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A deep subelectron temporal noise CMOS image sensor (CIS) with a Gm-cell based pixel and a correlated-double charge-domain sampling technique has been developed for photon-starved imaging applications. With the proposed technique, the CIS, which is implemented in a standard 0.18- $\mu \text{m}$ CIS process, features pixel-level amplification and achieves an input-referred noise of 0.5 erms− with a correlated double sampling period of $5~ \mu \text{s}$ and a row read-out time of $10~\mu \text{s}$ . The proposed structure also realizes a variable conversion gain (CG) with a period-controlled method. This enables the read-out path CG and the noise-equivalent number of electrons to be programmable according to the application without any change in hardware. The experiments show that the measured CG can be tuned from $50~\mu \text{V}$ /e- to 1.6 mV/e- with a charging period from 100 ns to $4~\mu \text{s}$ . The measured characteristics of the prototype CIS are in a good agreement with expectations, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed techniques.

Solid-state fermentation (SSF) has advantages, such as lower water use and higher volumetric productivity, over those of submerged fermentation. As a result, SSF technology has drawn increasing attention in the past few decades. In this chapter, different types of SSF bioreactors, including tray, packed-bed, rotating/stirred-drum, fluidized-bed, rocking-drum, and stirred-aerated bioreactors, are discussed. Progress in reactor design, heat and mass transfer, and operational strategies are reviewed. Growth of microorganisms in SSF is also discussed in terms of classification, modeling, and effects on the performance of SSF. Two major challenges in industrial applications of SSF, namely heat transfer on a large scale and quantitative characterization of fungal growth, are also discussed. Future research and development of SSF should focus on high-value fermentation products that can be economically feasible on a relatively small scale. Also, online nondestructive detection methods are desired for the characterization and control of organism growth during SSF processes.

The growth behavior of stress corrosion cracks of X80 pipeline steel in the underground water of acidic soil environments was investigated by a slow-rate-loading crack growth test, electrochemical ...

Background and Purpose Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) mediates mitochondrial fission and is thought to promote Bax/Bak-induced cytochrome c release during apoptosis. Conformationally active Bax, Bak and Bax/Bak-activating BH3-only proteins, such as Bim, are restrained by anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins in cells that are ‘primed for death’. Inhibition of Bcl-2/Bcl-xL/Bcl-w by the antagonist ABT-737 causes rapid apoptosis of primed cells. Hence, we determined whether Drp1 is required for cytochrome c release, respiratory alterations and apoptosis of cells that are already primed for death. Experimental Approach We tested the Drp1 inhibitor mdivi-1 for inhibition of cytochrome c release in MCF10A cells primed by Bcl-2 overexpression. We measured ATP synthesis-dependent, -independent and cytochrome c-limited maximal oxygen consumption rates (OCRs) and cell death of immortalized wild-type (WT) and Drp1 knockout (KO) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) treated with ABT-737. Key Results Mdivi-1 failed to attenuate ABT-737-induced cytochrome c release. ABT-737 decreased maximal OCR measured in the presence of uncoupler in both WT and Drp1 KO MEF, consistent with respiratory impairment due to release of cytochrome c. However, Drp1 KO MEF were slightly less sensitive to this ABT-737-induced respiratory inhibition compared with WT, and were resistant to an initial ABT-737-induced increase in ATP synthesis-independent O2 consumption. Nevertheless, caspase-dependent cell death was not reduced. Pro-apoptotic Bax was unaltered, whereas Bak was up-regulated in Drp1 KO MEF. Conclusions and Implications The findings indicate that once fibroblast cells are primed for death, Drp1 is not required for apoptosis. However, Drp1 may contribute to ABT-737-induced respiratory changes and the kinetics of cytochrome c release. Linked Articles This article is part of a themed issue on Mitochondrial Pharmacology: Energy, Injury & Beyond. To view the other articles in this issue visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2014.171.issue-8

