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In this paper, it was found for the first time that with Sr addition in Al–Si–Mg–Ce alloy, the morphology of eutectic (Si) can be modified from branch to fine fibrous, while the bulk-like Al2Si2Ce phase may replace the elongated needle-like one. Moreover, Mg was observed to segregate along the (Al)/Al2Si2Ce interface and Sr was found to concentrate in the interior of Al2Si2Ce phase. Such heterostructured Sr–Al2Si2Ce was also supported by first-principles calculations. The synergistic morphology modification of eutectic (Si) and Al2Si2Ce phases by Sr addition stimulated the simultaneous improvement in strength and ductility in Al–Si–Mg–Ce alloy.

Robot operating system (ROS) is a widely used robotic software development framework. In safety-critical applications that require timing guarantees, the first generation of ROS falls short. The introduction of ROS 2 has addressed some of these limitations, but its multithreaded executor still struggles to meet real-time requirements. To address this issue, we design a new multithreaded executor called RTeX for ROS 2. The goal of RTeX is to improve system performance in terms of both run-time efficiency and timing predictability. We have implemented RTeX in the latest version of ROS 2 and conducted experiments on a real platform. The experimental results demonstrate that RTeX outperforms both the default ROS 2 multithreaded executor and its state-of-the-art variant, achieving significant real-time performance improvements.

The morphological evolution and growth behavior of Fe-rich phases in the Al−7.0Si−1.0Fe−1.2Mn alloy during melt holding were studied using scanning/transmission electron microscopy, thermodynamic calculations and synchrotron X-ray imaging. The results show that with a decrease in holding temperature, the Fe-rich phase underwent a morphological transformation from coarse star-like and polygonal structures to fine Chinese-script and coupled structures consisting of Chinese-script and polygonal shapes. The 3D structure of the star-like phase was composed of multibranched primary phases and irregular secondary phases; the coupled structure was composed of polyhedrons and dendrites; the Chinese-script phase was composed of dendrites. When the holding temperature was decreased, the number and volume fraction of Fe-rich phases were significantly reduced. A similar trend was also obtained for the largest volume particles and their connectivity. In situ synchrotron X-ray radiography results indicated that two types of primary Fe-rich phases were formed during the solidification process, and the smaller phase that remained in the melt could act as nucleation sites for the formation of the coupled eutectic structures.

The present study explores the physical and acoustic characteristics of fine sand and clay in novel seabed marine sediments from of Pakistan coastline of the Arabian Sea. The measured physical parameters included mean grain size, mass density, bulk density, salinity, porosity, permeability, pore size and mineralogical composition. Acoustic properties, including sound speed and attenuation, in the high frequency range of 90–170 kHz were analyzed. A controlled laboratory setup with the acoustic transmission method and Fourier transform techniques was utilized to examine the sound propagation and absorption of novel seabed sediments. The standard deviation of mean sound speed in fresh water was 0.75 m/s, and attenuation was observed in the range of 0.43 to 0.61 dB/m. The mean sound velocity in sand and clay varied from 1706 to 1709 m/s and 1602 to 1608 m/s, respectively. Corresponding average attenuation was observed at 80 to 93 dB/m in sandy sediments and from 31.8 to 38.6 dB/m in clayey sediments. Sound velocity variation within sandy sediment is low, consistent with expected results, and smaller than the predicted uncertainty. However, clay sediment exhibited a positive linear correlation and low sound speed variation. Attenuation increased linearly with frequency for both sediments. Finally, the laboratory results were validated by using the Biot–Stoll model. The dispersion of sound speed in sandy and clayey sediments was consistent with the predictions of the Biot–Stoll model. Measured attenuation aligned more with Biot–Stoll model predictions due to improved permeability, tortuosity and pore size parameter fitting.

