Satellite observations of coastal upwelling in the northern Arafura Sea

Coastal upwelling is significant for marine ecosystems by lifting nutrient-rich deep waters into the euphotic zone,thereby increasing primary and secondary productivity.The satellite observations show that the northern Arafura Sea(NAS),especially in the coastal region,features high chlorophyll-a(chl-a)concentrations,implying a strong coastal upwelling.However,coastal upwelling in the NAS has not received much attention.Based on a semi-automatic image processing technology,the seasonal and interannual variability of coastal upwelling in the NAS are investigated in this study using satellite-observed sea surface temperature(SST)and wind data.The results suggest that there are seasonal coastal upwelling events in the NAS modulated by upwelling-favorable southeast monsoon(SEM).The annual mean days,mean area,and annual mean intensity of coastal upwelling events during the SEM season are 92 days,6514 km^(2),and-5.31×10^(5),respectively,while the corresponding values during the northwest monsoon(NWM)season are 32 days,5569 km^(2),and-1.41×10^(5).It is also found that the SEM coastal upwelling in the NAS displays prominent interannual variability.The strong upwelling events are found in 2010,2013,2016,and 2017 when the southeast monsoon winds were weaker.Further analysis suggests that at the interannual scale,the upwelling index(UI)averaged in the SEM season is negatively correlated with that of three upwelling indicators.This can be attributed to the limitation of onshore geostrophic flow which is evidenced by the negative correlation between the UI and the alongshore difference in sea surface height.This study highlights the important role of the southeast monsoon in the temporal variability of coastal upwelling in the NAS.

A New Heat Transfer Model for Multi-Gradient Drilling with Hollow Sphere Injection

Multi-gradient drilling is a new offshore drilling method.The accurate calculation of the related wellbore temperature is of great significance for the prediction of the gas hydrate formation area and the precise control of the wellbore pressure.In this study,a new heat transfer model is proposed by which the variable mass flow is properly taken into account.Using this model,the effects of the main factors influencing the wellbore temperature are analyzed.The results indicate that at the position where the separation injection device is installed,the temperature increase of the fluid in the drill pipe is mitigated due to the inflow/outflow of hollow spheres,and the temperature drop of the fluid in the annulus also decreases.In addition,a lower separation efficiency of the device,a shallower installation depth and a smaller circulating displacement tend to increase the temperature near the bottom of the annulus,thereby helping to reduce the hydrate generation area and playing a positive role in the prevention and control of hydrates in deepwater drilling.

The skeleton of 5,7-fused bicyclic imidazole-diazepine for heat-resistant energetic materials

In light of the low yields and complex reaction routes of some well-known 5,5-fused and 5,6-fused bicyclic compounds,a series of 5,7-fused bicyclic imidazole-diazepine compounds were developed with high yields by only two efficient steps.Significantly,the seven-membered heterocyclic ring has a stable energetic skeleton with multiple modifiable sites.However,the 5,7-fused bicyclic energetic compounds were rarely reported in the area of energetic materials.Three neutral compounds 1,2 and 4 were synthesized in this work.To improve the detonation performances of the 5,7-fused neutral compounds,corresponding perchlorate 1a and 2a were further developed.The physicochemical and energetic performances of all newly developed compounds were experimentally determined.All newly prepared energetic compounds exhibit high decomposition temperatures(Td:243.8-336℃)and low mechanical sensitivities(IS:>15 J,FS:>280 N).Among them,the velocities performances of 1a(Dv=7651 m/s)and 4(Dv=7600 m/s)are comparable to that of typical heat-resistant energetic material HNS(Dv=7612 m/s).Meanwhile,the high decomposition temperature and low mechanical sensitivities(Td=336℃;IS=32 J;FS>353 N)of 4 are superior to that of HNS(Td=318℃;IS=5 J;FS=250 N).Hence,the 5,7-fused bicyclic compounds with high thermostability,low sensitivities and adjustable detonation performance have a clear tendency to open up a new space for the development of heat-resistant energetic materials.

