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Quantifying the activity and seismic recurrence behavior of active faults is essential for assessing seismic risk. A reliable chronology of faulting events is necessary, and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating is a robust technique that offers advantages for situations where materials for radiocarbon dating are unavailable. However, OSL dating of young events (<5 kyr) can be challenging due to a variety of reasons, incomplete signal resetting, low OSL grain sensitivity, and signal instability, particularly in fluvial, colluvial, and alluvial settings. These factors also limit broader applications of OSL technique in Late Quaternary geology studies. Recent efforts to overcome these limitations have included modified protocols and statistical approaches, such as pulsed infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) signal method and the modified unlogged three- and four-parameter minimum age (MAM) models. The agreement of OSL dating results with independent age control, such as 14C dating, verifies its effectiveness and reliability in providing timing constraints of faulting events. New techniques and methods, such as pulsed photon-stimulated luminescence (PPSL) and rock surface luminescence dating (RSLD), are gaining momentum, expanding the horizon of conventional OSL dating as a significant tool for the Late Quaternary timescale. Future development of OSL techniques for dating active faults and paleo-earthquakes will prioritize the accuracy and precision of OSL results for short time scales and the development of new softwares for analyzing OSL datasets in complex settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spintronics devices have been a research hotspot due to their rich theoretical and application value. The widebandgap semiconductor β-Ga2O3 has excellent application potential in spintronics due to the controllability of its electron behavior via ultraviolet light. This paper employs first-principles calculations and the Wenzel–Kramers–Brillouin (WKB) approximation to comprehensively investigate spin transport based on magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) comprising β-Ga2O3 nanosheets. The magnetic moment of the ferromagnetic layer in β-Ga2O3 MTJs is found to be positively correlated with tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR). Interestingly, layer-number parity-dependent oscillation of TMR in β-Ga2O3 MTJs is observed, which is explained by the non-equilibrium Green function and the WKB approximation. TMR reaches a maximum of 1077% at five layers, and bias-dependent stability is observed in the monolayer model under biases of 0–20 mV. This study not only expands the application potential of β-Ga2O3 and predicts its superiority in spintronics but also enriches the related condensed matter theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geometric complexities play an important role in the nucleation, propagation, and termination of strike-slip earthquake ruptures. The 2021 Mw7.4 Maduo earthquake rupture initiated at a large releasing stepover with a complex fault intersection. In the epicentral region, we conducted detailed mapping and classification of the surface ruptures and slip measurements associated with the earthquake, combining high-resolution uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) images and optical image correlation with field investigations. Our findings indicate that the coseismic ruptures present discontinuous patterns mixed with numerous lateral spreadings due to strong ground shaking. The discontinuous surface ruptures are uncharacteristic in slip to account for the large and clear displacements of offset landforms in the epicentral region. Within the releasing stepovers, the deformation zone revealed from the optical image correlation map indicates that a fault may cut diagonally across the pull-apart basin at depth. The left-lateral horizontal coseismic displacements from field measurements are typically ≤0.6 m, significantly lower than the 1–2.7 m measured from the optical image correlation map. Such a discrepancy indicates a significant proportion of off-fault deformation or the possibility that the rupture stopped at a shallow depth during its initiation phase instead of extending to the surface. The fault network and multi-fault junctions west and south of the epicenter suggest a possible complex path, which retarded the westward propagation at the initial phase of rupture growth. A hampered initiation might enhance the seismic ground motion and the complex ground deformation features at the surface, including widespread shaking-related fissures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnonic frequency combs have recently attracted particular attention due to their potential impact on spin-wave science. Here, we demonstrate theoretically the generation of ultra-wideband magnonic frequency combs induced by dissipative coupling in an open cavity magnomechanical system. A broadband comb with gigahertz repetition rates is obtained in the magnonic spectrum, and a typical non-perturbation frequency-comb structure is also observed. The total width of the magnonic comb in the robust plateau region can be up to ∼ 400 comb lines, which is much broader and flatter than that reported in the previous works. Furthermore, when the dissipative coupling strength is further increased, the chaotic motion is predicted in the magnonic spectrum. Our results provide an in-depth understanding of nonlinear magnomechanic dynamics in open quantum systems and fundamentally broaden the research range of magnon in wider spectral regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Qinling Shan is located between the North China Craton and the South China Block. Not only is investigating the exhumation process of the Qinling Shan beneficial for comprehending the tectonic collision history of mainland China but also for enhancing our understanding of the development of the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers. Previous studies have predominantly focused on bedrock analysis in the Qinling Shan. However, modern fluvial detrital samples offer a more extensive range of thermal history information. Therefore, we gathered modern fluvial debris samples from the Hanjiang River, which is the largest river in the South Qinling Shan. Subsequently, we conducted apatite fission-track analysis using the laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) method. A total of 214 valid track ages were obtained, with an age distribution ranging from 9.5 to 334.0 Ma. The Density Plotter software was employed to decompose the data and generate four prominent age peaks: 185, 103, 69, 35, and 12 Ma. The exhumation events of the Early Jurassic (185 Ma) and Cretaceous (103–69 Ma) in the Southern Qinling Shan were strongly influenced by the collision between the South China Block and the North China Craton, as well as the subduction of the West Pacific Plate, respectively. The far-field effect of the collision between the Indian Plate and the southern Asian continent influenced the exhumation of the South Qinling Shan during the Late Eocene (35 Ma) and Middle Miocene (12 Ma), respectively. In conjunction with the reported findings, we comprehensively analyzed the geological implications of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic exhumations of the Qinling Shan. The Qinling Shan emerged as a watershed between the Ordos and Sichuan Basins in the early Mesozoic and Cenozoic, respectively. However, the exhumation and expansion of the Tibetan Plateau has forced the Yangtze River to flow eastward, resulting in its encounter with the South Qinling Shan in the late Cenozoic. The exhumation of the Qinling Shan has resulted in fault depression in the southern Ordos Basin. This geological process has also contributed to the widespread arid climatic conditions in the basin. During the Miocene, the Yellow River experienced limited connectivity due to a combination of structural and climatic factors. As a result, the Qinling Shan served as an obstacle, dividing the connected southern Yangtze River from the northern segment of the Yellow River during the late Cenozoic era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low thermal conductivity of β-Ga2O3 single crystal imposes limitations on its device performance under high-temperature and high-power conditions. Phonons are widely recognized to play the main role in heat transport, while the anharmonic scattering among these quasi-particles significantly diminishes thermal conductivity. Therefore, investigating the anharmonic phonon scattering within β-Ga2O3 single crystal holds paramount significance. In this study, we mainly employed temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy and first-principles calculation to give a quantitative analysis on the anharmonic phonon scattering. The mode Grüneisen parameters and temperature-dependent thermal expansion coefficient were studied. Strong anharmonic phonon scattering was also confirmed, which was mainly caused by cubic scattering, but quartic scattering is also nonnegligible and causes nonlinear linewidth broadening. Moreover, high wavenumber peaks are more likely to undergo asymmetric phonon scattering by comparing the symmetric and asymmetric scattering models. In all, this study provides a profound understanding of the anharmonic phonon scattering properties within the β-Ga2O3 single crystal. It