Drought is one of the major abiotic stresses that limits apple production. Rootstocks provide roots for grafted fruit trees. The rootstocks absorb water and mineral nutrients and affect the growth and development of the tree and the quality of fruit and its yield. Furthermore, the appropriate rootstock for drought conditions is key to the sustainable production of apple (Malusspp.). Chistock #1 is a new semi-dwarfing apple rootstock. The drought tolerance of Chistock #1 was compared with that of M9, M26 and M. prunifoliathrough pot and field experiments. In pot experiments, drought tolerant rootstocks were selected by comparing the root configuration, leaf anatomical structure, electrical conductivity and SPAD value. The results showed that the roots of Chistock #1 and M. prunifoliawere long and well developed. Under drought stress, M. prunifoliacan close its stomata in time to reduce water loss, followed by Chistock #1 and M26, while M9 was the slowest at closing its stomata. After drought treatment, the leaf and palisade tissue thickness and SPAD value of Chistock #1 were the highest at 121.56 μm, 42.03 μm and 43.00 μm, respectively. The fruit yield and quality of different scion and rootstock combinations were measured in field experiments. A Fuji scion cultivar grafted to Chistock #1 had a higher yield and better quality as determined by its suitable ratio of total soluble solids and titratable acid. Finally, a membership function combined with a principal component analysis was used to comprehensively evaluate the drought tolerance of the four rootstocks. The results were as follows: Chistock #1 was the most drought tolerant of the four rootstock genotypes, M. prunifoliaand M26 were the second and third most drought tolerant rootstocks, while M9 was the least drought tolerant.

Communicating on millimeter wave (mmWave) bands is ushering in a new epoch of mobile communication which provides the availability of 10 Gbps high data rate transmission. However, mmWave links are easily prone to short transmission range communication because of the serious free space path loss and the blockage by obstacles. To overcome these challenges, highly directional beams are exploited to achieve robust links by hybrid beamforming. Accurately aligning the transmitter and receiver beams, i.e. beam training, is vitally important to high data rate transmission. However, it may cause huge overhead which has negative effects on initial access, handover, and tracking. Besides, the mobility patterns of users are complicated and dynamic, which may cause tracking error and large tracking latency. An efficient beam tracking method has a positive effect on sustaining robust links. This article provides an overview of the beam training and tracking technologies on mmWave bands and reveals the insights for future research in the 6th Generation (6G) mobile network. Especially, some open research problems are proposed to realize fast, accurate, and robust beam training and tracking. We hope that this survey provides guidelines for the researchers in the area of mmWave communications.

The problem of dynamic performance in accelerometer is a topic that has not reached a consensus in terms of definition, standards, experiment, and evaluation. In view of the problem that traditional methods of evaluating the dynamic performance of the accelerometer involve single indicators and that time and frequency indicators are not related, thus being ineffective in evaluating accelerometer, a method based on multiple indices in the time and frequency domain for evaluating the dynamic performance of the accelerometer is proposed. First, the accelerometer system structure and mathematical model are introduced, and the dynamic response test and analysis of the accelerometer are performed. Performance indices are defined separately in the time and frequency domains. Second, the accelerometer’s deterministic and stochastic performance is analyzed based on the defined indices. Finally, a method for evaluating the dynamic performance of the accelerometer is proposed, and a test platform is set up to validate the proposed method of evaluating the dynamic performance of the accelerometer. Simulated and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method, taking into account the time and frequency domain performance and the accuracy of the sensors and their application systems, can effectively evaluate the dynamic performance of the accelerometer.

Purpose: Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and remains a worldwide problem. Epidemiological studies have shown that aerobic exercise, as a noninvasive and low-cost intervention, can effectively reduce the risk of glaucoma by reducing Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) apoptosis. In addition, exercise also exerts neuroprotective effects by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, upregulating neurotrophic factors and mitochondrial function. Methods: To further analyze the relationship between exercise and glaucoma, the literature was searched through PubMed and Web of Science with the following keywords: “physical activity”, “exercise”, “glaucoma”, and “retinal disease”. All articles published between 1970 and 2022 and their references were retrieved. The focus was to analyze the neuroprotective mechanism of aerobic exercise in reducing the risk of glaucoma by reviewing relevant literature, and to lay a foundation for promoting and advocating aerobic exercise to  reduce the risk of glaucoma. Results: Apoptosis is the main death mechanism of RGC in glaucoma. The pathological mechanisms of RGC injury include increased inflammation, impaired neurotrophic factor transmission, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. Aerobic exercise can reduce vision loss in glaucoma patients by reducing RGC injury. Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise at least three times a week, within the guidelines recommended by physical activity guidelines, may reduce the risk of glaucoma. Conclusion: Aerobic exercise plays a neuroprotective role by reducing RGC apoptosis to reduce the risk of glaucoma. Therefore, aerobic exercise is recommended as an intervention to prevent and reduce the risk of glaucoma.

