Micro-crack detection of nonlinear Lamb wave propagation in three-dimensional plates with mixed-frequency excitation

We propose a nonlinear ultrasonic technique by using the mixed-frequency signals excited Lamb waves to conduct micro-crack detection in thin plate structures.Simulation models of three-dimensional(3D)aluminum plates and composite laminates are established by ABAQUS software,where the aluminum plate contains buried crack and composite laminates comprises cohesive element whose thickness is zero to simulate delamination damage.The interactions between the S0 mode Lamb wave and the buried micro-cracks of various dimensions are simulated by using the finite element method.Fourier frequency spectrum analysis is applied to the received time domain signal and fundamental frequency amplitudes,and sum and difference frequencies are extracted and simulated.Simulation results indicate that nonlinear Lamb waves have different sensitivities to various crack sizes.There is a positive correlation among crack length,height,and sum and difference frequency amplitudes for an aluminum plate,with both amplitudes decreasing as crack thickness increased,i.e.,nonlinear effect weakens as the micro-crack becomes thicker.The amplitudes of sum and difference frequency are positively correlated with the length and width of the zero-thickness cohesive element in the composite laminates.Furthermore,amplitude ratio change is investigated and it can be used as an effective tool to detect inner defects in thin 3D plates.

Construction of mice ex vivo spinal cord slice model of neuromyelitis optica induced by NMO-immunoglobulin G

Objective:Using neuromyelitis optica immunoglobulin G(NMO-IgG)to induced ex vivo mice spinal cord slice model.Methods:Vibratome-cut transverse spinal cord slices from 7-day-old C57BL/6Jmouse pups were cultured on transwell porous supports for 7days,then randomly divided into the control group and NMO model group.Slices of the control group were further cultured with human serum complement,while slices from NMO model group were exposed to complement and NMO-IgG.After 24-hour incubation,slices of both groups were measured for aquaporin-4(AQP4),glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP),myelin basic protein(MBP)and neurofilament light chain(NFL)by immunofluorescence.Results:Slices exposed to NMO-IgG showed astrocyte swelling,and a significant loss of AQP4and GFAP staining.Ratios of the loss of AQP4and GFAP staining were 77.74%±6.75%and 75.62%±5.76%respectively in the model group,and NMO-like injury score was 3.11±0.60.But there were no obvious losses of AQP4and GFAP staining in the control group,and NMO-like lesion score was 0.00.There were significant differences between the two groups with regards to the above indexes(P<0.01).Ratios of the loss of MBP and NFL staining in the model group were 37.60%±4.88%and46.29%±4.98%respectively,while the corresponding figures in the control group were 9.10%±1.63%and 5.80%±0.81%,and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant(P<0.01).Conclusion:These results suggested that NMO-IgG-induced ex vivo spinal cord slice model possesses typical features of NMO,and this model might be useful for relevant fundamental studies.

Comparison of total corneal power measurements obtained with different devices after myopic keratorefractive surgery

AIM:To analyze the differences,agreements,and correlation among total corneal power parameters generated by different instruments after myopic keratorefractive surgery.METHODS:The prospective cross-sectional study included patients who underwent myopic keratorefractive surgery and received measurements of corneal power 3mo after surgery.Automated keratometer was used for the measurement of simulated keratometry(Sim K),sweptsource optical coherence tomography(SS-OCT)based biometer for total keratometry(TK),anterior segment-OCT for real keratometry(RK),and Scheimpflug keratometer for the true net power(TNP),the total corneal refractive power(TCRP)and equivalent K-readings(EKR).The differences among these parameters were analyzed,and the agreements and correlation between Sim K and other total corneal power parameters were investigated.RESULTS:A total of 70 eyes of 70 patients after myopic keratorefractive surgery were included.The evaluated corneal power parameters were as follows:Sim K 38.32±1.93 D,TK 37.54±2.12 D,RK 36.64±2.09 D,TNP 36.56±1.97 D,TCRP 36.70±2.01 D,and EKR 37.55±2.00 D.Pairwise comparison showed that there were significant differences(P<0.001)among all parameters except for between TK and EKR,RK and TNP,RK and TCRP(P=1.000,1.000,1.000,respectively).The limits of agreement between Sim K and TK,RK,TNP,TCPR,and EKR were 1.08,1.08,1.43,1.48,and 1.73 D,respectively.All parameters showed good correlation with Sim K,and the correlation coefficients were 0.995,0.994,0.983,0.982,and 0.975.CONCLUSION:Among the corneal power parameters after myopic keratorefractive surgery,the value of Sim K is the largest,followed by TK and EKR,with TCRP,RK,and TNP being the smallest.The differences among the parameters may be attributable to the different calculation principles.Correct understanding and evaluation of corneal power parameters can provide a theoretical basis for taking advantage of the total corneal power to improve the accuracy of intraocular lens calculation after keratorefractive surgery.

