Correlation and path coefficient analysis for phenotypic traits of noble scallop Chlamys nobilis

In April of 2006, a base population of the noble scallop Chlamys nobilis was established by collecting parental breeders from the stocks in Wushi, Zhanjiang. In December of 2006, 200 individuals were randomly sampled from the base population and subjected for correlation and path coefficient analysis. It was found that there were statistically significant phenotypic correlations among the traits （P 〈 0.01）. Total weight was significantly and positively correlated with the shell length （r = 0.934 3）, shell height （r = 0.895 9）, shell width （r = 0.899 1 ）, muscle weight （r = 0.882 0） and shell weight （r = 0.937 9）, respectively. Shell length, shell width, muscle weight, shell height and shell weight had positive and direct effects on the total weight, with values of 0.397 1, 0.321 9, 0.172 1, 0.089 6 and 0.066 9, respectively. Shell length, shell width and muscle weight had higher direct effects on the total weight than shell height and shell weight. A combined evaluation of correlation, direct effects and indirect effects showed that direct selection for shell length, shell width, muscle weight, shell height and shell weight would be effective to improving the total weight. It was concluded that these traits could be regarded as the selection criteria in breeding programs of the species.

Comparative analysis of coal and coal-shale intrinsic factors affecting spontaneous combustion

Coal and coal-shales tend to undergo spontaneous combustion under favourable atmospheric conditions. Spontaneous combustion liability index and intrinsic properties of coals and coal-shales varies between （above and below） coal seams. The spontaneous combustion liability index （obtained from the Wits-Ehac Index） and intrinsic properties （obtained from proximate, ultimate, and petrographic analysis） of fourteen samples representative of in situ coal （bituminous） and fourteen coal-shales obtained in Witbank coalfield, South Africa were experimentally studied. Comparative analysis of the relationships between the spontaneous combustion liability index and intrinsic properties of coals and coalshales were established to evaluate their effects on self-heating potential. The intrinsic properties show linear relationship with spontaneous combustion liability and therefore, identifies the factors affecting spontaneous combustion of these materials. The influence of coal-shales intrinsic properties towards spontaneous combustion liability shows higher correlation coefficients than the coals. Both coals and coal-shales show inertinite maceral as major constituents than the vitrinite and liptinite macerals, hence the reactivity of inertinite macerals may show greater influence on spontaneous combustion liability. A definite positive or negative trends exists between the intrinsic properties and spontaneous combustion liability index. This research is part of a larger project which is considering the influence of intrinsic properties of coals and coal-shales on spontaneous combustion liability.

Correlation and Path Coefficient and Chi-square Distance Cluster Analysis for Several Characteristics in Tobacco Germplasm Resource

Correlation and path coefficient analyses were conducted for 10 characteristics of 24 pure lines of flue-cured tobacco such as plant height, knot distance, leaf number, the central leaf length and width, ratio of the length to width, stem girth, dates of budding, leaf yield and ratio of the prime-medium tobacco. The leaf number and the central leaf length showed a positive or a strong positive correlation with the yield per plant. And the leaf number and leaf yield per plant showed a strong positive correlation with the ratio of prime-medium tobacco. The results showed that the leaf yield per plant among these characteristics played a major role in determining the ratio of prime-medium tobacco while the others were less related with the ratio. Square sum of deviation method cluster analyses showed that 24 pure lines of flue-cured tobacco were clustered into two groups. Of the pure lines, Line T1706 and Line T1245 had a far relationship with all other lines, and also had a heterosis when crossed with the other lines. Lines Guangdonghuang 1 and R72（3）B-2-1 were closely related.

Energy consumption hierarchical analysis based on interpretative structural model for ethylene production

Interpretative structural model(ISM) can transform a multivariate problem into several sub-variable problems to analyze a complex industrial structure in a more efficient way by building a multi-level hierarchical structure model. To build an ISM of a production system, the partial correlation coefficient method is proposed to obtain the adjacency matrix, which can be transformed to ISM. According to estimation of correlation coefficient, the result can give actual variable correlations and eliminate effects of intermediate variables. Furthermore, this paper proposes an effective approach using ISM to analyze the main factors and basic mechanisms that affect the energy consumption in an ethylene production system. The case study shows that the proposed energy consumption analysis method is valid and efficient in improvement of energy efficiency in ethylene production.

