Improving creep strength of the fine-grained heat-affected zone of novel 9Cr martensitic heat-resistant steel via modified thermo-mechanical treatment

The infamous type Ⅳ failure within the fine-grained heat-affected zone (FGHAZ) in G115 steel weldments seriously threatens the safe operation of ultra-supercritical (USC) power plants.In this work,the traditional thermo-mechanical treatment was modified via the replacement of hot-rolling with cold rolling,i.e.,normalizing,cold rolling,and tempering (NCT),which was developed to improve the creep strength of the FGHAZ in G115 steel weldments.The NCT treatment effectively promoted the dissolution of preformed M_(23)C_(6)particles and relieved the boundary segregation of C and Cr during welding thermal cycling,which accelerated the dispersed reprecipitation of M_(23)C_(6) particles within the fresh reaustenitized grains during post-weld heat treatment.In addition,the precipitation of Cu-rich phases and MX particles was promoted evidently due to the deformation-induced dislocations.As a result,the interacting actions between precipitates,dislocations,and boundaries during creep were reinforced considerably.Following this strategy,the creep rupture life of the FGHAZ in G115 steel weldments can be prolonged by 18.6%,which can further push the application of G115 steel in USC power plants.

Optical Genome Mapping for Cryptic Chromosomal Rearrangements Identification in Clinical Practice

To editor:Balanced chromosomal rearrangements(BCRs),predominantly reciprocal translocations and inversions represent disease-related structural variations(SVs)that directly disrupt gene structure and function.Moreover,BCRs predispose offspring to unbalanced rearrangements,resulting in adverse pregnancy outcomes.1 The timely and accurate identification of carriers is crucial for minimizing the risk of associated adverse pregnancy outcomes,assessing recurrent risk,and planning appropriate management.Conventional cytogenetic karyotyping serves as the standard first-tier approach for BCR detection,yielding a rate of 2%–4%in the recurrent miscarriage population.2 However,its limited resolution(typically around 5–10 Mb)poses challenges in detecting cryptic BCRs with smaller or similarly banded segments,as well as complex SVs involving multiple chromosomes.Optical genome mapping(OGM),an emerging technology from Bionano Genomics,has a high resolution for detecting nearly all types of genomic SVs and has been recognized as a revolution in next-generation cytogenomic analysis.3,4 A growing number of studies have recently demonstrated the efficiency and superiority of OGM in various clinical settings,including both prenatal and postnatal congenital conditions,as well as various hematological and other malignancies.5–7 Here,we explore the value of OGM in identifying cryptic BCRs using a case series from our clinical practice.This study was approved by the ethics committee of the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital affiliated with Nanjing University Medical School(no.2021-464-02).

Cardiac autonomic nerve fiber regeneration in chronic heart failure Do Akt gene-transduced mesenchymal stem cells promote repair?

