Future China-Africa research collaboration in geoscience:Challenges and opportunities

At the 19th G20 Summit in Brazil in November 2024,China promoted the development of sustainable solutions to climate change,biodiversity loss,and environmental pollution.This continued the theme of the 2016 G20 Hangzhou Summit,at which China placed development at the center of the G20’s macroeconomic policy coordination for the first time,adopting the G20 Action Plan on the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the G20 Initiative on Supporting Industrialization in Africa and Least Developed Countries.In Brazil,China announced actions on advancing modernization in Africa over the next three years with a Chinese commitment of RMB360 billion yuan in financial support.In this article,we examine the potential role of geoscience research and practice in development,particularly in the sustainable use of natural resources,the prevention of climate change impacts,as well as mitigation of geo-hazards and their health implications,indicating the areas where China’s geoscience for Africa is strong and where it requires more effort.We find that although China is the world’s leading publisher of scientific papers,its contribution to geoscience in Africa(the globe’s fastest-growing economic area),as shown by bibliometric research,appears to be rather small and inconsistent with the research priorities of Africa.Amongst the priorities for geoscience research in Africa,which are not addressed substantially by the research conducted so far,are sustainable mineral and hydrocarbon development,hydrology and hydrogeology,climate change and resilience,natural hazards,medical geology,agrominerals,and geoscience education and training.A particular opportunity for African nations is the presence of critical minerals-minerals needed for the energy transition and for batteries for electric cars in particular.Africa is well-endowed with many of these critical materials,such as rare earth elements and platinum group metals.Several research groups stress the need for the agency on the part of African institutions to map out these valuable resources,understand their value and the economics and sustainability of their extraction,encourage local business,attract investment,and scrutinize proposals from potential international investors to get the best deals.A strong point of existing China-led geoscience development includes the Deep-time Digital Earth(DDE)program online computing platform and its artificial intelligence tool GeoGPT,which is being developed in partnership with Zhejiang Laboratory.These are being developed with strong China funding support for free and wide global access,with a particular focus on Africa.These advanced tools will help to place the agency of development squarely in the hands of African scientists and institutions.In summary,the following are recommended:(1)a more coordinated and strategic approach to China-led geoscience research in Africa;(2)an Africa-centered,geoscience funding initiative that concentrates on relevant topics to the continent such as critical minerals exploration and other geological resources,materials and processes and their health implications on the populations and ecosystems in general,as well as climate change and climate change resilience;and(3)continued support for China-led international initiatives that seek to increase the agency and capacity of Africa geoscience researchers,for example the Deep-time Digital Earth platform.

Advancements and challenges in neuroimaging for the diagnosis of intracranial aneurysms:Addressing false positive diagnoses and emerging techniques

Despite advancements in neuroimaging,false positive diagnoses of intracranial aneurysms remain a significant concern.This article examines the causes,prevalence,and implications of such false-positive diagnoses.We discuss how conditions like arterial occlusion with vascular stump formation and infundibular widening can mimic aneurysms,particularly in the anterior circulation.The article compares various imaging modalities,including computer tomography angiogram,magnetic resonance imaging/angiography,and digital subtraction angiogram,highlighting their strengths and limitations.We emphasize the im-portance of accurate differentiation to avoid unnecessary surgical interventions.The potential of emerging technologies,such as high-resolution vessel wall ima-ging and deep neural networks for automated detection,is explored as promising avenues for improving diagnostic accuracy.This manuscript underscores the need for continued research and clinical vigilance in the diagnosis of intracranial aneurysms.

Spatial Pattern and Influencing Factors of China’s Digital Trade Resilience under the Impact of Trade Frictions

