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The utilization of hydrogen-based direct reduction methods for magnetite ore smelting is an important way to achieve the goal of reducing carbon emissions. At present, the coupling mechanism of the multi-step reaction during the reduction process is unclear, which restricts the understanding of the rate-limiting steps and the accurate description of kinetic parameters. In this paper, the reaction characteristics and multi-step kinetics of isothermal reduction of magnetite by hydrogen with varying concentrations are investigated at 600–900 °C. Results indicate that the coupling relationship between Fe 3 O 4 →FeO and FeO→Fe two steps is temperature-dependent. In the low-temperature range (600–700 °C), the coupling relationship between the two steps can be described by the parallel model. In the high-temperature range (750–900 °C), the coupling relationship can be described by the series model. Meanwhile, the first-step reaction Fe 3 O 4 →FeO is controlled by the nucleation or chemical reaction model, and the apparent activation energies are determined to range from 27.25 to 48.59 kJ/mol. The second-step reaction FeO→Fe is controlled by the combination of nucleation and diffusion models, and the apparent activation energies are determined to range from 30.70 to 45.14 kJ/mol. • Multistep kinetics of isothermal reduction of magnetite by hydrogen are studied by TGA. • The coupling relationship of two-step reduction is found to be temperature-dependent. • The parallel model and series model are used to decouple the two-step reactions in two temperature ranges respectively. • The relationship between activation energy and hydrogen concentration is obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In human cooperation, people prefer to choose partners with high willingness and ability—while both are valued by partners, individuals often prioritize willingness. Two event‐related potential (ERP) experiments were conducted to discern the neural processes underpinning this preference. In the first experiment, participants made a choice between two potential partners and received feedback on the selected partner's willingness to cooperate. This was followed by feedback on the partner's task performance (ability) or a gambling outcome. In contrast, the second experiment first provided feedback on ability, then presented feedback on willingness or a gambling outcome. This study revealed that a potential partner's willingness trait significantly influences individuals' emotional evaluations and monetary allocations than the ability trait. Electrophysiological data indicated that low‐willingness feedback elicited a diminished feedback‐related negative (FRN) and an amplified P3 compared to high‐willingness feedback. In contrast, no such difference was discernible between high‐ and low‐ability feedback. Moreover, the P3 difference from high versus low willingness was considerably more pronounced than that from gambling outcomes, whereas the difference wave between high and low ability paralleled gambling outcomes. These findings bolster the novel finding that partner willingness may provide more substantial social rewards than ability. Furthermore, this study provides the first ERP evidence of willingness and ability trait perceptions in partner choice decisions. This study firstly combines behavioral analysis with event‐related potential (ERP) data to explore the psychological mechanisms underlying the preference for willingness over ability in partner choice. Our findings indicate that willingness feedback more significantly influences emotions, allocation behaviors, and feedback‐related brain electrophysiological components compared to ability feedback, suggesting that willingness may offer more substantial social rewards. The study offers a novel theoretical perspective in understanding the preference for willingness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise of concentration resistance caused by bubble growth is a key factor affecting the photoelectrochemical water splitting efficiency. In this research, we employed an electrochemical workstation, a synchronized measuring system, and a CCD camera to investigate the in-situ evolution of oxygen bubbles on the surfaces of TiO 2 -NTAs and C/TiO 2 -NTAs electrodes. The connection among the critical nucleation, growth and departure behavior of a single bubble on the photoanode surface and photocurrent curves at different solution pH (1–13) has been investigated. For TiO 2 -NTAs, it was found that strong alkalinity significantly reduces the voltage required for critical bubble nucleation. The photocurrent rises approximately 1.5 times when the control voltage is 0.10 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) by pH increasing from 1 to 13 and while the bubble evolution cycles decline by approximately 3.2 times. The photocurrent rises by 10.4 times compared with pH = 9 and by 7.3 times compared with pH = 13 when the control voltage is 0.71 V (vs. RHE), respectively. We also found that the oxygen bubble evolution of C/TiO 2 -NTAs is similar to TiO 2 -NTAs. When pH = 3–13, the average photocurrent of C/TiO 2 -NTAs electrode is higher than that of TiO 2 -NTAs, and the average bubble evolution cycles are lower than those of TiO 2 -NTAs at the same pH. According to the results, carbon films can rise the absorption capacity of TiO 2 -NTAs and significantly improve the effectiveness of photogenerated holes and electrons departure. Meanwhile, based on the oxygen bubble force balance model on the photoanode surface, the concentration Marangoni force rises with the increase of pH, which leads to the growth of bubble departure diameter. The outcomes demonstrate that oxygen bubbles on the photoanode surface can be successfully eliminated in strongly alkaline settings. • Photocurrent roughly shows an increasing trend at a constant voltage as pH rises. • Bubble cycles roughly show a decreasing trend at a constant voltage as pH rises. • Gas production efficiency increases about 5 times as pH rises from 1 to 13. • Concentration Marangoni force on the bubble rises with the increase of pH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a potentially fatal tick-borne zoonosis caused by SFTS virus (SFTSV). In addition to tick bites, animal-to-human transmission of SFTSV has been reported, but little is known about feline SFTSV infection. In this study, we analyzed data on 187 cats with suspected SFTS to identify biomarkers for SFTS diagnosis and clinical outcome. Body weight, red and white blood cell and platelet counts, and serum aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin levels were useful for SFTS diagnosis, whereas alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and serum SFTSV RNA levels were associated with clinical outcome. We developed a scoring model to predict SFTSV infection. In addition, we performed a phylogenetic analysis to reveal the relationship between disease severity and viral strain. This study provides comprehensive information on feline SFTS and could contribute to the protection of cat owners, community members, and veterinarians from the risk of cat-transmitted SFTSV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Linezolid is a commonly used antibiotic in the clinical treatment of gram-positive bacterial infections. The impacts of drug interactions on the pharmacokinetics of linezolid are often overlooked. This manuscript aims to review the medications that affect the pharmacokinetics of linezolid. Methods: In accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we queried the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for publications from database establishment to November 3, 2023, using the search terms: "Linezolid" and "interaction," or "interact," or "drug-drug interaction," or "co-treatment," or "cotreatment," or "combined," or "combination." Results: A total of 24 articles were included. Among the reported medication interactions, rifampicin, levothyroxine, venlafaxine, and phenobarbital could reduce the concentration of linezolid; clarithromycin, digoxin, cyclosporine, proton pump inhibitors, and amiodarone could increase the concentration of linezolid, while aztreonam, phenylpropanolamine, dextromethorphan, antioxidant vitamins, and magnesium-containing antacids had no significant effects on linezolid pharmacokinetics. The ratio of mean (ROM) of linezolid AUC in co-treatment with rifampicin to monotherapy was 0.67 (95%CI 0.58–0.77) and 0.63 (95%CI 0.43–0.91), respectively, in 2 studies, and co-treatment with 500 mg clarithromycin to monotherapy was 1.81 (95%CI 1.49–2.13). Conclusions: This systematic review found that numerous drugs have an impact on the pharmacokinetics of linezolid, and the purported main mechanism may be that linezolid is the substrate of P-glycoprotein. In clinical practice, it is prudent to pay attention to the changes in linezolid pharmacokinetics caused by interactions. Conducting therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is beneficial to improve efficacy and reduce adverse reactions of linezolid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of human society and the surge of engineering construction, the disturbance of the geological environment has grown substantial. The influence of extreme climatic factors and the frequency of geological disasters have increased. Landslide is an important geological disaster. The foundational research in geological disaster detection or monitoring involves studying the physical phenomena associated with the occurrence of landslides, analyzing their signal characteristics, and indirectly determining their development and changes. This scientific area is worthy of in-depth exploration. However, research on the key design and specific implementation of electromagnetic instruments tailored for landslide detection remains lacking. This study is based on the interdisciplinary theoretical system of electronic circuits, embedded computer science, digital signal processing technology, geophysics, and engineering geology. It independently develops a functional prototype of an electromagnetic detector for landslide detection. This design combines the current level of