Impact of initial fluctuations and nuclear deformations in isobar collisions

Relativistic isobar^(96)_(44)Ru+^(96)_(44)Ru and^(96)_(40)Zr+^(96)_(40)Zrcollisions have revealed intricate differences in their nuclear size and shape,inspiring unconventional studies of nuclear structure using relativistic heavy ion collisions.In this study,we investigate the relative differences in the mean multiplicityR_(<Nch>)and the secondR_(ε2)and third-order eccentricityR_(ε3)between isobar collisions using initial state Glauber models.It is found that initial fluctuations and nuclear deformations have negligible effects on R_(<Nch>)in most central collisions,while both are important for the R_(ε2)and R_(ε3),the degree of which is sensitive to the underlying nucleonic or sub-nucleonic degree of freedom.These features,compared to real data,may probe the particle production mechanism and the physics underlying nuclear structure.

Altered spontaneous brain activity patterns in hypertensive retinopathy using fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations:a functional magnetic resonance imaging study

AIM:To study functional brain abnormalities in patients with hypertensive retinopathy(HR)and to discuss the pathophysiological mechanisms of HR by fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations(fALFFs)method.METHODS:Twenty HR patients and 20 healthy controls(HCs)were respectively recruited.The age,gender,and educational background characteristics of the two groups were similar.After functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI)scanning,the subjects’spontaneous brain activity was evaluated with the fALFF method.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was used to classify the data.Further,we used Pearson’s correlation analysis to explore the relationship between fALFF values in specific brain regions and clinical behaviors in patients with HR.RESULTS:The brain areas of the HR group with lower fALFF values than HCs were the right orbital part of the middle frontal gyrus(RO-MFG)and right lingual gyrus.In contrast,the values of fALFFs in the left middle temporal gyrus(MTG),left superior temporal pole(STP),left middle frontal gyrus(MFG),left superior marginal gyrus(SMG),left superior parietal lobule(SPL),and right supplementary motor area(SMA)were higher in the HR group.The results of a t-test showed that the average values of fALFFs were statistically significantly different in the HR group and HC group(P<0.001).The fALFF values of the left middle frontal gyrus in HR patients were positively correlated with anxiety scores(r=0.9232;P<0.0001)and depression scores(r=0.9682;P<0.0001).CONCLUSION:fALFF values in multiple brain regions of HR patients are abnormal,suggesting that these brain regions in HR patients may be dysfunctional,which may help to reveal the pathophysiological mechanisms of HR.

Experimental study on temperature fluctuations on plate surface induced by coaxial-jet flow

In nuclear reactors,temperature fluctuations of fluids may cause fatigue damage to adjacent structures;this is referred to as thermal striping.Research on thermal striping in the upper plenum has mainly focused on fluid fields.Few experimental studies have been reported on solid structures in a fluid field with a coaxial jet.This study entailed an experimental study of the temperature fluctuations in the fluid and on a plate surface caused by a coaxial jet.The temperature fluctuations of the fluid and plate surfaces located at different heights were analyzed.The cause of the temperature fluctuation was analyzed using a transient temperature distribution.The results show that the mixing of the hot and cold fluids gradually becomes uniform in the positive axial direction.The average surface temperatures tended to be consistent.When the jet reaches the plate surface,the swing of the jet center,contraction and expansion of the cold jet,and changes in the jet shape result in temperature fluctuations.The intensity of the temperature fluctuation was affected by the position.More attention should be paid when the plate is located at a lower height,and between the hot and cold-fluid nozzles.