To deepen our understanding of the chemical properties of the Planck Galactic Cold Clump (PGCC) G168.72-15.48, we performed observations of nine molecular species, namely, \ce{c-C3H}, \ce{H2CO}, \ce{HC5N}, \ce{HC7N}, \ce{SO}, \ce{CCH}, \ce{N2H+}, \ce{CH3OH}, and \ce{CH3CCH}, toward two dense cores in PGCC G168.72-15.48 using the Tianma Radio Telescope and Purple Mountain Observatory Telescope. We detected \ce{c-C3H}, \ce{H2CO}, \ce{HC5N}, \ce{N2H+}, \ce{CCH}, and \ce{CH3OH} in both G168-H1 and G168-H2 cores, whereas \ce{HC7N} and \ce{CH3CCH} were detected only in G168-H1 and SO was detected only in G168-H2. Mapping observations reveal that the \ce{CCH}, \ce{N2H+}, \ce{CH3OH}, and \ce{CH3CCH} emissions are well coupled with the dust emission in G168-H1. Additionally, \ce{N2H+} exhibits an exceptionally weak emission in the denser and more evolved G168-H2 core, which may be attributed to the \ce{N2H+} depletion. We suggest that the \ce{N2H+} depletion in G168-H2 is dominated by \ce{N2} depletion, rather than the destruction by CO. The local thermodynamic equilibrium calculations indicate that the carbon-chain molecules of \ce{CCH}, \ce{HC5N}, \ce{HC7N}, and \ce{CH3CCH} are more abundant in the younger G168-H1 core. We found that starless core G168-H1 may have the properties of cold dark clouds based on its abundances of carbon-chain molecules. While, the prestellar core G168-H2 exhibits lower carbon-chain molecular abundances than the general cold dark clouds. With our gas-grain astrochemical model calculations, we attribute the observed chemical differences between G168-H1 and G168-H2 to their different gas densities and different evolutionary stages.

We present a detailed simulation of a dust grain covered by a decamer of (CHOH)-ice-mantle, bombarded by an OH closed-shell molecule with kinetic energies from 10-22 eV. The chemical pathways are studied through Born-Oppenheimer (ab initio) molecular dynamics. The simulations show that methanol ice-mantles can be a key generator of complex organic molecules (COMs). We report the formation of COMs such as methylene glycol (CH(OH)) and the OCHOH radical, which have not been detected yet in the interstellar medium (ISM). We discuss the chemical formation of new species through the reaction of CHOH with the hydroxyl projectile. The dependence of the outcome on the kinetic energy of the projectile and the implications for the observation and detection of these molecules might explain why the methoxy radical (CH·) has been observed in a wider range of astrophysical environments than the hydroxymethyl (CH·) isomer. Because of the projectile kinetic energies required for these reactions to occur, we suggest that these processes are likely relevant in the production of COMs in photodissociation and shock regions produced by high-velocity jets and outflows from young stellar objects., This research was supported by FONDECYT-Chile grant 11140770 and CONICYT International Networks for young researchers Grant REDI170243. NI gratefully acknowledges support of Vicerectoría de Investigación y Postgrado (VRIP). DM acknowledges support from CONICYT project Basal AFB170002. CC and PF acknowledge support form Centers Of Excellence With Basal/Conicyt Financing, Grant FB0807 and FONDECYT-Chile grant 1181121, and 1180623. JG acknowledges support from Fondecyt postdoctoral.

To evaluate the role of glutamine-supplemented total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in severe acute pancreatitis.Forty-seven patients with severe acute pancreatitis were admitted to Huaihe Hospital, China, over a period of one year (July 2013 to June 2014) were randomly divided into two therapeutic groups. Patients in group 1 (24 patients in total) and group 2 (23 patient in total) were treated with glutamine-supplemented TPN and standard TPN respectively. Patients were assessed for nutritional parameters, the prevalence of complications, mortality, length of hospital stay (LOS) and length of TPN.The majority of patients were male in both groups (62.5% in group 1 and 60.9% in group 2) and the average age was similar (39.13±4.46 years in group 1 and 40±3.96 years in group 2). The major causative factor was also similar in both groups, i.e. gall stones. The prevalence of complications in the group 2 was much higher (47.85%) than those in the group 1 (25%). The mortality rate for group 1 and 2 were 4.2% (1/24) and 17.4% (4/23), respectively. The length of hospital stay in the group 2 (23.08 ± 2.02 days) was longer than those of the group 1 (20.33 ± 2.40 days). The length of TPN was also longer in the group 2 (16.47 ± 2.72 days) than those of the group 1 (10.56 ± 2.21 days). Glutamine was also associated with significant increase in serum albumin level.Glutamine-supplemented TPN can reduce the mortality and the occurrence of complications, shorten the length of stay and improve the nutritional status of the patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

This paper presents a CMOS image sensor with in-pixel nearly unity-gain pMOS transistor based source followers and optimized column-parallel amplifiers. The prototype sensor has been fabricated in a 0.18 μm CMOS process. By eliminating the body effect of the source follower transistor, the voltage gain for the pixel-level readout circuitry approaches unity. The use of a single-ended common-source cascode amplifier with ground rail regulation improves the PSRR of the column-parallel analog front-end circuitry and further the noise performance. Electrical characterization results show that the proposed pixel improves the conversion gain after the in-pixel source follower by 42% compared to that of the conventional structure. The prototype sensor with proposed readout architecture reaches a 1.1e− input-referred temporal noise with a column-level ×16 analog gain.

