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Currently, tungsten fibre-reinforced (Wf) composites are regarded as promising materials for plasma-facing components of future magnetic confinement fusion devices. In this context, tungsten fibre-reinforced tungsten (Wf/W) is being investigated as a pseudo-ductile composite material overcoming the intrinsic brittleness of bulk tungsten while tungsten fibre-reinforced copper (Wf/Cu) is being developed as a high-strength composite heat sink material. In this contribution, we discuss the current development status and the progress that has been achieved recently with respect to characterization and upscaling of the aforementioned materials.In cooperation with industry, upscaling of multifilamentary W yarn fabrication was demonstrated. Multilayered W fibre braids were made from such yarns and used for the manufacturing of 400mm long medium-scale tungsten fibre-reinforced copper heat sink tubes. The maturity of short tungsten fibre-reinforced tungsten composites produced by powder metallurgy allowed the fabrication of flat tile mock-ups. Test procedure and first results of high heat flux tests are shown. Finally, we discuss the challenges and the benefits of these composites for the use in high heat flux components.

The nearby radio galaxy M87 is a very high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray emitter established by observations with ground-based gamma-ray detectors. Here we report the long-term monitoring of M87 from 2021 to 2024 with the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO). M87 has been detected by LHAASO with a statistical significance ∼ 9 σ . The observed energy spectrum extends to 20 TeV, with a possible hardening at ∼20 TeV and then a clear softening at higher energies. Assuming that the intrinsic spectrum is described by a single power law up to 20 TeV, a tight upper bound on the extragalactic background light intensity is obtained. A strong VHE flare lasting 8 days, with a rise time of ${\tau }_{r}^{\mathrm{rise}}=1.05\pm 0.49$ days and decay time of ${\tau }_{d}^{\mathrm{decay}}=2.17\pm 0.58$ days, was found in early 2022. A possible GeV flare is seen also in Fermi Large Area Telescope data during the VHE flare period. The variability time as short as 1 day seen in the LHAASO data suggests a compact emission region with a size of ∼3 × 10 ^15 δ cm ( δ being the Doppler factor of the emitting region), corresponding to a few Schwarzschild radii of the central supermassive black hole in M87. The continuous monitoring of the source reveals a duty cycle of ∼1% for VHE flares with a flux above 10 ^−11 erg cm ^−2 s ^−1 .

The first source catalog of the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) reported the detection of a very high energy gamma-ray source, 1LHAASO J1219+2915. This Letter presents a further detailed study of the spectral and temporal behavior of this pointlike source. The best-fit position of the TeV source (R.A. = 185.°05 ± 0.°04, decl. = 29.°25 ± 0.°03) is compatible with NGC 4278 within ∼0.°03. Variation analysis shows an indication of variability on a timescale of a few months in the TeV band, which is consistent with low-frequency observations. Based on these observations, we report the detection of TeV γ -ray emissions from this low-luminosity active galactic nucleus. The observation by LHAASO's Water Cherenkov Detector Array during the active period has a significance level of 8.8 σ with a best-fit photon spectral index Γ = 2.56 ± 0.14 and a flux f _1–10 TeV = (7.0 ± 1.1 _sta ± 0.35 _syst ) × 10 ^−13 photons cm ^−2 s ^−1 , or approximately 5% of the Crab Nebula. The discovery of VHE gamma-ray emission from NGC 4278 indicates that compact, weak radio jets can efficiently accelerate particles and emit TeV photons.

Wendelstein 7-X, the world’s largest superconducting stellarator in Greifswald (Germany), started plasma experiments with a water-cooled plasma-facing wall in 2022, allowing for long pulse operation. In parallel, a project was launched in 2021 to develop a W based divertor, replacing the current CFC divertor, to demonstrate plasma performance of a stellarator with a reactor relevant plasma facing materials with low tritium retention. The project consists of two tasks: Based on experience from the previous experimental campaigns and improved physics modelling, the geometry of the plasma-facing surface of the divertor and baffles is optimized to prevent overloads and to improve exhaust. In parallel, the manufacturing technology for a W based target module is qualified.This paper gives a status update of project. It focusses on the conceptual design of a W based target module, the manufacturing technology and its qualification, which is conducted in the framework of the EUROfusion funded WPDIV program. A flat tile design in which a target module is made of a single target element is pursued. The technology must allow for moderate curvatures of the plasma-facing surface to follow the magnetic field lines. The target element is designed for steady state heat loads of 10 MW/m2 (as for the CFC divertor). Target modules of a similar size and weight as for the CFC divertor are assumed (approx.

