Search Results (60)

Large-scale battery datasets often contain anomalous data due to sensor noise, communication errors, and operational inconsistencies, which degrade the accuracy of data-driven prognostics. However, many existing studies overlook the impact of such anomalies or apply filtering heuristically without rigorous benchmarking, which can potentially introduce biases into training and evaluation pipelines. This study presents a deep learning framework that integrates autoencoder-based anomaly detection with a residual neural network (ResNet) to achieve state-of-the-art prediction of remaining useful life at the cycle level using only a single-cycle input. The framework systematically filters out anomalous samples using multiple variants of convolutional and sequence-to-sequence autoencoders, thereby enhancing data integrity before optimizing and training the ResNet-based models. Benchmarking against existing deep learning approaches demonstrates a significant performance improvement, with the best model achieving a mean absolute percentage error of 2.85% and a root mean square error of 40.87 cycles, surpassing prior studies. These results indicate that autoencoder-based anomaly filtering significantly enhances prediction accuracy, reinforcing the importance of systematic anomaly detection in battery prognostics. The proposed method provides a scalable and interpretable solution for intelligent battery management in electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Full article

Significant progress has been made in understanding how extreme precipitation responds to climate warming across various time scales. However, the impact of urbanization on these events remains unclear. This study aims to thoroughly examine the effects of urbanization on extreme hourly precipitation (EHP) and its spatial heterogeneity based on dynamic station classification methods and various EHP indices using high-resolution records of hourly precipitation in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) urban agglomeration. We also explore how urbanization has contributed to changes in extreme precipitation and the associated uncertainties. The results indicate an overall increase in all EHP indices across the YRD, with significant increases being more pronounced in urban areas. Furthermore, the changes in the EHP correlate positively with urbanization, showing greater increases at higher levels of urbanization. While the impact of urbanization on the EHP changes cannot be overlooked, its contribution appears relatively limited, with the contributions being less than 50%. The effects of urbanization on precipitation changes are predominantly positive, with noticeable spatial heterogeneity for different sub-regions and temporal variations during various stages or levels of urbanization. Moreover, urbanization effects and contributions are influenced by the urban–rural classification methods, especially regarding their contributions. Full article

Under China’s dual land ownership system, the use rights of urban land (state-owned) and rural land (collective-owned) are not equal. Understanding the roles of ownership type and government decision-making behaviors in the formation of land prices is crucial for further reform to promote “equal rights and equal prices” for urban and rural land. This paper analyzed the impact of ownership type on construction land prices using micro-level land transaction data from Wujin District, Changzhou City, from 2015 to 2021 and investigated the role of government decision-making behaviors such as spatial planning and supply plan in this relationship. The results show that collective ownership has a negative impact on land prices, and the development of collective-owned construction land has a positive impact on the prices of adjacent land. In addition, the boundary of downtown areas determined by spatial planning enhances the negative impact of collective ownership on land prices, thus widening the price gap between state and collective-owned land within the downtown areas. Furthermore, the proportion of collective-owned construction land in the annual land supply determined by the land supply plan strengthens the negative impact of collective ownership on land prices, meaning that an increase in the supply of collective-owned construction land leads to further downward pressure on land prices. This study can provide insights for policy making aiming to achieve “equal rights and equal prices” for land with different ownership type in China and in other countries with a dual land ownership system. Full article

