Traction power systems for electrified railways:evolution,state of the art,and future trends

Traction power systems(TPSs)play a vital role in the operation of electrified railways.The transformation of conventional railway TPSs to novel structures is not only a trend to promote the development of electrified railways toward high-efficiency and resilience but also an inevitable requirement to achieve carbon neutrality target.On the basis of sorting out the power supply structures of conventional AC and DC modes,this paper first reviews the characteristics of the existing TPSs,such as weak power supply flexibility and low-energy efficiency.Furthermore,the power supply structures of various TPSs for future electrified railways are described in detail,which satisfy longer distance,low-carbon,high-efficiency,high-reliability and high-quality power supply requirements.Meanwhile,the application prospects of different traction modes are discussed from both technical and economic aspects.Eventually,this paper introduces the research progress of mixed-system electrified railways and traction power supply technologies without catenary system,speculates on the future development trends and challenges of TPSs and predicts that TPSs will be based on the continuous power supply mode,employing power electronic equipment and intelligent information technology to construct a railway comprehensive energy system with renewable energy.

Connecting the World for a Shared Future

The first China International Supply Chain Expo provided a perfect platform for strengthening the safety and stability of global industrial and supply chains.THE first China International Supply Chain Expo(CISCE)themed“connecting the world for a shared future”kicked off in Beijing on November 28,2023.The world’s first national-level exhibition with supply chains as its theme,the expo was divided into five areas representing five major supply chains and related services-smart vehicles,green agriculture,clean energy,digital technology,and healthy life.It also had a supply chain service exhibition area.

An Exploration of the Three Dimensions and Epochal Strengths of Building a Human Community With a Shared Future

The idea of a human community with a shared future was proposed by the Communist Party of China(CPC)Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core for the future development of human beings to face up to the most important question in today's world:“What is happening to the world and what should we do?”It profoundly answers the question of the world,history,and the times.The theory of a human community with a shared future is an innovative theory with a multidimensional formation logic that guides humanity toward continually seeking common interests and values.This paper dives into the profound motivations behind building a human community with a shared future from historical,cultural,and practical dimensions and analyzes its epochal value from both domestic and international perspectives.This not only helps exert China's role in the international community,contributing Chinese strength to the construction of a peaceful,stable,and prosperous human society,but also enhances the influence of the idea of a human community with a shared future in the international community,accelerating the building of a human community with a shared future that considers the legitimate concerns of all countries,and aiding in solving the crises facing the world.

Anthropogenic influence on the extreme drought in eastern China in 2022 and its future risk

2022年夏季中国东部地区遭遇了一次持续性极端高温干旱事件.本文利用CMIP6检测归因比较计划(DAMIP)数据,量化了人为强迫对类2022年极端干旱事件发生概率的影响,并基于未来不同增暖情景试验给出了此类极端干旱事件的未来变化预估.通过分析不同外强迫因子作用下此类极端干旱事件的发生概率变化,发现人为强迫使此类极端干旱事件的发生概率提高约56%,这主要与人为强迫下中国东部平均水汽减少和平均上升运动减弱有关.进一步通过分析此类极端干旱事件对不同温室气体排放情景(SSP1-2.6,SSP2-4.5,SSP5-8.5)的响应,发现在低排放情景下类2022年极端干旱事件的发生概率较当今气候显著下降,这主要与中国东部平均水汽的增加和平均环流的变化有关,而在高排放情景(SSP5-8.5)下,此类极端干旱事件的发生概率较当今气候增加约79%,这主要与高排放情景下平均下沉运动增强有关.该研究表明,人为强迫通过调制气候平均背景场从而引起极端事件发生频次的变化是人类活动影响极端气候事件的重要途径之一,极端干旱事件对温室气体排放量的响应可能是非线性的.

Call for Papers——Feature Topic Vol.22,No.3,2025 Special Issue of China Communications:Convergence of 6G empowered Edge Intelligence and Generative AI:Theories,Algorithms,and Applications

Generative artificial intelligence(AI),as an emerging paradigm in content generation,has demonstrated its great potentials in creating high-fidelity data including images,texts,and videos.Nowadays wireless networks and applications have been rapidly evolving from achieving“connected things”to embracing“connected intelligence”.Generative AI has been recognized as a fundamentally innovative technology to drive the advancement of intelligent wireless communications and networks.

