Stomatal dynamics are regulated by leaf hydraulic traits and guard cell anatomy in nine true mangrove species

Stomatal regulation is critical for mangroves to survive in the hyper-saline intertidal zone where water stress is severe and water availability is highly fluctuant.However,very little is known about the stomatal sensitivity to vapour pressure deficit(VPD)in mangroves,and its co-ordination with stomatal morphology and leaf hydraulic traits.We measured the stomatal response to a step increase in VPD in situ,stomatal anatomy,leaf hydraulic vulnerability and pressure-volume traits in nine true mangrove species of five families and collected the data of genome size.We aimed to answer two questions:(1)Does stomatal morphology influence stomatal dynamics in response to a high VPD in mangroves?with a consideration of possible influence of genome size on stomatal morphology;and(2)do leaf hydraulic traits influence stomatal sensitivity to VPD in mangroves?We found that the stomata of mangrove plants were highly sensitive to a step rise in VPD and the stomatal responses were directly affected by stomatal anatomy and hydraulic traits.Smaller,denser stomata was correlated with faster stomatal closure at high VPD across the species of Rhizophoraceae,and stomata size negatively and vein density positively correlated with genome size.Less negative leaf osmotic pressure at the full turgor(πo)was related to higher operating steady-state stomatal conductance(gs);and a higher leaf capacitance(Cleaf)and more embolism resistant leaf xylem were associated with slower stomatal responses to an increase in VPD.In addition,stomatal responsiveness to VPD was indirectly affected by leaf morphological traits,which were affected by site salinity and consequently leaf water status.Our results demonstrate that mangroves display a unique relationship between genome size,stomatal size and vein packing,and that stomatal responsiveness to VPD is regulated by leaf hydraulic traits and stomatal morphology.Our work provides a quantitative framework to better understand of stomatal regulation in mangroves in an environment with high salinity and dynamic water availability.

Nondestructive technique for identifying nuclides using neutron resonance transmission analysis at CSNS Back-n

Nondestructive and noninvasive neutron assays are essential applications of neutron techniques.Neutron resonance transmission analysis(NRTA)is a powerful nondestructive method for investigating the elemental composition of an object.The back-streaming neutron line(Back-n)is a newly built time-of-flight facility at the China Spallation Neutron Source(CSNS)that provides neutrons in the eV to 300 MeV range.A feasibility study of the NRTA method for nuclide identification was conducted at the CSNS Back-n via two test experiments.The results demonstrate that it is feasible to identify different elements and isotopes in samples using the NRTA method at Back-n.This study reveals its potential future applications.

Measurement of the ^(232)Th(n,f)cross section in the 1-200 MeV range at the CSNS Back-n

The ^(232)Th(n,f)cross section is very important in basic nuclear physics and applications based on the Th/U fuel cycle.Using the time-of-flight method and a multi-cell fast-fission ionization chamber,a novel measurement of the^(232)Th(n,f)cross sec-tion relative to^(235)U in the 1–200 MeV range was performed at the China Spallation Neutron Source Back-n white neutron source(Back-n).The fission event-neutron energy spectra of^(232)Th and^(235)U fission cells were measured in the single-bunch mode.Corrected 232Th/235U fission cross-sectional ratios were obtained,and the measurement uncertainties were 2.5–3.7%for energies in the 2–20 MeV range and 3.6–6.2%for energies in the 20–200 MeV range.The^(232)Th(n,f)cross section was obtained by introducing the standard cross section of^(235)U(n,f).The results were compared with those of previous theoreti-cal calculations,measurements,and evaluations.The measured 232Th fission cross section agreed with the main evaluation results in terms of the experimental uncertainty,and 232Th fission resonances were observed in the 1–3 MeV range.The present results provide^(232)Th(n,f)cross-sectional data for the evaluation and design of Th/U cycle nuclear systems.

