Great Wall Research Articles

Research on the Revitalization of the Defensive Fortress of the Great Wall Based on the Adversarial Interpretive-Structure Model

This article aims to formulate a revitalization strategy for the affiliated fortress of the Ming Great Wall. The Adversarial Interpretive-Structure Model (AISM) extracts the opposite hierarchical rules and obtains a pair of simplified hierarchical topology graphs. The directed line segments in the adversarial hierarchical topology graph represent the interrelationships between the elements, which are presented in a topological hierarchy and can easily compare the advantages and disadvantages of the revitalization factors, which provides a basis for subsequent revitalization strategy formulation. The adversarial hierarchical topology graph provides a new method for conserving and reusing architectural heritage. Key Words: adversarial hierarchical topology graph, fortress, architectural heritage, conservation and reuse

Primary leiomyoma of the great saphenous vein using multimodal imaging

A 28-year-old man had presented with a complaint of a mass in the left lower limb that had been present for 10 years. The mass had increased slowly, with aggravated pain during the most recent week. On physical examination, a soft mass was present in the front of left lower limb with poor activity, and preserved sensation and palpable arterial pulses within the distal extremity. Ultrasound revealed a hypoechoic lesion without a shape change after compression around the distal great saphenous vein. The lesion measured 1.9 × 1.3 × 2.1 cm, with a well-circumscribed boundary that seemed to be a continuation of the venous wall (A). Some dot-like blood flow signals were detected inside the lesion with a pulsatile arterial spectrum. The great saphenous vein was patent with intact intima (B/Cover). Magnetic resonance imaging was further performed, which revealed an equal T1-weighted signal and an equal or a long T2-weighted signal, similar to that for muscle tissue, for the mass. Continuous and intact adventitia was observed, which confirmed that the mass was localized to the vascular wall (C). A tentative preoperative diagnosis was a muscle-derived benign tumor of the great saphenous vein wall. The possibility of malignancy was excluded by the slow progression, clear boundary, and no invasiveness. The patient subsequently underwent resection of the mass without vascular reconstruction, and the excised mass displayed a fish-flesh cut surface. Postoperative pathologic examination revealed the mass was composed of benign spindle cells with a reticular or parallel arrangement and was positive for smooth muscle actin and desmin (D). Ultimately, the definite diagnosis was a primary leiomyoma of the great saphenous vein. The patient recovered uneventfully without complications. The patient provided written informed consent for the report of his case details and imaging studies.

Study on the spatial regularity of rammed pits of the Ming Great Wall using 3D scanning technique and Random Forest algorithm

In Northwestern China, the Ming Great Wall generally involves multiple layers of rammed earth, and rammed pits with regular spatial characteristics are always distributed on the horizontal interfaces between rammed layers. Obviously, the spatial regularity of rammed pits cannot only reflect the level of ramming technique in the Ming dynasty, but also control the geotechnical properties of rammed layer interfaces (RLIs). Hence, in the present study, one typical RLI with visible rammed pits was obtained from the Ming Great Wall in Yongchang County, Northwestern China, and the corresponding point cloud data were collected by 3D scanning technique. Then, this RLI was reconstructed using numerous micro slopes in ArcGIS, and the distribution maps of micro-slope heights, angles, plan curvatures and profile curvatures were produced as well. Based on these distribution maps and Random Forest (RF) algorithm, those micro slopes which can reflect the true rammed pit morphology (called the representative micro slopes) were identified, and ten zones where the representative micro slopes concentrate were selected as effective analysis domains. Furthermore, within effective analysis domains, the contour lines were generated to show the outline features of rammed pits, and the values of micro-slope heights, angles, plan curvatures and profile curvatures were statistically analyzed to reveal the surface features of rammed pits. Moreover, the distribution features of rammed pits were exhibited by their centroid positions, which can be calculated by the corresponding contour line shapes. Ultimately, this study indicates that rammed pits of the Ming Great Wall show more regularity than randomness in terms of geometric shapes and spatial distribution. Concretely, the outlines of most rammed pits approximate the circular or elliptical shapes. All the rammed pit surfaces are rough rather than smooth, and most of them can be mathematically expressed by quadratic polynomial equations. As for the distribution features, rammed pits are overall distributed in the triangular shapes, and distances between the equivalent centroids of adjacent rammed pits range from 8.95 cm to 17.86 cm. These findings prove that standardized ramming technique was applied in the Ming dynasty, resulting in high-quality construction of the Great Wall. Meanwhile, the rammers used to compact earthen materials possess rounded heads. However, the imperfect polishing of rammers and the inevitable operational errors could also lead to slight spatial randomness of rammed pits.

