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Participatory flood risk mapping (PFRM) is a well-recognized and widely implemented tool for meaningful community involvement in disaster risk reduction (DRR). The effectiveness of PFRM remains anecdotal. The PFRM exercise has rarely been applied identically in two different places by two different organizations, which produces varied and uncertain outcomes. In the absence of any agreed and comprehensive framework for participatory DRR, existing studies struggle to provide a scientific account of how the structure, design, and process of PFRM ensure the effective participation of local communities. This study, examines what factors and methods make PFRM an effective participatory DRR tool. In this study, we first identified the process-based criteria of participation. Then we briefly introduced a participatory flood risk mapping exercise conducted in a flood-prone informal settlement in Dharavi, Mumbai. The exercise was carefully designed to meet the process criteria of effective participation. Finally, using qualitative research methods, we evaluated the effectiveness of our PFRM from the local community perspective. The findings show that ensuring community livelihood security and true involvement of marginalized groups, preparing an action plan, and incorporating fun and cultural connotations into the facilitation process are critical components that enhance community participation through PFRM in DRR.

The conditions for sex reversal in vertebrate species have been extensively studied, and the results highlighted numerous key factors involved in sex differentiation. However, the transcriptomes in hypothalamic and pituitary tissues from intersex goats have rarely been studied. The aim of this study was to screen candidate genes and signalling pathways related to sex reversal in Huai goats by analyzing gene expression in hypothalamic and pituitary tissues via transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analyses. In total, 612 and 139 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between the intersex and non‐intersex groups in the hypothalamus and pituitary, respectively. The DEGs in the hypothalamus and pituitary were significantly enriched in 41 and 16 signalling pathways, respectively, including the calcium signalling pathway, neuroactive ligand‐receptor interaction signalling pathway, and oestrogen signalling pathway, which might be related to intersex sex development disorders. A candidate gene from the tachykinin family (TACR1) was significantly enriched in the calcium signalling pathway. Thirty‐one DEGs were shared between these two comparisons and were enriched in several acetyl‐CoA‐related processes and the oestrogen signalling pathway. The results of the real‐time PCR analysis show that the transcriptome sequencing results were reliable. The transcriptome data indicate that the regulation of various physiological systems is involved in intersex goat development. Therefore, these results provide helpful data enhancing our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying intersex syndrome in goats., Our study compared the gene expression profiles of hypothalamus and pituitary tissues from intersex and normal goats. And 31 genes were shared between these two sets of comparisons. These genes were enriched in the oestrogen signalling pathway and acetyl‐CoA biosynthetic process, suggesting that they might exhibit important functions in the regulation of hormone biosynthesis related to gonad development.

Excavation types of foundation pits for large-scale or special-purpose urban construction have been more and more complex, and the environmental safety issues caused by pit excavations are unprecedentedly significant. This paper presents an interpretation of the lateral response of group piles to a peculiar pit-in-pit excavation where the inner foundation pit located in the center of the outer pit is continued to excavate after the completion of the outer pit excavation. The support system of the pit-in-pit excavation is provided by diaphragm walls and multiple levels of rigid bracing. The numerically horizontal displacement of the diaphragm wall and the surface settlement of the outer pit caused by inner pit excavation were examined and compared with theoretical models. The cumulative influence of the pit-in-pit excavation system on the lateral bearing mechanism of existing piles in the transition zone and the additional impact characteristics of the piles induced by inner pit excavation were analyzed. A parametric study was subsequently conducted to investigate the effects of the inner pit geometry (plane area and excavation depth) on the lateral pile performance. Results revealed that the mechanism of lateral piles in the transition zone is attributed to the coupling effect of the inner and outer pit excavations. Moreover, the excavation area of the inner pit plays the significant influence compared to inner pit excavation depth. Finally, a loss ratio (δ) method to practically evaluate the degree of loss of lateral bearing capacity of the piles at different locations of the transition zone due to pit-in-pit excavation was proposed.

To achieve the requirement of flexure hinges for specific optical precision equipment, a new triangular bi-axial flexure hinge is proposed. The analysis model for the flexibility of the triangular bi-axial flexure hinges is derived. After that, the linear and nonlinear finite element methods are used to verify the analysis model. Then, the physical dimensions of the hinge are optimized using the multi-island genetic algorithm in conjunction with the finite element method, and the rotational stiffness and center drift are diminished. Static analysis and modal analysis of the hinge are conducted. A test system was built to gage the flexure hinge’s rotational stiffness. The results demonstrated that there was good agreement between the analytically calculated value, simulated calculated value, and experimental value. To summarize, the analysis model met the design requirements of the triangular bi-axial flexible hinge, and the multi-island genetic algorithm effectively optimized the physical dimensions of the hinge and enhanced its performance. The design process provides new ideas for the design of other forms of hinges.

Even as storm surge risks are increasing, the projections of such risks have an element of ambiguity. Consequently, policymakers find it extremely difficult to design policies to deal with storm surge risks. Therefore, in this study, we have linked the tropical cyclone models and stated preference experiments with decision models to provide a fresh perspective on households’ preferences for storm surge risk mitigation under ambiguity. We have validated households’ choices under the average and worst projections of storm surges and estimated the expected loss reduction, risk premium, and ambiguity premium for storm surge risk mitigation. Our study reveals that households pay disproportionately more attention to the worst case and that the ambiguity premium is not negligible. This leads to an important conclusion that policymakers should factor in the ambiguity premium to formulate risk mitigation policies.