development of electronic disciplines and applies the embedded multicore Da Vinci industrial-grade computer system in the field of earth detection instruments. This study then designs and implements a landslide detection system with independent intellectual property rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to enhance the quality of diamond composite materials, this work employs a Cu-Co-Fe and Ni-Cr-Cu pre-alloyed powder mixture as a transition layer, and utilizes laser-welding technology for saw blade fabrication. By adjusting the laser-welding process parameters, including welding speed and welding power, well-formed welded joints were achieved, and the microstructure and mechanical properties of the welded joints were investigated. The results demonstrate that the best welding performance was achieved at a laser power of 1600 W and a welding speed of 1400 mm/min, with a remarkable tooth engagement strength of up to 819 MPa. The fusion zone can be divided into rich Cu phase and rich Fe phase regions, characterized by coarse grains without apparent preferred orientation. The microstructure of the heat-affected zone primarily consists of high-hardness brittle quenched needle-like martensite, exhibiting a sharp increase in microhardness up to 550 HV. Fracture occurred at the boundary between the fusion zone and the heat-affected zone of the base material, where stress concentration was observed. By adjusting the welding parameters and transition layer materials, the mechanical properties of the joints were improved, thereby achieving a reliable connection between diamond composite materials and the metal substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In urban areas with limited underground space, the new tunnel construction introduces additional loads and displacements to existing tunnels, raising serious safety concerns. These concerns become particularly pronounced in the case of closely undercrossing excavation at zero-distance. The conventional elastic foundation beam model, which assumes constant reaction coefficients for the subgrade, fails to account for foundation loss. In this study, the existing tunnel is modeled as an Euler-Bernoulli beam supported by the Pasternak elastic foundation, and the foundation loss caused by zero-distance undercrossing excavations is considered. Furthermore, an analytical solution is proposed to evaluate the mechanical response in segments, by establishing governing differential equations and boundary conditions for the excavation and neutral zones, and underpinning loads are also considered. The analytical solution is validated in two case studies. Finally, a parametric analysis is performed to explore the influence of various parameters on the mechanical response of the existing tunnel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complex gas-liquid mass transfer process dominated by bubbles adhered to the photoelectrode surface is a crucial factor affecting the energy and mass conversion efficiency of photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting reaction, which is of great significance for improving the efficiency of hydrogen production. The gas evolution process on a super-hydrophilic TiO 2 electrode surface with various pressures and laser powers was studied in this paper by combining the means of visualization and the electrochemical measurement method. The empirical formulas of gas evolution efficiency and bubble coverage characterized by photocurrent and bubble radius under decreased pressure were established. The results shows that the transient gas evolution efficiency and the transient bubble coverage both increase first and then remain almost unchanged in the range of 0∼0.42 and 0∼0.2 respectively with bubble growth. The average gas evolution efficiency and average bubble coverage increase first and then decrease when pressure drops in the range of 40 kPa∼97 kPa, and both reach their maximum at 80 kPa. The coefficients of the gas-liquid mass transfer process between bubbles and surrounding solution under different pressures were solved mathematically. It can be discovered that the transient mass transfer coefficients decrease with bubble growth, and the average mass transfer coefficients increase first and then reduce with the decreased pressure, and reach the peak at 80 kPa. The gas mass production rate and the average total mass transfer coefficient exhibit a similar variation trend with respect to pressure under the same irradiation conditions. It is discovered that the principal mass transfer mechanism for gas products that diffuse and transfer into static electrolyte under low pressure and low photocurrent density is the single-phase free micro-convection. • Mass transfer mechanism of single bubble evolution under various pressure is studied. • Average gas evolution efficiency at low pressure is higher than that at atmosphere. • Transient mass transfer coefficients reach their maximum when bubbles nucleate. • Average mass transfer coefficients and gas evolution efficiency peak at 80 kPa. • Single phase free convection dominates mass transfer at low current and pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid societal development and increased engineering construction have exacerbated the disturbance of the geological environment. The impact of extreme climatic factors has grown, leading to a surge in geological disasters, with landslides emerging as particularly significant. Consequently, fundamental research in geological disaster detection or monitoring necessitates an in-depth study of the physical phenomena accompanying landslides' development, evolution, and occurrence. Exploring the signal characteristics associated with landslides is crucial to indirectly understanding their development and change processes—a scientific question deserving thorough exploration. Despite this research's importance, there is a notable gap in the investigation of the key design and specific implementation of electromagnetic instruments tailored for landslide detection. This gap is particularly pronounced in designing and implementing data acquisition software for electromagnetic instruments. This interdisciplinary research draws on theoretical frameworks from embedded computer science, software engineering, digital signal processing technology, geophysics, and engineering geology. It focuses on developing specialized data acquisition application software for landslide detection or monitoring, contributing to the scientific understanding of landslide development and providing independent intellectual property in the electromagnetic wave signal detection field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving utilization of mine water in underground reservoirs requires determining the hydraulic connectivity between goafs. In this study, a new method for detecting the hydraulic connectivity between adjacent goafs based on a chemical tracer was proposed. First, based on the geological and mining conditions of the mine, a FLAC3D numerical model was established to analyze the distribution pattern of plastic zones on both sides of the coal pillar after mining, and the range of hydraulic connectivity testing in the goaf was preliminarily determined. Also, a tracer mass calculation model considering the water storage coefficient of goafs was established. The change rates of tracer concentration and water level of the goaf were used as the evaluation indexes for the hydraulic connectivity. The new detection method was applied to abandoned goafs in a coal mine and a plan was proposed to construct a coal mine underground reservoir, using the 31,301–31,307 goaf where the main reservoirs were constructed in the 31,303 and 31,305 goafs while the 31,307 goaf served as the auxiliary one. The 31,301 goaf cannot be utilized from the perspectives of cost and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To establish a multivariate linear equation to predict the diameter (outer diameter) of the acetabular prosthesis used in total hip arthroplasty. Methods: A cohort of 258 individuals who underwent THA at our medical facility were included in this study. The independent variables encompassed the patients' height, weight, foot length, gender, age, and surgical access. The dependent variable in this study was the diameter of the acetabular prosthesis utilized during the surgical procedure. The entire cohort dataset was randomly partitioned into a training cohort and a validation cohort, with a ratio of 7:3, employing the SPSS 26.0 software. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationships between the patients' height, weight, foot length, gender, age, surgical access, and the diameter of the acetabular prosthesis in the training cohort. Additionally, a multiple linear regression equation was developed using the independent variables from the training cohort and the diameter of the acetabular prosthesis as the dependent variable. This equation aimed to predict the diameter of the acetabular prosthesis based on the patients' characteristics. The accuracy of the equation was evaluated by substituting the data of the validation cohort into the multiple linear equation. The predicted acetabular prosthesis diameters were then compared with the actual diameters used in the operation. Results: The correlation analysis conducted on the training cohort revealed that surgical access (r = 0.054) and age (r = −0.120) exhibited no significant correlation with the diameter of the acetabular prosthesis utilized during the intraoperative procedure. Conversely, height (r = 0.687), weight (r = 0.654), foot length (r = 0.687), and sex (r = 0.354) demonstrated a significant correlation with the diameter of the acetabular prosthesis used intraoperatively. Furthermore, a predictive equation, denoted as Y (acetabular prosthesis diameter in mm) = 20.592 + 0.548 × foot length (cm) + 0.083 × height (cm) + 0.077 × weight (kg), was derived. This equation accurately predicted the diameter within one size with an accuracy rate of 64.94% and within two sizes with an accuracy rate of 94.81%. Conclusion: Anthropometric data can accurately predict the diameter of acetabular prosthesis during total hip arthroplasty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen