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A novel computational framework is presented for the lifetime prediction of vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs). The framework uses high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations for the accurate determination of the aerodynamic loading on the wind turbine, and includes these loading characteristics in a detailed 3D finite element method (FEM) model to predict fatigue cracking in the structure with a fatigue interface damage model. The fatigue interface damage model allows to simulate high-cycle fatigue cracking processes in the wind turbine in an accurate and robust fashion at manageable computational cost. The FEM analyses show that the blade-strut connection is the most critical structural part for the fatigue life of the VAWT, particularly when it is carried out as an adhesive connection (instead of a welded connection). The sensitivity of the fatigue response of the VAWT to specific static and fatigue modeling parameters and to the presence of a structural flaw is analyzed. Depending on the flaw size and flaw location, the fatigue life of the VAWT can decrease by 25%. Additionally, the decrease of the fatigue resistance of the VAWT appears to be mainly characterized by the monotonic reduction of the tensile strength of the adhesive blade-strut connection, rather than by the reduction of its mode I toughness, such that fatigue cracking develops in a brittle fashion under a relatively small crack opening. It is emphasized that the present computational framework is generic; it can also be applied for analyzing the fatigue performance of other rotating machinery subjected to fluid–structure interaction, such as horizontal-axis wind turbines, steam turbine generators and multistage pumps and compressors. • Computational model for lifetime prediction of vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs). • Blade-strut connection is most critical structural part for fatigue life of VAWT. • Lifetime of VAWT with adhesive blade-strut connection may exceed 20 years. • Ellipse-shaped flaw at blade-strut connections may decrease fatigue life by 25%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Numerically reproducing wind tunnel experimental tests of flow behavior around a pitching airfoil is a challenge, especially under the occurrence of dynamic stall at relatively high angles of attack. This not only requires the application of advanced turbulence models, but also asks for examining the influence of the most relevant model parameters in detail. This contribution presents the results of an extensive computational study of the unsteady flow around a pitching NACA0012 airfoil at a Reynolds number of 1.35 × 105, as obtained by first performing 2D Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) simulations whereby the flow characteristics are simulated by the Transition SST turbulence model. The influence of a large number of parameters on the numerical results is investigated, namely the blockage ratio, computational grid resolution and y+ value, time step size, inlet freestream turbulence properties, airfoil trailing edge detailing and turbulence model. Integral aerodynamic force coefficients and detailed flow patterns are analyzed and compared with measurements from wind tunnel experiments presented in the literature. For the best-performing parameters, an adequate agreement with the experimental tests is obtained for the upstroke phase, while for the downstroke phase some differences appear. These differences are investigated in more detail by considering the results from a 2.5D Large Eddy Simulation (LES), which provides deep and complementary insights into the flow behavior during dynamic stall at the selected Reynolds number. Highlights • 2.5D LES and URANS simulations show significant flow unsteadiness during the downstroke phase. • During the downstroke phase the aerodynamic forces are relatively sensitive to changes in the computational parameters. • The location of flow separation, flow transition point and boundary layer height are critically dependent of flow conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a simple numerical method is proposed for solving singularly perturbed boundary layers problems exhibiting twin boundary layers. The method avoids the choice of fitted meshes. Firstly the original problem is transformed into a new boundary value problem whose solution does not change rapidly by a proper variable transformation; then the transformed problem is solved by using the reproducing kernel method. Two numerical examples are given to show the effectiveness of the present method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: White continuum is generated from laser-induced air plasma by nanosecond laser at 355nm. We investigate not only the spectral characteristics but also the temporal behavior of air plasma white continuum. The relationship between plasma spectra and laser energy density is explored, and the results show that a process of inverse bremsstrahlung type is the mechanism responsible for the breakdown. By adjusting the coupling angle between white continuum and optical fiber, the pulse duration can be controlled as short as ~10ns. Furthermore, two nanosecond broadband beams with almost the similar characteristics ranging from 