The rotor shaping methods are frequently used to reduce the cogging torque in interior permanent magnet (IPM) machines. This paper investigates the influence of manufacturing tolerances on cogging torque in IPM machines with eccentric and sinusoidal rotor contours. First, two 12-slot/8-pole IPM machine models are established and the fundamental performance under ideal conditions is presented. Then, based on the most sensitive distributions of non-ideal PMs and assembly tooth-bulges, additional cogging torque components are calculated respectively, together with a comparative study to identify the different sensitivities between the two rotor contour designs. For verification, the field spatial harmonics with and without considering the tolerances are further analyzed, followed by tests on the prototypes with and without amplified tolerances.

The cogging torque is usually very sensitive to the manufacturing tolerances during machine mass production, and this paper investigates the different sensitivities between interior permanent magnet (IPM) machines with different slot/pole number combinations. Exemplified by two typical combinations, i.e. 12-slot/8-pole and 12-slot/10-pole designs, the fundamental performance is firstly analyzed under ideal conditions. Then, with the tolerances of PM diversity and tooth-bulges considered, the most sensitive cases are identified for the two machines respectively, based on which the ultimate values of additional cogging torques are obtained and compared. In order to verify the different sensitivities, the field spatial harmonics in the two machines with and without considering the tolerances are further analyzed, from which the different origins of additional cogging torque components can be obtained respectively. Finally, the IPM prototypes with and without amplified tolerances are fabricated and tested to verify the analyses.

International audience; Signal-to-noise ratio is a key factor in lensless imaging, particularly for low diffraction signal experiments in the single shot regime.We present our recent study of the noise impact on holography with extended references. Experimental data have been measured in single shot acquisition using an intense coherent soft X-ray high harmonic source. The impact of hardware and software noise under various detection conditions is discussed. A final comparison between single shot and multi-shot regimes is given.

To evaluate the relations between the second and third trimesters intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and the fetal outcomes, in order to provide medical advice for early detection and intervention on ICP.A prospective cohort study was conducted in Ma' anshan, Anhui, China (Ma'anshan Birth Cohort, MABC). Pregnant women within 14 weeks of gestation were consecutively recruited when standards were met. Anthropometrics were collected in early pregnancy. Maternal serum total bile acid level (TBA) was collected in the second and third trimesters, and women were viewed as cases if the results were accorded with clinical diagnosis. Logistic regressions were conducted to examine the associations of the second and third trimester ICP, and fetal outcomes.A total of 2 978 pregnant women were included in this study. The rate of ICP was 6.5% (n=196), and the rates of the second and third trimesters were 1.4% (n=43) and 5.1% (n=153) respectively. After controlling for potential confounders, we found that ICP from both the second and third trimesters could increase the risks of preterm birth, low birth weight (LBW), fetal distress and meconium-stained amniotic fluid.OR values (95% CI) were 6.42 (2.59-15.93) and 3.73 (2.07-6.72) for preterm birth while 6.52 (2.19-19.45) and 4.90 (2.43-9.90) for LBW, 2.91 (1.27-6.67) and 1.88 (1.11-3.19) for fetal distress and 2.34 (1.19-4.61) and 1.66 (1.11-2.48) for meconium-stained amniotic fluids, respectively. The risk of adverse fetal outcomes caused by the second trimester ICP appeared significantly higher than the third trimester ICP.ICP from the second and third trimesters significantly increased the risk of adverse fetal outcomes, suggesting that clinicians should put more attention to the second trimester ICP. Both early detection and intervention were of great importance in reducing the adverse fetal outcomes.

Paclitaxel is a commonly used agent for breast cancer therapy, which comes across the obstacle "drug resistance", resulting in shortened overall survival of patients. Warburg effect has become one character of cancer cell and was reported to induce paclitaxel resistance, the mechanism of which is poorly understood. In this study, we sought to examine the role of 6-Phosphofructo-2-kinase (PFKFB3), a critical regulator of glycolysis, in paclitaxel resistance development. Two clones of paclitaxel resistant breast cancer cells, MCF-7RA and MCF-7RB, were established by a long term exposure of MCF-7 cells to paclitaxel. Consequently, PFKFB3 expression was found to be increased in MCF-7RA and MCF-7RB cells compared with MCF-7 cells. Silencing PFKFB3 expression markedly reduced the IC50 concentrations of MCF-7RA and MCF-7RB cells. Moreover, PFKFB3 modulated toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) and MyD88 expression as well as interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 release from breast cancer cells in response to paclitaxel exposure. In addition, PFKFB3 overexpression boosted up fructose-2,6-bisphosphate (F2,6BP) and lactate production. The enhanced lactate contributed to TLR4 signaling activation, IL-6 and IL-8 generation, and cell viability promotion in MCF-7 cells. In all, we characterized the novel role of PFKFB3 in induction of paclitaxel resistance by raising lactate production and activating TLR4 signaling.