BACKGROUND： Transplantation of Akt-over-expressing mesenchymal stem ceils （Akt-MSCs） has been shown to repair infarcted myocardium and improve cardiac function. However, little is known about the therapeutic effects of Akt-MSCs on cardiac autonomic neuropathy in chronic heart failure （CHF）. OBJECTIVE： The present study used adriamycin-induced CHF rat models to observe the effect of Akt-MSCs on cardiac autonomic nervous regeneration and the factors mediating this effect. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled animal experiment was performed at the Central Laboratory of Basic Medical College, China Medical University, between September 2008 and April 2009. MATERIALS： Rabbit anti-choline acetyltransferase （CHAT）, growth associated protein-43 （GAP-43） synaptophysin （SYN） polyclonal antibodies and the secondary antibody （goat anti-rabbit IgG） were purchased from Boster, China. Cat-A-Kit assay system was provided by Amersham, USA. METHODS： （1） Adult rat MSCs were isolated and cultured for the preparation of Akt-MSCs. （2） Forty male Wistar rats were intramyocardially administered adriamycin at 2 mg/kg over 3 days for a total of five times and once a week for additional five times thereafter to establish CHF models. At 2 weeks after final adriamycin treatment, 34 successful CHF rat models were randomized to three groups： Akt-MSCs （n = 11）, simple MSCs （s-MSCs, n =11）, and control （n = 12）. Each group was intravenously administered Akt-MSCs （2x106 cells in 100 IJL PBS）, s-MSCs （2×10^6 cells in 100 μL PBS） or equal volume of phosphate buffered saline, once a day for a total of three times. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： At 4 weeks after final adriamycin treatment, myocardial norepinephrine （NE） content was detected using a Cat-A-Kit assay system. Myocardial CHAT, SYN and GAP-43 were performed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Prior to, 2 and 4 weeks after adriamycin treatment, echocardiographic examination was performed and left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） was determined. RESULTS： Myocardial NE content, as well as SYN-positive and GAP-43-positive nerve fiber density and expression, and LVEF, was the greatest in the Akt-MSCs group, followed by the s-MSCs group, and lastly the control group （P 〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.01）. ChAT expression was similar between Akt-MSCs and s-MSCs groups, but it was higher compared with the control group （P 〈 0.05）. NE contents were negatively correlated to LVEF （r = -0.64, P = 0.015）. CONCLUSION： Transplantation of MSCs, in particular Akt-MSCs, promotes cardiac nervous regeneration in failing heart, which might be mediated by GAP-43.

Synthesis of HTLcs modified by K_(3)PO_(4) for side chain alkylation of toluene with methanol

A series of calcined HTLcs catalysts were prepared and modified with potassium phosphate by impregnation method to clarify the influence of catalyst alkalinity on the side chain alkylation of toluene with methanol for synthesis of ethylbenzene and styrene.The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD),N_(2)physical adsorption-desorption,Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR),Scanning electron microscopy(SEM),X-ray photoelectron spectrometry(XPS),NH_(3)temperature-programmed desorption(NH_(3)-TPD)and CO_(2)temperature-programmed desorption(CO_(2)-TPD).It was found that the selectivity of styrene was highest(39.25%)when the K_(3)PO_(4)loading was 7.5 wt%.And the total yield of styrene and ethylbenzene could reach 65.08%with 10 wt%K_(3)PO_(4)loading.This might due to the fact that the addition of K_(3)PO_(4)could adjust the acid and basic sites of catalysts.In addition,appropriate strength and amount of basic sites were favorable to producing more styrene.

Simultaneous determination of 74 pesticide residues in Panax notoginseng by QuEChERS coupled with gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

This study established a method for the simultaneous determination of 74 pesticide residues in Panax notoginseng by QuEChERS pretreatment method coupled with GC-MS/MS,and carried out pesticide residue analysis on 20 batches of market samples in China.The samples were extracted with acetonitrile,cleaned up with primary secondary amine(PSA)and octadecylsilane(C18)and determined by GC-MS/MS in multiple reaction monitoring(MRM)mode.Matrix-matched calibration was recommended to combat the matrix effect.A good linearity was observed in the range of 10−500 ng/mL with correlation coefficients≥0.9950.The mean recoveries for most of the pesticides were in the range of 70%−120%with RSD<20%.The limits of detection ranged 0.28–2.00μg/kg,while the limits of quantification were 0.94–6.65μg/kg.Following the application of“top-down”approach,the expanded measurement uncertainty for all the analytes was<30%.The proposed method was successfully applied to determine pesticide residues in 20 market samples in China,where 9 pesticides were detected and quintozene exceeded the criteria domestically and abroad.

