flare. This caused the SIJ to compress and cause reduction in sacrotuberous, sacrospinous, interosseous, and posterior sacroiliac ligament loading. Padded pelvic belts decreased the SIJ displacement to a greater extent than in pelvic rubber belts. CONCLUSION: Pelvic belts aid in compressing the SIJ and reduce its mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tire contour design theory has always been studied because of its significant effect on tire performance. Based on the new non-natural equilibrium contour theory, the influence of belt pressure share ratio on the carcass contour is studied. The type of 385/65R22.5 all-steel radial tire was chosen as the research object and the finite element analysis technique was adopted to calculate the belt pressure share ratio. The results show that with the increase of the belt pressure share ratio, the clamping effect of belt layer on the carcass is strengthened, the curvature of tire crown in carcass contour increases and the crown curve tends to be rounded. The influence of belt pressure share ratio on wear, footprint, rolling resistance and grip performance was also explored with the finite element technology. It turned out that with the increase of the belt pressure share ratio, the tire wear increased, rolling resistance reduced, grip performance enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper identifies the materials used to make a brocade belt belonging to the Qajar courtiers in Iran. This belt consists of two fabric types: red support and golden brocade. Accordingly, this paper examined the skin and tannin type, fiber types, dyeing agents, mordant, and metal wrapping of brocade yarns and metal buckle. Technical imaging, ESI–MS, FORS, FTIR and SEM–EDS were used to identify the materials. Multi-band imaging methods included Vis, UVL, IRR, and UVR, in which UVFC and IRFC images were obtained after processing. The results showed that cotton yarn was used in both fabrics. The red fabric yarns were dyed using cochineal and alum mordant. Also, the yellow brocade yarns were dyed using catechins-rich plants, and in this dyeing process, polyphenols and alum have been as mordant. Madder-dyed yarns are also found in parts of the belt. Examination of the metal wrapping of brocade yarns suggests using strips of copper-nickel alloy with a thin layer of gold-silver alloy. This secondary coating protects the copper-nickel strips and increases their golden luster. The leather analysis of the leather parts also indicated the using cattle/calfskin tanned with gallotannins. Belt buckle analysis also shows the use of brass alloy with a high percentage of zinc, leading to a golden sheen and the buckle desired strength. The results show the use of low-cost materials in the manufacture of clothing for the lower levels of the Qajar court. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This quasi-experimental study was aimed at investigating the effects of wearing an abdominal girdle belt on pulmonary function variables of postpartum women. 40 consenting postpartum women aged between 18 and 35 years were recruited from a post-natal clinic in Enugu, Nigeria. The participants were conveniently assigned into girdle belt and control groups (20 each). Their lung function (forced expiratory volume in first second[FEV1], and %FEV1, forced vital capacity[FVC], peak expiratory flow [PEF], forced expiratory flows [25th, 75th & 25–75th percentiles]) values were measured prior to and after eight weeks of the study intervention period for each participant. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Following the intervention period, 19 and 13 participants completed the study in the girdle belt and control groups, respectively. The main results showed that both groups were comparable at baseline for all the study variables assessed (p > 0.05). Following the intervention period, only the PEF was significantly reduced in the girdle belt group compared to control group participants (p = 0.012). Thus, wearing girdle belts for an extended period of time has no effect on the lung function values of postpartum women. What is already known on the subject? Postpartum abdominal girdle belts are commonly utilised for resolution of abdominal protrusion and obesity after childbirth. Unfortunately, several adverse effects, including bleeding, compressive pain and discomfort and abnormally increased intra-abdominal pressure, have been associated with this practice. Consistent increase in intra-abdominal pressure of variable duration has been reported to affect pulmonary functions. What do the results of this study add? The study findings indicate that wearing girdle belts for eight weeks by postpartum women has no substantial effect on the pulmonary function variables. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Utilisation of abdominal girdle belts of equal or less than 8 weeks duration should not be discouraged for post-partum women due to fear of its potential negative impact on pulmonary function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the measured energy losses in a draw gear with NE22, XH500, LL2, and CFG flat belts. The ranges of torque capacity, slippage occurrence, and transmission efficiency of selected drive belts are also presented. Knowing the exact values of these parameters allows the selection of the most suitable belts for different applications. In addition, belt manufacturers do not provide these data accurately, leading to machine failures and downtime. The paper describes the dependence of belt efficiency and belt slippage as a function of transmission load. Running transmissions with high slippage values are associated with a significant loss of energy and efficiency, rapid wear of the belt and pulleys, and increased operating temperature. In addition, when flat belts are under excessive load, it is common for the belt to quickly fall off the pulleys, interrupting the operation of machinery and equipment. Experiments on a test bench can accurately determine the energy loss caused by transmission belt slippage. The maximum achievable torque of the belt selected for the study, which differed in construction and materials, was around 6 Nm for LL2, XH500, and CFG and 12 Nm for NE22. Slippage reached values of 0.005 to 0.1, while efficiency ranged between 0.60 and 0.97. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although lumbar belts can be used for the treatment and prevention of low back pain, the role of the lumbar belt remains unclear without clear guidelines. This study aimed to investigate the effect of lumbar belts with different extensibilities on the kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activity of sit-to-stand motions in terms of motor control in patients with nonspecific low back pain. A total of 30 subjects participated in the study: 15 patients with nonspecific low back pain and 15 healthy adults. Participants performed the sit-to-stand motion in random order of three conditions: no lumbar belt, wearing an extensible lumbar belt, and wearing a non-extensible lumbar belt. The sit-to-stand motion's kinematic, kinetic, and muscle activity variables in each condition were measured using a three-dimensional motion analysis device, force plate, and surface electromyography. An interaction effect was found for the time taken, anterior pelvic tilt angle, and muscle activity of the vastus lateralis and biceps femoris. The two lumbar belts with different extensibilities had a positive effect on motor control in patients with nonspecific low back pain. Therefore, both types of extensible lumbar belts can be useful in the sit-to-stand motion, which is an important functional activity for patients with nonspecific low back pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wear state of an abrasive belt is one of the important factors affecting the grinding precision of belt grinding processes. At present, there are two problems associated with the monitoring method of the wear condition of abrasive belts: (1) there are no uniform wear criteria to classify the wear condition of abrasive belts, and the segmentation threshold of the wear condition is affected by the change in the grinding parameters; and (2) an abrasive belt wear model based on indirect sensor monitoring of signals is affected by the change in the grinding parameters