Search Results (77)

Elevated railways are a crucial component of railway lines, characterized by their widespread distribution, simple structure, and low cost, while actively promoting local economic development. However, they also cause significant ground vibrations when trains pass. Similarly, considerable vibration levels are transmitted to the subgrade and surrounding structures when trains operate on viaducts within the Loess Plateau region. However, research on mitigating these vibration effects remains relatively scarce. This study focused on the impacts of such vibrations on surrounding buildings and stratum structures and evaluated the effectiveness of a vibration isolation trench in mitigating these effects. Time frequency domain analysis of ground vibrations during train passage revealed that the characteristic frequency of the train-induced pulse excitation in the track structure had a pronounced peak in the spectrum curve. The introduction of a vibration isolation trench effectively blocked the propagation of vibration waves in the soil, reduced soil vibration, and significantly lowered the peak value in the spectrum. Numerical simulations were employed to analyze the elliptical polarization dispersion characteristics of surface wave propagation with the vibration isolation trench in place, confirming the effective damping performance of the trench. These findings could offer a valuable reference for high-speed railway vibration isolation and significantly advance the application of surface wave theory in high-speed railway technology. Full article

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) significantly modulates microbial metabolism, while chemical epigenetic modifiers are known to reactivate silent biosynthetic gene clusters and induce novel natural products. However, the mechanisms by which these epigenetic modifiers regulate fungal responses under differential pressure conditions, and how such regulation affects natural product biosynthesis, remain completely unexplored. Here, we investigated the hadal fungus Alternaria alternata CIEL23 isolated from 7332 m sediments in the Mariana Trench under epigenetic modifier treatment with contrasting pressures (0.1 MPa vs. 40 MPa). Our results revealed that epigenetic perturbations and high pressure significantly altered fungal phenotypes, gene expression, and secondary metabolite composition. Transcriptome-level analysis of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms under epigenetic modifiers in both pressure conditions (0.1 MPa and 40 MPa) demonstrated that the addition of epigenetic modifiers regulated MAPK pathway-related gene expression in response to the environment stimuli. Under dual stress conditions, the IG, CWI, and HOG branches of the MAPK pathway showed significantly altered activity patterns. These changes were associated with differential the regulation of genes related to hyphal growth, cell wall remodeling, cell cycle progression, and osmolyte synthesis, suggesting the coordinated modulation of multiple cellular processes. These findings provide the mechanistic link between epigenetic modification induced HHP-response changes and regulation in hadal fungi. Our study not only advances understanding of hadal fungal response to dual stressors but also unlocks new possibilities for harnessing their stress-driven metabolic versatility for biotechnological applications. Full article

This article proposes a novel three-dimensional trench electrode detector, named the through-type three-dimensional quasi-hemispherical electrode detector. The detector adopts a trench structure to package each independent unit and achieves complete penetration of trench electrodes with the help of an SOI substrate. The horizontal distances from the center anode of the detector to the trench cathode and the detector thickness are equal. It has a near-spherical structure and exhibits spherical-like electrical performance. In this study, we modeled the device physics of the new structure and conducted a systematic three-dimensional simulation of its electrical characteristics, including the electric field, electric potential, electron concentration distribution of the detector, the inducted current caused by incident ions, and the crosstalk between detector units. Computational and technology computer-aided design (TCAD) simulation results show that the detector has an ultra-small capacitance (2.7 fF), low depletion voltage (1.4 V), and uniform electric field distribution. The trench electrodes electrically isolate the pixel units from each other so that the coherence effect between the units is small and can be applied in high-resolution X-ray photon counting detectors to enhance the contrast-to-noise ratio of low-dose imaging and the detection rate of tiny structures, among other things. Full article

This paper introduces a 0.5–5.8 GHz low-noise amplifier (LNA) incorporating a gyrator-C-based active inductor (AI) and an enhanced deep trench isolation (DTI) electrostatic discharge (ESD) diode. Results suggest that AIs exhibit excellent consistency under various process voltage temperatures (PVTs) as well as input powers and the improved DTI diodes reduce parasitic capacitance by an average of 8.5% compared to conventional ones. In terms of circuit design, comprehensive analyses of gain flatness and noise are conducted. Fabricated using a 0.18 μm SiGe BiCMOS technology, the LNA delivers a high S21 of 18.3 ± 0.3 dB, a minimum noise figure of 2.6 dB, and an S11 and S22 of less than −10 dB over the entire frequency band. Operating from a 3.3 V supply voltage with a core area of 0.049 mm², it consumes 10 mA of current. Full article

