Multiresidue Method for Determination of 67 Pesticides in Water Samples Using Solid-Phase Extraction with Centrifugation and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

A new multi-residue method based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) with centrifugation was developed for determination and quantitation of 67 pesticides in water samples. Two SPE cartridges were tested: Chromabond C18 and Oasis HLB. Parameters that influence the extraction efficiency such as the eluent volume, the sample loading volume, the addition of organic solvent to water sample, sorbent drying and elute concentration were optimized. The innovation of this work was the examination of the use of a centrifugation technique in both the drying and elution steps. When combined with centrifugation, the volume of the elution solvent was reduced to 2 mL and the time for sorbent drying decreased also to 10 min under vacuum. Under the optimized conditions, this method showed good recoveries higher than 65% - 68% for the 67 analyzed pesticides using the C18 and HLB cartridges with relative standard deviations lower than 9.7% - 12.3%. Limits of quantification were between 2 and 20 ng.L–1. The simplicity of the described method, use of less of organic solvent, short procedure time, and good recoveries demonstrate the advantages of this environmentally friendly approach for routine analysis of numerous samples.

Motility of Stallion Spermatozoa after Centrifugation and Cooling in INRA96 or Walworth Extender

A total of 18 ejaculates were collected, once per week, from six fertile stallions for three consecutive weeks in October and November, to compare motility over time between extenders using four semen processing treatments. Four total aliquots of semen were used. Two aliquots of each semen collection were extended in either INRA96 or an experimental proprietary milk-based extender Walworth （WW） extender, and each was designed for multi-day storage of fresh chilled semen. Each aliquot was divided again, and either centrifuged at 600 μg for 10 min without cushion, or not centrifuged and extended to a final concentration of 25 × 10^6 spermatozoa/mL. The treatments evaluated were INRA96 without centrifugation （INRA-NC） or with centrifugation （INRA-C）, and Walworth extender without centrifugation （WW-NC） or with centrifugation （WW-C）. Total and progressive motility were measured using Sperm Vision~ CASA at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h post-collection. Samples were stored at 4 ℃. No differences were found between extenders in progressive （P = 0.13） or total motility （P = 0.14） over the four different time points without centrifugation. However, ejaculates processed in INRA-C group had the greater total and progressive motility （P 〈 0.05） over the four time points than ejaculates in the WW-C group. It was found that centrifugation and re-suspension of stallion semen in INRA96 improved the longevity of fresh chilled semen. However, when not using centrifugation, the Walworth extender proved to be as effective for maintaining spermatozoa motility across all time points as 1NRA96 , and may be an alternative for use in the equine breeding industry.

An Effective Method for Depleting MatureT Lymphocytes from Bone Marrow Cells──Two－step Percoll Centrifugation

In the present paper we have observed the effect of discontinuous gradient two-step Percoll centrifugation on depleting mature T lymphocytes from normal bone marrow. The pre-/post-Percoll percentage of CD34+, and Leu4+ cells in MNC was counted by using APAAP technique. As the two-step Percoll centrifugation is simple,and time saving, and decreases the incidence of contamination of cultured cells as well,This technique may be of value in serum-free culture of hematopoietic cells and immunological studies.

Improved ZiehI-Neelsen Microscopy： Bleach Sputum Smear Negative Specimens after Centrifugation

