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Industrial experiments were carried out for Mg production by aluminothermic process in industrial retorts and the factors affecting the reduction efficiency were analyzed. The results show that the main factors reducing the reduction ratio are oxidation and combustion of crystallized magnesium and uneven mixing of raw materials. The latter could result in raw material regions with low Al concentration and MgO redundance, which can promote the formation of 12CaO·7Al2O3and CaO·Al2O3. For raw material regions with higher Al concentration, both MgO and CaO can be reduced to form the Mg2Ca phase. Radiation and chemical reaction heat are the key factors affecting the reaction rate. Increasing the heating temperature can rapidly increase the bed temperature and obtain sufficient reaction ratio. The higher the magnesium content in the pellets is, the longer the reduction time is required.

Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) is a promising technique for the autonomous healing of concrete cracks. In this study, the effect of pH on MICP was investigated. The results indicate that the MICP process was inhibited when the pH was higher than 11. Both vaterite and calcite were produced when the pH was < 8, whereas only calcite was produced when the pH was > 8. Recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) coated with sodium silicate have been proposed as protective carriers for microbial healing agents. Although the presence of the coated RCA resulted in a loss of the splitting tension strength of the concrete, the loaded healing agents were highly efficient in self-healing cracks. Concrete incorporated with 20% RCA loaded with healing agents exhibited the best self-healing performance. When the initial crack widths were between 0.3 and 0.4 mm, the 7-d mean healing rate was approximately 90%. At 28 d, the crack area filling ratio was 86.4%, while its water tightness recovery ratio was 74.4% and 29.8%, respectively, for rapid and slow absorption. This study suggests that RCA coated with sodium silicate is an effective method for packaging microbial healing agents and has great potential for developing cost-effective self-healing concrete.

ABSTRACT A fast image technique was proposed to characterise the pore size (>10 pm) distribution of cement-based materials based on a deep learning model. Furthermore, a dataset of concrete pore [...]

ABSTRACT Belite-ye'elimite-ferrite (BYF) cement was prepared by coupled B/Na and B/Ba doping. X-ray diffractometry (XRD) shows that both of the coupled doping methods stabilized the [[alpha]'.sub.H]-belite, and promoted the formation [...]

Wang Baoqiang is the director of Never Say Never(2023), as well as being a well-known actor. His acting roles include Blind Shaft(Mang jing, 2003), A World Without Thieves(Tianxia wuzei, 2004) and Detective Chinatownseries (Tangrenjie tan’an). Following Buddies in India(Danao tianzhu, 2017), Never Say Neveris, Wang Baoqiang’s second directorial work: taking six years to hone, the film is a realistic depiction of the story of Xiang Tenghui, a former boxing champion, who is determined to train orphans from China’s remote countryside. Through sports competitions, he aims to provide them with the chance for a better life. This interview is based on the actors’ performances, the director’s audiovisual expression and the pursuit of values; it discusses the film’s reproduction of intergenerational will and the protagonist’s ideal for returning to the middle-aged stage of life, offering an in-depth portrait of the multi-dimensional thinking and artistic insights of Wang Baoqiang, as an experienced actor exploring the path of film directing.

The biogeographical history of many lineages within the Lauraceae remains poorly known because of the difficulty of assigning macrofossils to living genera, poor pollen preservation, and the absence of sufficiently resolved or well‐supported phylogenies. Here, we utilize plastid genome sequencing to reinvestigate the phylogenetic and biogeographic history of trees in the tribe Cryptocaryeae, an important component of broad‐leaved forests worldwide, with around 800 species that rely on vertebrate frugivores to disperse their seeds. A new time‐calibrated phylogeny with high support for 176 species was used to infer the biogeographic history and speciation rates based on inferences of BAMM analyses. A monophyletic Cryptocaryeae with Aspidostemon, Beilschmiedia, Cryptocarya, Dahlgrenodendron, and Eusideroxylon clades was confirmed. The five clades of Cryptocaryeae were estimated to share a common ancestor in tropical Africa or Asia in the Early Cretaceous around 123 Ma. The Beilschmiedia and Cryptocarya clades were estimated to have originated in South America around 66 Ma. Extant subclades of the Beilschmiedia clade could colonize Australia by 35 Ma and extant subclades of the Cryptocarya clade could colonize Australia by 42 Ma. Diversification rates of the Beilschmiedia clade accelerated 14 and 12 Ma after its origin and diversification rates of the Cryptocarya clade accelerated 18 Ma after its origin. Over 45% extant Cryptocaryeae species originated in the three periods of accelerated differentiation in the Miocene of Asia and Australia. Long‐distance dispersal has had a major influence on biogeography, with dispersal to Asia likely occurring seven times, Zealandia six times, America three times, Australia three times, Africa twice, and Oceania at least once. Over 70% extant Cryptocaryeae species which diverged before the Quaternary grow in the Southern Hemisphere, while 90% extant Cryptocaryeae species which diverged in the Quaternary grow in the Northern Hemisphere. The Cryptocaryeae originated in and diversified with the first angiosperm‐dominated broad‐leaved evergreen forests, from the Cretaceous to the Paleogene. Long‐distance seed dispersal, probably by birds, although possibly also by flotation, has allowed the tribe to track these forests in space and time, despite a failure to adapt to cold, dry, or highly seasonal environments.