Analysis of Financial Strategy and Operation Strategy of BYD, Changan Automobile, and Great Wall Motor

With the increasing emphasis on environmental protection energy in global development, new energy vehicles have attracted the attention of automobile manufacturers. At present, the market has a great development prospect and there is no obvious oligopoly. Therefore, taking China's domestic automobile market as the target, this paper selects three representative automobile enterprises with different development priorities to conduct financial analysis, industry analysis, and SWOT analysis on the three companies. Based on the data of these three companies, the overall domestic automobile market in China is roughly evaluated, and the future development of China's new energy automobile market is speculated. This study found that the influence of new energy automobile enterprises in the automobile manufacturing industry has gradually increased, but it still cannot affect the position of traditional automobile manufacturing companies. At present, there is no oligopoly in China's domestic new energy market. Even BYD, which already has the first-mover advantage, does not fully grasp the majority of the domestic market, and it is still possible to be surpassed by later companies (such as Changan Automobile and Great Wall Automobile).

Comparative Study of Roman Empire and Qin Dynasty

Rome is a great empire centered on the Mediterranean Sea and spanning Europe, Asia, and Africa. After the republic system collapsed, the political and economic markets of the Roman Empire underwent various changes, while the cultural and foreign policies remained unchanged. The Qin Dynasty, the representative of the eastern empire, was the first unified feudal dynasty in ancient China. This paper presents a comparative study of Rome and the Qin Dynasty from the aspect of politics, economy, culture, and foreign policies. Romans political power was concentrated and spread out, as the power was controlled by the Senate and the Roman emperor. Meanwhile, the power within the Qin dynasty was highly concentrated in the hands of the emperor. Roman Culture is centered around religion, while the culture of the Qin dynasty is quite different. The mainstream thought was legalism, so the influence of religion was very tiny in the Qin Empire. Roman had a diverse economy, but the Qin dynasty implemented land nationalization, controlled commercial activities, and unified market management. Romes foreign policy was complex, and they used multiple tactics to deal with different nations, while the Qin Dynastys foreign policy aimed to resist foreign enemies. For example, the Qin Dynasty built the Great Wall, whose primary function was to resist the Huns.

From the Great Wall to the Great Firewall: A Historical Analysis of Surveillance

This article delves into the historical development of surveillance practices in China, tracing their roots from the construction of the Great Wall to the contemporary cyber surveillance system known as the Great Firewall. The study explores the strategic importance of the Great Wall as an early warning system and its significance in shaping China's modern national security strategies. Additionally, the article examines the evolution of surveillance techniques throughout China's dynastic history, the impact of Western influences, and the emergence of a modern surveillance state under the People's Republic of China. The analysis then shifts its focus to the development, implementation, and objectives of the Great Firewall, highlighting its role in both domestic control and international cyber warfare. Lastly, the article addresses the ethical debates surrounding surveillance and privacy in China, along with the future implications of emerging technologies and trends in the country's national security strategy. Through this historical lens, the article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of China's long-standing relationship with surveillance and its crucial role in national security, while also shedding light on potential future developments and global implications. Keywords: Chinese national security, Cyber surveillance, Cyber surveillance, Great Wall of China, History of surveillance in China. Jel Codes: F50, H56, H56, P25, P37.

