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Abstract: Canna edulis ker is a potential feedstock for ethanol production because of its low nutrition requirements and the high starch content of its tubers. The processing of C. edulis is limited by the high viscosity of the biomass. In this study, cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDEs) containing acid xylanase and β-glucanase were successful in reducing the viscosity (from 167.30 Pa s to 8.66 Pa s) at 50 °C for 120 min. The effect of CWDEs on simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) was investigated. Addition of CWDEs before SSF, resulted in an increase in total sugar and fermentable sugar. Meanwhile, the viscosity decreased sharply from approximately 200.00 Pa s to 2.98 Pa s, thereby improving the fermentation parameters and the mass fraction of the theoretical ethanol yield was 94.5%. Only special demand of nutritional ingredients was nitrogen, urea at 750 mg kg−1 was found to be suitable for this purpose. In the verification experiments, the mass fraction of the theoretical ethanol yield in a 5 L fermentor was 98.3%. In conclusion, the pretreatment with CWDEs has significant effect on high level ethanol production using roots and tubers on an industrial scale from the biomass utilization efficiency and economic standpoint. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The rapid progress of modern manufacturing and inspection technologies has posed stringent requirements on optical techniques for vibration characterization and dynamic testing. Due to its simplicity, accuracy and whole-field characters, laser speckle interferometry has served as one of the major techniques for dynamic measurement. In this paper, a two-step phase shifting method is developed for quantitative speckle phase measurement, which helps to eliminate the specklegrams needed for phase evaluation and facilitate dynamic measurement. Unlike previously reported two-step methods using fringe patterns with known phase shift of π/2, a small unknown phase shift is employed instead in the proposed method, which eliminates the need for phase shifting devices. Further investigation shows that small phase shifts are preferable over large phase shifts in this method. Shearographic experiments conducted have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed technique. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to determine lysine requirement of juvenile yellow catfish ( Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) by feeding formulated diets containing crystalline l-lysine. Six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets (405 g kg−1 protein, 18 kJ g−1 gloss energy) containing fish meal together with soybean protein concentrate as protein sources and fish oil together with soybean oil as lipid sources were formulated. Crystalline l-lysine was added into the six diets to acquire lysine concentrations of 17.3, 21.8, 26.0, 31.3, 35.5 and 41.9 g kg−1 dry diets, respectively. Mixture of crystalline amino acid was supplemented to simulate the amino acid profile in muscle of yellow catfish. The results indicated that final body weight (FBW), weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency (FE) and protein efficiency (PE) increased with the increase in dietary lysine level from 17.3 to 31.3 g kg−1 of diet and then decreased as the dietary lysine levels further increased. No significant difference in survival rate was found among all the dietary treatments. One-slope, quadratic broken-line analysis on the basis of SGR showed that the dietary l-lysine requirement of juvenile yellow catfish was 33.1 g kg−1 of dry diet (83.2 g kg−1 of dietary protein). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To update our previous computerized epidemiological data according to the new taxonomy, we re-evaluated and re-analyzed the data using the current definitions of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) which were approved and published by the ICS in 2002 and 2010 according to patient perception. Further, we divided overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms into OAB dry and OAB wet to assess their prevalence percentages by using the current definitions. Methods OAB syndrome in our computerized database was re-defined as having the following storage symptoms present, that is, frequency, urgency, nocturia, urgency incontinence, or stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The prevalence of OAB syndrome was determined with a different taxonomy for those five storage symptoms either singly or in combination. OAB symptoms which were probably associated with mixed incontinence were either ignored or excluded. Results The prevalence of OAB syndrome varied from 34.76% to 28.33% to 20.95% using different classifications of the above five storage symptoms. The prevalence of OAB wet symptoms increased with advancing age and this finding was consistent with three different definitions. Conclusions The prevalence of OAB using the current definition is slightly higher than the result found in our previous published data using a defective classification system of OAB symptoms. The effects of mixed symptoms and probable misclassification cannot be overlooked because many women with OAB (with or without urgency incontinence) might also have SUI. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31:56-59, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To meet the growing demands of the global photovoltaic (PV) industry, preparing large scale and ultra-thin solar wafers becomes one of the key issues. This paper presents the preparatory investigations of slicing solar silicon ingot into wafers by an abrasive electrochemical method based on a multi-wire saw system. The anodic passivation on silicon can be controlled by applying an anodic potential during the mechanical slicing process, which improves the surface integrity and material removal rate remarkably. This new hybrid machining method has no influence on subsequent cleaning of wafers and preparing the solar cells, and the average photoelectric transformation efficiency is >17.5%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the field of Civil Engineering, the evaluation of concrete elasticity modulus relies heavily on traditional strain gauges like electric resistance strain gauge, demec mechanical strain and compressometer. These strain gauges work pretty well but the sample surface preparation and the strain gauge adhesion are tedious and time-consuming. On the other hand, convenient non-destructive testing methods like rebound hammer and ultrasonic pulse velocity have the disadvantage of large data scattering and low reliability. In this paper, we aim to develop a handy, reliable and cost-effective method for concrete property evaluation based on an optical technique called automatic digital image correlation (ADIC), which acts as an optical strain gauge. By incorporating an automatic searching approach, the proposed ADIC greatly expands the convergence range of normal digital image correlation (DIC) algorithms and is able to automatically determine concrete strain in real time without human interaction. After the optical strain gauge is set up, the axial concrete strain as well as the stress–strain curve is plotted in real time when the concrete sample under testing is loaded. The concrete elasticity modulus is then determined from the curve. A series of experiments have been conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed optical strain gauge. Comparisons are also carried out between the proposed optical strain gauge and traditional strain gauges such as electronic strain gauge, compressometer and demec mechanical strain gauge, which further confirm the accuracy, convenience and reliability of the proposed technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Infrared thermography is a rapid, non-invasive and full-field technique for non-destructive testing and evaluation (NDT&E). With all the achievements on IR instrumentation and image processing techniques attained, it has been extended far beyond simple hot-spot detection and becomes one of the most promising NDT&E techniques in the last decades. It has achieved increasing acceptance in different sectors include medical imaging, manufacturing component fault detection and buildings diagnostic. However, one limitation of IR thermography is that the testing results are greatly affected by object surface emissivity. Surface with various emissivities may lead to difficult discrimination between area of defect and area with different emissivity. Therefore, many studies have been carried out on eliminating emissivity, for example, the time derivative approach, lock-in processing and differential contrast measurements. In these methods, sequence of themo-data/images are recorded and being processed in order to eliminate differences of emissivity. Another problem of IR thermography is that any obstruction may limit stimulations and imaging which leads to the observation of unclear defect image. To solve this problem, this paper proposes an algorithm based on the principle of computerized tomography which permits the reconstruction of unavailable/partially available temperature distribution of the affected area using the measured surrounding temperature field. In the process, a set of imaginary rays are projected from many different directions across the area. For each ray, integration of the temperature derivatives along the ray is equals to the temperature difference between the boundary points intercepted by the ray. Therefore, a set of linear equations can be established by considering the multiple rays. Each equation expresses the unknown temperature derivatives in the affected area in terms of the measured boundary temperature data. Solution of the set of simultaneous equations yields unknown thermal distribution in the area which needs to be reconstructed. Based on the proposed computerized tomography reconstruction (CTR) technique, deviated temperature data due to missing temperature data hidden by obstacle can be reconstructed. With further development, this technique may have the potential to be applied in the reconstruction of any smooth physical fields like phase information in optical techniques. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study reports a novel cell co-culture technique using micro-molding in capillaries (MIMIC) technology that was utilized to observe the transmigration conditions of two types of cells with and without fluidic shear stress. Besides, the gap size of co-culture device could achieve shortest and not mixture. Endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were used in our experiment. In addition, concentrations of two cell are 8000 cells/μL (ECs) and 9000 cells/μL (SMCs), respectively, the shear stress is 7 dyne/cm2, and the isolation distance between two types of cell are 50 and 200 μm. It is found that in the smaller culture space (50 μm) condition, ECs and SMCs would induce mutually, which would further make cell migration; in larger culture space (200 μm) condition, no inducing reaction took place between ECs and SMCs. It will have more advantages in bio-manipulation and tissue repair engineering. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Shearography has been widely adopted for nondestructive testing and evaluation of various materials, especially in the rubber industry and aerospace industry. It detects flaws and defects by identifying deformation anomalies when the specimen is stressed by a certain means. Conventional stressing methods for shearography include pressurization, mechanical or acoustic loading and vibration excitation. These stressing techniques are favorably applied in various applications. In this study, we propose a novel impulsive thermal stressing method using high-power flash lamps for convenient nondestructive testing and evaluation in both laboratory and industrial environment. The proposed technique employs a high-energy heat flux to excite the specimen and detects the thermal deformation anomaly using a shearographic setup. By incorporating a novel clustering phase extraction method, the movement of the continuously deforming object is obtained using only one single deformed speckle image at each deformed stage, thus enabling both qualitative and quantitative measurement. Experiments conducted on various samples with cracks and debonds demonstrate the practicability of proposed technique for both laboratory and industrial applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Bolts are widely used in industry for joining members together. The behavior and service life of bolted joints depend on several factors including bolt material, dimensions, surface finish, surface coating and thread tolerances. However, the uppermost factor affecting the reliability and durability is the correctness of the clamping force exerted by the bolt. Thus it is very important to monitor the bolt clamping force to ensure a proper preload during assembly process. Each of the available monitoring techniques including torque control, torque-angle control, strain gauged bolt and ultrasound suffers one or more limitations which affect the reliability of measurement. In this paper, we propose an alternative method for direct tension measurement, which utilizes a washer with a white light speckle pattern on its face as an optical force transducer. By measuring the strain of the washer using automatic digital image correlation, the clamping force can be determined. This method, which enables real-time monitoring of clamping force during fastening, has a potential of being used for mass measurement of clamping force in a production environment. Experiments conducted on bolted structures with washers of different sizes have demonstrated the reliability and usefulness of this new approach. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this work, the magnetic and microstructural properties of CoPt nanowires are presented as a function of the electrolyte pH and current density during electrodeposition into anodized alumina templates. CoPt nanowires of high aspect ratio have been prepared using electrolyte pH values in the range from 2 to 6. The as-made samples exhibit a face centered cubic (fcc) structure with soft magnetic properties which transform into the face centered tetragonal (fct) L10 phase after thermal treatment. Different pH values of the electrolyte during electrodeposition lead to significantly different microstructures and, therefore, different magnetic properties. The CoPt nanowires prepared at high pH value are composed of fcc nanorods of about 25nm in length. Thermal annealing of these samples leads to a preferred (001) orientation (along the direction perpendicular to the direction of nanowires) which increases with annealing time. On the other hand, the CoPt nanowires prepared at lower pH value are composed of uniform fcc nanograins with the size ∼2−3nm. Magnetization curves for the later sample are virtually identical in both directions indicating an isotropic behavior. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A meshless shell method for large deformation and a linear relation between the Cauchy stress tensor and the Almansi strain tensor based on the corrective smoothed particle method (CSPM) is presented in this paper. Due to the use of the shell theory, only one layer of particles in the reference plane is required to discretize the shell model. The CSPM combining the kernel estimate with the Taylor series expansion is adopted, which resolves the general problems of low precision and particle deficiency in standard smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH). The discrete governing equations of the shell in the strong form are derived using the conservation condition and the CSPM interpolation function. Aiming at the sore point of the free boundary in the meshless method, the developed model enables the modified governing equations to automatically satisfy the free boundary condition without additional treatment. Moreover, the total Lagrangian kernel function and stress points are employed to eliminate tensile instability and instability induced by the rank deficiency. Finally, several numerical examples are used to verify the validity and accuracy of the meshless shell model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Results are presented for a simulation carried out to test the precision with which a detector design (HERON) based on a superfluid helium target material should be able to measure the solar pp and 7Be fluxes. It is found that precisions of ±1.68% and ±2.97% for pp and 7Be fluxes, respectively, should be achievable in a 5-year data sample. The physics motivation to aim for these precisions is outlined as are the detector design, the methods used in the simulation and sensitivity to solar orbit eccentricity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In Taiwan, having implemented some incentive measures and subsidies, some progress of renewable energy in Taiwan has occurred; however, comparing the medium and long-term target reveals a wide gap. This paper (taking the solar photovoltaic (PV) for example), applies the ‘technological system’ framework to analyze the evolution of PV in Taiwan. Here, a comparative analysis is made of the development of PV between Germany and Taiwan to understand what issues that policy makers should focus on PV utilization in Taiwan. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The ability to non-invasively monitor cell biology in vivo is one of the most important goals of molecular imaging. Imaging procedures could be inter-subject performed repeatedly at different investigating stages; thereby need not sacrifice small animals during the entire study period. Thus, the ultimate goal of this study was to design a stereotactic image-guided system for small animals and integrated it with an automatic robot arm for in vivo tissue biopsy analysis. The system was composed of three main parts, including one small animal stereotactic frame, one imaging-fusion software and an automatic robot arm system. The system has been thoroughly evaluated with three components; the robot position accuracy was 0.05±0.02mm, the image registration accuracy was 0.37±0.18mm and the system integration was satisfactorily within 1.20±0.39mm of error. From these results, the system demonstrated sufficient accuracy to guide the micro-injector from the planned delivery routes into practice. The entire system accuracy was limited by the image fusion and orientation procedures, due to its nature of the blurred PET imaging obtained from the small objects. The primary improvement is to acquire as higher resolution as possible the fused imaging for localizing the targets in the future. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The use and development of renewable energy has become a major policy incentive in Taiwan. Some measures, promoting renewable energy, were previously instituted, but many legal and institutional barriers, hampering the development of renewable energy, remain; thus, it is necessary to encourage discussion to eliminate barriers and implement support mechanisms. This article reviews current measures and addresses the perspectives and support mechanisms of renewable energy in Taiwan. Basically, Taiwan''s short, medium and long-term development progress and strategies for renewable energy sources can be seen to correspond to current international initiatives; in practice, however, many issues (such as establishing domestic renewable energy technologies and inter-departmental coordination mechanisms) must still be addressed, in order to actively promote the utilization of renewable energy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Rana grylio virus (RGV), a Ranavirus belonging to the family Iridoviridae, assembles in the viromatrix which is a factory for viral genome replication and particle assembly. Ultrastructural studies of the viromatrix will clarify the pathway of assembly. The viromatrix and quantitative changes in RGV infected epithelipma papulosum cyprini (EPC) cells, one of fish cell lines, were studied by electron microscopy. It was shown that viromatrices were adjacent to the nucleus, and the electron density was lower than that of the surrounding cytoplasm. The viromatrix contained virus particles with different forms, electron-dense materials and amorphous structures which included tubules and membranous materials. Tubules were often observed in direct continuity with empty capsids. Several bundles of intermediate filaments were seen alongside the viromatrix and crystalline aggregates. Large clusters of mitochondria occurred in proximity to viromatrix. A total of 990 cells profiles were examined. The results showed that 394 cells contained viromatrix: 89.3% contained one, and 10.7% contained two to four viromatrices. The number of viromatrices increased gradually and reached a peak at 16h p.i. The viromatrix area at 24h p.i. increased up to 7.4±0.69μm2 which was three-times lower than that at 6h p.i. The number of empty capsids within viromatrix was generally more than that of “full” particles at different time points, and there was a strong positive correlation between them. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A novel activated alumina-supported iron oxide-composite (denoted as FeAA-500) was prepared by so-called fluidized-bed reactor (FBR) crystallization. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption/desorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used to characterize the FeAA-500. The photo-catalytic activity of the FeAA-500 was evaluated in the photooxidative degradation of 0.1mM azo-dye reactive black 5 (RB5) in the presence of H2O2 and UVA light (λ =365nm) in a solution with a pH of 2.5. Complete decolorization of the model pollutant RB5 was achieved; the total organic carbon (TOC) removal ratio was 95%, and a trace amount of leached ferric ion was detected following 75min of reaction when 2.0g/L FeAA-500 was used as a catalyst. FeAA-500 has high photo-catalytic activity; it is therefore a promising heterogeneous photocatalysis of the degradation of organic compounds. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Based on the collected experimental and smoothed p–ρ–T data, isochoric and isobaric specific heat capacity data, etc., p–H and T–S diagrams of 3He are plotted in the range of temperatures from 0.2K to 20K and pressures from 0.0001MPa to 20MPa, with data calculated numerically instead of using an equation of state. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: FePt nanoparticles with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy embedded in non-magnetic matrices M (M=Ag, C) have been fabricated by sputtering FePt/M multilayer films onto single crystal MgO [001] at temperatures above 300°C. Particles with controlled particle size down to a few nanometers and tailored microstructure and magnetic properties can be obtained by varying the bilayer thicknesses, the substrate temperature, the type of substrate material and the post-annealing conditions. Ordered FePt nanoparticles have also been prepared directly by gas phase condensation techniques (cluster gun).The cluster gun allows a better control of particle size and distribution, and enables an in situ heat treatment of the particles to transform their structure into the desired phase before they are deposited onto the substrate, thus avoiding the undesirable effects of alloying and oxidation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: YBa2Cu4O8/La2/3Ca1/3MnO3/YBa2Cu4O8 (Y-124/LCMO/Y-124) heterostructures were prepared by facing-target sputtering technique. The oscillatory behavior of superconducting transition temperature (TC) with the thickness of LCMO (dL) has been observed. The strongest nonmonotonic information in TC–dL curves appears clearly when dL is larger than the critical thickness . The metal-insulator transition temperature (TMI) can only be detected at dL>. For LCMO/Y-124/LCMO trilayer films, the TMI has also shown an oscillation with decreasing spacer layer thickness. These kinds of symmetric dependence on the spacer layer in LCMO/Y-124 systems suggest strongly the interplay of ferromagnetic and superconducting couplings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Using multivariate analyses, individual risk of clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS) after monosymptomatic optic neuritis (MON) was quantified in a prospective study with clinical MON onset during 1990–>95 in Stockholm, Sweden. During a mean follow-up time of 3.8 years, the presence of MS-like brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions and oligoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) G bands in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were strong prognostic markers of CDMS, with relative hazard ratios of 4.68 {95% confidence interval (CI) 2.21–9.91} and 5.39 (95% CI 1.56_ndash;18.61), respectively. Age and season of clinical onset were also significant predictors, with relative hazard ratios of 1.76 (95% CI 1.02–3.04) and 2.21 (95% CI 1.13–3.98), respectively. Based on the above two strong predictors, individual probability of CDMS development after MON was calculated in a three-quarter sample drawn from a cohort, with completion of followup at three years. The highest probability, 0.66 (95% CI 0.48–0.80), was obtained for individuals presenting with three or more brain MRI lesions and oligoclonal bands in the CSF, and the lowest, 0.09 (95% CI 0.02–0.32), for those not presenting with these traits. Medium values, 0.29 (95% CI 0.13–0.53) and 0.32 (95% CI 0.07–0.73), were obtained for individuals discordant for the presence of brain MRI lesions and oligoclonal bands in the CSF. These predictions were validated in an external one-quarter sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a meshless model for quasi-static and dynamic analysis of a three-dimensional Timoshenko beam with geometric nonlinearity. A general mathematical formulation is constructed based on the corrective smoothed particle method (CSPM), which can correct the low precision and completeness deficiency of the standard smoothed particle hydrodynamics(SPH) method. The discrete governing equations as well as the boundary conditions in strong form for the three-dimensional beam are then derived by using the conservation conditions and the CSPM interpolation function. The developed model enables one to expediently discretize the geometric nonlinear beam with only a row of particles at the central axis and to automatically satisfy the free boundary condition without any additional treatment. Moreover, Lagrangian kernel function and stress points are adopted to eliminate tensile instability and instability induced by the rank deficiency within the particle methods. Finally, comparisons with several results obtained from the existing literature are provided to demonstrate the validity and potential of the present procedure. • A three-dimensional meshless beam model with geometric nonlinearity is presented. • The beam formulation is constructed using the corrective smoothed particle method. • A free boundary treatment method is proposed for the meshless beam formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we demonstrated the controllable fabrication of periodic arrays of vertically well-aligned, fully-silicided NiSi 2 nanoneedles with sharp nanotips on (100)Si substrates. The new approach proposed here eliminates the need for complicated and costly photolithographic processes and the use of toxic chemicals. All the produced vertical Si and NiSi 2 nanoneedles were identified to be single crystalline and with the same geometric morphology and the same axial orientation of [100]. Additionally, the produced tapered NiSi 2 nanoneedle array possessed excellent electron emission properties with a very low turn-on field of 0.85 V/μm, which is superior to many reported one-dimensional metal silicide nanostructures. Such an enhancement in the field emission can be attributed to the lower effective work function, sharp nanotips, single-crystalline structure, and good vertical alignment. The combination of the facile approach proposed here and superior electron emission performances make the well-ordered vertical NiSi 2 nanoneedles promising candidates for vacuum nanoelectronics and field emission display applications. • A new approach was proposed to fabricate periodic NiSi 2 nanoneedle arrays. • The new method eliminates the need for complicated photolithographic processes. • Fully-silicided NiSi 2 nanoneedles had single-crystalline structure with axial direction [100]. • Tapered NiSi 2 nanoneedle array had superior electron emission properties with very low turn-on field of 0.85 V/μm. • Has potential for making various tapered silicide-based field emission nanodevices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which investigated the tunneling magnetoresistance effect (TMR) of iron-lead-oxygen (Fe-Pb-O) granular films from different annealing time. Experimental details; Results of the study.