ironmaking is the most ideal approach to reduce industrial carbon emissions. In this study, the isothermal reaction characteristics and multistep kinetics of hematite particles with hydrogen are investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) at 650–725 °C. The two steps of Fe 3 O 4 –FeO and FeO–Fe of hematite reduction are discovered to proceed simultaneously. The reduction is divided into three stages according to the derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) curves. For the three stages, the optimal kinetic models are the phase boundary and the 2D growth of nuclei. In the range of 75–130 mL/min, there is a critical hydrogen flow rate below which the apparent activation energy increases and above which it remains constant, which is 30.44 ± 3.30, 77.33 ± 0.41, and 49.56 ± 0.49 kJ/mol, respectively. A significant linear correlation between hydrogen flow rate above the critical value and the pre-exponential factor is found. [Display omitted] • The second and third steps of hematite reduction proceed simultaneously. • The reduction of hematite conforms to the phase-boundary and 2D growth of nuclei. • A critical hydrogen flow rate is found by the model-fitting and model-free methods. • The influence of hydrogen flow rate on reduction is estimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a case of a 48-year-old man with ankylosing spondylitis who experienced complications with multiple Andersson lesions. The patient had a history of hip pain, low back pain, and numbness in the lower limbs. Despite receiving treatment, his symptoms worsened. CT and MRI images showed spinal destruction with lesions in the intervertebral discs and adjacent vertebrae. The article highlights the rarity of fractures in multiple sites and emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis to prevent further complications. The authors of the article collected the data and drafted the manuscript. [Extracted from the article]

When the elongated bubbles and liquid slugs of slug flow alternately flow through a throttling element, the strong random fluctuations of pressure difference leads to low accuracy of online measurement of gas-liquid flow rates. In this paper, slug flow is converted into an annular flow before entering a venturi tube using a swirler, and the pressure fluctuation amplitude of the gas-liquid two-phase flow is greatly reduced, and the linear correlation between the pressure difference and the gas-liquid flow rates is more significant. The effects of gas-liquid flow rates on the axial pressure difference Δ P s across the swirler, the radial pressure difference Δ P r on a cross-section downstream of the swirler and the axial pressure difference Δ P o of the venturi tube were studied under the condition of 40%–82% gas volume fraction. The square root of the pressure difference increases linearly with the liquid/gas flow rate, and the empirical correlations between the square root of the pressure differences and the gas-liquid flow rates are established. By combining the empirical correlations in pairs, three flow rates measurement models of slug flow based on double pressure differences are established. When Δ P o and Δ P s are used as the measurement parameters of flow rates, the relative errors of liquid-phase flow rate and gas-phase flow rate are below ±2% and ±15%, respectively. When Δ P o and Δ P r are used as the measurement parameters of flow rates, the relative errors of liquid-phase flow rate and gas-phase flow rate are below ±3% and ±15%, respectively. It provides high-precision, low-cost and non-radioactive two-phase flow measurement technology for oil-gas gathering and transportation. • Gas-liquid flow rates are measured using a venturi tube with a swirler. • Linear correlations between pressure difference and flow rates are established. • Flow rates measurement models of slug flow are established. • Prediction accuracies of liquid and gas flow rates are below ±2% and ±15%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geological bodies prone to disasters, such as glaciers, landslides, and land subsidence, undergo three-dimensional (3-D) movement. Spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites commonly capture relative directional motion for Earth observation. However, this begs the question of how to track the 3-D movement of geological bodies. Presented here, the 3-D Deformation Inversion toolbox MATLAB-based concurrently processes ascending and descending SAR-derived datasets acquired from either Pixel Offset Tracking (POT) or Differential Interferometric SAR (DInSAR) methodology, in addition, generates long-term 3-D deformation and interactive point time series and line section information, also dynamic map visualizations. It is the ability to calculate the least squares solution using truncated or multi-order Tikhonov regularized Singular Value Decomposition (SVD). Three various scenarios are employed to assess processing capabilities. The L-curve method finds the optimal calculation parameters tailored to various objects. The toolbox's effectiveness and applicability enhance the potential for evolutionary dynamic analysis in geoscience. • The first 3-D inversion toolbox using MATLAB for deformation maps. • Multi-platform compatibility and user-friendly operation support. • There are two approaches to solving ill-condition equations. • Multiple geological deformation monitoring scenarios support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pursuing the trend of ply-level innovation in the field of high-performance CFRP composites, a pseudo-woven layup configuration has been developed by interlacing a thin-ply prepreg in the translaminar-envelope manner space-orthogonally inside a homogenized 4-ply sub-laminate to acquire mechanical superiorities for the global multidirectional laminate. This evolved layup structure possesses the stiffening feedbacks on in-plane principal properties by the locally-regulated 0° ply amount, and exerts the multi-interface synergy on shear-driven interlaminar fractures by the long-acting binding action. Further, the high robustness of structural performances has been revealed by resistance and tolerance against severe low-velocity impact damage, achieving up to 60 % decrease in the projected delamination area and over 60 % increase in the post-impact compressive strength. The translaminar-envelope layup configuration is expected to enhance the service capability of CFRP laminates. [Display omitted] • Translaminar-envelope layup configuration gets evolved for enhancing CFRP laminates. • Stiffening feedbacks on in-plane principal properties support desired optimization. • Multi-interface synergy on interlaminar shear failures promotes damage resistance. • High robustness of structural performances against severe damage has been revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Effect of choking on the pressure fluctuation frequency and amplitude is studied. • The optimal valve opening range minimizes the pressure fluctuation amplitude. • The correlation for predicting the stable pressure at the riser bottom is proposed. • Lower pressure and higher valve opening are obtained when using automatic choking. Severe slugging produces huge fluctuations of pressure and flow rate, which is often eliminated by choking because of its easy operation and good performance. However, most published studies on choking are conducted in short-distance pipelines at atmospheric pressure, which is far from the oilfield conditions. In this paper, study on the influence of choking on severe slugging characteristics and control effect is carried out on the high-pressure long-distance pipeline-riser system. When using manual choking, the pressure fluctuation frequency increases and the system pressure exceeds its steady-state value under certain conditions. There is an optimal valve opening range when using automatic choking, which minimizes the fluctuation amplitude of differential pressure. The pressure required to eliminate severe slugging increases with the increase of pipeline length. In order to eliminate severe slugging automatically, a correlation for predicting the stable pressure at the riser bottom is proposed, with an average relative error of 10.9 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Timely and detailed investigation of dangerous landslides is crucial for preventing catastrophic disasters. On June 29, 2023, the local collapse of the Mengu landslide in the upper reaches of Jinsha River in Qinghai Province, China, drew significant attention due to potential risks. Based on the integrated landslide investigation framework of 'space-air-ground', this study examined the development characteristics of the landslide and gave some conclusions. Optical imagery and InSAR results reveal continuous deformation in the source area of the landslide since the beginning of the monitoring in early 2020. Field surveys indicate that the Mengu landslide developed on an anti-dip slope, and the primary slope deformation mode evolved from toppling to overall shear failures. Landslide deformation is correlated with rainfall, exhibiting accelerated movements during periods of significant short-term precipitation. The high-intensity rainfall event in mid-June was identified as the direct cause of the landslide destruction. The landslide is identified as a retrogressive landslide and is categorized into four stages. Presently, there are three primary trailing-edge sliding boundaries, and the overall risk of failure is not high. However, local sliding at the leading edge poses a high risk. Analysis of GNSS monitoring displacement indicates that the front edge of the landslide is in the initial acceleration stage of deformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiments concerning the flow regimes observed in gas-liquid two-phase flows in a long-distance pipeline-riser system were carried out and analyzed in this paper. The test loop with 0.075 m inner diameter consisted of a 314 m horizontal pipeline, followed by a 25 m downward-inclined pipe, and finally a 21.5 m riser pipe. An industrial-scale global flow regime map including 5 flow regimes was derived from differential pressure