Metagenomic Insight Reveals the Microbial Structure and Function of the Full-Scale Coking Wastewater Treatment System:Gene-Based Nitrogen Removal

Microbial communities play crucial roles in pollutant removal and system stability in biological systems for coking wastewater(CWW)treatment,but a comprehensive understanding of their structure and functions is still lacking.A five month survey of four sequential bioreactors,anoxic 1/oxic 1/anoxic 2/oxic 2(A1/O1/A2/O2),was carried out in a full-scale CWW treatment system in China to elucidate operational performance and microbial ecology.The results showed that A1/O1/A2/O2 had excellent and stable performance for nitrogen removal.Both total nitrogen(TN;(17.38±6.89)mgL1)and ammonium-nitrogen(NH4 t-N;(2.10±1.34)mg·L^(-1))in the final biological effluent satisfied the Chinese national standards for CWW.Integrated analysis of 16S ribosome RNA(rRNA)sequencing and metagenomic sequencing showed that the bacterial communities and metagenomic function profiles of A1 and O1 shared similar functional structures,while those of A2 significantly varied from those of other bioreactors(p<0.05).The results indicated that microbial activity was strongly connected with activated sludge function.Nitrosospira,Nitrosomonas,and SM1A02 were responsible for nitrification during the primary anoxic-oxic(AO)stage and Azoarcus and Thauera acted as important denitrifiers in A2.Nitrogen cycling-related enzymes and genes work in the A1/O1/A2/O2 system.Moreover,the hao genes catalyzing hydroxylamine dehydrogenase(EC 1.7.2.6)and the napA and napB genes catalyzing nitrate reductase(EC 1.9.6.1)played important roles in the nitrification and denitrification processes in the primary and secondary AO stages,respectively.The mixed liquor suspended solids(MLSS)/total solids(TS),TN removal rate(RR),total organic carbon(TOC)(RR),and NH_(4)^(+)t-N(RR)were the most important environmental factors for regulating the structure of core bacterial genera and nitrogen-cycling genes.Proteobacteria were the potential main participants in nitrogen metabolism in the A1/O1/A2/O2 system for CWW treatment.This study provides an original and comprehensive understanding of the microbial community and functions at the gene level,which is crucial for the efficient and stable operation of the full-scale biological process for CWW treatment.

Full-Scale Isogeometric Topology Optimization of Cellular Structures Based on Kirchhoff-Love Shells

Cellular thin-shell structures are widely applied in ultralightweight designs due to their high bearing capacity and strength-to-weight ratio.In this paper,a full-scale isogeometric topology optimization(ITO)method based on Kirchhoff-Love shells for designing cellular tshin-shell structures with excellent damage tolerance ability is proposed.This method utilizes high-order continuous nonuniform rational B-splines(NURBS)as basis functions for Kirchhoff-Love shell elements.The geometric and analysis models of thin shells are unified by isogeometric analysis(IGA)to avoid geometric approximation error and improve computational accuracy.The topological configurations of thin-shell structures are described by constructing the effective density field on the controlmesh.Local volume constraints are imposed in the proximity of each control point to obtain bone-like cellular structures.To facilitate numerical implementation,the p-norm function is used to aggregate local volume constraints into an equivalent global constraint.Several numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.After simulation and comparative analysis,the results indicate that the cellular thin-shell structures optimized by the proposed method exhibit great load-carrying behavior and high damage robustness.

Full-Scale Numerical Simulation of the Local Scour Under Combined Current and Wave Conditions Based on Field Data

The monopile is the most common foundation to support offshore wind turbines.In the marine environment,local scour due to combined currents and waves is a significant issue that must be considered in the design of wind turbine foundations.In this paper,a full-scale numerical model was developed and validated based on field data from Rudong,China.The scour development around monopiles was investigated,and the effects of waves and the Reynolds number Re were analyzed.Several formulas for predicting the scour depth in the literature have been evaluated.It is found that waves can accelerate scour development even if the KC number is small(0.78<KC<1.57).The formula obtained from small-scale model tests may be unsafe or wasteful when it is applied in practical design due to the scale effect.A new equation for predicting the scour depth based on the average pile Reynolds number(Rea)is proposed and validated with field data.The equilibrium scour depth predicted using the proposed equation is evaluated and compared with those from nine equations in the literature.It is demonstrated that the values predicted from the proposed equation and from the S/M(Sheppard/Melville)equation are closer to the field data.