Biological pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass uses the ligninolytic potential of certain microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) to reduce the recalcitrance of the feedstock and enhance its digestibility by hydrolytic enzymes. Ligninolytic enzyme systems have been studied mostly in white rot fungi, a type of wood decay fungi that is able to degrade lignin effectively, using a set of high redox potential oxidoreductases. Biological pretreatment can be performed by growing the microorganism directly on the feedstock or using the enzyme extracts. Recent advances in molecular biology have expanded knowledge about existing ligninolytic systems, including the discovery of new enzymes and the development of engineered systems with potential for effective pretreatment and full utilization of lignocellulosic biomass in biorefineries.

Biogas and syngas can be upgraded to produce a variety of products. Biogas (primarily containing methane and CO 2 ) is generated from waste biomass via anaerobic digestion. Biogas contains a significant amount of impurities (e.g., H 2 S, NH 3 and siloxane) and therefore, a cleaning procedure is generally required prior to applications. Cleaning methods such as pressurized water scrubbing, pressure swing adsorption, amine absorption and membrane permeation can be employed alone or combined to remove impurities. Syngas (primarily containing hydrogen and CO), can be produced from gasification of biomass and coal and also can be produced from biogas reforming. Impurities such as particulate matter, H 2 S and tars have to be removed or reduced prior to upgrading. Physical approaches, mainly compression and liquefaction, have been applied to upgrade biogas to Bio-CNG (compressed natural gas) and LBG (liquefied biogas). For chemical approaches, catalytic reforming is the dominant method for converting methane to syngas and hydrogen. Methanol can be produced by either direct oxidation of methane or biological fermentation of biogas. Syngas is an important intermediate resource for the production of hydrogen, methanol, ethanol, higher alcohols, acetate and hydrocarbons. Syngas fermentation directly produces methanol, ethanol and acetate under mild operating conditions with high conversion rate, but the major challenges are the slow gas-to-liquid mass transfer and low yield. The catalytic conversion methods are able to efficiently convert syngas to alcohols and hydrocarbons, generally under high temperature and with catalysts. The selectivity of end-products and deactivation of catalysts are the two major technical hurdles.

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), characterized by spontaneous recurrent seizures, learning and memory impairments is associated with neurodegeneration, abnormal reorganization of the circuitry and loss of functional inhibition in hippocampus. In adult hippocampus, the GABAergic cells mediate the major inhibitory function of the principal neurons, promoting the Cl(-) entry through the GABA(A) receptor, whether through phasic (synaptic) or tonic (extrasynaptic) conductance. Aside from classical synaptic component, tonic GABAergic inhibition mediated by extrasynaptic GABA(A) receptor received increasing attention over the past years. There is growing evidence that tonic inhibition plays an important role in epilepsy, memory and cognition. Since GABA(A) receptor-mediated inhibition depends on the maintenance of intracellular Cl(-) concentration at low levels in mature neurons, a shift in E(cl) is likely to participate in the generation and not merely a consequence of TLE. As we know, chloride channel-2 (ClC-2) is a member of the supergene family of voltage-gated chloride channels, it constitutes part of the background conductance and is involved in chloride extrusion. Here we show that ClC-2 were upregulated functionally in CA1 pyramidal cells in pilocarpine-treated rats, and that an observed increase in ClC-2 currents in CA1 pyramidal cells was reversed by L655,708, a specific antagonist of α5 subunit-containing GABA(A) receptor.

Cysteine proteinase inhibitors (CPIs) are involved in many vital cellular processes such as signalling pathways, apoptosis, immune response and development; however, no CPIs have yet been reported from the housefly Musca domestica. Here we report the isolation and characterization of a housefly CPI gene designated MdCPI. The gene contains an open reading frame of 357 bp encoding a protein of 118 amino acid residues with a putative signal peptide of 17 amino acid residues. Protein alignment demonstrated a high homology to that of Sarcophaga crassipalpis (identity = 51%). Phylogenetic analysis suggested that all CPIs from dipterans, including the housefly, belong to the I25A family and may be descended from a single common ancestor. The gene was expressed in and purified from Escherichia coli. Biochemical studies showed that MdCPI exerts an inhibiting function on papain, which is a classical assay to confirm CPIs. Real-time quantitative PCR and immunolocalization analysis revealed that MdCPI is specifically expressed in haemocytes and fat bodies. It is highly down-regulated in larvae and markedly up-regulated in the pupal stage, suggesting that it may be related to development.