measurements in the riser and was used as a reference for improvements. Electrical capacitance volume tomography installed in the horizontal section was used to reconstruct the phase interface and calculate the average gas void fraction (GVF). An appropriate model for this system was selected by comparing the experimental GVF with different, widely used models. The occurrence of severe slugging flow (SS) can be predicted accurately using an improved model involving additional corrections that consider pipeline length, accurate GVF calculation, and gas density. This study supports the development of a suitable SS prediction model enabling safe design, operation, and control of practical systems. • The phase interface was reconstructed by ECVT to obtain gas void fraction (GVF). • Experiments on gas-liquid two-phase flow in an industrial-scale system were conducted. • Effect of pipeline length/GVF/gas density on severe slugging was analyzed. • An improved model to predict occurrence of severe slugging was derived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A flow pattern map of an S-riser with a long pipeline is drawn by visual image data. • The high riser increases the formation space and cycle period of severe slugging. • Gas blowdown of severe slugging induces liquid slugs in the long horizontal pipeline. • The slug continuity blowdown appears in the riser during the severe slugging. Severe slugging is a hazardous multiphase flow phenomenon in the process of offshore oil and gas transportation. Few visualization image data are obtained in experimental riser systems with kilometer-scale pipelines. Therefore, the interface distribution characteristics of severe slugging are visually investigated in a 29.1 m high S-shaped riser connecting a 1657 m long horizontal pipeline. Based on the image data of the gas–liquid interface structure and the pressure fluctuation of the riser, the flow pattern map is plotted. The high riser increases the accumulation space of severe slugging and prolongs the cycle period. A new prediction correlation of the slugging period suitable for experimental systems with different pipeline lengths is proposed. The long pipeline provides sufficient gas compression space and intensifies the blowouts of liquid slugs. The maximum velocity of the slug blowout in the riser reaches 23 times the gas–liquid mixed velocity. The gas expands sharply during the gas blowdown stage of severe slugging, which causes the instability of the gas–liquid interface in the horizontal pipeline and induces a large number of liquid slugs to flow into the riser; thus, the continuity blowdown of slugs appears in the riser. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Optimal integration of POT and MABAS technologies is applied to maritime glaciers. • 3-D surface flow of the glacier ensemble in the Namcha Barwa during 2019–2022 is first mapped. • The problem of long-term linear flow velocity is successfully solved. • Two fast-moving glaciers are detected in the Namcha Barwa glacier ensemble. • The flow velocity of maritime glaciers and meteorological factors are significantly correlated. In reaction to a warming climate in the Southeastern Tibetan Plateau (SETP), the direction and intensity of surface flow in maritime glaciers undergo adjustments, causing glacial debris flow and ice avalanches. The safe operation of mega transportation projects across the region has been seriously threatened, e.g., the Sichuan-Tibet transportation corridor. Consequently, the measurement in three dimensions (3-D) consistently merits attention in the surface flow evolution for this glaciated region. In this study, we first mapped the 3-D and long-term surface flow of the glacier ensemble in the Namcha Barwa during 2019–2022 using the space-borne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technique, specifically applying the pixel offset tracking (POT) method to obtain deformation estimation of SAR-derived data. Subsequently, 3-D glacier velocities were acquired from the Multidimensional Small Baseline Subset (MSBAS) method conducted with the above datasets. Results show that two fast-moving glaciers were detected in the glacier ensemble, namely Dem Glacier and Namjagbrawa Glacier. Dem Glacier mainly flows eastward horizontally with a velocity of approximately 120 m/yr. And the inconspicuous vertical changes reveals that the glacier has sufficient winter supply. Although the detectable proportion of Namjagbrawa Glacier is relatively small, SAR results can perform well in limited pixels verified through optical results. It flows swifter over roughly −150 m/yr in the east, north, and vertical directions due to the vast elevation differences. However, other glaciers in the ensemble generally maintained slow flow, with multidimensional velocities below 20 m/yr. All glaciers' flow velocities and the local climate in temporal are parallelism in the variations, which exhibit summer-accelerated and winter-slowed seasonal patterns. There were no surge signs during the study phase, which does not preclude the possibility of future emergence. The maritime glaciers in the SETP should be therefore multidimensional and continuous monitored to implement early warning and forecasting for mega transportation projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The flow pattern map in industrial-scale pipeline-riser system is plotted. • The internal correlation between the overall and local flow patterns is established. • The transition mechanism of severe slugging and unstable flow is revealed. • A unified model for predicting overall flow pattern transitions is proposed. A unified model for predicting flow patterns in the pipeline-riser system is essential for the flow assurance of offshore oil and gas pipelines. This paper uses the visual images and pressure signals to obtain the internal correlation and the transition boundaries of the overall and local flow patterns in a 46 mm ID, 1722 m long pipeline S-shaped riser system. The flow pattern map with industrial parameters is plotted, and a fast identification method for unstable flow is proposed based on the differential pressure signal of the riser. The mapping relationship between the overall flow pattern divided by the pressure signals and the local flow pattern distinguished by the visual images is established. The transition mechanism dominated by the liquid phase is whether the gas in the downward-inclined pipeline accelerates after entering the riser base, and the transition mechanism dominated by the gas phase is whether the gas can penetrate the liquid in the riser so that the gas does not accumulate in the downward-inclined pipeline. A unified mechanistic model is proposed for predicting the overall flow pattern transition boundaries in pipeline-riser systems. The model results show a good agreement with 24 kinds of flow pattern maps under various pipeline structures, fluid properties, and separator pressures. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating the transition boundary and frequency characteristics of severe slugging under different riser heights and pipeline lengths provides important support for the expansion of offshore oil and gas to deeper waters. The visualization research on air-water two-phase flow is carried out in a system with a horizontal pipeline length of 1687 m and riser heights of 16 m, 22 m, and 29 m, and flow pattern maps are plotted. Based on existing experimental data, the database of the flow pattern and slugging frequency in pipeline-riser systems with riser heights of 3–29 m, pipeline lengths of 10–1687 m, and pipe diameters of 25.4–50.8 mm is established. The long pipeline makes the gas pressure growth rate slower than that of the liquid pressure in the riser, which causes severe slugging occurring at higher superficial gas velocity. On the contrary, increasing the riser height causes the boundary of severe slugging to shift to a lower superficial gas velocity. The severe slugging length is greater in the higher riser and longer pipeline system, causing a smaller severe slugging frequency. A correlation for predicting severe slugging frequency at various riser heights, pipe lengths, and pipe diameters is established by employing gas and liquid Froude numbers. • Flow pattern maps of a long pipeline-riser system under 3 riser heights are plotted. • A flow database of pipeline-riser systems with different parameters is established. • Increasing the riser height reduces the occurrence of severe slugging. • A predictive model of severe slugging frequency for different systems is constructed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A composite manganese dioxide@carbon felt (MnO 2 @CF) electrode is hydrothermally prepared by loading rod-like MnO 2 on the CF. The power density of microbial fuel cell (MFC) with MnO 2 @CF bioanode (2754.15 mW m−2) is 6.21 times higher than that with CF bioanode. The stored charge of the MnO 2 @CF bioanode (2625.23C m−2) is 2.82 times higher than that of the CF bioanode (930.81C m−2) by the chronoamperometric tests within a 30 min charging-discharging process. Furthermore, analysis of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) shows that modification with rod-shaped MnO 2 displays a significant positive response and coordination ability to the accumulation and allocation of EPS components of the electrochemical active biofilm matured on MnO 2 @CF bioanode, especially the aromatic proteins facilitate the extracellular electron transfer. High-throughput sequencing reveals that the dominant phyla on MnO 2 @CF bioanode are Proteobacteria (40.15%, a well-known electrochemical active microorganism) and Bacteroidetes (22.68%), which contributes to the anaerobic metabolism of electron donors to facilitate the operation of MFC systems. This work shows that modification with MnO 2 on the CF precursor significantly improves the capacitance of MnO 2 @CF electrode and the electrochemical properties of MFCs, which provides an idea for assembling MFCs with highly capacitive bioanodes to generate and store renewable energy simultaneously. [Display omitted] • A capacitive anode (MnO 2 @CF) was hydrothermally prepared. • The specific capacitance of MnO 2 @CF was 56.03 times greater than