Regularity analysis of resilient modulus for hot-mix asphalt with large temperature fluctuations

To evaluate the regularity of resilient modulus for hot-mix asphalt(HMA)under large temperature fluctuations,back propagation(BP)neural network technology was used to analyze the continuous change of HMA resilient modulus.Firstly,based on the abundant data,the training model of HMA resilient modulus was established by using BP neural network technology.Subsequently,BP neural network prediction and regression analysis were performed,and the prediction model of HMA resilient modulus at different temperatures(50C to 60C)was obtained,which fully considered multi-factor and nonlinearity.Finally,the fitted theoretical model can be used to evaluate the HMA performance under the condition of large temperature fluctuations,and the rationality of theoretical model was verified by taking Harbin region as an example.It was found that the relationship between HMA resilient modulus and temperatures can be described by inverse tangent function.And the key parameters of theoretical model can be used to evaluate the continuous change characteristics of HMA resilient modulus with large temperature fluctuations.The results can further improve the HMA performance evaluation system and have certain theoretical value.

Influence of blood glucose fluctuations on chemotherapy efficacy and safety in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients complicated with lung carcinoma

BACKGROUND Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)have large fluctuations in blood glucose(BG),abnormal metabolic function and low immunity to varying degrees,which increases the risk of malignant tumor diseases and affects the efficacy of tumor chemotherapy.Controlling hyperglycemia may have important therapeutic implications for cancer patients.AIM To clarify the influence of BG fluctuations on chemotherapy efficacy and safety in T2DM patients complicated with lung carcinoma(LC).METHODS The clinical data of 60 T2DM+LC patients who presented to the First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University between January 2019 and January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients underwent chemotherapy and were grouped as a control group(CG;normal BG fluctuation with a mean fluctuation<3.9 mmol/L)and an observation group(OG;high BG fluctuation with a mean fluctuation≥3.9 mmol/L)based on their BG fluctuations,with 30 cases each.BGrelated indices,tumor markers,serum inflammatory cytokines and adverse reactions were comparatively analyzed.Pearson correlation analysis was performed to analyze the correlation between BG fluctuations and tumor markers.RESULTS The fasting blood glucose and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose levels in the OG were notably elevated compared with those in the CG,together with markedly higher mean amplitude of glycemic excursions(MAGE),mean of daily differences,largest amplitude of glycemic excursions and standard deviation of blood glucose(P<0.05).In addition,the OG exhibited evidently higher levels of carbohydrate antigen 19-9,carbohydrate antigen 125,carcinoembryonic antigen,neuron-specific enolase,cytokeratin 19,tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-6,and highsensitivity C-reactive protein than the CG(P<0.05).Pearson analysis revealed a positive association of MAGE with serum tumor markers.The incidence of adverse reactions was significantly higher in the OG than in the CG(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The greater the BG fluctuation in LC patients after chemotherapy,the more unfavorable the therapeutic effect of chemotherapy;the higher the level of tumor markers and inflammatory cytokines,the more adverse reactions the patient experiences.

Dynamic grouping control of electric vehicles based on improved k-means algorithm for wind power fluctuations suppression

To address the significant lifecycle degradation and inadequate state of charge(SOC)balance of electric vehicles(EVs)when mitigating wind power fluctuations,a dynamic grouping control strategy is proposed for EVs based on an improved k-means algorithm.First,a swing door trending(SDT)algorithm based on compression result feedback was designed to extract the feature data points of wind power.The gating coefficient of the SDT was adjusted based on the compression ratio and deviation,enabling the acquisition of grid-connected wind power signals through linear interpolation.Second,a novel algorithm called IDOA-KM is proposed,which utilizes the Improved Dingo Optimization Algorithm(IDOA)to optimize the clustering centers of the k-means algorithm,aiming to address its dependence and sensitivity on the initial centers.The EVs were categorized into priority charging,standby,and priority discharging groups using the IDOA-KM.Finally,an two-layer power distribution scheme for EVs was devised.The upper layer determines the charging/discharging sequences of the three EV groups and their corresponding power signals.The lower layer allocates power signals to each EV based on the maximum charging/discharging power or SOC equalization principles.The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy in accurately tracking grid power signals,smoothing wind power fluctuations,mitigating EV degradation,and enhancing the SOC balance.

