Typical Soft–Sediment Deformation Structures Induced by Freeze/Thaw Cycles: A Case Study of Quaternary Alluvial Deposits in the Northern Qiangtang Basin, Tibetan Plateau

With the objective of establishing a distinction between deformation structures caused by freeze/thaw cycles and those resulting from seismic activity, we studied three well–exposed alluvial deposits in a section at Dogai Coring, northern Qiangtang Basin, Tibetan Plateau. Deformation is present in the form of plastic structures(diapirs, folds and clastic dykes), brittle structures(micro–faults) and cryogenic wedges. These soft–sediment deformation features(except the micro–faults) are mainly characterized by meter–scale, non–interlayered, low–speed and low–pressure displacements within soft sediments, most commonly in the form of plastic deformation. Taking into account the geographic setting, lithology and deformation features, we interpret these soft–sediment deformation features as the products of freeze/thaw cycles, rather than of earthquake–induced shock waves, thus reflecting regional temperature changes and fluctuations of hydrothermal conditions in the uppermost sediments. The micro–faults(close to linear hot springs) are ascribed to regional fault activity;however, we were unable to identify the nature of the micro–faults, perhaps due to disturbance by subsequent freeze/thaw cycles. This study may serve as a guide to recognizing the differences between deformation structures attributed to freeze/thaw cycles and seismic processes.

The principle of stability control of surrounding rock-bearing structures in high stress soft rock roadways

Through the description of the deformational features of the surrounding rockaround high stress engineering soft rock roadways,the coupling stabilization principle ofinner and outer structures in surrounding rock was put forward.The supporting principlesof high stress engineering soft rock roadway (high resistance and yielding support,timelysupport,high strength and high stiffness supports) were proposed,which were applied inengineering practices,and obtained better achievements.

A Preliminary Study on the Soft–Sediment Deformation Structures in the Late Quaternary Lacustrine Sediments at Tashkorgan, Northeastern Pamir, China

This study identified soft-sediment deformation structures （SSDS） of seismic origin from lacustrine sediments in the late Quaternary paleo-dammed lake at Tashkorgan, northeastern Pamir. The observed deformation structures include sand dykes, liquefied diapir and convolute structures, gravity induced SSDS, and thixotropic pillar and tabular structures. We conducted a preliminary study on the morphology, formation and trigger mechanisms of pillar and tabular structures formed by liquefaction of underlying coarse sand and thixotropy of the upper silty clay. The regional tectonic setting and distribution of lacustrine strata indicate that the most probable trigger for the SSDS in lacustrine sediments was seismic activity, with an approximate earthquake magnitude of M〉6.0; the potential seismogenic fault is the southern part of the Kongur normal fault extensional system. AMS ^4C dating results indicate that the SSDS were formed by seismic events occurring between 26050±100 yrBP and 22710±80 yrBP, implying intense fault activity in this region during the late Pleistocene. This study provides new evidence for understanding tectonic activity and regional geodynamics in western China.

Study on the Influence of Aspect Ratio on the Seismic Response and Overturning Resistance of a New Staggered Story Isolated Structure

The aspect ratio of the structure has a significant impact on the overall stability of the ultra high-rise building. A large aspect ratio of the structure increases the risk of overturning and reduces the lateral stiffness of the structure, leading to significant tensile and compressive stresses in the isolated bearings. To study the effect of aspect ratio on the seismic response and overturning resistance of a new staggered story isolated structure, three models with different aspect ratios were established. Nonlinear time-history analysis of the three models was conducted using ETABS finite element software. The results indicate that the overturning moment and overturning resistance moment of the superstructure in the new staggered story isolated structure increase with an increasing aspect ratio. However, the increase in the overturning moment of the superstructure is much greater than the increase in the overturning resistance moment, resulting in a decrease in the overturning resistance ratio of the superstructure with an increasing aspect ratio. The overturning moment and overturning resistance moment of the substructure in the new staggered story isolated structure decrease with an increasing aspect ratio. However, the decrease in the overturning moment of the substructure is greater than the decrease in the overturning resistance moment, leading to an increase in the overturning resistance ratio of the substructure with an increasing aspect ratio. The decrease in the overturning resistance ratio of the superstructure in the new staggered story isolated structure is much greater than the increase in the overturning resistance ratio of the substructure. Therefore, as the aspect ratio of the overall structure increases, the overturning resistance ratio of the superstructure and the entire structure decreases.

