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The discrepancy in data distribution between training and testing scenarios, as well as the inductive bias of convolutional neural networks towards image styles, reduces the model's generalization ability. Many unsupervised domain generalization methods based on feature decoupling suffer from an initial neglect of explicit decoupling of content and style features, resulting in content features that still contain considerable redundant information, thereby restricting improvements in generalization capability. To tackle this problem, this paper optimizes the learning process of domain‐invariant (content) features into an information compression issue, minimizing redundancy in content features. Furthermore, to enhance decoupled learning, this paper introduces innovative cross‐domain loss functions and image reconstruction modules that explicitly decouple and merge content and style across different domains. Extensive experiments demonstrate the method's significant enhancements over recent cutting‐edge approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depth-estimation is an important task for autonomous driving, 3D object detection and recognition, scene understanding, and other fields. To improve the quality of depth estimation in high-frequency edge detail area, this paper presents DSS-Net, a dual-stream stereo network, combining a bottom-up steam based on scene understanding and a top-down stream based on parallax local optimization. Firstly, in the bottom-up stream, deep features containing high-level semantic information are extracted by a deep network, and then, a coarse estimate of the disparity is computed according to depth intervals classified based on deep features. In the up-bottom stream, the model uses the high-resolution shallow features with rich details and the initial coarse disparity to construct the local dense matching cost in the parallax neighborhood of each pixel of the initial disparity map, and uses stacked multiple hourglass networks to refine the parallax diagram in several stages. We achieve results on the Scene Flow, KITTI 2012 and 2015 datasets, showing that our method has high precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since China's reform and opening up, the social economy has achieved rapid development, followed by a sharp increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Therefore, at the 75th United Nations General Assembly, China proposed to achieve carbon peaking by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. The research work on advance forecasting of CO2 emissions is essential to achieve the above-mentioned carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals in China. In order to achieve accurate prediction of CO2 emissions, this study establishes a hybrid intelligent algorithm model suitable for CO2 emissions prediction based on China's CO2 emissions and related socioeconomic indicator data from 1971 to 2017. The hyperparameters of Least Squares Support Vector Regression (LSSVR) are optimized by the Adaptive Artificial Bee Colony (AABC) algorithm to build a high-performance hybrid intelligence model. The research results show that the hybrid intelligent algorithm model designed in this paper has stronger robustness and accuracy with relative error almost within ±5% in the advance prediction of CO2 emissions. The modeling scheme proposed in this study can not only provide strong support for the Chinese government and industry departments to formulate policies related to the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, but also can be extended to the research of other socioeconomic-related issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dual‐response smart window, which can respond to two external stimuli simultaneously or separately, has more solar adjustment modes and a wider range of solar radiation adjustment. In this paper, a double‐layer fluorine‐tin oxide (FTO) electrical‐thermal mold was presented, and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) hydrogel was encapsulated in the mold to form an electric‐thermal dual‐response smart window. The electrical response refers to the electrothermal conversion characteristics of the double‐layer FTO mold used to compensate for the insufficient thermochromic performance of the PNIPAm hydrogel when temperature is between 25 °C and 32 °C, rather than electrochromic properties. Finally, when the applied voltage reaches 5 V, the dual‐response smart window achieves a high solar modulation ability (ΔTsol) of 26.51 %. In addition, it can be concluded that a 5 V of applied voltage is adequate for the dual‐response smart window (25 mm×25 mm×2.2 mm) to exhibit excellent ΔTsol and extremely fast response speed by the