of abrasive belts; therefore, it is only suitable for abrasive belt wear monitoring under specific grinding parameters. This paper introduces a method of belt wear state monitoring based on machine vision and image processing. Surface images of an abrasive belt during its entire life are captured using a noncontact electron microscope. Three image features related to the wear state are selected: first-order distance of color component R, entropy of the horizontal subgraph, and vertical subgraph of the texture feature. Moreover, the wear state is classified into three categories based on the selected features. Using the selected features and the random forest classification algorithm, an abrasive belt wear state classifier is established. The performance of the classifier is verified and evaluated using a data subset of different images. The results show that the proposed method has high recognition accuracy for belt wear state, which can reach 99% in the accelerated wear stage. The proposed method solves the problem of the dependence and sensitivity of the monitoring model on the variation in the grinding parameters in the process of abrasive belt wear monitoring, and it improves the adaptability and versatility of the monitoring method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the many artefacts held by the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Franciscan monastery in Tolisa, the museum in Doboj, the Museum of Herzegovina in Mostar and other museums, are a number that form a diverse group including belt sets, belt plates, phalerae, buttons, strap-ends, pendants, the tips of scabbards and helmet parts. Most of these are belonged to military straps and belts, or to horse harness, shoes, armour etc., and were both practical and decorative. Some examples could be interpreted as apotropaic and prophylactic in nature. This broadly defined group also covers a wide range of dates, from the 1st century to late Antiquity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the paper, the issue of the supervision of belt tension and wear in industrial feeder is addressed. The designed system is based on strain gauges that are built into the roller and are subject to the belt pressure at each revolution. In order to assess the effectiveness of this system, calibration and uncertainty analysis was performed. As a result, it was demonstrated that the main source of uncertainty was the function of approximation, while the others were orders of magnitude smaller. The final function provided results with accuracy of ca. 10% of actually measured value, which was assumed to be a good result for this particular industrial application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finkl, C.W. and Makowski, C., 2021. Alongshore classification and morphometric analysis of developed coastal belts: An example from Uruguay, South America. Journal of Coastal Research, 37(5), 906–922. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Approximately half of the 666-km long Uruguayan coastal belt length is characterized by continuums of developed urban centers that are associated with ports and harbors, residential, recreational, military, shore protection, and/or commercial facilities that occur in association with agricultural pursuits. Modification of the Biophysical Cross-shore Classification System (BCCS) to include such features of anthropogenic change along with naturally occurring coastalscapes permits classification of developed and undeveloped coastal belts based on interpretation of satellite imagery. Characterization of alongshore domains was based on conjoining archetypes into catenary sequences that typify coastal belts both alongshore and cross-shore. Based on interpretation of satellite imagery acquired from Google Earth Pro, Uruguayan coastal belts were divided into six separate departments (Rocha, Maldonado, Canelones, Montevideo, San Jose, Colonia) and characterized by the alongshore widths of archetypes that extended from offshore to several kilometers inland. Compilation of coastal belt catenas showed that promontories and headlands, which comprise resistant igneous and metamorphic rocks, function as anchor points along the shore and are widely interspersed by sedimentary (littoral) domains that contain mainland and barrier beaches that are backed by beach-dune couplets, wetlands, lagoonal flats, and developed upland archetypes. Typical alongshore super domains, which were concised from cross-shore archetypical consequences, include the following predominant types of sequences: Barrier-Beach-Dune, Beach-Dune-Lagoon, Beach-Dune-Wetland, Beach-Dune-Upland, Beach-Cliff-Upland, Beach-Wetland-Flat-Lagoon, and Rock-Cliff-Upland. Certain archetypes, such as rock and developed, were prevalent throughout the coastal belt codifications with their representative symbolizations appearing in the variable code sequences of domains and super domains. Morphometric analysis tables were also compiled with alongshore lengths of domains and super domains, as well as percentages of individual department and Uruguayan coastal belts. This examination of the Uruguayan coast showed for the first time that the BCCS can characterize anthropogenically developed units with naturally occurring biophysical features. Interpreted cross-shore transects, alongshore domains, and all-encompassing super domains allow for a comprehensive classification and morphometric analysis of offshore, inshore, and onshore components along Uruguay's natural and developed coastal belts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A kontush sash belonged to costly accessories of ceremonial clothes of Polish nobility. It is a belt made of leather, metal or soft textile, called a sash from the 18th century. In the 2nd half of the 17th century, there was a change in manufacturing technique and ornamentation compositions, and sashes adorned with metal threads appeared. Persian and Turkish belts were the most popular. They have been excavated as burial equipment at archaeological sites. Analyzing these objects is a unique research experience that complements our knowledge of girdle-making in the eighteenth century. The non-invasive archaeometric studies are a significant part of this research. The microscopic observations, X-ray fluorescence and SEM-EDS investigations were made of the metal threads from the textile sashes found in the crypts of Szczuczyn church (North-Eastern Poland). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Integrating a vertical and horizontal wick belt (black jute cloth) inside the solar still. • Effect of belt direction (clockwise and counter clockwise) was studied. • Different speeds (0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 rpm) was studied. • Freshwater is enhanced by 300 and 260% with and without reflectors, respectively. • Efficiency is 82 and 79.5% for with and without reflectors, respectively. This work presents a performance investigation of the rotating wick solar still (RWSS) under different operational and designable conditions. A black jute cloth belt was rotated vertically and horizontally inside the distiller. The effect of the sliding direction (clockwise and counter clockwise) of the wick belt on the performance of RWSS was studied. The performance of the RWSS was studied at various belt sliding speeds of 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 min−1. In addition, mirrors were utilized externally and internally with RWSS to aid in concentrating more solar energy onto the system. A solar photovoltaic powered DC motor was used to rotate the belt. It was found that the freshwater distillate of the RWSS was higher than that obtained from the conventional distiller. The optimum performance of RWSS was obtained at 0.05 min−1 and under up-down sliding direction. In addition, the freshwater productivity of RWSS was higher than that of the conventional solar still (CSS) by 300% and 260% with and without reflectors, respectively. The thermal efficiency was 82% and 35% for RWSS and CSS, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finkl, C.W. and Makowski, C., 2021. Alongshore classification and super domain delineation of coastal belts based on interpretation of biophysical catenary sequences observed from satellite images. Journal of Coastal Research, 37(1), 1–25. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. The cross-shore classification of coastal belts, facilitated by the interpretation of biophysical features from satellite imagery, is an adjunctory approach to traditional alongshore classification procedures. Methods such as the Biophysical Cross-shore Classification System (BCCS) (Finkl and Makowski, 2020a) and the Coastal Belt Linked Classification (CBLC) (Finkl and Makowski, 2020d) not only provide insight into cross-shore natural ecological variability and zonation, but also emphasize eco-geomorphological linkages so that shore-normal transitions and successions can be delineated and understood. The discernment of numerous cross-shore biophysical transect codifications in a satellite image seascape scene (referred to as either BCCS or CBLC code sequences) results in coastal belt segmenting that identifies offshore, nearshore, inshore, and onshore similarities and differences. This, in turn, can be correlated alongshore by establishing the swath widths of each cross-shore transect as an individual domain. Data integration and interpretation processes are similarly applied as procedural management of geological borehole (well) logs to determine drilling and petrophysical parameters. This study demonstrates that once all individual alongshore domains are interpreted for a specific coastal area, they can be collectively amalgamated and concised to create a universal alongshore super domain for the entire coastal belt. The advantage of constructing a Concised Alongshore Super Domain is that the procedure provides a sagacious and rational basis for swath alongshore classification of coastal belts. This study shows the effective use of this methodology across coastal belts of varying latitudes, as the interpolation of shore-normal ecological sequences validates the cross-shore correlation between transects and can result in a universal alongshore classification process in the form of super domains for coastal belts worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir has a significant impact on the storage area, where the frequent occurrence of reservoir landslides with great harm has attracted much attention. Taking the Majiagou landslide as a case, this study focuses on the hydro-fluctuation belt affected by the reservoir operation. Under the scheduling of reservoir water level, the landslide displacement associated with the hydro-fluctuation belt presents a step-like deformation and the movement behaves as a retrogressive type. The wetting-drying cycles test has been performed to simulate the effects of reservoir water level on the hydro-fluctuation belt. Then, the weakening of soil strength parameters is well characterized by an exponential function model. Considering the continuous weakening of the hydro-fluctuation belt, the time-varying reliability, consistent with the actual landslide zoning, is analyzed under the reservoir operation for 10 years. The results indicate that the migration of seepage field in the landslide is closely related to the scheduling of reservoir water level and lags behind the scheduling. Similarly, the factor of safety varies with the reservoir water level, and the minimum value is obtained when the water drops to the lowest level. With the repeated interaction of reservoir water level on the hydro-fluctuation belt, the most dangerous failure probability of the landslide gradually increases. As a result, the stability of the Majiagou landslide declines from the initial basic stable to the less stable state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Late Palaeozoic tectonic evolution of the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) and the genesis of magmatic rocks in the terrane have been topics of debate for decades. We have tried to understand the processes involved in the evolution of the Late Palaeozoic Baolidao belt and magma generation by compiling data from more than 200 samples along with new age estimates and geochemical data. Spinel stability field melting of the subduction hydrated juvenile depleted mantle (DM) is the dominant mafic magma generating process. The crustal granitoids from the Late Carboniferous suite (320 ~ 300 Ma) and the Early Permian suite (300 ~ 280 Ma) have contrasting characteristics. The Late Carboniferous suite is characterized by lower crustal AFC process at hornblende‐dominated and plagioclase‐free pressure, which resulted in considerable growth of continental crust, while the Early Permian suite is characterized by low pressure partial melting (plagioclase stable in residue) of a thinned juvenile crust. The process of the extension of hydrous mantle coupled with crustal thinning from the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian can be used to explain the chemical and petrogenetic features of the Late Palaeozoic magmatism along the Baolidao belt. We propose that lithosphere‐scale extension should have been a key process in the tectonic evolution of the eastern CAOB during the Late Palaeozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rescue archaeological excavations in the Barracks area in Osijek encompassed the area of the future Faculty of Education. Among the finds dated to Antiquity, there are numerous ceramic finds from the 1st and 2nd century AD, with the particularly notable presence of material datable to the Flavian era. The presence of the Roman army during this period remains debatable, so selected metal finds associated with the Roman army are presented here in order to contribute to the discussion. These are parts of military belt sets (belt fittings and buckles, a pendant) and horse gear (pendants, bells) dated to the 1st – 2nd century AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bancroft terrane and the associated Central Metasedimentary Belt boundary thrust zone represent the northern part of the Central Metasedimentary Belt (CMB) of the Canadian Grenville Province. Only a few direct pressure and temperature calculations based on phase equilibrium petrology methods exist in the central Bancroft terrane, and this study applies thermodynamic approaches such as garnet isopleth geothermobarometry to fill this gap and investigate the metamorphic history of the northern CMB. Four metapelitic rock samples were collected in the vicinity of the enigmatic Bancroft shear zone, which approximates the border between the Bancroft terrane and the Elzevir terrane to the south. Garnet isopleths for these samples only intersect if a certain amount of excess oxygen is added to the bulk rock composition corresponding to a Fe3+/Fetot ratio of 0.33–0.38. The northernmost sample records metamorphic peak conditions of approximately 1 GPa and 780 °C, whereas the southernmost sample, which is located in the Elzevir terrane, records a peak metamorphic pressure of approximately 0.9 GPa at a temperature of 520 °C. The latter result contradicts previous pressure estimates of the region and the proposed metamorphic field gradient but is based on a poorly constrained sample in terms of thermodynamic modeling. Hence, we conclude that the metamorphic field gradient in the northern CMB conceals two different P–T trajectories. Such a scenario is commonly observed in crustal thickening models and suggests that the cold upper plate (Elzevir terrane) was thrust over the warm lower plate (Bancroft terrane) in a northwesterly direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the aesthetically appealing structures and tantalizing physical and chemical properties, zigzag hydrocarbon belts and their heteroatom‐embedded analogues remain challenging synthetic targets. We report herein the synthesis of diverse O/N‐doped zigzag hydrocarbon belts based on selective bridging of the fjords of resorcin[4]arene derivatives through intramolecular SNAr and palladium‐catalyzed intermolecular C−N bond formation reactions. Preorganized conformations of mono‐macrocyclic, half‐belt and quasi‐belt compounds were revealed to facilitate cyclization reactions to construct heteroatom‐linked octahydrobelt[8]arenes. The acquired products had strained square‐prism‐shaped belt structures in which all six‐membered heterocyclic rings adopted an unusual boat conformation with equatorially configured alkyl groups. The unprecedented heteroatom‐bearing belts also exhibited different photophysical and redox properties