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The ultimate aim of both Eckhart's philosophy and Vedānta philosophy is to attain oneness with God/Brahman. Nevertheless, their different philosophical starting points and the conflict between the sublime ideal of the theory and reality means that their philosophies present a structural symmetry. They both have to face two dilemmas: "How can we claim that humans are already one with God?" and "Why is it that humans are not already one with God?". Eckhart's inherited tradition emphasizes the distinction between humans and God, while the Vedānta philosophical tradition emphasizes that "I am Brahman". Each of them starts from one pole of the seesaw of the dilemma and encounters the other's issue at the other pole. Eventually, they converge at the point of balance, with unity with God/Brahman realized in all human activities. Here, this worldly life becomes significant, all human work expresses the Divinity, and the importance of God is replaced by an impersonal Divinity that combines being and nothingness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve the problem of low resolution of underwater polarization imaging images, a method to improve the resolution of active underwater polarization imaging images is proposed, which includes an optimal orthogonal polarization image group acquisition method, and an accurate estimation and optimization method of the polarization degree of backscattered light and target reflected light. An experiment is carried out to improve the resolution of underwater image restoration based on linear polarized light active illumination. The experimental results show that the image group with the lowest correlation degree is used as the orthogonal polarization image group among multiple groups of orthogonal polarization images, and the scattering depolarization coefficient is used to accurately estimate and optimize the polarization degree of backscattered light and target reflected light, and the final restored target image has higher resolution. Compared with the existing image restoration algorithms, it has obvious advantages and is suitable for water media with different material objects and different turbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: For certain human cancers, sperm associated antigen 5 (SPAG5) exerts important functions for their development and progression. However, whether RNA interference (RNAi) targeting SPAG5 has antitumor effects has not been determined clinically. Results: The results indicated that Fe-doped chrysotile nanotubes (FeSiNTs) with a relatively uniform outer diameter (15–25 nm) and inner diameter (7–8 nm), and a length of several hundred nanometers, which delivered an siRNA against the SPAG5 oncogene (siSPAG5) efficiently. The nanomaterials were designed to prolong the half-life of siSPAG5 in blood, increase tumor cell-specific uptake, and maximize the efficiency of SPAG5 silencing. In vitro, FeSiNTs carrying siSPAG5 inhibited the growth, migration, and invasion of bladder cancer cells. In vivo, the FeSiNTs inhibited growth and metastasis in three models of bladder tumors (a tail vein injection lung metastatic model, an in-situ bladder cancer model, and a subcutaneous model) with no obvious toxicities. Mechanistically, we showed that FeSiNTs/siSPAG5 repressed PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling, which suppressed the growth and progression of tumor cells. Conclusions: The results highlight that FeSiNTs/siSPAG5 caused no activation of the innate immune response nor any systemic toxicity, indicating the possible therapeutic utility of FeSiNTs/siSPAG5 to deliver siSPAG5 to treat bladder cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing first-principles calculations, we have investigated the structural, electronic, and optic properties of a series of two-dimensional (2D) stable direct band-gap semiconductors, which are M2XY (M = Ga, In; X,Y = S, Se, Te) in group-III-V with the Janus single layer structures. Meanwhile, the MX (M = Ga, In; X = S, Se, Te) of binary single layer structures, which are parent materials for Janus structures, have also been investigated. The electronic structures are calculated via GW0 self-consistency, and the results show that these Janus monolayer structures belong to the direct band-gap semiconductors with large band gap. In contrast to the indirect band-gap MX monolayers, it indicates that an indirect-direct band-gap transition can be realized by constructing Janus structures. Moreover, we systematically investigated the optic response properties of M2XY Janus single layers by solving the Bethe-Salpeter equation (BSE), and the exciton absorption peaks are observed in these monolayer structures. Our results show that these Janus structure materials should be potential candidates for optoelectronic nanodevices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wandering of oil prices at lower values and the bitter reality have forced people to look for a more accurate valuation method for overseas oil and gas extraction of China. However, the currently available resource classification method, discount cash flow (DCF) method, and real option method all suffer from their own disadvantages. This paper identifies multiple uncertainty factors such as oil prices and reserves. It then investigates the transmission mechanism of how each uncertainty factor impacts the oil and gas extraction value and quantifies the transmission efficiency. The probability distribution patterns of each uncertainty factor have been determined; the trinomial tree option pricing model is modified, with consideration upon the nonstandardness of the probability distribution. Decision points and strategies space are designed in accordance with the practical oil and gas production; and the Bermuda option is adopted to replace the conventional decision-based tree model with the probability-based tree. Finally, a backward algorithm is developed to calculate the probability at each decision point, which avoids difficulties in determining the asset volatility ratio; and a case study is presented to demonstrate application of the proposed method. Results show that decision rights for overseas investment are valuable. The value of extraction does not yet necessarily grow with higher uncertainty, and instead, it is under joint effects of the cash flow and strategy space. So, valuation should incorporate the composite value of future cash flow and decision rights. Volatility of the value of extraction is not solely dependent on the oil price, but affected by multiple factors. Similar to the Bermuda option, the decision-making behavior for oil and gas extraction occurs only at finite decision points, to which the trinomial tree option pricing model is applicable. The adoption of probability distribution can to a great extent exploit the uncertain information. Replacement of the decision-based tree with the probability-based tree provides more accurate probability distribution of the calculated value of extraction, and moreover the disperse degree of the probability can reflect how high risks are, which is conducive to decision-making for investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of unconventional natural gas in China is facing three new situations: market-oriented pricing reform, intensified competition in state subsidies, and reduced production capacity growth, which may cause the development of unconventional natural gas to be on the edge of economic feasibility. Therefore, the definition of economic limit is even more important. In this paper, through analysis on the historical prices, outputs, and subsidy policies of three unconventional natural gases, methods to estimate future prices, subsidies, and outputs of unconventional natural gas are designed in this paper based on the mean reversion model and the generalized Weng model, respectively; fuzzy data are processed by using probability density function combined with a discounted cashflow method to improve the utilization of original data; the economic limit model for well depth, well spacing, and gas recovery rate is designed through break-even