Natural Science

Preparation of lignin derivatives and their application as protease adsorbent

Crisis dynamics of a class of single-degree-of-freedom piecewise linear oscillators

Peer reviewe

Assessing accuracy and precision for space-based measurements of carbon dioxide: An associated statistical methodology revisited

Analyzing retrieval accuracy and precision is an important element of space‐based CO_2 retrievals. However, this error analysis is sometimes challenging to perform rigorously because of the subtlety of Multivariate Statistics. To help address this issue, we revisit some fundamentals of Multivariate Statistics that help reveal the statistical essence of the associated error analysis. We show that the related statistical methodology is useful for revealing the intrinsic discrepancy and relation between the retrieval error for a nonzero‐variate CO_2 state and that for a zero‐variate one. Our study suggests that the two scenarios essentially yield the same‐magnitude accuracy, while the latter scenario yields a better precision than the former. We also use this methodology to obtain a rigorous framework systematically and explore a broadly used approximate framework for analyzing CO_2 retrieval errors. The approximate framework introduces errors due to an essential, but often forgotten, fact that a priori climatology in reality is never equal to the true state. Due to the nature of the problem considered, realistic numerical simulations that produce synthetic spectra may be more appropriate than remote sensing data for our specific exploration. As highlighted in our retrieval simulations, utilizing the approximate framework may not be universally satisfactory in assessing the accuracy and precision of X_(co_2) retrievals (with errors up to 0.17–0.28 ppm and 1.4–1.7 ppm, respectively, at SNR = 400). In situ measurements of CO_2 are needed to further our understanding of this issue and related implications

Multi-axial creep-fatigue life prediction considering history-dependent damage evolution : a new numerical procedure and experimental validation

In this paper, a new numerical procedure based on a cycle-by-cycle analysis has been constructed for creep-fatigue behavior and life prediction of high-temperature structures under multi-axial stress states. Within this framework, a modified unified viscoplastic constitutive model with isotropic hardening and modified kinematic hardening rules is developed to simulate the cycle-by-cycle stress-strain responses.Moreover, the newly constructed creep-fatigue approach calculates fatigue and creep damage variables using the critical plane method (CPM) and the modified strain energy density exhaustion (SEDE) model, respectively. The multi-axial ductility factor and elastic follow-up factor are also introduced into the modified SEDE model to accommodate the special multi-axial and mixed controlled modes, which are widely existed in practical structures. In order to validate the feasibility of the proposed numerical procedure, a series of creep-fatigue tests of notched specimens made from nickel-based GH4169 superalloy were carried out at 650 °C. The predicted numbers of cycles to crack initiation agree well with the experimental data. Evidence of crack initiation under various loading conditions was observed via the electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) technique, indicating location-dependent crack initiations depending on loading conditions. In detail, the crack initiation sites shifting from surface to subsurface with increasing hold times can be well simulated by the proposed numerical procedure due to a reasonable description of the creep- fatigue damage evolution

The ADH1B Arg47His polymorphism in East Asian populations and expansion of rice domestication in history

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The emergence of agriculture about 10,000 years ago marks a dramatic change in human evolutionary history. The diet shift in agriculture societies might have a great impact on the genetic makeup of Neolithic human populations. The regionally restricted enrichment of the class I alcohol dehydrogenase sequence polymorphism (ADH1BArg47His) in southern China and the adjacent areas suggests Darwinian positive selection on this genetic locus during Neolithic time though the driving force is yet to be disclosed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We studied a total of 38 populations (2,275 individuals) including Han Chinese, Tibetan and other ethnic populations across China. The geographic distribution of the ADH1B*47His allele in these populations indicates a clear east-to-west cline, and it is dominant in south-eastern populations but rare in Tibetan populations. The molecular dating suggests that the emergence of the ADH1B*47His allele occurred about 10,000~7,000 years ago.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We present genetic evidence of selection on the ADH1BArg47His polymorphism caused by the emergence and expansion of rice domestication in East Asia. The geographic distribution of the ADH1B*47His allele in East Asia is consistent with the unearthed culture relic sites of rice domestication in China. The estimated origin time of ADH1B*47His allele in those populations coincides with the time of origin and expansion of Neolithic agriculture in southern China.</p

Assessing accuracy and precision for space-based measurements of carbon dioxide: An associated statistical methodology revisited

Analyzing retrieval accuracy and precision is an important element of space‐based CO_2 retrievals. However, this error analysis is sometimes challenging to perform rigorously because of the subtlety of Multivariate Statistics. To help address this issue, we revisit some fundamentals of Multivariate Statistics that help reveal the statistical essence of the associated error analysis. We show that the related statistical methodology is useful for revealing the intrinsic discrepancy and relation between the retrieval error for a nonzero‐variate CO_2 state and that for a zero‐variate one. Our study suggests that the two scenarios essentially yield the same‐magnitude accuracy, while the latter scenario yields a better precision than the former. We also use this methodology to obtain a rigorous framework systematically and explore a broadly used approximate framework for analyzing CO_2 retrieval errors. The approximate framework introduces errors due to an essential, but often forgotten, fact that a priori climatology in reality is never equal to the true state. Due to the nature of the problem considered, realistic numerical simulations that produce synthetic spectra may be more appropriate than remote sensing data for our specific exploration. As highlighted in our retrieval simulations, utilizing the approximate framework may not be universally satisfactory in assessing the accuracy and precision of X_(co_2) retrievals (with errors up to 0.17–0.28 ppm and 1.4–1.7 ppm, respectively, at SNR = 400). In situ measurements of CO_2 are needed to further our understanding of this issue and related implications