enriches our understanding of quasi-particle interaction dynamics and offers theoretical pathways for expanding the applications of β-Ga2O3 single crystal and optimizing its device performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a solar-blind UV photodetector array is fabricated and discussed, based on a metalorganic chemical vapor deposition-grown β-Ga2O3 thin film, toward optical communication application. The high-performance photodetector unit shows a significant photo-to-dark current ratio of 3.4 × 105, a high responsivity of 61.3 A/W, an external quantum efficiency of 3 × 104%, a specific detectivity of 5.2 × 1014 Jones, and a fast response time of 35 ms. In addition, a solar-blind UV/visible light rejection ratio of 2.43 × 102 is achieved, suggesting decent spectral selectivity. For the array, the maximum photocurrent standard deviation is below 12% for every group with a similar layout arrangement. Furthermore, the dark current is at picoampere level, leading to low background noise for the optical communication system. Taking the 50% photocurrent value as the readout threshold line to avoid interference from the exterior meanwhile retaining about 500 on/off cycles, the optical communicated result shows effective outputting information "NJUPT2023" coming from a total of 256 "1" and "0" signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Suitable N source supply is critical to improve plant growth and N uptake, but the importance of nitrate (NO3−) for rice (Oryza sativa L.) and microbiota is often neglected in acidic paddy soils where ammonium (NH4+) is dominant. This study aimed to explore the differential effects of NH4+ and NO3− on rice growth, fertilizer nitrogen recovery efficiency (FNRE), and rhizosphere bacterial community in acid soil. Methods: Two rice varieties, Kasalath (Al-sensitive indica) and Koshihikari (Al-tolerant japonica), were exposed to different N sources with or without lime in an acid soil. Results: Liming and NO3− application solely improved the growth and FNRE of the Al-sensitive rice, namely, by increasing soil pH and alleviating Al toxicity. Compared with liming and rice variety, N source had a more pronounced influence on rhizobacterial community composition. Of the two sources, NO3− had a stronger effect on the rhizobacterial community than NH4+. Remarkably, rice plants fed with NH4+ specifically recruited Desulfosporosinus and Desulfitobacterium associated with ferric NH4+ oxidation in the rhizosphere, whereas those exposed to NO3− recruited Alicyclobacillus with NO3−-reducing iron oxidation ability. Three keystone taxa were identified in a rhizobacterial co-occurrence network analysis: Alicyclobacillus, which was positively associated with rice growth and FNRE, and Acidobacteriales and WPS-2, both with negative associations. Conclusion: Compared with NH4+, NO3− enhances the growth and FNRE of Al-sensitive rice and exerts dominant effects on the rhizobacterial community, which indicates the importance of NO3− for rice and has instructive implications for N management in acid soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2021 Mw 7.4 Maduo (Madoi) earthquake that struck the northern Tibetan Plateau resulted in widespread coseismic deformation features, such as surface ruptures and soil liquefaction. By utilizing the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry technology, we accurately recognize and map 39,286 liquefaction sites within a 1.5 km wide zone along the coseismic surface rupture. We then systematically analyze the coseismic liquefaction distribution characteristics and the possible influencing factors. The coseismic liquefaction density remains on a higher level within 250 m from the surface rupture and decreases in a power law with the increasing distance. The amplification of the seismic waves in the vicinity of the rupture zone enhances the liquefaction effects near it. More than 90% of coseismic liquefaction occurs in the peak ground acceleration (PGA) > 0.50 g, and the liquefaction density is significantly higher in the region with seismic intensity > VIII. Combined with the sedimentary distribution along-strike of the surface rupture, the mapped liquefaction sites indicate that the differences in the sedimentary environments could cause more intense liquefaction on the western side of the epicenter, where loose Quaternary deposits are widely spread. The stronger coseismic liquefaction sites correspond to the Eling Lake section, the Yellow River floodplain, and the Heihe River floodplain, where the soil is mostly saturated with loose fine-grained sand and the groundwater level is high. Our results show that the massive liquefaction caused by the strong ground shaking during the Maduo (Madoi) earthquake was distributed as the specific local sedimentary environment and the groundwater level changed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wide bandgap oxide semiconductors have been a hot topic in electronic and optoelectronic technologies. The oxide heterojunctions provide many significant favorable properties in devices. The energy-band alignments at the heterointerfaces between oxides play a key role in the functional electronics. In this work, we studied the band alignments of ZnO/Ga2O3 and Ta2O5/Ga2O3 heterojunctions. The valence band offsets of Ta2O5/Ga2O3 and ZnO/Ga2O3 heterojunctions were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The Ta2O5/Ga2O3 heterojunction exhibits a type II band alignment with a valence band offset of − 0.24 ± 0.02 eV and a conduction band offset of 1.06 ± 0.02 eV , while the ZnO/Ga2O3 heterojunction has a type I band alignment accompanied with a valence band offset of 0.14 ± 0.05 eV and a conduction band offset of 1.47 ± 0.05 eV , which has no obvious difference with results by the electron affinity rule. The investigation for Ta2O5/Ga2O3 and ZnO/Ga2O3 heterojunctions could provide a useful guidance of design and physical analysis of their further applications in corresponding heterogeneous structured devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multiple second-order generalized integrator (MSOGI), which is composed of parallel second-order generalized integrators (SOGI), is widely used in grid synchronization and signal extraction, and it usually suffers from dc offset issue. In continuous domain, low-pass filter (LPF) can be added to SOGI to eliminate the dc offset in its quadrature channel. However, in digital implementation, directly discretized LPF-based methods may not be able to eliminate dc offset and ac discretization error simultaneously, where the steady-state error will also be introduced by the conventional frequency-locked loop (FLL). In this article, a modified impulse invariant method is adopted to discretize SOGIs, which presents zero ac errors and good dynamics, but shows dc offset in both output channels. Then, an LPF is introduced to eliminate the dc offset of the discrete SOGI, forming a discrete SOGI-LPF. And, a discrete MSOGI-LPF (DMSOGI-LPF) is formed by paralleling multiple DSOGI-LPFs, which can extract different frequency components. Furthermore, a discrete FLL is proposed to estimate the frequency of the input signal, which suppresses the influence of the dc offset and achieves good dynamics. Finally, the stability analysis of the proposed method based on discrete linear-time periodic (LTP) model is provided. The effectiveness of the proposed method and its discrete LTP model are validated through experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ga2O3-based photodetectors are promising for deep ultraviolet (DUV) detection owing to the relatively large bandgap (>4.5 eV) of Ga2O3. High-temperature applications, such as flame detection and aerospace have been a major challenge to the reliability of electronic devices including photodetectors. All-oxide electronic devices have great potential for applications that require high thermal stability. Therefore, we constructed an all-oxide self-powered DUV photodetector based on ϵ -Ga2O3/ZnO heterojunction and examined its ruggedness in a high-temperature environment up to 600 K. A photocurrent of up to 0.3 μ A and a photo-to-dark current ratio of ∼8000 were observed at room temperature. In addition, the ϵ -Ga2O3/ZnO heterojunction remained functional even at an ambient temperature of 600 K. It was also found that sensing performance including photo-to-dark current ratio (PDCR), responsivity, detectivity, and external quantum efficiency degraded as the temperature increased. Detailed generation/recombination processes, as well as carrier transport, were explored to reveal physical insights. The thermal stability of the ϵ -Ga2O3/ZnO photodetector is thus examined, which would provide the basis for further development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 4Ă—4 beta-phase gallium oxide (β -Ga2O3) deep-ultraviolet (DUV) rectangular 10-fingers interdigital metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodetector array of high photo responsivity is introduced. The Ga2O3 thin film is prepared through the metalorganic chemical vapor deposition technique, then used to construct the photodetector array via photolithography, lift-off, and ion beam sputtering methods. The one photodetector cell shows dark current of 1.94 pA, photo-to-dark current ratio of 6Ă—107, photo responsivity of 634.15 Aâ‹...Wâˆ'1, specific detectivity of 5.93Ă—1011 cmâ‹...Hz1/2â‹...Wâˆ'1 (Jones), external quantum efficiency of 310000%, and linear dynamic region of 