The Seismic Induced Soft Sediment Deformation Structures in the Middle Jurassic of Western Qaidamu Basin

Intervals of soft-sediment deformation structures are well-exposed in Jurassic lacustrine deposits in the western Qaidamu basin. Through field observation, many soft-sediment deformation structures can be identified, such as convoluted bedding, liquefied sand veins, load and flame structures, slump structures and sliding-overlapping structures. Based on their genesis, soft-sediment deformation structures can be classified as three types： seismic induced structures, vertical loading structures, and horizontal shear structures. Based on their geometry and genesis analysis, they are seismic-induced structures. According to the characteristics of convoluted bedding structures and liquefied sand veins, it can be inferred that there were earthquakes greater than magnitude 6 in the study area during the middle Jurassic. Furthermore, the study of the slump structures and sliding- overlapping structures indicates that there was a southeastern slope during the middle Jurassic. Since the distance from the study area to the Altyn Mountain and the Altyn fault is no more than 10km, it can be also inferred that the Altyn Mountain existed then and that the AItyn strike-slip fault was active during the middle Jurassic.

Application Analysis of Strengthened Story in Frame-Core Structures

Lateral deflection formulas are presented for analysis of the strengthened story applied to flame-core structures. For the framecore structures with top outriggers and with middle outriggers, the relationship between stiffness characteristic parameters of frame and outriggers and the top drift of structures under different loads is analyzed. It is indicated that when stiffness characteristic parameter of frame is large, outrigger efficiency for top drift reduction is low, and the mutation of internal forces occurs; when the stiffness characteristic parameter of frame is less than 3, installing the strengthened story is advantageous to frame-core structures.

Earthquake-induced Soft-sediment Deformation Structures in the Dengfeng Area,Henan Province,China:Constraints on Qinling Tectonic Evolution during the Early Cambrian

Soft-sediment deformation structures are abundant in the Cambrian Zhushadong and Mantou formations of the Dengfeng area, Henan Province, China. Soft-sediment deformation structures of the Zhushadong Formation consist of fluidized deformation, synsedimentary faults, seismo-folds and plastic deformation; the Mantou Formation is dominated by small-scale horst faults, intruded dikes, fluidized veins, and seismo-cracks. These structures are demonstrated to be earthquake-related by analysis of trigger mechanisms, and may indicate the activity of the Qinling tectonic belt during the early Cambrian. Furthermore, the assemblages of soft-sediment deformation structures altered with time： large-scale, intense deformation in the Zhushadong Formation alters to small-scale, weak deformation in the Mantou Formation. This striking feature may have been caused by changes in hypocentral depth from deep-focus to shallow-focus earthquakes, indicating that the Qinling tectonic belt developed from the subduction of the Shangdan Ocean to the extension of the Erlangping back-arc basin. This study suggests that soft-sediment deformation structures can be used to reveal the activity of a tectonic belt, and, more importantly, changes in deformation assemblages can track the evolution of a tectonic belt.

Passive control experiment of building with spacious first story by magnet-friction energy dissipation device

Based on the former performance capacity experiments of the magnet-friction energy dissipation devices, including the permanent magnet-friction energy dissipation device (PMF) and electromagnet-friction energy dissipation devices (EMF), a 5-story steel frame model with spacious first story is designed and made according to a scale of 1/4. The magnet-friction energy dissipation devices can realize continuously varied controlling force, with rapid response and reverse recognition. Therefore, they overcome shortcomings usually found in energy dissipation devices whose force models are invariable. The two kinds of devices were fixed on the flexible first story of the structure model, and the shaking table tests have been carried out, respectively. In these tests, the performance of the devices and their effectiveness in structural control were confirmed. In this paper, the test results and analysis are discussed.