Unveiling the brain’s symphony:exploring the necessity and sufficiency of neural networks in behavior control

Since the pioneering work by Broca and Wernicke in the 19th century,who examined individuals with brain lesions to associate them with specific behaviors,it was evident that behaviors are complex and cannot be fully attributable to specific brain areas alone.Instead,they involve connectivity among brain areas,whether close or distant.At that time,this approach was considered the optimal way to dissect brain circuitry and function.These pioneering efforts opened the field to explore the necessity or sufficiency of brain areas in controlling behavior and hence dissecting brain function.However,the connectivity of the brain and the mechanisms through which various brain regions regulate specific behaviors,either individually or collaboratively,remain largely elusive.Utilizing animal models,researchers have endeavored to unravel the necessity or sufficiency of specific brain areas in influencing behavior;however,no clear associations have been firmly established.

Structural and functional connectivity of the whole brain and subnetworks in individuals with mild traumatic brain injury:predictors of patient prognosis

Patients with mild traumatic brain injury have a diverse clinical presentation,and the underlying pathophysiology remains poorly understood.Magnetic resonance imaging is a non-invasive technique that has been widely utilized to investigate neuro biological markers after mild traumatic brain injury.This approach has emerged as a promising tool for investigating the pathogenesis of mild traumatic brain injury.G raph theory is a quantitative method of analyzing complex networks that has been widely used to study changes in brain structure and function.However,most previous mild traumatic brain injury studies using graph theory have focused on specific populations,with limited exploration of simultaneous abnormalities in structural and functional connectivity.Given that mild traumatic brain injury is the most common type of traumatic brain injury encounte red in clinical practice,further investigation of the patient characteristics and evolution of structural and functional connectivity is critical.In the present study,we explored whether abnormal structural and functional connectivity in the acute phase could serve as indicators of longitudinal changes in imaging data and cognitive function in patients with mild traumatic brain injury.In this longitudinal study,we enrolled 46 patients with mild traumatic brain injury who were assessed within 2 wee ks of injury,as well as 36 healthy controls.Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging data were acquired for graph theoretical network analysis.In the acute phase,patients with mild traumatic brain injury demonstrated reduced structural connectivity in the dorsal attention network.More than 3 months of followup data revealed signs of recovery in structural and functional connectivity,as well as cognitive function,in 22 out of the 46 patients.Furthermore,better cognitive function was associated with more efficient networks.Finally,our data indicated that small-worldness in the acute stage could serve as a predictor of longitudinal changes in connectivity in patients with mild traumatic brain injury.These findings highlight the importance of integrating structural and functional connectivity in unde rstanding the occurrence and evolution of mild traumatic brain injury.Additionally,exploratory analysis based on subnetworks could serve a predictive function in the prognosis of patients with mild traumatic brain injury.

Toward less invasive coloproctology: The future is out there

Medical care has undergone remarkable improvements over the past few decades.One of the most important innovative breakthroughs in modern medicine is the advent of minimally and less invasive treatments.The trend towards employing less invasive treatment has been vividly shown in the field of gastroenterology,particularly coloproctology.Parallel to foregut interventions,colorectal surgery has shifted towards a minimally invasive approach.Coloproctology,including both medical and surgical management of colorectal diseases,has undergone a remarkable paradigm shift.The treatment of both benign and malignant colorectal conditions has gradually transitioned towards more conservative and less inva-sive approaches.An interesting paradigm shift was the trend to avoid the need for radical resection of rectal cancer altogether in patients who showed complete response to neoadjuvant treatment.The trend of adopting less invasive appro-aches to treat various colorectal conditions does not seem to be stopping soon as further research on novel,more effective and safer methods is ongoing.

Insights into the dwarfing mechanism of pear(Pyrus betulaefolia) based on anatomical and structural analysis using X-ray scanning

The lack of a suitable rootstock to control scion growth has limited the development of high-density plantations in pear production, which is partly attributed to poor understanding of the dwarfing mechanism. In the present study, the rootstock of the dwarf-type pear (Pyrus betulaefolia)PY-9’ was identified and used as the material for anatomical analysis.PY-9’ grew to half the tree height of the normal cultivar Zhengdu’, along with fewer internodes and shorter length. Significant differences in growth rate betweenPY-9’ andZhengdu’ were detected at approximately 30 days after full bloom, which corresponded with the time of the greatest difference in water potential between the dwarf and normal cultivar.PY-9’ showed a higher photosynthetic rate thanZhengdu’. Anatomical analysis showed thatPY-9’ had higher area ratios of both phloem and xylem and more developed vascular tissues thanZhengdu’. The three-dimensional reconstructed skeleton of the xylem from X-ray computed tomography scanning revealed greater intervessel connectivity inZhengdu’ than inPY-9’, which could contribute to the more vigorous growth ofZhengdu’. This study thus provides the first comparison of the microstructural properties of xylem elements between a dwarfing-type and vigorous-type pear rootstock, providing new insights into the dwarfing mechanism in pear and facilitating breeding of dwarf pear rootstocks to increase crop productivity.

