Mars is the only extraterrestrial body which could host primitive lifeforms and also has the potential to host a human base in the near future. Towards fulfilling these objectives, several remote sensing missions and ...Mars is the only extraterrestrial body which could host primitive lifeforms and also has the potential to host a human base in the near future. Towards fulfilling these objectives, several remote sensing missions and rover based missions have been sent to Mars. Still, confirmation of existing or extinct life on this planet in any form has not been achieved and possibly human missions at selected sites in the future are the key to addressing this problem. Here, we have used remote sensing data from Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter(MRO;NASA), Mars Global Surveyor(MGS;NASA), Mars Odyssey(NASA) and Mars Express(MEX;ESA) to devise an exploration strategy for one such area known as Hebrus Valles, which is a potential site for human exploration of the surface of Mars. A geological context map of the Hebrus Valles and Hephaestus Fossae region has been prepared and a candidate landing site has been proposed in the Hebrus Valles region. Suitable rover paths have been worked out from the proposed landing site for harnessing the science and resource potential of the region. The proposed landing site is located in the equatorial region at(20?40′N, 126?23′E) and due to its proximity to the Potential Subsurface Access Candidates(PSACs) in the region, such as sinkholes and skylights and also other resources such as crater ejecta, silicate material and fluvial channels, the site is appropriate for exploration of the region.展开更多
Martian caves have revived interest in the field of subsurface exploration because they are the potential destinations for future human habitats and astrobiological research.There are many pits on Mars,but some of the...Martian caves have revived interest in the field of subsurface exploration because they are the potential destinations for future human habitats and astrobiological research.There are many pits on Mars,but some of them look like collapsed cave roofs.These special pits are formed by the collapse of surface materials into the subsurface void spaces.The signature of life is probable in a subsurface cave on Mars as the subsurface environment can protect life from the harsh and dangerous radiation environment of the surface.In a cave,there may be an abundance of minerals,fluids,and other key resources.Therefore,locating the access point of the subsurface cave is essential and crucial for formulating plans for robotic/human explorations of the Red Planet,Mars.We have used remote sensing data from Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter(MRO;NASA),Mars Global Surveyor(MGS;NASA),and Mars Odyssey(NASA)for identifying,mapping,and classifying selected special pit candidates on the flank of Elysium Mons,Mars.A total of 32 special pit candidates has been identified and classified based upon morphology and geological context.Out of these,26 are newly discovered ones.The thermal behavior of 23 special pit candidates confirms that the special pits are radiating heat energy at nighttime,similar to potential caves.Also,cave entrances have been detected in nine candidates using data from the Hi RISE camera onboard MRO.These sites could be important destinations for future robotic/human exploration and the search for life on Mars.展开更多
Three MARs(matrix attachment regions)fragments were cloned from tobacco(Nicotiana tabacum)(MAR1), yeast(Saccharomyces cerevisiae)(MAR3)and kidney bean(Phaseolus vulgaris)(MAR5)which ranged 984, 822 and 782bp, respecti...Three MARs(matrix attachment regions)fragments were cloned from tobacco(Nicotiana tabacum)(MAR1), yeast(Saccharomyces cerevisiae)(MAR3)and kidney bean(Phaseolus vulgaris)(MAR5)which ranged 984, 822 and 782bp, respectively. Sequence analysis showed that all thefragments had fairly high A/T content (73, 62 and 75%, respectively),harbored differentnumber and different type of some characteristic motifs of MARs, such as A-box and T-box,etc. The results of in vitro binding assay showed that the three MARs fragments derivedfrom different organisms could bind specifically to the matrix extracted from the tobacconuclei with different strength, which also demonstrated that these MARs fragments arefunctionally conserved during evolution. By using these MARs fragments to flank the β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene and bialaphos resistance(bar) selectable marker gene,and then introducing the resulting plant expression vectors containing MARs-uidA-bar-MARs into tobacco through Agrobacterium mediated procedures, the effects of MARs sequenceson the expression of transgenes in tobacco were investigated and compared. The GUSactivity in individual transformants showed that, comparing to the controls withoutadditional MARs, the overall transgene expression level in transformants with MARs hadbeen greatly increased while the variations in transgene expression among transformantswere decreased in different degrees. In accordance with the results of sequence analysisand in vitro binding assay in which MAR1 fragment showed the strongest binding strength,this MARs fragment also showed the greatest effect in increasing transgene overallexpression level.展开更多
