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Analysis of helicon wave heating and current drive capability in EXL-50spherical torus plasmas has been conducted. It is found that the drivencurrent increases with the launched parallel refractive index n|| and peaksaround n|| = 4.0 when the frequency of the helicon wave is between 300 MHzand 380 MHz. The helicon wave current drive efficiency shows a relativelystable upward trend with increasing plasma temperature. Moreover, thedriven current decreases as the plasma density increases. We also analyzedthe current drive with helicon waves of 150 MHz and 170 MHz and foundthat the driven current at a lower frequency was lower than that at a higherfrequency. A positive proportional relationship exists between the drivencurrent and n||. Besides, as n|| increases, the profile of the driven currentbecomes wider. Finally, the effect of the scrape-off layer (SOL) region on thehelicon wave current drive was also investigated.

In this research, the Cr/TiO2 composite coatings were formed in Na2HPO4 + NaOH + Cr2O3 by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) technology with different ratios of anodic and cathodic currents. Surface morpho...

A comprehensive experimental programme has been carried out to investigate the local buckling and postbuckling strengths of aluminium alloy I-section stub columns. A total of 15 test specimens made of two heat-treated aluminium alloys (6061-T6 and 6063-T5) were fabricated by extrusion. The material properties were acquired by the tensile coupons cut directly from the extruded cross-sections. The local geometric imperfections in sections were accurately measured prior to the tests. The stub column specimens were tested under axial compression between two fixed end supports, during which the local plate buckling featured visibly for each test specimen before reaching the peak load. The critical local buckling strengths were determined from the measured out-of-plane deflections and surface strains corresponding to the plate elements, which were further compared with the theoretical and analytical values taking into account element interaction and material non-linearity. Based on the obtained experimental postbuckling strengths, the design provisions in current design standards, including the American, Australian/New Zealand, European and Chinese specifications, were all evaluated. It was revealed that the predicted compressive strengths from the four design standards were generally conservative, especially for the cross-sections made of aluminium alloys with pronounced strain hardening properties.

This paper presents twenty-eight stub columns tests on stainless steel built-up sections. The test specimens, including I-sections, square hollow sections (SHS) and rectangular hollow sections (RHS), were fabricated by shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) from hot-rolled plates of nominal thicknesses 6 mm and 10 mm. The twenty-eight stub columns, of two stainless steel alloys (austenitic EN 1.4301 and duplex EN 1.4462), were tested in pure axial compression. Both tensile and compressive material properties were obtained by means of coupon tests in three directions – longitudinal, diagonal and transverse to the rolling direction. Geometric imperfection measurements for each specimen were conducted by means of a calibrated electric guideway, and residual stress distributions in the built-up sections were determined by means of the sectioning method. The test strengths were used to evaluate the design strengths predicted by EN 1993-1-4, the Continuous Strength Method (CSM) and the direct strength method (DSM). It was demonstrated that the predicted strengths from EN 1993-1-4 provisions were generally conservative, while both the CSM and the DSM predicted values were closer to the test strengths.

The structural and magnetic properties of Fe 16 N 2 have been investigated with the help of the GGA+U method. Calculations of the magnetic properties of Fe 16 N 2 indicate that the average magnetic moment of Fe atoms increases in line with the electron correlation effects in Fe 16 N 2 . The differences of magnetic moments for non-equivalent Fe atoms in Fe 16 N 2 mainly result from interstitial N atoms, different degrees of hybridization between non-equivalent Fe atoms and N atoms, and interaction among different d electron orbits of non-equivalent Fe atoms.

Using first-principles GGA+U calculations, we systematically studied the electronic structure, mechanical properties and Debye temperature ( θ D ) of the hexagonal e-Fe 3 N. The structural and elastic properties of e-Fe 3 N were well described by considering the Fe 3 d on-site Coulomb energy. The bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young’s modulus, and Poisson’s ratio determined by GGA+U method are 191.5 GPa, 79.3 GPa, 209.0 GPa and 0.32, respectively. They are in better agreement with the experimental values compared with GGA. e-Fe 3 N exhibits virtually isotropic properties in compression and slightly anisotropic in shear. The modest in-plane elastic anisotropy in a – c plane of e-Fe 3 N was also revealed. The Debye temperature of e-Fe 3 N was calculated from the elastic moduli and sound velocities. It is indicated that the θ D value obtained by GGA+U method is in better agreement with experimental data.

