The Collaboratory for the Study of Earthquake Predictability in China:Experiment Design and Preliminary Results of CSEP2.0

Since the inaugural international collaboration under the framework of the Collaboratory for the Study of Earthquake Predictability(CSEP)in 2007,numerous forecast models have been developed and operated for earthquake forecasting experiments across CSEP testing centers(Schorlemmer et al.,2018).Over more than a decade,efforts to compare forecasts with observed earthquakes using numerous statistical test methods and insights into earthquake predictability,which have become a highlight of the CSEP platform.

Comparison of the S-, N- or P-Deprivations’ Impacts on Stomatal Conductance, Transpiration and Photosynthetic Rate of Young Maize Leaves

Seven-day-old maize (Zea mays) plants were grown hydroponically for ten days in deprived nutrient solutions against the corresponding control grown under full nutrition;the effects of S-, N- or P-deprivation on laminas’ mean stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E) and photosynthetic rate (A) were monitored, along with the impact on the laminas’ total dry mass (DM), water amount (W), length and surface area (Sa). Furthermore, a time series analysis of each parameter’s response ratios (Rr), i.e. the treatment’s value divided by the corresponding control’s one, was performed. Under S-deprivation, the Rr of laminas’ mean gs, E, and A presented oscillations within a ±15% fluctuation zone, notably the “control” zone, whilst those of laminas’ total DM, water amount, surface area, and length included oscillation during the first days and deviation later on, presenting deviation during d10. Under the N-deprivation conditions all Rr time courses except the A one, included early deviations from the control zone without recovering. The deviation from the control zone appeared at d4. Under P-deprivation, all Rr time courses represented oscillations within the control zone. P-deprivation’s patterns resembled those of S-deprivation. Compared to the one of the S-deprivation, the P-one’s oscillations took place within a broader zone. Linear relationships among the various Rr patterns were found between gs-E, gs-A, E-A, DM-W and DM-Sa. In conclusion, the impact of P-deprivation appeared in an early stage and included an alleviation action, the one of N-deprivation appeared early with no alleviation action, whilst that of S-deprivation appeared later, being rather weaker when compared to the impact of the P-deprivation’s impact.

The Fourier Notation of the Geomagnetic Signals Informative Parameters

The paper discusses the quantitative definition of the s/n (signal to noise ratio) by means of new computational parameters derived (and computed) by the Fourier analysis. The theme is of great relevance when the geomagnetic observed field has high transient noise and high energy content (i.e.geomagnetic signal interfered by human activity magnetic band) and when the signal analysis action is oriented to the detection of magnetic sources characterized by quasi-punctiform size, low energy level and kinetic mechanical status (i.e.uw armed terrorist). The paper shows the results obtained introducing two new informative spectral parameters: the informative capability “C” and the enhanced informative capability “eC”. These parameters are depending on the comparison of the energy of the target signal with total field energy and they are characteristics of each elementary signal. C classifies the energy of the spectrum in two metrological bands: elementary signal informative energy EI (band or single signal) and passive energy EP. This metrological classification of the energy overtakes the concept of noise: each signal is part of the noise band when it is not under observation and becomes out of the band when it is under observation (numerical observation→computation). C (and eC) allows to compute the value of the “visibility” of the informative signals in a high energy geomagnetic field (or spectrum). C is a fundamental parameter for the evaluation of the effectiveness of singularity magnetic metrology in the passive detection of small magnetic sources in high noised magnetic field.

Asynchronous Secret Reconstruction and Its Application to the Threshold Cryptography

In Shamir’s(t,n) threshold of the secret sharing scheme, a secret is divided into n shares by a dealer and is shared among n shareholders in such a way that (a) the secret can be reconstructed when there are t or more than t shares;and (b) the secret cannot be obtained when there are fewer than t shares. In the secret reconstruction, participating users can be either legitimate shareholders or attackers. Shamir’s scheme only considers the situation when all participating users are legitimate shareholders. In this paper, we show that when there are more than t users participating and shares are released asynchronously in the secret reconstruction, an attacker can always release his share last. In such a way, after knowing t valid shares of legitimate shareholders, the attacker can obtain the secret and therefore, can successfully impersonate to be a legitimate shareholder without being detected. We propose a simple modification of Shamir’s scheme to fix this security problem. Threshold cryptography is a research of group-oriented applications based on the secret sharing scheme. We show that a similar security problem also exists in threshold cryptographic applications. We propose a modified scheme to fix this security problem as well.