The geometries, stabilities, electronic, and magnetic properties of AunScm (n= 1-7, m=1,2) clusters have been systematically investigated by density functional theory. It is shown that the most stable structures of AunSc (n=1-7) clusters favor planar structure and Sc atom is prone to occupy the center site of Au atoms ring. For AunSc2 clusters, the 3d configurations become the lowest energy structure for n≥3; the growth is based on triangle bipyramid structure of Au3Sc2 cluster except Au4Sc2. The second-order energy difference and the fragmentation energy show Au3Sc, Au5Sc, Au3Sc2 and Au6Sc2 clusters possess relatively higher stabilities than their neighbor size. The doping of Sc atom can greatly improve the stability of Au clusters. The doped one Sc atom changes the odd-even alternation trend of gaps in Au n . The two doped-Sc atoms enhance chemical activity of Au n in most cases. The total magnetic moments with even valence electrons are quenched on the whole due to electron pairing effects. The averaged coordination number for Sc should be major reason for reduce of local magnetic moments of Sc atom with cluster size increasing in cluster with odd valance electrons. The total magnetic moments in AuSc and Au2Sc2 are no quenched due to the smaller coordination number, the charge transfer and weak hybridization between the Sc and Au atoms.

Analysis and interpretation of RNA-Seq data remain a challenge for bench scientists. We aim to develop a user-friendly web application for exploratory data analysis (EDA), differential expression, and pathway analysis using summarized gene-level data from RNA-Seq, DNA microarray or other platforms. The key idea of iDEP (integrated Differential Expression and Pathway analysis) is to make many powerful R/Bioconductor packages easily accessible by wrapping them under a graphical interface, alongside annotation databases. For EDA, it performs hierarchical clustering, k-means clustering, and principal component analysis. iDEP detects differentially expressed genes using the limma and DESeq2 packages. For a group of co-expressed genes, it identifies enriched gene ontology (GO) terms as well as transcription factor binding motifs in promoters. Pathway analysis can be performed using packages like GAGE, GSEA, PGSEA, or ReactomePA. iDEP can also detect chromosomal gain or loss using the PREDA package. iDEP uses annotation of 163 metazoa and 45 plant genomes in Ensembl for ID mapping and GO functional categorization. Common gene IDs including microarray probe names can be automatically recognized. Pathway information was also compiled from databases like KEGG, Reactome, MSigDB, GSKB, GeneSetDB, and araPath. As an example, we analyzed an RNA-Seq dataset involving siRNA-mediated Hoxa1 knockdown in lung fibroblasts, and identified the downregulation of cell-cycle genes, in agreement with previous studies. Our analyses also reveal the possible roles of E2F1 and its target genes, including microRNAs, in blocking G1/S transition, and the upregulation of genes related to cytokines, lysosome, and neuronal parts. iDEP enables users to conduct in-depth bioinformatics analysis of transcriptomic data through a graphical interface. Freely available at http://gelab.org/idep/ Citation Format: Steven X. Ge. iDEP: integrated differential expression and pathway analysis of RNA-Seq data [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-026.

This paper presents an effective method for structural damage detection using the combined technique of the up-to-date cross modal strain energy (CMSE) and niche genetic algorithms (GAs). The traditional modal strain energy method is not convenient for structural damage detection because it needs to compare the modal information between the same modes of the baseline and damaged structures, and also requires the analytical and measured modes to be consistent in scale, or to be normalized, but no such constraint is required for the CMSE method. However, the current CMSE method is still deficient because it cannot effectively determine the locations of structural damage. In order to overcome the shortcoming of the CMSE method in structural damage detection, a combined method of the CMSE with the niche GAs is proposed in this paper to enhance the capability of identifying structural damage location. Numerical studies of damage detection for the case of a model of an airfoil of composite material are given, and the obtained results show that the method proposed in this paper is successful to detect the damage of complex structures.

In order to enhance crude oil recovery, the dosages of alkali, surfactant, and polymer in the tertiary flooding are becoming increasingly higher, which makes the emulsion more difficult to demulsify. In this article the application of new organic silicone demulsifiers for the demulsification of produced crude emulsion of alkali-surfactant-polymer (ASP) flooding with higher concentrations of alkali, surfactant, and polymer was investigated. The result indicated that organic silicone demulsifiers whose hydrophile–lipophile balance (HLB) number ranged from 10 to 15 had a satisfactory effect on demulsification. The dewatering efficiency can be improved evidently by adding a demulsifier mixed with DC2 and JG31 whose volume ratio was 4:1. The dewatering efficiency for produced crude emulsion from ASP flooding could exceed 80% at 60°C in which the concentrations of alkali, polymer, and surfactant ranged from 1,200 to 9,000 mg/L, 400 to 1,000 mg/L, and 200 to 800 mg/L, respectively. The simulative indust...

