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Nitrogen‐doped cavities are pervasive in graphenic materials, and represent key sites for catalytic and electrochemical activity. However, their structures are generally heterogeneous. In this study, we present the synthesis of a well‐defined molecular cutout of graphene featuring N‐doped cavity. The graphitization of a macrocyclic pyridinic precursor was achieved through photochemical cyclodehydrochlorination. In comparison to its counterpart with pyridinic nitrogen at the edges, the pyridinic nitrogen atoms in this nanographene cavity exhibit significantly reduced basicity and selective binding to Ag+ ion. Analysis of the protonation and coordination equilibria revealed that the tri‐N‐doped cavity binds three protons, but only one Ag+ ion. These distinct protonation and coordination behaviors clearly illustrate the space confinement effect imparted by the cavities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen‐doped cavities are pervasive in graphenic materials, and represent key sites for catalytic and electrochemical activity. However, their structures are generally heterogeneous. In this study, we present the synthesis of a well‐defined molecular cutout of graphene featuring N‐doped cavity. The graphitization of a macrocyclic pyridinic precursor was achieved through photochemical cyclodehydrochlorination. In comparison to its counterpart with pyridinic nitrogen at the edges, the pyridinic nitrogen atoms in this nanographene cavity exhibit significantly reduced basicity and selective binding to Ag+ ion. Analysis of the protonation and coordination equilibria revealed that the tri‐N‐doped cavity binds three protons, but only one Ag+ ion. These distinct protonation and coordination behaviors clearly illustrate the space confinement effect imparted by the cavities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the policy package pilot implemented in Hubei Province, China, in April 2020 as a natural experiment, we use the synthetic control (SC) and synthetic difference in differences (SDID) methods to estimate the impact of the Chinese government's support policy on the economic resilience and to analyze the mechanisms by which it impacts. This study finds that the policy package has contributed to the growth of economic resilience in the pilot provinces, with the policy package increasing the average economic resilience of the pilot provinces by 0.062 compared to their potential resilience. The validity and robustness of the above conclusions are objectively confirmed by multidimensional quantitative outcomes such as placebo tests, ranking tests, and replacements in calculating resilience. The mechanism analysis shows that the investment in real estate development, the stimulus for consumption, and the core industry development are virtual channels for the policy package to promote economic resilience growth in the pilot provinces. Moreover, traditional investment in transportation fixed assets plays a minor role. This paper quantitatively corroborates the academic idea that government governance capacity affects regional economic resilience (RER), and research can provide empirical support for regional economic recovery and policy support under a major crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electric vehicle thermal management system (EVTMS) plays a crucial role in ensuring battery efficiency, driving range, and passenger comfort. However, EVTMSs still face unresolved challenges, such as accurate modeling, compensating for temperature variations, and achieving efficient control strategies. Addressing these issues is crucial for enhancing the performance, reliability, and energy efficiency of electric vehicles. Therefore, this study presents a cooling EVTMS model, considering both the battery pack temperature and the cabin comfort, and utilizes the prediction of neural network as a feedforward in a fuzzy PI controller to compensate for the model temperature variations. The simulation results reveal that, compared with PI controller and MPC, the neural network fuzzy PI (NN-Fuzzy PI) controller can well predict and compensate for the system's nonlinear characteristics as well as the time-delay caused by heat transfer, achieving superior control performance and reducing energy consumption. The battery pack temperature and PMV fluctuations are effectively constrained within [−0.5, 0.5] and [−0.1, 0.1], reducing up to 150% and 164%, and the energy consumption of the pump and compressor are reduced by up to 0.23 and 100.1 KJ , with ranges of 18% and 2.68%. Meanwhile, the neural network feedforward also works effectively in different controllers. The findings of this research can provide valuable insights for TMS engineers to select advanced control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many geo‐engineering applications, for example, enhanced geothermal systems, rely on hydraulic fracturing to enhance the permeability of natural formations and allow for sufficient fluid circulation. Over the past few decades, the phase‐field method has grown in popularity as a valid approach to modeling hydraulic fracturing because of the ease of handling complex fracture propagation geometries. However, existing phase‐field methods cannot appropriately capture nucleation of hydraulic fractures because their formulations are solely energy‐based and do not explicitly take into account the strength of the material. Thus, in this work, we propose a novel phase‐field formulation for hydraulic fracturing with the main goal of modeling fracture nucleation in porous media, for example, rocks. Built on the variational formulation of previous phase‐field methods, the proposed model incorporates the material strength envelope for hydraulic fracture nucleation through two important steps: (i) an external driving force term, included in the damage evolution equation, that accounts for the material strength; (ii) a properly designed damage function that defines the fluid pressure contribution on the crack driving force. The comparison of numerical results for two‐dimensional test cases with existing analytical solutions demonstrates that the proposed phase‐field model can accurately model both nucleation and propagation of hydraulic fractures. Additionally, we present the simulation of hydraulic fracturing in a three‐dimensional domain with various stress conditions to demonstrate the applicability of the method to realistic scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many geo‐engineering applications, for example, enhanced geothermal systems, rely on hydraulic fracturing to enhance the permeability of natural formations and allow for sufficient fluid circulation. Over the past few decades, the phase‐field method has grown in popularity as a valid approach to modeling hydraulic fracturing because of the ease of handling complex fracture propagation geometries. However, existing phase‐field methods cannot appropriately capture nucleation of hydraulic fractures because their formulations are solely energy‐based and do not explicitly take into account the strength of the material. Thus, in this work, we propose a novel phase‐field formulation for hydraulic fracturing with the main goal of modeling fracture nucleation in porous media, for example, rocks. Built on the variational formulation of previous phase‐field methods, the proposed model incorporates the material strength envelope for hydraulic fracture nucleation through two important steps: (i) an external driving force term, included in the damage evolution equation, that accounts for the material strength; (ii) a properly designed damage function that defines the fluid pressure contribution on the crack driving force. The comparison of numerical results for two‐dimensional test cases with existing analytical solutions demonstrates that the proposed phase‐field model can accurately model both nucleation and propagation of hydraulic fractures. Additionally, we present the simulation of hydraulic fracturing in a three‐dimensional domain with various stress conditions to demonstrate the applicability of the method to realistic scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceramic additive manufacturing (AM) typically uses a high fraction of organic binders to form pre-sintered green parts that require a post de-binding process to remove. The de-binding process inevitably results in severe gas expansion and residual chars, leading to structural defects, accumulated stress, and compromised material properties in the final parts. Here we report a binder-free additive manufacturing process named hydrothermal-assisted jet fusion (HJF) that utilizes a hydrothermal method to create geometrically and compositionally complex ceramics under mild temperatures. The HJF process employs a selectively deposited volatile dissolving ink, high pressure, and mild heat to strategically fuse a ceramic powder bed into complex geometries. Compared to traditional AM methods for ceramics, the HJF process eliminates the need for organic binders in green part fabrication and offers the potential to directly co-print ceramics with other dissimilar materials, such as polymers and metals, enabling the development of novel multi-functional ceramic composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anisotropy is an intrinsic property of crystalline materials. However, the photoluminescence anisotropy in eutectic crystals of organometallic complexes has remained unexplored. Herein, the eutectic of polynuclear lanthanide complexes and Ag clusters was prepared, and the crystal shows significant photoluminescence anisotropy. The polarization anisotropy of emission δ and degree of excitation polarization P are 2.62 and 0.53, respectively. The rare excitation