Stiffness Degradation Modeling for Composite Wind Turbine Blades Based on Full-Scale Fatigue Testing

In order to provide more insights into the damage propagation composite wind turbine blades(blade)under cyclic fatigue loading,a stiffness degradation model for blade is proposed based on the full-scale fatigue testing of a blade.A novel non-linear fatigue damage accumulation model is proposed using the damage assessment theories of composite laminates for the first time.Then,a stiffness degradation model is established based on the correlation of fatigue damage and residual stiffness of the composite laminates.Finally,a stiffness degradation model for the blade is presented based on the full-scale fatigue testing.The scientific rationale of the proposed stiffness model of blade is verified by using full-scale fatigue test data of blade with a total length of 52.5 m.The results indicate that the proposed stiffness degradation model of the blade agrees well with the fatigue testing results of this blade.This work provides a basis for evaluating the fatigue damage and lifetime of blade under cyclic fatigue loading.

A Full-Scale Optimization of a Crop Spatial Planting Structure and its Associated Effects

Driven by the concept of agricultural sustainable development,crop planting structure optimization(CPSO)has become an effective measure to reduce regional crop water demand,ensure food security,and protect the environment.However,traditional optimization of crop planting structures often ignores the impact on regional food supply–demand relations and interprovincial food trading.Therefore,using a system analysis concept and taking virtual water output as the connecting point,this study proposes a theoretical CPSO framework based on a multi-aspect and full-scale evaluation index system.To this end,a water footprint(WF)simulation module denoted as soil and water assessment tool–water footprint(SWAT-WF)is constructed to simulate the amount and components of regional crop WFs.A multi-objective spatial CPSO model with the objectives of maximizing the regional economic water productivity(EWP),minimizing the blue water dependency(BWFrate),and minimizing the grey water footprint(GWFgrey)is established to achieve an optimal planting layout.Considering various benefits,a fullscale evaluation index system based on region,province,and country scales is constructed.Through an entropy weight technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution(TOPSIS)comprehensive evaluation model,the optimal plan is selected from a variety of CPSO plans.The proposed framework is then verified through a case study of the upper–middle reaches of the Heihe River Basin in Gansu province,China.By combining the theory of virtual water trading with system analysis,the optimal planting structure is found.While sacrificing reasonable regional economic benefits,the optimization of the planting structure significantly improves the regional water resource benefits and ecological benefits at different scales.

Bird specimen number linked with species trait and climate niche breadth

Biological specimens are fundamental for taxonomy and flora/fauna research.More importantly,they also play crucial roles in recording environmental impacts on morphology and behavior,which is vital for biodiversity research and conservation.However,there are few systematic studies on the patterns and drivers of bird specimen number at regional scales.This study is the first attempt to examine the relationships between bird specimen number and species traits as well as climate niche breadth in China,aiming to answer two questions:1)how do species’temperature niche breadth and precipitation niche breadth influence specimen number?2)which trait is most associated with bird specimen number?The associations between bird specimen number and explanatory variables were examined using ordinary least squares,generalized linear models,phylogenetic generalized linear mixed models,and multiple comparisons.The results showed that Muscicapidae was the family with the highest specimen number,and Passeriformes was the order with the highest specimen number.Bird specimen number significantly increased with larger temperature niche breadth and precipitation niche breadth.Specimen number was also positively associated with geographic range size,habitat specificity,hunting vulnerability and clutch size,but negatively associated with body size.These findings suggest that future bird specimen collection should pay more attention to birds with limited ecological niches,large body sizes,and small clutch sizes.This research enhances the use of bird specimen data to study and preserve biodiversity.

