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Hydrothermal method is widely used in the synthesis of perovskite-type oxides, whereas few studies are reported for the nucleation mechanism, so that the relationship between the crystal structures and reactive activities of reactants and products is still unknown. Herein, the reaction processes are analyzed on the basis of XRD, SEM and Raman characterizations, and the nucleation mechanism is investigated for the hydrothermal synthesis of MZrO 3 (M = Ba, Sr, Ca). We propose that the negative charged cyclic tetramer complexes [Zr 4 (OH) 8 (OH) 16 ]8- form in the hydrothermal reaction, which play major roles in the nucleation process. The tetramer complexes continually dehydrate and condensate to form substructural units composed of alkali-earth ions and 6-fold Zr tetramers; substructural units further dehydrate and distort to form perovskite structures. The reactive activation energy increases with the decreasing of M2+ (M = Ba, Sr, Ca) ionic radius because the incorporation of smaller A site ions in the perovskite structure is accompanied by greater rotation and distortion of the ZrO 6 octahedra, leading to the decrease of reactive activity accordingly. In a word, the proposed nucleation mechanism in this paper is of great significance for the study of perovskite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• MS@COFs-F4 with high fluorine content was synthesized at room temperature. • MS@COFs-F4 possess low surface energy and superhydrophobicity. • MS@COFs-F4 excels in adsorption and efficient oil–water separation. • The application of MS@COFs-F4 extends to the cleanup of crude oils. • MS@COFs-F4 exhibits flame retardant properties and self-cleaning capabilities. Frequent oil spills cause substantial economic losses and pose a significant threat to human life. Urgent measures must be taken to develop a highly effective approach to mitigating oil spills and minimizing their potential consequences. Herein, we synthesized MS@COFs-F, fluorinated covalent organic framework-decorated superhydrophobic sponges, to clean up crude oil spills efficiently. The synthesis method involved a simple and effective room-temperature approach, utilizing 2,4,6-tris(4-aminophenyl)-1,3,5-triazine (TAPT) as the amine monomer and binding it with three aldehyde monomers of varying fluoride content. The MS@COFs-F with the highest fluorine content, known as MS@COFs-F4, exhibited low surface energy, superhydrophobicity (water contact angle of 155.7°), a large specific surface area of 180 m2/g, and exceptional chemical, mechanical, and thermal stability. MS@COFs-F4 demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in adsorbing crude oils and organic solvents of diverse viscosities, exhibiting an adsorption capacity between 68.5 and 125.9 g/g, achieving an oil–water separation efficiency exceeding 97.0 %. Additionally, MS@COFs-F4 showcased self-cleaning and flame-retardant properties, further enhancing its suitability for real-world applications. MS@COFs-F4 holds the potential to offer a novel, safe, and effective approach in addressing oil spill incidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The Huangcheng basin has undergone three compression events since 100 Ma. • Slickenside analysis reveals north–south and east–west compression stresses. • Cretaceous sedimentary rocks in the area are sourced from the Qilian Shan-Nan Shan Block and Alashan Block. The sedimentary rocks in the Hexi Corridor, north-eastern Tibetan Plateau, contain information about crustal deformation during and after the closure of the Meso-Tethys Ocean and the growth of the Tibetan Plateau. This study examines the origin and deformation of Late Mesozoic sedimentary rocks in the Huangcheng basin where the source of Late Mesozoic sedimentary rocks and deformation styles of faults and folds remain controversial. Results from field mapping, fault kinematic analysis, and detrital zircon analysis suggest that the study region might have experienced three episodes of compression events since 100 Ma. The first episode is characterized by north–south compression, which could reflect the convergence between the Alashan and the Qilian Shan-Nan Shan. The second episode reflects the reactivation of the thrust faults related to the far-field effect resulting from the closure of the Neo-Tethys Ocean. The third episode is the regional east–west trending thrust due to the block extrusion. One set of slickensides indicates north–south compression while a second set implies nearly east–west compression, which could represent different stress orientations between the first two episodes and the third episode. Eleven detrital zircon samples from the Cretaceous to Neogene strata were collected for detrital zircon U-Pb dating and rare earth element analysis. Zircon U-Pb ages show major peaks around 265 Ma and 455 Ma with a notable lack of ages around 1.0 Ga. We infer that the source of the Neogene sedimentary rocks was the Qilian Shan while the sources of the Cretaceous sedimentary rocks were the Qilian Shan and Alashan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The Riganpei Co fault is divided into four segments based on the distribution of displacements. • The COPD within 0–30 m for each segment reveals that at least four large earthquakes ruptured this fault. • Reconstructed slip distribution shows a complex pattern of strong earthquake activities on different segments of the fault. High-resolution topographic datasets are useful for revealing offset features of fault geomorphology and are thus important for reconstructing the evolution history of faults. The Riganpei Co fault, located in the central Tibetan Plateau, is an important active fault on the northern boundary of the Bangong-Nujiang suture zone. In this study, WorldView-2 stereo images were used to generate high-resolution topographic data in a 1 km range on both flanks of the middle section of the Riganpei Co fault. We interpreted the tectonic geomorphology along the fault, classified it into distinct units, and measured the horizontal displacement of each unit. Within approximately 70 km along the fault, we obtained 396 displacement measurements ranging from 0 to 60 m. Given the evident uneven distribution of displacement, the fault was divided into four segments. In each fault segment, the reconstructed slip distributions revealed a tendency of larger displacements in the center and smaller displacements toward the ends. The cumulative offset probability distribution (COPD) of displacements displays 4–5 offset clusters in the range of 0–30 m for each segment, suggesting that at least four large earthquakes ruptured this fault. The binned COPD demonstrated that there are differences in the displacement accumulation modes among these fault segments, where the middle segment follows a characteristic slip accumulation mode. Reconstructed cumulative slip profiles revealed a complex pattern of strong earthquake activities along the Riganpei Co fault. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paleoseismic studies are critical for the assessment and prediction of large earthquakes (M ≥ 7). These studies involve excavating and analyzing evidence from surface–rupturing earthquakes. However, they often face limitations in spatiotemporal resolution. The Yuguang Graben, located in the northern Shanxi Grabens of North China, contains an abundance of Quaternary loess that can be utilized for extending paleoseismic records. Fine-grained deposits of loess contrast sharply with gravel deposits of the colluvial wedge, making the wedge shape apparent. To enhance our understanding of earthquake behavior in the Yuguang Graben, we excavated a trench on terrace T2 of the Songzhikou segment of the Yuguang Graben Fault (YGF). We used LiDAR to obtain a high–resolution orthophoto of the trench wall. Through OSL dating of colluvial wedges and loess, we identified at least four large paleoseismic events with a magnitude of M ≥ 7 that occurred along the YGF. These events took place at >77.6 ± 5.1, 63.9 ± 5.1, 51.0 ± 4.3, and 37.3 ± 0.3 kyr, respectively. Combined with previous paleoseismic studies, we identified seven paleoseismic events since the late Pleistocene. These findings reveal that earthquakes occurring on YGF follow a quasiperiodic pattern with an average recurrence interval of about 12 ± 3 kyr. The elapsed time of the most recent earthquake near the recurrence interval suggests an increased risk of a large earthquake along the YGF. We also analyzed earthquake clusters generated by neighboring faults in the active northeastern boundary of the Ordos block. Our analysis indicated that fault interactions can affect the recurrence interval of earthquakes along single faults, while regional seismic activity tends to concentrate in time during a seismically active period. These observations underscore the importance of expanding paleoseismic records and exploring regional seismic hazards to gain a more comprehensive understanding of earthquakes. • Colluvial wedges on normal fault reveal new paleoseismic events. • Establishment of the paleoseismic sequence of the Yuguang Graben Fault for 77,000 years. • Improve the understanding of fault