Blast lung injuries (BLIs) are frequent because of industrial accidents and terrorist groups. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and exosomes derived from BMSCs (BMSCs-Exo) have become a hot topic in modern biology because of their significance in damage healing, immune regulation, and gene therapy. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of BMSCs and BMSCs-Exo on BLI in rats caused by gas explosion. Here, BMSCs and BMSCs-Exo were transplanted into BLI rats viatail vein and then evaluated pathological alterations, oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, and pyroptosis in the lung tissue. Through histopathology and changes in malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) contents, we discovered that oxidative stress and inflammatory infiltration in the lungs were significantly reduced by BMSCs and BMSCs-Exo. After treatment with BMSCs and BMSCs-Exo, apoptosis-related proteins, such as cleaved caspase-3 and Bax, were significantly decreased, and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was significantly increased; the level of pyroptosis-associated proteins, including NLRP3, GSDMD-N, cleaved caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18, were decreased; autophagy-related proteins, beclin-1 and LC3, were downregulated while P62 was upregulated; the number of autophagosomes was decreased. In summary, BMSCs and BMSCs-Exo attenuate BLI caused by gas explosion, which may be associated with apoptosis, aberrant autophagy, and pyroptosis.

Aim: The main objective of this study was to explore the value of the discharged case fatality rate (DCFR) in estimating the severity and epidemic trend of COVID-19 in China. Subjects and methods: Epidemiological data on COVID-19 in China and Hubei Province were obtained from the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China from January 20, 2020, to March 31, 2020. The number of daily new confirmed cases, daily confirmed deaths, daily recovered cases, the proportion of daily deaths and total deaths of discharged cases were collected, and the total discharge case fatality rate (tDCFR), daily discharge case fatality rate (dDCFR), and stage-discharge case fatality rate (sDCFR) were calculated. We used the R software (version 3.6.3, R core team) to apply a trimmed exact linear time method to search for changes in the mean and variance of dDCFR in order to estimate the pandemic phase from dDCFR. Results: The tDCFR of COVID-19 in China was 4.16% until March 31, 2020. According to the pattern of dDCFR, the pandemic was divided into four phases: the transmission phase (from January 20 to February 2), the epidemic phase (from February 3 to February 14), the decline phase (from February 15 to February 22), and the sporadic phase (from February 23 to March 31). The sDCFR for these four phases was 43.18% (CI 39.82–46.54%), 13.23% (CI 12.52–13.94%), 5.86% (CI 5.49–6.22%), and 1.61% (CI 1.50–1.72%), respectively. Conclusion: DCFR has great value in assessing the severity and epidemic trend of COVID-19.

The mid-point quadrature rule is often used to solve the nonlocal integral differentiation equations, in which a central material point is used to calculate the integral of the subdomain in the meshless geometry. However, it can only achieve the linear approximation and the first order convergence rate, and it is only accurate enough when the entire cell overlaps with the neighborhood of a material point. In this paper, to achieve the higher precision and the higher rate of convergence speed, a novel coupling method of reproducing kernel particle method and Gaussian-Legendre quadrature scheme is proposed to solve the nonlocal integral differentiation equations in the meshless geometry, in which the mid-point quadrature scheme is replaced with Gauss quadrature scheme to calculate the integral of the subdomain in the meshless geometry, the reproducing kernel particle method is employed to construct the shape functions for material points in the nonlocal model, and to approximate the value of the Gaussian quadrature node. Moreover, the meshless solution for the peridynamic equation is derived detailedly based on the proposed method. Compared with the traditional meshless solution for the nonlocal equations, the proposed solution has higher precision and higher rate of convergence speed in different problems. The numerical results demonstrate improved results in both mathematics and mechanical problems using the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of novel traits is often preceded by a potentiation phase, when all the genetic components necessary for producing the trait are assembled. However, elucidating these potentiating factors is challenging. We have previously shown that an anthocyanin-activating R2R3-MYB, STRIPY, triggers the emergence of a distinct foliar pigmentation pattern in the monkeyflower Mimulus verbenaceus. Here, using forward and reverse genetics approaches, we identify three potentiating factors that pattern STRIPYexpression: MvHY5, a master regulator of light signaling that activates STRIPYand is expressed throughout the leaf, and two leaf developmental regulators, MvALOG1and MvTCP5, that are expressed in opposing gradients along the leaf proximodistal axis and negatively regulate STRIPY. These results provide strong empirical evidence that phenotypic novelties can be potentiated through incorporation into preexisting genetic regulatory networks and highlight the importance of positional information in patterning the novel foliar stripe.