Species’ geographical range, environmental range and traits lead to specimen collection preference of dominant plant species of grasslands in Northern China

Many different factors,such as species traits,socio-economic factors,geographical and environmental factors,can lead to specimen collection preference.This study aims to determine whether grassland specimen collection in China is preferred by species traits(i.e.,plant height,flowering and fruiting period),environmental range(i.e.,the temperature and precipitation range)and geographical range(i.e.,distribution range and altitudinal range).Ordinary least squares models and phylogenetic generalized linear mixed models were used to analyze the relationships between specimen number and the explanatory variables.Random Forest models were then used to find the most parsimonious multivariate model.The results showed that interannual variation in specimen number between 1900 and 2020 was considerable.Specimen number of these species in southeast China was notably lower than that in northwest China.Environmental range and geographical range of species had significant positive correlations with specimen number.In addition,there were relatively weak but significant associations between specimen number and species trait(i.e.,plant height and flowering and fruiting period).Random Forest models indicated that distribution range was the most important variable,followed by flowering and fruiting period,and altitudinal range.These findings suggest that future floristic surveys should pay more attention to species with small geographical range,narrow environmental range,short plant height,and short flowering and fruiting period.The correction of specimen collection preference will also make the results of species distribution model,species evolution and other works based on specimen data more accurate.

Direct Pointwise Comparison of FE Predictions to StereoDIC Measurements:Developments and Validation Using Double Edge-Notched Tensile Specimen

To compare finite element analysis(FEA)predictions and stereovision digital image correlation(StereoDIC)strain measurements at the same spatial positions throughout a region of interest,a field comparison procedure is developed.The procedure includes(a)conversion of the finite element data into a triangular mesh,(b)selection of a common coordinate system,(c)determination of the rigid body transformation to place both measurements and FEA data in the same system and(d)interpolation of the FEA nodal information to the same spatial locations as the StereoDIC measurements using barycentric coordinates.For an aluminum Al-6061 double edge notched tensile specimen,FEA results are obtained using both the von Mises isotropic yield criterion and Hill’s quadratic anisotropic yield criterion,with the unknown Hill model parameters determined using full-field specimen strain measurements for the nominally plane stress specimen.Using Hill’s quadratic anisotropic yield criterion,the point-by-point comparison of experimentally based full-field strains and stresses to finite element predictions are shown to be in excellent agreement,confirming the effectiveness of the field comparison process.

Perioperative outcomes of transvaginal specimen extraction laparoscopic total gastrectomy and conventional laparoscopicassisted total gastrectomy

BACKGROUND Natural orifice specimen extraction surgery(NOSES)has emerged as a promising alternative compared to conventional laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy(LATG)for treating gastric cancer(GC).However,evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of NOSES for GC surgery is limited.This study aimed to compare the safety and feasibility,in addition to postoperative complications of NOSES and LATG.METHODS Dual circular staplers were used in Roux-en-Y digestive tract reconstruction for transvaginal specimen extraction LATG,and its outcomes were compared with LATG in a cohort of 51 GC patients with tumor size≤5 cm.The study was conducted from May 2018 to September 2020,and patients were categorized into the NOSES group(n=22)and LATG group(n=29).Perioperative parameters were compared and analyzed,including patient and tumor characteristics,postoperative outcomes,and anastomosis-related complications,postoperative hospital stay,the length of abdominal incision,difference in tumor type,postoperative complications,and postoperative survival.RESULTS Postoperative exhaust time,operation duration,mean postoperative hospital stay,length of abdominal incision,number of specific staplers used,and Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire score were significant in both groups(P<0.01).In the NOSES group,the postoperative time to first flatus,mean postoperative hospital stay,and length of abdominal incision were significantly shorter than those in the LATG group.Patients in the NOSES group had faster postoperative recovery,and achieved abdominal minimally invasive incision that met aesthetic requirements.There were no significant differences in gender,age,tumor type,postoperative complications,and postoperative survival between the two groups.CONCLUSION The application of dual circular staplers in Roux-en-Y digestive tract reconstruction combined with NOSES gastrectomy is safe and convenient.This approach offers better short-term outcomes compared to LATG,while long-term survival rates are comparable to those of conventional laparoscopic surgery.