Back-n white neutron source at CSNS and its applications

Back-streaming neutrons from the spallation target of the China Spallation Neutron Source(CSNS)that emit through the incoming proton channel were exploited to build a white neutron beam facility(the so-called Back-n white neutron source),which was completed in March 2018.The Back-n neutron beam is very intense,at approximately 29107 n/cm2/s at 55 m from the target,and has a nominal proton beam with a power of 100 kW in the CSNS-I phase and a kinetic energy of 1.6 GeV and a thick tungsten target in multiple slices with modest moderation from the cooling water through the slices.In addition,the excellent energy spectrum spanning from 0.5 eV to 200 MeV,and a good time resolution related tothe time-of-flight measurements make it a typical white neutron source for nuclear data measurements;its overall performance is among that of the best white neutron sources in the world.Equipped with advanced spectrometers,detectors,and application utilities,the Back-n facility can serve wide applications,with a focus on neutron-induced cross-sectional measurements.This article presents an overview of the neutron beam characteristics,the experimental setups,and the ongoing applications at Backn.

Measurement of the neutron total cross section of carbon at the Back-n white neutron beam of CSNS

To verify the performance of the neutron total cross-sectional spectrometer, the neutron total cross section of carbon is initially measured in the energy range of 1 eV to 20 MeV using the time-of-flight method. The measurement is performed at the Back-n white neutron source with a 76-m time-of-flight path using the China Spallation Neutron Source. A multilayer fast fission chamber with 235U and 238U is employed as the neutron detector. The diameter and thickness of the natural graphite sample are 70 mm and 40 mm, respectively. Signal waveforms are collected using a data acquisition system. Off-line data processing was used to obtain the neutron time-of-flight spectra and transmissions. The uncertainty of the counting statistics is generally approximately 3% for each bin in the energy range of 1–20 MeV. It is determined that the results for the neutron total cross section of carbon obtained using ^235U cells are in good agreement with the results obtained using 238U cells within limits of statistical uncertainty. Moreover, the measured total cross sections show good agreement with the broadening evaluated data.

Contrast sensitivity in 14 MeV fast neutron radiography

Fast neutron radiography(FNR) is an effective non-destructive testing technique.Due to the scattering effect and low detection efficiency,the detection limit of FNR under certain conditions cannot be determined.In order to obtain the minimum detectable thickness by FNR,we studied the contrast sensitivity of FNR lead samples,both theoretically and experimentally.We then clarified the relationship between pixel value and irradiation time,and sample materials and thickness.Our experiment,using a4-cm-thick lead sample,verified our theoretical expression of FNR contrast sensitivity.

Explosion temperature mapping of emulsion explosives containing TiH_(2)powders with the two-color pyrometer technique

In the study,the two-color pyrometer technique was used to measure the transient temperature field of emulsion explosives with different contents of TiH_(2)powders.The experimental results showed that the introduction of TiH_(2)powders could significantly increase the explosion temperature and fireball duration of emulsion explosive.When emulsion explosives were ignited,the average explosion temperature of pure emulsion explosive continuously decreased while emulsion explosives added with TiH_(2)powders increased at first and then decreased.When the content of TiH_(2)powders was 6 mass%,the explosion average temperature reached its maximum value of 3095 K,increasing by 43.7%as compared with that of pure emulsion explosive.In addition,the results of air blast experiment and explosion heat test showed that the variation trends of shock wave parameters,explosion heat and theoretical explosion temperature of emulsion explosives with different contents of TiH_(2)powders were basically consistent with that of explosion temperature measured by the two-color pyrometer technique.In conclusion,the two-color pyrometer technique would be conducive to the formula design of emulsion explosive by understanding the explosion temperature characteristics.

Study of neutron production and moderation for sulfur neutron capture therapy

Neutron capture therapy with Sulfur-33, similar to boron neutron capture therapy with Boron-10, is effective in treating some types of tumors including ocular melanoma. The key point in sulfur neutron capture therapy is whether the neutron beam flux and the resonance capture cross section of ^(33)S(n;α)^(30) Si reaction at 13.5 keV can achieve the requirements of radiotherapy. In this research,the authors investigated the production of 13.5 keV neutron production and moderation based on an accelerator neutron source. A lithium glass detector was used to measure the neutron flux produced via near threshold^7 Li(p,n)~7 Be reaction using the time-of-flight method. Furthermore, the moderation effects of different kinds of materials were investigated using Monte Carlo simulation.