ABSTRACTIn the production process of blast furnace, the damage of cooler and tuyere sleeve and some operation problems often lead to ponding in the hearth. Steam will not only oxidize carbon bricks, but also lead to the falling off of solidification layer, which poses a great threat to the longevity of the hearth. By studying the influence of water vapour content change, the influence mechanism of water vapour on the interface between carbon brick and molten iron in blast furnace hearth is revealed. The results show that the entry of water vapour will isolate the molten iron and carbon brick, and oxidize in contact with the carbon brick, increase the ceramic phase, dissolve into the molten iron, destroy the carbon brick structure at the iron carbon interface, produce spalling, accelerate the destruction and falling off of the solidification layer, so as to reduce the service life of the blast furnace.

As important actors in global value chains (GVCs), multinational enterprises exercise coordination and control over worldwide commodity, production, service, workforce and knowledge mobility. A level playing field for all GVC stakeholders remains absent. We argue for empowering subordinated stakeholders in the design of inclusive GVC governance, as a necessary condition, to harness the power of GVCs that enable many firms to internationalise in the first place. We propose a Framework for Intervention at the level of civil society and five actions, using a revived form of multilateralism, to empower the economic "South" and fundamentally anchor change for human development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cause-effect chain is a sequence of multi-rate real-time tasks with data dependency. Cause-effect chains are generally subject to end-to-end timing constraints, especially in safety-critical systems. Communication paradigms greatly affect the end-to-end latency of cause-effect chains. This paper compares different communication paradigms (implicit communication, LET, DBP) with regards to the end-to-end latency of cause-effect chains using them, and proposes priority assignment strategies to optimize the end-to-end latency with specific communication paradigm. Experiments with synthesized data based on an automotive benchmark and randomly generated parameters are conducted to evaluate our results.

The study uses a unique dataset on the Taiwan Futures Exchange to determine the strategic order-splitting behavior and order aggressiveness of different types of traders. Results suggest that contrast to domestic institutional traders and individual traders, foreign institutional traders and futures proprietary firms are more liable to split their orders and the price adjustments after their trades are permanent.

Burns destroy the skin barrier and alter the resident bacterial community, thereby facilitating bacterial infection. To treat a wound infection, it is necessary to understand the changes in the wound bacterial community structure. However, traditional bacterial cultures allow the identification of only readily growing or purposely cultured bacterial species and lack the capacity to detect changes in the bacterial community. In this study, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to detect alterations in the bacterial community structure in deep partial-thickness burn wounds on the back of Sprague‐Dawley rats. These results were then compared with those obtained from the bacterial culture. Bacterial samples were collected prior to wounding and 1, 7, 14, and 21 days after wounding. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the number of resident bacterial species decreased after the burn. Both resident bacterial richness and diversity, which were significantly reduced after the burn, recovered following wound healing. The dominant resident strains also changed, but the inhibition of bacterial community structure was in a nonvolatile equilibrium state, even in the early stage after healing. Furthermore, the correlation between wound and environmental bacteria increased with the occurrence of burns. Hence, the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis reflected the bacterial condition of the wounds better than the bacterial culture. 16S rRNA sequencing in the Sprague‐Dawley rat burn model can provide more information for the prevention and treatment of burn infections in clinical settings and promote further development in this field.

China's automotive industry is seen as one of the big growth areas in the post-WTO era. We're pleased this month to have a comprehensive survey of the main issues in [...]

• A reliable CALPHAD thermodynamic database of al-Si-Mg-Sr system was established. • The quantitative composition-microstructure-properties relation was constructed. • The optimal Sr additional amount in A356 alloys was designed as 0.005 wt.%. • The strengthening/toughening mechanisms of Sr-modified A356 alloys were analyzed. A356 alloys are widely used in industries due to their excellent comprehensive performance. Sr is usually added in A356 alloys to improve their mechanical properties. There have been various experimental reports on the optimal additional amount of Sr in A356 alloys, but their results are inevitably inconsistent. In this paper, a combination of computational thermodynamic and machine learning approaches was employed to determine the optimal Sr content in A356 alloys with the best mechanical properties. First, a self-consistent thermodynamic database of quaternary Al-Si-Mg-Sr system was established by means of the Calculation of PHAse Diagram technique supported by key experiments. Second, the fractions for solidified phase/structures of A356- x Sr alloys predicted by Scheil simulation, together with the measured mechanical properties were set as the input dataset in the machine learning model to train the relation of "composition-microstructure-properties". The optimal addition of Sr in A356 alloy was designed as 0.005 wt.% and validated by key experiments. Furthermore, such a combinatorial approach can help to understand the strengthening/toughening mechanisms of Sr-modified A356 alloys. It is also anticipated that the present approach may provide a feasible means for efficient and accurate design of various casting alloys and understanding the alloy strengthening/toughening mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's regulations on auto financing are due out at the beginning of 2003. After a lengthy delay, the draft regulations were finally distributed in October this year. This key market [...]