We have performed first-principles study on structural stability, elastic properties and electronic structure of Fe 16 N 2 by applying LSDA+U method. The calculated values of formation energy and reaction enthalpy for decomposition reaction indicate that Fe 16 N 2 is a thermodynamically stable phase at the ground state. The six independent elastic constants are derived and the bulk modulus, Young's modulus, shear modulus, and Poisson's ratio are determined as 180 GPa, 199 GPa, 76 GPa and 0.32, respectively. The elastic constants meet all the mechanical stability criteria. The ductility of Fe 16 N 2 is predicted by Pugh's criterion. The strong bonding between Fe and N atoms results in high values of elastic constants C 11 and C 33 , and contributes to the strengthening of the Fe 16 N 2 structural stability. The total and partial densities of states (DOS) suggest the existence of hybridization between N-p and Fe-d bands. The position of the Fermi level in DOS curve implies that Fe 16 N 2 is a metastable phase.

First-principles calculations are employed to study the structural and magnetic properties of fully-relaxed cubic Fe 4 N(0 0 1) surfaces with both Fe 2 - and Fe 2 N-termination. The results of surface stability calculations show that the (0 0 1) surface of Fe 4 N is most possibly existing with Fe 2 N-termination. Slab structures have more localized features in the density of states especially for the Fe 2 N-terminated surface due to structure relaxation. The average magnetic moments of Fe atoms increase with increasing thickness of slabs. The calculated interlayer distances indicate that the decreases of d 12 and d 23 result in stronger hybridization and shorter bond distances between Fe2 atom in the second layer and other atoms in surface or the third layers, which lead to variation of magnetic moments with different slab thicknesses.

Experimental and numerical investigations on bearing capacity of non-linear metallic spiders used in glass facades were presented. The non-linear metallic materials adopted in this study included two aluminum alloys (ZL105-T1 and ZL111-T6) and one austenitic stainless steel (AISI 302). A total of 21 spider specimens including three types of configurations were tested. Numerical simulation of the tests was conducted by virtue of sophisticated finite element (FE) models built up with ANSYS software. The test and FE predicted results were used to develop new design proposals for the spiders. Evaluation of the proposed design formulae revealed that a comparatively large safety margin would be appropriate in consideration of brittle glass panels. Finally, safety assessment of the spiders was conducted based upon a practical engineering application-the exhibition greenhouse in Beijing Botanical Garden.

In this paper, based on the periodic up and down cruising mode a controller design method for a hypersonic aircraft is addressed to achieve further voyage with fixed fuel by solving for ignition time of combined engine, throttle opening and the elevator deflection angle. A fuel optimal control problem of switched system is formulated, in which, ignition time, throttle opening and the elevator deflection angle are decision variables. The maximum principle is applied to find the throttle opening. Furthermore, the control parameterization method and the time scaling transformation are adjusted to transform the original optimal control problem into a normal nonlinear programming problem, which can be solved by the existing gradient-based method. Simulation results show the efficiency of the proposed method.

This paper presents a detailed investigation into lateral-torsional stability of aluminium extruded I section beams under pure bending. Forty aluminium members of two different alloys 6061-T6 and 6063-T5, representing weak hardening and strong hardening alloys respectively, were tested. Stress–strain relationships were determined by tensile tests with 8 coupons cut from extruded flanges and web. Widths of flanges and lengths of members were herein taken as primary parameters to study lateral-torsional stability of the beams. With rigid lateral-torsional restraint on beam ends, lateral-torsional buckling resistances and load-rotation relationships were obtained by continuous loading. Comparison of numerical predictions with test results indicated that accurate and reliable replication could be achieved by the described finite element (FE) models. By means of measured material behaviour and geometric properties, the corresponding provisions in Eurocode 9 (CEN 2007) and a design method previously proposed by the authors were evaluated by the test results. It was demonstrated that the proposed calculation method could provide cross-section lateral-torsional buckling resistances that are much closer to the test results than design strengths on the basis of the Eurocode 9 provisions are. Therefore, the proposed design method could be an alternative way of predicting the lateral-torsional buckling resistances of aluminium alloy I-beams.

