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PurposeThis paper aims to establish the relationship between crosswind speed and pantograph-catenary lateral deviation, as well as quantify the influence of crosswind speed and rod size uncertainty on pantograph-catenary contact reliability.Design/methodology/approachThe closed vector method is used to establish the pantograph-catenary kinematics formula. A new prediction model is proposed by using the bird swarm algorithm to optimize the grey model. The lateral deviation of the pantograph and catenary is predicted via the new model. Then the relationship between the effective length of the rod and operating mileage is inferred by combining the effective length theory with the Gamma process, as well as the pantograph-catenary contact reliability model is established according to reliability theory.FindingsThe results obtained show the impacts of uncertainty design parameters of pantograph rods on pantograph-catenary contact reliability index, and the results at crosswind speed of 0 ms−1 and 5 ms−1 are 5.0630 and 4.1442, respectively. The reliability decreases with the increasing crosswind speed, and can be greater than the reliability calculated for rod size degradation due to long-term use.Originality/valueMost preceding works on pantograph-catenary contact reliability were based on principles of dynamics, without considering the pantograph-catenary relative motion. This research reveals the law of pantograph-catenary relative motion for uncertainty design parameters and crosswind, and quantifies the reliability from the angle of kinematics.

Deep blue fluorescent materials are crucial in the commercialization of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) for full-color displays or solid-state lighting sources. In this work, a series of aromatic ring compounds, based on a newly designed 2-(pyridine-4-yl)-3-phenyl-1H-benzo[g]indole core, have been synthesized, on which donor (D) and acceptor (A) groups are bonded in a Ψ-type configuration, forming a D–π–A–π–D structure. The electronic structure and photophysical properties have been explored, as well as the applications in the blue OLEDs. The results show that multistate couplings exist between the three D–π–A–π–D moieties, resulting in a high photoluminescence quantum yield up to 76.01% peaking at around 410 nm, and a depressed efficiency roll-off at high luminance. The deep blue OLEDs based on CzCNBPyIp emitter exhibits stable emission peaking at 416 nm with a negligible efficiency roll-off at a high luminance range of 1 000–10 000 cd m−2, and corresponding CIEx,y = (0.162, 0.085) and maximum EQE = 2.6%, making it one of the highest performing solution-processed deep blue fluorescent devices. This work provides an alternative method for the deep blue fluorescent material design toward solution processing OLEDs.

Salidroside (Sal) is a natural antioxidant that elicits cardioprotective and neuroprotective effects in vivo and in vitro; however, its impact on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of salidroside against segmental (70%) warm hepatic I/R injury in rats. Animals were randomized into Sham, Sham+salidroside pretreatment (Sal), Sham+Sal+carboxyatractyloside (CATR), Sham+CATR, I/R, I/R+Sal, I/R+Sal+CATR and I/R+CATR groups. The hepatic artery, left portal vein and median liver lobes were occluded for 60min and then unclamped to allow reperfusion. Pretreatment with salidroside (20mg/kg/day for 7 days, intraperitoneally) significantly decreased serum alanine aminotransferase (sALT) and serum aspartate aminotransferase (sAST) levels after 6h and 24h of reperfusion and protected the liver against I/R-induced injury. However, this protective effect could be reversed by CATR, a mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opener (5mg/kg 30min before I/R insult, intraperitoneally). Mechanistic studies have revealed that salidroside inhibits glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β) activity and enhances the NF-E2-related factor (Nrf2)-dependent antioxidant response by activating the Akt signaling pathway, thereby reducing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation, increasing MPTP resistance and preventing apoptosis by suppressing cytochrome c release and caspase activation during reperfusion. Therefore, salidroside ameliorates hepatocyte death and apoptosis through activation of the GSK-3β/Nrf2-dependent antioxidant response and subsequent MPTP inhibition. These results provide experimental evidence supporting the clinical use of salidroside for hepatoprotection in surgical settings.