With the continuous scaling of CMOS technology, stress engineering has become increasingly critical at advanced technology nodes, especially in tall and narrow FinFET structures. Asymmetric layout environments (such as dual-Fin structures or poly cuts) can introduce stress imbalance originating from shallow trench isolation (STI), which in turn affects device performance. In this study, TCAD simulations were performed on n-type FinFETs representative of the 10 nm technology node, with a physical gate length of 20 nm, to investigate the correlation between asymmetric stress and device drive current. As the Fin width decreases, the asymmetric stress from STI induces noticeable performance fluctuations, with the mobility enhancement under saturation bias reaching a maximum of 8.42% at W = 6 nm. Similarly, as the Fin body angle deviates from 90° and the Fin top narrows, with W_top = 6 nm and W_bottom = 8 nm, the mobility enhancement peaks at 7.65%. The simulation results confirm that STI-induced asymmetric stress has a significant impact on the Fin sidewall channel, while its effect on the top channel is minimal. To mitigate these effects, CESL stress engineering is proposed as an effective solution to amplify the top channel current, thereby reducing the influence of asymmetric stress on device performance. A CESL stress of 2.0 GPa is shown to improve device stability by approximately 20%. Full article

In this contribution, we explored the interplay of guard ring (GR) configuration and isolation structures, as well as irradiation effects, which all together create a rich landscape of phenomena such as self-induced signals (“ghosts”) in trench-isolated Low-Gain Avalanche Diodes (TI-LGADs). The ghost effect is related to the increased surface current due to presence of SiO₂ trenches (and defects) in studied diodes, but it is also affected by interplay between the guard ring(s) and the n⁺ bias ring, implanted in inter-pixel region of these devices. In double-trenched sensors, the n⁺ bias ring is inserted in between the two trenches. We present the investigation on the role of these structures on the self-induced signals in trench-isolated sensors from two different productions (RD50 and AIDAinnova). The sensors from the first production have multiple guard rings, whereas the second type of devices feature only one. Detailed examination of the ghost effect and leak current was performed when guard rings were left floating or connected to the pixels (brought to the same potential). The results show that guard ring configuration in trenched sensors can be critical for the leak current and the presence of a ghost signal. To our best knowledge, the latter problem has not been investigated yet. Full article

Many cities around the world are developing over-track buildings above metro depots to achieve efficient and economical land use. However, the vibrations generated by frequent train operations have a significant impact on the over-track buildings. Therefore, the analysis and control of vibrations at metro depots are of great importance. This paper focuses on the train-induced vibration propagation law and the application of vibration isolation trench measures of the over-track building in the metro depot. To this end, a typical metro depot is taken as the research object. The train-track model, used for simulating wheel-rail force, and the track-soil-building model, used for predicting structural response, are established, respectively. Then, the vibration response of the over-track building of the metro depot is explored, and the effects of vibration isolation measures of the open trench and infilled trench in the metro depot are studied. The results show that the train-induced vibration excitation of the metro is mainly concentrated in the range of 1 to 80 Hz, and the predominant frequency range of the floor vibration is 25 to 50 Hz. The vibration response of the floor is mainly affected by the stiffness. The larger the floor area, the smaller the vertical natural frequency, and the wider the range between the train vibration excitation areas, the more prone to resonance. In addition, the vibration isolation effect of the open trench is better than that of the infilled trench. The primary factor affecting the vibration isolation performance of open trenches is their depth; the influence of trench position and width on the vibration isolation performance is weaker compared to the depth. In the predominant frequency range of floor vibration, the overall vibration isolation effect of the flexible infilled trenches is better than that of the rigid infilled trenches. The main factor affecting the vibration isolation effect of the infilled trenches is the impedance ratio of the material. Among the six kinds of filling materials selected in this paper, the barrier effect of gravel is the worst, and the barrier effect of foam is the best. Using the measure of a foam infilled trench, Z-vibration levels of floors can be reduced by 8.6–13.9 dB. Full article

Transit-oriented development (TOD) and over-track buildings have been rapidly expanding in Chinese subways since their development. This new method is highly convenient for people while the influence of indoor vibration and noise in buildings is not yet clear. A case study is conducted on over-track buildings on a subway transfer station in Chengdu, China. This paper first proposes a numerical prediction model based on a three-step approach to assess vibration impact. Then, a top-down comprehensive design of vibration mitigation based on the transmission path is developed to propose a practical control method. Furthermore, field measurements of vibrations on the ground and in nearby buildings are conducted. The results show that the over-track buildings are significantly affected by train operations, resulting in vertical vibrations with low frequencies ranging from 4 to 20 Hz. The vibration attenuation is different on different building floors, and the response frequency depends on the building’s natural frequency. The natural frequency of the main structures should differ from the main frequency of the vibration source to prevent high building vibration levels. Good comprehensive control strategies significantly reduce train-induced indoor secondary vibrations. Wider isolation trenches can significantly diminish the transfer of vibration transmission from the ground into the structure. These results can provide a guideline for developing transit-oriented buildings. Full article

