The non-point source pollution arising from soil erosion is one of the main reasons for the deterioration of the water quality of the Taihu Lake Basin. Forest plays an important role in controlling soil erosion and re...The non-point source pollution arising from soil erosion is one of the main reasons for the deterioration of the water quality of the Taihu Lake Basin. Forest plays an important role in controlling soil erosion and reducing nutrient loss. Based on the survey data on forest resources in Anji County, we estimate the amount of soil erosion and nutrient loss of nitrogen and phosphorus reduced by forest, using soil erosion modulus method and soil nutrient content. In accordance with the degradation coefficient of pollutant and regional compensation standards of environmental resources, we assess the ecological benefits of forest function in reducing nutrient loss of nitrogen and phosphorus in Anji County. The results show that the forest in Anji County can reduce the soil erosion amount at 1.51 million t annually on the average, so as to control the nutrient loss of 1 409 t of total nitrogen and 577 t of total phosphorus in soil, equivalent to annually avoiding the flow of 824 t of total nitrogen and 410 t of total phosphorus into river water; this ecological service function can make forests in Anji County get 92.55 million yuan of ecological compensation funds (about 688 yuan/hm2·a), equivalent to 15 times of the current ecological compensation standard (47 yuan/hm2). The study reveals the importance of forest function in controlling soil erosion and nutrient loss in the upper reaches of Taihu Lake Basin to water environment protection in the basin, conducive to carrying out pollution control and protection work of the water environment in the basin.展开更多
Geotechnical parameters derived from an intrusive cone penetration test(CPT)are used to asses mechanical properties to inform the design phase of infrastructure projects.However,local,in situ 1D measurements can fail ...Geotechnical parameters derived from an intrusive cone penetration test(CPT)are used to asses mechanical properties to inform the design phase of infrastructure projects.However,local,in situ 1D measurements can fail to capture 3D subsurface variations,which could mean less than optimal design decisions for foundation engineering.By coupling the localised measurements from CPTs with more global 3D measurements derived from geophysical methods,a higher fidelity 3D overview of the subsurface can be obtained.Machine Learning(ML)may offer an effective means to capture all types of geophysical information associated with CPT data at a site scale to build a 2D or 3D ground model.In this paper,we present an ML approach to build a 3D ground model of cone resistance and sleeve friction by combining several CPT measurements with Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves(MASW)and Electrical Resistivity Tomography(ERT)data on a land site characterisation project in the United Arab Emirates(UAE).To avoid a potential overfitting problem inherent to the use of machine learning and a lack of data at certain locations,we explore the possibility of using a prior Geo-Statistical(GS)approach that attempts to constrain the overfitting process by“artificially”increasing the amount of input data.A sensitivity study is also performed on input features used to train the ML algorithm to better define the optimal combination of input features for the prediction.Our results showed that ERT data were not useful in capturing 3D variations of geotechnical properties compared to Vs due to the geographical location of the site(200 m east from the Oman Gulf)and the possible effect of saline water intrusion.Additionally,we demonstrate that the use of a prior GS phase could be a promising and interesting means to make the prediction of ground properties more robust,especially for this specific case study described in this paper.Looking ahead,better representation of the subsurface can lead to a number of benefits for stakeholders involved in developing assets.Better ground/geotechnical models mean better site calibration of design methods and fewer design assumptions for reliability-based design,creating an opportunity for value engineering in the form of lighter construction without compromising safety,shorter construction timelines,and reduced resource requirements.展开更多
The revision of CONSORT guidelines for reporting blinding in randomised controlled trials is the subject of controversy and criticism. To determine whether the criticism is justified, in this short communication paper...The revision of CONSORT guidelines for reporting blinding in randomised controlled trials is the subject of controversy and criticism. To determine whether the criticism is justified, in this short communication paper we discuss the problems encountered in the methodology of the assessment of blinding, and the reporting of blinding in randomised controlled trials and the standards of reporting on blinding with reference to their usage in clinical trials of acupuncture for chronic pain. To conclude we recommend two simple guidelines： the development of sound clinical protocols that anticipate potential difficulties and reinforce overall internal validity, and secondly. the accurate reporting of the methodologies used to ensure a clear view of blinding procedures.展开更多