Background： Direct ZN （Ziehl-Neelsen） sputum smear microscopy for diagnosis of TB （tuberculosis） has low sensitivity, especially in TB/HIV co-infected patients. Sputum concentration by bleach （NaOCI） with sedimentation has been used to increase the sensitivity of sputum smear microscopy in many settings but with varying results. Objective： To determine whether bleach plus centrifugation significantly improves the detection of AFB （acid-fast bacilli） in ZN smear-negative sputum specimens. Methods： Three hundred and seventy sputum specimens were collected from new TB suspects attending a Nairobi referral district hospital and processed for direct microscopy using ZN technique and culture on Lowenstein Jensen Media. All smear-negative specimens were treated with 3.5% bleach and left to stand for 30 min before centrifugation. The bleach treated smears were processed and examined using ZN technique. Results： Of the 370 specimens, 200 （54%） were positive culture. The number of sputum samples that were smear-positive by direct ZN was 138 （37.2%）, with a sensitivity of 66%. After treatment of direct ZN smear-negative specimens with 3.5% bleach and centrifugation, the total number of AFB smear-positive samples increased to 171 with an increase in sensitivity of 66% to 81.1% （15.1%）. Conclusion： In this study, bleach with centrifugation significantly increased the yield of sputum smear microscopy. Further evaluation of these techniques in routine programmes is required especially in settings where the burden of TB/HIV is high.

Single and double layer centrifugation improve the quality of cryopreserved bovine sperm from poor quality ejaculates

Background： Density gradient centrifugation was reported as a technique of semen preparation in assisted reproductive techniques in humans and animals. This technique was found to be efficient in improving semen quality after harmful techniques such as cryopreservation. Recently a modified technique, single layer centrifugation,was proposed as a technique providing a large amount of high quality spermatozoa, and this treatment was performed before conservation. Single layer centrifugation has been studied prevalently in stallions and in boars,but limited data were available for bulls. Occasionally bulls are known to experience a transient reduction in semen quality, thus techniques that allow improvement in semen quality could be applied in this context. The aim of this study was the evaluation of single layer and double layer centrifugation by the use of iodixanol, compared with conventional centrifugation and non-centrifuged semen, on the sperm characteristics during the cryopreservation process in bulls with normal and poor semen quality.Results： Single layer centrifugation and double layer centrifugation both significantly increased the percentage of normal spermatozoa and decreased the percentage of non-sperm cells in poor quality samples, while both were ineffective in those of normal quality. Sperm characteristics in poor quality samples increased after single layer centrifugation and double layer centrifugation, reaching values similar to those recorded in normal samples, and this trend is maintained after equilibration and after cryopreservation. On the other hand, SLC and DLC resulted in a consistent reduction in the spermatozoa recovered, and this resulted in a reduction of the absolute amount of spermatozoa cryopreserved in the normal samples, without a clear improvement in sperm characteristics in this type of sample.Conclusions： These data suggested that both SLC and DLC could be performed in practice, but their application should be limited to the cases in which the quality of the spermatozoa recovered is more important than the total amount of spermatozoa.

Single Layer Centrifugation with Androcoll-E^(TM) improved progressive motility and percentage of live spermatozoa with intact acrosome of chilled stallion semen but did not have an effect on DNA integrity

A significant number of stallions produce low quality ejaculates with high sensibility to chilling. Single Layer Centrifugation (SLC) with Andro-coll-ETM has been presented as an efficient method of selecting good quality spermatozoa. In the current study, changes in sperm quality (motility, viability, acrosome integrity and DNA damage) occurring during storage at 5?C for a maximum of 72 h, were investigated. For that, one ejaculate from 12 stallions was split in two aliquots: control and SLC-selected. Both aliquots were chilled and stored at 5?C and spermatozoa were evaluated for motility, viability and acrosome integrity at 24, 48 and 72 h post collection. DNA damage was evaluated at 48 h post collection using the comet assay. In the SLC-selected aliquots, there was a significant improvement in terms of progressive motility (0 h: P = 0.005;24 h: P 0.05). SLC with Androcoll-ETM improved semen quality prolonging sperm longevity of chilled semen (P = 0.012). This positive effect was more evident in ejaculates most sensitive to chilling that had a sharp decrease in motility in the first 24 h of refrigeration and for all ejaculates at 72 h post-chilling. Therefore, this method reveals to be a useful technique for selecting spermatozoa and maintain sperm quality during storage.

