Uncertainties of landslide susceptibility prediction:influences of different study area scales and mapping unit scales

This study aims to investigate the effects of different mapping unit scales and study area scales on the uncertainty rules of landslide susceptibility prediction(LSP).To illustrate various study area scales,Ganzhou City in China,its eastern region(Ganzhou East),and Ruijin County in Ganzhou East were chosen.Different mapping unit scales are represented by grid units with spatial resolution of 30 and 60 m,as well as slope units that were extracted by multi-scale segmentation method.The 3855 landslide locations and 21 typical environmental factors in Ganzhou City are first determined to create spatial datasets with input-outputs.Then,landslide susceptibility maps(LSMs)of Ganzhou City,Ganzhou East and Ruijin County are pro-duced using a support vector machine(SVM)and random forest(RF),respectively.The LSMs of the above three regions are then extracted by mask from the LSM of Ganzhou City,along with the LSMs of Ruijin County from Ganzhou East.Additionally,LSMs of Ruijin at various mapping unit scales are generated in accordance.Accuracy and landslide suscepti-bility indexes(LSIs)distribution are used to express LSP uncertainties.The LSP uncertainties under grid units significantly decrease as study area scales decrease from Ganzhou City,Ganzhou East to Ruijin County,whereas those under slope units are less affected by study area scales.Of course,attentions should also be paid to the broader representativeness of large study areas.The LSP accuracy of slope units increases by about 6%–10%compared with those under grid units with 30 m and 60 m resolution in the same study area's scale.The significance of environmental factors exhibits an averaging trend as study area scale increases from small to large.The importance of environmental factors varies greatly with the 60 m grid unit,but it tends to be consistent to some extent in the 30 m grid unit and the slope unit.

Rate-limiting factors in hydrate decomposition through depressurization across various scales:A mini-review

Natural gas hydrate is an energy resource for methane that has a carbon quantity twice more than all traditional fossil fuels combined.However,their practical application in the field has been limited due to the challenges of long-term preparation,high costs and associated risks.Experimental studies,on the other hand,offer a safe and cost-effective means of exploring the mechanisms of hydrate dissociation and optimizing exploitation conditions.Gas hydrate decomposition is a complicated process along with intrinsic kinetics,mass transfer and heat transfer,which are the influencing factors for hydrate decomposition rate.The identification of the rate-limiting factor for hydrate dissociation during depressurization varies with the scale of the reservoir,making it challenging to extrapolate findings from laboratory experiments to the actual exploitation.This review aims to summarize current knowledge of investigations on hydrate decomposition on the subject of the research scale(core scale,middle scale,large scale and field tests)and to analyze determining factors for decomposition rate,considering the various research scales and their associated influencing factors.

基于多尺度Scale-Unet的单样本图像翻译

随着生成对抗网络(GAN)的发展,基于单样本的无监督图像到图像翻译(UI2I)取得了重大进展。然而,以前方法无法捕获图像中的复杂纹理并保留原始内容信息。为解决这个问题,提出了一种基于尺度可变U-Net结构(Scale—Unet)的新型单样本图像翻译结构SUGAN。所提出的SUGAN使用Scale—Unet作为生成器,利用多尺度结构和渐进方法不断改进网络结构,以从粗到细地学习图像特征。同时,提出了尺度像素损失scale-pixel来更好地约束保留原始内容信息,防止信息丢失。实验表明,与SinGAN、TuiGAN、TSIT、StyTR2等公共数据集Summer■Winter、Horse■Zebra上的方法相比,该方法生成图像的SIFID值平均降低了30%。所提方法可更好地保留图像内容信息,同时生成详细逼真的高质量图像。