Application Effect of Feedforward Control in Outpatient Blood Specimen Management

Objective:To analyze the application effect of feedforward control in outpatient blood specimen management.Methods:1,200 patients who had their venous blood collected in outpatient phlebotomy room of our hospital's outpatient clinic from January 2021 to April 2021 were selected as study subjects and divided into 600 cases in the control group and 600 cases in the observation group.The two groups of patients were compared in terms of their satisfaction with the staff,the efficiency of the nurses and the quality of nursing care,turnaround time before specimen analysis,the rejection rate of the blood specimens,and the time of result reporting.Results:After the implementation of feedforward control,patients'satisfaction with staff,nurses work efficiency and quality of care,turnaround time before specimen analysis,specimen rejection rate,and result reporting time in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The application of feedforward control in the management of outpatient blood specimens has significant effect,which effectively improves patients'satisfaction,enhances the efficiency of nurses and the quality of nursing care,shortens the turnaround time of specimens before analysis and the reporting time of results,and reduces the rejection rate of specimens.

Parallel Computing of the Underwater Explosion Cavitation Effects on Full-scale Ship Structures

As well as shock wave and bubble pulse loading, cavitation also has very significant influences on the dynamic response of surface ships and other near-surface marine structures to underwater explosive loadings. In this paper, the acoustic-structure coupling method embedded in ABAQUS is adopted to do numerical analysis of underwater explosion considering cavitation. Both the shape of bulk cavitation region and local cavitation region are obtained, and they are in good agreement with analytical results. The duration of reloading is several times longer than that of a shock wave. In the end, both the single computation and parallel computation of the cavitation effect on the dynamic responses of a full-scale ship are presented, which proved that reloading caused by cavitation is non-ignorable. All these results are helpful in understanding underwater explosion cavitation effects.

Experimental investigations on small-and full-scale ship models with polyurea coatings subjected to underwater explosion

Nowadays, the mitigation of damage to a ship caused by the underwater explosion attracts more and more attention from the modern ship designers. In this study, two kinds of scale tests were conducted to investigate the effects of polyurea coatings on the blast resistance of hulls subjected to underwater explosion. Firstly, small-scale model tests with different polyurea coatings were carried out. Results indicate that polyurea has a better blast resistance performance when coated on the front face, which can effectively reduce the maximum deflection of the steel plate by more than 20% and reduce the deformation energy by 35.7%-45.4%. Next, a full-scale ship(approximately 50 m × 9 m) under loadings produced by the detonation of 33 kg of spherical TNT charges was tested, where a part of the ship was coated with polyurea on the front face(8 mm + 24 mm) and not on the contrast area. Damage characteristics on the bottom were statistically analyzed based on a 3D scanning technology, indicating that polyurea contributes to enhancing the blast protection of the ship. However, damage results of this test were different from those of the small-scale tests. Moreover, the deformation area of the bottom with polyurea was greatly increased by 40.1% to disperse explosion energy, a conclusion that cannot be drown from the small-scale tests.

Experimental and analytical study on design performance of full-scale viscoelastic dampers

Viscoelastic（VE） dampers, with their stiffness and energy dissipation capabilities, have been widely used in civil engineering for mitigating wind-induced vibration and seismic responses of structures, thus enhancing the comfort of residents and serviceability of equipment inside. In past relevant research, most analytical models for characterizing the mechanical behavior of VE dampers were verified by comparing their predictions with performance test results from small-scale specimens, which might not adequately or conservatively represent the actual behavior of full-scale dampers, especially with regard to the ambient temperature, temperature rise, and heat convection effects. Thus, in this study, by using a high-performance testing facility with a temperature control system, full-scale VE dampers were dynamically tested with different displacement amplitudes, excitation frequencies, and ambient temperatures. By comparing the analytical predictions with the experimental results, it is demonstrated that adopting the fractional derivative method together with considering the effects of excitation frequencies, ambient temperatures, temperature rises, softening, and hardening, can reproduce the design performance of full-scale VE dampers very well.

