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This paper performs a Monte Carlo CLEAN (MC-CLEAN) spectral analysis with high-resolution electrical image log data and interpret the high-resolution formation sequence by investigating the cycles in the sediments. Firstly, in order to perform a spectral analysis with high-resolution electrical image log data, the background conductivity log curve was extracted from the borehole image. Secondly, the MC-CLEAN spectrum analysis method was used to isolate all the peaks of the logging signal. Then the 95% significance level of the CLEAN spectrum was calculated to identify the true period of the formation by Monte Carlo simulation. Finally, the MC-CLEAN spectral analysis method was applied in the two shale intervals from Lower Pannonian interval of Vienna basin to identify the stratigraphic cycles. The analysis results showed that the identified cycles in the sedimentary record good matched the Milankovitch cycles. This paper provided a new approach of identifying stratigraphic cycles and interpreting high-resolution sequence stratigraphy.

An Ag/AgBr/Bi5O7I heterojunction was developed using a simple in situ co-precipitation method. Ag/AgBr nanoparticles were tightly bound to Bi5O7I, improving charge transfer at the heterojunction interface. The photocatalytic activities of the Ag/AgBr/Bi5O7I composites were studied by monitoring the photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and through the generation of a transient photocurrent under visible-light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). The Ag/AgBr/Bi5O7I composites displayed enhanced photocatalytic activities compared to either pure Ag/AgBr or Bi5O7I. Charge carrier behavior was investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) which indicated the enhanced separation and transfer of photogenerated electrons and holes, thus giving to the higher photocatalytic activity. The high-performance semiconductor heterojunction developed in this work is a good candidate for photocatalytic application.

Sialon-SiC composite powders were synthesized from kyanite tailings through the carbothermal reduction nitridation (CRN) technique. Using Sialon-SiC composites to substitute Si3N4 composites via the CRN technique synthesize Sialon/Si3N4-SiC composite refractories. The phase composition, cross section morphology, and the substituent amount of Sialon-SiC composites impact on refractories mechanical properties were investigated, respectively. The optimized synthesis temperature for the CRN reaction was found to be 1550 °C for 4 h with the excess carbon 20%. The substituent amount of Sialon-SiC was 25%, the mechanical properties of Sialon/Si3N4-SiC composite refractories reached optimal performance, which bending strength value was 41.8 MPa and compression strength value was 61.6 MPa.

ZrO2 fibers and belts have been fabricated by heat-treating the hybrid fibers and belts which were prepared by electrospinning method. Fiber and belt properties, for instance, surface morphology, diameter of fibers, crystallization formation, etc. were investigated by various techniques, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectrum (EDS) included. It was found that more belts and thicker fibers appeared with increasing PVP content. Using N,N,N-trimethyl-1-dodecanaminium bromide (DTAB) can avoid formation of belts and reduce the diameter of fibers from a range of 270 to 750 nm to a range of 90 to 150 nm. It all obtained monoclinic ZrO2 fibers and belts after heat-treating (respectively at 700, 800, 900 °C) hybrid fibers and belts. The higher temperature heat-treatment leads rougher fibers and belts.

Super-grade bauxite, pure silicon carbide, andalusite and metal silicon were used as the raw materials to produce plastic phase mullite-SiC bricks. By analysis of the microstructure, physical and chemical properties, it proves that the introduction of metal plastic phase can improve the properties of bricks, such as lower porosity, higher cold crush strength, and wearing resistance. It also can improve the toughness, and effectively relieve the thermal and mechanical stress when using in cement kilns. By analysis of the comparison with MA spinel bricks and ordinary mullite-SiC bricks, the plastic phase mullite-SiC bricks have good thermal shock resistance and lower thermal conductivity. The result shows that the bricks can replace MA spinel bricks using in the transition zone of cement kilns and realizes the aim of saving energy and a long service life.

