A new method for deriving broad-band polar motion geodetic excitations

While the geodetic excitationχ(t)of polar motion p(t)is essential to improve our understanding of global mass redistributions and relative motions with respect to the terrestrial frame,the widely adopted method to deriveχ(t)from p(t)has biases in both amplitude and phase responses.This study has developed a new simple but more accurate method based on the combination of the frequency-and time-domain Liouville's equation(FTLE).The FTLE method has been validated not only with 6-h sampled synthetic excitation series but also with daily and 6-h sampled polar motion measurements as well asχ(t)produced by the interactive webpage tool of the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service(IERS).Numerical comparisons demonstrate thatχ(t)derived from the FTLE method has superior performances in both the time and frequency domains with respect to that obtained from the widely adopted method or the IERS webpage tool,provided that the input p(t)series has a length around or more than 25 years,which presents no practical limitations since the necessary polar motion data are readily available.The FTLE code is provided in the form of Mat Lab function.

A High-Resolution Earth’s Gravity Field Model SGG-UGM-2 from GOCE,GRACE,Satellite Altimetry,and EGM2008

This paper focuses on estimating a new high-resolution Earth’s gravity field model named SGG-UGM-2 from satellite gravimetry,satellite altimetry,and Earth Gravitational Model 2008(EGM2008)-derived gravity data based on the theory of the ellipsoidal harmonic analysis and coefficient transformation(EHA-CT).We first derive the related formulas of the EHA-CT method,which is used for computing the spherical harmonic coefficients from grid area-mean and point gravity anomalies on the ellipsoid.The derived formulas are successfully evaluated based on numerical experiments.Then,based on the derived least-squares formulas of the EHA-CT method,we develop the new model SGG-UGM-2 up to degree 2190 and order 2159 by combining the observations of the Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer(GOCE),the normal equation of the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment(GRACE),marine gravity data derived from satellite altimetry data,and EGM2008-derived continental gravity data.The coefficients of degrees 251–2159 are estimated by solving the block-diagonal form normal equations of surface gravity anomalies(including the marine gravity data).The coefficients of degrees 2–250 are determined by combining the normal equations of satellite observations and surface gravity anomalies.The variance component estimation technique is used to estimate the relative weights of different observations.Finally,global positioning system(GPS)/leveling data in the mainland of China and the United States are used to validate SGG-UGM-2 together with other models,such as European improved gravity model of the earth by new techniques(EIGEN)-6C4,GECO,EGM2008,and SGG-UGM-1(the predecessor of SGG-UGM-2).Compared to other models,the model SGG-UGM-2 shows a promising performance in the GPS/leveling validation.All GOCE-related models have similar performances both in the mainland of China and the United States,and better performances than that of EGM2008 in the mainland of China.Due to the contribution of GRACE data and the new marine gravity anomalies,SGG-UGM-2 is slightly better than SGG-UGM-1 both in the mainland of China and the United States.

Geodesy Discipline: Progress and Perspective

The geodesy discipline has been evolving and constantly intersecting and merging with other disciplines in the last 50 years,due to the continuous progress of geodetic observation techniques and expansion of application fields.This paper first introduces the development and roles of geodesy and its formation.Secondly,the development status of geodesy discipline is analyzed from the progress of observation techniques and cross-discipline formation is analyzed from the expansion of application fields.Furthermore,the development trend of geodesy is stated from the perspective of national requirements and scientific developments.Finally,the sub-disciplines for geodesy are suggested at the present stage,based on the requirements of the National Natural Science Foundation of China and development status of geodesy itself,which can provide references for topic selection and fund application of geodetic scientific research.

The global mean sea surface model WHU2013

The mean sea surface （MSS） model is an important reference for the study of charting datum and sea level change. A global MSS model named WHU2013, with 2′ × 2′ spatial resolution between 80° S and 84°N, is established in this paper by combining nearly 20 years of multi-satellite altimetric data that include Topex/Poseidon （T/P）, Jason-1, Jason-2, ERS-2, ENVISAT and GFO Exact Repeat Mission （ERM） data, ERS-1/168, Jason-1/C geodetic mission data and Cryosat-2 low resolution mode （LRM） data. All the ERM data are adjusted by the collinear method to achieve the mean along-track sea surface height （SSH）, and the combined dataset of T/P, Jason-1 and Jason-2 from 1993 to 2012 after collinear adjustment is used as the reference data. The sea level variations in the non-ERM data （geodetic mission data and LRM data） are mainly investigated, and a combined method is proposed to correct the sea level variations between 66°S and 66°N by along-track sea level variation time series and beyond 66°S or 66°N by seasonal sea level variations. In the crossover adjustment between multi-altimetric data, a stepwise method is used to solve the problem of inconsistency in the reference data between the high and low latitude regions. The proposed model is compared with the CNES-CLS2011 and DTU13 MSS models, and the standard derivation （STD） of the differences between the models is about S cm between 80°S and 84°N, less than 3 cm between 66°S and 66°N, and less than 4 cm in the China Sea and its adjacent sea. Furthermore, the three models exhibit a good agreement in the SSH differences and the along-track gradient of SSH following comparisons with satellite altimetry data.