A quantitative study of airway ultrasound in predicting difficult laryngoscopy:A prospective study

Purpose:As common clinical screening tests cannot effectively predict a difficult airway,and unanticipated difficult laryngoscopy remains a challenge for physicians.We herein used ultrasound to develop some point-of-care predictors for difficult laryngoscopy.Methods:This prospective observational study included 502 patients who underwent laryngoscopy and a detailed sonographic assessment.Patients under 18 years old,or with maxillofacial deformities or fractures,limited mouth opening,limited neck movement or history of neck surgery were excluded from the study.Laryngoscopic views of all patients were scored and grouping using the modified Cormack-Lehane(CL)scoring system.The measurements acquired comprised tongue width,the longitudinal cross-sectional area of the tongue,tongue volume,the mandible-hyoid bone distance,the hyoid boneglottis distance,the mandible-hyoid bone-glottis angle,the skin-thyrohyoid membrane distance,the glottis-superior edge of the thyroid cartilage distance(DGTC),the skin-hyoid bone distance,and the epiglottis midway-skin distance.ANOVA and Chi-square were used to compare differences between groups.Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for difficult laryngoscopy and it was visualized by receiver operating characteristic curves and nomogram.R version 3.6.3 and SPSS version 26.0 were used for statistical analyses.Results:Difficult laryngoscopy was indicated in 49 patients(CL grade III-IV)and easy laryngoscopy in 453 patients(CL grade I-II).The ultrasound-measured mandible-hyoid bone-glottis angle and DGTC significantly differed between the 2 groups(p<0.001).Difficult laryngoscopy was predicted by an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.930 with a threshold mandible-hyoid bone-glottis angle of 125.5and by an AUC of 0.722 with a threshold DGTC of 1.22 cm.The longitudinal cross-sectional area of the tongue,tongue width,tongue volume,the mandible-hyoid distance,and the hyoid-glottis distance did not significantly differ between the groups.Conclusion:Difficult laryngoscopy may be anticipated in patients in whom the mandible-hyoid boneglottis angle is smaller than 125.5or DGTC is larger than 1.22 cm.

Rapid and specific detection of norepinephrine via a “hunting-shooting” strategy

Neurotransmitters are important endogenous chemicals in the central and sympathetic nervous system of organisms,which play an important role in maintaining physiological processes,such as the signaling,neuromodulation,and metabolism regulating[1,2].

In-beam gamma rays of CSNS Back-n characterized by black resonance filter

The back-streaming white-neutron beamline(Back-n)of the China Spallation Neutron Source is an essential neutronresearch platform built for the study of nuclear data,neutron physics,and neutron applications.Many types of cross-sectional neutron-reaction measurements have been performed at Back-n since early 2018.These measurements have shown that a significant number of gamma rays can be transmitted to the experimental stations of Back-n along with the neutron beam.These gamma rays,commonly referred to as in-beam gamma rays,can induce a non-negligible experimental background in neutron-reaction measurements.Studying the characteristics of in-beam gamma rays is important for understanding the experimental background.However,measuring in-beam gamma rays is challenging because most gamma-ray detectors are sensitive to neutrons;thus,discriminating between neutron-induced signals and those from in-beam gamma rays is difficult.In this study,we propose the use of the black resonance filter method and a CeBr_(3) scintillation detector to measure the characteristics of the in-beam gamma rays of Back-n.Four types of black resonance filters,^(181)Ta,^(59)Co,^(nat)Ag,and^(nat)Cd,were used in this measurement.The time-of-flight(TOF)technique was used to select the detector signals remaining in the absorption region of the TOF spectra,which were mainly induced by in-beam gamma rays.The energy distribution and flux of the in-beam gamma rays of Back-n were determined by analyzing the deposited energy spectra of the CeBr_(3) scintillation detector and using Monte Carlo simulations.Based on the results of this study,the background contributions from in-beam gamma rays in neutron-reaction measurements at Back-n can be reasonably evaluated,which is beneficial for enhancing both the experimental methodology and data analysis.

Cross-section measurement for the ^(93)Nb(n,2n)^(92g)Nb reaction at the neutron energy of 14.6 MeV by the AMS method

The cross-section for the 93Nb（n, 2n）92gNb reaction has been measured at the neutron energy of 14.6 MeV using neutron activation and accelerator mass spectrometry （AMS） determination of the long-lived product nuclide 92gNb. The neutron energy was generated from the D＋T neutron source at the China Institute of Atomic Energy （CIAE）. The neutron flux was monitored by measuring the activity of 92mNb produced in the competing reaction channel of 93Nb（n, 2n）92mNb. At the neutron energy of 14.6 MeV, the 93Nb（n, 2n）92gNb reaction cross-section of （736±220） mb was obtained for the first time.