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Tian Shan is a vast and highly seismically active intracontinental mountain range. GPS measurements and field studies have shown that E-W and NW-SE trending thrusts and fault-related folds are distributed across central Tian Shan. However, few studies have determined the fault and fault-related-fold activity in the Bole Basin, the northernmost part of central Tian Shan. In this study, we focus on the Alashak Fold, which is situated along the southern margin of the Bole Basin. Using high-resolution uncrewed aerial vehicle-Digital Elevation Model data, field observations, and detailed mapping, we determined that the Alashak Fold is characterized by a trishear fault-propagation fold. Along the Alashak River, we identified five levels of fluvial surfaces, the T3 terrace was continuously preserved across the fold. Radiocarbon and surficial 10Be dating were used to determine the exposure age of the deformed T3 terrace. The folding characteristics of T3, trishear inversed modeling, and abandonment age indicate that the Alashak Fault has an uplift rate of 0.8 ± 0.3 mm/yr, a dip-slip rate of 4.2 ± 1.2 mm/yr, and a crustal shortening rate of 4.0 ± 1.2 mm/yr since the late Pleistocene, respectively. The Alashak and Latgan Faults intersect at a depth of 1.2 km, enclosing a wedge-shaped block. Our study emphasizes that tectonic activity along the southern margin of the Bole Basin has played a significant role in north-south shortening within central Tian Shan, as measured by geological measurements since the late Pleistocene. The Alashak Fault can potentially generate moderate–strong (Mw 5.0–7.0) earthquakes, while the Alashak and Latgan Faults can generate major (Mw 7.2) earthquakes. • Identification of rapid slip rate of 4.2 ± 1.2 mm/yr on a thrust-related fold in the central Tian Shan of China. • The Alashak Fault is a shallowly dipping thrust forming a fault-propagation fold. • The shallow Alashak Fault has the potential to generate strong earthquake (Mw 5.5 to 7.4) and surface rupture. • Significant shortening occurs within the southern margin of the Bole Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Pear black spot disease significantly threatens pear trees. • Proteome and transcriptome profiling of resistant and susceptible pear cultivars were obtained. • PpJAZ1 and PpMYC2-2 were identified as potential key genes in the defense response. Pear black spot disease (BSD), caused by the pathogen Alternaria alternata , poses a significant threat to pear trees. In this study, we investigated the defense mechanisms of sand pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) against BSD using iTRAQ and transcriptome analysis. Proteome sequencing and iTRAQ-UPLC MS/MS identified 6487 reliable proteins, including 6230 quantifiable ones. Further analysis revealed 237 differential proteins following inoculation with the H strain of A. alternata. Among these, 20 were common to both 'Jinjing' pear and the susceptible 'Hongfen' pear, while 138 were specific to 'Jinjing' and 79 were specific to 'Hongfen'. Gene Ontology and KEGG analysis implicated these proteins in processes like "plastid", "ion binding", "ribosome", and "amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism". We further identified 100 common genes from the proteome and transcriptome data, with 69% showing consistent expression patterns. Among these, we discovered a candidate gene, Pbr037418, which shares a close phylogenetic relationship with Arabidopsis AtJAZ1 and was designated PpJAZ1. We confirmed that Pp JAZ1 is localized in the nucleus and interacts with Pp MYC2-2 in the defense response. Notably, expression levels of PpJAZ1 and PpMYC2-2 were higher in resistant 'Jinjing' pear compared to susceptible 'Hongfen' pear after pathogen inoculation. Following H strain inoculation, sand pear leaves with silenced PpJAZ1 exhibited disease spots and showed reduced expression of PpJAZ1 and PpMYC2-2 compared to control leaves. This study deepens our understanding of BSD resistance mechanisms and provides insights into proteomic and transcriptomic changes in sand pear during pathogen infection, and thus will facilitate future research on resistance gene discovery and functional studies in sand pear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global healthcare sector, while pivotal to economies, inadvertently leads to significant medical waste generation, an issue amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study, grounded in emotion-symbolic work, examines the impact of visual attributes on healthcare professionals' attitudes toward medical waste, especially medical plastics. Focusing on visual clutter, the presence of human faces, and animals in imagery, this study aims to determine the potency of these elements in eliciting moral shocks and emotional responses. Moreover, the influence of target actors, encompassing connecting to a cause, collective identity, and non-profit organizations promoting green healthcare, is explored as a moderating variable. Inspired by emotion-symbolic work, this study seeks to discern the potential of symbolic visuals in driving behavioral shifts among healthcare professionals, underscoring the intertwined nature of patient care and environmental health in addressing the pressing challenge of medical waste management. We further offer actionable insights to healthcare institutions and activists, enabling them to craft impactful campaigns that resonate deeply with their audience, fostering a greener and more responsible healthcare paradigm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have explored paleoenvironmental conditions in China's dune fields around the mid-Holocene (MH), ∼6000 calendar years ago, often based on individual paleosol-aeolian sand depositional sequences and local-scale landscape dynamics. So far, continent-scale modeling studies have only indirectly assessed dune activation and stabilization processes via changes in simulated precipitation, net precipitation (precipitation minus evaporation), and effective moisture (precipitation divided by evaporation). Here we conducted a comprehensive study using gridded data on potential evapotranspiration, precipitation, and surface wind velocity from 13 climate models participating in the Paleoclimate Modeling Intercomparison Project phases 4 (PMIP4) and compared the model results with geological records. Our evaluation of spatial patterns of dune activity in northern China around the MH reveals that the intensity of annual MH dune activity exhibited significant differences between the eastern and western parts of Chinese deserts compared to those of the preindustrial period (PI). Dune activity was significantly weaker in the eastern region, while in the western part, it was considerably stronger. The key drivers of this disparity were the distinct spatial variations in near-surface wind speed and effective moisture between the two regions. Compared with the optically stimulated luminescence ages of the paleosol-aeolian sand sedimentary sequences derived from a compilation of geological records from 88 sites across northern China, the model results suggest that the weakening of dune activity and the process of dune stabilization in eastern China around the MH were mainly attributed to a significant increase in effective moisture and a concurrent decrease in near-surface wind speed due to the intensified East Asian summer monsoon. Additionally, the weakening of westerlies in western China resulted in reduced effective moisture, contributing to increased sand availability for dune development and subsequent desert expansion. • Mid-Holocene dune activity in Chinese deserts varied regionally, differing from preindustrial period. • Varied wind speed and moisture caused different mid-Holocene aeolian activities in northern China's western and eastern desert belt. • Numerical simulations aid in interpreting field-based geological findings comprehensively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Dynamics of unstable steam-air jet condensing in water flow was investigated. • Effect of air content on interface and pressure oscillation was discussed. • Interface and pressure oscillation became extremely violent at low air content. • Pressure oscillation intensity decreased when air content exceeded a critical value. Pressure oscillation occurs during the steam jet condensation in water, notably in unstable flow pattern region. Consequently, pressure oscillation may risk the thermal system. In this work, we introduce a method of reducing the pressure oscillation intensity by adding a small amount of air into steam in unstable flow pattern region. The effects of the air content on the unstable flow patterns and pressure oscillation characteristics were studied experimentally. Notably, the air layer showed a periodic accumulation-and-dispersion phenomenon around the steam–water interface. This phenomenon resulted in a periodic and dramatic fluctuation of the interface at a relatively low air mass fraction. When the air mass fraction increased to a critical value, the flow pattern became stable due to a sharp reduction in condensation rate. Accordingly, the pressure oscillation intensity increased and then dropped at the critical air mass fraction, showing a convex-shaped distribution. The air mass fraction should exceed the critical value if air is added into steam to reduce the pressure oscillation intensity. Otherwise, the air could lead to a much stronger pressure oscillation. A theoretical model for the critical air mass fraction was established and could predict the critical air mass fraction within a deviation of ±14%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tenet of the Milankovitch theory is that Northern Hemisphere solar insolation, controlled by Earth's orbital is responsible for cyclic climate variations. Eccentricity in this context is responsible for cyclic variability of 100 ka and may drive periodicity in climate change during the middle and late Pleistocene. Although abundant evidence exists for 100 ka cyclic climatic fluctuations driving glacial-interglacial cycles, our knowledge about the record of cyclic climatic changes preserved in terrestrial landscapes remains limited, especially over multi-millennial (several