The loss of plant functional groups increased arthropod diversity in an alpine meadow on the Tibetan Plateau

Plant species loss, driven by global changes and human activities, can have cascading effects on other trophic levels, such as arthropods, and alter the multitrophic structure of ecosystems. While the relationship between plant diversity and arthropod communities has been well-documented, few studies have explored the effects of species composition variation or plant functional groups. In this study, we conducted a long-term plant removal experiment to investigate the impact of plant functional group loss (specifically targeting tall grasses and sedges, as well as tall or short forbs) on arthropod diversity and their functional groups. Our findings revealed that the removal of plant functional groups resulted in increased arthropod richness, abundance and the exponential of Shannon entropy, contrary to the commonly observed positive correlation between plant diversity and consumer diversity. Furthermore, the removal of different plant groups had varying impacts on arthropod trophic levels. The removal of forbs had a more pronounced impact on herbivores compared to graminoids, but this impact did not consistently cascade to higher-trophic arthropods. Notably, the removal of short forbs had a more significant impact on predators, as evidenced by the increased richness, abundance, the exponential of Shannon entropy, inverse Simpson index and inverse Berger-Parker index of carnivores and abundance of omnivores, likely attributable to distinct underlying mechanisms. Our results highlight the importance of plant species identity in shaping arthropod communities in alpine grasslands. This study emphasizes the crucial role of high plant species diversity in controlling arthropods in natural grasslands, particularly in the context of plant diversity loss caused by global changes and human activities

Study on the Motion Characteristics of Residual Air Mass in Pipelines in Water Transfer Project

For long-distance water transfer projects, the residual air mass in the pipeline will not only reduce the efficiency, but also be detrimental to the safety of the system. In order to study the influence of the water flow velocity of the pressurized water pipeline and the pipeline angle of the hump on the motion characteristics of the residual air mass, an experimental platform with Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measuring system was constructed to analyse the flow field. The RSM turbulence model was combined with the VOF multiphase flow model to construct a local high-point gas-liquid two-phase fluid dynamics model for numerical simulation. The results showed that with the increase of water flow velocity, the local hump residual air mass would go through three states, namely, no bubble generation, air bubble was generated and partial discharged, and air mass discharge at one time. If the gas was greater than a certain volume, the increase in the water flow rate required to carry the air mass out of the hump at one time would slow down; the larger the local hump angle was, the greater the water flow rate was required to carry the gas out of the local hump part

Study on the Motion Characteristics of Residual Air Mass in Pipelines in Water Transfer Project

For long-distance water transfer projects, the residual air mass in the pipeline will not only reduce the efficiency, but also be detrimental to the safety of the system. In order to study the influence of the water flow velocity of the pressurized water pipeline and the pipeline angle of the hump on the motion characteristics of the residual air mass, an experimental platform with Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measuring system was constructed to analyse the flow field. The RSM turbulence model was combined with the VOF multiphase flow model to construct a local high-point gas-liquid two-phase fluid dynamics model for numerical simulation. The results showed that with the increase of water flow velocity, the local hump residual air mass would go through three states, namely, no bubble generation, air bubble was generated and partial discharged, and air mass discharge at one time. If the gas was greater than a certain volume, the increase in the water flow rate required to carry the air mass out of the hump at one time would slow down; the larger the local hump angle was, the greater the water flow rate was required to carry the gas out of the local hump part

Implementation and Optimization of GPU-Based Static State Security Analysis in Power Systems

Static state security analysis (SSSA) is one of the most important computations to check whether a power system is in normal and secure operating state. It is a challenge to satisfy real-time requirements with CPU-based concurrent methods due to the intensive computations. A sensitivity analysis-based method with Graphics processing unit (GPU) is proposed for power systems, which can reduce calculation time by 40% compared to the execution on a 4-core CPU. The proposed method involves load flow analysis and sensitivity analysis. In load flow analysis, a multifrontal method for sparse LU factorization is explored on GPU through dynamic frontal task scheduling between CPU and GPU. The varying matrix operations during sensitivity analysis on GPU are highly optimized in this study. The results of performance evaluations show that the proposed GPU-based SSSA with optimized matrix operations can achieve a significant reduction in computation time