test of the electrothermal conversion performance, transparency change during the heating process, and UV‐Vis‐NIR transmittance spectra. Furthermore, the thermal management tests and cyclic stability tests indicate that the smart window has a potential energy saving effect and environmental tolerance. The prepared smart window enables PNIPAm hydrogel to manage solar radiation well in the entire ambient temperature range actively or passively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on data from the China Industry Business Performance Database from 1998 to 2007 and the time of establishment of the administrative examination and approval center in each administrative division in China, this study attempts to empirically determine the effects of the reform of the administrative examination and approval system on the efficiency of resource allocation from the perspectives of the degree of enterprise-level productivity dispersion. The empirical results showed that the reform of the administrative examination and approval system significantly reduced the degree of productivity dispersion among enterprises in an industry, in addition to enhancing the efficiency of resource allocation in the industry. A further analysis of heterogeneity revealed that the reform of the administrative examination and approval system yielded greater enhancements of the efficiency of resource allocation in industries with lower entry and exit rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the Upper Ordovician (Sandbian-Katian) Pagoda and Linhsiang formations in the Yichang Area of South China. It reports that Sandbian-Katian formations have been investigated for its biostratigraphic correlation. The formations were measured using three proxy series of time series analysis of cyclostratigraphy, magnetic susceptibility (MS) and natural gamma-ray intensity (GR).

Establishing a high-precision numerical geological time scale for the Paleozoic Era remains a considerable challenge. In this study, we conducted detailed cyclostratigraphic analysis on the Middle Ordovician of the Huangnitang section and the core Changjin 3 (CJ-3), Zhejiang Province, South China. Magnetic susceptibility (MS) series were obtained from a total of 3909 discrete samples and are used as a paleoclimate proxy indicative of variations in detrital input of magnetic minerals. Power spectral analyses show that both the section and core have recorded an excellent hierarchy of Milankovitch cycles of 405 kyr, 101–135 kyr, 31–34 kyr, and 15.8–21.3 kyr. An integrated floating astronomical time scale (ATS) for the section and core was established according to the extracted stable 405-kyr eccentricity cycles. This new floating ATS suggests that the durations of the Darriwilian and Dapingian stages were 8.38 ± 0.4 Myr and 1.97 ± 0.7 Myr, and the durations of complete graptolite zones of the Middle Ordovician were precisely estimated. The ratios of band (obliquity or short eccentricity) power to total power reveal periodicities of ~1.2 Myr for the s 4 – s 3 term and ~1.9 Myr for the g 4 – g 3 term, and ~1.2-Myr obliquity cycles may have controlled global third-order eustatic sequences during the late Darriwilian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-precision time framework is critical for improving our understanding of three major events: the Late Ordovician mass extinction, the Hirnantian glaciation, and the Hirnantian isotopic carbon excursion (HICE). In the present study, we conducted detailed cyclostratigraphic analysis of a high-resolution (1–2-cm intervals) anhysteretic remanent magnetization series obtained from the Wanhe section in South China, covering the lower Katian through Hirnantian. Power spectra and derived average spectral misfit results show that the section records the ensemble of Milankovitch cycles with 405-kyr (long-eccentricity), 93–125-kyr (short-eccentricity), 33.8-kyr (main obliquity), and 17–22-kyr (precession) periods. The obliquity period of 33.8 ± 0.46 kyr indicates a precession constant k of 57.19 ± 0.53 arcsec/yr, a length of day of 22.37 ± 0.12 h, and an Earth–Moon distance of 375,330 ± 722 km (vs. 384,000 km today) during the Late Ordovician (445 Ma). The ratios of obliquity band power to total power reveal periodicities of 1.32 Myr for the s 4 – s 3 term and 173.4 kyr for the s 3 – s 6 term. Aided by the highly fluctuating magnetic susceptibility (MS), we recognized a series of 1.32-Myr obliquity-forced glacio-eustatic cycles with three intervals of sea-level rise and climate warming trend characterized by high MS values and two episodes of sea-level fall and climate cooling trend before the Hirnantian. The 405-kyr and subsequent 33.8-kyr calibrations produce an ~7.36-Myr floating astronomical time scale (FATS) for the