glacial-interglacial) timescales. The intermontane Yanqi Basin in the southeastern Tian Shan, Central Asia, preserves at least seven generations of alluvial surfaces spanning multiple glacial cycles and yields insights into the record of climatic fluctuations that lead to aggradation and incision of river systems. We complement existing chronologic data with two new cosmogenic 10Be depth profiles and four surface exposure ages of alluvial surface abandonment in the south Tian Shan piedmont within the Yanqi Basin. New surface-exposure dating reveals the successive abandonment of these surfaces with a 100 ka cyclicity between 5.1 ± 0.9 and ~550 ka and indicates that there were multiple aggradation-incision cycles. The superimposed 100 ka cycles of aggradation-incision are best explained by eccentricity-driven climate change. Within these cycles, sediment is produced during glaciations by glacial and periglacial erosion. However, due to the dry and cold conditions of the glacial periods in central Asia, there is little discharge available to transport and evacuate the sediment from the valleys to the piedmont. Later, during the glacial to interglacial transition, higher precipitation and high discharge due to glacial melt water resulted in higher transport capacity of the river beyond a threshold to evacuate sediment. Subsequent rapid incision occurs after the upstream sediment reservoir is depleted and its timing corresponds to the glacial to interglacial transition period in our study area. Compared with the aggradation and incision of the northern piedmont of the Tian Shan governed by the Westerlies, the sedimentary systems of the South Tian Shan piedmont within the Yanqi Basin are mainly controlled by eccentricity-driven glacial-interglacial cycles. • 10Be chronology of alluvial surfaces of south Tian Shan was reconstructed since 600 ka. • The abandonment of alluvial surfaces occurs over 100-ka cycles. • Aggradation-and-incision cycles are best explained by eccentricity-driven climate change. • Incision correlates with global glacial-interglacial transition periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two long Schiff base ligands H 2 L1 and H 2 L2 that have flexible long-chain backbones were used to synthesize 8- and 12-metal Zn-Ln nanoclusters [Zn 4 Eu 4 (L1) 2 (OAc) 10 (NO 3) 2 (OH) 4 ] (1) and [Zn 8 Yb 4 (L2) 8 (OAc) 8 ](OH) 4 (2), respectively. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 show that their molecular sizes are about 9 × 10 × 11 Å and 9 × 19 × 28 Å, respectively. Both clusters display typical emission bands of lanthanide ions. Interestingly, the Zn–Yb cluster 2 exhibits NIR luminescent response to metal cations, especially to Co2+ and Cu2+ at the ppm level. A 12-metal Zn–Yb nanocluster with high NIR luminescent sensitivity to Co2+ and Cu2+ cations at the ppm level was prepared using a long-chain Schiff base ligand. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clay dunes are characterized by a relatively high content of silt and clay and are typically developed on the lee side margin of closed-basins in arid and semi-arid areas. Although they are widely distributed aeolian landforms on Earth, little is known about their development and distribution in Asia. Our field investigations have identified for the first time the occurrence of clay dunes in the Alashan Plateau, north China. The clay dunes occur in three isolated lowland areas of the Suhongtu (SHT) Basin and their morphologies (barchans, hooked barchans, asymmetrical barchans, and linear or seif dunes) differ substantially from those of the well-studied clay dunes in Australia, Africa and North America. These differences could be mainly attributed to the asymmetrical bimodal wind regime, prolonged drought and sediment physical properties, which indicate that dunes of any type can be formed in sand, silt or clay. Based on the known evolution of the SHT paleo-lake basin and regional climate change, we infer that the landscape of modern clay dunes in the desert of the Alashan Plateau does not predate MIS 5, and probably formed during the late Holocene. Analyses of grain-size distributions and the contents of trace and rare earth elements, combined with geomorphological characteristics, indicate that the source sediments of the clay dunes are mainly local Cretaceous-Tertiary and Quaternary red fluvial-lacustrine mudstone and sediments, while the ultimate source is the weathered and denuded products of granitoids of the East Altay Mountains. Comparison of the morphology and alignment of the clay dunes with the prevailing wind pattern tends to support Tsoar's (1984) model of the transition in dune shape from barchans to seif or linear dunes. During 2003–2013, the seif or linear dunes of the SHT Basin migrated laterally and elongated northeastward at rates of about 2–4 m/yr and 16–20 m/yr, respectively. • Clay dunes were identified in the Alashan Plateau, north China. • Chinese clay dunes are actually not especially clay rich. • Clay dune activity does not appear to pre-date MIS 5. • Most of the clay dunes are barchans, asymmetrical barchans, and clay-rich linear dunes. • Provenance of the clay dunes are mainly from the local Cretaceous-Tertiary and Quaternary red fluvial-lacustrine sediment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Growth, propagation, merging and detachment of interface wave was observed. • Interface wave was proved to grow exponentially in axial direction. • Pressure oscillation of supersonic steam jet condensation was induced by interface wave. • A correlation for dominant frequency was proposed based on interface wave propagation. Pressure pulse is a potential risk during the application of condensing supersonic vapor jet in various industrial areas, particularly in a confined space, such as a pipe system. However, the source of pressure pulse remains unknown. In this work, experimental study on the dynamics of condensing supersonic steam jet in a rectangular channel was performed. Interface dynamics were captured by high-speed photography and quantitatively studied via an image-processing technique. The pressure pulse characteristics inside the channel were investigated using dynamic pressure transducers. Results proved that pressure pulse was caused by the growth, propagation, and detachment of interface wave induced by Kelvin-Helmholtz instability for the first time. In addition, the interface wave was proved to grow exponentially by experimental and theoretical methods. The dominant frequency was negative related, whereas its amplitude was positive related to the interface penetration length, which could be explained well by the growth, propagation, and detachment of interface wave. Finally, a prediction model for the dominant frequency was proposed on the basis of the propagation characteristics of interface wave. The proposed model could predict the dominant frequency at a maximum deviation of ±30%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Gelatin/Dex-MA composite fibers were prepared via electrospinning. • The electrospun gelatin/Dex-MA composite fibers could be photocrosslinked. • The composite fibers could support cell proliferation and adhesion. Abstract Developing natural polymers-based fibers is highly desirable for tissue engineering. In this study, an effective method to synthesize electrospun gelatin/dextran–maleic anhydride (gelatin/Dex-MA) composite fibers with enhanced physical and biological properties has been proposed. Photocrosslinkable Dex-MA was first synthesized and gelatin/Dex-MA composite fibers were then prepared by electrospinning followed by photocrosslinking. The physical properties of the as-synthesized composite fibers including water absorption, mechanical properties, and degradation were investigated. It was found that the physical properties of the composite fibers could be dramatically improved with the content of Dex-MA, where the tensile strength can be enhanced up to 1.75 MPa and the degradation can be increased up to 40.30%. In addition, the biocompatibility study in vitro showed that the composite fibers could support cell proliferation and adhesion. Our electrospun crosslinked gelatin/Dex-MA fibers are potential to be applied in the field of tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying the provenance of aeolian sediments in deserts is of great importance for understanding the Earth surface processes. In this context, we conducted detailed fieldwork in the Ordos Deserts (Maowusu and Kubuqi) in the middle portion of the desert belt in northern China, and measured the major, trace and rare earth elements (REE) of aeolian sands and their potential source rocks and sediments. Our results show that aeolian sands in the eastern (northeastern) and western (southwestern) Maowusu (Mu Us) Sandy Land exhibit different degrees of mineralogical maturity and Eu/Eu* values. Thus, we interpret that these aeolian sands have different provenances, though in the same sandy land. Our data suggest that the local lacustrine sediments and sandstones are the main sources of aeolian sands in the eastern province of the Maowusu Sandy Land, while aeolian sands in the western Maowusu Sandy Land and the Kubuqi Desert have the same external sources. The comparison of geochemical compositions of sediments in the Ordos Deserts with their potential sources in adjacent regions indicates that there is no genetic linkage between the Helan Mountains, the Yinshan Mountains and the Ordos Deserts although they are not far apart. The Qilian Orogenic Belt in the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau is, however, the most likely original provenance for the western Maowusu (Mu Us) Sandy Land and the Kubuqi (Hobq) Desert, but with fluvial sediments in the Ningxia-Inner Mongolian section of the Yellow River as the immediate source. In one side, our results demonstrate that dune fields that are close to each other can have significantly different source sediments. On the other hand, our work suggests that some dune fields and landforms that are far apart from one another, e.g., the Badain Jaran Desert in western Inner Mongolia, the Ordos Deserts and the fluvial sediments in Ningxia-Inner Mongolian section of the Yellow River, can share the same ultimate sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantification of crustal shortening rates across foreland fold-and-thrust belts is essential for evaluating how convergence is accommodated throughout the orogenic belt and analyzing seismic hazard in neighboring cities. In this study, we focused on active fold along the western portion of the Qilian Shan Foreland Thrust Belt in NE Tibet. The shortening rate across the Hujiatai Anticline (HA) along the eastern segment of the Fodongmiao-Hongyazi Fault (FHF) is 0.8 ± 0.2 mm/a based on terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide (TCN) dating of deformed Late Pleistocene fluvial terrace. When this rate is combined with the shortening rates of 1.1–1.4 mm/a and 0.7–1.2 mm/a along the western and central segments obtained by previous studies, it is apparent that crustal shortening rates along the FHF gradually decrease to the east. This eastward decrease in fault activity may be a result of the northward propagation of the FHF or partitioning of strain off to nearby faults or folds. Furthermore, tectonic geomorphology and trenching suggest that several thrust faults around the HA ruptured during the historical 1609 earthquake. Combining the shortening rate of 0.6–0.8 mm/a across the north side of the Jiudong basin with our rate, we suggest that the total crustal shortening rate across the basin is about 1.3–2.2 mm/a assuming little internal deformation, which accounts for roughly 20–40% of the amount of crustal shortening deformation across the Qilian block. These results demonstrate that the Qilian Shan Foreland basin plays an important role in accommodating the crustal deformation of northeastern Tibet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• New material with room-temperature flexibility and high-temperature shape stability. • The contact thermal resistance of TPS is reduced by 50% compared with that of EPDM. • The maximum temperature is controlled below 56 °C at the discharge rate of 2.5C. • The temperature difference of the CPCM cooling battery module is lower than 4.0 °C. Phase change materials have potential uses in battery thermal management because of their controllable phase change temperature and high latent heat. However, the application of phase change materials is limited by their strong rigidity, difficult assembly, high contact thermal resistance, low thermal conductivity, and leakage. In this study, a novel flexible composite phase change material (CPCM) with good mechanical properties is prepared, which can maintain flexibility at room temperature and shape stability at high temperatures. A thermoplastic styrene-based polymer (TPS) is used as the support material, paraffin is used as the phase change material, and expanded graphite is used as the reinforced thermal conductive filler. Results show that the composites have good flexibility and extensibility at room temperature and can maintain good shape stability at 60 °C and certain pressure. The contact thermal resistance of CPCM is 50% of the contact thermal resistance of similar materials. Thermal management experiments of single battery and square battery modules are designed. After six cycles of 2.5C high-rate discharge, the maximum temperature of the battery module cooled by CPCM is 2 °C and 10.4 °C lower than that of forced air cooling and natural air cooling, respectively. The temperature difference of the battery module is lower than 4.0 °C. This study shows that the new flexible CPCM thermal management system is easy to assemble and can reduce the temperature of battery modules, and this feature is conducive to the application of CPCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective Carotid artery atherosclerosis is an important cause of stroke. Ultrasound imaging has been widely used in the diagnosis of atherosclerosis. Therefore, segmenting atherosclerotic carotid plaque in ultrasound image is an important task. Accurate plaque segmentation is helpful for the measurement of carotid plaque burden. In this paper, we propose and evaluate a novel learning-based integrated framework for plaque segmentation. Methods In our study, four different classification algorithms, along with the auto-context iterative algorithm, were employed to effectively integrate features from ultrasound images and later also the iteratively estimated and refined probability maps together for pixel-wise classification. The four classification algorithms were support vector machine with linear kernel, support vector machine with radial basis function kernel, AdaBoost and random forest. The plaque segmentation was implemented in the generated probability map. The performance of the four different learning-based plaque segmentation methods was tested on 29 B-mode ultrasound images. The evaluation indices for our proposed methods were consisted of sensitivity, specificity, Dice similarity coefficient, overlap index, error of area, absolute error of area, point-to-point distance, and Hausdorff point-to-point distance, along with the area under the ROC curve. Results The segmentation method integrated the random forest and an auto-context model obtained the best results (sensitivity 80.4 ± 8.4%, specificity 96.5 ± 2.0%, Dice similarity coefficient 81.0 ± 4.1%, overlap index 68.3 ± 5.8%, error of area -1.02 ± 18.3%, absolute error of area 14.7 ± 10.9%, point-to-point distance 0.34 ± 0.10 mm, Hausdorff point-to-point distance 1.75 ± 1.02 mm, and area under the ROC curve 0.897), which were almost the best, compared with that from the existed methods. Conclusions Our proposed learning-based integrated framework investigated in this study could be useful for atherosclerotic carotid plaque segmentation, which will be helpful for the measurement of carotid plaque burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fodongmo-Hongyazi fault (FHF) is a major thrust of Northeastern Tibet, bounding the Qilian Shan. It accommodates crustal shortening across this region and has produced a strong historical earthquake. Until now the slip rate has been poorly constrained, limiting our understanding of its role in the accommodation of deformation across this region. In this paper, faulted terraces at two sites on the western and middle segments of the FHF were mapped with satellite imagery and field observations. Chronological constraints are placed on the ages of displaced river terraces at these sites using terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide (TCN) exposure dating. These ages combined with offsets measured from SPOT 6 DEM’s yield average vertical slip rates of 1.3 ± 0.1 mm/yr for the western segment since ∼207 ka and 0.9 ± 0.1 mm/yr since ∼46 ka for the middle segment. These data suggest that the FHF accommodates ∼15–20% of the total shortening across the Qilian Shan (5.5–7 mm/yr). In addition, comparisons of our data with published slip rates along the Northern Qilian Thrust Fault Zone show that the fastest tectonic uplift occurs along the western portion of the Northern Qilian Shan. This is consistent with estimates deduced from geomorphology. The western portion of the Qilian Shan is mainly controlled by compressional deformation produced by the northward movement of the Northeastern Tibetan Plateau, while the eastern Qilian Shan is mainly controlled by the eastward extrusion of material along the left-lateral Haiyuan strike-slip Fault. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, selenylation of Artemisia sphaerocephala polysaccharide (SeASP MW ) was studied by using H 2 SeO 3 /HNO 3 /BaCl 2 reaction system in microwave field. SeASP MW exhibited the Se content range of 111–264 μg/g with high yields (72.1–94.9%). 13 C NMR results indicated that the weak C-6 substitution was occurred. The decrease (from 7.348 × 10 4 g/mol to 1.736–4.667 × 10 4 g/mol) in weight average molecular mass ( M W ) of SeASP MW was observed in size exclusion chromatography combined with multi angle laser light scattering (SEC-MALLS) analysis. SeASP MW exhibited a more rigid solution conformation which might be due to the degradation of polysaccharide chains in acidic reaction reagent. This was also supported by atomic force microscopy (AFM) result that SeASP MW showed short chains and island-like topography. In anti-tumor activity assays, SeASP MW6 exhibited the inhibition rates of 32.381% and 39.776% against human non-small cell lung cancer cell line (H1650) at the concentration of 100 and 200 μg/mL, respectively. The relatively weak inhibition effect of SeASP MW was not related to cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, suggesting Se content might be a key factor to influence the anti-tumor activities of selenized polysaccharides in vitro . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deformed alluvial fans can indicate the subsurface fault-plane geometry of thrusts. Numerous seismic profiles have illustrated the subsurface fault-plane geometry of thrusts in the Tian Shan piedmonts. However, due to a lack of seismic profiles, the subsurface fault-plane geometry in the Tian Shan is not well-known. This paper focuses on a thrust-related anticline in the eastern Kusongmuxiek Fault (KF), the Latgan Anticline (LA), located in the southern margin of the Bole Basin, northern Tian Shan. Five alluvial fan surfaces, A1-A5 from young to old, are determined along the Dilike River. We used the alluvial fan surfaces and fault attitude to determinate the subsurface fault-plane geometry of the Latgan Fault. The geometric model reveals that the Latgan Fault can be divided into three segments: an upper ramp with a dip of 55°S, a central listric fault, and a lower ramp with a dip of 31°S. The abandonment age of the A4 surface based on its cosmogenic 10Be concentrations and use of a kinematic model of a listric fault fold reveal that the fault dip-slip rate is c. 0.5 mm/a, and the horizontal crustal shortening rate is c. 0.4 mm/a during the Pleistocene. The vertical incision rates of the Dilike River are 0.5–0.6 mm/a in the uplifted area and 0.2 mm/a in the non-uplifted area. This difference may be the result of tectonic uplift. Our field and remote sensing observations and the geometric characteristics of the eastern Keguqin Mountains piedmont thrusts indicate fault propagation into the basin via thick-skinned tectonics. The LA crustal shortening rate and previous studies indicate that the crustal shortening rates