Discharge Characteristic of Micro-Arc Oxidation on Aluminum Alloy under the Changing Electrolyte Temperature

The electrolyte temperature has a great influence on the performance of the coating prepared by micro-arc oxidation (MAO). The behavior of MAO discharge in the changing electrolyte temperature has been investigated. Compared to constant electrolyte temperature in conventional MAO process, the process has different discharge characteristics under the changing electrolyte temperature. The amplitude of pulse voltage was detected to study the change of discharge characteristic under the constant-current control of MAO power supply. Three successive discharge stages were differentiated by the variable the pulse voltage versus process time. Since there were significant changes in the sound, the sound signals were acquired and the audio analysis was used to describe the changing of the MAO discharge at different stages. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) was employed in situ to unveil how the micro-discharge changed with the temperature increasing. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the morphology of the coatings on 6N01 aluminum alloy prepared by normal process with the constant-temperature control of the MAO electrolyte and by the process under the changing electrolyte temperature. A mode of film growth and micro-discharge was given to describe the effects of the changing electrolyte temperature in the whole MAO process.

Effects of fulvic acid and humic acid on aluminum speciation in drinking water

This article focused on the influences of fulvic acid and humic acid on aluminum speciation in drinking water. Factors including the concentration of residual chlorine and pH value had been concerned. Aluminum species investigated in the experiments included inorganic mononuclear, organic mononuclear, mononuclear, polymer, soluble, and suspended forms. It was found that the effects of fulvic acid and humic acid on aluminum speciation depended mainly on their molecular weight. Fulvic acid with molecular weight less than 5000 Dalton had little influence on aluminum speciation; while fulvic acid with molecular weight larger than 5000 Dalton and humic acid would increase the concentration of soluble aluminum significantly even at concentration below 0.5 mg/L （calculated as TOC）. Aluminum species, in the present of fulvic acid with molecular weight larger than 5000 Dalton and humic acid, were more stable than that in the present of fluvic acid with molecular mass less than 5000 Dalton, and varied little with reaction time. Within pH range 6.5-7.5, soluble aluminum increased notably in water with organic matter. As the concentration of residual chlorine increased, the effects of fulvic acid and humic acid became weak. The reactions between humic acid, fulvic acid with large molecular weight, and aluminum were considered to be a multi-dentate coordination process. With the consideration of aluminum bioavailability, reducing the concentration of fulvic acid and humic acid and keeping the pH value among 6.5-7.5 were recommended during drinking water treatment.

Expression and function of Delta-like ligand 4 in a rat model of retinopathy of prematurity

The Delta-like ligand 4/Notch signaling pathway was shown to participate in the process of retinal development and angiogenesis. However, the function of the Delta-like ligand 4/Notch signaling pathway in retinopathy of prematurity requires further study. Retinopathy of prematurity was induced in 5-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to hyperoxia for 7 days, and then returned to room air. Reverse transcription-PCR and western blot revealed that Delta-like ligand 4 levels decreased at postnatal day 12 and increased at postnatal day 17 in retinopathy of prematurity rats. Flat-mounted adenosine diphosphatase stained retina and hematoxylin-eosin stained retinal tissue slices showed that the clock hour scores and the nuclei counts in retinopathy of prematurity rats were significantly different compared to normal control rats. After retinopathy of prematurity rats were intravitreally injected with Delta-like ligand 4 monoclonal antibody to inhibit the Delta-like ligand 4/Notch signaling pathway, there was a significant increase in the severity of retinal neovascularization （clock hours） in the intravitreally injected eyes. The nuclei count was highly correlated with the clock hour score. These results suggest that Delta-like ligand 4/Notch signaling plays an essential role in the process of physiological and pathological angiogenesis in the retina.