Hadal zones account for the deepest 45% of oceanic depth range and play an important role in ocean biogeochemical cycles. As the least-explored aquatic habitat on earth, further investigation is still required to fully elucidate the microbial taxonomy, ecological significance, metabolic diversity, and adaptation in hadal environments. In this study, a novel strain Lsc_1132^T was isolated from sediment of the Mariana Trench at 10,954 m in depth. Strain Lsc_1132^T contains heterogenous 16S rRNA genes, exhibiting the highest sequence similarities to the type strains of Neobacillus drentensis LMG 21831^T, Neobacillus dielmonensis, Neobacillus drentensis NBRC 102427^T, Neobacillus rhizosphaerae, and Neobacillus soli NBRC 102451^T, with a range of 98.60–99.10% identity. The highest average nucleotide identity (ANI), the highest digital DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) values, and the average amino acid identity (AAI) with Neobacillus sp. PS3-40 reached 73.5%, 21.4%, and 75.54%, respectively. The major cellular fatty acids of strain Lsc_1132^T included iso-C_15:0, Summed Feature 3 (C_16:1ω6c and/or C_16:1ω7c), iso-C_17:0, anteiso-C_15:0, and iso-C_17:1ω5c. The respiratory quinone of strains Lsc_1132^T was MK-7. The G + C content of the genomic DNA was 40.9%. Based on the GTDB taxonomy and phenotypic data, strain Lsc_1132^T could represent a novel species of a novel genus, proposed as Aliineobacillus hadale gen. nov. sp. nov. (type strain Lsc_1132^T = MCCC 1K09620^T). Metabolically, strain Lsc_1132^T demonstrates a robust carbohydrate metabolism with many strain-specific sugar transporters. It also has a remarkable capacity for metabolizing amino acids and carboxylic acids. Genomic analysis reveals a streamlined genome in the organism, characterized by a significant loss of orthologous genes, including those involved in cytochrome c synthesis, aromatic compound degradation, and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) synthesis, which suggests its adaptation to low oxygen levels and oligotrophic conditions through alternative metabolic pathways. In addition, the reduced number of paralogous genes in strain Lsc_1132^T, together with its high protein-coding gene density, may further contribute to streamlining its genome and enhancing its genomic efficiency. This research expands our knowledge of hadal microorganisms and their metabolic strategies for surviving in extreme deep-sea environments. Full article

This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of different dynamic compaction (DC) load equivalent conversion methods in DC vibration calculations. It also investigates the effect of vibration isolation treatments on the vibration reduction performance of loess foundations, with the goal of optimizing vibration control during DC construction. Five classical methods were used to convert the DC loads into time-dependent surface loads, which were subsequently fed into Plaxis’s dynamic multiplier table for the numerical implementation of DC tests. By comparing the numerical simulation results with in situ monitoring data from a loess site, the accuracy of the five DC load equivalent conversion methods was evaluated. The momentum theorem method was identified as the most precise for both vibration velocity and settlement. Subsequently, the momentum theorem method was utilized to investigate the influence of depth and distance of vibration isolation trench, as well as the properties of vibration isolation materials on vibration reduction effect. It is indicated that the optimal depth for the vibration isolation trench of the loess site is 2 m, beyond which the improvement in vibration reduction effects is not notable. The excavation distance of the vibration isolation trench should be set as close as possible to the boundary of the construction site to achieve the best vibration reduction effect. As for the properties of vibration isolation materials, it is shown that the unit weight and damping ratio of the filling material have a significant effect on the vibration reduction effect, while the influence of the shear strength of the filling material is negligible. Besides the vibrating reduction influence of filling materials, utilizing spring dampers has a better vibration reduction effect. Increasing the stiffness of the spring dampers and reducing their spacing can significantly enhance the vibration reduction effect. In practical engineering applications, it is essential to consider both the effects and economic costs to select the optimal vibration reduction treatment and its parameters. This study provides a scientific basis for vibration control during DC construction, contributing to ensuring construction safety and efficiency while minimizing the impact on the surrounding environment. Full article

The exploration and exploitation of deep-sea microbial resources is of great scientific value for understanding biological evolution under extreme conditions. Deep-sea microorganisms are critical in the ocean carbon cycle, and marine heterotrophic microorganisms secrete extracellular carbonic anhydrase (CA) to fix inorganic carbon, an important process in climate regulation. Extracellular CA provides a green method for fixing carbon dioxide into stable minerals containing Ca²⁺. However, studies on extracellular CA in deep-sea microorganisms are limited. In this study, Bacillus safensis yw6 was isolated from Mariana Trench sediments and three candidate extracellular CA genes (β-ca1, β-ca2, and γ-ca) were identified by whole genome sequencing. Bioinformatics analyses showed that these CAs have different structural compositions, with the β-CA having α-helix and random coiling, whereas the γ-CA has more random coiling and stretched strands. Heterologous expression in E. coli BL21 (DE3) showed that β-CA2 had the highest enzyme activity, followed by γ-CA and β-CA1. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) observations showed that the engineered strains with β-ca2 genes produced deposits that were like those from natural sources. This finding not only provides new perspectives for the utilization of deep-sea microbial resources, but also provides an important scientific basis for the molecular mechanisms of extracellular CAs of deep-sea microbes. Full article

