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Developing nanofillers incorporated polymer nanofibers (i.e., nanocomposite nanofibers) is an effective approach to achieve functionality and efficiency in nanomaterials applications. In this paper, spindle- or needle-shaped hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles with sizes of ca. 100 x 30 nm were synthesized by a wet chemical method. HA-incorporated poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) nanocomposite nanofibers were then successfully fabricated via electrospinning aqueous solutions of HA/PEO blends with varied HA contents. Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope observations indicated that if higher HA loadings (e.g., 30%, 50%) were involved, the resultant fiber morphology would be affected by occurring HA aggregates along the fiber axis. The HA nanoparticles were found to aggregate discretely forming raisin-like morphology with their long axis in alignment with the fiber direction. XRD and FTIR results provide evidence of molecular interactions between the nanocrystal HA and PEO, likely because of the formation of hydrogen bondings. With this, it is believed that further development of current HA/PEO nanocomposite nanofibers, biologically mimicking the basic building blocks of the natural bone, may lead to potential applications in repairing hard tissues like bone as well as in developing efficient optoelectronic nanodevices.

Based on the theory of mixing enthalpy of i, j element pairs (ΔH ij) and atomic-size difference δ ， we designed and fabricated a uranium-containing equiatomic UHfNbTi high-entropy alloy with a single-phase bcc crystal structure. The solidified microstructure of the as-cast alloy exhibitsequi-axis fine dendrite and typical columnar crystal structure. The alloy showed good room-temperature compressive plastic properties. They withstood at least 60% of compression strain without fracture. We investigated the effect of average valence electron concentration (VEC) on the mechanical properties of the alloy. Reducing the VEC number is expected to produce uranium-containing high-entropy alloys with high ductility.

The concept of a building thermal battery refers to storing the supplied heat and releasing it the another time through radiation and convection. The introduction of building thermal battery performance has created a more convenient solution to the problems of building load estimation, control and optimization, building-grid integration, etc. Some literatures have expanded the original definition of building thermal batteries, including PV RE (photovoltaic renewable energy), HVAC and other units. Starting from the building body, this investigation studies a building energy system. With reference to the performance parameters of traditional rechargeable batteries, the corresponding performance parameters of building thermal batteries are developed. The RC model is further used to model the performance parameters of the building thermal battery respectively. Among them, the corresponding parameter values of the RC model are obtained by parameter identification. Finally, the heat storage and heat release characteristics of the building integrated energy system are obtained. It makes the application of buildings as batteries more flexible in the urban energy network.

Phase-change materials were highly promising for next-generation nonvolatile data storage technology and their properties were usually improved by doping. In this paper, the pronounced effects of Sn doping (0%, 10%, 30%) on crystallization behaviors of Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) film induced by a picosecond pulsed laser were investigated in detail. The TEM observations presented the crystallization threshold, melting threshold and ablation threshold all decreased with the increasing of Sn doping while the crystal structure and crystallization behavior has not been changed. After single pulse Gaussian laser irradiation, the morphology of crystallized films for GST and Sn-doped GST all presented an ingot-like microstructure at higher laser fluence and equiaxed crystal microstructure at lower laser fluence, which was mainly caused by the temperature gradient. The local grain refinement was found in GSTSn30% films because weaker Sn-Te bond (359.8 kJ/mol) replaced the stronger Ge-Te bond (456 kJ/mol), which was also proved by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). This eventually led to a decline in nucleation energy barrier and increased nucleation rate.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of 2 selenium (Se) sources and 2 vitamin E (VE) levels in gestating and lactating diets of sows on Se status and antioxidant status of their progenies at farrowing and 21-d postpartum. The study was conducted in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of Se sources (0.30 mg/kg diet of sodium selenite or Se-enriched yeast) and VE levels (30 or 90 IU/kg diet). A total of 234 multiparous sows were bred and started on 1 of 4 dietary treatment according to parity and body condition, and then maintained on feed until 21-d postpartum. At farrowing and at weaning, 8 piglets per treatment (1 piglet/litter) were selected on similar body weight and sampled to ensure 6 piglet samples per treatment. The Se content was determined in serum, whole blood, umbilical cord blood and tissues, whereas antioxidant status of liver and serum were determined by analyzing the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. The newly-born piglets from sows fed organic Se had higher Se contents in kidney (P 0.05) expect for hepatic Se content of newborns and serum Se content of 21-d-old piglets (P