The current study focuses on the electrolyte penetration of the graphite cathode in a NaF−KF−LiF−AlF3aluminum-electrolysis system with a cryolite ratio of 1.3. It involves a comprehensive investigation of the electrolyte in the cathode before and after electrolysis by X-ray diffraction and analysis of the results by semi-quantitative calculation in MAUD. The results show that KF can promote electrolyte penetration, with higher KF contents resulting in greater penetration. During electrolyte penetration, K2NaAlF6and solid solutions containing KF play important roles in KF-containing systems. LiF effectively prevents the electrolyte penetration, while the Na3Li3Al2F12phase plays an essential role in systems with high LiF contents.

ABSTRACT The pozzolanic reaction (PR) and quantitative influence of silica fume (SF) on the evolution of all main mineral phases in the SF-containing composite cement system (CCS) with low water [...]

ABSTRACT A type of conductive overlay material made of carbon fibre filled cementitious mortar has been proposed for cathodic protection of reinforced concrete structures. It possesses advantages over many other [...]

ABSTRACT The current distribution was studied in a designed three-layer reinforced concrete cathodic protection (CP) system, with carbon fibre reinforced cement (CFRC) as the conductive mortar overlay anode. The influence [...]

Servo dynamic stiffness is a pivotal index in characterizing the rejecting performance for the exogenous periodic disturbances of the repetitive learning control system. In this paper, the mathematical modeling of the servo dynamic stiffness for the well-designed repetitive learning control system with multiple-periodic signals is studied by the frequency analysis method. To analysis the complex form of the servo dynamic stiffness, the magnitudes of the direct (real part) and quadrature (imaginary part) servo dynamic stiffness at harmonics of the disturbance are discussed based on the parameters of the repetitive learning controller. An illustrated example of the two linear servomotors with the mechanical coupling is given in this study. Computer simulation are presented to illustrate the effect of the proposed measurement method of the servo dynamic stiffness for the multiple-periodic repetitive learning control system. The proposed servo dynamic stiffness modeling can be used to accurate design the parameters of the repetitive learning control system, such that the batter control performance of the repetitive learning control system at most of the harmonics of the multi-periodic input signal can be achieved.

Whether and how tumor intrinsic signature determines macrophage-elicited metastasis remain elusive. Here, we show, in detailed studies of data regarding 7,477 patients of 20 types of human cancers, that only 13.8% ± 2.6%/27.9% ± 3.03% of patients with high macrophage infiltration index exhibit early recurrence/vascular invasion. In parallel, although macrophages enhance the motility of various hepatoma cells, their enhancement intensity is significantly heterogeneous. We identify that the expression of malignant Dicer, a ribonuclease that cleaves miRNA precursors into mature miRNAs, determines macrophage-elicited metastasis. Mechanistically, the downregulation of Dicer in cancer cells leads to defects in miRNome targeting NF-κB signaling, which in turn enhances the ability of cancer cells to respond to macrophage-related inflammatory signals and ultimately promotes metastasis. Importantly, transporting miR-26b-5p, the most potential miRNA targeting NF-κB signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma, can effectively reverse macrophage-elicited metastasis of hepatoma in vivo. Our results provide insights into the crosstalk between Dicer-elicited miRNome and cancer immune microenvironments and suggest that strategies to remodel malignant cell miRNome may overcome pro-tumorigenic activities of inflammatory cells.

Although overexposure to manganese (Mn) is known to cause neurotoxic damage, effective exposure markers for assessing Mn loading in Mn-exposed workers are lacking. Here, we construct a Mn-exposed rat model to perform correlation analysis between Mn-induced neurological damage and Mn levels in various biological samples. We combine this analysis with epidemiological investigation to assess whether Mn concentrations in red blood cells (MnRBCs) and urine (MnU) can be used as valid exposure markers. The results show that Mn exposure resulted in neurotoxic damage in rats and that MnRBCs correlated well with neurological damage, showing potential as a novel Mn exposure biomarker. These findings provide a basis for health monitoring of Mn-exposed workers and the development of more appropriate biological exposure limits.

In this paper, smoothed bond-based peridynamics (SBBPD) is proposed to simulate the large deformation. The governing equation of smoothed bond-based PD is obtained by incorporating the observed changes in the density field and long-range force reaction in Eulerian form. The Hencky stretch is introduced into smoothed bond-based PD to calculate the true strain because of the change in density (volume). The proposed method can achieve a more accurate result in solid mechanics compared with SPH and can well handle extremely large deformation problems compared with traditional bond-based PD. Numerical experiments are launched to test these modifies of smoothed bond-based PD method in solid mechanics.