Laser machining fundamentals:micro,nano,atomic and close-to-atomic scales

With the rapid development in advanced industries,such as microelectronics and optics sectors,the functional feature size of devises/components has been decreasing from micro to nanometric,and even ACS for higher performance,smaller volume and lower energy consumption.By this time,a great many quantum structures are proposed,with not only an extreme scale of several or even single atom,but also a nearly ideal lattice structure with no material defect.It is almost no doubt that such structures play critical role in the next generation products,which shows an urgent demand for the ACSM.Laser machining is one of the most important approaches widely used in engineering and scientific research.It is high-efficient and applicable for most kinds of materials.Moreover,the processing scale covers a huge range from millimeters to nanometers,and has already touched the atomic level.Laser–material interaction mechanism,as the foundation of laser machining,determines the machining accuracy and surface quality.It becomes much more sophisticated and dominant with a decrease in processing scale,which is systematically reviewed in this article.In general,the mechanisms of laser-induced material removal are classified into ablation,CE and atomic desorption,with a decrease in the scale from above microns to angstroms.The effects of processing parameters on both fundamental material response and machined surface quality are discussed,as well as theoretical methods to simulate and understand the underlying mechanisms.Examples at nanometric to atomic scale are provided,which demonstrate the capability of laser machining in achieving the ultimate precision and becoming a promising approach to ACSM.

Tropical Cyclones and Polar Lows: Velocity, Size, and Energy Scales, and Relation to the 26℃ Cyclone Origin Criteria

The goal of this paper is to quantitatively formulate some necessary conditions for the development of intense atmospheric vortices. Specifically, these criteria are discussed for tropical cyclones （TC） and polar lows （PL） by using bulk formulas for fluxes of momentum, sensible heating, and latent heating between the ocean and the atmosphere. The velocity scale is used in two forms： （1） as expressed through the buoyancy flux b and the Coriolis parameter Ic for rotating fluids convection, and （2） as expressed with the cube of velocity times the drag coefficient through the formula for total kinetic energy dissipation in the atmospheric boundary layer. In the quasistationary case the dissipation equals the generation of the energy. In both cases the velocity scale can be expressed through temperature and humidity differences between the ocean and the atmosphere in terms of the reduced gravity, and both forms produce quite comparable velocity scales. Using parameters b and Ic, we can form scales of the area and, by adding the mass of a unit air column, a scale of the total kinetic energy as well. These scales nicely explain the much smaller size of a PL, as compared to a TC, and the total kinetic energy of a TC is of the order 1018 - 1019 J. It will be shown that wind of 33 m s^-1 is produced when the total enthalpy fluxes between the ocean and the atmosphere are about 700 W m-2 for a TC and 1700 W m-2 for a PL, in association with the much larger role of the latent heat in the first case and the stricter geostrophic constraints and larger static stability in the second case. This replaces the mystical role of 26℃ as a criterion for TC origin. The buoyancy flux, a product of the reduced gravity and the wind speed, together with the atmospheric static stability, determines the rate of the penetrating convection. It is known from the observations that the formation time for a PL reaching an altitude of 5-6 km can be only a few hours, and a day, or even half a day, for a TC reaching 15-18 km. These two facts allow us to construct curves on the plane of Ts and ΔT = Ts - Ta to determine possibilities for forming an intense vortex. Here, Ta is the atmospheric temperature at the height z = 10 m. A PL should have AT 〉 20℃ in accordance with the observations and nmnerical simulations. The conditions for a TC are not so straightforward but our diagram shows that the temperature difference of a few degrees, or possibly even a fraction of a degree, might be sufficient for TC development for a range of static stabilities and development times.

New Oscillation Criteria of Second-Order Nonlinear Delay Dynamic Equations on Time Scales

By using the generalized Riccati transformation and the integral averaging technique, the paper establishes some new oscillation criteria for the second-order nonlinear delay dynamic equations on time scales. The results in this paper unify the oscillation of the second-order nonlinear delay differential equation and the second-order nonlinear delay difference equation on time scales. The Theorems in this paper are new even in the continuous and the discrete cases.

Oscillation Criteria for Third-order NonlinearNeutral Dynamic Equations on Time Scales

Many practical problems, such as those from electronic engineering, mechanicalengineering, ecological engineering, aerospace engineering and so on, need to bedescribed by dynamic equations on time scales, so it is important in theory andpractical significance to study these equations. In this paper, the oscillation andasymptotic behavior of third-order nonlinear neutral delay dynamic equations ontime scales are studied by using generalized Riccati transformation technique, integralaveraging methods and comparison theorems. The main purpose of this paperis to establish some new oscillation criteria for such dynamic equations. The newKamenev criteria and Philos criteria are given, and an example is considered toillustrate our main results.

