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Objective: Birth weight is a good predictor of fetal intrauterine growth and long‐term health, and several studies have evaluated the relationship between metabolites and birth weight. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of cord blood metabolomics and lipidomics with birth weight, using a two‐stage discovery and validation approach. Methods: Firstly, a pseudotargeted metabolomics approach was applied to detect metabolites in 504 cord blood samples in the discovery set enrolled from the Wuhan Healthy Baby Cohort, China. Metabolome‐wide association scan analysis and pathway enrichment were applied to identify metabolites and metabolic pathways that were significantly associated with birth weight adjusted for gestational age Z‐score (BW Z‐score). Logistic regression models were used to analyze the association of metabolites in the most significantly associated pathways with small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) at delivery and low birth weight (LBW). Subsequently, 350 cord blood samples in a validation cohort were subjected to targeted analysis to validate the metabolites identified by screening in the discovery cohort. Results: In the discovery set, of 2566 metabolites detected, 2418 metabolites were retained for subsequent analysis after data preprocessing. Of these, 513 metabolites were significantly associated with BW Z‐score (P‐value adjusted for false discovery rate (PFDR) < 0.05), of which 298 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG)‐annotated metabolites were included in the pathway analysis. The primary bile acid biosynthesis pathway was the most relevant metabolic pathway associated with BW Z‐score. Elevated cord plasma primary bile acids were associated with lower BW Z‐score and higher risk of SGA or LBW in the discovery and validation cohorts. In the validation set, a 2‐fold increase in taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TCDCA) and in taurocholic acid (TCA) was associated with a decrease in BW Z‐score (estimated β coefficient, −0.10 (95% CI, −0.20 to 0.00) and −0.18 (95% CI, −0.31 to −0.04), respectively), after adjusting for covariates. In addition, a 2‐fold increase in cord plasma TCDCA and of cord plasma TCA was associated with an increased risk of SGA (adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.52 (95% CI, 1.00–2.30) and 1.77 (95% CI, 1.05–2.98), respectively). The adjusted OR for LBW, for a 2‐fold increase in TCDCA and TCA concentration, were 2.39 (95% CI, 1.00–5.71) and 3.21 (95% CI, 0.96–10.74), respectively. Conclusions: These results indicate a significant association of elevated primary bile acids, particularly TCDCA and TCA, in cord blood with lower BW Z‐score, as well as increased risk of SGA and LBW. Abnormalities of primary bile acid metabolism may play an important role in restricted fetal development. © 2024 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to estimate the effects of temperature and total cloud cover before birth on newborn vitamin D status. Prospective birth cohort. This study included 2055 mother–newborn pairs in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. The data of temperature and total cloud cover from 30 days before birth were collected, and cord blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] were determined. Restricted cubic spline regression models, multiple linear regression models, and logistic regression models were applied to estimate the associations. A "J" shaped curve was observed between temperature and vitamin D status, and an inverse "J" shaped curve was observed between total cloud cover and vitamin D status. Compared to the fourth quartile (75–100th percentile, Q4) of average temperature (30 days before birth), the odds ratio (OR) for Q1 (0–25th percentile) associated with the vitamin D deficiency occurrence (<20 ng/mL) was 3.63 (95% CI, 1.54, 8.65). Compared to Q1 of the average total cloud cover (30 days before birth), the OR associated with the occurrence of vitamin D deficiency was 2.38 (95% CI, 1.63, 3.50) for the Q4. Low temperature and high cloud cover before delivery were significantly associated with an increased probability of vitamin D deficiency in newborns. The findings suggested that pregnancy women lacking sufficient sunlight exposure still need vitamin D supplement to overcome the potential vitamin D deficiency status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper constructs a data-driven demand purchasing confidence rule-based model based on the theory of evidential reasoning to address the problem of purchasing decision bias in which the decision maker anchors the prior demand. First, we apply a synthetic algorithm to reason about the confidence structure distribution of the purchasing decision and then iteratively optimize the purchasing quantity according to the confidence structure distribution to minimize the cost loss function. Finally, we choose the average cost loss and service level value as the evaluation indexes to explore the purchasing confidence rule model. The simulation shows that compared with the expected purchasing decision based on the stochastic cumulative distribution function, the decision based on the confidence structure distribution can reduce the purchasing decision bias, manifested in the lower mean cost loss and a higher mean value of service level. Sensitivity analyses of the number of rules, product shelf life, and critical values show that the purchasing confidence rule base is highly adaptable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In fluid mechanics research, data gathered from measurements and simulations may be challenging to interpret due to complexities such as transience, non-linearity, and high dimensionality. Velocity data from the airflow through an internal combustion engine often exhibit such properties; nevertheless, accurate characterizations of these airflows are required in order to correctly predict and control the subsequent combustion and emission processes in pursuit of net zero targets. The temporal mean is a common way of representing an ensemble of realizations of velocity fields, but the averaging process can artificially diminish the magnitudes of the resultant vectors. Accurate representation of these vector magnitudes is of particular importance, as the velocity magnitudes in the intake airflow are thought to be primary drivers of the subsequent variation in an engine flow, which influences emission formation and overall efficiency. As an alternative to the ensemble mean, this work proposes the application of a dimensionality reduction method known as the sparsity-promoting dynamic mode decomposition (SPDMD), which can extract core structures from an ensemble of velocity fields while retaining more realistic vector magnitudes. This is demonstrated for the first time with large-eddy simulation (LES) velocity data and compared to a corresponding set of experimental particle image velocimetry (PIV) data. The SPDMD 0 Hz modes are shown to be more representative of the velocity magnitudes present in both datasets. This facilitates more accurate quantification of the differences in vector magnitudes between simulations and experiments, and more reliable identification of which LES snapshots are closer to the PIV ensemble. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a zeolite-imidazole framework (ZIF-8) was first synthesized and used as a corrosion inhibitor container to enhance the anti-corrosion property. After encapsulated the benzotriazole (BTA) corrosion inhibitor and coated with epoxy resin (EP) on the surface of Cu plate, the obtained sample B-ZIF-8@EP exhibited enhanced corrosion protection with high impedance and positive self-corrosion potential due to the release of BTA in the corrosion process. It is believed that this work is very helpful for extending the diversity of anti-corrosion coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As engineered electromagnetic covers based on (space-) time modulated metamaterials and metasurfaces, Doppler cloaks are able to compensate the Doppler effect induced by the motion of a scatterer, making it appear as if it were at rest to a detecting radar system. Perfect Doppler compensation can be theoretically always achieved for any relative velocity and motion direction of the cloaked scatterer with respect to the detecting system. However, the motion can be still detected from the cross section variation of the Doppler cloaked scatterer, especially under oblique incidence illumination. The challenge is, therefore, to have a proper Doppler compensation and maintain the amount of scattered energy toward the detection system as much constant as possible with respect to the illumination angle. In this Letter, we propose the design of self-adaptive retro-reflective planar Doppler cloak composed of a pair of space-time modulated metasurfaces: the first metasurface focuses the incident field in a specific location on the second metasurface, which is designed for enabling retro-reflection and Doppler frequency shift compensation. Here, the self-adaptive Doppler cloak is applied to a metallic planar reflector, moving toward its normal direction, and illuminated by an oblique plane wave. We demonstrate that the proposed Doppler cloak can perform frequency conversion and simultaneously maintain the radar cross section of the reflector as much stable as possible within an angular range of about 60° centered at the normal direction. The self-adaptive Doppler cloak may enhance the undetectability of cloaked moving objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to research risk factors of hearing loss among neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit. Method: Hearing screening tests were performed on 572 neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit. Those who failed screening tests were referred for diagnostic tests. Results: The pass rates for automated auditory brainstem response, distortion product otoacoustic emission and acoustic impedance tests at first hearing screening were 69.93 per cent, 70.02 per cent and 92.92 per cent for 1144 ears. Failure in the first screening correlated with preterm birth, very low birth weight, revised advanced maternal age, neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia and Activity, Pulse, Grimace, Appearance, Respiration score less than 8. Thirty cases failed in diagnostic hearing tests for brainstem auditory evoked potentials, 28 failed in otoacoustic emissions and 33 failed in acoustic impedance, which correlated with preterm birth, very low birth weight, twins, advanced maternal age and revised advanced maternal age. Conclusion: Abnormalities in the hearing levels of most neonates who needed hearing retests were completely or partially reversible. Preterm birth, very low birth weight, twins and advanced maternal age are potential risk factors for hearing impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of hydrogen in metals are a pressing issue causing severe economic losses due to material deterioration by hydrogen embrittlement. A crucial understanding of the interactions of hydrogen with different microstructure features can be reached by nanoindentation due to the small volumes probed. Even more, in situ testing while charging the sample with hydrogen prevents the formation of concentration gradients due to hydrogen desorption. Two custom electrochemical cells for in situ testing were built in-house to charge the sample with hydrogen during nanoindentation: "front-side" charging with the sample and the indenter tip immersed into the electrolyte, and "back-side" charging where the analyzed region is never in contact with the solution. During front-side charging, surface degradation often occurs which also negatively influences analyses after hydrogen charging. The back-side charging approach proposed in this work is a promising technique for studying in situ the effects of hydrogen in alloys under mechanical loads, while completely excluding the influence of the electrolyte on the nanoindented surface. Hydrogen diffusion from the charged back-side toward the testing surface is here demonstrated by Kelvin probe measurements in ferritic FeCr alloys, used as a case study due to the high mobility of hydrogen in the bcc lattice. During nanoindentation, a reduction on the shear stress necessary for dislocations nucleation due to hydrogen was observed using both setups; however, the quantitative data differs and a contradictory behavior was found in hardness measurements. Finally, some guidelines for the use of both approaches and a summary of their advantages and disadvantages are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spin ordering magnetic structures of orthorhombic YMnO3 subjected to uniaxial strain have been investigated using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory. On applying compressive uniaxial strain of -0.8% along the b orientation, the spin ordering magnetic structure is predicted to change from E-type to A-type antiferromagnetic orderings. The structure analysis also reveals that the uniaxial strain has a dramatic influence on the Mn-O bond lengths and Mn-O-Mn bond angles, allowing the gradual suppression of the alternation of the long and short Mn-O-Mn bonds in the ab plane. These changes present very interesting possibilities for engineering the spin ordering along with ferroelectric property in orthorhombic YMnO3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To assess the reporting quality of recently published randomized controlled trial (RCT) abstracts in Endodontics, to investigate factors associated with reporting quality, and to evaluate the existence and characteristics of spin, that is using reporting strategies that distort study results and misguide readers. Methodology: The PubMed database was searched to identify abstracts of RCTs in the field of Endodontics