von Willebrand factor (vWF) is a large glycoprotein in the circulation system, which senses hydrodynamic force at vascular injuries and then recruits platelets in assembling clots. How vWF mechanosenses shear flow for molecular unfolding is an important topic. Here, a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) biosensor was developed to monitor vWF conformation change to hydrodynamic force. The vWF-based biosensor is anchored on the cell surface, in which the A2 domain is flanked with a FRET pair. With 293T cells seeded into microfluidic channels, 2.8 dyn/cm² of shear force (i.e., 28 μN/cm², or 264.1/s in shear rate) induced a remarkable FRET change (~60%) in 30 min. A gradient micro-shear below 2.8 dyn/cm² demonstrated FRET responses positively related to flow magnitudes, with 0.14 dyn/cm² (1.4 μN/cm²) inducing an obvious change (~16%). The FRET increases indicate closer positioning of A2’s two terminals in vWF or the addition of a more parallel orientation of the FRET pair, supported with the high FRET of the A2-only-based biosensor, which probably resulted from flow-induced A2 dissociation from vWF intramolecular binding such as that in A1/A3 domains. Interestingly, gradient flow increases from 2.8 to 28 dyn/cm² led to decreasing FRET changes, suggesting the second-level unfolding in the A2 domain. The LOCK-vWF biosensor with bridged A2 two terminals or an A2-only biosensor could not sense the shear, indicating a structure-flexible A2 and large vWF molecules that are important in the mechanosensation. In conclusion, the developed vWF-based biosensor demonstrated the high mechanosensation of vWF with two-level unfolding to shear force: the dissociation of the A2 domain from vWF intramolecular binding under a micro-shear, and then the unfolding of A2 in vWF under a higher shear; the FRET response to shear force at a very low scale may support the observed clot formation at microvascular wounds. This study provides new insights into the vWF’s mechanosensitive feature for its physiological functions and implicated disorders. Full article

The high yield potential and stability of hybrid japonica rice varieties are crucial for sustainable agricultural development and food security. Rice varieties must undergo rigorous testing through multi-site regional trials before being introduced to the market in China. The assessment of these regional trials is essential for guiding rice breeding. In this study, we evaluated the yield performance of 13 hybrid japonica rice genotypes (g1–g13) across six regional trial sites (e1–e6) in Jiangsu province, China. Variance analysis revealed that genotype (G), environment (E), and genotype-by-environment (G × E) interactions significantly influenced the yield of hybrid japonica rice varieties. The effects of G × E interactions on the yield potential and stability of these tested rice varieties were further analyzed using Genotype plus Genotype-by-Environment interaction (GGE) biplot and additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model analyses. The results reveal that Zhegengyou2035 (g4) and Changyou20-2 (g3) exhibited superior yield potential and stability, while Huazhongyou9413 (g12) exhibited broad adaptability. Additionally, the assessment of discrimination and representativeness among regional trial sites revealed that the Wujin Rice Research Institute (e6) served as an optimal testing location. Our findings identify the most suitable rice varieties for the area and assess their potential as initial material in the selection processes for breeding new varieties. Additionally, this work contributes to the strategic selection of optimal testing locations. Full article

The application of smart packaging technology in fruit and vegetable preservation has shown significant potential with the ongoing advancement of science and technology. Smart packaging leverages advanced sensors, smart materials, and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to monitor and regulate the storage environment of fruits and vegetables in real time. This approach effectively extends shelf life, enhances food safety, and reduces food waste. The principle behind smart packaging involves real-time monitoring of environmental factors, such as temperature, humidity, and gas concentrations, with precise adjustments based on data analysis to ensure optimal storage conditions for fruits and vegetables. Smart packaging technologies encompass various functions, including antibacterial action, humidity regulation, and gas control. These functions enable the packaging to automatically adjust its internal environment according to the specific requirements of different fruits and vegetables, thereby slowing the growth of bacteria and mold, prolonging freshness, and retaining nutritional content. Despite its advantages, the widespread adoption of smart packaging technology faces several challenges, including high costs, limited material diversity and reliability, lack of standardization, and consumer acceptance. However, as technology matures, costs decrease, and degradable smart packaging materials are developed, smart packaging is expected to play a more prominent role in fruit and vegetable preservation. Future developments are likely to focus on material innovation, deeper integration of IoT and big data, and the promotion of environmentally sustainable packaging solutions, all of which will drive the fruit and vegetable preservation industry toward greater efficiency, intelligence, and sustainability. Full article

