Six different types of Majiang bronze drums from Hechi City, Guangxi, China were collected from the Guangxi Museum to characterize the original scheme of polychromy and materials used for the drums. The composition of all the samples were determined by using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. All the bronze drums contain mainly Cu, Sn, Pb, and As. Qualitative analysis of the structure by X-ray powder diffraction indicates that each of the six bronze drums contains four or five phases, namely (Cu, As), Pb, Cu3Sn, and Cu10Sn3 or Cu, Pb, As0.2Cu1.8, Cu3Sn, and Cu10Sn3. The Rietveld structural refinement is performed first time for the quantitative analysis of ancient bronze drums and inorganic cultural relics. This paper reports the result.

Semiconductor photocatalysis has been regarded as one of the most promising methods for treatment of Cr(VI)-containing wastewater, but the high recombination rate of photogenerated carriers and photocorrosion have limited severely its practical application. The objective of the current study was to employ a layered double hydroxide (LDH) to mitigate these problems by designing and constructing a multiple heterojunction system of g-C3N4/LDH/Ag3PO4 (CNLDHAP) through a two-step hydrothermal route. The structures, morphologies, chemical states, and optical properties of the products were investigated systematically. The CNLDHAP composite showed superior photocatalytic activity for Cr(VI) reduction than that of the individual components under visible-light irradiation. The composite exhibited high photocatalytic reduction stability after five recycles. The enhanced photocatalytic performance may originate from the very efficient separation of photogenerated carriers of the multiple heterojunction system. Possible photocatalytic mechanisms for the reduction of Cr(VI) over the CNLDHAP composite photocatalyst are proposed.

We investigate experimentally and theoretically the interactions between a cavitation bubble and a hemispherical pendant oil droplet immersed in water. In experiments, the cavitation bubble is generated by a focused laser pulse right below the pendant droplet with well-controlled bubble–wall distances and bubble–droplet size ratios. By high-speed imaging, four typical interactions are observed, namely: oil droplet rupture; water droplet entrapment; oil droplet large deformation; and oil droplet mild deformation. The bubble jetting at the end of collapse and the migration of the bubble centroid are particularly different in each bubble–droplet interaction. We propose theoretical models based on the method of images for calculating the Kelvin impulse and the anisotropy parameter which quantitatively reflects the migration of the bubble centroid at the end of the collapse. Finally, we explain that a combination of the Weber number and the anisotropy parameter determines the regimes of the bubble–droplet interactions.

Lower limb exoskeletons (LLEs) have demonstrated their potential in delivering quantified repetitive gait training for individuals afflicted with gait impairments. A critical concern in robotic gait training pertains to fostering active patient engagement, and a viable solution entails harnessing the patient’s intrinsic effort to govern the control of LLEs. To address these challenges, this study presents an innovative online gait learning approach with an appropriate control strategy for rehabilitation exoskeletons based on dynamic movement primitives (DMP) and an Assist-As-Needed (AAN) control strategy, denoted as DMP-AAN. Specifically tailored for post-stroke patients, this approach aims to acquire the gait trajectory from the unaffected leg and subsequently generate the reference gait trajectory for the affected leg, leveraging the acquired model and the patient’s personal exertion. Compared to conventional AAN methodologies, the proposed DMP-AAN approach exhibits adaptability to diverse scenarios encompassing varying gait patterns. Experimental validation has been performed using the lower limb rehabilitation exoskeleton HemiGo. The findings highlight the ability to generate suitable control efforts for LLEs with reduced human-robot interactive force, thereby enabling highly patient-controlled gait training sessions to be achieved.

In the field of robot reinforcement learning (RL), the reality gap has always been a problem that restricts the robustness and generalization of algorithms. We propose Simulation Twin (SimTwin) : a deep RL framework that can help directly transfer the model from simulation to reality without any real-world training. SimTwin consists of a RL module and an adaptive correct module. We train the policy using the soft actor-critic algorithm only in a simulator with demonstration and domain randomization. In the adaptive correct module, we design and train a neural network to simulate the human error correction process using force feedback. Subsequently, we combine the above two modules through digital twin to control real-world robots, correct simulator parameters by comparing the difference between simulator and reality automatically, and then generalize the correct action through the trained policy network without additional training. We demonstrate the proposed method in an open cabinet task; the experiments show that our framework can reduce the reality gap without any real-world training.

The southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) records the assembly process between several micro-continental blocks and the North China Craton (NCC), with the consumption of the Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO), but whether the S-wards subduction of the PAO beneath the northern NCC was ongoing during Carboniferous–Permian time is still being debated. A key issue to resolve this controversy is whether the Carboniferous magmatism in the northern NCC was continental arc magmatism. The Alxa Block is the western segment of the northern NCC and contiguous to the southeastern CAOB, and their Carboniferous–Permian magmatism could have occurred in similar tectonic settings. In this contribution, new zircon U–Pb ages, elemental geochemistry and Sr–Nd isotopic analyses are presented for three early Carboniferous granitic plutons in the southwestern Alxa Block. Two newly identified aluminous A-type granites, an alkali-feldspar granite (331.6 ± 1.6 Ma) and a monzogranite (331.8 ± 1.7 Ma), exhibit juvenile and radiogenic Sr–Nd isotopic features, respectively. Although a granodiorite (326.2 ± 6.6 Ma) is characterized by high Sr/Y ratios (97.4–139.9), which is generally treated as an adikitic feature, this sample has highly radiogenic Sr–Nd isotopes and displays significantly higher K2O/Na2O ratios than typical adakites. These three granites were probably derived from the partial melting of Precambrian continental crustal sources heated by upwelling asthenosphere in lithospheric extensional setting. Regionally, both the Alxa Block and the southeastern CAOB are characterized by the formation of early Carboniferous extension-related magmatic rocks but lack coeval sedimentary deposits, suggesting a uniform lithospheric extensional setting rather than a simple continental arc.

Discrete roughness-induced transition in Mach $2.25$ flow controlled by two-dimensional wall blowing is studied using direct numerical simulation. Spectral analysis and flow freezing operations reveal that the main source of unsteadiness in the case without blowing is the separated shear layer/counter-rotating vortex system: the shear layer is bent by the vortex pair, and this interaction induces disturbance growth at the shear layer. With the existence of weak wall blowing, the transition is delayed. Flow visualization demonstrates that upstream-positioned blowing achieves this by lifting the inflow boundary layer and decreasing the roughness Reynolds number. In contrast, downstream-positioned blowing takes effect by weakening the counter-rotating vortex pair and inhibiting the interaction. Vorticity transportation analysis suggests that this result is accomplished by increasing dissipation for streamwise vorticity and converting some of it into spanwise vorticity. In cases with strong wall blowing, the control effect is reversed, as wall blowing with enough strength can induce unsteadiness and promote transition. In upstream-positioned strong blowing cases, a new unstable mode is observed in spectral results throughout the near-roughness region, and further analysis indicates that this mode originating from the separation zone upstream of the blowing is the key factor for transition. With regard to downstream-positioned strong blowing cases, a very low-frequency mode is generated from the separation bubble between the roughness element and the blowing, but it only provides an initial disturbance for the transition process. The transition that occurs downstream is due to the distortion of the boundary layer in the wake.

Emerging evidence has been revealed that high fat diet (HFD) correlate with insulin resistance (IR) which could be induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). Recently, obesity or HFD induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) could promote alteration of iron metabolism. Disorder of iron metabolism have been linked to unnormal metabolism of glucose and lipid. Herein, we investigated the effect of impaired iron homeostasis on hepatic IR, focusing on ferritinophagy. Male C57/6J mice were administered with HFD (60% energy from fat) or LFD (10% energy from fat) for 10 weeks (n = 10), and Palmitic acid (PA)-insulin treated HepG2 cells were also established. Hepatic IR as evidenced by increased hepatic steatosis and decreased of p-AKT (48%, p < 0.0005), p-GSK-3β (34%, p < 0.05) in the liver of HFD mice. In addition, decreased iron level and expression NCOA4, as well as increased up-regulation of IRE1α and EIF2α were observed in HFD liver. By using desferrioxamine (DFO) and ferric ammonium citrate (FAC), we examined iron level on IRE1α and EIF2α. And glucose uptake assay shown that FAC supplementation, and ERS inhibitors of 4-PBA and STF could improve the glucose uptake of HepG2 cells in the presence of PA. Furthermore, we evaluated the glucose uptake of HepG2 cells incubated with adenovirus which mediated overexpression of NCOA4, FAC, 4-PBA (ERS inhibitor) or STF (IRE1 inhibitor). Taken together, deficiency of iron induced by impaired ferritinophagy induced hepatic IR, partly by aggravating hepatic ERS, especially IRE1 signal pathway in vivo and vitro. These findings provide evidence and new insight for therapeutic strategy of iron deficiency in NAFLD.

