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Measuring the dynamic displacements of a structure provides a comprehensive understanding of the structure, especially when subjected to different types of dynamic loading (i.e., wind, traffic, impact loads, blast loads, etc.). Despite their usefulness, direct displacement measurements are typically not collected due to the cumbersome logistical issues of sensor placement and maintenance and the impracticality of instrumenting contact-based sensors across all significant structures. In this context, this study proposes a novel dual stereovision technique to measure the dynamic displacement of structures using a portable, noncontact measurement system that involves an uncrewed aerial system (UAS) and four optical cameras. One pair of cameras tracks the three-component (x , y , and z) motion of a region of interest (ROI) on a structure with respect to the UAS system, and the other pair of cameras measure the six degrees of freedom motion (6-DOF) (both rotational and translational motion) of the UAS system by tracking a stationary reference. The motion of the UAS is then compensated for to recover the true dynamic displacement of the ROI. The proposed dual stereovision technique realizes simultaneous measurement of all three components of displacements of the structure and 6-DOF of UAS motion through a mathematically elegant process. The unique dual stereovision technique allows flexibility in choosing a global reference coordinate system, greatly enhancing the feasibility of applying the new technology in various field environments. This new technique has overcome the major challenge of significant UAS motions in full-scale applications. Furthermore, this technique relies on natural features and eliminates the requirement of artificial targets on the structure, permitting applications to difficult-to-access structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: TSTA3 gene encoding GDP-l-fucose synthase has recently been proved to be closely related to the prognosis of patients with various tumors. However, its role in lung cancer is still unclear. The purpose of this study is to explore the expression level, prognostic effect, potential function and mechanism of TSTA3 in lung cancer. Methods: Based on TCGA database, Kaplan–Meier and COX regression was used to analyze the relationship between TSTA3 expression and prognosis of lung cancer patients. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the TSTA3 protein expression in lung cancer and normal tissues. The function of TSTA3 in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) cell was determined by CCK8, colony formation, transwell assay in vitro and subcutaneous xenografts in vivo. Transcriptome analysis, Lyso-Tracker Red staining and rescue experiment were used to explore the possible underlying mechanism. Results: The expression of TSTA3 was significantly increased in lung cancer, especially in LUSC, and was significantly correlated with the malignant characteristics of LUSC. COX regression analysis showed that the high expression of TSTA3 was an independent prognostic factor in LUSC patients. This was also confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Compared with the control group, the proliferation, colony formation, invasion and migration ability of LUSC cells with TSTA3 overexpression was enhanced. Similarly, the ability of cell proliferation, colony formation, invasion and migration were weakened after transient knockdown of TSTA3. In vivo experiment showed that compared with control group, TSTA3 overexpression significantly promoted the growth of tumor and shortened survival time. In addition, transcriptome sequencing analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes between TSTA3 overexpression and control group was mainly concentrated in the lysosome pathway. Further study found that TSTA3 might affect the proliferation, invasion and migration of LUSC by regulating the expression of lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP2) in LUSC. Conclusion: The expression level of TSTA3 in LUSC is significantly higher than that in normal tissues. High expression of TSTA3 is associated with poor prognosis of LUSC patients. TSTA3 may affect the proliferation, invasion and migration of LUSC by regulating LAMP2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A layer-stacked N-doped Cu/C composite with tunable microstructure was prepared. • A strategy to balance the regulation of conduction loss and polarization loss is proposed. • Its showed RL min value of −39.0 dB and the widest effective bandwidth of 5.5 GHz when the thickness is 1.56 mm. • The enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption mechanism was investigated in detail. Conduction and polarization losses are the main forms of dielectric loss, and regulating these mechanisms is key to obtaining favorable electromagnetic wave absorption performance. In this study, the conversion of graphite N and pyridine N in Cu-based metal–organic framework (MOF)-derived composites was adopted to modulate conduction and polarization losses by tuning the pyrolysis temperature and Cu salt concentration. The results show that increasing the pyrolysis temperature facilitates the conversion of pyridine N to graphite N, which is beneficial for conduction loss. Moreover, increasing the Cu concentration promotes the transformation of pyridine N to graphite N as well as, and then promotes the reverse conversion of graphite N to pyridine N, which is conducive to defect-induced polarization. The unique layered Cu/CuO/C composite obtained at 700 °C with a moderate Cu content exhibited the optimal performance with an effective absorption bandwidth of 5.5 GHz (11.6 ∼ 17.1 GHz) at an ultra-thin thickness of 1.56 mm. This is owed to its favorable impedance matching, significant conduction loss, and polarization loss (defect-induced polarization and interfacial polarization). This study provides a novel strategy for regulating conduction and polarization losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonstructural damage to the cladding and façades systems caused by excessive wind pressure and debris impact is the primary damage to urban high/midrise buildings after hurricanes. This paper focuses on the assessment of damage to urban buildings envelopes due to windborne debris while leaving the wind pressure-induced damage outside the scope. The existing building envelope damage assessment models for urban high/mid-rise buildings often neglect the geometry of building clusters or simply assume a homogeneous configuration, which can introduce errors and uncertainties for urban building clusters with varying geometries and layouts. In this context, this paper proposes a new fragility modeling approach for urban buildings envelopes, which explicitly considers geometric configurations of urban buildings, to improve the accuracy of risk assessment for urban buildings. To develop such a fragility model, first, a physical model of debris impact on building envelopes is established, considering the configuration of the surrounding buildings. Then the fragility function is rigorously formulated by propagating the uncertainties from hurricane wind hazard, local urban wind field, the resistance of the envelope component, as well as debris size, location and generation. Reduced-order modeling and Monte Carlo simulation are employed to construct fragility surfaces. An illustrative example is presented to validate the proposed physical model of debris impact and demonstrate the implementation of the proposed fragility modeling approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farnesoid X receptor, also known as the bile acid receptor, belongs to the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily of ligand-regulated transcription factors, which performs its functions by regulating the transcription of target genes. FXR is highly expressed in the liver, small intestine, kidney and adrenal gland, maintaining homeostasis of bile acid, glucose and lipids by regulating a diverse array of target genes. It also participates in several pathophysiological processes, such as inflammation, immune responses and fibrosis. The kidney is a key organ that manages water and solute homeostasis for the whole body, and kidney injury or dysfunction is associated with high morbidity and mortality. In the kidney, FXR plays an important role in renal water reabsorption and is thought to perform protective functions in acute kidney disease and chronic kidney disease, especially diabetic kidney disease. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the understanding of the physiological and pathophysiological function of FXR in the kidney. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor with high mortality. Cuproptosis is a newly discovered mechanism of cell death. Numerous cuproptosis-related-genes are reported; however, the studies on the role of cuproptosis-related genes in the prognosis of HCC are limited. This study aimed to establish a prognosis model of HCC related to cuproptosis-related genes and explore the correlations between cuproptosis-related genes and the immune microenvironment of HCC. These findings might aid in studying the cuproptosis and tumor immune microenvironment of HCC patients for improving their treatment outcomes and prognosis. Background: Studies on prognostic potential and tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) characteristics of cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are limited. Methods: A multigene signature model was constructed using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analysis. The cuproptosis-related multivariate cox regression analysis and bulk RNA-seq-based immune infiltration analysis were performed. The results were verified using two cohorts. The enrichment of CRGs in T cells based on single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was performed. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and multiplex immunofluorescence staining were performed to verify the reliability of the conclusions. Results: A four-gene risk scoring model was constructed. Kaplan–Meier curve analysis showed that the high-risk group had a worse prognosis (p < 0.001). The time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the OS risk score prediction performance was good. These results were further confirmed in the validation queue. Meanwhile, the Tregs and macrophages were enriched in the cuproptosis-related TIME of HCC. Conclusions: The CRGs-based signature model could predict the prognosis of HCC. Treg and macrophages were significantly enriched in cuproptosis-related HCC, which was associated with the depletion of proliferating T cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal cities in the east and southeast regions of the US have seen significant population growth and economic development in the last 2 decades. As a result, urban infrastructure, populations, and economies are becoming increasingly vulnerable to hurricane-driven hazards. Criteria for wind design in national standards are intended specifically for the design and performance assessment of individual buildings and other facilities for life safety. They are not adequate for assessing community resilience because hurricane winds are spatially nonuniform. Although scenario-based approaches to representing hurricane demands are more useful in community performance assessment because the distinct features of various hurricane scenarios and their impact on a community can be captured, they are not tied to a specific hazard level. This study introduces a new method for systematically identifying a set of hurricane scenarios corresponding to a stipulated return period (RP) for resilience assessment of coastal communities using a deaggregation approach, which establishes a connection that has not existed previously between hurricane scenarios and the building regulatory process. A community patterned after Miami, Florida, was used to demonstrate the proposed hazard deaggregation and damage analysis. Hurricane scenario events that are dominant contributors to the stipulated RP events, coupled with fragility models of engineered buildings, were used to identify building damage patterns and form an improved basis for risk-informed decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper investigates the shear mechanic performance of transformed triangular corrugated steel plates (TT-CSPs) with top stringers applied in the trestle, incorporating a comprehensive analysis of how plate dimensions and corrugation density affect both elastic and inelastic buckling capacities. By proposing and validating formulas for the ultimate shear-bearing capacity through finite element analysis (FEA), this paper advances a capacity prediction approach that accounts for the finite rigidity of top stringers by introducing a reduction factor. The results reveal that corrugation density significantly impacts both elastic buckling load and ultimate strength, with plate width playing a more crucial role than height in determining capacity. Furthermore, the inclusion of top-stringer flexural rigidity is shown to notably enhance the shear-bearing capacity of TT-CSPs, providing a vital consideration for their strength design. [Display omitted] • Proposed formula for global elastic shear buckling load of transformed triangular corrugated steel plates (TT-CSP) • Proposed a comprehensive design method to predict shear-bearing capacity of TT-CSPs, considering top stringer constraints • Study the impact of corrugated plate and corrugation dimensions on elastic and inelastic buckling capacity of TT-CSPs • Reveal the contribution of top stringers to shear resistance of built-up TT-CSPs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the background of today's times, the internal and external environment of enterprises is complex and changeable. It is of great significance for the survival and development of enterprises to continuously reduce the business risks and improve the economic benefits of enterprises by adopting scientific decision-making methods. CVP (cost volume profit) analysis is a model established by sorting out variables related to business decisions in enterprise production through mathematical modeling. Based on the interpretation of cost behavior by multiple cost drivers, this paper establishes a dynamic CVP model of traditional CVP analysis, breaks through the limitations of original assumptions, and improves the application value of CVP analysis in practice. The model is applied to the business decision-making and financial management of a case enterprise, and the products with different characteristics of the enterprise are modeled and analyzed, so as to provide targeted improvement suggestions or strategies for the enterprise's product production decision-making. The research shows that the dynamic CVP model can be used to formulate the financial management strategy to optimize the profits of enterprises, and it can achieve stable profits and development in the market competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dual-phase Mg-9Li-1Zn-2Gd-1.2Mn alloys were prepared by traditional hot extrusion at 200 °C, 250 °C, and 300 °C, respectively. The microstructure of as-extruded Mg-9Li-1Zn-2Gd-1.2Mn alloy is remarkably refined, and the mechanical properties are significantly improved compared with the as-cast alloy. The Mg-9Li-1Zn-2Gd-1.2Mn alloy extruded at 200 °C exhibits the best comprehensive mechanical properties among the alloys with the yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and elongation to failure (ε ef) are 141 MPa, 166 MPa, and 57%, respectively. The dispersed second phases and Zn segregation along the grain boundary inhibit the growth of recrystallized grains and reduce the grain size, contributing to high ductility. Then, the unstable stacking fault energy of {0001}<11 2 ‾ 0> slip system (γ usf (basal)) and surface energy of {0001} plane (γ s (basal)) in Mg and Mg-Li-Gd-Zn supercells are characterized by first-principles calculation. The results indicated that the value of γ usf (basal) decreased from 259 mJ/m2 to 249 mJ/m2, while the value of γ s (basal) increased from 537 mJ/m2 to 597 mJ/m2. The lower γ usf (basal) promotes the initiation of basal slip and higher γ s (basal) leads to a lower cracking tendency, revealing the ductility improvement by adding Li, Zn, and Gd elements. This work provides an effective strategy to prepare high-ductility Mg-Li alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 100‐day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the influences of dietary lipid levels on the immunity and mechanism in abalone Haliotis discus hannai Ino. Abalones (initial weight: 10.98 ± 0.05 g) were fed with graded levels of dietary lipid, which were 15.73, 23.41, 31.72, 38.25, 46.35, 55.63, 61.70 and 67.19 g/kg. Results showed that compared with the treatment with 38.25 g/kg of dietary lipid, 67.19 g/kg of dietary lipid increased the cumulative mortality of abalone after a challenge with Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Meanwhile, 67.19 g/kg of dietary lipid decreased the activities of lysozyme (LZ) and acid phosphatase (ACP) in serum, and the mRNA levels of β‐defensin and mytimacin 6 in hepatopancreas of abalone. The mRNA levels of tumour necrosis factor α (tnfα), activator protein 1 (ap‐1), nuclear factor κB (nf‐κb), interleukin 1 receptor‐associated kinase‐4 (irak4), myeloid differentiation primary response protein MyD88 (myd88), toll‐like receptor 2 (tlr2), tlr4 and