Some new and simple correlations have been introduced to predict impact sensitivities of various nitro energetic compounds. The correlations are based on the atomic numbers of C, H, N, O, and other amending factors, which are determined by the effect of the connective positions of groups to impact sensitivity. The predicted impact sensitivities for 196 energetic compounds are compared with the latest empirical computations presented by Keshavarz. Root mean square (rms) of deviation from experimental data is 37 cm, which is lower than that obtained from Keshavarz's computation (44 cm) [25,26].

To discuss the hazards of cholecystolithiasis recrudesce after cholecystolithotomy with gallbladder reservation; To provide a theoretical basis for reducing the recurrence rate of gallstone.The patients who were followed up for at least one year after minimally-invasive operation with gallbladder reservation because of cholecystolithiasis were selected. In this population, the patients with recurrence after surgery were as the case group, those patients with no recurrence after surgery were as the control group. Through collection of general data of selected cases, relevant information of Ultrasound Examinations of gallbladder and history data of the patients questionnaires were completed. Relevant factors of gallstone recurrence of patients, were observed through statistic analysis. Main factors go as follows: gender, age, nation, career, BMI, whether or not the patient had the history of chronic superficial gastritis, and regulation of gallbladder emptying function, family history, etc. The information of selected cases is complete.The main hazards of cholecystolithiasis recurrence were BMI, family history of gallstone disease, and emptying function of gallbladder.

A significant advantage of spoke-type interior permanent magnet (IPM) machines is the flux concentration effect of adjacent PMs, which enhances the air-gap flux density and the output capability. However, the leakage flux around the rotor inner circumference is difficult to reduce [1]-[2]. In order to ease the manufacturing process, a spoke-type IPM rotor with alternate airspace-barriers is proposed in this paper, as shown in Fig. 1 (a). For comparison, two rotors with conventional and alternate airspace-barriers are employed, and 3% higher torque capability can be obtained by the proposed design due to the airspace in the paths of leakage flux, as shown in Fig. 1 (b). Moreover, the novel design is much less sensitive to the rib width, and therefore simplifies the punching tools and punching process for silicon-steel laminations, which is the bottleneck of spoke-type IPM rotor with conventional airspace-barriers [3], particularly for small machines.

This paper firstly investigates the flux-weakening control performance of two types of new partitioned stator switched flux permanent magnet (PM) (PS-SFPM) machines and then proposes a novel mechanical flux-weakening technique. The PS-SFPM machine topologies, operation principles and flux weakening control methods are described. In addition, it is shown that by mechanically varying the relative position of two stators of the PS-SFPM machine, the PM flux-linkage can also be varied and hence it can provide improvement of the speed range and torque capability. The optimal relative mechanical angle is derived to enable the maximum torque capability and reduce or even avoid the flux-weakening current injected by the inverter. The proposed technique is verified by 2-dimensional (2D) finite element (FE) analyses and experiments on the prototype machines.

Partitioned stator (PS) machines employ two separate stators to accommodate armature windings and permanent magnets (PMs) respectively, alleviating the stator space conflict in stator-PM machines and hence significantly boosting the torque density. However, the PM usage volume of PS machines is relatively large and the cost is high, which is undesirable for cost sensitive applications. In this paper, a PS machine employing ferrite PMs is presented, which can take the advantage of large space for PMs in PS machines as well as balance the performance and cost. The electromagnetic characteristics of an optimized ferrite PS machine and an optimized NdFeB PS machine are compared, together with a classic Prius2010 interior-PM (IPM) machine as a baseline for comparison. In addition, the economic issues are considered as well. The predicted results reveal that the NdFeB PS machine can produce much higher torque density but is more expensive than the Prius2010 IPM machine, whilst the ferrite PS machine can significantly reduce the cost and still exhibit comparable performance as the Prius2010 IPM machine and the highest torque per cost. The demagnetization behavior of ferrite PS machine is evaluated and a method to improve the demagnetization withstand capability is proposed. A pair of scaled prototypes are manufactured to validate the finite element predictions.

This paper proposes a spoke-type interior permanent magnet (IPM) machine with novel alternate airspace barriers, through which higher torque capability and better manufacturability can be obtained, without remarkable deterioration in mechanical strength. Further, the influence of end leakage flux in the novel IPM design is investigated by three-dimensional finite element method, including the leakage flux characteristics and torque capability. Furthermore, a step-staggered rotor is proposed to reduce the unipolar leakage flux and magnetization of the end shaft. As an extension, unipolar leakage flux is further investigated in consequent-pole PM machines, as well as the validity of step-staggered method. Finally, prototypes are fabricated and tested to verify the foregoing analyses, including the magnetic field at the end shaft and the output capability.

