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(1-x)Pb(Mg1/2W1/2)O3-xPb(Yb2/3W1/3)O3 ceramics have been prepared by a conventional ceramic process. Their crystal structures, phase transitions and dielectric properties have been investigated in this paper. Limited solid solutions (x ≤ 6 mol%) could be formed. The x = 0.02 composition demonstrates mixture of orthorhombic (Pmcn) and cubic (Fm-3m) phases, while apparent single-phase solid solution with B-site 1:1 ordering (space group: Fm-3m) could be observed for the 0.02 < x ≤ 0.06 compositions at room temperature. The solid solution demonstrates a first-order phase transition. Local orthorhombic distortion in the cubic matrix above transition temperature, manifested in the large temperature factors of Pb2+ and O2− observed in the structure refinements, could be further confirmed by Raman analysis. The doping of (Yb2/3W1/3)4+ leads to the decrease in orthorhombic-cubic phase transition temperature. The microscopic nature affecting the driving force of the phase transition was discussed from the point of stereochemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electronic paramagnetic resonance (EPR) parameters (g factor gi, and hyperfine structure constants Ai, with i = || and ⊥) and tetragonal distortion of the Cu2+ center in Al2O3 are unified interpreted from the perturbation formulas for a 3d9 ion in tetragonally elongated octahedral. In the calculations, the impurity Cu2+ is found to occupy the host trigonally-distorted octahedral Al3+ site with the tetragonal elongation distortion due to the Jahn–Teller effect, despite the original trigonal distortion of the host cation site. The contributions to EPR parameters from both the spin–orbit coupling of the central ion and that of the ligands are taken into account. The defect structure of the Cu2+ center (characterized by the relative tetragonal elongation ratio η ≈ 4.3% along the C4 axis) was determined from the calculation. Furthermore, the calculated results agree well with the experimental data and need fewer adjustable parameters than the previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pb(Mg1/2W1/2)1−xMxO3 (M = Zr,Sn,Ti) ceramics have been prepared by the conventional ceramic process. Their crystallographic, phase transition and dielectric properties have been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and impedance analyzer in this paper. The solubility of the tetra-valent cation in Pb(Mg1/2W1/2)1−xMxO3 decreases in the sequence of Ti4+ > Zr4+ > Sn4+. The doping led to the phase transition from orthorhombic antiferroelectric to cubic paraelectric phase, the microscopic nature of which could be attributed to the contraction of Pb-O12 dodecahedron. A definition of the ordering parameter of the cubic phase was deduced to quantitatively evaluate the B-site ordering degree which decreased with the increase in doping concentration. Anti-site disordering of Mg2+ and W6+ occurred in the high-level doping compositions, which led to the relaxor behavior observed in Ti4+-doped series with x = 0.01 composition. Both of the maximum dielectric permittivity and loss in the paraelectric phase increased with the increasing doping concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the genetic cause of non-syndromic ovarian dysfunction in a patient from a consanguineous family.Methods: This study examined a patient with irregular menstrual cycles and abnormal oocytes. The patient had undergone irregular hormone replacement therapy over 3 years to adjust the menstrual cycle and improve ovarian function. Prior to ovarian stimulation in our hospital, 3 months of androgen and regular hormone therapy were used as an intervention method. No follicular development was detected in the subsequent three cycles using letrozole treatment. The patient then received a constantly adjusted dose of menotropins, but produced only one oocyte.Results: Whole-exome sequencing analysis identified the first homozygous POLG mutation (c.2890C > T; p.R964C) associated with ovarian dysfunction. Sanger sequencing was used to validate. In silico analysis suggested that the p.R964C mutation was pathogenic. Conservation analysis demonstrated that R964 was an important site for the DNA polymerase function of POLG.Conclusions: Biallelic mutations in POLG may be associated with ovarian dysfunction. This study has improved our understanding of POLG-related genetic mutations in ovarian dysfunction, and the mode of inheritance of certain sequence variants. This information will assist genetic counseling and precision medicine in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal extraction yields were obtained for 13 coals in supercritical ethanol at 250°C. The direct and indirect relationships between extraction yield and coal properties were determined using correlation and path analyses. Both nitrogen content and hydrogen content have significant and positive correlations with thermal extraction yield. However, moisture content, sulfur content, and oxygen content exhibited negative correlations with extraction yield. Path analysis demonstrated that nitrogen and carbon contents had significant direct and indirect influences on extraction yield, respectively. Nitrogen content is the preferential factor for a high extraction yield, followed by carbon and hydrogen contents. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