Oxidative stress modulation in hepatitis C virus infected cells

Hepatitis C virus(HCV) replication is associated with the endoplasmic reticulum, where the virus can induce cellular stress. Oxidative cell damage plays an important role in HCV physiopathology. Oxidative stress is triggered when the concentration of oxygen species in the extracellular or intracellular environment exceeds antioxidant defenses. Cells are protected and modulate oxidative stress through the interplay of intracellular antioxidant agents, mainly glutathione system(GSH) and thioredoxin; and antioxidant enzyme systems such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, GSH peroxidase, and heme oxygenase-1. Also, the use of natural and synthetic antioxidants(vitamin C and E, N-acetylcysteine, glycyrrhizin, polyenylphosphatidyl choline, mitoquinone, quercetin, S-adenosylmethionine and silymarin) has already shown promising results as co-adjuvants in HCV therapy. Despite all the available information, it is not known how different agents with antiviral activity can interfere with the modulation of the cell redox state induced by HCV and decrease viral replication. This review describes an evidence-based consensus on molecular mechanisms involved in HCV replication and their relationship with cell damage induced by oxidative stress generated by the virus itself and cell antiviral machinery. It also describes some molecules that modify the levels of oxidative stress in HCV-infected cells.

Flexible Conductive Anodes Based on 3D Hierarchical Sn/NS-CNFs@rGO Network for Sodium-Ion Batteries

Metallic Sn has provoked tremendous progress as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries(SIBs).However,Sn anodes suffer from a dramatic capacity fading,owing to pulverization induced by drastic volume expansion during cycling.Herein,a flexible three-dimensional(3D)hierarchical conductive network electrode is designed by constructing Sn quantum dots(QDs)encapsulated in one-dimensional N,S codoped carbon nanofibers(NS-CNFs)sheathed within two-dimensional(2D)reduced graphene oxide(rGO)scrolls.In this ingenious strategy,1D NS-CNFs are regarded as building blocks to prevent the aggregation and pulverization of Sn QDs during sodiation/desodiation,2D rGO acts as electrical roads and“bridges”among NS-CNFs to improve the conductivity of the electrode and enlarge the contact area with electrolyte.Because of the unique structural merits,the flexible 3D hierarchical conductive network was directly used as binder-and current collectorfree anode for SIBs,exhibiting ultra-long cycling life(373 mAh g?1 after 5000 cycles at 1 A g?1),and excellent high-rate capability(189 mAh g?1 at 10 A g?1).This work provides a facile and efficient engineering method to construct 3D hierarchical conductive electrodes for other flexible energy storage devices.

Inherited susceptibility for aggressive prostate cancer

Whether or not there is inherited basis for prostate cancer aggressiveness is not clear, but advances in DNA analysis should provide an answer to this question in the very near future.

高压管汇材料疲劳性能测试及P-S-N模型曲线的拟合

高压管汇作为压裂设备中的主要易损件之一,其失效危害较大。它的失效原因主要是疲劳、冲蚀、腐蚀或者材料缺陷引起的刺漏和爆裂,其中尤以疲劳失效最不可预估。目前,对于高压管汇材料的疲劳性能研究不够深入,为解决高压管汇材料疲劳寿命的准确描述问题,以某国产高压管汇材料为例,进行了一系列疲劳试验,并基于试验数据,采用多种分布模型和不同S-N模型进行拟合分析,得出综合评价拟合能力最强的P-S-N模型。结果表明,该材料在中长疲劳寿命区,Weibull三参数模型在7级应力水平下综合评价能力最好;在存活率分别为50%、90%、99%、99.9%时,指数S-N模型的拟合系数均大于0.98,拟合能力最好。得出的P-S-N模型曲线可以为高压管汇的疲劳寿命以及安全设计提供依据。