Analysis of the impact on the gravity field determination from the data with the ununiform noise distribution using block-diagonal least squares method

The block-diagonal least squares method, which theoretically has specific requirements for the observation data and the spatial distribution of its precision, plays an important role in ultra-high degree gravity field determination. On the basis of block-diagonal least squares method, three data processing strategies are employed to determine the gravity field models using three kinds of simulated global grid data with different noise spatial distri- bution in this paper. The numerical results show that when we employed the weight matrix corresponding to the noise of the observation data, the model computed by the least squares using the full normal matrix has much higher precision than the one estimated only using the block part of the normal matrix. The model computed by the block-diagonal least squares method without the weight matrix has slightly lower precision than the model computed using the rigorous least squares with the weight matrix. The result offers valuable reference to the using of block-diagonal least squares method in ultra-high gravity model determination.

Analysis of terrestrial water storage changes in the Shaan-Gan-Ning Region using GPS and GRACE/GFO

Both the Global Positioning System(GPS)and Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment(GRACE)/GRACE Follow-On(GFO)provide effective tools to infer surface mass changes.In this paper,we combined GPS,GRACE/GFO spherical harmonic(SH)solutions and GRACE/GFO mascon solutions to analyze the total surface mass changes and terrestrial water storage(TWS)changes in the Shaan-Gan-Ning Region(SGNR)over the period from December 2010 to February 2021.To improve the reliability of GPS inversion results,an improved regularization Laplace matrix and monthly optimal regularization parameter estimation strategy were employed to solve the ill-posed problem.The results show that the improved Laplace matrix can suppress the edge effects better than that of the traditional Laplace matrix,and the corre-lation coefficient and standard deviation(STD)between the original signal and inversion results from the traditional and improved Laplace matrix are 0.84 and 0.88,and 17.49 mm and 15.16 mm,respectively.The spatial distributions of annual amplitudes and time series changes for total surface mass changes derived from GPS agree well with GRACE/GFO SH solutions and mascon solutions,and the correlation coefficients of total surface mass change time series between GPS and GRACE/GFO SH solutions,GPS and GRACE/GFO mascon solutions are 0.80 and 0.77.However,the obvious differences still exist in local regions.In addition,the seasonal characteristics,increasing and decreasing rate of TWS change time series derived from GPS,GRACE/GFO SH and mascon solutions agree well with the Global Land Data Assimilation System(GLDAS)hydrological model in the studied area,and generally consistent with the precipitation data.Meanwhile,TWS changes derived from GPS and GRACE mascon solutions in the SGNR are more reliable than those of GRACE SH solutions over the period from January 2016 to June 2017(the final operation phase of the GRACE mission).

Determination of the geopotential and orthometric height based on frequency shift equation

The orthometric height (OH) system plays a key role in geodesy, and it has broad applications in various fields and activities. Based on general relativity theory (GRT), on an arbitrary equi-geo- potential surface, there does not exist the gravity frequency shift of an electromagnetic wave signal. However, between arbitrary two different equi-geopotential surfaces, there exists the gra- vity frequency shift of the signal. The relationship between the geopotential difference and the gravity frequency shift between arbitrary two points P and Q is referred to as the gravity frequency shift equation. Based on this equation, one can determine the geopotential difference as well as the OH difference between two separated points P and Q either by using electromagnetic wave signals propagated between P and Q, or by using the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite signals received simultaneously by receivers at P and Q. Suppose an emitter at P emits a signal with frequency f towards a receiver at Q, and the received frequency of the signal at Q is , or suppose an emitter on board a flying GPS satellite emits signals with frequency f towards two receivers at P and Q on ground, and the received frequencies of the signals at P and Q are and , respectively, then, the geopoten-tial dif- ference between these two points can be determined based on the geopotential frequen- cy shift equation, using either the gravity frequency shift ? f or ? , and the corresponding OH difference is further determined based on the Bruns’ formula. Besides, using this approach a unified world height datum system might be realized, because P and Q could be chosen quite arbitrarily, e.g., they are located on two separated continents or islands.