1. The DNA/RNA binding protein YBX3 is associated with gene transcription, DNA repair, and the progression of various diseases and is highly conserved from bacteria to humans. 2. The following experiment found a 27-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in the intron region of the YBX3 gene through resequencing. In cross-designed, F2 resource groups, the indel was significantly associated with broiler weight and body size at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks of age and several other traits (semi evisceration weight (SEW), evisceration weight (EW), semi evisceration rate (SER), evisceration rate (ER), head weight (HW), claw weight (CLW), wing weight (DWW), gizzard weight (GW), pancreas weight (PW), chest muscle weight (CMW), leg weight (LW), leg muscle weight (LMW), shedding weight (SW), carcase weight (CW) and pectoral area (PA)) (P < 0.05). 3. The insertion-insertion (II) genotype was significantly associated with the greatest growth traits and carcase traits, whereas the values associated with the insertion-deletion (ID) genotype were the lowest in the F2 reciprocal cross chickens. 4. The mutation sites were genotyped in 3611 individuals from 13 different chicken breeds and cross-designed F2 resource groups. The II genotype is the most important in commercial broilers, and the I allele frequency observed in these breeds was relatively high. However, there is still considerable potential in breeding dual-purpose chickens and commercial laying hens. 5. The mRNA expression of the YBX3 gene in tissues from different breeds and developmental stages demonstrated that the 27-bp indel may affect the entire development process of poultry by affecting muscle development. These findings are beneficial for elucidating the function of the YBX3 gene and facilitating enhanced production in the chicken industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shenshan sub-bituminous coal has been extracted with water at 200°C and 2 MPa. The resulting soluble mixture was separated into a deposit and a water-soluble fraction. The gas chromatography/mass spectrometry detectable species in both the deposit and the water-soluble fraction can be classified into linear molecules and cyclic molecules using the scaffold tree approach. The linear molecules consist of alkanes, acids, alkenes, alkanols, esters, ketones, aldehydes, ethers, nitrogen-containing organic compounds, and sulfur-containing organic compounds. The chemical structures of the cyclic molecules are more complicated and provide insight into the carbon skeleton structures and bridging linkages of the soluble molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The UK has unique experience in operating high temperature civil nuclear power systems, known as advanced gas cooled reactors (AGRs). One of the primary challenges for extending the lifetime of the AGR power stations is to understand the interaction that occurs between the AGR CO2 environment and creep-fatigue cracking behaviour. This is one of the life limiting degradation mechanisms for steel components within the reactor pressure vessel. This paper addresses the effect of thermal aging on material internal state that controls both the creep deformation and oxidation behaviour of Type 316H stainless steels when they are exposed at a simulated AGR environment. Experimental results from creep tests are discussed with respect to a multi-scale self-consistent model, while experimental results from oxidation tests are considered with respect to the application of measured short term data to predict the long term oxidation behaviour. Finally, the interaction between oxidation and creep and its impact on high temperature structural integrity of AGR nuclear systems are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xilinhaote lignite (XL) was depolymerized in supercritical methanol at 310°C with or without air. According to gas chromatography/mass spectrometric analysis, the resulting soluble species (SSs) can be classified into alkanes, alkenes, arenes, alkanols, hydroxybenzenes, methoxybenzenes, ketones, esters, nitrogen-containing organic compounds, sulfur-containing organic compounds, and other compounds. Thep-value of nonparametric statistics demonstrates that the group components and molecular mass distribution of the SSs from supercritical methanolysis of XL without and with air are not significantly different. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Zinc oxide aerogels possess significantly potential applications in gas sensors, photocatalysis, and photodetector. In this regard, monolithic zinc oxide aerogel was prepared successfully by using the dispersed inorganic sol-gel method (DIS method) combined with a furnace calcining in mixed atmosphere of 500°C. With subsequent thermal treatment in selected atmospheres and designed heating program, the aerogel is featured with high porosity, large specific area (177 m2 g−1) and narrow particle sizes distribution. The photoluminescence spectrum (PL) with no temperature dependent shifts of the maximum of the spectral PL intensity concerning the zinc oxide aerogel being investigated suggests that it is relative to the structural and optical properties. In summary, the attractive properties of the zinc oxide aerogel expound the potentially optical and optoelectronic applications of ZnO nanostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Up to now, little information has been available on biodegradation of petroleum lubricant oils by microbial inoculation. Understanding the abilities of microorganisms in biodegrading petroleum lubricants is imperative for optimum use of bacteria in bioremediation of lubricant-contaminated environments. In the study, three bacterial strains of generaPseudomonassp.,Ochrobactrum tritici, andBordetella petrii, which were previously isolated from oil-contaminated soils, were inoculated into a lubricating oil culture medium. The abilities for the three bacterial strains to biodegrade a petroleum