Cordierite samples were prepared using quartz sand tailings, industrial alumina and magnesite tailings as raw materials by high-temperature reaction. The influence of mineral composition and sintering temperature on the final phase composition and physical properties of cordierite were studied. The results shown that a large number of cordierite generated at 1300 °C. When the ratio of Al2O3/SiO2 equals to 1.08, the flexural strength of samples increased to 27.66 MPa.

Mullite material was prepared from quartz (SiO2) and industrial alumina (γ-Al2O3). The effects of mineral composition and sintering temperature on the final phase composition and physical properties of mullite were investigated. The results shown that a large number of mullite phase was emerged in samples when the ratio of alumina to silica (A/S) was 2.55. At 1500 oC and 1600 oC, the flexural strength of the samples reached to 87.13 MPa and 89.50 MPa, respectively. Consider the environmental protection and energy saving, the optimal sintering temperature was 1500 °C.

The performance and phase behavior of Quartz - Aluminum Matrix Composites at different temperatures were studied. Quartz aluminum matrix composites were prepared by powder metallurgy method. At the temperature that was less than 660.4°C(the melting point of aluminum), a portion of quartz was happened decomposition and revivification to silicon, most aluminum still existed in the form of metal aluminum. All quartz were happened at the temperature that was higher than 660.4°C. When the temperature is 700°C, the compressive strength of S5(added 40% quartz) is up to 46.02MP. The higher the value of compressive strength was, the less the amount of quartz were happened decomposition. At the temperature more than the melting point of aluminum, Quartz was revivification to silicon, aluminum is oxidized to Al2O3. When the amount of silica exceeded 10%, the mechanical properties of composites declined consequently.

Phosphate minerals of apatite from three mines with different amounts of gangue minerals were activated by milling to increase their microcrystallinity and subsequent dissolution in a citric acid solution to serve as slow-release fertilizers for agricultural production. XRD (X-ray diffraction), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared), and SEM (Scanning electron microscope) were employed to characterize the properties of the prepared samples, such as changes in microcrystallinity, mineral composition, lattice structure, and granule morphology during the milling. With prolonged milling time, accompanied with the progress in microcrystallinity, the ratio of the formed amorphous compositions increased, resulting in higher dissolution in citric acid solution. In the case of carrot plants, the addition of the microcrystalline phosphate rock together with phosphorus bacteria allowed an efficient nutrient (P, K, and N) uptake as high as 77.0%, 36.7%, and 32.2%, which increased by 91.3%, 123.0%, and 105.2%, respectively, from the growth on an original soil without any addition, demonstrating clear contribution of the activated apatites in agricultural production.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) plays a key role in type II diabetes and Alzheimer's diseases, to which non-ATP competitive inhibitors represent an effectively therapeutical approach due to their good specificity. Herein, a series of small molecules benzothiazepinones (BTZs) as novel non-ATP competitive inhibitors of GSK-3β have been designed and synthesized. The in vitro evaluation performed by luminescent assay showed most BTZ derivatives have inhibitory effects in micromolar scale. Among them compounds 6l, 6t and 6v have the IC50 values of 25.0 μM, 27.8 μM and 23.0 μM, respectively. Moreover 6v is devoid of any inhibitory activity in the assays to other thirteen protein kinases. Besides, SAR is analyzed and a hypothetical enzymatic binding mode is proposed by molecular docking study, which would be useful for new candidates design.

In this paper, SiC nanowires were successfully synthesized on Si substrate by the thermal evaporation method without the assistance of a metal catalyst. The phase composition, morphology and microstructure of the SiC–SiO 2 core–shell nanowires were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The SiC nanowires produced grew along the [111] direction and had diameters of 50–100 nm with lengths of several hundreds of microns. The SiC nanowire was composed of a single-crystalline SiC core with a thin amorphous SiO 2 shell. The growth mechanism of the nanowires can be explained by the vapor–solid (VS) process.