published during 2017 to 2018. Two authors assessed the reporting quality of each included abstract using the original 16‐item CONSORT for Abstracts checklist, with the overall quality score (OQS, range: 0–16) being the primary outcome measure. For each individual item, a score of '1' was given if it was described adequately, and '0' if the description was inadequate. Linear regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with reporting quality. For the evaluation of spin, two authors selected parallel‐group RCTs with a nonsignificant primary outcome from the included abstracts and evaluated independently the existence and characteristics of spin amongst these abstracts. Results: A total of 162 abstracts were included for assessment of reporting, for which the mean OQS was 3.97 (SD, 1.30; 95 % CI, 3.77–4.17). According to multivariable analysis, origin from Europe (P = 0.001) and reporting of the exact P value (P = 0.020) were significantly associated with better reporting. Forty abstracts with statistically nonsignificant results for their primary outcome were included for spin evaluation, amongst which 34 (85.0%) had at least one type of spin. Thirty‐two abstracts (94.1%) had spin in their conclusions section, and six abstracts (17.6%) had spin in the results section. Conclusions: The reporting quality of randomized controlled trials abstracts in Endodontics needs to be improved. The occurrence rate of spin in the sample of abstracts of RCTs in the field of Endodontics was high. Relevant stakeholders are recommended to be familiar with the CONSORT for Abstracts guideline and develop active strategies to ensure its implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Random circulation losses of fresh products are also a great challenge that affects the decision-making of farmers and enterprises as well as the revenue management of both parties. Considering a freshproduct supply chain (FSC) comprising a single enterprise and a single farmer with random circulation losses, we explore the optimal ordering of the enterprise, optimal planting of the farmer, and risksharing mechanism of both participants. After modelling the optimal decision model of centralized FSC, we solve the optimal global solutions that exist uniquely. Then, a risk-sharing contract, called a wholesale price contract, is designed that can coordinate the decentralized FSC. Finally, a simulation of sensitivity analysis using MATLAB soft is figured out to explore the influence of random risks on the optimal solutions and the contract parameters. Furthermore, some conclusions and future researches are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The volatile flavor substances in traditional fermented yak milk samples collected from 5 ecoregions (A: coniferous forests and grasslands of the Qilian Qingdong Mountains; B: alpine grasslands surrounding the lakes in the Qiangtang Plateau; C: alpine shrubs and meadows of the Guoluo-Nagqu Highlands; D: coniferous forests along the alpine valley in East Tibet; E: shrubs and grasslands along the alpine valley in South Tibet) of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau were comparatively analyzed. The relative percentage composition of volatile flavor substances varied among the different ecoregions. In samples collected from region E, more than 50% of the volatile flavor compounds were esters comprising mainly n -butyl acetate, butyl butyrate, and ethyl octanoate, and a considerable proportion of acetoin was found in samples from regions B and E. Greater proportions of 2-heptanone and 2-nonanone were observed in samples collected from regions A, C, and D compared with regions B and E. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the requirements of ion beams extracted from an electron cyclotron resonance ion source transverse phase space coupling research and the afterglow beam property effective measurement, a pepper pot type meter called PEMiL (Pepper Pot Emittance Meter in Lanzhou) has been designed, fabricated, and commissioned to obtain the emittance of high intensity highly charged heavy ion beams. The direct current beam emittance measurement results verify the coupling property caused by the semisolenoid field. This paper also describes the scheme of multiple exposure accumulation which was applied to measure the afterglow beam property, and the transverse phase space distribution of the oxygen afterglow beam which was measured for the first time is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasmodiophora brassicae is a biotrophic pathogen causing clubroots of cruciferous crops. The Brassica rapa accession T1-145 has an ability to produce small spheroid galls (SSGs), which represent neither a fully compatible interaction nor a complete resistance. To explore the defense response in SSGs induced by P. brassicae infection, global transcriptome profiling SSGs was performed at different time points. By comparing gene expression patterns, we identified many defense related genes. The first group included genes encoding receptor-like protein/kinases, such as cysteine-rich receptor-like protein kinases, receptor-like proteins, phloem intercalated with xylem/tracheary element differentiation inhibitory factor receptor (PXY/TDR), PXY-correlated 1, wall-associated kinases, nuclear shuttle protein-interacting kinase, lectin receptorlike kinases, and flagelin-sensitive 2, which might activate a basal defense. The second group involved robust effectortriggered immunity response genes such as resistance to leptosphaeria maculans 1B, constitutive shade-avoidance 1, target of avirulence B operation 1, ribosomal protein of the small subunit 6, resistance to Pseudomonas maculicola 1-interacting protein 4, enhanced disease resistance 2L, and recognition of Peronospora parasitica 13-like protein 4. The third group included genes encoding secondary cell wall formation related protein/s, a nodulin-like protein, a germin-like protein, a jacalin-related lectin, a defensin-like protein, tumor inhibitors, and sugars will eventually be exported transporter, which might contribute to quantitative resistance against P. brassicae. The gene expressions were the highest at the late stage of infection. To our knowledge, it is the first report on exploring defense response genes during SSG occurrence by a transcriptome analysis. Our data would provide useful information to further explore molecular mechanisms of the incomplete resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The breach of a steel column target (Steel 45, 120 mm in diameter) by an inward-cutting circular shaped charge is considered. The jet penetration process is simulated by a 3D model run in the ANSYS/LS-DYNA program. The results are compared with actual tests, where photographs of the jet penetration process allowed observation of detonation forms, timing of the jets arising at the cross section of the detonation points, and detonation wave collision points. Different penetration