In the era of the digital economy,digital trade has demonstrated strong vitality,becoming a crucial driving force for the highquality development of national and regional economies.However,understanding the resilience of digital trade in the face of external crises is an important topic.Taking the backdrop of Sino-US trade friction,this paper constructs a resilience index system for digital trade.It utilizes entropy method,kernel density estimation,and ArcGIS mapping to calculate and visually analyze the resilience of China’s digital trade from 2017 to 2021.Additionally,a Tobit model is constructed to explore the main influencing factors of digital trade resilience patterns.The research findings indicate:1)temporally,during the period of Sino-US trade friction,China’s digital trade resilience shows an overall upward trend,but there are regional differences in resilience levels across the country,with a severe polarization phenomenon.2)Spatially,high resilience is observed in the eastern and central regions of China,while the western and northeastern regions exhibit low resilience.3)From a dimensional perspective,the resistance of digital trade resilience displays a spatial distribution of high values in the east and low values in the west.The recovery force is aggregated along coastal areas,and the renewal force tends to aggregate along the eastern coastline.4)Factors such as economic scale,industrial structure,urbanization rate,government fiscal expenditure,and technological talents significantly promote the enhancement of digital trade resilience.This study reveals the dynamic characteristics and influencing factors of digital trade resilience in responding to external shocks,providing theoretical basis and policy suggestions for enhancing digital trade resilience,and promoting high-quality economic development in China.

Study on the Fluid-Solid Coupling Seepage of the Deep Tight Reservoir Based on 3D Digital Core Modeling

Deep tight reservoirs exhibit complex stress and seepage fields due to varying pore structures,thus the seepage characteristics are significant for enhancing oil production.This study conducted triaxial compression and permeability tests to investigate the mechanical and seepage properties of tight sandstone.A digital core of tight sandstone was built using Computed Tomography(CT)scanning,which was divided into matrix and pore phases by a pore equivalent diameter threshold.A fluid-solid coupling model was established to investigate the seepage characteristics at micro-scale.The results showed that increasing the confining pressure decreased porosity,permeability,and flow velocity,with the pore phase becoming the dominant seepage channel.Cracks and large pores closed first under increasing pressure,resulted in a steep drop in permeability.However,permeability slightly decreased under high confining pressure,which followed a first-order exponential function.Flow velocity increased with seepage pressure.And the damage mainly occurred in stress-concentration regions under low seepage pressure.Seepage behavior followed linear Darcy flow,the damage emerged at seepage entrances under high pressure,which decreased rock elastic modulus and significantly increased permeability.

Digital Economy and Corporate Innovation-Washing--An Empirical Study on How Information Mitigates Policy Distortion

As stated in the Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China(CPC),innovation remains at the heart of China’s modernization drive,and it is vital to optimize the allocation of innovation resources,deepen structural scientific and technological reforms,and enhance the overall performance of China’s innovation system.Government incentives have boosted firm R&D and innovation efforts;however,they have also triggered an innovation dilemma where enterprises,capitalizing on their informational advantages,resort to innovation-washing behaviors that undermine the intended purpose of the policies.Based on the information asymmetry theory,this paper conducts an empirical study on how the digital economy affects firms’innovation-washing behavior.The development of the regional digital economy could suppress firm innovation-washing behavior in the region,and such a mitigation effect is primarily caused by an increase in the number of digital industry professionals.According to our heterogeneity analysis,the digital economy has a greater impact on firm innovation-washing behavior for certain types of enterprises,including non-state-owned enterprises(non-SOEs),small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs),enterprises in less competitive industries,and enterprises in unfavorable business environments.Our mechanism analysis revealed that the digital economy may restrain innovation-washing behavior by reducing information asymmetry between enterprises and external stakeholders.In terms of economic outcomes,the digital economy has the potential to directly influence firm innovation output while also indirectly mitigating the subsequent decline in innovation output by discouraging innovation-washing.This paper enriches the research findings on how the digital economy breaks down“information silos”and offers a potential solution to the“emphasis on input and quantity over quality and efficiency”phenomenon in science and technology innovation practices.

Side-channel free quantum digital signature with source monitoring

Quantum digital signature(QDS)can guarantee the information-theoretical security of a signature with the fundamental laws of quantum physics.However,most current QDS protocols do not take source security into account,leading to an overestimation of the signature rate.In this paper,we propose to utilize Hong–Ou–Mandel interference to characterize the upper bound of the source imperfections,and further to quantify information leakage from potential side-channels.Additionally,we combine decoy-state methods and finite-size analysis in analyzing the signature rate.Simulation results demonstrate the performance and feasibility of our approach.Our current work can improve the practical security of QDS systems,thereby promoting their further networked applications.