Chimonanthus praecox and Chimonanthus salicifolius are two native plants in China. In this study, the genetic diversity and differentiation within and among 17 natural populations of these two species were evaluated using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. Pronounced genetic differentiation occurred between these two species ( Φ ST = 0.3364). For both species, the genetic diversity was low at the population level ( Ch. praecox : PPL = 32.49%, h = 0.0968, I = 0.1488; Ch. salicifolius : PPL = 34.25%, h = 0.1192, I = 0.1777), but relatively higher at the species level ( Ch. praecox : PPL = 86.03%, h = 0.1552, I = 0.2635; Ch. salicifolius : PPL = 81.25%, h = 0.2401, I = 0.3684). The hierarchical AMOVA revealed high levels of among-population genetic differentiation in both species, in-line with the gene differentiation coefficient and the limited among-population gene flow ( Ch. praecox : Φ ST = 0.4650, G ST = 0.3784, N m = 0.8213; Ch. salicifolius : Φ ST = 0.5912, G ST = 0.5036, N m = 0.4929). A significant isolation-by-distance pattern was revealed in Ch. salicifolius ( r = 0.703, P = 0.048), but not in Ch. praecox ( r = 0.168, P = 0.185). Based on these data, effective conservation strategies were proposed for these two species.

Objectives to examine the rate of periconceptional and optimal folic acid supplementation, and to characterise their patterns and determinants among antenatal women in central China. Design data from 4290 women in the Anhui Birth Defects and Child Development Cohort Study recruited between October 2008 and September 2009 were analysed. Setting seven Maternal and Child Health Centres of two cities (Hefei and Maanshan) in Anhui province of central China. Participants women initiating prenatal care were included and asked to complete a structured questionnaire regarding folic acid supplementation. Findings sixty-eight per cent (2905/4290) of pregnant women reported taking folic acid supplementation periconceptionally (i.e. at some point before or during early pregnancy), and 32.8% (1405/4290) and 65.2% (2797/4290) had taken it before or during early pregnancy, respectively. However, only 16.1% (690/4290) used it optimally (i.e. regularly from four weeks before pregnancy throughout four weeks after pregnancy). Use of periconceptional folic acid was significantly associated with educational level, household income, registered residence, age, gestational age at recruitment, and planning of pregnancy. Conclusion optimal folic acid supplementation was relatively low. Implications for practice further efforts are needed to inform the population and promote the use of folic acid supplementation.

Solid particle erosion tests have been conducted on three different alumina-based refractories at elevated temperatures up to 1400 °C, using sharp SiC particles between 325 and 830 μm in diameter. The impact speed is 50 m/s and the impact angle is varied between 30° and 90°. The objective of this study is to ascertain the effects of temperature and impact angle on the erosion resistance of alumina refractories. The experimental results reveal that the alumina-based refractories, in general, exhibit increasing erosion resistance with increasing temperature and decreasing impact angle, with the minimum erosion rate at 1200 °C and 30° impact angle. Chrome corundum refractory brick is the most resistant to vertical erosion, due to its highest alumina content, and associated hardness and density, as well as strongly bonded aggregate and binder phase. The primary material removal mechanisms are fracture and chipping of binder phase and aggregate, as well as aggregate pull-out.

This study aims at developing a process technique, which can deposit porous scaffold-like hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings on strong ceramic substrates. As a first trial, micro-porous HA coatings on strong zirconia-based substrates are fabricated by the following technique—consisting of low-density HA-slip coating-deposition on the micro-porous substrates pre-sintered at 900 °C, and coating-substrate co-sintering at 1300 °C. The final co-sintering process ensures a strong bonding between the HA coating and the zirconia-based substrate after minimizing the mismatch in thermal expansion coefficients by adding alumina in HA coating and HA in zirconia-based substrate. The presence of porosity in the HA coating also reduces the mismatch. HA decomposition during the co-sintering process is discussed.