Over the past decade, metal nanoparticles (MNPs) have attracted extensive attention due to their unique physiochemical properties that make them highly applicable in various fields such as chemical sensing, energy storage, catalysis, medicine, and environmental engineering. Their physiochemical properties depend drastically on the MNP size and morphology, which are largely determined by their synthesis methods. Research on MNPs predominantly focused on coinage metals (Au, Ag and Cu), but in the last decade research on metals with a relatively high melting temperature such as Pd, Co, and Re has seen rapid increases, mainly driven by their potential applications as catalysts. This paper presents the recent advances on different synthesis techniques of Co, Pd, and Re nanoparticles, their resulting nanostructures, as well as existing and potential applications.

Nowadays, stabilized gimbals have been popular products on the present market for unmanned aerial vehicle. Rejecting multi-periodic vibration disturbance is a key point for accuracy motion of the gimbal under the flight operation of unmanned aerial vehicle. In this study, a stable control scheme of a three-axis spherical gimbal is proposed, where a new method for synthesizing multi-iterative learning control algorithm is exported. To design the controller, the mathematic modeling of the three-axis control system is earned and determined by spectrum analysis of the proposed gimbal. Performance and stability of the control system are analyzed and are evaluated in an experimental disturbance rejecting control system. Both computer simulation and experimental results are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed iterative learning controller design.

Objective: The aim of this study areto screen MicroRNAs (miRNAs) related to the prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and to explore the possible molecular mechanisms. Methods: The data for a total of 535 patients with LUAD data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The miRNAs for LUAD prognosis were screened by both Cox risk proportional regression model and Last Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression model. The performances of the models were verified by time-dependent Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. The possible biological processes linked to the miRNAs’ target genes were analyzed by Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto gene and genome encyclopedia (KEGG). Results: Among 127 differentially expressed miRNAs identified from the screening analysis, there are 111 up-regulated and 16 down-regulated miRNAs. Three of them, hsa-miR-1293, hsa-miR-490 and hsa-miR- 5571, were also significantly associated with the survival of the LUAD patients. The targets of the three miRNAs are significantly enriched in systemic lupus erythematosus pathways. Conclusion: Hsa-miR-1293, hsa-miR-490 and hsa-miR-5571 can be potentially used as novel biomarkers for the prognosis prediction of LUAD.

Carbon-containing Al2O3refractory crucibles and pure Al2O3refractory crucible were fabricated to study the effect of carbon-containing Al2O3–C refractories on aluminum and carbon pick-up of iron. Refractory crucibles with pure iron powder were placed in a vacuum induction furnace and heated at 1600 °C for regular time under flowing argon atmosphere. The Al and C contents of iron samples were analyzed, and iron samples were also investigated using a field scanning electron microscope equipped with energy-dispersive spectroscope. The results showed that carbon materials did affect the interaction of (Al2O3–C)/Fe system, carbothermal reduction in alumina occurred in the reaction system and the extent of reactions depended on the kinds of carbon materials.

The evolution of genomic incompatibilities causing postzygotic barriers to hybridization is a key step in species divergence. Incompatibilities take 2 general forms—structural divergence between chromosomes leading to severe hybrid sterility in F1hybrids and epistatic interactions between genes causing reduced fitness of hybrid gametes or zygotes (Dobzhansky–Muller incompatibilities). Despite substantial recent progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms and evolutionary origins of both types of incompatibility, how each behaves across multiple generations of hybridization remains relatively unexplored. Here, we use genetic mapping in F2and recombinant inbred line (RIL) hybrid populations between the phenotypically divergent but naturally hybridizing monkeyflowers Mimulus cardinalisand M. parishiito characterize the genetic basis of hybrid incompatibility and examine its changing effects over multiple generations of experimental hybridization. In F2s, we found severe hybrid pollen inviability (<50% reduction vs parental genotypes) and pseudolinkage caused by a reciprocal translocation between Chromosomes 6 and 7 in the parental species. RILs retained excess heterozygosity around the translocation breakpoints, which caused substantial pollen inviability when interstitial crossovers had not created compatible heterokaryotypic configurations. Strong transmission ratio distortion and interchromosomal linkage disequilibrium in both F2s and RILs identified a novel 2-locus genic incompatibility causing sex-independent gametophytic (haploid) lethality. The latter interaction eliminated 3 of the expected 9 F2genotypic classes via F1gamete loss without detectable effects on the pollen number or viability of F2double heterozygotes. Along with the mapping of numerous milder incompatibilities, these key findings illuminate the complex genetics of plant hybrid breakdown and are an important step toward understanding the genomic consequences of natural hybridization in this model system.