Background Irisin is a novel exercise-induced myokine involved in the regulation of adipose browning and thermogenesis. In this study, we investigated the potential role of irisin in cerebral ischemia and determined whether irisin is involved in the neuroprotective effect of physical exercise in mice. Materials and methods The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was used to produce cerebral ischemia in mice. First, the plasma irisin levels and changes in expression of the irisin precursor protein FNDC5 in skeletal muscle were determined post ischemic stroke. Second, the association between plasma irisin levels and the neurological deficit score, brain infarct volume, or plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β in mice with MCAO were evaluated. Third, the therapeutic effect of irisin on ischemic brain injury was evaluated in vivo and in vitro. Recombinant irisin was injected directly into the tail vein 30min after the MCAO operation, and then the effects of irisin treatment on brain infarct volume, neurological deficit, neuroinflammation, microglia activation, monocyte infiltration, oxidative stress and intracellular signaling pathway activation (Akt and ERK1/2) were measured. Irisin was also administered in cultured PC12 neuronal cells with oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD). Finally, to assess the potential involvement of irisin in the neuroprotection of physical exercise, mice were exercised for 2weeks and an irisin neutralizing antibody was injected into these mice to block irisin 1h before the MCAO operation. Results The plasma irisin concentration and intramuscular FNDC5 protein expression decreased after ischemic stroke. Plasma irisin levels were negatively associated with brain infarct volume, the neurological deficit score, plasma TNF-α and plasma IL-6 concentrations. In OGD neuronal cells, irisin protected against cell injury. In mice with MCAO, irisin treatment reduced the brain infarct volume, neurological deficits, brain edema and the decline in body weight. Irisin treatment inhibited activation of Iba-1+ microglia, infiltration of MPO-1+ monocytes and expression of both TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA. Irisin significantly suppressed the levels of nitrotyrosine, superoxide anion and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) in peri-infarct brain tissues. Irisin treatment increased Akt and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, while blockade of Akt and ERK1/2 by specific inhibitors reduced the neuroprotective effects of irisin. Finally, the exercised mice injected with irisin neutralizing antibody displayed more severe neuronal injury than the exercised mice injected with control IgG. Conclusion Irisin reduces ischemia-induced neuronal injury via activation of the Akt and ERK1/2 signaling pathways and contributes to the neuroprotective effect of physical exercise against cerebral ischemia, suggesting that irisin may be a factor linking metabolism and cardio-cerebrovascular diseases.

Localization of the epileptogenic zone (EZ) is essential for the successful surgical treatment of medically intractable epilepsy. In the present study, stereo-EEG (SEEG) recordings were obtained from seven patients underwent presurgical evaluation for treatment of intractable epilepsy. Partial directed coherence (PDC) analysis was applied to construct peri-ictal effective connectivity networks. The graphic measures, in-degree, out-degree and betweenness centrality, were evaluated to localize the EZ. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to quantify the localization accuracy. We found that the in-degree coincided well with the EZ identified by epileptologists' visual inspection in all seven patients who had a significant improvement in seizure outcomes, however, the other two measures were effective only in some cases. Furthermore, in all seven patients the electrode contact with the highest in-degree was always located within the EZ identified by epileptologists' visual inspection. These results indicate that the graph theory is an effective method to localize the EZ when suitable graphic measures were chosen. Furthermore, the in-degree was the most effective measure among the three graphic measures in localizing the EZ when the PDC method was used.

To compare the incidences of positive hemodynamic response (HR > 100 beats min−1 or SBP > 160 mmHg) during abdominal exploration and moderate pain after surgery, when using dexmedetomidine infusion and rectus sheath block. One hundred patients undergoing open gastrectomy were randomized to receive rectus sheath block with ropivacaine (Group B, n = 25), initial loading dose of 0.6 μg kg−1 dexmedetomidine, followed by a continuous infusion of 0.2 μg kg−1 h−1 throughout surgery (Group D, n = 25), both rectus sheath block and dexmedetomidine (Group BD, n = 25), or neither rectus sheath block nor dexmedetomidine (Group C, n = 25). General anesthesia techniques were standardized. HR, SBP, and positive hemodynamic response at peritoneum incision (TPI), 5 min (TAE-5), 10 min (TAE-10), and 15 min (TAE-15) after the start of abdominal exploration, and incidences of moderate postoperative pain were recorded. Positive hemodynamic responses during abdominal exploration were more common in Groups B (82%) and C (74%) than in Groups D (14%) and BD (9%) (all P = 0.000). HR and SBP were lower in Groups D and BD, compared with those in Groups C and B (all P

Three-dimensional gas–solid flow in a dual-column slot-rectangular spouted bed (DSRSB) with a suspended partition was studied experimentally and numerically. Predictions from the coupled computational fluid dynamics and discrete element method (CFD–DEM) were compared with experimental measurements based on pressure transducers and an optical fibre probe. The suspended partition position had little effect on particle velocity and voidage under stable spouting conditions. The predicted total pressure drops were in reasonable agreement with experimental values. For steady spouting, particle velocity and bed voidage were strongly influenced by static bed height. Solids exchange between the two chambers was modelled. The solids exchange rate decreased slightly with time as predicted by the DEM model. Raising the suspended partition facilitated solids exchange between the chambers. Measured profiles of pressure, voidage and particle velocity were in good agreement with simulation predictions, demonstrating the capability of the numerical model for predicting such flows.

Efficient green fluorescent and phosphorescent inverted organic light emitting devices (IOLEDs) with a non-doped charge generation unit (CGU) of NPB/MoO3/Al/LiF as an electron injector have been developed. It is found that the electrons are generated effectively at the NPB/MoO3 interface and injected from MoO3 to the electron transporting layer via assistant electron injection layers of Al/LiF. More importantly, the performance of the devices shows insensitivity to the work function of the used cathode. Under the optimal structure of NPB(10 nm)/MoO3(5 nm)/Al(3 nm)/LiF(1 nm), the green fluorescent IOLEDs present a maximum current efficiency (CEmax) of 3.5 cd/A. Furthermore, the green phosphorescent IOLEDs based on this CGU show a turn-on voltage of 3.8 V, a CEmax of 54.6 cd/A and a maximum external quantum efficiency of 15.8%. The results suggest that the introduction of non-doped CGU in IOLEDs provides a promising strategy to integrate IOLEDs with the n-channel thin film transistors for applications in active-matrix OLEDs.