108.94 dB, indicating high performances for DUV photo detection. Furthermore, the 16-cell photodetector array displays uniform performances with decent deviation of 19.6% for photo responsivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study Choquard type equation of the form where N ≥ 3 , I α is the Riesz potential with α ∈ (0 , N) , p > 1 , q > 2 and ε ≥ 0 . Equations of this type describe collective behaviour of self-interacting many-body systems. The nonlocal nonlinear term represents long-range attraction while the local nonlinear term represents short-range repulsion. In the first part of the paper for a nearly optimal range of parameters we prove the existence and study regularity and qualitative properties of positive groundstates of (P 0) and of (P ε) with ε > 0 . We also study the existence of a compactly supported groundstate for an integral Thomas–Fermi type equation associated to (P ε) . In the second part of the paper, for ε → 0 we identify six different asymptotic regimes and provide a characterisation of the limit profiles of the groundstates of (P ε) in each of the regimes. We also outline three different asymptotic regimes in the case ε → ∞ . In one of the asymptotic regimes positive groundstates of (P ε) converge to a compactly supported Thomas–Fermi limit profile. This is a new and purely nonlocal phenomenon that can not be observed in the local prototype case of (P ε) with α = 0 . In particular, this provides a justification for the Thomas–Fermi approximation in astrophysical models of self-gravitating Bose–Einstein condensate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geometrical complexities such as bends and branches are ubiquitous along strike‐slip faults. Understanding strain partitioning between the different fault strands along such sections is key to assessing kinematics and evolution through time of a fault system and related seismic hazards. The Haiyuan fault, one of the longest strike‐slip faults of the Tibetan Plateau, has developed a multi‐stranded complex fault geometry along the Hasi Shan restraining bend. In this study, we quantified the slip rate of the ∼50‐km‐long Zihong Shan fault, which is the poorly‐known southernmost fault strand of the Hasi Shan restraining bend. We computed high‐resolution DEMs and orthophotos to document the offset landforms along this fault using drone surveys. At selected sites with well‐preserved offset geomorphic markers, we quantified displaced terraces and channels using microtopography analysis. We dated the abandonment age of these terraces using 10Be cosmogenic depth profiles and OSL dating techniques. It yields a left‐lateral slip rate of 1.9 ± 0.6 mm/yr since ∼13 ka, which is similar to the rate of the main Hasi Shan branch that ruptured during the 1920 Haiyuan earthquake. The minimum total horizontal slip rate system summed over the multiple strands of the Haiyuan fault at the Hasi Shan restraining bend is 4.1 ± 0.6 mm/yr, without considering the vertical deformation rate of these fault strands. The rate is thus slightly smaller than, but comparable to, slip‐rates determined along the rest of the Haiyuan fault, east and west of the Hasi Shan restraining bend. Plain Language Summary: Quantifying the slip rate of each fault strand in an area with complex fault geometry is key to understanding how deformation is accommodated along different sections of a large strike‐slip fault. Here, studying the poorly‐documented left‐lateral strike‐slip Zihong Shan fault strand provides critical insight into strain partitioning between fault strands along the complex Haiyuan strike‐slip fault system. Combining our displacement measurements and geochronology data yields a geological slip rate of 1.9 ± 0.6 mm/yr since ∼13 ka along the Zihong Shan fault. The minimum total horizontal slip rate across the entire Hasi Shan restraining bend is thus 4.1 ± 0.6 mm/yr. This value is slightly less, although consistent than rates obtained farther east and west along the Haiyuan fault. However, the vertical deformation of different strands at the Hasi Shan restraining bend should not be overlooked and could make a difference. The seismic hazard along the Zihong Shan branch might be greatly underestimated. Key Points: The slip rate of the Zihong Shan fault is determined to be 1.9 ± 0.6 mm/yr over the last ∼13 kaThe minimum total horizontal slip rate across the Hasi Shan section is 4.1 ± 0.6 mm/yr, similar to other sections of the Haiyuan faultThe Zihong Shan fault itself could be the source of an earthquake of magnitude MW ∼7, or larger [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Elevated platelet volume is the risk factor for the development and poor overall survival of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Both microsatellite status and platelet glycoprotein Ibα (GPIbα) are related to platelet volume in CRC patients. This study aimed to investigate platelet GPIbα ectodomain (termed glycocalicin) levels among CRC patients and the association between the glycocalicin levels and microsatellite status in CRC. Methods. The clinical and laboratory data of 430 CRC patients between January 2018 and December 2018 in Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital were collected. The microsatellite status was determined with a polymerase chain reaction. The participants were separated into high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) and microsatellite stable (MSS) groups according to microsatellite status. The glycocalicin levels were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the cut-off point was determined with the receiver-operating characteristics curve. The clinical and pathological characteristics were collected via electronic medical records. Logistic regression was used to explore the association between glycocalicin and microsatellite status. Results. Among the 430 CRC patients enrolled, 64 patients (14.9%) were identified as MSI-H and others as MSS CRC. Glycocalicin levels were significantly reduced in patients with MSI-H than those with MSS. After controlling for potential confounders, logistic regression analysis revealed that glycocalicin levels were independently associated with MSI-H CRC. Conclusions. Reduced glycocalicin levels are associated with the MSI-H subtype of CRC. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms of the association between glycocalicin and MSI-H in CRC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the puncture accuracy and feasibility of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in flank position for patients with no apparent hydronephrosis. Methods: Between May 2018 and June 2020, 72 kidney stone patients with no or mild hydronephrosis were randomized into two groups: a CEUS-guided PCNL group and a conventional ultrasound (US)-guided group. Patients' demographics and perioperative outcomes were compared, including the success rate of puncture via calyceal fornix, the success rate of a single-needle puncture, puncture time, operative time, postoperative hemoglobin loss, stone-free rate, incidence of complications and postoperative stay. Results: The success rate of puncture via calyceal fornix for CEUS-guided group was significantly higher than that for conventional US-guided group (86.1 vs. 47.2%, p = 0.002). Patients performed with CEUS-guided PCNL required shorter renal puncture time than those guided with conventional US (36.5 s vs. 61.0 s, p < 0.001). The median postoperative hemoglobin loss in the CEUS-guided group was significantly lower than that in conventional US-guided group (2.5 vs. 14.5 g/L, p < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in the success rate of a single-needle puncture, operative time, stone-free rate, incidence of complications and postoperative stay between the two groups. Conclusion: CEUS guidance facilitates identification of the renal calyx fornix, and benefits more precise renal puncture and less hemoglobin loss in PCNL. CEUS-guided PCNL in flank position is a feasible approach to the treatment of kidney stone patients with no apparent hydronephrosis. Trial registration number: ChiCTR1800015417. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is a severe complication of liver surgery in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Reduced lean body mass (LBM) decreases the immune activity and increases adverse clinical outcomes among cancer patients. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the association between LBM and PHLF in HCC patients. METHODS: PHLF was defined and graded based on the International Study Group of Liver Surgery (ISGLS) criteria. Patients with Grade B or Grade C were included in PHLF ⩾ Grade B group, while others in PHLF < Grade B group. LBM was measured via preoperative computed tomography images. Binary logistic regression was applied for investigating the association between LBM and PHLF. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to identify potential cut-off values and assess the predictive ability of the measured variables. RESULTS: The PHLF ⩾ Grade B group had significantly lower LBM levels (means ± standard deviation: 57.0 ± 14.1) than PHLF < Grade B group (67.2 ± 15.7) (p < 0.001). After controlling other variables, LBM was an independent protective factor for PHLF ⩾ Grade B (Odds Ratio: 0.406, 95% confidence interval: 0.172–0.957, p = 0.039). The prevalence of PHLF ⩾ Grade B in each quartile of LBM was 29.4% (15/51), 25.5% (13/51), 19.2% (10/52) and 4.0% (2/50), respectively ( p trend < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: LBM might be a protective factor for PHLF in HCC patients. Our findings might help to develop a novel strategy to reduce the occurrence of hepatic dysfunction following major liver resection. Multicentric prospective studies and further molecular biologic investigation are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an autonomous ac microgrid system, a peer-to-peer decentralized solution would be a preferred choice for the coordinative control of distributed generation units. However, due to the dispersed sources and loads, and mismatched line impedances, it is hard to achieve satisfactory power sharing performance and power quality without communication links. Therefore, a comprehensive decentralized solution based on dual-frequency-droop is proposed in this article. With only local information, appropriate virtual impedances could be obtained to compensate the mismatched complex line impedances in the required frequency range, and hence active, reactive, unbalanced, and harmonic powers could be shared accurately among parallel inverters under various load conditions. Then, the frequency deviation caused by the droop control is effectively attenuated without affecting power sharing through a dynamic droop-slope regulator. Moreover, the causes of steady-state ripples on virtual impedance waveforms are carefully analyzed, and the design criterions to eliminate these ripples are provided. Finally, case studies are provided in simulations and experiments to validate the effectiveness of this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The propagation of the 2021 M w 7.4 Maduo earthquake rupture from the central Jiangcuo fault (JCF) onto its eastern terminus, in the northern Tibetan Plateau, exhibits a complex surface geometry with conjugate faults, bends, and stepovers. About 50 km east of the 2021 earthquake epicenter, which is located at Maduo County within the Tibetan plateau, the surface rupture along the Jiangcuo eastern fault (JCEF), deviating <20° anticlockwise from the general strike, provides a valuable chance for understanding rupture processes through a geometrically complex fault network where ≥4 interactional faults come together. Using orthophotos derived from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) survey with a ground resolution of 6 cm, complemented by field investigations, we mapped the surface rupture in detail and measured the coseismic slip distribution of the JCEF. Our mapping illuminates sporadic breaks of tectonic origin in the sand dune area immediately near the branching point and a more simple, linear rupture trace eastward of the junction. The high-resolution slip measurements along the JCEF follow approximately a dogtail shape to the eastern termination with a maximum left-lateral coseismic slip of 2.9 m at a fault bend. We found linear surface ruptures along the NW-strike geologic faults, indicating triggered coseismic slip on conjugate faults. The intersections with conjugate faults overlap with discontinuities in rupture geometry and interference of surface slip on the main fault. We propose that triggered slip on pre-mapped Quaternary faults impacted the rupture propagation onto the JCEF. The complexity in rupture geometry suggests fault interaction in the eastern tip zone of the Maduo rupture. • The 2021 Maduo M w7.4 earthquake rupture broke the most complex fault network to the east terminus. • Sporadic breaks in the sand dune may suggest fast eastward propagation of the 2021 Maduo rupture. • The slip distribution exhibits a dogtail shape with a maximum left-lateral slip of 2.9 m. • Our results indicate discontinuities in rupture geometry and strong dynamic fault interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• BiOCl/Bi 4 NbO 8 Cl heterostructures were in situ formed by one-step acid-etching. • Impurities accompanied by Bi 4 NbO 8 Cl were removed by glacial acetic acid. • BiOCl/Bi 4 NbO 8 Cl photocatalysts owned superior performance in degrading CIP/RhB. • Heterojunctions promote charge separation in the composites. In this study, BiOCl/Bi 4 NbO 8 Cl heterojunctions with improved photocatalytic performance were designed and synthesized by in-situ room-temperature acid-etching. Bi 4 NbO 8 Cl prepared by the solid-phase method was often accompanied by certain impurities, such as Bi 24 O 31 Cl 10 and Bi 3 NbO 7. With the assistance of glacial acetic acid, the impurities could be eliminated. At the same time, BiOCl nanosheets were formed in situ at room temperature, and BiOCl/Bi 4 NbO 8 Cl (BBN) heterostructures were obtained. For comparison, pure Bi 4 NbO 8 Cl was prepared using the molten salt method (S-BNC). Compared to S-BNC, BBN exhibited better performance in degrading rhodamine B (RhB) and ciprofloxacin (CIP). The mechanism of the improved photocatalytic activities was studied by analyzing photoluminescence spectra, UV–vis diffuse reflection absorption spectra, and cyclic voltammetry curves. Acid-etching assisted synthesis of BiOCl/Bi 4 NbO 8 Cl heterostructures via in-situ strategy enhance the purity of the composite and charge transfer at the interface. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To search for more high-performance crystalline proton conducting materials and to accelerate the related research progress, in this paper, a one-dimensional coordination polymer (CP), [Co(BBOT) 2 (H 2 O) 3 ·2H 2 O] n (1) (H 2 BBOT = N-benzoyl-N′-(4-benzoxy)thiourea) was firstly prepared by solvent volatilization approach. Subsequently, the thermal, H 2 O and chemical stabilities of the CP were tested and its high structural stability was confirmed. Furthermore, in 1 , a stable solid three-dimensional framework can be constructed by intermolecular H-bonds and stacking interactions between phenyl units. Then, utilizing the AC impedance determination, the dependence of the proton conductivity of this CP on temperature and humidity in the water vapor environment was explored and the positive correlation was verified. Excitingly, the optimized proton conductivity of this compound under specific test conditions (100 °C/98 % relative humidity) can be as high as 10−4 S/cm, being in the forefront of similar crystalline solid materials. Finally, according to the value of activation energy and the characteristics of crystal structure, we speculate on the proton conduction mechanism. Proton conductivity of a CP under variable humidity and temperatures was explored. Its highest proton conductivity can attain up to 10−4 S/cm, and its proton-conduction mechanism was speculated. [Display omitted] • One carboxylate-based Co(II) coordination polymer was prepared. • Its structure was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. • Its water-assisted proton conduction was explored. • The proton-conducting mechanism was speculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a solar-blind ultraviolet (UV) photodetector based on a three-terminal enhancement-mode (E-mode) Si-doped β -Ga2O3 (β -Ga2O3:Si) metal-semiconductor field-effect transistor structure is demonstrated, whose threshold voltage (V th) and subthreshold swing are 4.04 V and 1.4 V decâˆ'1, respectively. A 400 nm thick β -Ga2O3:Si thin film is prepared on sapphire substrate by using metal-organic chemical vapor deposition method. Controlling the channel currents by the Schottky gate voltage in the dark and under illuminations, the photodetector shows dark current (I dark) as low as 13.4 pA, photo-to-dark current ratio of 4.85 Ă— 104 and linear dynamic range of 29.6 dB, illuminated by 254 nm UV light of 245 ÎĽ W cmâˆ'2. As the UV light is turned on and off, the output current rise and decay time (Ď„ r and Ď„ d) are 420 ms and 350 ms. Moreover, at drain voltage (V ds) of 5 V and gate voltage (V gs) of 0 V, the responsivity (R), specific detectivity (D*) and external quantum efficiency are achieved as 74 A Wâˆ'1, 2.15 Ă— 1014 cm Hz1/2 Wâˆ'1 (Jones) and 3.6 Ă— 104%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the Schrödinger–Poisson–Slater equation where p ∈ (2 , 3) , λ > 0 , V (x) ∈ C (R 3 , R +) and I 2 (x) : = (4 π | x |) - 1 is the Newtonian potential. We prove the nonexistence of nontrivial solutions, existence of positive nonradial (and radial) ground-state solutions, and mountain-pass-type solutions to (SPS), depending on the values of parameters p and λ . To our knowledge, this is the first study of the existence of ground-state solutions at positive energy levels when p ∈ (2 , 3) . Furthermore, we show that a symmetry breaking occurs for the ground-state solutions, which is a purely nonlocal phenomenon that cannot be observed in the local prototype case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To better constrain the long-term millennial slip rate of the Haiyuan fault in its central part, we revisited the site of Daqing, where there are multiple paired offset terraces. We used 0.1-m-resolution terrestrial light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and uncrewed aerial vehicle imagery to survey the offset terraces, quantify their geomorphology, and map the fault trace. From these observations, we refined the geomorphological interpretation of the site, measured terrace riser offsets, and determined their relation to terrace formation. The well-constrained age of the highest terrace, T3, at 13.7 ± 1.5 ka, determined from a combination of surface and subsurface optically stimulated luminescence, 14C, and terrestrial in situ 10Be cosmogenic radionuclide dating, associated with