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Tri-axis MEMS accelerometers are used in a wide range of applications such as health monitoring, industrial electronics and navigation guidance due to their low cost, high performance and integration. At this stage, the main structure of commercial products of triaxial accelerometers is the integration of three single-axis capacitive accelerometers. However, many reports have shown that resonant accelerometers can achieve better performance than capacitive accelerometers. In this paper, a novel triaxial accelerometer include a dual-axis resonantors and two torsional elements is proposed. The prototype was fabricated using MEMS processing technology and had a footprint of 10.8 mm × 10.8 mm. A non-vacuum package is adopted to guarantee the stability of the torsional accelerometers included. As a result, a low Q value is obtained for each part included. The effect of low Q is analyzed and its control circuit is optimized to obtain excellent stability. Finally, the triaxial accelerometer prototype was tested to evalute its performance, the Q value of each resonantors is lower than 100, the cross-axis coupling coefficient is below than 0.5%, the nonlinearity is belower than 0.053% at a range of ± 10 g and the bias instability at each axis is 5.7 μg, 4.8 μg and 73 μg respectively (X, Y and Z aixs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human astroviruses (HAstV) are etiologic agents of acute gastroenteritis that most often afflict young children and elderly adults. Most studies of HAstV have focused on epidemiology. In this study, we collected 10 stool samples from a diarrhea outbreak from a diarrhea sentinel surveillance hospital in Beijing. Samples were evaluated immediately using parallel multiplex RT-qPCR and nanopore sequencing, and were then amplified by designed primers and Sanger sequencing to obtain whole genome sequences. Six isolates were categorized as HAstV-5 and subjected to whole genome analysis to characterize their genetic variation and evolution. Full genome analysis revealed low genetic variation (99.38–100% identity) among isolates. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all isolates were closely related to domestic strains Yu/1-CHN and 2013/Fuzhou/85. The recombination breakpoint of the six isolates was located at 2741 bp in the overlap region of ORF1a and ORF1b, similar to those of Yu/1-CHN and 2013/Fuzhou/85. Overall, our study highlights the combined use of RT-qPCR and sequencing as an important tool in rapid diagnosis and acquisition of whole genome sequences of HAstV. Highlights: We parallel used multiplex RT-PCR and nanopore sequencing to identify Human astroviruse from 10 stool samples of a diarrhea outbreak from a diarrhea sentinel surveillance hospital in this study. Six isolates were categorized as HAstV-5 and subjected to whole genome analysis to characterize their genetic variation and evolution.It is showed that the combined use of RT-PCR and sequencing as an important tool in rapid diagnosis and acquisition of whole genome sequences of HAstV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-strength large-volume marine concrete is a critical material required for the construction of large-span sea-crossing bridges. However, the widespread issue of cracking in this concrete type significantly impacts the durability and load-bearing capacity of concrete structures. Dealing with these cracks not only delays construction schedules but also increases project costs. Addressing these pressing technical issues, this project proposes the use of newly developed high-modulus heat-shrinkable fibers (polyethylene terephthalate fiber, also known as PET fiber) from the textile industry. These fibers utilize the heat generated during the hydration of large-volume concrete to trigger its contraction, applying three-dimensional micro-prestressing stress to enhance its crack resistance, while simultaneously incorporating prewetted aggregates with high-performance micro-porous structures and utilizing their internal curing effect to reduce concrete shrinkage. This helps to minimize the loss of micro-prestressing stress caused by concrete shrinkage and creep. This synergistic approach aims to improve the crack resistance of high-strength large-volume marine concrete. By employing modern testing and simulation analysis techniques, this study aims to uncover the mechanism by which the heat-shrinkable fibers exert micro-prestressing stress on concrete and the water release mechanism of internal curing aggregates during the temperature rise and fall stages of large-volume concrete. It seeks to elucidate the cooperative regulation of the microstructure and performance enhancement mechanisms of high-strength large-volume marine concrete by the heat-shrinkable fibers and internal curing aggregates. This research will lead to the development of novel methods for the design and crack control of high-strength large-volume marine concrete, which will be validated through engineering demonstrations. The outcomes of this study will provide theoretical foundations and technical support for the preparation of the crack-resistant large-volume marine concrete used in large-span bridges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Locating potential landslides accurately is vital for developing mitigation strategies in advance to avoid catastrophic damages. This task typically requires intensive human efforts in detecting or monitoring the deformation or pore water pressure at various points of a slope, which is difficult to cover slopes over a wide area on a regional scale. This study investigates the potential of integrating small baseline subset interferometric synthetic aperture radar (SBAS-InSAR) technique into rainfall-induced slope movement characterization, with the goal of locating potential landslides accurately on a regional scale. The surface deformation of the slopes is first obtained using SBAS-InSAR technique, through which the soils with large downwards deformation that is prone to separate with the stable slope soils can be identified. Then, an index of separating trend is proposed to quantify the degree of separation, which is further used to characterize the potential landslides. The locations of potential landslides are then identified through the trend of separation. The proposed method is verified on 14 slopes in Shenzhen, China. The analysis on a mountain area of 4 km × 2 km in Shenzhen identified 2 potential landslides in May 2018 which collapsed after a heavy rainfall in August 2018. A separating trend keeping lower than 0.5 for at least 3 months is a reliable criterion to identify potential rainfall-induced landslides. A limitation of this study is that the proposed method cannot be used to identify the landslides caused by earthquakes and human activities. This study provides a quantified method to locate the potential landslides over a wide slope area rigorously, paving the way for a more cost-effective landslide mitigation strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the rapid development of deep learning in hyperspectral image classification (HSIC), most models require a large amount of labeled data, which are both time-consuming and laborious to obtain. However, contrastive learning can extract spatial–spectral features from samples without labels, which helps to solve the above problem. Our focus is on optimizing the contrastive learning process and improving feature extraction from all samples. In this study, we propose the Unlocking-the-Potential-of-Data-Augmentation (UPDA) strategy, which involves adding superior data augmentation methods to enhance the representation of features extracted by contrastive learning. Specifically, we introduce three augmentation methods—band erasure, gradient mask, and random occlusion—to the Bootstrap-Your-Own-Latent (BYOL) structure. Our experimental results demonstrate that our method can effectively improve feature representation and thus improve classification accuracy. Additionally, we conduct ablation experiments to explore the effectiveness of different data augmentation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of prophylactic cervical cerclage by laparoscopy in pregnant women versus transvaginal way. Design: Retrospective, monocentric cohort study was performed. Setting: The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. Patients: Cases with cervical insufficiency (defined by previous history of painless second or early third trimester pregnancy loss/losses) were selected. Interventions: Laparoscopic or transvaginal cerclage were conducted. The maternal information and the neonatal data were collected and compared. The pregnancy outcomes including the incidence of full-term labor and gestational weeks at delivery were defined as the primary outcomes. Neonatal survival and birth weight, neonatal complications were evaluated as the secondary