analysis with the subsection function of drilling cost to well depth, the modified Cher Card Geoff empirical formula of recovery ratio to well spacing, as well as the fitting formula of gas recovery rate and stable production time. This model is applied in the case of Deep CBM Block Ji 4&10. According to the estimation and case calculation, in future China, the subsidies for unconventional natural gas will gradually decrease and the gas output will significantly increase, with shale gas taking the leading position and CBM gradually declining; the economic limits of well depth, well spacing, and gas recovery rate of Ji 4&10 are 2,203.2 m, 300 m × 300 m and 469 m × 469 m, and 2.1% and 4.3%, respectively, under the economic infeasibility probability of 90%, and the overall economic infeasibility probability is 58%, indicating that the development of this block is subject to great risks and careful consideration needs to be given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering that traditional visual navigation cannot be utilised in low illumination and sparse feature environments, a novel visual-inertial integrated navigation method using a Structured Light Visual (SLV) sensor for Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs) is proposed in this paper. First, the measurement model based on an SLV sensor is studied and built. Then, using the state model based on error equations of an Inertial Navigation System (INS), the measurement model based on the error of the relative motion measured by INS and SLV is built. Considering that the measurements in this paper are mainly related to the position and attitude information of the present moment, the state error accumulation in traditional visual-inertial navigation can be avoided. An Adaptive Sage-Husa Kalman Filter (ASHKF) based on multiple weighting factors is proposed and designed to make full use of the SLV measurements. The results of the simulation and the experiment based on real flight data indicate that high accuracy position and attitude estimations can be obtained with the help of the algorithm proposed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Using first-principle calculations and combining with the phonon Boltzmann transport equation, we have systematically investigated the lattice thermodynamic behavior in thorium dioxide (ThO 2) and predicted the lattice thermal conductivity of thorium dioxide from 300 K up to 2000 K. According to the calculated phonon dispersion curves, phonon group velocity, relaxation time, Grüneisen parameters and weighted phase space, the contributions of acoustic and optical phonon branches to the lattice thermal conductivity are estimated. From further analyses, we know that although the phase space of three-phonon process (PW3) of acoustic phonon is large at low frequency, which is different from that of ordinary materials, the valley value appears at 3 THz, resulting in the whole thermal resistance is not too high. So acoustic phonon transports lead to the dominant contributions of the lattice thermal conductivity, while the contributions from optical components is small. Our analyses can make a significance to understand the thermodynamic behaviors of this new type of nuclear fuel dioxide at different temperatures. In addition, by means of the phonon mean-free path and nanowires width, we also studied the size dependence of the lattice thermal conductivity in ThO 2. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • The phase space of three-phonon process of acoustic phonon is large at low frequency, which is different from that of ordinary material. • The phonon group velocity, relaxation time, Grüneisen parameters and weighted phase space together decided the lattice thermal conductivity. • We could reasonably design nanostructures of ThO2 to change the thermal conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple and sensitive method was developed and validated by high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) for the determination of meropenem and ertapenem in environmental materials from dairy farms. The limits of quantification were between 1 and 20 ng/mL for the analytes in lagoon water, bedding soil, and silage. The recoveries for meropenem and ertapenem exceeded 80%. The intraday and interday precision values were less than 15% in all samples. The validated method was employed to determine the meropenem and ertapenem in environment samples obtained from dairy farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In life-critical applications, the real-time detection of faults is very important in Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System (GPS/INS) integrated navigation systems. A new fault detection method for soft fault detection is developed in this paper with the purpose of improving real-time performance. In general, the innovation information obtained from a Kalman filter is used for test statistic calculations in Autonomous Integrity Monitored Extrapolation (AIME). However, the innovation of the Kalman filter is degraded by error tracking and closed-loop correction effects, leading to time delays in soft fault detection. Therefore, the key issue of improving real-time performance is providing accurate innovation to AIME. In this paper, the proposed algorithm incorporates Least Squares-Support Vector Machine (LS-SVM) regression theory into AIME. Because the LS-SVM has a good regression and prediction performance, the proposed method provides replaced innovation obtained from the LS-SVM driven by real-time observation data. Based on the replaced innovation, the test statistics can follow fault amplitudes more accurately; finally, the real-time performance of soft fault detection can be improved. Theoretical analysis and physical simulations demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively improve the detection instantaneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation about the uniaxial stretching behavior of fully crystallized poly(L-lactide)s (PLLA) containing long chain branching (LCB) is carried out by two dimensional wide angle X-ray scattering (2D-WAXS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The controlled sample is the linear PLLA containing nucleating agents which owns the similar degree of crystallinity and crystalline morphologies as that of PLLA LCB. The results show that much more chain entanglements in the amorphous area of PLLA LCB make the LCB sample be able to bear much larger stress and then reach larger elongation when it breaks. Although the original lamellae are more difficult to be damaged in PLLA LCB due to the more chain entanglements compared with linear PLLA, the final crystal orientation is much better for it. The higher melting point indicates that the extended chain crystals in this stretched LCB sample are more perfect, especially at high drawing temperature. The original topological structure of chains is supposed to be the governing factor which determines the different evolution of crystalline structures under strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The time needed for a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver to acquire satellite signals is one of the key parameters to assess the performance of a receiver. This presents a challenge for a software receiver in which more frequency bins and satellite codes are required to search using conventional methods. In order to speed up the acquisition process of the BeiDou software receiver in a cold start, this paper proposes a simultaneous multiple Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) signal acquisition algorithm. The time for searching satellites is reduced by constructing new local codes to enable the capability of detecting the presence of multiple BeiDou satellites. Besides, the individual phase identification approach for each visible satellite is further presented with multiple satellites acquisition. So a search within the PRNs used for the generation of local combined code is performed. Finally, the test results show that the proposed acquisition algorithm can effectively detect multiple BeiDou satellites simultaneously. In addition, the test results show that signal acquisition time can be reduced by 8.7% to 24.1% depending on different combination numbers and different numbers of visible satellites in the combination list. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to provide policy implications by estimating the individual and community level determinants of preventive health-care utilization in China based upon data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Two different frameworks, a human capital model and a psychological-behavioral model, are tested using a multilevel logit estimation. The results demonstrate different patterns for medical and nonmedical preventive activities. There is a strong correlation between having medical insurance and utilizing preventive health services. For the usage of medical-related preventive health care (MP), age, gender, education, urban residence, and medical insurance are strong predictors. High income did not provide much of an increase in the usage level of MP, but the lack of income was a huge obstacle for low-income people to overcome. Community variation in number of facilities accounted for about one third of the total variation in the utilization of MP. The utilization of MP in China remains dependent upon the individual's social-economic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Allan variance method is an effective way of analyzing gyro's stochastic noises. In the traditional implementation, the ordinary least square algorithm is utilized to estimate the coefficients of gyro noises. However, the different accuracy of Allan variance values violates the prerequisite of the ordinary least square algorithm. In this study, a weighted least square algorithm is proposed to address this issue. The new algorithm normalizes the accuracy of the Allan variance values by weighting them according to their relative quantitative relationship. As a result, the problem associated with the traditional implementation can be solved. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, gyro simulations are carried out based on the various stochastic characteristics of SRS2000, VG951 and CRG20, which are three different-grade gyros. Different least square algorithms (traditional and this proposed method) are applied to estimate the coefficients of gyro noises. The estimation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms the traditional algorithm, in terms of the accuracy and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degrading behaviors of three kinds of melt polyolefin elastomers (POEs) at presence of dicumyl peroxides (DCPs) in transient shear flow were evaluated at elevated temperature by parallel plate rheometer. The critical shear rates for degradations of all POEs were different from one to another. The rheological and gel permeation chromatograph (GPC) results showed that the degradation was more and more distinct and the duration to achieve one similar level of molecular weight decreased as the shear rate increased. For quantitative information on chain structure, linear viscoelasticity combined with branch-on-branch (BOB) dynamic model was used to predict probable compositions and chain topologies of the modified products, which were reasonably explained by the suggested mechanism of radical reactions and could confirm that there was a kind of selectivity of shear rate on POE chains for degradation. Higher shear rate can enlarge the differences in mobility of the two scission parts and can further increase the possibility of effective degradation on the original chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation about the uniaxial stretching behavior of two crystallized poly(L-lactide)s (PLLA) with the same degree of crystallinity but different crystalline morphologies was carried out by two dimensional Wide Angle X-ray Scattering (2D-WAXS) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The original lamellar blocks and the orientation induced fibrillar crystals coexist during stretching for both samples, and a mesophase is detected when the material is drawn at 65 °C. Larger elongation and hence higher crystal orientation can be obtained for the sample with nucleating agent which owns the thinner average lamellar thickness, whereas the lower melting point indicates the fibrillar crystals in this stretched sample are less perfect. Besides, higher draw temperature benefits the unfolding of chains in the original lamellae but can also decrease the chain orientation due to the enhanced chain relaxation. The original lamellar thickness is supposed to be the governing factor which determines the different crystalline structures under strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Long chain branching (LCB) of polylactide (PLA) was successfully prepared by the successive reactions of PLA with pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and 1,4-phenylene-bis-oxazoline (PBOZ) together. The topological structures of the LCB generated from functional group reactions were investigated thoroughly by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and rheology. Qualitative information about the branching structures could be readily obtained from linear viscoelasticity, nonlinear oscillatory shear experiments and strain hardening in elongational experiments. For quantitative information on chain structure, linear viscoelasticity combined with branch-on-branch (BOB) dynamic model was used to predict probable compositions and chain topologies of the products, which were reasonably explained by the suggested mechanism of functional group reactions. It was found out that the star-like LCB structure generated in these reactions contributed remarkably to the enhancement of strain hardening under elongational flow. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aim: α4 is upregulated in several types of human cancer and possesses an oncogenic role. However, the abnormalities of α4 and its underlying mechanisms in the pathogenesis of bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC) remain unknown. Methods: α4 expression profile was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in BUC tissues and normal urothelial bladder epithelial tissues. Short hairpin RNA (ShRNA) interfering approach was employed to suppress endogenous α4 expression in BUC cells to determine its role in tumourigenesis, invasion/metastasis and the potential mechanism. Results: α4 expression in BUC was significantly up-regulated at both mRNA and protein levels compared with that in normal urothelial bladder epithelial tissues. High expression of α4 was inversely correlated with poor survival of the BUC patients (P <0.05). Down-regulation of α4 in BUC EJ and T24 cells led to a G1 phase cell cycle arrest, suppressed cell growth, markedly inhibited invasive motility in vitro and metastatic potential in vivo. Moreover, down-regulation of α4 was found to increase E-cadherin expression and reduce metastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1) expression either in transcript or protein levels. Importantly, a significant correlation between high expression of α4 and negative expression of E-cadherin in BUC cohorts was observed (P <0.001). Conclusions: These findings suggest a potential important role of α4 in control of cell migration and/or invasion via the regulation of E-cadherin expression, and the high α4 expression, as examined by IHC, is an independent molecular marker for shortened survival time of patients with BUC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: α4 is upregulated in several types of human cancer and possesses an oncogenic role. However, the abnormalities of α4 and its underlying mechanisms in the pathogenesis of bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC) remain unknown. Methods: α4 expression profile was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in BUC tissues and normal urothelial bladder epithelial tissues. Short hairpin RNA (ShRNA) interfering approach was employed to suppress endogenous α4 expression in BUC cells to determine its role in tumourigenesis, invasion/metastasis and the potential mechanism. Results: α4 expression in BUC was significantly up-regulated