Background and Objective. Most patients with giant pulmonary bulla (GPB) are treated by surgery; however, there is a subset for whom surgery is not a viable option, such as those with contraindications, or those unwilling to undergo operation. Therefore, an alternative minimally invasive method is desired for this subpopulation. The aim of this study was to explore an alternative procedure for treating GPB. Methods. This was a prospective, nonrandomized, single-arm, unblinded study evaluating the efficacy and safety of intrabulla adhesion pexia (IBAP) procedure in GPB patients. The study was conducted between December 2004 and April 2017. Results. There were 38 cases in 36 patients (33 males and 3 females) with the target GPB cavities varying in size (range, 10 cm × 7 cm × 5 cm to 15 cm × 8 cm × 30 cm (anteroposterior diameter × medial-lateral diameter × superoinferior diameter)). After IBAP treatment, the closure ratio of GPB in one month was 86.84% (33/38), while the dyspnea index significantly decreased from 4.11 ± 1.11 to 2.24 ± 1.15 (P<0.01). In addition, the mean FEV1 (L) increased from 1.06 ± 0.73 to 1.57 ± 1.13 (P<0.01), while RV (L) decreased from 2.77 ± 0.54 to 2.36 ± 0.38 (P<0.01) and TLC (L) decreased from 6.46 ± 1.21 to 5.86 ± 1.08 (P<0.01). Moreover, PaO2 (mmHg) increased from 52.18 ± 8.31 to 68.29 ± 12.34, while the 6 MWD increased by 129.36% from 131.58 ± 105.24 to 301.79 ± 197.90 (P<0.01). Collectively, these data indicated significant improvement in pulmonary function and exercise tolerance after IBAP treatment. Furthermore, no deaths occurred during IBAP treatment, and no cases of aggravated GPB relapse were reported during the 12-month follow-up period. Conclusions. IBAP is a promising strategy for the treatment of GPB. Our findings demonstrated that IBAP had a noteworthy therapeutic effect, desirable safety, and ideal long-term efficacy for GPB.

Recent environmental sharp curbs on fossil fuel energy systems such as coal power plants due to their greenhouse gas emissions have compelled industries to include renewable fuels. Biomass/coal co-gasification could provide a transition from energy production based on fossil fuels to renewables. A low-ash coal and switchgrass rich in potassium were selected on the basis of previous thermogravimetric studies to steam co-gasify 50:50 wt% coal:switchgrass mixtures in a pilot scale bubbling fluidized bed reactor with silica sand as the bed material at ∼800 and 860 °C and 1 atm. With the switchgrass added to coal, the hydrogen and cold gas efficiencies, gas yield and HHV of the product gas were enhanced remarkably relative to single-fuel gasification. The product gas tar yield also decreased considerably due to decomposition of tar catalyzed by switchgrass alkali and alkaline earth metals. Switchgrass ash therefore can act as inexpensive natural catalysts for steam gasification and assist in operating at lower temperatures without being penalized by an increase in product tar yield. An equilibrium model over-predicted hydrogen and under-predicted methane concentrations. However, an empirically kinetically-modified model was able to predict the product gas compositions accurately.

This study aimed to investigate the influence of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on the tourniquet related responses in hypertension patients receiving unilateral knee arthroplasty (UKA) under general anesthesia. Results showed that the incidence of tourniquet induced hypertension (TIH), hemodynamics, MAC and EtSEV in DEX group were significantly lower than those in control group, regardless of hypertension. However, significant differences in TIH, hemodynamics, minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) and end-tidal sevoflurane (EtSEV) were not observed between hypertension patients and non-hypertension patients in both control group and DEX group. Moreover, oxygen index (OI) and respiratory index (RI) remained unchanged after deflation and DEX failed to affect OI and RI within 30 min after deflation, regardless of hypertension. Taken together, DEX may significantly improve the hemodynamics, which is independent of pre-existing hypertension.

Recent regulatory sharp curbs on coal power plants have compelled industries to adopt alternative sources of fuels. Biomass/fossil fuel co-gasification could be a pathway through more sustainable energy production technologies. As a basis for co-gasification study, the characteristics of single-fuel switchgrass and coal steam gasification in an atmospheric pilot scale bubbling fluidized bed reactor were studied. Increasing the steam-to-fuel ratio at 860 °C caused a moderate increase in the H2 and CO2 concentrations and decreases in the CO and CH4 concentrations, due to more steam-CH4 reforming and water–gasification reaction of CO. With increasing reactor temperature, the H2 concentration increased, whereas the CO, CH4, and CO2 concentrations fell slightly. Fall switchgrass gasification resulted in higher carbon, hydrogen and cold gas efficiencies than spring harvest gasification, possibly due to higher potassium concentration and hence, greater reactivity of the fall switchgrass. The equilibrium model was unable to predict the syngas composition properly. Adding an extra methanator stoichiometric reactor to produce methane based on the empirical CH4 concentration, and removing part of the carbon, hydrogen and steam before introducing the feed and gas agent streams to the reactor based on experimental carbon, hydrogen, and steam efficiencies, the kinetically modified model predicted the syngas composition accurately.