Aerosol filter samples were collected at a high-elevation mountain observatory in the northeastern part of the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau (QXP) during summer 2012 using a low-volume sampler and a micro-orifice uniform deposit impactor (MOUDI). The aim was to improve our understanding of the chemical composition of free tropospheric aerosols in the QXP region. The samples were analyzed for water-soluble inorganic ions (WSIs), organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), water soluble organic carbon (WSOC), and total organic nitrogen (TON). The bulk chemical composition and the average oxidation degree of water-soluble organic matter (WSOM) were assessed using a high resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer. Furthermore, the concentrations of both primary organic aerosol (POA) and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) were estimated. The average mass concentration of the sum of the analyzed species in PM2.5 (WSIs + OC + EC + TON) was 3.74 μg m−3, 36.2% of which was sulfate, 17.8% OC, 16.9% nitrate, 10.1% ammonium, 6.6% calcium, 6.4% TON, 2.6% EC, 1.5% sodium, 0.9% chloride, 0.5% magnesium, and 0.3% potassium. The size distribution of sulfate and ammonium peaked in the accumulation mode (0.32–0.56 μm), whereas the size distributions of both nitrate and calcium peaked in the range of 1.8–3.2 μm, suggesting the formation of nitrate on mineral dust. OC, EC and TON were also predominantly found in the accumulation mode. High average ratios of OC / EC (7.6) and WSOC / OC (0.79) suggested that organic aerosols were primarily made of secondary species. WSOM was found to be highly oxidized in all PM2.5 samples with the average oxygen-to-carbon atomic ratio (O / C) being 1.16 and organic mass to carbon ratio (OM / OC) being 2.75. The highly oxidized WSOM was likely related to active cloud processing during upslope air mass transport coupled with strongly oxidizing environments caused by snow/ice photochemistry. SOA was estimated on average accounting for 75.3% (46.4–96.4%) of the PM2.5, indicating that SOA accounted for a significant portion of the free tropospheric aerosols over the northern QXP.

An extended car following model is proposed by incorporating intelligent transportation system and the backward looking effect under certain condition in traffic flow. The neutral stability condition of this model is obtained by using the linear stability theory. The results show that anticipating the behavior of vehicles preceding and following one vehicle could lead to appreciable stabilization of traffic system. From the simulation of space-time evolution of the vehicle headways, it is shown that the traffic jam could be suppressed efficiently via taking into account the information about the motion of two preceding vehicles and one following vehicle, and the analytical result is consistent with the simulation one.

The jams in the congested traffic reveal various density waves. Some of them are described by the nonlinear wave equations: the Korteweg–de-Vries (KdV) equation, the Burgers equation and the modified KdV equation. An extended car following model are proposed in previous work, and the kink-antikink solution has been obtained from the mKdV equation. We continue to derive the KdV equation near the neutral stability line by applying the reductive perturbation method. The traffic jam could be thus described by the soliton solution, and the analysis result is consistent with the previous one. From the numerical simulations results, the soliton waves are found, and traffic jam is suppressed efficiently as encounter big disturbances.

The variation in grain compositional traits related to Chinese fresh white noodle (CFWN) quality was examined in 25 leading Chinese common wheat cultivars and advanced lines. Large variations were observed in flour yield, flour particle size, protein and ash contents, farinograph and rapid visco-analyzer (RVA) parameters, flour colour components, and polyphenol oxydase (PPO) activity. An improved sensory method was proposed for adequately evaluating CFWN quality of common wheat flour based on methodology used in the Japanese quality scoring system for white salted noodles, but with major modifications in the score weight given to each noodle quality parameter. Large differences in CFWN quality were observed among Chinese wheat cultivars. The correlation coefficients (r) between starch paste breakdown (RVA) and noodle viscoelasticity and smoothness were 0.63 and 0.59, respectively, suggesting that in breeding wheat for high CFWN quality, the starch pasting properties are of major importance. Low ash content was significantly correlated (r = − 0.66) with bright white noodle colour.