Enhancing the spatio-temporal connectivity of dynamic landscapes is crucial for species to adapt to climate change.However,the spatio-temporal connectivity network approach considering climate change and species movem...Enhancing the spatio-temporal connectivity of dynamic landscapes is crucial for species to adapt to climate change.However,the spatio-temporal connectivity network approach considering climate change and species movement is often overlooked.Taking Tibetan wild ass on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau as an example,we simulated species distribution under current(2019)and future scenarios(2100),constructed spatio-temporal connectivity networks,and assessed the spatio-temporal connectivity.The results show that under the current,SSP2–4.5 and SSP3–7.0 scenarios,suitable habitats for the Tibetan wild ass account for 21.11%,21.34%,and 20.95%of the total area,respectively,with increased fragmentation projected by 2100.78.35%of the habitats which are predicted to be suitable under current conditions will remain suitable in the future,which can be regarded as stable climate refuges.With the increase in future emission intensity,the percentage of auxiliary connectivity corridors increases from 27.65%to 33.57%.This indicates that more patches will function as temporary refuges and the auxiliary connectivity corridors will gradually weaken the dominance of direct connectivity corridors.Under different SSP-RCP scenarios,the internal spatio-temporal connectivity is always higher than direct connectivity and auxiliary connectivity,accounting for 42%–43%.Compared with the spatio-temporal perspective,the purely spatial perspective overestimates network connectivity by about 28%considering all current and future patches,and underestimates network connectivity by 16%–21%when only considering all current or future patches.In this study,a new approach of spatio-temporal connectivity network is proposed to bridge climate refuges,which contributes to the long-term effectiveness of conservation networks for species’adaptation to climate change.展开更多
Group living animals form striking aggregation patterns and display synchronization,polarization,and collective intelligence.Though many col-lective behavioral studies have been conducted on small animals like insects...Group living animals form striking aggregation patterns and display synchronization,polarization,and collective intelligence.Though many col-lective behavioral studies have been conducted on small animals like insects and fish,research on large animals is still rare due to the limited availability of field collective data.We used drones to record videos and analyzed the decision-making and behavioral spatial patterns in orienta-tion of Kiang(Tibetan wild ass,Equus kiang).Leadership is unevenly distributed among Kiang,with the minority initiating majority behavior-shift decisions.Decisions of individual to join are driven by imitation between group members,and are largely dependent on the number of members who have already joined.Kiang respond to the behavior and position of neighbors through different strategies.They strongly polarize when moving,therefore adopting a linear alignment.When vigilant,orientation deviation increases as they form a tighter group.They remain scattered while feeding and,in that context,adopt a side-by-side alignment.This study reveals partially-shared decision-making among Kiang,whereby copying neighbors provides the wisdom to thrive in harsh conditions.This study also suggests that animals'spatial patterns in orientation depend largely ontheirbehavioral states inachieving synchronization.展开更多
This paper presents an integrated control scheme for enhancing the ride comfort and handling performance of a four-wheel-independent-drive electric vehicle through the coordination of active suspension system(ASS)and ...This paper presents an integrated control scheme for enhancing the ride comfort and handling performance of a four-wheel-independent-drive electric vehicle through the coordination of active suspension system(ASS)and anti-lock braking system(ABS).First,a longitudinal-vertical coupled vehicle dynamics model is established by integrating a road input model.Then the coupling mechanisms between longitudinal and vertical vehicle dynamics are analyzed.An ASS-ABS integrated control system is proposed,utilizing an H∞controller for ASS to optimize load transfer effect and a neural network sliding mode control for ABS implementation.Finally,the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme is evaluated through comprehensive tests conducted on a hardware-in-loop(HIL)test platform.The HIL test results demonstrate that the proposed control scheme can significantly improve the braking performance and ride comfort compared to conventional ABS control methods.展开更多