CF. • The power density of MFC with MnO 2 @CF was 6.21 times higher than CF. • MFCs with highly capacitive bioanodes simultaneously generate and store clean energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• First, a novel technique of causal structural covariance network density (CaSCNd)CaSCNd was proposed to map the epicenter of progressive structural damage in brain disease. Second, Our work provided new insights into progressive network damages in generalized epilepsies with different syndromes from structural domain. • Third, we contributed a viewpoint that IGTCS had an out-effect epicenter in the thalamus, whereas the SGTCS had equipotent in- and out-effects in the thalamus, cortex, and basal ganglia. Mapping progressive patterns of structural damage in epilepsies with idiopathic and secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures with causal structural covariance networks and multiple analysis strategies. Patients with idiopathic generalized tonic-clonic seizures (IGTCS) (n = 114) and secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures (SGTCS) (n = 125) were recruited. Morphometric parameter of gray matter volume was analyzed on structural MRI. Structural covariance network based on granger causality analysis (CaSCN) was performed on the cross-sectional morphometric data sorted by disease durations of patients. Seed-based CaSCN analysis was firstly carried out to map the progressive and influential patterns of damage to thalamus-related structures. A novel technique for voxel-based CaSCN density (CaSCNd) analysis was further proposed, enabling for identifying the epicenter of structural brain damage during the disease process. The thalamus-associated CaSCNs demonstrated different patterns of progressive damage in two types of generalized tonic-clonic seizures. In IGTCS, the structural damage was predominantly driven from the thalamus, and expanded to the cortex, while in SGTCS, the damage was predominantly driven from the cortex, and expanded to the thalamus through the basal ganglia. CaSCNd analysis revealed that the IGTCS had an out-effect epicenter in the thalamus, whereas the SGTCS had equipotent in- and out-effects in the thalamus, cortex, and basal ganglia. CaSCN revealed distinct damage patterns in the two types of GTCS, featuring with measurement of structural brain damage from the accumulating effect over a relatively long time period. Our work provided evidence for understanding network impairment mechanism underlying different GTCSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In deep-sea oil and gas, S-shaped riser is the key equipment to transport the multiphase working substance produced underwater to the surface platform. The occurrence of severe slugging will seriously threaten the safe production of offshore oil and gas fields. Therefore, accurate and rapid recognition of hazardous flow patterns such as severe slugging is an urgent need to ensure the safety of multiphase flow in deep-sea long-distance pipelines. This paper has built a set of long S-shaped riser with industrial parameters, including 1687 m horizontal and downward inclined pipelines and 16.7 m S-shaped riser. The gas-liquid two-phase flow patterns, including severe slugging, oscillating flow and stable flow, are studied in this system. The pressure and differential pressure features of different signals are extracted from different positions along the pipeline, and a more comprehensive and reasonable evaluation criterion of signal performance is established. Making use of the advantages of visualization of the structure of decision tree, a new method to evaluate the recognition effect of features is proposed based on its classification principle. The original signal is decomposed into components of different scales through wavelet multi-scale analysis, and then the statistical features with good flow pattern differentiation ability are calculated. It is found that the mean of wavelet approximate component has the best recognition effect among all features. On the basis of feature correlation analysis, 7 features with high recognition rate applicable to 22 signals along the pipeline are optimally selected from 13 original features. For the water differential pressure signal DP 13 , the recognition rate obtained by using its 4 optimal features is 91.4 %, and the error between the recognition rate obtained by using all features is only 0.2 %. The overall recognition rate of the signal is the highest and the practicability is the best. When the sample duration is 6.2s, the recognition rate using the optimal feature reaches 90.8 %, thus ensuring the real-time recognition of the flow pattern while obtaining a high recognition rate. • Two-phase flow patterns are studied on a 1687 m long pipeline with an S-shaped riser. • Decision tree is used to rank features based on effect of flow pattern recognition. • Mean of wavelet approximation component is the best feature to identify flow pattern. • Obtained features with good recognition rate for all signals by correlation analysis. • Recognition rate using optimal features reaches 90.8 % with a sample length of 6.2s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A reasonable improved potential for soil and water conservation (Po) was proposed. • Steep topography is associated with higher Po values. • The potential associations between socio-economic factors and Po were explored. The assessment of soil erosion control in loess regions is of great practical significance, as the Loess Plateau remains one of the most eroded areas globally. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the gully protection and erosion control project and changes in the improved potential for soil and water conservation (Po) over 8 years using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). Furthermore, this study sought to explore the potential connections between Po and topography and socio-economic factors. The RUSLE results indicated that the erosion in 2020 was 102 t·km−2·a-1 less than that in 2013, but the degree of erosion was higher in 2020. The potential effects of topography and socio-economic factors on Po were examined based on the amount of variation in each village. The results showed that Po decreased in 17 villages and increased in 7 villages, indicating that the direction of soil and water conservation is appropriate in most areas on the Dongzhi tableland. Topography can impose some limitations on Po. Steep topography is associated with higher Po values. According to partial least squares regression (PLSR), this study explored the potential link between socio-economic factors and Po. The results can be used to provide suggestions for gully protection and erosion control in erosion-prone areas in the context of major engineering construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ancient dammed lake deposits, developed in tectonically active mountainous areas, record high-resolution changes in paleoclimate and paleoseismicity. This paper reports a massive ancient dammed lake, the "Aniangzhai paleolandslide-dammed lake", newly discovered in the upper reaches of the Dadu River on the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating showed that this lake formed prior to 15.7 ± 1.9 ka and persisted for 7 ka. The basic properties of lacustrine sediments and abnormal fluvial deposits of the dammed lake were identified through field sedimentological investigation and use of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology. Through a literature review of reservoir siltation, several methods of estimating the dam surface elevation were summarized, and on this basis, the Aniangzhai paleolandslide and ancient dammed lake were reconstructed. The results indicated that the Aniangzhai ancient dammed lake extended for 79 km upstream, with a maximum sediment thickness of 128 m. The lake at one time held back an area and volume of water of 53.5 km2 and 5.74 × 109 m3, respectively. This study proposed the fluvial-dammed lake sedimentary zoning system of ancient dammed lakes based on changes in sedimentary characteristics among different sections: (1) deep–semi-deep lake; (2) shallow lake; (3) lakeshore; and (4) area of river–lake intersection. This study also discussed a general, but systematic and novel model under which ancient dammed lakes in mountainous areas evolve. It may provide new information on the evolution of the paleoclimatic environment in the eastern Tibetan Plateau after the Last Glacial Maximum. • A huge ancient dammed lake in the eastern Tibetan Plateau has been newly discovered. • The Aniangzhai paleolandslide and ancient dammed lake were reconstructed. • The fluvial-dammed lake sedimentary zoning system of dammed lakes was proposed. • A general evolution model of ancient dammed lakes was proposed. • Several methods of estimating the surface elevation of landslide dams were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Output performance of counter-flow microfluidic fuel cell is hampered by its significant internal ohmic resistance. In this work, narrow middle channel design is introduced to the counter-flow microfluidic fuel cell with flow-through electrodes to ease the internal ohmic resistance issue and realize increased fuel utilization and improved power density simultaneously. Systematically numerical investigations are performed to validate the feasibility and evaluate the prospect of the narrow middle channel design. Meanwhile, in-depth analyses are provided to explore the mechanisms behind the distinctive cell characteristics. Corresponding results demonstrate that the width of the middle channel in the counter-flow microfluidic fuel cell with flow-through electrodes can be safely reduced from the commonly used 1–2 mm–0.3 mm without reactant crossover and obvious increase in the energy consumption for the pumping of the reactant streams. Superiority of the narrow middle channel design is more significant in the high reactant concentration and high flow rate case where an increase of 30.29 % is observed in the peak power density when the middle channel width reduces from 1 mm to 0.3 mm under the reactant concentrations of 4 M and flow rate of 120 μ L min − 1 . • Feasibility of narrow middle