Multi-decadal variations in glacier flow velocity and the influencing factors of Urumqi Glacier No.1 in Tianshan Mountains, Northwest China

Urumqi Glacier No. 1 is a representative glacier in the inland areas of Central Asia and is the only Chinese reference glacier in the World Glacier Monitoring Service. In this study, we explored multi-decadal variations in the flow velocity of the glacier and the influencing factors based on continuous field observations and path coefficient analysis. Results show that the glacier flow velocity decreased from 5.5 m/a in 1980/1981 to 3.3 m/a in 2010/2011. The annual variation in the direction of glacier flow velocity in the western branch and eastern branch was less than 1°–3°, and the change of glacier flow velocity in the western branch was more dramatic than that in the eastern branch. Glacier flow velocity was influenced by glacier morphology（including glacier area, glacier length, and ice thickness）, glacier mass balance and local climate conditions（air temperature and precipitation）, the glacier morphology being the leading factor. The long-term flow velocity data set of Urumqi Glacier No. 1 contributes to a better understanding of glacier dynamics within the context of climatic warming.

Sensitivity Analysis of the Hydrodynamic Coefficients in 4 Degrees of Freedom Ship Manoeuvring Mathematical Model

The S-type test is simulated based on a ship manoeuvring mathematical model of 4 degrees of freedom(4-DOF);simultaneously,sensitivity analysis of the hydrodynamic coefficients in the mathematical model is implemented by using an indirect method.The mathematical model is simplified by omitting the coefficients of smaller sensitivity according to the results of sensitivity analysis.The 10°/10° zigzag test and 35° turning circle manoeuvre are simulated with the original and the simplified mathematical models.The comparison of the simulation results shows the effectiveness of the sensitivity analysis and the validity of the simplified model.

THE CALCULATION OF IN-LINE FORCE ON A VERTICAL CIRCULAR CYLINDER AND ANALYSIS OF HYDRODYNAMIC COEFFICIENTS C_D AND C_M IN WAVE-CURRENT CO-EXISTING FIELD

The purpose of this paper is to find some better methods for calculating in-line forces on a vertical circular cylinder and for analysing the hydrodynamic coefficients C_D and C_M in wave-current co-existing field. In this pa- per, in order to calculate hydrodynamic forces, the authors try to find a way of applying a great number of the re- sults about C_D and C_M for wave-only field in the case of wave-current co-existing field, and the results about C_D and C_M obtained in regular waves in the ease of irregular waves. Such a way may be of significance in engineering and further research.

Method study and uncertainty analysis of calibration coefficients validation based on the Inner Mongolia test site

Calibration coefficients validation is the foundation for ascertaining the sensor performance and carrying out the quantitative application.Based on the analysis of the differences between the calibration and validation,two calibration coefficients validation methods were introduced in this paper.Taking the HJ-1A satellite CCD1 camera as an example,the uncertainties of calibration coefficients validation were analyzed.The calibration coefficients validation errors were simulated based on the measured data at an Inner Mongolia test site.The result showed that in the large view angle,the ground directional reflectance variation and the atmospheric path variation were the main error sources in calibration coefficients validation.The ground directional reflectance correction and atmospheric observation angle normalization should be carried out to improve the validation accuracy of calibration coefficients.

Derivation of energy-based base shear force coefficient considering hysteretic behavior and P-delta effects

A modified energy-balance equation accounting for P-delta effects and hysteretic behavior of reinforced concrete members is derived. Reduced hysteretic properties of structural components due to combined stiffness and strength degradation and pinching effects, and hysteretic damping are taken into account in a simple manner by utilizing plastic energy and seismic input energy modification factors. Having a pre-selected yield mechanism, energy balance of structure in inelastic range is considered. P-delta effects are included in derived equation by adding the external work of gravity loads to the work of equivalent inertia forces and equating the total external work to the modified plastic energy. Earthquake energy input to multi degree of freedom（MDOF） system is approximated by using the modal energy-decomposition. Energybased base shear coefficients are verified by means of both pushover analysis and nonlinear time history（NLTH） analysis of several RC frames having different number of stories. NLTH analyses of frames are performed by using the time histories of ten scaled ground motions compatible with elastic design acceleration spectrum and fulfilling duration/amplitude related requirements of Turkish Seismic Design Code. The observed correlation between energy-based base shear force coefficients and the average base shear force coefficients of NLTH analyses provides a reasonable confidence in estimation of nonlinear base shear force capacity of frames by using the derived equation.