Supporting Extensive Reading Through Soft Toy Theory and Story Sacks

This paper is based on the author＇s work shop which provides educators with information on how to utilize ＂Soft Toy Theory＂. The workshop is based on a set of theoretical concepts taken from： psychology, play therapy, and literacy theory which have been blended together to form a set of teaching approaches and lesson plan ideas that can be used in Literacy/English classes. The paper will also discuss the value of using ＂Story Sacks＂ to develop and raise levels of comprehension and understanding in extensive reading and reading programs. The application of ＂Soft Toy Theory＂ could also provide a positive social-psychological affect on the students. It is designed to creating bonding between teacher and student and student and student and to raise levels of self-esteem and enable the teachers to be able to access the thoughts and feelings of a child or young adu/t which can often be hard to discern from traditional direct question and answer sessions. ＂Soft Toy Theory＂ is a term that the author has adopted herself for using play, creativity, and art resources and soft toys to create dialogues in the Kindergarten and Elementary classroom： It is even possible to extend the use ＂Soft Toy Theory＂ to middle school, high school, and adult classrooms if the resources and topics and ＂tone＂ and tenor of teaching are appropriately adapted. Soft Toy Theory assumes that soft toys can include： actual soft toys, art resources, and other play resources： such as, sand, water, puppets, masks and clay. Story Sacks employ much of the theory that supports ＂soft toy usage＂ within the classroom. Story Sacks aim to provide inspiring resources whilst encouraging enjoyment and a greater comprehension of ＂real＂ books or ＂graded＂ readers. Additionally, Story Sacks can support extensive reading in the school and at home, and are a useful adjunct to Soft Toy Theory and supporting literacy activities in any classroom.

Soft Sediment Deformation Structures in the Maastrichtian Patti Formation, Southern Bida Basin Nigeria: Implications for the Assessment of Endogenic Triggers in the Maastrichtian Sedimentary Record

Detailed fieldwork carried out in the southern part of Bida Basin, Nigeria, allowed the documentation of soft sediment deformation structures (SSDS) in the Maastrichtian Patti Formation. The aim of this study is to examine the sedimentary successions, describe and analyse these deformation features, discuss their deformation mechanisms and potential triggers. The Maastrichtian Patti Formation is composed of lithofacies interpreted to have been deposited in tidal and fluvial sedimentary environments. Soft sediment deformation structures recognised in the tidal sediments were clastic dykes, load cast, isolated sand balls, dish-and-pillar structures, convolute lamination, diapiric structures and recumbent folds. Severely deformed cross beds, ring structures, associated sand balls, normal folds and recumbent folds were identified in the fluvial sediments. SSDS recognised were interpreted to have been caused by effects of liquefaction and fluidization. Field observations, facies analysis and morphology of the SSDS indicate that there are relationship between the depositional environments and SSDS. Endogenic processes are considered as the trigger agents and they are represented by rapid sedimentation and overloading, impact of breaking waves, pressure fluctuations caused by turbulent water flow, cyclic stress and current generated by storm waves and changes in water table. The present study did not identify exogenic processes as trigger agent. The occurrence of SSDS in southern Bida Basin strongly favoured a non-tectonic origin but a clear relationship high energy processes in tidal and fluvial depositional environments.