Microstructure effect of mechanical and cracking behaviors on brittle rocks using image-based fast Fourier transform method

The internal microstructures of rock materials, including mineral heterogeneity and intrinsic microdefects, exert a significant influence on their nonlinear mechanical and cracking behaviors. It is of great significance to accurately characterize the actual microstructures and their influence on stress and damage evolution inside the rocks. In this study, an image-based fast Fourier transform (FFT) method is developed for reconstructing the actual rock microstructures by combining it with the digital image processing (DIP) technique. A series of experimental investigations were conducted to acquire information regarding the actual microstructure and the mechanical properties. Based on these experimental evidences, the processed microstructure information, in conjunction with the proposed micromechanical model, is incorporated into the numerical calculation. The proposed image-based FFT method was firstly validated through uniaxial compression tests. Subsequently, it was employed to predict and analyze the influence of microstructure on macroscopic mechanical behaviors, local stress distribution and the internal crack evolution process in brittle rocks. The distribution of feldspar is considerably more heterogeneous and scattered than that of quartz, which results in a greater propensity for the formation of cracks in feldspar. It is observed that initial cracks and new cracks, including intragranular and boundary ones, ultimately coalesce and connect as the primary through cracks, which are predominantly distributed along the boundary of the feldspar. This phenomenon is also predicted by the proposed numerical method. The results indicate that the proposed numerical method provides an effective approach for analyzing, understanding and predicting the nonlinear mechanical and cracking behaviors of brittle rocks by taking into account the actual microstructure characteristics.

Large-scale laboratory investigation of pillar-support interaction

Underground mine pillars provide natural stability to the mine area,allowing safe operations for workers and machinery.Extensive prior research has been conducted to understand pillar failure mechanics and design safe pillar layouts.However,limited studies(mostly based on empirical field observation and small-scale laboratory tests)have considered pillar-support interactions under monotonic loading conditions for the design of pillar-support systems.This study used a series of large-scale laboratory compression tests on porous limestone blocks to analyze rock and support behavior at a sufficiently large scale(specimens with edge length of 0.5 m)for incorporation of actual support elements,with consideration of different w/h ratios.Both unsupported and supported(grouted rebar rockbolt and wire mesh)tests were conducted,and the surface deformations of the specimens were monitored using three-dimensional(3D)digital image correlation(DIC).Rockbolts instrumented with distributed fiber optic strain sensors were used to study rockbolt strain distribution,load mobilization,and localized deformation at different w/h ratios.Both axial and bending strains were observed in the rockbolts,which became more prominent in the post-peak region of the stress-strain curve.

Effectiveness of RESET care program: A real-world-evidence on managing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease through digital health interventions

BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)management requires sustainable lifestyle modifications.This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the RESET care plan,a comprehensive program that is an integrated personalized diet,exercise,and cognitive behavior therapy,delivered via MyTatva’s digital health application enabled through a body composition analyzer(BCA)and smartwatch.AIM To evaluates the effectiveness of the comprehensive program delivered via My-Tatva’s digital health app enabled through internet of thing devices.METHODS This retrospective observational study analyzed deidentified data from 22 par-ticipants enrolled in the MyTatva RESET care program.Participants were divided into three groups:Group A,diet plan;Group B,diet+exercise plan;and Group C,diet+exercise+cognitive behavioral therapy plan.Participants were provided with a BCA and smartwatch for continuous monitoring of anthropometric para-meters.Statistical analysis,including one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference test,was conducted to compare mean changes in anthropometric parameters across the groups.INTRODUCTION Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)has emerged as a global health burden,affecting approximately 1 in 4 in-dividuals worldwide.NAFLD ranges from simple steatosis(fat accumulation)to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH),and its global prevalence in the general population is estimated between 6.3%and 33%,with NASH affecting 3-5%[1,2].Obesity is a major risk factor of NAFLD,with studies showing that the likelihood of developing NAFLD increases 5-fold at a body mass index(BMI)of 30-32.5 kg/m²and up to 14-fold at BMI of 37.5-40 kg/m²compared to a BMI of 20-22.5 kg/m²[3,4].Effective NAFLD management requires both dietary and physical activity modifications.Healthy weight loss with sustained muscle mass plays a pivotal role,with a reduction of 3%-5%decreasing hepatic steatosis,5%-7%improving NASH conditions,and 10%or more needed to reverse hepatic fibrosis[5].Management also normalizes elevated liver enzymes(aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase),enhances insulin sensitivity,and thereby reduces cardiovascular risk by improving endothelial function and increasing cardiorespiratory fitness[6].However,diet or exercise alone is often not as effective as a combined approach.Integrating both balanced dietary changes and increased physical activity yields more sustainable improvements in NAFLD and overall metabolic health[1,7].Traditional intervention methods usually involve in-person consultations,which often lack real-time and continuous patient monitoring.The recommendation of drastic changes in diet and exercise can also be overwhelming for patients,leading to low adherence rates.Many patients struggle to maintain these changes in the long-term due to a lack of con-tinuous motivational support[8,9].In recent years,the health ecosystem has witnessed a significant shift toward digital health platforms,which complement pharmacological treatments in chronic disease management,and increase scala-bility.These platforms provide continuous monitoring and personalized support,helping to bridge the gap between health care setups and patients[10].Recent digital advances enable internet of things(IoT)devices to be integrated into such management plans to track health metrics,to address the limitations of traditional methods[11,12].The MyTatva digital health application offers the RESET plan,a novel comprehensive approach for NAFLD mana-gement by integrating personalized support from nutrition,physiotherapy,and cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT)coaches.We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the RESET plan by analyzing the reduction in anthropometric para-meters across three different digital intervention groups.

Drilling-based measuring method for the c-φ parameter of rock and its field application

The technology of drilling tests makes it possible to obtain the strength parameter of rock accurately in situ. In this paper, a new rock cutting analysis model that considers the influence of the rock crushing zone(RCZ) is built. The formula for an ultimate cutting force is established based on the limit equilibrium principle. The relationship between digital drilling parameters(DDP) and the c-φ parameter(DDP-cφ formula, where c refers to the cohesion and φ refers to the internal friction angle) is derived, and the response of drilling parameters and cutting ratio to the strength parameters is analyzed. The drillingbased measuring method for the c-φ parameter of rock is constructed. The laboratory verification test is then completed, and the difference in results between the drilling test and the compression test is less than 6%. On this basis, in-situ rock drilling tests in a traffic tunnel and a coal mine roadway are carried out, and the strength parameters of the surrounding rock are effectively tested. The average difference ratio of the results is less than 11%, which verifies the effectiveness of the proposed method for obtaining the strength parameters based on digital drilling. This study provides methodological support for field testing of rock strength parameters.

Digital signal acquisition system for complex nuclear reaction experiments

A digital data-acquisition system based on XIA LLC products was used in a complex nuclear reaction experiment using radioactive ion beams.A flexible trigger system based on a field-programmable gate array(FPGA)parametrization was developed to adapt to different experimental sizes.A user-friendly interface was implemented,which allows converting script language expressions into FPGA internal control parameters.The proposed digital system can be combined with a conventional analog data acquisition system to provide more flexibility.The performance of the combined system was veri-fied using experimental data.

Investigation of pore geometry influence on fluid flow in heterogeneous porous media:A pore-scale study

