Search

Inner Mongolia Arbas white cashmere goats is a dual-purpose breed for producing cashmere and meat. In recent years, its meat has become more and more popular among consumers because of rich nutrients and delicious flavor. Therefore, it is particularly important to study the genetic and non-genetic factors affecting the early growth traits and estimate variance components of pre-weaning growth traits of Inner Mongolia Albas white cashmere goats. A total of 37487 kidding records such as birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT), average daily gain from birth to weaning (ADG) and Kleiber ratio (KR) from 343 sires and 7296 dams were used in this study. The most appropriate model was chosen on the basis of likelihood ratio test by fitting six models which excluding or including maternal genetic, maternal permanent environmental effects. The parameters were estimated under the most appropriate model using AIREML method by WOMBAT software. With the best model (Model 6), heritability estimates were 0.0435, 0.0911, 0.0932 and 0.2339 for BWT, WWT, ADG and KR traits, respectively. Maternal heritability estimates were 0.0143, 0.0246, 0.0220 and 0.0186 for BWT, WWT, ADG, and KR traits respectively. The correlation between different traits was estimated with the most suitable model by using bivariate analysis method. The direct additive genetic correlation among the traits ranged from −0.026 (BWT~KR) to 0.772 (ADG~KR). The maternal permanent environment correlation is between −0.289 (BWT-KR) ~0.900 (WWT-ADG). Results indicated that maternal effects and direct-maternal genetic covariance should be considered in any program aimed at improving pre-weaning growth traits to have an accurate genetic evaluation. In addition, positive and medium to high genetic correlations generally exist among WWT, ADG and KR due to the existence of genetic variation for early growth traits. The results showed that the genetic progress of these traits could be slowly through selection except for KR.

In order to extend the 2D-TRC (tool radius compensation) function of 3-axis CNC milling machines to ball end mills (BEMs), a new TRC named BEM-TRC is proposed to achieve successful milling of complex surfaces without over-cut. The implementation of the BEM-TRC for complex surfaces depicted in NURBS model is divided into three steps. The first one is to search the cutting point (CP) on a NURBS surface using equi-arc length interpolation in u or v direction. The second one is to accomplish BEM-TRC at the CP through offsetting the CP to the cutter center point (CCP) of a BEM along the normal vector at CP. The third one is to compute the cutter location point (CLP) of the BEM according to the BEM-CCP. The simulation and experiment verifies that the BEM-TRC is feasible and effective, and can avoid over-cut phenomenon successfully. The BEM-TRC extends the ability of the traditional 2D-TRC function, and makes 3-axis CNC milling machines to accomplish the milling process of complex NURBS surfaces.

Although numerous clinical neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that there are functional abnormalities of motor-related regions in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), little studies have explored the causal interactions within these motor-related regions. The present study aimed to examine Granger causality connectivity patterns within motor-related regions in PD patients. Resting-state fMRI was conducted to investigate the causal connectivity differences within motor-related regions between 17 PD patients and 17 matched healthy controls. Subsequently, the relationship between the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale scores and causal connectivity values within motor-related regions was examined in PD patients. An increased causal connectivity from the left premotor cortex (PMC) to right primary motor cortex (M1) was found in PD patients compared with that of healthy controls. Also, increased causal flow from the PMC to M1 was negatively correlated with motor scores. PD patients have abnormal causal connectivity in specific motor-related regions, which may reflect a compensatory role of motor deficits in PD patients.