Local buckling of thin plate on tensionless elastic foundations under interactive uniaxial compression and shear

This paper uses a mathematical method to develop an analytical solution to the local buckling behaviour of long rectangular plates resting on tensionless elastic Winkler foundations and under combined uniform longitudinal uniaxial compressive and uniform in-plane shear loads. Fitted formulas are derived for plates with clamped edges and simplified supported edges. Two examples are given to demonstrate the application of the current method： one is a plate on tensionless spring foundations and the other is the contact between the steel sheet and elastic solid foundation. Finite element （FE） analysis is also conducted to validate the analytical results. Good agreement is obtained between the current method and FE analysis.

Salinity Tolerance in Argentinean Population of <i>Bromus catharticus</i>. Variability and Direct and Indirect Effects on Seedling Characters

The aim of this research was to evaluate the salinity tolerance in prairie grass populations at the seedling stage quantifying the variability and the influence of physiological traits related to it. Salinity tolerance, in Bromus catharticus Vahl (prairie grass) populations collected in different environments of the Pampean Phytogeography region (Argentine) was evaluated at the seedling stage, using controlled condition of temperature and light. It was adopted a completely randomized design using 3 plots with three plants each one per population and two levels of treatment: 0 mM and 100 mM NaCl. Morphological, biomass and membrane stability root and shoot traits were studied. A factorial ANOVA with interaction was estimated. Then one way ANOVA for all seedling traits in both treatments allowed estimating variance components, coefficient of genotypic determination (CGD) and variation index (VI). Comparisons between populations were made using Tukey test (at 5% of probability). Phenotypic correlations among traits were calculated and then a path coefficient analysis separated direct and indirect effects at 100 and 0 mM NaCl. No significant interactions “Population × Treatment” were found for any character. The saline stress caused a pairing in the population means for the most traits. Coefficients of variation were mainly higher when the seedlings grew without stress (0 mM) because it allowed a greater potential genotypic expression. The absence of significant interactions denotes a good homeostatic capacity of the prairie grass facing that abiotic stress. Leaf length, shoot length and root dry matter were the variables with the largest direct and indirect effects. Our results showed an increase for them at salt and demonstrated intraspecific variation, possibly in relation with the origin sites. Plants under stress showed a marked resilience, in order to quickly restore the same biomass allocation patterns that occur in non-stress environment.

Finite element analysis of expansion-matched submounts for high-power laser diodes packaging

In order to improve the output power and increase the lifetime of laser diodes,expansion-matched submounts were investigated by finite element analysis.The submount was designed as sandwiched structure.By varying the vertical structure and material of the middle layer,the thermal expansion behavior on the mounting surface was simulated to obtain the expansion-matched design.In addition,the thermal performance of laser diodes packaged by different submounts was compared.The numerical results showed that,changing the thickness ratio of surface copper to middle layer will lead the stress and junction temperature to the opposite direction.Thus compromise needs to be made in the design of the vertical structure.In addition,the silicon carbide（SiC） is the most promising material candidate for the middle layer among the materials discussed in this paper.The simulated results were aimed at providing guidance for the optimal design of sandwich-structure submounts.

EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF THE TURBULENT TRANSFER COEFFICIENT FOR SENSIBLE HEAT IN THE SURFACE LAYER OVER THE QINGHAI-XIZANG PLATEAU

This study deals with the turbulent structure in the surface layer over the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.Using gradient transfer and heat balance methods we have determined the nondimensional coefficient 1/(?)_m(?)h in the expression of turbulent transfer coefficient for sensible heat (K_h).It is found that the results are in good agreement with the 1/(?)_m(?)_h obtained by Pruitt,et al.The K_h at a height of 1m under cloudy and cloudless conditions is calculated.Finally,the ratio of K_h to momentum turbulent coefficient over the plateau is compared with those over plains.

