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As a quick and affordable experimental technique, the heavy ion irradiation method may quickly learn about the correlation between the degree of amorphization and structural modification of samples with varying ion implantation. Using the heavy ion irradiation technique, the irradiation stability of multiphase ceramic waste made of Ln 2 Zr 2 O 7 /SrZrO 3 was assessed. Here, we found that multiphase ceramic waste forms still exhibit excellent radiation resistance while achieving high capacity and weak selectivity for immobilization of actinide nuclides (simulated by lanthanide elements) and fission products 90Sr (replaced by 89Sr). The analysis of grazing incidence and Raman spectroscopy provides evidence for explaining the radiation damage mechanism caused by 84Kr15+ heavy ions. Analysis of grazing incidence offers proof of the manner and extent of radiation damage brought on by 84Kr15+ ions. The impact and mechanism of crystal structure on radiation resistance in multiphase ceramics are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facile fabrication of solid oxide electrodes with highly orderly hierarchical channels and active triple-phase boundary still remains a great challenge. In this work, an ordered interconnected biomimetic porous electrode structure of micron channel and nano functional layer was realized by a simple two-step method using wood as a template. The vertically arranged micro channel of the biomimetic cathode allows rapid diffusion between water vapor and hydrogen, greatly reducing the concentration polarization of the cathode. A wealth of three-phase boundary formed by the micron channel and the nano-nickel catalytic layer on its surface provides more reaction sites for water molecule decomposition. In addition, the ordered cathode structure better adapts to the intermittent energy storage needs at various time periods, as the nickel in this structure is more difficult to oxidize after cell operation stops. This simple yet effective structure provides a much more feasible approach for designing solid oxide electrolysis cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Previous studies have linked cycling with improved mental wellbeing but these studies tend to use cross-sectional survey data that have small sample sizes and self-reported health measures, and are potentially susceptible to omitted-variable bias and reverse causation. We use an instrumental variable approach and an objective measure of mental ill-health taken from linked administrative data to ask: 'Does cycle commuting reduce the risk of mental ill-health?' Methods Our study links data on commuting in Edinburgh and Glasgow from the Scottish population census with mental health prescriptions from the National Health Service Prescribing Information System records. We use road distance from home to nearest cycle path as an instrumental variable for cycle commuting. Results In total, 378 253 people aged 16–74 years living and working in the City of Edinburgh and Glasgow City council areas at the 2011 census were included in our study; 1.85% of commuters in Glasgow and 4.8% of commuters in Edinburgh cycled to work. Amongst cyclists, 9% had a prescription for mental health compared with 14% amongst non-cyclists. Using a bivariate probit model, we estimate a mean average reduction in prescriptions for antidepressants and/or anxiolytics in the 5 years following the census of –15.1% (95% CI: –15.3% to –15.0%) amongst cycle commuters compared with those who use any other mode to commute. Conclusions This work suggests that cycle commuting is causally related to reduced mental ill-health and provides further evidence in support of the promotion of active travel to encourage commuters travelling shorter distances to shift to cycle commutes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The establishment of the correspondence between the important features of the topside weld pool and the penetration state is a key link in penetration control. This article presents a scheme of variable gap welding penetration control based on rough-fuzzy modeling. By utilizing the basic concepts of variable precision rough sets and conditional information entropy, relevant algorithms for attribute reduction and rule extraction in decision information systems are addressed. Raw data for modeling are obtained through current–gap combination experiments, and then rough-set-based knowledge acquisition algorithms are used to generate classification rules for the penetration state. Based on the correspondence between the important features of the topside pool and the penetration state, a fuzzy control model is established. Welding experiments under variable gaps are conducted to examine the proposed control scheme, and the results indicate that the weld has good penetration and meets the requirements of welding specifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

5Meta-estimation of relative risk of subgroup interactions Reference 1 Wan K, Feng Z, Hajat S. Temperature-related mortality and associated vulnerabilities: evidence from Scotland using extended time-series datasets. The daily mean temperature data was mislabelled during the analysis - the temperature data in the West was mislabelled as North, the temperature data in the East was mislabelled as West and the temperature data in the North was mislabelled as East. Correction: Temperature-related mortality and associated vulnerabilities: evidence from Scotland using extended time-series datasets. [Extracted from the article]

Insights into the pore–matrix interactions in solid oxide electrolytes are necessary to develop high-efficiency solid oxide electrolytic cells. The role of particle size in ink and printed electrolyte films was analyzed in this study. This is distinct from solid electrolytes that are dense as a whole but have micropores. Herein, we demonstrate that the organic binder in the ink can significantly reduce the number of closed pores in the electrolyte by taking advantage of its thermal softening characteristics. Electron microscopic analysis provides evidence that the binder controls the pore generation and affects the pore distribution in the electrolyte films. The effect and mechanism of micropores in the electrolyte on the electrochemical process (when used for high-temperature steam electrolysis) are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the effects of hydrophilic colloid (Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch. gum (ASKG)) on the gelatinization and rheological properties of waxy rice starch, ASKG was mixed with waxy rice starch at different ratio (0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5%, 0.7% and 0.9%). The results showed that the addition of ASKG could increase the gelatinization viscosity and swelling degree of waxy rice starch, and decrease the gel strength and water fluidity of waxy rice starch. Waxy rice starch had the properties of pseudoplastic fluid. The addition of ASKG could increase the apparent viscosity, consistency coefficient (K) and flow characteristic index (n), indicating that ASKG had synergistic thickening effect. ASKG could improve the elastic modulus (G'), viscosity modulus (G") and loss angle tangent value (tan δ) of waxy rice starch, but the overall performance was to enhance the fluidity of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: International evidence from high-income countries demonstrates that the availability of tobacco tends to be greater in more urban and more deprived neighborhoods. However, little is known about the socio-spatial disparities in other settings, including megacities in China. This study investigated the patterning of tobacco retailers across Shanghai by types of tobacco retailers, including the relationship with levels of urbanity and neighborhood deprivation.Aims and Methods: Tobacco retailer data (n = 19 413) was extracted from a web-scraped Points-of-Interest database. For all communities (n = 5432) across Shanghai, neighborhood tobacco retail availability was calculated using population-weighted kernel density estimation and grouped by quintiles of neighborhood deprivation and a 3-level urban classification. Associations were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis tests and epsilon squared.Results: Across Shanghai, tobacco retail availability decreased from more urbanized areas to less urbanized areas. There was a statistical difference (p < .001) in the availability of tobacco retail across quintiles of deprivation, with the highest availability in the less deprived neighborhoods, and the lowest availability in the most deprived neighborhoods. However, this trend was reversed in the urban center, where retail availability was greatest in the most deprived areas. Convenience stores were the most common type of tobacco retailer across the city, while tobacco-only outlets were most strongly associated with levels of neighborhood deprivation.Conclusions: The results show an association between tobacco retail availability and neighborhood deprivation, which varied with levels of urbanity and types of tobacco retailers. These findings provide supportive evidence for further interventions that target reducing inequalities in exposure to tobacco retail.Implications: This is the first study to examine the relationship between tobacco retail availability and neighborhood deprivation in the context of Chinese megacities. Using data from Shanghai, China, we found a significant non-linear association between tobacco retail availability and neighborhood deprivation across the city. It is plausible that the socio-spatial disparities in tobacco retail availability at the