The power exhaust concept and an appropriate divertor design are common critical issues for tokamak DEMO design activities which have been carried out in Europe, Japan, China, Korea and the USA. Conventional divertor concepts and power exhaust studies for recent DEMO designs (Pfusion = 1 – 2 GW, Rp = 7 – 9 m) are reviewed from the viewpoints of the plasma physics issues and the divertor engineering design. Radiative cooling is a common approach for the power fusion scenario. Requirements on the main plasma radiation fraction (fradmain = Pradmain/Pheat) and the plasma performance constrain the divertor design concept. Different challenges contribute to optimizing the future DEMO designs: for example, (i) increasing the main plasma radiation fraction for ITER-level Psep/Rp designs and simplifying the divertor geometry, and (ii) extending ITER divertor geometry with increasing divertor radiation (Praddiv) for larger Psep/Rp ≥ 25MWm−1 designs. Power exhaust simulations with large Psep = 150 – 300 MW have been performed using integrated divertor codes considering an ITER-based divertor geometry with longer leg length (1.6 – 1.7 m), as in a common baseline design. Geometry effects (ITER like geometry or more open one without baffle) on the plasma detachment profile and the required divertor radiation fraction (fraddiv = Praddiv/Psep) were key aspects of these studies. All simulations showed that the divertor plasma detachment were extended widely across the target plate with a reduction in the peak heat load of qtarget ≤ 10 MWm−2 for the large fraddiv = 0.7 – 0.8, while the peak qtarget location and value were noticeably different in the partially detached divertor. Simulation results also demonstrated that radial diffusion coefficients of the heat and particle fluxes were critical parameters for DEMO divertor design, and that effects of plasma drifts on outboard-enhanced asymmetry of the heat flux, suggested the need for longer divertor leg to ensure the existence of a detached divertor operation with qtarget ≤ 10 MWm−2.Integrated design of the water cooled divertor target, cassette body (CB) and cooling pipe routing has been developed for each DEMO concept, based on the ITER-like tungsten monoblock (W-MB) with Cu-alloy cooling pipes. Engineering design adequate under higher neutron irradiation condition was required. Therefore, inlet coolant temperature (Tcool) was increased. In current designs, it still shows a large potential variation between 70 °C and 200 °C. The influence of thermal softening on the Cu-alloy (CuCrZr) pipe was fostered near the strike-point when the high qtarget of ∼10 MWm−2 was studied. Improved technologies for high heat flux components based on the ITER W-MB unit have been developed for EU-DEMO. Different coolant conditions (low- and high-Tcool) were provided for Cu-alloy and reduced activation ferritic martensitic (RAFM) steel heat sink units, respectively. The high-Tcool coolant was also considered for the CB and supporting structures. Appropriate conditions for the high-Tcool coolant, i.e. 180 °C/ 5 MPa (EU-DEMO) and 290 °C/ 15 MPa (JA-DEMO, CFETR and K-DEMO), will be determined in the future optimizations of the divertor and DEMO design.

We present the first catalog of very-high-energy and ultra-high-energy gamma-ray sources detected by the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory. The catalog was compiled using 508 days of data collected by the Water Cherenkov Detector Array from 2021 March to 2022 September and 933 days of data recorded by the Kilometer Squared Array from 2020 January to 2022 September. This catalog represents the main result from the most sensitive large coverage gamma-ray survey of the sky above 1 TeV, covering decl. from −20° to 80°. In total, the catalog contains 90 sources with an extended size smaller than 2° and a significance of detection at >5 σ . Based on our source association criteria, 32 new TeV sources are proposed in this study. Among the 90 sources, 43 sources are detected with ultra-high energy ( E > 100 TeV) emission at >4 σ significance level. We provide the position, extension, and spectral characteristics of all the sources in this catalog.