In this work, we have synthesized a new phosphorescent iridium complex (Bppya)2Ir(acac), as an orange dopant for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). The device achieved an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 22.4%, a current efficiency of 49.5 cd A−1 and a power efficiency of 38.9 lm W−1, which are among the highest values for orange OLEDs. Furthermore, color stable and high efficiency phosphorescent white OLED (WOLED) was demonstrated by utilizing a mixed-host in the emissive layers (EMLs) composed of a blue phosphor and the new orange phosphorescent emitter, as well as by avoiding the use of interlayers that commonly exist between different EMLs in WOLEDs. Our WOLED presented decent white emission with maximum efficiencies of 25.3 cd A−1 and 12.6%. Furthermore, the 1931 Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage color coordinates exhibited extremely small variation of (0.3940 ± 0.0102, 0.4323 ± 0.0046) in a wide luminance range from 49 to 38,035 cd m−2 when driving voltages increased from 4 V to 12 V. The root cause for this excellent color stability is the utilization of the mixed-host to obtain bipolar transport properties in EMLs as well as the eliminating of interlayer between different EMLs, which, on one hand, effectively broaden the exciton recombination zone; on the other hand, reduce the accumulation of triplet excitons at the emissive interface.

Objectives To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of transcatheter closure (TCC) in patients with ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (RSVA). Background RSVA is a rare cardiovascular disease with a varied clinical presentation. The clinical efficacy and safety of TCC for RSVA still remain an ongoing concern. Methods From January 2009 to March 2013, 22 patients with RSVA were selected for TCC. Intracardiac pressure and size of cardiac chamber were measured before and post TCC. All patients were followed up by transthoracic echocardiography at 1, 3, 6, 12 months after procedure. Results RSVA was successfully occluded in 20 patients (19 cases with Amplatzer duct occluder and one with muscular ventricular septal defect occluder). Aortic root angiography showed no shunt in 18 cases and a small residual shunt in two cases. The pressures in the right atrium, right ventricle, and pulmonary artery were significantly decreased after the procedure (P

Aims This study aims to examine the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment on brain injury after cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CA/CPR) and its underlying mechanisms. Materials and methods Adult male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to 6 min of cardiac arrest induced with a potassium chloride infusion and resuscitated by chest compressions and an epinephrine infusion. During the 3 days prior to CA/CRP, mice received EA pretreatment (1 mA, 2 Hz; daily session of 30 min) at the Baihui acupoint (GV20) once daily. Stimulation at a nonacupoint served as a control. In mechanistic studies, mice received the AKT inhibitor LY294002 or endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) inhibitor L-NIO 30 min before EA pretreatment. A neurological assessment was conducted 24 h after CA/CRP, followed by animal sacrifice and evaluation of physiological brain damage. Key findings CA/CPR resulted in severe brain injury as evidenced by neurological deficits and increased neuronal apoptosis, oxidative stress and the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6. EA pretreatment at the GV20 acupoint but not at a nonacupoint attenuated the neurological deficits and the pathological changes induced by CA/CPR. LY294002 or L-NIO eliminated the neuroprotective effects of the EA pretreatment. Significance This study showed that EA pretreatment at the GV20 acupoint can protect the brain from damage associated with globalized ischemia followed by reperfusion and that these protective effects occur via the AKT/eNOS signaling pathway.

Objectives: Accurate localization of epileptogenic zones (EZs) is essential for successful surgical treatment of refractory focal epilepsy. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether a dynamic network connectivity analysis based on stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) signals is effective in localizing EZs. Methods: SEEG data were recorded from seven patients who underwent presurgical evaluation for the treatment of refractory focal epilepsy and for whom the subsequent resective surgery gave a good outcome. A time-variant multivariate autoregressive model was constructed using a Kalman filter, and the time-variant partial directed coherence was computed. This was then used to construct a dynamic directed network model of the epileptic brain. Three graph measures (in-degree, out-degree, and betweenness centrality) were used to analyze the characteristics of the dynamic network and to find the important nodes in it. Results: In all seven patients, the indicative EZs localized by the in-degree and the betweenness centrality were highly consistent with the clinically diagnosed EZs. However, the out-degree did not indicate any significant differences between nodes in the network. Conclusions: In this work, a method based on ictal SEEG signals and effective connectivity analysis localized EZs accurately. The results suggest that the in-degree and betweenness centrality may be better network characteristics to localize EZs than the out-degree.