neighborhood level may be a key factor explaining differences in smoking behaviors between sociodemographic groups. The findings emphasize the need for greater efforts in regulating neighborhood-level tobacco retailing in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adverse health impacts have been found under extreme temperatures in many parts of the world. The majority of such research to date for the UK has been conducted on populations in England, whilst the impacts of ambient temperature on health outcomes in Scottish populations remain largely unknown.Methods: This study uses time-series regression analysis with distributed lag non-linear models to characterise acute relationships between daily mean ambient temperature and mortality in Scotland including the four largest cities (Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow) and three regions during 1974-2018. Increases in mortality risk under extreme cold and heat in individual cities and regions were aggregated using multivariate meta-analysis. Cold results are summarised by comparing the relative risk (RR) of death at the 1st percentile of localised temperature distributions compared to the 10th percentile, and heat effects as the RR at the 99th compared to the 90th percentile.Results: Adverse cold effects were observed in all cities and regions, and heat effects were apparent in all cities and regions except northern Scotland. Aggregate all-cause mortality risk in Scotland was estimated to increase by 10% (95% confidence interval, CI: 7%, 13%) under extreme cold and 4% (CI: 2%, 5%) under extreme heat. People in urban areas experienced higher mortality risk under extreme cold and heat than those in rural regions. The elderly had the highest RR under both extreme cold and heat. Males experienced greater cold effects than females, whereas the reverse was true with heat effects, particularly among the elderly. Those who were unmarried had higher RR than those married under extreme heat, and the effect remained after controlling for age. The younger population living in the most deprived areas experienced higher cold and heat effects than in less deprived areas. Deaths from respiratory diseases were most sensitive to both cold and heat exposures, although mortality risk for cardiovascular diseases was also heightened, particularly in the elderly. Cold effects were lower in the most recent 15 years, which may be linked to policies and actions in preventing the vulnerable population from cold impacts. No temporal trend was found with the heat effect.Conclusions: This study assesses mortality risk associated with extreme temperatures in Scotland and identifies those groups who would benefit most from targeted actions to reduce cold- and heat-related mortalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C14H19ClN2O, orthorhombic, P212121 (no. 19), a = 8.9579(3) Å, b = 12.2172(4) Å, c = 12.5669(5) Å, V = 1375.33(8) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0541, wRref(F2) = 0.1449, T = 193 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, aiming at the application of geological disaster monitoring of transmission lines, by analyzing the data quality and positioning accuracy of Beidou original observation data, the influence of the electromagnetic environment of transmission lines on Beidou satellite monitoring data is obtained. According to the Beidou monitoring data of 500 kV transmission line for 23 days, the analysis results show that: in the case of strong electromagnetic interference/no electromagnetic interference, the difference of data integrity is less than 1%, the difference of multipath effect is less than 0.1 m, the difference of signal-to-noise ratio is less than 0.3 dB Hz, and the difference of cycle hop ratio is less than 150. The relative difference in positioning accuracy is less than 5%. In general, the electromagnetic environment of transmission lines has no significant impact on the data quality and positioning accuracy of Beidou deformation monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to explore free vibration analysis of hybrid reinforced porous composite plates subjected to fluid loading. The hybrid composite comprises a porous core layer covered by two reinforced porous face sheets. Graphene Platelets (GPLs) and Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) are considered as reinforcement materials. The linear three-dimensional piezo-elasticity theory is employed to model the structural part of the system, while the classical Rayleigh integral is used to obtain the fluid interaction part. The accuracy and reliability of the proposed model are validated by comparing the calculated natural frequencies of the plate in vacuum and water-loaded conditions with those reported in the literature. For the first time, several parametric studies are performed to investigate the effects of dimension ratios, porosity distributions, reinforcement dispersion pattern, porosity coefficient, and weight fraction of nanofiller on the natural frequency of hybrid reinforced porous composites. The results indicate that adjusting the porosity and weight fraction of the face sheets can enhance stiffness without changing the mass, emphasizing the importance of hybrid composites for achieving optimal stiffness while maintaining a constant mass. Furthermore, the influence of core layer porosity distributions on the composite behavior differs from that of porosity distributions in the face layers. Additionally, the effectiveness of the reinforcement pattern depends on the type of porosity distribution in the face layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ex-situ co-catalytic pyrolysis of corncob for improving bio-oil was studied. • Effect of combining of HZSM-5 and AC was investigated for the first time. • Co-catalytic pyrolysis significantly improved the generation of mono-aromatics. • 97% jet fuel range aromatis in bio-oil were achieved in co-catalytic process. Zeolite and activated carbon (AC) have been demonstrated as promising and facile catalysts in degrading biomass into high-value added chemicals and bio-fuels, while the effects of combining zeolite and AC on the catalytic degradation of biomass have not been well understood. Here, co-catalytic pyrolysis of corncob over HZSM-5 and AC to produce aromatic-rich bio-oils was investigated for the first time. The effects of HZSM-5/AC ratio, pyrolysis temperature and catalyst/corncob ratio on products yields and components were explored. The optimal conversion condition was HZSM-5/AC ratio of 2:1, pyrolysis temperature of 500 ℃ and catalyst/corncob ratio of 1:1. Up to 97.47% of the obtained bio-oil chemicals were jet-fuel ranged hydrocarbons, in which the selectivity of aromatics was 96.56%. The results revealed the existence of synergistic effect between HZSM-5 and AC. The present work suggested an economical and novel pathway to produce transportation jet fuel to ultimately expand the biomass application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of microelectronic devices and 5G communication has an increasing demand for polymer composites with low dielectric constant, low dielectric loss, and good hydrophobicity. However, traditional polymer composites cannot simultaneously satisfy them, which severely hinders their application. In this work, a liquid crystal epoxy resin (LCE4) consisted of a flexible chain and rigid mesogenic unit was prepared and cured with methylhexahydrophthalic anhydride (MHHPA). And the mechanism of the curing reaction and the phase structure of the liquid crystal epoxy resins were investigated. In addition, dielectric hydrophobic liquid crystal epoxy nanometer composite materials were successfully prepared with functionalized mesoporous silica (SBA-15) as a filler. The results showed that pure LCE4 exhibited excellent dielectric properties and thermal stability. Compared with pure LCE4, the composite material for SBA-15 modified with KH560 displayed lower dielectric constant, lower dielectric loss, higher glass transition temperature, and better hydrophobicity. For example, with a 0.5 wt% SBA-15, the dielectric constant and dielectric loss of the composite material were as low as (2.35, 0.025) compared with pure LCE4 (3.25, 0.036) that was reduced by 24.7% and 31%. In addition, the glass transition temperature and water contact angle are increased by 16 °C and 14°, respectively. Composites also showed good thermal stability and mechanical properties. The reasons may mainly be derived from the internal structure of LCE4, the effective modification of mesoporous SBA-15 by KH560, and the excellent dispersion of organic and inorganic phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The Zagros orogenic belt is a major mountain system located in southwestern Iran and extending into northeastern Iraq and southeastern Turkey. It was formed as a result of the Late Paleogene-Early Neogene Arabian-Eurasian continental collision, where its proto-basin was impacted by the tectonic evolution during the Proto-Tethys and Paleo-Tethys development. The entire evolution history can be summarized through an integrated model of three Wilson cycles. This paper aims to provide an understanding of the complexities of plate motions that led to the evolution of the Zagros Fold-and-Thrust Belt, by integrating the time and space evolution of supercontinents. A comprehensive review of the Arabian plate tectonics suggests three main tectonic stages, including a period of rifting from the Late Cambrian to Carboniferous, a period of ocean closure during the Late Triassic and Jurassic, and a final collision during the Cenozoic. These tectonic evolution stages encompassed multiple episodes of basin uplifting and subsidence, marked