Helical particle manipulation based on power-exponent-phase acoustic vortices generated by a sector transducer array

The characteristics of traditional acoustic vortices(AVs) were verified by the cross-sectional axisymmetric pressure distributions with perfect phase spirals around the center pressure null. In order to generate a non-axisymmetric pressure distribution, the concept of power-exponent-phase was first introduced into the formation of AV beams, named “powerexponent-phase acoustic vortices(PAVs)” in this paper. Based on a ring-array of sector transducers, the helical distribution of the low-pressure valley in cross-sections of PAVs, which enables particles to move from a distant position to the center low-potential well along a certain spiral passageway, was proved theoretically. The particle manipulation behavior for PAVs with a power order of 2 is numerically modeled and experimentally confirmed. The results show that PAVs with a nonaxisymmetric spiral pressure distribution can be used to realize the directional transport of particles in an enlarged scope,suggesting prospective application potential in biomedical engineering.

Ti/(Ti,Cr)N/CrN multilayer coated 316L stainless steel by arc ion plating as bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Arc ion plating (AIP) is applied to form Ti/(Ti,Cr)N/CrN multilayer coating on the surface of 316L stainless steel (SS316L) as bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The characterizations of the coating are analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Interfacial contact resistance (ICR) between the coated sample and carbon paper is 4.9 m Omega cm(2) under 150 N/cm(2), which is much lower than that of the SS316L substrate. Potentiodynamic and potentiostatic tests are performed in the simulated PEMFC working conditions to investigate the corrosion behaviors of the coated sample. Superior anticorrosion performance is observed for the coated sample, whose corrosion current density is 0.12 mu A/cm(2). Surface morphology results after corrosion tests indicate that the substrate is well protected by the multilayer coating. Performances of the single cell with the multilayer coated SS316L bipolar plate are improved significantly compared with that of the cell with the uncoated SS316L bipolar plate, presenting a great potential for PEMFC application. (C) 2016 Science Press and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press. All rights reserved.

Intrinsic Kinematics of the Tibiotalar and Subtalar Joints during Human Walking based on Dynamic Biplanar Fluoroscopy

Accurate knowledge of the kinematics of the in vivo Ankle Joint Complex(AJC)is critical for understanding the biomechanical function of the foot and assessing postoperative rehabilitation of ankle disorders,as well as an essential guide to the design of ankle–foot assistant devices.However,detailed analysis of the continuous 3D motion of the tibiotalar and subtalar joints during normal walking throughout the stance phase is still considered to be lacking.In this study,dynamic radiographs of the hindfoot were acquired from eight subjects during normal walking.Natural motions with six Degrees of Freedom(DOF)and the coupled patterns of the two joints were analyzed.It was found that the movements of the two joints were mostly in opposite directions(including rotation and translation),mainly in the early and late stages.There were significant differences in the Range of Motion(ROM)in Dorsiflexion/Plantarflexion(D/P),Inversion/Eversion(In/Ev),and Anterior–Posterior(AP)and Medial–Lateral(ML)translation of the tibiotalar and subtalar joints(p<0.05).Plantarflexion of the tibiotalar joint was coupled with eversion and posterior translation of the subtalar joint during the impact phase(R^(2)=0.87 and 0.86,respectively),and plantarflexion of the tibiotalar joint was coupled with inversion and anterior translation of the subtalar joint during the push-off phase(R^(2)=0.93 and 0.75,respectively).This coordinated coupled motion of the two joints may be a manifestation of the AJC to move flexibly while bearing weight and still have stability.