effects are observed with 2-, 4-, or 8-point symmetrical synchronous initiation of detonation. With 2-point initiation, the circular-shaped charge can basically cut off the steel column target, but 4- and 8-point initiation is more effective. A greater number of detonation points provides more detonation wave collision points, higher jet velocity, earlier jet-target contact, greater penetration depth, and more rapid cutting of the target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations are performed to study the liquid and undercooled liquid of zirconium. Local structure orders in the liquid at temperatures from 2500 K down to 1830 K are analyzed by using the recently developed cluster alignment method. Our study clearly shows the presence of body-centered-cube (BCC) short-range order in the undercooled liquid in addition to icosahedral order. A strong fluctuation and competition between the short-range icosahedra and BCC orders in the undercooled liquid at 1830 K are also demonstrated from the cluster alignment scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of hydrostatic pressure on the magnetism, capacitance, and impedance of a manganese zinc ferrite device have been investigated. Giant piezomagnetism, piezocapacitance, and piezoimpedance that are independent of skin effects have been observed simultaneously under a pressure of a few megapascals. With increasing frequency of the current applied across the ferrite device, these pressure effects have been found to undergo a maximum at a frequency below 3 kHz. Under a pressure of 6 MPa, a piezoimpedance over 60% has been observed for the ferrite devices with permeabilities ranging from 5000 to 15 000. Analysis shows that these pressure effects result from the variation of the interior stress in the ferrite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), the main substitutes of chlorofluorocarbons, are regulated by the Montreal Protocol. Chinese HCFC emissions increased fast from the beginning of this century. However, limit reports based on atmospheric measurement are available for years after 2011, an important period when significant changes are expected. Combining atmospheric observations at seven sites across China with a FLEXible PARTicle dispersion model‐based Bayesian inversion technique, we estimate emission magnitudes and changes of four major HCFCs in China during 2011–2017. The emissions of all four HCFCs reached peaks before 2015. Our results agreed well with the reported bottom‐up inventories. The Chinese ozone depletion potential (ODP)‐weighted emission of the three most abundant HCFCs accounted for 37% of global totals from 2011 to 2016. The total emission of HCFC‐22 from China, the European Union, and the United States accounted approximately a half of the global totals, suggesting large HCFC emission emitted from the rest of the world. Plain Language Summary: Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are used to replace chlorofluorocarbons, or well known as Freon, a group of gases which contribute to the polar ozone hole. However, HCFCs are also important ozone depletion substances and are regulated by the Montreal Protocol. As the largest developing country, the HCFC emissions in China are of great interest. In this study, we estimate emission magnitudes and changes of four major HCFCs in China over the period 2011–2017 based on atmospheric observations at seven sites. We find the emissions of all four HCFCs reached their peaks before 2015, which generally agree with the emission inventories estimated using production and consumption information, suggesting the effectiveness of the implementation of Montreal Protocol in China. However, there is a big gap between the total HCFC‐22 emission from China, the European Union, and the United States and global totals, suggesting large emissions from the rest of the world. Key Points: The Chinese emissions of HCFC‐22, HCFC‐141b, HCFC‐142b, and HCFC‐124 all reached peaks before 2015The Chinese ODP‐weighted emission of the three most abundant HCFCs accounted for 37% of global totals from 2011 to 2016Large gaps were found between the global HCFC‐22 emissions and total HCFC‐22 emissions from the European Union, the United States, and China [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Total least-squares (TLS) adjustment with inequality constraints has received increased attention in geodesy over the last three years. In the most recent work, inequality constraints have been presented that can restrict unknown parameters and independent variables, but no one has provided an inequality-constrained adjustment for restricting dependent variables. In this work, we review the TLS adjustment methods in terms of different model formulations and then investigate the errors-in-variables model with inequality constraints for dependent variables. Finally, we demonstrate the practicality of our approach with a planar geodetic transformation, where the uncertainty of the target observations is reduced via the inequality constraints for dependent variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study algebraic, combinatorial and geometric aspects of weighted Poincaré–Birkhoff–Witt (PBW)-type degenerations of (partial) flag varieties in type A. These degenerations are labeled by degree functions lying in an explicitly defined polyhedral cone, which can be identified with a maximal cone in the tropical flag variety. Varying the degree function in the cone, we recover, for example, the classical flag variety, its abelian PBW degeneration, some of its linear degenerations and a particular toric degeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new 3D zinc coordination polymer, namely {[Zn4(dmtz)3(OH)3(HCOO)](NO3)}n (1, Hdmtz = 3,5- dimethyl-1,2,4-triazole), is hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The complex features a (3,4,5)- connected 3D cation framework constructed by μ3-bridging dmtz with hydroxyl and formate anions as the auxiliary ligands. Moreover, the photocatalytic properties of 1 are also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deals with a study which investigated radiation-induced point defects in a single crystal of lithium triborate. Background to the study; Experimental procedure; Results and conclusions.