A comparative study on the cyclic plasticity and fatigue failure behavior of different subzones in CrNiMoV steel welded joint

The cyclic plasticity and the low cycle fatigue failure behavior of the weld metal (WM) and base metal (BM) of the CrNiMoV steel welded joint under the strain and stress-control modes were investigated respectively. Significant cyclic softening was observed for both the WM and BM under the low cycle fatigue tests with the two control modes. Besides, obvious ratcheting happened in the WM and BM under the stress-controlled cyclic loading conditions. It is shown that both the WM and BM exhibited lower fatigue strength at the stress control mode than that at the strain control mode due to the influence of tension-compression asymmetry. Meanwhile, the WM showed larger cyclic softening rate, lower ratchetting deformation and fatigue strength than the BM under the same loading levels. The failure location of the WM specimens shifted from BM region (nearby the heat affected zone) to the center of WM with the increasing of strain amplitude under the strain-controlled tests, which can be explained with the similar maximum equivalent plastic strain amplitude location shifting behavior observed from the corresponding finite element simulations

Dimension Increase via Hierarchical Hydrogen Bonding from Simple Pincer-like Mononuclear complexes

A tetradentate symmetric ligand bearing both coordination and hydrogen bonding sites, N1,N3-bis(1-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-ethylidene)propane-1,3-diamine (H2bbepd) was utilized to synthesize a series of transition metal complexes, namely [Co(H2bbepd)(H2O)2]·2ClO4 (1), [Cu(H2bbepd)(OTs-)]·OTs- (2),[Cu(bbepd)(CH3OH)] (3), [Cd(H2bbepd)(NO3)2]·CH3OH (4), [Cd(H2bbepd)(CH3OH)Cl]·Cl (5), and [Cd(bbepd)(CH3OH)2] (6). These complexes show similar discrete pincer-like coordination units, possessing different arrangements of hydrogen bonding donor and acceptor sites. With or without the aid of uncoordinated anions and solvent molecules, such mononuclear units have been effectively involved in the construction of hierarchical hydrogen bonding assemblies (successively via level I and level II), leading to discrete binuclear ring (complex 2), one-dimensional chain or ribbon (complexes 3, 4 and 6) and two-dimensional layer (complexes 1 and 5) aggregates

Optimizing land-use zonation in coastal areas: revealing the spatio-temporal patterns and trade-off/synergy relationships among farmland functions

Under the interaction between natural ecosystems and human interferences, farmland extends to multi-functions such as production, ecological, social, and cultural functions. Despite the exponential increase in research on the multi-functional evaluation of farmland in recent years, little study has been conducted at fine spatial and long-time scales. Furthermore, the existing quantitative analyses of multifunctional synergies and trade-offs in farmland mainly consider static spatial patterns and neglect dynamic information. Selecting the Chinese coastal province of Zhejiang as the study area, this study thus evaluated the spatio-temporal patterns of farmland functions from 2000 to 2020 at the county scale and introduced the trade-off/synergy degree (TSD) model to quantify the intensity of the relationships among functions. The results showed that farmland functional values and their relationships were significantly heterogeneous in spatial and temporal distribution. In addition to social function, the other functions all exhibited an increasing trend. Furthermore, strong correlations were mainly observed between production, ecological and cultural functions. Ultimately, five farmland zones were determined by the k-means clustering algorithm and considering both functional values and their relationships, and targeted suggestions applicable to each zone were put forward in this study. This study contributes to the utilization and planning of farmland and its surrounding land, especially to the improvement of the policy of returning farmland to forests

Bed level changes in the surf zone during post-storm beach recovery

The study of post-storm beach recovery is important for economic development and the protection of life in coastal areas. In this study, field observations were conducted for 21 days in the surf zone of Dongdao Beach, Hailing Island, China, after tropical storm “Cempaka”. Data on depth, wave, Eulerian velocity, sediment, three-dimensional topography of the beach, and high-frequency variations in bed-level elevation were collected. The results showed that the beach experienced medium- to low- to medium-energy waves during field observations and covered two complete astronomical tide cycles. Contrary to the effect of wave energy conditions on beaches under normal wave conditions, a higher wave energy during beach recovery can promote silting and accelerate beach recovery. Tidal water level is an important factor affecting beach restoration, and a smaller tidal range is conducive to beach accretion. In a mixed semidiurnal tide, beach erosion and accretion occurred in the “highest tide” and “sub-highest tide” tidal cycles, respectively, and the combined effect of the two affected the change in the bed level in a mixed semidiurnal tide. After the storm, the hydrodynamic forcing mechanism and self-organization process of the sand bar jointly drove the formation of the topography of the bar channel in the surf zone. After the storm stopped, the spectral energy in free surface elevation was mainly distributed in the very low frequency and decayed rapidly at the infragravity band. The very low-frequency pulsation of the surf zone during recovery is a prominent feature of bed-level elevation, depth, and velocity. This study provides a good case for the study of hydrodynamic and bed level changes in the post-storm surf zone, as well as a reference for future studies of the intrinsic mechanisms post-storm beach recovery processes around the world