Inter-annual variations of 6.5-day planetary waves and their relations with QBO

This paper studies inter-annual variations of 6.5-Day Waves(6.5 DWs) observed at altitudes 20-110 km between 52°S-52°N latitudes during March 2002-January 2021, and how these variations were related to the equatorial stratospheric Quasi-Biennial Oscillation(QBO). Temperature amplitudes of the 6.5 DWs are calculated based on SABER/TIMED observations. QBO zonal winds are obtained from an ERA5 reanalysis dataset. QBO phases are derived using an Empirical Orthogonal Functions(EOF) method. Wavelet analysis of the observed 6.5 DW variations demonstrates obvious spectral maximums around 28-38 months at 32°N-52°N, and around 26-30 months at 32°S-52°S. In the Northern Hemisphere, peak periods lengthened poleward;in the Southern Hemisphere, however,they were unchanged with latitude. Residual 6.5 DWs amplitudes have been determined by removing composite amplitudes from 6.5 DWs amplitudes. Comparisons between QBO and monthly maximum residual 6.5 DWs amplitudes(AMmax) show clear correlations between the QBO and 6.5 DWs in both hemispheres, but the observed relationship is stronger in the NH. When AMmax NH, the mean QBO profile was easterly at all levels from 70 to 5 hPa;when the AMmax below 30 hPa. Linear Pearson correlation coefficients between QBO phases and AMmax 20°N-52°N in April and around 64 km at 24°S in February, and large negative values from 80 to 110 km between 20°N-50°N in August and at 96-106 km between 20°S-44°S in February. These results indicate quantitative correlations between QBO and 6.5 DWs and provide credible evidences for further studies of QBO modulations on long-term variations of 6.5 DWs.

Roller-coaster atmospheric-terrestrial-oceanic-climatic system during Ordovician-Silurian transition:Consequences of large igneous provinces

The Ordovician-Silurian transition(OST)hosted profound and frequent changes in the atmospheric-terres trial-oceanic-climatic system(ATOCS).Previous studies have found contrasting stages for such changes,primarily based on hiatus-interrupted sections.However,the dominant driving factors and mechanisms reconciling such frequent changes remain controversial.Mercury isotopes,which undergo both massdependent and mass-independent fractionation,can provide critical insights into the deep-time ATOCSs,especially for those impacted by large igneous provinces(LIPs)events.Here,we build a highresolution multi-proxy record of Hg(concentrations and isotopic compositions)combined with organic carbon isotopes(δ^(13)Corg)and whole-rock geochemical data(including trace elements and phosphorus)from continuous cores in the Yangtze Platform,South China.Our data,combined with reported ones,indicate the occurrence of LIP eruptions against localized volcanism,and four successive,yet contrasting stages of ATOCSs during the OST.Moreover,we identified the coupling between two-pulse LIP magmatism and extreme ATOCSs,each with special pCO_(2),weathering rate,primary productivity,redox condition,climatic mode,and biotic evolution.For stage I,the first pulse of LIP magmatism triggered global warming,enhanced terrestrial weathering,oceanic acidification,eutrophication,anoxia,P recycling,and thereby widespread deposition of black shales.During stage II,the Hirnantian glaciation and oxygenation arose from the intense chemical weathering and black shale deposition of stage I;slashed terrestrial weathering and oceanic oxygenation facilitated CO_(2) accumulation.In stage III,another pulse of LIP magmatism triggered the de-glaciation,and the ATOCS was largely similar to that of stage I.This led to another round of oxygenation and positive d13Corg excursion in stage IV.Compared with the environmental pressure by the peculiar ATOCS of each stage,their transitions might have been more devastating in triggering the prolonged Late Ordovician Mass Extinction(LOME).Moreover,limited biotic recovery was possible in the later portion of stages I and III.The multi-proxy study of continuous strata of the OST provides an excellent framework for better illuminating LIPs’essential role in driving the“roller-coaster”behavior of the ATOCS and thus biotic crisis during the pivotal period of the OST.

Temporal Profiles of Antibody Responses, Cytokines, and Survival of COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Cohort