We establish an explicit bijection between the toric degenerations of the Grassmannian Gr(2, n) arising from maximal cones in tropical Grassmannians and the ones coming from plabic graphs corresponding to Gr(2, n). We show that a similar statement does not hold for Gr(3, 6). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Lignin plays an important role in increasing the mechanical intensity of culm and improving lodging resistance of culm. In this study, three common buckwheat, Youqiao2 (lodging‐tolerant cultivar; YQ2), Ningqiao1 (middle lodging‐tolerant cultivar; NQ1) and Ukraine daliqiao (lodging‐susceptible cultivar; UD), were used to investigate the effects of spraying exogenous hormones uniconazole (S‐3307) or gibberellic acid (GA3) on lignin metabolism and its relation to lodging resistance in the three common buckwheat cultivars. Results showed that application of S‐3307 significantly increased lignin content and its related enzymes activities of phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase (PAL), 4‐hydroxy cinnamoyl CoA ligase (4CL), cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) and peroxidase (POD). The major genes involved in lignin synthesis, PAL, CCR (cinnamyl CoA reductase), C4H (cinnamate4‐hydroxylase), 4CL and CCoAOMT (caffeoyl CoA O‐methyltransferase), were all upregulated expression, and COMT (catechol‐O‐methyltransferase) was downregulated. What is more, application of S‐3307 significantly improved the resistance of common buckwheat stem to lodging and increased yield. Whereas, spraying with GA3 caused opposite effect on those characteristics. These results suggested that application of exogenous S‐3307 or GA3 significantly changed the risk of lodging occurred by regulating the lignin metabolism in culms of common buckwheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is generally recognized that superhydrophobic surfaces in water may be used for corrosion resistance due to the entrapped air in the solid/liquid interface and could find potential applications in the protection of ship hull. For a superhydrophobic surface, as its immersion depth into water increases, the resultant hydrostatic pressure is also increased, and the entrapped air can be squeezed out much more easily. It is therefore predicted that high hydrostatic pressure would cause an unexpected decrease in corrosion resistance for the vessels in deep water (e.g., submarines) because of the unstable entrapped air. In this work, in order to clarify the role of hydrostatic pressure in the corrosion behavior of superhydrophobic surfaces, two typical superhydrophobic surfaces (SHSs) were prepared on bare and oxidized aluminum substrates, respectively, and then were immersed into the NaCl aqueous solutions with different depths of ~0 cm (hydrostatic pressure ~0 kPa), 10 cm (1 kPa), and 150 cm (15 kPa). It was found out for the SHSs on the oxidized Al, as the hydrostatic pressure increased, the corrosion behavior became severe. However, for the SHSs on the bare Al, their corrosion behavior was complex due to hydrostatic pressure. It was found that the corrosion resistance under 1 kPa was the highest. Further mechanism analysis revealed that this alleviated corrosion behavior under 1 kPa resulted from suppressing the oxygen diffusion through the liquid and reducing the subsequent corrosion rate as compared with 0 kPa, whereas the relatively low hydrostatic pressure (HP) could stabilize the entrapped air and hence enhance the corrosion resistance, compared with 15 kPa. The present study therefore provided a fundamental understanding for the applications of SHSs to prevent the corrosion, especially for various vessels in deep water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of the central role of working memory capacity in cognition, many studies have used short measures of working memory capacity to examine its relationship to other domains. Here, we measured the reliability and stability of visual working memory capacity, measured using a single-probe change detection task. In Experiment 1, the participants (N = 135) completed a large number of trials of a change detection task (540 in total, 180 each of set sizes 4, 6, and 8). With large numbers of both trials and participants, reliability estimates were high (α >.9). We then used an iterative down-sampling procedure to create a look-up table for expected reliability in experiments with small sample sizes. In Experiment 2, the participants (N = 79) completed 31 sessions of single-probe change detection. The first 30 sessions took place over 30 consecutive days, and the last session took place 30 days later. This unprecedented number of sessions allowed us to examine the effects of practice on stability and internal reliability. Even after much practice, individual differences were stable over time (average between-session r =.76). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The classical Least-Squares (LS) adjustment has been widely used in processing and analysing observations from Global Satellite Navigation System (GNSS). However, in detecting temporal correlations of GNSS observations, which can be described by means of autoregressive (AR) process, the LS method may not provide reliable estimates of process coefficients, since the Yule-Walker (YW) equations refer to structured Errors-In-Variables (EIV) equations. In this contribution, we proposed a Total Least-Squares (TLS) solution with the singular cofactor matrix to solve the YW equations. The proposed TLS solution is obtained based on the fact that random errors belong to column space of its cofactor matrix. In addition the proposed solution does not need any substitution of the squared true parameter vector as done by the current publications. Finally, we simulate the AR process to prove that our solution is more reliable than the existing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel samarium compound, [Sm(Phen)2(H2O)5]2(Phen)2(Bipy)Cl6 . 7H2O (I) (Phen = 1,10- phenanthroline and Bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine), was prepared by a solvothermal reaction. The crystal structure of I was characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction method (CIF file CCDC no. 1025736). Compound I is an isolated structure with the samarium ions possessing a nine-coordinated distorted monocapped square antiprism geometry. There are abundant hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking interactions which connect the molecules together to yield a three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular structure. The fluorescence spectra data reveals that I can display the characteristic emission 4G5/2 → 6HJ transitions (J = 5/2, 7/2, 9/2 and 11/2, respectively) of Sm3+ ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pharmacokinetic properties and tissue distribution of enrofloxacin ( EF) were investigated after single intramuscular (i.m.) dose of 10 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) in Pacific white shrimp at 22 to 25°C. EF and its metabolite ciprofloxacin ( CF) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. After i.m. administration, EF was absorbed quickly, and the peak of EF concentration ( Cmax) reached at first time point in hemolymph. The volume of distribution Vd(area) of EF was 3.84 L/kg, indicating that the distribution of EF was good. The area under the concentration-time curve ( AUC) of EF was 90.1 and 274.2 μg hr/ml in muscle and hepatopancreas, respectively, which was higher than 75.8 μg hr/ml in hemolymph. The EF elimination was slow in muscle and hepatopancreas with the half-life ( T1/2β) of 52.3 and 75.8 hr, respectively. CF, the mainly