Experimental and Numerical Study of the Mixed Lubrication Considering Boundary Film Strength

For the influence of boundary film on the lubrication state of sliding friction pairs, a boundary film strength model was proposed that can comprehensively reflect the influences of film thickness, pressure, shear stress and temperature. The model parameters were obtained through fitting the test results. Then, a mixed lubrication model considering boundary film strength was established by coupling the boundary film strength model with the hydrodynamic lubrication model and the asperity contact model. The calculation program was developed using the Fortran language, which can effectively capture the tribological characteristics and action ratios of the fluid, boundary film and dry friction components. Simultaneously, the mixed lubrication model was applied to the journal bearing. A parametric analysis was performed to investigate the influences of different working conditions on lubrication performance. Under current operating conditions, the results show that: when the speed is above 200 r/min or the viscosity is higher than 0.09 Pa·s, the boundary film breakdown rate is almost 0 and the friction coefficient is lower than 0.02; when the roughness is reduced from 1.8 μm to 0.8 μm, the ultimate load of the journal bearing rises from 27 MPa to 36 MPa, an increase of about 33%; when the load exceeds 36 MPa or the temperature is higher than 100 °C, more than 25% of the boundary film breaks and the dry friction component accounts for more than 60% of the total friction, which leads to a sudden increase in the friction coefficient. Hence, the study of mixed lubrication considering boundary film strength provides theoretical guidance for accurately reflecting the actual lubrication state and improving the mechanical energy efficiency of friction pairs

En-Garde! A Review of Fencing Blade Material Development

Using two fencing swords manufactured in Europe and China, we investigated the typical materials used for fencing blades and compared the experimental results with the nominal compositions of a variety of steels. We found that spring steels and maraging steels were the primary metals used in fencing blades. The review then provides an overview of the chemical compositions, heat treatment processes, microstructures and associated mechanical properties of these materials. By combining the requirements for the safety of athletes, mechanical behaviors of different steels, and production costs for industry, we introduced possible directions for the heat treatments and processing methods that have the potential to enhance performance and overcome the limitations of previous materials. In addition, an ultra-strong steel, Fe-9.95Mn-0.44C-1.87Al-0.67V which could be a promising new candidate in this area, was recommended. Finally, we suggested that successful cooperation between manufacturers and researchers is necessary to reach the various requirements of fencing blades to meet the growing popularity of fencing in China

Understanding the Discrepancy of Defect Kinetics on Anionic Redox in Lithium-Rich Cathode Oxides

Understanding the Discrepancy of Defect Kinetics on Anionic Redox in Lithium-Rich Cathode Oxide

Bi-lineage inducible and immunoregulatory electrospun fibers scaffolds for synchronous regeneration of tendon-to-bone interface

Facilitating regeneration of the tendon-to-bone interface can reduce the risk of postoperative retear after rotator cuff repair. Unfortunately, undesirable inflammatory responses following injury, difficulties in fibrocartilage regeneration, and bone loss in the surrounding area are major contributors to suboptimal tendon-bone healing. Thus, the development of biomaterials capable of regulating macrophage polarization to a favorable phenotype and promoting the synchronous regeneration of the tendon-to-bone interface is currently a top priority. Here, strontium-doped mesoporous bioglass nanoparticles (Sr-MBG) were synthesized through a modulated sol-gel method and Bi-lineage Inducible and Immunoregulatory Electrospun Fibers Scaffolds (BIIEFS) containing Sr-MBG were fabricated. The BIIEFS were biocompatible, showed sustained release of multiple types of bioactive ions, enhanced osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and facilitated macrophage polarization towards the M2 phenotype in vitro. The implantation of BIIEFS at the torn rotator cuff resulted in greater numbers of M2 macrophages and the synchronous regeneration of tendon, fibrocartilage, and bone at the tendon-to-bone interface, leading to a significant improvement in the biomechanical strength of the supraspinatus tendon-humerus complexes. Our research offers a feasible strategy to fabricate immunoregulatory and multi-lineage inducible electrospun fibers scaffolds incorporating bioglass nanoparticles for the regeneration of soft-to-hard tissue interfaces