扩散抛物化Navier-Stokes方程数值解法评述

20世纪60年代末期在边界层理论基础上发展起来的各种简化Navier-Stokes(N-S)方程(统称为扩散抛物化N-S方程)及其算法，较为彻底地解决了无黏流及黏流的相互干扰问题，并为高雷诺数大型复杂黏性流场的数值模拟开辟了新的途径。本文将系统地评述这一领域的主要成果，包括各种简化N-S模型的优缺点；数学奇性及正则化方法；代表性的数值解法以及最近几年的新进展。

Accounting for Quadratic and Cubic Invariants in Continuum Mechanics–An Overview

The differential equations of continuum mechanics are the basis of an uncountable variety of phenomena and technological processes in fluid-dynamics and related fields.These equations contain derivatives of the first order with respect to time.The derivation of the equations of continuum mechanics uses the limit transitions of the tendency of the volume increment and the time increment to zero.Derivatives are used to derive the wave equation.The differential wave equation is second order in time.Therefore,increments of volume and increments of time in continuum mechanics should be considered as small but finite quantities for problems of wave formation.This is important for calculating the generation of sound waves and water hammer waves.Therefore,the Euler continuity equation with finite time increments is of interest.The finiteness of the time increment makes it possible to take into account the quadratic and cubic invariants of the strain rate tensor.This is a new branch in hydrodynamics.Quadratic and cubic invariants will be used in differential wave equations of the second and third order in time.

Tuning interface mechanism of FeCo alloy embedded N,S-codoped carbon substrate for rechargeable Zn-air battery

The interface mechanism between catalyst and carbon substrate has been the focus of research.In this paper,the FeCo alloy embedded N,S co-doped carbon substrate bifunctional catalyst(FeCo/S-NC)is obtained by a simple one-step pyrolysis strategy.The experimental results and density functional theory(DFT)calculation show that the formation of FeCo alloy is conducive to promoting electron transfer,and the introduction of S atom can enhance the interaction between FeCo alloy and carbon substrate,thus inhibiting the migration and agglomeration of particles on the surface of carbon material.The FeCo/SNC catalysts show outstanding performance for oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)and oxygen evolution reaction(OER).FeCo/S-NC shows a high half-wave potential(E_(1/2)=0.8823 V)for ORR and a low overpotential at 10 mA cm^(-2)(E_(j=10)=299 mV)for OER.In addition,compared with Pt/C+RuO_(2) assembled Zn-air battery(ZAB),the FeCo/S-NC assembled ZAB exhibits a larger power density(198.8 mW cm^(-2)),a higher specific capacity(786.1 mA h g_(zn)~(-1)),and ultra-stable cycle performance.These results confirm that the optimized composition and the interfacial interaction between catalyst and carbon substrate synergistically enhance the electrochemical performance.

Preliminary Study on Strategic Water Transfer Project in Western China

Strategic Water Transfer Project of Western China will transfer water from the Dadu river, the Yalong river, the Jinsha river, the Lancang river and the Nujiang river to the Daliushu project as head work of main canal on the Yellow river. And then,the water will be diverted to Neimongol and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous regions,with transfered annual volume of water 80 billion m\+3. The project possesses great comprehensive benefit. The construction of the project will not only change the appearance of the whole Northwest China, but also open up a wide way for the sustainable development of China in future.

Numerical Simulation of Boundary Layer with Spectral Method

It is important to improve the speed of a ship,the friction resistance can be reduced by injection air at the bottom of a ship when the ship is running on the water.As the first part of the studying project,here numerical simulation study method,boundary condition and governing equations are presented.It is easy to study complicated problems from simple conditions,so the program concerning boundary layer condition is compiled to solve the problem.Here the spectral method is introduced,and the results are tested by Dorod’s results.