by wide-spread fault reactivation and fold deformation. Three styles of deformation were identified and characterized, including thin-skinned, thick-skinned, and basement deformation. The closure of the Neo-Tethys Ocean resulted in compressional tectonics that reactivated dormant faults, and emplaced gypsum-salt sedimentary caprock. The genetic analysis concurrently proposes a scientific framework for the characterization of structural deformation in similar convergent plate systems globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some evidence from Western high-income countries suggests local tobacco retail availability and neighbourhood deprivation may influence smoking behaviours. However, this assertion has not been considered in China, where 44% of males continue to smoke. Data were analysed from Chinese males (n = 2054) who participated in Waves 3–5 (2009–2015) of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) China Survey by linking information on tobacco retail availability (estimated through population weighted Kernel Density of tobacco retailers in 2019) and neighbourhood deprivation (calculated as a composite score derived from the 2010 Chinese census) across Shanghai. Generalised Estimating Equation models were fitted to examine the impacts of local tobacco availability and neighbourhood deprivation on smoking behaviours (current smoking versus current non-smoking, quitting versus current smoking, longer durations of smoking abstinence versus current smoking) using the longitudinal data. Examining the impacts separately, participants living in neighbourhoods with greater availability and higher levels of deprivation were less likely to maintain longer durations of smoking abstinence in both unadjusted and adjusted models. Neighbourhood deprivation, but not availability, was found to be associated with higher odds of being a current smoker. Examining the impacts jointly, neighbourhood deprivation was still positively associated with current smoking and negatively associated with longer durations of smoking abstinence, but the negative association between availability and longer durations of smoking abstinence disappeared. The findings offer some evidence that greater tobacco retail availability and deprivation are obstacles on prolonged smoking cessation among males in Shanghai, China. Policymakers should consider small-area level place-based restrictions in China, such as reducing the availability of tobacco, as part of a comprehensive tobacco control strategy aimed at addressing the high prevalence of smoking. • This work examines how tobacco retail availability and neighbourhood deprivation affect a series of smoking behaviours in Shanghai, China, using a cohort of male samples. • Neighbourhood deprivation was positively associated with current smoking and negatively associated with smoking cessation. • Examining the impacts of availability and deprivation jointly, the significant association between local tobacco retail availability and smoking cessation was no longer retained. • Regulating tobacco retail availability at the neighbourhood level may have the potential to reduce smoking prevalence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of tectonic activities induced by the subduction of the Palaeo‐Asian Ocean (PAO) in the Palaeozoic have been recorded in the North China Craton (NCC). Sedimentary strata provide some precious records to reconstruct the basin evolution in the NCC. In this study, we carried out detrital zircon LA‐ICP‐MS U–Pb dating, sandstone modal analysis, bulk‐rock major, and trace elemental measurements for the Sunjiagou and Liujiagou formations in the eastern Ordos Basin to trace the material source. The results show that the sedimentary rocks were mostly sourced from active continental margins. The detrital zircon ages of the Sunjiagou and Liujiagou formations spread from >3,000 to 250 Ma with peaks of main age populations at 2,508, 1,890, 430, and 270 Ma. Based on the age comparison and the southward palaeocurrents, we consider that the source material of these sedimentary rocks comes from the northern margin of the NCC. This in turn indicates that the amalgamation of the PAO and the NCC should have finished at least by the end of the Late Permian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a contagious illness and a matter of public health concern globally. It has a widespread impact in China, where it poses a significant risk to the health of young children. Previous research has discovered that the occurrence and spread of HFMD are closely linked to meteorological factors, but the specifics of these intricate nonlinear relationships and how they interact with the incidence of HFMD are still uncertain. In the present study, we filled this gap in knowledge by first obtaining data on hand, foot, and mouth disease from the National Health Commission of China alongside real-time surveillance data from meteorological stations. We then used Spearman's correlation analysis to identify the variables significantly related to HFMD, investigating the existence of co-curvilinearity among the contributing factors by using the independent effects model in the generalized additive model to analyze both the contribution of individual factors and their combined effects on the incidence of HFMD. The interactions between meteorological factors were then modeled to investigate their influence on HFMD. The results showed that, in descending order of effect size, air temperature (AT), sunshine duration (SD), wind speed (WS), and barometric pressure (BP) had a significant nonlinear impact on the incidence of HFMD, which displayed a fluctuating increase in line with rising temperatures. The interactions of (1) high temperature and low air pressure and (2) low wind speed and poor sunshine had the largest influence on HFMD. In descending order, the strengths of the interaction effects between factors were as follows: AT ∼ SD > AT ∼ WS > AT ∼ BP > WS ∼ BP > WS ∼ SD > BP ∼ SD. Our findings will inform policy initiatives contributing to the Healthy China strategy and assist in the prevention and control of HFMD by enabling the prediction and early warning of disease outbreaks. • The GAM employed in our study represents a novel application in the field of health geography. • We examine nonlinear meteorological effects on HFMD, a topic that has received limited research attention in the past. • The nationwide study data are comprehensive and highly detailed, covering most of mainland China at the city level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The first in-plane omnidirectional flutter piezoelectric wind energy harvester. • A design method of omnidirectional flutter wind energy harvesters. • Excellent omnidirectionalities of onset speed and electrical output power. • High output power in arbitrary wind direction and wide working wind speed range. Most wind energy harvesters that are based on wind-induced vibrations can only operate in a specific wind direction, which limits their application in environments with time-varying wind directions. Previously reported in-plane omnidirectional piezoelectric wind energy harvesters (PWEHs) based on vortex-induced vibrations can produce stable electrical output characteristics when the wind direction changes, but their output powers are relatively low and the working wind speed ranges are relatively narrow. To solve this issue, this work presents an in-plane omnidirectional flutter PWEH which is mainly composed of the bluff body of a hollow cylindrical shell and the inside elastic supporting structure of several piezoelectric composite beams. Finite element analysis shows that harvesters with both four and six supporting beams offer good stiffness and electromechanical conversion isotropies. Experiments demonstrate that both prototype devices are flutter PWEHs with rotation axes located on the rear of the geometrical center of the bluff body. The effect of wind speed on their directionality is small, and both prototypes show in-plane omnidirectional operation over a wide wind speed range, over which the electrical outputs remain relatively high. The prototype with six beams is preferred from the viewpoint of the wind direction adaptability. The onset wind speeds in different directions all range between 5.8 and 6.0 m/s, showing the good isotropy. The minimum and maximum powers are approximately 266.4 and 300.1 μW, respectively, at 10 m/s, and it shows in-plane omnidirectional energy harvesting performance in the wind speed range from 6.5 m/s up to more than 10 m/s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the Cancer Genome Atlas and Asian Cancer Research Group propose two new classifications system of gastric cancer by using multi-platforms of molecular analyses. However, these highly complicated and cost technologies have not yet been translated into full clinical utility. In addition, the clinicians are expected to gain more guidance of treatment for different molecular subtypes. In this study, we developed a panel of gastric cancer patients in population from Southern China using commercially accessible TMA and immunohistochemical technology. A cohort of 259 GC patients was classified into 4 subtypes on the basis of expression of mismatch repair proteins (PMS2, MLH1, MSH2, and MSH6), E-cadherin and p21 protein. We observed that the subtypes presented distinct prognosis. dMMR-like subtype was associated with the best prognosis, and E-cadherin-a subtype was associated with the worst prognosis. Patients with p21-High and p21-Ligh subtypes had intermediate overall survival. In multivariate analysis, the dMMR-like subtype remained an independent prediction power for overall survival in the