metabolite of EF, was detected in hemolymph, muscle and hepatopancreas. The Cmax was 0.030, 0.013 and 0.218 μg/ml, respectively. Based on a minimum inhibitory concentration ( MIC) of 0.006-0.032 μg/ml for susceptible strains, EF i.m. injected at a dose 10 mg/kg could be efficacious against common pathogenic bacteria of Pacific white shrimp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surfaces/interfaces effect is vital in nanocomposites. The electro-elastic surface/interface theory is introduced to predict the size-dependent effective elastic constants of piezoelectric composites with spherically anisotropy nano-particles under external uniform strain, and the analytical solution is obtained. New boundary conditions governing the surface piezoelectricity are used to analyze the surface piezoelectricity effect. The average electro-elastic coupling field of the randomly distributed nano-particles with surface/interface effect is derived by using the effective field method. In the numerical examples, the interface effect under different material constituents is analyzed. It is found that the interface effect on the effective elastic constants is significantly related to the material properties of nano-particles. The elastic constants and piezoelectric constants show different effects on the effective elastic constants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A solenoid spectrometer for nuclear astrophysics (SSNAP) has been developed to study heavy-ion fusion reactions of astrophysical importance near stellar energies. Charged particles follow helical trajectories within the strong magnetic field of a superconducting solenoid. The 12 C ( 12 C , p ) 23 Na reaction was studied as the first measurement using the solenoid spectrometer at the University of Notre Dame within the energy range of E c.m. = 4 . 0 to 6.0 MeV. This experiment demonstrated that the solenoid spectrometer is able to provide outstanding capability for detection of light charged particles produced by nuclear fusion reactions having a relatively wide energy range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The colour of a star is a critical feature to reflect its physical property such as the temperature. The colour index is usually obtained via absolute photometry, which is demanding for weather conditions and instruments. In this work, we present an astrometric method to measure the catalogue-matched colour index of an object based on the effect of differential colour refraction (DCR). Specifically, we can observe an object using only one filter or alternately using two different filters. Through the difference of the DCR effect compared with reference stars, the catalogue-matched colour index of an object can be conveniently derived. Hence, we can perform DCR calibration and obtain its accurate and precise positions even if observed with Null filter during a large range of zenith distances, by which the limiting magnitude and observational efficiency of the telescope can be significantly improved. This method takes advantage of the DCR effect and builds a link between astrometry and photometry. In practice, we measure the colour indices and positions of Himalia (the sixth satellite of Jupiter) using 857 CCD frames over 8 nights by two telescopes. Totally, the mean colour index BP − RP (Gaia photometric system) of Himalia is 0.750 ± 0.004 mag. Through the rotational phased colour index analysis, we find two places with their colour indices exceeding the mean ± 3σ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on a study which investigated the magnetic properties and microstructures of a series of as-quenched and heat-treated inert gas atomized rare-earth rich (Nd,Dy)FeB particles. Effect of heat treatment on magnetic properties; Correlation of change in microstructure with magnetic property changes; Inert-gas atomization as an alternate method of producing Nd-Fe-B powder.

Radiation absorbers are vital components in energy conversion and detection devices such as solar cells, thermal absorbers, photodetectors and biological sensors. Recently, layered absorbers with ultrathin films have attracted increasing attentions considering the good tradeoff between high absorption ability and low cost of simple structures. Although some theories have been proposed to understand absorption enhancement by introducing ultrathin films, few of them explicitly show effects of thicknesses and materials for perfect absorption. In this manuscript, the perfect absorption in layered absorbers is attributed to admittance matching by adjusting the loss factor of artificial magnetic conductors. Realistically, unified theories based on admittance analyses are developed to achieve perfect absorption in these absorbers. Admittance matching conditions related to thicknesses and materials for multilayer layered absorbers are deduced to achieve perfect absorption. Thus optimal film materials or thicknesses of films can be obtained directly. Moreover, admittance loci diagrams are employed to clearly illustrate influences of both material properties and structural parameters on radiative behaviors. Therefore, unified analyses are not only used as explanations for absorption mechanism, but also used as practical tools for the optimization of layered absorbers with ultrathin films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the electro-elastic surface/interface theory for nano-scale piezoelectric composites, the interface energy effect on the stress and electric displacement around N piezoelectric cylindrical nano-inclusions in piezoelectric matrix is investigated, and the matrix is subjected to an anti-plane shear stress and an in-plane electric field at infinity. Combining the complex variable method and stroth's formalism, the general solutions for the complex potentials in the piezoelectric matrix and inside the nano-inclusions are derived by using power series. To consider the interacting effect of interface energy between the nano-inclusions, the transform of Taylor series is introduced. A special case of two piezoelectric nano-inclusions is illustrated. Analyses show that the interaction between the interfaces of nano-inclusions exhibits significant effects on the electromechanical response. The elastic, piezoelectric and dielectric factors of interfaces express different effects on the distribution of electromechanical fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon nanowires have large aspect-ratio to keep high absorption along the incident direction, so nanowire arrays are one of potential structures for trapping light. To further enhance absorption in silicon nanowire arrays, thin blocks are arranged on the silicon substrate. It numerically demonstrates that additional blocks not only have few negative influence on absorption of nanowire arrays in the visible range, but also excite extra resonances in the near-infrared range, which make grading absorption and enhancement in the nanostructures. These