outcomes. Measurements and main results: Totally 36 twin pregnant cases and 82 singleton pregnant cases were managed with cerclage, either trans-laparoscopy (totally 78 cases) or transvaginal (totally 40 cases). Demographic characteristics showed no significant differences. Cases in laparoscopic group had a prolonged gestational age at delivery (36.43 ± 0.93 weeks and 33.60 ± 2.78 weeks, respectively, P < 0.001), a higher incidence of full-term labor (60.26% vs 42.50%, P = 0.05) with no significant difference of perinatal mortality (P = 0.661). Meanwhile, higher incidence of normal birth weight infants (88.46% vs 67.50%, P = 0.007) was shown in laparoscopic group with no more complications such as the cases of neonatal with Apgar < 7 (P = 0.296), and the incidence of NICU admission (P = 0.237). Besides, LTC showed good efficiency on VTC in the incidence of full-term labor: HR 0.24 (95% CI 0.070–0.85), P < 0.001. While LSC showed the similar efficiency on VSC: HR 0.734 (95% CI 0.36–1.49), P = 0.857, showing that cases with twin pregnancy may benefit more from laparoscopic cerclage. Conclusions: The comparative effect between laparoscopic and transvaginal cerclage in pregnant women showed that laparoscopic cerclage may be a relatively effective and safety prophylactic way for cervical insufficiency. This would be an acceptable and safe replace for traditional transvaginal cervical cerclage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the influence of different factors on the early strength of the cold recycled emulsified asphalt mixtures, 16 different types of cold recycled mixtures were designed and produced, which were combined with different cement content, water content, and cement-water ratio. The indirect tensile strength (IDT), compressive strength (UCS), tensile strength at 15°C (TS), and indirect tensile strength ratio (ITSR) tests were used to test the early strength of the cold recycled mixture. The variance analysis method was utilized to analyze the influence of the single factor on the early strength of the cold recycled mixture. The results show that appropriate cement-water ratio content can effectively improve the early strength of cold recycled mixtures. According to the Spearman correlation coefficient and comparison of each evaluation indicator, IDT and ITSR are significantly affected by various factors, and the results are relatively stable and well-differentiated, which is recommended as indicators of early strength evaluation. Cement-water ratio is recommended as the main control factor to control the early strength of the cold recycled emulsified asphalt mixtures. The optimal cement-water ratio ranges from 0.6 to 1.0, while the cement content is controlled from 1.2% to 1.5% and the water content from 3.8% to 4.3%. This study is of great significance for promoting the design of emulsified asphalt cold regenerative mixture with cement-water ratio and improving and accelerating its early strength development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predicting spudcan penetration is essential for reducing risk during the installation of an offshore mobile jack-up platform. However, predictions made prior to installation often deviate from those recorded in practice, mainly because inherent uncertainties in seabed soils are not adequately considered. In this paper, the characteristics of the seabed are quantified using monitored spudcan installation data by developing a Bayesian framework coupled with Metropolis algorithm-based Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation. Applied to sand overlying clay conditions multiple readings from the load–penetration curve are used to derive statistical interpretations of seabed parameters such as sand thickness, sand friction angle and the undrained shear strength profile of clay. Illustrative examples demonstrate the proposed method using data from geotechnical centrifuge tests and a monitored offshore jack-up. The accuracy of the method is also retrospectively examined against a database of 66 centrifuge tests. The results show that the proposed method can provide consistent soil parameters with reduced uncertainty regardless of the influence of the updating sequence, number of MCMC chains, scale factors and the prior distributions applied. This method offers the offshore industry a new methodology to statistically interpret seabed conditions by incorporating monitored data. Potentially it could be combined with spatial interpolation methods to infer ground conditions and more accurately predict future spudcan installations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Evaluating face attractiveness is a core aspect of face perception, which plays an important role in impression formation. A more reliable source of information in impression formation is moral behavior, which forms the primary basis for the comprehensive evaluation of others. Previous studies have found that one can easily form an association when faces and moral behaviors are presented together, which in turn affects facial attractiveness evaluation. However, little is known of the extent to which these learned associations affect facial attractiveness and whether the influence of moral behavior on facial attractiveness was related to facial appearance. Methods: We used the associative learning paradigm and manipulated face presentation duration (Experiment 1 and Experiment 2) and response deadline (Experiment 2) to investigate these issues. Under these conditions, the association information was difficult to be retrieved. Participants learned associations between faces and scenes of moral behavior, and then evaluated facial attractiveness. Results: We found that both moral behavior and facial appearance influence facial attractiveness under conditions where associated information was difficult to retrieve, and their effects increased with the increase of face presentation time. With increasing response deadlines, the effect of moral behavior on facial attractiveness increased. The influence of moral behavior on facial attractiveness was associated with facial appearance. Conclusion: These results suggest that moral behavior continuously affects facial attractiveness. Our findings expand previous research by showing a robust influence of moral behavior on facial attractiveness evaluation, and highlight the important role of moral character in impression formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital technologies have been used to support mental health services for two decades, but the COVID-19 pandemic created a particular opportunity for greater utilization and more data-driven assessment of these digital technologies. This research aims to offer a scoping review of the characteristics and effectiveness of digital interventions that were employed to improve mental health in the real context of COVID-19 pandemic. A combination of search terms was applied for automatic search of publications in the relevant databases. The key features of included studies were extracted, including the intervention, participant, and study details. A total of 20 eligible studies were included in the final review, which were conducted across different geographic regions and among diverse cultural groups. Among them, fourteen studies mainly reported the impact of digital technologies on general population, while only one published study developed specific interventions for the isolated COVID-19 depressed patients in hospitals. Digital technologies identified in this review were mainly developed via web-based and mobile-based platforms, such as social networking and video conferencing applications. But less than half of them were aligned with theoretical approaches from standardized psychological treatments. Most of the studies have reported positive effects of digital technologies, either on improving general mental and emotional well-being or addressing specific conditions (e.g., depression, stress, and anxiety). This scoping review suggests that digital technologies hold promise in bridging the mental health-care gap during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and calls for more rigorous studies to identify pertinent features that are likely to achieve more effective mental health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solanum nigrum is a noxious weed in agricultural ecosystem that limits many crops' production. The aim of the present study was to understand the level of genetic diversity and population structure of S. nigrum in China. A specific-locus amplified fragment (SLAF) sequencing method was conducted to detect single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genomes of S. nigrum from 66 populations in China. A total of 616,533 high-quality SNPs were identified from 189,840 SLAFs, with an average sequencing depth of 10.59× fold and a Q30 value of 93% and a GC content of 42.78%. It showed a considerable amount of