of the Bole, Borohoro, and Turfan Units are ~1.7–2.0 mm/a, >4.0 mm/a, and 3.2–4.4 mm/a, respectively. The lower shortening rate of the Bole Unit and higher shortening rates of the Borohoro and Turfan Units indicate that the Bole Unit is the lowest crustal shortening rate unit in the northern Tian Shan. • Study of fault-fold growth using dated alluvial fan surfaces (northern Tian Shan) • Uses remote sensing, field survey and 10Be cosmogenic exposure dating • Fan-fold morphology and fault attitude informs on sub-surface fault geometry • Reveals a listric fault fold with ~0.5 mm/a dip slip and ~ 0.4 mm/a horizontal shortening • Lowest rate thick-skinned fault propagation within the northern Tian Shan [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In environmentally sensitive areas, particularly the arid or semi-arid regions, different factors such as relief and human activity, can greatly influence the landscape on a local scale. Using satellite imageries and field investigations, we have studied the distribution of sand dunes in the Maowusu (Mu Us) Sandy Land in the southern Ordos Plateau, northern China. Key research questions are which factors are critically responsible for the spatial pattern evident in the landscape and what is the relative importance of such factors? We used a new approach, i.e., the Geographical Detector to improve our spatial analysis. Using the combined methods of the Geographical Detector, digital image processing, field investigation and spatial and temporal analysis of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), we aimed to clarify the causal relations governing the different landform patterns within this Sandy Land and beyond. The primary factors include local relief, drainage, climatically controlled potential plant productivity, wind action and rock type as explanatory parameters x and the landscape properties as the output y . Our results show the quantified links between the spatial distribution of various landscapes and their controlling factors. This study revealed that the climatic potential productivity, local relief and drainage are the key factors in shaping the landscape spatial pattern. Owing to different regional climates and land use histories, the responses to changes of external forcing between the western and eastern parts of the Maowusu Sandy Land are out-of-step. We conclude that the desertification of the eastern part of Maowusu Sandy Land has been mainly caused by human activities while the western part is governed by natural factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon-based fractal tree-shaped microchannel heat sinks with different bifurcation angles were designed and manufactured. The heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of the fractal microchannel network were experimentally studied under an inlet Reynolds number of Re 0 = 500–1700. The results showed that compared with the traditional linear microchannel heat sink, the fractal microchannel heat sinks could achieve considerable flow drag reduction and heat transfer enhancement. Maintaining the chip temperature below 85 °C, the pressure drop can be reduced by up to 92%, and the heat transfer coefficient can be enhanced by 1.5 times of the fractal microchannel network at the same flow rate. The optimized bifurcation angle of the fractal network was recommended to be 30°. The COP of fractal microchannel heat sinks with a bifurcation angle of 30° can reach 12–13 times that of the linear microchannel. • Silicon-based microchannel heat sinks with fractal structure are designed and studied. • Fractal branch angle has a significant impact on the performance of the microchannel heat sink. • Compared with the linear structure, the fractal structure reduces the pressure drop by up to 92%. • COP of the fractal microchannel heat sink can reach up to 103–104 at a branch angle of 30°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Chugging is observed in subsonic and supersonic steam–air jet condensation in water. • The mechanism of chugging is revealed by a quantitative study on phase interface behavior. • Chugging can lead to low-frequency and high amplitude pressure pulse. • The correlation of dominant frequency of chugging-led pressure pulse is given. Chugging, a typical unstable flow pattern caused by steam-water direct contact condensation, should be paid more attention in engineering applications due to its accompanying low-frequency and high amplitude pressure pulse. In this paper, it was experimentally found that both subsonic and supersonic steam–air jet condensation could trigger chugging in a confined channel. As for such conditions, the chugging-caused pressure pulses all had two dominant frequencies with different amplitudes, and the one with larger amplitude was mainly distributed in the low-frequency zone of 15–45 Hz and 30–50 Hz. The brilliant image of steam-water phase interface captured by a high-speed camera showed that the mechanism of chugging was the sharp and low-frequency stretching and shrinking of the phase interface because of the periodic aggregation and dissipation of air layer. The subsonic steam–air jet condensation could trigger chugging only with a small amount of air, which therefore should be prevented as far as possible in engineering. However, for supersonic steam–air jet condensation, chugging could be triggered as soon as the air mass fraction reached a critical value because the incoming flow had severely damage effect on the air layer. By considering the steam mass flux, condensation driven potential, water Reynolds number and air mass fraction, the correlations of dominant frequency of chugging for subsonic and supersonic steam–air jet condensation were given, with deviations in the range of ± 20% and 15%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a part of the INQUA project “A Global Digital Database and Atlas of Quaternary Dune Field and Sand Seas”, 337 age records from the desert dunes of China and 20 from Mongolian dune fields have been compiled in the database. This has opened the possibility of exploring and synthesizing the Quaternary environmental changes in the Asian mid-latitudes dune fields directly from the on-site aeolian sand archives. This paper assessed the sand dune chronologies in terms of geographical distribution, data quality and their implications for late Quaternary palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. The available ages are concentrated mainly in the last 20 ka and many are from the fields of stabilized dunes in the eastern portion of the desert belt in northern China. The number of records and the ratio between the records of stable state and the total records could act as a proxy for the palaeoenvironmental interpretation. The aeolian sand activities deciphered from the chronological data in the eastern portion of the desert belt in northern China show a reasonable correlation with the general global climatic curves at the glacial–interglacial timescales. The limited aeolian sand records from the glacial period, however, hamper the understanding of the detailed features (e.g., forms and processes) of the dune fields during glacial times. In the last two millennia, however, there has not been any meaningful correlation between aeolian dune activity and climatic variation at the centennial time scales, probably due to the complexity of the aeolian sand systems and human interventions. Extending the coverage of dune chronology both temporally and spatially is urgently needed for a full understanding of the environmental changes in the dune fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental study was carried out on the pressure oscillation caused by direct contact condensation (DCC) of steam jet in water. The published researches on pressure oscillation caused by DCC were generally performed in large space pools. However, the condensation oscillation characteristics of steam jet in water flow in a confined space have not been fully understood yet. During this experiment, the steam and water were introduced into a confined channel at the same side. The dynamic pressure signals were measured without interfering the flow field. The behavior of the interface was captured by a high speed camera. The main inlet parameters, i.e. steam mass flux, water Reynolds number and water temperature were tested in the range of 150–600 kg/(m 2 s), 78,000–172,000 and 25–60 °C, respectively. The results indicated that flow patterns were determined by these three inlet parameters. According to the structure and behavior of the interface, the flow patterns under various test conditions could be divided to unstable and stable types. As flow patterns transformed from stable to unstable, the pressure oscillation intensity increased sharply. The dominant frequency for subsonic steam jet condensation oscillation in water flow was in the range of 168–1177 Hz. The frequency increased with the increase of water Reynolds number, but decreased with the increase of steam mass flux and water temperature. Moreover, a correlation for the dominant frequency was given as a function of the condensation driving potential, steam mass flux, Weber number and water Reynolds number. The predicted values agreed well with the present experimental values at the maximum deviation of ±20%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kubuqi Desert is the only active sand sea in the semiarid regions of northern China and occurs along the southern margin of the Yellow River. Little is known about the age and origin of this large (17,000 km 2 ) sand sea with a present annual precipitation of 200‐480 mm. Sand drift potentials indicated net capable winds for aeolian transport are from the northwest, though winds are stronger to north beyond the dune field than within the sand sea. Geomorphic and stratigraphic observations indicate that Holocene aeolian sand often drapes over bedrock and river terraces as a palimpsest landscape. Field investigations identified four stratigraphic sections with multiple aeolian sand units and palaeosols, with age control by optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of quartz grains. Palaeosols are weakly developed, mostly accumulative A horizon with organic carbon content < 1% and reflect sand sheet deposition possibly in a steppe environment. Although sediments near river channels or former lakes might give old ages, the initial formation and age of the Kubuqi sand sea should be judged from the occurrence of the sandy palimpsest of the landscape that is OSL dated to the Holocene in general. The latest period of aeolian reactivation may be related to human activity associated with grazing and farming from lost cities in the Kubuqi Desert during the Han (206 B.C. – A.D. 220) and the Tang (A.D. 608 – 907) Dynasties. Also, variable discharge of the Yellow River with local diversions for irrigation and throughout the catchment resulted in possibly an increased supply of aeolian particles for dune field expansion in the past 2 ka. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying provenance of aeolian deposits in the mid-latitude deserts of Asia is essential for understanding formation and changes of Earth surface processes due to palaeoclimatic fluctuations. While some earlier studies focused on the interpretation of palaeoenvironments on the basis of aeolian deposits mainly in the desert margins and inter-dune lacustrine sediments, research on provenance of desert sands in the vast Asian mid-latitude deserts is still rare. In this paper, we present new geochemical data which provide insight to the provenance of dune sands in the Badain Jaran Desert, northwestern China, an important part of this desert belt. We sampled aeolian and lacustrine sediments in various parts of the Badain Jaran Desert, and examined their major, trace and rare earth elements (REE) in bulk samples, coarse and fine fractions, respectively. In addition, we took and analyzed samples from a rarely known dune field with red sands, northeast of the Badain Jaran. Our results show that the sands from the Badain Jaran Desert are generally different from those in the red sand dune field in terms of REE pattern and geochemical characteristics, suggesting different sediment origins. Geochemical composition of the aeolian sand samples indicates these sediments should be mainly derived from mixed source rocks of granite, granitoids and granodiorite. Comparing the immobile trace elements and REE ratios of the samples from the Badain Jaran Desert, red sand dune field with rocks of granite, granitoids in their potential source areas, we conclude that: (1) The aeolian deposits in the Badain Jaran Desert are predominantly derived from the Qilian Mountains, northeastern Tibetan Plateau initially via fluvial processes; (2) The Altay Mountains and Mongolian Gobi are the ultimate source areas for the red sand dune field; (3) The Altai Mountains and Mongolian Gobi in the northwest, that could produce massive amounts of materials via intensive deflation and alluvial process, are additional sand sources of the Badain Jaran Desert although their contribution is of secondary significance. As the Badain Jaran Desert acts as sediment sinks of sediments from the Qilian Mountains of northeastern Tibetan Plateau via fluvial processes, it is likely that zircon grains of loess on the Chinese Loess Plateau with age distributions similar to those of the northern Tibetan Plateau could be derived from the Badain Jaran Desert, as the wind data suggest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental study was performed to investigate the direct contact condensation (DCC) of steam–air mixture in subcooled water flow in a rectangular channel. The main inlet parameters including steam mass flux, water mass flux and water temperature were tested at 150–550 kg/(m 2 s), 6–14 × 10 3 kg/(m 2 s) and 30 °C, respectively. The air mass fraction was in the range of 0%–2%. Four different flow patterns for pure steam in subcooled water flow were filmed by a high speed camera. The effect of air on these four flow patterns was investigated by introducing air into steam. The pressure and temperatures on the wall of channel were measured without destroying the flow field. The results indicated that with the present of air, the direct contact condensation was hindered, the interface area enlarged, the mixture layer thickened and plenty of small bubbles gathered in the channel. The air had greater influence on the phase interface area of unstable flow patterns than that of stable flow patterns. This phenomenon could not only be observed in the pictures of flow patterns, but also be reflected in the bottom wall pressure and temperature distributions. The average heat transfer coefficient for pure steam jet in subcooled water flow was in the range of 3.92–6.81 MW/(m 2 °C). Since air mass fraction increased, the average heat transfer coefficient decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we continue to investigate the model related to Bakshi and Chen (1997). In our model, both of the money supplies in the two countries are assumed to follow jump-diffusion processes with stochastic volatility. In the set of the two-country economy, we obtain the equilibrium price of the nominal exchange rate. With the help of Fourier transform to solve a partial integro-differential equation (PIDE), we get a closed-form solution to the PIDE for a European call currency option. We also do Monte Carlo simulations to verify the correctness of the derived formula. Our model contains some existing currency option models as special cases, for example the stochastic-volatility jump-diffusion (SVJD) model in Bates (1996), in which the jump of the exchange rate is driven by one Poisson process. We also provide some numerical analysis to show that our model is effective to the foreign currency option market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes, particularly type II diabetes, is a severe disease condition which affects human health worldwide, with a dramatically increasing trend in Asian countries including China. Currently, no efficient drugs other than those with observable side effects are available. Chromium complexes, with the most known representative chromium picolinate, have been listed as one of most attractive health supplements to attenuate this disease condition in western countries. Recent efforts have been made to develop new chromium complexes with novel ligands. Although fair amounts of reviews have been published to emphasize the biological activity, preclinical and clinical information of chromium picolinate, this mini-review is trying to cover the entire picture of updated research efforts on various chromium complexes highlighting the role of ligands. Chromium phenylalanine sensitizes insulin cell signaling pathway via the activation of phosphorylation of Akt (protein kinase B (PKB)) and/or AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase). The biological activities, toxicity, pharmacological features and clinical implications, including the effect of anti-oxidative capacities, protective effect on obese-induced heart dysfunction, and efficacy and safety of chromium supplementation in diabetes are discussed as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The synthesis, crystal structures and photophysical properties of thirty-one 4f and d-4f polynuclear complexes and coordination polymers based on nine flexible salen-type ligands are described in this review. Most of these lanthanide complexes exhibit either interesting “twisted”, drum-like or polymeric structures. In these complexes, the multidentate salen-type ligands can efficiently sensitize lanthanide emissions by serving as antennas that absorb excitation light and transfer the energy to the lanthanide centers. With the lanthanide ions encapsulated by chromophoric salen-type ligands and shielded from solvent molecules which can quench the emissions from lanthanide ions, those lanthanide complexes which have “twisted” and drum-like structures show impressive luminescence properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Assessment of the dryland vegetation change and identifying its causes are of great importance for combating desertification and projecting future ecosystem dynamics in arid and semiarid regions. Since plant growth in temperate drylands is constrained by both water and temperature, understanding how ongoing warming climate will impact temperate vegetation of the steppe and fixed dune fields is a crucial question requiring great attention from both scientific communities and decision makers. In this study, we aimed to provide a reliable evaluation of the recent status and trends of desertification in the 142,400km2 Xilin Gol district of eastern Inner Mongolia located in the east portion of Asian mid-latitude desert belt. Data sources included the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time series from the period 1982 to 2006 and climate records from 17 local weather stations, supported by more recent ground checking. Our results show that there is little significant decrease of vegetation greenness on annual time scales under recent warming climate; however a human-induced browning trend occurs in May and June, associated with limited water availability. Results indicate that year round warming exacerbates water deficits in spring and early summer damaging vegetation. This impact is especially pronounced in desert steppe areas. Although both temperature and precipitation are projected to increase over the study area in coming decades, our work demonstrates that it is unlikely that vegetation losses from degradation will be reduced under the current climate change trends. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In recent years, the progress of microfluidic technology has provided new tools for pharmaceutical analysis and the proposal of pharm-lab-on-a-chip is appealing for its great potential to integrate pharmaceutical test and pharmacological test in a single chip system. Here, we summarize and highlight recent advances of chip-based principles, techniques and devices for pharmaceutical test and pharmacological/toxicological test focusing on the separation and analysis of drug molecules on a chip and the construction of pharmacological models on a chip as well as their demonstrative applications in quality control, drug screening and precision medicine. The trend and challenge of microfluidic technology for pharmaceutical analysis are also discussed and prospected. We hope this review would update the insight and development of pharm-lab-on-a-chip. ● Pharm-lab-on-a-chip can integrate pharmaceutical test and pharmacological test in a single chip system. ● Recent advances of chip-based principles, techniques and devices for pharmaceutical analysis. ● Demonstrative applications in pharm-lab-on-a-chip including drug quality control, drug screening and precision medicine. ● Future developments and challenges of microfluidic technology for pharmaceutical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 18-metal Yb(III) nanoring was constructed by the using of a Schiff base ligand. It exhibits interesting NIR luminescent sensing behavior to antibiotics and explosives, in particular to NFAs and TNP with high sensitivity. The K SV values and LODs of this lanthanide nanoring to NFAs and TNP are 1.5 × 104–4.6 × 104 (mol/L)−1 and 1.7–5.1 μmol/L, respectively. Its high luminescence sensitivities to NFAs and TNP are not affected by the existence of other antibiotics and explosives. [Display omitted] • The complex shows a ring-like structure. • The complex displays typical NIR lanthanide luminescence. • The complex exhibits NIR luminescence response to antibiotics and explosives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Geochemical characteristics of aeolian sand from two different dune fields were studied. • Spatial differences are primarily caused by surface processes and provenances. • Aeolian sand in the Horqin Sandy Land experienced intense chemical weathering. • Coarse and fine sand fractions move via separate transportation pathways. Geochemical studies examining surface aeolian sediments are significant for understanding Earth's surface processes and determining sediment provenance in arid and semi-arid regions. However, there is limited research on the geochemical comparison of aeolian sediments formed under distinctive tectonic and climatic settings. Surficial sand samples from the Taklamakan Desert and Horqin Sandy Land in northern China were collected, and the major, trace, and rare earth elements (REEs) in the bulk samples, fine fractions (<75 µm) and coarse fractions (>75 µm) of sand were analyzed. This study aimed to explore the spatial variation in the geochemical composition of aeolian sand and its drivers. The results show that differences between the two regions are primarily caused by the intensity of chemical weathering, sedimentary recycling, and provenance. The mean chemical proxy of alteration (72.3 vs. 77.8) and the Parker's weathering values (37.8 vs. 55.8) both suggest the bulk samples from the Horqin Sandy Land experienced more intense chemical weathering, whereas physical weathering is a dominant process in the Taklamakan Desert. These differences may be attributed to the different climatic conditions in the two regions and the exposure time to weathering. A combination of the index of compositional variability and immobile trace element ratios shows that aeolian sand in the Horqin Sandy Land underwent more intense sedimentary recycling than sediments in the Taklamakan Desert. REEs ratios (such as Cr/V and Y/Ni) and the Al 2 O 3 -CaO*+Na 2 O-K 2 O (A-CN-K) diagram indicate aeolian sand in the Taklamakan Desert is probably derived from mixed source rocks of tonalite, granite, and granodiorite. Eu anomaly vs. (La/Yb) N diagrams suggest that the primary source-rocks contributing to the coarse and fine fractions in the Horqin Sandy Land are different but mainly derived from the Great Hinggan Mountains. Differences in the provenance of the fine- and coarse-grained fractions are primarily controlled by interactions between wind and fluvial systems. This study confirms that surface processes and sediment provenance in drylands of northern china have distinct spatial differences, implying that geochemical signatures in aeolian sand need to be interpreted in the specific climatic and tectonic contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Submerged steam jet in subcooled water flow is widely used in many industrial processes. When non-condensable gas is involved in the steam jet, the mechanisms of heat and mass transfer become more complicated due to the added non-condensable components and the strong effect of water turbulence. In present work, a three-dimensional steady numerical simulation is conducted to study the steam jet condensation in subcooled water flow in a vertical pipe with the presence of non-condensable gas based on inhomogeneous multiphase model. The effects of non-condensable gas on steam plume shapes, distributions of static pressure, velocity, temperature and heat transfer characteristics are investigated. As air contents increases, steam plume transforms from ellipsoidal shape to divergent shape and the peak value of static pressure decreases. The mechanism of the peak phenomenon of static pressure at the end of steam plume is revealed to be the squeezing effect of water flow towards the nozzle axis. Since air mass fraction rises to 1%–9%, the average heat transfer coefficient declines by 24.5%–54.9%. The local heat transfer coefficient is evaluated by using thermal equilibrium model at phase interface. Numerical results show a self-intensifying effect on heat transfer, indicating that the distribution of local heat transfer coefficient is highly similar to that of water turbulent kinetic energy near phase interface, decreasing first and then rising to a high level at the tail of steam plume. The local heat transfer coefficient and steam condensation rate decrease with air concentration and increase with water mass flow rate. • Stable steam jet condensation with non-condensable gas is numerically studied. • The effect of air concentration on gas volume fraction is investigated. • The mechanism of the peak phenomenon of static pressure is revealed. • Self-intensifying effects on heat transfer are discussed at different air contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Visualization was carried out to reveal the mechanism of temperature oscillations. • High-amplitude temperature oscillations are caused by intermittent liquid supply. • The oscillation characteristics under various operating conditions are presented. • Temperature oscillations are prone to occur under low heat loads. • Low filling ratio and high sink temperature can suppress temperature oscillations. A novel loop heat pipe with a vapor-driven jet injector (LHPI) shows excellent heat transfer performance. However, high-amplitude temperature oscillations are observed at low heat loads. In this study, a LHPI with transparent compensation chamber is designed and tested to reveal the mechanism of temperature oscillations. The relations between the internal flow and temperature oscillations are investigated by visualization study, and the results show that high-amplitude temperature oscillations are caused by the intermittent liquid supply of the compensation chamber. Meanwhile, the temperature oscillation characteristics of the LHPI under a variety of operating conditions are also studied. Five operation modes of the LHPI are classified as start-up failure mode, high-frequency/low-amplitude oscillating mode, low-frequency/high-amplitude oscillating mode, overshoot mode and smooth mode. Furthermore, a low filling ratio can eliminate the low-frequency/high-amplitude oscillating mode and is therefore conducive to the stable operation of the LHPI, but it elevates the operating temperature under high heat loads. In addition, increasing the sink temperature can also suppress temperature oscillations. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Pressure pulse of supersonic steam jet condensing is induced by Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. • Pressure pulse of subsonic steam jet condensing is induced by low-frequency interface shrinking and expansion. • Peak pressure has a consistent profile with RMS pressure but is much higher than RMS pressure. • Correlations for intensity of pressure pulse in unstable and stable regions are respectively given. The direct contact condensation (DCC) of submerged vapor jet in liquid, which has high heat and mass transfer efficiency, is widely applied in nuclear power generation, chemical engineering and aerospace. The pressure pulse generated by hydraulic instability during DCC may create periodical impulsive loads on the solid wall. It is important to evaluate pressure pulse characteristics using a wide range of inlet properties to avoid risky flow pattern regions where pressure pulses are strong. This paper presents an experimental study of the interface dynamics and pressure pulse of DCC using subsonic and supersonic steam jets condensing in water in a horizontal channel. The results reveal that pressure pulses in unstable region are caused by the contraction and expansion of the steam-water interface, while pressure pulses in stable region are caused by Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) instability. Flow pattern transition is found to affect pressure pulse intensity. Pressure pulse intensity is minimal at the transition between the stable region and unstable region. The correlations of pressure pulse intensity in unstable and stable regions are given, respectively. The results of this study can inform the design, safe operation, and lifespan evaluation of equipment in various industrial applications that involve DCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The east-west trending Qiulitage anticline is one of the most active elements of the Kuqa fold-and-thrust belt located along the southern margin of the Tianshan Mountains. Subsurface data and the well-preserved tectonic geomorphology provide a natural laboratory for exploring the detailed spatio-temporal evolutionary processes of a "mature fold". We present a study of fluvial/alluvial terraces which passively record the progressive deformation of active folds across the rapidly uplifting Qiulitage anticline. The vertical incision and lateral erosion rates of the Kezile river derived from 10Be exposure dating are ~1.3–2.0 mm/a and >1.3 mm/a, respectively, while those of the Bositankelake River, located near the central part of the fold, are only ~0.8 ± 0.04 mm/a and <0.8 ± 0.04 mm/a, respectively. This difference indicates that the lateral propagation rate of active fold increases gradually away from its central peak to its tip. In the meanwhile, a