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 2 dietary selenium (Se) sources and 2 vitamin E levels during gestation and lactation on antioxidant status and reproductive performance in multiparous sows. The study was conducted in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with sodium selenite or Se-enriched yeast at 0.30 mg Se/kg diet each as the Se sources and vitamin E at 30 or 90 IU/kg. A total of 234 multiparous sows were bred and started on 1 of 4 dietary treatment according to parity and body condition, and then maintained on feed until 21-d postpartum. Serum samples were collected from 6 sows per treatment at d 30, 60 and 90 of gestation (G30, G60 and G90) and d 11 of lactation (L11) for the analysis of Se level and antioxidant status, i.e., total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione (GSH) content and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Colostrum and 11-d milk were collected for the analysis of Se, antioxidant status and milk composition. Sows fed organic Se produced more live pigs (P 0.05). In conclusion, sow fed organic Se had improved the antioxidant capacity in serum and milk, the milk composition, and the number of pigs weaned compared with sow fed inorganic Se. However, antioxidant status and reproductive performance were not improved when vitamin E was added at 90 vs. 30 IU/kg, and no Se source × vitamin E level interaction was detected. Organic Se or elevated vitamin E in sows diet did not affect major parameter of sow reproduction.

Background Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have been shown to be prognostic in various cancers. Prior reports of this in sarcomas have predominantly been made through smaller cohorts from single institutions. We investigated the prognostic implications of these indices in patients with soft-tissue (STS) and bone sarcomas using a large population-based database. Methods A population-based retrospective database was assembled to extract pts with sarcoma, as defined as ICD-9-CM codes of bone (170.x) or/and soft tissue (171.x) who have attended clinics or hospitals of the Hong Kong Hospital Authority between Jan 2004 and Mar 2018. Eligible patients (pts) with index presentation of bone sarcoma or/and STS on or after Jan 2005 were analysed to allow 1-year window. The most recent documented lymphocyte, neutrophil, and platelet counts from the index date of sarcoma diagnosis were retrieved, and the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were correlated with survival. Abnormal (abn) NLR and abn PLR are defined as NLR≥2.5 and PLR≥182 respectively. Restricted cubic spline plots were used to explore the shape of association between baseline NLR and PLR and all-cause mortality, fitting a restricted cubic spline function with four knots (5th, 35th, 65th, and 95th centiles). Results Of 3746 pts identified, 3358 pts satisfied eligibility: bone n = 661, STS n = 2576, both n = 121. NLR and PLR is available for 89.93% (n = 3020) of eligible pts, amongst which 65.9% (n = 1989) had abn NLR while 47.6% (n = 1438) had abn PLR., Abn NLR and abn PLR are each associated with higher all-cause mortality (abn NLR: HR 1.698, p Conclusions This is the largest assembled population-based sarcoma cohort in Asia. We show that NLR and PLR are robust prognostic factors, and abn NLR and PLR have negative effects on survival. More importantly, the relationship between NLR and PLR and mortality is shown to be non-linear. Legal entity responsible for the study The authors. Funding Has not received any funding. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

The quantitative characterization of carbon isotopes of n-alkanes is commonly carried out in organic geochemical studies. Possible controls on carbon isotopes include source organic matter, maturity, fractionation during oil expulsion and migration, and the mixing of different oils. In this study of the origin of crude oils in the western Pearl River Mouth Basin, the influences of all of these factors have been considered in reaching a conclusion. Carbon isotopes of n-alkanes in the crude oils, and the extracts of the two effective source rocks (the Wenchang and Enping formations) in the basin, exhibit clear differences. The Wenchang source rocks have heavy δ 13 C values that remain almost constant or become slightly heavier with increasing carbon number. The Enping source rocks have light δ 13 C values that become lighter with increasing carbon number. Two groups of oils in this area were identified based on the carbon isotopes of the n-alkanes; groupIoils are similar to extracts of the Wenchang source rocks. However, the groupIIoils are different from both the Wenchang and Enping source rocks and the carbon isotopic profiles of their n-alkanes exhibit a “V” feature with increasing carbon number. The results of artificial thermal maturation experiments indicate that, from the early stage to the peak stage of oil generation (with EasyRo between 0.64% and 1.02%), the δ 13 C values of n-alkanes in the pyrolysis oils become heavier by about 3‰ with increasing thermal maturity, but the shape of the carbon isotopic profiles are not significantly changed. Calculated δ 13 C values of n-alkanes in “mixed” artificial pyrolysis oils indicate that the mixture of oils generated from the same source rocks with different maturities could not change the carbon isotopic profile of the n-alkanes, however, a mixing of the Wenchang and Enping oils could give the “V” feature in the profiles, similar to the groupIIoils in this area. The groupIIoils appear to be mixed Wenchang and Enping oils, the latter being the dominant component in the mixture. We conclude that the source organic matter and the degree of mixing are the main factors controlling the carbon isotopic characteristics of n-alkanes in crude oils in the western Pearl River Mouth Basin.