to those of octahydrobelt[8]arene analogues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the aesthetically appealing structures and tantalizing physical and chemical properties, zigzag hydrocarbon belts and their heteroatom‐embedded analogues remain challenging synthetic targets. We report herein the synthesis of diverse O/N‐doped zigzag hydrocarbon belts based on selective bridging of the fjords of resorcin[4]arene derivatives through intramolecular SNAr and palladium‐catalyzed intermolecular C−N bond formation reactions. Preorganized conformations of mono‐macrocyclic, half‐belt and quasi‐belt compounds were revealed to facilitate cyclization reactions to construct heteroatom‐linked octahydrobelt[8]arenes. The acquired products had strained square‐prism‐shaped belt structures in which all six‐membered heterocyclic rings adopted an unusual boat conformation with equatorially configured alkyl groups. The unprecedented heteroatom‐bearing belts also exhibited different photophysical and redox properties to those of octahydrobelt[8]arene analogues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are a new kind of extragalactic radio transients. Some of them show repeating behaviors. Recent observations indicate that a few repeating FRBs (e.g., FRB 121102) present time–frequency downward drifting patterns and nearly 100% linear polarization. Following the model of Dai et al. who proposed that repeating FRBs may originate from a slowly rotating, old-aged pulsar colliding with an asteroid belt around a stellar-mass object, we focus on the prediction of time–frequency drifting and polarization. In this scenario, the frequency drifting is mainly caused by the geometric structure of a pulsar magnetosphere, and the drifting rate–frequency index is found to be 25/17. On the other hand, by considering the typical differential mass distribution of incident asteroids, we find that an asteroid with mass m ≳ 1017 g colliding with the pulsar would contribute abundant gravitational energy, which powers an FRB. A broad frequency band of the FRBs would be expected, due to the mass difference of the incident asteroids. In addition, we simulate the linear polarization distribution for the repeating FRBs, and constrain the linear polarization with ≳30% for the FRBs with flux of an order of magnitude lower than the maximum flux. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kuqa Basin is a typical foreland basin in northwest China, characterized by compressive foreland fold-and-thrust belts and a regionally distributed huge salt layer. A large number of overthrust faults, fault-related folds, and salt-related structures are formed on the thrust belt due to strong compression and structural deformation, causing difficulty in simulation of the basin. In this study, modeling of the thermal history of the complicated compressional structural profiles in the Kuqa foreland basin was successfully conducted based on the advanced "Block" function introduced by the IES PetroMod software and the latest geological interpretation results. In contrast to methods used in previous studies, our method comprehensively evaluates the influence of overthrusting, a large thick salt layer with low thermal conductivity, fast deposition, or denudation on the thermal evolution history. The results demonstrate that the hydrocarbon generation center of the Kuqa foreland basin is in the deep layers of the Kelasu thrust belt and not in the Baicheng Sag center, which is buried the deepest. A surprising result was drawn about the center of hydrocarbon generation in the Kuqa foreland basin, which, although not the deepest in Baicheng Sag, is the deepest part of the Kelasu thrust Belt. In terms of the maturity of the source rock, there are obvious temporal and spatial differences between the different structural belts in the Kuqa foreland basin, such as the early maturation of source rocks and the curbing of uplift and hydrocarbon generation in the piedmont zone. In the Kelasu thrust belt, the source rock made an early development into the low mature-mature stage and subsequently rapidly grew into a high-over mature stage. In contrast, the source rock was immature at an early stage and subsequently grew into a low mature-mature stage in the Baicheng Sag–South slope belt. The time sequence of the thermal evolution of source rocks and structural trap formation and their matching determines the different accumulation processes and oil and gas compositions in the different structural belts of the Kuqa foreland basin. The matching of the multistage tectonic activity and hydrocarbon generation determines the characteristics of the multistage oil and gas accumulation, with the late accumulation being dominant. The effective stacking of the gas generation center, subsalt structural traps, reservoir facies of fine quality, and huge, thick salt caprocks creates uniquely favorable geological conditions for gas enrichment in the Kelasu foreland thrust belt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green innovation is an important driving force to promote the sustainable development of urban society and economy. This paper constructs an evaluation index system containing social undesirable outputs, and uses the Super-SBM model and the Malmquist-Luenberger index to evaluate green innovation efficiency in 42 cities along the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 2013 to 2017. Additionally, spatial autocorrelation analysis is used to study the spatial correlation of green innovation efficiency. Finally, the coupling coordination degree model is used to study the coupling coordination degree between green innovation efficiency and high-tech industries. The following results were obtained. (1) The average value of green innovation efficiency increased from 1.0446 to 1.0987, and the annual average growth rate of total factor productivity of green innovation was 1.1%. (2) Green innovation efficiency of the Yangtze River Economic Belt had a significant spatial positive correlation, but the types of agglomeration among cities in different sections of the Yangtze River were quite different. (3) The coupling coordination degree between green innovation efficiency and the development level of high-tech industries in the cities of the Yangtze River Economic Belt was in the basic coordination stage. Based on the research results, we suggest that cities in this belt further enhance the interactive relationship between green innovation and economic development and promote the coordinated development of economy and society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the zebrafish neural tube as a model, we uncover the in vivo mechanisms allowing the generation of two opposing apical epithelial surfaces within the centre of an initially unpolarised, solid organ. We show that Mpp5a and Rab11a play a dual role in coordinating the generation of ipsilateral junctional belts whilst simultaneously releasing contralateral adhesions across the centre of the tissue. We show that Mpp5a- and Rab11a-mediated resolution of cell-cell adhesions are both necessary for midline lumen opening and contribute to later maintenance of epithelial organisation. We propose that these roles for both Mpp5a and Rab11a operate through the transmembrane protein Crumbs. In light of a recent conflicting publication, we also clarify that the junction-remodelling role of Mpp5a is not specific to dividing cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on our analysis of a large number of relevés of communities of moist rock crevices in western Slovenia (southern Julian Alps, northern part of the Trnovski Gozd Plateau) we described several new syntaxa with the endemic Primula carniolica. The most unique in terms of ecology is a hygrophytic chasmophytic community classified into the association Astrantio carniolicae- Primuletum carniolicae, which is, together with similar hygrophytic associations Astrantio carniolicae-Pinguiculetum alpinae and Campanulo cespitosae-Saxifragetum aizoidis, associations Phyteumato columnae-Primuletum carniolicae, Primulo carniolicae-Potentilletum clusianae and the subassociation Primuletum carniolicae violetosum biflorae, temporarily classified into the alliance Cystopteridion and order Potentilletalia caulescentis. Only the new association Paederoto luteae-Potentilletum