A Non-geometrically Similar Model for Predicting the Wake Field of Full-scale Ships

The scale effect leads to large discrepancies between the wake fields of model-scale and actual ships, and causes differences in cavitation performance and exciting forces tests in predicting the performance of actual ships. Therefore, when test data from ship models are directly applied to predict the performance of actual ships, test results must be subjected to empirical corrections. This study proposes a method for the reverse design of the hull model. Compared to a geometrically similar hull model, the wake field generated by the modified model is closer to that of an actual ship. A non-geometrically similar model of a Korean Research Institute of Ship and Ocean Engineering （KRISO）’s container ship （KCS） was designed. Numerical simulations were performed using this model, and its results were compared with full-scale calculation results. The deformation method of getting the wake field of full-scale ships by the non-geometrically similar model is applied to the KCS successfully.

Full-scale multi-functional test platform for investigating mechanical performance of track–subgrade systems of high-speed railways

Motivated by the huge practical engineering demand for the fundamental understanding of mechanical characteristics of high-speed railway infrastructure,a fullscale multi-functional test platform for high-speed railway track–subgrade system is developed in this paper,and its main functions for investigating the mechanical performance of track–subgrade systems are elaborated with three typical experimental examples.Comprising the full-scale subgrade structure and all the five types of track structures adopted in Chinese high-speed railways,namely the CRTS I,the CRTS II and the CRTS III ballastless tracks,the double-block ballastless track and the ballasted track,the test platform is established strictly according to the construction standard of Chinese high-speed railways.Three kinds of effective loading methods are employed,including the real bogie loading,multi-point loading and the impact loading.Various types of sensors are adopted in different components of the five types of track–subgrade systems to measure the displacement,acceleration,pressure,structural strain and deformation,etc.Utilizing this test platform,both dynamic characteristics and long-term performance evolution of high-speed railway track–subgrade systems can be investigated,being able to satisfy the actual demand for large-scale operation of Chinese high-speed railways.As examples,three typical experimental studies are presented to elucidate the comprehensive functionalities of the full-scale multi-functional test platform for exploring the dynamic performance and its long-term evolution of ballastless track systems and for studying the long-term accumulative settlement of the ballasted track–subgrade system in high-speed railways.Some interesting phenomena and meaningful results are captured by the developed test platform,which provide a useful guidance for the scientific operation and maintenance of high-speed railway infrastructure.

Robotic natural orifice specimen extraction surgery I-type F method vs conventional robotic resection for lower rectal cancer

BACKGROUND Robotic resection using the natural orifice specimen extraction surgery I-type F method(R-NOSES I-F)is a novel minimally invasive surgical strategy for the treatment of lower rectal cancer.However,the current literature on this method is limited to case reports,and further investigation into its safety and feasibility is warranted.AIM To evaluate the safety and feasibility of R-NOSES I-F for the treatment of low rectal cancer.METHODS From September 2018 to February 2022,206 patients diagnosed with low rectal cancer at First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were included in this retrospective analysis.Of these patients,22 underwent R-NOSES I-F surgery(RNOSES I-F group)and 76 underwent conventional robotic-assisted low rectal cancer resection(RLRC group).Clinicopathological data of all patients were collected and analyzed.Postoperative outcomes and prognoses were compared between the two groups.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software.RESULTS Patients in the R-NOSES I-F group had a significantly lower visual analog score for pain on postoperative day 1(1.7±0.7 vs 2.2±0.6,P=0.003)and shorter postoperative anal venting time(2.7±0.6 vs 3.5±0.7,P<0.001)than those in the RLRC group.There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of sex,age,body mass index,tumor size,TNM stage,operative time,intrao-perative bleeding,postoperative complications,or inflammatory response(P>0.05).Postoperative anal and urinary functions,as assessed by Wexner,low anterior resection syndrome,and International Prostate Symptom Scale scores,were similar in both groups(P>0.05).Long-term follow-up revealed no significant differences in the rates of local recurrence and distant metastasis between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION R-NOSES I-F is a safe and effective minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of lower rectal cancer.It improves pain relief,promotes gastrointestinal function recovery,and helps avoid incision-related complications.