polarization properties have been proved to be related to the regular arrangement of electric transition dipole moments of luminescent molecules in the crystal. Our design provides a reference for developing new photoluminescence anisotropy materials and expanding their applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anisotropy is an intrinsic property of crystalline materials. However, the photoluminescence anisotropy in eutectic crystals of organometallic complexes has remained unexplored. Herein, the eutectic of polynuclear lanthanide complexes and Ag clusters was prepared, and the crystal shows significant photoluminescence anisotropy. The polarization anisotropy of emission δ and degree of excitation polarization P are 2.62 and 0.53, respectively. The rare excitation polarization properties have been proved to be related to the regular arrangement of electric transition dipole moments of luminescent molecules in the crystal. Our design provides a reference for developing new photoluminescence anisotropy materials and expanding their applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the effects of different ZnO-decorated graphene (Graphene-ZnO) proportions on the comprehensive properties of Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) nanocomposites were investigated. The results show that the nanocomposites have stronger mechanical properties, higher thermal stability, greater crystallinity, better barrier ability, and excellent antibacterial property due to the influence of Graphene-ZnO. The tensile strength, crystallinity, melting temperature, thermal stability and barrier performance of the nanocomposites reached the maximum when Graphene-ZnO with a content of 0.2 phr was added. Compared with pure PBS, when Graphene-ZnO was added to PBS at 0.2 phr, the tensile strength, yield strength, elongation at break and moisture barrier performance of PBS were significantly increased by 22.5%, 31.34% ,62.84% and 42.57% respectively. This improvement in barrier performance might be attributed to the presence of Graphene-ZnO extended the penetration path of molecules and the coordination from PBS and Graphene-ZnO, so as to narrow the H2O transmission path. The results of the buried soil test show that the weight loss rate of the nanocomposite increased with increase Graphene-ZnO content, which may be caused by boundary defects between nanofiller and matrix, and poor compatibility at high content of Graphene-ZnO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polylactide (PLA) is one of the most promising polymers that has been widely used for the repair of damaged tissues due to its biocompatibility and biodegradability. PLA composites with multiple properties, such as mechanical properties and osteogenesis, have been widely investigated. Herein, PLA/graphene oxide (GO)/parathyroid hormone (rhPTH(1-34)) nanofiber membranes were prepared using a solution electrospinning method. The tensile strength of the PLA/GO/rhPTH(1-34) membranes was 2.64 MPa, nearly 110% higher than that of a pure PLA sample (1.26 MPa). The biocompatibility and osteogenic differentiation test demonstrated that the addition of GO did not markedly affect the biocompatibility of PLA, and the alkaline phosphatase activity of PLA/GO/rhPTH(1-34) membranes was about 2.3-times that of PLA. These results imply that the PLA/GO/rhPTH(1-34) composite membrane may be a candidate material for bone tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the Barton–Bandis model for rock joints is extended to cyclic loading conditions, without any new material parameter. Also developed herein is an implicit solution algorithm for the extended Barton–Bandis model, which can also be used for the original Barton–Bandis model for which an implicit algorithm has been unavailable. To this end, we first cast the Barton–Bandis model into an incremental elasto‐plastic framework, deriving an expression for the elastic shear stiffness being consistent with the original model formulation. We then extend the model formulation to cyclic loading conditions, incorporating the dependence of shear stress and dilation on the joint position and the shearing direction. The extension is achieved by introducing a few state‐dependent variables which can be calculated with the existing material parameters. For robust and accurate utilization of the model, we also develop an implicit algorithm based on return mapping, which is unconditionally stable and guarantees the satisfaction of the strength criterion. We verify that the proposed model formulation and algorithm produce virtually the same results as the original Barton–Bandis model under monotonic shearing conditions. We then validate the extended Barton–Bandis model against experimental data on natural rock joints under cycling loading conditions. The present work thus enables the Barton–Bandis model, which has been exceptionally popular in research and practice, to be applicable to a wider range of problems in rock mechanics and rock engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite its critical role in the study of earthquake processes, numerical simulation of the entire stages of fault rupture remains a formidable task. The main challenges in simulating a fault rupture process include the complex evolution of fault geometry, frictional contact, and off‐fault damage over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. Here, we develop a phase‐field model for quasi‐dynamic fault nucleation, growth, and propagation, which features two standout advantages: (i) it does not require any sophisticated algorithms to represent fault geometry and its evolution; and (ii) it allows for modeling fault nucleation, propagation, and off‐fault damage processes with a single formulation. Built on a recently developed phase‐field framework for shear fractures with frictional contact, the proposed formulation incorporates rate‐ and state‐dependent friction, radiation damping, and their impacts on fault mechanics and off‐fault damage. We show that the numerical results of the phase‐field model are consistent with those obtained from well‐verified approaches that model the fault as a surface of discontinuity, without suffering from the mesh convergence issue in the existing continuous approaches to fault rupture (e.g., the stress glut method). Further, through numerical examples of fault propagation in various settings, we demonstrate that the phase‐field approach may open new opportunities for investigating complex earthquake processes that have remained overly challenging for the existing numerical methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies in Botrytis cinerea showed that resistance to methyl benzimidazole carbamates (MBCs) was mainly related to E198A/V/K and F200Y mutations of the β-tubulin gene, and El98V was the dominant mutation in the resistant subpopulation in Hubei Province of China, indicating that resistant mutations might influence fitness. However, little is known about the effect of each E198 A/V/K mutation on fitness. In this study, the fitness and competitive ability of isolates with E198A/V/K mutations were investigated. Results showed that E198A/V/K isolates and wild-type isolates shared similar fitness components in terms of virulence, sporulation, conidial germination, oxidative sensitivity, and sclerotial production and viability. However, slower mycelial growth at 4°C, higher sensitivity to 4% NaCl, and increased sclerotial production percentage at 4°C were observed in the isolates with E198V, E198K, and E198A mutations, respectively. Competitive analysis showed that the wild-type subpopulation became dominant after three disease cycles in the absence of fungicide selection pressure, whereas the resistant subpopulation seized the space of the sensitive subpopulation upon MBC application. Unexpectedly, the frequency of El98V isolates decreased dramatically after the first disease cycle with or without fungicide selection pressure. These results suggest that MBC-resistant isolates suffer little fitness penalty but possess competitive disadvantages in the absence of fungicide selection pressure. Under fungicide selection pressure. El98V isolates could not compete with E198A/K isolates. According to the current results, there is a great possibility that the El98V mutation will lose dominance in the future in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The disease caused by Micropterus salmoides rhabdovirus (MSRV) has brought substantial economic losses to the largemouth bass aquaculture industry in China. Vaccination was considered as a potential way to prevent and control this disease. As a kind of sustained and controlled release system, alginate and chitosan microspheres (SA‐CS) are widely used in the development of oral vaccination for fish. Here, we prepared a king of alginate‐chitosan composite microsphere to encapsulate the second segment of MSRV glycoprotein (G2 protein) and then evaluated the immune effect of the microsphere vaccine on largemouth bass. Largemouth bass were vaccinated via intragastric immunization by different treatments (PBS, SA‐CS, G2 and SA‐CS‐G2). The results showed that a stronger immune response including serum antibody levels, immune‐related physiological indexes (acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity) and the expression of immune‐related gene (IgM、IL‐8、IL‐1β、CD4、TGF‐β、TNF‐α) can be induced obviously with SA‐CS‐G2 groups compared with G2 groups when fish were vaccinated. Furthermore, fish were injected with a lethal dose of MSRV after immunization for 28 days, and the highest relative percentage survival (54.8%) was observed in SA‐CS‐G2 group (40 μg per fish), which is significantly higher than that of G2 group (25.8%). This study showed that