Burns cause a loss of skin barrier function, rendering it prone to infection. The prevention of infection comprises a focus on the treatment of patients with burns. Therefore, we analysed the results of microbiological tests of patients with severe and extremely severe burns to provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of infection in patients with burns. The results of microbiological tests of patients with severe and extremely severe burns admitted to our burn centre between 2009 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The overall positive rate of microbial detection was 40.67% and did not significantly decline over the 10-year study period. The most common positive sites were wounds, sputum, and urine. The most common bacterial species causing the infections were Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Furthermore, the predictors of a positive detection, overall and at various sites, mainly included the burn area and depth, inhalation injury, and length of the hospital stay. Positive detection was an important predictor of the prognosis. In particular, a positive blood culture and Klebsiella pneumoniaehad better predictive strength for mortality than other sites and strains. This study analysed the microbiological testing results at a single burn centre over a period of 10 years. The results provide information regarding the predictors of a positive detection and the influence of a positive detection on prognosis, and can be used as a basis for the development of clinical infection prevention and treatment strategies, as well as the selection of treatment measures.

ABSTRACTOxide fibres have attracted considerable attention as protective layers for alumina composites. In this study, alumina (Al2O3f/Al2O3) matrix composites reinforced with continuous fibres were fabricated by a sol–gel process and were coated with Y2O3or ZrO2to improve their ablation resistance. The ablation behaviour of the coated composites was analysed under the oxyacetylene torch flame test. The results suggested that the Y2O3and ZrO2coatings as sacrificial barrier layers could protect the integrity of the composites. The linear ablation rate and mass ablation rate of composites with Y2O3coating were 0.00251 mm s−1and 0.00143 g s−1, respectively; the linear ablation rate and mass ablation rate of composites with ZrO2coating were 0.00142 mm s−1and 0.00112 g s−1, respectively. After a 120 s ablation test at 2200°C, the coatings still showed a stable structure and a high protection performance.

Background:Our recent studies demonstrated that both nintedanib, an FDA-approved quadruple kinase inhibitor, and gefitinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, protect against obstructive kidney disease. It remains unknown whether they have a synergistic effect. Methods:In this study, we investigated the effect of combined administration of nintedanib and gefitinib on renal fibrosis in a murine model of renal fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Results:Combined treatment with nintedanib and gefitinib after UUO resulted in a greater antifibrotic effect compared with their individual application. Mechanistically, administration of nintedanib blocked UUO-induced phosphorylation of multiple kinase receptors associated renal fibrosis, including platelet-derived growth factor receptors, fibroblast growth factor receptors, vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, and Src family kinase, while gefitinib inhibited EGFR phosphorylation. Their combination also exhibited a more pronounced effect in reducing expression of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2), increasing expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and suppressing renal proinflammatory cytokine expression and macrophage infiltration in the injured kidney. Furthermore, simultaneous administration of nintedanib and gefitinib was more potent in inhibiting UUO-induced renal phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3), nuclear factor-κB, and Smad-3 compared with monotherapy. In cultured renal interstitial fibroblasts, cotreatment with these 2 inhibitors also had synergistic effects in abrogating transforming growth factor β1-induced activation of renal fibroblasts and phosphorylation of Akt, STAT3, and Smad3. Conclusions:Combined application of nintedanib and gefitinib has a synergistic antifibrotic effect in the kidney and may hold translational potential for the treatment of chronic kidney disease.

Investment strategies for China's financial institutions that are going global, are presented. Strategic investors like Bank of America are seen to have helped state-owned banks prepare for the shift from investment target to global investor. Chinese banks and insurers also expect that making investments abroad would help them gain expertise especially in risk management.