Purification of specularite by centrifugation instead of flotation to produce iron oxide red pigment

This study used specularite, a high-gradient magnetic separation concentrate, as a raw material in reverse flotation.An iron concentrate with a grade of 65.1 wt% and a recovery rate of 75.31% were obtained.A centrifugal concentrator served as the deep purification equipment for the preparation of iron oxide red pigments, and its optimal rotating drum speed, feed concentration, and other conditions were determined.Under optimal conditions, a high-purity iron oxide concentrate with a grade of 69.38 wt% and a recovery rate of 80.89% were obtained and used as a raw material for preparing iron oxide red pigment.Calcining with sulfuric acid produced iron red pigments with different hues.Simultaneously, middlings with a grade of 60.20 wt% and a recovery rate of 17.51% were obtained and could be used in blast furnace ironmaking.High-value utilization of specularite beneficiation products was thus achieved.

Different Re-centrifugation Conditions for Infectious Disease Screening Using the Abbott 12000

We investigated whether an ordinary centrifuge can achieve the standard centrifugal effect required according to specifications for infectious disease screening using the Abbott i2000.Samples were collected and centrifuged following a standard operating procedure(SOP).They were then divided into three groups according to the results of the initial screening tests:a negative group,weak-positive group,and positive group.Twenty negative samples and all weak-positive and positive samples were re-analyzed.Two tubes for each re-analyzed sample were centrifuged simultaneously,one for 10 min at 10000x g,per recommendations,and one for 10 min at 2750^g.No significant difference was found between the groups using different centrifugal forces.There was a strong correlation in the quantitative values between the two conditions of centrifugation.Consistency analysis showed a Cronbach's alpha>0.8 for detection of Treponema pallidum,human immunodeficiency virus(HIV),hepatitis C virus(HCV),and hepatitis B surface antigen in the three groups(negative group,weak-positive group,and positive group)under different centrifugation conditions.Strong consistency was found under different centrifugal conditions,regardless of the initial testing results.In conclusion,we conducted centrifugation steps in duplicate,according to infectious disease screening protocols.Our study showed that all samples should be centrifuged using a recommended relative centrifugal force after a proper clotting time,as in the standard operating procedure of our laboratory.In this way,we were able to obtain the same results using an ordinary centrifuge as those obtained using a high-speed centrifuge,such as the Abbott i2000.

Preliminary Study of Effects of Centrifugation of Stallion Semen on Motility and Pro-AKAP4 Concentration over 72 Hours Post-collection

The study aimed to investigate the effects of centrifugation of stallion semen on progressive sperm motility over a 72-hour period;and determine if the protein marker,precursor of A-kinase anchor protein 4(pro-AKAP4),may be maintained at a higher level over time when compared to non-centrifuged samples.Pro-AKAP4 has been studied for its function in stabilizing the structure of spermatozoa and its use as a marker for fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa.Semen collections were obtained from four fertile,commercially used Standardbred stallions collected three times each.Semen samples were diluted to a final concentration of 50 million total cells per milliliter.One extended aliquot of semen from each collection was used for the non-centrifuged treatment,and one extended aliquot of semen was centrifuged at 750×g for 10 min.The supernatant from the centrifuged sample was then removed with a 10 mL plastic transfer pipette,and the spermatozoa cell pellet was suspended in fresh extender to a final concentration of 50 million total cells per milliliter.Both centrifuged and non-centrifuged samples from each collection were stored in Equine Express II stallion semen shipping containers for 72 h and fresh ice packs were added to each container every 24 h.Both progressive sperm motility and levels of pro-AKAP4 were determined at times 0,12,24,48 and 72 h after collection.Differences were found between stallions,times and treatments with the main finding being that pro-AKAP4 concentration in centrifuged samples was maintained at a much higher level over the 72-hour period studied.