We report room-temperature spin valve effects in Alq3-based vertical organic spin valve (OSV) devices with direct interfaces between Alq3 and the bottom and top ferromagnetic electrodes. In contrast to conventional OSVs, where the top electrode is directly deposited on top of organic layer, we use indirect deposition method. We find this method can significantly suppress the penetration of Co atoms into Alq3 layer during deposition process, which is commonly found in conventional OSVs. The improved Alq3/Co interface is further confirmed by comparing the magnetic moment of depositing Co onto Alq3 and Si substrates by indirect and direct deposition methods. A penetration length of 12.5 nm in direct deposition Co on top of Alq3 is estimated. And the demonstration of room-temperature spin valve effects indicates the improvement of spin injection efficiency at sharp Alq3/Co interface.

In our present work, Ag2S nanowires and Ag2S/CdS heterostructures have been successfully prepared in anhydrous ethanol through a simple solvothermal route. From the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis, it is found that the factors influenced the final product are the concentration of Ag+, reaction temperature, reaction time, and solvent. Ag2S nanowires are formed by complete Ag+ cation exchange. Because of the selectivity for partial cation exchange, the reaction starts preferentially at the ends of the CdS nanowires to produce novel Ag2S/CdS heterostructures. In addition, as the two end facets of wurtzite CdS nanowires are crystallographically nonequivalent, the produced Ag2S/CdS heterostructures are asymmetric.

Abrasive composite bulks consisting of polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN) grains, Cu-Sn-Ti alloy and graphite particles were sintered at the heating temperature of 920 °C for the dwell time of 30 min. The bending strength of abrasive composite bulks was measured. The interfacial microstructure and the phases were characterized. In addition, the dressing experiment was carried out to detect the self-sharpening behavior of the composite bulks. Results obtained show that the abrasive composite bulks in this investigation give higher bending strength than that of the vitrified abrasive wheels. The compounds of TiN, TiB2were formed and the PCBN grains were embedded firmly. Strong fixing of the bulks to the PCBN grains led to the breakage of the PCBN grains when the abrasive composite bulks fractured. The intergranular fracture mode of the PCBN grains ensured the self-sharpening effect of the grains.

Friction stir lap linear welding is conducted on overlapped AZ31 magnesium plates with different welding tools. Welds are made mainly with the orientation such that the weld retreating side on the upper plate is to be placed under load. Welding tools consist of a concave shoulder and a pin having a cylindrical, or triangular, or pie shape. This work addresses the effects of tool geometry and process condition on lap shear strength of welds. The shape of the hook formed due to upward bending of the plate interface on the retreating side and the strength of friction stir processed material are quantitatively characterized. Compared to the cylindrical tool, the triangular tool effectively suppresses the hook on the retreating side due to enhanced horizontal material flow. This primarily leads to a 78% increase in optimized weld strength. A ‘pure’ shear surface present on the tool pin significantly reduces weld strength.

The integral strength of the pipeline is badly hurt by drilled holes. Whether the pipeline can work normally after being repaired is in concern. While it is hard to determine the strength degradation of the pipeline by field experiments, that is to say, what is the ultimate pressure that the damaged pipeline can bear after being repaired? Three segments of pipeline will be experimented in this paper; they were directly cut from pipelines. The first was cut from a pipeline which had been in service for about 30 years and the drilled holes had been repaired by welding hats; the second was cut from the same pipeline while the drilled holes had been repaired by welding sheet; the third was cut from a brand new pipeline. Hydraulic pressure tests were performed for these three segments respectively. The test method, test procedure and test results will be fully discussed. Furthermore, FEM analysis was performed for the first and the second segment and results were analyzed in this paper.