400nm to 700nm are obtained, which can be employed in transient absorption spectroscopy study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A numerical method is presented for solving the singularly perturbed multipantograph delay equations with a boundary layer at one end point. The original problem is reduced to boundary layer and regular domain problems. The regular domain problem is solved by combining the asymptotic expansion and the reproducing kernel method (RKM). The boundary layer problem is treated by the method of scaling and the RKM. Two numerical examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the present method. The results from the numerical example show that the present method can provide very accurate analytical approximate solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reproducing kernel Hilbert space restricts the space of functions to smooth functions and has structure for function approximation and some aspects in learning theory. Here, the solution of an integral equation of the third kind is constructed analytically using a new method. The analytical solution is represented in the form of series in the reproducing kernel space. Some numerical examples are studied to demonstrate the accuracy of the given method. Results obtained by the method are compared with the exact solution of each example and are found to be in good agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We introduce a new method for solving Riccati differential equations, which is based on reproduc-ing kernel method and quasilinearization technique. The quasilinearization technique is used to re-duce the Riccati differential equation to a sequence of linear problems. The resulting sets of differ-ential equations are treated by using reproducing kernel method. The solutions of Riccati differen-tial equations obtained using many existing methods give good approximations only in the neigh-borhood of the initial position. However, the solutions obtained using the present method give good approximations in a larger interval, rather than a local vicinity of the initial position. Numer-ical results compared with other methods show that the method is simple and effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary What is known and Objective: Tacrolimus (TAC) is metabolized mainly by the CYP3A subfamily and extruded into the intestine by P-glycoprotein, which is encoded by the ABCB1 gene. Several studies have suggested that the CYP3A5*3 genotype influenced the pharmacokinetics (PK) of TAC. The CYP3A4*18B and CYP3A5*3 alleles are clinically important in Chinese subjects because of their relatively high frequency. The present study aimed at evaluating the effects of ABCB1 (C1236T-G2677T/A-C3435T), CYP3A4*18B and CYP3A5*3 genetic polymorphisms on TAC PK in healthy Chinese subjects. Methods: Data were obtained from a comparative bioavailability study of oral TAC formulations ( n = 22). TAC whole blood concentrations were measured by LC-MS/MS. Genetic polymorphisms were determined using a direct sequencing method. Nonlinear mixed-effects modelling (NONMEM) was performed to assess the effect of genotypes and demographics on TAC PKs. Results and Discussion: Both CYP3A4*18B and CYP3A5*3 polymorphisms affected the TAC PK, whereas ABCB1 genetic polymorphisms and other demographic characteristics did not. The combined genotypes of CYP3A4*18B and CYP3A5*3 had a greater impact than either genotype alone, and they were estimated to account for 28·4% of the inter-subject variability of apparent clearance (CL/ F) by NONMEM. The CL/ F in subjects with CYP3A4*1/*1-CYP3A5*3/*3 was 10·3 L/h and was 48·5% in those not carrying CYP3A4*1/*1-CYP3A5*3/*3. What is new and Conclusion: This is the first study to extensively explore the influence of CYP3A4*18B, CYP3A5*3 and ABCB1 genetic polymorphisms on TAC PK in healthy Chinese subjects. The results demonstrated that subjects with a combined genotype of CYP3A4*1/*1-CYP3A5*3/*3 may require lower TAC doses to achieve target concentration levels and further investigation is needed in larger populations to confirm the clinical benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Plastic deformation behavior and its relation to tensile properties were investigated in an attractive β-type titanium alloy (Ti–29Nb–13Ta–4.6Zr) with the oxygen content of 0.1–0.7mass% subjected to hot rolling and solution treatment after hot rolling. Hereafter, Ti–29Nb–13Ta–4.6Zr is abbreviated to TNTZ. With the increase of oxygen content, the tensile strength and 0.2% proof stress of all the samples increase, however, their elongation indicates special change, which is contradictory to that reported conventionally. The elongation firstly decreases and then increases with the increase in the oxygen content. Therefore, TNTZ with high strength and high ductility due to the addition of high oxygen content (0.7mass%) is obtained. Remarkable yielding phenomenon and strain hardening are observed in TNTZ, which can be explained by the interaction between oxygen atoms and a lot of screw and edge dislocations leading to the easy activation of the multiple slip systems. The deformation behavior changes with the addition of oxygen in TNTZ. The plastic deformation mode changes from the deformation-induced martensite transformation to slip mechanism. It is realized that there is a specific compositional area of oxygen in which the TNTZ exhibits strain hardening and high strength, and appropriate Young''s modulus value. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, a new computational method is presented for solving a class of third-order singularly perturbed boundary-value problems with a boundary layer at the left of the underlying interval. In this method, first the given third-order singularly perturbed boundary-value problem is transformed into a system of two ODEs subject to suitable initial and boundary conditions and a zeroth-order asymptotic expansion for the solution of the given problem is constructed. Then the reduced terminal value problem is solved analytically in the reproducing kernel space. This method is effective and easy to implement. A numerical examples is studied to demonstrate the accuracy of the present method. Results obtained by the method are found to be in good agreement with the exact solution not only in the boundary layer, but also away from the layer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A low-temperature route consisting of four simple steps was employed in preparing a titania–hydroxyapatite coating on NiTi. NiTi was first treated with hydrogen peroxide to form a thick titania gel, which was then partially transformed to a titanate hydrogel by alkali hydrothermal treatment. The hydrogel was subsequently soaked in a solution containing calcium and dihydrogen phosphate ions to form a dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD, CaHPO4·2H2O) coating containing some β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP, β-Ca3(PO4)2). Finally, the DCPD and β-TCP were partly or totally transformed to hydroxyapatite (HA, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) by NaOH treatment. EDS analysis showed an overall Ca/P ratio of 1.55 for the final calcium phosphate coating, while XRD analysis revealed that the calcium phosphate coating was biphasic, being composed of HA (Ca/P=1.67) together with some untransformed DCPD (Ca/P=1.0). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We use tunneling electron induced luminescence techniques to investigate the role of adsorbed molecules in nanocavity plasmon (NCP) mediated emissions. Porphyrin molecules directly adsorbed on metals are found to suppress NCP emissions, while molecules on top of an inserted ultrathin oxide layer on the metal substrate yield enhanced NCP emissions. We attribute such difference in enhancement versus suppression to a competing mechanism of two major roles of molecules on the local field enhancement: geometrical spacer and dynamic dipole oscillator. The latter could become dominant when molecules are sufficiently decoupled from the substrate, leading to the overall enhancement of NCP emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The fatigue model simulates fracture in a computationally efficient way. • The model accounts for mixed-mode loading conditions and fatigue loading of variable amplitude. • The model is able to simulate fatigue cracking characterized by arbitrary cracking paths. • The fatigue response computed for a single lap joint agrees well with experimental data. A fatigue interface damage model is presented that is based on combining a fatigue evolution law with a static interface damage model. The fatigue model elegantly enables the simulation of crack initiation and propagation in a computationally efficient and accurate way, accounting for mixed-mode loading conditions and fatigue loading of variable amplitude. The basic features of the fatigue model are explained by means of the response of an isotropic mode I specimen. In addition, the fatigue response of a fiber-epoxy specimen is analyzed, thereby illustrating the effects by load cycle blocks of different amplitude and the generation of plasticity on the fatigue life of the specimen. Finally, the fatigue response of a single lap joint is computed, showing that both the number of load cycles to failure and the evolution of local deformation correspond very well with experimental data reported in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An effective numerical analysis process was carried out to simulate an impact event based on the Hashin failure criterion and the Camanho degradation rule. The middle and shoulder of a cylinder were impacted by the edge of square-shaped impactors, and the remaining burst pressure was predicted. The accuracy of the numerical analysis was verified by results of two experiments that proved that the numerical analysis was reliable. The impact damage at different impact energies (20-200 J) was evaluated. According to the analysis carried out, the impact damage of gas cylinders intensified with increasing impact energy, and there existed a critical value of this energy. The damaged area of gas cylinders under the same impact energy first decreases and then increases from the inner to outer layer, and the maximum increase in the residual bursting pressure could reach 9.6%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on a study of the construction and characterization of a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library for gynogenetic polyploid fish. Fishes constructed with BAC; Methods of construction and characterization of BAC; Assessment of BAC's stability.