studied succession, indicating that the estimated durations for the Hirnantian Stage, the worldwide Hirnantian glaciation, and the first and second phases of the Late Ordovician mass extinction were ~1225 kyr, ~830 kyr, ~440 kyr, and ~540 kyr, respectively. This work provides a reliable high-resolution time framework for further investigation of the major geological events occurred in the Late Ordovician, and improves our knowledge of Solar System behaviour and Earth–Moon history during that period. • An ~7.36 Myr ATS was constructed for the early Katian through Hirnantian. • The durations of Hirnantian Stage, glaciation and mass extinction were estimated. • Earth–Moon evolution was constrained for the Late Ordovician. • Obliquity forcing controlled the Late Ordovician glacio-eustasy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• New nutrient proxy reveals oceanic P peaks during the Hirnantian glaciation and deglaciation. • The HICE was caused by enhanced organic carbon burial linked to more efficient P cylcing. • Persistent volcanisms and less CO 2 consumption via silicate weathering terminated the glaciation. • Post-glacial carbon cycle and climate depend on the duration of intensive volcanisms and oceanic nutrient availability. The Hirnantian Stage of the Late Ordovician coincides with a positive carbon isotope excursion (HICE, ∼+6 ‰), a major glaciation, increased volcanic activity, expanded marine anoxia, and one of the largest mass extinctions of the Phanerozoic. The origin of the HICE is debated, with proposed mechanisms favoring enhanced low-latitude carbonate weathering and/or increased efficiency of organic carbon burial. To test those hypotheses, we assembled new and published δ13C carb and δ13C org data and shale phosphorus and carbonate-associated phosphate concentrations from diverse depositional settings on several continents. We then evaluated these results using an integrated carbon cycle model derived from GEOCARB, and a coupled oceanic carbon and phosphorus cycle model. This approach yielded quantitative tests of the response of the global carbon cycle to changes in volcanic degassing, silicate and carbonate weathering rates, and organic carbon burial, individually and in combination, to determine which forcings yield signals most aligned with observed δ13C carb and δ13C org records. On this basis, the most plausible scenario for the HICE involves a ∼50 % decrease in weathering of silicates and organic carbon at higher latitudes combined with enhanced carbonate weathering (f wcarb = 88 %) at lower latitudes. Synchronous, globally enhanced burial of organic carbon was due to more efficient nutrient cycling caused by stronger thermohaline circulation and increased volcanism that further enriched oceanic dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in 13C. The influence of increased input of 13C-depleted carbon from volcanism and metamorphism may have been overwhelmed by these drivers of the positive δ13C shift. The Hirnantian Glaciation was likely initiated by secular enhancement of continental weathering due to the expansion of early plants but was terminated by increased volcanism and decreased CO 2 consumption by silicate weathering during the cooling. This scenario is consistent with the timeline of known geological events and offers insights into the mechanisms responsible for the associated biotic crisis. Specifically, the onset of the Hirnantian Glaciation induced lower global temperatures, resulting in sea-level fall and a loss of habitat space, while its termination led to enhanced organic carbon export and deep-water anoxia, all of which likely contributed to the Late Ordovician mass extinction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Pollen tube integrity, growth and guidance are crucial factors in plant sexual reproduction. Members of the plant Skewed5 (SKU5) Similar (SKS) family show strong similarity to multicopper oxidases (MCOs), but they lack conserved histidines in MCO active sites. The functions of most SKS family members are unknown. Here, we show that Arabidopsis pollen‐expressed SKS11 and SKS12 play important roles in pollen tube integrity, growth and guidance. The sks11sks12 mutant exhibited significantly reduced male fertility. Most of the pollen from sks11sks12 plants burst when germinated, and the pollen tubes grew slowly and exhibited defective growth along the funiculus and micropyle. SKS11‐GFP and SKS12‐mCherry were detected at the cell wall in pollen tubes. The contents of several cell wall polysaccharides and arabinogalactans were decreased in the pollen tube cell walls of sks11sks12 plants. Staining with a reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐sensitive dye and use of the H2O2 sensor HyPer revealed that the ROS content in