Numerical Analysis on the Effect of n-Si on Cu(In, Ga)Se2 Based Thin-Films for High-Performance Solar Cells by 1D-SCAPS

We report the performances of a chalcopyrite Cu(In, Ga)Se2 CIGS-based thin-film solar cell with a newly employed high conductive n-Si layer. The data analysis was performed with the help of the 1D-Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator (1D-SCAPS) software program. The new device structure is based on the CIGS layer as the absorber layer, n-Si as the high conductive layer, i-In2S3, and i-ZnO as the buffer and window layers, respectively. The optimum CIGS bandgap was determined first and used to simulate and analyze the cell performance throughout the experiment. This analysis revealed that the absorber layer’s optimum bandgap value has to be 1.4 eV to achieve maximum efficiency of 22.57%. Subsequently, output solar cell parameters were analyzed as a function of CIGS layer thickness, defect density, and the operating temperature with an optimized n-Si layer. The newly modeled device has a p-CIGS/n-Si/In2S3/Al-ZnO structure. The main objective was to improve the overall cell performance while optimizing the thickness of absorber layers, defect density, bandgap, and operating temperature with the newly employed optimized n-Si layer. The increase of absorber layer thickness from 0.2 - 2 µm showed an upward trend in the cell’s performance, while the increase of defect density and operating temperature showed a downward trend in solar cell performance. This study illustrates that the proposed cell structure shows higher cell performances and can be fabricated on the lab-scale and industrial levels.

Cycling of Carbon and Other Elements in a Beech Forest Hestehave, Jutland, Denmark, in the Past 50 Years

Plant biomass, primary production and mineral cycling in the beech forest (Fagus sylvatica L.), Hestehave in Jutland, Denmark were studied over a 50-year period. The role of the forest as a carbon sink was also assessed. Aboveground tree biomass was 226 t·ha-1 in 1970 and after a 50-year 539 t·ha-1 in 2014, an unexpected increase with 313 t·ha-1. Annual production at those two points in time was 13.4 and 20.5 t·ha-1, respectively. It was apparent that the tree biomass was still acting as a sink for carbon, which was the dominant element in the aboveground parts. The concentration of other elements (N > K > Mg > P > S > Na > Mn > Zn > Fe > Cu) ranged from 495 to 0.4 kg·ha-1. Annual litterfall restored 3.2 t·ha-1 to the soil as organic matter or 1.6 t·ha-1 as carbon. Over the year 53% of the litterfall was decomposed. A pH decrease of 0.95 units in the soil was observed between 1968 and 1993. This was attributed to fallout from a neighbouring thermal heating station affecting sulfur deposition and increasing soil acidification. After 1993, when filters were fitted in the heating station, the pH decrease in the soil was smaller, only 0.09 pH-units up to 2011. The increased tree growth is an additional, likely explanation for the observed soil acidification. Deposition of the growth-limiting element nitrogen increased during later years and is now, most likely around 20 kg·ha-1 per annum, which may partly contribute to the increased production.

The Effect of Tool Construction and Cutting Parameters on Surface Roughness and Vibration in Turning of AISI 1045 Steel Using Taguchi Method

This paper presents an experimental investigation focused on identifying the effects of cutting conditions and tool construction on the surface roughness and natural frequency in turning of AISI1045 steel. Machining experiments were carried out at the lathe using carbide cutting insert coated with TiC and two forms of cutting tools made of AISI 5140 steel. Three levels for spindle speed, depth of cut, feed rate and tool overhang were chosen as cutting variables. The Taguchi method L9 orthogonal array was applied to design of experiment. By the help of signal-to-noise ratio and analysis of variance, it was concluded that spindle speed has the significant effect on the surface roughness, while tool overhang is the dominant factor affecting natural frequency for both cutting tools. In addition, the optimum cutting conditions for surface roughness and natural frequency were found at different levels. Finally, confirmation experiments were conducted to verify the effectiveness and efficiency of the Taguchi method in optimizing the cutting parameters for surface roughness and natural frequency.