Multi-Model Approach for Assessing the Influence of Calibration Criteria on the Water Balance in Ouémé Basin

Hydrological models are very useful tools for evaluating water resources, and the hydroclimatic hazards associated with the water cycle. However, their calibration and validation require the use of performance criteria which choice is not straightforward. This paper aims to evaluate the influence of the performance criteria on water balance components and water extremes using two global rainfall-runoff models (HBV and GR4J) over the Ouémé watershed at the Bonou and Savè outlets. Three (3) Efficacy criteria (Nash, coefficient of determination, and KGE) were considered for calibration and validation. The results show that the Nash criterion provides a good assessment of the simulation of the different parts of the hydrograph. KGE is better for simulating peak flows and water balance elements than other efficiency criteria. This study could serve as a basis for the choice of performance criteria in hydrological modelling.

Unequal Distribution of Innovation Efforts for Neglected Tropical Diseases: The Role of Funding Evaluation Criteria

Background: International research and innovation efforts for neglected tropical diseases have increased in recent decades due to disparities in overall health research funding in relation to global burden of disease. However, within the field of neglected tropical diseases some seem far more neglected than others. In this research the aim is to investigate the distribution of resources and efforts, as well as the mechanisms that underpin funding allocation for neglected tropical diseases. Methodology: A systematic literature review was conducted to establish a comprehensive overview of known indicators for innovation efforts related to a wide range of neglected tropical diseases. Articles were selected based on a subjective evaluation of their relevance, the presence of original data, and the breadth of their scope. This was followed by thirteen in-depth open-ended interviews with representatives of private, public and philanthropic funding organizations, concerning evaluation criteria for funding research proposals. Results: The findings reveal a large difference in the extent to which the individual diseases are neglected with notable differences between absolute and relative efforts. Criteria used in the evaluation of research proposals relate to potential impact, the probability of success and strategic fit. Private organizations prioritize strategic fit and economic impact;philanthropic organizations prioritize short-term societal impact;and public generally prioritize the probability of success by accounting for follow-up funding and involvement of industry. Funding decisions of different types of organizations are highly interrelated. Conclusions: This study shows that the evaluation of funding proposals introduces and retains unequal funding distribution, reinforcing the relative neglect of diseases. Societal impact is the primary rationale for funding but application of it as a funding criterion is associated with significant challenges. Furthermore, current application of evaluation criteria leads to a primary focus on short-term impact. Through current practice, the relatively most neglected diseases will remain so, and a long-term strategy is needed to resolve this.

Local Criteria Used by Farmers to Evaluate the Agronomic Performance and the Fertilizing Capacity of Cowpea Varieties: Diversity, Variability and Proximal Relation with Agronomic Measurements in Contrasted Sahelian Locations

When contributing to participatory research, farmers usually appreciate the performance of cowpea varieties using qualitative scores. The score they attribute to each variety are based on local knowledge. The specific criteria they individually use to attribute a score are not well described. The objectives of this work were to: 1) identify and describe exhaustively the local criteria used by farmers to measure the agronomic performance of cowpea;2) assess the variability and statistical structure of these farmer criteria across local contexts;3) and analyze the association between these farmer criteria and the classical agronomic measurement. To achieve these objectives, an augmented block design was implemented across fifteen locations in the regions of Maradi, Dosso and Tillabéri, representing a diversity of local contexts. From a set of 36 cowpea varieties, fifteen varieties were sown per location, including five varieties (controls) common to all locations. In each location, two replicates were sown in randomized Fisher’s blocks. After agronomic measurement and participatory evaluation (scoring of varieties by farmers), a group survey (focus group) was conducted in each location to identify the criteria considered by farmers to found their discretional scoring of varieties during the participatory evaluation. The analysis of the data identified, across locations, thirteen criteria defined by farmers to characterize the agronomic performance of cowpea. Some of these criteria were different according to location. Farmers ranked the three varieties with the best performance for each agronomical trait (Top 3 varieties). A comparison of the farmer ranking with the ranking based on agronomic measurements revealed similarity and complementary between both methods. This study highlighted the importance of considering both local and scientific knowledge in local varietal evaluations.