Microtubules are characterized by extremely low shear modulus that is a few orders of magnitude lower than longitudinal modulus. In this paper, the effects of transverse shearing due to low shear modulus of microtubules are investigated using a Timoshenko-beam model, with detailed comparison between the Timoshenko-beam model, classical isotropic Euler–Bernoulli beam model and a more accurate 2D orthotropic elastic shell model. It is confirmed that transverse shearing is mainly responsible for the length-dependent flexural rigidity of an isolated microtubule reported in the literature, which cannot be explained by the widely used Euler–Bernoulli beam model. Indeed, the length-dependent flexural rigidity predicted by the Timoshenko-beam model is found to be in good quantitative agreement with known experimental data. In particular, the present Timoshenko-beam model predicts that, because of the length dependence of flexural rigidity, microtubules of different lengths could sustain almost equal maximum axial compressive force against column buckling, a conclusion that could have some interesting consequences to the mechanical behavior of cells. These results recommend that the Timoshenko-beam model offers a unified simple 1D model, which can capture the length dependence of flexural rigidity and be applied to various static and dynamic problems of microtubule mechanics.

Aims Deposition of C4d in peritubular capillaries (PTC) has been considered to be a marker of humoral immunity in renal transplant. This study is to investigate C4d deposition in rat renal allografts undergoing CAN and the effects of immunosuppressants on it. Methods Fisher 344 rat renal grafts were orthotopically transplanted into Lewis rats following the procedure of Kamada with our modification. All the recipients were given CsA 10 mg/kg−1 · d−1 × 10 d and then divided into 5 groups (each n = 9); (1) Vehicle: vehicle orally, (2) CsA: 6 mg/kg−1 · d−1, (3) RAPA: 0.8 mg/kg−1 · d−1, (4) FK 506: 0.15 mg/kg−1 · d−1, (5) MMF: 20 mg/ kg−1 · d−1. At 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, the rats were sacrificed, renal allografts were harvested and sera were collected. The deposition of C4d was detected by immunofluorescence and analyzed by Integrated Optical Density (IOD). The pathological changes were accessed according to the Banff 97 criteria. Results C4d deposition in PTC was found in all the allografts at 4 weeks, while there was no obvious manifestations of CAN in all the groups; the differences of Banff Score between all groups were not significant (P > .05). The values of IOD in RAPA and MMF group were lower than those in other 3 groups (P = .002, .006). The differences between RAPA and MMF, and between other 3 groups were not significant (P > .05). The intensity of C4d increased along with the progression of CAN, the heaviest C4d deposits in PTC were found at 12 weeks, and meanwhile the severest CAN was found. Comparing with Vehicle group, CsA and FK 506 had no effect on C4d deposition (P > .05), however, MMF and RAPA obviously decreased the C4d deposition (P = .000). The intensity of C4d deposition had a significant correlation with the severity of CAN (r = 0.894, P = .000). Conclusions Our study suggests that the deposition of C4d in allografts appears earlier than pathological changes of CAN and has a correlation with the progression of CAN. MMF and RAPA can attenuate CAN by inhibiting humoral immunity. In contrast, CsA and FK 506 have no effect on humoral immunity.

1. Experiments were conducted to assess the influence of caecectomy on amino acid availability (AAA) of three feedstuffs for goose. 2. Nine caecectomised and 9 intact Yangzhou ganders, 24 weeks old, were used in these experiments. Fish meal, soybean meal and cottonseed meal were used as the sole source of protein. The endogenous amino acid (AA) losses were evaluated by a nitrogen (N)-free diet method. The influence of caecectomy on apparent amino acid availability (AAAA) in fish meal, soybean meal and cottonseed meal was assessed in experiment 1 and true amino acid availability (TAAA) of three protein diets was determined in experiment 2. 3. Results showed that, in the soybean meal and cottonseed meal, the AAAA and TAAA of most AA determined by the intact ganders were higher than in the caecectomised ganders; in the fish meal, the AAAA and TAAA of most AA determined by the intact ganders were lower than in the caecectomised ganders. 4. Results of the present study suggest that the effect of caecectomy on AAA in geese was dependent on the feedstuff assayed, and it was better to use caecectomised poultry for AAA assessment.