caulescentis is classified into the alliance Physoplexido comosae-Saxifragion petraeae. The elevational range of chasmophytic communities with Primula carniolica is 200 to 1460 m a.s.l. Species that most commonly accompany Primula carniolica in rock crevices include Paederota lutea, Phyteuma scheuchzeri subsp. columnae, Sesleria caerulea, Aster bellidiastrum and moss Orthothecium rufescens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gravitational pull of a large number of asteroids perturbs a pulsar's motion to a degree that is detectable through precision timing of millisecond pulsars. The result is a low-frequency, correlated noise process, similar in form to the red timing noise known to affect canonical pulsars, or to the signal expected from a stochastic gravitational-wave background. Motivated by the observed fact that many millisecond pulsars are in binary systems, we describe the ways in which the presence of a binary companion to the pulsar would affect the signal produced by an asteroid belt. The primary effect of the companion is to destabilize the shortest-period orbits, cutting off the high-frequency component of the signal from the asteroid belt. We also discuss the implications of asteroid belts for gravitational-wave search efforts. Compared to the signal from a stochastic gravitational-wave background, asteroid-belt noise has a similar frequency and amplitude, and is similarly independent of radio frequency, but is not correlated between different pulsars, which should allow the two kinds of signal to be distinguished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The North–South Seismic Belt distributed along the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau is a regional-scale seismically active zone. The Yuanmou Fault, located at the junction of the North–South Seismic Belt and the Central Yunnan Sub-Block, is an important boundary of earthquakes distribution and topography. Therefore, the studying of the Late Quaternary activity of the Yuanmou Fault is of great significance to understand the regional geodynamic mechanism and its efforts on the regional tectonic activities, seismic distribution and future risk. Based on field observations and analysis of earthquake geology and tectonic geomorphology and the dating results of Quaternary chronology, together with the previous studies, revealed that: (1) the fluvial terrace T1 was cut by the Yuanmou fault on the northern section of Jiangbian, and the most recent earthquake event happened about 7 ka B.P. age on the Jiangbian–Luochuan segment. (2) Based on the offset measurement and dating results of deformed terraces, the horizontal and vertical average slip rate of the Yuanmou fault were determined to be ~ 1.0 mm/year and ~ 0.1 mm/year, respectively. (3) Moreover, the latest activity time of the southern segment of the Yuanmou Fault is late Pleistocene, indicating the segmentation between the northern and southern segments of the Yuanmou Fault. (4) The differential activity intensity and activity ways of the Yuanmou Fault on different segments is probably associated with the change of local stress. Therefore, these findings concerning with seismic activities and activity segmentation of the Yuanmou Fault reveal the complexity of the regional dynamic mechanisms and provide a new insight for exploring regional differences in the tectonic deformation mechanisms of the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau during the Late Cenozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we compiled and analyzed 69310 P‐wave travel‐time data from 6639 earthquake events. These events (M ≥ 2.0) occurred from 1980s to June 2019 and were recorded at 319 seismic stations (Chinese Earthquake Networks Center) in the study area. We adopted the double‐difference seismic tomographic method (tomoDD) to invert the 3‐D P‐wave velocity structure and constrain the crust‐upper mantle architecture of the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt (MLYB). A 1‐D initial model extracted from wide‐angle seismic profiles was used in the seismic tomography, which greatly reduced the inversion residual. Our results indicate that reliable velocity structure of the uppermost mantle can be obtained when Pn is involved in the tomography. Our results show that: (1) the pattern of the uppermost mantle velocity structure corresponds well with the geological partitioning: a nearly E–W‐trending low‐velocity zone is present beneath the Dabie Orogen, in contrast to the mainly NE‐trending low‐velocity anomalies beneath the Jiangnan Orogen. They suggest the presence of thickened lower crust beneath the orogens in the study area. In contrast, the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks are characterized by relatively high‐velocity anomalies; (2) both the ultra‐high‐pressure (UHP) metamorphic rocks in the Dabie Orogen and the low‐pressure metamorphic rocks in the Zhangbaling dome are characterized by high‐velocity anomalies. The upper crust in the Dabie Orogen is characterized by a low‐velocity belt, sandwiched between two high velocity zones in a horizontal direction, with discontinuous low‐velocity layers in the middle crust. The keel of the Dabie Orogen is mainly preserved beneath its northern section. We infer that the lower crustal delamination may have mainly occurred in the southern Dabie Orogen, which caused the mantle upwelling responsible for the formation of the granitic magmas emplaced in the middle crust as the low‐velocity layers observed there. Continuous deep‐level compression likely squeezed the granitic magma upward to intrude the upper crustal UHP metamorphic rocks, forming the 'sandwich' velocity structure there; (3) high‐velocity updoming is widespread in the crust‐mantle transition zone beneath the MLYB. From the Anqing‐Guichi ore field northeastward to the Luzong, Tongling, Ningwu and Ningzhen orefields, high‐velocity anomalies in the crust‐mantle transition zone increase rapidly in size and are widely distributed. The updoming also exists in the crust‐mantle transition zone beneath the Jiurui and Edongnan orefields, but the high‐velocity anomalies are mainly stellate distributed. The updoming high‐velocity zone beneath the MLYB generally extends from the crust‐mantle transition zone to the middle crust, different from the velocity structure in the upper crust. The upper crust beneath the Early Cretaceous extension‐related Luzong and Ningwu volcanic basins is characterized by high velocity zones, in contrast to the low velocity anomalies beneath the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous compression‐related Tongling ore field. The MLYB may have undergone a compressive‐to‐extensional transition during the Yanshanian (Jurassic–Cretaceous) period, during which extensive magmatism occurred. The near mantle–crustal boundary updoming was likely caused by asthenospheric underplating at the base of the lower crust. The magmas may have ascended through major crustal faults, undergoing AFC (assimilation and fractional crystallization) processes, became emplaced in the fault‐bounded basins or Paleozoic sequences, eventually forming the many Cu‐Fe polymetallic deposits there. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamically different groups of comets and active asteroids with orbits at 2–5 a. u. show dust activity in varying degrees and forms. A photometric study and comparison of physical parameters can help to classify the mechanisms and nature of the activity for such objects. We present new observations using broadband photometry of 15 active objects in the main asteroid belt and surrounding regions obtained during 2012–2016. The study aims to compare the physical properties of main‐belt comets (MBCs), quasi‐Hilda comets (QHCs), and active asteroids (AAs). The observations were carried out with the 0.7‐m telescope of the Kyiv Comet Station, Ukraine, and with the 1.23‐m telescope at the Calar Alto Observatory, Spain, using Blue, Visual, Red (BVR) broadband filters. Upper limits for the nuclear radii, Afρ parameters, and color indices were measured. The results of 2012–2016 observations suggest that there exist systematic differences in the physical parameters of MBCs and QHCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Described in this paper are the synthesis and structure of novel and edge‐functionalized zigzag hydrocarbon belts. A stepwise "fjord‐stitching" strategy featuring repetitive intramolecular acylation reactions of a resorcin[4]arene derivative as the key steps afforded a biscarbonyl‐functionalized octahydrobelt[8]arene product. Facile ketone reduction with NaBH4 and nucleophilic addition with n‐butyllithium produced secondary and tertiary alcohol‐containing molecular belts, respectively. Selective oxidation reactions of biscarbonyl‐bearing octahydrobelt[8]arene with m‐CPBA and (PhSeO)2O furnished the corresponding lactone‐ and 1,4‐quinone‐embedded molecular belts. Depending on the functional groups on the edges, the acquired belt molecules adopt different shapes such as square prism, truncated cone, and elliptical cylinder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Described in this paper are the synthesis and structure of novel and edge‐functionalized zigzag hydrocarbon belts. A stepwise "fjord‐stitching" strategy featuring repetitive intramolecular acylation reactions of a resorcin[4]arene derivative as the key steps afforded a biscarbonyl‐functionalized octahydrobelt[8]arene product. Facile ketone reduction with NaBH4 and nucleophilic addition with n‐butyllithium produced secondary and tertiary alcohol‐containing molecular belts, respectively. Selective oxidation reactions of biscarbonyl‐bearing octahydrobelt[8]arene with m‐CPBA and (PhSeO)2O furnished the corresponding lactone‐ and 1,4‐quinone‐embedded molecular belts. Depending on the functional groups on the edges, the acquired belt molecules adopt different shapes such as square prism, truncated cone, and elliptical cylinder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the analysis of the topography and geology of coronae on Venus, the most common topographic profiles of coronae were obtained, their relative age was estimated by the characteristic annulus type and the relation with the surrounding volcano−tectonic units, and the corona evolution stages consistent with numerical modeling results for the evolution of mantle diapirs on Venus were determined. It has been found that most coronae is the manifestation of a late regressive stage of the evolution of mantle diapirs. These coronae are spatially associated with groove belts and characterize late episodes of the tectonic resurfacing regime. According to our results, the number of coronae that may appear at the early and late phases of the regressive stage is almost the same. This allows us to suppose that the parent corona-forming diapirs were mostly formed at the end of the tectonic regime, but this activity had terminated before extensive lava plains (shield and regional plains) were formed during the volcanic regime. A minor portion of the entire corona population (18%) represents the initial, progressive, stage in the evolution of diapirs, which is characterized by growing a dome-shaped structure above a diapir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an important component of aero-engine, the surface integrity of aero-engine blade directly affects the performance of the engine. The bionic ribbed surface of drag reduction inspired from shark skin has been widely used in various parts and achieved good drag reduction effect. However, in the actual processing process, there are situations where the ribbed surface cannot be processed due to the large stepover, while the ribbed surface processed can be damaged due to the small stepover, which ultimately affects the surface quality and surface integrity. Combining the particularity of the structure of the aero-engine blade and the micro-characteristics of the bionic ribbed surface, the relationship between the stepover and the micro-characteristics of belt grinding is established. Experimental detection found that the optimization effectively avoids the situation where the ribbed surface is largely damaged and the ribbed surface will not be processed in some locations. The surface roughness after the optimization is also relatively reduced. The morphology of the optimized surface is consistent, the surface roughness is improved by more than 3%, and the length of the overlapped part of the section is reduced from 0.32 to about 0.12 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vacuum conveyor belt punching process by using the piercing punch which cooperates with the die has potential to be modified in aspects of lowering the perforation force, extending the tool life, and improving the hole quality in the perforated belts. All these parameters have an influence on the efficiency of the process and strictly depends on the punch geometry. This indicates that based on these criteria the optimization of the tool constructional features may be performed. In the presented research, authors have shown the linear correlation between the resistance force of the compressed material of the multilayer polymer composite belt in punching and the efficiency of the process. It was also proved that using the effective geometry of the piercing punch with spherical bowl can reduce the perforation force by 69%. Based on the obtained model, the simplified optimization as well as the evaluation of the punches with defined geometry can be performed, since all characteristics of the material compressive force obtained for the effective punches were almost consistent. For proper analysis, it is necessary to use the combination of the analytical and numerical modelling, computer simulations with using the finite element method (FEM) and the experimental tests. However, by performing simple compression tests for various tool geometry on the strength testing machine, it is possible to perform the comparison analysis of different piercing punches based on the derived models. This approach can be used to evaluate the properties of selected tools for the groups of materials with wide divergence of the mechanical properties without performing the complex research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identification of subduction to post-collisional tectonic transitions is critical to the study of orogenic belts. To characterize such a transition in the Tianshan Orogenic Belt, a systematic study was conducted on the late Carboniferous (305-301 Ma) Hongshankou dolerite and Dikan'er basalt of Eastern Tianshan. The Hongshankou dolerites have relatively high Ti and Nb contents, akin to Nb-enriched arc basalts. Based on the Nb/La ratios, these dolerites can be divided into low- Nb/La (0.35-0.40) and high-Nb/La (0.67-1.4) groups, which were likely derived respectively from slab melt-metasomatized mantle wedge and a mixed mantle source involving depleted super-slab and enriched sub-slab asthenospheric components. Like the low-Nb/La dolerites, the Dikan'er basalts possess low Nb/La (0.42-0.46) ratios, suggesting a mantle source previously modified by slab components. In addition, the Dikan'er basalts have variable Nb contents and can be grouped into normal arc basalts and Nb-rich basalts that can be attributed to a common mantle source with different degrees of mantle melting, as demonstrated by the positive correlations of La/Sm with La and Nb. By integrating available data, two late Carboniferous belts of Nb-enriched mafic magmatism are recognized in the Eastern Tianshan, with one in the Yamansu arc (336-301 Ma) and the other in the Bogda Mountains (305-301 Ma). The former is characterized by low Nb/La (<0.6) ratios, reflecting derivation from mantle metasomatized by slab-derived melt during a subduction process; the latter exhibits an abrupt Nb/La increase from 0.6 to 1.4, indicating significant input of sub-slab asthenospheric mantle that was probably induced by slab break off. Accordingly, we propose that the tectonic transition from subduction to post-collision in the Eastern Tianshan occurred in the latest Carboniferous (305-301 Ma) and was marked by the abrupt input of deep and enriched asthenospheric mantle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ligature strangulation causes death due to neck compression without suspension. However, suicidal ligature strangulation is rare. The suicide of a 32-year-old man is presented. After a dispute, the man was found outdoors with a lashing belt around his neck which had been pulled tight with a ratchet. Conjunctival petechiae were found, but hemorrhages in the soft tissues