alginate‐chitosan microspheres as the vaccine carrier can effectively improve the immune effect of oral vaccination and induce better immune protection effect against MSRV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shored mechanically stabilized earth (SMSE) walls have been increasingly applied in embankment widening projects because of their good mechanical performance, simple construction, low cost, and low site requirements. In this paper, several large-scale model tests were conducted to explore the mechanical behavior of the composite structures with different connection forms and relative densities, and the wall deformation, earth pressure, reinforcement strain, potential failure surface and the effects of the connection forms behind SMSE walls were also analyzed. The results show that the deformation of SMSE walls is mainly concentrated on the upper middle part, showing a "bulging" failure trend. The deformation of the SMSE walls can be effectively controlled by improving the relative density and adopting a "sandwich" connection behind the walls. The horizontal earth pressure against the SMSE wall facing shows a "K"-shaped distribution, and the vertical earth pressure is large in the upper part and small in the lower part. The potential failure surface originated at the junction of the old and new retaining walls, forming a "double-line" failure surface. For a "sandwich" connection, the failure surface moves forward and occurs where the primary and secondary reinforcements overlap, and this connection form is recommended in engineering practice. • Several large-scale model tests were carried out to explore the mechanical behavior of shored mechanically stabilized earth (SMSE) walls. • Three typical connection forms with shoring walls were investigated in the tests, covering most possible situations in practice. • The influence of SMSE walls on rear shoring walls was considered in the tests. • The potential failure models of SMSE walls were revealed, and the "sandwich" connection was highly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have shown that the self-healing properties of modified polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer are primarily attributed to hydrogen bonding with modified silica. The addition of modified silica can improve the tensile strength of the PDMS matrix, as the modified silica and modified PDMS blend groups generate more hydrogen bonding interactions, resulting in better self-healing properties. However, as the proportion of silica in the system gradually increases, the rigid particles cause a slight decrease in the tensile property of the material. Consequently, it is crucial to strike a balance between the desired mechanical properties and the self-healing capabilities when investigating this subject matter. To investigate the self-healing behavior of PDMS elastomer, a molecular dynamics technique based on a microcracking model was employed. During the compounding process, isocyanate-modified nanosilica was added to the polysiloxane matrix.The ratio of soft and hard segments, which determines the number of hydrogen bonds, was optimized by varying the silica addition ratio from 1 % to 5 %. The performance of the samples was analyzed using several calculations, including Fraction of Free Volume (FFV), Mean Square Displacement function (MSD), and Relative Concentration (RC).The results revealed that the highest self-healing performance and fastest self-healing rate were achieved when the silica addition ratio was 3 %. All tested structures displayed efficient healing within a short time frame. The primary hydrogen bonding exchanges occurred between the urea and UPy groups within the system.Furthermore, the experimental results aligned with the findings from the molecular dynamics simulations, thereby validating this study. [Display omitted] • By blending UPy-NCO modified silica with modified PDMS, an elastomer with outstanding self-healing capabilities was successfully synthesized. • This method not only endowed the elastomer with self-healing property but also enhanced its tensile strength and elongation at break. • Through molecular dynamics simulation, the self-healing mechanism of the elastomer was further elucidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mulberry (Morus alba L.) fruit is a fruit with nutritional and medicinal value. It is widely cultivated in different regions of China, which may result in differences in its chemical composition. In this research, 25 mulberry fruit samples from six provinces in China were investigated. The contents of anthocyanins were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The contents of two main anthocyanins, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside (C3R), ranged from 0.656 ± 0.006 mg/g to 4.367 ± 0.243 mg/g and from 0.226 ± 0.007 mg/g to 1.649 ± 0.013 mg/g, respectively. Additionally, the contents of total phenolic, total flavonoid, vitamin C, titratable acids, reducing sugars and antioxidant capacity (FRAP, DPPH, scavenging and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity) were also assessed. The results and principal component analysis showed that the Zhongsang 5801 variety from Sichuan, Dechang had the greatest health value with the highest active compound contents. Based on our analysis, the variety from Sichuan, Dechang is a high-quality plant source for mulberry fruit cultivation. This research provides a basis for the rational development and utilization of mulberry fruit resources in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase‐field modeling—a continuous approach to discontinuities—is gaining popularity for simulating rock fractures due to its ability to handle complex, discontinuous geometry without an explicit surface tracking algorithm. None of the existing phase‐field models, however, incorporates the impact of surface roughness on the mechanical response of fractures—such as elastic deformability and shear‐induced dilation—despite the importance of this behavior for subsurface systems. To fill this gap, here we introduce the first framework for phase‐field modeling of rough rock fractures. The framework transforms a displacement‐jump‐based discrete constitutive model for discontinuities into a strain‐based continuous model, without any additional parameter, and then casts it into a phase‐field formulation for frictional interfaces. We illustrate the framework by constructing a particular phase‐field form employing a rock joint model originally formulated for discrete modeling. The results obtained by the new formulation show excellent agreement with those of a well‐established discrete method for a variety of problems ranging from shearing of a single discontinuity to compression of fractured rocks. It is further demonstrated that the phase‐field formulation can well simulate complex crack growth from rough discontinuities. Consequently, our phase‐field framework provides an unprecedented bridge between a discrete constitutive model for rough discontinuities—common in rock mechanics—and the continuous finite element method—standard in computational mechanics—without any algorithm to explicitly represent discontinuity geometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nanomaterial in the form of zinc oxide-doped multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs-ZnO) was synthesized, and new nanocomposites were prepared by blending together different amounts of poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) as matrix and MWCNTs–ZnO as fillers in a torque rheometer with an internal mixer. MWCNTs-ZnO enhanced the barrier performance of PPS in terms of crystallinity, path blocking, and coordination reaction. Through tensile test, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, evaluation of Escherichia coli inhibition, and water permeability, the properties of pure PPS and PPS/MWCNTs-ZnO nanocomposites were characterized and compared. The results showed that MWCNTs-ZnO played a role in heterogeneous nucleation. When the content of MWCNTs-ZnO was 0.4 phr, the crystallization temperature, thermostability, tensile strength, elongation at break, and hydrophilicity approached maximum values, and the microscopic morphology changed from the original brittle fracture to a ductile fracture. PPS/MWCNTs-ZnO nanocomposites showed improved barrier performance due to three possible factors: (1) extending the transmission path due to the presence of nanofillers; (2) enhancing crystallization; (3) coordination between PPS and MWCNTs-ZnO. Finally, FTIR analysis showed that PPS and MWCNTs-ZnO formed coordination between them, which improved the properties of nanocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to predict defects occurring in magnesium alloy tube bending through finite element simulations. Deformation tests were conducted to identify and characterize plastic anisotropy, tension-compression asymmetry, and anisotropic hardening behaviors of extruded Mg–Al–Zn-RE alloy rectangular tubes. Limited by size, the deformation tests along the wall thickness of specimens were conducted through crystal plasticity analysis. To thoroughly investigate the material constitutive features affecting bending, two constitutive models, Yoon2014 and Hill48, were established and calibrated. The non-associative flow rule was adopted, and anisotropic hardening was depicted using the yield-surface interpolation method. In comparison, the Yoon2014 model accurately predicted the strain distribution and tube shape collapse of the bent tube with negligible deviation from the experimental data, prior to the Hill48 model. This underscores the necessity of considering comprehensive plasticity models in tube bending simulations. [Display omitted] • Plastic constitutive behavior of Mg alloy extruded tube is meticulously characterized. • Constitutive models considering asymmetrical and anisotropic plasticity are built. • Strain distribution and shape defects of bent Mg alloy tube are accurately predicted. • Asymmetrical plasticity of Mg aggravates buckling and wall thickening of bent tube. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With improvements in urban waste management to promote sustainable development, an increasing number of waste types need to be sorted and treated separately. Due to the relatively low amount of waste generated in small- and medium-sized cities, separate treatment facilities for each waste type lack scale, waste is treated at a high cost and low efficiency. Therefore, industrial symbiosis principles are suggested to be used to guide collaborative waste treatment system of multi-source solid wastes, and co-incineration is the most commonly used technology. Most existing studies have focused on co-incineration of one certain waste type (such as sludge or medical waste) with municipal solid waste (MSW), but the systematic design and the comprehensive benefits on a whole city and park level have not been widely studied. Taking the actual operation of a multi-source waste co-incineration park in south-central China as an example, this study conducted a detailed analysis of the waste-energy-water metabolism process of MSW, sludge, food waste, and medical waste co-incineration. The environmental and economic benefits were evaluated and compared with the single decentralized waste treatment mode. The results showed that the multi-source waste co-incineration and clustering park operating model was comprehensively superior to the single treatment mode, greenhouse gases and human toxicity indicators were decreased by 11.87% and 295.74%, respectively, and the internal rate of return of the project was increased by 29.35%. This mainly benefits from the synergy of technical system and the economies of scale. Finally, this research proposed policy suggestions from systematic planning and design, technical route selection, and an innovative management mode in view of the potential challenges. • A multi-source waste co-incineration and clustering park was analyzed. • Comparison was made with the decentralized single waste treatment mode. • Co-incineration is much better in both environmental and economic aspects. • The system mainly benefits from the integrated design and the economies of scale. • Systematic design, construction, operation and joint management are crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poisson white noise is a typical non-Gaussian process. It is generally utilized to model stationary loadings by the assumed constant impulse arrival rate. Much research work has been done on that. However, the actual impulse arrival times of some discrete loadings are not uniform in the given time duration. The resulting arrival rate is a time-varying function instead of a constant one. Corresponding Poisson process is non-homogeneous. Less work in the literature has been found. In this paper, a Poisson white noise process with a time-varying impulse arrival rate is considered in the excitation model. Under such excitation the response of nonlinear system is a Markov process. The resulting generalized time-dependent Fokker–Planck equation becomes more complicated. The perturbation method, combined with the exponential-polynomial closure (EPC) method, is utilized to solve this equation. Examples of typical nonlinear systems under non-homogeneous Poisson white noise excitations are investigated. The effect of time-varying impulse arrival rate on the response is illustrated. Numerical results show that the response statistical characteristics depend strongly on the impulse arrival rate. Large errors would generate if the arrival rate varies fast over time and is still treated as an average constant. • Stochastic response of nonlinear oscillators under non-homogeneous Poisson white noise excitation is investigated. • The improved perturbation method, combined with the EPC method, is utilized to solve the FPK equation. • The obtained approximate results agree well with the simulated ones, which has verified the efficiency of the proposed method. • Response statistical characteristics depends strongly on the impulse arrival rate, which indicates the non-Gaussianity of excitation cannot be ignored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crack initiation, growth, and coalescence in flawed rocks have been extensively studied for 2D (planar, penetrating) flaws under uniaxial/biaxial compression. However, little is known as to the mechanisms and processes of cracking from 3D flaws under true triaxial compression, where the intermediate principal stress (σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document}) is distinguished from the major and minor principal stresses. In this work, we systematically investigate the effects of σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document} on the 3D cracking behavior of rock specimens with preexisting flaws, through the use of mechanistic simulations of mixed-mode fracture in rocks. We explore how two characteristics of σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document}, namely, (i) its orientation with respect to the flaw and (ii) its magnitude, affect two aspects of the cracking behavior, namely, (i) the cracking pattern and (ii) the peak stress. Results show that the orientation of σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document} exerts more control over the cracking pattern than the flaw inclination angle. The peak stress becomes highest when σ1\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _1$$\end{document} is parallel to the flaw, whereas it becomes lowest when σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document} is parallel to the flaw. Also, the effects of σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document} magnitude are more significant when σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document} becomes more oblique to the flaw plane. On the basis of our observations, we propose mechanisms underlying the cracking behavior of 3D flawed rocks under true triaxial compression.The effects of the intermediate principal stress (σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document}) on the 3D cracking behavior of flawed rocks under true triaxial compression are systematically investigated.The orientation of σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document} exerts more control over the cracking pattern than the flaw inclination angle.The effects of σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document} magnitude become more significant when σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document} are more oblique to the flaw plane.Mechanisms underlying the cracking behavior of 3D flawed rocks under true triaxial compression are proposed based on the observations made.The effects of the intermediate principal stress (σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document}) on the 3D cracking behavior of flawed rocks under true triaxial compression are systematically investigated.The orientation of σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document} exerts more control over the cracking pattern than the flaw inclination angle.The effects of σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document} magnitude become more significant when σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document} are more oblique to the flaw plane.Mechanisms underlying the cracking behavior of 3D flawed rocks under true triaxial compression are proposed based on the observations made.Highlights: Crack initiation, growth, and coalescence in flawed rocks have been extensively studied for 2D (planar, penetrating) flaws under uniaxial/biaxial compression. However, little is known as to the mechanisms and processes of cracking from 3D flaws under true triaxial compression, where the intermediate principal stress (σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document}) is distinguished from the major and minor principal stresses. In this work, we systematically investigate the effects of σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document} on the 3D cracking behavior of rock specimens with preexisting flaws, through the use of mechanistic simulations of mixed-mode fracture in rocks. We explore how two characteristics of σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document}, namely, (i) its orientation with respect to the flaw and (ii) its magnitude, affect two aspects of the cracking behavior, namely, (i) the cracking pattern and (ii) the peak stress. Results show that the orientation of σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document} exerts more control over the cracking pattern than the flaw inclination angle. The peak stress becomes highest when σ1\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _1$$\end{document} is parallel to the flaw, whereas it becomes lowest when σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document} is parallel to the flaw. Also, the effects of σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document} magnitude are more significant when σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document} becomes more oblique to the flaw plane. On the basis of our observations, we propose mechanisms underlying the cracking behavior of 3D flawed rocks under true triaxial compression.The effects of the intermediate principal stress (σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document}) on the 3D cracking behavior of flawed rocks under true triaxial compression are systematically investigated.The orientation of σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document} exerts more control over the cracking pattern than the flaw inclination angle.The effects of σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document} magnitude become more significant when σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document} are more oblique to the flaw plane.Mechanisms underlying the cracking behavior of 3D flawed rocks under true triaxial compression are proposed based on the observations made.The effects of the intermediate principal stress (σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document}) on the 3D cracking behavior of flawed rocks under true triaxial compression are systematically investigated.The orientation of σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document} exerts more control over the cracking pattern than the flaw inclination angle.The effects of σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document} magnitude become more significant when σ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\sigma _2$$\end{document} are more oblique to the flaw plane.Mechanisms underlying the cracking behavior of 3D flawed rocks under true triaxial compression are proposed based on the observations made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we first design a series of oil bubbly flow experiments in a vertical testing pipe, and collected the fluid fluctuations as experimental observations. Then we establish a Variational Autoencoder-Generative Adversarial Network (VAE-GAN) [1] from 4272 fluid time-frequency features, which is used to detect anomalous fluctuations in the experimental oil bubbly flow signals. These anomalous fluctuations are then utilized to experimentally identify the non-uniform flow structures in oil-in-water bubbly flow. In addition, by analyzing the identified non-uniform flow structures in a vertical 20 mm inner diameter pipe, we investigate the oil bubbles coalescence phenomenon under various flow conditions. The impacts of mixed fluid velocity and phase volume fraction on the bubble coalescence behaviors are also investigated. The proposed method not only serves as an efficient tool for flow anomaly detection, but also provides a novel way to characterize the evolutionary behaviors of diverse bubbly flow systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Constructed an operation architecture of the coupling of energy supply and demand. • Established the comprehensive demand response mechanism based on time-sharing energy prices. • Established the minimum carbon emission cost economic scheduling model as an objective function. • The scheduling method could achieve the goal of low-carbon economic dispatch. Aiming at the problems of low energy utilization and environmental pollution in China's livestock and poultry breeding industry under the carbon peaking and carbon neutralization goals, this paper proposes an optimal scheduling model for multi-energy coupling integrated energy system with ladder-type carbon trading mechanism and demand response. First, based on the construction of a reward and punishment model with ladder-type carbon trading mechanism, this paper explores the potential interaction between the coupling ability of multiple heterogeneous energy sources and carbon emissions in consideration of the impact of carbon capture equipment on carbon emissions. Second, in view of the diversity and complexity of demands for agricultural energy supply, the energy supply side equipment model and the comprehensive demand response model of electricity, heat, and gas are established, and a low-carbon economic scheduling model of integrated agricultural energy system is proposed, aiming at minimizing the total operation cost of the system. Finally, the model is solved by CPLEX, and the coupling system of a 6-node power distribution network, a 6-node gas network, and a 4-node heat supply network is used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed model and method and optimize the operation of the integrated agricultural energy system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CrAssphage is a recently discovered human gut-associated bacteriophage. To validate the potential use of crAssphage for detecting human fecal contamination on environmental surfaces and hands, we tested stool samples (n = 60), hand samples (n = 30), and environmental swab samples (n = 201) from 17 norovirus outbreaks for crAssphage by real-time PCR. In addition, we tested stool samples from healthy persons (n = 173), respiratory samples (n = 113), and animal fecal specimens (n = 68) and further sequenced positive samples. Overall, we detected crAssphage in 71.4% of outbreak stool samples, 48%-68.5% of stool samples from healthy persons, 56.2% of environmental swabs, and 60% of hand rinse samples, but not in human respiratory samples or animal fecal samples. CrAssphage sequences could be grouped into 2 major genetic clusters. Our data suggest that crAssphage could be used to detect human fecal contamination on environmental surfaces and hands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new nanomaterial or nano-filler in the form of multiwalled carbon nanotube-zinc oxide (MWCNT-ZnO) was synthesized for the purpose of modifying poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and its derivative (modified PBAT or MPBAT) through a melt-blending method (MPBAT was obtained by introducing maleic anhydride groups into PBAT). The effect of the new nano-filler on the properties of resultant nanocomposites was determined from the characterization of mechanical properties, morphology, crystallinity, thermal stability, barrier properties, hydrophilicity, conductivity, antibacterial property, and biodegradability. The results showed that MPBAT nanocomposites had stronger mechanical properties, better barrier properties, and higher electrical conductivity than PBAT nanocomposites. Scanning electron microscopy illustrated that MWCNT-ZnO had better compatibility with MPBAT than with PBAT. At 0.2% MWCNT-ZnO, the MPBAT/MWCNT-ZnO nanocomposite film exhibited the greatest mechanical properties (17.74% increase in tensile strength, 22.17% in yield strength, and 14.29% in elongation at break). When the MWCNT-ZnO content was 0.4%, the nanocomposite film demonstrated the best water vapor barrier ability (an increase of 30.4%). The MPBAT/MWCNT-ZnO film with 0.6% MWCNT-ZnO turned out to have the best oxygen barrier performance (an increase of 130% relative to pure PBAT). It was shown from the results of antibacterial evaluation that the new nanomaterial could impart PBAT and MPBAT with antibacterial activity. The biodegradability tests indicated that an MWCNT-ZnO content of 0.2% could slightly reduce the biodegradability, and when the content was higher than 0.2%, the weight loss rate would increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cutaneous muscles drive the texture‐modulation behavior of cephalopods by protruding several millimeters out of the skin. Inspired by cephalopods, a self‐morphing, stretchable smart skin containing embedded‐printed electrodes and actuated by Twisted Spiral Artificial Muscles (TSAMs) is proposed. Electrothermally actuated TSAMs are manufactured from inexpensive polymer fibers to mimic the papillae muscles of cephalopods. These spirals can produce strains of nearly 2000% using a voltage of only 0.02 V mm−1. Stretchable and low‐resistance liquid metal electrodes are embedded‐printed inside the self‐morphing skin to facilitate the electrothermal actuation of TSAMs. Theoretical and numerical models are proposed to describe the embedded printing of low‐viscosity Newtonian liquid metals as conductive electrodes in a soft elastomeric substrate. Experimental mechanical tests are performed to demonstrate the robustness and electrical stability of the electrodes. Two smart skin prototypes are fabricated to highlight the capabilities of the proposed self‐morphing system, including a texture‐modulating wearable soft glove and a waterproof skin that emulates the texture‐modulation behavior of octopi underwater. The proposed self‐morphing stretchable smart skin can find use in a wide range of applications, such as refreshable Braille displays, haptic feedback devices, turbulence tripping, and antifouling devices for underwater vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Affected by multiple operation conditions, wastewater treatment process (WWTP) is a complex industrial process with strong nonlinearity and disturbance. How to enhance the rapid tracking response-ability and robustness of the controller is still a challenge when the operation conditions change. To solve this problem, a type-2 fuzzy broad learning controller (T2FBLC) is proposed in this paper. First, a type-2 fuzzy broad learning system (T2FBLS) is constructed in T2FBLC by replacing nodes in feature window with a group of interval type-2 fuzzy submodules. Then, the proposed T2FBLC can take tracking error as inputs while its outputs acting on WWTP to directly obtain a control law, and the controller makes a quick tracking response in different operation conditions. Second, the weight parameters of T2FBLC are adjusted by using the gradient descent method to ensure the control performance. In this way, the developed T2FBLC can realize online learning to reduce tracking errors. Third, according to the Lyapunov function theory, the stability of control strategy is proved. Finally, benchmark simulation model 1 (BSM1) is adopted to verify the effectiveness of T2FBLC. The experimental results prove the applicability and superior tracking performance of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insects and hummingbirds are capable of acrobatic maneuvers such as rapid turns and tight 360 $^\circ$ body flips. It is challenging for bio-inspired