In this work, the effects of laser irradiation on fused silica at 355 nm are investigated by using transient absorption spectroscopy and luminescence spectroscopy. Our result shows that no transient absorption or luminescence in the spectra range from 400 nm to 600 nm is observed when laser energy density is below the damage threshold. When the laser energy density reaches the threshold, an initial damage site will be created. After subsequent laser pulses irradiation, the damage size grows. At the same time, the intensity of the transient absorption and luminescence spectra at the damage site also raises remarkably with the laser pulse number increasing. The absorption band from 420 nm to 520 nm is probably related to the absorption of impurity such as metal ion of iron, cerium and copper. Laser modified fused silica exhibits intense broad luminescence bands due to oxygen-deficiency centers at 444 nm and 580 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Transient absorption and luminescence spectra at sub-damage site of K9 glass by laser irradiation at 355nm are presented. [•] As the energy density increases to 2.54J/cm2, the absorption intensity reaches to about 0.2. [•] The mechanism of two-photon ionization mainly plays a critical role at sub-damage site. [•] Intensity of Raman spectra is very high at low energy density and decreased with respect to high energy density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some low-lying states of the HAlS+ and HSAl+ cations have been studied for the first time by large-scale theoretical calculations using three methods: complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF), complete active second-order perturbation theory (CASPT2), and density functional theory Becke's three-parameter hybrid function with the nonlocal correlation of Lee-Yang-Parr (B3LYP) with the contracted atomic natural orbital (ANO-L) and cc-pVTZ basis sets. The geometries of all stationary points along the potential energy surfaces (PESs) were optimized at the CASSCF/ANO-L and B3LYP/cc-pVTZ levels. The ground and the first excited states of linear HAlS+ are predicted to be X2Π and A2Σ+ states, respectively. For the linear HSAl+ structure, the first excited state is A2Σ+. The X2Π state of linear HSAl+ is a second-order saddle point, because it has two imaginary frequencies. Two bent global minima M1 and M2 were found along the 12 A′ and 12 A″ PESs, respectively. The CASPT2/ANO-L potential energy curves of isomerization reactions were calculated as a function of HAlS bond angle. According to our calculations, the ground-state HAlS+ is linear, whereas the ground-state HSAl+ is bent. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PPAR activation by fenofibrate ameliorates radiation-induced skin injury Ionizing radiation induces cutaneous lipid remolding and skin adipocytes confer protection against radiation-induced skin injury. After 7 days, skin dermatitis and ulcers were relieved in the fenofibrate-treated skin but not in the saline-treated skin (Fig. [Extracted from the article]

Abstract: DNA vaccination is a promising cancer treatment due to its safety, but poor immunogenicity limits its application. However, immunoadjuvants, heterogeneous prime‐boost strategies and combination with conventional treatments can be used to improve the antitumour immune effects. A CpG motif and interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) cytokine are often used as adjuvants. In this study, a DNA vaccine containing a CpG motif was constructed to evaluate its adjuvant effect. The results show that the cytotoxicity of the DNA vaccine was increased fivefold, and survival lifetime was prolonged twofold by the CpG motif adjuvant. To simplify the industrial production process, a bicistronic plasmid was constructed to carry the fusion genes of survivin/MUC1 (MS) and IL‐2 and with a CpG motif in its backbone. The results showed that the antitumour effect of the bicistronic vaccine was the same as that of the two vaccine co‐injected regime. Furthermore, the vaccine could suppress metastatic tumour foci by 69.1% in colorectal carcinoma‐bearing mice. Moreover, the vaccine induced survivin‐ and MUC1‐specific immune responses in splenocytes and induced the immune promoting factor CCL‐19 and GM‐CSF upregulated, while metastatic‐associated factor MMP‐9 and immunosuppressing factor PD‐L1 downregulated in tumour tissue. When combining the vaccine with the chemotherapy drug oxaliplatin, the survival was prolonged by about 2.5‐fold. In conclusion, the DNA vaccine containing a CpG motif in bicistronic form showed good effects on colorectal cancer by inhibiting both tumour growth and metastasis, and combination with oxaliplatin could improve its antitumour effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the brightness temperature (TBB) and outgoing long-wave radiation (OLR) data from the FY-2E meteorological satellite, the thermal infrared anomalous change of 20 moderate–strong earthquakes in Tibet from January 12, 2010, to April 30, 2015, are studied. The study calculates the wavelet spectrum change of TBB and OLR based on the Morlet wave and discusses the regulation and characteristics of the anomalous change before and after the earthquakes. The results show that TBB anomalies appeared in 17 of the 20 M S ⩾ 5.0 earthquakes. Anomalies of long-wave radiation occurred in 16 earthquakes. Moreover, their durations, locations and amplitudes are similar. The duration from appearance to disappearance of each anomaly is 30–40 days, the abnormal area is mainly distributed along the faults near the epicentre, and the anomalous maximum amplitude of TBB and OLR’s relative