FGF10 is a member of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs). We previously showed that FGF10 protects neuron against oxygen-glucose deprivation injury in vitro; however, the effect of FGF10 in ischemic stroke in vivo is unknown. In the present study, we showed that FGF10 was mainly expressed in neurons but not astrocytes and detected FGF10 in mouse cerebrospinal fluid. The FGF10 levels in neurons culture medium and cell lysate were much higher than those in astrocytes. FGF10 expression in brain tissue and FGF10 level in CSF were increased in mouse middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model. Administration of FGF10 into lateral cerebroventricle not only decreased MCAO-induced brain infarct volume and neurological deficit, but also reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells and activities of Caspases. Moreover, FGF10 treatment depressed the triggered inflammatory factors (TNF-α and IL-6) and NF-κB signaling pathway and increased phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Blockade of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by wortmannin and Akt1/2-kinase inhibitor, partly compromised the neuroprotection of FGF10. However, blockade of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway did not impair the anti-inflammation action of FGF10. Collectively, our results demonstrate that neuron-derived FGF10 ameliorates cerebral ischemia injury via inhibiting NF-κB-dependent neuroinflammation and activating PI3K/Akt survival signaling pathway in mice.

The 3D finite element simulation of three-roller cold rolling model for stainless steel tube was established using finite element software MSC. Marc. The metal flow rule of contact deformation zone, the distributions of equivalent stress and strain were analyzed. The experiment of cold rolling process was carried out based on the technical parameters of the simulation.

SUMMARY Increased atmospheric CO2 concentration is widely being considered as the main driving factor that causes the phenomenon of global warming, due to the ever-boosting use of fossil fuels. In this study, a fuzzy-stochastic programming model with soft constraints (FSP-SC) is developed for electricity generation planning and greenhouse gas (GHG) abatement in an environment with imprecise and probabilistic information. The developed FSP-SC is applied to a case study of long-term planning of a regional electricity generation system, where integer programming technique is employed to facilitate dynamic analysis for capacity expansion within a multi-period context to satisfy increasing electricity demand. The results indicate different relaxation levels can lead to changed electricity generation options, capacity expansion schemes, system costs, and GHG emissions. Several sensitivity analyses are also conducted to demonstrate that relaxation of different constraints have different effects on system cost and GHG emission. Tradeoffs among system costs, resource availabilities, GHG emissions, and electricity-shortage risks can also be tackled with the relaxation levels for the objective and constraints. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The upsetting process of cylindrical forging was investigated using finite element method. The influence of conical anvil on deformation rule of metal and distribution of strain and stress was studied using software MSC. Marc. The simulated results indicated that it had a smaller rigid zone and more homogeneous deformation zone in the billet during upsetting process with conical anvil compared with flat anvil. The critical reduction in height which could assure the three dimensional compressive stress states for the upsetting with conical anvil was smaller than that for the flat one.

Coal-fired to generate electric power is the primary method in China and it occupies about 80% generation portions. Therefore, it is necessary to increase power generation efficiency and reduce related pollution in order to conserve energy and resources. In certain regions of China, energy saving oriented dispatch is under test, which only uses coal consumption rate for power supply as the indicator of energy saving. But coal consumption rate for power supply itself doesn’t show the whole picture of energy saving and emission reduction of coal combustion power plants. This paper selects the coal consumption for power supply, SO2 and NOx emission, EAF, net loss and water consumption as the energy-saving dispatching index, adopts emergy analysis method, carries the order integrate index, provides the reference for energy-saving dispatching.

Energy-saving and emission reduction is the based policy of China. Energy-saving dispatching is a new generation optimized method combined with the aim of energy-saving and emission reduction. At present, the trial energy-saving dispatching in some area evaluate energy-saving and emission reduction of coal combustion power generation according to power supply coal consumption rate only. But the power supply coal consumption rate can’t overall reflect the energy-saving and emission reduction effect of coal combustion power plant. This paper selects the power supply coal consumption rate, auxiliary power ratio, SO2 and NOx emission, EAF, net loss and water consumption as the energy-saving dispatching index, adopts particle swarm optimization method, carries the order integrate index, provides the reference for energy-saving dispatching.

This paper designs the switch adjustable constant current source based on the current mode PWM control chip UC3846, the power reach to 8kw, current 0~15A continuously adjustable. It uses the I2 control method to ensure the accuracy of the output current stability and improve the dynamic performance and response speed of the system. Feedback signals achieve in external circuit of the chip UC3846, they independent to each other to ensure the accuracy of the control signal. The model of UC3846 and the power supply were built by using Matlab Simulink separately. After building those models, the circuit was simulated by using Simulink, and its simulation results reflected the output of power supply truthfully which played a good guide for the circuit design and experiment, to avoid detours and reduce risk.

A novel kind of logging data acquisition is designed based on FPGA.In this paper, the hardware and software are described in detail. Experiment results show that the designed circuit and program are reasonable and reliable by the logging signal simulator, which can meet the logging requirement of oil field.

Currently, the World confronts with several major problems, including environment pollution and energy shortage. To utilize metal-contaminated soils safely and to solve the problem of shortage of farmland for bioenergy development, we have postulated a new strategy of cultivating energy plants in Cd-contaminated soils for bioenergy production, and this can also be combined with phytoremediation. Here, we focus on the advantage and feasibility of this approach by a review of recent developments in basic and applied research relevant. It is concluded that cultivation of energy plants in metal-contaminated land for bioenergy production is a high beneficial, environment-friendly technique that is also technically feasible. It might not only cover the shortages of phytoremediation and bioenergy production, but also makes the metal-contaminated land fully utilized and productive, and this is benefited for both agriculture and farmers.

The basic principle of liquid level measurement with capacitive sensor is described. According to differences in dielectric constant between oil and water, a liquid level detection system for oil tank is designed. The system includes capacitive sensor, signal processing circuit, FPGA logic circuit and the software of computer. Results show that the system has characteristics of easy operation, high precision. It can detect the change of liquid level accurately and effectively.

With the intermittent and randomness of wind power,the power system needs to arrange certain spinning reserve capacity in response to wind power fluctuations,so the optimal allocation of spinning reserve problem is the key point. This paper first analyzes the potential problems of optimal allocation of spinning reserve by the principle of equal proportion in wind power system; then calculate the optimal power flow which aims to minimize the network loss with the original dual interior point method, of which all thermal power’s active power outputs are optimized objects. You can watch the total network loss and the thermal power’s spinning reserve in the optimal power flow calculation results.Finally the IEEE39 system example and the comparison of two methods demonstrate that the principle of equal proportion exists potential problems and it is necessary to calculate the optimal power flow.

In China, municipal solid waste (MSW) of low heating value and high water content are always burnt in their original forms. Based on the constituent of Shijiazhuang City’s MSW, nine typical constituent of wastes were blended as actual MSW. In this paper, MSW were chosen to carry out element analysis, industrial analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. Analysis combustion characteristics of MSW and the mixture of MSW and coal adopt WCT-2 High Temperature Computer Differential Thermal Balance. The kinetic parameters of MSW and the mixture of MSW and coal were obtained through the law of Arrhenius and the thermogravimentric curve. The final result indicates that ignition point and activation energy of MSW are obviously lower than those of the coal, and the ignition point of the mixture of MSW and coal are not high. It can be combusted completely below 850°C. And the combustion process of MSW or the mixture of MSW and coal can be separate into two stages, the first stage is water in the MSW evaporated, the second stage is combustion of combustible. There are four stage of weightlessness in the combustion of combustible, it shows that there are influence between each constituent of MSW. All this will offer help for incineration MSW of low-heating-valued.

Objective: To study the functional properties of If channels and the changes in mechanical activity of mouse mesenchymal stem cells (mMSCs) transfected with mHCN4. Methods: mMSCs were purified by using CD11b-immunomagnetic microbeads and transfected with pMSCV-mHCN4-EGFP or pMSCV-EGFP. We examined the kinetic characteristics of the mHCN4 channel. The morphological changes of positively transfected mMSCs were investigated at the same time. Results: The If current recorded from the experimental group was sensitive to extracellular Cs+ (–44.5 ± 4.2 vs. –5.5 ± 1.0 pA/pF, p < 0.001). The half-maximal activation was –99.0 ± 5.8 mV. The time constant of activation was 451 ± 61 ms under –140 mV. The control cells did not show the current under the same conditions. The absolute values of half-maximal activation decreased in the presence of cAMP or cGMP in the experimental group (–78.6 ± 10.4 and –85.7 ± 8.6 vs. –99.0 ± 5.8 mV, respectively, p < 0.05). mMSCs transfected with pMSCV-mHCN4-EGFP could form spontaneous beating cells. Extracellular Cs+ decreased the beating rate significantly (196 ± 50 vs. 66 ± 23 bmp, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Functional If channels can be reconstructed in mMSCs infected with mHCN4. mMSCs modified by successful transfection with mHCN4 can differentiate so as to develop spontaneous mechanical activity.

In this study, CYP2C19 genotypes were tested by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method in 92 patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Sixty-two patients were treated with thalidomide plus dexamethasone (Thal+Dex) and 30 with thalidomide combined with chemotherapy (Thal+CC). The overall response rate of extensive metabolizers (EMs) was statistically higher than that of poor metabolizers (PMs) (62.6% vs. 33.3%, p < 0.05). Similar results were also observed in the Thal+Dex cohort. For the first time, our primary data suggested that the polymorphisms of CYP2C19 gene are associated with the efficacy of thalidomide based regimens in MM.