This study examined the occurrence of meteotsunamis in the eastern Yellow Sea and the conceptual framework of a monitoring/warning system. Using 1 min intervals of mean-sea-level pressure and sea-level observations from 89 meteorological stations and 16 tide gauges between 2010 and 2019, a total of 42 pressure-forced meteotsunami events were classified. Most meteotsunamis (71 %) displayed a distinct seasonal pattern occurring from March to June, and intense meteotsunamis typically occurred at harbor tide gauges. The occurrence characteristics of the meteotsunamis were examined to improve the meteotsunami monitoring/warning system. Air pressure disturbances with speeds of 11–26 m s−1 and NNW–SW directions were conducive to meteotsunami generation. Most meteotsunamis (88 %), as well as strong meteotsunamis with a wave height exceeding 40 cm (19 %), had dominant period bands of less than 30 min, containing the resonant periods of harbors in the eastern Yellow Sea. Thus, the eastern Yellow Sea is a harbor-meteotsunami-dominated environment, characterized by frequent meteotsunami occurrences and local amplification in multiple harbors. This study can provide practical guidance on operation periods, potential hot spots, and risk levels to monitoring/warning system operators in the eastern Yellow Sea.

Abstract Abnormal spasticity and associated synergistic patterns are the most common neuromuscular impairments affecting ankle–knee–hip interlimb coordinated gait kinematics and kinetics in patients with hemiparetic stroke. Although patients with hemiparetic stroke undergo various treatments to improve gait and movement, it remains unknown how spasticity and associated synergistic patterns change after robot-assisted and conventional treatment. We developed an innovative ankle–knee–hip interlimb coordinated humanoid robot (ICT) to mitigate abnormal spasticity and synergistic patterns. The objective of the preliminary clinical trial was to compare the effects of ICT combined with conventional physical therapy (ICT-C) and conventional physical therapy and gait training (CPT-G) on abnormal spasticity and synergistic gait patterns in 20 patients with acute hemiparesis. We performed secondary analyses aimed at elucidating the biomechanical effects of Walkbot ICT on kinematic (spatiotemporal parameters and angles) and kinetic (active force, resistive force, and stiffness) gait parameters before and after ICT in the ICT-C group. The intervention for this group comprised 60-min conventional physical therapy plus 30-min robot-assisted training, 7 days/week, for 2 weeks. Significant biomechanical effects in knee joint kinematics; hip, knee, and ankle active forces; hip, knee, and ankle resistive forces; and hip, knee, and ankle stiffness were associated with ICT-C. Our novel findings provide promising evidence for conventional therapy supplemented by robot-assisted therapy for abnormal spasticity, synergistic, and altered biomechanical gait impairments in patients in the acute post-stroke recovery phase. Trial Registration: Clinical Trials.gov identifier NCT03554642 (14/01/2020).

The Early Cretaceous is characterized by warm background temperatures (i.e., greenhouse climate) and carbon cycle perturbations that are often marked by ocean anoxic events (OAEs) and associated shifts in the hydrologic cycle. Higher-resolution records of terrestrial and marine δ13C and δ18O (both carbonates and organics) suggest climate shifts during the Aptian–Albian, including a warm period associated with OAE 1a in the early Aptian and a subsequent “cold snap” near the Aptian–Albian boundary prior to the Kilian and OAE 1b. Understanding the continental system is an important factor in determining the triggers and feedbacks to these events. Here, we present new paleosol carbonate stable isotopic (δ13C, δ18O and Δ47) and CALMAG weathering parameter results from the Xiagou and Zhonggou formations (part of the Xinminpu Group in the Yujingzi Basin of NW China) spanning the Aptian–Albian. Published mean annual air temperature (MAAT) records of the Barremian–Albian from Asia are relatively cool with respect to the Early Cretaceous. However, these records are largely based on coupled δ18O measurements of dinosaur apatite phosphate (δ18Op) and carbonate (δ18Ocarb) and therefore rely on estimates of meteoric water δ18O (δ18Omw) from δ18Op. Significant shifts in the hydrologic cycle likely influenced δ18Omw in the region, complicating these MAAT estimates. Thus, temperature records independent of δ18Omw (e.g., clumped isotopes or Δ47) are desirable and required to confirm temperatures estimated with δ18Op and δ18Oc and to reliably determine regional shifts in δ18Omw. Primary carbonate material was identified using traditional petrography, cathodoluminescence inspection, and δ13C and δ18O subsampling. Our preliminary Δ47-based temperature reconstructions (record mean of 14.9 ∘C), which we interpret as likely being representative of MAAT, match prior estimates from similar paleolatitudes of Asian MAAT (average ∼ 15 ∘C) across the Aptian–Albian. This, supported by our estimated mean atmospheric paleo-pCO2 concentration of 396 ppmv, indicates relatively cooler midlatitude terrestrial climate. Additionally, our coupled δ18O and Δ47 records suggest shifts in the regional hydrologic cycle (i.e., ΔMAP, mean annual precipitation, and Δδ18Omw) that may track Aptian–Albian climate perturbations (i.e., a drying of Asian continental climate associated with the cool interval).