Molybdenum disulfide(MoS2)-based electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction:From mechanism to manipulation

Molybdenum disulfide(MoS_(2))-based materials as the non-noble metal catalysts have displayed the potential capability to drive electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)for green hydrogen production along with their intrinsic activity,tunable electronic properties,low cost,and abundance reserves,which have attracted intensive attention as alternatives to the low-abundance and high-cost platinum-based catalysts.However,their insufficient catalytic HER activities and stability are the major challenges for them to become practically applicable.Hereby,the MoS_(2)-based electrocatalysts for HER are comprehensively reviewed to explain the fundamental science behind the manipulations of the crystal structure,microstructure,surface,and interface of MoS_(2) in order to enhance its catalytic performance through changing the electrical conductivity,the number of active sites,surface wettability,and the Gibbs free energy for hydrogen adsorption(ΔGH).Recent studies in surface/interface engineering,such as phase engineering,defect engineering,morphology design,and heterostructure construction,are analyzed to reveal the state-of-the-art strategies for designing and preparing the cost-effective and highperformance MoS_(2)-based catalysts through optimizing the charge transfer,surface-active sites,ΔGH,and surface hydrophilicity.Lastly,the perspectives,challenges,and future research directions of HER electrocatalysis are also given to facilitate the further research and development of HER catalysts.

Improved geophysical excitations constrained by polar motion observations and GRACE/SLR time-dependent gravity

At seasonal and intraseasonal time scales, polar motions are mainly excited by angular momentum fluctuations due to mass redistributions and relative motions in the atmosphere, oceans, and continental water, snow, and ice, which are usually provided by various global atmospheric, oceanic, and hydrological models（some with meteorological observations assimilated; e.g., NCEP, ECCO, ECMWF, OMCT and LSDM etc.）. Unfortunately, these model outputs are far from perfect and have notable discrepancies with respect to polar motion observations, due to non-uniform distributions of meteorological observatories,as well as theoretical approximations and non-global mass conservation in these models. In this study,the LDC（Least Difference Combination） method is adopted to obtain some improved atmospheric,oceanic, and hydrological/crospheric angular momentum（AAM, OAM and HAM/CAM, respectively）functions and excitation functions（termed as the LDCgsm solutions）. Various GRACE（Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment） and SLR（Satellite Laser Ranging） geopotential data are adopted to correct the non-global mass conservation problem, while polar motion data are used as general constraints. The LDCgsm solutions can reveal not only periodic fluctuations but also secular trends in AAM, OAM and HAM/CAM, and are in better agreement with polar motion observations, reducing the unexplained excitation to the level of about 5.5 mas（standard derivation value; about 1/5-1/4 of those corresponding to the original model outputs）.

Excitations of length-of-day seasonal variations:Analyses of harmonic and inharmonic fluctuations

Geophysical excitations of length-of-day(LOD)variations is of great significance in understanding changes in the Earth’s spin rate and interactions between geophysical fluids and the solid Earth,as well as validating the reliability of atmospheric,oceanic and hydrological models.In this study seasonal excitations of LOD variation during 06.30,1987-06.30,2017 are investigated using both harmonic and inharmonic analyses.We examined the agreements between the IERS EOP 14C04ΔLOD series and that from the previous version EOP08C04,and analyzed contributions of atmospheric,oceanic,hydrological and sea level angular momenta to seasonal excitations of LOD variations on the bases of the ESMGFZ products.We found that the sea level angular momentum plays an important role in global mass conservation and can bring better agreements between the geophysical and geodetic excitations.

Editorial for the Special Issue on Geodesy and Survey Engineering

Geodesy is the science of accurately measuring,determining,and monitoring three fundamental properties of the Earth:its geometry,its gravity field,and its orientation in space—as well as the evolution of these properties over time.Geodesists also study corresponding topics for other planets in the solar system.Traditionally,the understanding of geodesy has led to the definition of three pillars of this field:①geokinematics,②Earth rotation,and③gravity field.As they are intrinsically linked to each other,these three pillars jointly change as a consequence of dynamic processes in the Earth system.Geodesy is now not only a fundamental subject of the geosciences,but also widely used in engineering construction.

Decadal length-of-day and geomagnetic changes imply more complex Earth’s core motions

Since the 1950s,the length-of-day variations(DLOD)of the Earth’s rotation have received extensive attention and research in various fields,including geodynamics,geomagnetism,geodesy,seismology,geology,marine science,environmental science,and even biology and physics.Despite the abundance of related studies and notable advancements,the underlying mechanism behind the decadal changes in DLOD remains a persistent unresolved question.An essential aspect of investigating this issue lies in its potential to unveil the Earth’s core motions[1,2].Despite the presence of various hypothesized and constructed models about the Earth’s core motions,these models typically exhibit simplicity.