Tunnel heading stability in two dimensions(2D)has been extensively investigated by numerous scholars in the past decade.One significant limitation of 2D analysis is the absence of actual tunnel geometry modeling with ...Tunnel heading stability in two dimensions(2D)has been extensively investigated by numerous scholars in the past decade.One significant limitation of 2D analysis is the absence of actual tunnel geometry modeling with a considerable degree of idealization.Nevertheless,it is possible to study the stability of tunnels in three dimensions(3D)with a rectangular shape using finite element limit analysis(FELA)and a nonlinear programming technique.This paper employs 3D FELA to generate rigorous solutions for stability numbers,failure mechanisms,and safety factors for rectangular-shaped tunnels.To further explore the usefulness of the produced results,multivariate adaptive regression spline(MARS)is used for machine learning of big dataset and development of design equations for practical design applications.The study should be of great benefit to tunnel design practices using the developed equations provided in the paper.展开更多
This study presents a hybrid framework to predict stability solutions of buried structures under active trapdoor conditions in natural clays with anisotropy and heterogeneity by combining physics-based and data-driven...This study presents a hybrid framework to predict stability solutions of buried structures under active trapdoor conditions in natural clays with anisotropy and heterogeneity by combining physics-based and data-driven modeling.Finite-element limit analysis(FELA)with a newly developed anisotropic undrained shear(AUS)failure criterion is used to identify the underlying active failure mechanisms as well as to develop a numerical(physics-based)database of stability numbers for both planar and circular trapdoors.Practical considerations are given for natural clays to three linearly increasing shear strengths in compression,extension,and direct simple shear in the AUS material model.The obtained numerical solutions are compared and validated with published solutions in the literature.A multivariate adaptive regression splines(MARS)algorithm is further utilized to learn the numerical solutions to act as fast FELA data-driven surrogates for stability evaluation.The current MARS-based modeling provides both relative importance index and accurate design equations that can be used with confidence by practitioners.展开更多
The assessment of in situ permeability of rock mass is challenging for large-scale projects such as reservoirs created by dams,where water tightness issues are of prime importance.The in situ permeability is strongly ...The assessment of in situ permeability of rock mass is challenging for large-scale projects such as reservoirs created by dams,where water tightness issues are of prime importance.The in situ permeability is strongly related to the frequency and distribution of discontinuities in the rock mass and quantified by rock quality designation(RQD).This paper analyzes the data of hydraulic conductivity and discontinuities sampled at different depths during the borehole investigations in the limestone and sandstone formations for the construction of hydraulic structures in Oman.Cores recovered from boreholes provide RQD data,and in situ Lugeon tests elucidate the permeability.A modern technique of multivariate adaptive regression splines(MARS)assisted in correlating permeability and RQD along with the depth.In situ permeability shows a declining trend with increasing RQD,and the depth of investigation is within 50 m.This type of relationship can be developed based on detailed initial investigations at the site where the hydraulic conductivity of discontinuous rocks is required to be delineated.The relationship can approximate the permeability by only measuring the RQD in later investigations on the same site,thus saving the time and cost of the site investigations.The applicability of the relationship developed in this study to another location requires a lithological similarity of the rock mass that can be verified through preliminary investigation at the site.展开更多
In the present scenario,computational modeling has gained much importance for the prediction of the properties of concrete.This paper depicts that how computational intelligence can be applied for the prediction of co...In the present scenario,computational modeling has gained much importance for the prediction of the properties of concrete.This paper depicts that how computational intelligence can be applied for the prediction of compressive strength of Self Compacting Concrete(SCC).Three models,namely,Extreme Learning Machine(ELM),Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System(ANFIS)and Multi Adaptive Regression Spline(MARS)have been employed in the present study for the prediction of compressive strength of self compacting concrete.The contents of cement(c),sand(s),coarse aggregate(a),fly ash(f),water/powder(w/p)ratio and superplasticizer(sp)dosage have been taken as inputs and 28 days compressive strength(fck)as output for ELM,ANFIS and MARS models.A relatively large set of data including 80 normalized data available in the literature has been taken for the study.A comparison is made between the results obtained from all the above-mentioned models and the model which provides best fit is established.The experimental results demonstrate that proposed models are robust for determination of compressive strength of self-compacting concrete.展开更多
The solar flare is a sudden eruptive solar phenomenon with significant enhancements in solar X-ray and Extreme Ultraviolet radiations,resulting in large amounts of energy being injected into the planetary atmosphere.C...The solar flare is a sudden eruptive solar phenomenon with significant enhancements in solar X-ray and Extreme Ultraviolet radiations,resulting in large amounts of energy being injected into the planetary atmosphere.Case studies have been extensively presented to analyze the effect of extremely large flares on the Martian upper atmosphere,but the general features of the Martian thermospheric response to flares are still poorly understood.In this work,we select 12 intense solar flares that occurred between 2015 and 2017 and investigate the densities and compositional variations of the dayside Martian thermosphere to these flares with the aid of the measurements made by the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN.The statistical studies indicate that the responses of the Martian thermosphere to flares are complicated that both the class of the flare and the wavelength of the enhanced radiation may have prominent influences on the thermal expansion of the atmosphere and the atmospheric photochemical reactions.展开更多