From Nikolay Umov E=kmc^(2) via Albert Einstein’s E=γmc^(2) to the Dark Energy Density of the Cosmos E=(21 22)mc^(2)

The paper starts from the remarkable classical equation of the great nineteenth century Russian physicist Nikolay Umov E=kmc2 where 1/2≤k≤1, m is the mass, c is the speed of light and E is the equivalent energy of m. After a short but deep discussion of the derivation of Umov we move to Einstein’s formula E=γmc2?where γis the Lorentz factor of special relativity and point out the interesting difference and similarity between Umov’s k and Lorentz-Einstein γ. This is particularly considered in depth for the special case which leads to the famous equation?E=mc2?that is interpreted here to be the maximal cosmic energy density possible. Subsequently we discuss the dissection of E=mc2 into two components, namely the cosmic dark energy density E(D)=(21/22)MC2 and the ordinary energy density E(O)=MC2/22? where?E(D)+E(O)=MC2. Finally we move from this to the three-part dissection where we show that E is simply the sum of pure dark energy E(PD) plus dark matter energy E(DM) as well as ordinary energy E(O).

Ultralong nitrogen/sulfur Co-doped carbon nano-hollowsphere chains with encapsulated cobalt nanoparticles for highly efficient oxygen electrocatalysis

The development of simple and effective strategies to prepare electrocatalysts,which possess unique and stable structures comprised of metal/nonmetallic atoms for oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)and oxygen evolution reaction(OER),is currently an urgent issue.Herein,an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst featured by ultralong N,S-doped carbon nano-hollow-sphere chains about 1300 nm with encapsulated Co nanoparticles(Co-CNHSCs)is developed.The multifunctional catalytic properties of Co together with the heteroatom-induced charge redistribution(i.e.,modulating the electronic structure of the active site)result in superior catalytic activities toward OER and ORR in alkaline media.The optimized catalyst Co-CNHSC-3 displays an outstanding electrocatalytic ability for ORR and OER,a high specific capacity of 1023.6 mAh gZn^(-1),and excellent reversibility after 80 h at 10mA cm^(-2)in a Zn-air battery system.This work presents a new strategy for the design and synthesis of efficient multifunctional carbon-based catalysts for energy storage and conversion devices.

Study of neutron production and moderation for sulfur neutron capture therapy

Neutron capture therapy with Sulfur-33, similar to boron neutron capture therapy with Boron-10, is effective in treating some types of tumors including ocular melanoma. The key point in sulfur neutron capture therapy is whether the neutron beam flux and the resonance capture cross section of ^(33)S(n;α)^(30) Si reaction at 13.5 keV can achieve the requirements of radiotherapy. In this research,the authors investigated the production of 13.5 keV neutron production and moderation based on an accelerator neutron source. A lithium glass detector was used to measure the neutron flux produced via near threshold^7 Li(p,n)~7 Be reaction using the time-of-flight method. Furthermore, the moderation effects of different kinds of materials were investigated using Monte Carlo simulation.

Some Novel Schiff Bases from Pyruvic Acid with Amines Containing N &S Donor Atoms: Synthesis, Spectral Studies and X-Ray Crystal Structures

Four Schiff bases, from pyruvic acid (1) with amines containing N and S donor atoms, thiocarbohydrazide (2, 61%), 2-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazide (3, 26%), S-benzyldithiocarbazate (4, 51%) and S-n-octyldithiocarbazate (5, 63%) have been successfully synthesized. The conventional method was used and a series of novel linear and cyclic Schiff bases were obtained with or without catalyst. All the Schiff bases were fully characterized by CHN elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1H & 13C NMR, EI-MS and two of the Schiff bases were further characterized by X-ray crystallographic structure analysis. Compound 2 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1 and unit cell dimensions are: a = 4.1777(8), b = 5.9538(11), c = 13.458(3) Å, α = 92.759(6), β = 90.813(6), γ = 100.040(6)°, R1 = 0.0439. Compound 3 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P n a 2(1) and unit cell dimensions are: a = 5.5992(2), b = 11.3962(5), c = 10.6473(5), α = 92.759(6), β = 90.813(6), γ = 100.040(6)°, R1 = 0.0285. Compounds 2 and 3 were obtained as cyclic Schiff bases which are triazine derivatives.