Evaluating the impact of delayed centrifugation on protein profiles analyzed by LC/MS in serum and plasma samples

The pre-analytical steps in blood-based liquid biopsy,involving sample collection techniques and storage conditions,play a critical role in ensuring the integrity and reliability of collected samples.These steps have a directly impact on the accuracy and reliability of test results and are therefore of utmost importance.Mass spectrometry(MS)-based proteomics is an exceptionally powerful tool in the field of liquid biopsy.It enables the comprehensive analysis of the protein content within biological specimens,providing valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms and pathogenesis of diseases.In this study,we aim to explore the variations in the protein landscape between serum and plasma specimens and evaluate the impact of delayed centrifugation on LC/MS-analyzed protein profiles.We seek to provide recommendations on optimal pre-analytical protocols for MS-based proteomics studies.This will enhance the accuracy and reliability of liquid biopsy for precision medicine,ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes.

A novel tube for sperm density gradient centrifugation procedure

Objective:Density gradient centrifugation(DGC),swim up(SU),or a combination of DGC and SU is used to prepare sperm for infertility treatments using assisted reproductive technologies(ARTs).This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of a new device for detecting sperm DGC.Methods:Sperm samples were collected from 119 males who required semen analysis at three differentin vitro fertilization(IVF)centers(71 samples from Center A,28 samples from Center B,and 20 samples from Center C).Semen samples were divided into two groups for DGC:(1)a normal centrifugation tube and(2)a specially designed RC-Tube.The sperm concentration,motility,and DNA fragmentation index(DFI)were assessed using DGC.Sperm concentration and motility were assessed using a MAKLER counting chamber.Sperm DFI was measured and analyzed using flow cytometry using a DFI Kit.Results:There were no significant differences in sperm concentrations recovered following DGC between the two groups(31.1%±1.7%vs.28.8%±1.3%).Sperm motility was not significantly different following the DGC procedure in both groups(77.6%±1.6%.vs.75.8%±1.6%).The percentage of sperm DFI was also not significantly different following DGC between the two groups(10.4%±1.0%vs.10.5%±1.0%).Conclusions:The newly designed RC-Tube is efficient for sperm DGC and can be used to simplify sperm preparation for infertility treatment.

Phospholipase C-Zeta Reveals the Underlying Pathological Influence after Density Gradient Centrifugation, Microfluidic Sorting, and Cryopreservation of Human Sperm

Objective:Sperm preparation techniques and cryopreservation are widely used in assisted reproductive techniques(ART).How to improve the quality of sperm management is a matter of great concern.Phospholipase C-zeta(PLCζ)is considered a sperm-specific agent that activates oocyte activation and thus playing a crucial role in male fertility.However,the potential mechanisms by which semen processing and cryopreservation on PLCζcontribute to keyhole have not been addressed.Methods:In this study,semen samples were taken from have not been addressed 10 normozoospermic men.Each semen sample was assigned to the following groups:density gradient centrifugation(DGC)as control,microfluidic sorting,and cryopreservation.Sperm parameters of molity,viability,membrane integrity,and intracellular ROS were evaluated during sperm preparation and cryopreservation.The expression of PLCζin human sperm was determined by immunofluorescence and western blotting.Results:The results showed that molity,viability,and membrane integrity decreased in cryopreservation group.Intracellular ROS were also significantly increased compared to the the control group.There was no significant difference between DGC and microfluidic sorting group.Our investigation revealed that total levels of PLCζwere comparable between DGC and microfluidic sorting,but there were significantly reduced levels of PLCζafter cryopreservation as quantified by both immunofluorescenceand immunoblotting.PLCζimmunofluorescence in sperm revealed different PLCζlocalization patterns around the acrosomal(Ac),equatorial(Eq),post-acrosomal(PA)areas of sperm heads,and their combination.The predominant patterns of PLCζlocalization in DGC were similar to that of microfluidic sorting,with strong,with staining.In contrast,PLCζstaining in freeze-thawed sperm was considerably weaker fluorescence intensity.Conclusion:This study clarified the mechanism of sperm preparation and cryopreservation underlying effect on sperm characteristic,accompanied with PLCζexpresion.We demonstrated that microfluidic sorting provides a highly efficient preparation method for clinical selection of PLCζ-expressing sperm comparable to DGC gene expression.It is suggested that the cryopreservation of sperm has a significant detrimental effect on PLCζ.