flapping wing micro aerial vehicles to achieve animal-like performance during such maneuvers due to their limitation in mechanism sophistication and flight control. Besides being significantly underactuated compared to their natural counterparts, flight dynamics is highly nonlinear with rapidly changing, unsteady aerodynamics which remains largely unknown during aggressive maneuvers. As a result, conventional model-based control methods are inadequate to address such maneuvers effectively due to the lack of control references and aerodynamic models. In addition, during acrobatic maneuvers such as body flips, conventional control methods with underlying stabilization mechanisms would temporarily contradict the maneuvering requirements when the vehicle undergoes a full body flip including turning upside-down. In this article, reinforcement learning (RL) has been used to complement model-based control to enable animal-like maneuverability. The learned control policy serves in two different ways to either aid or even completely takeover the conventional stabilization controller in certain cases. We experimentally demonstrate animal-like maneuverability on an at-scale, dual-motor actuated flapping wing hummingbird robot. Two test cases have been performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of such integrated control methods: 1) a rapid escape maneuver recorded from hummingbirds, 2) a tight 360 $^\circ$ body flip inspired by houseflies. By leveraging RL, the hummingbird robot demonstrated a shorter completion time in escape maneuvers compared to the traditional control-based method. It also performed 360 $^\circ$ body flip successfully within only one wingspan vertical displacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of trinuclear lanthanide circular helicates [Ln3L3]Cl3 have been synthesized via supramolecular subcomponent self-assembly. Photophysical studies demonstrate that the unique helical bis-tetradentate 1,29-dialdehyde ligand L2− could serve as an effective sensitizer for SmIII, EuIII, NdIII and YbIII ions exhibiting efficient characteristic fluorescence emission because of the shell-type blocking of the ligand, which makes them the first circular helicates exhibiting near-infrared lanthanide fluorescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Samples of species close to Tremella fibulifera from China and Brazil are studied, and T. fibulifera is confirmed as a species complex including nine species. Five known species (T. cheejenii, T. fibulifera s.s., T. "neofibulifera", T. lloydiae-candidae and T. olens) and four new species (T. australe, T. guangxiensis, T. latispora and T. subfibulifera) in the complex are recognized based on morphological characteristics, molecular evidence, and geographic distribution. Sequences of eight species of the complex were included in the phylogenetic analyses because T. olens lacks molecular data. The phylogenetic analyses were performed by a combined sequence dataset of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the partial nuclear large subunit rDNA (nLSU), and a combined sequence dataset of the ITS, partial nLSU, the small subunit mitochondrial rRNA gene (mtSSU), the translation elongation factor 1-a (TEF1), the largest and second largest subunits of RNA polymerase II (RPB1 and RPB2). The eight species formed eight independent lineages with robust support in phylogenies based on both datasets. Illustrated description of the six species including Tremella fibulifera s.s., T. "neofibulifera" and four new species, and discussions with their related species, are provided. A table of the comparison of the important characteristics of nine species in the T. fibulifera complex and a key to the whitish species in Tremella s.s. are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA photonic wires (PWs) are a new type of photon delivery nanodevice and have attracted wide attention due to their excellent photon delivery ability via Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) but are dramatically challenged in real applications. In this study, 7‐amino‐4‐methyl‐3‐coumarinylacetic acid is used as a donor, Texas Red is used as an acceptor, and acridine orange is used as a bridge to intercalate DNA to facilitate the homo‐FRET process, which leads to DNA PWs with high‐energy transfer efficiencies (≈0.9). Notably, the newly developed DNA PWs exhibit characteristic emissions in the three primary colors, which are successively adjusted by simply changing the extent of FRET to make over 36 subtypes of fluorescence emissions. This polychroism is further applied for information encryption with high efficiency, which is a new application for DNA PWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrodia elata Blume (G. elata) has a long historical application in Asian countries and its tubers, seeds, and stalks are capable of being utilized for medicine, food, or health care products. This study aimed to offer a systematic and up-to-date analysis of the current review of the G. elata research advances in traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, applications, and quality control, as well as a scientific reference for the development and utilization of this plant. Electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, SciFinder, and CNKI were used for the collection of publications on G. elata. The following keywords of G. elata were used truncated with other relevant topic terms, such as phenolic compounds, polysaccharides, glycosides, neuroprotection, learning and memory improvement effects, cardioprotection, applications, and quality control. Approximately 134 chemical components mainly categorizing as phenolic compounds, polysaccharides, glycosides, organic acids, and sterols were reported from this plant. Moreover, preclinical studies indicated that G. elata performs several functions, including neuroprotection, learning and memory improvement effects, cardioprotection, vaso-modulatory effect, anti-depression, anti-cancer, and other effects. Currently, G. elata has been widely applied to clinics and foods. The available literature shows that the quality of G. elata might be affected by factors such as origin, fungus, and harvest time, which will have an impact on the drug efficacy. According to past research, G. elata is a potential medicinal and edible plant with several active components and pharmacological activity that has a high application value in medicine and the food business. Nevertheless, few studies have concentrated on characterization of polysaccharides structure and study of non-medicinal parts, implying that further comprehensive research on its polysaccharides structure and non-medicinal parts is critical for full utilization of resources of G. elata. [Display omitted] • This review summarized the updated studies on G. elata. • The compounds in G. elata are presented. • Numerous bioactive substances with their various pharmacological activities are summarized. • The factors affecting the quality and the methods of quality control of G. elata are summarized. • Possible food and medical uses of G. elata. is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogels are attractive materials with structures and functional properties similar to biological tissues and widely used in biomedical engineering. However, traditional synthetic hydrogels possess poor mechanical strength, and their applications are limited. Herein, a multidimensional material design method is developed; it includes the in situ gelation of silk fabric and nacre-inspired layer-by-layer assembly, which is used to prepare silk fibroin (SF) hydrogels. The in situ gelation method of silk fabric introduces a directionally ordered fabric network in a silk substrate, considerably enhancing the strength of hydrogels. Based on the nacre structure, the layer-by-layer assembly method enables silk hydrogels to break through the size limit and increase the thickness, realizing the longitudinal extension of the hydrogels. The application of the combined biomineralization and hot pressing method can effectively reduce interface defects and improve the interaction between organic and inorganic interfaces. The multidimensional material design method helps increase the strength (287.78 MPa), toughness (18.43 MJ m−3), and fracture energy (50.58 kJ m−2) of SF hydrogels; these hydrogels can weigh 2000 times their own weight. Therefore, SF hydrogels designed using the aforementioned combined method can realize the combination of strength and toughness and be used in biological tissue engineering and structural materials. • In situ gelation method successfully introduced ordered silk fabric network. • Nacre-inspired structure was constructed by layer-by-layer assembly method. • The combination of biomineralization and hot pressing reduced interface defects. • This silk fibroin hydrogel realized the combination of high strength and toughness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogels are attractive materials with structures and functional properties similar to biological tissues and widely used in biomedical engineering. However, traditional synthetic hydrogels possess poor mechanical strength, and their applications are limited. Herein, a multidimensional material design method is developed; it includes the in situ gelation of silk fabric and nacre-inspired layer-by-layer assembly, which is used to prepare silk fibroin (SF) hydrogels. The in situ gelation method of silk fabric introduces a directionally ordered fabric network in a silk substrate, considerably enhancing the strength of hydrogels. Based on the nacre structure, the layer-by-layer assembly method enables silk hydrogels to break through the size limit and increase the thickness, realizing the longitudinal extension