High Sensitivity Submicron Scale Temperature Sensor Based on Perovskite Nanoplatelet Lasers

Submicron scale temperature sensors are crucial for a range of applications,particularly in micro and na-noscale environments.One promising solution involves the use of active whispering gallery mode(WGM)microresonators.These resonators can be remotely excited and read out using free-space structures,simplifying the process of sensing.In this study,we present a submicron-scale temperature sensor with a remarkable sensitivity up to 185 pm/℃based on a trian-gular MAPbI3 nanoplatelet(NPL)laser.Notably,as temperature changes,the peak wavelength of the laser line shifts lin-early.This unique characteristic allows for precise temperature sensing by tracking the peak wavelength of the NPL laser.The optical modes are confined within the perovskite NPL,which measures just 85 nm in height,due to total internal reflec-tion.Our NPL laser boasts several key features,including a high Q of~2610 and a low laser threshold of about 19.8μJ·cm^(−2).The combination of exceptional sensitivity and ultra-small size makes our WGM device an ideal candidate for integration into systems that demand compact temperature sensors.This advancement paves the way for significant prog-ress in the development of ultrasmall temperature sensors,opening new possibilities across various fields.

Coal-rock gas:Concept,connotation and classification criteria

In recent years,great breakthroughs have been made in the exploration and development of natural gas in deep coal-rock reservoirs in Junggar,Ordos and other basins in China.In view of the inconsistency between the industrial and academic circles on this new type of unconventional natural gas,this paper defines the concept of"coal-rock gas"on the basis of previous studies,and systematically analyzes its characteristics of occurrence state,transport and storage form,differential accumulation,and development law.Coal-rock gas,geologically unlike coalbed methane in the traditional sense,occurs in both free and adsorbed states,with free state in abundance.It is generated and stored in the same set of rocks through short distance migration,occasionally with the accumulation from other sources.Moreover,coal rock develops cleat fractures,and the free gas accumulates differentially.The coal-rock gas reservoirs deeper than 2000 m are high in pressure,temperature,gas content,gas saturation,and free-gas content.In terms of development,similar to shale gas and tight gas,coal-rock gas can be exploited by natural formation energy after the reservoirs connectivity is improved artificially,that is,the adsorbed gas is desorbed due to pressure drop after the high-potential free gas is recovered,so that the free gas and adsorbed gas are produced in succession for a long term without water drainage for pressure drop.According to buried depth,coal rank,pressure coefficient,reserves scale,reserves abundance and gas well production,the classification criteria and reserves/resources estimation method of coal-rock gas are presented.It is preliminarily estimated that the coal-rock gas in place deeper than 2000 m in China exceeds 30×10^(12)m^(3),indicating an important strategic resource for the country.The Ordos,Sichuan,Junggar and Bohai Bay basins are favorable areas for large-scale enrichment of coal-rock gas.The paper summarizes the technical and management challenges and points out the research directions,laying a foundation for the management,exploration,and development of coal-rock gas in China.

Scale-space effect and scale hybridization in image intelligent recognition of geological discontinuities on rock slopes

Geological discontinuity(GD)plays a pivotal role in determining the catastrophic mechanical failure of jointed rock masses.Accurate and efficient acquisition of GD networks is essential for characterizing and understanding the progressive damage mechanisms of slopes based on monitoring image data.Inspired by recent advances in computer vision,deep learning(DL)models have been widely utilized for image-based fracture identification.The multi-scale characteristics,image resolution and annotation quality of images will cause a scale-space effect(SSE)that makes features indistinguishable from noise,directly affecting the accuracy.However,this effect has not received adequate attention.Herein,we try to address this gap by collecting slope images at various proportional scales and constructing multi-scale datasets using image processing techniques.Next,we quantify the intensity of feature signals using metrics such as peak signal-to-noise ratio(PSNR)and structural similarity(SSIM).Combining these metrics with the scale-space theory,we investigate the influence of the SSE on the differentiation of multi-scale features and the accuracy of recognition.It is found that augmenting the image's detail capacity does not always yield benefits for vision-based recognition models.In light of these observations,we propose a scale hybridization approach based on the diffusion mechanism of scale-space representation.The results show that scale hybridization strengthens the tolerance of multi-scale feature recognition under complex environmental noise interference and significantly enhances the recognition accuracy of GD.It also facilitates the objective understanding,description and analysis of the rock behavior and stability of slopes from the perspective of image data.