The electronic structure and elastic properties of YCu, YAg, and DyCu were studied by full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method (FP LAPW) on the basis of the density functional theory (DFT). The generalized gradient approximation (GGA) is applied for YCu, YAg, and the LDA+U is applied for DyCu. The density of states at the Fermi energy, NðEFÞ, are 1.08, 1.09, and 1.04 states/(eV unit cell) for YCu, YAg and DyCu, respectively. The elastic constants were calculated. The values for Pugh’s criterion are 2.30, 2.05 and 3.00 for YCu, DyCu and YAg, respectively. All of them are larger than 1.75, indicating the ductile manner of these materials. The calculated value of the anisotropy is close to 1, indicating highly isotropic behavior. [doi:10.2320/matertrans.MB200816]

The phase stability and electronic structure of YCu were studied by self-consistent full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method (FP_LAPW) on the basis of the density functional theory (DFT). The calculated equilibrium volumes are 41.963 and 173.21 A 3 for B2 and B27 structures respectively, which are in good agreement with the experimental values. The total energy of the B27 phase is about 0.03 eV lower than that of the B2 phase. The formation energies are −1.173 and − 1.204 eV for B2 and B27 structures respectively. The density of state at the Fermi energy, N ( E F ) , is 1.08 states / eV for B2 phase and 0.92 states / eV for B27 phase, respectively. These results indicate that the B27 phase is the thermodynamic ground state equilibrium phase of YCu at low temperatures, as observed experimentally. However, our calculations also predict that a pressure-induced B27 to B2 phase transition exists in YCu.

Through reasonably designing the chemical composition and effectively optimizing the heat treatment techniques for a series of low carbon ultra-high strength bainitic steels (UHSBS), the combination of plasticity and toughness are excellent and the impact energy absorption (A KV ≥200 J) has been tripled compared to the previously advanced martensitic steel with the same strength level (>1470 MPa). It is confirmed that the microstructure is significantly refined, the average size of bainitic ferrite (BF) sub-grains is less than 20 nm and the average thickness of shear units in a BF lath is only about 1.6 nm by the atomic-force microscope (AFM) and scanning tunnelling microscope (STM). The refinement of sub-grains and enrichment of interstitial atom carbon in the bainitic ferrite, increase of dislocation density and retained austenite are the main factors that gover the steel's tensile strength and austenite stability or the impact energy absorption. Furthermore, the physical mechanism on the improvement of the combination of strength and toughness is discussed.

The local–overall interactive buckling behaviour of welded stainless steel I-section columns was experimentally and numerically examined in this study. A total of ten test specimens were fabricated from hot-rolled stainless steel plates and axially loaded between two pin-ended supports. The specimens failed by local–overall interactive buckling about the minor axis. Prior to the member testing, material properties, residual stresses and initial local and global geometric imperfections were all accurately determined. Detailed finite element (FE) models, capable of simulating the interactive buckling behaviour and predicting the ultimate capacity of welded stainless steel I-section columns, were validated against the obtained test results. The validated FE models were subsequently used to carry out systematic parametric studies, exploring the influences of the key input parameters, including the welding residual stresses, initial geometric imperfections, material properties and slenderness ratios. The generated test and numerical results were then used to assess the accuracy of a series of existing design methods: Eurocode 3 Part 1.4 and the design proposal of Rasmussen and Rondal, both of which employ the effective width concept, and the two separate design proposals of Becque et al. in the EN 1993-1-4 and AS/NZS 4673 formats and the proposal of Huang and Young, all of which are based on the direct strength method (DSM). Based upon the assembled data points, two separate design curves are proposed herein for austenitic and duplex stainless steels, which have been demonstrated to offer very accurate strength predictions for welded stainless steel I-section columns undergoing interactive buckling.

A simple rapid test for detecting praziquantel resistance in Schistosoma sp., involving change in shape of miracidia on exposure to praziquantel, was evaluated in China. Tests on miracidia hatched from eggs collected from naturally infected goats were run in a field laboratory in Jiangxi Province and a research laboratory in Shanghai. The mean values in the two laboratories were not significantly different, but the variation between individual samples in the two laboratories suggests that a delineating dose will be required for routine diagnosis of resistance. Confirmation that resistance would have been detected in Schistosoma japonicum must await the isolation of a resistant isolate. The tests suggested that the infection in the goats was susceptible to praziquantel as did chemotherapy of water buffaloes with 25 mg/kg. This gave a 95% cure rate on the first treatment and 100% with a second treatment, similar to that found previously in human patients.