Case Report: Rhupus (The Association of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis): About 2 Cases

Introduction: The association of systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis (rhupus) is a rare clinical condition. Throughout the world, 287 cases of Rhupus have been described. We report two new observations of two patients who presented predominantly distal erosive polyarthritis with positive anti-Sm antibodies in one case and SmRNP in the other case. Observations: Case 1: 37 years old patient, with a recent diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. She has since 8 months an inflammatory, bilaterally and symmetrical polyarthralgia without deformation or ankylosing synovitis, associated with malar erythema without other abnormalities. Immunological tests showed: positive Rheumatoid factor at 158 IU/ml, positive Anti-CCP at 550 IU/ml, and positivity of antinuclear at 1/1280 nuclear fluorescence with a strong presence of anti-Sm >8 IU/ml. The diagnosis of rhupus was concluded, without serious visceral involvement. Case 2: A 28-year-old patient, married with 3 children, with bilateral, symmetrical, deforming and chronic polyarthritis affecting large and small joints, which had been evolving for over 5 years without cutaneous abnormality associated. Paraclinical investigations showed: a biological inflammatory syndrome. Immunology was positive, with rheumatoid factors at 78 IU/ml, anti-CCP at 561 IU/ml, antinuclear antibodies at 1/1280 with positive anti-SmRNP and anti-SSA/Ro52, and a positive direct Coombs test. Joint ultrasound revealed tenosynovitis of the extensors and common flexors of the fingers, erosions and synovitis of multiple PPIs. The diagnosis of rhupus was based on the presence of 10 ACR criteria for RA and 8 ACR/EULAR 2019 criteria for SLE. Conclusion: Rheumatoid arthritis is a rare autoimmune disease combining features of both systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis in the same patient, often sequentially. Despite a growing number of case reports and series, a consensus on the classification of SLE arthritis is still lacking, and diagnostic criteria for rhupus do not exist. These cases of rhupus must be recognized, as the vital and/or functional prognosis may be different from SLE alone or isolated RA.

Impact of umbelliprenin-containing niosome nanoparticles on VEGF-A and CTGF genes expression in retinal pigment epithelium cells

AIM:To investigate the impact of niosome nanoparticles carrying umbelliprenin(UMB),an anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory plant compound,on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF-A)and connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)genes in a human retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)-like retina-derived cell line.METHODS:UMB-containing niosomes were created,optimized,and characterized.RPE-like cells were treated with free UMB and UMB-containing niosomes.The IC_(50)values of the treatments were determined using an MTT assay.Gene expression of VEGF-A and CTGF was evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction after RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis.Niosomes’characteristics,including drug entrapment efficiency,size,dispersion index,and zeta potential were assessed.Free UMB had an IC_(50)of 96.2μg/mL,while UMB-containing niosomes had an IC_(50)of 25μg/mL.RESULTS:Treatment with UMB-containing niosomes and free UMB resulted in a significant reduction in VEGF-A expression compared to control cells(P=0.001).Additionally,UMB-containing niosomes demonstrated a significant reduction in CTGF expression compared to control cells(P=0.05).However,there was no significant reduction in the expression of both genes in cells treated with free UMB.CONCLUSION:Both free UMB and niosome-encapsulated UMB inhibits VEGF-A and CTGF genes expression.However,the latter demonstrates significantly greater efficacy,potentially due to the lower UMB dosage and gradual delivery.These findings have implications for anti-angiogenesis therapeutic approaches targeting age-related macular degeneration.