perilipin‐2, and the protein level of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), TNFα, NF‐κBp65, AP‐1, MyD88 and Perilipin‐2 in hepatopancreas were up‐regulated by 67.19 g/kg of dietary lipid. However, the mRNA levels of arginase and inhibitor of κBα (iκbα) were down‐regulated. Besides, 67.19 g/kg of dietary lipid up‐regulated the mRNA levels of executor apoptosis‐related cysteine peptidase 3 (caspase‐3), caspase‐7 and B‐cell lymphoma protein‐2‐associated X protein (bax), and the protein levels of caspase‐3 and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinases (JNK) in hepatopancreas. Moreover, high dietary lipid level down‐regulated the mRNA levels of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (cuznsod), manganese superoxide dismutase (mnsod), catalase (cat), glutathione peroxidase (gpx), glutathione‐S‐transferase (gst) and NF‐E2‐related factor 2 (nrf2), while up‐regulated the mRNA and protein levels of Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1 (Keap1) in hepatopancreas. It was concluded that a high level (67.19 g/kg) of dietary lipid decreased the immunity of abalone, which might be related to the aggravated inflammation and apoptosis, and decreased anti‐oxidative capacity under Perilipin‐2/TLRs/MyD88/IRAK4/(NF‐κB or AP‐1), JNK/Bcl‐2/Bax and Keap1/Nrf2 signalling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 120-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacement of dietary kelp Saccharina japonica by Ulva prolifera (previously known as Enteromorpha prolifera), Ulva lactuca, and Gracilaria lemaneiformis on the growth performance, immune responses, and anti-stress capacity of abalone Haliotis discus hannai Ino (initial body weight: 11.00 ± 0.07 g). The control diet was designed to contain 30% of kelp, and named as Diet-S. On the basis of the control diet, the kelp was 50% replaced by U. prolifera, U. lactuca, and G. lemaneiformis, and named as Diet-SE, Diet-SU, and Diet-SG, respectively. Results showed that the specific growth rate of abalone was not significantly influenced by the replacement of dietary kelp (P > 0.05). Dietary inclusion of U. lactuca and G. lemaneiformis significantly increased the feed efficiency but significantly decreased the feed intake of abalone (P < 0.05). Compared with those in the Diet-S group, the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, the total anti-oxidative capacity and lysozyme had the significantly higher values in cell-free haemolymph of abalone fed with Diet-SE, Diet-SU, and Diet-SG (P < 0.05). In addition, the expressions of tumor necrosis factor α and nuclear factor κB in gill and digestive gland were reduced in the Diet-SE, Diet-SU, and Diet-SG groups. The expressions of heat shock proteins in digestive gland were increased significantly in Diet-SG group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the cumulative mortality of abalone after the heat stress was decreased significantly in the Diet-SG group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, replacement of dietary kelp by U. prolifera, U. lactuca, and G. lemaneiformis did not significantly influence the growth performance, but significantly increased the anti-oxidative capacity and immune response of abalone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distraction tasks are known to affect the unconscious‐thought (UT) effect. However, the relationship between two task types, namely distraction and target tasks, and their effect on UT effect have not been examined in previous studies. In this study, we assessed whether simultaneously performing dissimilar distraction and target tasks are beneficial to information processing by UT. In Experiment 1, the target task was an Alternate Use Task (speech task). For the similar‐task test, the UT group was assigned the speech 1‐back task (speech task) as the distraction task; for the dissimilar‐task test, the UT group was assigned the spatial 1‐back task (spatial task) as the distraction task. The results of the experiment revealed that under dissimilar tasks, the UT group not only provided more answers but also provided answers that were more novel. For Experiment 2, the target task was changed to Creative Mental Synthesis Task (spatial task) to replicate the results of Experiment 1. The results demonstrated that the dissimilarity between the distraction and target tasks facilitates the UT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti-phase boundary energy (APBE) is a vital contributing factor for the dislocation shearing mechanism which operates in Mg-RE alloys. To clarify the structure and composition dependence of APBE and provide the guidance for strength improvement of Mg alloys, the formation energy, misfit strain, and APBE of β series precipitates in Mg-Y-Nd system are investigated by first-principles calculations. The atomic occupations of ternary precipitates are determined based on misfit strains. The APBEs of β p ″ ′ phases are higher than that of β s ′ , and precipitates in Mg-Nd system possess higher APBEs than their counterparts in Mg-Y system. The higher APBEs enable larger strength increments of precipitates in Mg-Nd system than Mg-Y system when the amount of Y and Nd are the same. However, when both elements reach their solubility limit, the large amount of Y makes up the low APBE and achieves superior strength increment than the precipitates in Mg-Nd system. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 120-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of relative higher and lower dietary protein levels on the growth, immunity and anti-stress of abalone Haliotis discus hannai fed diets with 17.64% (low), 30.49% (normal) and 43.27% (high) of proteins, respectively. The results showed that compared with 30.49% of dietary protein, 17.64% and 43.27% of dietary protein levels significantly decreased the weight gain rate and the activities of α-amylase, trypsin, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in the hepatopancreas and serum of abalone (P < 0.05). Abalone fed 30.49% of dietary protein had the highest activity of superoxidase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, lysozyme and the total anti-oxidative capacity, and the lowest content of malondialdehyde in the serum and hepatopancreas (P < 0.05). The gene expressions of TOR, S6k, Bcl-2, IκB, NfκB, TNF-α and Nrf 2 were significantly up-regulated in the group with 30.49% of dietary protein (P < 0.05). Pathological abnormalities in hepatocyte cells of abalone were found in the groups with 17.64% and 43.27% of dietary protein. Meanwhile, accumulative mortalities of abalone after the Vibrio parahaemolyticus challenge test and heat stress test were significantly increased within these two groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the excessive (43.27) or deficient (17.64) dietary protein levels depressed the growth and immunity of abalone. Combined with the stress tests results, 17.63% or 43.27% of dietary protein contents are not recommended to the abalone facing the stress of vibriosis or high-water temperature (≥28 °C). • Abalones were fed diets with 17.64% (low), 30.49% (normal) and 43.27% (high) of proteins, respectively, for 120 days. • Relative low or high dietary protein contents decreased the growth of abalone. • Normal dietary protein had the higher anti-oxidation and immune related enzyme activities and TOR expressions. • 17.63% or 43.27% of dietary protein contents are not recommended to the abalone facing the environmental stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since entering the new era, the translation model has gradually changed with the widespread application of machine translation technology and the rapid development of a translation industry. The mismatch between the demand of employers and the talents trained by universities has become a major problem facing the translation major nowadays. To this end, we should attach more importance to the readjustment of the existent curriculum; students' practical ability in translation; grasp of the skill of detecting and correcting machine translation errors; combination of translation and relevant professional knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interpolation can be used to up-sample a sparsely recorded or simulated data set. Ideal interpolation models such as a Nyquist-bandlimited filter in the frequency domain and sinc function in the time domain are difficult to implement. Previous researchers proposed an interpolation scheme that interpolates data faithfully and preserves the spectral features of the original data. This approach has one possible limitation that the interpolated data may not pass through the original data points exactly. This technical note provides a modification of this scheme to ensure the interpolated data capture the original data points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to understand the strengthening mechanism and achieve the rational properties regulation of long-period stacking ordered phases (LPSO) contained Mg alloys, thermodynamic stability, transformation energies and elastic properties of LPSO in Mg–Zn–Y and Mg–Ni–Y systems are investigated via first-principles calculations. 