Scale effect removal and range migration correction for hypersonic target coherent detection

The detection of hypersonic targets usually confronts range migration(RM)issue before coherent integration(CI).The traditional methods aiming at correcting RM to obtain CI mainly considers the narrow-band radar condition.However,with the increasing requirement of far-range detection,the time bandwidth product,which is corresponding to radar’s mean power,should be promoted in actual application.Thus,the echo signal generates the scale effect(SE)at large time bandwidth product situation,influencing the intra and inter pulse integration performance.To eliminate SE and correct RM,this paper proposes an effective algorithm,i.e.,scaled location rotation transform(ScLRT).The ScLRT can remove SE to obtain the matching pulse compression(PC)as well as correct RM to complete CI via the location rotation transform,being implemented by seeking the actual rotation angle.Compared to the traditional coherent detection algorithms,Sc LRT can address the SE problem to achieve better detection/estimation capabilities.At last,this paper gives several simulations to assess the viability of ScLRT.

Validity,Reliability,and Measurement Invariance of the Thai Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale and Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale

Background:In recent years,there has been increased research interest in both smartphone addiction and social media addiction as well as the development of psychometric instruments to assess these constructs.However,there is a lack of psychometric evaluation for instruments assessing smartphone addiction and social media addiction in Thailand.The present study evaluated the psychometric properties and gender measurement invariance of the Thai version of the Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale(SABAS)and Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale(BSMAS).Method:A total of 801 Thai university students participated in an online survey from January 2022 to July 2022 which included demographic information,SABAS,BSMAS,and the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form(IGDS9-SF).Results:Confirmatory Factor Analyses(CFAs)found that both the SABAS and BSMAS had a one-factor structure.Findings demonstrated adequate psychometric properties of both instruments and also supported measurement invariance across genders.Moreover,scores on the SABAS and BSMAS were correlated with scores on the IGDS9-SF.Conclusion:The results indicated that the SABAS and BSMAS are useful psychometric instruments for assessing the risk of smartphone addiction and social media addiction among Thai young adults.

Scale offers the possibility of identifying adherence to lifestyle interventions in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is the most common chronic liver disorder,and dietary and lifestyle interventions remain the mainstays of NAFLD therapy.Zeng et al established a prediction system to evaluate adherence to lifestyle interventions in patients with NAFLD and choose optimal management.Here,we discuss the application scenarios of the scale and the areas warranting further attention,aiming to provide a possible reference for clinical recommend-ations.

Performance Improvement of Kenaf/Glass Polymer Hybrid Composites by Effective Application of Fish Scale Powder as Filler:A Novel Approach

Modern technology for developing new items made from renewable resources is becoming more and more popular as a result of rising environmental concern.Recently,contemporary polymer composites have included the hybridization of natural fibers with synthetic ones,along with the inclusion of a variety of biowaste filler for developing sustainable goods.In this work,the kenaf/glass hybrid polyester composites are strengthened by the addition of fish scale(FS),which is taken from the fishs outermost layer of skin.Five different stacked-order laminates,such as KKKK,KGKG,GKKG,KGGK,and GGGG,are fabricated by using the hand lay-up method with four different weight concentrations of filler content:0%,5%,10%,and 15%.Mechanical possessions such as tensile,flexural,impact strength and micro-hardness have been evaluated through experimentation in accordance with ASTM standards.The experimental findings revealed that,the tensile strength and micro-hardness value of KGKG laminates with 15wt% of FS filler are found to be maximum of 118.72 MPa and 17.82 HV respectively which are 39.67%and 26.11%greater than that of KGKG laminates without FS filler.However,the flexural and impact strength of same laminates with 10 wt% FS filler exhibited a maximum value of 142.77 MPa and 62.08 kJ/m^(2).In order to corroborate its applicability for structural and building materials in open environment,the dimensional stability of the composite has been studied through moisture absorption test.The influences of FS filler loading on dimensional stability and resistance to moisture absorption capacity of laminates are also investigated.The experimental results reflected that the addition of FS-filler has significantly improved the dimensional stability of the laminates in moist environment by reducing the moisture absorption tendency.To further support the mode of failures,a fractography investigation of fractured surfaces was conducted.