behavior located at the boundary of the Ordos block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the water supply network system, the placement of pressure sensors is crucial to the optimization of the monitoring effect of the system running condition. Most of the existing studies select the placement of sensors according to the hydraulic state of the water distribution network, but do not fully consider and analyze the connectivity between nodes and the topology of the water distribution network. Aiming at the shortcomings of the existing pressure monitoring point layout methods, this paper proposes a pressure sensor layout method based on the Embedding Graph Autoencoder (EGAE) clustering method. Firstly, the EGAE deep clustering algorithm is used to cluster the network nodes based on the topology structure and hydraulic characteristics of the network. According to the clustering results, the network nodes are divided into different regions. Then, by calculating the correlation between nodes in the region, the representative nodes of each region are selected and set as sensor layout nodes. By comparing and analyzing the performance of experiments with other schemes, the results show that the EGAE deep clustering network can effectively integrate the topological structure characteristics and hydraulic characteristics of the water distribution network. The sensor nodes laid out in the scheme proposed in this paper can effectively carry out accurate leakage positioning in subsequent positioning models, and have higher leakage pipe segment identification accuracy and smaller precise positioning errors compared with other schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Xiongpo structure is a superimposed deep fault-bend fold and shallow structural wedge. • Xiongpo structure is accommodated a horizontal shortening rate of 0.2 mm/yr. • LMS front is partitioned low shortening rates (<0.5 mm/yr) on individual structures. Cenozoic crustal shortening across the Longmen Shan (LMS) fold-and-thrust belt records the eastward growth of the Tibetan Plateau. Although the structural geometries of individual structures in the region have been studied, the kinematics and rates of deformation across these structures remain unclear. In this study, we construct a geological cross section to derive the subsurface structural architecture of the Xiongpo structure in the LMS piedmont using one seismic reflection profile, and data from two boreholes. The structure displays a superimposed deep fault-bend fold and shallow structural wedge with three splay thrust faults. Using two-dimensional kinematic models, based on fault-bend folding algorithm, we reconstruct three episodes of upper crustal shortening, with 7.0 ± 0.3 km of total shortening. Combining with previously published low-temperature thermochronology data, we further estimate that the structure has experienced an average shortening rate of ∼ 0.2 mm/yr since 40–25 Ma. We infer that the structure acted as the deformation front of the LMS fold-and-thrust belt between 40 and 25 Ma and 15–10 Ma driven by the eastward growth of the Tibetan Plateau. Finally, we review the shortening rates of other five structures within the LMS piedmont, and find that these six structures (including the Xiongpo structure) individually have undergone an average shortening rate < 0.5 mm/yr on each fault, suggesting that strain is partitioned along several structures within the LMS fold-and-thrust belt. We also show that the southern LMS piedmont has absorbed more upper crustal shortening than the central LMS, ∼0.5–0.7 mm/yr, since ∼2.6 Ma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controversies persist regarding the formation of terraces under the control of tectonic factors or climatic changes. This work focuses on the Yushanguxi River in the southern piedmont of Tian Shan, which is an intense tectonic uplift area where the terraces are very developed and the river has deeply downcut. Nine main terraces are distinguished (labelled T 1 to T h , from youngest to oldest) based on the interpretation of a high-resolution remote sensing image, field investigations and detailed surveying with differential GPS. The results of the determination of 10 Be exposure and 14 C show abandoned ages of ~2.1 ka for T 1 , ~4.1 ka for T 2 , ~4.2 ka for T 3 , ~8.2 ka for T 4 , ~18.1 ka for T 5 , ~18.8 ka for T 6 , ~102.1 ka for T 7 , ~100.6 ka for T 8 1 , ~113.9 ka for T 8 2 , ~144.6 ka for T h 1 , ~210.7 ka for T h 2 , and ~284.3 ka for T h 3 . Since ~18 ka, the incision rate began to increase from ~0.6 mm a −1 to ~12 mm a −1 , which is obviously higher than the fault slip rate of ~0.7 mm a −1 . We suggest that the rapid downcutting along the Yushanguxi River during the Holocene has mainly been caused by frequent climate fluctuations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decryption of transient structural changes during protein conformational transitions is essential to a detailed understanding of protein functions. To this end, coarse-grained protein structural models have proven valuable by enabling cost-effective simulation/analysis of protein conformational transitions which are too slow for all-atom molecular dynamics simulation. Here we survey state-of-the-art coarse-grained methods for protein conformational transition modeling developed in the past decade, with focus on those available online to public. We highlight the similarities and differences between these methods, and illustrate their usage in case of the T-to-R" transition of chaperonin GroEL. This survey aims to provide researchers with a useful guide to the available tools for modeling protein conformational transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constraining the shortening rate, timing, and deformation pattern in the frontal parts of the southern Qilian Shan (China) is helpful to further understand the strain distribution model and the tectonic deformation mechanism of the Qilian Shan. The Santai fold belt is one of the active thrust and fold belts parallel to southern Qilian Shan in the northern margin of the Qaidam Basin. It has experienced the structural evolution and interactions between itself and surrounding areas throughout the Late Cenozoic. Based on the geological and geomorphic mapping, landform profile surveys, and seismic line interpretations, the Santai anticline is considered to be a fault-propagation fold that is controlled by basement-involved faulting and limb rotation. In the late Quaternary, the shortening rate of the Santai anticline was almost 0.4 ± 0.17 mm/a, accounting for about 8% of the crustal shortening across Qilian Shan, and with the assumption of a constant shortening rate, latest rapid deformation occurred at about 3 ± 1.1 Ma. This indicates that the loci of deformation sequentially migrated southward in the foreland. • Santai anticline is basement-involved fault-propagation fold and raised by progressive limb rotation • The horizontal shortening of the Santai anticline was 0.4 ± 0.17 mm/a in the late Quaternary • The latest deformation of the Santai anticline is 3 ± 1.1 Ma in the Northern Qaidam Basin • The Qilian Shan propagated southward in four stages in the late Cenozoic [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The acceptor with auxochromic groups showed an increased absorption coefficient. • Alkylthio groups lead to the acceptor with an increased charge carrier mobility. • A high efficiency of 15.01% was achieved for the nonfullerene acceptor. Nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) that efficiently harvest sunlight and transport the consequent charge are key to advancing the performance of polymer solar cells (PSCs). Herein we demonstrate that the NFA with alkylthio side-chains incorporated in the heteroheptacene core (MS1) shows a significantly increased molar extinction coefficient and enhanced molecular ordering in comparison with the counterpart with alkyl side-chains (MC1). Therefore, in combination with a benchmark donor polymer (PM6), the resulting MS1-based PSC shows an enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.13% with a fill factor (FF) of 71.66% and a short-circuit current density (J sc) of 21.70 mA cm−2 comparing with the MC1-based PSC which shows a PCE of 11.87% with a FF of 62.55% and a J sc of 20.39 mA cm−2. The enhanced photovoltaic performance for the MS1-based PSC can be in part attributed to the increased light-harvesting ability of the MS1-based active layer and in part attributed to its boosted carrier mobilities and reduced charge recombination. Moreover, with an electrode optimization, the best-performing MS1-based PSC shows a further enhanced PCE of 15.01% which is an impressive efficiency among all acceptor–donor–acceptor type NFAs reported to date. This work suggests the important role of the auxochromic groups in the electron-rich core in determining the photovoltaic performance of NFAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The [Ba(N(SiMe3)2)2]·2THF reacts with 1,2,4-triazole to afford an unusually polymeric 1,2,4-triazolato barium complex [trz2Ba(DMSO)2]∞ (trz=1,2,4-triazolato) with a 2D coordination network, which consists of two-dimensional [trz2Ba]∞ sheets entrained within the stacked two-dimensional framework of [trz2Ba(DMSO)2]∞ polymer. Complex [trz2Ba(DMSO)2]∞ represents the first heavier alkaline earth 1,2,4-triazolato complex with an η 2 and η 1 bridging coordination. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The May 12, 2008, Mw 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake was induced by failure of two of the major faults of the Longmen Shan thrust fault zone along the eastern margin of Tibet Plateau. Our study focused on trenches across the Yingxiu–Bichuan fault, the central fault in the Longmen Shan belt that has a coseismic surface break of more than 200km long. Trenching excavation across the 2008 earthquake rupture on three representative sites reveals the styles and amounts of the deformation and paleoseismicity along the Longmen Shan fault. Styles of coseismic deformation along the 2008 earthquake rupture at these three sites represent three models of deformation along a thrust fault. Two of the three trench exposures reveal one pre-2008 earthquake event, which is coincident with the pre-existing scarps. Based on the observation of exposed stratigraphy and structures in the trenches and the geomorphic expressions on ground surface, we interpret the 2008 earthquake as a characteristic earthquake along this fault. The interval of reoccurrence of large earthquake events on the Central Longmen Shan fault (the Yingxiu–Beichuan fault) can be inferred to be about 11,000years according to 14C and OSL dating. The amounts of the vertical displacement and shortening across the surface rupture during the 2008 earthquake are determined to be 1.0–2.8m and 0.15–1.32m, respectively. The shortening rate and uplift rate are then estimated to be 0.09–0.12mm/yr and 0.18–0.2mm/yr, respectively. It is indicated that the deformation is absorbed mainly not by shortening, but by uplift along the rupture during the 2008 earthquake. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: The open/closed transition in polymerases is a crucial event in DNA replication and transcription. We hypothesize that the residues that transmit the signal for the open/closed transition are also strongly conserved. To identify the dynamically relevant residues, we use an elastic network model of polymerases and probe the residue-specific response to a local perturbation. In a variety of DNA/RNA polymerases, a network of residues spanning the fingers and palm domains is involved in the open/closed transition. The similarity in the network of residues responsible for large-scale domain movements supports the notion of a common induced-fit mechanism in the polymerase families for the formation of a closed ternary complex. Multiple sequence alignment shows that many of these residues are also strongly conserved. Residues with the largest sensitivity to local perturbations include those that are not so obviously involved in the polymerase catalysis. Our results suggest that mutations of the mechanical “hot spots” can compromise the efficiency of the enzyme. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two novel complexes, Cd(HTMA)(NC5H5)2 · 0.5CH3OH · 0.5DMF (1) and Cd(HTMA) · 2H2O (2), of cadmium (II)–trimesates are obtained from slow vapor diffusion and urea hydrolysis, respectively. The Cd(II) centers in the two complexes are bridged by three separate HTMA3− ligands using a same coordination fashion, which contains one monodentate and two chelating bidentate carboxyl groups to form the herringbone-like motif. The herringbone-like motif is further interlinked to construct the two-dimensional Cd(II)–HTMA layer, which is stacked by mutual π-stacking of pyridines for 1 and by hydrogen bond of waters for 2. Thermal stabilities of the two complexes were investigated and the results indicated that Cd(II)–TMA layers in the two complexes are stable still upon 190 °C. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Active fault zones are areas impacted by intense tectonic activity, where geohazards such as landslides occur and their distribution characteristics vary across segments. Using the Litang fault zone in the eastern Tibetan Plateau as an example, this study cataloged landslides within a 10 km range on both sides of the fault zone. The Litang fault zone was divided into four sections based on landform characteristics and the spatial distribution of active faults. A comprehensive analysis was conducted on the relationship between landslide distribution and topography, lithology, and active faults in different sections. Additionally, the study employed a random forest model to compare landslide susceptibility between the whole-region and its sub-regions. The results show that lithology and topography significantly influence the distribution of landslide types. The Upper Triassic sandstone, Slate exhibit more debris flows in areas with slopes ranging from 5° to 35°, while slopes >35° in the Upper Triassic sandstone, Slate are prone to unstable slopes. Rock avalanche occur in Upper Triassic sandstone, Slate, and Quaternary sand and gravel. Active faults play a key role in control ling landslides distribution through distance, hanging wall, locked segment, and direction effects. The number of landslides is positively correlated with the activity of faults. Additionally, the dip angle and motion characteristics of faults have significant influence on the distribution of landslides. The results of landslide susceptibility evaluation show that sub-region models have higher accuracy than the whole-region model. This study provides a new method for exploring the spatial distribution of landslides and can provide scientific reference for reducing landslide disasters in active fault zones. • Landslides is significantly influenced by distance, hanging wall, locked section, and directionality of the active fault • Fault activity is positively correlated with landslide numbers, while the dip angle and motion affect distribution pattern • Sub-regional model can effectively reveal the spatial differences in landslide susceptibility along the active fault zone [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yulin River in the northern Tibetan Plateau, consists of multiple geomorphological features, including alluvial fans, fluvial terraces, and river profile knickpoints. Collectively, these provide a natural laboratory for exploring the late Quaternary fluvial landform evolution in response to both climatic change and tectonic activities in the region of the Altyn Tagh Fault. In this study, we investigated the distribution, sequences and sediment characteristics of the fluvial landforms along the Yulin River based on high-precision (0.5 m-resolution) Worldview satellite images and field observations. Mid-Pleistocene alluvial fans formed the highest fluvial landform surface into which ten major inset fluvial terraces were developed, distributed along three stream segments. Real-time kinematic global positioning system (RTK-GPS) measurement of terrace surfaces and the modern river longitudinal profiles was conducted across the Dongbatu Shan to show fluvial landform geometry and tectonic deformation. Fluvial terrace surfaces were deformed due to fault uplift as illustrated by spatially variable surface geometries. The chronological sequences of terraces along the Yulin River since 160 ka were reconstructed based on 10Be terrestrial cosmogenic nuclides (TCNs) dating. Results indicated that river incision occurred mainly during periods of climate transition, suggesting that terrace evolution was partly controlled by climate changes. Moreover, terrace exposure ages showed an upstream younging trend along the river, demonstrating a probable response to knickpoint retreat. Combined with terrace deformation and ages, fault uplift rates were constrained, which were lower than the river incision rates during the Late Quaternary, indicating that crustal shortening was mainly absorbed by the growth of the regional anticline. Collectively, our results suggest that the evolution of fluvial landforms along the Yulin River is a function of interplay between regional tectonic activities and climatic changes, which is significant to understand the NW-outward splay of the Altyn Tagh Fault. • Yulin River fluvial landform sequences since 160 ka were established via 10Be dating. • Knickpoint recession plays a significant role in terrace evolution along Yulin River. • Fault uplift rates were lower than the river incision rates in the Late Pleistocene. • Tectonic deformation was absorbed mainly by the uplift of the entire anticline. • Climate and tectonic uplift control river incision and fluvial landform evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hexi Corridor lies along the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau forming its northern boundary. The late Cenozoic tectonic and landscape evolution of this area are key to understanding the growth of the Tibetan Plateau. We investigate the river profile morphology of 36 drainage areas located on the southern flanks of the Heli Shan, which is the outermost range of the Hexi Corridor. Here, bedrock channels are segmented by steep downstream channels and upper segments with lower gradients. A synthesis of