genetic diversity and genetic variability of S. nigrum among samples. The genetic differentiation of S. nigrum indicated that there was a low level of genetic differentiation (Fst < 0.1000) among geographical populations. A cluster analysis showed that populations of S. nigrum were divided into two subgroups, with some samples from adjacent position roughly clustered together, which showed some correlation between geographic origins. A population structure analysis suggested the 66 S. nigrum samples could have originated from three different genetic clusters. The Xinjiang site was the only location where all genetic clusters were found, which suggested these populations were genetically diverse. These results showed that there was a high degree of genetic diversity and low difference among the different geographical populations of S. nigrum. The results from the genetic structure of the SNP markers indicated that wide genetic variability exists among the population of S. nigrum in China, which may contribute to the adaptation and infestation of this weed species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let 0 < ϱ < 1 and T a be a bilinear pseudo-differential operator defined by the symbol a ∈ B S ϱ , ϱ - n (1 - ϱ) . It is shown that the operator T a obeys the following pointwise estimate M ♯ (T a (f , g)) (x) ≤ C M p f (x) M q g (x) for all x ∈ R n if 2 < p , q < ∞ and 1 p + 1 q = 1 2 . Here M ♯ denotes the Fefferman–Stein sharp operator and M p stands for the generalized Hardy–Littlewood maximal operator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dimetronidazole (DMZ), an veterinary antibiotic, exhibits poor photostability with only 80.38% potency remaining after exposure to illuminance of 4500 lux for 7 days. The photodegradation is accompanied by obvious color change. A 1 : 1 cocrystal of DMZ with saccharine exhibited profoundly improved photostability with 98.95% of DMZ remaining after 7 days under the same light exposure. Thus, this new cocrystal can be used to develop more stable drug products of DMZ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classical bearing capacity theory was developed mainly based on spatially uniform soil properties, which cannot account for the influence of inherent soil variability. If the soil strength is heterogeneous, then using the average strength may overestimate the bearing capacity of foundations, because the failure mechanism may preferentially mobilise the weaker soils. In this study the aim is to establish a theoretical model using upper-bound solutions applied to the bearing capacity analysis of shallow foundations on undrained clay considering spatial variability. The model is derived on the principle of least energy dissipation using a four-parameter variation on Prandtl's mechanism. The theoretical model developed is verified by the random finite-element (FE) method in spatially varying soil conditions. The results show that the model can accurately capture the effect of spatially varying strength on the shallow foundation failure mechanism. The difference of bearing capacity factor between the proposed model and the FE model is within 5%, which demonstrates that the four-parameter model has an accuracy that is comparable to FE analysis with many hundreds of degrees of freedom. Another advantage of the theoretical model is that the possible non-convergence in FE analysis can be avoided, and hence, the calculation efficiency is significantly enhanced. The model is therefore suitable for rapid quantification of bearing capacity in spatially varying soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid drawdown of river level is very detrimental to the stability of dikes. In this paper, the entire slope failure process of a real dike with sandy soil interlayer after rapid river drawdown is accurately reproduced using the material point method (MPM). The analysis of pre-failure behaviour, in combination with field test results, reveals the triggering mechanism of such dike slope failure, demonstrating that the presence of sandy soil interlayer is the leading cause of dike instability. By tracking the response of the dike slope from failure initiation to runout termination, the failure mode of the dike slope with sandy soil interlayer is identified as a progressive and retrogressive failure mode, with shallow and deep-seated slip surfaces appearing successively. Parametric studies indicate the friction angle, cohesion, dilatancy, and permeability of the sandy soil play significant roles in dike slope stability. A relationship between the permeability of sandy soil and the maximum sliding displacement is also found. In the face of rapid river drawdown, river-facing slope surface protection is the most effective protection measure for such dike slopes with sandy soil interlayer, while traditional riprap protection at the slope toe has a limited protecting effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the core of blockchain technology, the consensus mechanism ensures the safe and stable operation of the blockchain system. According to the more complex traceability of data when sharing cross-system and cross-chain, the paper proposes the Layered Cross-Chain Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (LC-PBFT) suitable for cross-chain scenarios to ensure the secure traceability of data in the process of cross-chain data traceability. Firstly, in a single chain, the initial reputation value is set according to the success rate and efficiency of the nodes in the historical transactions in the chain, the reputation ranking of the nodes in the chain is realized by the improved PageRank algorithm, and delegated nodes are selected to participate in the cross-chain consensus based on reputation ranking. Then, the forest topology is sorted according to the contribution of the consensus nodes in the cross-chain system, and the consensus results from the child nodes are quickly verified by aggregation signature, which prevents the parent node from tampering with the consensus results of the child nodes. Meanwhile, the consensus process between the sibling nodes in the same layer and the view switching protocol when the master node fails are given. Finally, the performance of the LC-PBFT consensus algorithm is analyzed, and its advantages in performance such as throughput are verified by simulation. Compared with the Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT) algorithm, the consensus latency of the LC-PBFT consensus algorithm is reduced by 50.17%, and the throughput is improved by 19.37%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate prediction of surface settlement caused by large-diameter shield tunneling is crucial for the safety of the tunnel environment. However, due to the complexity and uncertainty of the rock-machine interaction and groundwater variation, it is difficult to predict the settlement by developing traditional theoretical methods. Recently, a big number of data obtained from the Chunfeng shield tunnel in China provides the possibility to predict the settlement using machine-learning methods. In this study, the equipment parameters, the geological parameters, and the monitored settlements are used to establish the models. Three machine-learning algorithms (i.e., long-short-term memory (LSTM), random forest (RF), and gated recurrent unit (GRU)) are used to predict the surface settlement. Three indicators, mean absolute error (MAE), accuracy (ACC), and coefficient of determination ( R 2 ), are selected to evaluate the prediction performance. Results demonstrated that the filtering and selection of model parameters is vitally important to the accuracy of model prediction. Among the three machine-learning algorithms, the LSTM algorithm gives the best accuracy in predicting the maximum surface settlement and can effectively predict the settlement development in different strata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of aluminum in the weathering crust leaching rare earth ore harms the subsequent extraction and separation of rare earths. High-quality rare earth production processes must reduce the aluminum content in their feed liquid. Groups containing lone pairs of electrons can form stable insoluble complexes with metal ions under certain conditions. In this paper, 3-hydroxyphenylphosphoryl propionic acid is used to selectively separate rare earths by complexation in feed liquid. The results show that: using 3-hydroxyphenylphosphoryl propionic acid as the complexing agent, and when the amount of 3-hydroxyphenyl phosphoryl propionic acid is six times the theoretical complete reaction amount, the reaction time is 10 min, the reaction temperature is 50 °C, and the solution is adjusted to pH 1, the extraction rate of RE3+ is 90.48%, and the extraction rate of Al3+ is nearly 9.52%. The separation of rare earth and aluminum is well realized. 