A three-layer structure model for the effect of a soft middle layer on Love waves propagating in layered piezoelectric systems

A three-layer structure model is proposed for investigating the effect of a soft elastic middle layer on the propagation behavior of Love waves in piezoelectric layered systems, with ＂soft＂ implying that the bulk-shear-wave velocity of the middle layer is smaller than that of the upper sensitive layer. Dispersion equations are obtained for unelectroded and traction-free upper surfaces which, in the limit, can be reduced to those for classical Love waves. Systematic parametric studies are subsequently carried out to quantify the effects of the soft middle layer upon Love wave propagation, including its thickness, mass density, dielectric constant and elastic coefficient. It is demonstrated that whilst the thickness and elastic coefficient of the middle layer affect significantly Love wave propagation, its mass density and dielectric constant have negligible influence. On condition that both the thickness and elastic coefficient of the middle layer are vanishingly small so that it degenerates into an imperfectly bonded interface, the three-layer model is also employed to investigate the influence of imperfect interfaces on Love waves propagating in piezoelectric layer/elastic sub- strate systems. Upon comparing with the predictions ob- tained by employing the traditional shear-lag model, the present three-layer structure model is found to be more ac- curate as it avoids the unrealistic displacement discontinuity across imperfectly bonded interfaces assumed by the shearlag model, especially for long waves when the piezoelectric layer is relatively thin.

Further New Highly Oxidative Cembranoids from the Hainan Soft Coral Sarcophyton trocheliophorum

Three new highly oxidative cembranoids,sarcophytrols D-F(1-3),were obtained from the South China Sea soft coral Sarcophyton trocheliophorum,along with two known related ones(4 and 5).Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses and by comparison with literature data.The discovery of these new secondary metabolites enriched the family of cembranoids deduced from the title animal.

Universal 2D Soft Nano-Scale Mosaic Structure Theory for Polymers and Colloids

A basic concept in chain-particle cluster-motion, from frozen glassy state to melt state, is the 2D soft nano-scale mosaic structure formed by 8 orders of 2D interface excitation (IE) loop-flows, from small to large in inverse cascade and rearrangement structure in cascade along local one direction. IE has additional repulsive energy and extra vacancy volume. IE results from that the instantaneous synchronal polarized electron charge coupling pair is able to parallel transport on the interface between two neighboring chain-particles with antiparallel delocalization. This structure accords with de Gennes’ mosaic structure picture, from which we can directly deduce glass transition temperature, melt temperature, free volume fraction, critical entangled chain length, and activation energy to break solid lattice. This is also the inherency maximum order-potential structure in random systems.

Supervised local and non-local structure preserving projections with application to just-in-time learning for adaptive soft sensor

In soft sensor field, just-in-time learning(JITL) is an effective approach to model nonlinear and time varying processes. However, most similarity criterions in JITL are computed in the input space only while ignoring important output information, which may lead to inaccurate construction of relevant sample set. To solve this problem, we propose a novel supervised feature extraction method suitable for the regression problem called supervised local and non-local structure preserving projections(SLNSPP), in which both input and output information can be easily and effectively incorporated through a newly defined similarity index. The SLNSPP can not only retain the virtue of locality preserving projections but also prevent faraway points from nearing after projection,which endues SLNSPP with powerful discriminating ability. Such two good properties of SLNSPP are desirable for JITL as they are expected to enhance the accuracy of similar sample selection. Consequently, we present a SLNSPP-JITL framework for developing adaptive soft sensor, including a sparse learning strategy to limit the scale and update the frequency of database. Finally, two case studies are conducted with benchmark datasets to evaluate the performance of the proposed schemes. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of LNSPP and SLNSPP.