Brazilian pre-salt reservoirs are renowned for their intricate pore networks and vuggy nature,posing significant challenges in modeling and simulating fluid flow within these carbonate reservoirs.Despite possessing excellent petrophysical properties,such as high porosity and permeability,these reservoirs typically exhibit a notably low recovery factor,sometimes falling below 10%.Previous research has indicated that various enhanced oil recovery(EOR)methods,such as water alternating gas(WAG),can substantially augment the recovery factor in pre-salt reservoirs,resulting in improvements of up to 20%.Nevertheless,the fluid flow mechanism within Brazilian carbonate reservoirs,characterized by complex pore geometry,remains unclear.Our study examines the behavior of fluid flow in a similar heterogeneous porous material,utilizing a plug sample obtained from a vugular segment of a Brazilian stromatolite outcrop,known to share analogies with certain pre-salt reservoirs.We conducted single-phase and multi-phase core flooding experiments,complemented by medical-CT scanning,to generate flow streamlines and evaluate the efficiency of water flooding.Subsequently,micro-CT scanning of the core sample was performed,and two cross-sections from horizontal and vertical plates were constructed.These cross-sections were then employed as geometries in a numerical simulator,enabling us to investigate the impact of pore geometry on fluid flow.Analysis of the pore-scale modeling and experimental data unveiled that the presence of dead-end pores and vugs results in a significant portion of the fluid remaining stagnant within these regions.Consequently,the injected fluid exhibits channeling-like behavior,leading to rapid breakthrough and low areal swept efficiency.Additionally,the numerical simulation results demonstrated that,irrespective of the size of the dead-end regions,the pressure variation within the dead-end vugs and pores is negligible.Despite the stromatolite's favorable petrophysical properties,including relatively high porosity and permeability,as well as the presence of interconnected large vugs,the recovery factor during water flooding remained low due to early breakthrough.These findings align with field data obtained from pre-salt reservoirs,providing an explanation for the observed low recovery factor during water flooding in such reservoirs.

Alexa,let's train now!——A systematic review and classification approach to digital and home-based physical training interventions aiming to support healthy cognitive aging

Background:There is mounting evidence that regular physical activity is an important prerequisite for healthy cognitive aging.Consequently,the finding that almost one-third of the adult population does not reach the recommended level of regular physical activity calls for further public health actions.In this context,digital and home-based physical training interventions might be a promising alternative to center-based intervention programs.Thus,this systematic review aimed to summarize the current state of the literature on the effects of digital and home-based physical training interventions on adult cognitive performance.Methods:In this pre-registered systematic review(PROSPERO;ID:CRD42022320031),5 electronic databases(PubMed,Web of Science,Psyclnfo,SPORTDiscus,and Cochrane Library)were searched by 2 independent researchers(FH and PT)to identify eligible studies investigating the effects of digital and home-based physical training interventions on cognitive performance in adults.The systematic literature search yielded 8258 records(extra17 records from other sources),of which 27 controlled trials were considered relevant.Two reviewers(FH and PT)independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias using a modified version of the Tool for the assEssment of Study qualiTy and reporting in EXercise(TESTEX scale).Results:Of the 27 reviewed studies,15 reported positive effects on cognitive and motor-cognitive outcomes(i.e.,performance improvements in measures of executive functions,working memory,and choice stepping reaction test),and a considerable heterogeneity concerning study-related,population-related,and intervention-related characteristics was noticed.A more detailed analysis suggests that,in particular,interventions using online classes and technology-based exercise devices(i.e.,step-based exergames)can improve cognitive performance in healthy older adults.Approximately one-half of the reviewed studies were rated as having a high risk of bias with respect to completion adherence(≤85%)and monitoring of the level of regular physical activity in the control group.Conclusion:The current state of evidence concerning the effectiveness of digital and home-based physical training interventions is mixed overall,though there is limited evidence that specific types of digital and home-based physical training interventions(e.g.,online classes and step-based exergames)can be an effective strategy for improving cognitive performance in older adults.However,due to the limited number of available studies,future high-quality studies are needed to buttress this assumption empirically and to allow for more solid and nuanced conclusions.

Mastering air combat game with deep reinforcement learning

Reinforcement learning has been applied to air combat problems in recent years,and the idea of curriculum learning is often used for reinforcement learning,but traditional curriculum learning suffers from the problem of plasticity loss in neural networks.Plasticity loss is the difficulty of learning new knowledge after the network has converged.To this end,we propose a motivational curriculum learning distributed proximal policy optimization(MCLDPPO)algorithm,through which trained agents can significantly outperform the predictive game tree and mainstream reinforcement learning methods.The motivational curriculum learning is designed to help the agent gradually improve its combat ability by observing the agent's unsatisfactory performance and providing appropriate rewards as a guide.Furthermore,a complete tactical maneuver is encapsulated based on the existing air combat knowledge,and through the flexible use of these maneuvers,some tactics beyond human knowledge can be realized.In addition,we designed an interruption mechanism for the agent to increase the frequency of decisionmaking when the agent faces an emergency.When the number of threats received by the agent changes,the current action is interrupted in order to reacquire observations and make decisions again.Using the interruption mechanism can significantly improve the performance of the agent.To simulate actual air combat better,we use digital twin technology to simulate real air battles and propose a parallel battlefield mechanism that can run multiple simulation environments simultaneously,effectively improving data throughput.The experimental results demonstrate that the agent can fully utilize the situational information to make reasonable decisions and provide tactical adaptation in the air combat,verifying the effectiveness of the algorithmic framework proposed in this paper.