Residual stress magnitudes and distributions in structural stainless steel built-up sections have been comprehensively investigated in this study. A total of 18 test specimens were fabricated from hot-rolled stainless steel plates by means of shielded metal arc welding (SMAW). Two grades of stainless steel were considered, namely the austenitic grade EN 1.4301 and the duplex grade EN 1.4462. Using the sectioning method, the test specimens were divided into strips. The residual stresses were then computed by multiplying the strains relieved during sectioning by the measured Young׳s moduli determined from tensile and compressive coupon tests. Residual stress distributions were obtained for 10 I-sections, four square hollow sections (SHS) and four rectangular hollow sections (RHS). Peak tensile residual stresses reached around 80% and 60% of the material 0.2% proof stress for grades EN 1.4301 and EN 1.4462, respectively. Based upon the test data, simplified predictive models for residual stress distributions in stainless steel built-up I-sections and box sections were developed. Following comparisons with other available residual stress test data, the applicability of the proposed models was also extended to other stainless steel alloys. The proposed residual stress patterns are suitable for inclusion in future analytical models and numerical simulations of stainless steel built-up sections.

Transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) has been demonstrated to be a promising strategy in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) support hematopoiesis of HSCs and suppress immune response in a dose-dependent manner. Previous study showed that MSCs could alleviate the pathologic conditions of MRL/lpr mice (SLE animal model) when cotransplanted with bone marrow cells. Here, we investigated whether MSCs could improve the therapeutic effect of HSC transplantation in treating MRL/lpr mice in a dose-dependent manner. We found that lethally irradiated MRL/lpr mice were successfully reconstituted with HSCs alone or with various amounts of MSCs. Mice transplanted with HSCs and MSCs in the ratios of 5:1 (HSCs:MSCs) showed less transfusion-associated graft-versus-host reaction, steady body weight, and improved renal functions when compared with mice transplanted with HSCs only and those cotransplanted with MSCs in lower ratios. These results suggest that supplementing MSCs can improve the therapeutic effect of HSC transplantation in treatment of MRL/lpr mice in a dose-dependent manner.

The effects of gamma irradiation on as-deposited, oxygen-annealed, and dual-dielectric gate (undoped polysilicon/oxide) low-pressure chemical-vapor-deposited (LPCVD) silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) metal-oxide-silicon (MOS) structures were investigated. As-deposited LPCVD SiO 2 MOS structures exhibit the largest shift in flatband voltage with gamma irradiation. This is most likely due to the large number of bulk oxide traps resulting from the nonstochiometric nature of as-deposited LPCVD SiO 2 . Dual-dielectric (undoped polysilicon/annealed LPCVD SiO 2 ) MOS structures exhibit the smallest shift in flatband voltage and increase in interface state density compared to as-deposited and oxygen-annealed LPCVD SiO 2 MOS structures. The interface state density of dual-dielectric MOS structures increases from 5 × 10 10 eV cm −2 to 2–3 × 10 11 eV cm −2 after irradiation to a gamma total dose level of 1 Mrads(Si). This result suggests that the recombination of atomic hydrogen atoms with silicon dangling bonds, either along grain boundaries or in crystallites of the undoped polysilicon layer in dual-dielectric (undoped polysilicon/annealed LPCVD SiO 2 ) MOS structures, probably reduces the number of atomic hydrogen atoms reaching the Si/SiO 2 interface to generate interface states.

A comparative study of the effects of square, triangular and sinusoidal avalanche electron injection waveforms on metal-oxide-silicon (MOS) structures has been performed. Electron injection using a square wave yields the largest shift in flatband voltage of the MOS structure for a given injected electron fluence, while the triangular waveform produces the smallest shift. However, the magnitude of the increase in interface state density is similar for all three avalanche electron injection waveforms. Also, all three techniques yield a characteristic temperature of 5750 K for the injected electrons, indicating similar physical injection mechanisms. Square wave avalanche electron injection underestimates the total electron fluence because the current measurement circuit cannot respond to the initial current transient. This current transient also results in damage to the silicon dioxide at an applied electric field lower than the critical dielectric strength. Thus, a comparison of different avalanche electron injection data must specify, not only the input signal, but also the current measurement circuit used.