Clinical manifestations,diagnosis and long-term prognosis of adult autoimmune enteropathy:Experience from Peking Union Medical College Hospital

BACKGROUND Autoimmune enteropathy(AIE)is a rare disease whose diagnosis and long-term prognosis remain challenging,especially for adult AIE patients.AIM To improve overall understanding of this disease’s diagnosis and prognosis.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the clinical,endoscopic and histopathological characteristics and prognoses of 16 adult AIE patients in our tertiary medical center between 2011 and 2023,whose diagnosis was based on the 2007 diagnostic criteria.RESULTS Diarrhea in AIE patients was characterized by secretory diarrhea.The common endoscopic manifestations were edema,villous blunting and mucosal hyperemia in the duodenum and ileum.Villous blunting(100%),deep crypt lymphocytic infiltration(67%),apoptotic bodies(50%),and mild intraepithelial lymphocytosis(69%)were observed in the duodenal biopsies.Moreover,there were other remarkable abnormalities,including reduced or absent goblet cells(duodenum 94%,ileum 62%),reduced or absent Paneth cells(duodenum 94%,ileum 69%)and neutrophil infiltration(duodenum 100%,ileum 69%).Our patients also fulfilled the 2018 diagnostic criteria but did not match the 2022 diagnostic criteria due to undetectable anti-enterocyte antibodies.All patients received glucocorticoid therapy as the initial medication,of which 14/16 patients achieved a clinical response in 5(IQR:3-20)days.Immunosuppressants were administered to 9 patients with indications of steroid dependence(6/9),steroid refractory status(2/9),or intensified maintenance medication(1/9).During the median of 20.5 months of followup,2 patients died from multiple organ failure,and 1 was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.The cumulative relapse-free survival rates were 62.5%,55.6%and 37.0%at 6 months,12 months and 48 months,respectively.CONCLUSION Certain histopathological findings,including a decrease or disappearance of goblet and Paneth cells in intestinal biopsies,might be potential diagnostic criteria for adult AIE.The long-term prognosis is still unsatisfactory despite corticosteroid and immunosuppressant medications,which highlights the need for early diagnosis and novel medications.

A new electromagnetic probe array diagnostic for analyzing electrostatic and magnetic fluctuations in EAST plasmas

A novel electromagnetic probe array(EMPA) diagnostic, which consists of a magnetic probe array and an electrostatic probe array, has recently been developed on EAST. The EMPA is fixed near the first wall at horizontal port P. The magnetic probe array of the EMPA consists of 24 identical magnetic probes, each of them capable of measuring toroidal, poloidal and radial magnetic fluctuations simultaneously, providing additional toroidal magnetic fluctuation measurements compared with the regular magnetic probes on EAST. With a higher sampling rate and self-resonant frequency, the EMPA magnetic probes can provide higher frequency magnetic fluctuation measurements. The magnetic probe array of the EMPA is composed of two parallel layers of magnetic probes with a radial distance of 63 mm, and each layer of magnetic probes is arranged in four poloidal rows and three toroidal columns. The compact arrangement of the EMPA magnetic probe array largely improves the toroidal mode number measurement ability from-8≤ n≤ 8 to-112≤ n≤ 112, and also improves the high poloidal wave number measurement ability of magnetic fluctuations compared with the regular high frequency magnetic probes on EAST. The electrostatic probe array of the EMPA consists of two sets of four-tip probes and a single-tip probe array with three poloidal rows and four toroidal columns. It complements the electrostatic parameter measurements behind the main limiter and near the first wall in EAST. The engineering details of the EMPA diagnostic, including the mechanical system, the electrical system, the acquisition and control system, and the effective area calibration, are presented. The preliminary applications of the EMPA in L-mode and H-mode discharges on EAST have demonstrated that the EMPA works well for providing information on the magnetic and electrostatic fluctuations and can contribute to deeper physical analysis in future EAST experiments.