14H-type LPSO (14H) is predicted to be the stable phase. Furthermore, the transformation energies from other LPSO to 14H are small, implying their appearance as metastable phases in Mg alloys. All LPSO phases contribute to the strength increment, especially for 14H that has the maximum effect, uncovering the availability of the property regulation through LPSO design. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measuring the dynamics of vibrating cables in situ can be challenging using traditional contact-based sensors (e.g., accelerometer). This work proposes a novel computer vision–based technique using a portable unmanned aerial system (UAS) (also referred to as drones) sensing platform to enable the measurement of the dynamic displacements of a cable in a unique blast-loading experiment where other types of sensing may be impractical. The proposed technique utilizes one optical camera equipped on a UAS to record the dynamic displacement of the blast-loaded cable and measure the drift of the UAS as it hovers. Artificial targets attached to the cable are not required because the technique proves effective when tracking natural features inherent in the cable. This makes the proposed technique versatile and convenient for field implementation. This technique also allows simultaneous displacement measurement at multiple points along the cable across the entire field of view of the camera. The natural frequency, damping, and mode shape are successfully identified from the measured cable displacement time histories. Measuring the vibration of a cable is challenging with traditional techniques. A novel technique is proposed to use only one camera attached to a drone to measure the vibration of a cable directly. However, because the drone hovers in the air, there is inherent drift of the drone. The drone's drift is measured with respect to a stationary target using the camera and compensated for to measure the true motion of the cable. To test the proposed technique, a blast was detonated close to the cable to produce vibration in the cable, and the drone hovered above the cable to record its movements. Because the actual movement of the cable is unknown, finite-element simulations were performed to provide a basis for validating the proposed technique. The natural frequency of the finite-element model is compared with that obtained from the measured vibration of the cable. A good agreement was achieved with a 2.1% difference between the simulated and measured natural frequencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study was conducted to investigate protective effects of dietary selenium (Se) on abalone Haliotis discus hannai Ino against the toxicity of cadmium (Cd). A 60‐day feeding trial was conducted with abalone (initial weight: 3.17 ± 0.01 g), which were exposed to 0.34 mg/L of waterborne Cd. During a feeding trial, abalone were fed graded levels of Se at 0.10 (controls), 1.31, and 4.20 mg/kg diet respectively. Results showed that there was no significant difference in specific growth rate and survival rate of abalone among the three treatments. Compared with the controls, dietary Se significantly decreased Cd concentrations in serum, muscle, mantle, gill, mantle, and hepatopancreas of abalone. Besides, compared with the controls, dietary Se significantly increased metallothionein concentration in the hepatopancreas of abalone. Additionally, compared with the controls, dietary Se significantly decreased concentrations of malondiadehyde and protein carbonyl in hepatopancreas of abalone. Meanwhile, compared with the controls, dietary Se significantly increased activities of glutathione peroxidase, thioredoxin reductase, and thioredoxin peroxidase, and concentration of glutathione in the hepatopancreas of abalone. Based on the data above, in abalone, dietary Se showed protective effects against waterborne Cd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The precipitation mechanism of nano-sized and micro-sized Mg 2 Ni particles during hydrogen-induced decomposition of 18R-type long period stacking ordered phase is investigated. Nano-sized Mg 2 Ni particles adhere to YH 2 particles inside grains, while micro-sized Mg 2 Ni particles form at grain boundaries due to the segregation of Ni atoms. The interface energies are predicted to be 1.108–1.263 J/m 2 for Mg/Mg 2 Ni, 1.389 J/m 2 for YH 2 /Mg 2 Ni, and 1.536 J/m 2 for YH 2 /Mg, indicating that the adhesion of nano-sized Mg 2 Ni to YH 2 reduces the total energy of the system. The negative segregation energy of −0.194 eV proves that the segregation of Ni atoms is energetically favorable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classical output-only system identification (SI) methods are based on the assumption of stationarity of the system response. However, measured response of buildings and bridges is usually non-stationary due to strong winds (e.g. typhoon, and thunder storm etc.), earthquakes and time-varying vehicle motions. Accordingly, the response data may have time-varying frequency contents and/or overlapping of modal frequencies due to non-stationary colored excitation. This renders traditional methods problematic for modal separation and identification. To address these challenges, a new SI technique based on Time–Frequency Blind Source Separation (TFBSS) is proposed. By selectively utilizing “effective” information in local regions of the time–frequency plane, where only one mode contributes to energy, the proposed technique can successfully identify mode shapes and recover modal responses from the non-stationary response where the traditional SI methods often encounter difficulties. This technique can also handle response with closely spaced modes which is a well-known challenge for the identification of large-scale structures. Based on the separated modal responses, frequency and damping can be easily identified using SI methods based on a single degree of freedom (SDOF) system. In addition to the exclusive advantage of handling non-stationary data and closely spaced modes, the proposed technique also benefits from the absence of the end effects and low sensitivity to noise in modal separation. The efficacy of the proposed technique is demonstrated using several simulation based studies, and compared to the popular Second-Order Blind Identification (SOBI) scheme. It is also noted that even some non-stationary response data can be analyzed by the stationary method SOBI. This paper also delineates non-stationary cases where SOBI and the proposed scheme perform comparably and highlights cases where the proposed approach is more advantageous. Finally, the performance of the proposed method is evaluated using a full-scale non-stationary response of a tall building during an earthquake and found it to perform satisfactorily. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

System properties of buildings and bridges may vary with time due to temperature changes, aging or extreme loadings. To identify these time-varying system properties, this study proposes a new output-only non-stationary system identification (SI) framework based on instantaneous or marginal spectra derived from the time–frequency representation, e.g., short time Fourier or wavelet transform. Spectra derived from these time–frequency representations are very popular in tracking time-varying frequencies; however, they have seldom been used to identify the time-varying damping ratio because a short window needed to capture the time-varying information amplifies the bandwidth significantly, which may lead to considerably overestimating the damping ratio. To overcome this shortcoming, this study modifies the theoretical frequency response function (FRF) to explicitly account for the windowing effect, and therefore enables SI directly using instantaneous or marginal spectra derived from the wavelet or short time Fourier transform. The response spectrum estimated using the short time window and the modified FRF are both influenced by the same time window, thus the instantaneous or time-localized marginal spectrum of response can be fitted to the modified FRF to identify frequency and damping ratio at each time instant. This spectral-based SI framework can reliably identify damping in time-varying systems under non-stationary excitations. The efficacy of the proposed framework is demonstrated by both numerical and full-scale examples, and also compared to the