Abstract The focal plane camera is the core component of the Wide Field-of-view Cherenkov/fluorescence Telescope Array (WFCTA) of the Large High-Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO). Because of the capability of working under moonlight without aging, silicon photomultipliers (SiPM) have been proven to be not only an alternative but also an improvement to conventional photomultiplier tubes (PMT) in this application. Eighteen SiPM-based cameras with square light funnels have been built for WFCTA. The telescopes have collected more than 100 million cosmic ray events and preliminary results indicate that these cameras are capable of working under moonlight. The characteristics of the light funnels and SiPMs pose challenges (e.g. dynamic range, dark count rate, assembly techniques). In this paper, we present the design features, manufacturing techniques and performances of these cameras. Finally, the test facilities, the test methods and results of SiPMs in the cameras are reported here.

Abstract Detecting neuroplastic changes during locomotor neurorehabilitation is crucial for independent primal motor behaviours. However, long-term locomotor training-related neuroplasticity remains unexplored. We compared the effects of end-effector robot-assisted gait training (E-RAGT) and bodyweight-supported treadmill training (BWST) on cortical activation in individuals with hemiparetic stroke. Twenty-three men and five women aged 53.2 ± 11.2 years were recruited and randomly assigned to participate in E-RAGT (n = 14) or BWST (n = 14) for 30 min/day, 5 days/week, for 4 weeks. Cortical activity, lower limb motor function, and gait speed were evaluated before and after training. Activation of the primary sensorimotor cortex, supplementary motor area, and premotor cortex in the affected hemisphere significantly increased only in the E-RAGT group, although there were no significant between-group differences. Clinical outcomes, including the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), timed up and go test, and 10-m walk test scores, improved after training in both groups, with significantly better FMA scores in the E-RAGT group than in the BWST group. These findings suggest that E-RAGT effectively improves neuroplastic outcomes in hemiparetic stroke, although its superiority over conventional training remains unclear. This may have clinical implications and provides insight for clinicians interested in locomotor neurorehabilitation after hemiparetic stroke. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT04054739 (12/08/2019).

This study aimed to compare the effects of conventional autism therapy (CAT) and integrative autism therapy (IAT) in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A convenience sample of 24 children with ASD was recruited and underwent either CAT or IAT for 60 min/day, twice a week, for 20 sessions over 10 weeks. Outcome measures included the following: (1) physical domain (pediatric balance scale, PBS), (2) sensory domain (short sensory profile), (3) cognitive domains (functional independence measure, FIM; and childhood autism rating scale), and (4) social integration domain (Canadian occupational performance measure, COPM; short falls efficacy scale; and pediatrics quality of life questionnaire). Two-way repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the intervention-related changes in the four domains across the pre-test, post-test, and follow-up test at p < 0.05. ANOVA showed significant interaction effects on the PBS, FIM, and COPM (p < 0.05) variables. Moreover, time main effects (p < 0.05) were observed in all four domain variables, but no group main effect was noted. This study provides promising evidence that IAT is more effective than CAT for managing children and adolescents with ASD.