3-hydroxyphenyl phosphoryl propionic acid has good water solubility and low cost, and the product after complexation reaction with metal ions is solid and easy to separate. It has potential as an alternative complexing agent in the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of hydrocarbon (HC) concentration on particulate deposition and the microstructure of the deposit in exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler was investigated. The EGR cooler inlet gas temperature was 300 °C and the coolant temperature was 85 °C throughout the test, and the HC concentration was fixed at 200 ppm, 450 ppm, and 850 ppm respectively. The results indicated that there is a HC concentration region in which the effect of HC condensation on particle deposition in EGR cooler was enhanced. The HC concentration is not only affecting the particulate regeneration and deposition but also affecting the deposit microstructure. The deposit that built up under low HC concentration has two layers, of which the top layer is a thinner loose flocculent dendrite layer and the bottom layer is a thicker dense layer. The deposit in the EGR cooler that built up under high HC concentration conditions is mainly a dense layer, and with clusters of flocculent particles scattered on the surface of it. Due to the large amount of HC volatilized in the deposit layer, the structure of deposit in the EGR cooler that built up under extreme high HC concentration finally becomes coarser and the density decreases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During tunnel construction with tunnel boring machine (TBM), the TBM drivers determine the driving parameters depending only on their own experiences. Inappropriate TBM driving parameters may lead to low construction efficiency, severe disk cutter wear, even tunnel collapse. An assisted driving method for TBM is proposed in this study to assist drivers in determining suitable driving parameters in advance taking into account both the construction safety and efficiency. The proposed method starts with developing a model to classify the grade of surrounding rock masses and a deep learning model to predict the TBM tunneling parameters (i.e., torque and thrust). Then, the models are used to predict the integrity and drivability of the surrounding rock in the tunneling. Finally, appropriate driving parameters for TBM in different rock grades and drivability classes can be determined automatically. This assisted driving method was examined by the data from Yin-song project in China. Essentially, this study can be helpful for the evaluation of rock mass drivability and the determination of driving parameters, paving the way to a self-driving machine in the harsh tunnel boring environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Searching and developing earth-abundant electrocatalysts with predominant activity and favorable stability are significant to resolve increasing environmental pollution and serious energy crisis. In this paper, Mo-based nanowire arrays (NWAs) were synthesized on carbon fiber paper (CFP), and then Ru–MoP NWAs/CFP was successfully assembled through impregnation of Ru and phosphorization. The as-obtained Ru–MoP NWAs/CFP exhibited excellent performance over a broad pH range. As a result, overpotentials of 39.0, 49.9, and 67.1 mV were required to reach the current density of 10 mA cm−2 in 0.5 M H2SO4, 1 M KOH, and 1 M PBS, respectively. The outstanding performance of Ru–MoP NWAs/CFP is mainly related to the introduction of Ru and P atoms, which may enhance the conductivity of the catalyst and develop additional HER active sites. Our work may afford a novel designing approach to develop high performance HER electrocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the unknown genetic causes of teratozoospermia, and determine the pathogenicity of candidate variants. Methods: A primary infertile patient and his family members were recruited in the West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University. Whole-exome sequencing was performed to identify causative genes in a man with teratozoospermia. Immunofluorescence staining and western blotting were applied to assess the pathogenicity of the identified variant. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was used to assist fertilization for the patient with teratozoospermia. Results: We performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) and detected a novel homozygous frameshift mutation of c.335_336del [p.E112Vfs*3] in DNAJB13 on a primary infertile male patient. Intriguingly, we identified abnormal sperm morphology in this patient, with recurrent respiratory infections and chronic cough. Furthermore, we confirmed that this mutation resulted in negative effects on DNAJB13 expression in the spermatozoa of the affected individual, causing ultrastructural defects in his sperm. Remarkably, our staining revealed that DNAJB13 was expressed in the cytoplasm of primary germ cells and in the flagella of spermatids during spermiogenesis in humans and mice. Finally, we are the first group to report a favorable prognosis using ICSI for a patient carrying this DNAJB13 mutation. Conclusion: Our study revealed a novel homozygous frameshift mutation of c.335_336del [p.E112Vfs*3] in DNAJB13 involved in teratozoospermia phenotype. Our study greatly expands the spectrum of limited DNAJB13 mutations, and is expected to provide a better understanding of genetic counseling diagnoses and subsequent treatment of male infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guided by the risk information seeking and processing (RISP) model, this study aims to examine the key determinants that predispose individuals' online information seeking behavior and prevention intent during the COVID-19 outbreak. Through an online survey with 741 respondents in China, results indicate that affective responses, informational subjective norms, and information insufficiency are positively related to online information seeking about COVID-19. Furthermore, online information seeking is positively associated with prevention intent, and attitude toward prevention partially mediates this association. Finally, theoretical and practical implications of this study are discussed in the context of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a dual-objective eco-routing strategy aimed at optimizing driving routes by minimizing both energy consumption and travel time. First, the vehicle and powertrain dynamics are modelled. The energy consumption of three powertrain types, including hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), battery electric vehicle (BEV) and conventional vehicle with internal combustion engine (CV), are calculated based on a white-box model. Second, this paper models the traffic network by considering the intensity of each road. The energy consumption associated with different intensity levels is also modelled using a typical driving cycle. The dual-objective routing problem, considering both energy consumption and travel time, is solved by an Iterative Dijkstra's algorithm. Finally, several simulation results demonstrate that the proposed dual-objective eco-routing strategy achieves a favorable balance between energy consumption and travel time. Specifically, for HEV, the dual-objective eco-routing strategy resulted in a 5.3% reduction in travel time with a marginal increase of only 0.4% in fuel consumption compared to the single-objective eco-route. In addition, the eco-routing strategy exhibits distinct patterns across different vehicle powertrains. HEV and BEV tend to utilize heavy traffic conditions more frequently compared to the CV. • Build the energy consumption models of hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), battery electric vehicle (BEV) and conventional vehicle with internal combustion engine (CV). • Energy consumption associated with different intensity levels is modelled. • Formulate the dual-objective routing problem, considering both energy consumption and travel time. • Eco-routing strategy exhibits distinct patterns across different vehicle powertrains and traffic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon anodes are important candidates for high energy lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) because of their large theoretical specific capacity. However, silicon usually undergoes severe volume changes (300–400 %) in the lithiation/delithiation process, resulting in low Coulombic efficiency (CE) and rapid capacity decay. Herein, the nanotube shaped silicon-carbon composite has been designed by using a simple dealloying method in greenhouse gas (CO 2) environment. Encouragingly, the tubular structured composite prepared at 1.5 h shows best electrochemical performance as anodes for LIBs among the three samples. The first specific discharge capacity could reach 2302.5 mA h g−1 when cycled at 0.2 A g−1, corresponding an initial CE of 70 %. Along with the increasing number of cycles, the composite