at both mRNA and protein levels compared with that in normal urothelial bladder epithelial tissues. High expression of α4 was inversely correlated with poor survival of the BUC patients (P <0.05). Down-regulation of α4 in BUC EJ and T24 cells led to a G1 phase cell cycle arrest, suppressed cell growth, markedly inhibited invasive motility in vitro and metastatic potential in vivo. Moreover, down-regulation of α4 was found to increase E-cadherin expression and reduce metastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1) expression either in transcript or protein levels. Importantly, a significant correlation between high expression of α4 and negative expression of E-cadherin in BUC cohorts was observed (P <0.001). Conclusions: These findings suggest a potential important role of α4 in control of cell migration and/or invasion via the regulation of E-cadherin expression, and the high α4 expression, as examined by IHC, is an independent molecular marker for shortened survival time of patients with BUC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The integrity and usability of the navigation system are important safeguards to small unmanned aerial vehicles' autonomous flight. A quadrotor aircraft with ARM microprocessor is designed. A multi-information fusion navigation scheme is proposed, which consists of micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) inertial components, magnetometers, GPS, optic-flow imaging sensor and barometer. And an asynchronous centralized filter method is designed for separating the time update period and the measurement update period. According to the nonlinear characteristics of the navigation scheme, a nonlinear Kalman filter based on Sigma-point Kalman filter(SPKF) is proposed. In all, a micro multi-information navigation system of the quadrotor aircraft is built. Experiments are carried out and the results show that the designed navigation system can supply good attitude, velocity and position reference both in a static-state test and in a dynamic flight test. The navigation system can meet the accuracy and reliability requirements of the quadrotor aircraft under different flight tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crystallization behavior of long-chain branched (LCB)poly(l-lactide) (PLLA), which were successfully preparedby successivefunctional group reactions, was studied by nonisothermal and isothermalmethods in a wide temperature range. The density of the nuclei forLCB samples during crystallization was much higher than that for linearPLLA. According to qualitative information about the chain topologiesof the branched PLLAs, obtained by a combination of linear viscoelasticityand branch-on-branch (BOB) dynamic modeling, it should be the backbonesof LCB that are able to act as nuclei and thus markedly enhance thecrystallization rate of PLLA. Moreover, a kinetic analysis of crystallizationwas performed using secondary nucleation theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of the working environment on MEMS inertial sensors in the MEMS attitude reference system and the key technologies are analyzed. A thermal analysis model is built based on finite element method. Some heat dispersion schemes are proposed and the optimal selection is made based on the finite element analysis. The selected heat dispersion design is validated by the prototype of the MEMS inertial system. A piecewise linear model is put forward to solve the strong nonlinear errors of MEMS inertial sensors overall temperature. The calibration method is improved and the accuracy is improved in practice. The worthiness condition for the attitude integrated algorithm is investigated and the constraints for the attitude filter based on the flight state identification from the data of MEMS inertial sensors are optimized. The tests based on the rotation table and flight test are carried on and the validation of optimization method is demonstrated. The attitude errors are no more than 2.50° overall the flight and they are no more than 1° at the stable flight state. The result shows that the MEMS inertial attitude reference system can be used in micro and small UAV or as the backup of main inertial navigation system(INS) in aircraft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The isothermal crystallization behavior and crystal structure of the polypropylene (PP) component in wood plastic composites (WPC) with respect to wood particle content and maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAHPP) compatibilizer were studied by means of polarized optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. It was found that under the experimental conditions of this research, the speed of crystallization of PP was faster in WPC with MAHPP than in composites without MAHPP. This is ascribed to the difference in undercooling due to the change in the equilibrium melting temperatures (T 0 m ) of the PP component in WPC due to the addition of wood flour and MAHPP compatibilizer. T 0 m decreased with the increase of wood particle content, and it decreased more severely with the addition of wood flour than the addition of compatibilizer. The half-crystallization time was the smallest in PP/wood composites, intermediate in PP/wood/compatibilizer system, and the largest in pure PP under the same undercooling. The fast crystallization in PP/wood composites is ascribed to the heterogeneous nucleation effects of wood particles, which could be hindered by the MAHPP compatibilizers; this was verified by the higher fold surface free energy in WPC with compatibilizer than in WPC without compatibilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The characteristics of van Gurp-Palmen (vGP) plot for long-chain branching polymer with well-defined topological structures, including symmetric star, asymmetric star, H-shaped, and comb polymers, have been calculated by 'branch-on-branch' constitutive model. It is indicated that there is only one characteristic transition in the vGP plot for nearly symmetric star polymers, but more for other chain topologies, which were deeply dependent on the topology and the molecular parameters such as side-arm length, backbone length, and number of side arms. The theoretically calculated characteristic transition points were used to construct a topology map. A feasible protocol to distinguish the topological structures of branched polymer was put forward to quantify the chain structure qualitatively and quantitatively. Such a method has been successfully proved by its application on the available data in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microstructure of wood plastic composite (WPC) with respect to wood particle content and maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAHPP) compatibilizer is studied by both linear and nonlinear rheological methods in this article. The complete long characteristic relaxation behavior in linear region, which is closely related to the structure of wood particle aggregates and MAHPP compatibilizing effect at the interface, is limited by observing time. Fortunately, the Fourier transform rheology (FTR) by the stress control mode is found to be an effective method for further investigating the structure with long relaxation time in WPC system. The plateau value of I at high stress and the range of ϕ are proved to be corresponding to the content of wood particle agglomerates in the WPC melts and the type of interfacial hydrodynamic interaction. The interesting outcomes suggest that MAHPP do has the effect on changing the properties of the heterogeneous interface and confirm the difference of the structure with long relaxation time in WPC can be easily captured by the high sensitive FTR indeed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Long chain branching (LCB) of polylactide (PLA) was successfully prepared by the successive reactions of the end hydroxyl groups of PLA with pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC) together. The topological structures of the LCB generated from functional group reactions as well as free radical reactions were investigated thoroughly by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and rheology. Qualitative information about the branching structures could be readily obtained from linear viscoelasticity, non-linear oscillatory shear experiments and strain hardening in elongational experiments. For quantitative information on chain structure, linear viscoelasticity combined with branch-on-branch (BOB) dynamic model was used to predict exact compositions and chain topologies of the products, which were reasonably explained by the suggested mechanism of functional group reactions. It was found out that the tree-like LCB structure generated in these reactions contributed remarkably to the enhancement of strain hardening under elongational flow, which improves the foaming ability substantially. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The feasibility of preliminary tailoring of the long chain branched (LCB) polymer through complex flow field was evaluated in the torque rheometer, for the reaction of melt polyolefin elastomer (POE) with peroxides at elevated temperatures. With the compensation of temperature, the strength of complex shear flow could be the only factor affecting the reaction kinetics and mechanism. The results of sample characterization by the rheological and dilute polymer solution methods indicated that the degradation mainly made the length of LCB arm shorter and shorter as the rotational speed increases. Extremely, a certain amount of LCB degraded to be linear chains again due to the scission approaching the branching point at intense mixing condition. One new LCB index (D LCB) was defined from nonlinear oscillatory shear, and a nearly linear relationship between it and long chain branching index (LCBI) was found, which can be a map to quantify LCB level by Fourier Transform Rheology (FTR). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The degradation of melt polyolefin elastomer (POE) at the presence of dicumyl peroxides (DCP) was estimated at elevated temperature in oscillatory shear flow. Large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) experiments followed by Fourier transform rheology (FTR) were carried out to detect and evaluate the branching architecture of the products. The third complex harmonic (I 3 ∗) and other two parameters, small strain elastic shear modulus (M) and large strain elastic shear modulus (L), which describe the nonlinearity and elasticity of a material obtained from FTR, are mainly used to characterize the topological structure of polymer chains. The results indicate the degradation appeared just after a large amount of the long chain branches (LCB) created rather than as soon as the reaction started when the strain was applied within the linear viscoelastic regime of the original POE at high frequencies. This is different from our previous result that the dominant reaction was coupling in linear shear flow. The threshold strain for degradation decreased with the oscillatory frequency, and the frequency owned a different acting mechanism from the strain amplitude to cause the degradation reaction. Moreover, there is a kind of selectivity of shear rate on the polymer chains for degradation. Low frequency results in short linear scission segments and a long branched chain suffers from degradation more than once. At high frequency, the possibility of degradation at the sites near the branching points of LCB increases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Peroxide-initiated reaction of poly(ethylene-co-α-butene) (EB), a kind of polyolefin elastomer (POE), was studied at elevated temperatures using an on-line electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometer and was also evaluated by monitoring the viscosity of the reaction system on a rotational rheometer. It is clear that the reaction process experiences the free radical mechanisms. According to the EPR spectra, notable changes in signal hyperfine structure, the intensity and lifetime of the radical were recognized. Different from the case of PE and PP modified by peroxide, there is a new type of EPR signal, which is assisted to the tertiary alkyl radicals. And it is verified that the primary alkyl radicals are first produced at elevated temperatures. A rheokinetic analysis was made by EPR and rheology. The kinetic coefficients of coupling and disproportionating reactions were not fixed, but the functions of the reacting time or the system viscosity. Accordingly, the kinetics is substantially controlled by diffusion of the polymer chains and a formula reflecting this kind of effect of the viscosity on termination rate coefficients is founded. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The reaction of melt poly(ethylene-α-octene) (POE) initiated by dicumyl peroxide (DCP) was studied at elevated temperature in both oscillatory and transient shear flow fields. In oscillatory shear flow, the storage modulus evolution was monitored by parallel plate rheometer with certain oscillatory frequencies and different strains, which were chosen to represent different flow fields. Our results indicated that at low frequencies (0.1 and 0.4Hz) the dominant reaction was coupling with small strain amplitudes within the linear viscoelastic regime. However, the degradation, which was caused by β-scission of tertiary carbon macromolecular radicals, also occurred when large strains were applied, which were out of the linear viscoelastic regime. The threshold strain of degradation was only 8% at 1.5Hz, still within the linear viscoelastic regime. The mechanisms of how the frequency and strain affected the degradation were different. On the other hand, in transient shear flow the degradation could hardly take place when the shear rate was lower than the critical value of 0.0025s−1. Moreover, the larger the shear rate, the more distinct was the degradation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Models of time use need to consider especially the reproductive and productive activities of women and men. For husband-wife families, the breadwinner, one-earner, or complementary-roles model has advantages in terms of efficiency or specialization and stability; however, it is a high-risk model for women and children. The alternate model has been called two-earner, companionship, "new families," or collaborative in the sense of spouses collaborating in the paid and unpaid work needed to provide for and care for the family. Adopting the common metric of time use to study paid and unpaid work, we find that the complementary-roles model remains the most common, and the "double burden" is the second most frequent; how- ever, there is some evidence of change in the direction of shared-roles arrangements, especially for younger couples with children, when both are employed full-time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vietnam’s social policy reforms in the transition to a market economy included the introduction of fees for primary and secondary school in the late 1980s. Using data from the Viet Nam Living Standards Surveys, this paper examines how the increasing costs of education to households have impacted on school enrolment between 1993 and 1998, giving special attention to daughters’ schooling. Data shows that, despite rising costs for education, enrolment rates have increased. A multivariate analysis indicates that, compared to sons, daughters’ school enrolment at ages 11–18 yr is much more responsive to household characteristics. Among poor families, daughters’ schooling is particularly vulnerable. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper examines the relationship between family change and economic well-being among recent immigrant families with children to Canada during the 1977 to 1997 period. Whereas the average income to needs ratio of all Canadian families with children is up modestly over this period, this study documents a substantial decline in the average level of economic well-being of recent immigrants. In this context, this study draws attention to the relevance of not only structural explanations that emphasize the role of labour markets and/or government policy in shaping the economic conditions of immigrants, but also the potential impact of shifts in the living arrangements and family structure of immigrants. More specifically, an increased incidence of lone parenthood has had a net negative impact on the economic well-being of immigrants, albeit not to the same extent as among non-immigrants in Canada. Yet, other changes have had a slight positive impact, including an ongoing decline in the average number of children per family, an upward shift in the age distribution of parents, and a slight increase in the tendency of immigrants to co-reside with family members beyond the immediate nuclear family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate and stable positioning is significant for vehicle navigation systems, especially in complex urban environments. However, urban canyons and dynamic interference make vehicle sensors prone to disturbance, leading to vehicle positioning errors and even failures. To address these issues, an adaptive loosely coupled IMU/GNSS/LiDAR integrated navigation system based on factor graph optimization with sensor weight optimization and fault detection is proposed. First, the factor nodes and system framework are constructed based on error models of sensors, and the optimization method principle is derived. Second, the interactive multiple-model algorithm based on factor graph optimization (IMMFGO) is utilized to calculate and adjust sensor weights for global optimization, which will reduce the impact of disturbed sensors. Finally, a multi-stage fault detection, isolation, and recovery (MSFDIR) strategy is implemented based on the IMMFGO results and IMU pre-integration measurements, which can detect significant sensor faults and optimize the system structure. Vehicle experiments show that our IMMFGO method generally obtains better performance in positioning accuracy by 23.7% compared to adaptive factor graph optimization (AFGO) methods, and the MSFDIR strategy possesses the capability of fault sensor detection, which provides an essential reference for multi-source vehicle navigation systems in urban canyons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Lattice thermal conductivity κ L of α -HgX(X=O, S) along the a-axis are quite low. • The low κ L of α -HgX is caused by the high anharmonic three-phonon scattering rates and the high phonon group velocity. • Electron relaxation time are calculated with a parameter-free method based on EPI. • A high ZT 1.28 of the n-type doped α -HgS along the a-axis has been achieved. Thermoelectric (TE) property refers to converting thermal energy into electrical energy via Seebeck effect. Theoretically, the presence of a low thermal conductivity and a high thermoelectric power factor in a same material promises a good thermoelectric performance. In this paper, we investigate the thermal transport and thermoelectric properties of crystalline mercury chalcogenides (HgX, X = O, S, Se, Te) based on first-principles calculations combined with Boltzmann transport equation and electron–phonon interaction (EPI). Remarkably, the calculated lattice thermal conductivity κ L of the semiconducting mercury chalcogenides (α -HgO and α -HgS) are fairly low ( κ L ~ 0.60 W/mK at 300 K, which is about 38 % of the value for the typical thermoelectric material PbTe), while the corresponding power factors S 2 σ for α -HgS are relatively high, which, as a result, leads to a good thermoelectric performance in α -HgS, with the thermoelectric figure of merit ZT even exceeding 1.28. However, the highest ZT of α -HgO is only 0.58 due to the relatively low S 2 σ. For comparison, the lattice thermal conductivity κ L of the semimetallic mercury chalcogenides (β -HgS, β -HgSe, and β -HgTe) are much higher than that of PbTe, limiting the applications in thermoelectricity. These results indicate that semiconducting mercury chalcogenides may be potential candidates for the design of thermoelectric generators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing dependence on imported natural gas, China has to develop unconventional natural gas resources, such as shale gas. However, the increasing shale gas production has brought about more pressure for governmental subsidies. We analyzed whether shale gas companies need subsidies by calculating the economic value of shale gas development in China from the perspective of enterprises, and estimated the maximum subsidy quota for shale gas development by measuring its economic, environmental, and social benefits from the country's perspective. Based on the principle of beneficiaries should pay, we clarified the sources of shale gas subsidy and calculated the required subsidy duration. The results indicate that some new development target areas and pre-invested target areas still need subsidies, which should be jointly provided by the central government, local finance departments, and other heavy-polluting enterprises. The subsidy duration and subsidy quota show a power function relation. On this basis, we put forward suggestions for shale gas subsidy policy. • We estimated the economic, environmental, and social benefits of shale gas exploitation in China. • We considered various dimensions of governmental subsidies. • We found the subsidy duration and quota show a power function relation. • Recommendations are proposed to improve the shale gas subsidy policy in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Lattice thermal conductivity κ L of α -HgX (X=O, S) along the a-axis are quite low. • The low κ L of α -HgX is caused by the high anharmonic three-phonon scattering rates and the high phonon group velocity. • Electron relaxation time are calculated with a parameter-free method based on EPI. • A high ZT 1.28 of the n-type doped α -HgS along the a-axis has been achieved. Thermoelectric (TE) property refers to converting thermal energy into electrical energy via Seebeck effect. Theoretically, the presence of a low thermal conductivity and a high thermoelectric power factor in a same material promises a good thermoelectric performance. In this paper, we investigate the thermal transport and thermoelectric properties of crystalline mercury chalcogenides (HgX, X = O, S, Se, Te) based on first-principles calculations combined with Boltzmann transport equation and electron–phonon interaction (EPI). Remarkably, the calculated lattice thermal conductivity κ L of the semiconducting mercury chalcogenides (α -HgO and α -HgS) are fairly low ( κ L ~ 0.60 W/mK at 300 K, which is about 38 % of the value for the typical thermoelectric material PbTe), while the corresponding power factors S 2 σ for α -HgS are relatively high, which, as a result, leads to a good thermoelectric performance in α -HgS, with the thermoelectric figure of merit ZT even exceeding 1.28. However, the highest ZT of α -HgO is only 0.58 due to the relatively low S 2 σ. For comparison, the lattice thermal conductivity κ L of the semimetallic mercury chalcogenides (β -HgS, β -HgSe, and β -HgTe) are much higher than that of PbTe, limiting the applications in thermoelectricity. These results indicate that semiconducting mercury chalcogenides may be potential candidates for the design of thermoelectric generators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the safety and efficacy of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence‐guided inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND) in patients with penile cancer. Patients and Methods: A prospective, single‐blind, randomised controlled clinical trial (ChiCTR2100044584) was performed among patients with penile caner who underwent bilateral modified ILND at four centres in China between 1 April 2021 and 30 June 2022. Patients aged 18–80 years and diagnosed with squamous cell carcinomas were included. Each enrolled patient was randomly assigned to either ICG fluorescence‐guided ILND by a laparoscopic or robot‐assisted approach in one groin, with non‐ICG fluorescence‐guided ILND in the other groin acting as a control. The primary outcome was the number of retrieved ILNs. Secondary outcomes included complications according to the Clavien–Dindo classification and the ILN non‐compliance (inadequate removal of ILNs) rate. Results: A total of 45 patients were included in the intention‐to‐treat (ITT) analysis, and