基金Supported by the National Environmental Protection Public Welfare Industry Targeted Research(201209027)
文摘The non-point source pollution arising from soil erosion is one of the main reasons for the deterioration of the water quality of the Taihu Lake Basin. Forest plays an important role in controlling soil erosion and reducing nutrient loss. Based on the survey data on forest resources in Anji County, we estimate the amount of soil erosion and nutrient loss of nitrogen and phosphorus reduced by forest, using soil erosion modulus method and soil nutrient content. In accordance with the degradation coefficient of pollutant and regional compensation standards of environmental resources, we assess the ecological benefits of forest function in reducing nutrient loss of nitrogen and phosphorus in Anji County. The results show that the forest in Anji County can reduce the soil erosion amount at 1.51 million t annually on the average, so as to control the nutrient loss of 1 409 t of total nitrogen and 577 t of total phosphorus in soil, equivalent to annually avoiding the flow of 824 t of total nitrogen and 410 t of total phosphorus into river water; this ecological service function can make forests in Anji County get 92.55 million yuan of ecological compensation funds (about 688 yuan/hm2·a), equivalent to 15 times of the current ecological compensation standard (47 yuan/hm2). The study reveals the importance of forest function in controlling soil erosion and nutrient loss in the upper reaches of Taihu Lake Basin to water environment protection in the basin, conducive to carrying out pollution control and protection work of the water environment in the basin.
文摘Geotechnical parameters derived from an intrusive cone penetration test(CPT)are used to asses mechanical properties to inform the design phase of infrastructure projects.However,local,in situ 1D measurements can fail to capture 3D subsurface variations,which could mean less than optimal design decisions for foundation engineering.By coupling the localised measurements from CPTs with more global 3D measurements derived from geophysical methods,a higher fidelity 3D overview of the subsurface can be obtained.Machine Learning(ML)may offer an effective means to capture all types of geophysical information associated with CPT data at a site scale to build a 2D or 3D ground model.In this paper,we present an ML approach to build a 3D ground model of cone resistance and sleeve friction by combining several CPT measurements with Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves(MASW)and Electrical Resistivity Tomography(ERT)data on a land site characterisation project in the United Arab Emirates(UAE).To avoid a potential overfitting problem inherent to the use of machine learning and a lack of data at certain locations,we explore the possibility of using a prior Geo-Statistical(GS)approach that attempts to constrain the overfitting process by“artificially”increasing the amount of input data.A sensitivity study is also performed on input features used to train the ML algorithm to better define the optimal combination of input features for the prediction.Our results showed that ERT data were not useful in capturing 3D variations of geotechnical properties compared to Vs due to the geographical location of the site(200 m east from the Oman Gulf)and the possible effect of saline water intrusion.Additionally,we demonstrate that the use of a prior GS phase could be a promising and interesting means to make the prediction of ground properties more robust,especially for this specific case study described in this paper.Looking ahead,better representation of the subsurface can lead to a number of benefits for stakeholders involved in developing assets.Better ground/geotechnical models mean better site calibration of design methods and fewer design assumptions for reliability-based design,creating an opportunity for value engineering in the form of lighter construction without compromising safety,shorter construction timelines,and reduced resource requirements.
基金Hugh MacPherson is supported by a Career Scientist Award from the National Institute for Health Research,UK
文摘The revision of CONSORT guidelines for reporting blinding in randomised controlled trials is the subject of controversy and criticism. To determine whether the criticism is justified, in this short communication paper we discuss the problems encountered in the methodology of the assessment of blinding, and the reporting of blinding in randomised controlled trials and the standards of reporting on blinding with reference to their usage in clinical trials of acupuncture for chronic pain. To conclude we recommend two simple guidelines： the development of sound clinical protocols that anticipate potential difficulties and reinforce overall internal validity, and secondly. the accurate reporting of the methodologies used to ensure a clear view of blinding procedures.