exhibits high Coulombic efficiency compared to commercial Si particles. The material also displays excellent rate capacity and stability with a high specific capacity of 714.6 mA h g−1 at 5 A g−1. In situ differential electrochemical mass spectrometry is further used to analyze the phenomenon of gas generation during the formation of solid electrolyte interface layer. In addition, the fabricated Si/LiNi 0.3 Co 0.3 Mn 03 O 2 full battery demonstrates high initial specific capacity up to 171 mA h g−1 as well as moderate cycling stability for 50 cycles. The silicon nanoparticles confined in carbon nanotubes has been engineered by a simple dealloying strategy in carbon dioxide gas environment. The as-obtained composite exhibits excellent performance with high specific capacity and excellent cycling stability in both half and full cells. Furthermore, in situ differential electrochemical mass spectrometry technique is used to analyze gas evolution during the formation of solid electrolyte interface layer. This work has important scientific significance for CO 2 recycling and the development of large-scale energy storage technology. [Display omitted] • Si confined in carbon nanotubes is engineered in greenhouse gas environment. • The introduction of CO 2 contributes to carbon coating and silicon production. • The composite exhibits high reversibility and outstanding cycling stability. • Greenhouse gas has achieved efficient carbon conversion for energy storage. • The preparation is simple and expected to realize large-scale preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic stability of offshore foundations in the marine environment is one of the major technical challenges. Millions of loading cycles from waves and winds act on the foundations and seabed in their entire service life. The mixing of adjacent soil layers due to naturally occurring sediment or the construction process raises more difficulties in the design. Previous studies have focused on the dynamic constitutive relations of idealized clean sand or clay under cyclic loading, while the cyclic characteristics of sand-clay mixtures are still unclear. In this study, the dynamic responses of sand-clay mixtures under a large number of shear cycles were investigated through 25 constant-volume cyclic direct simple shear tests on sand-clay mixtures with sand contents of 0 %, 25 %, 50 %, and 75 %. The results indicate that high sand contents and high cyclic stress ratios accelerate the reduction of effective stress in sand-clay mixtures, resulting in a more rapid increase in shear strain. As the sand content increases from 0 % to 75 %, the normalized shear modulus decreases by 35.9 % at a shear strain of 1 %. In contrast, the normalized dynamic shear strength is reduced from between 0.490 and 0.525 to between 0.181 and 0.325 after over 5000 loading cycles. • Higher sand content makes stress paths reach the CSL earlier and hysteresis loops dumpier. • Sand content increases the accumulation of plastic strain with increasing shear cycles. • Sand content accelerates the reduction of the cyclic shear modulus of sand-clay mixtures. • Sand content increases the damping ratio of sand-clay mixtures under cyclic shearing. • Sand content reduces the long-term cyclic shear strength of the sand-clay mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tunnel boring machine (TBM) has been widely used for tunnelling in harsh environments with deeply embedded tunnels and hard rocks. The collapse of surrounding rocks seriously jeopardizes the safety of the machine and the driver. Prediction of TBM tunneling response is vitally important to alert the hazard in advance, which is still a challenge topic, especially for a new-constructing tunnel where scarce data are available. This study proposes a transfer learning model that is capable to predict TBM tunneling responses for a new project using the boring data obtained from the other existing tunnels. The key problem of transfer learning model, i.e., what to transfer, is first studied based on the big data obtained from Yin-song project and Yin-chao project in China. Then, when to transfer is investigated by comparing with the machine learning model that developed using only the data in the new tunnel. Finally, possible collapses in the new Yin-chao project are analyzed using the TBM responses that obtained from the transfer learning model. Results show that the types of transferred TBM parameters significantly affect the prediction accuracy. A filter procedure is proposed to determine the number and types of parameters to be transferred. The predicted accuracy for the torque and thrust reach 93 % and 95 %, respectively, for the first 100 steps from Ch. 66060 m to Ch. 65366 m in the new Yin-chao project when the most important 10 parameters are used in the transfer learning model. The predicted accuracy of the transfer learning model is better than that of the machine learning model in the early stage of the new tunnelling, especially in the first 2000 steps. The proposed model shows superior capability in prediction of the TBM responses and in collapse warning for a new tunnelling project, which paves the way for an automatic construction of TBM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a growing concern that the use of anti-hypertensives may be associated with an increased risk of cancer, but it remains uncertain for the association between anti-hypertensives and lung cancer risk, as well as their interaction with aspirin in chemoprotective effects.Methods: The goal of this study is to assess the association between anti-hypertensives use and the risk of lung cancer, as well as the chemopreventive impacts from the combination usage of aspirin and anti-hypertensives. A retrospective cohort study was conducted based on all the public hospital electronic medical records in Hong Kong. Patients with prescription records of anti-hypertensives (ACEi/ARB, CCB, β-blocker,α-blocker) and/or aspirin were included as the exposure groups. Using the Cox proportional hazards model with inverse probability weighting, we estimated hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for lung cancer risk from anti-hypertensives usage or combination usage of aspirin with anti-hypertensives. The likelihood ratio test and interaction model were adopted for exploring the interaction effects with aspirin.Results: A total of 6592 and 84,116 lung cancer cases were identified from the groups of anti-hypertensives users and anti-hypertensives users with aspirin, respectively. The group of non-aspirin patients who received anti-hypertensives showed a significantly lower risk of lung cancer (HR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.60-0.66), compared to those without anti-hypertensives. When aspirin and α-blocker were used simultaneously, it could lower the risk of lung cancer significantly (HR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.34-0.84). Moreover, the lower risk of lung cancer persisted with a longer follow-up period of anti-hypertensives usage. Combination usage with aspirin in the users of ACEi/ARB, CCB, and α-blocker showed significant interaction effects. However, the smoking effect could not be eliminated in this analysis.Discussion: Anti-hypertensive treatment was associated with a lower risk of lung cancer, which is associated with the anti-hypertensives exposure period. The potential interaction on the chemopreventive influence from combination usage of α-blocker and aspirin might exist. More corroborations on these findings are needed to focus on the different settings in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Offshore engineering is facing the challenges of modeling large deformation problems combined with the complexity of spatial variability of soils. This complex large deformation problem has not been extensively investigated, where one reason is believed due to limited practical approaches available. In this paper, the complex problem has been addressed through the in-house developed approach by implementing a remeshing-based large deformation method into finite element framework, where the spatial variability of the soil domain is realized by correlating the generated random field with the soil property distribution. By carrying large deformation analysis, the penetration of a T-bar penetrometer, the installation of a spudcan foundation and the sliding process of a slope are presented. This study provides an effective approach to investigate the large deformation problems by considering the effect of spatial variability, where the coupling between the complex soil properties and the excessive large displacement has not been intensively investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delicate design and rapid development of low-cost, highly active, and perdurable pH-universal heterogenveous hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts are demanding challenge in