were not observed. The hyoid bone and larynx did not show fractures or hemorrhage. Other injuries as well as signs of defence were not observed. The differentiation between homicidal and suicidal ligature strangulation can be difficult and requires careful investigation and collaboration by police and forensic pathologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the extremely complex regional geological tectonic movements in the Alpide Himalayan seismic belt with the dense population and rapid economic development, the frequent seismic activity has caused huge concern. In geology, the research on the spatiotemporal characteristics of seismic activity in different areas at different scales has always been valuable to explore the mechanism of seismic activity for further simulation and prediction of the seismic activity. Using the spatial autocorrelation analysis in this study, we analyzed the spatiotemporal dynamic characteristics of seismic activity in the Alpide Himalayan seismic belt. According to the historical earthquake list (from 1973 to 2017), the data are divided into five periods. Compared with the commonality and diversity of the spatiotemporal characteristics of seismic activity in different periods, it shows that: there is a positive spatial autocorrelation in each period, which proves the spatial aggregation of the seismic activity in the Alpide Himalayan seismic belt. Nevertheless, over time, the spatial aggregation distribution is gradually diminishing from 1973 to 2017; From the Local Spatial Autocorrelation analysis, the spatial aggregation characteristics of seismic activity change with time and have a significant differentiation among the regions. According to the comparison of Local Spatial Autocorrelation characteristics in different periods, seismic activities in the Alpide Himalayan seismic belt were consistent with the periodic characteristics. Assuming the alternating seismic calm period and active period, we could notice that it turned from the active period to the calm period around 2008, which is the most recent turning point between the active and calm periods. At last, the spatio-temporal dynamic characteristics of the seismic activity in the Alpide Himalayan seismic belt is not only consistent with the formation mechanism of seismic activity but also represents the spatial disparity of the geological tectonic movements. It is the feasibility and effectiveness to explore the seismic mechanism based on spatio-temporal dynamic characteristics of the seismic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 1:28,000-scale geoarchaeological map has been prepared for a large sector of the Ionian coastal belt of the Basilicata region, southern Italy, in order to investigate the relationships between the spatial distribution of archaeological sites of Greek settlement of Metapontum and the main landforms of this sector of the Bradano Foredeep. Archaeological investigation consists of an examination and a re-organisation of published data and new field surveys, which has allowed us to infer the relationships between landform elements and spatial distribution of about 1400 archaeological remnants of the Greek colony of Metapontum. Our results highlight a non-random distribution of the archaeological evidence and the strong influence of geomorphological features and processes on the settlement pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Joint systems in the eastern portion of the Ebro Basin of the eastern Pyrenees enjoy near continuous exposure from the frontal portion of the belt up to the external portion of its associated foredeep. Utilizing orthophoto mosaics of these world-class exposures, we have manually digitized over 30 000 joints within a 16 km ×50 km study area. The mapped traces exhibit orientations that are dominantly perpendicular to the trend of the belt (transverse) and, subordinately, parallel to the belt (longitudinal). In particular, joints systematically orient perpendicular to the trend of the belt both in the frontal folds and in the inner and central portion of the foredeep basin. Longitudinal joints occur rarely with a disordered spatial distribution, exhibiting null difference in abundance between the belt and the foredeep. Joint orientations in the external portion of the foredeep become less clustered, with adjacent areas dominated by either transverse or oblique joints. Our data indicate that joints in the studied area formed in the foredeep in response to a foredeep-parallel stretching, which becomes progressively less intense within the external portion of the foredeep. There, the minimum stress direction becomes more variable, providing evidence of the poor contribution of the forebulge-perpendicular stretching on stress organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yuli Belt exposed in the retro-wedge of the eastern part of the Taiwan orogen hosts slivers of a heterogeneous unit of blueschist-facies rocks. However, the question pertaining to its palaeogeographic provenance is still debated despite new geochronological data. This is largely because the structural geometries and kinematics of the Yuli Belt's tectonic contacts with its adjacent units are improperly understood. This paper presents new structural data from field work along several river transects in the Yuli Belt, which we combine with published data into a new tectonic model. Fieldwork and microstructural analyses indicate three deformation phases in the Yuli Belt. Based on cross sections and a review of available P-T-t data, we suspect that blueschist-facies units could have been emplaced on top of greenschist- facies metasedimentary units along a thrust during a first deformation phase D1. This assembly was later thrust over the Eurasian-derived Tailuko Belt along the Shoufeng Fault during D2, as suggested by W-plunging stretching lineations on fault-parallel foliation planes. D3 produced E-vergent folds with W- to NW-dipping axial planes, refolding earlier foliations as well as the D1 nappe contact. We suspect that this E-vergent folding could be related to top-E backthrusting observed along the Shoufeng Fault, involving its reorientation from an initially E-dipping to a presently W-dipping contact. The blueschist-facies metamorphic unit of the Yuli Belt likely represents a mid-Miocene fragment of oceanic crust and mantle issued in the South China Sea. It could hence be considered as part of the suture between the Eurasian and the Philippine Sea plates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Taiwan's Central Range mountains, fundamental constraints on depositional ages and the timing of deformation and metamorphism remain a problematic issue preventing a consensual chronology of orogenic events to be established. In this contribution, we report detrital zircon U-Pb detrital ages for the Chulai Formation, the easternmost strip of metamorphic sediments depositionally overlying the metamorphic, high-pressure Yuli belt. We demonstrate that the maximum depositional age of this unit is 11.2 ± 0.2 Ma (Upper Miocene, Tortonian), making it the youngest pervasively deformed and metamorphosed unit of the Central Range. Detrital zircon ages suggest an almost exclusively continental origin of the sediments similar to the Yuli belt's matrix detrital age zircon spectra. Sedimentary relationships and structural considerations indicate that the Chulai Formation underwent essentially the same deformation history as the underlying Yuli belt, and thus the maximum depositional age of 11.2 ± 0.2 Ma is interpreted as the upper limit for the start of pervasive deformation of the eastern Central Range geological units. When considering the existing geochronological constraints on the metamorphism, we argue that the timing for the Cenozoic metamorphism of the Taiwan orogen is likely to be ~6 - 8 Ma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eastern Sichuan-western Hunan and Hubei belt (ESWHHB) is an important fold-thrust belt in the Middle-Upper Yangtze region of China, and it is also an important area for petroleum and gas prospect in China. The influence of mechanical stratigraphy on the deformation evolution of the ESWHHB is a hot problem that has received widespread attention. However, due to the complexity of geological conditions, this issue has not been sufficiently addressed. Previews geological exploration studies show that the deformation evolution of the belt is closely related to the mechanical stratigraphy. Physical simulation has proven to be effective for studying the deformation evolution of fold-and-thrust belt. Based on the geological conditions of the ESWHHB, six groups of physical models were designed to analyze the influences of the ductile layer and overlap configuration on the structural deformation of the ESWHHB. The results show that the mechanical stratigraphy has significant control on the deformation evolution of the fold-thrust belt. The ESWHHB evolution is related to the lower viscosity of the ductile layer and the larger thickness of the ductile layer, while only gradual propagated fold-and-thrust belt can be resulted from the higher viscosity of the ductile layer and the smaller thickness of the ductile layer. Additionally, the overlap between the stratigraphy at various structural belts leads to significant differences in their mechanical properties, and it critically influences the structural patterns of the ESWHHB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

