Generative Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI) is a collection of AI technologies that can generate new information such as texts and images. With its strong capabilities, Generative AI has been actively studied in creative design processes. However, limited studies have explored the roles of humans and Generative AI in conceptual design processes, which leaves a gap for human–AI collaboration investigation. To address this gap, this study attempts to uncover the contributions of different Generative AI technologies in assisting humans in the conceptual design process. Novice designers were recruited to complete two design tasks in the condition of with or without the assistance of Generative AI. The results revealed that Generative AI primarily assists humans in the problem definition and idea generation stages, while the idea selection and evaluation stage remains predominantly human-led. Additionally, with the assistance of Generative AI, the idea selection and evaluation stages were further enhanced. Based on the findings, we discussed the role of Generative AI in human–AI collaboration and the implications for enhancing future conceptual design support with Generative AI’s assistance.

The cosmic 21 cm signal serves as a crucial probe for studying the evolutionary history of the Universe. However, detecting the 21 cm signal poses significant challenges due to its extremely faint nature. To mitigate the interference from the Earth’s radio frequency interference (RFI), the ground and the ionospheric effects, the Discovering the Sky at the Longest Wavelength (DSL) project will deploy a constellation of satellites in Lunar orbit, with its high-frequency daughter satellite tasked with detecting the global 21 cm signal from cosmic dawn and reionization era (CD/EoR).We intend to employ the Vari-Zeroth-Order Polynomial (VZOP) for foreground fitting and subtracting. We have studied the effect of thermal noise, thermal radiation from the Moon, the Lunar reflection, anisotropic frequency-dependent beam, inaccurate antenna beam pattern, and RFI contamination. We discovered that the RFI contamination can significantly affect the fitting process and thus prevent us from detecting the signal. Therefore, experimenting on the far side of the moon is crucial. We also discovered that using VZOP together with DSL, after 1080 orbits around the Moon, which takes about 103 days, we can successfully detect the CD/EoR 21 cm signal.

This paper provides an overview of the current status of ultrafast and ultra-intense lasers with peak powers exceeding 100 TW and examines the research activities in high-energy-density physics within China. Currently, 10 high-intensity lasers with powers over 100 TW are operational, and about 10 additional lasers are being constructed at various institutes and universities. These facilities operate either independently or are combined with one another, thereby offering substantial support for both Chinese and international research and development efforts in high-energy-density physics.

Systematically monitoring the baseline sensitivity of troublesome weeds to herbicides is a crucial step in the early detection of their market lifespan. Florpyrauxifen-benzyl is one of the most important herbicides used in rice production throughout the world, and has been used for 5 yr in China. Barnyardgrass is one of the main targeted weed species of florpyrauxifen-benzyl. In total, 114 barnyardgrass populations were collected from rice fields in Jiangsu Province, China, and using whole-plant bioassays they were screened for susceptibility to florpyrauxifen-benzyl. The GR50 values (representing the dose that causes a 50% reduction in fresh weight of aboveground parts) of florpyrauxifen-benzyl for all populations ranged from 1.0 to 34.5 g ai ha−1, with an average of 6.8 g ai ha−1, a baseline sensitivity dose of 3.3 g ai ha−1, and a baseline sensitivity index of 34.5. Twenty-one days after treatment with florpyrauxifen-benzyl at the labeled dose (36 g ai ha−1), 90% of the barnyardgrass populations exhibited >95% reductions in fresh weight of aboveground parts. Compared with the baseline sensitivity dose, 63, 44, and 7 populations had, respectively, no resistance (55%), low resistance (39%), and moderate resistance (6%) to florpyrauxifen-benzyl. Furthermore, the GR50 distribution of barnyardgrass populations did not show a significant correlation with collection location, planting method (direct-seeding or transplanting), or rice species (Oryza sativa L. ssp. indica or ssp. japonica) at any of rice fields where seeds had been collected (P > 0.05). In conclusion, florpyrauxifen-benzyl remains effective for barnyardgrass control in rice fields despite serious resistance challenges.