The present study aimed to investigate the role of semaphorin 4D (Sema4D) in bladder cancer cell proliferation and metastasis in vivo and in vitro. Effects of Sema4D modulation on cancer cell viability and clonogenic abilities were assessed by MTT assay and colony formation assay. Cell apoptosis, cell cycle analysis, transwell assays, and wound-healing assays were also assayed. A mouse model of bladder cancer was established to observe the tumorigenesis in vivo. Our data showed that Sema4D was 4-fold upregulated in clinical bladder cancer tissues relative to noncancerous ones and differentially expressed in bladder cancer cell lines. Knockdown of Sema4D in bladder cancer T24 and 5637 cells significantly decreased cell proliferation, clonogenic potential, and motility. On the contrary, overexpression of Sema4D in bladder cancer SV-HUC-1 cells significantly increased cell viability and motility. Concordantly, knockdown of Sema4D impaired while overexpression of Sema4D promoted bladder cancer cell growth rates in xenotransplanted mice. Cell cycle was arrested by modulation of Sema4D. Cell apoptotic rates and the mitochondrial membrane potentials were consistently increased upon knockdown of Sema4D in T24 cells and 5637 cells. Western blotting revealed that epithelial–mesenchymal transition was promoted by Sema4D. The PI3K/AKT pathway was activated upon Sema4D overexpression in SV-HUC-1 cells, while it was inactivated by knockdown of Sema4D in T24 cells. All these data suggest that Sema4D promotes cell proliferation and metastasis in bladder cancer in vivo and in vitro. The oncogenic behavior of Sema4D is achieved by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway.

The health-threatening air pollution, especially from particulate matter (PM), has triggered increasing demands for developing low-cost and long-service-life air-cleaning technologies. In the present contribution, a range of high-efficiency textiles/metal–organic framework (MOF) composites (MOFs@textiles) air filters with excellent washable reusability is presented. By processing MOFs onto textile substrates via an eco-friendly solvent-free method to enable the microporous feature and also strong PM adhesion, we develop flexible, highly effective air filters with >95.00% PM removal efficiency (e.g., MiL-53(Al)@Aramid, PM2.5: 95.30%, PM10: 96.11%) under harmful air quality conditions (average PM2.5mass concentration > 280 μg m–3and PM10> 360 μg m–3). Therefore, these MOFs@textiles are promising composites for producing efficient and recyclable out-/indoor air purifiers.

The main goal of this paper is to suppress the effect of unavoidable colored Gaussian noise on declining accuracy of transistor 1/f spectrum estimation. Transistor noises are measured by a nondestructive cross-spectrum measurement method, which is first to amplify the voltage signals through ultra-low noise amplifiers, then input the weak signals into data acquisition card. The data acquisition card collects the voltage signals and outputs the amplified noise for further analysis. According to our studies, the output 1/f noise can be characterized more accurately as non-Gaussian α-stable distribution rather than Gaussian distribution. Therefore, by utilizing the properties of α-stable distribution, we propose a cross-spectrum method effective in noisy environments based on samples normalized cross-correlation function. Simulation results and diodes output noise spectrum estimation results confirm the effectiveness of our method.

In this article, Laplace-type integral transformation is introduced to construct the recursive algorithm of the repetitive controller to regulate time-varying periodic signal. A theoretical analysis of Laplace-type integral transformation operator is adopted for time-varying repetitive controller design, where the stability and performance of the proposed repetitive control system are addressed. The implementation of the repetitive control strategy is investigated by a simulated example of the cycle ergometer. Results are given to illustrate that the proposed method is effectively used to analysis repetitive control system for the time-varying periodic signal regulation.

Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is an autosomal recessive pigmentation abnormality, characterized by variable hair, skin, and ocular hypopigmentation. OCA1 is the most frequent subtype of OCA, caused by mutations in the tyrosinase gene (TYR). In this study, we investigated the genetic mutation of a Chinese family with a female OCA patient who came for genetic counseling before pregnancy. Complete physical examination was performed, and DNA from blood samples was collected from the family members. Mutations of TYR, OCA2, and SLC45A2genes were examined in the proband, and verified in her parents by Sanger sequencing. Large deletion or duplication of TYRand OCA2genes was detected by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). A homozygous TYRc.307T>C (p.Cys103Arg) missense mutation was identified in the proband, and both parents were heterozygous carriers. No large deletion or duplication was found in the proband. This mutation was absent in 1000G, ExAC, or HGMD database, and multiple lines of in silico tools supported a deleterious effect. These results suggest that TYRc.307T>C mutation might be responsible for OCA1, and our study further expands the mutation spectrum of OCA1 in the Chinese population.