Experimental analysis of pore structure and fractal characteristics of soft and hard coals with same coalifcation

Accurate and quantitative investigation of the physical structure and fractal geometry of coal has important theoretical and practical signifcance for coal bed methane(CBM)development and the prevention of dynamic disasters such as coal and gas outbursts.This study investigates the pore structure and fractal characteristics of soft and hard coals using nitrogen and carbon dioxide(N_(2)/CO_(2))adsorption.Coal samples from Pingdingshan Mine in Henan province of China were collected and pulverized to the required size(0.20–0.25 mm).N_(2)/CO_(2)adsorption tests were performed to evaluate the specifc surface area(SSA),pore size distribution(PSD),and pore volume(PV)using Braunuer-Emmett-Teller(BET),Barrett-Joyner-Halenda(BJH),and Density Functional Theory(DFT).The pore structure was characterized based on the theory of fractal dimensions.The results unveiled that the strength of coal has a signifcant infuence on pore structure and fractal dimensions.There are signifcant diferences in SSA and PV between both coals.The BJH-PV and BET-SSA obtained by N_(2)-adsorption for soft coal are 0.029–0.032 cm^(3)/g and 3.523–4.783 m^(2)/g.While the values of PV and SSA obtained by CO_(2)-adsorption are 0.037–0.039 cm^(3)/g and 106.016–111.870 m^(2)/g.Soft coal shows greater SSA and PV than hard coal,which is consistent with the adsorption capacity(VL).The fractal dimensions of soft and hard coal are respectively diferent.The Ding coal exhibits larger D1 and smaller D_(2),and the reverse for the Wu coal seam is observed.The greater the value of D1(complexity of pore surface)of soft coal is,the larger the pore surface roughness and gas adsorption capacity is.The results enable us to conclude that the characterization of pores and fractal dimensions of soft and hard coals is diferent,tending to diferent adsorption/desorption characteristics.In this regard,the results provide a reference for formulating corresponding coal and gas outburst prevention and control measures.

Investigation Responses of the Diagrid Structural System of High-rise Buildings Equipped with Tuned Mass Damper Using New Dynamic Method

Due to the shortage of land in cities and population growth,the significance of high rise buildings has risen.Controlling lateral displacement of structures under different loading such as an earthquake is an important issue for designers.One of the best systems is the diagrid method which is built with diagonal elements with no columns for manufacturing tall buildings.In this study,the effect of the distribution of the tuned mass damper(TMD)on the structural responses of diagrid tall buildings was investigated using a new dynamic method.So,a diagrid structural systems with variable height with TMDs was solved as an example of structure.The reason for the selection of the diagrid system was the formation of a stiffness matrix for the diagonal and angular elements.Therefore,the effect of TMDs distribution on the story drift,base shear and structural behaviour were studied.The obtained outcomes showed that the TMDs distribution does not significantly affect on improving the behaviour of the diagrid structural system during an earthquake.Furthermore,the new dynamic scheme represented in this study has good performance for analyzing different systems.Abbreviation:TMD-tuned mass damper;SATMD-semiactive-tuned mass dampers;MDOF-multiple degrees of freedom;m_(i)-mass of ith story of the building;c_(i)-damping coefficient of the ith story of the building;k_(i)-stiffness of ith story of the building;x_(i)-displacement of the ith story of the building;md-mass of damper;c_(d)-damping coefficient of the damper;k_(d)-stiffness of damper;x_(d)-displacement of TMD;M_(i)-generalized mass of the ith normal mode;C_(i)-generalized damping of the ith normal mode;K_(i)-generalized stiffness of the ith normal mode;K_(i)(t)-generalized load of the ith normal mode;Y_(i)(t)-generalized displacement of the ith normal mode;[M]-matrices of mass;[C]-matrices of damping;{P(t)}-consequence external forces;N_(i)(τ)-interpolation functions;[Ai]-mechanical properties of the structure.