Non-intrusive technologies for the in-situ measurement of river morphological features are increasingly popular in the scientific and practice communities due to their efficient and productive data acquisition. While the measurement of suspended load with optical and acoustic technologies is currently an active area of research, the measurement of bedform dynamics has not experienced similar progress. We have successfully demonstrated through laboratory experiments that, by combining acoustic mapping with image velocimetry concepts, we can characterize the planar dynamics of the bedform migration. The technique, labeled Acoustic Mapping Velocimetry (AMV), is currently transferred to field conditions using multiple-beam echo-sounders (MBES) for producing acoustic maps. During this transfer, new questions emerged because, in field conditions, many of the morphologic features targeted by AMV measurements are not a priori known. Moreover, the image velocimetry processing can be approached with several alternatives, each of them characterized by strength and limitations. This paper assembles guidelines for establishing optimal parameters for the acquisition of the acoustic maps based on analytical considerations, and for selecting essential features of the processing for image velocimetry. We test these guidelines using MBES data acquired in the Mississippi River.

Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) is a promising therapeutic vehicle to maximize active participation and enhance functional neuroplasticity in patients with central nervous system pathology by adequately adjusting gait speed, body weight support (BWS) level, and impedance provided by the exoskeleton. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between RAGT training parameters (BWS and speed) and electromyography (EMG) muscle activity torques in the knee and hip joint during RAGT. To analyze the correlation between the joint torques measured in the Walkbot gait rehabilitation system and the EMG signal of the lower limbs (vastus lateralis oblique, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius) and understand the real-time state of the lower limb an experiment involving 20 subjects was conducted. The EMG–torque relationship was evaluated in a general rehabilitation training setting to overcome the limitations of in vivo settings. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis was performed at p < 0.05. Moderate relationships between biceps femoris activation data and hip and knee torques were statistically significant, ranging from r = 0.412 to −0.590, p < 0.05). Importantly, inverse relationships existed between hip torques and vastus lateralis oblique, biceps femoris, and tibialis anterior activation, respectively. The present results demonstrated the association between EMG locomotor control patterns and torque generation in the hip and knee joints during RAGT-treadmill under the different BWS and walking speed settings while adjusting the impedance mode parameters in non-neurological adults. Additionally, the EMG locomotor control patterns, concurrent torque generation in the hip and knee joints, and application of different BWS and walking speed parameters in the RAGT were linked to the gait speed and BWS. The outcomes also showed that the amount of BWS supplied had an impact on the effects of treadmill speed on muscle activity and temporal step control. It is essential to adjust RAGT parameters precisely in order to maximize training session efficiency and quality. The results of this study nevertheless call for more investigation into the relationship between muscle activity and torque outcomes in diseased populations with gait impairment.

This study was designed to determine the best intervention time (acute, subacute, and chronic stages) for Walkbot robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) rehabilitation to improve clinical outcomes, including sensorimotor function, balance, cognition, and activities of daily living, in hemiparetic stroke patients. Thirty-six stroke survivors (acute stage group (ASG), n = 11; subacute stage group (SSG), n = 15; chronic stage group (CSG), n = 10) consistently received Walkbot RAGT for 30 min/session, thrice a week, for 4 weeks. Six clinical outcome variables, including the Fugl–Meyer Assessment (FMA), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), and Mini-Mental State Examination, were examined before and after the intervention. Significant differences in the FMA, BBS, TIS, and MBI were observed between the ASG and the SSG or CSG. A significant time effect was observed for all variables, except for the MAS, in the ASG and SSG, whereas significant time effects were noted for the FMA, BBS, and TIS in the CSG. Overall, Walkbot RAGT was more favorable for acute stroke patients than for those with subacute or chronic stroke. This provides the first clinical evidence for the optimal intervention timing for RAGT in stroke.