文摘Mars is the only extraterrestrial body which could host primitive lifeforms and also has the potential to host a human base in the near future. Towards fulfilling these objectives, several remote sensing missions and rover based missions have been sent to Mars. Still, confirmation of existing or extinct life on this planet in any form has not been achieved and possibly human missions at selected sites in the future are the key to addressing this problem. Here, we have used remote sensing data from Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter(MRO;NASA), Mars Global Surveyor(MGS;NASA), Mars Odyssey(NASA) and Mars Express(MEX;ESA) to devise an exploration strategy for one such area known as Hebrus Valles, which is a potential site for human exploration of the surface of Mars. A geological context map of the Hebrus Valles and Hephaestus Fossae region has been prepared and a candidate landing site has been proposed in the Hebrus Valles region. Suitable rover paths have been worked out from the proposed landing site for harnessing the science and resource potential of the region. The proposed landing site is located in the equatorial region at(20?40′N, 126?23′E) and due to its proximity to the Potential Subsurface Access Candidates(PSACs) in the region, such as sinkholes and skylights and also other resources such as crater ejecta, silicate material and fluvial channels, the site is appropriate for exploration of the region.
文摘Martian caves have revived interest in the field of subsurface exploration because they are the potential destinations for future human habitats and astrobiological research.There are many pits on Mars,but some of them look like collapsed cave roofs.These special pits are formed by the collapse of surface materials into the subsurface void spaces.The signature of life is probable in a subsurface cave on Mars as the subsurface environment can protect life from the harsh and dangerous radiation environment of the surface.In a cave,there may be an abundance of minerals,fluids,and other key resources.Therefore,locating the access point of the subsurface cave is essential and crucial for formulating plans for robotic/human explorations of the Red Planet,Mars.We have used remote sensing data from Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter(MRO;NASA),Mars Global Surveyor(MGS;NASA),and Mars Odyssey(NASA)for identifying,mapping,and classifying selected special pit candidates on the flank of Elysium Mons,Mars.A total of 32 special pit candidates has been identified and classified based upon morphology and geological context.Out of these,26 are newly discovered ones.The thermal behavior of 23 special pit candidates confirms that the special pits are radiating heat energy at nighttime,similar to potential caves.Also,cave entrances have been detected in nine candidates using data from the Hi RISE camera onboard MRO.These sites could be important destinations for future robotic/human exploration and the search for life on Mars.
基金supported by the National High Tech R&D Program(863 Program)of China(2001AA212161)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(30170747).
文摘Three MARs(matrix attachment regions)fragments were cloned from tobacco(Nicotiana tabacum)(MAR1), yeast(Saccharomyces cerevisiae)(MAR3)and kidney bean(Phaseolus vulgaris)(MAR5)which ranged 984, 822 and 782bp, respectively. Sequence analysis showed that all thefragments had fairly high A/T content (73, 62 and 75%, respectively),harbored differentnumber and different type of some characteristic motifs of MARs, such as A-box and T-box,etc. The results of in vitro binding assay showed that the three MARs fragments derivedfrom different organisms could bind specifically to the matrix extracted from the tobacconuclei with different strength, which also demonstrated that these MARs fragments arefunctionally conserved during evolution. By using these MARs fragments to flank the β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene and bialaphos resistance(bar) selectable marker gene,and then introducing the resulting plant expression vectors containing MARs-uidA-bar-MARs into tobacco through Agrobacterium mediated procedures, the effects of MARs sequenceson the expression of transgenes in tobacco were investigated and compared. The GUSactivity in individual transformants showed that, comparing to the controls withoutadditional MARs, the overall transgene expression level in transformants with MARs hadbeen greatly increased while the variations in transgene expression among transformantswere decreased in different degrees. In accordance with the results of sequence analysisand in vitro binding assay in which MAR1 fragment showed the strongest binding strength,this MARs fragment also showed the greatest effect in increasing transgene overallexpression level.
基金supported by the Thailand Science Research and Innovation Fundamental Fund fiscal year 2023The fifth author (V.Kamchoom)acknowledges the financial support from the National Science,Research and Innovation Fund (NSRF)at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL),Thailand (Grant No.FRB66065/0258-RE-KRIS/FF66/53)+1 种基金the Climate Change and Climate Variability Research in Monsoon Asia (CMON3)from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) (Grant No.N10A650844)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).