Water as a Standard Substance of a Logarithmic Poison Scale

The lethal dose LD50 represents the most important experimental value for acute toxicity. The simple logarithmic calculation of -log10 LD50 = value leads to the possible poison power pLD. As with the pH or pK value, respectively, for acid or the scale of earthquake intensities the logarithm helps making large differences of orders of magnitude easier to understand since they are more comparable. The higher the pLD value, the higher is the power of poison. An increase of the pLD value by 1 stands for a tenfold increase in toxicity. The lethal acute dose for water, one of the most important and at the same time non-toxic substances of all, is about one tenth of the body weight. This leads to a possible pLD value for water of 1, an ideal starting value for a logarithmic poison scale.

Evaluation of AVNRT & AVRT by Different Criteria: Old & New

The two most frequent causes of paroxysmal SVT are atrioventricular tachycardia (AVRT) and atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (AVNRT). The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic efficacy of traditional and newly proposed ECG criteria in the identification of Avnrt and Avrt. Aim of the Study: The aim of this study was to evaluate Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia (AVNRT) and Atrioventricular Re-entrant Tachycardia (AVRT) using both traditional and novel criteria. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at the Electrophysiology Unit, Department of Cardiology, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) in Dhaka, from February 2019 to January 2020. A total of 62 patients with Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) undergoing electrophysiology study (EPS) were included. Standard ECG criteria were applied for the differential diagnosis, and electrophysiological diagnoses were made using established criteria. Statistical analysis, including descriptive statistics and appropriate tests, was performed using SPSS 23.0. Result: In our study of 62 patients with Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT), we found that 66.1% had AVNRT and 33.9% had AVRT. The mean age in AVNRT was higher than AVRT (41.3 ± 9.7 vs. 38.5 ± 14.3, p = 0.36) with statistically no significant difference, with similar gender distribution between AVNRT and AVRT groups. Classical AVNRT criteria were present in 30.6% of patients, and 45.2% showed a Pseudo R' wave in aVR. Additionally, 30.6% had an RP interval ≥100ms, more prevalent in AVRT patients (66.7%). Conclusion: Integrating traditional and novel criteria, including lead aVR analysis, enhances the electrocardiographic diagnosis of AVNRT and AVRT, offering a pathway to refined patient care.

Characterization of Small-Scale Farmers and Assessment of Their Access to Crop Production Information in Selected Counties of Kenya

Small-scale farming accounts for 78% of total agricultural production in Kenya and contributes to 23.5% of the country’s GDP. Their crop production activities are mostly rainfed subsistence with any surplus being sold to bring in some income. Timely decisions on farm practices such as farm preparation and planting are critical determinants of the seasonal outcomes. In Kenya, most small-scale farmers have no reliable source of information that would help them make timely and accurate decisions. County governments have extension officers who are mandated with giving farmers advisory services to farmers but they are not able to reach most farmers due to facilitation constraints. The mode and format of sharing information is also critical since it’s important to ensure that it’s timely, well-understood and usable. This study sought to assess access to geospatial derived and other crop production information by farmers in four selected counties of Kenya. Specific objectives were to determine the profile of small-scale farmers in terms of age, education and farm size;to determine the type of information that is made available to them by County and Sub-County extension officers including the format and mode of provision;and to determine if the information provided was useful in terms of accuracy, timeliness and adequacy. The results indicated that over 80% of the farmers were over 35 years of age and over 56% were male. Majority had attained primary education (34%) or secondary education (29%) and most farmers in all the counties grew maize (71%). Notably, fellow farmers were a source of information (71%) with the frequency of sharing information being mostly seasonal (37%) and when information was available (43%). Over 66% of interviewed farmers indicating that they faced challenges while using provided information. The results from the study are insightful and helpful in determining effective ways of providing farmers with useful information to ensure maximum benefits.