Angelman syndrome (AS) is a genetic neurological disorder resulting in cognitive and neuromuscular impairments, such as lack of safety awareness and attention, as well as lack of balance and locomotor control. The robotic interactive gait training (RIGT) system is designed to provide accurate proprioceptive, kinematic, and kinetic feedback, and facilitate virtual reality and augmented reality (VR-AR) interactive exercises during gait training. In the present case report, we examined the effect of an innovative hip-knee-ankle interlimb-coordinated RIGT system. We utilized this therapeutic modality in a participant with Angelman syndrome (AS). Gross motor function measures, risk of fall, and gait-related kinetic (force), and kinematic (joint angle) biomechanical characteristics were assessed before and after 20 sessions of RIGT with VR-AR. We found RIGT with VR-AT improved gait ability, as shown by Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment score, gross motor function by Gross Motor Function Measure score, balance by Pediatric Balance Scale score, knee and hip joint kinetics, and kinematics during gait. Our clinical and biomechanical evidence provide important clinical insights to improve the effectiveness of current neurorehabilitation approaches for treating patients with AS in balance and locomotor control and reduce the risk of falling.

Due to a unique property combination, tungsten is a promising candidate for highly loaded areas in advanced fusion reactors. However, tungsten suffers from its inherent brittleness at low temperature and its susceptibility to operational embrittlement. In tungsten fibre-reinforced tungsten composites (Wf/W) the toughness is enhanced by extrinsic mechanisms of energy dissipation allowing toughening in the absence of any plasticity. In the here presented work active extrinsic mechanisms of toughening were shown on a model system for as-fabricated and embrittled samples. The mechanisms were evaluated by means of mechanical bending tests in combination with high energy synchrotron tomography. For that a novel 4-point bending test for the in-situ use with high energy synchrotron tomography was developed. Despite the high X-ray attenuation in tungsten a sufficiently high resolution was achieved and clear images of crack extension and crack-fibre interaction were obtained. Several active toughening mechanisms were observed and quantified for the as-fabricated state and, in the case of a stable fibre-matrix interface, also in the embrittled state. The toughening contribution of the individual mechanism was estimated using the mechanical test results and compared with analytically derived values. Using the determined values a high toughening was estimated for as-fabricated and for embrittled bulk Wf/W. The results give hope that the composite material will retain toughness even if experiencing operational embrittlement when used in a future fusion reactor. Keywords: Tungsten, Metal-matrix composites, Fracture toughness, Snchrotron tomography, In-situ bending test

Corners play an important role on image processing, while it is difficult to detect reliable and repeatable corners in SAR images due to the complex property of SAR sensors. In this paper, we propose a fast and novel corner detection method for SAR imagery. First, a local processing window is constructed for each point. We use the local mean of a 3 x 3 mask to represent a single point, which is weighted by a Gaussian template. Then the candidate point is compared with 16 surrounding points in the processing window. Considering the multiplicative property of speckle noise, the similarity measure between the center point and the surrounding points is calculated by the ratio of their local means. If there exist more than M continuous points are different from the center point, then the candidate point is labelled as a corner point. Finally, a selection strategy is implemented by ranking the corner score and employing the non-maxima suppression method. Extreme situations such as isolated bright points are also removed. Experimental results on both simulated and real-world SAR images show that the proposed detector has a high repeatability and a low localization error, compared with other state-of-the-art detectors.

Bundle adjustment with additional parameters is identified as a critical step for precise orthoimage generation and 3D reconstruction of Dunhuang wall paintings. Due to the introduction of self-calibration parameters and quasi-planar constraints, the structure of coefficient matrix of the reduced normal equation is banded-bordered, making the solving process of bundle adjustment complex. In this paper, Conjugate Gradient Bundle Adjustment (CGBA) method is deduced by calculus of variations. A preconditioning method based on improved incomplete Cholesky factorization is adopt to reduce the condition number of coefficient matrix, as well as to accelerate the iteration rate of CGBA. Both theoretical analysis and experimental results comparison with conventional method indicate that, the proposed method can effectively conquer the ill-conditioned problem of normal equation and improve the calculation efficiency of bundle adjustment with additional parameters considerably, while maintaining the actual accuracy.