an offset of 88 m, yields a late Pleistocene minimum slip rate of 6.4 ± 1.0 mm/yr. The less-well-constrained offset (72 ± 3 m) of the T3/T2 riser base and the age (>9.3 ± 0.6 ka) of terrace T2 yield a maximum slip rate of 7.7 ± 0.6 mm/yr. The smallest offset of a gully incised into T1 of 6.0 ± 0.5 m is potentially associated with the most recent slip event that occurred in the last millennia. Overall, these offsets and ages constrain a geological rate of 5-8 mm/yr (preferred rate >6.4 mm/yr), similar to geodetic estimates. Our collocated high-resolution topography and precise chronology make it possible to reveal the geomorphic complexities of terrace riser offsets and their postformational evolution, and to show how previously determined geological rates along the fault were both under- and overestimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a key parameter in microgrids, feeder impedance is closely related to power distribution, power quality, and system stability. This letter proposes a novel noninvasive feeder impedance estimation method, which uses the microgrid central controller (MGCC) and inherent harmonic signals introduced by a nonlinear or unbalanced load. First, the sequence impedance model for a droop-controlled inverter is built to demonstrate that the inverter output impedance is negligible at low-order harmonic frequencies. Then, the bus voltage and output current at a specific dominant harmonic frequency are extracted in MGCC, based on which feeder impedance can be obtained. Finally, the estimated feeder impedance is used to generate proper virtual impedance to enhance power sharing and voltage quality as an example, based on a hierarchical control structure. Experimental results are provided to validate the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a 16 × 4 linear array of β-Ga2O3-based metal-semiconductor-metal structured photodetector is described for solar-blind sensing operation at a wavelength of 254 nm. The β-Ga2O3 film is grown by using metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) equipment, and the photodetectors are finished in constructing with standard photolithography and ion beam sputtering procedures. The results show that the dark current (Idark), photo-to-dark current ratio (PDCR), photo responsivity (R), specific detectivity (D*), exterl quantum efficiency (EQE), and linear dynamic region (LDR) are 1.94 pA, 2.95 × 107, 139.56 A/W, 2.55 × 1015 Jones, 6.8 × 104 %, and 149.4 dB, at 10 V bias and 2000 μW/cm2 light intensity illumination. In addition, the standard deviation of R for this photodetector array is 10%. Overall, such a 16 × 4 linear array of β-Ga2O3-based photodetector array makes a progress in the field of Ga2O3 photodetectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, an enhanced-performance deep-ultraviolet (DUV) photodetector based on a Ga2O3/lead zirconate titanate (Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3, PZT) p-n heterojunction is fabricated and characterized for the first time. Compared to a Ga2O3-based device, the heterojunction device achieved a lower dark current of 2.7 10−11 A, a higher photo- to dark-current ratio of 2 103, a higher responsivity of 5.5 mA W−1, a larger specific detectivity of 2.6 1011 Jones and a higher external quantum efficiency of 2.7% at −2 V under 254 nm UV light illumination with an intensity of 500 μW cm−2. The p-PZT/n-Ga2O3 was confirmed to be a potential candidate for the construction of DUV photodetectors with enhanced sensing performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The great M ~ 8 1920 Haiyuan earthquake (HYEQ) was one of the largest and most deadly earthquakes in China in the last century, with ~ 234,000 deaths. The earthquake occurred within the Loess Plateau of northern China, where Quaternary loess deposits form a distinctive blanket across the landscape. Large regions of this loess cover experienced co-seismic landslides. Based on an analysis of the original disaster reports, field surveys, and satellite image interpretation, we have compiled the shaking effects of the earthquake, including the distribution of landslides, fatalities, and structural damage. Landslides triggered by the HYEQ (n > 7,000) are concentrated south of the Haiyuan fault, in a region that has both thick loess cover and long-term relief generated by the drainage network. This distribution is spatially separated from landslides triggered by other earthquakes. We find that in contrast to previous studies, the most important factor in the severe death toll of the HYEQ was the collapse of housing by ground shaking, including collapse of loess house-caves. Landslides were a secondary factor; although up to 32,000 deaths occurred in areas with intense landsliding. Based on the revised distribution pattern of landslides and damage (e.g., house collapses), we suggest that the isoseismal intensity IX line extends south of previous locations. We have also identified 126 dammed lakes created by co-seismic landslides, which form major modifications of this semi-arid landscape. The research methods in this paper, combining historical review, satellite image interpretation, and field validation of landslides, can be used as a reference for studies of other areas affected by historical earthquakes and co-seismic landslides, elsewhere in the Loess Plateau and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To realize on stable and real-time monitoring of human activities, novel hydrogels using polyacrylic acid (PAA) and carboxymethyl guar gum (CMGG) were fabricated as wearable and flexible strain or pressure sensors in the presence of lignosulfonate (LS) and Al3+. Based on the co-existence of metal coordination bonds, hydrogen bonds and ionic interaction in this system, the obtained hydrogels exhibited desirable mechanical properties with good self-recovery ability. The hydrogels displayed good self-adhesion behavior and an ultra-high tensile sensitivity (gauge factor (GF) = 24.30), therefore, they could precisely detect human joints movements such as elbow, wrist, and finger bending as well as tiny movements and external stimuli such as swallowing, smile, frown, pulse, speaking, writing, and even the falling of different liquid drops. Additionally, the hydrogels showed excellent self-healing ability with the healing efficiency as high as 100 % after 30 h. Most importantly, the healed hydrogel could perform the same sensing performance as before. Based on these distinguished characteristics, this hydrogel represents great potentials in wearable and flexible sensors for long-term and stable health monitoring application. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CdS-Co(OH) 2 -GR ternary composite has been synthesized. • Co(OH) 2 nanosheet array and GR dual-cocatalyst is rationally utilized. • Intimate interfacial contact for CdS and Co(OH) 2 -GR cocatalysts is achieved. • Coupling photocatalytic H 2 evolution with benzyl alcohol oxidation reaction is studied. Coupling photocatalytic H 2 evolution with benzyl alcohol (BA) oxidation to benzaldehyde (BAD) reaction allows the full utilization of the energy of light-induced electron and hole to produce fuel and valuable chemicals, which has received widespread attention recently. Herein, Co(OH) 2 nanosheet array-graphene(GR) composites cocatalyst can be successfully synthesized by simple precipitation method, and then CdS nanoparticles are in situ grown in hybrid cocatalyst to finally obtain CdS-Co(OH) 2 -GR ternary photocatalysts. Composting of dual-cocatalyst with CdS facilitates the migration of photoinduced charge carriers of CdS, affords abundant active sites and makes the growth of CdS nanoparticles more uniform and dispersed. As a result, the CdS-Co(OH) 2 -GR ternary composites have shown a glorious performance, showing the H 2 generation velocity of 1173.53 µmol h−1 g−1, and the conversion rate of benzyl alcohol has reached 100 % within 2 h, which has surpassed other prepared samples and most of analogous photocatalyst systems. We are confident that this study can supply a useful reference for the synthesis of dual-cocatalyst-modified semiconductor composites, and promote the development of photocatalytic coupling reaction system, in which sacrifice agents are free and energies of light-induced electron and holes can be fully utilized. We used a two-step co-precipitation method to synthesize the ternary CdS-Co(OH) 2 -GR composite, which presents superior performance for photoredox coupling of benzyl alcohol oxidation with H 2 evolution. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • An edible food packaging gelatin/zein nanofiber film was developed. • The nanofiber films were prepared by electrospinning technology. • The nanofiber films showed excellent antioxidant capacity. • The nanofiber films exhibited great antibacterial activity. • The film could keep the freshness of strawberries as long as 7 days. An edible food packaging gelatin/zein nanofiber film co-loaded with cinnamaldehyde (CA)/thymol (THY) was developed, which possessed outstanding features conducive to strawberries preservation. Firstly, the synergistic antibacterial behavior of CA and THY was investigated. Then CA and THY were co-loaded into gelatin/zein nanofiber films by electrospinning technology. The addition of CA and THY increased water contact angle to 85.1° after 10 s and decreased the water vapor transmission rate of 3.1×10−8 g·mm−1·h−1·Pa−1. The tensile strength was 1.30 MPa and the elongation at break was 185%. The nanofiber films exhibited good shielding effect of ultraviolet–visible light and excellent antioxidant capacity with DPPH free radical scavenging percentage of 99.9% in 4 h. The nanofiber films (12.5 mg/mL) could achieve significant inhibition effects on Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 with the bacteriostatic ratio of 67.5%, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19115 with the antibacterial ratios of 100%. A real-time study on the nanofiber films as fruit packaging materials was carried out on strawberries and the packaged strawberries kept their freshness as long as 7 days at room temperature. Therefore, the GZ/CT nanofiber film prepared in this work has good application potential in the field of fruit packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• New formulation that links modal analysis, model updating and model class selection using Markov chain samples. • Quantify uncertainty propagation from modal analysis to model updating. • ASMC is improved with a new formulation that calculates the model class evidence. • Effectiveness of the proposed Bayesian framework is demonstrated with field test data of a full-scale footbridge. Identifying modal parameters and updating finite element models (FEMs) of real structures through ambient tests is essential in Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). However, efficiently solving the high-dimensional identification problem for full-scale structures and rigorously quantifying the uncertainties remain challenging. To address these two difficulties, a novel Bayesian framework based on Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) is developed. The basic idea is to identify the high-dimensional posterior probability density functions (PDFs) in both modal analysis and model updating through constructing Markov chains by sampling in the important region of the parameter spaces. The sampling is done by Bayes-Mode-ID and the adaptive sequential Monte Carlo (ASMC) for modal analysis and model updating, respectively. A new formulation is developed to link the results from modal analysis, model updating and model class selection using the Markov chain samples. Thus, the propagation of the posterior uncertainties from the identified modal parameters to the updated model parameters can be quantified. Furthermore, the original ASMC method, which was developed by the authors, is extended for model class selection based on the set of generated Markov chain samples. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework, multi-setup ambient vibration tests on a busy footbridge were conducted for measuring the accelerations at some pre-selected measurement points. The most probable modal and model parameters of the footbridge were identified together with the associated uncertainties by the proposed framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the edge-defined-film-fed (EFG)-grown β-Ga2O3-based Schottky photodiodes. The device has a reverse leakage current of ∼nA and a rectified ratio of ∼104 at ± 5 V. In addition, the photodiode detector shows a dark current of 0.3 pA, a photo-responsivity (R) of 2.875 mA/W, a special detectivity (D*) of 1010 Jones, and an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 1.4% at zero bias, illustrating a self-powered operation. This work may advance the development of the Ga2O3-based Schottky diode solar-blind photodetectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-scale detailed mapping plays a key role in revealing the rupture characteristics and mechanisms of strong earthquakes. Relatively few studies have been performed on the surface ruptures of large earthquakes in central and western Tibet due to its remote nature and high elevation. Based on high-resolution unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photography, we mapped the coseismic surface rupture of the 2014 Yutian Ms7.3 earthquake. Along the western Altyn Tagh fault system, the earthquake produced ≈37 km of surface rupture along the South Xor Kol fault (southern section S1), Xor Kol fault (central section S2) and Ashikule fault (northern section S3). Section S1 has a 16-km-long surface rupture with an average sinistral offset of 52±25 cm and a maximum offset of ~90 cm, while section S3 has a 14.2-km-long surface rupture with an average sinistral offset of 36±21 cm and a maximum offset of ~84 cm. A compilation of 5308 cracks yields an average crack width along the southern section of 85±71 cm and a maximum width of ~700 cm; the average width along the central section is 39±21 cm, and the maximum width is 243 cm; and the average width along the northern section is 61±44 cm with a maximum of ~340 cm. In addition, the average cumulative opening across rupture zone is 3.4±2.9 m along the southern section, with a maximum of ~17 m; 4.3±3.6 m along the central section, with a maximum of ~13 m; and 1.7±1.6 m along the northern section, with a maximum of ~6 m. Evidently, the average crack width and cumulative opening decrease towards bends and steps along the fault. A global synthesis of surface rupture distributions corresponding to strike-slip earthquakes indicates that the rupture zone is wider near the complex parts of fault geometries (such as bends, steps and fault bifurcations) than along straight sections, suggesting that the fault geometry has an obvious control on the surface rupture width. The widespread cracks at the intersection between the Xor Kol and South Xor Kol faults may indicate that an extensional regime is more likely to produce distributed offfault deformation, which provides an observational constraint for the numerical simulation of dynamic rupture on a fault. In addition to coseismic surface rupture, the Yutian earthquake also produced a large number of gravity-driven slides on alluvial fans with gentle slopes. The friction efficiency of the water-bearing salt layer beneath fans could decrease the sliding threshold and trigger instability under surface shaking. These distributed deformations and gravity-driven slides reflect the coupling between the rupture propagation and fault geometry and indicate that the rupture may have propagated in two directions along the Ashikule fault after passing through a step. Therefore, the investigation of coseismic surface rupture provides important observational constraints on the dynamic rupture process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the mismatched line impedances in islanded microgrids, distributed generation units with conventional droop tend to have barely satisfactory reactive power sharing accuracy. To handle this problem, this article proposes a virtual impedance tuning method based on successive approximation to accurately compensate the mismatch among line impedances. First, in each distributed generation (DG) unit, an adaptive virtual impedance regulation based on the error between the actual output reactive power and its reference is established and combined with the conventional Q-V droop control. Then, these two control schemes operate alternately for several cycles, and in each cycle, the reactive power reference of the virtual impedance regulation is updated by the latest estimate from the Q-V droop control. Therefore, the virtual impedance of each DG unit will be tuned successively to an appropriate value to achieve accurate power sharing among DG units based on local information. Meanwhile, to ensure all the DG units switching between these two control schemes synchronously, a common triggering signal from the microgrid central controller is needed to start the internal time sequence of each DG unit. Furthermore, a comprehensive design procedure for key parameters is presented based on convergence analysis and small-signal modeling of the tuning process. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by simulation and experimental results. This article is accompanied by a video demonstrating the virtual impedance tuning process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), widely used as an alternative therapy in patients with severe aortic stenosis, is expected to be offered to low-risk patents with a longer life expectancy. The durability of transcatheter aortic valve is becoming of increasing importance.Method: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL from the inception to March 2020 were systematically screened for studies reporting on structural valve deterioration (SVD) in TAVR patients. Incidence of SVD was diagnosed according to the latest European consensus as the primary end point. Predictors of SVD evaluated at multivariable analysis and cumulative incidence function (CIF) of SVD were the secondary end point.Result: Twelve studies encompassing 10031 patients evaluating the incidence of SVD were included, with a follow-up between 1 and 8 years. The pooled incidence of SVD was 4.93% (95% CI, 2.75%-7.70%, I2 = 96%) at 1 year and 8.97% (95% CI, 6.89%-11.29%, I2 = 86%) in the long term (≥5 years). Subgroup analysis was performed to identify the valve type that may result in partial heterogeneity. SVD was more frequent in patents with a valve diameter of <26 mm (HR: 3.57, 1.47-8.69), oral anticoagulants (OAC), exposure at discharge (OR: 0.48, 0.38-0.61), or by a disease of renal dysfunction (OR 1.42, 1.03-1.96).Conclusion: SVD represents infrequent events after TAVR in the long term (>5 years), occurring more commonly in renal dysfunction patients, with small valve diameter and without OAC exposure. There may be an