Manipulation of acoustic wavefront by transmissive metasurface based on pentamode metamaterials

An underwater acoustic metasurface with sub-wavelength thickness is designed for acoustic wavefront manipulation.In this paper, a pentamode lattice and a frequency-independent generalized acoustic Snell's law are introduced to overcome the limitations of narrow bandwidth and low transmittance. The bulk modulus and effective density of each unit cell can be tuned simultaneously, which are modulated to guarantee the achievement of refractive index profile and high transmission. Here, we actualize anomalous refraction, generation of non-diffracting Bessel beam, sub-wavelength flat focusing,and surface wave conversion by constructing inhomogeneous acoustic metasurface. This design approach has potential applications in medical ultrasound imaging and underwater acoustic communications.

Pulsar timing observations with Haoping Radio Telescope

We report pulsar timing observations carried out in L-band with NTSC’s 40-meter Haoping Radio Telescope(HRT),which was constructed in 2014.These observations were carried out using the pulsar machine we developed.Timing observations toward millisecond pulsar J0437–4715 obtain a timing residual(r.m.s.)of 397 ns in the time span of 284 days.Our observations successfully detected Crab pulsar’s glitch that happened on 2019 July 23.

电沉积纳米锥镍的生长机理及其性能的研究(英文)

本文通过恒电流沉积法在柔性覆铜基板上制备了具有纳米锥阵列结构的黑色镍层,制备的纳米锥镍的底部约为200 nm,高度约为1μm,且大小均一,分布致密。本文探讨了镍电沉积中电流密度和主盐浓度对纳米锥镍结构形貌的影响,结果表明低电流密度和高主盐浓度有利于纳米锥镍的形成。电沉积过程中保持镍离子的供应充足是锥镍结构产生的关键因素之一,而高电流密度会影响镍离子浓度的浓差极化,从而影响锥镍的成核过程。温度、主盐浓度以及结晶调整剂的变化会导致镍颗粒的形貌发生圆包状和针锥状结构的相互转化。温度升高具有一定的细化晶粒作用,锥镍结构需要在大于50oC的条件下生成。结晶调整剂能够改变沉积过程中的晶面择优生长,且可以调控镍晶粒的形貌,使得生成的锥结构分布均匀,颗粒细致。结果表明,在4.0 mol·L-1NH4Cl和1.68mol·L-1Ni Cl2·6H2O体系中沉积出分布均匀的纳米锥镍阵列结构。本文利用氯化铵作为纳米锥镍的晶体改性剂,通过分子动力学模拟理论上分析了NH4+在镍表面的吸附过程。计算结果表明镍不同晶面上NH4+吸附能的差异引起各晶面镍沉积速率的差异,从而导致纳米锥镍阵列的形成。本文呢进一步结合形貌表征,提出了纳米锥镍阵列的电沉积生长的两步生长机理,包括前期的成核生长和后期的核生长过程,前期成核过程为优势生长,生成大量的晶核,为锥镍的生长提供了生长位点,而后期的核生长过程表现为锥状镍核的择优生长,最终形成完整均匀的锥镍阵列结构。本文制备的纳米锥镍结构还具有优异的亲水性和良好的吸光效果,对于近紫外和可见光的吸收率大于95%,具有较好的应用前景。

Formation mechanism and mechanical properties of surface nanocrystallized Ti-6Al-4V alloy processed by surface mechanical attrition treatment

In the present work,surface mechanical attrition treatment(SMAT)was proposed to achieve surface nanocrystallization on Ti-6Al-4V surface via high-energy planetary ball milling method using a planetary ball mill.The characteristics of microstructure were studied using different methods.Surface nanocrystallization is achieved on Ti-6Al-4V substrate.The process of refinement could be summarized into four steps.During the refinement process,the reticular continuous beta phase performs a significant role,it cracked,broke up and moved to each side along the grain boundaries.The movement of beta grains has the capabilities of effectively optimizing the grain orientation and accelerating the further refinement of alpha grains.Twinning also plays an important role during the refinement.The grain orientation between different types of grains seems to be larger than that of same type grains.The interface will be divided into smaller nanocrystalline grains once the dislocation density breaks the threshold.Then,the balance will be achieved again and owns a higher critical value which cannot be broken,then a stable grain size can be achieved ultimately.The results of microhardness,friction coefficient and wear mass loss tests of SMAT samples indicate that the mechanical behaviors of substrate are greatly enhanced after this novel SMAT treatment.