Factors effecting aluminum speciation in drinking waterby laboratory research

Effects of aluminum on water distribution system and human health mainly attribute to its speciation in drinking water. Laboratory experiments were performed to investigate factors that may influence aluminum speciation in water supply system. The concentration of soluble aluminum and its transformation among other aluminum species were mainly controlled by kinetics processes of related reactions. Total aluminum concentration had a notable effect on the concentrations of mononuclear and soluble aluminum in the first 4 day; then its effect became weak. At pH above 7.50, both fluoride and orthophosphate had little effect on aluminum speciation; while, when the solution pH was below 7.50, the concentrations of mononuclear and soluble aluminum were proportional to the concentration of fluoride and inversely proportional to the concentration of orthophosphate. Both mononuclear and polynuclear silicic acids could complex with mononuclear aluminum by forming soluble aluminosilicates. In addition, the adding sequence of orthophosphate and aluminum into drinking water would also affect the distribution of aluminum species in the first 4 day. In order to minimize aluminum bioavailability in drinking water, it was suggested that orthophosphate should be added prior to coagulant process, and that the concentrations of fluoride and silicic acids should be controlled below 2.0 and 25 mg/L, respectively, prior to the treatment. The solution pH in coagulation and filtration processes should be controlled in the range of 6.50-7.50.

Application of the Trivex system in the treatment of primary severe superficial varicose veins of the lower extremity

Purpose:The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effects of the Trivex system in the treatment of primary severe superficial varicose veins of the lower extremity and compare Trivex to the point-form-stripping combined with foam sclerotherapy(FS).Methods:A total of 64 patients(35 females,29 males;mean age,57?11 years[range,29–79 years])with primary severe superficial varicose veins of the lower extremity involving 64 legs were included between October 2015 and July 2019.The maximum diameter of the vein branches was>20 mm,which appeared to be cystic dilatation and forms large-scale in the crus or the thigh.All patients underwent high ligation and endovenous laser ablation or stripping of the trunk under general anesthesia.The surgical time,pain/phlebitis,number of incisions,amount of bleeding,recurrence of varicose vein,incidence of surgical site infections(SSIs),satisfaction score,and improvement in clinical symptoms were evaluated respectively with the patients in two groups:Group A,with patients who underwent treatment with the Trivex system,and Group B,patients who underwent treatment by point-form-stripping combined with FS.Results:All procedures were performed successfully.The average operative time in Group A was 56?11 min,whereas that of Group B was 90?33 min,which was a significant difference(p<0.05).Group A patients felt little pain after surgery,whereas in Group B the level of pain peaked on postoperative day 30,mostly due to thrombophlebitis after FS.There was no recurrence of varicose vein was observed in any patient,however,there were some residual effects in Group B,including the amount of bleeding volume,in-hospital stays,pain/phlebitis,and number of incisions(P<0.05).There were no significant differences with respect to SSIs,improvement in clinical symptoms,and satisfaction scores observed(p>0.05).Conclusions:This study shows that patients benefited from both treatment options.However,primary severe superficial varicose veins of the lower extremity treated with the Trivex system suffered less pain with fewer incisions than severe branches treated with the point-form-stripping combined with foam sclerotherapy(FS).In summary,the Trivex system is a suitable treatment prior to point-form-stripping combined with foam sclerotherapy(FS)for those who demand a high level of appearance,and especially for young patients,the Trivex system is recommended.

Numerical study of clathrin-mediated endocytosis of nanoparticles by cells under tension