of the hydrogels. The application of the combined biomineralization and hot pressing method can effectively reduce interface defects and improve the interaction between organic and inorganic interfaces. The multidimensional material design method helps increase the strength (287.78 MPa), toughness (18.43 MJ m−3), and fracture energy (50.58 kJ m−2) of SF hydrogels; these hydrogels can weigh 2000 times their own weight. Therefore, SF hydrogels designed using the aforementioned combined method can realize the combination of strength and toughness and be used in biological tissue engineering and structural materials. • In situ gelation method successfully introduced ordered silk fabric network. • Nacre-inspired structure was constructed by layer-by-layer assembly method. • The combination of biomineralization and hot pressing reduced interface defects. • This silk fibroin hydrogel realized the combination of high strength and toughness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Containerization and its impact on structural shifts in maritime transport have attracted the attention of maritime researchers. However, few studies address the impact of China's current economic reforms and industrial structure upgrades on China's container ports. To fill this gap, this article delivers new insights on the geographical evolution of China's ports in international container transport during the upgrade of industrial structure. This study finds that path dependence is evident in the container shipping structure, and major regional connections are still present between China and the maritime regions of East-Southeast Asia, Western Europe, and North America. During the study period, the spatial dynamics of the international linkages of China's container ports exhibited a tendency to develop from an initial monocentric structure to an isolated double-center structure, and then a polycentric clustering structure. Dynamic panel analysis shows there is a long-term significant equilibrium relationship between industrial structure upgrading and port container transport trade. Proxy indices including the industrial structure advanced index, the industrial structure comprehensive index and the essential evolution of industrial structure have positive effects on the improvement of port container transport trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature on tools of attitudes towards ASD was limited. This study is the first to examine the factor structure and psychometric properties of the multidimensional attitudes scale toward persons with disabilities (MAS) in a sample of Chinese college students (N = 1002, 32.10% males). Confirmatory factor analysis supported the G-MAS-R model's 4-factor structure: calm, negative affect, positive cognitions and behavioral avoidance. The results suggest that the Chinese version of the MAS has satisfactory internal consistency. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the MAS scores were significantly correlated with the Social Distance Scale and Autism Stigma and Knowledge Questionnaire scores. Overall, the findings indicate that the MAS is appropriate for assessing attitudes toward people with ASD in a Chinese context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designing a hummingbird-inspired, at-scale, tail-less flapping-wing micro aerial vehicle (FWMAV) is a challenging task in order to achieve animallike flight performance under the constraints of size, weight, power, and actuation limitations. It is even more challenging to design such a vehicle with a pair of independently controlled wings equipped with a total of only two actuators. This article details a systematic solution for the design optimization and prototyping of such FWMAVs. The proposed solution covers the complete system models and analysis of wing-actuation dynamics, control authorities, body dynamics, mechanical limitations, and electrical constraints. Each subsystem, as well as the overall system, is experimentally validated. This comprehensive approach can facilitate the design of such FWMAVs with different optimization goals. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, in this article, we conduct three different design optimization tasks, which yield three different prototype systems: optimizing the lift-to-weight ratio, optimizing control bandwidth, and optimizing control authority. We first construct a vehicle with an optimized lift-to-weight ratio. Based on it, the other two platforms with different design optimization goals are presented for better flight performance. Flight tests were performed on each prototype to validate their flight performance and design goals. Compared to optimized control bandwidth, we demonstrate that the vehicle with optimized control authorities is significantly more capable in terms of flight performance. It shows sustained stable flight in both hovering and heavy load carrying (more than 60% of the vehicle's total weight), which is hard for the other two platforms to achieve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work was aimed to experimentally and theoretically investigate the formability of a new magnesium alloy sheet at room temperature. The fracture forming limit diagram was predicted by MMC3 and DF2014 models, where the non-linear strain path effect was taken into account by means of damage accumulation law. In order to obtain the instantaneous values of the stress triaxiality and the Lode parameter during the deformation process, strains tracked by digital image correlation technique were transformed into stresses based on the constitutive equations. The fracture forming limit diagram predicted by the fracture models was compared with the forming limits obtained by ball punch deformation tests. The prediction errors were evaluated by the accumulative damage values, which verified the advantages of ductile fracture models in predicting the forming limits of the magnesium alloy sheets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a mixed ligand strategy, ten new luminescent coordination polymers (LCPs), namely, [Cd(IPA-NH2)(Htpim)]n (1), [Mn(IPA-NH2)(Htpim)]n (2), [Zn(IPA-OH)(Htpim)]n (3), [Cd(IPA-OH)(Htpim)]n (4), {[Zn(Htpim)2(H2O)2](IPA-OH)}n (5), {[Cd(Htpim)2(H2O)2](IPA-OH)}n (6), [Cd(IPA-NO2)(Htpim)]n (7), [Zn2(PMA)(Htpim)2]n (8), [Cd2(PMA)(Htpim)2]n (9) and [Cu(H2PMA)(Htpim)2(H2O)]n (10) (Htpim = 2,4,5-tri(4-pyridyl)-imidazole, H2IPA-NH2 = 5-aminoisophthalic acid, H2IPA-OH = 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid, H2IPA-NO2 = 5-nitroisophthalic acid, H4PMA = 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid) were constructed. Compounds 1–4 and 7–9 have similar 2D 44 networks, while 5, 6 and 10 show 1D chain structures. The results reveal that the coordination configuration of M(II), carboxylic acids, and coordinated water molecules play pivotal roles in the formation of the final structures. Moreover, the selective luminescence sensing and photocatalytic performances of 1–10 were also studied. Interestingly, they can sensitively detect trace amounts of nitrobenzene (NB), Cr2O72− or Fe3+ through luminescence quenching. In addition, 3–10 show high photocatalytic activities toward the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the morphology of a beach under the action of a tsunami, a beach evolution numerical model based on the open-source calculated fluid dynamics (CFD) code OpenFOAM is constructed. The bed load and suspended load models are fully coupled with the hydrodynamics model in the beach evolution model, and the moving mesh method is used to capture the change in bed morphology. Then, a laboratory experiment on the scour induced by solitary waves is adopted to validate the constructed numerical model, and the surface elevation, bed shear stress and bed profile of the model fit very well with the experimental observations. Finally, the effect of the suspended load on the evolution of beach morphology and the process of beach evolution under the action of a solitary wave are studied with a numerical model. The study results show that the beach evolution mainly occurred at the time the solitary wave ran down and that the suspended load played a major role in the beach evolution, contributing approximately 85% to the scour profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment was conducted to investigate the growth performance, stress and immune responses, and welfare of juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) under three different densities (initial density 9.3, 13.6, and 19.1 kg m−2) for 120 days in a recirculating aquaculture system. Turbot were measured every 20 days to evaluate growth biometrically and sampled every month to measure biochemical parameters and mRNA levels of some stress-related genes. No significant differences were detected in the parameters and gene expression among density groups until the final sampling, except Fulton's condition factor, lysozyme, immunoglobulin M, and complement C3. At the end of the experiment (final density 26.11, 38.22, and 52.25 kg m−2), turbot reared in the high-density (HD) group had lower body mass increase, specific growth rate, and Fulton's condition factor, as well as higher feed conversion ratio and coefficient of variation for weight than those reared in the low-density (LD) group (P < 0.05). Fish in the HD group had higher serum cortisol, glucose, lactate, and cholesterol levels than fish in the other groups, whereas they had lower lysozyme, immunoglobulin M, and complement C3 and C4 contents (P < 0.05). Fish reared in the HD group also had higher serum chloride and osmolality levels and higher sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na+,K+-ATPase) activity and higher Na+,K+-ATPase gene expression levels in gills compared to the