Detailed field mapping, geophysics, and geochemistry show that the Qinling orogenic belt is a southward vergent tectonic wedge consisting of six regional thrust sheets (the Lushan, Luanchun, Qinling, Douling, Wudang, and Zhuqi thrust sheets). These regional thrusts underwent displacement at the end of the mid‐Triassic and the end of the late Jurassic due to the collision between the North and South China blocks and subsequent detachment. The Qinling orogenic belt is thus an Indosinian‐Yanshanian collision‐detachment zone. The so‐called “Caledonian orogeny” in the Qinling Orogenic Belt records a succession of extensional and partial melting events in the continental crust. The basic lavas in the lower Paleozoic were erupted into rifting zones (both in the northern Qinling subzone and southern Qinling subzone). At the same time, local melting of the transitional continental crust occurred and resulted in formation of S‐type granites.

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This research presents a novel method of using plant-derived protein hydrolysates as seed coating materials. The objective of this study was to develop seed coating formulations using soy flour, a sustainable, inexpensive, and green source, as a biostimulant using broccoli as the model system. A 10% suspension of soy flour was used as the seed treatment binder in all coatings. The solid particulate filler was composed of mixtures of soy flour, cellulose, and diatomaceous earth, together termed as SCD. All SCD components were homogenized in water, then dried and ground to a fine particle size <106 µm. The SCD coatings were applied with rotary pan seed coating equipment at 25% of the seed weight. Increasing the proportion of soy flour increased the seed coating strength and also the time for the coating to disintegrate after soaking in water. As a result, the seed coatings reduced the percentage germination and the germination rate compared with the nontreated control. However, the 10-day-old seedling root and shoot growth showed significant improvement for all SCD coating treatments compared with controls. Plant growth and development was also measured after 30 days in the greenhouse. Fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW), leaf area, plant height, leaf development, Soil-Plant Analyses Development (SPAD) index (chlorophyll measurement), and nitrogen (N) per plant were all greater from coatings with 30%, 40%, and 50% soy flour than the noncoated control. Nitrogen, from the soy flour applied in the seed coatings, ranged from 0.024 to 0.073 mg per seed, while the enhanced N per plant ranged from 1.7 to 8.5 mg. The coating treatment with 0.063 mg N per seed resulted in the greatest plant leaf area and highest N content. Nitrogen applied in the seed coating only accounted for 1% to 2% of the enhanced N in the plants, indicating the soy flour acted as a biostimulant rather than a fertilizer.

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In this study, we document the kinematics and Late Quaternary slip rates of actively developing faults and folds on the northern side of the Altyn Tagh Fault (ATF) that accommodate uplift and lateral expansion of the northern Tibetan Plateau. Field observations and detailed measurements using Unmanned-Aerial-Vehicle Structure-from-Motion high-resolution imagery of offset fan surfaces, gullies, and channel risers coupled with optically stimulated luminescence and 10 Be ages constrain the timing and slip rates of the Sanweishan Fault (SWSF) and Nanjieshan Fault (NJSF) systems. The NE striking SWSF is characterized by sinistral strike slip with a top-to-the-NW thrusting component. Offset geomorphic markers and dating results yield Pleistocene strike slip and vertical uplift rates of 0.06-1.25 mm/a and 0.05-0.08 mm/a, respectively. The E-W trending NJSF is dominated by north and south directed thrusting and km-scale folding with variable components of sinistral strike slip. The calculated total N-S shortening rate across the NJSF is~0.3 mm/a. Low rates of deformation for the SWSF and NJSF account for less than 10% of the total intraplate strain accommodated along the northeasternmost ATF system. Over a 1,000-km length, the northward expansion of the Tibetan Plateau occurs by progressive northeastward growth of a transpressional duplex rooted SE into the ATF. An assumed crustal strength discontinuity along the northeast trending southern margin of the Tarim Craton focuses oblique convergence along the ATF. Oblique-slip thrusting and sinistral strike slip along the ATF and to the north accommodate the oblique convergence, consistent with the ENE directed geodetically derived crustal velocity field driven by India's continued indentation 1,500 km to the south.

[1] The objective of this paper is to present a genetic algorithm-based stochastic dynamic programming (GA-based SDP) to cope with the dimensionality problem of a multiplereservoir system. The joint long-term operation of a parallel reservoir system in the Feitsui and Shihmen reservoirs in northern Taiwan demonstrates the successful application of the proposed GA-based SDP model. Within the case study system it is believed that GA is a useful technique in supporting optimization. Though the employment of GA-based SDP may be time consuming as it proceeds through generation by generation, the model can overcome the ''dimensionality curse'' in searching solutions. Simulation results show Feitsui's surplus water can be utilized efficiently to fill Shihmen's deficit water without affecting Feitsui's main purpose as Taipei city's water supply. The optimal joint operation suggests that Feitsui, on average, can provide 650,000 m 3 /day and 920,000 m 3 /day to Shihmen during the wet season and dry season, respectively.

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