tectonics, climate, lithology, and river reorganization indicates that this area has experienced accelerated tectonic uplift. We constrain the response times for knickpoint evolution based on a knickpoint celerity model and reconstruct paleo-channel profiles. Combined with onset ages for the growth of the Qilian Shan (10 Ma) and Yumu Shan (4 Ma), we propose that the Hexi Corridor and Heli Shan were affected by the outward growth of the Tibetan Plateau at 0.6–2.1 Ma ago. • Tectonic geomorphological analysis applied to the Heli Shan, NE Tibetan Plateau • Stream power and knickpoint celerity models applied to bedrock river channels • Lower and upper channel profiles were relatively steep and gentle, respectively. • Knickpoints are attributed to tectonic activity and date to 0.6–2.1 Ma. • This timing constrains the outwards growth of the Tibetan Plateau in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Trench excavating, terrace surveying and age dating were utilized to study slipping behaviors of a thrust fault. • Large-earthquakes on the Maidan fault exhibit a variable-slip behavior. • Unbalanced foreland accretionary wedge results in out-of-sequence thrusting for the Maidan fault. • The growth of the western Tian Shan orogen was caused by thrust faulting and crustal shortening of block-like pattern. Slipping behavior of active thrust faults are not well explored because of their variable vertical displacements governed by dip-angle changes along the fault striking. The range-front Maidan fault (MDF) is a thrust fault in the southern Tian Shan, and exhibits clear paleoearthquake rupturing during the late Quaternary. In this study, based on field investigation, trench exposing, detailed terrace surveying with differential GPS, and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating, we revealed that the latest paleoearthquake on the MDF occurred at ~1.76 ka, and generated a vertical displacement of ~3.0 m. Then, we analyzed the vertical displacements on different terraces of the Yushanguxi River versus the corresponding terrace 10Be exposure ages. We suggest that the large-earthquake on the MDF is an irregular recurrence. The MDF still has a high seismic risk in spite of only ~1.76 ka elapsed time for the latest paleoearthquake. We propose that the growth and uplift of the western Tian Shan orogen is caused by fault thrusting and crustal shortening of a series of block-like patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser induced magnetic nanoparticles patterning of iron oxide in porous materials over a large area at high yield. • A laser approach to generate patterns of magnetic nanoparticles over a large area at high yield. • Laser hot spot can cause oxidation of iron salts to form iron oxide nanoparticles. • The method relies on high temperature of laser, and is not limited to magnetic nanoparticles. • The method can be used to pattern nanoparticles over large area. Patterned magnetic nanoparticles are key elements for magnetic devices. This article reports a laser based approach to generate patterns of magnetic nanoparticles over a large area at high yield. The local hot spot of a tightly focused laser can induce rapid in situ oxidation of iron salts adsorbed on a porous silica substrate into magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, as confirmed by reflectance test, Raman spectroscopy, electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and magnetic measurement. The effects of laser power, moving speed and laser frequency on the formation (mass and line width) of patterned magnetic nanoparticles have been examined. Given high yield of laser oxidation and high speed of laser direct patterning, the method is appropriate to produce magnetic material pattern over a large area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] A new catalyst system for the Heck reaction consisting of PdCl 2 and 2,6-bis(1,2,4-diazaphosphol-1-yl)pyridine as a ligand is proposed. This system is efficient for the coupling of styrene with aryl bromides (K 3 PO 4 , DMA, 130 °C) at 0.1 mol% catalyst loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A facile one-pot method was developed for the synthesis of bimetallic Sn/Zn-ZIF-8. • The doping of Sn2+ could help to maintain the morphology of MOF during pyrolysis. • The Sn/Zn-ZIF-8 based SnO 2 -ZnO composite is readily engineered for acetone sensing. • Considerable sensing response (140.27) and detection limit (0.82 ppb) was achieved. • The sensing mechanism was investigated in detail using in situ infrared spectroscopy. Aiming to achieve high-sensitivity disease diagnosis, it is of great significance to continuously improve the sensing performance of metal oxide based sensors. The morphology and component of metal oxides can be rationally engineered by using metal–organic frameworks as highly versatile platforms. Herein, the bimetallic Sn/Zn-ZIF-8 is synthesized by self-assembly, and then SnO 2 -ZnO hollow nanoparticles are obtained by using bimetallic Sn/Zn-ZIF-8 as precursor. The obtained SnO 2 -ZnO composite maintained the dodecahedral structure of Sn/Zn-ZIF-8, and in which SnO 2 is orthogonal due to the framework-induced effect. Based on the unique structure and composition of SnO 2 -ZnO, 6% SnO 2 -ZnO exhibits excellent selectivity, high response, low detection limit (0.82 ppb) and good response linearity between response and concentration of acetone, showing the potential of the practical application in clinical diagnosis of diabetic patients. In-depth discussions reveal that the excellent sensing performance can be attributed to the n-n heterostructure of SnO 2 -ZnO that is favorable for electron transport, the larger adsorption energy to acetone that results from orthogonal SnO 2 , and the abundant active reaction sites provided by the dodecahedral mesoporous structure. This synthetic strategy may provide an effective method for the facile engineering of high-performances metal oxide-based sensors toward practical health assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Three new types of ZnO, Zn 2 SnO 4 and Zn 3 V 2 O 8 floriated hierarchical microspheres are synthesized via hydrothermal methods. The morphology, structure, band structure and photoelectric convention properties of three different type photo-catalysts are characterized and investigated in detail. It is found that all samples exhibit floriated hierarchical microspheres, composed of different kinds of nanosheet self-assembly. Moreover, the ZnO microspheres exhibit the best photocatalytic performance under UV irradiation among all photo-catalysts. The detailed photocatalytic mechanism for the ZnO, Zn 2 SnO 4 and Zn 3 V 2 O 8 floriated hierarchical microspheres is also discussed. Graphical abstract Absorption spectra and Transient photocurrent response for ZnO, Zn 2 SnO 4 and Zn 3 V 2 O 8 floriated hierarchical microspheres. Image Highlights • ZnO, Zn 2 SnO 4 and Zn 3 V 2 O 8 floriated hierarchical microspheres are synthesized via hydrothermal methods. • More photogenerated charge carriers are generated and transferred to the surface for ZnO microsphere. • The ZnO, Zn 2 SnO 4 and Zn 3 V 2 O 8 floriated hierarchical microspheres exhibit enhanced photocatalytic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Langshan range-front fault (LRF) is an active Holocene normal fault that borders Langshan Mountain and the Hetao Basin, northwest of the Ordos Plateau, China. In this study, paleoseismic trenching was undertaken at three sites (North–South): Dongshen village (TC1), Qingshan (TC2), and Wulanhashao (TC3). The paleoevents ED1, ED2, ED3 from TC1 were constrained to 6.0 ± 1.3, 9.6 ± 2.0, and 19.7 ± 4.2 ka, respectively. The single paleoevent (EQ1) from TC2 was constrained to about 6.7 ± 0.1 ka, and the paleoevents EW1, EW2, and EW3 from TC3 were constrained to 2.3 ± 0.4, 6.0 ± 1.0, and before 7.0 ka, respectively. With reference to previous research, the Holocene earthquake sequence of the LRF can be established as 2.30–2.43 (E1), 3.06–4.41 (E2), 6.71–6.80 (E3), 7.60–9.81 (E4), and 19.70 ± 4.20 (E5) ka BP. Events E1, E3, and E4 might have been caused by events with magnitudes of Mw 7.6–7.8 that ruptured the entire LRF. Event E2 might have been smaller magnitude, about M7.0, and ruptured only a portion of the fault. The vertical slip rate of the LRF at the Qingshan site is inferred as 0.9 or 1.4–1.6 mm/year in the last 6.8 ka. The slip rate at Wulanhashao is considered to have been close to, but not <0.66 mm/year since 15 ka BP. We deem the LRF is an unsegmented active fault. Although the possibility of missing events in Late Pleistocene can not be dismissed, we argue the Holocene paleoearthquake history is complete, indicating an average recurrence interval of ~2500 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An energy-efficient and environmentally friendly microwave-assisted method was adopted for synthesis of butterfly-like CuO assembled by nanosheets through a Cu 2 Cl(OH) 3 precursor, using no template. Formation mechanism of the butterfly-like CuO was explored and discussed systematically for the first time on the basis of both experimental results and crystal structure transformations in atomic level. The electrochemical sensing properties