The Radiological Characteristics of Degenerative Cervical Kyphosis with Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Introduction: In this study, we aim to describe the radiological characteristics of degenerative cervical kyphosis (DCK) with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and discuss the relationship between DCK and the pathogenesis of spinal cord dysfunction. Methods: In total, 90 patients with CSM hospitalized in our center from September 2017 to August 2022 were retrospectively examined in this study; they were then divided into the kyphosis group and the nonkyphosis group. The patients' demographics, clinical features, and radiological data were obtained, including gender, age, duration of illness, cervical Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, cervical lordosis (CL), height of intervertebral space, degree of wedging vertebral body, degree of osteophyte formation, degree of disc herniation, degree of spinal cord compression, and anteroposterior diameter of the spinal cord. In the kyphosis group, kyphotic segments, apex of kyphosis, and segmental kyphosis angle were recorded. Radiological characteristics between the two groups were also compared. Correlation analysis was performed for different spinal cord compression types. Results: As per our findings, the patients in the kyphosis group showed more remarkable wedging of the vertebral body, more severe anterior compression of the spinal cord, and a higher degree of disc herniation, while the posterior compression of the spinal cord was relatively mild when compared with the nonkyphosis group. CL was related to the type of spinal cord compression, as cervical kyphosis is an independent risk factor for anterior spinal cord compression. Conclusions: DCK might play a vital role in the pathogenesis of spinal cord dysfunction. In patients with DCK, it was determined that the anterior column is less supported, and more severe anterior spinal cord compression is present. The anterior approach is supposed to be preferred for CSM patients with DCK

Quantitative analysis of near-implant magnesium accumulation for a Si-containing coated AZ31 cage from a goat cervical spine fusion model

Abstract Background Magnesium (Mg) released from Mg-based implants degradation is believed to be effective in improving osteogenesis, however, studies focusing on Mg-based interbody cages are limited and fusion success was never reported. As excessive Mg accumulation can inhibit new bone formation, this study is designed to explain the possible reasons for the fusion failure of Mg-based cages by analyzing the relationships between the intervertebral Mg accumulation and the resulting interbody fusion. Methods The experimental cage was consisted of magnesium alloy (AZ31) substrate and Silicon (Si) -containing coating. C3/C4 and C5/C6 of 24 goats were implanted with cage or autologous iliac crest bone graft (Control group), which were analyzed at 3, 6, 12, and 24 weeks post-operatively. Intervertebral Mg concentrations, Mg-related Calcium (Ca)/ Phosphorus (P) ratios, radiological evaluations and histological findings were recorded for analyzing the relationships between the three of cage corrosion, Mg accumulation, and interbody fusion. Results Intervertebral Mg levels were significantly increased after cage implantation, especially in the areas that were closer to the cages at 3 weeks post-operatively, and these increased concentrations could persist up to 12 weeks post-operatively, indicating a relatively rapid corrosion process. Significantly lower Mg levels were only found at 24 weeks post-operatively, but these levels were still higher than those of the control group. In addition, Mg was found to be widely distributed at the intervertebral space since high Mg concentrations could even be detected at the posterior boundary of the vertebral body. Under this Mg accumulation profile, interbody fusion was not achieved, as indicated by the decreased Ca/P ratios, low CT fusion scores and negative histological results. Conclusions Intervertebral excessive Mg accumulation might be the primary reason for interbody fusion failure. Quantitative Mg analysis can offer insight into the association between cage degeneration and biological response