time-domain SI method, stochastic subspace identification (SSI), since the time-domain SI approaches and their extensions are popular in identifying time-varying systems utilizing recursive algorithms or moving windows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Buckling-restrained members ( BRMs) can be classified as the buckling-prevented BRMs and the buckling- delayed BRMs. Buckling-delayed BRMs buckle before the yielding of the core, so it is more economic when it meets the bearing requirements. But most of previous studies focused on the buckling-delayed BRMs. A kind of new members named as the battened core-separated buckling-restrained member (battened CSBRM) was investigated. The effective length coefficient of a chord was obtained firstly based on the equilibrium method. Then elastic buckling loads bending about x and y axis were introduced and the buckling performance was investigated by finite element (FE) buckling analysis. Finally, based on the results of numerical analysis, an interaction formula between normalized slenderness ratio and stability factor was proposed to predict the ultimate bearing capacity. The research shows that the effective length coefficient of a chord is only related to the linear flexural rigidity ratio between a batten and a chord. The buckling mode of a specific member can be predicted by simply comparing the slenderness about two axes. Comparison with FE results show that the proposed interaction formula for calculating the ultimate resistance is effective and conservative. Furthermore, it is recommended that the critical value of normalized slenderness should be taken as 0.75. At last, design recommendations are proposed to prevent the failure of a chord before the overall failure of a battened CSBRM. The above research establishes a unified design method for both types of battened CSBRMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contact interaction between the core and external restraining members is a vital factor that affects the overall performance of buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) significantly. In this study, refined finite element (FE) model was employed to evaluate the contact force between the core and external restraining members and to investigate the BRB performance. Moreover, the influences of strength and stiffness of external restraining member, core length, and other geometric parameters on the BRB performance were also studied. On the basis of numerical results obtained in the study, the recommended values of core width-to-thickness ratio, core thickness and gap were proposed. By considering the core plasticity and the lateral restraint of external restraining member, some formulas for predicting the half-wave length of core buckling as well as contact force were also proposed while the core buckled in multi-wave form. These formulas were numerically verified and could be references in the design of BRB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper investigates the behavior of steel plate shear walls (SPSWs) with pre-compression from adjacent frame columns which is produced in the construction process. Firstly, some parameters used in analytical finite element models, such as the stiffness of frame beams and columns and the magnitude of the loads are discussed. Then, numbers of numerical examples are analyzed and show that the influence of pre-compression varies with the dimension of SPSWs. Also, the distribution and transferring of axial forces between frame columns and SPSWs during loading are discussed. Finally, a reduction coefficient of shear-carrying capacity of SPSW due to pre-compression is proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • An automated workflow is proposed to assess the fracture mechanism from crack images. • A U-Net is developed to find the pixel-location of a crack. • A systematic study on various U-Net architectures is conducted. • A surrogate model is built to predict stress intensity factors from crack shapes. Despite the recent advances in using machine learning for crack identification of structures, the usefulness of artificial intelligence in guiding repair strategies is still limited due to the lack of information on the mechanism of crack formation and propagation. In this context, this paper develops an automated workflow to assess the fracture mechanism of steel structures directly from inspection images. Firstly, a U-Net is developed to find the pixel-location of a crack. Then, a Gaussian Process surrogate model is trained to predict stress intensity factors, K (indicator for fracture mechanism), for cracks with various dimensions using data from finite element simulations. In the end, by taking the dimensions of identified cracks as input, the trained Gaussian Process is used to estimate the K factors. The proposed workflow empowers an inspector to easily identify steel cracks, predict their propagation from a collection of raw images, and make rapid repair decisions on-site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) are often connected to the frame structures by fixed joints in practice, and the cores usually have complicated details near the ends, namely unsupported yielding segments and/or strengthened segments. Based on theoretical and numerical analysis, this paper presents the influence of complicated boundary constraints on the behaviors of the BRBs. It is revealed that the fixed joints can effectively prevent the core unsupported segments from bending too much, and BRBs with fixed ends usually perform better than those with pinned joints, and the advantage exists even when the ends of BRBs rotate with frame joints in the structures. Based on theoretical and FEA results, a simplified model is proposed to simulate the core segments near the BRB's ends. Using an iterative algorithm cooperatively, the simplified model can approximately determine the unfavorable additional eccentricities at the ends of restraining part. In the frame structures the rotations at two ends of the BRB are unequal, and the two different eccentricities can be equivalent to the same eccentricity by equivalent eccentricity coefficient. Finally, by taking the equivalent additive eccentricities obtained into account, a design procedure for the fixed-fixed BRBs is achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) with pinned joints, the core component near the ends have influence on both the capacity of the core segments near the ends and the overall behavior of the BRB. Based on theoretical and numerical analysis, this paper discusses the failure modes and the overall behaviors of pinned-pinned BRBs with unsupported yielding segments and strengthened segments near the ends. It is found that the unsupported yielding segments and strengthened segments of the core will bend under axial pressure, which will induce additional eccentricities at the ends of the restraining part, making the stress state more unfavorable. If the unsupported segment of the core is too long, failure may occur in the segment with too much bending. By taking the core segments near the ends out as a free body, a simplified model was obtained. Using an iterative method cooperatively, the simplified model can approximately determine the eccentricities added at the two ends of restraining parts. Finally an overall stability design method that can take the additional eccentricities into account is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Throughout the whole design process of the Shenzhen Bao'an Stadium, this paper presents a research into the major difficulties encountered during different stages of design. In the phase of conceptual design, comparison was made among 3 schemes from perspectives including architectural appearance, functionality, structural behavior and construction difficulties, etc. In the phase of scheme verification, both theoretical analysis and a 1:10 scale model test were conducted in order to observe the static and dynamic performance of the structure. In the phase of detailed design, descriptions of several typical joints were presented and the basic principles for joint design of cable-membrane structures were summarized. The above research shows that for the Bao'an stadium, the spoke structure with circular inner and outer cable rings is the best choice. And A-shape column fits the spoke structure best, for its ability to provide sufficient lateral stiffness while making no constraint to the outer ring in radial direction. Research also shows, the 1st buckling mode of the outer ring is in the form of buckling with cable trusses as fulcrums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To design a spoke structure, basic knowledge of form finding and how architectural form will affect structural behavior is necessary. Hence this paper