The study evaluates Bangladesh–China relations through the ‘win-win cooperation’ lens and concludes with a ‘NOISE’ (Needs-Opportunities-Improvements-Strengths-Exceptions) analysis. Bangladesh, a South Asian developing nation, has maintained a strategic partnership with Beijing since the establishment of their diplomatic ties. However, the relationship gained exceptional momentum after Bangladesh’s inclusion in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Bangladesh’s need for growth-necessary financing and China’s massive foreign investment outlook have contributed to the growth of their economic engagements. The analysis suggests that the Bangladesh–China relationship exhibits ‘win-win cooperation’ dynamics. The study identified the significant trade gap, loan agreements, and disbursement delays, along with others, challenging the solid Bangladesh–China bilateral economic interactions. The Rohingya refugee crisis resolve and geopolitical competition among major powers are two non-bilateral issues that could potentially impact future Dhaka–Beijing relations. Overcoming the existing barriers could position Bangladesh–China relations as a model for smaller-major power bilateral relations, particularly for developing nations. It is a desk research by design. The findings of this study may provide insights to policymakers in addressing the existing barriers to meet future needs.

High pressure technology has been utilized as an important means to regulate phase structure and improve the properties/performance of alloys. The CALPHAD approach based on accurate databases has great advantages in efficient alloy design. However, the application of CALPHAD in high pressure field is hindered by the lack of reliable thermodynamic model/database for multicomponent alloys under pressure. In this paper, a phenomenologically thermodynamic model for multicomponent alloys under pressure is first developed by separating the contribution into two parts, one is at atmosphere pressure and the other is caused by an increase in pressure, and then successfully applied to establish the pressure-dependent thermodynamic database of ternary Al–Si–Mg system. The calculated phase equilibria/thermodynamic properties of pressure dependence in related alloys are in good agreement with the limited experimental data in the literature, validating the reliability of the obtained thermodynamic database. After that, a CALPHAD design framework for pressurized solidified alloys is proposed by integrating the present pressure-dependent thermodynamic model/database, CALPHAD-type calculations/simulations, and previously developed high-throughput calculation platform Malac-Distmas. Such a framework is finally applied to predict the pressurized solidification and high pressure heat treatment behaviors in different Al–Si–Mg alloys. The predicted microstructure, phase transitions and phase equilibria after pressurized solidification and high pressure heat treatment are consistent with the experimental data. Furthermore, the insights into effect of pressure on the thermodynamic essence of alloys are gained, which may definitely facilitate the advancement of alloy design under high pressure technology.

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus medicine in treating laryngopharyngeal reflux due to liverqi stagnation and spleen deficiency. Methods: A total of 70 patients were divided into a control group and an observation group by the random number table method, with 35 cases in each group. Both groups were treated with conventional medications, and the observation group was treated with additional acupuncture therapy. The reflux symptom index (RSI) and reflux finding score (RFS) were evaluated. Esophageal motility indicators such as lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) and upper esophageal sphincter pressure (UESP), and salivary pepsin level were measured. The clinical efficacy was also compared. Results: The total effective rate of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the RSI and RFS scores in both groups decreased significantly (all P<0.05), and the RSI and RFS scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (both P<0.05). There were no significant changes in the LESP and UESP in the control group (both P>0.05), while LESP and UESP in the observation group increased significantly (both P<0.05), and higher than those in the control group (both P<0.05). The salivary pepsin levels in both groups decreased (both P<0.05), and the salivary pepsin level in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture plus medicine can improve symptoms and signs in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux due to liver-qi stagnation and spleen deficiency, and regulate esophageal motility and salivary pepsin level. Its efficacy is more significant compared with medicine alone.

The evolution of the 3D Fe-rich phases of Al–7.0Si–1.2Fe alloys with different Mn contents was visualized and characterized using synchrotron X-ray computed tomography, and the effect of Fe-rich phases with typical morphologies on the fracture behavior during tensile testing was analyzed. The results showed that the Fe-rich phase changed from platelet-like β-Al5FeSi into α-Al15(FeMn)3Si2with various morphologies after the addition of Mn. The Mn addition not only significantly reduced the volume fraction, equivalent diameter and interconnectivity of the Fe-rich phase but also greatly increased the sphericity, surface thickness, and distribution of the mean curvature and surface thickness. Furthermore, the equivalent diameter of α-Al15(FeMn)3Si2had an inverse exponential function relationship with its sphericity. The 3D morphology of α-Al15(FeMn)3Si2can be summarized as massive and regular polyhedrons, hollow and regular polyhedrons, and multibranched polyhedrons. The fraction of the different 3D morphologies in each alloy is related to the Mn content, where excess Mn increased the number and volume fraction of the large Fe-rich particles with a low sphericity. The ductility of each alloy was significantly improved by the addition of Mn but gradually decreased when the Mn/Fe ratio exceeded 1.2. The increase in large α-Al15(MnFe)3Si2with a low sphericity was the main reason for the decreased ductility of alloys with a high Mn content.