Assessment of sediment connectivity using modelling and field-based approaches in the Slavíč River catchment(MoravskoslezskéBeskydy Mts,Czech Republic)

Mountain streams act as conveyors of sediments within the river continuum,where the physical transport of sediments between river reaches through the catchment or between individual parts(e.g.,between hillslopes and channels)of the catchment is assumed.This study focused on sediment connectivity analysis in the SlavíčRiver catchment in the MoravskoslezskéBeskydy Mts in the eastern part of the Czech Republic.The connectivity index and connectivity index target modelling were combined with an analysis of anthropogenic interventions.Additionally,field mapping,grain size of bed sediments and stream power analysis were used to obtain information about connectivity in the catchment.Based on the analysis and obtained results,terrain topography is the current main driving factor affecting the connectivity of sediment movement in the SlavíčRiver catchment.However,the modelling provided valuable information about high sediment connectivity despite different recent land use conditions(highly forested area of the catchment)than those in historical times from the 16th to 19th centuries when the SlavíčRiver catchment was highly deforested and sediment connectivity was probably higher.The analysis of anthropogenic interventions,field mapping,grain size of bed sediments and stream power analysis revealed more deceleration of sediment movement through the catchment,decreased sediment connectivity with bed erosion,and gradual river channel process transformation in some reaches.Field mapping has identified various natural formations and human-induced changes impacting the longitudinal and lateral connectivity in the SlavíčRiver.For instance,embankments along 48%of the river's length,both on the right and left banks,significantly hinder lateral sediment supply to the channel.Stream power index analysis indicates increased energy levels in the flowing water in the river's upper reaches(up to 404.8 W m^(-2)).This high energy is also observed in certain downstream sections(up to 337.6 W m^(-2)),where it is influenced by human activities.These conditions lead to intensified erosion processes,playing a crucial role in sediment connectivity.Similar observations were described in recent studies that pointed out the long-term human interventions on many streams draining European mountains,where a decrease in sediment connectivity in these streams is linked with sediment deficits and the transformation of processes forming channels.

Gaining New Inspiration, New Aesthetics, and New Life in The Contemporary Trends The Eternal kiln Fire: Exhibition of Contemporary Longquan Celadon Masterpieces Opens in Beijing

Longquan celadon is deeply meaningful in history and possesses multiple attributes including aesthetics,practicality,science,and cultural exchange,offering unique advantages in empowering traditional cultural dissemination and connecting modern beautiful lives.

THAILAND AND CHINA:TOGETHER FOR HIGH-QUALITY DEVELOPMENT

Dhina is playing an increasingly important role in the world.Everyone has recognized that the Chinese economy is undergoing steady and sound growth.At the same time,development of Thailand-China relations has entered a new historical period.Interconnectivity between Thailand and China through policy communication,unimpeded trade,and people-to-people exchange has brought the two countries into a period of high-quality development.

Intelligent Network-Connected New Energy Vehicle Technology and Application Under the Dual-Carbon Strategy

In responding to the“dual carbon”strategy,intelligent networked new energy vehicle technology plays a crucial role.This type of vehicle combines the advantages of new energy technology and intelligent network technology,effectively reduces carbon emissions in the transportation sector,improves energy utilization efficiency,and contributes to the green transportation system through intelligent transportation management and collaborative work between vehicles,making significant contributions.This article aims to explore the development of intelligent network-connected new energy vehicle technology and applications under the dual-carbon strategy and lay the foundation for the future development direction of the automotive industry.

Assessing Future Flooding Risk in a Coastal Lagoon Using Hydrogeological Approaches and Analysis of the 2021 Flood Event: A Case Study of Tasi-Tolu Lagoon, Dili, Timor-Leste

This study aims to apply a hydrogeological approaches and analysis of the 2021 flood event of Tasi-Tolu Lagoon to achieve four specific goals. Firstly, the study seeks to determine the natural characteristics of the lagoon, which include factors such as size, depth, water quality, and ecosystem composition. Secondly, the influence of precipitation on the water volume in the lagoon will be examined. This analysis involves assessing historical rainfall patterns in the region, as well as the amount and frequency of precipitation during the 2021 flood event. Thirdly, the hydrogeologic and geologic conditions of the lagoon will be evaluated. This involves examining factors such as the type and structure of the soil and bedrock, the presence of aquifers or other underground water sources, and the movement of water through the surrounding landscape. Finally, the study seeks to assess the risk of future flooding in Tasi-Tolu Lagoon, based on the insights gained from the previous analyses. Overall, this study’s goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the hydrogeological factors that contribute to flooding in Tasi-Tolu Lagoon. This knowledge could be used to inform flood mitigation strategies or to improve our ability to predict and respond to future flooding events in the region.