energy-conversion technologies. Herein, heterostructured CoP/MoO 2 electrocatalyst was synthesized by employing MoO 2 nanorods as framework for the growth of CoP nanoparticles. Owing to the fact that the effective interface of heterostructure can enhance electron transfer/mass diffusion and expose ample active sites, the CoP/MoO 2 reveals eminent HER activities with favorable long-term stability in all pH electrolytes, overpotentials of 69, 78, and 165 mV in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 , 1.0 M KOH, and 1.0 M PBS (phosphate-buffered solution) electrolytes were required for CoP/MoO 2 to reach the current density of 10 mA cm−2. This work emphasizes that strategy of electronic structure engineering holds great promises in pH-universal HER electrocatalysts for energy storage and conversion. The obtained heterostructured CoP/MoO 2 electrode exhibited distinguished electrocatalytic performance and extraordinary durability HER in acidic, neutral, and alkaline conditions. [Display omitted] • Heterostructured CoP/MoO 2 was synthesized. • CoP/MoO 2 characterized excellent HER activity in all pH media. • Heterostructure can induce strong electron interactions. • The effective interface construction can endow a better intrinsic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The research intended to probe the connection between the risk of stroke and serum vitamin D levels. Methods: Three electronic databases (Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed) were searched according to the subject terms from inception until July 29, 2022, and retrieved researches were screened on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two investigators conducted the quality assessment and data extraction. Using Stata 16.0 software, a meta‐analysis was conducted on the extracted data. Findings: In total, 27 studies with 45,302 participants were included. Among these studies, 20 focused on stroke risk, while 7 examined stroke prognosis. According to the meta‐analysis findings, it was observed that a higher stroke risk is connected to reduced levels of serum vitamin D. This association was reflected in a combined relative risk (RR) of 1.28 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.15–1.42) and a worse prognosis after stroke (RR = 2.95, 95% CI: 1.90–4.60). Additional analysis indicated that no apparent relationship between a decrease in vitamin D and the probability of experiencing a hemorrhagic stroke was found. The RR found was 1.93 (95% CI: 0.95–3.95). On the other hand, it was observed that a reduction in serum vitamin D levels was linked to an elevated likelihood of developing an ischemic stroke. The RR identified was 1.72 (95% CI: 1.78–2.03). Moreover, a lower level of vitamin D in the bloodstream was associated with a more unfavorable prognosis for individuals who suffered from a stroke. The RR for this correlation was 2.95 (95% CI: 1.90–4.60). However, further research is required to confirm the above‐mentioned findings. Conclusion: In conclusion, lower concentration vitamin D was found to be related to an increased risk of stroke, which could mainly be reflected in ischemic stroke patients but not in patients with hemorrhagic stroke. A lower serum vitamin D level was correlative with the poor prognosis of stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronary artery lesion (CAL) caused by Kawasaki disease (KD) is a leading cause of acquired heart disease in children. Initial treatment of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) can reduce the incidence of CAL. Although most of the current studies have shown a certain correlation between CAL and IVIG resistance, the conclusions are not completely consistent. Thus, we performed this meta-analysis to evaluate the association between IVIG resistance and CAL in KD. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure through April 21, 2020 were searched to detect relevant studies. Data analysis was performed with STATA 15.1. Results: A total of 53 relevant studies were eligible to this analysis, including 30312 KD patients, of which 4750 were IVIG resistance and 25562 were responders. There was a significant difference found between IVIG resistance and IVIG response groups in the incidence of CAL (P < 0.001, odds ratio (OR), 3.89; 95% confidence interval (CI) (3.18, 4.75)). The heterogeneity test results showed that the I2 value was 74.8%. The meta-regression analysis showed that the study regions might be the sources of heterogeneity. The subgroup analysis suggested that the incidence of CAL in the IVIG resistance group was still higher than that in the IVIG response group under different regions, IVIG resistance diagnostic criteria, CAL diagnostic criteria, and study types. Meanwhile, the sensitivity analysis did not find any significant impact from every single study. Conclusions: This is the first meta-analysis to reveal the incidence of CAL was associated with IVIG resistance in KD patients. Further well-designed studies with uniform criteria are needed to evaluate the incidence of CAL in IVIG resistant patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the mudslide prone areas of western China, concrete piers were severely damaged by washing.In our previous research, the anti-abrasive UHPC prepared with saturated prewet high titanium heavy slag sand (ST-UHPC) is proposed to prevent such damage. And we studied the effect of grinding and erosion on the performance of ST-UHPC before, but the mechanism has not been studied in depth In order to study the microstructure evolution of ST-UHPC cement by the grinding and erosion, we use XRD, SEM, 27Al NMR, 29Si NMR test methods in this paper. By this way, we studied the effects of shock and salt erosion on hydration products composition, migration and transformation of Al-containing hydration products, hydration degree of cement and C-A-S-H gel microstructure. The results showed that the impact of bedload damaged the microstructure of UHPC. Then the damage of UHPC microstructure accelerates the transport of aggressive ions. Next, SO 4 2- erodes from the site of damage and produces expansive erosion products such as gypsum and calcareous vanadite. The erosion of SO 4 2- and Mg2+ resulted in the dealuminization and decalcification of C-A-S-H gel in UHPC cement and mechanical properties degradation. Thus, the expansion damage of UHPC and the impact damage of UHPC structure are aggravated. So the microstructure damage of UHPC was further aggravated. Under the action of impact, the water impacting material forms various chemical bonds with the C-A-S-H substrate. The chemical bonds results in the evolution of C-A-S-H microstructure. In conclusion, the structure of C-A-S-H substrate deteriorates obviously under the coupling effect of scouring and erosion. And the impact resistance of C-A-S-H substrate decreases significantly. • The anti-abrasive UHPC prepared with saturated prewet high titanium heavy slag sand was proposed. • XRD, SEM, 27Al NMR, 29Si NMR were used to study the microstructure evolution of ST-UHPC. • The microstructure evolution of UHPC was studied by molecular dynamics simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This correction notice is for an article titled "Correction: a novel non-vacuum packaged triaxial accelerometer with differential dual-axis resonantors and torsional elements" published in the journal Microsystems Technologies. The correction addresses an error in the affiliation of one of the authors, Songli Wang. The correct affiliation should be the Aviation Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Inertial Technology, FACRI, Xi'an, China. The correction also modifies the affiliations of two other authors. The original article has been corrected. Springer Nature, the publisher, remains neutral regarding jurisdictional claims and institutional affiliations. The authors of the article are Jinhui Li, Dunzhu Xia, Songli Wang, Xiuhua Yang, and Bing Zhang. [Extracted from the article]