In this study, a three-dimensional mathematical model was used to study the contribution of clathrins during the process of cellular uptake of spherical nanoparticles under different membrane tensions. The clathrin-coated pit (CCP) that forms around the inward budding of the cell membrane was modeled as a vesicle with bending rigidity. An optimization algorithm was proposed for minimizing the total energy of the system, which comprises the deforming nanoparticle, receptor-ligand bonds, cell membrane, and CCP, in which way, the profile of the system is acquired. The results showed that the CCP enable full wrapping of the nanoparticles at various membrane tensions. When the cell membrane tension increases, the total deformation energy also increases, but the ratio of CCP bending to the minimum value of the total energy of the system decreases. The results also showed that the diameter of the endocytic vesicles determined by the competition between the stretching of the cell membrane and confinement of the coated pits are much larger than the nanoparticles, which is quit different as the results in passive endocytosis that is not facilitated by the CCPs. The present results indicate that variations of tension on cell membranes constitutes a biophysical marker for understanding the size distribution of CCPs observed in experiments. The present results also suggest that the early abortion of endocytosis is related to that the receptor-ligand bonds cannot generate adequate force to wrap the nanoparticles into the cell membrane before the clathrins respond to support the endocytic vesicles. Correspondingly, late abortion may relate to the inability of CCPs to confine the nanoparticles until the occurrence of the necking stage of endocytosis.

Sandstone-concrete interface transition zone (ITZ) damage and debonding micromechanisms under freeze-thaw

The sufficient bond between concrete and rock is an important prerequisite to ensure the effect of shotcrete support. However, in cold regions engineering protection system, the bond condition of rock and concrete surface is easily affected by freeze-thaw cycles, resulting in interface damage, debonding and even supporting failure. Understanding the micromechanisms of the damage and debonding of the rock-concrete interface is essential for improving the interface protection.Therefore, the micromorphology, micromechanical properties, and microdebonding evolution of the sandstone-concrete interface transition zone(ITZ) under varying freeze-thaw cycles(0, 5, 10, 15, 20) were studied using scanning electron microscope, stereoscopic microscope, and nano-indentation. Furthermore, the distribution range and evolution process of ITZ affected by freeze-thaw cycles were defined. Major findings of this study are as follows:(1) The microdamage evolution law of the ITZ under increasing freeze-thaw cycles is clarified, and the relationship between the number of cracks in the ITZ and freeze-thaw cycles is established;(2) As the number of freeze-thaw cycles increases, the ITZ's micromechanical strength decreases, and its development width tends to increase;(3) The damage and debonding evolution mechanisms of sandstone-concrete ITZ under freeze-thaw cycles is revealed, and its micromechanical evolution model induced by freeze-thaw cycles is proposed.

Yield photosynthesis and leaf anatomy of maize in inter-and mono-cropping systems at varying plant densities

Increasing plant density can increase cereal crop yields. However, the physiological and anatomical mechanisms of grain yield increase at high plant densities in maize-based intercropping systems are not well understood. A two-year field experiment was conducted in 2018 and 2019 to investigate grain yield, photosynthetic characteristics, stomatal traits, and leaf anatomy of maize plants in an intercropping system with high plant densities. Two cropping patterns(monocropping and intercropping) and three plant densities(D1, 78,000 plants ha^(-1);D2, 103,500 plants ha^(-1);D3, 129,000 plants ha;were arranged in a randomized block design. Increasing maize plant density significantly increased maize yield, and intercropping gave a significant yield advantage over monocropping under the same plant density. Intercropping combined with high plant density increased the leaf area and SPAD value of maize,increasing the photosynthesis rates after the harvest of pea. At the twelfth leaf stage, the stomatal density and stomatal area of intercrops combined with medium plant density increased by respectively 10.5%and 18.4% relative to their values for the corresponding density of monocrops. Although leaf thickness of maize was reduced by increasing plant density, the chloroplast number and grana lamella number were higher in intercropping than in monocropping under different plant densities. These positive changes in leaf anatomy resulted in increased photosynthesis, suggesting a physiological basis for the increase in grain yield.

Statistical downscaling of numerical weather prediction based on convolutional neural networks

Numerical Weather Prediction(NWP)is a necessary input for short-term wind power forecasting.Existing NWP models are all based on purely physical models.This requires mainframe computers to perform large-scale numerical calculations and the technical threshold of the assimilation process is high.There is a need to further improve the timeliness and accuracy of the assimilation process.In order to solve the above problems,NWP method based on artificial intelligence is proposed in this paper.It uses a convolutional neural network algorithm and a downscaling model from the global background field to establish a given wind turbine hub height position.We considered the actual data of a wind farm in north China as an example to analyze the calculation example.The results show that the prediction accuracy of the proposed method is equivalent to that of the traditional purely physical model.The prediction accuracy in some months is better than that of the purely physical model,and the calculation efficiency is considerably improved.The validity and advantages of the proposed method are verified from the results,and the traditional NWP method is replaced to a certain extent.