To meet the operating requirements of hypersonic flight vehicles in the atmosphere environment, microstructure and mechanical property of 2.5D Al2O3f/SiO2composites by thermal shock and fatigue were investigated and compared. After 100000 fatigue tests, cracks hardly formed on the sample surface, and the interfacial bonding or fiber property was barely affected. However, after thermal shock and fatigue tests, the composites underwent typical brittle fracture and had the lowest fracture strength. The mass loss was less than 1%, and the flexural strength reached to 55.6 MPa, with the retention ratio of only 51.1%. The mechanical property degradation of the composites after tests was closely related to microstructure evolution.

A combination of system dynamics and association mining is employed to explain the various factors that affect the application of the intelligent cultural networks for marketing analysis. A new framework for a proper understanding and managing of cultural differences in the marketing field is also presented.

In terms of the motion planning problem of spacecraft proximity operations with obstacle avoidance under low uncertainty, the improved equal-collision-probability-curve and improved linear quadratic regulator (IECPC-ILQR) strategy is proposed. Firstly, the novel function of the IECPC algorithm is developed to generate the avoidance control impulse. Subsequently, the ILQR is designed to track the reference trajectory. Furthermore, combining the improved ECPC algorithm with the ILQR controller, the composite controller of the IECPC-ILQR strategy is obtained and is implemented on the chaser spacecraft. Compared with the traditional ECPC algorithm, the IECPC-ILQR strategy can avoid collision in the presence of low uncertainty. Furthermore, the proposed avoidance strategy can obtain higher control precision while requiring the same fuel. Finally, numerical simulations verify the effectiveness of the proposed IECPC-ILQR strategy.

Oil mixing and absence of source-rock samples make it difficult to identify the hydrocarbon migration routes in a petroleum system. We provide a case study in the northwestern Junggar Basin to show that combined geochemical and phase fractionation analyses are robust tools to unravel the complex hydrocarbon migration processes. The study rebuilds a migration history that multiple-sourced hydrocarbons migrated, mixed, accumulated, and fractionated along the evolution of regional tectonics. In detail, the Shawan and Mahu sags expelled the early-stage hydrocarbons during the Late Triassic and Late Jurassic, respectively, because of their variable subsidence. These hydrocarbons charged the entire area based on the evidence from bitumen and oil inclusions. During the Early Cretaceous, both sags subsided rapidly and expelled their late-stage hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons first mixed along unconformities in the sags, which generated mixed-source oils and induced gas washing. Subsequently, they further mixed with or displaced the encountered early-stage oils during migration along the basal unconformity of the upper Permian into the area, causing a horizontal distribution of oil maturity zones. In addition, gases flowing through the early-stage oils induced gas washing again, creating heavy oils, condensate oils, and mixed gases. After the late-stage oils finally accumulated in fractured volcanics, migration fractionation caused the remigration of light-end compositions. This study also shows the strong control of structures on hydrocarbon migration: the unconformity network provided opportunities for longdistance migration and widespread mixing of multiple-sourced hydrocarbons, whereas the paleoridge line of the Zhongguai high defined the boundary of regional migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a direct co-precipitation method was used to prepare antimony-doped calcium fluoride nanopowders (NPs). The effects of reaction concentration, reaction medium and lanthanum doping on the properties of calcium fluoride NPs were investigated via a control variable method and the best preparation conditions was identified. The structural analysis of the powder materials prepared in this work were carried out by XRD, SEM, ICP and other test methods. By analyzing the experimental data, we found that the best performance of Eu-doped CaF2 NPs can be acquired under the reaction concentration of 1 mol/L in aqueous solution. In the same time, the NPs possess a high degree of dispersion with an average diameter of 22 nm, which is beneficial to the preparation of transparent Eu3+: CaF2 ceramics with excellent up-conversion luminescence. The results show that the grain size, the crystallinity of the NPs and the amount of Eu infiltration have a decreasing tendency with the increasing reaction concentration, while the degree of agglomeration of the NPs can be enhanced by increasing the reaction concentration.