The caesium-137 ((137)Cs) technique for estimating net, time-integrated soil redistribution by the processes of wind, water and tillage is increasingly being used with repeated sampling to form a baseline to evaluate change over small (years to decades) timeframes. This interest stems from knowledge that since the 1950s soil redistribution has responded dynamically to different phases of land use change and management. Currently, there is no standard approach to detect change in (137)Cs-derived net soil redistribution and thereby identify the driving forces responsible for change. We outline recent advances in space-time sampling in the soil monitoring literature which provide a rigorous statistical and pragmatic approach to estimating the change over time in the spatial mean of environmental properties. We apply the space-time sampling framework, estimate the minimum detectable change of net soil redistribution and consider the information content and cost implications of different sampling designs for a study area in the Chinese Loess Plateau. Three phases (1954-1996, 1954-2012 and 1996-2012) of net soil erosion were detectable and attributed to well-documented historical change in land use and management practices in the study area and across the region. We recommend that the design for space-time sampling is considered carefully alongside cost-effective use of the spatial mean to detect and correctly attribute cause of change over time particularly across spatial scales of variation.

In tropical and subtropical soils, sesquioxides and soil organic matter (SOM) are major binding agents for aggregates. However, the biotic and abiotic contributions to aggregation are often difficult to distinguish. In this study, we attempted to assess their contributions to aggregation separately, as indicated by aggregate size distribution and specific surface area (SSA). Our objectives were (i) to determine aggregate size distribution and SSA before and after removal of sesquioxides and SOM, and (ii) to assess the contributions of sesquioxides and SOM to soil aggregation. An oxide-rich Ultisol under long-term fertilization was extracted by water as a control, oxalate, dithionite–citrate–bicarbonate (DCB), or by H 2 O 2 in the absence of any physical disturbance. The aggregate size distribution, Fe/Al oxides, soil organic C (SOC), and SSA of the soil before and after extraction were determined. Our results showed that the DCB and oxalate solutions broke down the sand-sized aggregates most intensively, whereas the H 2 O 2 treatment disrupted 0.25–2.0 mm aggregates intensively, indicating that SOM is the major binding agent for aggregates of this size. A slight change either in SOC stock after removal of Fe/Al oxides by DCB and oxalate or in Fe/Al oxides after removal of SOC by H 2 O 2 indicated that organo-mineral complexes are a minor binding mechanism of aggregation in the soil studied. The SSA was reduced by 72–84% in the soil extracted by DCB, followed by 32.0–35.9% after the oxalate extraction, whereas the removal of SOM increased SSA by 3.8–12.6%. Our results showed that Fe/Al oxides played a major role in aggregation in the Ultisols studied. The difference in the major binding agent for different aggregate size classes is another reason to explain why the hierarchy aggregate concept is not applicable to oxide-rich soils. This study, however, could not assess their contributions to soil aggregation precisely, because of the difficulty in tracing aggregate dynamics. To better understand the mechanisms of soil aggregation we need more works in the future.