Due to the high resolution property and the side-looking mechanism of SAR sensors, complex buildings structures make the registration of SAR images in urban areas becomes very hard. In order to solve the problem, an automatic and robust coregistration approach for multiview high resolution SAR images is proposed in the paper, which consists of three main modules. First, both the reference image and the sensed image are segmented into two parts, urban areas and nonurban areas. Urban areas caused by double or multiple scattering in a SAR image have a tendency to show higher local mean and local variance values compared with general homogeneous regions due to the complex structural information. Based on this criterion, building areas are extracted. After obtaining the target regions, L-shape structures are detected using the SAR phase congruency model and Hough transform. The double bounce scatterings formed by wall and ground are shown as strong L- or T-shapes, which are usually taken as the most reliable indicator for building detection. According to the assumption that buildings are rectangular and flat models, planimetric buildings are delineated using the L-shapes, then the reconstructed target areas are obtained. For the orignal areas and the reconstructed target areas, the SAR-SIFT matching algorithm is implemented. Finally, correct corresponding points are extracted by the fast sample consensus (FSC) and the transformation model is also derived. The experimental results on a pair of multiview TerraSAR images with 1-m resolution show that the proposed approach gives a robust and precise registration performance, compared with the orignal SAR-SIFT method.

The European Fusion Roadmap foresees water cooled plasma facing components in a first DEMO design in order to provide enough margin for the cooling capacity and to only moderately extrapolate the technology which was developed and tested for ITER. In order to make best use of the water cooling concept copper (Cu) and copper-chromium-zirconium alloy (CuCrZr) are envisaged as heat sink whereas as armour tungsten (W) based materials will be used. Combining both materials in a high heat flux component asks for an increase of their operational range towards higher temperature in case of Cu/CuCrZr and lower temperatures for W. A remedy for both issues- brittleness of W and degrading strength of CuCrZr- could be the use of W fibres (Wf) in W and Cu based composites. Fibre preforms could be manufactured with industrially viable textile techniques. Flat textiles with a combination of 150/70 µm W wires have been chosen for layered deposition of tungsten-fibre reinforced tungsten (Wf/W) samples and tubular multi-layered braidings with W wire thickness of 50 µm were produced as a preform for tungsten-fibre reinforced copper (Wf /Cu) tubes. Cu melt infiltration was performed together with an industrial partner resulting in sample tubes without any blowholes. Property estimation by mean field homogenisation predicts strongly enhanced strength of the Wf/CuCrZr composite compared to its pure CuCrZr counterpart. Wf /W composites show very high toughness and damage tolerance even at room temperature. Cyclic load tests reveal that the extrinsic toughening mechanisms counteracting the crack growth are active and stable. FEM simulations of the Wf/W composite suggest that the influence of fibre debonding, which is an integral part of the toughening mechanisms, and reduced thermal conductivity of the fibre due to the necessary interlayers do not strongly influence the thermal properties of future components. Keywords: Plasma facing components, Tungsten, Copper, Composite materials, (Extrinsic) toughening

Three methods for determining the reflectivity bias of single polarization radar using dual polarization radar reflectivity and disdrometer data (i.e., the equidistance line, overlapping area, and disdrometer methods) are proposed and evaluated for two low-pressure rainfall events that occurred over the Korean Peninsula on 25 August 2014 and 8 September 2012. Single polarization radar reflectivity was underestimated by more than 12 and 7 dB in the two rain events, respectively. All methods improved the accuracy of rainfall estimation, except for one case where drop size distributions were not observed, as the precipitation system did not pass through the disdrometer location. The use of these bias correction methods reduced the RMSE by as much as 50 %. Overall, the most accurate rainfall estimates were obtained using the overlapping area method to correct radar reflectivity.

Raindrop size distribution (DSD) characteristics within the complex area of Busan, Republic of Korea (35.12° N, 129.10° E), were studied using a Precipitation Occurrence Sensor System (POSS) disdrometer over a 4-year period from 24 February 2001 to 24 December 2004. Also, to find the dominant characteristics of polarized radar parameters, which are differential radar reflectivity (Zdr), specific differential phase (Kdp) and specific attenuation (Ah), T-matrix scattering simulation was applied in the present study. To analyze the climatological DSD characteristics in more detail, the entire period of recorded rainfall was divided into 10 categories not only covering different temporal and spatial scales, but also different rainfall types. When only convective rainfall was considered, mean values of mass-weighted mean diameter (Dm) and normalized number concentration (Nw) values for all these categories converged around a maritime cluster, except for rainfall associated with typhoons. The convective rainfall of a typhoon showed much smaller Dm and larger Nw compared with the other rainfall categories. In terms of diurnal DSD variability, we analyzed maritime (continental) precipitation during the daytime (DT) (nighttime, NT), which likely results from sea (land) wind identified through wind direction analysis. These features also appeared in the seasonal diurnal distribution. The DT and NT probability density function (PDF) during the summer was similar to the PDF of the entire study period. However, the DT and NT PDF during the winter season displayed an inverse distribution due to seasonal differences in wind direction.