We have evaluated four hepatitis E virus (HEV) specific antibody assays, using sequential samples taken from 86 rhesus monkeys at intervals for up to 86 weeks after they had been infected with different doses of HEV. The animals are a common experimental model of hepatitis E. The large collection of sequential samples used avoids uncertainties encountered in previous studies regarding the precise infection status of study subjects and minimizes bias due to the individuality of response to infection. One assay (YES IgG) was produced with synthetic peptides; the others (E2 IgM, E2 IgG, and GL IgG) were produced with recombinant antigens. The results were compared with the viral RNA contents of the serum and stool samples and the occurrence of these virological and immunological markers in the course of the infection was temporally related to the development of hepatitis. Diagnostic utility of the markers was assessed according to their response rates and prevalence at different times in the course of infection. All the animals produced E2 IgG and developed viremia and all but one also produced E2 IgM and excreted the virus in stool, whereas response rates for the other antibodies were lower and decreased with virus dose. Hepatitis occurred over a period of 4 weeks between 3 and 7 weeks after infection. Virological activity occurred mainly during the incubation period and the prevalence of viral markers declined rapidly after the onset of hepatitis. Production of the E2 antibodies immediately preceded the onset of hepatitis, and this was followed about one week later by production of the other antibodies. Seroprevalence E2 IgM reached a peak value 3 weeks after the onset of hepatitis, whereas seroprevalence of GL IgG and YES IgG peaked after the disease had subsided. E2 IgG persisted in all animals for the entire duration of the experiment of up to 86 weeks and possibly beyond and, thus, can serve as a useful epidemiological marker of HEV infection.

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is the most important forage species worldwide of the Festuca genus. Single genotype-derived embryogenic suspension cultures were established from tall fescue cultivar Kentucky-31, and were used as target cells for biolistic transformation. A chimeric hygromycin phosphotransferase gene (hph) was used as the selectable marker, and a chimeric β-glucuronidase (gusA) gene was co-transformed with hph. Transgenic plants were recovered after microprojectile bombardment of suspension cells and subsequent selection in the presence of a high concentration of hygromycin. Fertile transgenic plants were obtained after vernalization under field conditions. T1 and T2 progenies were obtained after reciprocal crosses between transgenic and untransformed control plants. PCR and Southern hybridization analyses revealed a 1∶1 segregation ratio for both transgenes in the T1 and T2 generations. Southern hybridization patterns were identical for T0, T1, and T2 plants. The results demonstrated for the first time the stable meiotic transmission of transgenes following Mendelian rules in transgenic tall fescue.

The microstructure of BaTiO 3 (BTO)/SrTiO 3 (STO) superlattice grown on (001) STO substrate by laser molecular beam epitaxy (L-MBE) was investigated. The microstructural parameters of BTO/STO superlattice, such as the total film thickness, superlattice period, surface and interface root-mean-square (rms) roughness were obtained by computer simulation of the small-angle X-ray diffraction spectra. The results show that the interfaces and surface of the superlattice are very smooth; their rms roughness is about 2 A. The experimental examination of atomic force microscopy has proved the smoothness of the surface of the superlattice. There exists a little correlation along 〈001〉 direction of the surperlattice. The growth mechanism of the superlattice is discussed. By modified Bragg's law, the total thickness of the superlattice is calculated, and is consistent with that of the simulation of small-angle X-ray reflectivity.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether systemic tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), soluble TNF-alpha receptors (p55, p75), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and soluble IL-6 receptor could be markers of biological activities of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP). The study population was composed of 182 Chinese retired coal miners who had similar dust exposure histories. Among them, 71 were cases with CWP and 111 were controls. Chest radiographs were classified according to International Labour Organization Criteria (ILO, 1980). Individual dust exposure variables were estimated from work histories, and smoking information was obtained from interviews. Serum concentrations of TNF-alpha, TNF-alpha receptors (p55, p75), IL-6, and IL-6 receptor were measured by ELISA techniques. Mean serum levels of p55, p75 and IL-6 were significantly higher in cases than in controls (P < or = 0.01 for each comparison by crude analyses). Results from logistic regression models, adjusted for age, dust exposure variables, and smoking habits, found similar associations between soluble p55 and p75 levels and the presence of CWP. Linear regression analysis revealed that CWP radiographic stage (by ILO criteria) was significantly correlated with the individual serum concentrations of p55, p75 and IL-6. Serum concentrations of all measured cytokines were notcorrelated to age, dust exposure, or smoking, but there were correlations between soluble p75 and p55 levels, and between p75 and IL-6 levels. The results of this study suggest that serum levels of TNF receptors and IL-6 are associated with the fibrotic process of CWP and serum cytokine levels may be correlated with the severity of CWP.

Therapeutic hypothermia is an important treatment for cerebral resuscitation in patients after cardiac arrest. But it is rarely used for comatose survivor post-cardiac arrest in China. The patient was the first case who was in coma post cardiac arrest caused by acute myocardial infarction and given hypothermia therapy in our hospital. After coronary reperfusion and therapeutic hypothermia, the patient's sneurologic function was recovered to normal. The paper discussed the indications, contraindications, cooling methods and complications of therapeutic hypothermia.