The longitudinal immunologic status of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)-infected patients and its association with the clinical outcome are barely known.Thus,we sought to analyze the temporal profiles of specific antibodies,as well as the associations between the antibodies,proinflammatory cytokines,and survival of patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).A total of 1830 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases were recruited.The temporal profiles of the virus,antibodies,and cytokines of the patients until 12 weeks since illness onset were fitted by the locally weighted scatter plot smoothing method.The mediation effect of cytokines on the associations between antibody responses and survival were explored by mediation analysis.Of the 1830 patients,1435 were detectable for SARS-CoV-2,while 395 were positive in specific antibodies only.Of the 1435 patients,2.4%presented seroconversion for neither immunoglobulin G(IgG)nor immunoglobulin M(IgM)during hospitalization.The seropositive rates of IgG and IgM were 29.6%and 48.1%,respectively,in the first week,and plateaued within five weeks.For the patients discharged from the hospital,the IgM decreased slowly,while high levels of IgG were maintained at around 188 AUmL^(-1) for the 12 weeks since illness onset.In contrast,in the patients who subsequently died,IgM declined rapidly and IgG dropped to 87 AUmL^(-1) at the twelfth week.Elevated interleukin-6,interleukin-8,interleukin-10,interleukin-1b,interleukin-2R,and tumor necrosis factor-a levels were observed in the deceased patients in comparison with the discharged patients,and 12.5%of the association between IgG level and mortality risk was mediated by these cytokines.Our study deciphers the temporal profiles of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies within the 12 weeks since illness onset and indicates the protective effect of antibody response on survival,which may help to guide prognosis estimation.

Study on Removal of Pb and Hg from MSWI Fly Ash by Aspergillus niger Leaching

Fly ash from a municipal solid waste incineration plant in Haikou was taken as the research object. The biological toxicity of its leachate was determined by luminescent bacteria method. The leaching toxicity of the leachate was determined by atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The results showed that the leaching with Aspergillus niger had good removal effect on As and Hg, and the leached fly ash and leachate could meet the safe discharge standard. 37 ℃ was the best temperature for A. niger leaching. The concentrations of As and Hg in fly ash leachate were reduced to 0.438 and 0.053 g/L, respectively after 5 d of leaching by A. niger at 37 ℃. The luminous intensity of leachate increased with the increase of the number of days. Therefore, the leaching with A. niger can effectively remove As and Hg in fly ash from municipal solid waste incineration, and the leachate can also meet the safe discharge standard.

Effect of two-step solid solution on microstructure andδphase precipitation of Inconel 718 alloy

Inconel 718 is the most popular nickel-based superalloy and is extensively used in aerospace,automotive,and energy indus-tries owing to its extraordinary thermomechanical properties.The effects of different two-step solid solution treatments on microstructure andδphase precipitation of Inconel 718 alloy were studied,and the transformation mechanism fromγ″metastable phase toδphase was clarified.The precipitates were statistically analyzed by X-ray diffractometry.The results show that theδphase content firstly increased,and then decreased with the temperature of the second-step solid solution.The changes in microstructure andδphase were studied by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.An intragranularδphase formed in Inconel 718 alloy at the second-[100]_(δ)[011]γ step solid solution temperature of 925℃,and its orientation relationship withγmatrix was determined as//and(010)_(δ)//(111)γ.Furthermore,the Vickers hardness of different heat treatment samples was measured,and the sample treated by second-step solid solution at 1010℃ reached the maximum hardness of HV 446.84.

Fetoscopic Laser Photocoagulation for Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome in a Dizygotic Monochorionic Twins

To editor:Monochorionicity was traditionally considered indicative of monozygosity.However,recent years have witnessed the emergence of several noteworthy instances of monochorionic dizygotic(MCDZ)twins in clinical practice.In 2000,Viëtor et al.1 documented the initial established case of MCDZ twins.Subsequent studies have further documented this unconventional twinning phenomenon.2,3 The recognized complications associated with monochorionic monozygotic pregnancies,including twin-twin transfusion syndrome(TTTS),twin anemia–polycythemia sequence(TAPS),selective intrauterine growth restriction(sIUGR),congenital malformations,and intrauterine fetal death,could also manifest in MCDZ pregnancies.4,5 In this correspondence,we presented an extremely rare case of TTTS in a dizygotic monochorionic diamniotic twin gestation successfully treated with fetoscopic laser photocoagulation.The patients’permission to publish was obtained.