Previous studies have demonstrated that UVB radiation changes the epidermal permeability barrier and stratum corneum (SC) hydration. It is well known that sun exposure causes erythema, sunburn and melanoma. However, whether daily sun exposure alters SC integrity and epidermal permeability barrier function is largely unknown, especially in Chinese subjects. In the present study, we assess the SC integrity, SC hydration and epidermal permeability barrier function following various doses of sun exposure. A total of 258 subjects (124 males and 134 females) aged 18–50 years were enrolled. A multifunctional skin physiology monitor (Courage & Khazaka MPA5) was used to measure SC hydration and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) on the forearms. In males, basal TEWL was higher with higher doses of sun exposure than with lower doses and control, whereas in females, basal TEWL was higher with lower doses of sun exposure than with higher doses and control. In the group with higher doses of sun exposure, TEWL in females was significantly lower than that in males. The barrier recovery was faster in females than in males in both control and lower-dose groups. In both males and females, barrier recovery was delayed with higher doses of sun exposure. In males, sun exposure did not alter SC hydration, while in females SC hydration was lower with lower doses of sun exposure as compared with control and higher doses of sun exposure. These results demonstrated that sun-induced changes in SC function and SC hydration vary with gender and the extent of sun exposure.

Background/Objectives: Leprosy prominently involves both the skin and peripheral neural tissues and some symptoms persist after microbial cure. Because alterations in the dermis also occur in leprosy, we assessed here whether there were changes in cutaneous resonance running time (CRRT), a parameter that is influenced by collagen properties, in cured leprosy subjects. Methods: A reviscometer was used to measure the CRRT at various directions on the dorsal hand and the flexural forearms of 76 cured leprosy subjects aged 50–85 years and 68 age-matched normal subjects. Results: In comparison to normal subjects, CRRTs on the hands and the forearms were significantly reduced in all directions in cured leprosy, except at the 1–7, 2–8 and 3–9 o’clock directions on the forearms. CRRTs were reduced significantly at both the 4–10 and 5–11 o’clock directions on the forearm in lepromatous (73.33 ± 4.19 at 4–10 o’clock and 67.44 ± 2.71 at 5–11 o’clock direction) and borderline lepromatous types (77.58 ± 5.84 at 4–10 o’clock and 79.85 ± 6.81 at 5–11 o’clock direction) as compared with normal (143.10 ± 7.75 at 4–10 o’clock and 125.18 ± 8.14 at 5–11 o’clock direction). On the hand, CRRTs at all directions, except that at 4–10 o’clock direction, were also significantly reduced in lepromatous and borderline lepromatous types in comparison with normal. Significant differences in CRRT at some directions were found among the various subtypes of leprosy. Conclusion: CRRTs were abnormal in the cured leprosy subjects as a whole, but varied with leprosy subtypes, which suggested that the extent of reduction of CRRTs correlates with the severity of immune alteration. These results suggest that CRRT measurements could be a useful approach to quantify the extent of some residual abnormalities in cured leprosy and perhaps could also be used to evaluate the efficacy of treatment.

Composite cements where large amounts of blast furnace slag (BFS) replace Portland cement are currently used for immobilisation of ILW. Hydration of BFS is activated by the small amount of OPC present but the amount of reaction that occurs is limited at ambient temperatures. Increasing the temperature increases the hydration of the BFS but large amounts still remain unreacted, leaving a porous matrix where the capillary pores remain filled with a highly alkaline solution. This solution causes corrosion of reactive metals giving rise to expansive reactions and hydrogen release, and it can destroy the structure of zeolites releasing the adsorbed species.Apart from OPC, BFS hydration can be activated by other compounds such as hydroxides, sulphates, silicates, and calcium aluminate cements. The use of these alternatives gives rise to binders such as ettringite and strätlingite which have a different chemistry where the pore solution has a lower pH. Corrosion of metals does not readily occur in these binders. This may be due to the reduced pH but could also arise from the lack of pore water, as these binders bind more water in their structure so that it is not available for transport of ionic species. This extra water binding also has potential for immobilisation of sludges where high w/s ratios are necessitated by the need to transport the sludge.This paper will review some of the alternative activators for slag hydration and present experimental results on several systems where slag has been activated with compounds other than OPC.