A most-favored-nation (MFN) treatment clause was included in the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), an unprecedented addition for a multilateral international trade in services agreement. However, MFN treatment should be unconditional, rather than the conditional or reciprocal approach advocated by nations including the US. Unconditional MFN can provide efficient access to low-cost financial services, while conditional reciprocity can hinder trade and raise customers' costs.

The purpose of this paper is to study the durability and performance of photovoltaic glass components in salt spray environments. So it can be founed that a reasonable solution to increase the life of PV glass and to ensure the continuity of its performance. The PVB film was used for the comparison and performance analysis of the salt spray treatment of salt water at one week and two weeks. The PVB film was tested for the light transmission performance and other mechanical properties changes of PVB film. It was shown that the strength of the PV module sample after one week of salt spray treatment is 26.48508MPa, and the strength of the sample after two weeks of salt spray treatment of the PV module is 13.35496MPa. The direct sunlight transmittance ratio of A groups (300 ~ 2500nm) is 94.50. Direct sunlight transmission ratio of B groups (300 ~ 2500nm) is 92.30. The results show that the light transmission performance of the PV module after salt spray cycle is reduced by 2.3%, and the strength is obviously decreased by 49.57%.

Alumina ceramics are widely used in the demanding high temperature applications in which the high temperature elastic moduli (EHT) is a key property for their reliability and safety. In this paper, the elastic modulus of alumina was determined by dynamic method (impulse excitation technique) and static tests (three-point bending test and four-point bending test). For the static tests, the relative method was applied to determine the accurate deflection measurement in the heating furnace. The measured results revealed that the modulus of alumina slowly decreased from RT to 1000 °C and rapidly decreased with the increasing temperatures from 1000 °C to 1300°C. The EHT evaluated by dynamic method were higher than that tested by static tests with the reason of that impulse excitation technique only applied small forces onto a sample such that defects activity is negligible. Also the resonant frequencies couldn’t be measured easily at high temperature, because the vibration signal emitted by the sample was weak. The static approaches combined with relative method were beyond the limit to high temperatures, and they can be also used to evaluate the ultra-high temperature modulus.

Tensile bond strength is one of the most significant properties for structural silicone sealants used in the glass curtain walls. During the service process, aging of the silicone sealants shall be involved in comprehensive actions of environment factors, e.g. temperature, humidity, and ultraviolet light etc. In this study, artificial accelerated aging test was conducted to make clear the development of tensile bond strength, Shore hardness and elongation. The test results show that: (i) the specimens under damp-heat test have more degeneration than specimens under humidity-freeze test; (ii) the environment of high temperature and high humidity leads to the change of tensile bond, Shore hardness, elongation, and results in interfacial failure of samples.

The residual stress on the surface of tempered glass is very important for its safe service and the quality control. In this study, the sphere indentation and grazing angle surface polarimetry are compared to evaluate the surface residual stress of tempered glass. The test results showed that the measured results are similar, but the data dispersion of the sphere indentation method is little larger. The main reason is stemmed from the different tested area, of which residual stress is a mean value measured by the grazing angle polarization method. Yet for the indentation method, the residual stress in the micro region of glass is more susceptible to the inhomogeneity of material itself. However, it is difficult to select the right multiple optical path difference for the grazing angle polarization method, and it is only applicable when inspecting the tin surface of tempered glass, as well as the tin surface examination instrument. Thus, as a nondestructive testing method, indentation method can be widely used to measure the surface residual stress of glass without being influenced by other factors.

The spherical indentation combined with acoustic emission was used to evaluate the local strength of glass, which is a nondestructive testing approach. However, stress time effect on the local strength of glass during spherical indentation has not been studied before. In the present work, stress time effect was investigated by examining the local strength of unstrengthened and strengthened glass at different loading rates. It is discovered that the local strength of glass increased greatly with the loading rate, which confirmed the time dependence of the fracture on glass. As a typical brittle material, the discreteness of strength date of glass measured by spherical indentation was also analyzed to evaluate the strength of glass correctly.

To investigate the effectiveness and safety of Zhu-yuan decoction (ZYD) in patients after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS).