The extent of intertidal flats in the Yellow Sea region has declined significantly in the past few decades, resulting in severe population declines in several waterbird species. The Yellow Sea region holds the primary stopover sites for many shorebirds during their migration to and from northern breeding grounds. However, the functional roles of these sites in shorebirds’ stopover ecology remain poorly understood. Through field surveys between July and November 2015, we investigated the stopover and moult schedules of migratory shorebirds along the southern Jiangsu coast, eastern China during their southbound migration, with a focus on the ‘Critically Endangered’ Spoon-billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmaea and ‘Endangered’ Nordmann’s Greenshank Tringa guttifer. Long-term count data indicate that both species regularly occur in globally important number in southern Jiangsu coast, constituting 16.67–49.34% and 64.0–80.67% of their global population estimates respectively, and it is highly likely that most adults undergo their primary moult during this southbound migration stopover. Our results show that Spoon-billed Sandpiper and Nordmann’s Greenshank staged for an extended period of time (66 and 84 days, respectively) to complete their primary moult. On average, Spoon-billed Sandpipers and Nordmann’s Greenshanks started moulting primary feathers on 8 August ± 4.52 and 27 July ± 1.56 days respectively, and their moult durations were 72.58 ± 9.08 and 65.09 ± 2.40 days. In addition, some individuals of several other shorebird species including the ‘Endangered’ Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris, ‘Near Threatened’ Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica, ‘Near Threatened’ Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata and Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii also underwent primary moult. Our work highlights the importance of the southern Jiangsu region as the primary moulting ground for these species, reinforcing that conservation of shorebird habitat including both intertidal flats and supratidal roosting sites in this region is critical to safeguard the future of some highly threatened shorebird species.

An atmospheric pressure microwave plasma tubular furnace apparatus (MPTF) for the rapid synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has been developed. CNTs have been synthesized by an Argon-Hydrogen microwave plasma using ethanol vapor as carbon source with the furnace temperature of 800 °C at the atmospheric pressure. The synthesized CNTs have been analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and are shown to be multi-walled and tangled and chemically connected to form a high-density network with the diameter at the range of 25-70 nm. The measurement of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicates that a large number of oxygenated functional groups grown on the surface of CNTs. These properties proved that the CNTs could be utilized as nanoscale templates for various applications.

The study of the petrogenesis of some magmatic rocks with special geochemical attributes provides effective information for us to explore the deep geodynamic background of their formation. A series of granitic porphyry dykes have been found in the mélange zone of the Asa region in southern Tibet, whose genesis may be closely related to the evolution of the Meso-Tethyan Ocean. Regional geodynamic evolution is investigated by whole-rock geochemical analysis, zircon U–Pb dating and Lu–Hf isotopic analysis of two porphyritic granites. The Asa porphyritic granites have high SiO2 (74.29–78.65 wt %) and alkalis (Na2O + K2O = 6.51–9.35 wt %) contents, and low Al2O3 (11.60–14.51 wt %), CaO (0.04–0.19 wt MgO (0.01–0.10 wt %) contents. They are enriched in Zr, Nb, Ce, Y and Hf and depleted in Ti, Ba, Sr and P, consistent with A-type granites. The samples are relatively rich in LREEs, with LREE/HREE ratios of 1.73–3.04. They display negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.24–0.28) and obvious Ce anomalies in some samples. Zircon U–Pb analyses show that the porphyritic granites formed in late Early Cretaceous time, 107.4 to 105.5 Ma. Zircon εHf(t) values are in the range of 6.9 to 12.0. These data indicate that the porphyritic granites were sourced from interaction between mantle-derived and juvenile lower crust-derived melts, with the addition of oceanic sediment-derived melts. This occurred when the subducting Bangong–Nujiang oceanic crust split to create a slab window. Rising asthenosphere triggered re-melting of lower crust basalts, resulting in the formation of the late Early Cretaceous A-type granites around Asa.