Stochastic fluctuations in the rotation of the bacterial flagellar motor

The bacterial flagellar motor is a nanometer-sized rotary motor that generates the torque to drive the rotation of the flagellar filament.The output torque is an important property of the motor.The motor rotation was usually monitored by attaching aμm-sized bead to a shortened flagellar filament,and the torque was extracted by calculating the torque due to the viscous drag of the medium on the bead rotation.We sought for an independent extraction of the torque from thermal fluctuation in the motor rotation using the fluctuation theorem(FT).However,we identified an overwhelming fluctuation beyond the thermal noise that precluded the use of FT.We further characterized the timescale and the amplitude of this fluctuation,finding that it was probably due to the stepping of the motor.The amplitude of torque fluctuation we characterized here provided new information on the torque-generating interaction potential curve.

Prediction of NFT Sale Price Fluctuations on OpenSea Using Machine Learning Approaches

The rapid expansion of the non-fungible token(NFT)market has attracted many investors.However,studies on the NFT price fluctuations have been relatively limited.To date,the machine learning approach has not been used to demonstrate a specific error in NFT sale price fluctuation prediction.The aim of this study was to develop a prediction model for NFT price fluctuations using the NFT trading information obtained from OpenSea,the world’s largest NFT marketplace.We used Python programs to collect data and summarized them as:NFT information,collection information,and related account information.AdaBoost and Random Forest(RF)algorithms were employed to predict the sale price and price fluctuation of NFTs using regression and classification models,respectively.We found that the NFT related account information,especially the number of favorites and activity status of creators,confer a good predictive power to both the models.AdaBoost in the regression model had more accurate predictions,the root mean square error(RMSE)in predicting NFT sale price was 0.047.In predicting NFT sale price fluctuations,RF performed better,which the area under the curve(AUC)reached 0.956.We suggest that investors should pay more attention to the information of NFT creators.We anticipate that these prediction models will reduce the number of investment failures for the investors.

Investigations of moiréartifacts induced by flux fluctuations in x-ray dark-field imaging

X-ray dark-field imaging using a grating interferometer has shown potential benefits for a variety of applications in recent years.X-ray dark-field image is commonly retrieved by using discrete Fourier transform from the acquired phasestepping data.The retrieval process assumes a constant phase step size and a constant flux for each stepped grating position.However,stepping errors and flux fluctuations inevitably occur due to external vibrations and/or thermal drift during data acquisition.Previous studies have shown that those influences introduce errors in the acquired phase-stepping data,which cause obvious moiréartifacts in the retrieved refraction image.This work investigates moiréartifacts in x-ray dark-field imaging as a result of flux fluctuations.For the retrieved mean intensity,amplitude,visibility and dark-field images,the dependence of moiréartifacts on flux fluctuation factors is theoretically derived respectively by using a first-order Taylor series expansion.Results of synchrotron radiation experiments verify the validity of the derived analytical formulas.The spatial frequency characteristics of moiréartifacts are analyzed and compared to those induced by phase-stepping errors.It illustrates that moiréartifacts can be estimated by a weighted mean of flux fluctuation factors,with the weighting factors dependent on the moiréphase and different greatly for each retrieved image.Furthermore,moiréartifacts can even be affected by object’s features not displayed in the particular contrast.These results can be used to interpret images correctly,identify sources of moiréartifacts,and develop dedicated algorithms to remove moiréartifacts in the retrieved multi-contrast images.

UAV-Assisted FSO Communication System with Amplify-and-Forward Protocol under AOA Fluctuations:A Performance Analysis

Free space optical(FSO)communication has recently aroused great interest in academia due to its unique features,such as large transmission band,high data rates,and strong anti-electromagnetic interference.With the aim of evaluating the performance of an FSO communication system and extending the line-of-sight transmission distance,we propose an unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)-assisted dual-hop FSO communication system equipped with amplifyand-forward protocol at the relay node.Specifically,we consider impairments of atmospheric absorption,pointing errors,atmospheric turbulence,and link interruptions due to angle-of-arrival fluctuations in the relay system.The Gamma-Gamma and Malaga distributions are used to model the influence of atmospheric turbulence on the source-to-UAV and UAVto-destination links,respectively.We derive closedform expressions of the probability density function(PDF)and cumulative distribution function(CDF)for the proposed communication system,in terms of the Meijer-G function.Based on the precise PDF and CDF,analytical expressions for the outage probability,average bit error rate,and ergodic capacity are proposed with the aid of the extended generalized bivariate Fox’s H function.Finally,we show that there is a match between the analytical results and numerical results,and we analyze the influence of the system and channel parameters on the performance.