excited resonances are finely examined and attributed to surface plasmon polaritons, guided modes and their coupled modes. The enhancement mechanism is further revealed by the electromagnetic fields and theoretical analysis for corresponding two-dimensional structures. The nanostructures can achieve higher absorption in silicon nanowire arrays, and grading absorption in the nanostructures will facilitate the development of other devices as novel filters, photoelectronics and so on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae is the most destructive disease of rice worldwide. Development of resistant varieties is considered as the most cost-effective and sustainable way to manage rice blast. However, there remains a lack of knowledge about the resistance of rice varieties to blast disease in Australia. This study was conducted to determine if there was any resistance existing among the rice varieties grown in Australia to M. oryzae isolates from this country that belong to different races. There was a resistant reaction of the variety SHZ-2 to all the five races of IA-1, IA-3, IA-63, IB-3 and IB-59, with a percent disease index (% DI) less than 40. Varieties NTR587, BR-IRGA-409, Ceysvoni and Rikuto Norin 20 showed a resistant reaction to races IA-3, IA-63, IB-3 and IB-59; and the variety Kyeema exhibited a resistant reaction to races IA-3, IB-3 and IB-59. For the races IA-1 and IB-59 with more than one isolate, varieties with differential disease reactions across different isolates belonging to the same race were also revealed: five varieties, Langi, Opus, Sherpa, Viet 1 and Topaz, exhibited differential disease reactions to the three IA-1 isolates; 10 varieties showed differential disease reactions to the four IB-59 isolates; in addition, the varieties that had differential disease reactions to the IA-1 isolates also exhibited differential disease reactions to the IB-59 isolates of race. This study provides valuable resistance sources for breeding programmes to develop rice varieties with resistance to multiple races of M. oryzae in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanical properties of Ni-base alloys have drawn considerable attention owing to their wide application in the hot components of aircrafts and gas turbines. To accurately measure the deformation of Ni-based alloys at high temperatures, a new type of high-temperature speckles is fabricated on the surface of specimens subjected to long heating durations at temperatures up to 1400 °C. Meanwhile, a novel measurement method based on the scale-invariant feature transform algorithm is developed to measure the deformation and obtain a more accurate result. Both of the above proposed methods are used in a creep test of Inconel 713C at 860 °C. The experimental results indicate that the speckles exhibit excellent performance under heating conditions and adhere well to the substrate at high temperatures. Also, the proposed deformation measurement method exhibits superior image processing even when the speckle quality is imperfect with respect to speckle size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider a new class of narrow orthogonally additive operators in lattice-normed spaces and prove the narrowness of every C-compact norm-laterally-continuous orthogonally additive operator from a Banach-Kantorovich space V into a Banach space Y. Furthermore, every dominated Urysohn operator from V into a Banach sequence lattice Y is also narrow. We establish that the order narrowness of a dominated Urysohn operator from a Banach-Kantorovich space V into a Banach space with mixed norm W implies the order narrowness of the least dominant of the operator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residual stress has a strong effect on the mechanical performance of coatings. To understand the mechanism of its generation and evolution in metastable alloy coatings, Ni-B alloy coatings with different degrees of crystallinity were prepared on 0.45% carbon steel substrate by an electro-brush plating technique. The amorphous proportion and grain size were investigated by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). With the help of the Lee model and Suresh model, residual stress in metastable state Ni-B alloy coating was determined from the load-displacement curves obtained by nanoindentation. From XRD and TEM results, the deposition was composed of amorphous and nanocrystalline phases, which contained compressive stress in the as-plated coatings. The compressive level decreased with the increase of annealing temperature. Compared with the Suresh model, Lee model is more suitable to evaluate residual stress in the metastable state materials. The experimental results also revealed that the compressive residual stress level was directly related to the total area of grain boundary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mixed weighted least squares (WLS) and weighted total least squares (WTLS) (mixed WLS–WTLS) method is presented for an errors-in-variables (EIV) model with some fixed columns in the design matrix. The numerical computational scheme and an approximate accuracy assessment method are also provided. It is extended from the mixed Least squares (LS)–Total least squares (TLS) method to deal with the case that the random columns are corrupted by heteroscedastic correlated noises. The mixed WLS–WTLS method can improve the computational efficiency compared with the existing WTLS methods without loss of accuracy, particularly when the fixed columns are far more than random ones. The Bursa transformation and parallel lines fitting examples are carried out to demonstrate the performance of the proposed algorithm. Since the mixed WLS–WTLS problem includes both the WLS and the WTLS problem, it will have a more wide range of applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulation models of DC (direct current) traction power system have great relationship with the accuracy and efficiency of the load flow calculation which has significances to the assessment of electric energy consumption of the urban rail transit system. The external characteristic of rectifier units and braking resistance, current limited control of trains are important factors which are closely associated with the calculation accuracy and efficiency but were usually simplified in previous studies. In this paper, the models of rectifier units, braking resistance and the current-limiting curve of trains are discussed in detail and the improved models are put forward, the mathematical model of whole traction network is established according to the three layers model. The load flow algorithm applied to the improved models is also studied. Energy consumption calculation formulas of each part are provided, including SIV energy. A dynamic simulation system is finished based on the power flow algorithm of DC network. By comparing with actual data and comparing with each other, the accuracy and relative efficiency of each