of the butterfly-like CuO modified electrode to ascorbic acid (AA) were studied for the first time. The results reveal that Cu(OH) 2 nanowires were formed once the Cu 2+ ions, located in between two CuO 4 parallelogram chains of a Cu 2 Cl(OH) 3 precursor, dissolve into the solution as Cu(OH) 4 2− complex ions after ion exchange reactions and simultaneous assemble along a axis. Upon microwave irradiation, the adjacent CuO 4 parallelogram chains of the Cu(OH) 2 nanowires dehydrate and assemble along c axis, forming CuO nanosheets with (002) as the main exposed facet, which were further assembled to butterfly-like CuO under the action of microwave field, suggesting that microwave field functions like a ‘directing agent’. The butterfly-like CuO modified electrode shows good electrochemical sensing properties to AA with a low detecting limit, short response time and wide linear response range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Well-defined m -BiVO 4 dendrites have been synthesized using a simple hydrothermal method without adding organic surfactant. A series of time-dependent experiments were conducted to investigate the shape formation mechanism of the m -BiVO 4 dendrites. Furthermore, the corresponding growth mechanism which involved the Ostwald ripening process has been discussed. The m -BiVO 4 dendrites showed great enhanced activity in the visible-light photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) solution which might be attributed to the special morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earthquakes reported in the frontal belts of active orogenic wedges such as the 2013 M w 6.6 Lushan and 1999 M w 7.6 Chi-Chi earthquakes, highlight the importance of loading exerted by mountainous topography and inherited fault zones. However, their effects on formation and activation of these wedge front fault systems remain poorly understood. This study presents three sets of sandbox experiments in which topographic loading and geometry of inherited faults were first separately investigated, then explored jointly. Experiments show that smaller topographic loading favors gentle-dipping wedge front thrusts, while larger topographic loading promotes the development of steep wedge front faults. Introduced as zones of frictional weakness, all inherited faults promote deformation localization, though the steep ones are characterized by buttressing nearby rather than direct slip on themselves. When the two factors were tested integrally, four major deformation modes arose, including (1) direct reactivation; (2) fault truncation in the initial stage of compression; (3) stacking of small thrusts against the inherited fault and possible truncation in a later evolutionary stage; (4) behavior as a fossil structure. These modes show differences not only in first-order deformation styles, but also in the distribution of secondary structures, defining a basic framework and providing new guides for the interpretation of complex wedge front fault systems and their activities, in areas such as the Longmen Shan (eastern Tibet), the Tian Shan and the western margin of the Taiwan orogen. • Mountain front deformation and resultant faults are simulated. • Smaller topographic loading favors gentler mountain front fault. • Behavior of inherited faults varies with imposed mountainous topographic loading. • Four mountain front deformation modes are identified. • Simple shear kinematics in several mountain front earthquakes is reproduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Phase 1 study assessed monthly casirivimab+imdevimab (CAS+IMD) in uninfected adults • Repeat monthly CAS+IMD (1200 mg subcutaneously [SC]) was well-tolerated, with low immunogenicity • CAS+IMD (1200 mg SC) showed a substantial risk reduction in COVID-19 occurrence A phase 1, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and exploratory efficacy of repeat monthly doses of subcutaneous (SC) casirivimab and imdevimab (CAS+IMD) in uninfected adult volunteers. Participants were randomized (3:1) to SC CAS+IMD 1200 mg or placebo every 4 weeks for up to six doses. Primary and secondary end points evaluated safety, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity. Exploratory efficacy was evaluated by the incidence of COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion. In total, 969 participants received CAS+IMD. Repeat monthly dosing of SC CAS+IMD led to a 92.4% relative risk reduction in clinically defined COVID-19 compared with placebo (3/729 [0.4%] vs 13/240 [5.4%]; odds ratio 0.07 [95% CI 0.01-0.27]), and a 100% reduction in laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 (0/729 vs 10/240 [4.2%]; odds ratio 0.00). Development of anti-drug antibodies occurred in a small proportion of participants (<5%). No grade ≥3 injection-site reactions (ISRs) or hypersensitivity reactions were reported. Slightly more participants reported treatment-emergent adverse events with CAS+IMD (54.9%) than with placebo (48.3%), a finding that was due to grade 1-2 ISRs. Serious adverse events were rare. No deaths were reported in the 6-month treatment period. Repeat monthly administration of 1200 mg SC CAS+IMD was well-tolerated, demonstrated low immunogenicity, and showed a substantial risk reduction in COVID-19 occurrence. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of In and B co-doped TiO 2 samples are prepared by sol–gel method under different pH values. The detailed existing states of introduced In and B ions are investigated via XRD, FT-IR, XPS and HRTEM. It is found that the B ions are mainly doped into TiO 2 in interstitial mode and In ions exist as surface O-In-Cl x species when the pH values are in the range of 0.31∼0.65. With the increase of the pH values (0.82∼3.40), the introduced In and B ions would react with each other to form InBO 3 . The existing states of In and B ions in TiO 2 can be easily changed by adjusting the pH values to achieve a new type of TiO 2 based materials with controlled structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bi 2 Te 3 assembled by disordered nanosheets with defects was prepared using a one-step easy synthesis strategy based on easy solvothermal synthesis routes. The high compatibile plane structure, minimization of nucleation and interfacial angle energies are the driving force of the crystal connection and the formation of the defects. To survey the impact of the defects on their thermoelectric properties, thermoelectric properties of bulk pellets have been investigated, and they exhibited preferable thermoelectric properties with a high ZT value of 0.68 due to its unique structural characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the pace of erosion through space and time may provide insight into how tectonic and climatic processes conspire to drive landscape evolution. However, determining whether erosion rates in a given locality have varied with past climate change remains challenging, and the mechanisms invoked to explain variations in past erosion rates are not well understood. In this study, we evaluate past rates of erosion during the late Quaternary along the northern Qilian Shan, the range bounding the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. We measured the concentrations of cosmogenic 10Be from fluvial deposits atop 5 terraces along the Hongshuiba River and average 10Be concentrations at the time of terrace formation. We also determined terrace ages by combining 5 10Be depth profiles and 15 OSL samples of overlying loess. Our results confirm previous dating of this terrace sequence using cosmogenic exposure ages of boulders and depth profiles in terrace gravels and indicate that terrace treads span glacial-interglacial cycles over the past ~200 ka. We exploit this exceptionally dense sampling of 10Be to evaluate differences in cosmogenic 10Be concentrations at the time of terrace formation along the Hongshuiba River. Analysis of 48 individual determinations of "inherited" 10Be concentrations reveal that fluvial sediment in terraces abandoned during the last glacial and penultimate glacial periods are 3–4 times greater than concentrations in sediment atop terraces formed during interglacial times. Paleoerosion rates within the Hongshuiba watershed appear to have been ~200 m/Myr during glacial episodes but increased to ~500–700 m/Myr during interglacial times, similar to recent erosion rates inferred from 10Be in modern sediment. These results point to likely changes in the mean residence time of sediment with the watershed that fluctuate in association with 100-ka glacial-interglacial cycles. We suggest that reductions in erosion rates associated with glacial conditions may have been driven by changes in catchment hydrology during cold and dry periods. • Late Quaternary erosion study from the northern Qilian Shan, Tibetan Plateau margin • 10Be-derived catchment-wide erosion rates from dated Hongshuiba River terraces • Erosion rates vary from ~200 m/Myr (glacial) to ~500–700 m/Myr (interglacial/modern) • Erosion rate fluctuations occur across 100-ka glacial-interglacial cycles • Hydrological changes drive variations in catchment sediment production and transport [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A mild hydrothermal process to prepare double perovskite Ba2YSbO6 is presented. The product was characterized on the basis of XRD, TEM, XPS, ICP and IR techniques. The product has a metal composition is close to double perovskite formula and a grain size range of 50–100nm. The XRD patterns were refined by the Rietveld method by using the General Structure Analysis System (GSAS) refinement program. The product crystallizes in the cubic, space group Fm3m (no. 225), with a =8.4117 (24) Å. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Morphology evolution of rutile particles from nanorods to microcones, again microspheres were realized with the increasing of TiCl4 via self-assembly under hydrothermal condition. A kind of ionic liquids, 1-octyl-3-methylimidazole bromide ([C8mim]Br) was used to assist the fabrication of rutile nanostructures in the system. Characterizations of the products were performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). SEM and TEM micrographs showed that the presence of [C8mim]Br apparently resulted in the aggregation of rutile particles via self-assembly, till porous structures was formed on the surface of microspheres. Moreover, the microspheres were easy to crack when they were precipitated from solution, and the cracks can be widened under radiation of electron beam, simultaneously accompanied by the exfoliation of rutile whiskers. The corresponding mechanism of self-assembly was proposed to explain the effect of [C8mim]Br on fabrication of these rutile nanostructures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• A 3D fault morphology model of the RFBR was constructed for the southern LMS. • The geometrical irregularity of the RFBR induced segmentation of thrusting. • Fractured duplex over the geometrical bump contributed to the presence of seismic gap. A 3D fault morphology model has been constructed from seismic profiles covering the piedmont of the southern Longmen Shan (LMS), eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. It reveals a spatial correlation between an ∼3.5 km-high geometrical bump on the range front blind ramp (RFBR) and the gap between the 2008 M w 7.9 Wenchuan and 2013 M w 6.6 Lushan earthquakes. Sandbox modeling is then used to probe the effects of the geometrical irregularity of the RFBR on fault behaviors and the LMS range front deformation. Sand wedges are designed to thrust over artificial blind ramps, analogous to the thrusting of the LMS orogenic wedge toward the Sichuan Basin through the RFBR. The experiments reproduce the first-order deformation features presented in the southern LMS range front, confirming that along-strike geometrical variations of the RFBR have induced the segmentation of both fault motion and the range front deformation. Their results also suggest that the gap between the Wenchuan and Lushan earthquakes is located directly within the structural transition zone originating from the geometrical bump on the RFBR. Additionally, there is a duplex structure occurring in the hanging wall of the geometrical bump, which localizes significant shear strain with progressive shortening and represents a fracture zone corresponding to the observed geophysical anomaly (low seismic velocity) underneath the seismic gap. It is likely that this fractured body protected the gap from the ruptures of the Wenchuan and Lushan earthquakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cubic phase of novel hollow hyperbranched Cu 2–x Se with nanosheets hierarchical structure was prepared on a Cu foil substrate by a facile solution route, using CuO nanosheets film as a precursor, and its formation mechanism was explored. The optical, gas sensing and superparamagnetic properties of the hollow hyperbranched Cu 2–x Se were studied. The results show that the hollow hyperbranched Cu 2–x Se microstructure could grow as long as 118 μm with diameters of 2–4 μm. Each hyperbranched Cu 2–x Se contains four orthogonally located side branches and each side branch is composed of four orthogonal sub-branches which are assembled by numerous parallelly located nanosheets. The hollow hyperbranched Cu 2–x Se microstructures were formed through the transformation reactions from CuO nanosheets to Cu 2–x Se nanosheets, where the CuO nanosheets function as the sacrificing template, followed by multilevel oriented self-assembly. We found that the ultralong hollow hyperbranched Cu 2–x Se microstructures possess extraordinary superparamagnetic property at room temperature. Besides, the Cu 2–x Se product displays strong UV–visible light-harvesting ability and excellent gas sensing property to ammonia gas. Image 1 • Novel ultralong hierarchical hollow hyperbranched Cu 2–x Se was prepared. • Formation mechanism of the hierarchical hollow hyperbranched Cu 2–x Se was explored. • The Cu 2–x Se displays extraordinary superparamagnetic property at room temperature. • The Cu 2–x Se displays good light-harvesting ability and emit purple-blue light. • The Cu 2–x Se shows excellent gas sensing property to ammonia gas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have proposed that the Eastern Tibetan Plateau underwent ∼E–W oblique crustal shortening, due to the eastward extrusion of the plateau since ∼5–2 Ma to present. However, the effects of the oblique thrusting on the three-dimensional (3D) fold morphology and kinematics in the front of the Longmen Shan fold-and-thrust belt are still poorly understood. We use 3D seismic data to produce five 3D geometric models and compare our results with structural models of the Yanjinggou anticline in the Longmen Shan fold-and-thrust belt, to investigate the effects of oblique thrusting on 3D fold evolution. The results show that regional oblique thrusting occurred within the LMS fold-and-thrust belt, resulting in rotation and a curved structural morphology, and suggest that this process may be applicable globally to both small- and regional-scale structures, as well as larger-scale orogenic belts in obliquely convergent settings. • The effects of oblique thrusting on 3D fold geometry and kinematics are investigated. • The Yanjinggou anticline developed as a trishear fault-propagation fold with 1.2 km shortening. • The Yanjinggou anticline was affected by oblique thrusting at an angle of 55°. Three-dimensional (3D) subsurface seismic data acquisition and modeling are rarely undertaken; consequently, the complex effects of oblique thrusting on the 3D morphology and kinematics of folds are still poorly understood. We use 3D seismic data to produce five 3D geometric models and compare our results with structural models of the Yanjinggou anticline in the Longmen Shan fold-and-thrust belt, to investigate the effects of oblique thrusting on 3D fold evolution. 3D geometric modeling results reveal that oblique thrusting may cause fold asymmetry, vertical axis rotation, and a curved fold axis. 3D seismic interpretations and structural modeling suggest that the Yanjinggou anticline developed as a trishear fault-propagation fold and experienced a maximum shortening amount of 1.2 ± 0.1 km. The 3D structural and geometric models are consistent with paleomagnetic results, suggesting that the anticline was affected by oblique thrusting at an angle of 55° above a listric thrust fault with three fault ramps (19°, 30°, and 40°), causing the fold to rotate and develop a curved morphology. The integrated method used in this study to investigate the effects of oblique thrusting on 3D fold morphology and kinematics can be applied to regional oblique thrusting in the Longmen Shan and other fold-and-thrust belts worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The left-lateral slip rate of the Tianjingshan fault (TJSF) has been debated for several decades. Here, we measured displacements of geomorphic landforms and dated landform ages at two sites along the TJSF, to determine a late Pleistocene to Holocene slip rate of ~1.1 ± 0.2 mm/yr. We also derived a slip rate of ~1.1 ± 0.5 mm/yr using modern GPS data. Finally, by correlating available offset measurements with trenching-derived paleoseismic data, we obtained an average Holocene slip rate of ~1.2 ± 0.1 mm/yr for the TJSF. These fault slip rates over different time scales are in good agreement and are well constrained to 1.1 ± 0.2 mm/yr. The kinematics of the TJSF suggest that the TJSF has played an important role in accommodating the tectonic deformation of the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Highlights • The slip rates of the TJSF over different time scales are in good agreement and are well constrained to 1.1 ± 0.2 mm/yr; • The fault behavior of the TJSF is characterized by a lower left-lateral slip rate. • The TJSF accommodates complex deformation between the Tibetan Plateau, Alashan block, and Ordos block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper-cobalt hybrid oxide (CuCoO-H) microflowers were prepared by a cost-effective and facile two-step growth-annealing approach toward supercapacitor electrode materials. The unique architecture obtained by adjusting the calcination atmosphere, ultrathin nanosheets with small nanocrystallites providing high specific surface area and appropriate mesoporous structure enhancing