model. We described a molecular classification of gastric cancers using clinically applicable assay. The biological relevance of the four subtypes was illustrated by significant differences in prognosis. Our molecular classification provided an effective and inexpensive screening tool for improving prognostic models. Nevertheless, our study should be considered preliminary and carries a limited predictive value as a single-center retrospective study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effects of the pyrochlore content on the phase, structure, and properties of uranium-rich glass ceramics were studied by modifying the mass ratio of the uranium pyrochlore in the glass ceramics. The results indicate that U has a high occupancy rate of approximately 0.7 f.u. at the A position of pyrochlore, and the crystal pyrochlore phase in the glass matrix can increase or decrease according to the U amount in the waste. Specifically, at a high occupancy rate and crystallization amount, the U loads reach 20 wt% in the sample, which exceeds the reported 16 wt% maximal U loads of pyrochlore-based glass ceramics. Furthermore, all the samples have excellent mechanical properties and chemical stabilities. The bulk density of each sample is more than 90% the theoretical density, which is 10–20% higher than those of the glass ceramics prepared by pressure sintering. Moreover, the Vickers hardness values of all samples exceed 6 GPa, and the U leaching rate after 21 days is only 6.7 × 10−5 g m−2 d−1, which is an order of magnitude lower than those of brannerite glass ceramics under equal leaching conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, pyrochlore glass-ceramics (GCs)for uranium immobilization were synthesized by a pretreatment and melting-heat treatment method. The effects of different uranium contents on the phase composition, microstructure, uranium valence and chemical durability of the glass-ceramics were systematically investigated. With increasing uranium content, pyrochlore was always the dominant phase internally crystallized in the glass. CaAl 2 Si 2 O 8 , UTi 2 O 6 and U 3 O 8 were gradually observed as minor phases in the glass-ceramics. The growth of pyrochlore enriched with uranium at different uranium contents and the overall distribution of uranium in the glass-ceramics were revealed by SEM. The uranium valence states in the samples were confirmed by XPS to be a mixture of tetravalent and hexavalent states. In addition, the GC3 sample with a high uranium waste content of 16.96 wt% exhibited a low uranium leaching rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Northeast China Block is a major component of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, and its tectonic evolution has attracted much research attention. Ordovician strata are important in reconstructing the tectonic evolution of the Northeast China Block. This paper presents the results of sedimentological, zircon U–Pb, and geochemical analyses of sandstones of the Luohe Formation in the Wunuer area, Northern Great Xing'an Range, Northeast China. Lithological data, sedimentary structures, and grain-size analysis indicate that the Luohe Formation was deposited in a shallow marine environment. Detrital zircon U–Pb dating yields age peaks of 463, 504, 783, 826, 973, and 1882 Ma for sandstones from the Luohe Formation. The youngest zircon grain age of 451 ± 6 Ma represents the maximum depositional age of the Luohe Formation. The peak age at 463 Ma is consistent with the timing of post-collisional magmatism and the formation of the Duobaoshan island arc, while the peak at 504 Ma is consistent with the timing of magmatic activity related to the collision between the Erguna and Xing'an blocks. The peaks at 788, 826, 973, and 1882 Ma correspond to magmatism in the Erguna block, these ages indicate that the sandstones of the Luohe Formation were derived mainly from the Erguna block. Sandstone modal compositional analysis indicates that the provenance of the Luohe Formation was mainly a magmatic arc. The geochemical compositions of the sandstones suggest that the source rocks have continental island arc signatures. Based on the depositional age, sedimentary environment, provenance, and regional geology, it is concluded that the Luohe Formation was deposited in a back-arc basin setting during the formation of the Duobaoshan island arc–basin system in response to subduction of the Paleo-Asian oceanic plate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Even harmonic SH wave generation from a primary SH wave due to contact acoustic nonlinearity (CAN) is first revealed. • Even SH wave harmonics result from the asymmetric sliding induced by tangential prestresses. • A theoretical model is proposed to interpret this new CAN phenomenon. • Spectral FEM within the bi-potential framework is extended for modeling CAN problems with prestresses. Nonlinear ultrasonic techniques have significant advantages in characterizing incipient defects of materials. The classical nonlinear ultrasonic theory indicates that a primary longitudinal wave can generate a second harmonic longitudinal wave due to the material nonlinearity (MN) or contact acoustic nonlinearity (CAN). However, in both MN and CAN, a second harmonic shear horizontal (SH) component generated from a normally-incident SH wave has not been reported. In this work, a time domain spectral finite element method combined with the bi-potential contact theory is extended to simulate the CAN problems with prestresses. Numerical verifications are performed to show the robustness and accuracy of the developed method. After that, the nonlinear interactions between the SH wave and frictional interfaces under complex prestresses are investigated. It is found for the first time that when there are tangential prestresses at the frictional interfaces or crack surfaces, a primary SH wave of normal incidence can generate the second harmonic SH wave. A theoretical model is then proposed to interpret this new phenomenon. It is found that the even SH wave harmonics result from the asymmetric sliding of the frictional interface induced by the tangential prestresses. This asymmetric sliding mechanism can be compared with the breathing behavior of a crack caused by an incident longitudinal wave. The findings of this work could enrich the understanding of contact acoustic nonlinearity behavior of the SH wave and promote the development of related nondestructive evaluation techniques. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research in Scotland used a merging approach to combine census boundary data for geographies specific to 1981, 1991 and 2001 to create Consistent Areas Through Time (CATTs) for the analysis of health and social data for small areas. In this paper, we adopt the same methodology to integrate the 2011 Scottish Output Areas to the CATTs. First, we overlaid the 2001 Output Areas upon the 2011 Output Areas to create SUPER OAs, which were then combined with SUPER EDs, which represented a consistent small area geography for 1981 and 1991. This resulted in 8,548 CATTs providing a consistent geography for the 1981, 1991, 2001 and 2011 Censuses in Scotland. We demonstrate the utility of the CATTs by exploring the correlations between deprivation, the proportion of the population who were permanently sick and those with degree qualifications, across the 4 censuses, a research angle impossible without consistent geographies. We have provided a resource that enables users to deepen their understanding of small area social changes in Scotland between the 1981 and 2011 Censuses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) provides a physiological restoration of cerebrospinal fluid and a shunt-free option for hydrocephalus children. Continuous developments in techniques and instruments have improved ETV as the first-line treatment. This paper focuses on the recent advances in surgical techniques, instruments, predictive models, imaging tools, and new cohort studies. The efficacy, safety, indications, and remaining challenges of ETV are discussed. More patients undergo ETV with a better outcome, identifying a new era of hydrocephalus treatment. Deeper understanding of ETV will improve a better shunt-free survival for pediatric hydrocephalus patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we report three Neoproterozoic ophiolitic mélanges in the Ali River (Jifeng-Gaxian-Huanerku) area from the northern Great Xing’an Range, NE China. Detailed field mapping reveal that all three mélanges disperse in a strongly sheared metasedimentary matrix composed mainly of mica-schist, quartz-schist and marble. These mélanges, which have undergone polyphase deformation with northwest-verging nappe structures, are composed of a suite of amphibolite-facies mafic to ultramafic blocks including serpentinite, olivine pyroxenite, pyroxenite, diabase, gabbro and basalt. Lithological and geochemical characteristics of these ultramafic-mafic rocks suggest that their protoliths were from an ophiolitic mélange formed in a Neoproterozoic supra-subduction zone. The protolith ages were constrained by LA-ICP-MS/SHRIMP U-Pb dating of zircons from the Jifeng gabbro, the Gaxian pyroxenite, and the Huanerku gabbro, which yielded ages of 647 ± 5, 628 ± 10 and 697 ± 3 Ma, respectively. The zircons from the gabbros have obvious positive ε Hf ( t ) values that range from +8.3 to +17.2 (average = +13.5) with corresponding T DM1 ages of ca. 680 Ma, indicating that these rocks are the remnants of juvenile crust derived from depleted mantle in the Neoproterozoic. All rock types in the mélange underwent amphibolite facies metamorphism. The tectonic emplacement of these ophiolitic mélanges was no later