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell-incorporated PLLA porous microspheres for cartilage regeneration

Background:In facial plastic surgery,patients with nasal deformity are often treated by rib cartilage transplantation.In recent years,cartilage tissue engineering has developed as an alternative to complex surgery for patients with minor nasal defects via injection of nasal filler material.In this study,we prepared an injectable nasal filler material containing poly-L-l actic acid(PLLA)porous microspheres(PMs),hyaluronic acid(HA)and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells(ADMSCs).Methods:We seeded ADMSCs into as-prepared PLLA PMs using our newly invented centrifugation perfusion technique.Then,HA was mixed with ADMSC-i ncorporated PLLA PMs to form a hydrophilic and injectable cell delivery system(ADMSCincorporated PMH).Results:We evaluated the biocompatibility of PMH in vitro and in vivo.PMH has good injectability and provides a favorable environment for the proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of ADMSCs.In vivo experiments,we observed that PMH has good biocompatibility and cartilage regeneration ability.Conclusion:In this study,a injectable cell delivery system was successfully constructed.We believe that PMH has potential application in cartilage tissue engineering,especially in nasal cartilage regeneration.

Investigation of the block toppling evolution of a layered model slope by centrifuge test and discrete element modeling

Primary toppling usually occurs in layered rock slopes with large anti-dip angles.In this paper,the block toppling evolution was explored using a large-scale centrifuge system.Each block column in the layered model slope was made of cement mortar.Some artificial cracks perpendicular to the block column were prefabricated.Strain gages,displacement gages,and high-speed camera measurements were employed to monitor the deformation and failure processes of the model slope.The centrifuge test results show that the block toppling evolution can be divided into seven stages,i.e.layer compression,formation of major tensile crack,reverse bending of the block column,closure of major tensile crack,strong bending of the block column,formation of failure zone,and complete failure.Block toppling is characterized by sudden large deformation and occurs in stages.The wedge-shaped cracks in the model incline towards the slope.Experimental observations show that block toppling is mainly caused by bending failure rather than by shear failure.The tensile strength also plays a key factor in the evolution of block toppling.The simulation results from discrete element method(DEM)is in line with the testing results.Tensile stress exists at the backside of rock column during toppling deformation.Stress concentration results in the fragmented rock column and its degree is the most significant at the slope toe.

Facial aesthetic fat graft retention rates after filtration, centrifugation, or sedimentation processing techniques measured using three-dimensional surface imaging devices

Objective:How to increase the long-term retention rate of autologous fat grafting has been widely discussed.This study aimed to evaluate long-term fat graft retention rates for the most widely used fat processing methods in the area of facial esthetic surgery,including centrifugation,filtration,and sedimentation,using three-dimensional (3D) imaging.Data Sources:PubMed,Embase,Wiley/Cochrane Library,and Web of Science databases were comprehensively searched from inception to July 2018 according to the guidelines of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Fat Graft Task Force Assessment Methodology.Study Selection:Articles were screened using predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria.Data collected included patient characteristics,follow-up devices,fat grafting techniques,and clinical outcomes.Patient cohorts were pooled,and fat graft retention rates were calculated.Complications were summarized according to different clinical characteristics.Results:Of 77 articles,10 clinical studies met the inclusion criteria and reported quantified measurement outcomes with 3D imaging which provide precise volumetric data with approximately 2% standard deviation compared to real volumes.Data of 515 patients were included.Fat grafting retention varied from 21% to 82%.We found filtration and centrifugation techniques could result in better retention outcomes.However,retention varied within each processing technique,with no significant difference among the 3 techniques.Twenty-two complications were reported among 515 patients,including donor-site hematoma (1 case),mild postoperative erythema (2 cases),mild volumetric asymmetries (2 cases),chronic edema (2 cases),overcorrection (2 cases),skin irregularity (6 cases),and headache or dysesthesia (7 cases).Conclusions:Filtration and centrifugation techniques may result in better fat grafting retention outcomes than gravity sedimentation;however,more accurate statistical evidence is needed.Controversies continue to exist with respect to the performance of the different fat-processing techniques in fat graft retention.