Inter-annual variations in vegetation and their response to climatic factors in the upper catchments of the Yellow River from 2000 to 2010

To understand the variations in vegetation and their correlation with climate factors in the upper catchments of the Yellow River, China, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index（NDVI） time series data from 2000 to 2010 were collected based on the MOD13Q1 product. The coefficient of variation, Theil–Sen median trend analysis and the Mann–Kendall test were combined to investigate the volatility characteristic and trend characteristic of the vegetation. Climate data sets were then used to analyze the correlation between variations in vegetation and climate change. In terms of the temporal variations, the vegetation in this study area improved slightly from 2000 to 2010, although the volatility characteristic was larger in 2000–2005 than in 2006–2010. In terms of the spatial variation, vegetation which is relatively stable and has a significantly increasing trend accounts for the largest part of the study area. Its spatial distribution is highly correlated with altitude, which ranges from about 2000 to 3000 m in this area. Highly fluctuating vegetation and vegetation which showed a significantly decreasing trend were mostly distributed around the reservoirs and in the reaches of the river with hydropower developments. Vegetation with a relatively stable and significantly decreasing trend and vegetation with a highly fluctuating and significantly increasing trend are widely dispersed. With respect to the response of vegetation to climate change, about 20–30% of the vegetation has a significant correlation with climatic factors and the correlations in most areas are positive： regions with precipitation as the key influencing factor account for more than 10% of the area; regions with temperature as the key influencing factor account for less than 10% of the area; and regions with precipitation and temperature as the key influencing factors together account for about 5% of the total area. More than 70% of the vegetation has an insignificant correlation with climatic factors.

A quantification model of Traditional Chinese Medicine syndromes in children with idiopathic precocious puberty and early puberty

OBJECTIVE:To establish a quantification model of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)syndromes by sampling patients undergoing idiopathic precocious puberty(IPP)and early puberty.METHODS:A questionnaire for classifying and quantifying TCM syndromes was designed and administered.All the results were analyzed;the relationship between 3 types of syndrome and 47symptoms were summated.Meanwhile,the frequency distribution of each symptom or sign was aggregated.Fuzzy mathematics was used to develop a quantification model ofTCM syndromes.RESULTS:We found that precocious puberty had 3types of syndrome,including hyperactivity of fire due to Yin deficiency(Syndrome I),depressed liver Qi transforming into fire(Syndrome II),and end retention of damp heat(Syndrome III).In the IPP group,Syndrome I was the most common principal syndrome(100%).Forty-six patients(43.81%)werediagnosed with Syndrome I accompanied by Syndrome II and 11(10.48%)were diagnosed with Syndrome I accompanied by Syndrome III.In the early puberty group,Syndrome I was also the main syndrome(98.39%).The degrees of most symptoms were mild to moderate.Reddened tongue was the most common tongue manifestation(62.86%prevalence)in the IPP group.The most common pulse manifestations were slippery pulse,thread pulse,and taut pulse.The Asymptotic Normalization Coefficient(ANC)method was used to quantify the TCM syndromes in 167 cases.Diagnostic accuracy rate reached 91%,comparable to expert diagnosis.CONCLUSION:We find that there are 3 types of syndrome in the IPP group and in the early puberty group.Syndrome I(hyperactivity of fire due to Yin deficiency)is the main syndrome in the two groups.ANC may be an appropriate for quantification model ofTCM syndromes.

Optimization of vinegar-steaming process for Wuweizi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) with response surface method

OBJECTIVE:To optimize the vinegar-steaming process of Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis)using the response surface method(RSM)based on the Box-Behnken design.METHODS:A regression model was constructed with the response variables,the content of Deoxyschizandrin,and the three explanatory factors:length of steaming time,the quantity of vinegar and length of moistening time to evaluate the effects on the processing of Wuweizi(Fructus SchisandraeChinensis).RESULTS:There was a linear relationship between the content of Deoxyschizandrin and the three explanatory factors.When the steaming time was5.49 h,with 2.365 g of vinegar added and a moistening time of 4.13 h,the content of Deoxyschizandrin reached the maximum predicted value of0.1076%,and under the conditions the average content of Deoxyschizandrin was 0.1058%.CONCLUSION:The correlation coefficient of thenonlinear mathematical model was relatively high and the model matched the data well,potentially providing a method for the study of the steaming process.