comprehensive analysis of stratigraphy, landforms, dominant faults at depth, and inherited drainage patterns reveal that the eastern segment of the Qiulitage anticline initially develop from the linkage of two smaller fold, i.e. the Kuqadawu anticline and the East Qiulitage anticline, and subsequently this fold assemblage has propagated eastward. Although there is an apparent topographic-relief transfer relationship between the eastern segment of the Qiulitage anticline and the adjacent Yaken anticline, a long-term spatio-temporal variation in surficial erosion may have accentuated this relationship by significantly reducing the elevation of the Qiulitage anticline near its central peak. [Display omitted] • Study of fold lateral growth, Kuqa fold-thrust belt, Tianshan Mountains • Fluvial terraces record progressive surface deformation of the Qiulitage anticline. • 10Be exposure dating shows spatial and temporal erosion patterns across the anticline. • Geomorphology and erosion data suggest anticline growth via linkage of smaller folds. • Erosion reduces fold elevation over time, supporting tectonic fold growth models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rock salt cavities are commonly utilized for underground gas energy storage on a big scale due to their characteristics of low permeability and low porosity. Salt cavern wellbore leaks typically originate from depths of several hundred meters or greater beneath the Earth's surface. The intricate geological characteristics of these areas pose challenges in accurately assessing the traceability of such leaks. In this study, a mathematical model was developed to forecast the seepage path of wellbore leakage in the presence of complex geological conditions. The proposed model encompasses the resolution of equations governing the flow dynamics of cement sheath fractures. It also establishes the ontological correlation between the net pressure within micro-annuli and their geometric characteristics. The verification of the stability and reliability of the seepage mathematical model was conducted by completing cement penetration experiments carried out under different confining pressure settings and damage pretreatment conditions. The mathematical model was further enhanced to provide visualization software capable of real-time calculations for gas flow within the pore space, the extent of cement sheath debonding, and the diffusion process of pore pressure. Finally, a wellbore leakage evaluation approach for gas storage salt caverns incorporating permeability channel and pore pressure gradient is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arid and semiarid regions are environmentally vulnerable to global warming. Thus, studying their environmental history during warm periods (e.g., the Last Interglacial, LIG) is crucial for understanding their future changes too. The West Gobi Desert is a transitional zone influenced by the westerlies and the East Asian monsoon system. Therefore, the variation in atmospheric circulation profoundly affects its water vapor transport and landscape evolution. Due to the scarcity of continuous records, the moisture transport process remains ambiguous, which limits further research on paleolake evolution and aeolian activity. Here, we combine paleoclimate simulations from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6 (CMIP6)-Paleoclimate Modeling Intercomparison Project 4 (PMIP4) and geological records to clarify the water vapor transport pathways and aeolian activity in the West Gobi Desert during the LIG, compared to the reference period (the piControl). Our results show that increased rainfall and meltwater were possible supplies for surface water during the LIG and were associated with enhanced East Asian summer monsoon and higher surface air temperatures. Concomitantly, weakening aeolian activity and dormant dune fields occurred in the West Gobi Desert, resulting from higher surface moisture content and weaker surface wind regimes associated with the weakening westerlies and East Asian winter monsoon. Notably, the limited weakening of aeolian activity that occurred in the LIG winter and spring was caused by weaker surface wind and deteriorating surface moisture conditions, while the significant dormancy of dune fields in the LIG summer and autumn was initiated by the combined effects of ameliorative surface moisture conditions and lower surface wind speed. • West Gobi Desert water supply rose due to stronger East Asian summer monsoon and warm climate during the Last Interglacial (LIG). • Weaker winds and higher moisture led to dormant aeolian activity in West Gobi Desert during the LIG. • LIG warm season saw more significant weakening of aeolian activity than the cold season in West Gobi Desert. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nanoscale Yb(III) complex [Yb 6 (L1) 2 (L2) 4 (OH) 4 (CF 3 SO 3) 2 (DMF) 2 (EtOH) 4 ]·2(CF 3 SO 3)·2OH (1) with Schiff base ligand N,N′-bis(3-methoxysalicylidene)(binaphthyl)-1,4-diamine (H 2 L1) and salicylaldehyde ligand 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde (H 2 L2) was synthesized. Upon excitation of the ligand-centered absorption bands, 1 displays typical NIR luminescence of Yb(III). Interestingly, it shows lanthanide luminescence response to anions and nitro explosives, especially with high sensitivity to F− and PA. Meanwhile, the quenching effect of F− and PA to the lanthanide luminescence of 1 is not affected by the existence of other anions and explosives. Image 1 • The complex shows a nanoscale blocky structure. • The complex displays typical NIR lanthanide luminescence. • The complex exhibits NIR luminescence response to anions and explosives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Desertification is a key environmental concern in arid and semi-arid regions. The sedimentological and geochemical characteristics of sediments are closely related to desertification processes, but the relationship between them is still unclear. This study aimed to identify the sedimentological and geochemical characteristics of different sediments in the Taklamakan Desert and to monitor changes in sediment composition as the intensity of desertification varied in the last decades. We examined the grain size, major, trace and rare earth elements of surface sediments collected from loess, sandy loess, fluvial sands, vegetated dunes and mobile dunes along the Keriya River in the Taklamakan Desert. Major element analysis found that loess had the highest degree of chemical weathering, while weathering of surface sediments on dunes (both mobile and vegetated ones) was relatively weak. Trace and rare earth element analysis found sediments were mainly derived from the West Kunlun and West Tianshan Mountains. This study also analyzed vegetation and wind data from 2000 to 2018 and found that the intensity of desertification processes weakened. The near-surface mean wind speed also decreased from 2000 to 2018, resulting in an increase in both the grain size of aeolian sediments on the surface of mobile dunes and the degree of chemical weathering. Additionally, this study confirmed that clay-sized components can be carried by high-altitude westerlies or formed by pedogenesis. With the strengthening of westerlies and the increase of chemical weathering, it is likely that more clay components will be added to the loess located on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains. This study demonstrates that the landscape evolution of the Keriya River in the Taklamakan Desert is primarily driven by fluvial processes, vegetation and wind dynamics, and that these processes may be affected by the intensity of desertification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two 4f and 3d-4f complexes [Yb 3 L 3 (OAc) 3 (1) and [Zn 2 NdL 2 (OAc) 3 (2) were constructed from Schiff base ligand N,N′-bis(3-methoxysalicylidene)(4-methylphenylene)-1,2-diamine (H 2 L). 1 shows a chiral "triple-decker" structure with Yb3+ ions sandwiched between the alternating layers of Schiff base ligands, while 2 exhibits a "cross" structure with the Nd3+ ion clipped by two ZnL groups. Open 3D channel structures running along the a -axis are formed in the solid state of 1 and 2. Excited by ligand-centered absorption bands, 1 and 2 show typical NIR emission of Yb3+ and Nd3+, respectively. Interestingly, 2 exhibits lanthanide luminescent response towards anions, especially to CN− and OAc− at ppm level. Image 1 • The complexes show "triple-decker" and "cross" structures. • The complexes display typical NIR lanthanide luminescence. • The Zn–Nd complex exhibits lanthanide luminescent response towards anions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel loop heat pipe with a vapor-driven jet injector is proposed and tested. • A directional motion of liquid is formed in the CC to take away the heat leakage. • The coupling relationship of the injector and the LHP is studied. • The injector improves the heat transfer performance of LHP substantially. Loop heat pipe (LHP) is an efficient and passive heat transfer device. However, heat leakage may lead to several problems such as temperature oscillation and even startup failure, which hinders the practical application. To weaken the negative effects of heat leakage and improve the performance of LHP, a novel loop heat pipe with a vapor-driven jet injector (LHPI) is proposed. The injector, which is driven by the vapor from the evaporator, can suck the hot liquid and form a directional motion of liquid in the compensation chamber to remove the heat leakage. The results indicate that the LHPI can operate with heat load range of 50–550 W and heat leakage higher than 20% using deionized water as working fluid. The maximum heat flux of LHPI is 48.6 W/cm2, corresponding to a total thermal resistance of 0.27 °C/W. While maintaining the heating wall temperature within 85 °C, the maximum heat flux reaches 22.1 W/cm2, corresponding to a thermal resistance of 0.33 °C/W. The heat transfer performance of LHPI is greatly improved compared with most of the conventional LHPs. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a text feature extraction model based on stacked variational autoencoder (SVAE). A noise reduction mechanism is designed for variational autoencoder in input layer of text feature extraction to reduce noise interference and improve robustness and feature discrimination of the model. Three kinds of deep SVAE network architectures are constructed to improve ability of representing learning to mine feature intension in depth. Experiments are carried out in several aspects, including comparative analysis of text feature extraction model, sparse performance, parameter selection and stacking. Results show that text feature extraction model of SVAE has good performance and effect. The highest accuracy of SVAE models of Fudan and Reuters datasets is 13.50% and 8.96% higher than that of PCA, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the properties of conventional activated carbon electrodes for enhancing the performances of commercial supercapacitors has been an important research topic. Herein, we combine conventional activated carbon and carbon black with carbon nanomaterials (i.e., carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers) to develop a new class of nanocomposite electrodes for high-performance supercapacitors. With the synergistic effects from these multiple components, the resultant nanocomposite electrodes exhibit superior performances over conventional activated carbon electrodes. The optimized quaternary nanocomposite electrode shows a high packing density (0.63 g cm−3), a high rate capability (capacitance retains 77.5% at 80 A g−1 vs. 0.5 A g−1), a long cycle life (capacitance retains 91.4% after charging/discharging at 10 A g−1 for 30000 cycles), and high volumetric performances (capacitance: 66.1 F cm−3, energy density: 29.6 W h L−1, power density: 101.7 kW L−1), significantly exceeding those of current supercapacitor technology. The nanocompositing approach developed in the present work can be readily transferred into the industrial slurry process, utilizing commercially available materials, to produce highly capacitive nanocomposite electrodes for manufacturing high-performance supercapacitor products at low costs. Broadly, this approach can be extended for mass-producing high-performance nanocomposite electrodes for other energy-related technologies including, for example, batteries, fuel cells, and solar cells. Image 1 • New nanocomposite electrodes are developed from commercially available materials. • Increasing the compositing level enhances the performances of composite electrodes. • The composite electrodes outperform conventional activated carbon electrodes. • The composite electrodes can be readily scaled up for commercial supercapacitors. • The nanocompositing approach can be extended for other energy-related technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel loop heat pipe with a bypass line is proposed and tested. • The bypass line eliminates the temperature overshoot and simplifies the startup process. • The bypass line significantly increases the maximum heat load under various time differences. • The bypass line reduces the thermal resistance by more than 10%. The loop heat pipe with both flat evaporator and boiling pool (NLHP) has much higher maximum heat flux than conventional loop heat pipe (LHP). However, the serious temperature overshoot and the startup time difference between the evaporator and boiling pool have become a bottleneck of the NLHP. In this study, a loop heat pipe with a bypass line (BLHP) is proposed to improve the startup characteristics of the NLHP. The effects of the bypass line, time difference, boiling pool heat load and evaporator heat load on the thermal performance of the BLHP are experimentally investigated. The results indicate that the bypass line, which is installed between the condenser outlet and the first vapor line, accelerates the return of working fluid and reduces the adverse effect of the heat leakage. The temperature overshoot is virtually eliminated and the BLHP can operate stably at various evaporator and boiling pool heat loads under a broad range of time differences. Furthermore, the BLHP reduces the heating wall temperature by 3.9–8.1 °C and thermal resistance by more than 10% under various heat loads compared with the NLHP. While maintaining the heating wall temperature within 85 °C, the maximum heat flux is 39.3 W·cm−2, which is much higher than most conventional LHPs using methanol as working fluid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The disease index of Pyrus pyrifolia for resistance to Alternaria alternate were analyzed by both natural infection and artificial inoculation. • Multiple linear stepwise (MLS) regression analysis showed that the susceptibility of P. pyrifolia to A. alternata was correlated with stalk length, branching ability, duration of fruit development, fruit weight and soluble solid content. • The SSR analysis revealed that SSR loci 6167B and 15091C are closely related to A. alternate resistance in pear. Black spot disease (BSD) caused by the fungus Alternaria alternata is one of the most devastating diseases in pear. Most cultivated sand pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai) and its hybrids are susceptible to this disease, and the main measures for the disease control are bagging and spraying of fungicides. Here, we evaluated the resistance of various P. pyrifolia genotypes to the disease by both natural infection and artificial inoculation during the years of 2013–2015. Among the 331 genotypes, 9 were highly resistant (HR) to A. alternata. Multiple linear stepwise (MLS) regression analysis indicated that the susceptibility of P. pyrifolia to A. alternata was correlated with stalk length, branching ability, duration of fruit development, fruit weight and soluble solid content. Totally 11 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, which selected from previous RNA-Seq data, were used to check their contributions to the disease resistance and for analysis of genetic diversity. The mean polymorphism information content was 0.66, indicating a high level of SSR polymorphism. The proportions of SSR loci 6167B and 15091C were higher in disease-resistant varieties, while those of SSR loci 6484A, 6643A and 12717A were higher in disease-susceptible varieties. This study provides the genetic variations of pear genotypes resistant to A. alternata , which could contribute to future breeding of BSD resistant varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Four new terrace ages along the Hongshuiba River, Qilian Shan are calculated. • 10Be depth profile ages coincide with boulder ages for the same terraces. • Initial fluvial downcutting and terrace formation may be climate-driven. • Continued downcutting of the Hongshuiba River was tectonically forced. • North Qilian Thrust Fault slip averages 1.1 ± 0.1 mm/a since ∼200 ka. Accurate geochronologic constraints of fluvial surfaces along tectonically active mountain fronts can help clarify river responses to tectonic uplift and rapid climate change. In this study, we re-constrained abandonment ages of four fluvial terraces along the Hongshuiba River on the northern margin of the Qilian Shan, NE Tibet using 10Be depth profiles to date fluvial deposits, and OSL dating of capping loess. Comparison of chronological ages of the same surface derived from both boulders and depth profiles provides an opportunity to evaluate the suitability of different sampling methods for determining landform ages in arid climate. Correlating terrace ages with regional climate proxies suggests that terraces formed during an interglacial stage or during glacial to interglacial transitions, or during a period of strong summer monsoon or monsoonal weakening. The initial period of fluvial incision may primarily result from climate changes (e.g, monsoon evolution), and other factors that influence the ratio of sediment flux to water discharge. Similarities between fluvial incision rates and incremental tectonic uplift rates suggest a tectonic control on continuous river downcutting before ∼26 ka. In summary, climate forcing drives the initial abandonment of fluvial terraces in this region, while the amplitude of fluvial incision was mainly controlled by progressive tectonic uplift. However, comparison of regional fluvial incision rates (e.g. ∼6 mm/a of the Hongshuiba River), exhumation rates from the Qilian Shan (∼0.5 mm/a), denudation rates from the river catchments (0.3-0.8 mm/a), and vertical slip rates of the northern Qilian Thrust (∼1 mm/a) all suggest climate change driven forcing of incision since the Late Pleistocene to Holocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Numerical and experimental study were performed to provide insight into the thermal behavior. • The comparative analyses of sensible heat storage and phase change thermal storage were provided. • The maximum temperature difference of the SHM appeared in the middle of the thermocline. • Total storage charging time was reduced with the decrease of the melting point and latent heat. Thermal energy storage is an important subsystem of a solar thermal power station. Compared with the two-tank storage system, the packed bed storage system uses a single tank to store thermal energy temporarily and release it when the energy is needed. The temperature distribution in the packed bed is generally in the form of the thermocline. This study analyzed a thermocline storage system packed with sensible heat material and phase change material. These materials were characterized separately in terms of temperature difference, outlet temperature profile, total energy storage, and charging time. Results demonstrated the presence of a maximum temperature difference in the middle of the thermocline. The maximum value of the temperature difference decreased following an increase in the charging time. The density and conductivity of the sensible material and the inlet velocity of the fluid considerably affected the temperature difference. In the phase-change thermal storage system, the temperature difference between the material and the fluid exhibited two peaks, wherein the first peak was higher than the second peak. The total storage charging time and storage energy increased following an increase in latent heat. The total storage charging time was reduced following a decrease in melting point, although the final thermal energy storage remained the same. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]