This study analyzed the growth performance, digestive enzyme activities and intestinal microbial community in HC group (fed with Chironomid larvae), HH group (fed with Chironomid larvae plus Earthworms) and QY group (fed with Earthworms) of juvenile Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus) after farming for 60 days. The results showed that diet can affect the growth performance, digestive enzyme activities and intestinal mcirobiota composition of juvenile Chinese giant salamander. The growth performance in juvenile Chinese giant salamander of HC group was significantly higher than that of HH group and QY group. The ether extract content in muscles of juvenile Chinese giant salamander of HH group and QY group was significantly lower than that of HC group. The intestinal digestive enzyme activities in juvenile Chinese giant salamander of HC group were significantly lower than that of HH group and QY group. The intestinal microbial richness and diversity in juvenile Chinese giant salamander of HH group and QY group were significantly higher than that of HC group. The most dominant phylum of HC group and HH group was Firmicutes but QY group was Bacteroidota, and the most dominant genus of HC group was Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1but HH group and QY group was Bacteroides. The 24 specific bacterial groups with different classification levels had significant differences in three diet groups of juvenile Chinese giant salamander and these specific bacteria were concentrated in Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota. Thus, the above studies indicated that Chironomid larvae as diet can increase the growth performance of juvenile Chinese giant salamander, while the addition of Earthworms as diet can enhance digestive ability and change microbiota composition in intestine of juvenile Chinese giant salamander.

An arbitrary unknown quantum state cannot be measured precisely or replicated perfectly. However, quantum teleportation enables unknown quantum states to be transferred reliably from one object to another over long distances, without physical travelling of the object itself. Long-distance teleportation is a fundamental element of protocols such as large-scale quantum networks and distributed quantum computation. But the distances over which transmission was achieved in previous teleportation experiments, which used optical fibres and terrestrial free-space channels, were limited to about 100 kilometres, owing to the photon loss of these channels. To realize a global-scale ‘quantum internet’ the range of quantum teleportation needs to be greatly extended. A promising way of doing so involves using satellite platforms and space-based links, which can connect two remote points on Earth with greatly reduced channel loss because most of the propagation path of the photons is in empty space. Here we report quantum teleportation of independent single-photon qubits from a ground observatory to a low-Earth-orbit satellite, through an uplink channel, over distances of up to 1,400 kilometres. To optimize the efficiency of the link and to counter the atmospheric turbulence in the uplink, we use a compact ultra-bright source of entangled photons, a narrow beam divergence and high-bandwidth and high-accuracy acquiring, pointing and tracking. We demonstrate successful quantum teleportation of six input states in mutually unbiased bases with an average fidelity of 0.80 ± 0.01, well above the optimal state-estimation fidelity on a single copy of a qubit (the classical limit). Our demonstration of a ground-to-satellite uplink for reliable and ultra-long-distance quantum teleportation is an essential step towards a global-scale quantum internet.

Cement clinker with low CO2 emission was prepared in laboratory, which mainly consist of belite (C2S), calcium sulfoaluminate (C4A3S), and ferrite (C4AF). The mineral composition of clinker was optimized for better compressive strength development. The chemical and physical properties of this prepared cement were characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), back scattered electron-scanning electron microscopy (BSE-SEM) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The results reveal that C4A3S governs most of the compressive strength at early ages, while C2S contributes to the later strength development. C4AF is in liquid when fired to 1300°C, beneficial to the mass transfer but causing high crystallinity of C2S when excessive. Finally the results of experiments suggest that the optimal composition of clinker is 50wt. % C2S, 40wt. % C4A3S and 10wt. % C4AF.

Aggregation of Ag nanoparticles and dispersed irregular Ag nanoparticles synthesized by different mixing mode magnetic stirring and ultrasonic concussion, respectively. However, there is no distinct difference between their crystal structures.

Portland cement production leads to significant carbon dioxide emission and greenhouse effect. Magnesium oxide eco-cement, which is a mixture of Portland cement, magnesium oxide and fly ash, may be an alternative production. In this paper, the issue is focused on the carbon dioxide absorption ability and mechanical performance of this eco-cement. Several mix proportions of eco-cement were designed to conduct forced carbonation, strength and expansion tests. Also, microstructure analysis after carbonation was conducted. The results indicate that magnesium oxide eco-cement can efficiently absorb carbon dioxide and carbonation can improve mechanical performance substantially, also expansion of the eco-cement is found to fall within the safe limits and possesses good stability and soundness.

The self-consistent quadruple potential is deduced within the relativistic mean-field (RMF) framework and substituted into the Hamiltonian, which is calculated using the complex momentum representation (CMR). Considering even-even titanium isotopes as an example, this study investigated various properties, including the resonant states of neutron-rich nuclei in the RMF-CMR model, and used them to describe the binding energy. The abrupt decrease in the two-neutron separation energy (S2n) corresponds to the traditional magic number. The resonant and bound states are simultaneously exposed in the complex moment plane, where the continuum is along the integration contour. The four oblate neutron-rich nuclei 72-78Ti are weakly bound or resonant because their Fermi energies are approximately 0 MeV. The root-mean-square (RMS) radii of these nuclei increase suddenly compared with those of others (neutron number N<48). Moreover, 78Ti and 76Ti are determined as drip-line nucleons by the value of S2nand the energy levels, respectively. Finally, the weak-bounded character can be represented by diffuse density probability distributions.

