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The present paper deals with the recent progresses in super carbon nanotubes, fractal super tubes, fractal super fibres and multifractal super fibres. The concept and main ideas about super carbon nanotubes are recalled first. The marvellous properties of the super carbon nanotubes are reviewed. Then, the super carbon nanotube is further extended to fractal super carbon nanotube and fractal super tube, and the necessary conditions for forming a fractal super tube are summarised. To explain the paradox in the fractal dimension of fractal super tubes, fractal super fibres are constructed. To depict the multifractal-like geometries of biological fibres, the multifractal super fibres are designed from the hybrid of various single fractal super fibres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the concept of fractal superfibre with fractal cross-section, multifractal superfibre with multifractal cross-section is introduced in the present paper. Various single fractal sets, e.g. three, seven- and eleven-circle fractal sets, have combined to form double fractal sets, e.g. three-/seven-circle fractal set and three-/eleven-circle fractal set. The fractal dimensions of the double fractal and multifractal sets are calculated. By taking the double fractal superfibre as an idealised model of fibre reinforced bar, the authors estimate its strength, stiffness and fracture energy. The theory can best describe the exceptional mechanical properties of the wool fibre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton fabrics dyed with reactive dyes were treated with composite silicon sol by traditional pad-dry-cure process in order to investigate the colour fixation properties. The results show that the hue values of the fabrics change little and the dry and wet rubbing fastnesses are improved by more than half a grade. The fade rate of washing at 60°C decreased by ∼30% due to the protection of composite silicon sol thin film on the surface of cotton fabric. The ΔE value of the fabric dyed with reactive red dye exposed in the Xenotest could be decreased from 17·6 to 7·4. The data demonstrate that the composite silicon sol treatment has no important effect on the handle of fabrics, indicating that the composite sol method is an effective way to improve the colour fastness of cotton fabrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The limit strains of sheet metals under cold forming as well as hot press forming have been estimated with the aid of a new rigid - plastic meso-damage constitutive theory. A frame for the theory's practical application in limit strain analysis was presented and the influences of microvoids and through thickness anisotropy on forming limits were systematically explored. Through comparison with existing experiment data, the validity of the present theory in damage evolution, deformation simulation and limit strain prediction was confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reaction of CuCl2 · 2H2O with pyridine-2,4,6-tricarboxylic acid (H3Pyta) in ethanol and water under hydrothermal synthesis conditions leads to the formation of a trinuclear copper polymer {[Cu3(Pyta3–)2(H2O)8] · 4H2O}n (I) (C16H28N2O24Cu3, Mr = 823.05, ρcalcd = 1.955 g cm–3). The polymer was characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray single-crystal diffraction (СIF file CCDC no. 1525203). The result showed that I belongs to the monoclinic system, P21/c space group. TGA curve shows that polymer I first removes water molecules, and then the ligand split for polymer I, and the remained residue is CuO. The magnetic measurement reveals the pyridine-2,4,6-tricarboxylic acid as bridge ligand can mediate the antiferromagnetic coupling interaction between magnetic centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper mainly performs the tracing of inclusion particles in casting. A Lagrangian model is developed for the motion of inclusions in the flow field. Influences of fluid concentration on the motion of inclusions have been taken into consideration. Two main factors of Basset force influence on the particles' motion trails are studied in particular. The two trails of a particle with and without Basset force acting on it are compared in the heterogeneous flow field. In the end, the motion tracks of 'massless particles' and ponderable particles in a gear casting are obtained. Based on these trails, air trapping and vortex during the pouring process can be found, moreover, these trails can also provide guidance for locating the inclusions in the casting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sheath blight (SB), caused by Rhizoctonia solani, is one of the worst rice (Orzya sativa) diseases worldwide. Resistance to the SB disease in rice is a complex trait controlled by quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Through map integration, we found several previously identified SB resistance (SBR) QTLs reported in inconsistent regions on the long arm of chromosome 9. Five of them were detected on 'Jasmine 85' (J85), 'Minghui 63' (MH63), and 'Lemont' (LMNT) rice and were designated qSB-9185-1, qSB-9185-2, qSB-9MH63-1, qSB-9MH63-2, and qSB-9LMNT, respectively, in the present study. To further verify and physi-cally map the five potential SBR QTLs, we introduced these SBR QTLs into a common susceptible variety (LMNT) and developed a few chromosomal segment substitution lines through marker-assisted selec-tion. After artificial inoculation with the SB fungus, we were able to validate qSB-9185-2 but not the other four SBR QTLs; whereas, on MH63, an SBR QTL designated qSB-9MH63-3 was confirmed in the region defined by markers Y83 and Y91.8 that included <5ß-9/Äi-2, covering approximately 1,235 kb. Both qSB-91115-2 and qSB-9MH63-3 appeared to be dominant resistance genes and contributed to similar levels to SB resistance, reducing SB disease severity by approximately 1.0 on a 0-to-9 SB disease rating