This study addresses the persistent issue of urban waterlogging in Wujin District, Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province, using a comprehensive approach integrating an optimized drainage network and low-impact development (LID) measures. Utilizing the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM), calibrated with extensive hydrological and hydraulic data, the model was refined through genetic algorithm-based optimization to enhance drainage efficiency. Key results indicate a substantial reduction in the average duration of waterlogging from 7.43 h to 3.12 h and a decrease in average floodwater depth from 21.27 cm to 8.65 cm. Improvements in the drainage network layout, such as the construction of new stormwater mains, branch drains, and rainwater storage facilities, combined with LID interventions like permeable pavements and rain gardens, have led to a 56.82% increase in drainage efficiency and a 63.88% reduction in system failure rates. The implementation effectively minimized peak flood flow by 25.38%, reduced runoff, and improved groundwater recharge and rainwater utilization. The proposed solutions offer a replicable, sustainable framework for mitigating flooding in urban environments, enhancing ecological resilience, and ensuring the safety and quality of urban life in densely populated areas. Full article

High-performance concrete (HPC) is currently widely used in water-related structures. The incorporation of nano-silica (nano-SiO₂, NS) can further refine its pore structure, thereby enhancing the compressive strength and durability of HPC without necessitating a reduction in the water-to-binder (w/b) ratio. However, the addition of nano-materials significantly increases the autogenous shrinkage (AS) of concrete, leading to elevated tensile stresses and making the concrete more susceptible to early-age cracking. To mitigate AS, superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) can be introduced to internally cure the concrete, thereby improving the internal relative humidity (IRH) and reducing the AS in NS-reinforced concrete. In this study, we experimentally investigate the setting behavior, pore structure, compressive strength, IRH, and AS properties of concrete with a w/b of 0.3, incorporating both NS and SAP. The results demonstrate that the addition of NS advances setting time, significantly densifies the pore structure, markedly enhances compressive strength, accelerates the decline in IRH, and increases AS strain. Conversely, the incorporation of SAP exhibits opposite effects on these properties, particularly in substantially mitigating AS strain. The combined incorporation of 1.5% NS and 0.15% (or 0.30%) SAP achieves both higher compressive strength and lower AS strain compared to plain concrete at 28 days. These findings suggest that the simultaneous introduction of NS and SAPs into concrete formulations is recommended to achieve an optimal balance between shrinkage and strength properties. Such advancements are particularly beneficial for applications in hydraulic and water-related structures, where enhanced durability and reduced cracking are critical for maintaining structural integrity and ensuring longevity. Full article

This study investigates the impact of local government debt levels on the behavior of individual firms, which is crucial for understanding the systemic risks associated with local government debt and fostering economic vitality. Using data from publicly listed companies on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges between 2013 and 2022, this study empirically examines the effect of local government debt on corporate innovation quality. The findings demonstrate that local government debt expansion has a significant negative impact on corporate innovation quality. The negative impact remains robust across endogeneity tests and multiple robustness checks. Channel analysis indicates that as local government debt increases, innovation subsidies and procurement funding led toward firms’ decline, while both tax and non-tax revenue demands indicated firm increases. This resource reallocation contributes to the observed decline in corporate innovation quality. Further heterogeneity analysis reveals that regions with lower levels of government intervention and fiscal pressure exhibit a smaller negative effect of local government debt on innovation quality. Finally, examining the economic outcomes reveals that the decline in innovation quality, resulting from current local debt expansion, significantly reduces total factor productivity and firm value in the subsequent year, posing challenges for sustainable corporate development. Full article