Belt and Road Construction’s Achievement of the Past Decade and Development Prospect

Ten years ago,with deep insight into global development trends and to promote common development and human progress,General Secretary Xi Jinping put forward the grand Belt and Road Initiative(BRI).Over the past decade,the Belt and Road construction has not only forcefully advanced the global connectivity process and injected significant dynamics to the world economic recovery but also created a brand new model of international cooperative development,and conducted innovative exploration for change on global governance.

Future Changes in the Relationship Between the South and East Asian Summer Monsoons in CMIP6 Models

The future changes in the relationship between the South Asian summer monsoon(SASM)and the East Asian summer monsoon(EASM)are investigated by using the high-emissions Shared Socioeconomic Pathway 5-8.5(SSP5-8.5)experiments from 26 coupled models that participated in the phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project(CMIP6).Six models,selected based on their best performance in simulating the upper-and lower-level pathways related to the SASM-EASM teleconnection in the historical run,can capture the positive relationship between the SASM and the rainfall over northern China.In the future scenario,the upper-level teleconnection wave pattern connecting the SASM and the EASM exhibits a significant weakening trend,due to the rainfall anomalies decrease over the northern Indian Peninsula in the future.At the lower level,the western North Pacific anticyclone is projected to strengthen in the warming climate.The positive(negative)rainfall anomalies associated with positive(negative)SASM rainfall anomalies are anticipated to extend southward from northern China to the Yangtze-Huai River valley,the Korea Peninsula,and southern Japan.The connection in the lower-level pathway may be strengthened in the future.

Modal and Thermal Analysis of a Modified Connecting Rod of an Internal Combustion Engine Using Finite Element Method

The connecting rod is one of the most important moving components in an internal combustion engine. The present work determined the possibility of using aluminium alloy 7075 material to design and manufacture a connecting rod for weight optimisation without losing the strength of the connecting rod. It considered modal and thermal analyses to investigate the suitability of the material for connecting rod design. The parameters that were considered under the modal analysis were: total deformation, and natural frequency, while the thermal analysis looked at the temperature distribution, total heat flux and directional heat flux of the four connecting rods made with titanium alloy, grey cast iron, structural steel and aluminium 7075 alloy respectively. The connecting rod was modelled using Autodesk inventor2017 software using the calculated parameters. The steady-state thermal analysis was used to determine the induced heat flux and directional heat flux. The study found that Aluminium 7075 alloy deformed more than the remaining three other materials but has superior qualities in terms of vibrational natural frequency, total heat flux and lightweight compared to structural steel, grey cast iron and titanium alloy.

Projecting future precipitation change across the semi-arid Borana lowland,southern Ethiopia

Climate change caused by past,current,and future greenhouse gas emissions has become a major concern for scientists in the field in many countries and regions of the world.This study modelled future precipitation change by downscaling a set of large-scale climate predictor variables(predictors)from the second generation Canadian Earth System Model(CanESM2)under two Representative Concentration Pathway(RCP)emission scenarios(RCP4.5 and RCP8.5)in the semi-arid Borana lowland,southern Ethiopia.The Statistical DownScaling Model(SDSM)4.2.9 was employed to downscale and project future precipitation change in the middle(2036-2065;2050s)and far(2066-2095;2080s)future at the local scale.Historical precipitation observations from eight meteorological stations stretching from 1981 to 1995 and 1996 to 2005 were used for the model calibration and validation,respectively,and the time period of 1981-2018 was considered and used as the baseline period to analyze future precipitation change.The results revealed that the surface-specific humidity and the geopotential height at 500 hPa were the preferred large-scale predictors.Compared to the middle future(2050s),precipitation showed a much greater increase in the far future(2080s)under both RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios at all meteorological stations(except Teletele and Dillo stations).At Teltele station,the projected annual precipitation will decrease by 26.53%(2050s)and 39.45%(2080s)under RCP4.5 scenario,and 34.99%(2050s)and 60.62%(2080s)under RCP8.5 scenario.Seasonally,the main rainy period would shift from spring(March to May)to autumn(September to November)at Dehas,Dire,Moyale,and Teltele stations,but for Arero and Yabelo stations,spring would consistently receive more precipitation than autumn.It can be concluded that future precipitation in the semi-arid Borana lowland is predicted to differ under the two climate scenarios(RCP4.5 and RCP8.5),showing an increasing trend at most meteorological stations.This information could be helpful for policymakers to design adaptation plans in water resources management,and we suggest that the government should give more attention to improve early warning systems in drought-prone areas by providing dependable climate forecast information as early as possible.