Microstructure and Hot Tearing Sensitivity Simulation and Parameters Optimization for the Centrifugal Casting of Al-Cu Alloy

Four typical theories on the formation of thermal tears:strength,liquid film,intergranular bridging,and solidifica-tion shrinkage compensation theories.From these theories,a number of criteria have been derived for predicting the formation of thermal cracks,such as the stress-based Niyama,Clyne,and RDG(Rapaz-Dreiser-Grimaud)criteria.In this paper,a mathematical model of horizontal centrifugal casting was established,and numerical simulation analysis was conducted for the centrifugal casting process of cylindrical Al-Cu alloy castings to investigate the effect of the centrifugal casting process conditions on the microstructure and hot tearing sensitivity of alloy castings by using the modified RDG hot tearing criterion.Results show that increasing the centrifugal rotation and pouring speeds can refine the microstructure of the alloy but increasing the pouring and mold preheating temperatures can lead to an increase in grain size.The grain size gradually transitions from fine grain on the outer layer to coarse grain on the inner layer.Meanwhile,combined with the modified RDG hot tearing criterion,the overall distribution of the castings’hot tearing sensitivity was analyzed.The analysis results indicate that the porosity in the middle region of the casting was large,and hot tearing defects were prone to occur.The hot tearing tendency on the inner side of the casting was greater than that on the outer side.The effects of centrifugal rotation speed,pouring temperature,and preheating temperature on the thermal sensitivity of Al-Cu alloy castings are summarized in this paper.This study revealed that the tendency of alloy hot cracking decreases with the increase of the centrifugal speed,and the maximum porosity of castings decreases first and then increases with the pouring temperature.As the preheating temperature increases,the overall maximum porosity of castings shows a decreasing trend.

Centrifuge modeling of a large-scale surcharge on adjacent foundation

This study investigates the ground and structural response of adjacent raft foundations induced by largescale surcharge by ore in soft soil areas through a 130g centrifuge modeling test with an innovative layered loading device.The prototype of the test is a coastal iron ore yard with a natural foundation of deep soft soil.Therefore,it is necessary to adopt some measures to reduce the influence of the large-scale surcharge on the adjacent raft foundation,such as installing stone columns for foundation treatment.Under an acceleration of 130 g,the model conducts similar simulations of iron ore,stone columns,and raft foundation structures.The tested soil mass has dimensions of 900 mm×700 mm×300 mm(lengthwidthdepth),which is remodeled from the soil extracted from the drilling holes.The test conditions are consistent with the actual engineering conditions and the effects of four-level loading conditions on the composite foundation of stone columns,unreinforced zone,and raft foundations are studied.An automatic layer-by-layer loading device was innovatively developed to simulate the loading process of actual engineering more realistically.The composite foundation of stone columns had a large settlement after the loading,forming an obvious settlement trough and causing the surface of the unreinforced zone to rise.The 12 m surcharge loading causes a horizontal displacement of 13.19 cm and a vertical settlement of 1.37 m in the raft foundation.The stone columns located on both sides of the unreinforced zone suffered significant shear damage at the sand-mud interface.Due to the reinforcement effect of stone columns,the sand layer below the top of the stone columns moves less.Meanwhile,the horizontal earth pressure in the raft foundation zone increases slowly.The stone columns will form new drainage channels and accelerate the dissipation of excess pore pressure.