We report in vitro studies on radiotherapy enhancement of hollow gold nanoparticles (HAuNPs), which feature a 50 nm hollow core and a 30 nm thick polycrystalline shell. A clonogenic cell survival assay was used to assess radiation dose enhancement on breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Cells were cultured in a cell culture solution in which pegylated HAuNPs were added. No cytotoxicity of the HAuNPs was observed at the nanoparticle concentration up to 4.25×109 nanoparticles/ml (350 μM Au concentration). A small animal X-ray irradiator and a clinical linear accelerator were used to irradiate HAuNP-treated and control groups. It shows that the radiation damage to the cells is significantly enhanced when the cells are exposed to HAuNPs. This is the first time that AuNPs with diameter larger than 100 nm has been studied for their radiosensitizing effects. In clinical settings, we envision that HAuNPs could be intratumorally injected into tumors, which is more realistic for practical usage of AuNPs as radiosensitizer than passive accumulation in tumors using the enhanced permeability and retention effect or active targeting. Larger particles are favored for the intratumoral injection approach since larger particles tend to be retained in the injection sites, less likely diffusing into surrounding normal tissues. So, this proof-of-concept evaluation shows a promising potential to use HAuNPs as radiation therapy sensitizer for cancers.

Chain type coal-fired hot blast furnace boiler has a strong coupling, large delay, large inertia characteristics. Control effect of control method of mathematic modeling method and the classical routine of it is very difficult to produce the ideal. The predictive control theory combined with neural network theory. Through the model correction and rolling optimization control method of the system is good to overcome the effects of model error and time-varying process. The experimental results showed that neural network predictive control system is improved effectively the static precision and dynamic characteristic. It has better practicability of boiler temperature of this kind of large time delay system.

The process of aluminothermic reduction of a mixture of calcined dolomite and calcined magnesite had been developed. The mechanism of the process was studied by SEM and EDS. The reduction process was divided into three stages: 0≤ηt/ηf≤0.43±0.06, 0.43±0.06≤ηt/ηf≤0.9±0.02 and 0.9±0.02≤ηt/ηf<1, where ηtand ηfare the reduction ratio at time tand the final reduction ratio obtained in the experiment at temperature T, respectively. The first stage included the direct reaction between calcined dolomite or calcined magnesite and Al with 12CaO·7Al2O3and MgO·Al2O3as products. The reaction rate depended on the chemical reaction. The CA phase was mainly produced in the second stage and the overall reaction rate was determined by both the diffusion of Ca2+with molten Al and the chemical reaction. The CA2phase was mainly produced in the third stage and the reaction process was controlled by the diffusion of Ca2+.

Land use/cover change situations and its driving forces in the Southern Mountainous Areas of Jinan was investigated based on Landsat TM data of 1987, 2000, 2005 and 2010 in the paper. The result indicates that arable land, grassland and woodland have always accounted for the largest areal proportion in the past three decades. The area of arable land presents a degressive tendency, while the area of grassland and construction land had an opposite tendency. Population, policy as well as urbanization and economic growth are the main driving factors of the land use/cover change in the Southern Mountainous Areas of Jinan.

In this study, using solidified landfilled sludge (SLS) and its pyrolyzed produce (PSLS) as adsorbents, adsorption characteristics of Cu2+ and Zn2+ onto SLS and PSLS was investigated. These results revealed that PSLS had more irregular pores and its surface roughness increased, and the surface area of PSLS was twice than that of SLS. Adsorption studies showed that adsorption capacity of Cu2+ and Zn2+ increased with the increasing dosage of adsorbents, and the adsorption process of Cu2+ and Zn2+ onto SLS or PSLS could be divided into the first rapid step and the second slower step. Based on Langmuir equation, the maximum limiting adsorption capacities of Cu2+ and Zn2+ onto PSLS was much higher that onto SLS. Moreover, FTIR analysis showed that the adsorption of Cu2+ and Zn2+ on SLS depended on active functional group such as hydroxy aldehydes while that relied on the groups such as C=C bond of aromatic rings, Si-O-Si or Si-O-C structures for PSLS.

According to the project interface risk classification including the physical interface risk, the contract interface risk, the tissue interface risk and the information interface risk, the integrated management model of project interface risk was put forward, which focused on the three dimensions: time dimension, relational dimension and information dimension. The project interface risk management system was developed, which consists of information subsystem, organizational subsystem, resources and support subsystem, and dynamic management subsystem. The system implements integration of project risk management from the perspective of the interface, and by using the system managers can foresee the exact location of the risk occurring or may occur.