U–Pb ID-TIMS dating of igneous baddeleyite from metamorphosed coronitic gabbronorites in the сentral part of the Belomorian mobile belt, Fennoscandian shield was performed for the first time. The obtained age of 2404 ± 11 Ma indicates that studied gabbronorites belong to the ca. 2400 Ma large igneous province and thereby allows to extend its area on the Fennoscandian Shield. A short duration of large mafic igneous events in the Paleoproterozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tectonic attributes of different blocks within orogenic belts are of great significance for the study of accretionary processes and the evolution of Earth. The Hongliuhe‐Niujianzi‐Baiyunshan‐Xichangjing ophiolitic mélange belt (HXOMB) is distributed in the heart of the Beishan Orogen, the Shuangyingshan and Minshui‐Hanshan blocks being distributed in the south and north of the HXOMB respectively, and a large number of Early Paleozoic geological units are exposed on the blocks. According to the zircon age populations of the metasandstones in the Baiyunshan area recovered in this paper, when compared with the zircon age populations of the Paleozoic metasandstones reported in the Niujuanzi and Hanshan areas, we found that the metasandstones of the Shuangyingshan Block have age peaks at c. 598 Ma, 742 Ma, 828 Ma, 941 Ma, 990 Ma, 1168Ma, 1636 Ma, 2497 Ma with non‐significant age populations of 1500–1300 Ma, showing a possible affinity with the Tarim Craton; the metasandstones of the Minshui‐Hanshan Block have age peaks at c. 606 Ma, 758 Ma, 914 Ma, 1102 Ma, 1194 Ma, 1304 Ma, 1672 Ma with significant age populations of 1500‐1300 Ma, showing a possible affinity with the Chinese Central Tianshan Block. Therefore, the HXOMB of the Beishan Orogen is of great significance in plate segmentation, which separates the Tarim Craton in the south and the Chinese Central Tianshan Block in the north. Based on the evolutionary process of the Hongliuhe‐Xichangjing ocean in the Beishan Orogen, we believe that break‐up and convergence can be recognized as having occurred twice between the Chinese Central Tianshan Block and the Tarim Craton since the Mesoproterozoic in the Beishan area. This was related firstly to the break‐up of the Columbia Supercontinent and the convergence of the Rodinia Supercontinent, mainly during the Middle Mesoproterozoic to Early Neoproterozoic, and secondly to the opening and closing of the Hongliuhe‐Xichangjing ocean, mainly during the Early Paleozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carbonate‐hosted Pb–Zn deposits in the Sanjiang metallogenic belt on the Tibetan Plateau are typical of MVT Pb–Zn deposits that form in thrust‐fold belts. The Jiamoshan Pb–Zn deposit is located in the Changdu area in the middle part of the Sanjiang belt, and it represents a new style of MVT deposit that was controlled by karst structures in a thrust–fold system. Such a karst‐controlled MVT Pb–Zn deposit in thrust settings has not previously been described in detail, and we therefore mapped the geology of the deposit and undertook a detailed study of its genesis. The karst structures that host the Jiamoshan deposit were formed in Triassic limestones along secondary reverse faults, and the orebodies have irregular tubular shapes. The main sulfide minerals are galena, sphalerite, and pyrite that occur in massive and lamellar form. The ore‐forming fluids belonged to a Mg2+–Na+–K+–SO42––Cl−–F−–NO3−–H2O system at low temperatures (120–130°C) but with high salinities (19–22% NaCl eq.). We have recognized basinal brine as the source of the ore‐forming fluids on the basis of their H–O isotopic compositions (–145‰ to –93‰ for δDV‐SMOW and –2.22‰ to 13.00‰ for δ18Ofluid), the ratios of Cl/Br (14–1196) and Na/Br (16–586) in the hydrothermal fluids, and the C–O isotopic compositions of calcite (–5.0‰ to 3.7‰ for δ13CV‐PDB and 15.1‰ to 22.3‰ for δ18OV‐SMOW). These fluids may have been derived from evaporated seawater trapped in marine strata at depth or from Paleogene–Neogene basins on the surface. The δ34S values are low in the galena (–3.2‰ to 0.6‰) but high in the barite (27.1‰), indicating that the reduced sulfur came from gypsum in the regional Cenozoic basins and from sulfates in trapped paleo‐seawater by bacterial sulfate reduction. The Pb isotopic compositions of the galena samples (18.3270–18.3482 for 206Pb/204Pb, 15.6345–15.6390 for 207Pb/204Pb, and 38.5503–38.5582 for 208Pb/204Pb) are similar to those of the regional Triassic volcanic‐arc rocks that formed during the closure of the Paleo‐Tethys, indicating these arc rocks were the source of the metals in the deposit. Taking into account our new observations and data, as well as regional Pb–Zn metallogenic processes, we present here a new model for MVT deposits controlled by karst structures in thrust–fold systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South Qilian belt mainly comprises an early Paleozoic arc‐ophiolite complex, accretionary prism, microcontinental block, and foreland basin. These elements represent accretion‐collision during Cambrian to Silurian time in response to closure of the Proto‐Tethyan Ocean in the NE of the present‐day Tibet Plateau. Closure of the Proto‐Tethyan Ocean between the Central Qilian block and the Oulongbuluke block and the associated collision took place from NE to SW in a zipper‐like style. Sediment would have been dispersed longitudinally SW‐ward with a progressive facies migration from marginal alluvial sediments toward slope deep‐water and deep‐sea turbidites. This migration path indicates an ocean basin that shrank toward the SW. The Balonggongga'er Formation in the western South Qilian belt represents the fill of a latest Ordovician‐Silurian remnant ocean basin that separated the Oulongbuluke block from the Central Qilian block, and records Silurian closure of the Proto‐Tethyan Ocean and subduction beneath the Central Qilian block. However, alluvial deposits in the Lajishan area were accumulated in a retro‐foreland basin, indicating that continent‐continent collision in the eastern South Qilian belt occurred at c. 450–440 Ma. These results demonstrate that the Proto‐Tethyan Ocean closed diachronously during early Paleozoic time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a picker system with a belt-pulley mechanism, which can be used in sesame harvesting only to aim grabbing the plant stems, was designed and manufactured. In addition, the optimum working criteria were determined in laboratory conditions. To this aim, catching efficiency of the picker was evaluated statistically depending on different pulley diameters (155, 185 and 210 mm), belt speeds (0.55, 0.66 and 0.77 m s-1) and belt gaps (0 and 5 mm). The catching efficiency increased as the pulley diameter, the belt speed and the belt gap increased. The picking system was found to be successful on catching the plant stems. Furthermore, the coefficient of friction between the plant body and the catching belt was determined according to the stem moisture content. As the stem moisture content decreased, a slight decrease was observed in the coefficient of friction between the belt material and the stem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]