Digital Twin Technology of Human-Machine Integration in Cross-Belt Sorting System

The Chinese express delivery industry processes nearly 110 billion items in 2022,averaging an annual growth rate of 200%.Among the various types of sorting systems used for handling express items,cross-belt sorting systems stand out as the most crucial.However,despite their high degree of automation,the workload for operators has intensified owing to the surging volume of express items.In the era of Industry 5.0,it is imperative to adopt new technologies that not only enhance worker welfare but also improve the efficiency of cross-belt systems.Striking a balance between efficiency in handling express items and operator well-being is challenging.Digital twin technology offers a promising solution in this respect.A realization method of a human-machine integrated digital twin is proposed in this study,enabling the interaction of biological human bodies,virtual human bodies,virtual equipment,and logistics equipment in a closed loop,thus setting an operating framework.Key technologies in the proposed framework include a collection of heterogeneous data from multiple sources,construction of the relationship between operator fatigue and operation efficiency based on physiological measurements,virtual model construction,and an online optimization module based on real-time simulation.The feasibility of the proposed method was verified in an express distribution center.

Increased retinal venule diameter as a prognostic indicator for recurrent cerebrovascular events:a prospective observational study

Microvasculature of the retina is considered an alternative marker of cerebral vascular risk in healthy populations.However,the ability of retinal vasculature changes,specifically focusing on retinal vessel diameter,to predict the recurrence of cerebrovascular events in patients with ischemic stroke has not been determined comprehensively.While previous studies have shown a link between retinal vessel diameter and recurrent cerebrovascular events,they have not incorporated this information into a predictive model.Therefore,this study aimed to investigate the relationship between retinal vessel diameter and subsequent cerebrovascular events in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Additionally,we sought to establish a predictive model by combining retinal veessel diameter with traditional risk factors.We performed a prospective observational study of 141 patients with acute ischemic stroke who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University.All of these patients underwent digital retinal imaging within 72 hours of admission and were followed up for 3 years.We found that,after adjusting for related risk factors,patients with acute ischemic stroke with mean arteriolar diameter within 0.5-1.0 disc diameters of the disc margin(MAD_(0.5-1.0DD))of≥74.14μm and mean venular diameter within 0.5-1.0 disc diameters of the disc margin(MVD_(0.5-1.0DD))of≥83.91μm tended to experience recurrent cerebrovascular events.We established three multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models:model 1 included traditional risk factors,model 2 added MAD_(0.5-1.0DD)to model 1,and model 3 added MVD0.5-1.0DD to model 1.Model 3 had the greatest potential to predict subsequent cerebrovascular events,followed by model 2,and finally model 1.These findings indicate that combining retinal venular or arteriolar diameter with traditional risk factors could improve the prediction of recurrent cerebrovascular events in patients with acute ischemic stroke,and that retinal imaging could be a useful and non-invasive method for identifying high-risk patients who require closer monitoring and more aggressive management.

Method for evaluation of geological strength index of carbonate cliff rocks:Coupled hyperspectral-digital borehole image technique

The deterioration of unstable rock mass raised interest in evaluating rock mass quality.However,the traditional evaluation method for the geological strength index(GSI)primarily emphasizes the rock structure and characteristics of discontinuities.It ignores the influence of mineral composition and shows a deficiency in assessing the integrity coefficient.In this context,hyperspectral imaging and digital panoramic borehole camera technologies are applied to analyze the mineral content and integrity of rock mass.Based on the carbonate mineral content and fissure area ratio,the strength reduction factor and integrity coefficient are calculated to improve the GSI evaluation method.According to the results of mineral classification and fissure identification,the strength reduction factor and integrity coefficient increase with the depth of rock mass.The rock mass GSI calculated by the improved method is mainly concentrated between 40 and 60,which is close to the calculation results of the traditional method.The GSI error rates obtained by the two methods are mostly less than 10%,indicating the rationality of the hyperspectral-digital borehole image coupled evaluation method.Moreover,the sensitivity of the fissure area ratio(Sr)to GSI is greater than that of the strength reduction factor(a),which means the proposed GSI is suitable for rocks with significant fissure development.The improved method reduces the influence of subjective factors and provides a reliable index for the deterioration evaluation of rock mass.