A Cross-Seasonal Linkage between Arctic Sea Ice and Eurasian Summertime Temperature Fluctuations

This study explores the linkage between summertime temperature fluctuations over midlatitude Eurasia and the preceding Arctic sea ice concentration (SIC) by utilizing the squared norm of the temperature anomaly, the essential part of local eddy available potential energy, as a metric to quantify the temperature fluctuations with weather patterns on various timescales. By comparing groups of singular value decomposition (SVD) analysis, we suggest a significant linkage between strong (weak) August 10-to-30-day temperature fluctuations over mid-west Asia and enhanced (decreased) Barents-Kara Sea ice in the previous February. We find that when the February SIC increases in the Barents-Kara Sea, a zonal dipolar pattern of SST anomalies appears in the Atlantic subpolar region and lasts from February into the summer months. Evidence suggests that in such a background state, the atmospheric circulation changes evidently from July to August, so that the August is characterized by an amplified meridional circulation over Eurasia, weakened westerlies, and high- pressure anomalies along the Arctic coast. Moreover, the 10-to-30-day wave becomes more active in the North Atlantic-Barents-Kara Sea-Central Asia regions and manifests a more evident southward propagation from the Barents- Kara Sea into the Ural region, which is responsible for the enhanced 10-to-30-day wave activity and temperature fluctuations in the region.

Vacuum Correlations, Detector Efficiency Fluctuations and Classical Dynamic Violations of CH-Inequality

We study in this paper the possible influence of vacuum fluctuations on photo detection and its background noise in Bell tests. We analyze its consequences on the standard statistical analysis of data showing that it is not fulfilled anymore the conventional hypothesis of a Poisson like probability density distribution of single photodetection events. We assume that vacuum fluctuations are due to real and measurable fluctuating fields, as recently confirmed experimentally, and that their non null correlations outside the light cone contribute to photon coincidence rates making them time dependent. We introduce a generalized Bell like correlation function which contains a new term due to supposed vacuum induced photon counting events. We deduce then a generalization of CH-inequality which takes in account the effect of these vacuum electric fields on detector efficiency. We predict an apparatus temperature fluctuations during photon detection which we suggest could be observed by looking for colored noise thermal emission of the photodetectors, generalizing the standard white noise prediction of C.S.L. models on wave function collapse postulate. We discuss an experimental test of this prediction, based on the idea of inducing a thermal wave on the whole quantum detectors, aimed to observe time dependent deviations from standard stationary statistical predictions of Quantum Mechanics.

Long-term outcomes after endoscopic removal of malignant colorectal polyps:Results from a 10-year cohort

BACKGROUND Choosing an optimal post-polypectomy management strategy of malignant colorectal polyps is challenging,and evidence regarding a surveillance-only strategy is limited.AIM To evaluate long-term outcomes after endoscopic removal of malignant colorectal polyps.METHODS A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate outcomes after endoscopic removal of malignant colorectal polyps between 2010 and 2020.Residual disease rate and nodal metastases after secondary surgery and local and distant recurrence rate for those with at least 1 year of follow-up were invest-igated.Event rates for categorical variables and means for continuous variables with 95%confidence intervals were calculated,and Fisher’s exact test and Mann-Whitney test were performed.Potential risk factors of adverse outcomes were RESULTS In total,135 lesions(mean size:22.1 mm;location:42%rectal)from 129 patients(mean age:67.7 years;56%male)were enrolled.The proportion of pedunculated and non-pedunculated lesions was similar,with en bloc resection in 82%and 47%of lesions,respectively.Tumor differentiation,distance from resection margins,depth of submucosal invasion,lymphovascular invasion,and budding were reported at 89.6%,45.2%,58.5%,31.9%,and 25.2%,respectively.Residual tumor was found in 10 patients,and nodal metastasis was found in 4 of 41 patients who underwent secondary surgical resection.Univariate analysis identified piecemeal resection as a risk factor for residual malignancy(odds ratio:1.74;P=0.042).At least 1 year of follow-up was available for 117 lesions from 111 patients(mean follow-up period:5.59 years).Overall,54%,30%,30%,11%,and 16%of patients presented at the 1-year,3-year,5-year,7-year,and 9-10-year surveillance examinations.Adverse outcomes occurred in 9.0%(local recurrence and dissemination in 4 patients and 9 patients,respectively),with no difference between patients undergoing secondary surgery and surveillance only.CONCLUSION Reporting of histological features and adherence to surveillance colonoscopy needs improvement.Long-term adverse outcome rates might be higher than previously reported,irrespective of whether secondary surgery was performed.