Characterization of machined surface quality and near-surface microstructure of a high speed thrust angular contact ball bearing

Bearings are one of the most important components in modern industry.Rolling contact fatigue(RCF)initiating from surface and subsurface is the major failure mode.In this paper,a typical high speed thrust angular contact ball bearing was selected,and the machined surface quality and near-surface microstructure of the race-way and rolling ball were systematically characterized by using of a probe surface profiler,white light interferometer,optical microscopy(OM),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),electron backscatter diffraction(EBSD)and transmission electron microscopy(TEM)combined with focused ion beam(FIB).Two kinds of precursor,probably resulting in pitting or spalling during the following rolling contact,were detected.One is the defects on the surface of either the race-way or the rolling ball,such as heavy machining marks,scratches and slag-hole.The other is nano-crystalline layer due to machining,in the outermost layer around the surface of race-way.The results may well lay foundation for our further research on RCF with the real part of such typical rolling bearings.

Inducing and isolation of antibacterial peptides from oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel

One antibacterial activity fraction from an immunized dipteran insect, Bactrocera dorsalis, was isolated and purified by prepurification, ion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration chromatography and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC）. The final purified fraction was checked on the Smart system HPLC and was judged as a pure fraction. The results of physical and biological analysis revealed that this fraction is heat stable and showed strong activities against Gram-positive bacterial growth. It possesses antibicrobial peptide properties and is worth further investigation.

Comprehensive analysis of long non-coding RNA and mRNA expression profile in rectal cancer

Background::Rectal cancer(RC)is a malignant tumor that seriously threatens human health.Long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)play a vital role in tumor regulation.Nevertheless,their exact expression features and functions remain obscure,and therefore was the aim of the current study.Methods::We utilized the Affymetrix human GeneChip to screen differentially expressed profiles of lncRNAs and mRNAs from the cancer tissues and matched paracancer tissues of 6 RC patients.Gene Ontology(GO)and pathway enrichment analyses identified crucial functions and pathways of the aberrantly expressed mRNAs.We used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to verify the significant expression differences of 11 candidate lncRNAs between the cancer and paracancer tissues.LncRNA-mRNA coexpression networks were built by calculating the Pearson correlation value to identify significant correlation pairs.Online bioinformatics tools GEPIA2,ONCOMINE,and PROGgeneV2 were used to mine the expression and prognosis of three crucial mRNAs and six verified lncRNAs.Competing endogenous RNA networks were constructed by predicting microRNA response elements and calculating free energy.Results::We found 1658 differentially expressed lncRNAs(778 up-regulated and 880 down-regulated)and 1783 aberrantly expressed mRNAs(909 up-regulated and 874 down-regulated).GO and pathway enrichment analyses revealed the vital functions of the differentially expressed mRNAs,including cell proliferation,cell migration,angiogenesis,and cellular response to zinc ion.The canonical signaling pathways mainly included the interleukin-17,cell cycle,Wnt,and mineral absorption signaling pathways.Six lncRNAs including AC017002.2(P=0.039),cancer susceptibility 19(CASC19)(P=0.021),LINC00152(P=0.013),NONHSAT058834(P=0.007),NONHSAT007692(P=0.045),and ENST00000415991.1(P=0.045)showed significant differences in expression levels between the cancer tissue and paracancer tissue groups.AC017002.2,NONHSAT058834,NONHSAT007692,and ENST00000415991.1 have not yet been reported in RC.The crucial mRNAs myelocytomatosis viral oncogene(MYC),transforming growth factor beta induced(TGFBI),and solute carrier family 7 member 5(SLC7A5)were selected.AC017002.2 and LINC00152 were positively correlated with MYC,TGFBI,and cytochrome P450 family 2 sub-family B member 6(All r>0.900,P<0.050).NONHSAT058834 was positively associated with MYC(r=0.930,P<0.001),and CASC19 was positively correlated with SLC7A5(r=0.922,P<0.001).Conclusion::This study offers convincing evidence of differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs as potential biomarkers in RC.