Performance of composite foundations with different load transfer platforms and substratum stiffness over silty clay

The semi-rigid pile-supported composite foundation is widely used in highway projects due to its effectiveness in increasing the bearing capacity and stability of foundations.It is crucial to understand the stress distribution across the embankment width and the behaviour of unreinforced foundations.Thus,five centrifuge tests were conducted to examine the bearing and deformation behaviours of NPRS(Non-Connected Piled Raft Systems)and GRPS(GeosyntheticReinforced Pile-Supported systems)with varying substratum stiffness,then a comparative analysis was conducted on embankment settlement,pressures underneath the embankments,and axial forces along the piles.The results indicated that greater substratum stiffness correlates with reduced settlement and deformation at various depths.Deformation occurring 5 meters from the embankment toe includes settlement in NPRS and upward movement in GRPS.The potential sliding surface is primarily located within the embankment in NPRS,whereas it may extend through both the embankment and foundation in GRPS.The pile-soil stress ratio and efficiency in NPRS are higher than in GRPS across the embankment.The axial force borne by end-bearing piles is significantly greater than that by floating piles.As the buried depth increases,the axial force in GRPS initially rises then declines,whereas in NPRS,it remains relatively constant within a certain range before decreasing.This study aids in assessing the applicability of composite foundations in complex railway environments and provides a reference for procedural measures under similar conditions.

Effect of the sloping seabed on 3D soil-spudcan interaction using a material point-finite element(MPM-FEM)model

The sloping seabed affects the bearing capacity and failure mechanism of soil,which may compromise the stability and safety of offshore structures such as jack-up platforms.This paper employs a coupled model combining the material point method and finite element method(MPM-FEM)to analyze the impact of sloping seabeds on the three-dimensional soil-spudcan interaction.The MPM-FEM model implements the B¯approach to solve the challenge of volumetric locking due to the incompressibility constraints imposed by yield criterion.It is validated against the centrifuge results.The effects of sloping seabeds on penetration resistance,soil flow pattern,lateral response,stress distribution,and failure mechanism are discussed.The soil mainly undergoes overall failure when the ratio of penetration depth to spudcan diameter(i.e.D P/D)is between 0 and 0.25.As the slope angle increases,the soil on the side of lower slope is expelled further,resulting in an asymmetric stress distribution and a larger horizontal sliding force of soil.When D P/D increases to 0.75,the soil transitions to localized plastic flow failure,and the range of soil flow affected by the spudcan penetration decreases.The results show that,when the slope angle increases,the lateral displacement and stress distribution on the lower slope of a sloping seabed is significantly larger than that of a horizontal seabed,impacting the spudcan and surrounding soil behavior.The study suggests that the seabed slope significantly affects the range of soil flow and failure at shallow penetration,indicating that the slope angle should be taken into account in the design and installation of offshore jack-up rigs,particularly in areas with sloping seabeds.

Transient Experiments on a Prototype Pump with an Atypical Open Impeller for Different Discharge Valve Openings

In order to obtain the transient characteristics of a low-speed centrifugal pump during the start-up and shutdown stages,dedicated experimental tests were conducted with eight different valve opening conditions.The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to reveal the linear correlation between variables.According to the results,the stable rotational speed decreases with increasing valve opening(rotational speed decreases from approximately 1472 to 1453 r/min),while the stable shaft power exhibits an increasing trend(shaft power increases from approximately 0.242 to 0.390 kW).The stable time and zeroing time of each parameter during start-up and shutdown processes vary,with the flow zeroing time significantly increasing with the relative flow,reaching up to 10.468 s,while the shaft power zeroing time is roughly between 1.219 and 1.375 s.The results demonstrate that with increasing valve opening,the stable and zeroing time of flow significantly increase(|r|greater than 0.95),while the stable and zeroing time of rotational speed,power,and head display a smaller sensitivity on the valve opening(|r|less than 0.6).