The lattice Boltzmann method has become a popular tool for simulating complex flows, including incompressible turbulent flows; however, as an artificial compressibility method, it can generate spurious pressure oscillations whose impact on the statistics of incompressible turbulence has not been systematically examined. In this work, we propose a theoretical approach to analyse the origin of compressibility-induced oscillations (CIOs) and explore ways to suppress or remove them. We begin by decomposing the velocity field and pressure field each into the solenoidal component and the compressive component, and then study the evolution of these two components analytically and numerically. The analysis yields an evolution equation of the mean-square pressure fluctuation which reveals several coupling effects of the two components. The evolution equation suggests that increasing the bulk-to-shear viscosity ratio can suppress CIOs, which is confirmed by numerical simulations. Furthermore, based on the derived evolution equation and data from the simulation, a model is developed to predict the long-term behaviours of the mean-square pressure fluctuations. In the case of decaying turbulence in a periodic domain, we show that the Helmholtz–Hodge decomposition can be used to obtain the solenoidal components reflecting the true evolution of incompressible turbulent flow, from the mesoscopic artificial compressibility approach. The study provides general theoretical guidelines to understand, suppress and even remove CIOs in other related pseudo-compressibility methods.

Direct numerical simulations of temporally developing compressible mixing layers have been performed to investigate the effects of large-scale structures (LSSs) on turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) budgets at convective Mach numbers ranging from $M_c=0.2$ to $1.8$ and at Taylor Reynolds numbers up to 290. In the core region of mixing layers, the volume fraction of low-speed LSSs decreases linearly with respect to the vertical distance at a Mach-number-independent rate. The contributions of low-speed LSSs to TKE, and its budget, including production, dissipation, pressure-strain and spatial diffusion terms, are primarily concentrated in the upper region of mixing layer. The streamwise and vertical mass flux coupling terms mainly transport TKE downwards in low-speed LSSs, and their magnitudes are comparable to the other dominant terms. Near the edges of LSSs, the sources and losses of all three components of TKE are completely different to each other, and dominated by turbulent diffusion, pressure diffusion, pressure-strain and dissipation terms. The TKE, their total variation and dissipation are significantly amplified at edges of low-speed LSSs, especially at the upper edge. This observation supports the existence of amplitude modulation exerted by the LSSs onto the near-edge small-scale structures in mixing layers. The level of amplitude modulation is strongest for the vertical velocity, followed by the streamwise velocity, and weakest for the spanwise velocity. Additionally, the amplitude modulation effect decreases significantly with increasing convective Mach number. The results on the amplitude modulation effect is helpful for developing predictive models of budget terms of TKE in mixing layers.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of physical multimorbidity on the trajectory of cognitive decline over 17 years and whether vary across wealth status. The study was conducted in 9035 respondents aged 50+ at baseline from nine waves (2002–2019) of the English Longitudinal Study of Aging. A latent class analysis was used to identify patterns of physical multimorbidity, and mixed multilevel models were performed to determine the association between physical multimorbidity and trajectories of cognitive decline. Joint analyses were conducted to further verify the influence of wealth status. Four patterns of physical multimorbidity were identified. Mixed multilevel models with quadratic terms of time and status/patterns indicated significant non-linear trajectories of multimorbidity on cognitive function. The magnitude of the association between complex multisystem patterns and cognitive decline increased the most as follow-up progressed. Individuals with high wealth and hypertension/diabetes patterns have significantly lower composite global cognitive z scores over time as compared with respiratory/osteoporosis patterns. Physical multimorbidity at baseline is associated with the trajectory of cognitive decline, and the magnitude of the association increased over time. The trend of cognitive decline differed in specific combinations of wealth status and physical multimorbidity.