than 557 ± 2 Ma, which is the age of continental arc-type granodiorites (negative ε Hf ( t ) values from -7.4 to -17.8) that intruded these rocks. The mafic-ultramafic rocks in the Ali River mélanges are interpreted to be fragments of a ca. 690–620 Ma supra-subduction zone ophiolite that was incorporated into the Xinlin - Xiguitu suture zone during subduction - accretion. Together with the ca. 500 Ma Toudaoqiao blueschists, the Ali River ophiolitic mélange in the northern Great Xing’an Range provides important evidence for the Neoproterozoic subduction-accretion-collision processes associated with the amalgamation of the Erguna and Xing’an blocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context:Baicalin (BL) and baicalein (B) as the major flavonoids ofScutellaria baicalensisGeorgi (Lamiaceae) have been investigated intensively, and shown to possess a multitude of pharmacological activities. Objective:This study systematically evaluates the stability of BL and B in monomer and total flavonoid fraction (FSR) formin vitro, and further studies whether the protective measures are effective to make B and BL stable enough to meet the requirement of quantitative analysis in various biological samples. Materials and methods:The stability of BL and B was evaluated by investigating the influence factors such as pH (2.0, 3.0, 4.5, 6.8, 7.4 and 9.0), temperature (4, 25 and 40 °C), antioxidant (vitamin C and Na2SO3) and sunlight. After the protective measures were taken, stability of BL and B in plasma, urine and tissue homogenates was evaluated through post-preparative stability (stored at 4 °C for 24 h), three freeze–thaw cycles stability and long-term stability test (stored in refrigerator at −20 °C for 15 days). In addition, by comparing the degradation parameters of BL and B obtained from the monomer administration group with those of the FSR administration group, drug–drug interaction of coexistent components in FSR on the stability of BL and B was discussed. Results:The degradation of BL and B was both pH- and temperature-dependent with their correlation coefficents for first-order kinetics equation larger than 0.99, and acidic environment (pH 2–4.5), lower temperature (<4 °C) and acidic antioxidant (e.g. vitamin C) were conducive to stabilize B and BL. Furthermore, coexistent components in FSR were proved to have function on inhibiting the degradation of BL and B in our study for the first time, which was characteristic of prolonging their biological half-life (t1/2) significantly, e.g., from 2.89 h to indefinite for BL (pH 6.8, 25 °C), from 2.63 h to 4.48 h for B (pH 6.8, 25 °C) and so on. Antioxidant of Na2SO3could inhibit the degradation of BL witht1/2increasing from 1.8 h to 3.5 h, but aggravate the bio-transformation of B witht1/2decreasing from 0.92 h to 0.29 h. Our research proved that BL monomer, and BL and B in FSR form could be stabilized enough to meet the requirement of biological quantitative analysis under the protection of coexistent components in FSR. Discussion and conclusion:The results obtained indicated that the stability of BL and B was affected not only by its environmental parameters, but also by the coexistent components in the effective total flavonoids fractions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aims: Investments to promote public transport utilisation are being championed to achieve sustainable development, but the potential co-benefits for mental health are comparatively under-researched. We hypothesised that frequent users of public transport would be more likely to have better mental health (possibly due to increased levels of physical activity), but among the more frequent users, less favourable perceptions of public transport infrastructure (PPTI) could have a negative influence on mental health. Methods: Multilevel linear and logistic regressions were fitted on 30,214 participants in the UK Household Longitudinal Study with lagged PPTI and confounder measures at baseline and indicators of active travel and mental health (General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), SF-12 Mental Component Scale (MCS) and the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well Being Scale (WEMWBS)) at follow-up. Results: Compared to participants expressing poor PPTI, those who felt it was excellent were 1.29 (95%CI 1.15, 1.45) times more likely to be frequent users of public transport and 1.53 (95%CI 1.33, 1.76) times more likely to choose to walk or cycle journeys of less than two to three miles. Frequent use of public transport was found to be consistently associated with better mental health for GHQ caseness (OR 0.85, 95%CI 0.79, 0.91), GHQ score (coefficient -0.28, 95%CI -0.41, -0.16), MCS (coefficient 0.45, 95%CI 0.23, 0.66), and WEMWBS (coefficient 0.30, 95%CI 0.19, 0.40). Among frequent users of public transport, participants expressing poor PPTI were 1.46 (95%CI 1.11, 1.93) times more likely to report poorer mental health according to the GHQ caseness indicator, compared to frequent users that regarded PPTI as excellent. Similar results were observed for the other indicators of mental health. Conclusions: These findings indicate that while the provision of public transport infrastructure is a necessary pre-condition for stimulating population increases in physical activity, PPTI improvements needs to be prioritised to leverage the full mental health-related co-benefits of active travel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Xinlin–Xiguitu suture zone, located in the Great Xing’an Range, NE China, in the eastern segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), represents the boundary between the Erguna and Xing’an micro-continental blocks. The exact location of the Xinlin-Xiguitu suture zone has been debated, especially, the location of the northern extension of the suture zone. In this study, based on a detailed field, geochemical, geochronological and Sr–Nd–Hf isotope study, we focus our work on the Cambrian igneous rocks in the Erguna-Xing’an block. The Xinglong granitoids, mainly include ∼520 Ma diorite, ∼470 Ma monzogranite and ∼480 Ma pyroxene diorite. The granitoids show medium to high-K calc-alkaline series characteristics with post-collision granite affinity. The circa 500 Ma granitoids have low ε Hf ( t ) values (−16.6 to +2.2) and ancient two-stage model ( T DM2 ) ages between 1317 Ma and 2528 Ma. These results indicate the primary magmas of the Xinglong granitoids were probably derived from the partial melting of a dominantly Paleo-Mesoproterozoic “old” crustal source with possible different degrees of addition of juvenile materials, and formed in a post-collision tectonic setting after the amalgamation of the Erguna and Xing’an blocks. Compared with the Xinglong granitoids, the Duobaoshan igneous rocks are consisted of the approximately coeval rhyolitic tuffs (491 ± 5 Ma) and ultramafic intrusions (497 ± 5 Ma) within the Duobaoshan Formation. They are generally enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and depleted in high field strength elements (HFSEs; e.g., Nb, Ta, and Ti), consistent with the geochemistry of igneous rocks from island arcs or active continental margins. The ultramafic rocks have high positive ε Hf ( t ) values (+1.3 to +15) and ε Nd ( t ) (+1.86 to +2.28), and relatively young two-stage model ( T DM2 ) ages and low initial 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios (0.70628–0.70853), indicating the partial melting of a depleted mantle source from a subducted slab in the ocean basin between the Erguna-Xing’an and Songliao blocks. The rhyolitic tuffs contain a group of Phanerozoic zircons with ε Hf ( t ) values (−4.6 to +15.0), suggesting that the rhyolitic tuffs were derived from juvenile lower crustal material with some ancient crustal material. Coupled with our previous geochemical and isotopic studies on Early Paleozoic igneous rocks, we proposed that the collision of the Erguna and Xing’an blocks at least took place ca. 500 Ma ago, and that there exist in a westward subduction of an oceanic plate between the Eruguna-Xing’an and Songliao blocks, took place during the Early Ordovician. Up to now, there are more evidences and constraints that the northern extension location of the Xinlin-Xiguitu suture zone is located in the Jifeng–Xinglong areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rifted margins in the central South Atlantic portray spatial variability in terms of preserved width and thickness, which relates to complex rift‐related fault activities. However, there is still a lack of systematic and quantitative explanations for the causes of the variations that are observed along the paired rifts. To elucidate this issue, 2D viscous‐plastic thermomechanical numerical models are applied to capture the behavior of deformation, in which we investigate the effects of extensional rate, crustal strength and thickness on crust‐mantle coupling, and timing of transition from rifting to breakup. Our numerical experiments demonstrate that crust‐mantle decoupling accounts for crustal hyperextension, and that incorporating moderate‐intensity rheology into lower crust may yield insights into the hyper‐extended crust and asymmetric architecture observed in the central South Atlantic. The results also suggest that undulations in lithospheric basement cause asymmetric mantle upwelling. The lower crust of fold belts takes priority to be thermally weakened over craton and induces rift migration simultaneously. A new mechanism for the formation of failed rift is described, where the mechanical decoupling derived from thermally weakened lower crust gives access to dual rift migration. These results reinforce the interpretation on how crustal rheology shapes