presents a research into the above two fields, by theoretical derivation and numerical simulation. First, the force-density method was introduced to find the initial state of equilibrium for the structure. Different from ordinary form-finding processes, the analysis in this article goes from shape to force and then back to shape, which successfully avoids the convergence difficulties often encountered when using general force-density method. Comparison was made among different structural forms of the single-layer and two-layer spoke structures, respectively in terms of planar projections of the inner and outer rings, the spatial shape of the outer ring, and cable truss forms, etc. Through these work, the feasibility of different structural forms and main factors influencing structural rigidity were investigated. Research shows that similar inner and outer rings are preferred for the spoke structure, and the height difference of saddle-shaped outer ring does little to improve structural rigidity. Though convex cable trusses can improve structural rigidity efficiently, they tend to lose lateral stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arch wall is a vertical plane structure which combines pure arch, columns and beam together. The applied in-plane vertical loads on the beam will reach the large span arch through columns. For studying the stability of arch wall, the elastic and inelastic mechanical properties of arch wall were discussed in this paper by finite element method. It is shown that lateral bracing stiffness of beam and column stiffness are the key factors which affect the stability of arch wall: if the lateral bracing stiffness is less than its threshold stiffness, the arch wall shows a global out-of-plane buckling mode; if the bracing stiffness is greater than its threshold stiffness and column stiffness is less than its threshold stiffness, the pure arch shows an out-of-plane buckling mode; if both of the bracing stiffness and column stiffness are greater than their threshold stiffness, the arch wall shows an in-plane buckling mode. After that, two analytical models of arch wall from a practical engineering structure were proposed for predicting the ultimate out of plane strength of arch wall. One analytical model reflects only the arch wall laterally braced by equivalent lateral spring resulting from lateral trusses, and the other is a combination of arch wall with longitudinal trusses. The result points out that the lateral bracing stiffness of beam supplied by longitudinal trusses is much larger than the threshold stiffness, the bearing capability of arch wall can be improved only by increasing the stiffness of column or strengthening the reliable connection of column ends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presented the out-of-plane elastic buckling behavior of circular steel arches discretely and laterally braced, and based on FE analysis a threshold value of bracing stiffness for design was proposed. The effects of bracing parameters, including bracing stiffness, brace types, the number and longitudinal location of bracing point, on the arch elastic buckling behavior were investigated carefully. An equation for predicting the threshold value of bracing stiffness was obtained for equally-spaced lateral braces of pin-ended and fixed arches with I-section in pure compression. And the required arch segment length between bracing points to prevent the arch segment from elastic out-of-plane buckling was proposed. It shows that, the closer brace is to the crown of arch, the higher efficiency brance has to prevent out-of-plane buckling of arch. When arches with lateral braces buckle, buckling half-waves increase with the augment of bracing stiffness, while arches with torsional braces always buckle with one half-wave. For equally-spaced lateral braces, a threshold value of stiffness of arches in uniform compression is suitable to the arches under other general load conditions. When segment length meets the requirement mentioned above for arches with I-section, in-plane asymmetric buckling form will take place before out-of-plane buckling of arch segment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the previous studies on out-of-plane stability of arches in uniform compression and bending moment, this paper presented the research results of the out-of-plane ultimate strength of circular steel arches under the combination of axial compression and bending by using FE analysis in elasto-plastic range of materials. With the consideration of different geometric parameters, support conditions, section forms and load combinations etc, a design method for predicting the out-of-plane ultimate strength of circular steel arches was proposed based on FEA results. The results obtained indicate that the N-M interaction equation proposed for predicting the out-of-plane strength of arches is applicable for various support conditions and complex load combination, where average axial force, maximum bending moments within 1/3 arc length of arch top and stability coefficient for non-uniform moment distribution are introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to create a systematic design method for out of-plane stability of steel arch under the combination of uniform compression and bending, the out-of-plane ultimate strength of circular arch under bending moment is required to be investigated at first. By considering the factors such as arch section types, initial geometric inperfection, residual stresses, rise-to-span ratio, support conditions and end moment ratio, this paper presented design principles for out-of-plane strength of circular arches under bending moment. Firstly, arches under uniform positive bending were studied and stability design curves with normalized arch slenderness for welded I-section, welded box section and hot-rolled pipe section were proposed. Then for arches under non-uniform bending with end moment, two methods of modified normalized slenderness and moment modified coefficient for calculation of the out-of-plane ultimate strength were established, which can be applied in the formulation of design method for arches under the combination of compression and bending. It shows that the stability curve of circular arches under uniform positive bending is similar to that of straight beams. Modified normalized slenderness or moment modified coefficient should be introduced to take account of the effects of moment gradient and negative moment. The results of ultimate strength calculated by the two methods proposed are close to those of FEA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the promulgation of JGJ/T 249--2011 'Technical specification for steel arch structure', key issues involved in the design, analysis, fabrication and erection of steel arch structures are discussed, such as load-bearing performance, selection of structural forms, stability and manufacturing process. Compared with those of straight columns and beams, the design theories of steel arch structures, especially for stability design, are more complicated. The structural performance and mechanism are affected by parameters including axis form, span, rise-to-span ratio, boundary conditions, section types, loading forms and their combinations, and lateral braces, etc. It indicates that, in-plane loading-carrying capacity of steel arch is sensitive to the unsymmetrical initial geometry or loading imperfection, and for latticed steel tubular arch the effect of local buckling of chord on global buckling strength needs to be considered. The deformation and performance of arch are complex in out-of-plane flexural-torsional buckling, and the buckling strength is greatly affected by boundary conditions, loading conditions and arrangement of out-of-plane braces. The design methods of in-plane loading-carrying capacity are established and specified in JGJ/T 249--2011 for steel arch including solid-web steel arch (and steel arch with web opening), latticed steel tubular arch and concrete filled steel tubular arch. Further studies are required for out-of-plane stability of arch and design of lateral braces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By considering the factors such as arch section types, initial geometric crookedness, residual stresses, riseto- span ratio and support conditions, this paper presented the out-of-plane stability design curves for circular arches under uniform compression. It can be not only applied in the practical design of arch under uniform compression directly, but also involved in the design of arch under the combination of uniform compression and bending. It indicates that load with constant direction which causes lower out-of-plane load-carrying capacity of arches is more adverse than one with direction pointing to a constant