Glaciers play a crucial role in the Asian Water Tower, underscoring the necessity of accurately assessing their mass balance and ice volume to evaluate their significance as sustainable freshwater resources. In this study, we analyzed ground-penetrating radar (GPR) measurements from a 2020 survey of the Xiao Dongkemadi Glacier (XDG) to determine ice thickness, and we extended the glacier’s volume-change record to 2020 by employing multi-source remote-sensing data. Our findings show that the GPR-derived mean ice thickness of XDG in 2020 was 54.78 ± 3.69 m, corresponding to an ice volume of 0.0811 ± 0.0056 km3. From 1969 to 2020, the geodetic mass balance was −0.19 ± 0.02 m w.e. a−1, and the glacier experienced area and ice volume losses of 16.38 ± 4.66% and 31.01 ± 4.59%, respectively. The long-term mass-balance reconstruction reveals weak fluctuations occurred from 1967 to 1993 and that overall mass losses have occurred since 1994. This ongoing shrinkage and ice loss are mainly associated with the temperature increases in the warm season since the 1960s. If the climate trend across the central Tibetan Plateau follows to the SSP585 scenario, then XDG is at risk of disappearing by the end of the century.

This paper proposes a cooperative midcourse guidance law with target changing and topology switching for multiple interceptors intercepting targets in the case of target loss and communication topology switching. Firstly, a three-dimensional guidance model is established and a cooperative trajectory shaping guidance law is given. Secondly, the average position consistency protocol of virtual interception points is designed for communication topology switching, and the convergence of the average position of virtual interception points under communication topology switching is proved by Lyapunov stability theory. Then, in the case of the target changing, the target handover law and the handover phase guidance law are designed to ensure the acceleration smoothing, at last, the whole cooperative midcourse guidance law is given based on the combination of the above guidance laws. Finally, numerical simulation results show the effectiveness and the superiority of the proposed cooperative midcourse guidance law.

Despite global efforts to end tuberculosis (TB), the goal of preventing catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) due to TB remains unmet. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Guizhou Province, Southwest China. Data were collected from the Hospital Information System and a survey of TB patients who had completed standardized antituberculosis treatment between January and March 2021. Among the 2 283 participants, the average total expenditure and out-of-pocket expenditure were $1 506.6 (median = $760.5) and $683.6 (median = $437.8), respectively. Health insurance reimbursement reduced CHE by 16.8%, with a contribution rate of 24.9%, and the concentration index changed from -0.070 prereimbursement to -0.099 postreimbursement. However, the contribution of health insurance varied significantly across different economic strata, with contribution rates of 6.4% for the lowest economic group and 53.1% for the highest group. For patients from lower socioeconomic strata, health insurance contributed 10.7% to CHE in the prediagnostic phase and 23.5% during treatment. While social health insurance alleviated the financial burden for TB patients, it did not provide sufficient protection for those in lower economic strata or during the prediagnostic stage. This study underscores the need for more effective and equitable subsidy policies for TB patients .

The breaking and energy distribution of mode-1 depression internal solitary wave interactions with Gaussian ridges are examined through laboratory experiments. A series of processes, such as shoaling, breaking, transmission and reflection, are captured completely by measuring the velocity field in a large region. It is found that the maximum interface descent ($a_{max}$) during wave shoaling is an important parameter for diagnosing the type of wave–ridge interaction and energy distribution. The wave breaking on the ridge depends on the modified blockage parameter $\zeta _m$, the ratio of the sum of the upper layer depth and $a_{max}$ to the water depth at the top of the ridge. As $\zeta _m$ increases, the interaction type transitions from no breaking to plunging and mixed plunging–collapsing breaking. Within the scope of this experiment, the energy distribution can be characterized solely by $\zeta _m$. The transmission energy decreases monotonically with increasing $\zeta _m$, and there is a linear relationship between $\zeta _m^2$ and the reflection coefficient. The value of $a_{max}$ can be determined from the basic initial parameters of the experiment. Based on the incident wave parameters, the depth of the upper and lower layers, and the topographic parameters, two new simple methods for predicting $a_{max}$ on the ridge are proposed.