lubricating oil were evaluated by determining the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the inoculated oil culture mediums. Effect of pH on degrading abilities of the bacterial isolates and impact of temperature on microbial growth were also explored. Results showed that the CODs of the inoculated lubricating oil culture mediums were much lower than that of the oil medium without bacterial inoculum, indicating that the three bacterial strains effectively enhanced biodegradation of the mineral lubricating oil, of which the member of genusOchrobactrumwas the most excellent enhancer. Furthermore, the abilities for the strains to biodegrade lubricating oil were different at different pH values. They provided excellent oil-degrading ability in the pH range from 6.0 to 7.8. On the other hand, the microbial populations of the bacterial strains markedly increased with increasing incubation durations in an exponential phase at the temperatures ranging from 28°C to 35°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tissue barbs are small-scale structures that may be used for sutureless joining of tissues. In this study, several types of tissue barbs were fabricated using two-photon polymerization/micromolding, including two-pronged tissue barbs, eight-pronged tissue barbs, 10-pronged tissue barbs, and 16-pronged tissue barbs. Tissue barb penetration in porcine tissue was observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Constructs containing medical tape and tissue barbs were created by applying tissue barbs in a parallel arrangement to Transpore™ medical tape. These results suggest that two-photon polymerization/micromolding is an indirect rapid prototyping approach that may be used for high-throughput replication of tissue barbs and other microstructured solid wound sealants. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Context. On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy made landfall and devastated New York's metropolitan area, causing widespread damage to homes and the utility infrastructure. Eight days later, snow and freezing temperatures from a nor'easter storm delayed utility restoration. Objective. To examine carbon monoxide (CO) exposures in the 2 weeks following Hurricane Sandy. Methods. This was a retrospective review of prospectively collected, standardized, and de-identified data sets. CO exposures and poisonings identified from two electronic surveillance systems, the New York City Poison Control Center (NYCPCC) and New York City's Syndromic Surveillance Unit, were compared with CO exposures from identical dates in 2008-2011. Data collected from the poison center included exposure type, CO source, poisoning type, treatment, and outcomes. Data collected from the Syndromic Surveillance Unit cases, which were identified by CO-related chief complaints presenting to NYC hospitals, included visit date and time, and patient demographics. Results. Four hundred thirty-seven CO exposures were reported to the NYCPCC, 355 from NYC callers, and the remainder from surrounding counties, which represented a significant increase when compared with CO exposures from identical dates in the preceding 4 years ( p < 0.001). The total cases that were reported to the NYCPCC in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 were 18, 13, 24, and 61, respectively. Excluding a single apartment fire that occurred ( n = 311), the more common sources of CO were grilling indoors (26.2%) and generators (17.5%). Syndromic surveillance captured 70 cases; 6 cases were captured by both data sets. Conclusions. CO exposures following weather-related disasters are a significant public health concern, and the use of fuel-burning equipment is a clear source of storm-related morbidity and mortality. Multiple real-time epidemiologic surveillance tools are useful in estimating the prevalence of CO exposure and poisoning and are necessary to assist public health efforts to prevent CO poisoning during and after disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The technology of crop straw gasification is a kind of promising biomass gasification technology. It not only solves air pollution but also improves the life quality of local households. However, there are some commercialization development barriers in China. They include the low price of the fuel gas, few gas consumers, high initial investment for the gasification station, non-market support from the government, imperfect crop straw gasification technology, and a deficiency of instructions for the standard checking system of crop straw gasification equipment and construction. In order to further develop crop straw gasification technology, it is necessary to rely on increasing economic benefit rather than lessen the dependence on the support of government by degrees. The prompting policies consist of enhancing support to gasification technology, enlarging the straw gas consumption scale through amending government subsidy, building a fair competing market environment, promoting investment in crop straw gasification technology, and promoting effective use of crop straw through restrictive policies and measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a new lumped-network hybrid implicit–explicit finite-difference time-domain (LN-HIE-FDTD) method has been proposed. This method is derived from combining the 3D HIE-FDTD method with the Z-transform technique for the hybrid system including linear lumped networks. It possesses the advantage of deriving the updating equations immediately for complex circuits. The accuracy of the proposed method is verified from the comparison of calculated results given by the proposed method and the conventional lumped-network FDTD (LN-FDTD) method. The efficiency of the proposed method is verified from the comparison of the CPU time by the two methods. It is demonstrated that the proposed method is numerically efficient while time-saving. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A new manganese (II) Complex Mn[(NIT-1′-MeBzIm)2· (H2O)2]·ClO4·H2O (NIT-1′-MeBzIm = 2-{2′-[(l′-methyl)benzimi- dazolyl]}-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) has been prepared and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The complex crystallizes in monoclinic space groupC2/c,Z = 4. Crystal data: C30H44ClMnN8O16,Mr = 898.57, a = 14.227(3) Å, b = 15.892(3) Å, c = 18.547(4) Å, α = 90°, β = 99.891(2)°, ϒ = 90°. The X-ray analysis reveals that Mn(II) atom is six-coordinated with a distorted octahedral geometry, the complex was linked by intermolecular hydrogen bonds, leading to a 2-D network configuration. Magnetic investigation indicates the existence of intramolecular interactions is ferromagnetic withJ = 2.24 cm−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation shows that tumblebug's elytra are a kind of chitin fibre reinforced biocomposite. In the biocomposite, the chitin fibres possess a laminated microstructure and distribute in a kind of particular helicoidal pattern. More careful observation indicates that there is a kind of fibre helicoidally rounding hole in the elytra. Based on the SEM observation, a kind of composite laminate with biomimetic fibre helicoidally rounding hole was fabricated through a special mould and moulding process. The extrusion strength of the biomimetic fibre helicoidally rounding hole was investigated and compared with that of the conventional drilling hole in the composite laminate. It is shown that the extrusion strength of the biomimetic fibre helicoidally rounding hole is markedly larger than that of the conventional drilling hole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impacts of four amino acids, viz. lauroyl glutamine, lauroyl glycine, lauroyl alanine, and oleoyl glycine, on biodegradability, oxidation stability, and corrosiveness of HVI 350 mineral lubricating oil were studied. The biodegradabilities of neat lubricating oil and its formulations with the amino acids were evaluated on a biodegradation tester and the microbial characters in the biodegradation sewage observed through a microscope. Furthermore, the oxidation stability and corrosiveness of neat oil and the formulated oils were determined on an oxidation tester and a copper strip corrosion tester, respectively. The results indicated that the amino acids markedly enhanced biodegradability of unreadily biodegradable mineral lubricating oil by promoting microbe production in the biodegradation processes, thus accelerating biodegradation of mineral lubricating oil. On the other hand, the amino acids to some extent retarded oxidation of mineral lubricating oil by inhibiting increases of acidity, viscosity and insolubles during oxidation. Otherwise, excellent color ratings of copper strips, namely, 1b for neat oil and 1a for all the formulated oils, were obtained in the corrosion tests, demonstrating that the corrosiveness of both neat oil and the amino acid-doped oils was negligible, although the formulated oils seemed to provide slightly better anticorrosion ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new thin-slot formalism is presented for the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) analy-sis of the coupling of narrow apertures having depth. To derive the formalism, the equiva-lence principle is used to divide the slot coupling problem into three decoupled parts. The field distribution near the aperture is gained from the equivalent magnetic current together with a constant field distribution assumption. By incorporating the field distribution into the Ampere's law and Faraday's Law, the updated equations are derived to modify the elec-tromagnetic field components near the apertures. Two numerical examples are adopted to verify the validity of the proposed formalism, and both the high-resolution standard FDTD results and FEKO (FEldberechnung Bei Körpern mit beliebiger Oberfläche) result are pre-sented as references. The proposed formalism is verified to be a stable and accurate model for thin-slot coupling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The capacitance thin-slot formalism is investigated, in which the effective permittivity is found to be time varying while the effective permeability is nearly constant. Additionally, it is found that the effective permeability is not equal to the reciprocal of the effective permittivity. Based on the improved formalism of the field distributions and numerical results, an alternative expression is derived for the thin-slot penetration by modifying coefficients of the updating equations near the slot. High-resolution standard finite difference time domain method (FDTD) result and commercially available numerical tool FEKO result are presented in support of the new expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerical simulation is carried out on pressure loss of an inner-cone flowmeter by fluid software. The experimental medium of numerical simulation is gasoline. An inner-cone flowmeter and orifice plate flowmeter are frequently used in product pipeline. In the condition of the same flow area, the two experimental results of pressure loss are compared. As a result, the pressure loss of the inner-cone flowmeter is only 22% of the orifice plate flowmeter. The application of inner-cone flowmeter, in measuring mixing flowrate in the product pipeline, can reduce energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]