electrolyte penetration, as well as synergistic effect among CuCo 2 O 4 , Cu 2 O and CoO makes the CuCoO-H display excellent electrochemical performances, showing the advantages of novel hybrid strategy, which shed new light on searching cheap and efficient electrode materials for supercapacitors. The CuCoO-H electrodes showed outstanding electrochemical stability, after 10,000 cycles of measurements at a current density of 3 A g −1 , retaining 99.4% of the initial specific capacitances and impressive high-rate capability (405.36 F g −1 at 20 A g −1 ). Furthermore, the CuCoO-H as the positive electrode and active carbon as the negative electrode constitute an asymmetric supercapacitor, exhibiting a high energy density of 32.2 W h kg −1 at the power density of 644 W kg −1 . At last, two asymmetric supercapacitors were assembled in series to light a red commercial light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for the practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies have shown that the growth of the Qilian Shan, the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, started ~10 Ma ago. However, when and how it expanded northwards is still under debate. Here we focus on the rock uplift pattern of the Yumu Shan, an active fault-related fold in the Hexi Corridor north to the Qilian Shan. Normalized channel steepness achieved from the analysis of river longitudinal profiles shows a spatially variant rock uplift pattern, with higher rates in the middle part and lower rates towards the west and east tips. The compression of the mountain is typically accommodated by fault-fold related shortening and vertical thickening. Apatite fission track thermochronology reveals that the growth of the Yumu Shan started ~4 Ma ago, similar to the work on active tectonics. Combining the onset ages of the growth of the Qilian Shan (10 Ma), Laojunmiao anticline (3–4 Ma), Baiyanghe anticline (3–4 Ma), Wenshu Shan (4.5 Ma) and Heli Shan (2 Ma), we draw an conclusion that the NE margin of the Tibetan Plateau initiated growth in the mid-Miocene and expanded to the Hexi Corridor and to the south of the Alxa block in the early Pleistocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropomyosin polymerizes along actin filaments and together with troponin regulates muscle contraction in a Ca-dependent manner. Actin-binding periods are homologous residues, which repeat along tropomyosin sequence, form tropomyosin-actin interface and determine regulatory functions. To learn how period 3 is involved in tropomyosin functions we examined effects of two mutations in Tpm1.1, I92T and V95A, which have been linked to dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathies characterized respectively by hyper- and hypocontractile phenotypes. In this work the functional consequences of both mutations were studied in vitro by using actin thin filaments reconstituted in the presence of mutant Tpm1.1 homodimers carrying the substitutions in both tropomyosin chains, Tpm1.1 heterodimers with substitution only in one Tpm1.1 chain, and Tpm1.1/Tpm2.2 heterodimers with substitution in Tpm1.1 chain and wild type Tpm2.2 in the second chain. The presence of the substitution I92T decreased the tropomyosin affinity for actin, abolished Ca 2+ -dependent activation of the actomyosin ATPase, decreased the sensitivity of the tropomyosin-troponin complex to subsaturating Ca 2+ concentrations and reduced the cooperativity of the myosin-induced transition of the thin filament to a fully active state. The substitution V95A had opposite effects: increased actin affinity, increased the actomyosin ATPase activity above the level observed for wild type Tpm and increased cooperativity of myosin-induced activation of the thin filaments reconstructed with homo- and heterodimers of tropomyosin. Substitutions I92T and V95A were dominant, but the formation of heterodimers modified the effects observed for homodimers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new type of single crystallite PbBiO 2 X (X = Cl, Br and I) square-like nanoplates with several hundreds nanometers in length are synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method. The band structure and hehavior of charge carriers for the nanoplates are investigated experimentally and theoretically. The halogen elements are closely related to the indirect narrow band gap(2.61 eV, 2.51 eV and 2.38 eV for PbBiO 2 Cl, PbBiO 2 Br and PbBiO 2 I, respectively). The PbBiO 2 X square-like nanoplates exhibit improved photocatalytic performance on degradation of organic pollutant under visible irradiation, owing to their novel nanostructure and efficient photoelectric conversion. This work demonstrates that PbBiO 2 X nanoplates can be considered as a promising photocatalyst and offer a better understanding about other halogen group elements related semiconductors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uniform nanoporous CuO mesocrystals are synthesized through a low-temperature hydrothermal strategy. The ordered CuO mesocrystal superstructures are assembled by the adsorption of small n -butylamine molecules, which can be easily removed during the subsequent washing process. The CuO mesocrystals demonstrate excellent electrochemical performance for both lithium storage and supercapacitors as compared with CuO single crystals and polycrystals. Our study reveals the structure-performance relationship among the electrochemical performance, morphology, and crystallography construction, which can guide us to optimize the structure of electrode materials for energy storage system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

rGO wrapped three-dimensional (3D) CuS ordered nanoerythrocytes (CuS-OEs/rGO) were fabricated in the presence of ionic liquid ([BMIm]Cl) and GO under solvothermal conditions and investigated as electrode materials for supercapacitors. CuS-OEs/rGO exhibited high specific capacity, good rate capability, and excellent cycling stability, compared with two-dimensional (2D) CuS disordered nanoplates/rGO (CuS-DPs/rGO) and three-dimensional (3D) CuS disordered nanoflowers (CuS-DFs). Furthermore, CuS-OEs/rGO based asymmetric supercapacitor displayed impressive rate performance (retain 69.8% at 10 A g −1 ), outstanding cyclability (capacitance retention of 90.8% after 10000 cycles at 2 A g −1 ), and high-energy density (16.7 Wh kg −1 at a power density of 681 W kg −1 ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under assistance of ionic liquid, the Cu 2 O crystal was successfully synthesized by a simple solution-phase method with several morphologies, including octahedrals, truncated octahedrals, facet-etched octahedrals, particle-coated octahedrals and aggregated spheres. The morphology of Cu 2 O crystals can easily be modified by tuning the adding amounts of ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide. A possible growth mechanism for the crystal products can be suggested based on the DFT+ D calculation and experiments. Under visible-light irradiation (λ > 420 nm), the obtained Cu 2 O samples show an outstanding performance during photodegrading methylene blue (MB) dye. The higher photocatalytic activity for MB photodegradation by the Cu 2 O facet-etched octahedrals comparing to octahedrals can be attributed to the formation of surface heterojunction between (1 0 0) and (1 1 1) facets. Therefore, the ionic liquid-assisted solution-phase syntheses would be potentially useful in the fields of catalyst production for photodegrading hazardous pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present results from a detailed investigation of the horizontal displacement distribution, timing of paleoearthquakes and left-lateral slip rate on the western Tianjingshan fault. Measurements of 240 offset streams and ridges confirm that the fault is left-lateral and record evidence of repeated ∼3–4 m coseismic offsets along the 60–km–long fault. This suggests that ∼6 earthquakes may have occurred along the entire western Tianjingshan fault with repeated occurrence of earthquakes of Mw 7.2–7.5. Structural and stratigraphic relationships exposed in our five trenches in combination with previously reported studies further indicate that the fault has ruptured in as many as six paleoearthquakes since the late Quaternary. Paleoseismic data show that the average recurrence interval for Holocene earthquakes is approximately 5,000 yr. The most recent earthquake along the western Tianjingshan fault occurred ∼1.2 ± 0.1 kyr BP, indicating that this fault segment did not rupture in the M 7.5 historical earthquake of 1709 that ruptured the central Tianjingshan fault. We estimate that the Holocene slip rate of the western Tianjingshan fault is ∼1.1–1.2 mm/yr based on measurements of the age and offset of stream channels. Compared with the relatively fast slip rate of the Haiyuan fault (∼4–6 mm/yr), we suggest that the Tianjingshan fault acts as an essential active fault accommodating the sinistral displacement and crustal shortening deformation in NE Tibet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conventional view of crustal deformation in the reactivated Tianshan orogenic belt is strong north–south (N-S) compression accommodated by a