energy spectrum are both times the average. The depths of the moderate–strong earthquakes in the study area are mainly distributed within the upper 20 km, which suggests that thermal infrared can represent the radiation characteristics of shallow earthquakes better. Finally, thermal infrared anomalies of two major earthquakes – the Yushu M S 7.1 Earthquake and the Nepal M S 8.1 Earthquake are calculated, and both show thermal infrared anomalies. There are few studies on the thermal infrared anomalies of multi-year earthquakes in the Tibet region that use the FY-2E satellite. This study discovers some characteristics of thermal infrared radiation associated with earthquakes in Tibet and looks at the relationship between thermal anomalies and faults. Studying and summarizing thermal infrared anomaly patterns associated with moderate–strong earthquakes in Tibet provide important reference values and can significantly aid earthquake research in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Patients with schizophrenia have intact ability to experience emotion, but empirical evidence suggests that they fail to translate emotional salience into effortful behaviour. Previous research in patients with chronic schizophrenia suggests that working memory is important in integrating emotion and behaviour. This study aimed to examine avolition and anhedonia in patients with first-episode schizophrenia and clarify the role of working memory in emotion- behaviour coupling. Method. We recruited 72 participants with first-episode schizophrenia and 61 healthy controls, and used a validated emotion-inducing behavioural paradigm to measure participants' affective experiences and how experienced emotion coupled with behaviour. Participants were given the opportunity to expend effort to increase or decrease their exposure to emotion-inducing photographs. Participants with schizophrenia having poor working memory were compared with those with intact working memory in their liking and emotion-behaviour coupling. Results. Patients with first-episode schizophrenia experienced intact 'in-the-moment' emotion, but their emotion was less predictive of the effort expended, compared with controls. The emotion-behaviour coupling was significantly weaker in patients with schizophrenia with poor working memory than in those with intact working memory. However, compared with controls, patients with intact working also showed substantial emotion-behaviour decoupling. Conclusions. Our findings provide strong evidence for emotion-behaviour decoupling in first-episode schizophrenia. Although working memory deficits contribute to defective translation of liking into effortful behaviour, schizophrenia alone affects emotion-behaviour coupling. Conclusions. Our findings provide strong evidence for emotion-behaviour decoupling in first-episode schizophrenia. Although working memory deficits contribute to defective translation of liking into effortful behaviour, schizophrenia alone affects emotion-behaviour coupling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background.Dysregulation of the striatum and altered corticostriatal connectivity have been associated with psychotic disorders. Social anhedonia has been identified as a predictor for the development of schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The aim of the present study was to examine corticostriatal functional connectivity in individuals with high social anhedonia.Method.Twenty-one participants with high social anhedonia score and 30 with low social anhedonia score measured by the Chinese version of the Revised Social Anhedonia Scale were recruited from university undergraduates (age 17–21 years) to undergo resting-state functional MRI scans. Six subdivisions of the striatum in each hemisphere were defined as seeds. Voxel-wise functional connectivity analyses were conducted between each seed and the whole brain voxels, followed by repeated-measures ANOVA for the group effect.Results.Participants with high social anhedonia showed hyper-connectivity between the ventral striatum and the anterior cingulate cortex and the insula, and between the dorsal striatum and the motor cortex. Hypo-connectivity in participants with high social anhedonia was also observed between the ventral striatum and the posterior cingulate cortex. Partial correlation analyses further showed that the functional connectivity between the ventral striatum and the prefrontal cortex was associated with pleasure experience and emotional suppression.Conclusions.Our findings suggest that altered corticostriatal connectivity can be found in participants with high levels of social anhedonia. Since social anhedonia has been considered a predictor for schizophrenia spectrum disorders, our results may provide novel evidence on the early changes in brain functional connectivity in at-risk individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

There are many factors that affect the performance of polyurea grease, such as gelatiniser, base oil, additives, material production process and the formulations. In this study, the preparation of polyurea grease is mainly investigated by changing the production process, which include the refining temperature, the mode of adding of cooling oil, the cooling methods and the frequency of grinding. Meanwhile, the kinds of base oil are also studied. The characteristics of cone penetration, steel net oil, extreme pressure and antiwear properties, water resistance, etc. were studied. The prepared polyurea grease shows a high dropping point, good water resistance, corrosion resistance and very high extreme pressure and antiwear properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphite, fluorography polymer, polytetrafluoroethylene, molybdenum disulphide and hexagonal boron nitride were used as additives for making polyurea grease. The effects of different additives and combinations of additives on the properties of polyurea grease were investigated. The advanced polyurea greases were prepared by optimising the composition ratio. The prepared polyurea grease showed high-dropping point, oxidation stability, corrosion resistance, anti-water drenching, anti-wear and extreme pressure properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