channel design in counter-flow microfluidic fuel cell is validated. • Prospect of narrow middle channel design in improving the cell performance is evaluated. • Superiorities of narrow middle channel design under various operation conditions are compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces an intelligent method for regional subsurface prediction using a Stacking ensemble learning approach, which incorporates K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosted Decision Trees (GBDT), and Xgboost as base classifiers, with Logistic Regression (LR) serving as the meta-classifier. Leveraging data from 1119 boreholes in Zigong City, China, this method achieves a prediction accuracy of 93%, and notably improves the prediction of weak layers, with accuracy rates ranging from 71.4% to 81.5%. This enhancement is particularly significant in areas with a random distribution of excavation and backfill. Furthermore, this study employs the SHAP method (SHapley Additive explanations) to interpret the Stacking ensemble learning model, revealing that the outputs of the base classifiers enhance the feature set for the meta-classifier, effectively addressing the insensitivity of the spatial coordinates x, y, and z as input features for lithology prediction. The findings demonstrate that the expansion of effective feature dimensions is key to the superior performance of the Stacking ensemble learning method in regional subsurface lithology prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earthquakes can generate large amounts of co-seismic landslide debris and unstable hillslopes, which supply abundant material sources for subsequent debris flow activities, leading to a significant increase in debris flow risk in post-seismic years. On 5 September 2022, a Mw 6.8 earthquake struck Luding County in the mountainous region of Southwestern China. To mitigate the risk of post-earthquake debris flows to infrastructure and reconstruction planning efforts in the earthquake-affected area, it is crucial to determine the location and magnitude of post-earthquake debris flow. Based on the dataset of debris flow activities for more than 10 years after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, we captured the dominant factors controlling the post-earthquake debris flow activity and developed a predictive model for the post-earthquake debris flow activity by multiple machine learning methods. Subsequently, we used the predictive model and transfer learning method to identify high-susceptibility areas for debris flows following the 2022 Luding earthquake. A volume indicator of transportable material sources (PVL) by coupling with the connectivity and the co-seismic landslide was proposed to further quantify the magnitude of debris flows. The results indicate that approximately 70% of the catchments in the Luding earthquake-affected area would remain at a slight or low debris flow activity level, while the catchments with high and very high activity are mainly located in the Moxi-Xinmin section. Overall, this research provides valuable insights for mitigating the risk of post-earthquake debris flow and developing effective strategies for reconstruction efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, carbon-quantum-dot (CQD)-decorated TiO2 was prepared using an ultrasonic doping method and applied in the photocatalytic degradation of naphthalene under sunlight irradiation. The CQDs were synthesized from a typical macroalgae via diluted sulfuric acid pretreatment and hydrothermal synthesis using an optimal design, i.e., 3 wt% and 200 °C, respectively. The CQD/TiO2 composite remarkably enhanced the photocatalytic activity. The degradation of naphthalene under a visible light environment indicated that there is a synergistic mechanism between the CQDs and TiO2, in which the generation of reactive oxygen species is significantly triggered; in addition, the N that originated from the macroalgae accelerated the photocatalytic efficiency. Kinetic analysis showed that the photocatalytic behavior of the CQD/TiO2 composite followed a pseudo-first-order equation. Consequently, our combined experimental approach not only provides a facile pretreatment process for bio-CQDs synthesis, but also delivers a suitable TiO2 photocatalyst for the visible environment along with critical insights into the development of harmful macroalgae resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On February 22, 2023, a devastating landslide occurred on the mining slope of an open-pit coal mine in Inner Mongolia, China, leading to the mining area being buried and 53 fatalities. The source area of the landslide measured approximately 500 m in both length and width, with an estimated volume of the deposited material reaching approximately 5 million cubic metres. Based on the severe impact of this incident, our study conducted preliminary research using a combination of methodologies, including particle image analysis, synthetic aperture radar interferometry, interpretation of optical remote sensing data, and post-event news reports analysis. The results indicated that the landslide lasted 23 s from initiation to cessation of movement. The historical deformation indicated that prior to the resumption of the mining activities, only localized deformation was observed at the rear edge of the landslide. However, when mining activities resumed in April 2021 and extended to the vicinity of the north slope, the deformation range and rate in the source area of the landslide rapidly increased. The investigation deduced that the soft foundation at the slope bottom and mining activities are the primary causative factors of this event. Mining activities, which stripped coal seams within the slope and surface rock masses, led to the expansion of tension cracks within the landslide body, weakening resisting forces at the leading edge and thus playing a significant role in destabilizing the landslide body. The evolution of the landslide from incubation to instability could be divided into four stages: early microcrack development, slow creep, accelerated deformation after resumption of mining, and ultimate instability. Therefore, it is of great significance to advance real-time deformation monitoring and early warning systems specifically those designed for mining slope areas by comprehensive measures. Furthermore, enhancing the high-frequency monitoring capabilities of synthetic aperture radar satellites is crucial to reducing the occurrence of these catastrophic events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Electrocatalytic generation of nanobubble on different surfaces is investigated. • Dynamic equilibrium model of nanobubble is used to explain the influence of structure. • The concave substrate restricts the flow of water and gas molecules. In the gas evolution reaction, surface nanobubbles generally nucleate heterogeneously and grow on the electrode. It is important to understand the relationship between the evolution of nanobubbles and the structure of the electrode surface. In this work, we used molecular dynamics simulation to study the effect of different surface structures on the nucleation and growth of nanobubbles. The simulation shows that the current in the induction stage is proportional to the conversion frequency. The reaction rate in the nucleation and growth stages increases with the increase of the conversion frequency. During the stable stage, the reaction rate is higher on the plane than on the concave surface, independent of the conversion frequency. The gas influx at the contact line in the dynamic equilibrium model of nanobubbles on the electrode surface is reconsidered. The gas flux into the nanobubbles at the concave surface during the stable stage is smaller and the contact angle is smaller compared to the plane. The concave substrate restricts the flow of water molecules to the electrode surface's contact line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Difference of flow pattern maps in short and long pipelines is revealed. • Influence of pipeline length and liquid viscosity on slug frequency is investigated. • Quantitative relation of slug frequency data with various viscosities is obtained. • Prediction correlation of slug frequency for different viscosities is established. The accurate prediction of slug frequency is critical for the construction of multiphase flow models and the flow assurance of oil and gas pipelines. In this paper, the slug frequency data are obtained by visualization method in short (65 mm ID, 215 D) and long (46 mm ID, 35957 D) pipelines. The slug frequency of horizontal pipeline is inversely proportional to pipeline diameter (26–300 mm) and proportional to the liquid viscosity (1.01–7500 mPa·s). The quasi-developed distance for the air–water slug flow at V SG ≤ 1.00 m/s is about 1200 D , and the frequency of the quasi-developed slug flow is less affected by the pipeline length. Based on the gas Strouhal number and the liquid viscosity ratio, the quantitative relation between the slug frequency data at different viscosities is constructed, and a new correlation is developed to predict both the slug frequency of water and viscous liquids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The interface behaviors of the jet plume are quantitatively analyzed. • The sound characteristics in the flow field of the steam jet are obtained. • A correlation equation for predicting jet length is proposed based on sound pressure. • A strong correlation between interface and sound pressure oscillations is found. Direct contact condensation of a vapor jet in liquid is frequently encountered in lots of industrial applications because of its high heat and mass transfer rates. However, severe interface and sound pressure oscillation associated with condensation might cause vibration and even failure of pipeline systems. In this paper, the interface behavior and the sound pressure oscillation of a steam jet in flowing water are captured respectively by a high-speed camera and a high-frequency hydrophone. According to the gray profile of the image, an identification method is proposed to determine the interface characteristics, including the plume shape, width, and penetration