Monitoring absolute vertical land motions and absolute sea-level changes from GPS and tide gauges data over French Polynesia

In this study,we estimate the absolute vertical land motions at three tidal stations with collocated Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS)receivers over French Polynesia during the period 2007-2020,and obtain,as ancillary results,estimates of the absolute changes in sea level at the same locations.To verify our processing approach to determining vertical motion,we first modeled vertical motion at the International GNSS Service(IGS)THTI station located in the capital island of Tahiti and compared our estimate with previous independent determinations,with a good agreement.We obtained the following estimates for the vertical land motions at the tide gauges:Tubuai island,Austral Archipelago-0.92±0.17 mm/yr,Vairao village,Tahiti Iti:-0.49±0.39 mm/yr,Rikitea,Gambier Archipelago-0.43±0.17 mm/yr.The absolute variations of the sea level are:Tubuai island,Austral Archipelago 5.25±0.60 mm/yr,Vairao village,Tahiti Iti:3.62±0.52 mm/yr,Rikitea,Gambier Archipelago 1.52±0.23 mm/yr.We discuss these absolute values in light of the values obtained from altimetric measurements and other means in French Polynesia.

Unification of Gravitational and Strong Interaction Fields Using Partial Gauge Symmetry

We propose the new field potential by maintaining both the symmetry of the scalar gauge and the conservation law keeping N?ether’s theorem, while disregarding the symmetry of the vector gauge. The new potential forms like the well-type potential where a particle behaves almost freely but is very hard to escape without external energy, which can be interpreted as local confinement and asymptotic freedom. By assuming a 2-dimensional metric tensor in 4-dimensional space-time, we suggest the existence of 3 kinds of particles that resemble QCD with 3 color charges. We also show that the mass term exists but comes to zero and derive the charge and spin values. We can regard the particle with this new potential as a gluon, and the interaction in this well-type potential as a strong interaction for the properties of mass, charge, spin, and its behavior. We suggest the eight-fold way with this new particle, which is similar to the existing method based on SU (3) symmetry. Even though the strong interaction has been analyzed in the standard model and string theory, we build a new consistent model based on the theory of relativity including Riemann geometry, and show the unification of gravitational and strong interactional field.

Economic Upturn Boosts Confidence

As the eventful year of 2023 drew to a close,China’s decisive economic rebound over the preceding 11 months continued to propel steady recovery of the flagging global economy.Last November,China’s retail sales of consumer goods-a major gauge of consumption strength-maintained accelerated growth,evident in a registered year-on-year increase of 10.1 percent,according to National Bureau of Statistics(NBS)data published on December 15.During the January-November period,moreover,total retail sales of the country’s consumer goods swelled to RMB 42.79 trillion-a 7.2 percent increase over the previous year.

A model with flavor-dependent gauged U(1)B-L1×U(1)B-L2-L3 symmetry

We propose a new model with flavor-dependent gauged U(1)B-L1×U(1)B-L2-L3symmetry in addition to the flavor-blind symmetry in the Standard Model. The model contains three right-handed neutrinos to cancel gauge anomalies and several Higgs bosons to construct the measured fermion masses. We show the generic features of the model and explore its phenomenology. In particular, we discuss the current bounds on the extra gauge bosons from the K and B meson mixings as well as the LEP and LHC data, and focus on their contributions to the lepton flavor violating processes of ?i+1→?iγ(i=1,2).

Observation about the Classical Electromagnetic Gauge Transformation and Its Quantum Correspondence

Using the Landau and symmetric gauges for the vector potential of a constant magnetic field and the quantum problem of a charged particle moving on a flat surface, we show the classical electromagnetic gauge transformation does not correspond to a one-dimensional unitary group transformation U(1) of the wave function for the quantum case. In addition, with the re-examination of the relation between the magnetic field B and its vector potential A, we found that, in order to have a consistent formulation of the dynamics of the charged particle with both expressions, we must have that B=∇×A if and only if B≠0.

Ashtekar-Kodama Gravity as a Classical and Quantum Extension of Loop Quantum Gravity