bation of the land–ocean carbon flux. Nevertheless, the net effect of these lateral carbon fluxes on the C cycle is poorly constrained and there is no consensus as to whether they drive a net source or net sink of atmospheric CO2. Here, we test the hypothesis that, under sustained erosional forcing, soil carbon stocks on hillslopes reach a new equilibrium state in which all carbon exported with erosion is replaced; and, therefore, erosion results in a net sink for atmospheric CO2 at the scale of eroding hillslopes. The evidence from our study site, in the Loess Plateau of China, is consistent with this hypothesis. Despite net export of OC equivalent to ca. 10% NPP, we found that all of the eroded OC was replaced and, therefore, that the sink strength was equal to the C export rate. This sets the upper limit of the erosion-induced sink term at the scale of whole watershed. The fate of the exported carbon in reservoirs, floodplains, riverbeds and the ocean ultimately controls the watershed-scale sink strength. Nevertheless, the full replacement observed here suggests that erosion does not induce a C source, irrespective of the fate of the exported carbon, at least for high-input agricultural systems. Finally, we propose that assessment of the C cycle perturbation associated with erosion-induced lateral C fluxes must be made an integral part of accounting mechanisms for climate change mitigation strategies that are based on land use change and C sequestration in terrestrial environments.

With more renewable resources integrated to the grid, energy storage is expected to rise to the challenge of the grid caused by the characteristics of the intermittent renewable sources. This paper presents an innovative battery energy storage system (BESS) combined with the decoupled PQ control and adaptive capacity-based droop control for both grid-connected operation and stand-alone operation. When the system is islanded, such BESS synchronizes to form a reliable frequency source which does not collapse when member BESS fail. The flexibility of the proposed control method enables the BESS to adjust the power output according to its available capacity respectively so that the decentralized autonomous frequency control with load sharing is achieved without violating the stability limit. The paper also highlights the significant role of the Phase Lock Loop for the proposed control principles.

No-load transformer energization can introduce an unexpected inrush current which is rich in harmonics. The application of the Reactive Power Compensator (RPC) devices in High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) station could vary the system parallel resonant frequency and associated impedance along with the HVDC operation conditions. If the dominant harmonic components in the inrush current coincide with the resonant frequency with high impedance tuned by HVDC operation, the transient inrush current is excited and can cause the severe AC voltage distortion for a substantial period. The interaction under such harmonic resonance circumstance needs to be investigated to prevent the damage on the grid connected equipment and ensure system reliable operation. The paper introduces the “voltage distortion indices” on quantification of harmonic resonance. The proposed method provides a fast evaluation on the severity of the voltage distortion due to transformer energization and the optimum solution with the minimum impact on the system operation.

A novel revised step-by-step flutter analysis for bridge, based on step-by-step flutter method introduced by Matsumoto, is rewritten in an alternative formulation called simplified revised step-by-step analysis model (SRSBSA). In the SRSBSA model, the expressions are simpler and physical interpretations such as aerodynamic damping can be given. Mathematical proof and numerical examples show that the efficacy and accuracy of the SRSBSA agree well with the revised step-by-step ones and other documented approaches.

By analyzing large quantities of discharges in the unfavorable ion $ \vec B\times \nabla B $ drift direction, the I-mode operation has been confirmed in EAST tokamak. During the L-mode to I-mode transition, the energy confinement has a prominent improvement by the formation of a high-temperature edge pedestal, while the particle confinement remains almost identical to that in the L-mode. Similar with the I-mode observation on other devices, the $ E_r $ profiles obtained by the eight-channel Doppler backscattering system (DBS8)\cite{J.Q.Hu} show a deeper edge $ E_r $ well in the I-mode than that in the L-mode. And a weak coherent mode (WCM) with the frequency range of 40-150 kHz is observed at the edge plasma with the radial extend of about 2-3 cm. WCM could be observed in both density fluctuation and radial electric field fluctuation, and the bicoherence analyses showed significant couplings between WCM and high frequency turbulence, implying that the $ E_r $ fluctuation and the caused flow shear from WCM should play an important role during I-mode. In addition, a low-frequency oscillation with a frequency range of 5-10 kHz is always accompanied with WCM, where GAM intensity is decreased or disappeared. Many evidences show that the a low-frequency oscillation may be a novel kind of limited cycle oscillation but further investigations are needed to explain the new properties such as the harmonics and obvious magnetical perturbations., Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures

Soil organic carbon (SOC) stock can be improved through the return of crop residues. However, the efficiency of C sequestered in soil (i.e., ΔSOC/ΔC input) might differ among crop systems. In this paper, we investigated the C input and SOC stabilization in paddy soil and upland soil under different long-term fertilization practices. Our objectives were to determine (i) the response of SOC stock to C input under different fertilization practices, and (ii) C sequestration efficiency in the two contrasting agroecosystems. The long-term fertilization experiment in paddy soil started in 1981, while the adjacent upland soil experiment commenced in 1986. Each experiment consists of 9 treatments: CK (no fertilization), N, P, K, NP, NK, NPK, 2NPK (double dose), and NPKOM (NPK plus organic manure). Physical SOC fractions (cPOM, silt + clay_f, fPOM, iPOM_m, silt + clay_m) were isolated by sieving, dispersion, and density flotation. Fertilization increased crop yield and C input, but it did not change the quality of SOC as revealed by CPMAS- 13 C NMR spectra. During the period of the experiment, SOC stock was improved by 6.7–15.3 Mg ha −1 in paddy soil for all fertilization practices, while in upland soil the CK, N, P, K, and NP fertilizations reduced the SOC by 1.2–3.8 Mg C ha −1 and the other four fertilizations increased it by 0.5–7.4 Mg C ha −1 . The change in SOC was mainly ascribed to the POM fraction, whereas the two silt + clay sized fractions were independent of fertilization practice except the NPKOM treatment. At a given C input, the C sequestration efficiency was greater in paddy soil than in upland soil, which may be attributed to lower microbial activity but greater chemical (i.e., oxalate-soluble Fe) and physical stabilizations (i.e., soil structure) in paddy field. Our results indicate that paddy soil may sequester more SOC, with higher efficiency, than upland soil does.

The Qionghai Uplift is a sub-uplift tectonic unit in the western Pearl River Mouth Basin. Though lacking source rocks itself, it adjoins the Wenchang A sag, the Wenchang B sag and the Qionghai sag which contain significant source rocks. For the special geological background, the Qionghai Uplift has become an important accumulation area for oil and gas, and the oils in the uplift show significant variation in important geochemical parameters. In this study, the geochemistry of oils in the Qionghai Uplift oil pools has been analyzed systematically, revealing geographic differences. Three groups of oils were identified in the northern part of the Qionghai Uplift: Group I oils, represented by the WC8-3E oil pool located in the northeast; group II oils in the middle represented by the WC13-1 oil pool, and group III oils in the southwest represented by the QH18-1 oil pool. According to oil-source correlations, the oils of the three groups have mixed geochemical characteristics between typical oils sourced from the Enping Formation in the Wenchang A sag, and those sourced from the Wenchang Formation in the Wenchang B sag. We show that based on knowledge of hydrocarbon generation and evolution of source rocks around the Qionghai Uplift, as well as the formative features of traps within the uplift, the geochemical characteristics of the oils are mainly controlled by the distribution of mature hydrocarbon kitchens surrounding the Uplift. Oils in the northeast of the northern Qionghai Uplift were mainly sourced from the Enping Formation in the Wenchang A sag with a secondary contribution from the Wenchang Formation in the Qionghai sag. Oils in the middle section are of mixed origin from the Enping Formation in the Wenchang A sag and the Wenchang Formation in the Wenchang B sag. Oils in the southwest part of the northern Qionghai Uplift were mainly generated from the Wenchang Formation in the Wenchang B sag. This research provides guidance for future exploration of the Qionghai Uplift.

Laser powder deposition allows preparing fully dense metallic parts in a layer-by-layer additive manufacturing manner. The method presents great flexibility in controlling the materials composition as well as its microstructure and properties. In this paper, composition gradient thin walls from Ti to Ti–60 at.%Cr were prepared by the laser powder micro-deposition process. The microstructure, phase constitution, micro hardness, and modulus were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), micro X-ray diffraction (micro-XRD) and ultra micro indentation testing along the composition gradient direction. The results show that the composition along the wall height change as predetermined. Metastable β-Ti(Cr) was formed for compositions with more than 25 at.%Cr. TiCr2 phase was formed and its percentage increased with further increase of Cr content. The hardness and modulus changed conformably with the composition gradient.