Impact of Sharp Fluctuations of Live Pig Prices on Financial Capacity of Pig Breeding Enterprises : An Analysis Based on the Data of Listed Enterprises from 2018 to 2021

Based on the general equilibrium theory of microeconomics,this study first analyzed the causes of sharp fluctuations in live pig prices,and then explored the financial capabilities of enterprises during the sharp fluctuations of live pig prices by using the financial data of 4 typical top listed enterprises from 2018 to 2021.By comparing the changes in the capabilities of enterprises,the impact of price on the financial capability of enterprises and differences were identified.The research results showed that the price of live pigs played a decisive role in enterprise profits,and there were huge differences in the fluctuation period.In the sharp increase period of price,price temptation is easy to cause enterprises to over-invest,resulting in excessive growth of enterprise assets,and increasing the business risk of enterprises.Based on the above conclusions,some policy suggestions were put forward to promote the stable development of industry from the three levels of enterprises,industries and government departments.

Tailoring Iron-Ion Release of Cellulose-Based Aerogel-Coated Iron Foam for Long-Term High-Power Microbial Fuel Cells

The presence of iron(Fe) has been found to favor power generation in microbial fuel cells(MFCs). To achieve long-term power production in MFCs, it is crucial to effectively tailor the release of Fe ions over extended operating periods. In this study, we developed a composite anode(A/IF) by coating iron foam with cellulose-based aerogel. The concentration of Fe ions in the anode solution of A/IF anode reaches 0.280 μg/mL(Fe^(2+) vs. Fe^(3+) = 61%:39%) after 720 h of aseptic primary cell operation. This value was significantly higher than that(0.198 μg/mL, Fe^(2+) vs. Fe^(3+) = 92%:8%) on uncoated iron foam(IF), indicating a continuous release of Fe ions over long-term operation. Notably, the resulting MFCs hybrid cell exhibited a 23% reduction in Fe ion concentration(compared to a 47% reduction for the IF anode) during the sixth testing cycle(600-720 h). It achieved a high-power density of 301 ± 55 mW/m^(2) at 720 h, which was 2.62 times higher than that of the IF anode during the same period. Furthermore, a sedimentary microbial fuel cell(SMFCs) was constructed in a marine environment, and the A/IF anode demonstrated a power density of 103 ± 3 mW/m^(2) at 3240 h, representing a 75% improvement over the IF anode. These findings elucidate the significant enhancement in long-term power production performance of MFCs achieved through effective tailoring of Fe ions release during operation.

Soil bacterial and fungal communities resilience to long-term nitrogen addition in subtropical forests in China