Hematopoiesis is a complex physiological process that ensures renewal of blood cells to maintain normal blood circulation and immune function. Wujin pigs exhibit distinct characteristics such as tender meat, high fat storage, strong resistance to roughage, robust disease resistance, and oxidation resistance. Therefore, using Wujin pigs as models may offer valuable insights for hematopoietic-related studies. In this study, twelve healthy 35-day-old piglets, including six Wujin and six Duroc piglets of similar weight, were selected from each of the Wujin and Duroc pig groups and housed in single cages. After 30 days of feeding, blood and bone marrow samples were collected. Routine blood indices and hematopoietic-related serum biochemical indexes of Wujin and Duroc pigs were determined, and bone marrow gene expression levels were analyzed using transcriptomics. (1) Hemoglobin (Hb) and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) levels in Wujin pigs were significantly higher than in Duroc pigs (p < 0.05), and platelet counts and serum Hb levels in Wujin pigs were significantly lower than in Duroc pigs (p < 0.05). (2) A total of 312 significantly differentially expressed genes were identified between the pigs. Their functions were mainly related to blood systems, inflammation, and oxidation. Six differentially expressed genes may be related to hematopoietic function. (3) By combining the differential genes screened through sequencing with Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis results, 16 hematopoietic function differential genes were obtained, mainly focusing on immunity, inflammation, and induction of apoptosis functions. Differences were present in the immune and inflammatory responses between Wujin pigs and Duroc pigs, suggesting that differences in hematopoietic function between the two breeds were related to antioxidant capacity and disease resistance. Full article

(1) Objective: This study investigated the relationship between long-term particulate matter (PM_2.5) exposure and optic disc parameters—vertical cup-to-disc ratio (vCDR), vertical optic disc diameter (vDD), and vertical optic cup diameter (vCD)—in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). (2) Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from 65,750 T2DM patients in the 2017–2018 Shanghai Cohort Study of Diabetic Eye Disease (SCODE). Optic disc parameters were extracted from fundus images, and PM_2.5 exposure was estimated using a random forest model incorporating satellite and meteorological data. Multivariate linear regression models were applied, adjusting for confounders including age, gender, body mass index, blood pressure, glucose, time of T2DM duration, smoking, drinking, and physical exercise. (3) Results: A 10 μg/m³ increase in PM_2.5 exposure was associated with significant reductions in vCDR (−0.008), vDD (−42.547 μm), and vCD (−30.517 μm) (all p-values < 0.001). These associations persisted after sensitivity analyses and adjustments for other pollutants like O₃ and NO₂. (4) Conclusions: Long-term PM_2.5 exposure is associated with detrimental changes in optic disc parameters in patients with T2DM, suggesting possible optic nerve atrophy. Considering the close relationship between the optic nerve and the central nervous system, these findings may also reflect broader neurodegenerative processes. Full article

For lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors in hybrid power storage facilities, both steady degradation and random shock contribute to their failure. To this end, in this paper, we propose to introduce the degradation-threshold-shock (DTS) model for their remaining useful life (RUL) prediction. Non-homogeneous compound Poisson process (NHCP) is proposed to simulate the shock effect in the DTS model. Considering the long-range dependence and heavy-tailed characteristics of the degradation process, fractional Weibull process (fWp) is employed in the diffusion term of the stochastic degradation model. Furthermore, the drift and diffusion coefficients are constantly updated to describe the environmental interference. Prior to the model training, steady degradation and shock data must be separated, based on the three-sigma principle. Degradation data for the lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and ultracapacitors are employed for model verification under different operation protocols in the power system. Recent deep learning models and stochastic process-based methods are utilized for model comparison, and the proposed model shows higher prediction accuracy. Full article