underestimation of the incidence if we assume death as a competing risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cholecystokinin type 2 receptor (CCK2R), which mediates the action of gastrin and cholecystokinin (CCK), has been demonstrated to promote the proliferation of colorectal cancer (CRC). A number of studies showed that CCK2R overexpressed in gastric cancer and pancreatic cancer but few in CRC. The correlation between CCK2R expression and clinicopathological characteristics is also not clear. Methods: This study investigated CCK2R expression in a wide range of cell lines and clinical CRC samples, and explored expression pattern and prognostic value of CCK2R in relation to clinicopathological parameters. The location and expression levels of CCK2R were measured by immunocytochemical (ICC), qRT-PCR and Western blot. The druggability and antineoplastic effects of CCK2R as a therapeutic target were investigated using an anti-CCK2R targeting recombinant toxin named rCCK8PE38 by CCK-8 assay. Results: Compared with paracarcinoma tissues, tumor samples showed overexpression of CCK2R (p = 0.028) including both CRC tissue and plasma samples, with plasma detection showing a significant indication for CCK2R evaluation. Aberrant expression correlated significantly with histological type (p = 0.032) and p53 status (p < 0.01), and patients with CCK2R overexpression had significantly lower disease-free survival. Application of rCCK8PE38 demonstrated the specificity and druggability of CCK2R as a therapeutic target, providing a strategy for clinical case screening of drugs targeting CCK2R. Conclusion: This study highlighted the aberrant expression and clinical correlation of CCK2R and reveals its diagnostic, prognostic and treatment value in CRC. We hypothesize that CCK2R serve as a target for the diagnosis and treatment of this cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements of postseismic deformation following the 2015 Mw7.8 Gorkha (Nepal) earthquake, including previously unpublished data from 13 continuous GPS stations installed in southern Tibet shortly after the earthquake. We use variational Bayesian Independent Component Analysis (vbICA) to extract the signal of postseismic deformation from the GPS time series, revealing a broad displacement field extending >150 km northward from the rupture. Kinematic inversions and dynamic forward models show that these displacements could have been produced solely by afterslip on the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT) but would require a broad distribution of afterslip extending similarly far north. This would require the constitutive parameter (a − b)σ to decrease northward on the MHT to ≤0.05 MPa (an extreme sensitivity of creep rate to stress change) and seems unlikely in light of the low interseismic coupling and high midcrustal temperatures beneath southern Tibet. We conclude that the northward reach of postseismic deformation more likely results from distributed viscoelastic relaxation, possibly in a midcrustal shear zone extending northward from the seismogenic MHT. Assuming a shear zone 5–20 km thick, we estimate an effective shear‐zone viscosity of ~3·1016–3·1017 Pa·s over the first 1.12 postseismic years. Near‐field deformation can be more plausibly explained by afterslip itself and implies (a − b)σ ~ 0.5–1 MPa, consistent with other afterslip studies. This near‐field afterslip by itself would have re‐increased the Coulomb stress by ≥0.05 MPa over >30% of the Gorkha rupture zone in the first postseismic year, and deformation further north would have compounded this reloading. Key Points: New GPS data show that postseismic deformation of the 2015 Mw7.8 Gorkha (Nepal) earthquake extended far northward into southern TibetKinematic and dynamic models suggest that the northward reach of deformation likely reflects the influence of viscoelastic relaxationAfterslip likely dominated postseismic deformation in the near field, transferring stress back to the (relocked) Gorkha rupture zone [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A universal controller is proposed in this article to operate parallel inverters in both grid-connected (GC) state and standalone (SA) state and ensure seamless transfer between them without reconfiguring the control structure. The universal controller is mainly composed of frequency-locked-loop and three cascaded control loops: a grid current loop, capacitor voltage loop, and inductor current loop. A proportional-integral regulator is adopted in the grid current loop, and a limiter is inserted after the integrator. In the GC state, the proposed controller accurately regulates the grid current of an individual inverter. When islanding occurs, the proposed controller can automatically convert from grid current control to vC– ig-based droop control; critical islanding detection is not needed. This universal controller has several advantages. First, it can realize seamless transfer of parallel inverters; microgrid reliability can be guaranteed in the SA state, and power sharing can be achieved among parallel inverters without communication lines. Second, compared with droop control, it can regulate the grid current accurately and output constant power when the grid voltage fluctuates in the GC state. Third, the grid current harmonics in the GC state and capacitor voltage harmonics in the SA state can be mitigated. Simulation and experimental results verify the effectiveness of the controller. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steady-state resonant interfacial waves in a two-layer fluid within a frictionless duct are investigated theoretically. A combination of the homotopy analysis method (HAM) and Galerkin's method is used to search for accurate steady-state resonant solutions with multiple near resonances. In the HAM, a piecewise parameter in the auxiliary linear operators is introduced to remove the small divisors caused by nearly resonant components. Convergent series solutions are then provided to the Galerkin iterations to accelerate the convergence rate. It is found that weakly nonlinear steady-state resonant waves form a continuum in the parameter space. As nonlinearity (wave steepness) increases, energy appears to be progressively shifted to sideband frequency components, effectively broadening the spectrum. The corresponding interfacial wave profile exhibits an almost fixed spatial pattern of repeated relatively high frequency, high-amplitude bursts followed by low-amplitude, longer waves. On examining the influence of density ratio, though changing slightly, the upper layer enlarges the amplitude of components near primary ones, which reduces the amplitude of higher frequency components, enlarges the wave steepness, and reduces the horizontal velocity in the wave field. Our results indicate that steady-state systems with resonant interactions among periodic interfacial wave components could occur naturally in the ocean. All these should enhance our understanding of periodic resonant interfacial waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the constraint of carrier transport, the dark current is relatively lower in Schottky contacted devices than that in Ohmic contacted devices, leading to a high specific detectivity in photodetectors. In this work, we prepared ϵ-Ga2O3 thin film by using metal-organic chemical vapor deposition, then constructed a three-pair interdigital ultraviolet solar-blind photodetector with Au electrodes as Schottky contacts. Seen from the results, this photodetector displays an outstanding wavelength selectivity with responsivity of 0.52 A W−1 responding to 250 nm wavelength light. In addition, it shows a photo-to-dark current ratio of 1.82 × 104/6.03 × 102 at 5 V under 40/5 μW cm−2 254 nm light illuminations, respectively, and a low dark current of 1.87 × 10−11 A. Correspondingly, the specific detectivity is 1.67 × 1013/4.45 × 1012 Jones, and the photoresponsivity is 0.198 A W−1/52.54 mA W−1. Overall, ϵ-Ga2O3 prepared here is certified to be an excellent candidate material to perform high-performance solar-blind detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crustal-scale shear zones are believed to have played an important role in the tectonic and landscape evolution of orogens. However, the variation of long-term rock exhumation between the interior of shear zones and adjacent regions has not been documented in detail. In this study, we obtained new zircon U-Pb, biotite Ar/ Ar, zircon and apatite (U-Th)/He data, and conducted inverse thermal history modeling from two age-elevation profiles (the Pianma and Tu'er profiles) in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau. Our goal is to constrain the exhumation history of the Gaoligong and Chongshan shear zones and adjacent regions, so as to explore the effect of the shear zones on exhumation and their thermal effect on cooling that should not be ignored. Our results suggest that during the interval of 18-11 Ma the exhumation rates of rocks within the Gaoligong shear zone are anomalously high compared with those outside of. The rapid cooling during 18-11 Ma appears to be restricted to the shear zone, likely due to localized thermal effects of shearing and exhumation. After 11 Ma, both the areas within and outside of the shear zones experienced a similar two-stage exhumation history: slower cooling until the early Pliocene, and then a rapid increase in cooling rate since the early Pliocene. Our results indicate a synchronized exhumation