the 42 who completed the entire study were included in the per protocol (PP) analysis. There were no ICG‐related complications in any of the patients. The results of the ITT and PP analyses indicated that the total number of unilateral ILNs retrieved was higher on the ICG side than on the non‐ICG side (mean 13 vs 9 ILNs, difference 4 ILNs [95% CI 2.7–4.4], P = 0.007), and the number of unilateral deep and superficial ILNs was higher on the ICG side. Furthermore, the LN non‐compliance rate was lower on the ICG side than on the non‐ICG side. Additionally, there was no significant difference in local complications in the groins between the two sides (P > 0.05). Conclusion: An ICG fluorescence‐guided ILND was safe for patients with penile cancer. This procedure can improve the number of ILNs retrieved and reduce the LN non‐compliance rate without increased complications. ICG fluorescence‐guided ILND is beneficial and recommended for selected patients with penile cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schematic diagram of MAFG-AS1/MAFG positive feedback loop antagonizes ferroptosis in BUC. MAFG-AS1 stimulates MAFG transcription by promoting H3K27ac at genomic loci of MAFG through recruiting acetylase EP300. MAFG binds to the MAFG-AS1 gene promoter to induce MAFG-AS1 expression, forming a positive feedback loop. MAFG-AS1 could recruit deubiquitinase UCHL5 to stabilize the expression of PCBP2 protein. Then PCBP2 interacts with transferrin 1 (FPN1) and transports iron out of the cells, leading inhibition of ferroptosis and cisplatin resistance in BUC cells. These findings suggest that inhibition of MAFG-AS1 and MAFG can increase the sensitivity of BUC cells to cisplatin through promoting ferroptosis, indicating the novel chemotherapy sensitivity biomarkers and therapeutic target for BUC. [Display omitted] Though promoting ferroptosis can reduce cisplatin resistance in tumor cells, ferroptosis and cisplatin resistance in bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC) following long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) is largely unknown. Here, we found the highly expressed lncRNA MAF transcription factor G antisense RNA 1 (MAFG-AS1) in BUC, and its inhibition increased the sensitivity of BUC cells to cisplatin by promoting ferroptosis. Mechanically, binding to iron chaperone poly(rC)-binding protein 2 (PCBP2) facilitated the recruitments of MAFG-AS1 to deubiquitinase ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase isozyme L5 (UCHL5), thus stabilizing PCBP2 protein itself. Then PCBP2 was confirmed to interact with ferroportin 1 (FPN1), an iron export protein, leading to inhibition of ferroptosis. Moreover, the expression of MAFG-AS1 was regulated by the transcriptional factor MAFG. Interestingly, MAFG-AS1 stimulated MAFG transcription by recruiting histone acetyltransferase p300 (EP300) to promote the histone 3 at lysine 27 (H3K27ac) at genomic locus of MAFG, forming a MAFG-AS1/MAFG positive feedback loop. In patient samples, higher expression of MAFG-AS1 and MAFG in BUC tissues was significantly correlated with T status and N status, such that MAFG-AS1, MAFG, and the combination of the two were independent prognostic indicators and chemotherapy sensitivity predictive biomarkers for BUC patients. These findings suggest that inhibition of MAFG-AS1 and MAFG can increase the sensitivity of BUC cells to cisplatin through promoting ferroptosis, indicating the novel chemotherapy sensitivity biomarkers and therapeutic target for BUC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To solve problems of low intelligence and poor robustness of traditional navigation systems, the purpose of this paper is to propose a brain-inspired localization method of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Design/methodology/approach: First, the yaw angle of the UAV is obtained by modeling head direction cells with one-dimension continuous attractor neural network (1 D-CANN) and then inputs into 3D grid cells. After that, the motion information of the UAV is encoded as the firing of 3 D grid cells using 3 D-CANN. Finally, the current position of the UAV can be decoded from the neuron firing through the period-adic method. Findings: Simulation results suggest that continuous yaw and position information can be generated from the conjunctive model of head direction cells and grid cells. Originality/value: The proposed period-adic cell decoding method can provide a UAV with the 3 D position, which is more intelligent and robust than traditional navigation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For aircrafts equipped with BeiDou Navigation Satellite System/Strapdown Inertial Navigation System integrated navigation system, BeiDou Navigation Satellite System information can be used to achieve autonomous alignment. However, due to the complex polar environment and multipath effect, BeiDou Navigation Satellite System measurement noise often exhibits a non-Gaussian distribution that will severely degrade the estimation accuracy of standard Kalman filter. To address this problem, a new polar alignment algorithm based on the Huber estimation filter is proposed in this article. Considering the special geographical conditions in the polar regions, the dynamic model and the measurement model of BeiDou Navigation Satellite System/Strapdown Inertial Navigation System integrated alignment system in the grid frame are derived in this article. The BeiDou Navigation Satellite System measurement noise characteristics in the polar regions are analyzed and heavy-tailed characteristics are simulated, respectively. Since the estimation accuracy of standard Kalman filter can be severely degraded under non-Gaussian noise, a Kalman filter based on the Huber estimation is designed combining grid navigation system and generalized maximum likelihood estimation. The simulation and experiment results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm has better robustness under non-Gaussian noise, and it is effective in the polar regions. By employing the proposed algorithm, the rapidity and accuracy of the alignment process can be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many factors can affect the formability of TC4 alloy in laser additive, and the effects of their interaction are complex. The essence lies in the energy input of the molten pool. In this study, the energy input of the molten pool was characterized by the laser volume energy density under the coupling of multiple process parameters. The effects of volume energy density on the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of TC4 alloy were studied, and the fracture mechanism was discussed. The results showed that the microstructure of TC4 alloy prepared by selective laser melting (SLM) was composed of α phase, metastable α′ phase, and a small amount of equiaxed nano-β phase. When the TC4 powder was irradiated by low volume energy density, fine columnar β grain with low texture intensity and random grain orientation distribution appear. Meanwhile, a large number of fine acicular martensite α′ phases generated inside the β grains, but fewer nano-β phases precipitated. At the same volume energy density, compared with increasing laser power, reducing the scanning speed could lead to the coarsening of α′ martensite, and more nano-β phase precipitated at the martensite boundary. The volume energy density greatly influenced the elongation (EL) but had little effect on the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and the UTS could reach up to 1507 MPa. The decreasing volume energy density was beneficial to improve the plasticity, mainly attributed to the increasing deformation coordination ability caused by the refinement of α/α′ martensite and the reduction of the nano-β phase. When the volume energy density was 36 J/mm3, the fine columnar β grain precipitated, and a ductile fracture displayed with high-density dimples shown in fracture morphology. The mapping relationship between process, microstructure and properties was established, which provided a theoretical basis for process, microstructure optimization and performance improvement. [Display omitted] • The microstructure evolution of TC4 alloy prepared by SLM was discussed by using volume energy density as the energy input. • The fracture mechanism of TC4 alloy components prepared by SLM was revealed. • The mapping relationship between process, microstructure and properties was established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study published in the journal Clinical & Translational Medicine presents a novel risk stratification model for detecting residual tumors in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) after transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT). The model is based on urinary DNA methylation and incorporates clinical features such as tumor grade, presence of multiple tumors, maximum tumor size, histologic variants, and lymphatic-vascular invasion. The study found that the model achieved high accuracy in detecting residual tumors, with a sensitivity of 95.83%. By accurately identifying high-risk patients, unnecessary re-TURBT procedures can be reduced, thereby reducing patient distress and associated costs. [Extracted from the article]