The utilisation and reuse of waste tire rubber in concrete can reduce the consumption of raw materials, which leads to economic efficiency and sustainable development of the construction industry. In this review, we conclude the major achievement of crumb rubber concrete (CRC) in nearly 5 years, discuss and analyse its fresh concrete properties, mechanical properties, durability and other properties. Results show that utilising the hydrophobic nature of rubber particles and appropriate admixture can increase slump and improve the workability of concrete. Concrete incorporating crumb rubber (CR) particles decreases the fresh density, and it decreases linearly with the increase in the CR content. The mechanical properties of concrete generally decrease as the CR content incorporated increases. However, the compressive and flexural strength of CRC, which is slightly above that of natural aggregate concrete (NAC), is limited to fine CR size that replaces sand and optimum CR replacement level (CR content from 0% to 10% increases the compressive strength by 2%, and the flexural strength is increased by 7%–21% in mixes with 10%–20% CR). CRC has higher water absorption and permeability than NAC. Nevertheless, small amounts of rubber replacement level (2.5%–7.5% CR) and mixing different rubber particle sizes can reduce the water absorption of concrete. CRC exhibits high freeze–thaw resistance, electrical resistance, abrasion resistance and resistance to sulfuric and sulfate attack when incorporating proper CR content at concrete mixes. The depth of chloride-ion penetration of CRC decreases with low CR content (up to 27.3% of reduction for CR content of 5%) but increases when the CR content exceeds 20%. A clear advantage of CRC is favourable thermal and acoustic insulation. The mechanical properties and durability of CRC can be improved by adding treated CR particles, fibres and supplementary cementing materials. Further research is needed to improve the weak bonding in the interfacial transition zone between CR aggregates and cement paste, thereby increasing the mechanical properties and durability of CRC. Discussions in this paper can provide new knowledge and information on the applications of green and sustainable CRC.

This work investigated the effects of the carbonation treatment on the crushing characteristics of recycled concrete aggregates (RCAs). Single-particle crushing test was conducted on more than 300 RCAs and carbonated RCAs (C-RCAs) with particle sizes of 20–30, 30–40, and >40 mm. The results indicated that the single-particle crushing test of the C-RCA had a four-stage crushing cycle which was on repeat because of the presence of natural aggregates. Carbonation treatment increased the crushing stresses and reduced the water absorption (WA) of the RCA. The stress at the initial crack and maximum stress of the C-RCA were higher than those of the RCA, and carbonation treatment exerted a greater influence on the former than on the latter. A weak linear relationship was detected between the two stresses and the physical properties (WA and attached mortar content) of the C-RCAs and the RCAs. Moreover, CO2 could be captured more effectively with smaller RCAs. Compared with RCAs with different particle sizes, the C-RCA with particle size of 20–30 mm showed significantly improved stress at the initial crack and maximum stress. By contrast, the >40 mm C-RCA had little difference from the RCA. The microhardness and scanning electron microscopy analyses of the C-RCA mesostructure agreed with the results of the WA, stress at initial crack and maximum stress of C-RCA, confirming that the carbonation treatment of RCA enhanced not only the original interfacial transition zone but also the attached mortar in the RCA, although the former was more significantly enhanced than the latter.

In view of the poor planning effect of the current e-commerce intelligent logistics storage space planning method, which leads to the low efficiency of logistics distribution, this paper proposes an e-commerce intelligent logistics storage space planning method based on VR technology. Through VR technology to maximize the logistics space, reduce storage costs, and e-commerce intelligent logistics processing elements for comprehensive analysis and optimization, e-commerce intelligent logistics storage space for effective planning research methods. Finally, it is proved by experiments that the space planning method of e-commerce intelligent logistics storage based on VR technology has higher efficiency and practicability in the practical application process.

Two new threonine-containing metabolites, N-[4-hydroxy-3-prenyl-benzoyl]-L-threonine (1) and N-[2,2-dimethyl-2H-chromene-6-carbonyl]-L-threonine (2), were isolated from the fermentation broth of the soil fungus Curvularia inaequalis strain HS-FG-257. Their structures were elucidated through the interpretation of HR-ESIMS and extensive NMR spectroscopic data. Both compounds exhibited no cytotoxic activity against the test cell lines A549 and HCT-116.