The surface energy budget over the Antarctic sea ice from 8 April 2016 through 26 November 2016 are presented. From April to October, Sensible heat flux (SH) and subsurface conductive heat flux (G) were the heat source of surface while latent heat flux (LE) and net radiation flux (Rn) were the heat sink of surface. Our results showed larger downward SH (due to the warmer air in our site) and upward LE (due to the drier air and higher wind speed in our site) compared with SHEBA data. However, the values of SH in N-ICE2015 campaign, which located at a zone with stronger winds and more advection of heat in the Arctic, were comparable to our results under clear skies. The values of aerodynamic roughness length (z0m) and scalar roughness length for temperature (z0h), being 1.9 × 10−3 m and 3.7 × 10−5 m, were suggested in this study. It is found that snow melting might increase z0m. Our results also indicate that the value of log(z0h/z0m) was related to the stability of stratification. In addition, several representative parameterization schemes for z0h have been tested and a couple of schemes were found to make a better performance.

We report a facile method to fabricate CuNi nano-octahedra and nanocubes using a colloidal synthesis approach. The CuNi nanocrystals terminated with exclusive crystallographic facets were controlled and achieved by a group of synergetic capping ligands in a hot solution system. Specifically, the growth of {111}-bounded CuNi nano-octahedra is derived by a thermodynamic control, whereas the generation of {100}-terminated CuNi nanocubes is steered by a kinetic capping of chloride. Using a reduction of 4-nitrophenol with sodium borohydride as a model reaction, CuNi nano-octahedra and nanocubes demonstrated a strong facet-dependence due to their different surface energies although both exhibited remarkable catalytic activity with the high rate constant over mass (k/m). A kinetic study indicated that this is a pseudo first-order reaction with an excess of sodium borohydride. CuNi nanocubes as the catalysts showed better catalytic performance (k/m = 385 s-1•g-1) than the CuNi nano-octahedra (k/m = 120 s-1•g-1), indicating that 4-nitrophenol and hydrogen were adsorbed on the {100} facets with their molecules parallel to the surface much easier than those on {111} facets.

Ceria (CeO2) possesses a distinctive redox property due to a reversible conversion to its nonstoichiometric oxide and has been considered as a promising catalyst in the oxidative coupling of methane. Since a heterogeneously catalytic process usually takes place only on the surface of catalysts, it is reasonably expected that the performance of a catalyst, such as CeO2, highly relies on its size- and shape-dependent surface structure. We report our recent progress in achieving exclusive crystal facet-terminated CeO2 nanocrystals using a shape-controlled synthesis protocol in a one-pot colloidal system. We modified a two-phase solvothermal approach to fabricate cubic and truncated octahedral CeO2 nanocrystals with a size-control. During the two-phase solvothermal process, we propose that the Ce-precursors transfer from the aqueous layer to the interface of the organic phase, promoted by the capping ligands (as known as phase-transfer catalysts), for the oxidation and nucleation, and subsequently form CeO2 nanocrystals in the organic layer. As different capping ligands favor binding on diverse crystal facets, tuning the composition of the capping ligand with a precise control could generate nanocrystals that are dominated by a single type of facets with a relatively narrow size distribution.

Tianhuadong is a cave site located in the northwest of Yunnan Province, China. Since 2010, several surveys and one test excavation have yielded more than 1000 stone artifacts. The lithic assemblage shows some features of Levallois and Quina technologies, similar to those found in Middle Paleolithic sites in the Western Hemisphere. In this study, we summarize the lithic industry and propose a reliable chronology for the site using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of individual quartz grains extracted from sediments. We applied the standardized growth curve method to deal with the problem associated with the saturation in natural OSL signals in quartz. Our dating results yielded ages of 90–40 ka, suggesting that the associated lithic assemblage could be assigned to Marine Oxygen Isotope Stages 5 and 4 and could potentially represent Middle Paleolithic technologies. Because the number of Middle Paleolithic sites in southwest China is small, this site provides one of the few traces of human occupation in southwest China during the early upper Pleistocene. Thus, it is important for understanding hominin evolution and dispersal in this region.