Integrating an In‐Plane Electron‐Conductive Separator to Enable Short‐Circuit Warning in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

AbstractLithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are one of the most competitive candidates for high‐energy‐density batteries. However, the high energy density and high reactivity of the lithium anode and sulfur cathode make the safety issues of Li–S batteries particularly prominent. Herein, an early warning strategy for the short circuits in Li–S batteries is explored by integrating an in‐plane electron‐conductive separator. The internal short circuits caused by lithium dendrites or manufacturing defects can be quickly and accurately predicted before catastrophic thermal runaway, with enough time to take rescue measures. The separator with high thermal conductivity also facilitates the heat dissipation of the cell, thus reducing the risk of thermal runaway under abuse. The fast and reliable early warning strategy based on the in‐plane electron‐conductive separator builds the Great Wall of active defense against inherently unsafe Li–S batteries.

Back Cover: Low‐Cost, High‐Strength Cellulose‐based Quasi‐Solid Polymer Electrolyte for Solid‐State Lithium‐Metal Batteries (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 25/2023)

A quasi-solid-state lithium-ion battery prepared by low-cost cellulose acetate exhibits extraordinary electrochemical stability, as reported by Lei Tian, Caizhen Zhu et al. in their Research Article (e202302767). The cellulose part in cellulose acetate is like a mountain forest. The esterified side groups are like the Great Wall built between the mountain forest, providing high-speed and stable transport channels for lithium ions.

Rücktitelbild: Low‐Cost, High‐Strength Cellulose‐based Quasi‐Solid Polymer Electrolyte for Solid‐State Lithium‐Metal Batteries (Angew. Chem. 25/2023)

A quasi-solid-state lithium-ion battery prepared by low-cost cellulose acetate exhibits extraordinary electrochemical stability, as reported by Lei Tian, Caizhen Zhu et al. in their Research Article (e202302767). The cellulose part in cellulose acetate is like a mountain forest. The esterified side groups are like the Great Wall built between the mountain forest, providing high-speed and stable transport channels for lithium ions.

From the Great Wall to the Great Firewall: A Historical Analysis of Surveillance

This article delves into the historical development of surveillance practices in China, tracing their roots from the construction of the Great Wall to the contemporary cyber surveillance system known as the Great Firewall. The study explores the strategic importance of the Great Wall as an early warning system and its significance in shaping China's modern national security strategies. Additionally, the article examines the evolution of surveillance techniques throughout China's dynastic history, the impact of Western influences, and the emergence of a modern surveillance state under the People's Republic of China. The analysis then shifts its focus to the development, implementation, and objectives of the Great Firewall, highlighting its role in both domestic control and international cyber warfare. Lastly, the article addresses the ethical debates surrounding surveillance and privacy in China, along with the future implications of emerging technologies and trends in the country's national security strategy. Through this historical lens, the article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of China's long-standing relationship with surveillance and its crucial role in national security, while also shedding light on potential future developments and global implications. Keywords: Chinese national security, Cyber surveillance, Cyber surveillance, Great Wall of China, History of surveillance in China.

Multi-hazard risk assessment of the Great Wall relics: a case study in the Miyun District, Beijing

Multi-hazard risk assessment of the Great Wall relics: a case study in the Miyun District, Beijing

Prospects for Research on New-Form International Chinese Language Textbooks

Textbook is one of the “three teachings”, and it is an important basis and carrier of teaching. The new form of textbooks is a product of the intelligent age and an important embodiment of the modernization of teaching materials. In the context of the intelligent era, the development of new forms textbooks is an important content of academic concern. We found that there are not many studies on new forms of international Chinese textbooks, and most of the textbooks have not yet entered the stage of integrated construction. The three-dimensional textbooks such as Great Wall Chinese are still an exception. In this regard, we believe that it is necessary to take the creation of three-dimensional teaching materials as the course, closely follow Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education, and multi-party construction teams go hand in hand to implement the dynamic update of international Chinese teaching materials resources.