Genotype and Phylogenetic Diversity of Symbiodinium ITS2 Sequences Within Clade C in Three Typical Coral Species from Luhuitou Fringing Reef of the South China Sea

Dinoflagellates in the genus Symbiodinium, including nine clades(A–I), mainly form mutualistic symbioses with corals. More than 100 Symbiodinium molecular types have been identified by the ITS2-based genotype method within any given clade, and specifically within Symbiodinium clade C. However, the genotype identification method using the ITS2 sequence is likely to lead to high diversity estimates due to the intra-genomic variations in the ITS2 space; thus, further validation is essential for a correct identification. In this study, the molecular diversity of Symbiodinium ITS2 sequences cloned from two stone corals, Acropora sp. SY-01 and Pocillopora sp. SY-05, and one soft coral, Sarcophyton sp. SY-07, living in the northern part of South China Sea(SCS), were analyzed and compared using the ITS2-based genotype identification method, coupled with ITS2-based secondary structural and phylogenetic analyses. As the result, 12 Symbiodinium ITS2 genotypes were identified, while only six and three Symbiodinium ITS2 genotypes were supported by ITS2-based secondary structural and phylogenetic analyses, respectively. In addition, no shared Symbiodinium ITS2 genotypes were observed among the three coral species, suggesting coral species-dependent Symbiodinium genotypes were within clade C. In summary, the present study provides a theoretical basis for validating the molecular diversity of Symbiodinium ITS2 genotypes in corals.

Synthesis and Characterization of Hollow Strontium Carbonate Pompons by Composite Soft Template Method

The hollow strontium carbonate pompons was synthesized for the first time by a controlled reaction precipitation method with sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate(SDBS)and polyvinyl pyrrolidone(PVP)work together as template.The sampled particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurement,X-ray diffraction(XRD),Energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy(EDX),Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry(TGA-DSC),etc.It is shown that the assynthesized hollow strontium carbonate pompons with the size of about 2μm consist of flake-like particles under the optimal reaction conditions.The formation mechanism of hollow strontium carbonate pompons was preliminarily explored.

Experimental research based on a C-band compact transit-time oscillator with a novel diode loading an embedded soft magnetic material and shielding structure

In order to reduce the external magnetic field and improve the conversion efficiency of high-power microwave generation devices with low external magnetic field,a novel diode with an embedded soft magnetic and shielding structure is proposed.The soft magnetic material is designed to enhance the local magnetic field in the diode region.Moreover,the diode applies a shielding structure which can reduce the radial electric field.From simulation research,it is found that the emission and transmission quality of the electron beam with low magnetic field is greatly improved when loading this diode.Through simulation research,it is verified that the diode can increase the conversion efficiency of the transit-time oscillator(TTO)from 30%to 36.7%.In our experimental study,under the conditions of a diode voltage of 540 kV and a current of 10.5 kA,the output microwave power is 1.51 GW when loading the novel diode and the microwave frequency is 4.27 GHz when an external guiding magnetic field of 0.3 T is applied.The corresponding conversion efficiency is improved from 20.0%to 26.6%,which is 6.6%higher than that of a device loaded with a conventional diode.Our experiments have verified that this novel diode can effectively improve the conversion efficiency of high-power microwave sources operating with low magnetic field,and contribute to the miniaturization and compactness of high-power microwave devices.

Magnetic Properties of Ni-Zn Ferrite Prepared with the Layered Precursor Method

We prepare NiZnFe2O4 soft magnetic ferrites with different molar ratios with the layered precursor method and investigate their magnetic properties. In the layered precursor, metal ions are scattered on the layer plate in a certain way on account of the effect of lowest lattice energy and lattice orientation. After high temperature calcinations, spinel ferrites with uniform structural component and single magnetic domain can be obtained, and the magnetic property is improved greatly. NiZnFe2O4 ferrites prepared have the best specific saturation magnetization of 79.15 emu·g^-1, higher than that of 68 emu·g^-1 prepared by the chemical co-precipitation method and that of 59 emu·g^-1prepared by the emulsion-gel method. Meanwhile the coercivity of NiZnFe2O4 ferrites prepared by layered precursor method is 14 kA·m^-1, lower than that of 50 emu·g^-1 prepared by the co-precipitation method and that of 59 emu·g^-1 prepared by the emulsion-gel method.