The large number of patients with ankle injuries and the high incidence make ankle rehabilitation an urgent health problem. However, there is a certain degree of difference between the motion of most ankle rehabilitation robots and the actual axis of the human ankle. To achieve more precise ankle joint rehabilitation training, this paper proposes a novel 3-PUU/R parallel ankle rehabilitation mechanism that integrates with the human ankle joint axis. Moreover, it provides comprehensive ankle joint motion necessary for effective rehabilitation. The mechanism has four degrees of freedom (DOFs), enabling plantarflexion/dorsiflexion, eversion/inversion, internal rotation/external rotation, and dorsal extension of the ankle joint. First, based on the DOFs of the human ankle joint and the variation pattern of the joint axes, a 3-PUU/R parallel ankle joint rehabilitation mechanism is designed. Based on the screw theory, the inverse kinematics inverse, complete Jacobian matrix, singular characteristics, and workspace analysis of the mechanism are conducted. Subsequently, the motion performance of the mechanism is analyzed based on the motion/force transmission indices and the constraint indices. Then, the performance of the mechanism is optimized according to human physiological characteristics, with the motion/force transmission ratio and workspace range as optimization objectives. Finally, a physical prototype of the proposed robot was developed, and experimental tests were performed to evaluate the above performance of the proposed robot. This study provides a good prospect for improving the comfort and safety of ankle joint rehabilitation from the perspective of human-machine axis matching.

The long-term impact of eating duration on the risk of all-cause mortality remains unclear, with limited exploration of how different levels of energy intake and physical activity might influence this impact. To investigate, 24 484 American adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey spanning 1999–2018 were included. Eating duration was assessed via 24-h dietary recall, and all-cause mortality data were sourced from the National Death Index. The relationship between eating duration and all-cause mortality was analysed using Cox proportional hazards regression models, restricted cubic splines and stratification analysis with complex weighted designs. The median (IQR) of eating duration for participants was 12·5 (11·0, 14·0) h. In this study, 2896 death events were observed, and the median follow-up time (IQR) was 125 (77, 177) months. After multivariable adjustment, compared with Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 had reduced risks of all-cause mortality by 17, 15 and 13 %, respectively. Furthermore, each additional hour of eating duration was correlated with a 2 % decrease in the risk of all-cause mortality. Additionally, a non-linear dose–response relationship was observed between eating duration and the risk of all-cause mortality, showing a U-shaped relationship from 8·9 h to 15·3 h (P for non-linearity < 0·05). Interestingly, the non-linear dose–response relationship was observed exclusively among individuals with high energy intake or a lightly active physical activity level. These findings suggest potential health benefits from adjusting eating duration, though further prospective studies are needed for validation.

The AIMTB rapid test assay is an emerging test, which adopted a fluorescence immunochromatographic assay to measure interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production following stimulation of effector memory T cells in whole blood by mycobacterial proteins. The aim of this article was to explore the ability of AIMTB rapid test assay in detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection compared with the widely applied QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) test among rural doctors in China. In total, 511 participants were included in the survey. The concordance between the QFT-Plus test and the AIMTB rapid test assay was 94.47% with a Cohen’s kappa coefficient (κ) of 0.84 (95% CI, 0.79–0.90). Improved concordance between the two tests was observed in males and in participants with 26 or more years of service as rural doctors. The quantitative values of the QFT-Plus test was higher in individuals with a result of QFT-Plus-/AIMTB+ as compared to those with a result of QFT-Plus-/AIMTB- (p < 0.001). Overall, our study found that there was an excellent consistency between the AIMTB rapid test assay and the QFT-Plus test in a Chinese population. As the AIMTB rapid test assay is fast and easy to operate, it has the potential to improve latent tuberculosis infection testing and treatment at the community level in resource-limited settings.