series of east–west (E–W)-striking thrust faults. Here, we record a non-negligible strike-slip component of present-day crustal deformation, that has not been previously been well-documented. Thus, we are able to constrain deformation and slip partitioning pattern associated with the ongoing India-Eurasia collision in the Tianshan region. In the Tianshan orogenic belt, three groups of structures of the E–W-striking faults, the ENE-striking faults and the NW-striking faults present different orientations and kinematics and control the present-day crustal deformation. In this study, we determine the kinematics and slip rates on major structural belts based on the global position system (GPS) data, and combine the active faults and tectonic geomorphology to quantify the slip partitioning in the Tianshan region. Our results reveal that the foreland thrust systems accommodate most of the crustal shortening, while the ENE-striking faults undergo left-lateral shear of ∼6 mm/yr within the western Tianshan mountains and ∼ 1–2 mm/yr within the middle and eastern Tianshan mountains. The active deformation caused by NNE-directed penetration of the Tarim Basin is partitioned onto low-angle thrust faulting in the foreland basins and high-angle sinistral thrust faulting in the range interior. We therefore suggest a mega-flower structure for the Tianshan orogenic belt. The NW-striking faults in the northern Tianshan demonstrate dominantly dextral faulting, which accommodates the residual strain across the Tianshan mountains, and are conjugate to the ENE-striking sinistral thrust faults. The tectonic deformation in the entire Tianshan region associated with the ongoing India-Eurasia collision involves thrust faulting, crustal shortening, conjugate strike-slip faulting and crustal rotation. The cold and strong lithospheric blocks embedded in the soft lithospheric Tianshan act as stable supporting units to localize strain, and their spatial distribution and scale drive the dynamic deformation and slip partitioning processes. Our study reveals certain crustal deformation patterns of left-lateral faulting and high strain zones in the Tianshan interior that were previously not well documented suggest the high seismic geohazard zones with the mountain range in addition to the foreland thrust systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of a simple, highly selective, and sensitive analytical method for phthalate monoesters (mPAEs) remains a challenge due to the complexity of biological samples. To address this issue, Cu2+ immobilized magnetic covalent organic frameworks (Fe 3 O 4 @TtDt@Cu2+ composites) with core-shell structures were prepared to enhance the enrichment efficiency of mPAEs by a facile approach synthesis of COFs shells with inherent bifunctional groups on Fe 3 O 4 NPs and further Cu2+ immobilization. The composites exhibit high specific surface area (348.1 m2 g−1), outstanding saturation magnetization (34.94 emu g−1), ordered mesoporous structure, Cu2+ immobilization, and excellent thermal stability. Accordingly, a magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) pretreatment technique based on Cu2+ immobilized COF composites combined with high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was established, and key parameters including the adsorbent amount, adsorption time, elution solvent, etc. were examined in detail. The developed analytical method showed wide linear ranges (10–8000 ng L−1), low limit of detections (LODs, 2–10 ng L−1), and good correlation coefficients (R2 ≥ 0.9904) for the five mPAEs. Furthermore, the analytical method was also successfully applied to the highly sensitive detection of metabolite mPAEs in mouse plasma samples, indicating the promising application of the Fe 3 O 4 @TtDt@Cu2+ composites as a quick and efficient adsorbent in the sample pretreatment. A facile approach was used to synthesize Cu2+-immobilized magnetic covalent organic framework composites, which can be used as a new adsorbent for the efficient enrichment of five phthalate monoesters (mPAEs) from mouse plasma samples. [Display omitted] • Cu2+-immobilized magnetic COFs were synthesized via a facile approach. • The Cu2+-immobilized magnetic COFs exhibited high adsorption performance for mPAEs. • The MSPE combined with HPLC-MS/MS method was simple, fast, and highly sensitive. • The developed method can be employed to detect mPAEs in mouse plasma samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesoporous titanium dioxide sub-microspheres (MS TiO 2 ) have been prepared by a facile one-step hydrothermal synthesis method with the existence of 1-carboxyethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid ([HOOCEMIM][Cl] (IL) ). The [HOOCEMIM][Cl] (IL) used in the experiment played a crucial role in triggering self-assembly of primary TiO 2 nanoparticles. The obtained MS TiO 2 material has an excellent porous structure with a large pore volume of 0.792 cm 3 g −1 and a large specific surface area of 291.08 m 2 g −1 . This unique structure can realize effective contact between host material and lithium polysulfide intermediates, thus promote the adsorption performance chemically. In addition, the 3D mesoporous structure can physically confine the intermediate products to the electrode and also accommodate the volume expansion of sulfur upon cycling. The MS TiO 2 and sulfur (MS TiO 2 -S) composite cathode exhibited superior rate capacity and long term cycling stability than that of the commercial TiO 2 and sulfur (C TiO 2 -S) composite cathode, displaying a very low capacity decay rate of 0.07% per cycle over 300 cycles. Even when the sulfur content of the MS TiO 2 -S composite is up to 84 wt.%, the capacity decay rate still remains at a relatively low level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the regional scale topography of the Qilian Shan on the northeastern margin of the Tibetan plateau. Longitudinal profiles and geomorphometric indices, such as slope, local relief and channel steepness reveal that the Qilian Shan was developed as a local plateau with high-relief steep marginal ranges, and interior low-relief topography. Landscape mapping across this local plateau revealed spatially varied origins of the low-relief landscape in the Qilian Shan. North of the Haiyuan fault, universal massive intermontane aggradation was identified. However, the low-relief plateau to the south of the Haiyuan fault was dominated by relict erosional surfaces, even though accompany basin-filling still contributes. The geomorphologic contrasts led us to integrate both the basin-filling processes and antecedent low-relief erosional surfaces into a new insight into the development of the Qilian Shan plateau in the northeastern Tibet. Our present study highlights that explanation for the low-relief plateau formation needs to consider the complex geological evolution of the Qilian Shan, and the Tibetan Plateau itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intense compression following the India-Asia collision is responsible for basin sedimentation and deformation in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Despite significant advances in elucidating basin development and associated deformation, debate continues regarding the onset of basin sedimentation along the plateau margin. One of the debated issues is whether the Cenozoic basin sedimentation was a response to deformation soon after plate collision at approximately 50 Ma, or if it was related to a former stress field overprinted by an expanded plateau 20–30 Ma later. To address this issue, a complete spatiotemporal pattern of deformation is central to understanding the basin development linked to plateau growth. Here, we report new deformation constraints in the Baima Basin, a depocenter located on the northern margin of the Arcuate Ranges area (AR), northeastern Tibetan Plateau. A combination of high-resolution magnetostratigraphic results, 10Be/26Al cosmogenic nuclide burial ages and previous chronological constraints provides a prolonged sedimentary history, containing the onset of a N–S-trending normal-faulting basin in the late Eocene, basin subsidence for predominant deposition at 13.6–6.0 Ma and dextral transpression since 6.0 Ma. In the predominant deposition stage, the basin accumulated upward fining sediments under a relatively stable climate context. Dextral transpression along the N–S-striking fault disrupted the once prevailing subsidence at ca. 6.0 Ma, resulting in growth strata, an increase in coarse-grained deposits and lower accumulation rates in the Baima Basin. Dextral strike-slip was probably caused by stepwise forward propagation beginning approximately 8 Ma in the AR, which may be related to late Miocene plateau-scale strike-slip motion. These new data imply that predominant sedimentation and basin deformation in response to plateau expansion could have occurred much later than the onset of the basin. • Predominant basin sedimentation by normal faulting prevailed around ca. 13–8 Ma. • Stepwise forward compression overprinted the normal-faulting basins since ca. 8 Ma. • Growth strata indicate northward compression since ca. 6 Ma in the Baima Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]