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses the seismic behavior of steel beam-column moment connections with composite effects. Steel-concrete composite beams are widely used in frame structures, and the examination of design procedures of composite connections is in continuous development. Despite many connection studies till date, effects of concrete slab on the resistance of a beam-column connection are not fully understood. The chapter examines the seismic behavior of beam-column moment connections with a concrete slab, based on an interpretation of numerical analyses. A parametric study is carried out using this model to check the balance between the connection and beam strength for a wide range of variables. The chapter also examines a composite action on the seismic performance of beam-to-column connections using the non-linear finite element analysis (FEA) with various constructional details and parameters.

Publisher Summary The chapter analyses the inflection performance of the test model of a complex single-layer cable net under a horizontal load by the finite element analysis software ANSYS. The influences of different prestress and glass stiffness are considered in the chapter. Comparing the analysis results by the finite element analysis software and the model test data, the reliability of the methods and the results of the finite element model are verified, and some important references to the design of the real project are given in the chapter. Single-layer cable net is a new kind of flexible point-supporting system and is used widely for its fine transparence, light weight, and flexible construction etc. However, it brings a lot of difficulties in the design and the analysis of a cable net because of the influence of prestress and large inflection.

We report a highly asymmetric magnetoresistance (MR) bias dependence, with the inverse MR peaking at a negative bias and a sign reversal occurring at a positive bias in prototypical La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO)/Alq3/Co organic spin valve (OSV) with a tunnel barrier between LSMO and Alq3. This behavior is in strong contrast with the commonly found inverse MR in entire bias range for LSMO/Alq3/Co?OSVs. The MR bias voltage dependence is independent on the type of the tunnel barrier, either SrTiO3 or Al2O3. Together with first-principle calculations, we demonstrate that the strongly hybridized Co d-states with Alq3 molecules at the interface are responsible for the efficient d-states spin injection and the observed MR bias dependence is originated from the energy dependent density of states of Co d-states. These findings open up new possibilities to engineer interfacial bonding between ferromagnetic materials and a wide variety of molecule selections for the desired spin transport properties.

Introduction: Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) EGb761 is widely used for cardiovascular prevention. Here, we investigated the effects of GBE on atherosclerotic lesion development in rabbits with a high-fat diet. Material and methods: Forty New Zealand white male rabbits were randomly divided into four groups. The first two were the normal diet group (C) and the high-fat group (HF). The remaining two groups were those who received a high cholesterol diet supplemented with either the standard drug (simvastatin 2 mg/kg/day) or GBE (3 mg/kg/day). At 12 weeks, histopathological and chemical analyses were performed. Results: Plasma lipid measurement showed that GBE inhibited high-fat dietinduced increase of serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by 59.1% (0.9 ±0.2 4 mmol/l vs. 2.2 ±0.4 mmol/l), 18.2% (31.1 ±1.4 mmol/l vs. 38.0 ±0.4 mmol/l) and 15% (28.9 ±1.3 mmol/l vs. 34.0±1.0 mmol/l), respectively, at 12 weeks (p < 0.01). The en face Sudan IV-positive lesion area of the aorta in the GBE group (51.7 ±3.1%) was significantly lower compared with that in the HF group (88.2 ±2.2%; p < 0.01). The mean atherosclerotic lesion area of the GBE group was reduced by 53.2% compared with the HF group (p < 0.01). Immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis showed that GBE markedly suppressed high-fat dietinduced upregulation of connexin 43 (Cx43) in rabbits (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Thus, our study revealed that GBE prevented atherosclerosis progress through modulating plasma lipid, suppressing atherosclerotic lesion development, and attenuating the expression of Cx43 protein.