the pollen tubes of sks11sks12 plants was remarkably reduced. SKS11444His‐Ala, in which the last conserved histidine was mutated, could restore the mutant phenotypes of sks11sks12. Thus, SKS11/12 are required for pollen tube integrity, growth and guidance possibly by regulating the ROS level and cell wall polysaccharide deposition or remodeling in pollen tubes. Significance Statement: Pollen tube integrity, growth and guidance are crucial for plant sexual reproduction. Arabidopsis SKU5 Similar 11 and 12, which are highly expressed in pollen and pollen tubes, function in pollen tube integrity, growth and guidance to ensure successful double fertilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the hydrophobic effect or hydration of hydrophobe was firstly introduced into the mechanism of polystyrene particles formation. Negatively charged surface of hydration shell was proposed due to the ordered structure of water molecules. Consequentially the concentration of hydrophobic chains depended on pH because protons destroyed the hydration shell, thereby extruded hydrophobic chains from the H‐bonds networks. The soap‐free emulsion polymerization of styrene by using AIBN (azodiisobutyronitrile) and KPS (Potassium Persulfate), respectively was performed at various pHs. It was proved that protons played a crucial role on the formation of PSt (polystyrene) particles. By using AIBN, particles were not prepared at pH 2.0 (HAc), pH 4.0 (HCl) and pH 2.0 (HCl), whereas by using KPS, particles were obtained regardless to pH. It indicated that anions of sulfate greatly enhanced the tolerance of hydration shell to the suffering from protons. Meanwhile, the roles of polymerization in the monomer phase, aqueous phase and growing particles were elucidated. By using AIBN, ca. 30 % PSt with Mn (Numeral average molecular weight) =300‐1500 formed in the monomer phase at pH 6.8, which dissolved in water at pH 8.0 and pH 10.0. By using KPS, ca. 20 % and 30 % conversion of St were found in the aqueous phase at pH 2.0 (HCl) and pH 10.0 (NaOH), respectively. At pH 2.0 (HCl), oligomers generated in the aqueous phase were protonated, whereas at pH 10.0 (NaOH), they were soluble due to the seriously suppressed dissociation of water. At other pHs, oligomers captured protons, thereby relieved particles and interface from the suffering of protons. As the concentration of oligomers increased, oligomers precipitated to form clusters due to the increase of average number of protons on the surface of oligomers hydration shell, which successively incorporated into the growing particles, thus enlarged PDI (Polydispersity index) of MW (Weight‐average molecular weight) distribution in particles. By using AIBN, owing to the limited partition of AIBN in the interfacial layer of St phase, the flat‐roof peaks of GPC curves were observed, namely that the weight fraction of Mi was constant. It implies that the free‐radicals are living in the growing particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe-doped mesoporous alumina (MA) was successfully synthesized via a facile one-pot synthesis method. The resulting Fe-doped MA samples possess typical mesoporous structure, relatively high BET surface area, and narrowed pore size diameter. Besides, the iron species are well-dispersed in the alumina matrix, and more importantly, some small oligonuclear iron oxide clusters are linked on the surface of alumina, leading to the elimination of strong acid sites. The reaction of phenol hydroxylation was preceded at room temperature for 2 h. The introduction of mesoporous structure in alumina would be favorable for the adsorption and diffusion process of reactant and product molecules, and also the well-dispersed iron species in alumina matrix and large amount of acid sites stimulate more active hydroxyl radicals which are greatly beneficial for the catalytic process, especially the elimination of strong acid sites would inhibit the over-oxidation reaction. In this case, the sample of 5Fe–MA displays the best catalytic performance especially with the extremely high dihydroxybenzene selectivity of 93.2%, and the good catalytic stability is also evidenced by the five times recycling tests. In this work, the Fe-doped mesoporous alumina (MA) was successfully prepared. The iron species are well-dispersed in the alumina matrix, and some small oligonuclear iron oxide clusters are linked on the surface of alumina, leading to the elimination of strong acid sites. The advanced properties of mesoporous structure, well-dispersed metal active centers and lack of strong acid sites in Fe-doped MA are greatly beneficial for the catalytic process, especially for the dihydroxybenzene selectivity with extremely high value of 93.2%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]