Objective: To investigate the efficiency and safety of transcatheter interventional therapy for compound congenital cardiovascular abnormalities. Methods: From Nov 2001 to Jun 2006, a total of 36 patients (17 male, 19 female), aged 17.20 ± 10.52, with compound congenital cardiovascular abnormalities underwent transcatheter interventional procedure. These patients included 11 with perimembranous ventricular septal defect (PVSD) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), 8 patients with PVSD and atrial septal defect (ASD), 8 patients with ASD and PDA, 7 patients with ASD and pulmonary stenosis (PS), 1 patient with ASD and mitral stenosis(MS), 1 patient with coarctation of aorta (COA) and PDA. According to the principle of “easy first, hard second,” balloon valvuloplasties of PS or MS were performed before the closure of PVSD, and of PDA and ASD. Electrocardiogram and transthoracic echocardiogram were examined at 4 days, 1, 2, 6 and 12 months, respectively, after each procedure. Results: Transcatheter interventional therapy for compound congenital cardiovascular abnormalities was successful in all patients. Among these, 2 occluders were planted in each of 27 patients, 7 patients with ASD combined with PS and 1 patient with ASD combined with MS underwent successfully performed balloon valvuloplasty and ASD closure, 1 patient with COA combined with PDA underwent successfully performed balloon valvuloplasty and subsequent covered stent implantation. No patient encountered serious adverse events during the (30.5 ± 14.6) months of follow-up. Conclusions: Transcatheter interventional therapy for compound congenital cardiovascular abnormalities could obtain satisfactory results with technical feasibility. Copyright © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

This paper proposes a method to generate program graph and DD-paths automatically. Firstly, this method makes static analysis on the structured program to get the defining and using information of the variables and the structure of the program. Secondly, it draws the program graph. Thirdly, it generates the DD-paths set of each variable. Based on this method, software tester can generate DD-path automatically in white-box testing, which will reduce tester work burden greatly.

Hand-eye calibration that establishes the pose relationship between a robot and a laser scanner is one of the most critical tasks in robotic grinding. Calibration accuracy can significantly affect the geometry and dimensional accuracy of parts such as blades. In this paper, a hand-eye calibration approach is proposed using a standard sphere as the calibration object. More important, three valid ways to improve the calibration accuracy are given. First, based on lots of experiment data, it's found that the scanning accuracy is related to the scanning area on the sphere. Combining error synthesis theory, an appropriate scanning area is found to improve the positioning accuracy of the sphere center. Second, we proved that moving along XYZ coordinate axes are best for robot during calibration process. Third, a novel orthogonalization algorithm of the calibrated rotation matrix is presented using differential kinematics. Different from the traditional orthogonalization algorithm, the algorithm converts the multiple solutions to a optimal approximate orthogonal solution, which avoids many unstable factors. Finally, test experiments show that the calibration accuracy is up to 0.0573mm. The calibration approach can be applied in robotic grinding of nuclear blades, aviation blades and turbine blades.

This paper studied the epilepsy signal in different frequency bands based on the average phase-synchronization time matrix (APSTM). APSTM algorithm can probe the change in the synchrony of the underlying system with high sensitivity, and be applied to multichannel, nonlinear time series in noisy. This paper uses the EEG filter provided by the EEGLAB to extract the four common waves : theta, alpha, beta and gamma, which are from the normal and epilepsy EEG signals. The four frequency bands of EEG signals are analysed based on the APSTM algorithm, and the results show that the APSTM determinant can distinguish the epilepsy from the normal EEG signals clearly. And when APSTM determinant detects epileptic discharge ,the theta wave is the most significant, and the beta wave can only generally detect epileptic discharge, while alpha and gamma waves are ineffective.

Thalidomide (Thal) has been used for a few years as salvage treatment for patients with multiple myeloma (MM). However, the response rate in Chinese patients treated with Thal has not been determined and the prognostic factors for response rate (RR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) not yet well identified. This study enrolled 110 Chinese patients with MM who received either Thal alone, Thal plus dexamethasone (Thal + Dex) or Thal plus conventional chemotherapy (Thal + CC). Their laboratory and clinical parameters were retrospectively analysed. The overall RR was 63.6% (complete response rate 6.4%, partial response rate 57.3%). Patients aged65 years, time from diagnosis to the start of Thal treatment6 months or combined therapy had a significantly higher RR (p0.05). In univariate analysis, age65years predicted a longer PFS (p = 0.008). Age65 years, serum creatinine176.8 micromol L-1 and serum beta 2 microglobulin (beta2M)3.5 mg L-1 were associated with longer OS (p = 0.028, 0.045 and 0.019, respectively). Multi-factor analysis suggested that serum beta2M was the only independent prognostic factor for OS (p = 0.025).

Scenario, as an important requirement description in software requirements engineering has been used widely in various requirement modeling method. But scenario based requirement description has great difficulties in maintaining correctness and complement. In recent years, the method of oriented goal requirement has become a hotspot of requirement researchers, who solved the judge problem of the consistency and complement successfully by establishing formal semantic of goals. In this paper we establish formal semantics by describing scenario event trace diagram and presenting equivalence definition from scenario to operational goal set, and present the judgment theory to simplify judgment complexity in practice and the method to transfer scenario description into operational goal set. We make a conclusion that we combine the goal correctness and complement judgment to solve scenario judgment by deducing scenario to operational goal set.

The calculating model is the effective means to master know on CO2 emission. By analysising the quantifying model of CO2 emissions for thermal power plant, we propose the idea of capture,reduction and reusing CO2 under the intravenous circulation economic model in development of low-carbon electricity production .