文摘Tunnel heading stability in two dimensions(2D)has been extensively investigated by numerous scholars in the past decade.One significant limitation of 2D analysis is the absence of actual tunnel geometry modeling with a considerable degree of idealization.Nevertheless,it is possible to study the stability of tunnels in three dimensions(3D)with a rectangular shape using finite element limit analysis(FELA)and a nonlinear programming technique.This paper employs 3D FELA to generate rigorous solutions for stability numbers,failure mechanisms,and safety factors for rectangular-shaped tunnels.To further explore the usefulness of the produced results,multivariate adaptive regression spline(MARS)is used for machine learning of big dataset and development of design equations for practical design applications.The study should be of great benefit to tunnel design practices using the developed equations provided in the paper.
基金the funding support provided by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.42177121)Thammasat University Research Unit in Structural and Foundation Engineering.
文摘This study presents a hybrid framework to predict stability solutions of buried structures under active trapdoor conditions in natural clays with anisotropy and heterogeneity by combining physics-based and data-driven modeling.Finite-element limit analysis(FELA)with a newly developed anisotropic undrained shear(AUS)failure criterion is used to identify the underlying active failure mechanisms as well as to develop a numerical(physics-based)database of stability numbers for both planar and circular trapdoors.Practical considerations are given for natural clays to three linearly increasing shear strengths in compression,extension,and direct simple shear in the AUS material model.The obtained numerical solutions are compared and validated with published solutions in the literature.A multivariate adaptive regression splines(MARS)algorithm is further utilized to learn the numerical solutions to act as fast FELA data-driven surrogates for stability evaluation.The current MARS-based modeling provides both relative importance index and accurate design equations that can be used with confidence by practitioners.
基金indebted to the Sohar University and the University of Buraimi, Oman, to support this study
文摘The assessment of in situ permeability of rock mass is challenging for large-scale projects such as reservoirs created by dams,where water tightness issues are of prime importance.The in situ permeability is strongly related to the frequency and distribution of discontinuities in the rock mass and quantified by rock quality designation(RQD).This paper analyzes the data of hydraulic conductivity and discontinuities sampled at different depths during the borehole investigations in the limestone and sandstone formations for the construction of hydraulic structures in Oman.Cores recovered from boreholes provide RQD data,and in situ Lugeon tests elucidate the permeability.A modern technique of multivariate adaptive regression splines(MARS)assisted in correlating permeability and RQD along with the depth.In situ permeability shows a declining trend with increasing RQD,and the depth of investigation is within 50 m.This type of relationship can be developed based on detailed initial investigations at the site where the hydraulic conductivity of discontinuous rocks is required to be delineated.The relationship can approximate the permeability by only measuring the RQD in later investigations on the same site,thus saving the time and cost of the site investigations.The applicability of the relationship developed in this study to another location requires a lithological similarity of the rock mass that can be verified through preliminary investigation at the site.
文摘In the present scenario,computational modeling has gained much importance for the prediction of the properties of concrete.This paper depicts that how computational intelligence can be applied for the prediction of compressive strength of Self Compacting Concrete(SCC).Three models,namely,Extreme Learning Machine(ELM),Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System(ANFIS)and Multi Adaptive Regression Spline(MARS)have been employed in the present study for the prediction of compressive strength of self compacting concrete.The contents of cement(c),sand(s),coarse aggregate(a),fly ash(f),water/powder(w/p)ratio and superplasticizer(sp)dosage have been taken as inputs and 28 days compressive strength(fck)as output for ELM,ANFIS and MARS models.A relatively large set of data including 80 normalized data available in the literature has been taken for the study.A comparison is made between the results obtained from all the above-mentioned models and the model which provides best fit is established.The experimental results demonstrate that proposed models are robust for determination of compressive strength of self-compacting concrete.
基金supported by the Guangdong Basic and Applied Research Foundation through Grant 2021A1515110271。
文摘The solar flare is a sudden eruptive solar phenomenon with significant enhancements in solar X-ray and Extreme Ultraviolet radiations,resulting in large amounts of energy being injected into the planetary atmosphere.Case studies have been extensively presented to analyze the effect of extremely large flares on the Martian upper atmosphere,but the general features of the Martian thermospheric response to flares are still poorly understood.In this work,we select 12 intense solar flares that occurred between 2015 and 2017 and investigate the densities and compositional variations of the dayside Martian thermosphere to these flares with the aid of the measurements made by the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN.The statistical studies indicate that the responses of the Martian thermosphere to flares are complicated that both the class of the flare and the wavelength of the enhanced radiation may have prominent influences on the thermal expansion of the atmosphere and the atmospheric photochemical reactions.