Underground Nuclear Astrophysics in China (JUNA) will take the advantage of the ultra-low background in Jinping underground lab. High current accelerator with an ECR source and detectors were commissioned. JUNA plans to study directly a number of nuclear reactions important to hydrostatic stellar evolution at their relevant stellar energies. At the first period, JUNA aims at the direct measurements of 25Mg(p,γ)26 Al, 19F(p,α) 16 O, 13C(α, n) 16O and 12C(α,γ) 16O near the Gamow window. The current progress of JUNA will be given.

The associations between growth during early life and subsequent cognitive development and physical outcomes are not widely known in low-resource settings. We examined postnatal weight and height gain through early life and related these measurements to the nutritional status and intellectual development of the same children when they were between 7 and 9 years old. Mothers had enrolled in an randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effect of prenatal micronutrient supplementation on birth weight. Their children were born in 2004, their height and weight were measured at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months of age and were followed up between October 2012 and September 2013 (at ages 7–9 years, n 650). Height-for-age, weight-for-age and BMI-for-age were used to describe the nutritional status, and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children fourth edition was used to measure the intellectual function. Multilevel linear and logistic modelling was used to estimate the association between early growth and subsequent growth and intellectual function. After adjustment, weight gain from 6 to 12 months of age was associated with Full-scale Intelligence Quotient, Verbal Comprehension Index, Working Memory Index and Perceptual Reasoning Index. Weight gain during early life was associated with subsequent nutritional status. For every 1 kg increase in weight during the 0- to 6-month period, the OR for underweight, thinness and stunting at 7–9 years of age were 0·19 (95 % CI 0·09, 0·37), 0·34 (95 % CI 0·19, 0·59) and 0·40 (95 % CI 0·19, 0·83), respectively. Weight gain during the periods of 6–12 months of age and 18–24 months of age was also associated with a lower risk of being underweight. Weight gain during early life was associated with better growth outcomes and improved intellectual development in young school-aged children.

This paper investigates a wideband and low axial ratio circularly polarized (CP) antenna, which is composed of a monopole on a novel polarization rotating reflective surface (PRRS) based on a corner-truncated artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) structure. By adjusting the dimensions of truncated corner properly, the PRRS has two polarization rotation (PR) frequency points. Then, a large PR band of 18% (5.55–6.65 GHz) can be achieved with two adjacent PR frequency points coming together. The profile of the newly PRRS is only0.04λ0. With corner-truncated AMC-based PRRS loading, a measured impedance bandwidth of 1.8 GHz (5.4–7.2 GHz) and the 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth of 1 GHz (5.55–6.65 GHz) could be obtained by the monopole antenna and validated by measurements. The values of AR were well below 1 dB at most of the CP region, which show a perfect CP performance. Moreover, the proposed antenna has exhibited a large axial ratio beamwidth in both the xoz- and yoz-planes and a peak gain of 6.1 dBic within the operational bandwidth.

The crystal structure of new Tb3CuAl3Ge2 quaternary compound was studied by the Rietveld method from powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) data. The Tb3CuAl3Ge2 compound crystallized in the hexagonal Y3NiAl3Ge2-type structure with space group P-62m (no. 189) and lattice parameters a = 7.0041(2) Å, c = 4.1775(1) Å, V = 177.48 Å3. There is only one formula in each unit cell, Z = 1, and the density of Tb3CuAl3Ge2 is ρ x = 7.1696 g cm−3. The reliability factors characterizing the Rietveld refinement results are R p = 6.43%, R wp = 8.65%, R B = 4.81%, and R F = 4.09%, respectively. The powder XRD data of Tb3CuAl3Ge2 were presented and the reliability of indexation is F 30 = 120.9(0.0073, 34).