Uranium tritide aging leads to continuous creation of decayed product 3He, vacancies, vacancy clusters, self interstitials, dislocations and helium bubbles. These defects result in the changes of material properties such as degradation of tritium storage, swelling, hardening and intergranular embrittlement. In our previous study, a simple hermetic sample holder that fits the Philip X’Pert Pro X-ray diffractometer has been developed for X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of uranium hydride. In order to help resolve unknowns regarding aging effects of uranium during long-term storage of tritium, XRD techniques with the hermetic method are applied to obtain the structural changes of aged uranium tritide. XRD analysis of uranium tritide aged for 420 days have shown that noticeable peak shifts appear in the diffraction patterns of uranium tritide, which indicate lattice distortion occurrence during the formation and growth of helium bubbles and other associated defects.

Thirty-two, 17 weeks old, wether lambs (Chinese Poll Dorset × Small Tailed Han × Charolais), weighing 26.3 ± 1.2 kg, were used to evaluate effects of different Se levels and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) sources in the diet on fatty acid composition and antioxidant status in plasma and liver. Lambs were divided into four groups and each was fed one of the following diets: 950 g basal diet/kg DM and 50 g linseed oil/kg DM (LO); LO plus 2 mg Se/kg DM (as sodium selenite) (LOSe); 950 g basal diet/kg DM and 50 g sunflower oil/kg DM (SO); SO plus 2 mg Se/kg DM (SOSe). The experiment lasted 50 days and lambs were slaughtered at the end of it. Concentrations of C18:2trans-10, cis-12 in liver, and C18:1trans-11 in plasma, increased with Se supplementation, which also increased concentrations of C20:4 in lambs fed the sunflower oil diet, but not in those fed the linseed oil diet, in both plasma and liver. Fatty acid composition in plasma and liver reflected the dietary fatty acid source. Lambs fed the linseed oil diet had higher concentrations of C18:3n-3, C20:5n-3 and C22:6n-3. In contrast, lambs fed the sunflower oil diet had higher concentrations of conjugated linoleic fatty acid, C18:2n-6 and C20:4n-6. Antioxidant status increased with Se supplementation, but was not affected by PUFA source in the diets. Results indicate the possibility of increasing the PUFA deposition by combining Se with PUFA in lamb diets, and that Se increased concentrations of C20:4n-6 more efficiently when combined with the sunflower oil diet versus the linseed oil diet.

In this paper the reverse flow in a duct (diameter D ) with an obstruction at the front (which is a disc), is investigated using PIV. The gap g between the obstruction and the entry to the duct is systematically varied and it is found that maximum reverse flow occurs at a g / D value of 0.5. The flow is stagnant around g / D of 1.25 and forward flow occurs for g / D values of 1.5 and above. The vortex formation length behind the disc is smaller than that of the plate and the variation of the magnitude of reverse flow with the gap g between the axisymmetrical circular duct and two-dimensional channel differs considerably. The reverse flow phenomena in the circular duct with an obstruction at the entry can be explained by the vortex formation length and low pressure behind the obstruction.

The aim of this study was to simulate the solidification process of beam blank continuous casting, and then find the reasons for the typical defects of the beam blank. A two-dimensional transient coupled finite element model has been developed to compute the temperature and stress profile in beam blank continuous casting. The enthalpy method was used in the heat conduction equation. The thermo-mechanical property in the mushy zone was taken into consideration in this calculation. It is shown that at the mold exit the thickness of the shell had its maximum value at the flange tip and its minimum value at the fillet. The temperature had a great fluctuation on the surface of the beam blank in the secondary cooling zone. At the unbending point, the surface temperature of the web was in the brittleness temperature range under the present condition. To ensure the quality, it is necessary to weaken the intensity of secondary cooling. At the mold exit the equivalent stress and strain have higher values at the flange tip and at the web. From the spray 1 to the unbending point, the maximum values of stress and strain gradually moved to the internal section of the flange tip and the web. However, whenever, there were bigger stress and strain values near the flange tip and the web than in the other parts, it must be very easy to generate cracks at those positions. Now, online verification of this simulation has been developed, which has proved to be very useful and efficient to instruct the practical production of beam blank continuous casting.