In the process of flotation recovery of metal oxide ore, the complexes obtained by premixing metal ions with benzohydroxamic acid are often used as collectors. The study of aluminum (III) -benzohydroxamic acid (Al-BHA) system is not perfect. In order to study the chemical properties, microstructure and adsorption mechanism of Al-BHA on mineral surface, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and density functional theory (DFT) were used. The analysis of FTIR confirmed the chemisorption of Al-BHA onto the ilmenite. AFM results show that the coverage of Al-BHA on the surface of ilmenite is obviously better than that of BHA. According to Fukui function and frontier orbital theory, the chemical activities of Al-BHA are greater than those of BHA. In addition, aluminum atom is the active center of Al-BHA. The bonding model of the collector and (104) ilmenite surface showed that the vacuum adsorption energy of Al-BHA was higher than that of BHA, and the bridge site adsorption form is the most stable. Overall, it is possible to apply Al-BHA with higher activity to ilmenite flotation. [Display omitted] • DFT and experimental study of Al-BHA interactions with ilmenite. • The adsorption of BHA and Al-BHA can change the surface morphology of ilmenite. • The chemical activity of Al-BHA is higher than BHA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automated pineapple harvesting has emerged as a prominent prospective development within the agricultural domain. Nevertheless, the intricate growth conditions that pineapples encounter in the field, such as inadequate light, overexposure, obstructions caused by fruit leaves, or the overlapping of fruits, pose substantial challenges to the accuracy and robustness of traditional real-time detection algorithms. In recent times, Transformer models, when applied to computer vision, have exhibited commendable performance, underscoring their potential for target detection in smart agricultural applications. In this report, we propose a spatio-temporal convolutional neural network model that leverages the shifted window Transformer fusion region convolutional neural network model for the purpose of detecting pineapple fruits. Our study includes a comparative analysis of these results and those obtained through the utilization of conventional models. Additionally, we investigate the influence of various aspects of data preparation, including image resolution, object size, and object complexity, on the ultimate pineapple detection outcomes. Experimental findings elucidate that, in the case of detecting a single-category target like a pineapple, the employment of 2000 annotated supervised data points yields the optimal detection accuracy. Further augmenting the size of the training dataset does not yield any significant improvement in detection accuracy. Furthermore, images of pineapples captured from greater distances encompass smaller targets and an increased number of pineapple instances, rendering them more intricate and challenging to accurately detect. In summary, our study employs the spatio-temporal convolutional neural network model to attain pineapple detection with an impressive accuracy rate of 92.54% and an average inference time of 0.163 s, thus affirming the efficacy of our developed model in achieving superior detection results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a genetic programming method for satellite system design is proposed to simultaneously optimize the topology and parameters of a satellite system. Firstly, the representation of satellite system design is defined according to the tree structure. The genetic programming method is designed based on that representation. Secondly, according to the tree structure of different satellite schemes, different multiscale satellite models are established, in which various physical fields couple together. Then, an evaluation system is also proposed to test the performances of different satellite schemes. Finally, the application to the design of an earth observation satellite demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a genetic programming method for satellite system design is proposed to simultaneously optimize the topology and parameters of a satellite system. Firstly, the representation of satellite system design is defined according to the tree structure. The genetic programming method is designed based on that representation. Secondly, according to the tree structure of different satellite schemes, different multiscale satellite models are established, in which various physical fields couple together. Then, an evaluation system is also proposed to test the performances of different satellite schemes. Finally, the application to the design of an earth observation satellite demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is of extreme importance to design efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which is considered as a promising approach to provide efficient and renewable clean fuel (hydrogen). Tuning the electronic structure through heteroatom doping demonstrates one of the most effective strategies to promote the electrocatalytic performance of HER. Herein, phosphorus-doping modulation is utilized to fabricate monoclinic P-CoMoO4 with optimized electron structure supported on nickel foam (P-CoMoO4/NF) for alkaline HER via a facile hydrothermal method, followed by low-temperature phosphidation. Notably, P-CoMoO4/NF shows outstanding electrocatalytic performance for HER in 1 M KOH with a low overpotential of 89 mV at 10 mA cm−2, a remarkable Tafel slope value of 59 mV dec−1, and excellent 24 h-long stability. The excellent catalyst activity and stability merits of P-CoMoO4/NF are comparable to the reported highly efficient non-precious metal HER electrocatalysts and could be applied as a powerful electrocatalyst in water electrolysis. This work provides a superior synthesis strategy for the effective design and rational fabrication of low-cost, highly active, and highly stable non-precious metal HER electrocatalysts for electricity-to-hydrogen applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the global energy crisis and serious environmental contamination, there is an urgent need to search for highly active and stable non-noble metal based electrocatalysts to reduce the energy losses for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) but it is still a significant challenge. In this work, self-supported Mo-doped Ni3S2 (denoted as Mo-Ni3S2/NF) was successfully assembled via a facile one-step hydrothermal method and used as a bifunctional electrocatalyst. A series of controllable morphologies were achieved by changing the molar ratios of reactants to study the influencing factors of electrocatalytic activity. The as-obtained Mo-doped Ni3S2/NF nanoneedles exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activities with a low overpotential of 170 mV to deliver a current density of 10 mA cm−2 for the HER and an excellent overpotential of 174 mV at a current density of 50 mA cm−2 for the OER. When used as both a cathode and an anode for overall water splitting in two electrode configuration (1 M KOH aqueous electrolyte), Mo-Ni3S2/NF nanoneedles exhibit outstanding activity (an external voltage of 1.49 V to display a stable current density of 10 mA cm−2) and impressive durability (no obvious degradation at a constant voltage for up to 24 h). This work provides a promising avenue of incorporating the nanostructure design with compositional modulation to synthesize bifunctional electrocatalysts of superior activity and delicate stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spread of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae has become a significant problem for public health in recent years. In this study, we reported a New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase 1 (NDM-1)-producing K. pneumoniae strain KP14003 from a neonate in Beijing, China. Whole-genome sequencing was performed. The strain belonged to sequence type ST719. Coexistence of blaNDM-1 and blaSHV-12 was found on a self-transferable plasmid, which had a typical IncX3 backbone. The horizontal transfer of blaNDM-1 was associated with Tn125 followed by possible transposition events. Other class A extended-spectrum β-lactamase genes (blaSHV-27 and blaTEM-1) were also identified on chromosome or plasmid. The dissemination of NDM-1-producing K. pneumoniae causes great challenges to the treatment of clinical infections. Effective actions need to be taken to control the further spread of this pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The practical application of advanced personalized electronics is inseparable from flexible, durable, and even self‐healable energy storage devices. However, the mechanical and self‐healing performance of supercapacitors is still limited at present. Herein, highly transparent, stretchable, and self‐healable poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid) (PAMPSA)/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/LiCl polyelectrolytes were facilely prepared by one‐step radical polymerization. The cooperation of PAMPSA and PVA significantly increased the mechanical and self‐healing capacity of the polyelectrolyte, which exhibited superior stretchability of 938 %, stress of 112.68 kPa, good electrical performance (ionic conductivity up to 20.6 mS cm−1), and high healing efficiency of 92.68 % after 24 h. After assembly with polypyrrole‐coated single‐walled carbon nanotubes, the resulting as‐prepared supercapacitor had excellent electrochemical properties with high areal capacitance of 297 mF cm−2 at 0.5 mA cm−2 and good rate capability (218 mF cm−2 at 5 mA cm−2). Besides, after cutting in two the supercapacitor recovered 99.2 % of its original specific capacitance after healing for 24 h at room temperature. The results also showed negligible change