A numerical simulation of the generation and evolution of nonlinear internal waves across the Kara Strait

Nonlinear internal waves(NIWs) are ubiquitous around the Kara Sea, a part of the Arctic Ocean that is north of Siberia. Three hot spot sources for internal waves, one of which is the Kara Strait, have been identified based on Envisat ASAR. The generation and evolution of the NIWs through the interactions of the tide and topography across the strait is studied based on a nonhydrostatic numerical model. The model captures most wave characteristics shown by satellite data. A typical inter-packets distance on the Barents Sea side is about 25 km in summer, with a phase speed about 0.65 m/s. A northward background current may intensify the accumulation of energy during generation, but it has little influence on the other properties of the generated waves. The single internal solitary wave(ISW) structure is a special phenomenon that follows major wave trains, with a distance about 5–8 km. This wave is generated with the leading wave packets during the same tidal period. When a steady current toward the Kara Sea is included, the basic generation process is similar, but the waves toward the Kara Sea weaken and display an internal bore-like structure with smaller amplitude than in the control experiment. In winter, due to the growth of sea ice, stratification across the Kara Strait is mainly determined by the salinity, with an almost uniform temperature close to freezing. A pycnocline deepens near the middle of the water depth(Barents Sea side), and the NIWs process is not as important as the NIWs process in summer. There is no fission process during the simulation.

Inhibitory effects of synthetic cannabinoid WIN55,212-2 on nicotine-activated currents in rat trigeminal ganglion neurons

Cannabinoid and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are strongly associated with algesia. Previous studies in our laboratory have reported inhibitory effects of synthetic cannabinoid WIN55, 212-2 on nicotine-activated currents （Inic）, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. The present study used whole-cell patch clamp techniques to investigate the modulatory effects of synthetic cannabinoid WIN55, 212-2 on Inic in cultured rat trigeminal ganglion neurons. The results revealed several major findings： WIN55, 212-2 inhibited Inic in rat trigeminal ganglion neurons. In addition, when WIN55, 212-2 （3 μmol/L） was applied simultaneously with nicotine （100 μmol/L）, the inhibition of WIN55, 212-2 on Inic was reversible, concentration-dependent and voltage-independent This effect was not mediated by CB1, CB2 or VR1 receptors; neither the selective CB1 receptor antagonist AM281, CB2 receptor antagonist AM630 nor VR1 receptor antagonist capsazepine reduced the inhibitory effect of WIN55, 212-2. Further, the inhibition of nicotinic responses by WIN55, 212-2 was not sensitive to the membrane permeable cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP） analog 8-Br-cAMP. The G-protein inhibitor GDP-I3-S （1 mmol/L） did not block the inhibitory effects of WIN55, 212-2 on/n^c, excluding the involvement of G-protein mediation. The results suggested that WIN55, 212-2 inhibits/n^o directly via the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, and that this inhibition is non-competitive. WIN55, 212-2 did not act as an open channel blocker of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, and did not affect the desensitization of Into. The results suggest that nicotine receptors may be physically plugged from outside the membrane by drugs containing WIN55, 212-2.

Tower-based observation of air-sea momentum flux:comparisons between onshore and offshore winds

We investigate the air-sea momentum flux in the marine atmospheric boundary layer using a tower-based direct measurement method.First,we compare the collected data with previous observations,and the results are roughly consistent.Next,in the low-to-moderate winds,the exchange coefficients(or drag coefficients)deviate between onshore and offshore winds,which exhibits the influence of surface wave on the momentum flux.Furthermore,we use a surface-wave-involved parameterization scheme to explain the dependence of momentum flux on surface wave.The results consolidate the influence of surface wave on momentum flux on the one hand,and validate the surface-wave-involved parameterization scheme on the other hand.