Estimation-free spatial-domain image reconstruction of structured illumination microscopy

Structured illumination microscopy(SIM)achieves super-resolution(SR)by modulating the high-frequency information of the sample into the passband of the optical system and subsequent image reconstruction.The traditional Wiener-filtering-based reconstruction algorithm operates in the Fourier domain,it requires prior knowledge of the sinusoidal illumination patterns which makes the time-consuming procedure of parameter estimation to raw datasets necessary,besides,the parameter estimation is sensitive to noise or aberration-induced pattern distortion which leads to reconstruction artifacts.Here,we propose a spatial-domain image reconstruction method that does not require parameter estimation but calculates patterns from raw datasets,and a reconstructed image can be obtained just by calculating the spatial covariance of differential calculated patterns and differential filtered datasets(the notch filtering operation is performed to the raw datasets for attenuating and compensating the optical transfer function(OTF)).Experiments on reconstructing raw datasets including nonbiological,biological,and simulated samples demonstrate that our method has SR capability,high reconstruction speed,and high robustness to aberration and noise.

Does digitalization mitigate regional inequalities?Evidence from China

Regional inequality significantly influences sustainable development and human well-being.In China,there exists pronounced regional disparities in economic and digital advancements;however,scant research delves into the interplay between them.By analyzing the economic development and digitalization gaps at regional and city levels in China,extending the original Cobb-Douglas production function,this study aims to evaluate the impact of digitalization on China's regional inequality using seemingly unrelated regression.The results indicate a greater emphasis on digital inequality compared to economic disparity,with variable coefficients of 0.59 for GDP per capita and 0.92 for the digitalization index over the past four years.However,GDP per capita demonstrates higher spatial concentration than digitalization.Notably,both disparities have shown a gradual reduction in recent years.The southeastern region of the Hu Huanyong Line exhibits superior levels and rates of economic and digital advancement in contrast to the northwestern region.While digitalization propels economic growth,it yields a nuanced impact on achieving balanced regional development,encompassing both positive and negative facets.Our study highlights that the marginal utility of advancing digitalization is more pronounced in less developed regions,but only if the government invests in the digital infrastructure and education in these areas.This study's methodology can be utilized for subsequent research,and our findings hold the potential to the government's regional investment and policy-making.

Testing method of rock structural plane using digital drilling

The rock mass consists of rock blocks and structural planes,which can reduce its integrity and strength.Therefore,accurately obtaining the characteristics of the rock mass structural plane is a prerequisite for evaluating stability and designing supports in underground engineering.Currently,there are no effective testing methods for the characteristic parameters of the rock mass structural plane in underground engineering.The paper presents the digital drilling technology as a new testing method of rock mass structural planes.Flawed rock specimens with cracks of varying widths and angles were used to simulate the rock mass structural planes,and the multifunctional rock mass digital drilling test system was employed to carry out the digital drilling tests.The analysis focuses on the variation laws of drilling parameters,such as drilling pressure and drilling torque,affected by the characteristics of prefabricated cracks,and clarifies the degradation mechanism of rock equivalent compressive strength.Additionally,an identification model for the characteristic parameters of rock mass structural planes during drilling is established.The test results indicate that the average difference of the characteristics of prefabricated cracks identified by the equivalent compressive strength is 2.45°and 0.82 mm,respectively.The identification model while drilling is verified to be correct due to the high identification accuracy.Based on this,a method for testing the characteristic parameters of the surrounding rock structural plane while drilling is proposed.The research offers a theoretical and methodological foundation for precise in situ identification of structural planes of the surrounding rock in underground engineering.