The present study investigated the effect of the combined action of freeze–thaw (F–T) cycles and sulfate attack on the resistance of concrete containing low-volume fly ash (LVFA) and high-volume fly ash (HVFA) made with coarse recycled concrete aggregates (CRCAs). Concretes with a water–binder ratio of 0.50 containing fly ash (FA; LVFA and HVFA) and CRCA (i.e., 0%, 20%, 50% and 100% also by weight) as a replacement for coarse natural aggregates (CNAs) were exposed to water, 5% sodium sulfate solution and 5% magnesium sulfate solution under F–T cycles. The performance, including residual compressive strength, relative dynamic modulus of elasticity and concrete microstructure, was evaluated after being subjected to certain F–T cycles in sulfate solutions. Results indicated that the resistance of the concrete mixtures to the combined F–T cycles and sulfate attack increased with the increase in CRCA content as CNA replacement. Compared with the concrete without FA, the LVFA-based concrete showed excellent improvement in the resistance to the combined action of F–T cycles and sulfate attack; however, the HVFA-based concrete had an adverse effect on the resistance. Concrete deterioration was attributed to the interaction between F–T and sulfate attack. Moreover, the resistance of LVFA- and HVFA-based concretes against the combined F–T and sulfate attack increased during the entire test when the concretes were subjected to F–T cycles in 5% sodium sulfate solution. The sulfate attack exerted more positive effects than negative on the F–T cycles. However, the resistance of LVFA- and HVFA-based concretes against the combined F–T and sulfate attack increased during the initial F–T cycles and then decreased in the 5% magnesium sulfate solution. The 5% sodium sulfate solution produced similar improvements in the F–T resistance of the LVFA- and HVFA-based concretes, whereas the 5% magnesium sulfate solution evidently reduced the F–T resistance of the concrete with HVFA than that with LVFA.

Adding rubber to concrete not only facilitates handling of waste rubber and reduces consumption of natural raw materials but also improves certain properties of concrete. However, due to the hydrophobic nature of rubber, the hydraulic phase migrates out of the rubber and causes a weak interfacial transition zone between the rubber and cement matrix. Moreover, compared with the modulus of elasticity of natural aggregates, that of the rubber aggregates is much lower than that of the surrounding cement matrix. As load is applied to rubberised concrete, stress concentration is formed around the rubber aggregates, thereby resulting in crack formation and strength reduction. Therefore, modifying the rubber surface is an effective method to improve the interface bonding between the rubber aggregates and cement matrix. Physical and chemical rubber modifications are two common methods for enhancing the bond between rubber and cement matrix, which is beneficial for improving the mechanical properties and durability of rubberised concrete. This paper reviews the published methods for modifying rubber aggregates to enhance the performance of rubberised concrete and points out their advantages and disadvantages. The rubber pre-coated with cementitious materials and treated with sodium hydroxide solution, silane coupling agent and sulphuric acid solution show promising results. The combined treatment methods are remarkable in improving mechanical properties. At present, the cost and environmental impact of various treatment methods have not been considered, but these areas should be considered when selecting low-cost and highly efficient methods, which are essential for the extensive application of rubberised concrete in engineering.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most common glial cell tumors and has drawn more and more attention in the clinic in recent years. Brucine has been reported to significantly suppress gastric cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer growth in vivo by inducing cell apoptosis. Here, the effects of brucine on U251 human glioma cell growth were investigated in vitro by cell proliferation assay, FACs, and qPCR in a xenograft tumor model. Treatment with brucine reduced the expression of BCL-2 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), while upregulated BAX expression in U251 human glioma cells resulted in reduced glioma cell survival rate and inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors. We concluded that brucine has a suppressive effect on U251 human glioma cells in vitro and in vivo, which could help in understanding the role of brucine in glioma cells and guiding drug use in the clinic.

A water-soluble polysaccharide, named as JRP1, was extracted and fractioned from the epicarp of immature fruit of Juglans mandshurica Maxim. The determination of the monosaccharide composition in JRP1 with gas chromatography (GC) showed that JRP1 was composed of Gal (43.1%), Glu (23.6%), Ara (16.2%), Rha (9.8%) and Fru (7.3%). The results in vitro showed that 25, 50 and 100 μg/mL of JRP1 could present a significant inhibition on the growth of S180 cells, and furthermore, a significant improvement on the proliferation ability of lymphocytes and the phagocytic activity of macrophages. The results in vivo showed that compared with those in the control group, the inhibition rates of different doses of JRP1 on S180 cells in the tumor-bearing mice were 35.3%, 40.6% and 48.1%, respectively, and serum immune cytokine levels such as IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ were significantly improved. Our results confirm that JRP1 has the activities of effective antitumor and immunomodulatory function.