Effect of W addition on phase transformation and microstructure of powder metallurgic Ti-22Al-25Nb alloys during quenching and furnace cooling

Powder metallurgic Ti2 AlNb alloys with W addition are sintered at 900, 1000, 1070 °C,and 1150 °C(i.e., in the O + B2, a_2+ B2 + O, a_2+ B2, and single B2 phase regions, respectively)for 12 h, followed by water quenching and furnace cooling. Comparisons of phase and microstructure between quenched and furnace-cooled W-modified alloys are carried out to illustrate the phase transformation and microstructure evolution during the cooling process. Furthermore, a comparison is also made between W-modified and W-free alloys, to reveal the function of the W alloying.W addition accelerates the solutions of a_2 and O phases during the high-temperature holding, and a Widmannsta¨tten B2 + O structure, which contributes to the properties, is induced by furnace cooling from all the phase regions. The Widmannsta¨tten structure includes a B2 matrix, primary O, and secondary O precipitates. However, W alloying refines the Widmannsta¨tten structure only when the alloys are solution-treated and then cooled from the single B2 phase. Although the hardness of the W-modified alloys is lower than that of the W-free alloys sintered in the same phase region, an enhancement of hardness, 489 ± 18 HV, is obtained in the alloy solution-treated in the single B2 phase region for only 0.5 h.

High-temperature oxidation behavior of modified 4Al alumina-forming austenitic steel: Effect of cold rolling

The oxidation behavior and mechanism of as-received and 30 % cold-rolled alumina-forming austenitic(AFA) steel were investigated in dry air at 700℃.The results show that the mass gain per unit area curves of as-received and 30 % cold-rolled steels subject to near-parabolic law before 100 h oxidation time.Two samples both show higher high-temperature oxidation resistance due to the formation of dense Al_(2)O_(3) oxide scale.Gradual spallation of outer scale results in the formation of continuous and dense alumina scale.Dislocations can act as short-circuit diffusion channel for the diffusion of Al from alloy matrix to surface,and also provide nucleation sites for B2-NiAl phase,which ensure the continuous formation of Al_(2)O_(3) scale.

Influence of white etching layer on rolling contact behavior at wheel-rail interface

The existence of narrow and brittle white etching layers(WELs)on the rail surface is often linked with the formation of rail defects such as squats and studs,which play the key roles in rail surface degradation and tribological performance.In the present study,a systematic investigation on stress/strain distribution and fatigue life of the WEL during wheel-rail rolling contact was conducted based on a numerical model considering the realistic wheel geometry.This is the first study considering the influence of rail materials,loading pressure,frictional condition,WEL geometry(a/b),and slip ratio(Sr)in the practical service conditions at the same time.The results revealed much higher residual stress in WEL than in rail matrix.Stress changes along the rail depth matched with the previously reported microstructure evolutions.The current work revealed that the maximum difference in contact stress between the wheel passages of rail matrix and the WEL region(noted as stress variation)rises with the increase of loading pressure,the value of a/b,and Sr;but drops with the friction coefficient(μ).In addition,a critical length–depth ratio of 5 for a/b has been found.The fatigue parameter,FP,of the WEL decreased quickly with the length–depth ratio when it was less than 5 and then increased slightly when it was larger than 5.This study also revealed that the fatigue life of the WEL was reduced for high strength head hardened(HH)rail compared with standard carbon(SC)rail.

Tunable light emission from carbon dots by controlling surface defects

Carbon dots(CDs)are metal-free fluorescent materials that can be used in optical and electronic devices,but few studies have focused on one-step synthesis routes for CDs with tunable color and high photoluminescence quantum yield(PLQY).Herein,CDs with tunable light emission were synthesized using a novel amide-assisted solvothermal approach.The as-prepared CDs were well dispersed and homogeneous,with average diameters of approximately 2.0–4.0 nm,depending on the dopants.Owing to the surface states with different ratios of nitrogen-and oxygen-related species,different CDs can exhibit blue,green,red,or white emission with relatively high PLQYs of 61.6%,41.3%,29.1%and 19.7%,respectively.XPS measurements,in conjunction with DFT calculations,indicate that nitrogen substitution(pyridinic/pyrrolic nitrogen)dominates the blue emission,while introducing oxygen functional groups lowered the LUMO energy level,which resulted in redder emission.In addition,the CDs are demonstrated as a bioimaging probe in both in vitro and in vivo assays,and the white light CDs have been demonstrated to be potential fluorescent materials for white-light-emitting diode(WLED).