Two experiments were conducted to study the effects of different inclusion levels of dietary cobalt (Co) on performance, nutrient digestibility and plasma metabolites in lambs. Experiment 1: sixty, 12-week-old weaned lambs (Chinese Poll Dorset × Small Tailed Han) were randomly divided into five groups which were fed with the basal diet containing 0.086 mg Co/kg DM, the basal diet supplied, respectively, with 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 mg Co/kg DM as reagent grade CoSO4·7H2O for 10 weeks. Experiment 2: four lambs from each group in Experiment 1 were randomly allocated to the individual metabolic crates to measure the effects of dietary Co on apparent nutrient digestibility. Average daily gain and average daily feed intake were highest at the intermediate level (total diet Co of 0.586 mg/kg DM) (P

Laser direct deposition (LDD) of metallic components is an advanced technology of combining CAD/CAM (computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing), high power laser, and rapid prototyping. This technology uses laser beam to melt the powders fed coaxially into the molten pool by the laser beam to fabricate fully dense metallic components. The present article mainly studies the LDD of Ti-6Al-4V alloy, which can be used to fabricate aircraft components. The mechanical properties of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy, fabricated by LDD, are obtained using the tension test, and the oxygen content of used powders and deposited specimens are measured. In the present article, it can be seen that the mechanical properties obtained using this method are higher than the ones obtained by casting, and equal to those got by wrought anneal. One aircraft part has been made using the LDD process. Because of this aircraft part, with sophisticated shape, the effect of the laser scanning track on the internal soundness of the deposited part was discussed.

Sample preparation is still the first and important step toward successful two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) and identification in proteomics study. The 2DE profiling of eggs of silkworm species by using conventional one-step extraction, however, is unsatisfactory because high-abundance proteins such as egg-specific protein (ESP) and No 30 family (30 KP) in the extract lead to difficulties in detecting most of biologically relevant proteins. Based on the tendency of these abundant proteins to be soluble in Tris-HCl buffer, we report herein a robust approach in which the extract enriched in ESP and 30 KP was fractionationed and mixed with the re-extract of residual pellet in an optimal proportion. In comparison with the one-step method, the 2DE pattern was improved by this new method with over one-third enhancement in spots. A total of 48 unique proteins obtained have been furthermore identified by mass spectrometry (MS) and MS/MS. The identified proteins are found to include heat shock proteins families, ribosomal proteins, disulfide isomerase proteins, Glutathione S-transferase, and elongation factor, etc., which are mainly involved in some important processes. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the several proteins have been detected in silkworm eggs by proteomics means. This simple and reproducible approach would raise the opportunity of discovering and identifying more biomarkers and determining their possible roles in further studies.

The field and temperature dependence of thermally activated flux flow (TAFF) resistance in Tl 2 Ba 2 CaCu 2 O 8 thin films (one film being c -axis-oriented and the other 20° tilted from c -axis) has been measured. By analyzing the broadening of the resistive transition with the TAFF model, we get the field and temperature dependence of the activation energy U c ( T , H ) for flux motion of both pancake and Josephson vortices, which is described by U c ( T , H ) = A (1 − t ) H − n with A a constant and t = T / T c ′ ( T c ′ ≈ T c ) .

The Dullin-Gottwald-Holm equation are investigated by using the dynamical system theory. The Dullin-GottwaldHolm equation has unbounded kink waves, their existent conditions are found, and exact representations of unbounded kink wave solutions are given. Keywords-Dullin-Gottwald-Holm equation; traveling wave equation; unbounded kink wave

Rocky desertification is a typical type of land degradation in the Southwestern China. It has great economical and ecological implications for the local people. Landsat images for Qingzhen city of Guizhou Province collected in 2000, 2005 and 2010 were used for Karst rocky desertification monitoring. The results show that the good protected area is mainly distributed in the central, south, northeast and north of Qingzhen city; mild area is mainly distributed in the west and southwest of Qingzhen city; moderate area is mainly distributed in the northwest of Qingzhen city; intense area is mainly distributed in the central of Qingzhen city. The results also show that the distribution of RD areas increased from 2000 to 2005, but slightly slow down from 2005 to 2010. However, the rocky desertification in the study area still gets worse, though the rate slow since 2005 due to governmental land protection policies. Keywords-rocky desertification; landsat TM/ETM+; karst region