other groups (P < 0.05). The mRNA levels of cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) and heat-shock proteins 70 and 90 (HSP70 and HSP90) were significantly upregulated, whereas glutathione S-transferase (GST) mRNA levels were significantly downregulated in the head kidney of fish in the HD group relative to fish in the other groups at the end of this trial (P < 0.05). These results indicated that overly high stocking (~50 kg m−2) density can negatively affect the growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, osmolality levels, stress-related gene expression, and overall welfare of turbot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reduced-scale shored mechanically stabilized earth (SMSE) wall test was employed to validate a proposed numerical model through comparing the top surface settlement, reinforcement strain, and horizontal earth pressure. On this basis, according to the model ratio, a full-scale model is established for comparison with the reduced-scale model. It was found that the anchor connection with reinforcements can obviously strengthen the stability of the walls. Due to the different influencing factors in the reduced-scale and full-scale models, there are obvious differences in the regularities of distribution of horizontal displacement, vertical earth pressure, horizontal earth pressure, and reinforcement strain between the reduced-scale and full-scale models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The heating effect of urban blue-green infrastructure (UBGI) is significant at 4 meters from water. • Neural network-predicted models are established to discuss coupling mechanisms in depth. • A new microclimate influence (MI) model of the heating effect of UBGI is quantified. • Thermal comfort indexes of individuals staying in UBGI are obtained. In response to climate change, urban blue-green infrastructure (UBGI) improves the microclimate of the built environment. In previous research, UBGI (consisting of water and greenery) is found to be a cold source in the summer, alleviating urban thermal stress. However, studies on the heating effect of UBGI in the winter are limited. This effect can improve environmental temperature, which is beneficial to human thermal comfort in the cold season. Therefore, this study conducted the objective and subjective evaluation of the winter microclimate of UBGI through field measurement and questionnaire in China's cold regions. The coupling mechanisms of UBGI on winter microclimate were quantified by using the artificial neural network (ANN), and the thermal demand characteristic of UBGI users was established. The study results showed that the heating effect of water and greenery was most significant at a distance of 4 m from the water in the winter. Neural network-predicted models are established to discuss coupling mechanisms in depth. The new microclimate influence (MI) model of coupling mechanisms was proposed based on the ANN. In addition, when the air temperature was 9.07–14.75℃, the UBGI not only satisfied the thermal comfort demand but also had a greater comfort level than general urban underlying surfaces did. The universal thermal climate index (UTCI) evaluation based on the coupling mechanisms for UBGI users was obtained. This study offers scientific guidance and reference for the planning and redevelopment of UBGI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of climate change, urban blue-green infrastructure (UBGI), consisting of water and vegetation, has received extensive attention for urban microclimate improvement. However, the detailed quantification of spatial relationships between blue and green infrastructure elements has not been conducted about the thermal environment. To study the synergistic effect of water and vegetation, this paper conducted the field measurement and questionnaire on typical UBGI in Tianjin, China. The spatial characteristics and the current situation of the thermal environment of UBGI were obtained, and the thermal demands of UBGI users were established based on the wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and heat index (HI). The results of the study indicated that the synergistic effect of the water body and vegetation was the most significant at a distance of 6 m from the water body. In the condition of light airflow (wind speed ≤1.5 m/s), the different orientations relative to the water body had no significant difference in the thermal environment. Based on the quantification of spatial relationships, the conversion factors (c T and c RH) of the synergistic effect at different locations in UBGI were obtained. Furthermore, synergistic effect (SE) models of the thermal environment of UBGI were established according to the conversion factors. Meanwhile, the thermal comfort benchmarks for SE models were quantified (WBGT : 25.76–27.96 °C and HI : 24.98–27.25 °C). This study provides scientific guidance and reference for the planning and redevelopment of UBGI. • The synergistic effect of urban blue-green infrastructure (UBGI) is analyzed quantitatively. • Synergistic effect (SE) models of the thermal environment of UBGI are proposed. • New thermal comfort benchmarks for SE models are revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viruses of the family Hepadnaviridae are characterized by partially dsDNA circular genomes of approximately 3.2 kb, which are reverse transcribed from RNA intermediates. Hepadnaviruses have a broad host range, which includes humans (hepatitis B virus), other mammals (genus Orthohepadnavirus), and birds (genus Avihepadnavirus). The known host specificity of hepadnaviruses has been expanded by reports of new viruses infecting fish, amphibians, and reptiles. Tibetan frog hepatitis B virus (TFHBV) was recently discovered in a member of the species Nanorana parkeri (family Dicroglossidae) from Tibet. To increase our understanding of hepadnaviruses that infect amphibian hosts, we identified the full-length genome of a divergent strain, TFHBV-Ot, associated with a concave-eared torrent frog (Odorrana tormota, family Ranidae) from China by searching deep-sequencing data. TFHBV-Ot shared a genomic organization and 76.6% overall genome sequence nucleotide identity with the prototype TFHBV associated with N. parkeri (TFHBV-Np). The pairwise amino acid sequence identity between the predicted gene products of TFHBV-Ot and TFHBV-Np ranged between 63.9% and 77.9%. Multiple tissue/organ-specific RNAseq datasets suggested a broad tropism of TFHBV, including muscle, gonads and brain. In addition, we provide information about putative virus-derived small RNAs from an amphibian hepadnavirus. The results presented here expand the known genetic diversity and host range of TFHBV to Ranidae frogs, and warrant an investigation of hepadnaviral infection of amphibian brains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills are among the largest anthropogenic sources of methane. However, there are also potential sources of landfill gas (LFG), which can be used to produce energy products, meaning that the recycling of LFG has gained global attention. Scientific evaluation of spatio-temporal LFG recycling potential is necessary to accelerate the promotion of LFG utilization. However, for a big country with uneven regional development level like China, the amount of LFG that can be recycled and utilized is difficult to determine, and there has been limited research that considers variation in regional characteristics, landfill sites and technologies. Therefore, this research first used sub-regional parameter sets that embodied the MSW characteristics of different regions to calculate LFG generation in China from 1990 to 2020. Next, this research estimated the LFG recovery potential for different regions in 2020 based on analysis of LFG collection and utilization technology, including technical parameters and application in different landfill sizes. The results showed that LFG generation in China will reach peak value around 2019 (3.49 billion N m3 of methane), and decrease quickly after that. The quantity of LFG with the utilization condition in 2020 will be 3.30 billion N m3, which could produce 7.39 billion kW h of electricity or 1.70 billion N m3 of bio natural gas. This could substitute 85.5% of electricity consumption or 25.3% of natural gas consumption in the transportation sector in 2014 (8.63 billion kW h and 6.74 billion N m3 respectively). Moreover, the findings show that the peak in LFG generation and a massive closure period of Chinese landfills will coincide. This will provide an opportunity to promote LFG utilization during the closed field management of landfills. Overall, LFG recycling presents a strong opportunity, and is in urgent need of promotion policies. Highlights • We estimated spatio-temporal Landfill gas emission and energy potential in China. • LFG generation will reach peak value around 2019, and decrease quickly after that. • LFG utilization potential in 2020 is 3.30 billion N m3, and mainly in east area. • LFG could substitute 25.3% of natural gas consumption in transportation sector. • LFG recycling presents a strong opportunity, and is in urgent need of policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Frontier article reviews diverse structures of Schiff-base macrocyclic ZnII complexes derived from a family of flexible pendant-armed extended dialdehydes via a preorganized synthetic strategy and the corresponding structure-determining factors, including primary cationic template effects and secondary complementary template effects. In addition, further post-modification and supramolecular self-assembly of Schiff-base ZnII macrocycles and their possible applications in a variety of areas have been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]