system. After comparing with another confirmed SBR QTL (qSB-9TQ) from 'Teqing' rice (TQ), we conclude that qSB-9185-2, qSB-9MH63-3, and qSB-9TQ are probably controlled by the same allelic resistance genes. These results will accelerate the utilization of this major SBR QTL and its map-based cloning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellular automata (CA) models for grain growth have been widely used, but the use of structured grid leads to anisotropy when nuclei cell begin to trap its neighbour cells, which may interfere with original preferential growth orientation. In this paper, CA neighbourhood configurations and trapping rules with strong anisotropy and stochastic preferential growth orientation were studied. A quantitative evaluation model was proposed to analyse the size, morphology and distribution of grain structure with an average diameter, shape factor, Feret diameter and Feret angle. The relationship between the fundamental CA model and grain structure was established. Characteristic parameters of different configurations were extracted, which helps the selection of different CA models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The objectives of the current study were to investigate the mitochondrial genome and molecular phylogeny of Lueyang black-bone chicken, and  provide  molecule base to preserve and explore the specific chicken strain. 2. Based on sequencing and clustering, the complete mitochondrial DNA map and sequences of Lueyang black-bone chicken were revealed, and two phylogenetic trees of Lueyang black-bone chickens based on D-loop sequences and the mitochondrial genome were constructed. 3. The results showed that the complete mitochondrial genome of Lueyang black-bone chickens is 16,784bp in size, consisting of 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, and one non-coding control region. The base composition of the complete mtDNA sequence is 30.28% for A, 23.78% for T, 32.42% for C, 13.52% for G. Additionally, 10 haplotypes of D-loop sequences in 32 Lueyang black-bone chickens were detected, which were distributed into 4 clades (A, B, C and E). 4. It was concluded that genetic diversity is wide in Lueyang black-bone chickens, and this strain has multiple maternal origins from different regions in China and neighbouring regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss the adsorption efficiency of α-MnO2 for Ni2+ in water under various conditions. The adsorption kinetics of α-MnO2 fitted the pseudo-second-order model better than the pseudo-first-order model. The adsorption efficiency increased rapidly at 0-30 minutes, although after 90 minutes, the rate of adsorption efficiency was almost 0. The pH affected the adsorption efficiency significantly. From pH 2 to 4, the adsorption efficiency increased sharply as the pH increased. At pH≥4, the adsorption efficiency was high, and at pH 8, it reached a maximum of 63%. Increasing the temperature also increased the adsorption efficiency, suggesting that the adsorption reaction is endothermic. For reaction systems containing more than 10 mmol α-MnO2, the adsorption efficiency for Ni2+ was nearly 100%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Few studies have examined the association between psoriasis and glomerulonephritis ( GN) as well as chronic kidney disease ( CKD). Objectives To determine the risk of CKD in patients with psoriasis and evaluate the impact of the severity of psoriasis, comorbidities and concomitant drugs on the risk of GN and CKD in patients with psoriasis. Methods We identified 4344 patients with psoriasis for the study cohort and randomly selected 13 032 subjects as a control cohort. Each subject was individually followed for up for 5 years to identify those who subsequently developed GN and CKD. Results After adjustment for traditional CKD risk factors, psoriasis was found to be independently associated with an increased risk of CKD during the follow-up period [hazard ratio ( HR) 1·28; 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1·14-1·44]. The increased incidence of GN in patients with psoriasis ( HR 1·50, 95% CI 1·24-1·81) may contribute to the positive association between psoriasis and CKD. Patients with mild and severe psoriasis had an increased risk of CKD and GN compared with the control cohort; the risk increased with severity. Patients with psoriasis and arthritis exhibited a higher risk of CKD than patients without arthritis ( HR 1·62 vs. 1·26). Among drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs) have the strongest association with CKD in patients with psoriasis (adjusted odds ratio 1·69, 95% CI 1·14-2·49). Conclusions Psoriasis was associated with a higher risk of developing CKD and GN. High severity, psoriatic arthritis involvement and concomitant NSAIDs use further increased the risk of CKD in patients with psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feeding systems is an important factor for productivity and quality of casting. In this paper, the computation of feed-path based on temperature gradient method is proposed to remedy the deficiencies in the feeder optimisation through traditional numerical methods. Feed-path is the direction of microscopic flow of liquid metal during solidification. In the aspect of calculation, feed-path consists of a series of vectors in the direction of maximum temperature gradient at the evolving solid-liquid interface during the solidification process. With the help of feed-path, the feed-regions in castings can be identified, potential defects of cavity shrinkage as well as centreline porosity can be predict, and the direction and distance of feeding can be visualised intuitionally, providing reliable basis for feeder design. A typical casting is set as an example to illustrate the computation of feed-path based on temperature gradient method, and the facility of feed-path in the feeder optimisation is verified with a ladder sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]