The great wall of debt: Real estate, political risk, and Chinese local government financing cost

Chengtou bond is the only asset with market prices that can capture the funding cost of Chinese local government debt. In contrast to the U.S. municipal bonds, Chengtou bonds are issued by private corporations but implicitly guaranteed by local and the central governments, which are reflected by novel risk characteristics—real estate GDP and political risk. One standard deviation increase in local real estate GDP (political risk) corresponds to 10 (9) basis points decrease (increase) in bond yields, respectively. However, conditional on political risk, real estate GDP actually increases bond yields, suggesting that only local governments with low political risk can enjoy the low funding costs driven by high real estate growth.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Research on Great Wall section protection and user VR experience innovation based on GIS data visualization

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Research on Great Wall section protection and user VR experience innovation based on GIS data visualization

Great Green Walls: Hype, Myth, and Science

Visions of planting walls of trees to block the expansion of the desert have long been promoted but never realized. The green wall myth persists today even though it is premised on outdated understandings of desertification. We review the history of the idea of green walls and focus on two sets of contemporary initiatives to assess their outcomes: peri-Saharan programs (Algeria's Green Dam and Great Green Wall in sub-Saharan Africa) and China's Three Norths Shelterbelt Program. This review reveals a mixed record of technical success with low rates of the establishment of monocultures of fast-growing trees vulnerable to disease. While there is evidence for reduced wind erosion in some areas, afforestation is also associated with reduced soil moisture and lowering of water tables. Social impacts include increased water scarcity for people and livestock in some cases, and resource enclosures that particularly work against pastoralist livelihoods.

Measurements and Modeling of the Responses of VLF Transmitter Signals to X‐Class Solar Flares at the Great Wall Station in Antarctica

AbstractSolar flares can severely disturb the Earth's ionosphere, leading to changes of atmospheric chemistry and degradation of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals. The key to better assess these effects is to more accurately quantify the electron density enhancements induced by solar flares, which is still uncertain. Thanks to the good coverage and quiet electromagnetic environment provided by the Great Wall Station (GWS, 62.22°S, 58.96°W) in Antarctica, our Very‐Low‐Frequency (VLF) receiver has recorded clean VLF signatures produced by three X‐class solar flares from March to May in 2022. These measurements motivate us to revisit the uncertain question related to the ionospheric effects induced by solar flares. Different from previous studies, we model solar flare events from satellite measurements of X‐ray fluxes to ground‐based measurements of VLF transmitter signals by combining a flare irradiance model, an X‐ray propagation model, a D‐region chemistry model, and a VLF propagation model. For eight transmitting frequencies and propagation paths, modeling results can satisfactorily explain our VLF measurements at GWS during the three X‐class flares, especially so for the X1.3 event occurring on 30 March 2022. Moreover, the electron density results that reconcile space‐ and ground‐based measurements suggest that the VLF reflection height can be lowered to ∼66 km by an X1.1 flare, in line with previous studies. The present set of numerical models can be thus utilized in future studies to improve the nowcasting capability of VLF sensing technique for monitoring solar flares, as well as the accuracy of GNSS navigation/positioning during solar flares.

Response of sediment transport capacity to soil properties and hydraulic parameters in the typical agricultural regions of the Loess Plateau

The sediment transport capacity by overland flow (Tc) is a key parameter in process-based soil erosion models and Tc variation is sensitive to changes in soil properties. This study was undertaken to investigate Tc variations with respect to soil properties and establish a universal relationship to predict Tc. The test soils were collected from typical agricultural regions (Guanzhong basin—Yangling (YL), Weibei Dry plateau—Chunhua (CH), Hilly and gully region—Ansai (AS), Ago-pastoral transition zone along the Great Wall—Yuyang (YY), and Weiriver floodplain—Weicheng (WC)) of the Loess Plateau, and subjected to 36 different combinations of slope gradients (S, 5.24–44.52 %) and flow discharge (q, 0.00033–0.00125 m2 s−1) in a hydraulic flume. The results showed that the mean Tc values for WC were 2.15, 1.38, 1.32, and 1.16 times greater than those for YL, CH, AS, and YY, respectively. Tc significantly decreased with clay content (C), mean weight diameter (MWD), and soil organic matter content (SOM). Tc for different soil types increased with S and q as a binary power function, and Tc variation was more sensitive to S than to q. Stream power (w) was the most appropriate hydraulic variable to express Tc for different soils. Tc for different soil types could be satisfactorily simulated using a quaternary power function of S, q, C, and MWD (R2 = 0.94; NSE = 0.94) or a ternary power function of w, C, and MWD (R2 = 0.94; NSE = 0.94). The new Tc equation can reflect the effect of soil properties on it and facilitate the development of a process-based soil erosion model.