Distribution pattern of the snail intermediate host of schistosomiasis japonica in the Poyang Lake region of China

Background:With the closure of the Three Gorges Dam in 2003 the hydrology of Poyang Lake was altered dramatically leading to significant changes in the environment.In order to assess the impact on schistosomiasis this study assessed the spatial and temporal patterns of the snail intermediate host,Oncomelania hupensis in the Poyang Lake tributaries.The results of the study have important implications for future snail control strategies leading to disease elimination.Methods:The marshland area surrounding Poyang Lake was divided randomly into 200×200 m vector grids using ArcGIS software,and the surveyed grids were randomly selected by the software.The snail survey was conducted in each selected grid using a survey frame of 50×50 m with one sideline of each grid serving as the starting line.No less than ten frames were used in each surveyed grid with Global Positioning System(GPS)recordings for each.All snails in each frame were collected to determine infection status by microscopy.Altitude data for all frames were extracted from a lake bottom topographic map in order to analyze the average altitude.All snail survey data were collected and statistically analyzed with SPSS 20.0 software in order to determine the difference of the percentage of frames with living snails and mean density of living snails in different regions of Poyang Lake.The altitude of the snail-infested marshlands and snail dens were subsequently identified.Results:A total of 1159 potential snail sampling grids were surveyed,of which 15231 frames(0.1 m2/frame)were investigated.1241 frames had live Oncomelania snails corresponding to 8.15%of the total number of frames.The mean density of living snails was 0.463/0.1 m2 with a maximum of 57 snails per frame.The percent of frames with snails in the southern sector(8.13%)of Poyang Lake did not differ statistically from the north(8.21%).However,the mean density of live snails in the northern sector(0.164/0.1 m2)of the lake was statistically higher(F=6.727;P=0.010)than the south(0.141/0.1 m2).In the south of the lake,the elevation of snail-inhabited marshland ranged between 11-16 m,and could be further subdivided into two snail-concentrated belts at 12-13 m of elevation and 15-16 m of elevation respectively.In the north of the lake,the elevation of snail-inhabited marshland ranged between 9-16 m with the elevation of 12-14 m being the snail-concentrated zone.Conclusions:The elevation of snail-infested marshlands in the Poyang Lake region ranged from 9 to 16 m.The snail distribution and habitat has moved north of the lake and to a lower altitude due to changes in the water level post dam closure.Based on the current geological features of the snail habitant focused mollusciciding should occur in snail dense northern regions with frequent bovine and human traffic.Targeting these identified'hotspots'of transmission will assist in elimination efforts.

Cascading decomposition of Boolean control networks:a graph-theoretical method

Two types of cascading decomposition problems of Boolean control networks are investigated using a graph-theoretical method.A new graphic concept called nested perfect equal vertex partition(NPEVP)is proposed.Based on NPEVP,the necessary and sufficient graphic conditions for solvability of the cascading decomposition problems are obtained.Given the proposed graphic conditions,the logical coordinate transformations are constructively obtained to realize the corresponding cascading decomposition forms.Finally,two illustrative examples are provided to validate the results.

Impact of continuous low water stage on the breeding environment of Oncomelania hupensis: a case study of Poyang Lake area in China

Background Oncomelania hupensis is the only intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum and plays a decisive role in its transmission.The variation of water level greatly affects the reproduction and growth of snails.Therefore,in this paper,we analyze the variations of water level in the Poyang Lake region from 1993 to 2016 combined with satellite imagery to elucidate the evolution of the snail breeding environment.Methods By employing remote sensing data from 1993 to 2016(April–June and September–November),the vegetation area of Poyang Lake and the vegetation area at different elevations were extracted and calculated.Moreover,the average daily water level data from the four hydrological stations(Hukou station,Xingzi station,Tangyin station and Kangshan station)which represent the typical state of Poyang Lake were collected from 1993 to 2016.The variance of the monthly mean water level,inundation time and the average area were analyzed by variance to find a significance level ofα=0.05.Results According to hydrological data before and after 2003,the average water level after 2003 is significantly lower than that before 2003 in Poyang Lake.After 2003,the time of inundateing the snail breeding period was later in April to June than that before 2003,while the time of wate-falling stage in September to November moved forward after 2003 than before 2003.Of them,the lowest water level affecting the breeding and growing period of O.hupensis in the northern part of Poyang Lake decreased from 11 m to 9 m.After 2003,the expansion of meadow area in the north part of Poyang Lake was mainly concentrated in the elevation of 9–11 m,and the newly increased infested-meadow in the lake area was mainly concentrated in the north part of Poyang Lake.Conclusions By comparing the change of water level characteristics in different parts of the Poyang Lake area as well as changes in meadow area before and after 2003,it is found that the water level changes mainly affect the snail breeding area in the northern part of Poyang Lake.The results are helpful for improving scientific measures for snail control in Jiangxi Province.This approach could also be applicible to Dongting Lake area and other lake areas affected by water level changes and can bring significant guidance for snail control in lake areas.