center. Compared with initial geometric crookedness and residual stresses, rise-to-span ratio and support conditions much more affect the out-of-plane load-carrying capacity. However, stability design curves for arches with different rise-to-span ratio and support conditions are unified by using the normalized arch slenderness. Finally, out-of-plane stability design method of arches with hot-rolled pipe section, welded box section and welded I section is proposed by employing stability design curves for columns of type b, c, d in Chinese code (GB 50017-2003) respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: New biodegradable poly(ester urethane)/soy protein isolate (PEU/SPI) hybrids were prepared by in situ polymerization. The chemical incorporation of the SPI into the backbone chain of the PEU was facilitated by the reaction of the amine functional groups of SPI with methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI). X-ray diffraction results showed that the chemical incorporation of SPI into PEU significantly changed the molecular structure of the PEU. The PEU/SPI hybrids exhibited higher thermal decomposition temperature and significant increase in the modulus compared with that of pure PEU. Microscopic examination of the morphology of PEU/SPI hybrids confirmed very fine and homogeneous SPI dispersion in PEU. The hydrolytic degradation of the PEU in a phosphate buffer solution was accelerated by incorporation of SPI, which was confirmed by water absorption and scanning electron microscopy of the samples after up to 10 weeks immersion in the buffer solution. This study provides a facile and innovative method of controlling the biodegradation rate of pure PEU with the additional advantage of environmentally-benign biodegradation of the hybrid PEU/SPI polymer, making the concept potentially widely applicable. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Multi-tube latticed steel columns without diagonal tubes and the ones with diagonal tubes are two common types of prismatic latticed columns used nowadays. Instability behavior of prismatic multi-tube latticed steel columns is studied in this paper. The focus on the problem is based on the derivation of shear stiffness for multi-tube latticed steel columns. Formulas are established to express the elastic buckling loads as well as the modified slenderness ratios, in which the effect of shear deformation is taken into account. Cases are analyzed via finite element method ANSYS to calculate the ultimate load-carrying capacity of the latticed columns for comparison with the design method in different design codes for compressive members. Formulas to estimate the design resistance for axial compressive prismatic multi-tube latticed steel columns are proposed and detailed design suggestions for the component steel tubes are presented as well. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Novel biodegradable and biocompatible poly(ester-urethane)s were synthesized by in situ homogeneous solution polymerization of poly(ɛ-caprolactone) diol, dimethylolpropionic acid (DMPA), and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate in acetone followed by solvent exchange with water. The effects of the DMPA content and hard segment content on the properties of the polyurethanes were measured by DSC, TGA, and hydrolytic degradation measurements. The results showed that DMPA had a dramatic effect on the particle size; the particle size decreased rapidly with increasing DMPA content. The hydrolytic degradation test showed that the degradation rate was little affected by the DMPA content in the range investigated, but was observed to be influenced by the hard segment content. Cell toxicity analysis showed that the biodegradable poly(ester-urethane)s synthesized in this study did not exhibit any detectable toxicity to human umbilical vein endothelial cells and mouse embryonic stem cells. Both types of cells can effectively adhere to and spread on the surface of pure poly(ɛ-caprolactone) or poly(ester-urethane)s. The present study demonstrates the feasibility of a facile synthesis of biodegradable polyurethanes and of their aqueous dispersions with prescribed properties for biomedical applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Mg substitution destabilizes LaY 2 Ni 9 phase and reduces maximum discharge capacity. • Inhibition of amorphization is confirmed by TEM and amorphization formation criterion. • Inhibition of the pulverization and amorphization enhances capacity retention. • LaY 1.25 Mg 0.75 Ni 9 alloy exhibits good overall electrochemical properties. [Display omitted] To elucidate the effect of Mg substitution on the electrochemical properties of LaY 2 Ni 9 alloys and its thermodynamic mechanisms, the cyclic stability, maximum discharge capacity (MDC), microstructure evolution, hydrogen induced amorphization (HIA), pulverization, formation energy, and amorphization formation criteria of LaY 2- x Mg x Ni 9 (x = 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00) alloys are investigated. The calculated formation energy indicates that Mg substitution destabilizes LaY 2 Ni 9 phases and is responsible for decrement of phase fraction of LaY 2 Ni 9 phases. The consumption of LaY 2 Ni 9 phase and the generation of (La, Y) 2 Ni 7 phase improve the cyclic stability by inhibiting the pulverization but reduce the MDC of the alloys. The amorphization formation criterion demonstrates that Mg substitution inhibits the HIA as verified by transmission electron microscopy results, which benefits both the MDC and cyclic stability of the alloys. The LaY 1.25 Mg 0.75 Ni 9 alloy exhibits good overall electrochemical properties with the MDC of 308.4 mAh/g and capacity retention after 100 cycles of 69.0%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing concerns on summertime atmospheric photochemical pollution, the diagnosis and prevention of ozone pollution have been paid close attention. Both formaldehyde (HCHO) and glyoxal (CHOCHO) are ubiquitous oxidation intermediates of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The ratio of glyoxal to formaldehyde (R GF) is used as a metric for VOCs emission sources. In this study, the mixing ratios of HCHO and CHOCHO have been measured by the active differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) method in the urban area of Shanghai during summertime in 2018, as well as other trace gases. The average levels of HCHO and CHOCHO are 3.31 ± 1.43 ppbv and 0.164 ± 0.073 ppbv, respectively. The similar diurnal patterns and high correlation between HCHO, CHOCHO and ozone levels implied that daytime photochemical processes are the dominant formation pathway for these trace gases. We find that with increased NO x levels, HCHO shows higher ozone formation potential relative to glyoxal. The R GF ratio increases with temperature and decreases with NO 2 levels. By investigating the coupling of typical VOCs species such as acetylene, toluene and isoprene with HCHO and CHOCHO, R GF is found to be strongly impacted by the ambient VOCs profiles, suggesting that R GF should be used with caution when linking it to a given VOC precursor source. Finally, the R GF variations with ozone pollution episodes and weather processes are also discussed. • Ambient HCHO and CHOCHO were observed by active DOAS technique. • HCHO and CHOCHO show the dominant pathway of photochemical formation during daytime. • With increased NOx levels, ozone formation potential of HCHO higher than CHOCHO. • CHOCHO to HCHO Ratio (R GF) increases with temperature and decreases with NO 2 levels. • R GF is strongly impacted by the VOCs profiles and should be used with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents an algorithm approach to the problem of detecting independently moving objects in three dimension scenes viewed under the camera motion. Details on the constraints; Information on the algorithm; Experimental results.

Presents a study which introduced a geometric shape modeling scheme which allows for representation of global and local shape characteristics of an object. Literature review; Importance of modeling shapes in computer vision and graphics; Conclusion.