Atmospheric nitrogen(N)deposition is predicted to increase,especially in the subtropics.However,the responses of soil microorganisms to long-term N addition at the molecular level in N-rich subtropical forests have not been clarified.A long-term nutrient addition experiment was conducted in a subtropical evergreen old-growth forest in China.The four treatments were:control,low N(50 kg N ha^(-1)a^(-1)),high N(100 kg N ha^(-1)a^(-1)),and combined N and phosphorus(P)(100 kg N ha^(-1)a^(-1)+50 kg P ha^(-1)a^(-1)).Metagenomic sequencing characterized diversity and composition of soil microbial communities and used to construct bacterial/fungal co-occurrence networks.Nutrient-treated soils were more acidic and had higher levels of dissolved organic carbon than controls.There were no significant differences in microbial diversity and community composition across treatments.The addition of nutrients increased the abundance of copiotrophic bacteria and potentially beneficial microorganisms(e.g.,Gemmatimonadetes,Chaetomium,and Aureobasidium).Low N addition increased microbiome network connectivity.Three rare fungi were identified as module hubs under nutrient addition,indicating that low abundance fungi were more sensitive to increased nutrients.The results indicate that the overall composition of microbial communities was stable but not static to long-term N addition.Our findings provide new insights that can aid predictions of the response of soil microbial communities to long-term N addition.

Long-Term Performance and Microstructural Characterization of Dam Concrete in the Three Gorges Project

This study investigates the long-term performance of laboratory dam concrete in different curing environments over ten years and the microstructure of 17-year-old laboratory concrete and actual concrete cores drilled from the Three Gorges Dam.The mechanical properties of the laboratory dam concrete,whether cured in natural or standard environments,continued to improve over time.Furthermore,the laboratory dam concrete exhibited good resistance to diffusion and a refined microstructure after 17 years.However,curing and long-term exposure to the local natural environment reduced the frost resistance.Microstructural analyses of the laboratory concrete samples demonstrated that moderate-heat cement and fine fly ash(FA)particles were almost fully hydrated to form compact micro structures consisting of large quantities of homogeneous calcium(alumino)silicate hydrate(C-(A)-S-H)gels and a few crystals.No obvious interfacial transition zones were observed in the microstructure owing to the longterm pozzolanic reaction.This dense and homogenous microstructure was the crucial reason for the excellent long-term performance of the dam concrete.A high FA volume also played a significant role in the microstructural densification and performance growth of dam concrete at a later age.The concrete drilled from the dam surface exhibited a loose microstructure with higher microporosity,indicating that concrete directly exposed to the actual service environment suffered degradation caused by water and wind attacks.In this study,both macro-performance and microstructural analyses revealed that the application of moderate-heat cement and FA resulted in a dense and homogenous microstructure,which ensured the excellent long-term performance of concrete from the Three Gorges Dam after 17 years.Long-term exposure to an actual service environment may lead to microstructural degradation of the concrete surface.Therefore,the retained long-term dam concrete samples need to be further researched to better understand its microstructural evolution and development of its properties.

Optimization of Gas Production from Hydrate-Bearing Sediments with Fluctuation Characteristics

As an important source of low-carbon,clean fossil energy,natural gas hydrate plays an important role in improving the global energy consumption structure.Developing the hydrate industry in the South China Sea is important to achieving‘carbon peak and carbon neutrality’goals as soon as possible.Deep-water areas subjected to the action of long-term stress and tectonic movement have developed complex and volatile terrains,and as such,the morphologies of hydrate-bearing sediments(HBSs)fluctuate correspondingly.The key to numerically simulating HBS morphologies is the establishment of the conceptual model,which represents the objective and real description of the actual geological body.However,current numerical simulation models have characterized HBSs into horizontal strata without considering the fluctuation characteristics.Simply representing the HBS as a horizontal element reduces simulation accuracy.Therefore,the commonly used horizontal HBS model and a model considering the HBS’s fluctuation characteristics with the data of the SH2 site in the Shenhu Sea area were first constructed in this paper.Then,their production behaviors were compared,and the huge impact of the fluctuation characteristics on HBS production was determined.On this basis,the key parameters affecting the depressurization production of the fluctuating HBSs were studied and optimized.The research results show that the fluctuation characteristics have an obvious influence on the hydrate production of HBSs by affecting their temperatures and pressure distributions,as well as the transmission of the pressure drop and methane gas discharge.Furthermore,the results show that the gas productivity of fluctuating HBSs was about 5%less than that of horizontal HBSs.By optimizing the depressurization amplitude,well length,and layout location of vertical wells,the productivity of fluctuating HBSs increased by about 56.6%.