margins architectures and highlight the first‐order effects of crust‐mantle coupling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northeast China composes the main part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Traditionally, Northeast China has been considered a collage of several microcontinental blocks. However, the tectonic evolution of these blocks remains uncertain. Igneous rocks can be used to infer the magmatic histories of the blocks and thus help reconstruct their evolution. In this study, we present new zircon U–Pb and whole-rock geochemical data for Carboniferous igneous rocks from the Wunuer area, northern Great Xing'an Range, Northeast China, to constrain the Carboniferous amalgamation of the united Xing'an–Erguna and Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range massifs. On the basis of zircon U–Pb dating results, we identify two main stages of magmatism, i.e., early Carboniferous (332–329 Ma) and late Carboniferous (312–310 Ma). The early Carboniferous igneous rocks include diorites and granodiorites, with the former being classified as calc-alkaline to tholeiitic and the latter as tholeiitic. Both rock types are enriched in Th and U and depleted in Nb and Ti. The rocks display slightly fractionated rare earth element (REE) patterns, with an enrichment in light REEs and a depletion in heavy (H)REEs. The geochemical characteristics of the early Carboniferous rocks indicate that they formed in a subduction-related continental-arc setting. The late Carboniferous igneous rocks include monzogranites and syenogranites, both of which are classified as high-K calc-alkaline rocks and show enrichment in Th, U, and Rb and depletion in Nb and Ti. The rocks display strongly fractionated REE patterns, with an enrichment in light REEs and a depletion in HREEs. The geochemical characteristics of the late Carboniferous rocks indicate that they formed in a syn-collisional tectonic setting. Combining the new geochronological and geochemical results and inferred tectonic settings with regional magmatic data, we propose a new three-stage model to interpret the late Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the united Xing'an–Erguna and Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range massifs of Northeast China: (1) early Carboniferous (360–340 Ma) subduction of the Paleo-Asian oceanic plate beneath the united Xing'an–Erguna Massif and formation of the Wunuer oceanic basin in the Yakeshi area; (2) early to late Carboniferous (340–310 Ma) sustained subduction of the Paleo-Asian oceanic plate beneath the united Xing'an–Erguna Massif and initiation of subduction of the Wunuer oceanic basin; and (3) late Carboniferous–early Permian (310–275 Ma) syn-collisional to post-collisional tectonic transition between the united Xing'an–Erguna Massif and the Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range Massif. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil sparkover is one of the key factors that affect the impulse characteristics of grounding devices under lightning current. In this study, the polyester‐based sensitive films are applied to observe the morphology features of the sandy sparkover around a horizontal grounding rod 1 m in length buried in a hemispheric pool 8 m in diameter under impulse current. Moreover, the releasing current distribution of the grounding rod is measured by modular multi‐channel simultaneous signal acquisition system. Along with injected impulse current increasing, the ratio of current released from two ends of the rod increases because the spark discharge leads the redistribution of the dissipating current. The discharge in the sand becomes more intense with current increasing. The discharge on middle segments spreads around the electrode‐like cluster, while sparkover at the terminal develops into tree creeping discharge finally. Analysis based on combining observation images with current measurement result suggests that sparkover morphology is related to not only electric field value but also electric field distribution. The sparkover strength is determined by electric field intensity, while the sparkover concentration depends on electric field uniformity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is tentative evidence suggesting that socioeconomically disadvantaged groups may benefit more from access to neighbourhood greenspace and therefore could be a lever for narrowing socioeconomic inequalities ('equigenesis') in mental health, although studies are equivocal. One potential explanation for this inconsistency is differences in study designs, particularly how greenspace is measured. Most previous studies are from high income countries, and there has been no investigations into equigenic environments in China. Using survey data collected from 26 neighbourhoods in Guangzhou, China, this study examines whether local greenspaces may narrow socioeconomic inequalities in health (i.e. equigenesis) in the Chinese context. The study is the first to explore the contribution of greenspace in reducing socioeconomic inequalities in mental health in the Chinese context. It uses Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Street View Greenness (SVG) and self-reported neighbourhood greenness quality as estimates of residential greenness exposure Results show that SVG-quantity, SVG-quality and self-reported greenspace quality narrow the neighbourhood socioeconomic inequalities in mental health. Our findings demonstrate the importance of improving equity in local green infrastructure for promoting health equity through urban planning and design, including improving access to green spaces, and providing more street trees in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhoods. • Street view images and machine learning were used to measure Street View Greenness (SVG). • SVG and self-reported greenspace quality narrow the neighbourhood socioeconomic inequalities in mental health. • SVG and self-reported greenspace quality narrow the individual socioeconomic inequalities in mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C11H12N4O2, monoclinic, Cc (no. 9), a = 16.146(5) Å, b = 14.653(4) Å, c = 14.621(4) Å, β = 106.052(8)°, V = 3324.3(16) Å3, Z = 12, Rgt(F) = 0.0415, wRref(F2) = 0.0965, T = 173(2) K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spark discharge in the soil is a key factor that affects the impulse characteristics of grounding devices under the lightning current. However, since soil is inhomogeneous medium consisted with humid‐air, ionic liquid, and soil particles, the developing process of the soil sparkover is very complicated. In this study, the polyester‐based sensitive films are used to observe the morphology features of the soil sparkover in the plate electrodes. According to the observed images, the spark discharge in the soil can be divided into partial discharge and arc discharge. The change of instantaneous resistance can be explained by the three stages of soil ionisation/deionisation. Moreover, the distinct images of the sparkover around the rod electrode buried horizontally in the grounding pool are obtained by the proposed method. The distribution of discharge points, developing process, and feature of the soil sparkover are analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jifeng ophiolitic mélange (ultramafic rocks, meta-basalts and gabbros) crops out in the northern segment of the Great Xing'an Range, the eastern segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, which marks the closure of the Xinlin-Xiguitu Ocean associated with the collision between the Erguna block and Xing'an block. In order to investigate the formation age and magma source of the Jifeng ophiolitic mélange, the gabbros from newly discovered the Jifeng ophiolitic mélange are studied with zircon U-Pb ages, whole-rock geochemistry and zircon Hf isotopes. Zircon U-Pb dating from the ophiolitic gabbros yields U-Pb age of 647 ± 5.3 Ma, which may represent the formation age of the ophiolitic mélange. The gabbros display low SiO, TiO, KO contents, high NaO, LREE contents and indistinctive REE fractionation [(La/Yb) = 1.97-2.98]. It shows an E-MORB-like affinity, while the element concentrations of the Jifeng samples are lower than that of E-MORB. More importantly, Nb displays negative anomaly in comparison with Th, which shows a transitional SSZ-type ophiolite signature. Moreover, the ε ( t) values of ~647 Ma zircons in the gabbros range from +8.4 to +13.4, and the corresponding Hf single-stage ages ( T) are between 687 and 902 Ma, which is obviously older than the crystallization age of 647 Ma. These geochemical features can be explained as melts from the partial melting of a depleted mantle source meta-somatized by fluids derived from a subducted slab. Accordingly, we conclude that the Jifeng ophiolitic mélange is probably related to transitional SSZ-type ophiolite and developed in an intra-oceanic subduction, which indicates that an ocean (the Xinlin-Xiguitu Ocean) existed between the Erguna block and Xing'an block. The Ocean's formation might be no later than the Neoproterozoic (647 Ma), and it was closed in the Late Cambrian because of the collision between the Erguna block and Xing'an block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Carboniferous period marks an important transition from accretion to collision in the Great Xing’an Range, NE China. In this study we present new data to provide a better constraint on the magmatic process in the studied area during this period and its implications for the regional tectonic evolution in the eastern Central Asia Orogenic Belt. The new age data we report consist of zircon SIMS U–Pb ages of 306–315 Ma and zircon LA-ICP-MS U–Pb ages of 