This paper presents a new theory of gravity, called here Ashtekar-Kodama (AK) gravity, which is based on the Ashtekar-Kodama formulation of loop quantum gravity (LQG), yields in the limit the Einstein equations, and in the quantum regime a full renormalizable quantum gauge field theory. The three fundamental constraints (hamiltonian, gaussian and diffeomorphism) were formulated in 3-dimensional spatial form within LQG in Ashtekar formulation using the notion of the Kodama state with positive cosmological constant Λ. We introduce a 4-dimensional covariant version of the 3-dimensional (spatial) hamiltonian, gaussian and diffeomorphism constraints of LQG. We obtain 32 partial differential equations for the 16 variables Emn (E-tensor, inverse densitized tetrad of the metric) and 16 variables Amn (A-tensor, gravitational wave tensor). We impose the boundary condition: for large distance the E-generated metric g(E) becomes the GR-metric g (normally Schwarzschild-spacetime). The theory based on these Ashtekar-Kodama (AK) equations, and called in the following Ashtekar-Kodama (AK-) gravity has the following properties. • For Λ = 0 the AK equations become Einstein equations, A-tensor is trivial (constant), and the E-generated metric g(E) is identical with the GR-metric g. • When the AK-equations are developed into a Λ-power series, the Λ-term yields a gravitational wave equation, which has only at least quadrupole wave solutions and becomes in the limit of large distance r the (normal electromagnetic) wave equation. • AK-gravity, as opposed to GR, has no singularity at the horizon: the singularity in the metric becomes a (very high) peak. • AK-gravity has a limit scale of the gravitational quantum region 39 μm, which emerges as the limit scale in the objective wave collapse theory of Gherardi-Rimini-Weber. In the quantum region, the AK-gravity becomes a quantum gauge theory (AK quantum gravity) with the Lie group extended SU(2) = ε-tensor-group(four generators) as gauge group and a corresponding covariant derivative. • AK quantum gravity is fully renormalizable, we derive its Lagrangian, which is dimensionally renormalizable, the normalized one-graviton wave function, the graviton propagator, and demonstrate the calculation of cross-section from Feynman diagrams.

Supersymmetric AdS_4 vacua in N=3 gauged supergravity

We study the maximally supersymmetric AdS backgrounds of matter-coupled N=3 gauged supergravity in four dimensions. We find that to admit supersymmetric AdS vacua, the gauge group can only be of the form G0×H?SO(3,n) with G0=SO(3),SO(3,1) or SL(3,R) and H a compact group of dimension n+3-dim(G0). We also show that these AdS vacua have no moduli, namely they correspond to critical points in field space.

Oblique parameters in gauged baryon and lepton numbers with a 125 GeV Higgs

In an extension of the standard model, where baryon number and lepton number are local gauge sym- metries, we analyze the effect of corrections from exotic fermions and scalars on the oblique parameters S, T, U. Because a light neutral Higgs h0 with mass around 12-126 GeV strongly constrains the corresponding parameter space of this model, we also investigate the gluon fusion process gg→h0 and two photon decay of the lightest neutral Higgs h0→yy at the Large Hadron Collider.

Influence of band microstructure on carbide precipitation behavior and toughness of 1 GPa-grade ultra-heavy gauge low-alloy steel

This study investigated the influence of band microstructure induced by centerline segregation on carbide precipitation behavior and toughness in an 80 mm-thick 1 GPa low-carbon low-alloy steel plate.The quarter-thickness(1/4t)and half-thickness(1/2t)regions of the plate exhibited similar ductility and toughness after quenching.After tempering,the 1/4t region exhibited~50%and~25%enhancements in both the total elongation and low-temperature toughness at-40°C,respectively,without a decrease in yield strength,whereas the toughness of the 1/2t region decreased by~46%.After quenching,both the 1/4t and 1/2t regions exhibited lower bainite and lath martensite concentrations,but only the 1/2t region exhibited microstructure bands.Moreover,the tempered 1/4t region featured uniformly dispersed short rod-like M_(23)C_(6)carbides,and spherical MC precipitates with diameters of~20–100 nm and<20 nm,respectively.The uniformly dispersed nanosized M_(23)C_(6)carbides and MC precipitates contributed to the balance of high strength and high toughness.The band microstructure of the tempered 1/2t region featured a high density of large needle-like M3C carbides.The length and width of the large M3C carbides were~200–500 nm and~20–50 nm,respectively.Fractography analysis revealed that the high density of large carbides led to delamination cleavage fracture,which significantly deteriorated toughness.

Combination of Tsoft and ET34-ANA-V80 software for the preprocessing and analysis of tide gauge data in French Polynesia

Since 2008 a network of five sea-level monitoring stations was progressively installed in French Polynesia.The stations are autonomous and data,collected at a sampling rate of 1 or 2 min,are not only recorded locally,but also transferred in real time by a radio-link to the NOAA through the GOES satellite.The new ET34-ANA-V80 version of ETERNA,initially developed for Earth Tides analysis,is now able to analyze ocean tides records.Through a two-step validation scheme,we took advantage of the flexibility of this new version,operated in conjunction with the preprocessing facilities of the Tsoft software,to recover co rrected data series able to model sea-level variations after elimination of the ocean tides signal.We performed the tidal analysis of the tide gauge data with the highest possible selectivity(optimal wave grouping)and a maximum of additional terms(shallow water constituents).Our goal was to provide corrected data series and modelled ocean tides signal to compute tide-free sea-level variations as well as tidal prediction models with centimeter precision.We also present in this study the characteristics of the ocean tides in French Polynesia and preliminary results concerning the non-tidal variations of the sea level concerning the tide gauge setting.