length of the jet. The statistical intensity and power spectrum density of the interface position and sound pressure oscillation of the steam jet are calculated. Two typical condensation regimes of Chugging and Oscillation-I under low steam mass flux (G s < 346 kg/m2s) are observed. The intensities of the interface oscillation and sound pressure oscillation decline with increasing steam mass flux and a significant correlation coefficient of about 0.94 between them is revealed. With the incorporation of sound pressure parameters, two correlations of the dimensionless jet length and its oscillation intensity are established, with relative deviations of 20% between the experimental and predicted values. For Oscillation-I, the dominant frequencies of the interface oscillation and sound pressure oscillation are quantitatively consistent. From the time and frequency domain perspectives, it is quantitatively confirmed that the sound pressure oscillation of the steam jet under low steam mass flux is caused by its interface oscillation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optical force exerted on a Rayleigh dielectric spherical particle by a photonic jet is investigated in the framework of the Rayleigh approximation. The photonic jet is generated by a plane wave illuminating a Generalized Luneburg Lens (GLLs). The electric field of the photonic jet is calculated using Discrete Dipole Approximation (DDA). The effects of wavelength of incident plane wave, focal length and radius of the GLLs on optical force are analyzed. Numerical results show that the stability of the captured particles can be controlled by changing the incident wavelength, focal length and radius of the GLLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the motion of particles in very dense granular flows is crucial for comprehending the dynamics of many geological phenomena, and advancing our knowledge of granular material physics. We conduct transparent ring shear experiments to directly observe the granular motion under relatively high‐pressure conditions, and find that the granular velocity non‐linearly decays, forming an approximately 7‐particle‐diameter‐thick localized shear band. A fitting curve underlying non‐local physics can be used to well predict velocity profile geometries that are almost independent of normal stress and shear velocity. Moreover, experimental results show monotonically decreasing granular kinetic temperature, which may be caused by energy dissipation due to more inelastic contacts under high confining pressures. The variation of granular temperature will significantly influence the local yield stress and rheological properties, which may lead to inhomogeneous fluidity of the material and thus to shear localization in very dense granular flows. Plain Language Summary: Understanding how particles move under high pressure is essential for studying various geological phenomena and advancing our understanding of granular material physics. In this study, transparent ring shear experiments are conducted to observe the motion of granular particles in very dense granular flows under high normal stress. It is found that the velocity distribution progressively decays and forms a shear band with a width of approximately 7 particle diameters. We suggest an equation that can well predict the velocity profile both of the quasi‐linear velocity in the fast‐moving shear zone and the exponential velocity curve in the slow‐motion region. Furthermore, we analyze the distribution of particle velocity fluctuation and particle density across the sample. Near the moving plate, the particle velocity fluctuation is more intense and the particle density is lower, gradually decreasing far from the moving plate. This phenomenon may be caused by energy dissipation due to inelastic contact between particles. The mechanical properties of the granular material are influenced by these variations in velocity fluctuation and particle density. Thus, this leads to an inhomogeneous shear strain rate and promotes the formation of shear zones under relatively high‐pressure conditions. Key Points: A nonlinearly decayed velocity profile and spontaneous shear localization are observed in plane shear granular flows under high normal stressThe monotonically decayed granular temperature may lead to inhomogeneities in very dense granular flows and thus to shear localizationThe length scale of the non‐local model in very dense granular flows is estimated based on experimental observation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In this study, an automatic corneal contour extraction algorithm with a shared model is developed to extract contours from dynamic corneal videos containing noise, which improves the accuracy of corneal biomechanical evaluation and clinical diagnoses. The algorithm does not require manual labeling and completes the unsupervised semantic segmentation of each frame in corneal dynamic deformation videos based on a fully convolutional deep-learning network using corneal geometry and texture information. Results: We included 1027 corneal videos at Tianjin Eye Hospital (Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital) from May 2020 to November 2021. The videos were obtained by the ultra-high-speed Scheimpflug camera, and then we used the shared model mechanism to accelerate the segmentation of corneal regions in videos, effectively resist noise, determine corneal regions based on shape factors, and finally achieve automatic and accurate extraction of corneal region contours. The Intersection over Union (IoU) of the extracted and real corneal contours using this algorithm reached 95%, and the average overlap error was 0.05, implying that the extracted corneal contour overlapped almost completely with the real contour. Conclusions: Compared to other algorithms, the method introduced in this study does not require manual annotation of corneal contour data in advance and can still extract accurate corneal contours from noisy corneal videos with good repeatability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supported metal catalysts with appropriate metal‐support interactions (MSIs) hold a great promise for heterogeneous catalysis. However, ensuring tight immobilization of metal clusters/nanoparticles on the support while maximizing the exposure of surface active sites remains a huge challenge. Herein, we report an Ir/WO3 catalyst with a new enrooted‐type MSI in which Ir clusters are, unprecedentedly, atomically enrooted into the WO3 lattice. The enrooted Ir atoms decrease the electron density of the constructed interface compared to the adhered (root‐free) type, thereby achieving appropriate adsorption toward oxygen intermediates, ultimately leading to high activity and stability for oxygen evolution in acidic media. Importantly, this work provides a new enrooted‐type supported metal catalyst, which endows suitable MSI and maximizes the exposure of surface active sites in contrast to the conventional adhered, embedded, and encapsulated types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supported metal catalysts with appropriate metal‐support interactions (MSIs) hold a great promise for heterogeneous catalysis. However, ensuring tight immobilization of metal clusters/nanoparticles on the support while maximizing the exposure of surface active sites remains a huge challenge. Herein, we report an Ir/WO3 catalyst with a new enrooted‐type MSI in which Ir clusters are, unprecedentedly, atomically enrooted into the WO3 lattice. The enrooted Ir atoms decrease the electron density of the constructed interface compared to the adhered (root‐free) type, thereby achieving appropriate adsorption toward oxygen intermediates, ultimately leading to high activity and stability for oxygen evolution in acidic media. Importantly, this work provides a new enrooted‐type supported metal catalyst, which endows suitable MSI and maximizes the exposure of surface active sites in contrast to the conventional adhered, embedded, and encapsulated types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Er3+/Yb3+ codoped glass ceramics containing BaF2 crystals were obtained through a melt quenching process; the precipitation of BaF2 nanocrystals was confirmed by structural characterization. The effects of crystal quantity and size on the transmittance and upconversion fluorescence of the samples were analyzed. The precipitation of nanocrystals leads to a significant increase in upconversion luminescence intensity. The fluorescence spectra at different pump powers were measured. Er3+ and Yb3+ energy level diagrams and possible energy transfer routes during upconversion luminescence were explored. Furthermore, the functional relationship between temperature and the upconversion fluorescence intensity ratio of the samples was analyzed. When the temperature is 293 K, the relative sensitivity reaches the maximum of 1.38% K−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the reaction mechanism of sludge, slag, lime, and fly ash in high temperature environments, the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test was hereby implemented to study the effect on curing age, curing temperature, slag content and fly ash content about the strength of sludge. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the microscopic composition of the substance, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to analyze the mineral composition at the micro level to further disclose its reinforcement mechanism. The experimental results demonstrate the difference in the strength measured by different dosage of curing agent, and results indicate that the strength of high temperature curing sample was obviously higher than that of low temperature curing sample. When the curing temperature rises, the pozzolanic reaction and hydration reaction between materials are accelerated, and a certain amount of gel products are produced, playing a precipitation and bonding role between particles. The 28 days and 90 days strengths of the sludge samples with 20% fly ash and 80% slag dosing at 40°C were 1139 KPa and 1194 KPa, which were 1.4 and 1.1 times of that of pure cement solidified sludge. At 60°C, the strength of 14 days, 28 days and 90 days were 802 KPa, 1298 KPa and 1363 KPa, which were 1.1, 1.5 and 1.3 times of that of pure cement solidified sludge. Under the influence of an alkaline environment, the silicon-aluminum grid structure was interconnected into a denser network structure, and the compressive strength of lime-activated fly ash-slag was thus continuously enhanced. Affected by the high temperature, lime-activated fly ash-slag solidified sludge could significantly improve the middle and late strength of the sample. The research showed that the new solidification material can replace partly the concrete curing agent, thereby alleviating the carbon emission and environmental pollution problems arising from cement solidified sludge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Wheat grain endosperm is mainly composed of proteins and starch. The contents and the overall composition of seed storage proteins (SSP) markedly affect the processing quality of wheat flour. Polyploidization results in duplicated chromosomes, and the genomes are often unstable and may result in a large number of gene losses and gene rearrangements. However, the instability of the genome itself, as well as the large number of duplicated genes generated during polyploidy, is an important driving force for genetic innovation. In this study, we compared the differences in starch and SSP, and analyzed the transcriptome and metabolome among Aegilops sharonensis (R7), durum wheat (Z636) and amphidiploid (Z636×R7) to reveal the effects of polyploidization on the synthesis of seed reserve polymers. Results: The total starch and amylose content of Z636×R7 was significantly higher than R7 and lower than Z636. The gliadin and glutenin contents of Z636×R7 were higher than those in Z636 and R7. Through transcriptome analysis, there were 21,037, 2197, 15,090 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the three comparison groups of R7 vs Z636, Z636 vs Z636×R7, and Z636×R7 vs R7, respectively, which were mainly enriched in carbon metabolism and amino acid biosynthesis pathways. Transcriptome data and qRT-PCR were combined to analyze the expression levels of genes related to storage polymers. It was found that the expression levels of some starch synthase genes, namely AGP-L, AGP-S and GBSSI in Z636×R7 were higher than in R7 and among the 17 DEGs related to storage proteins, the expression levels of 14 genes in R7 were lower than those in Z636 and Z636×R7. According to the classification analysis of all differential metabolites, most belonged to carboxylic acids and derivatives, and fatty acyls were enriched in the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, niacin and nicotinamide metabolism, one-carbon pool by folate, etc. Conclusion: After allopolyploidization, the expression of genes related to starch synthesis was down-regulated in Z636×R7, and the process of starch synthesis was inhibited, resulting in delayed starch accumulation and prolongation of the seed development process. Therefore, at the same development time point, the starch accumulation of Z636×R7 lagged behind that of Z636. In this study, the expression of the GSe2 gene in Z636×R7 was higher than that of the two parents, which was beneficial to protein synthesis, and increased the protein content. These results eventually led to changes in the synthesis of seed reserve polymers. The current study provided a basis for a greater in-depth understanding of the mechanism of wheat allopolyploid formation and its stable preservation, and also promoted the effective exploitation of high-value alleles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tunnel excavation induces the stress redistribution of the surrounding rock. Structural cracks may develop in the secondary lining due to this stress redistribution and bias pressure, consequently affecting the overall construction safety of the tunnel. This paper aims to achieve real-time monitoring of the excavation stability of the lining structure by integrating two monitoring technologies: structural deformation monitoring and fiber grating strain monitoring. Additionally, it proposes a method to simultaneously measure the thermal strain and applied stress–strain of the structure. By analyzing the displacement and deformation of the lining structure, its stability can be preliminarily evaluated in the short term. To achieve long-term real-time monitoring and a more accurate assessment of the tunnel structure's stability, the paper introduces fiber Bragg grating (FBG) strain sensor monitoring technology. First, based on the geological stratigraphy information obtained from the exploration, a simulation model of the tunnel under different section bias angles is established. The displacement and stress concentration areas of the lining structure are then analyzed to optimize the sensor deployment array and provide a theoretical basis for the sensor arrangement. FBG strain sensors are installed on the surface of the structure to measure thermal strain and loading stress–strain, whereas FBG temperature sensors measure local temperature. The findings indicate that following tunnel excavation, the maximum daily strain differences at K107+043 and K107+240 were 126.87 µ ε and 209.38 µ ε , respectively. After a period of rock disturbance, the average daily strain differences due to applied stress–strain were 16.8 µ ε and 12.65 µ ε , respectively. The thermal strain was close to the daily strain difference. Therefore, after the rock disturbance subsided, the strain fluctuations in the lining structure were mainly caused by local temperature changes, and the surrounding rock tended to stabilize. This offers a viable method for evaluating structural stability post-tunnel excavation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY Citrus is a model plant for studying adventitious embryos, a form of asexual reproduction controlled by a single dominant gene, RWP. This gene has been identified as the causal gene for nucellar embryogenesis, but its function has not yet been fully understood. In this study, we used the fast‐growing Fortunella hindsii as a system to explore chromatin accessibility during the nucellar embryony initiation, emphasizing elevated chromatin accessibility in polyembryonic (PO) genotypes compared to monoembryonic ones (MO). Notably, a higher level of accessible chromatin was observed in one allele of the promoter region of FhRWP, consistent with increased expression of the allele carrying the causal structural variant. By independently performing RNAi and gene editing experiments on PO genotypes, we found the downregulation of FhRWP expression could reduce the number of nucellar embryos, while its knockout resulted in abnormal axillary bud development. In overexpression experiments, FhRWP was identified as having the unique capability of inducing the embryogenic callus formation in MO stem segments, possibly through the regulation of the WUS‐CLV signaling network and the ABA and cytokinin pathway, marking the inaugural demonstration of FhRWP's potential to reignite somatic cells' embryogenic fate. This study reveals the pleiotropic function of RWP in citrus and constructs a regulatory network during adventitious embryo formation, providing a new tool for bioengineering applications in plant regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical activation usually accompanies in situ atom rearrangement forming new catalytic sites with higher activity due to reconstructed atomic clusters or amorphous phases with abundant dangling bonds, vacancies, and defects. By harnessing the pre‐catalytic process of reconstruction, a multilevel structure of CuNi alloy nanoparticles encapsulated in N‐doped carbon (CuNi nanoalloy@N/C) transforms into a highly active compound of Ni‐doped CuO nanocluster supported on (N/O‐C) co‐doped C. Both the exposure of accessible active sites and the activity of individual active sites are greatly improved after the pre‐catalytic reconstruction. Manipulating the Cu/Ni ratios of CuNi nanoalloy@N/C can tailor the electronic property and d‐band center of the high‐active compound, which greatly optimizes the energetics of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) intermediates. This interplay among Cu, Ni, C, N, and O modifies the interface, triggers the active sites, and regulates the work functions, thereby realizing a synergistic boost in OER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights Computational methods provide effective tools for the prediction of the curing behavior of composites, especially for large‐scale complex composite structures. The flow‐compaction analysis during curing receives insufficient attention in current studies. In this work, an integrated framework considering the heat transfer, the cross‐linking reaction, the flow and compaction, and the stress–strain module is established. A comprehensive resin flow termination criterion is proposed. L‐shaped composites with a stacking layer of [45/90/−45/0]s were fabricated, and the good agreement between the experimentally measured and the numerically predicted contour data validated the current model. Compared with Hubert's model, the prediction accuracy of the thickness and fiber volume content increases by 4.24% and 3.92%, respectively. Correlation analysis between the fiber volume ratio predicted by numerical methods and experimental results (94% for this method, −41% for Hubert's model) demonstrates the well‐capture of nonuniform fiber distribution in curved composites for the current strategy. The overall framework provides an accurate and promising tool for the prediction of the curing behavior of complex composite components. An integrated numerical methodology is proposed considering the resin flow and compaction. The viscosity‐temperature coupled feature of resin is considered in the permeability coefficients. A comprehensive resin flow termination criterion is proposed for an accurate prediction. The resin content, thickness, and spring‐in angle of L‐shaped laminates are characterized. The good correlation between the experimental and numerical results validates this method. Compared with the model proposed by Hubert, the prediction accuracy improves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]