In recent years, there has been a significant thrust toward the development of novel implant alloys based on β-Ti with low Young’s modulus to prevent stress shielding. In this study, porous Ti–Nb–Ta–Zr alloys with porosity of <55% and macro-pore size of 100–400 μm for biomedical applications were successfully fabricated by a space-holder method. The microstructure and compressive behavior were studied. The results show that the micro-pore size of porous Ti–Nb–Ta–Zr alloys decreases with an increase in the amount of the process control agent (PCA), which has no obvious effect on the porosity and the macro-pore size formed by the space holder. Porous Ti–Nb–Ta–Zr alloys fail mainly because of the cleavage and ductile fracture with some dimples in compression. The compressive modulus increases from 0.6 to 6.5 GPa with the increase in the PCA and decrease of the space holder. The influence mechanism has been analyzed by the finite element calculation and the Gibson–Ashby model.

Synaptotagmin 1 (Syt1) is an abundant and important presynaptic vesicle protein that binds Ca2+ for the regulation of synaptic vesicle exocytosis. Our previous study reported its localization and function on spindle assembly in mouse oocyte meiotic maturation. The present study was designed to investigate the function of Syt1 during mouse oocyte activation and subsequent cortical granule exocytosis (CGE) using confocal microscopy, morpholinol-based knockdown and time-lapse live cell imaging. By employing live cell imaging, we first studied the dynamic process of CGE and calculated the time interval between [Ca2+]i rise and CGE after oocyte activation. We further showed that Syt1 was co-localized to cortical granules (CGs) at the oocyte cortex. After oocyte activation with SrCl2, the Syt1 distribution pattern was altered significantly, similar to the changes seen for the CGs. Knockdown of Syt1 inhibited [Ca2+]i oscillations, disrupted the F-actin distribution pattern and delayed the time of cortical reaction. In summary, as a synaptic vesicle protein and calcium sensor for exocytosis, Syt1 acts as an essential regulator in mouse oocyte activation events including the generation of Ca2+ signals and CGE.

Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.), Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus canadensis are the common causes of human echinococcosis in China. An accurate species identification tool for human echinococcosis is needed as the treatments and prognosis are different among species. The present work demonstrates a method for the simultaneous detection of these three Echinococcus species based on multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR). Specific primers of this mPCR were designed based on the mitochondrial genes and determined by extensive tests. The method can successfully detect either separated or mixed target species, and generate expected amplicons of distinct size for each species. Sensitivity of the method was tested by serially diluted DNA, showing a detection threshold as less as 0.32 pg for both E. granulosus s.s. and E. canadensis, and 1.6 pg for E. multilocularis. Specificity assessed against 18 other parasites was found to be 100% except weakly cross-react with E. shiquicus. The assay was additionally applied to 69 echinococcosis patients and 38 healthy persons, confirming the high reliability of the method. Thus, the mPCR described here has high application potential for clinical identification purposes, and can further provide a useful tool for evaluation of serology and imaging method.

Let φ : ℝn × [0, ∞) → [0, ∞) satisfy that φ(x, · ), for any given x ∈ ℝn, is an Orlicz function and φ( · , t) is a Muckenhoupt A∞ weight uniformly in t ∈ (0, ∞). The (weak) Musielak–Orlicz Hardy space Hφ(ℝn) (WHφ(ℝn)) generalizes both the weighted (weak) Hardy space and the (weak) Orlicz Hardy space and hence has wide generality. In this paper, two boundedness criteria for both linear operators and positive sublinear operators from Hφ(ℝn) to Hφ(ℝn) or from Hφ(ℝn) to WHφ(ℝn) are obtained. As applications, we establish the boundedness of Bochner–Riesz means from Hφ(ℝn) to Hφ(ℝn), or from Hφ(ℝn) to WHφ(ℝn) in the critical case. These results are new even when φ(x, t): = Φ(t) for all (x, t) ∈ ℝn × [0, ∞), where Φ is an Orlicz function.

This paper introduces a scheme for waypoint-based path-following control for an Unmanned Robot Sailboat (URS) in the presence of actuator gain uncertainty and unknown environment disturbances. The proposed scheme has two components: intelligent guidance and an adaptive neural controller. Considering upwind and downwind navigation, an improved version of the integral Line-Of-Sight (LOS) guidance principle is developed to generate the appropriate heading reference for a URS. Associated with the integral LOS guidance law, a robust adaptive algorithm is proposed for a URS using Radial Basic Function Neural Networks (RBF-NNs) and a robust neural damping technique. In order to achieve a robust neural damping technique, one single adaptive parameter must be updated online to stabilise the effect of the gain uncertainty and the external disturbance. To ensure Semi-Global Uniform Ultimate Bounded (SGUUB) stability, the Lyapunov theory has been employed. Two simulated experiments have been conducted to illustrate that the control effects can achieve a satisfactory performance.