331 Ma from basic intrusive rocks and 329.4 Ma from granites in the Erguna-Xing’an block. Zircons are euhedral–subhedral in shape, display straight rhythmic stripes and oscillatory zoning in CL images with Th/U ratios of 0.20–3.44, which indicate that the zircons are of igneous origin. The basic intrusive rocks show SiO 2 contents ranging from 47.75% to 53.80%, Mg# values (49–71), Al 2 O 3 contents (14.35–17.76), and belong to the medium and high-k calc-alkaline series. Moreover, they are enriched in LREE and some LILEs as well as HFSEs, and depleted in Nb, Ta and Ti. Furthermore, they also show lower Sm/Th (0.70–4.38) and higher Th/Y (0.06–0.35) ratios, and variable Th/Zr (0.02–0.06), Ba/Th (29–249), Ba/La (9–20) and Ba/Nb (12–43) ratios. The geochemical data suggest that these rocks were likely derived from partial melting of mantle source with minor spinel metasomatized by slab-derived fluids. Integrating with regional geological data from the northern Great Xing’an Range, we conclude, therefore, that the Carboniferous intrusive rocks formed through the partial melting of a metasomatized subcontinental lithospheric in a subduction to post-collisional extensional setting triggered by the upwelling of the asthenosphere generated by slab break-off of the subducted oceanic crust between Erguna-Xing’an and Songnen block, which had amalgamated at no later than the end of Early Carboniferous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of impulse characteristics of tower grounding devices is important for lightning protection of the transmission lines. In this paper, the time-domain difference method is proposed to analyze the impulse characteristics of tower grounding devices. Combined with the soil ionization model and the soil-critical breakdown field strength, the proposed method is capable of modeling nonlinear ionization of the soil. The voltage-response waveform calculated by the proposed method is smooth, which is superior to the waveform calculated by the frequency-domain numerical algorithm. The reduced-scale experiments of grounding devices with different structures were carried out in the laboratory to validate the accuracy of the proposed method. Furthermore, the critical breakdown field strength used in the soil ionization model is measured by the coaxial cylindrical electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A cross-sectional survey GENERATE (GEospatial aNalysis of ExtRacorporeal membrane oxygenATion in Europe) initiated on behalf of the European chapter of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (EuroELSO), aims to provide a systematic, detailed description of contemporary Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) provision in Europe, map the spatial distribution of ECLS centers, and the accessibility of ECLS. Methods: Structured data collection forms were used to create a narrative description of ECLS provision in EuroELSO affiliated countries. This consisted of both center-specific data and relevant national infrastructure. Data was provided by a network of local and national representatives. Spatial accessibility analysis was conducted where appropriate geographical data were available. Results: 281 centers from 37 countries affiliated to EuroELSO were included in the geospatial analysis and demonstrate heterogeneous patterns of ECLS provision. Accessibility of ECLS services within 1 hour of drive-time is available for 50% of the adult population in 8 of 37 countries (21.6%). This proportion is reached within 2 hours in 21 of 37 countries (56.8%) and within 3 hours in 24 of 37 countries (64.9%). For pediatric centers, accessibility is similar with 9 of 37 countries (24.3%) reached the covering of 50% of the population aged 0–14 within 1 hour and 23 of 37 countries (62.2%) within 2 hours and 3 hours. Conclusions: ECLS services are accessible in most of the European countries, but their provision differs across the continent. There is still no solid evidence given regarding the optimal ECLS provision model. The spatial disparity in ECLS provision demonstrated in our analysis requires governments, healthcare professionals and policy makers to consider how to develop existing provision to accommodate the anticipated increase in need for time critical access to this advanced support modality. Graphical Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To examine whether dog ownership amongst community dwelling older adults (≥ 65years) is associated with objectively measured physical activity (PA). Methods We used data from the Physical Activity Cohort Scotland (PACS) which consists of 547 people aged 65 and over, resident in the community in Tayside, Scotland. The data was collected in 2009-2011. We assessed whether dog ownership is associated with objectively measured physical activity (accelerometry counts). Results The physical activity (PA) counts of 547 older people (mean age 79 (standard deviation (SD) 8years, 54% female) were analysed. Linear mixed models showed that dog ownership was positively related to higher PA levels. This positive relationship remained after controlling for a large number of individual and contextual variables, including attitude towards exercise, physical activity intention and history of physical activity. Dog owners were found to be 12% more active (21,875 counts, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 2810 to 40,939, p<0.05) than non-dog owners. Conclusion Dog ownership is associated with physical activity in later life. Interventions to increase activity amongst older people might usefully attempt to replicate elements of the dog ownership experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Spectral FEM within the bi-potential framework is developed for modeling CAN. • A semi-explicit algorithm is proposed to facilitate high computational efficiency. • Contact force can be calculated by bi-potential method without defined parameters. • Computational efficiency of the proposed method is much higher than that of FEM. • The proposed method can capture classical contact acoustic nonlinearity features. Nonlinear ultrasonic guided waves are of great importance in structural health monitoring, since they have both the large-area inspection capability of guided waves and the desirable sensitivity to incipient defects from nonlinear ultrasonic features. Efficient numerical methods play a key role in investigating the nonlinear features of guided waves. In this work, a time domain spectral finite element method (TDSFEM) combined with the bi-potential contact theory is developed to capture the nonlinear interactions between guided waves and breathing cracks. The bi-potential approach has better accuracy than the conventional penalty method, since there is no any user-defined parameter for computation in the former method while the latter one requires a user-experience-based penalty factor. In addition, a semi-explicit algorithm is proposed to integrate the wave equation, which can take full advantage of the diagonal mass matrix of TDSFEM while not sacrificing numerical stability. Numerical verifications against ANSYS show that the computational efficiency of the bi-potential method-based TDSFEM is much higher than that of the FEM via the penalty method. Numerical case studies are then performed to investigate the nonlinear interactions between Lamb waves and breathing cracks. Results show that the proposed method can successfully capture the classical nonlinear features, such as higher harmonic generation and zero frequency (DC) response. Moreover, the influence of the length and gap of a breathing crack on the contact acoustic nonlinearity (CAN) is investigated. As an efficient numerical approach, the bi-potential method-based TDSFEM may be a good tool for investigating the CAN. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Erguna Block contains a crystalline basement at least in Paleoproterozoic ages. • The Neoproterozoic intrusive rocks define two stages magmatism. • Two stages magmatism corresponds to the assembly and break-up of the Rodinia supercontinent. • The Central Mongolia-Erguna Block has a tectonic affinity to the Tarim Craton. The Central Asian Orogenic Belt is sandwiched between the Siberian, East European (Baltica), Tarim, and North China cratons, which contain several Precambrian micro-continental blocks, such as the Kazakhstan-Yili-Central Tianshan blocks, the Junggar Block and the Amuria Block. The tectonic nature and positions of these micro-continental blocks are unclear and disputed in many supercontinent reconstructions. In particular, the position of the Amuria Block in the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt, which is important for the reconstructions of the Precambrian Rodinia supercontinent, remains unknown because of the lack of late Palaeoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic geological and geochronological data. The Erguna Block, a part of the Amuria Block in NE China, has been considered as a constituent block of the Rodinia supercontinent. However, the late Palaeoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic tectonic evolution of the Erguna Block with respect to the assembly and break-up of Rodinia remains poorly understood. Here we present zircon U–Pb–Hf–O isotopic data and whole-rock elemental data of the newly discovered late Palaeoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic records in the northern Erguna Block. The gneissic granites have protolith and metamorphic ages of 1839 ± 24 and 497 ± 6 Ma, respectively, and relatively uniform two-stage Hf model ages (T DM1) of 2.67–1.26 Ga, indicating that the Erguna Block has a Palaeoproterozoic crystalline basement. The zircon U–Pb ages for the Neoproterozoic