Enhanced interface strength in steel-nickel bimetallic component fabricated using wire arc additive manufacturing with interweaving deposition strategy

Realizing improved strength in composite metallic materials remains a challenge using conventional welding and joining systems due to the generation and development of brittle intermetallic compounds caused by complex thermal profiles during solidification.Here,wire arc additive manufacturing(WAAM)process was used to fabricate a steel-nickel structural component,whose average tensile strength of 634 MPa significantly exceeded that of feedstock materials(steel,537 MPa and nickel,455 MPa),which has not been reported previously.The as-fabricated sample exhibited hierarchically structural heterogeneity due to the interweaving deposition strategy.The improved mechanical response during tensile testing was due to the inter-locking microstructure forming a strong bond at the interface and solid solutions strengthening from the intermixing of the Fe and Ni increased the interface strength,beyond the sum of parts.The research offers a new route for producing high-quality steel-nickel dissimilar structures and widens the design opportunities of monolithic components,with site-specific properties,for specific structural or functional applications.

Bi/3DPG composite structure optimization realizes high specific capacity and rapid sodium-ion storage

As an anode material for sodium-ion batteries(SIBs),bismuth(Bi)has attracted widespread attention due to its suitable voltage platform and high volumetric energy density.However,the severe volume expansion of Bi during charging and discharging leads to a rapid decline in battery capacity.Loading Bi on the graphene can relieve volume expansion and improve electrochemical performance.However,excessive loading of Bi on graphene will cause the porosity of the composite material to decrease,which leads to a decrease of the Na+transmission rate.Herein,the Bi/three-dimensional porous graphene(Bi/3DPG)composite material was prepared and the pore structure was optimized to obtain the medium-load Bi/3DPG(Bi/3DPG-M)with better electrochemical performance.Bi/3DPG-M exhibited a fast kinetic process while maintaining a high specific capacity.The specific capacity still remained at 270 mA·h·g^(−1)(93.3%)after 500 cycles at a current density of 0.1 A·g^(−1).Even at 5 A·g^(−1),the specific capacity of Bi/3DPG-M could still reach 266.1 mA·h·g^(−1).This work can provide a reference for research on the use of alloy–graphene composite in the anode of SIBs.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of 600 MPa grade ultra-high strength aluminum alloy fabricated by wire-arc additive manufacturing

The utilization of wire-arc additive manufacturing(WAAM)technology for the preparation of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu aluminum alloy has made some progress in recent years.However,the challenge still remains to achieve ultra-high strength(600 MPa)in WAAM.In this study,the crack-free Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Sc thin-wall component with ultra-high strength was successfully fabricated by the cold metal transfer(CMT)pro-cess using a self-prepared 7B55-Sc filler wire.The microstructures of both as-deposited and T6 heat-treated samples were all composed of fine equiaxed grains with an average size of about 6.0μm.The primary Al_(3)(Sc,Zr)particles acted as heterogeneous nuclei to promote the formation of equiaxed grains and refine the microstructures during the solidification process.A large amount of continuous eutectic structures rich in Al,Zn,Mg,and Cu elements formed along the grain boundaries under the as-deposited condition,and the precipitated second phases within the grains mainly included the equilibriumηphase,metastableηphase and large-sized T phase.After T6 heat treatment,the majority of the second phases originally distributed within grains and along grain boundaries were dissolved into the Al matrix,and a large amount of fine GP zones,ηphase and secondary Al_(3)(Sc,Zr)particles were precipitated within the grains during the aging process.The tensile strength reached a recorded level of 618 MPa in the hori-zontal direction after T6 heat treatment,which was considered a breakthrough for the manufacturing of 600 MPa grade aluminum alloy by WAAM.