The vacuum aluminothermic reduction of the mixture of calcined magnesite and calcined dolomite was studied. An isothermal reduction method satisfying the vacuum aluminothermic reduction was proposed. The experiments were carried out at 4 Pa. The results indicate that the reduction rate is increased with increasing temperature, content of aluminum and pellet forming pressure. The XRD patterns of pellets at different reduction stages confirm that the reduction process can be roughly classified into three stages: the formation of MgAl2O4, and Ca12Al14O33phases; the phase transformation from MgAl2O4and C12A7to CaAl2O4; the formation of CaAl4O7phase. The experimental data were divided into three parts according to the kinetic models. The apparent activation energies of the three parts were determined to be 98.2, 133.0 and 223.3 kJ/mol, respectively.

Grain drying with chain coalfired hot blast stove for temperature stable and economic operation.Boiler control objects with strong coupling, large delay, large inertia characteristics.Fuzzy control on object for low, fast response and predict advanced features. Design the fuzzy predictive controller for chain coalfired hot blast stove temperature control.The test results show that the fuzzy predictive control system is improved effectively the static precision and dynamic characteristic.Fuzzy predictive control for large delay system has better practicability.

In this paper, the Maximum Likelihood (ML) method using Quantum-behaved Particle Swarm Optimization (QPSO) algorithm is applied to the problem of estimating the direction-of-arrival (DOA) and the Doppler frequency of multiple signal sources impinging on an antenna array simultaneously. The extended observability matrix containing the angle and frequency parameters is established using state-space model. The ML method is used to estimate the parameters accurately and convert the problem from parameter estimation to a nonlinear multidimensional function optimization. Then the DOA and Doppler frequency are estimated by optimizing the likelihood function using QPSO algorithm. The proposed method reserves the asymptotic unbiased estimation of the ML method and reduces the computational burden of calculating the solution. Besides, the estimated parameters can be paired automatically.

Si/Ag/C composite was prepared by two-step reaction. The phase and surface morphology of samples was studied by XRD and SEM. The electrochemical performance of the composite was investigated by charge/discharge test. SEM images indicate that the particles dispersed uniform and structure of the materials is stable. Electrochemical test results show that the initial discharged and charge capacities of Si/Ag/C composite are 2016.9 mAh/g and 1275.0 mAh/g, respectively. A reversible capacity of Si/Ag/C composite after 50 cycles is 325.5 mAh/g retained.

Nano SiO2 were doped in PI film and then treated with HF solution to get PI microporous membranes. The PI separator was characterized by SEM, thermal shrinkage, AC impendance and charge-discharge experiments. The results show that the thermal performance of PI separator is superior to PP separator and the safety of Lithium-ion battery can be greatly improved.

Floral traits often show correlated variation within and among species. For species with fused petals, strong correlations among corolla tube, stamen, and pistil length are particularly prevalent, and these three traits are considered an intra-floral functional module. Pleiotropy has long been implicated in such modular integration of floral traits, but empirical evidence based on actual gene function is scarce. We tested the role of pleiotropy in the expression of intra-floral modularity in the monkeyflower species Mimulus verbenaceusby transgenic manipulation of a homolog of Arabidopsis PRE1. Downregulation of MvPRE1by RNA interference resulted in simultaneous decreases in the lengths of corolla tube, petal lobe, stamen, and pistil, but little change in calyx and leaf lengths or organ width. Overexpression of MvPRE1caused increased corolla tube and stamen lengths, with little effect on other floral traits. Our results suggest that genes like MvPRE1can indeed regulate multiple floral traits in a functional module but meanwhile have little effect on other modules, and that pleiotropic effects of these genes may have played an important role in the evolution of floral integration and intra-floral modularity.

Background: ATAD2 is closely related to the occurrence and proliferation of many tumors. Thus, exploring ATAD2 inhibitors is greatly significant for the prevention and treatment of tumors. In this study, the quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) analyses of 57 naphthyridone derivatives were conducted using hologram quantitative structure–activity relationship (HQSAR) and topomer comparative molecular field analysis (topomer CoMFA). Methods: The 57 naphthyridone derivatives were divided into the training (44 derivatives) and testing (13 derivatives) sets. HQSAR and topomer CoMFA models were obtained by applying the SYBYL-X software and validated using various validation parameters. Contribution maps from the best HQSAR model and the contour maps from the best topomer CoMFA model were analyzed. Results: The most effective HQSAR model exhibited significant cross-validated (q2 = 0.872) and non cross-validated (r2 = 0.972) correlation coefficients, and the most effective topomer CoMFA model had q2 = 0.861 and r2 = 0.962. Several external validation parameters, such as QF12, QF22, r2m, Δr2m, and CCC, were used to calculate the correlation coefficients of the test set samples and validate both models. The result exhibited a powerful predictive capability. Graphical results from HQSAR and topomer CoMFA were validated by the binding mode in the crystal structure. Conclusion: The models may be beneficial to enhance the understanding of the structure–activity relationships for this class of compounds and also provide useful clues for the design of potential ATAD2 bromodomain inhibitors.