Bioaccumulation and translocation of cadmium in cole (Brassica campestris L.) and celery (Apium graveolens) grown in the polluted oasis soil,Northwest of China

A pot experiment was conducted to study the bioaccumulation and translocation of cadmium （Cd） in cole （Brassica campestris L.） and celery （Apium graveolens） grown in the Cd-polluted oasis soil, Northwest of China. The results showed that Cd in the unpolluted oasis soil was mainly bound to carbonate fraction （F2） and Fe-Mn oxide fraction （F3）. However, marked change of Cd fractions was observed with increasing soil Cd concentrations, in which the concentration of Cd in F1 （exchangeable fraction）, F2 and F3 increased significantly （p 〈 0.001 for F1, F2 and F3）. The growth of cole and celery could be facilitated by low concentrations of Cd, but inhibited by high cortcentmdons. The correlation analysis between the fraction distribution coefficient of Cd in the soil and Cd concentration accumulated in the two vegetables showed that Cd in F1 in the soil made the greatest contribution on the accumulation of Cd in the two vegetables. The high bio-eoncentration factor and the translocation factor of Cd in both cote and celery were observed, and Cd had higher accumulation in the edible parts of the two vegetables. Therefore, both cole and celery grown in Cd-polluted oasis soil have higher risk to human health. And the two vegetables are not suitable to be cultivated as vegetables consumed by human in the Cd-polluted oasis soil.

Chemical fractionations and bioavailability of cadmium and zinc to cole (Brassica campestris L.) grown in the multi-metals contaminated oasis soil,northwest of China

A pot experiment was conducted to study the relationship between distribution of cadmium （Cd） and zinc （Zn） and their availability. to cole （Brassica campestris L.） grown in the multi-metal contaminated oasis soil in northwest of China. The results showed that Cd and Zn in the unpolluted oasis soil was mainly found in the residual fractionation, however, with increasing contents of Cd and Zn in the oasis soil, the distribution of Cd and Zn changed significantly. The growth of cole could be promoted by low Cd and Zn concentration, but significantly restrained by high concentrations. There was antagonistic effect among Cd and Zn in the multi-metals contaminated oasis soil. Stepwise regression analysis between fractionations distribution coefficients of the two meals in the soil and their contents in cole showed that both Cd and Zn in the exchangeable fractionation in the oasis soil made the most contribution on the uptake of Cd and Zn in cole. The bio-concentration factor （BCF） of Cd was greater than Zn in cole, and BCFs of the two metals in leaves were greater than those in roots. The translocation factors of the two metals in cole were greater than 1, and the two metals mainly accumulated in the edible parts in cole. Therefore, cole is not a suitable vegetable for the oasis soil because of the plants notable contamination by heavy metals.

Validation of MODIS and Deep Blue aerosol optical depth retrievals in an arid/semi-arid region of northwest China

The global aerosol optical depth （AOD or r） has been retrieved using the Dark Target algorithm （the C004 and C005 products） and the Deep Blue algorithm （DB product）. Few validations have thus far been performed in arid/semi-arid regions, especially in northwest China. The ground-based remote sensing of AOD from sun photometers at four sites in Xinjiang during the years 2002-2003 is used to validate aerosol products, including C004, C005 and DB of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer （MODIS）. The results show substantial improvement in the C005 aerosol product over the C004 product. The average correlation coefficient of regression with ground measurements increased from 0.59 to 0.69, and the average offset decreased from 0.28 to 0.13. The slopes of the linear regressions tended to be close to unity. The percentage of AODs falling within the retrieval errors of 30% （or Δτ = ±0.1 ± 0.2τ） increased from 16.1% to 45.6%. The best retrievals are obtained over an oasis region, whereas the worst are obtained over urban areas. Both the MODIS C004 and C005 products overestimate AOD, which is likely related to improper assumptions of the aerosol model and of the estimation of surface reflectance. An encouraging result has been derived with regard to validation of the DB AOD. Overall, the average offset, slope and correlation coefficient of regression with sun-photometer measurements are -0.04, 0.88 and 0.85, respectively. Approximately 73% of the DB AOD retrievals fall within the expected error of 30%. Underestimation of the AOD by the DB products is observed. The aerosol model and estimations of surface reflectance in this region require further improvements.