Repetitive motion planning and control (RMPC) is a significant issue in the research of redundant robot manipulators. Moreover, noise from rounding error, truncation error, and robot uncertainty is an important factor that greatly affects RMPC schemes. In this study, the RMPC of redundant robot manipulators in a noisy environment is investigated. By incorporating the proportional and integral information of the desired path, a new RMPC scheme with pseudoinverse-type (P-type) formulation is proposed. Such a P-type RMPC scheme possesses the suppression of constant and bounded time-varying noises. Comparative simulation results based on a five-link robot manipulator and a PUMA560 robot manipulator are presented to further validate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed P-type RMPC scheme over the previous one.

For spectrally negative Lévy processes, we prove several fluctuation results involving a general draw-down time, which is a downward exit time from a dynamic level that depends on the running maximum of the process. In particular, we find expressions of the Laplace transforms for the two-sided exit problems involving the draw-down time. We also find the Laplace transforms for the hitting time and creeping time over the running-maximum related draw-down level, respectively, and obtain an expression for a draw-down associated potential measure. The results are expressed in terms of scale functions for the spectrally negative Lévy processes.

Coupled with the social practice of female hypergamy, the male surplus within the never-married population means that today's Chinese marriage market is extremely tight in particular for men from a rural background and the least privileged socio-economic categories. Drawing on quantitative data from a survey conducted in 2014–2015, this article sheds light on the situation of single men who are past prime marriage age in three rural districts of Shaanxi particularly affected by this phenomenon. It compares single men's characteristics to those of their married counterparts and offers insights into the heterogeneity of single men with the aim of challenging some commonly accepted assumptions about bachelorhood in rural China. Results suggest a strong internalization of the various characteristics, centred on being able to offer social mobility to a potential wife, that a man is expected to have to be attractive to women in a context where women have more choice in mate selection. We conclude that mate selection is highly marked by class, social norms, social interactions, health, generation and age, and requires the mobilization of certain amounts of individual, social and economic resources. Unwanted bachelorhood would thus be better understood using an intersectional approach rather than mainly in numeric terms.

In January 2016, static GPS measurements were carried out in a 30 × 30 km2 area centered around Kunlun station at Dome Argus (Dome A), East Antarctica, to acquire high-precision 3-D geodetic coordinates at 49 sites. By comparing the coordinates with previous GPS measurements in 2008 and 2013 at the same sites, we constructed a detailed and long-term record of the ice-surface velocity field, 2008–2016, around Dome A. During this time span, the estimated ice-surface velocity ranges from 0.8 ± 0.3 to 28.7 ± 1.6 cm a−1, with a mean of 10.4 ± 0.3 cm a−1. From 2013 to 2016, the surface elevation of most Dome A areas exhibits a rising trend, and the maximum increase of snow surface elevation is 84.8 cm. The mean snow surface elevation change rate at Dome A is estimated to be 6.6 ± 0.7 cm a−1. The difference of 1.0 cm a−1 between the snow surface change rate derived from GPS and pole-height change rate from surface mass balance is suspected to be a result of a combination of firn densification and basal melt under Dome A.

Process parameters (laser power and scanning speed) for H13 steel specimens produced by selective laser melting (SLM) are optimized, and microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties are investigated. The optimum process parameters are a laser power of 170 W and a scanning speed of 400 mm/s according to the maximum relative density of 99.2%. The microstructure consists of cellular grains and columnar crystal, which are composed of lath martensite and retained austenite, and there are no carbides or other second-phase particles present. The size of cellular grains is 1 μm. Compared with the common processed (forged and heat-treated) H13, SLM H13 has similar microhardness (561 HV) and tensile strength (1909 MPa) values. However, the elongation (12.4%) is a factor of ∼3 times higher and the impact energy (14.4 J) of the SLM specimen is somewhat lower. The relationship between the microstructure and mechanical properties is discussed. Fine grains and no second-phase precipitation determine the strength and plasticity of SLM samples.