intrusive rocks define two stages of magmatism in early Neoproterozoic (Stage 1; i.e., ca. 946 Ma) and middle Neoproterozoic (Stage 2; i.e., 833–737 Ma), respectively, implying that the Erguna Block had switched to an intra-continental extensional setting (833–737 Ma) after the early Neoproterozoic (ca. 946 Ma) convergence–accretion. A comparison of data from the Erguna Block and its adjacent units reveals that the Erguna and Central Mongolia blocks were likely in a single crustal entity with the Tarim Craton associated with the Rodinia assembly at ca. 900 Ma. This composite block then detached from the Tarim Craton at ca. 800 Ma following the break-up of Rodinia, and drifted southwards to the vicinity of the Siberia Craton during the Cambrian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines whether long journeys to work are negatively associated with commuters’ mental health. Fixed-effects models were applied to the panel data on 5,216 participants in the British Household Panel Survey who were working at the time of interview and aged between 16 and 64 years. Mental health status was established using the General Health Questionnaire. Long journeys to work are associated with a higher risk of poor mental health for women but not for men, controlling for a number of demographic and socioeconomic factors. Previous studies have asserted that long journeys to work are a stressful event, which affects men and women as an acute stressor. Our results from the 16-year panel data found that the long-term effect applies only for women. The fact that women with children are most likely to suffer from long commuting suggests that such daily travel behavior is particularly difficult for women. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Most studies investigating residential segregation of ethnic minorities ignore the fact that the majority of adults live in couples. In recent years there has been a growth in the number of mixed-ethnic unions that involve a minority member and a white member. To our knowledge, hardly any research has been undertaken to explicitly examine whether the ethnic mix within households has an impact on the residential mobility of households in terms of the ethnic mix of destination neighbourhoods. Our study addresses this research gap and examines the tendencies of mobility among mixed-ethnic unions in comparison with their co-ethnic peers. We used data from the Longitudinal Study for England and Wales. Our statistical analysis supports the spatial assimilation theory; ethnic minorities move towards less deprived areas and to a lesser extent also towards less ethnically concentrated areas. However, the types of destination neighbourhood of minority people living in mixed-ethnic unions varied greatly with the ethnicity of the ethnic minority partner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate clinical features of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) in Chinese Han population. Methods: Three hundred and sixteen hospitalized patients with IHPS from January 1998 to February 2010 were retrospectively reviewed, and data including patient's sex, onset age, other coexisting congenital defects, pyloric circular muscle thickness evaluated by ultrasonograph, serum electrolytes concentration, and results of arterial blood gas analysis on admission were collected. The patients were divided into two groups: the duration between first onset and admission less than or equal to 10 days (early onset group), and more than 10 days (late onset group). The results of arterial blood gas and serum electrolyte concentration were compared between the two groups. Results: There were 271 males and 45 females in 316 patients; the onset age ranged between 1 and 351 (26.5±26.6) days. The birth weight ranged between 1.6 and 4.5 (3.23±0.44) kilograms; coexisting congenital defects were found in 65 cases (20.6%). Pyloric circular muscle thickness was 4–8 (5.4±1.0) millimetres (mm). For the early onset group, the rates of hypokalemia, hypochloraemia and hypercapnia were significantly lower than those in the late onset group (18.67% VS 50%, P<0.0001; 46.03% VS 71.01%, P = 0.003; 56.58% VS 83.44%, P = 2.17×10−5; respectively). Conclusions: The symptom duration in Chinese Han population was longer than that in other populations. And as the prolongation of symptom duration, the incidence of acid-base imbalance increased significantly. Infants with persistent vomiting at the age of 3∼5 weeks after birth should be considered IHPS, and go to hospital as soon as possible in order to reduce the incidence of hypokalemia, hypochloraemia and hypercapnia, and avoid deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Although developed societies are becoming increasingly ethnically diverse, relatively little research has been conducted on geographies of mixed-ethnic unions (married or cohabiting). There is some recent evidence from the US that mixed-ethnic couples are more likely to be found in mixed-ethnic neighbourhoods, but this research is based on cross-sectional data. Therefore it is not possible to determine whether mixed-ethnic couples are more likely to form in mixed-ethnic neighbourhoods or whether they are more likely to move there. Our longitudinal analysis allows us to tease out the relative importance of these two processes, furthering our understanding of the formation of mixed-ethnic unions. Using data from the Office for National Statistics Longitudinal Study we examine neighbourhood effects on the formation of mixed-ethnic unions in England and Wales. We find that mixed-ethnic unions are more likely to form in neighbourhoods with low concentrations of co-ethnic population. The results from this study lend support to the contact theory that geographical proximity to other ethnic groups enhances mutual understanding between people from different ethnic groups and could lead to the development of intimate partnerships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Continental Scientific Drilling Project at the Cretaceous-age Songliao Basin is a drilling initiative under the framework of the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program, to recover a nearly complete Cretaceous terrestrial sedimentary record in the Songliao Basin, northeastern China. The recovered cores will provide unique opportunities for the geosciences community to advance the understanding of climate change in the Cretaceous greenhouse world, and provide a documentation of geological events relevant to the carbon cycle during this time period. This drilling project will address significant geological questions, such as the identification of important stratigraphic boundaries and the marine-terrestrial correlations of stratigraphy, the reasons for the biotic response to the terrestrial environmental changes, the terrestrial response to the Cretaceous oceanic anoxic events, the formation of terrestrial petroleum source rocks, and the mechanisms for the Cretaceous magnetic Normal Superchron (CNS). In the first stage of this drilling project, the SKI drilling, rock cores of 2485.89m in total length were recovered and the recovery ratio reached 96.46%. A series of drilling and coring technologies including regular, confined, directional, and sealed coring, were utilized to ensure a higher recovery ratio for the core, and will be described at the end of this paper. Well loggings were conducted right after coring. Core handling and storage were arranged in such a way that the scientific research was conducted on half of each core, whereas the other half of each core was preserved for long-term storage. The upcoming second stage, the SKII drilling, will combine with data from the existing SKI to provide complete high-resolution climate records of the terrestrial environment for the whole Cretaceous time period. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: As a paradigm of greenhouse climate in Earth's history, the Cretaceous provides significant rock records of global climate changes under conditions of greenhouse climate. The Songliao Basin, among the longest duration (85–90m.y.) of continental sedimentary basins, provides an excellent opportunity to recover a nearly complete Cretaceous terrestrial sedimentary record. Extensive lake deposits, ten-kilometers deep and covering an area of 260,000km2 of the Songliao Basin, provide unique, detailed records that can be tied to the global stratigraphic time scale, thereby improving our understanding of the continental paleoclimate and ecological system. The two coreholes at SKIs and SKIn sites were drilled into this basin and completed with a total length of 2485.89m of recovered core that spanned the complete middle-to-Upper Cretaceous strata in the basin. The unique geological setting of long-term continuous subsidence within the largest Cretaceous landmass in the world — makes the Cretaceous Songliao Basin of northeastern China an ideal place to study Cretaceous climate change on the continent. This paper reviews the literature on the paleogeography and paleoclimate of the northern East Asia and the Songliao Basin during the Cretaceous. Based on the climatologically sensitive deposits, oxygen isotope studies, and paleontology, the climate during the Cretaceous in the Songliao Basin was temperate and humid with relatively abundant rainfall. During the period, significant changes – four cooling, three warming, and three semiarid events – are generally consistent with the oxygen isotope data from East Asia, and the four cooling events, in Berriasian–Valanginian, Aptian–Albian, early Santonian, and Campanian–Maastrichtian, may be related to potential glaciations in Cretaceous. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]