For a CFD (computation fluid dynamics)/CSD (computational structural dynamics) coupling, appropriate data exchange strategy is required for the successful operation of the coupling computation, due to fundamental differences between CFD and CSD analyses. This study aims at evaluating various data transfer schemes of a loose CFD/CSD coupling algorithm to validate the higher harmonic control aeroacoustic rotor test (HART) data in descending flight. Three different data transfer methods in relation to the time domain airloads are considered. The first (method 1) uses random data selection matched with the timewise resolution of the CSD analysis whereas the last (method 2) adopts a harmonic filter to the original signals in CFD and CSD analyses. The second (method 3) is a mixture of the two methods. All methods lead to convergent solutions after a few cycles of coupling iterations are marched. The final converged solutions for each of the data transfer methods are correlated with the measured HART data. It is found that both method 1 and method 2 exhibit nearly identical results on airloads and blade motions leading to excellent correlations with the measured data while the agreement is less satisfactory with method 3. The reason of the discrepancy is identified and discussed illustrating CFD-/CSD-coupled aeromechanics predictions.

This research aimed to define the energy requirement of Dorper and Hu Hybrid F1 ewes 20 to 50 kg of body weight, furthermore to study energy requirement changes with age and evaluate the effect of age on energy requirement parameters. In comparative slaughter trial, thirty animals were divided into three dry matter intake treatments (ad libitum, n = 18; low restricted, n = 6; high restricted, n = 6), and were all slaughtered as baseline, intermediate, and final slaughter groups, to calculate body chemical components and energy retained. In digestibility trial, twelve ewes were housed in individual metabolic cages and randomly assigned to three feeding treatments in accordance with the design of a comparative slaughter trial, to evaluate dietary energetic values at different feed intake levels. The combined data indicated that, with increasing age, the net energy requirement for maintenance (NEm) decreased from 260.62±13.21 to 250.61±11.79 kJ/kg0.75 of shrunk body weight (SBW)/d, and metabolizable energy requirement for maintenance (MEm) decreased from 401.99±20.31 to 371.23±17.47 kJ/kg0.75 of SBW/d. Partial efficiency of ME utilization for maintenance (km, 0.65 vs 0.68) and growth (kg, 0.42 vs 0.41) did not differ (p>0.05) due to age; At the similar condition of average daily gain, net energy requirements for growth (NEg) and metabolizable energy requirements for growth (MEg) for ewes during late fattening period were 23% and 25% greater than corresponding values of ewes during early fattening period. In conclusion, the effect of age upon energy requirement parameters in the present study were similar in tendency with previous recommendations, values of energy requirement for growth (NEg and MEg) for Dorper and Hu crossbred female lambs ranged between the NRC (2007) recommendation for early and later maturating growing sheep.

Water resource conservation and management have been major concerns for industrial sectors. It has been recognized that water availability may be a limiting constraint to the development of water intensive industries, e.g. chlor-alkali sector. The water footprint is a measure of freshwater appropriation underlying a certain production pattern. Three components are the blue, green, and grey water footprint. They have all been applied specifically to trace direct and indirect water use and pollution over production chains as well. Water footprint benchmarks for water-intensive commodities reflect local water scarcity, and some agreement about equitable sharing of the limited available global water resources among different communities and nations. This work will interlink the water footprint of the product and the corresponding production process with water scarcity at the regional level. A framework for water footprint sustainability analysis is proposed. It assesses the sustainability of industrial products by combining with water scarcity index and water footprint at the regional level.