Optimal Size for Maximal Energy Efficiency in Information Processing of Biological Systems Due to Bistability

Energy efficiency is closely related to the evolution of biological systems and is important to their information processing. In this work, we calculate the excitation probability of a simple model of a bistable biological unit in response to pulsatile inputs, and its spontaneous excitation rate due to noise perturbation. Then we analytically calculate the mutual information, energy cost, and energy efficiency of an array of these bistable units. We find that the optimal number of units could maximize this array＇s energy efficiency in encoding pulse inputs, which depends on the fixed energy cost. We conclude that demand for energy efficiency in biological systems may strongly influence the size of these systems under the pressure of natural selection.

Ligand Size Effect on PdLn Oxidative Addition with Aryl Bromide： A DFT Study

The process and mechanism of the ligand volume controlled Pd（PR3）2 （PR3=PH3, PMe3, and PtBu3） oxidative addition with aryl bromide were investigated, using density functional theory method with the conductor-like screening model. Association pathway and dissocia-tion pathway were investigated by the comparison of several energies. The cleavage energy of Pd（PR3）2 complex was calculated, as well as the oxidative addition reaction barrier energy of Pd（PR3）n （n=1,2） with aryl bromide in N,N-dimethylformamide solvent. This study proved that the ligands volume possessed a great impact on the mechanism of oxidative addition： less bulky ligand palladium associated with aryl bromide via two donor ligands,but larger bulky ligand palladium coordinated via monoligand.

An estimation model for the fragmentation properties of brittle rock block due to the impacts against an obstruction

Mountain hazards with large masses of rock blocks in motion – such as rock falls, avalanches and landslides – threaten human lives and structures. Dynamic fragmentation is a common phenomenon during the movement process of rock blocks in rock avalanche, due to the high velocity and impacts against obstructions. In view of the energy consumption theory for brittle rock fragmentation proposed by Bond, which relates energy to size reduction, a theoretical model is proposed to estimate the average fragment size for a moving rock block when it impacts against an obstruction. Then, different forms of motion are studied, with various drop heights and slope angles for the moving rock block. The calculated results reveal that the average fragment size decreases as the drop height increases, whether for free-fall or for a sliding or rolling rock block, and the decline in size is rapid for low heights and slow for increasing heights in the corresponding curves. Moreover, the average fragment size also decreases as the slope angle increases for a slidingrock block. In addition, a rolling rock block has a higher degree of fragmentation than a sliding rock block, even for the same slope angle and block volume. Finally, to compare with others' results, the approximate number of fragments is estimated for each calculated example, and the results show that the proposed model is applicable to a relatively isotropic moving rock block.

Grain Size Distribution and Interfacial Heat Transfer Coefficient during Solidification of Magnesium Alloys Using High Pressure Die Casting Process

The objective of this study is to predict grain size and heat transfer coefficient at the metal-die interface during high pressure die casting process and solidification of the magnesium alloy AM60. Multiple runs of the commercial casting simulation package, ProCASTTM, were used to model the mold filling and solidification events employing a range of interfacial heat transfer coefficient values. The simulation results were used to estimate the centerline cooling curve at various locations through the casting. The centerline cooling curves, together with the die temperature and the thermodynamic properties of the alloy, were then used as inputs to compute the solution to the Stefan problem of a moving phase boundary, thereby providing the through-thickness cooling curves at each chosen location of the casting, Finally, the local cooling rate was used to calculate the resulting grain size via previously established relationships. The effects of die temperature, filling time and heat transfer coefficient on the grain structure in skin region and core region were quantitatively characterized. It was observed that the grain size of skin region strongly depends on above three factors whereas the grain size of core region shows dependence on the interracial heat transfer coefficient and thickness of the samples. The grain size distribution from surface to center was estimated from the relationship between grain size and the predicted cooling rate. The prediction of grain size matches well with experimental results. A comparison of the predicted and experimentally determined grain size profiles enables the determination of the apparent interracial heat transfer coefficient for different locations.

Microstructure Evolution of Different Forging Processes for12%Cr Steel During Hot Deformation

Five forging experiments were designed and conducted to investigate the effect of process parameters on microstructure evolution during hot deformation for X12CrMoWVNbN10-1-1 steel.The experimental results indicated that average grain size became finer with the increasing number of upsetting and stretching.Especially,the size of stretching three times with upsetting twice had the most remarkable effect on refinement,and the size was only 27.36%of the original one.Moreover,the stress model was integrated into the software and finite element models were established.Simulation results demonstrated that the strain at center point of workpiece was far larger than critical strain value in each process,so that dynamic recrystallization(DRX) occurred in each workpiece,which implied DRX could occur for several times with the increasing number of upsetting and stretching,and uniform finer microstructure would be obtained.However,the results also showed that higher temperature was an unfavorable factor for grain refinement,so the times of heating should be limited for workpiece,and as many forging processes as possible should be finished in once heating.