The Resettlement of Nomadic Horsemen Tribes to Asia Minor

Written sources and archaeological data indicate that the vast territory from the Great Wall of China in the east to the Carpathian Mountains in the west in the first millennium BC was inhabited by the Sak and Sauromat–Sarmatian tribes, who formed a "nomadic culture". Warlike nomads, skilled horsemen, accurate archers and courageous warriors are known in history as "nomadic horsemen tribes". The settlement of nomadic tribes from the steppes of Central Asia to Eastern Europe and Asia Minor in the first half of the first millennium went down in history as the first wave of the "Great Migration" of the peoples from the East to the West. Today this fact is confirmed by written sources and archaeological evidences. As the result of these resettlements, various cultural conflicts have occurred throughout the history of mankind, and nomadic tribes have become recognized by the ancient peoples of Eastern Europe and Asia Minor. The issue of resettlement is the subject of research of foreign and local scientists. However, as it is one of the most important topics that needs to be studied the authors decided conduct scientific research on this topic, study the reasons and ways of migration of the nomadic horsemen tribes to Eastern Europe and Asia Minor, systematize old and new data, conduct a scientific analysis based on the experience of foreign and local researchers. Moreover, scientific conclusions have been done as well as the periods and directions of the conquering campaigns of nomadic horsemen in Asia Minor have been studied.

HiLPD-GEE: high spatial resolution land productivity dynamics calculation tool using Landsat and MODIS data

ABSTRACT Land productivity is one of the sub-indicators for measuring SDG 15.3.1. Land Productivity Dynamics (LPD) is the most popular approach for reporting this indicator at the global scale. A major limitation of existing products of LPD is the coarse spatial resolution caused by remote sensing data input, which cannot meet the requirement of fine-scale land degradation assessment. To resolve this problem, this study developed a tool (HiLPD-GEE) to calculate 30 m LPD by fusing Landsat and MODIS data based on Google Earth Engine (GEE). The tool generates high-quality fused Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) dataset for LPD calculation through gap filling and Savitzky–Golay filtering (GF-SG) and then uses the method recommended by the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) to calculate LPD. The tool can calculate 30 m LPD in any spatial range within any time window after 2013, supporting global land degradation monitoring. To demonstrate the applicability of this tool, the LPD product was produced for African Great Green Wall (GGW) countries. The analysis proves that the 30 m LPD product generated by HiLPD-GEE could reflect the land productivity change effectively and reflect more spatial details. The results also provide an important insight for the GGW initiative.

Pressure Arch Effect of Deeply Buried Symmetrically Distributed Triple Tunnels

Compared with single or twin tunnels, the pressure arch effect of deeply buried, symmetrically distributed triple tunnels are more complex and less studied. In this paper, the arching responses are in-situ measured in the deeply buried, symmetrically distributed triple tunnels of Badaling Great Wall station. Numerical research is subsequently conducted to investigate the formation and development of the pressure arch of triple tunnels. Then, the influencing law of buried depth on pressure arch behavior is systematically studied. Based on monitoring data, the rock pressure distribution is asymmetric about the axis of the triple tunnels, and the arching response of the middle tunnels is more significant than that of the left and right tunnels. According to numerical analysis, a combined large pressure arch may be easily formed across the triple tunnels. The pre-arching and double-arching effects are also numerically observed during triple tunnel excavations. The inner boundary of the pressure arch of the middle tunnel is 14.0 m, nearly two times higher than those of the left and right tunnels. This simulation result indicates that the mechanical state of the middle tunnel is the least desirable. Moreover, the critical arching depth of closely spaced tunnels is 1.75 times that of a single tunnel. Compared with a single tunnel, the support of triple tunnels should be additionally strengthened.