This study proposes a new remote sensing technique to measure three-component (3C) dynamic displacement of three-dimensional (3D) structures. A sensing system with a UAV platform and contact-free sensors (e.g., optical and infrared (IR) cameras) is employed to provide a portable and convenient alternative to conventional approaches that require sensor installation on a structure. The original contributions of this study include (1) integrating both optical and IR cameras with a UAV platform to measure dynamic structural response, and (2) developing new data post-processing algorithms (based on target identification, Direct Linear Transformation, and active stereo vision) to simultaneously extract the 3C displacement of a 3D structure from optical and IR videos, which presents a unique advantage compared to the existing UAV-based displacement measurement techniques that allow the measurements in only one or two directions using optical cameras or laser sensors. The efficacy of the proposed technique is validated through laboratory experiments. [Display omitted] • 3D dynamic displacements are measured simultaneously. • Optical/infrared sensors and a UAV are integrated to a portable sensing system. • Algorithms using active stereo vision are developed to measure depth displacement. • High measurement accuracy is achieved with a fast-computational speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metacognitive systematic bias impairs human learning efficiency, which is characterized by the inconsistency between predicted and actual memory performance. However, the underlying mechanism of metacognitive systematic bias remains unclear in existing studies. In this study, we utilized judgments of learning task in human participants to compare the neural mechanism difference in metacognitive systematic bias. Participants encoded words in fMRI sessions that would be tested later. Immediately after encoding each item, participants predicted how likely they would remember it. Multivariate analyses on fMRI data demonstrated that working memory and uncertainty decisions are represented in patterns of neural activity in metacognitive systematic bias. The available information participants used led to overestimated bias and underestimated bias. Effective connectivity analyses further indicate that information about the metacognitive systematic bias is represented in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and inferior parietal cortex. Different neural patterns were found underlying overestimated bias and underestimated bias. Specifically, connectivity regions with the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and supramarginal gyrus form overestimated bias, while less regional connectivity forms underestimated bias. These findings provide a mechanistic account for the construction of metacognitive systematic bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 100-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary lipid on growth performance and lipid deposition as well as the regulation mechanism in abalone Haliotis discus hannai Ino. Abalones (initial weight: 10.98 ± 0.05 g) were fed with graded levels of dietary lipid (1.57%, 2.34%, 3.17%, 3.82%, 4.63%, 5.56%, 6.17% and 6.72%). Results showed that weight gain rate (WGR) and increment in shell length of abalone were highest in 3.82% dietary lipid level. Based on the quadratic regression analysis for WGR, the optimal dietary lipid level for abalone was estimated to be 3.87%. Concentrations of the total triacylglycerol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and non-esterified fatty acids in serum as well as lipid contents in hepatopancreas and muscle were positively related to dietary lipid levels. Compared to the group with 3.82% of dietary lipid, higher (6.72%) and lower (1.57%) dietary lipid down regulated the expression of genes involved in fatty acids transport and lipolysis in hepatopancreas and muscle, which might be related to AMP-activated protein kinase α2 (AMPKα2)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) signaling. Higher dietary lipid (6.72%) down regulated, while lower dietary lipid (1.57%) up-regulated the expressions of genes involved in de - novo lipogenesis in hepatopancreas. Both higher (6.72%) and lower (1.57%) dietary lipid down regulated these genes' expression in muscle. It was found that c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) signaling participate in the regulation of de - novo lipogenesis. In conclusion, lipid deposition in abalone was affected by dietary lipid levels through AMPKα2/PPARα and JNK/mTOR/SREBP-1c pathway. • The optimal dietary lipid level for abalone was estimated to be 3.87%. • Dietary lipids increased the lipid deposition in abalone. • 6.72% or 1.57% dietary lipid regulated lipolysis through (ATGL, HSL)/AMPKα2/PPARα pathway. • 6.72% or 1.57% dietary lipid regulated lipogenesis through JNK/mTOR/SREBP-1c pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The forkhead box O (FoxO) subfamily is a member of the forkhead transcription factor family. It has regulation functions in glucose metabolism in mammals and fish. In the present study, a gene of the foxo homolog in abalone Haliotis discus hannai was cloned. A conservative forkhead (FH) domain and a transactivation (FoxO-TAD) domain were identified. Abalone foxo-specific siRNA (small interfering RNA) was injected to investigate the functions of foxo on glucose metabolism. Knockdown of foxo inhibited expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (pepck) and significantly increased expressions of hexokinase (hk) and pyruvate kinase (pk), but it failed to inhibit the relative mRNA level of glucose-6-phosphatase (g6pase). Then, a 100-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the response of foxo and glucose metabolism in abalone fed with 1.57% (LFD, low-fat diet), 3.82% (MFD, middle-fat diet) and 6.72% (HFD, high-fat diet) of dietary lipid, respectively. The insulin-signaling pathway (AKT) was depressed and FoxO was activated by the HFD, but it did not inhibit glycolysis (hk) or improved gluconeogenesis significantly (pepck and g6pase). At the same time, impaired hepatopancreas glycogen storage raised hemolymph glucose levels. In conclusion, abalone foxo can be regulated by dietary lipid and can regulate gluconeogenesis or glycolysis in response to changes of dietary lipid levels, in which glycogen metabolism plays an important role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrous acid (HONO) is the primary source of hydroxyl radical (OH) during daytime and significantly contribute to the formation of secondary organic compounds (SOA) and atmospheric oxidizing capacity. One month simultaneous observations at ship channel site (SCS) and background site (BGS) in Shanghai, China were conducted to aim at estimating the HONO concentration from ship direct emission and analyzing the nocturnal budget of HONO during non-clean period in SCS. The HONO average concentrations at both BGS and SCS during non-clean period were 0.37 ± 0.42 ppbv and 0.91 ± 0.78 ppbv, respectively. The diurnal variation of HONO from ship direct emission presented a double-peak trend with a maximum value 0.38 ± 0.18 ppbv at 07:00 in the morning. The proportion of HONO emission from ships was in a range of 43%~74% in the daytime, while, the proportions were 42%~63% and 14%~28% at night in clean and non-clean periods, respectively. HONO nocturnal conversion frequencies from NO 2 were 0.29%/h at both sites in non-clean period, during which the deposition velocities of HONO were 0.21–1.4 cm/s and 0.34–1.4 cm/s at BGS and SCS, respectively. • HONO emission from ships is identified and measured by long-path DOAS. • Difficult-calculate and unknown HONO source substituted by background site observation. • Proportion of ship direct HONO emission was estimated on different cases. • The NO 2 -to-HONO conversion frequencies on ship channel site and background site were equal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• UAV is used to collect images for bridge condition assessment and heath monitoring. • Human-in-the-loop machine learning is used to segment elements from a point-cloud. • Damage detection from images is automated. • Damage growth is measured using images taken at different times/angles. • Damage location and extent are recovered by projecting 2D images to 3D point-cloud. Recently, the rapid development of commercial unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has made collecting images of bridge conditions trivial. Measuring the damage extent, growth, and location from the collected big image set, however, can be cumbersome. This paper proposes a streamlined bridge inspection system that offers advanced data analytics tools to automatically : (1) identify type, extent, growth, and 3D location of defects using computer vision techniques; (2) generate a 3D point-cloud model and segment structural elements using human-in-the-loop machine learning; and (3) establish a georeferenced element-wise as-built bridge information model to document and visualize damage information. This system allows bridge managers to better leverage UAV technologies in bridge inspection and conveniently monitor the health of a bridge through quantifying and visualizing the progression of damage for each structural element. The efficacy of the system is demonstrated using two bridges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]