A composite transparent YAG/Yb:YAG/YAG ceramic was prepared by a non-aqueous tape-casting method. An optical transmittance of 82% was obtained at visible wavelength and around 1100 nm. A low-threshold, broadband tunable continuous-wave (CW) laser at 1031 nm was further demonstrated from the ceramic sample, which was pumped by a 974 nm fiber-pigtailed laser diode. The threshold pump power was 0.45 W and the maximum output power was 3.2 W, corresponding to a slope efficiency of 20.4%. By inserting an SF57 prism in the laser cavity, the output wavelength could be tuned continuously from 1021 to 1058 nm.

The digital image inpainting technology based on partial differential equations (PDEs) has become an intensive research topic over the last few years due to the mature theory and prolific numerical algorithms of PDEs. However, PDE based models are not effective when used to inpaint large missing areas of images, such as that produced by object removal. To overcome this problem, in this paper, a two-phase image inpainting method is proposed. First, some edges which cross the damaged regions are located and the missing parts of these edges are fitted by using the cubic spline interpolation. These fitted edges partition the damaged regions into some smaller damaged regions. Then these smaller regions may be inpainted by using classical PDE models. Experiment results show that the inpainting results by using the proposed method are better than those of BSCB model and TV model.

We made an amorphous-silicon (a-Si) solar cell with a nanowire-array structure on stainless steel(SS) by plasma enhanced chemical vapor (PECVD) deposition. This nanowire structure has an n-type Si nanowire array in which a-Si intrinsic layer and p type layer are sequentially grown on the surface of the nanowire. The highest open-circuit voltage (Voc) and short-circuit current density (Jsc) for AM 1.5 illumination were 620 mV and 13.4 mA/cm2, respectively at a maximum power conversion efficiency of 3.57%.

A joule level of XeF(C-A) laser optically pumped by a sectioned surface discharge was developed. The irradiative intensity of pumping source was diagnosed by calculating XeF2 photo-dissociation wave evolvement which was photographed by a framing camera. The photon flux in the wavelength region of 140 to 170nm is about 5 × 1023 photon s−1cm−2, that corresponds to the irradiative brightness temperature of more than 25000 K. The laser experiments were carried out in different conditions. The maximum laser output energy of 2.5 J was obtained with the total conversion efficiency of 0.1%.

The distribution of genetic diversity between Oryza sativa L. ssp. indica and O. sativa L. ssp. japonica covering different ecological zones in Yunnan was studied, and specific markers of indica/japonica subspecies, paddy/upland rice and different ecological zones were screened, using 36 microsatellite primers and 113 accessions in the Yunnan landrace rice core collection. The genetic diversity of japonica was higher than that of indica, and the ecological zone with the highest and smallest genetic diversity lay in south-east and north-east Yunnan, respectively. This distribution was consistent at morphological and isozyme levels with studies on the entire Yunnan rice resources and core collection. In addition, the results showed that, among 416 markers, there were six indica/japonica-specific markers, 15 specific markers for paddy/upland rice and three specific markers in different ecological zones. The main conclusions are that the landrace rice core collection in Yunnan genetically represents the entire landrace rice resources in Yunnan, the centre of genetic diversity at DNA level lies in south-east Yunnan, and the DNA differentiation between indica and japonica is small. Furthermore, microsatellite markers were useful for studying the genetic diversity, classification and ecotype of germplasm resources and their core collection.

Nanorods Bi3Se4 were synthesized directly through the reaction between BiCl3 and elemental selenium in an autoclave with hydrazine hydrate as solvent at 165 °C for 10 h. X-ray powder diffraction patterns, x-ray photoelectron spectra, and transmission electron microscope images show that the products are well-crystallized hexagonal Bi3Se4 nanorods. The solvent hydrazine hydrate played an important role in formation and growth of Bi3Se4 nanorods. The possible reaction mechanism was proposed.