Statement on the Tianshui Experimental Site of Soil and Water Conservation in 1940s

The Tianshui Experimental Site of Soil and Water Conservation was set up in 1942.Then the first construction publicized the thinking of soil and water conservation,and popularized the technologies of soil and water conservation and related plants.Their efforts established the foundation of the science of soil and water conservation with the first high-tech and high quality R&D team,and pushed the research of soil and water conservation building on the stage of systematization.All of this provided rare good scientific data and theoretical support for the soil and water conservation and the development of the regional economy in Northwest China.

Research Online Mobile: Towards a Universal Collaboration Research Environment

The collaboration research environment aims to support a team of researchers who are working coordinately over the Internet. With the popularity of mobile phones and the widespread use of the high-speed wireless network, people are demanding a universal collaboration research environment in which they can cooperate wherever they are. In this paper, we present the Research Online Mobile, a universal collaboration research environment based on the Duckling platform, which is an open source software. The framework, key services and applications of the Research Online Mobile are also elucidated. The Research Online Mobile has been released and used by several research communities.

Computing-aware network (CAN): a systematic design of computing and network convergence

The coverage of network resources is increasingly extensive,and computing resources have likewise gradually become fundamental infrastructures,providing ubiquitous computing services.However,in wide area networks(WANs),the underlying network and computing resources are not closely investigated or co-designed,and there are still problems reflected in slow computing service scheduling,inflexible data distribution,and inefficient data transmission.

PPCPs in a drinking water treatment plant in the Yangtze River Delta of China: Occurrence,removal and risk assessment

The occurrence and removal of 39 targeted pharmaceuticals and personal care products(PPCPs)from source water,through a drinking water treatment plant(DWTP)to the water supply station,were investigated around the central part of Yangtze River Delta in China using both grab sampling and continuous sampling.Totally 24 of the 39 targeted PPCPs were detected in raw water,and 12 PPCPs were detected in the finished water.The highest observed concentration was enrofloxacin(85.623 ng/L)in raw water.Removal efficiencies were remarkably negative correlated with log Kow(r =– 0.777,p < 0.01)after calibration control of concentration,indicating that more soluble PPCPs are easier to remove by the combined process(prechlorination and flocculation/precipitation),the concentration level also had a great impact on the removal efficiency.The normal process in the pilot DWTP seems to be ineffective for PPCPs control,with the limited removal efficiency of less than 30% for each step: pre-chlorination,flocculation and precipitation,post-chlorination and filter.There were notable differences between the data from continuous sampling and grab sampling,which should be considered for different monitoring purposes.The chlorination and the hydrolytic decomposition of PPCPs in the water supply pipe may attenuate PPCPs concentration in the pipeline network.The PPCPs examined in the effluent of DWTP do not impose a potential health risk to the local consumers due to their RQ value lower than 0.00067.

Reproducible Abnormalities and Diagnostic Generalizability of White Matter in Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is associated with the impairment of white matter(WM)tracts.The current study aimed to verify the utility of WM as the neuroimaging marker of AD with multisite diffusion tensor imaging datasets[321 patients with AD,265 patients with mild cognitive impairment(MCI),279 normal controls(NC)],a unified pipeline,and independent site cross-validation.Automated fiber quantification was used to extract diffusion profiles along tracts.Random-effects meta-analyses showed a reproducible degeneration pattern in which fractional anisotropy significantly decreased in the AD and MCI groups compared with NC.Machine learning models using tract-based features showed good generalizability among independent site cross-validation.The diffusion metrics of the altered regions and the AD probability predicted by the models were highly correlated with cognitive ability in the AD and MCI groups.We highlighted the reproducibility and generalizability of the degeneration pattern of WM tracts in AD.