Comparative analysis of peptidoglycan recognition proteins in endoparasitoid wasp Microplitis mediator

Peptidoglycan recognition proteins （PGRPs） are a family of innate immune receptors that specifically recognize peptidoglycans （PGNs） on the surface of a number of pathogens. Here, we have identified and characterized six PGRPs from endoparasitoid wasp, Microplitis mediator （MmePGRPs）. To understand the roles of PGRPs in parasitoid wasps, we analyzed their evolutionary relationship and orthology, expression profiles during different developmental stages, and transcriptional expression following infection with Gram-positive and -negative bacteria and a fungus. MmePGRP-S1 was significantly induced in response to pathogenic infection. This prompted us to evaluate the effects of RNA interference mediated gene specific knockdown ofMmePGRP-S1. The knockdown of MmePGRP-S1 （iMmePGRP-S1） dramatically affected wasps＇ survival following challenge by Micrococcus luteus, indicating the involvement of this particular PGRP in immune responses against Gram-positive bacteria. This action is likely to be mediated by the Toll pathway, but the mechanism remains to be determined. MmePGRP-S 1 does not play a significant role in anti-fungal immunity as indicated by the survival rate of iMmePGRP-S wasps. This study provides a comprehensive characterization of PGRPs in the economically important hymenopteran species M. mediator.

400 Gb/s physical random number generation based on deformed square self-chaotic lasers

A circular-sided square microcavity laser etched a central hole has achieved chaos operation with a bandwidth of 20.8 GHz without external optical feedback or injection,in which the intensity probability distribution of a chaotic signal with a twopeak pattern was observed.Based on the self-chaotic microlaser,physical random numbers at 400 Gb/s were generated by extracting the four least significant bits without other complex post-processing methods.The solitary chaos laser and minimal post-processing have predicted a simpler and low-cost on-chip random number generator in the future.

Research Progress of Electromagnetic Properties of MgB2 Induced by Carbon-Containing Materials Addition and Process Techniques

For the high transition temperature(Tc) and low cost taking both raw materials and fabrication process into account,MgB2 has been a competitive candidate to replace the conventional NiTi superconductor for high-temperature application in fault current limiters,transformers,motors,magnetic resonance imaging,adiabatic demagnetization refrigerators,generators,etc.The carbon-containing materials addition induced high critical current density(Jc) is reviewed based on their influences on the upper critical field(Hc2),flux pinning force,and connectivity.The doping effects were compared in the overview focusing on SiC,organic dopants,and graphene-related dopants.SiC doping is featured for the high-field critical current density,which is caused by the increased Hc2 attributed to the substitution of carbon on boron site and the strong flux pinning force offered by the nanosized secondary phases in the MgB2 matrix.Organic dopants have the advantage over SiC dopant for their relatively homogeneous distribution in the MgB2 matrix based on wet mixing of the organics and the raw boron powders.Low doping level of two-dimensional materials can improve the superconducting properties in all measured fields because of the combined advantages of carbon substitution effect and grain connectivity.MgB2 fabricated with carbon-encapsulated boron also introduces strong flux pinning centers in MgB2,which show weak destruction of the connectivity of the MgB2 grains as reflected by the low-magnetic-supercurrent behavior.High-pressure treatment and diffusion method can fabricate highdensity MgB2 superconductors with better connectivity and increase the Jc compared with the in situ and ex situ methods.

SinoDuplex: An Improved Duplex Sequencing Approach to Detect Low-frequency Variants in Plasma cfDNA Samples

Accurate detection of low frequency mutations from plasma cell-free DNA in blood using targeted next generation sequencing technology has shown promising benefits in clinical settings.Duplex sequencing technology is the most commonly used approach in liquid biopsies.Unique molecular identifiers are attached to each double-stranded DNA template,followed by production of low-error consensus sequences to detect low frequency variants.However,high sequencing costs have hindered application of this approach in clinical practice.Here,we have developed an improved duplex sequencing approach called Sino Duplex,which utilizes a pool of adapters containing pre-defined barcode sequences to generate far fewer barcode combinations than with random sequences,and implemented a novel computational analysis algorithm to generate duplex consensus sequences more precisely.Sino Duplex increased the output of duplex sequencing technology,making it more cost-effective.We evaluated our approach using reference standard samples and cell-free DNA samples from lung cancer patients.Our results showed that Sino Duplex has high sensitivity and specificity in detecting very low allele frequency mutations.The source code for Sino Duplex is freely available at https://github.com/Sin Oncology/sinoduplex.