Feasibility of maintaining satellite altimetry calibration site based on qianliyan islet at the Yellow Sea

The calibration of the sea surface height(SSH)measured by satellite altimeters is essential to understand altimeter biases.Many factors affects the construction and maintenance of a permanent calibration site.In order to calibrate Chinese satellite altimetry missions,the feasibility of maintaining a calibration site based on the Qianliyan islet in Yellow Sea of China is taken into account.The related calibration facilities,such as the permanent tide gauge,GNSS reference station and meteorological station,were already operated by the Ministry of Natural Resources of China.The data could be fully used for satellite altimeter calibration with small fiscal expenditure.In addition,the location and marine environments of Qianliyan were discussed.Finally,we used the Jason-3 mission to check the possibility of calibration works.The result indicates that the brightness temperatures of three channels measured by microwave radiometer(MWR)and the derived wet tropospheric correction varies smoothly,which means the land contamination to MWR could be ignored.The high frequency waveforms at the Qianliyan site present no obvious difference from the normal waveforms received by satellite radar altimeter over the open ocean.In conclusion,the Qianliyan islet will not influence satellite altimetry observation.Following these analyses,a possible layout and mechanism of the Qianliyan calibration site are proposed.

A new Ignition-Growth reaction rate model for shock initiation

Accurately predicting reactive flow is a challenge when characterizing an explosive under external shock stimuli as the shock initiation time is on the order of a microsecond.The present study constructs a new Ignition-Growth reaction rate model,which can describe the shock initiation processes of explosives with different initial densities,particle sizes and loading pressures by only one set of model parameters.Compared with the Lee-Tarver reaction rate model,the new Ignition-Growth reaction rate model describes better the shock initiation process of explosives and requires fewer model parameters.Moreover,the shock initiation of a 2,4-Dinitroanisole(DNAN)-based melt-cast explosive RDA-2(DNAN/HMX(octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazoncine)/aluminum)are investigated both experimentally and numerically.A series of shock initiation experiments is performed with manganin piezoresistive pressure gauges and corresponding numerical simulations are carried out with the new Ignition-Growth reaction rate model.The RDA-2 explosive is found to have higher critical initiation pressure and lower shock sensitivity than traditional explosives(such as the Comp.B explosive).The calibrated reaction rate model parameters of RDA-2 could provide numerical basis for its further application.

Silicone oil injection and removal in 27-gauge vitreous surgery

Dear Editor,The advent of 23-gauge(G),25-G,and 27-G vitrectomy systems[1]since the beginning of the 21stcentury has allowed vitrectomy via a smaller incision compared to the 20-G system;hence the name"microincision vitrectomy surgery".Microincision vitrectomy surgery has gainedpopularity among vitreoretinal surgeons.

Numerical Simulation and Experimental Study of the Stress Formation Mechanism of FDM with Different Printing Paths

Environmental contamination has been caused by petroleum-based polymeric materials in the melt deposition process.Nowadays biodegradable materials have been widely used in the fused deposition modeling(FDM)industry,such as polylactic acid(PLA).However,internal complex thermal stress and deformations in part caused by an uneven distribution of PLA filament deposition temperatures during FDM,which will seriously affect the geometric accuracy of the printed part.In order to reduce material waste and environmental pollution during the printing process,the accuracy of PLA part can be improved.Herein,numerical simulation was carried out to investigate the temperature field and stress field during the building and cooling process of cuboid specimens.The effects of printing path on the thermal stress and temperature field during the building process were mainly studied.The results show that the printing path has a significant effect on the stress distribution.The most uni-form stress distribution and the smallest deformation were obtained using the Zig Zag printing path.Finally,the residual stress during the cooling process was collected using strain gauges embedded at the mid-plane of the FDM built cuboid specimens.The simulation results are consistent with the experimental results.

余拟群双代数的Gauge变换

在余拟群双代数上利用Gauge变换构造了一个新的余拟群双代数,并且证明了两个余拟群双代数的余表示范畴是张量群等价的.