0·7Na0·5Bi0·5TiO3-0·3Bi(Fe0·95Mn0·05)O3 (NBT-BFOMn) and (Na0·5Bi0·5)TiO3 (NBT) thin films were fabricated on LaNiO3( l 00)/Si substrate by metal organic decomposition. Both films crystallise into the single perovskite structures with strong ( l 00) diffraction peaks. The leakage current of NBT-BFOMn can be suppressed due to the decrease in the content for oxygen vacancies and the formation of defect complexes. Compared with the round shaped polarisation-electric field loop for pure NBT, much improved ferroelectric property with a remnent polarisation Pr of 28 μC cm−2 and coercive field Ec of 152 kV cm−1 at 630 kV cm−1 has been obtained for NBT-BFOMn thin film. In addition, the higher change of relative dielectric content εr variation versus voltage indicates the enhancement in the ferroelectric nature of NBT-BFOMn thin film. The εr and dissipation factor tanδ on frequency for NBT-BFOMn show small dispersion tendency with εr of 370 and tanδ of 0·167 at 100 kHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the Tibet Ozone, Aerosol and Radiation (TOAR) project, a micropulse lidar was operated in Naqu (31.5°N, 92.1°E; 4508 m MSL) on the Tibetan Plateau to observe cirrus clouds continuously from 19 July to 26 August 2011. During the experiment, the time coverage of ice clouds only was 15% in the upper troposphere (above 9.5 km MSL). The cirrus top/bottom altitudes (mean values of 15.6/14.7 km) are comparable to those measured previously at tropical sites but relatively higher than those measured at midlatitude sites. The majority of the cloud layers yielded a lidar ratio between 10 and 40 sr, with a mean value of 28 ± 15 sr, characterized by a bimodal frequency distribution. Subvisible, thin, and opaque cirrus formation was observed in 16%, 34%, and 50% of all cirrus cases, respectively. A mean cirrus optical depth of 0.33 was observed over the Tibetan Plateau, slightly higher than those in the subtropics and tropics. With decreasing temperature, the lidar ratio increased slightly, whereas the mean extinction coefficient decreased significantly. The occurrence of clouds is highly correlated with the outgoing longwave radiation and the strong cold perturbations in the upper troposphere. Deep convective activity and Rossby waves are important dynamical processes that control cirrus variations over the Tibetan Plateau, where both anvil cirrus outflowing from convective cumulonimbus clouds and large-scale strong cold perturbations in the upper troposphere should play an important role in cirrus formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to study S-ovalbumin as a reference index for the freshness of commercial shell eggs in terms of equivalent egg age. The S-ovalbumin content, yolk index, albumen pH, and Haugh units were determined at the storage temperature of 25 and 37°C, respectively, using 85 fresh-laid eggs. A correlation analysis showed a high correlation coefficient of S-ovalbumin content to storage time as well as to the 3 frequently used freshness indices (Haugh unit, yolk index, and albumen pH). Furthermore, a prediction model of equivalent egg age at 25°C was established using S-ovalbumin content as an index on the basis of the correlation analysis. This study confirmed the possibility of using S-ovalbumin as a reference index to express commercial shell egg freshness as equivalent egg age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TE/TM mode converter is a key element of integrated acoutooptical tunable filter (AOTF). Based on the quasi-collinear acoustooptical coupling, a new design configuration of mode converter has been proposed, in which a SiO2/In2O3 film is used as acoustical waveguide and the acoustical waveguide is at a small angle to optical waveguide. This configuration not only has good performance of suppressing sidelobes but also has simple fabrication technique. The theory of this configuration has been discussed and a real mode converter has been fabricated. As the acoustooptical coupling length is 25 mm and the angle between acoustical and optical waveguides is 0.42°, the measured FWHM is 1.46 nm and the measured sidelobes level is −13.2 dB, as compared to the theoretical values of 1.44 nm and −13.4 dB, respectively. The RF drive power is measured to be 40 mw at mode-conversion efficiency of 99%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: In this study the length‐length and length‐weight relationships for four fish species from Naolihe National Nature Reserve in China belonging to three families and four genera were analyzed. They are Perccottus glenii Dybowski, 1877; Rhodeus sericeus Pallas, 1776; Cobitis lutheri Rendahl, 1935; and Misgurnus mohoity Dybowski, 1869. Fish samples were collected in May 2017 from Naolihe National Nature Reserve by fish catching cage (31*41 cm caliber, 16 m length, 3–5 mm mesh diameter), and identified as to species in the laboratory according to S. Q. Zhu (Synopsis of freshwater fishes of China, Jiangsu Science and Technology Publishing House, Nanjing, China, 1995). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]