Background Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) is currently a reliable alternative to surgery, even though challenging in patients with multiple ASDs. Hypothesis The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficiency and safety of transcatheter closure in multiple ASDs. Methods Multiple ASDs were diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The occlusive condition and distance between 2 adjacent ASDs were measured by TTE examination. Then, the number and size of the occluder(s) was determined. TTE examinations were performed after transcatheter closure as follow-up. Results The transcatheter procedure was successful in 15 patients with multiple ASDs, using a single occluder in 9 patients and 2 occluders in the remaining 6 patients. Overall, 21 ASD occluders were implanted. During a follow-up period of 6 mo to 5 y, a slight residual shunt was found in 1 patient without any symptoms; a moderate residual shunt was identified at the inferior vena cava and the occluder was removed by surgery 1 mo after procedure. Other complications, including endocarditis, arrhythmia, thromboembolism, and atrioventricular valve damage were not recorded in any of the 15 patients during the follow-up period. Conclusion Transcatheter closure of multiple ASDs is safe and efficient. Two occluders are necessary for the distance of 2 ASDs more than 7 mm, and a single occluder is sufficient for those 7 mm or less. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

In order to solve the difficult problems of greenhouse effect and energy resource in short supply, developing a battery system utilizing carbon dioxide and ferrous waste has significant potential in buffering the energy crisis, eliminating the consumption of the fossil fuel and reducing air pollution. According to the mechanism of CO2 corrosion of scrap iron and the electrodialysis principle, a novel battery system combined H2-FeCO3 generation is proposed. The system makes CO2 and scrap iron to be used as a resource, and produce green energy hydrogen and electricity. The battery system is made up of graphite electrode, ferrous waste electrode, proton exchange diaphragm, external electric field. The results showed that the adoption of the proton exchange diaphragm and external electric field can accelerate the reaction rate, increase the electromotance and make the capture of H2 and FeCO3 more easily. Ferrous carbonate can be stripped and heated to ferrous oxide and net CO2 which can be utilized circularly. Ferrous oxide is easily oxidized to ferric oxide which is very important industrial raw material. Based on the thermodynamic analysis of the battery system, the thermodynamic efficiency can reach 97% and the electromotance can reach 0.3151V. According to calculation of the economic benefit of this system, the net contribution of the system is RMB 1, 545 and the neat profit rate is 30.91% when one ton of scrap iron is reused.

We calculate systematically the absolute volume deformation potential AVDP of the 8v valence band maximum VBM and the 6c conduction band minimum CBM states for all group IV, III-V, and II-VI semiconductors. Unlike previous calculations that involve various assumptions, the AVDPs are calculated using a recently developed approach that is independent of the selection of the reference energy levels. We find that although the volume deformation potentials of the CBM state are usually large and always negative, those of the VBM state are usually small and always positive. The AVDP of the VBM state decreases as the p-d coupling increases, e.g., in the II-VI compounds. The AVDP of CBM decreases as the ionicity increases. Our calculated chemical trends of the AVDPs are explained in terms of the atomic orbital energy levels and coupling between these orbitals.

Although Neurotropin(R) (NTP) has been used clinically as an analgesic in Japan for many years, its effect on neuropathic pain in animal models has not been examined in detail. Its main effect has been indicated to be activation of the descending monoaminergic pain inhibitory systems. To study the effect of NTP on neuropathic pain, we subjected mice to spinal nerve ligation. NTP inhibited both tactile allodynia and mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in a dose-dependent manner. When the effect of NTP was examined after depletion of monoamines in the spinal cord by intrathecal neurotoxins, the antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic effects were still observed after serotonergic denervation, but not after noradrenergic denervation. In addition, intracerebroventricular NTP increased withdrawal threshold and latency although intrathecal or local administration of NTP did not. These results suggest that the antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic effect of NTP on neuropathic pain induced by spinal nerve ligation is mediated principally through the action at supraspinal sites and through activation of spinal noradrenergic systems, possibly via the descending inhibitory pathway.

Using an all-electron band structure approach, we have systematically calculated the natural band offsets between all group IV, III-V, and II-VI semiconductor compounds, taking into account the deformation potential of the core states. This revised approach removes assumptions regarding the reference level volume deformation and offers a more reliable prediction of the "natural" unstrained offsets. Comparison is made to experimental work, where a noticeable improvement is found compared to previous methodologies.

The hydrostatic absolute deformation potential (ADP) of the valence-band maximum state is one of the most important properties of semiconductors. Yet, it has been calculated in the past only using assumptions that have not been rigorously approved. In this letter, we present an approach to calculate the hydrostatic ADP of Si, GaAs, and ZnSe using an ab initio all-electron method and lattice harmonic expansions. We show that the calculated ADP is independent of the selection of the reference energy levels. The calculated ADPs are all positive for the three systems. However, as the p-d coupling increases in the II-VI compounds, the ADP decreases.