but with spatially varied exhumation rates. Our study also highlights the important role of large-scale shear zones in exposing rocks, and thus the importance of the structural context when interpreting thermochronological data in the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Altyn Tagh fault is one of the few great active strike-slip faults in the world. The recurrence characteristics of paleoearthquakes on this fault are still poorly understood due to the lack of paleoseismic records recorded in high-resolution strata. We document a paleoseismic record in a pull-apart basin along the Wuzunxiaoer section of the central Altyn Tagh fault. The high-resolution strata recorded abundant seismic deformations and their sedimentary responses. Four earthquakes are identified based on event evidence in the form of open fissures, thickened strata, angular unconformities, and folds. The occurrence times of the four events were constrained using radiocarbon dating. Event W1 occurred at AD1220-1773, events W2 and W3 occurred between 407 and 215BC, and event W4 occurred slightly earlier at 1608-1462BC, indicating clustered recurrence characteristics. A comparison of the earthquake records along the Wuzunxiaoer section with other records along the Xorkoli section suggests that both sections ruptured during the most recent event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parallel droop-controlled inverters with renewable energy sources are widely employed in islanded ac microgrids, where dynamic interactions among them may cause small-signal stability issues. Since the active power-frequency droop scheme is applied, the dynamic interactions among inverters exist not only in bus voltage and transmitted current, but also in variable system fundamental frequency. This paper introduces a novel small-signal terminal characteristic model for droop-controlled inverter. Besides conventional impedance and admittance, a new set of terminal characteristics is proposed to characterize the dynamics of fundamental frequency. Furthermore, the small-signal model of parallel inverters is constructed based on the terminal characteristics of individual inverters. Covering the fundamental frequency interactions, a stability prediction approach based on generalized Nyquist criterion is proposed for parallel droop-controlled inverters. Besides the product of impedance and admittance, an additional term is added in the system return ratio, which consists of the proposed terminal characteristics associated with the fundamental frequency. Finally, experimental results validate the effectiveness of this proposed stability prediction approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of novel 4-ferrocenylchroman-2-one derivatives were designed and synthesised to discover potent anti-inflammatory agents for treatment of arthritis. All the target compounds had been screened for their anti-inflammatory activity by evaluating the inhibition effect of LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Among them, 4-ferrocenyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-benzo[g]chromen-2-one (3h) was found to be the most potent compound in inhibiting the productions of NO with low toxicity. This compound also exhibited significant inhibition of the productions of IL-6 and TNF-α in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Preliminary mechanism studies indicated that compound 3h could inhibit the activation of LPS-induced NF-κB and MAPKs signalling pathways. The in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of this compound was determined in the rat adjuvant-induced arthritis model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the unbalanced and harmonic power sharing issue among parallel inverters caused by feeder impedance mismatch in islanded microgrids, an adaptive virtual impedance control method is proposed based on the injection of an extra small ac signal (SACS) in the output voltage of each inverter. Similar to the principle of active power–frequency droop, the frequency of the injected signal droops with the output unbalanced and harmonic power, while the active power produced by the injected SACS is detected to adjust the virtual impedance at the fundamental negative sequence and selected harmonic frequencies, which will tune the distribution of unbalanced and harmonic power in the system. When the injected SACSs of each inverter synchronize with each other and reach a common frequency in steady state, the virtual impedance of each inverter will be matched to each other for evenly sharing the unbalanced and harmonic power. This proposed method requires neither communication links among parallel inverters nor feeder impedance information. Furthermore, the control parameter design method based on modeling and stability analysis of the proposed control structure is discussed in detail. Finally, simulation and experimental results are provided to validate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A plain woven carbon fiber reinforced polymer is characterized concerning its delamination behavior. The results of the mode 1 fracture test show the significant run-arrest behavior of the investigated composite. To evaluate the compatibility of the data reduction method based on the modified beam theory, which has been introduced in the ASTM D5528, another method based on the linear elastic fracture mechanic is also performed to calculate the initial fracture toughness. The results from both data reduction methods correlate with each other very well. Meanwhile, the mode 2 fracture tests with non-precracked and precracked specimens are performed. The compliance calibration results indicate the negligible discrepancy between the two groups, which demonstrates the feasibility of ASTM D7905 for acquiring the initial fracture toughness. Based on the fracture toughness parameters calibrated from the aforementioned tests, the finite element models with a cohesive zone model are built and successfully simulate the delamination behavior in both the mode 1 and mode 2 fracture tests. A side finding is that the traction strength for both fracture modes is sensitive to the element size, which is investigated in detail in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to discover novel anti-inflammatory agents, total thirty-seven new resveratrol-based flavonol derivatives were designed and synthesized. All compounds have been screened for their anti-inflammatory activity by evaluating their inhibition effect of LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Their toxicity was also assessed in vitro. Structure-activity relationships (SARs) have been concluded, and finally 2-(2,4-dimethoxy-6-(4-methoxystyryl)phenyl)-3-hydroxy-4H-chromen-4-one was found to be the most active scaffold with low toxicity. This compound could significantly decrease productions of NO, IL-6 and TNF-α with IC 50 values of 1.35, 1.12 and 1.92 μM, respectively in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Preliminary mechanism studies indicated that it could inhibit the expression of TLR4 protein, resulting in activation of the NF-ĸB cell signaling pathway. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of this compound could reduce pulmonary inflammation by mouse model of LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI). We believe these findings would further support studies of rational design of more efficient acute lung injury regulatory inhibitors. New resveratrol-based flavonol derivatives with anti-inflammatory were synthesized. Among them, one compound could significantly decreased production of NO, IL-6 and TNF-α LPS-stimulated. Preliminary mechanism indicated that it could inhibit expression of TLR4, resulting in activation cell signaling pathway NF-ĸB and MAPK. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity was determined by LPS-induced acute lung injury. Image 1 • Novel resveratrol-based flavonol compounds were synthesized. • Compound showed high anti-inflammatory activity against IL-6、NO and TNF-α. • Preliminary mechanisms of anti-inflammatory action were discovered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small-signal stability of ac power systems is able to be assessed by measuring their terminal impedance, and a transformerless series injector is very attractive for wideband measurement of load impedances. A typical implementation of the transformerless series injector is paralleled H-bridge (PHB) converters, where dc voltage imbalance will occur when system current magnitude is larger than a critical point, and thus the operation region of the series injector is seriously restricted. To address this issue, this paper presents a deep analysis on the mechanism behind dc voltage imbalance for PHB-based series injector, and it is revealed that a positive feedback exists in the dc voltage balancing loop under high system current magnitude. Then an enhanced control scheme is proposed to balance dc voltages in full system current range, where a reactive component is injected in the output voltage while reactive circuiting current is introduced among H-bridge converters for redistributing active power. Furthermore, the system behavior with the proposed scheme is comprehensively analyzed and the reference design for the injected reactive component magnitude in the output voltage is offered. Finally, the imbalance mechanism and the proposed scheme are validated by simulation and experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]