Due to the poor stability and adverse effects of chemotherapy drugs, such as gemcitabine, the current effectiveness of traditional chemotherapy is minimal. Some patients also show a low response rate to immunotherapy. Therefore, a novel material PD‐L1‐GEMs is designed and synthesized with targeted specificity. PD‐L1‐GEMs specifically bind to bladder cancer cells. Free gemcitabine cleaved by a phosphatase enters bladder cancer cells through the macropinocytosis pathway and induces cytotoxicity. PD‐L1‐GEMs show good stability, binding specificity, and significant inhibitory effects in vitro. Two bladder tumor models (subcutaneous model and in situ model) show inhibition of growth and progression in PD‐L1‐GEMs treatment, as well as good biosafety in vivo. The PD‐L1 aptamer blocks the binding of PD‐L1 on the tumor cell surface to PD‐1 on T lymphocytes, restoring their immune function, inducing cytokine production and aggregation, and exerting an immune killing role on bladder cancer cells. PD‐L1‐GEMs represent a successful chemotherapy–immunotherapy strategy for bladder cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Located in the Jianghan plain in Hubei Province, China, the Wangshanqiao Tomb No. 1 is a large-sized burial belonging to a high-status male from the Chu State during Warring States period (475–221 bc). Here, archaeobotanical studies were applied to the waterlogged plant remains discovered from that tomb dated to around 300 bc. The recovery of a considerable number of well-preserved plant macrofossils suggests that the Chu kingdom noble classes used many plant species including spices such as Sichuan pepper (Zanthoxylum bungeanum), ginger (Zingiber officinale), and Chinese Angelica (Angelica sinensis), as well as fruits and nuts. We discuss the differences in spice usage between noble classes and genders in this southern central part of China from late Bronze to early Iron Ages by examining these data along with other extant archaeobotanical evidence recovered from 33 tombs during around 1100 bc to ad 30. It indicates that the seeds of Sichuan pepper were more widely used in the noble burials of male and female from upper to lower classes than other spices in the southern central part of China from Warring States period (475–221 bc) to Western Han dynasty (202 bc–ad 8). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An aerospace vehicle in high-speed flight involves distributed multiple fields of view (FoVs) of a star sensor, and the maneuvering of the vehicle requires inertial-aided star pattern matching. Accordingly, an inertial-aided star pattern matching method for distributed multiple FoVs is proposed. First, the observation and fusion principles of distributed multiple FoVs are illustrated. Then, an inertial-aided star pattern matching scheme is designed based on the space-time distribution of the line-of sight (LoS) vector and inertial measurement information. Next, an LoS vector estimation method assisted by inertial information and the dynamic establishment of a distributed local catalog are proposed. Finally, in a simulation, the dynamic establishment of the part catalog improves the efficiency of star pattern matching by reducing the catalog scale, and the usability of inertial-aided star pattern matching is analyzed for different gyro and accelerometer precisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An aerospace vehicle in high-speed flight involves distributed multiple fields of view (FoVs) of a star sensor, and the maneuvering of the vehicle requires inertial-aided star pattern matching. Accordingly, an inertial-aided star pattern matching method for distributed multiple FoVs is proposed. First, the observation and fusion principles of distributed multiple FoVs are illustrated. Then, an inertial-aided star pattern matching scheme is designed based on the space-time distribution of the line-of sight (LoS) vector and inertial measurement information. Next, an LoS vector estimation method assisted by inertial information and the dynamic establishment of a distributed local catalog are proposed. Finally, in a simulation, the dynamic establishment of the part catalog improves the efficiency of star pattern matching by reducing the catalog scale, and the usability of inertial-aided star pattern matching is analyzed for different gyro and accelerometer precisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BeiDou signals are modulated with a Neumann-Hofman (NH) code of 1 kbps. The frequent bit transitions lead to a sensitivity attenuation of classic acquisition algorithms. In order to increase acquisition sensitivity for weak BeiDou signals, a novel algorithm based on modified zero-padding and differential correlation is proposed. First, a zero-padding method is used to weaken the effect of NH code. Second, the differential coherent delay time is modified to 20 ms to remove the influence of data bit transitions. The integration time is extended to 10 ms to increase acquisition sensitivity. Finally, Monte Carlo simulations and real data tests are conducted to analyse the performance of the proposed algorithm. Simulated results show that the proposed acquisition algorithm outperforms traditional algorithms under a Carrier-to-Noise ratio (C/N0s) of 20~38 dB-Hz. The sensitivity of the proposed algorithm is about 10dB higher than traditional 6 ms repeated search algorithms. Real data test results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the traditional method with weak signals. This algorithm can remove the effect of NH code and effectively increase the acquisition sensitivity. The proposed algorithm is suitable for acquisition of weak BeiDou signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on first-principles calculations, together with the Boltzmann transport equation and semiclassical analysis, we carried out a series of studies on the thermoelectric properties of Li 3 P and Li 3 As, such as the thermal conductivity κ which contains lattice thermal conductivity κ L and electronic thermal conductivity κ e , electron structure, Seebeck coefficient S and electrical conductivity σ , and obtained extremely large Seebeck coefficient S and extraordinary low lattice conductivity κ L which are 2.832 W m−1 K−1 and 2.795 W m−1 K−1 at a temperature of 300 K for Li 3 P and Li 3 As, respectively. Benefited from the intrinsic flat band structure near the Fermi level and the drastic anharmonic phonon scattering, we finally acquired ideal figure of merit ZT values, which are 1.17 and 1.13 for p -type doped Li 3 P and Li 3 As, respectively, the above results indicate that Li 3 P and Li 3 As are promising thermoelectric materials if properly used in the future. • Prominent thermoelectric properties is benefit from the intrinsic at band structure near the Fermi level. • This kind of materials has the drastic anharmonic phonon scattering. • The materials have extremely low lattice thermal conductivity. • The acoustic phonon modes and anharmonic interactions contribute most of the lattice thermal conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]