Iron is an important trace element that affects the growth and development of animals and regulates oxygen transport, hematopoiesis, and hypoxia adaptations. Wujin pig has unique hypoxic adaptability and iron homeostasis; however, the specific regulatory mechanisms have rarely been reported. This study randomly divided 18 healthy Wujin piglets into three groups: the control group, supplemented with 100 mg/kg iron (as iron glycinate); the low-iron group, no iron supplementation; and the high-iron group, supplemented with 200 mg/kg iron (as iron glycinate). The pre-feeding period was 5 days, and the formal period was 30 days. Serum was collected from empty stomachs before slaughter and at slaughter to detect changes in the serum iron metabolism parameters. Gene expression in the liver was analyzed via transcriptome analysis to determine the effects of low- and high-iron diets on transcriptome levels. Correlation analysis was performed for apparent serum parameters, and transcriptome sequencing was performed using weighted gene co-expression network analysis to reveal the key pathways underlying hypoxia regulation and iron metabolism. The main results are as follows. (1) Except for the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) content (between the low- and high-iron groups), significant differences were not observed among the serum iron metabolic parameters. The serum HIF-1 content of the low-iron group was significantly higher than that of the high-iron group (p < 0.05). (2) Sequencing analysis of the liver transcriptome revealed 155 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the low-iron and control groups, 229 DEGs between the high-iron and control groups, and 279 DEGs between the low- and high-iron groups. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the HIF-1 and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling pathways were the key pathways for hypoxia regulation and iron metabolism. Four genes were selected for qPCR validation, and the results were consistent with the transcriptome sequencing data. In summary, the serum iron metabolism parameter results showed that under the influence of low- and high-iron diets, Wujin piglets maintain a steady state of physiological and biochemical indices via complex metabolic regulation of the body, which reflects their stress resistance and adaptability. The transcriptome results revealed the effects of low-iron and high-iron diets on the gene expression level in the liver and showed that the HIF-1 and TGF-β signaling pathways were key for regulating hypoxia adaptability and iron metabolism homeostasis under low-iron and high-iron diets. Moreover, HIF-1α and HEPC were the key genes. The findings provide a theoretical foundation for exploring the regulatory pathways and characteristics of iron metabolism in Wujin pigs. Full article

The present study aims to investigate the advantages of diamond-like carbon (DLC) films in reducing friction and lubrication to address issues such as the low surface hardness, high friction coefficients, and poor wear resistance of titanium alloys. Cr-doped DLC films were deposited by high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) in an atmosphere of a gas mixture of Ar and C₂H₂. The energy of the deposited particles was controlled by adjusting the target powers, and four sets of film samples with different powers (4 kW, 8 kW, 12 kW, and 16 kW) were fabricated. The results showed that with an increase in target power, the Cr content increased from 3.73 at. % to 22.65 at. %; meanwhile, the microstructure of the film evolved from an amorphous feature to a nanocomposite structure, with carbide embedded in an amorphous carbon matrix. The sp²-C bond content was also increased in films, suggesting an intensification of the film’s graphitization. The hardness of films exhibited a trend of initially increasing and then decreasing, reaching the maximum value at 12 kW. The friction coefficient and wear rate of films showed a reverse trend compared to hardness variation, namely initially decreasing and then increasing. The friction coefficient reached a minimum value of 0.14, and the wear rate was 2.50 × 10⁻⁷ (mm³)/(N·m), at 8 kW. The abrasive wear was the primary wear mechanism for films deposited at a higher target power. Therefore, by adjusting the target power parameter, it is possible to control the content of the metal and sp²/sp³ bonds in metal-doped DLC films, thereby regulating the mechanical and tribological properties of the films and providing an effective approach for addressing surface issues in titanium alloys. Full article

To determine the influence of pig type (Landrace, Wujin, or Tibetan fragrant) on the quality of Xuanwei ham, we measured the ham pH, color, fat content, and moisture content; used an E-nose (a device intended to detect odors or flavors); and analyzed flavoring substances using headspace solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography, free amino acids using high-performance liquid chromatography, and microbial diversity using high-throughput sequencing. The ham types differed from each other in these attributes. The moisture and fat contents of Landrace pig ham were significantly lower than those of the other pig types, the brightness values of the Tibetan fragrant pig ham were significantly lower than those of the other pig types, and the redness values of the Landrace and Wujin pig hams were significantly higher than those of the Tibetan fragrant pig ham. The essential amino acid contents, e-wind odor response values, and volatile flavor substances of Wujin pig hams were significantly higher than those of the Tibetan fragrant pig ham, and the relative aldehyde contents of Wujin pig ham were significantly higher than those of the other pig types. The dominant microbial phyla in each ham type were assessed based on the species commonness, composition, and diversity and included taxa such as Actinobacteria and Ascomycetes and thick-walled bacteria such as Orphanomyces, Grass Spirochaetes, and Pseudoalteromonas. The microbial diversity and richness were the greatest in the Wujin pig ham. Of the three pigs, we conclude that the Wujin pig produces the best Xuanwei ham. Full article