This research develops and evaluates a recyclable corrugated cardboard vibration isolation box reinforced with balsa wood as an alternative to traditional open trench methods for mitigating ground-borne environmental body waves. This study includes designing and testing scaled prototypes, laboratory analyses, prototype fabrication, and full-scale field experiments. In soft ground conditions, ensuring slope stability during deep excavations is a key engineering challenge for open trenches. For this purpose, scaled prototypes were subjected to laboratory tests to assess the resistance of the wave barrier’s wall surface. Numerical analyses were also conducted to evaluate the strength of the internal lattice structure under various loads. A prototype was fabricated for on-site experiments simulating real-world conditions. Field experiments evaluated the vibration isolation performance of the proposed barrier. Accelerometer sensors were strategically placed to gather data, analyzing ground surface vibrations for free field motions to assess the vibration shielding efficiency of both the open trench method and the corrugated vibration isolation box, with and without Styrofoam infill. This study concludes that the recyclable corrugated vibration isolation box is a viable alternative, offering comparable or improved vibration isolation efficiency in soft soil conditions while promoting environmental sustainability using recyclable materials. Full article

In view of the high-sensitivity vibration effect of precision instrument laboratory buildings under the influence of surrounding traffic loads, field micro-vibration tests under various working conditions were carried out based on actual projects. Combined with numerical simulation, measured data served as input loads to simulate the vibration effect of various traffic loads on the floor of a building structure, and the structural vibration laws under the comprehensive action of various loads were analyzed. The vibration isolation effect of the isolation ditch on the oblique orthogonal load was investigated according to the corresponding safety index. The results show that the main frequency components of the site vibration frequency caused by various traffic loads are approximately 25 Hz and that the root-mean-square speed value is stable below VC-E, which meets the design requirements. Under the comprehensive action of multiple loads, the site structure will produce a vibration amplification effect, which is obvious when all types of loads are distributed symmetrically and the curve distribution is controlled by load factors with large amplitudes. The isolation effect of a small isolation ditch is best when it is located close to the source and the building. The depth of the isolation ditch must be greater than the maximum depth of the source to achieve better results, and the width has little influence. The effect of a small isolation trench on vertical vibration is poor, and the oblique orthogonal triaxial load has a counteracting effect on the vertical component. Thus, additional structural vibration isolation measures are needed. The research results provide a reference for engineering vibration isolation, damping measures, and structural design. Full article

In this work, the attenuation of surface seismic waves from large-scale phononic metamaterials is numerically studied. The proposed metamaterials consist of rectangular trenches that form either I-shaped or T-shaped cavities embedded at the ground surface. The numerical investigation includes the study of the response of the proposed structures for different values of their geometric parameters. In addition, modifications of the proposed structures where heavy cores coated with a soft material were considered in the cavities were also numerically studied. For a more realistic numerical approach, the transmission spectrum of a selected large-scale phononic metamaterial was also investigated in a suitable half-space numerical scheme. The results of the present research showed that the studied large-scale metastructures could be a very promising potential candidate for seismic shielding applications for the protection of existing urban or countryside structures. The proposed metamaterials are low in cost and easy to construct for the protection of existing buildings, critical infrastructures, or even entire urban areas without need for any kind of intervention at them, therefore providing an effective solution in the field of seismic isolation. Full article

In this paper, a novel 120 V-class silicon Schottky contact super barrier rectifier with a deep isolated MOS trench in an epitaxial n-drift layer (DOT-SSBR) is studied through experiments, featuring the deep isolated MOS trenches (DOTs) in an epitaxial layer compared with conventional SSBR. The combination of SSBR and DOT obviously increase the breakdown voltage while preserving the significant advantages of SSBR. The pinching-off electric field effect by the DOTs in the epitaxial n-drift layer increases the average of electric field inside the drift layer and decreases the electric field on the mesa surface when the proposed DOT-SSBR is reversely biased. After the further optimization of the Schottky contact super barrier (SSB) parameters on mesa, the proposed DOT-SSBR maintains almost the same forward voltage, reduces the reverse leakage current at the reverse voltage of 50 V by approximately 10.0%, and greatly increases the breakdown voltage by approximately 38.6%, when compared with the conventional SSBR. The fabrication process, the measured high-temperature characteristics of forward I-V curves and reverse leakage current, and the measured reverse recovery current of the new device are also presented. An auxiliary simulation analysis to provide insight about the physics of the device is also presented. Full article