基金financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2022YFF1303201).
文摘Enhancing the spatio-temporal connectivity of dynamic landscapes is crucial for species to adapt to climate change.However,the spatio-temporal connectivity network approach considering climate change and species movement is often overlooked.Taking Tibetan wild ass on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau as an example,we simulated species distribution under current(2019)and future scenarios(2100),constructed spatio-temporal connectivity networks,and assessed the spatio-temporal connectivity.The results show that under the current,SSP2–4.5 and SSP3–7.0 scenarios,suitable habitats for the Tibetan wild ass account for 21.11%,21.34%,and 20.95%of the total area,respectively,with increased fragmentation projected by 2100.78.35%of the habitats which are predicted to be suitable under current conditions will remain suitable in the future,which can be regarded as stable climate refuges.With the increase in future emission intensity,the percentage of auxiliary connectivity corridors increases from 27.65%to 33.57%.This indicates that more patches will function as temporary refuges and the auxiliary connectivity corridors will gradually weaken the dominance of direct connectivity corridors.Under different SSP-RCP scenarios,the internal spatio-temporal connectivity is always higher than direct connectivity and auxiliary connectivity,accounting for 42%–43%.Compared with the spatio-temporal perspective,the purely spatial perspective overestimates network connectivity by about 28%considering all current and future patches,and underestimates network connectivity by 16%–21%when only considering all current or future patches.In this study,a new approach of spatio-temporal connectivity network is proposed to bridge climate refuges,which contributes to the long-term effectiveness of conservation networks for species’adaptation to climate change.
基金supported by Tibet Major Science and Technology Project(XZ201901-GA-06)National Natural Science Foundation of China(32101237&41871294)National key research and development program(2022YFC3202104).
文摘Group living animals form striking aggregation patterns and display synchronization,polarization,and collective intelligence.Though many col-lective behavioral studies have been conducted on small animals like insects and fish,research on large animals is still rare due to the limited availability of field collective data.We used drones to record videos and analyzed the decision-making and behavioral spatial patterns in orienta-tion of Kiang(Tibetan wild ass,Equus kiang).Leadership is unevenly distributed among Kiang,with the minority initiating majority behavior-shift decisions.Decisions of individual to join are driven by imitation between group members,and are largely dependent on the number of members who have already joined.Kiang respond to the behavior and position of neighbors through different strategies.They strongly polarize when moving,therefore adopting a linear alignment.When vigilant,orientation deviation increases as they form a tighter group.They remain scattered while feeding and,in that context,adopt a side-by-side alignment.This study reveals partially-shared decision-making among Kiang,whereby copying neighbors provides the wisdom to thrive in harsh conditions.This study also suggests that animals'spatial patterns in orientation depend largely ontheirbehavioral states inachieving synchronization.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.52272387)State Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and System Safety of Traffic Engineering Structures,Shijiazhuang Tiedao University of China(Grant No.KF2020-29)Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission through Beijing Nova Program of China(Grant No.20230484475).
文摘This paper presents an integrated control scheme for enhancing the ride comfort and handling performance of a four-wheel-independent-drive electric vehicle through the coordination of active suspension system(ASS)and anti-lock braking system(ABS).First,a longitudinal-vertical coupled vehicle dynamics model is established by integrating a road input model.Then the coupling mechanisms between longitudinal and vertical vehicle dynamics are analyzed.An ASS-ABS integrated control system is proposed,utilizing an H∞controller for ASS to optimize load transfer effect and a neural network sliding mode control for ABS implementation.Finally,the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme is evaluated through comprehensive tests conducted on a hardware-in-loop(HIL)test platform.The HIL test results demonstrate that the proposed control scheme can significantly improve the braking performance and ride comfort compared to conventional ABS control methods.