in the interior contact resistance of the supercapacitor after ten cutting/healing cycles. The present work provides a possible solution for the development of smart and durable energy storage devices with low cost for next‐generation intelligent electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of ash deposition on heat exchange surfaces is one of the main causes hindering the safe and efficient operation of conventional boilers. Hence, looking into the particle deposition characteristics on heat transfer surfaces as well as the formation process and the deposition mechanism is essential. In this study, a particle deposition model considering the particle size distribution based on the Eulerian approach is presented to predict the dynamic deposition process of multi-sized particles on the surfaces of heat exchange tubes. The model harnesses the advantages of the Eulerian approach and takes into account the particle size distribution as well as the interaction between them. By coupling computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis with the population balance model, and the embedding user-defined function code with the deposition model, the deposition characteristics of the multi-sized particles are predicted. It is established that the simulation findings of this model, as opposed to models for average-sized particles, are in greater accord with the experimental data by comparing the model predictions against published experimental results, with the average relative deviations are reduced by 9.28%, 8.11%, and 7.14%, respectively. The weighted average of the latter three dimensionless deposition velocities of multi-sized particles are all greater than those of average-sized particles. Moreover, the net deposition mass of multi-sized particles is 9.34% higher than that of average-sized particles. [Display omitted] • A particle deposition model considering the particle size distribution based on the Eulerian approach is proposed. • The deposition and removal mechanisms are both considered in the fouling model. • The particle deposition characteristics of multi-size particles are predicted. • The difference in the deposition mass between multi-sized particles and average-sized particles is compared. • The effect of the particle size distribution on the deposition characteristics is analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The precise measurement of the shot-to-shot relative arrival time (RAT) for ultrashort pulses in the coherent beam combination (CBC) was experimentally demonstrated by the double-humped interferometry method in our previous work (Liu et al., 2020). However, the optimization of various parameters has not been systematically evaluated, which is significant for practical applications. In this study, we propose an optimization of the parameter settings for high RAT measurement accuracy, which is characterized by the deformation sensitivity and modulation depth of the multi-peak interference pattern. Based on the analytical derivation and numerical simulations, the influence of the parameters including the incidence angle, spectral notch bandwidth, and beam size on the measurement accuracy is studied, which provides a guideline for practical measurement. Moreover, the applicability of double-humped interferometry to the measurement of RAT for chirped pulses is demonstrated experimentally. Thus, double-humped interferometry is suitable for coherent beam combinations of femtosecond pulses, even with a large amount of chirp from various laser systems. • A straightforward guideline for the design of the double-humped interferometry. • Characterization parameters for RAT measurement accuracy: The deformation sensitivity and modulation depth. • Analytical derivation for improving RAT measurement accuracy. • Same measurement accuracy for both unchirped and chirped pulses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The generation of retired traction batteries is poised to experience explosive growth in China due to the soaring use of electric vehicles. In order to sustainably manage retired traction batteries, a dynamic urban metabolism model, considering battery replacement and its retirement with end-of-life vehicles, was employed to predict their volume in China by 2050, and the relevant cascade use potential to store energy generated by wind and solar power was evaluated, including regional distribution analysis at the provincial level. Total waste battery generation from both electric vehicles and cascade use in China during this period was also determined. Our results indicate that the volume of retired traction batteries will rise from the current 400 kt to a peak of 5.0 Mt by 2045, then drop to 4.8 Mt in 2050. Under the Chinese Carbon Peak Vision, by 2030, the capacity potential of retired traction batteries (318 GWh) will be able to meet the national energy storage demand for wind and solar energy; by 2050, the capacity potential will further septuple compared to 2030. However, the generation of retired traction batteries and their use in energy storage vary notably in their regional distribution according to economic development and energy endowment levels. These situations and trends highlight the need to plan and build cascade use schemes and facilities with a focus on cross-provincial coordination. [Display omitted] • An urban metabolism model considering vehicle and battery lifespans is developed. • Replaced battery is equally vital as battery within EoL vehicles for cascade use. • Potentials of RTBs will meet renewable energy storage demands by 2030. • Spatiotemporal distributions of RTBs and final waste barriers are mapped. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global electronic waste management is emerging as a critical issue, especially in developing countries. Collective societal effort and scientific innovation are required along with interdisciplinary approaches to the development of sustainable technologies for recycling precious metals. Bioprospecting of electronic waste is a promising approach to provide economic, environmental, and public health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An assessment of soil properties at unsampled locations is a common requirement during the design of a geotechnical structure/system. Such an assessment is challenging due to inherent soil variability and the limited number of in situ tests currently available. Here we present a three-dimensional conditioned random field approach for the estimation of anisotropic soil resistance at unsampled locations based only on data from a limited number of cone penetration tests (CPT). The novelty of this work is that the measured CPT data at arbitrary locations can be combined with random field theory to update the estimated soil properties in three dimensions. The accuracy of the estimation can be improved significantly using the proposed method. A case study in Australia is conducted to illustrate the procedure and to assess the capability of the method. The results indicate that the mean values of the conditioned random fields are good estimates of the soil resistance at unsampled locations. The prediction error of the normalized cone penetration resistance is about 0.08 when there are only six CPT tests. A unique feature of this method is its ability to obtain high-resolution results of soil properties in three-dimensional space using a limited number of CPT tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wearable sensors with excellent flexibility and sensitivity have emerged as a promising field for healthcare, electronic skin, and so forth. Three‐dimensional (3D) graphene sponges (GS) have emerged as high‐performance piezoresistive sensors; however, problems, such as limited flexibility, high cost, and low sensitivity, remain. Meanwhile, device‐level wearable pressure sensors with GS have rarely been demonstrated. In this work, highly ordered 3D porous graphene sponges (OPGSs) were first successfully prepared and controlled through an emulsion method, and then a device‐level wearable pressure sensor with high flexibility and sensitivity was assembled with a gold electrode and polydimethylsiloxane into a reliable package. The pH values were carefully controlled to form a stable emulsion and the OPGSs showed a highly ordered 3D structure with ultralow density, high porosity, and conductivity; this resulted in a gauge factor of 0.79–1.46, with 50 % compression strain and excellent long‐term reproducibility over 500 cycles of compression–relaxation. Moreover, the well‐packaged pressure sensor devices exhibited ultrahigh sensitivity to detect human motions, such as wrist bending, elbow bending, finger bending, and palm flexing. Thus, the developed pressure sensors exhibited great potential in the fields of human‐interactive applications, biomechanical systems, electronic skin, and so forth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]