Supplementary Material with one figure

Supplementary Material with one figure

The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible effects of temperature on cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) accumulation in five vegetable species collected at different sites (Shuichuan, Beiwan, Dongwan and Wufe) in northwest China. The meteorological data of air and soil temperatures were recorded daily during the period from sowing to harvest for the five vegetables. The air and soil temperatures affected the capacity of pumpkin, cabbage, brassica napus and Chinese cabbage to accumulate Zn, Cd, Cu and Pb. Principal component analysis showed that temperature, photosynthetic and physiological factors all contributed to the soil–plant transfer properties of DTPA-extractable heavy metals. Temperature played a more important role in Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn accumulation in four vegetables in this semiarid area. However, the enormous surface area of spinach was likely to elevate heavy metal loads owing to atmospheric deposits. For most vegetables studied, there was a striking dissimila...

Keywords: Lanthanum cerate, 7YSZ doped; Thermal physical properties; Sintering-resistance Abstract. Lanthanum cerate(La2Ce2O7, LC) is a typically material with fluorite structure, which an attractive new generation TBC material due to low thermal conductivity, relative higher thermal expansion coefficient and excellent high temperature phase stability. Sintering-resistance of LC sharply decreased above 1518K is the main reason for LC as new TBC with target service temperature above 1573K. The effect of 7YSZ doping LC on thermal physical properties, sintering-resistance were studied. La2Ce2.5O8 sprayed powders doped with 1~10mass% 7YSZ were synthesized by solid-phase synthesis and agglomerated-sintering method, and ceramic coatings were prepared in the same process condition. The LC coatings doped with 7YSZ retained lower thermal conductivity (0.7~0.8W·m -1 K -1 at 1573K with about 80% relative density) compare to the LC coating (0.723W·m -1 K -1 at 1573K with 75.4% relative density), and also exhibited excellent phase stability between room temperature and 1773K. Dilatometric measurements(1573K,5h) of the plasma-sprayed coatings showed that lower sintering rate for LC coatings with 5mass%-10mass% YSZ doped, shrinkage rate decreased from 0.59%(LC coating) to 0.1~0.25%(5mass%-10mass% doped).

WC92–Co8 coating produced by electrospark deposition effectively improves the surface performance of the substrate. The behavior of the interface between the WC92–Co8 coating and the substrate is studied in this paper. The high-melting-point WC92–Co8 was deposited onto the surface of Ti alloy, and the coating was usually more than 50 μm thick. The surface of the coating is mainly composed of TiC and W2C besides a small amount of W, and its micro hardness reaches HV1129. The coating dramatically improves the performance of the substrate.

This paper describes the applications of the new type high productive high velocity arc spray system, at the same time makes a comparison with the effects of the atomized particles sprayed separately by the high-velocity and general arc spraying gun, analyzing the effects of the original velocity of the particles to the coating structures and comparing the difference of the surface roughness, the porosity and the bond strength of the coatings. Some new applications examples of the latest three years on the high productive high velocity arc spray system are presented in this paper.

Providing for the DZ400 arc spray system, the new design high-velocity arc spray gun with three different nozzles is developed to produce the coatings with the structure of superfine and low porosity. This system can be used to spray the three normal wires of 4Crl3, FeCrAl and 7Crl3 (flux cored wires). With the SEM to analysis shape and particles size sprayed by the nozzles by different parameters, as well as with the S-3500N SEM (made by HITACHI) and the INCA ESA (made by OXFORD) identify the content of the oxides, porosity and thickness of the coatings. The result shows that the porosity in the coatings of solid wire is less than 2%, of the flux-cored wires is less than 4%, and the coating sprayed by the nozzle with the secondary supplementary airflow is typically shown to be distributed in the form of high-density lamellar splat structure and the average lamellar thickness is around 5 μm.