Optimum structural design of full-scale steel buildings using drift-tribe-charged system search

In this paper,the potential of utilizing improved metaheuristic approaches in optimal design of building structures is concerned.In this regard,the drift-tribe-charged system search algorithm is proposed that the position and velocity updating processes of the charged system search is developed by implementing the mathematical presentation of the free-electron model utilized for metal conductors.In addition,the searching phase of the developed algorithm is also divided into three separate phases in order to improve the convergence capability of the algorithm.By means of these modifications,the exploitation and exploration rates of the standard algorithm are enhanced.In order to determine the ability of the proposed improved metaheuristic method considering some complex optimization problems,a 10-story steel building structure with 1026 structural members alongside a 60-story structure with 8272 members are utilized as numerical examples.The overall capability of the developed metaheuristic approach is compared with other metaheuristics.A total number of 30 independent runs have been conducted for each of the standard and proposed methods while a statistical analysis is also conducted for comparative purposes.The obtained optimum results demonstrated that the proposed metaheuristic approach is capable of preparing better outcomes than other metaheuristics.

Full-scale Water Modeling on Flow Field of Continuous Casting Mold

In the continuous casting process of aluminum killed steel grades,nozzle clogging is a common problem.Argon is usually injected into the casting channel through stoppers or nozzles to minimize clogs;however,complex two-phase flow regimes appear,and the flow in the mold might deteriorate.This could result in a higher defect rate in the cast product and should be avoided as much as possible.Therefore,it is important to understand the interaction between process conditions and the refractory products used and their impact on the flow pattern in the mold.In this study,a full-scale water model was established to simulate the slab casting process.Three nozzle shapes and three immersion depths were applied to investigate the flow behavior and liquid level fluctuations by the full-scale water model.The relationship between the flow behavior and continuous casting parameters was evaluated.The results provide guidance for the design and production of the refractory nozzle and the operation of the continuous casting plant.

Full-scale model tests and nonlinear analysis of prestressed concrete simply supported box girders

Full-scale model tests were carried out on a 30 m span prestressed concrete box girder and a 20 m span prestressed concrete hollow slab. Failure models were prestressed reinforcement tensile failure and crashing of roof concrete, respectively. The ductility indexes of the box girder and hollow slab were 1.99 and 1.23, respectively, according to the energy viewpoint. Based on the horizontal section hypothesis, the nonlinear computation procedure was established using the limited banding law, and it could carry out the entire performance analysis including the unloading, mainly focusing on the ways to achieve the unloading curves computation through stress-strain, moment-curvature and load-displacement curves. Through the procedure, parameters that influence on the bearing capacity, deformation performance and ductility of the structures were analyzed. Those parameters were quantity of prestressed reinforcement and tension coefficients of prestressed reinforcement. From the analysis, some useful conclusions can be obtained.

An Advanced Control Strategy for Dual-Actuator Driving System in Full-Scale Fatigue Test of Wind Turbine Blades

A new dual-actuator fatigue loading system of wind turbine blades was designed.Compared with the traditional pendulum loading mode,the masses in this system only moved linearly along the loading direction to increase the exciting force.However,the two actuators and the blade constituted a complicated non-linear energy transferring system,which led to the non-synchronization of actuators.On-site test results showed that the virtual spindle synchronous strategy commonly used in synchronous control was undesirable and caused the instability of the blade’s amplitude eventually.A cross-coupled control strategy based on the active disturbance rejection algorithm was proposed.Firstly,a control system model was built according to the synchronization error and tracking error.Furthermore,based on arranging the transition process,estimating the system state and error feedback,and compensating disturbance,an active disturbance rejection controller was designed by adopting the optimal control function.Finally,on-site test results showed that the cross-coupled control strategy based on the active disturbance rejection algorithm could ensure the synchronization of two actuators.The maximum speed synchronization error of the two motors was less than 16 RPM,the displacement synchronization error of the two actuators was less than 0.25 mm and approaching zero after 4 seconds,and the peak value of vibration of the blade was less than 5 mm,which satisfied the fatigue test requirement.