model is obtained. And the suitable conditions of each model are analyzed respectively. The comparison results also verify the high calculation accuracy and strong practical feasibility of the simulation system consist of improved models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present deep spectroscopy of three Galactic planetary nebulae (PNe) with large abundance discrepancy factors: NGC 6153, M 1-42 and Hf 2-2. The spectra were obtained with Very Large Telescope/Ultraviolet and Visual Echelle Spectrograph and cover the whole optical range (3040-11 000 Å) with a spectral resolution of ~20 000. For all three PNe, several hundred emission lines were detected and identified, with more than 70 per cent of them as permitted lines. Most of these permitted lines are excited by recombination. Numerous weak optical recombination lines (ORLs) of OII, CII, NII and Ne II were detected in the spectra and accurate fluxes measured. Line flux tables were compiled and ready for use by the community of nebular astrophysics. These ORLs were critically analysed using the effective recombination coefficients recently calculated for the optical recombination spectrum of NII and OII under the physical conditions of photoionized gaseous nebulae. Plasma diagnostics based on the heavy element ORLs were carried out using the new atomic data. Elemental abundances derived from the ORLs were systematically higher than those derived from the collisionally excited lines (CELs) by a factor of ~11, 22 and 80 for NGC 6153, M 1-42 and Hf 2-2, respectively. The electron temperatures derived from the heavy element ORLs are systematically lower than those derived from the CELs. These ORL versus CEL abundance and temperature discrepancies, previously observed in the three PNe through deep spectroscopy with medium to low spectral resolution, are thus confirmed by our analysis of the deep echelle spectra using the new atomic data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study estimated the incidence, direct medical and non-medical costs, and productivity losses due to morbidity and mortality across multiple strata for injuries that occurred in Jiangxi, China. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Data came from the Jiangxi injury survey, a provincially-representative, population- based sample of 100,010 households. The major economic costs of injuries were divided into direct costs and indirect costs. Direct costs encompass medical costs and direct non-medical costs. Indirect costs refer to the productivity losses due to injuryrelated morbidity and mortality. Results: In 2005, about one of 18 residents in Jiangxi, China, experienced an injury. Overall, fall, animal bite, and road traffic crash (RTC) injuries accounted for more than 66% of all injuries, while fall, RTC, drowning, and self-harm injuries accounted for 80% of fatal injuries. Average cost per case for a fatal injury was 163,389 RMB ($20,171) for lost productivity and 2800 RMB ($346) in direct medical & non-medical costs. A non-fatal injury resulting in hospitalisation or permanent disability on average caused 5221 RMB ($643) in direct costs and 18,437 RMB ($2276) in lost productivity and, an additional loss of three school days. A non-hospitalised non-fatal injury on average caused 303 ($37) RMB in direct costs and 491 RMB ($61) in lost productivity and, an additional loss of 0.5 school days. Conclusions: The unequivocal evidence of the substantial health and financial burden of injuries indicates to Chinese policy makers that more research and efforts are needed to find efficacious and cost-effective interventions targeting injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A crack open may lead to the failure because of rupture or leak in the pipeline. In this paper, the dynamic crack opening displacements (CODs) of a partially debonded pipeline subjected to P and SV waves are predicted, and a mathematical model is proposed. The debonded region around the pipeline is modelled as an interface crack with non-contacting faces. The wave fields in the bonded and debonded areas are expressed by wave function expansion method, and the expanded coefficients are determined by satisfying the boundary conditions with consideration of cracks. The CODs in the debonding area are represented by Chebyshev polynomials. Some examples are illustrated to analyse the CODs under different thicknesses of pipeline and different wave frequencies. In the region of high frequency, the value of CODs is more sensitive to the crack size. The difference between the CODs in the compression direction and shear directions is also examined. Comparison with existing results is given to validate this dynamic model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin (EF) was investigated after single intravenous (i.v.) and oral (p.o.) dose of 10 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) in snakehead fish at 24-26 °C. The plasma concentrations of EF and its metabolite ciprofloxacin (CF) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The plasma concentration-time data were described by an open two-compartment model for both routes. After intravenous administration, the elimination half-life ( T 1/2β), area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) and total body clearance of EF were 19.82 h, 75.79 μg h/mL and 0.13 L/h/kg, respectively. Following p.o. administration, the maximum plasma concentration ( C max), T 1/2β and AUC of EF were 1.86 μg/mL, 35.8 h and 49.98 μg h/mL, respectively. Absorption of EF was good with a bioavailability ( F) of 65.82%, which was higher than that calculated in most seawater fish. CF, an active metabolite of EF, was detected occasionally in this study, which indicates a low extent of deethylation of EF in snakehead fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work an experimental technique to simultaneously measure the full-field temperature and deformation of composite material subjected to flame heating at high temperature is developed using the technique of image processing. The testing stage is integrated with an oxy-propane flame torch for flame heating, a CCD camera for image recording, a synchronized blue light source for light compensation and an infrared pyrometer for temperature calibration and comparison. The principle of the synchronous measurement of temperature and deformation field is demonstrated and discussed. Experiment on carbon fiber reinforced silicon carbide (C/SiC) composite was conducted to validate this method. The temperature was calculated using an improved two-color method while the displacement field and strain field were calculated using the digital image processing method. Results show that the proposed method is applicable for synchronous measurement of temperature and displacement by using one camera, and the mutual interference between the radiation and reflected light can also be effectively eliminated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]