An Outline of the Grand Unified Theory of Gauge Fields

This paper attempts to propose a grand unified guiding principle of gauge fields from the mathematical and physical picture of fiber bundles: it is believed that our universe may have more fundamental interactions than the four fundamental interactions, and the gauge fields of these fundamental interactions are just a unified gauge potential on the fiber bundle manifold or the components connected to the bottom manifold, that is, our universe;these components can meet the transformation of gauge potential, and even can be transformed from a fundamental interaction gauge potential to another fundamental interaction gauge potential, and can be summarized into a unified equation, namely the expression of the generalized gauge equation, corresponding to the gauge transformation invariance;so gauge transformation invariance is a necessary condition to unify field theory, but quantization of field is not a necessary condition;the four (or more) fundamental interaction fields of the universe are unified into a universal gauge field defined by the connection of the principal fiber bundle on the cosmic base manifold.

Integration of Transport and Land Use Planning by Transit-Oriented Development for Economic Sustainability of the Standard Gauge Railway Projects in Tanzania

Tanzania is one of the countries in Africa that has engaged in the projects for construction of the electrified Standard Gauge Railway (SGR). However, lack of integration of transportation and land-use planning threatens economic sustainability of the SGR project. This study was carried out for the purpose of finding-out how transportation can be integrated with land-use planning for economic sustainability of the project. The study was carried-out by using qualitative research approach through demonstration as case study. Findings show that construction of the SGR is not integrated with land-use planning around the stations and along the SGR corridor. It is concluded that economic sustainability of the SGR projects can be achieved by integration of transport and land-use planning. As demonstrated, it is recommended to deliberate for integration of transportation and land-use planning in the SGR projects of which the prime land within Transit Stations can be efficiently used by using Transit Oriented Development and secure more land for production activities around the Transit Stations and along the SGR corridor.

The Significance of Generalized Gauge Transformation across Fundamental Interactions

The author of this paper has put forward a unified program of gauge field from the mathematical and physical picture of the principal associated bundles: thinking that our universe may have more fundamental interactions than the four fundamental interactions, and these basic interaction gauge fields are only the projection components to the base manifold, that is our universe, from a unified gauge potential or connection of the principal associated bundle manifold on the base manifold. These components can satisfy the transformation of gauge potential, and can even be transformed from one basic interaction gauge potential to another basic interaction gauge potential, and can be summarized into a unified equation, that is, the generalized gauge Equation (GGE), but the gauge potential or connection on the principal bundle is invariant, corresponding to the invariance of gauge transformation [1]. In this paper, we will continue to discuss this aspect concretely, and specifically construct a spatiotemporal model with the frame bundle as the principal bundle, and the tensor bundle as the associated bundle, so that the four fundamental interactions, especially the electromagnetic interaction and the gravitational interaction, can be reflected in the bottom manifold, that is, the regional distributions in our universe. Furthermore, this paper studies the existence of gauge transformation across basic interactions by establishing a model of gauge transformation of basic interaction field;it is found that the unified expression formula is GGE and the expression relation on the curvature of space-time. Therefore, the author discusses the feasibility of the generalized gauge transformation across the basic electromagnetic interaction and the basic gravitational interaction, and on this basis, specifically determines a method or way to find the generalized gauge transformation, so as to try to realize the last step of the “unification” of the four fundamental interactions in physics, that is, the “unification” of electromagnetism and gravity.

Challenges of the Performance Standards of the International Finance Corporation in Financing the African Integrated High-Speed Railway Network and the Way Forward: The Case of Standard Gauge Railway in Tanzania

Financing of the African Integrated High-Speed Railway Network (AIHSRN) through Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Projects is very expensive. As a result, most of the African countries seek financial supports from the International Financial Institutions (IFIs). However, conditions provided by the IFIs through the Performance Standards (PS) of the International Financial Corporation (IFC) increase cost of the projects and thus, it becomes a burden to most of the African countries. This study aimed to explore the causes of IFC-PS through the SGR Projects that escalate costs and how to address them. The Tanzania SGR Lot 1 Project that covered 205 km from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro was selected as a case study. The methods used for data collection involved literature review, focus group discussions and interviews. The results and findings show a gap between the IFC-PS and the National Laws and Regulations that escalates costs of the projects if funds from the IFIs were to be secured. To bridge the gap, it is recommended that the African countries should engage into negotiations with the IFIs to agree to waive IFC-PS conditions that escalate costs provided they are adequately covered in the national laws and regulations;engagement of locally established national and regional financial institutions;and the responsible government institutions in the African countries should sit together for assessment and review of the IFC-PS against the national laws and regulations.

CPI Remains Stable

China’s consumer price index,a main gauge of inflation,grew by 1.8 percent year on year in December 2022,up from 1.6 percent in November 2022,the National Bureau of Statistics(NBS)said on 12 January.The country’s full-year consumer inflation rose by 2 percent year on year,the NBS said.Dong Lijuan,an NBS statistician,attributed China’s stable prices to the government’s measures to effectively coordinate COVID-19 controls with economic and social development and ensure stable supply and prices.