A new metal–Sialon based ceramic composite of FeMo–Sialon has been processed using Si3N4, α-Al2O3 and FeMo70 alloy powders as the main raw materials. To explain why this composite has excellent mechanical properties, microstructure characterizations are carried out using the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). The results show that FeMo, FeSi2 and Mo have formed an alloy mixture of Mo–Fe–Si in the FeMo–Sialon ceramic composite. Elongated β-Sialon crystals, interlacing with each other, vary in size. The Y-SiAlON glass, as an inter-granular phase, surrounds the grain boundaries of β-Sialon crystals. Some of β-Sialon crystals are semi-surrounded by dumbbell-like Mo–Fe–Si particles. The good mechanical properties of FeMo–Sialon composite are greatly dependent on the elongated Sialon grains and Mo–Fe–Si particles with interlocking structures.

Saruma henryi Oliv. (Aristolochiaceae) is an endangered herb endemic to China. In this study, chloroplast microsatellites (cpSSRs) and sequences of the atpB-rbcL intergenic spacers were employed to reveal its genetic diversity and phylogeographic patterns. We detected high within-species genetic diversity (H(T)=0.939 for cpSSR; H(T)=0.862 for atpB-rbcL) and pronounced among-population genetic differentiation (H(S)=0.182, G(ST)=0.811, R(ST)=0.9, F(ST)=0.93 for cpSSR; H(S)=0.238, G(ST)=0.724, N(ST)=0.758, F(ST)=0.79 for atpB-rbcL) with a strong phylogeographic pattern (R(ST)G(ST), P0.01 for cpSSR; N(ST)G(ST), U=0.25 for atpB-rbcL). Eleven haplotypes were distinguished by cpSSRs and atpB-rbcL intergenic spacers, respectively. The molecular phylogenetic data, together with the geographic distribution of the haplotypes, suggested the existence of multiple localized glacial refugia in Mts. Qinling, eastern Mts. Bashan and the southeastern edge of Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. Nested clade analysis (NCA) and population genetic analyses supported the limited gene flow (caused by low dispersal capacity and complex topography of its habitats) as the major factor responsible for the strong population differentiation and phylogeographic pattern. Past fragmentation and allopatric fragmentation were inferred as important processes responsible for the modern phylogeograhpic pattern. In addition, contiguous range expansions occurred in western Mts. Qinling and eastern Mts. Bashan.

Nd-Sialon microcrystals with a novel orthogonal array morphology were developed by inducing catalysis of Fe for the first time, via a combination of vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) and vapor-solid (VS) growth mechanisms. The chemical composition of Nd-Sialon crystals was determined to be NdSi 5.4 Al 1.6 O 0.6 N 9.4 . The morphology of the tips strongly depended on the relative position of the liquid droplet to the crystal. Furthermore, the crystal growth process of Nd-Sialon microcrystals with the novel morphology was discussed. The Nd-Sialon single crystal shows UV-to-blue emission when it is excited by a wavelength of 325 nm. Nd-Sialon is envisioned to have potential in many functional applications, such as white LEDs, detector arrays, MEMS, and optical components. This work shines a light on the growth of Nd-Sialon single crystals for potential laser application.

To describe the pattern of drug use among Chinese women during the first trimester and to examine the impact of maternal diseases on the choice of drugs. This drug utilisation study of pregnant women was performed using data from the ABCD cohort study. A total of 4,290 women were enrolled in the analysis. Information was collected by self-completion questionnaire combined with the “Maternal health handbook”. Of the 4,290 women interviewed, 75.9% of women took at least one drug during the first trimester. Users took a mean number of 1.43 drugs. The most frequently used drugs were folic acid (65.2%), vitamins (14.6%), calcium (12.0%), minerals (11.1%), Chinese traditional patent medicine (CTPM; 10.1%) and anti-infectives (6.5%). Among the women having used CTPM, influenza/cold and threatened abortion were the most commonly reported indications. Logistic regression analysis of drug use (excluding nutritional and haematological drugs) shows that CTPM and Western medicine are both associated with the use of drugs for occasional diseases and against threatened abortion. Maternal chronic diseases were not associated with the use of CTPM. This analysis of pregnant women showed that drugs were prescribed to most women, even when nutritional and haematological drugs were excluded. Our data reflect, except for drugs used for chronic diseases, a general reluctance among Chinese women to use Western medicine and resorting to CTPM during pregnancy