Temperature Effects on Information Capacity and Energy Efficiency of Hodgkin-Huxley Neuron

Recent experimental and theoretical studies show that energy efficiency, which measures the amount of infor- mation processed by a neuron with per unit of energy consumption, plays an important role in the evolution of neural systems. Here we calculate the information rates and energy efficieneies of the Hodgkin-Huxley （HH） neuron model at different temperatures in a noisy environment. It is found that both the information rate and energy efficiency are maximized by certain temperatures. Though the information rate and energy efficiency cannot be maximized simultaneously, the neuron holds a high information processing capacity at the tempera- ture corresponding to the maximal energy efficiency. Our results support the idea that the energy efficiency is a selective pressure that influences the evolution of nervous systems.

Efficiency and Effectiveness Method versus ε-NTU Method with Application in Finned Flat Tube Compact Heat Exchanger with Water-Ethylene Glycol as Nanofluid Base of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

This work aims to establish comparisons between two models used for the performance of heat exchangers. The chosen system, in this case, consists of a heat exchanger used in automotive radiators flat finned tube type. Water and ethylene glycol compound as base fluid and volume fractions of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4) are used as a refrigerant. The quantities determined in this work are the nanofluid exit temperature, the air exit temperature, the absolute error between the models for heat transfer rate, and Effectiveness. The quantities that constitute parameters, independent variables, are the airflow, represented by the Reynolds number, and the iron oxide volume fraction. Ethylene Glycol 50% compound has slightly better thermal performance than pure water and reduces the reactive effect of water on the environment, increasing the average life of the equipment. The absolute relative error between the models is less than 20% and presents maximum values with the increase of the nanoparticle volume fraction and growth in the Reynolds number for the air.

Analysis Criteria for Defense Expenditure Performance - Economy, Efficiency, and Effectiveness

Based on the analysis of public expenditure performance,this article discusses the economy,efficiency,and effectiveness of defense expenditure performance,explains the relationship of the three,and emphasizes their unity,interaction,and priority.The defense expenditure performance evaluation system,which is a comprehensive assessment of processes and results,is put forward along with the unification of economy,efficiency,and effectiveness.This system can be used to analyze whether the allocation and use of defense funds have achieved the strategic objectives of the Department of Defense.

THE CURATIVE EFFECT OF HIGH EFFICIENCY HEMODIALYSIS AND THE GRADIENT CHANGE OF PLASMA OSMOTIC PRESSURE(Report of 27 Cases)

ＴＨＥＣＵＲＡＴＩＶＥＥＦＦＥＣＴＯＦＨＩＧＨＥＦＦＩＣＩＥＮＣＹＨＥＭＯＤＩＡＬＹＳＩＳＡＮＤＴＨＥＧＲＡＤＩＥＮＴＣＨＡＮＧＥＯＦＰＬＡＳＭＡＯＳＭＯＴＩＣＰＲＥＳＳＵＲＥ（Ｒｅｐｏｒｔｏｆ２７Ｃａｓｅｓ）ＣｈｅｎＨｕａｊｉ（ＣｅｎｔｒａｌＨｏｓ...

Evaluation of Control Effects against Sugarcane Pests：A New Sustained-release and Long-lasting Pesticide and Convenient and Efficient Pesticide Application Technology

[Objective]The paper was to screen a new ideal sustained-release,long-lasting and low-toxic pesticide and convenient and efficient pesticide application technology for controlling Ceratovacuna lanigera and Baliathrips serratus. [Method]2% Imidacloprid GR were selected and applied in the soil for field efficacy trial. [Result] The optimum dosage of 2% imidacloprid GR was 30 kg/hm^2（ active ingredient 600 g）,which can be mixed with fertilizer（ 30 kg pesticide and 40-80 kg fertilizer per hm^2） once combined with sugarcane planting management or big ridging during February and June. The control effects against C. lanigera and B. serratus could be more than 98. 2% and 81. 1%,respectively. The actual yield and sugar content in various pesticide treatments were increased by 33 390 kg/hm^2 and 6. 6% respectively compared to blank control. [Conclusion]2% imidacloprid GR has good control effects on C. lanigera and B. serratus. It is a new pesticide with ideal sustained-release,long-lasting and low-toxin effects against C. lanigera and B. serratus. Therefore,it could be used alternatively with other pesticides,to delay production and development of drug resistance.

What Drives China’s Transformational Growth:Technology,Efficiency or Factor Cost?

With rising costs of capital, labor and energy, cost efficiency and cost management have become important questions confronting the next stage of China＇s economic growth. By building a parametric cost frontier model using panel data, this paper investigates the drivers of economic growth transformation from a cost perspective. According to our research, among various effects triggering corporate cost variations and in addition to the expansion of production scale, the largest effect is from technological progress, followed by the effect of factor price adjustment and the effect of efficiency gains. Within the decomposition of factor price adjustment effect, the energy factor effect is the most significant. Furthermore, energy price fluctuations are likely to become major factors restricting saving-based growth. Further study reveals that both the ownership reform and opening up of SOEs are favorable to reducing the costs generated by inefficiency. This paper provides empirical evidence for the driving mechanism of saving-based growth transformation as well as empirical evidence to support to the further deepening of property rights and market-oriented reforms.

Gamma Spectrometry of Inhomogeneous Samples Using Peak-Ratio Method

In gamma spectrometry of voluminous samples, inhomogeneous distribution of radioactivity caused by the presence of hot particles can create significant Bias in the results of activity determinations. We developed a novel method to reduce this Bias using the gamma-peak ratio. We show that the peak area ratio of two gamma peaks of different energies, emitted by the same radionuclide, is a sensitive measure of emitting source location and thus the inhomogeneity. A new calibration formula was then derived for true gamma efficiency pi as a function of efficiency ratio pi/pj of two peaks. This approach was verified by Monte Carlo simulations for a sample of 1-L volume containing from 1 up to 2048 of hot particles randomly distributed in a soil matrix. A 152Eu radionuclide was selected for calculations and we used various combinations of two gamma spectral peaks selected from three gamma energies of 121.8, 344.3, and 1408.0 keV. This new method is shown to reduce the Bias range and Bias standard deviation by several times when compared with the traditional homogeneous calibration applied to measuring hot particles. The method is independent of the number, location, and distribution of hot particles in the samples, and can be applied to a mixture of radionuclides. It complements our previous calibration model based on the peak-to-total ratio.

Asymmetric dynamic phase holographic grating in nematic liquid crystal

A new scheme for recording a dynamic phase grating with an asymmetric profile in C60-doped homeotropically aligned nematic liquid crystal（NLC） was presented.An oblique incidence beam was used to record the thin asymmetric dynamic phase holographic grating.The diffraction efficiency we achieved is more than 40%,exceeding the theoretical limit for symmetric profile gratings.Both facts can be explained by assuming that a grating with an asymmetric saw-tooth profile is formed in the NLC.Finally,physical mechanism and mathematical model for characterizing the asymmetric phase holographic grating were presented,based on the photo-refractive-like（PR-like） effect.

Is the Increment Principle Really Wrong ？

In view of the problems in the selection of alternatives which are mutually exclusive and the criticism against the increment principle, this article reveals the cause of the mistake and demonstrates that only the increment principle and the incremental analysis method is the principle and method that we should follow and adopt in schematizing the economic policy-making.

Influence of Structure Parameters on Performance of the Thermoelectric Module

A numerical model of thermoelectric module （TEM） is created by academic analysis,and the impacts of the resistance ratio and thermoelement size on the output power and thermoelectric efficiency of the TEM are analyzed by the MATLAB numerical calculation.The numerical model is validated by the ANSYS thermal,electrical,and structural coupling simulation.The effects of the variable physical property parameters and contact effect on the output power and thermoelectric efficiency are evaluated,and the concept of aspect ratio optimal domain is proposed,which provides a new design approach for the TEM.

Effect of correcting near-wall forces on nanoparticle transport in a microchannel

This paper studies the importance of corrections that account for the presence of walls on the forces act- ing on nanoparticles during their transport in microchannels.Theoretical and experimental investigations have reported anisotropic and hindered motion of nanoparticles near a microchannel wall. To investigate the influence of the near-wall effects, various conditions were examined. In particular, computer simu- lations were performed with and without the near-wall correction of forces. The corresponding capture efficiency and the average penetration of the captured nanoparticles were compared, and the importance of the near-wall corrections was assessed. Effects were evaluated for the nanoparticle diameter, the chan- nel width, the channel length, and the pressure gradient. The results indicate that the inclusion of wall effects is crucial for the analysis of nanoparticle transport in microchannels.

Self-propulsion of a three-dimensional flapping flexible plate

The self-propulsion of a 3-D flapping flexible plate in a stationary fluid is numerically studied by an immersed boundarylattice Boltzmann method for the fluid flow and a finite element method for the plate motion. When the leading-edge of the plate is forced to heave sinusoidally, the entire plate starts to move freely as a result of the fluid-structure interaction. Based on our simulation and analysis on the dynamical behaviors of the flapping flexible plate, we have found that the effect of plate aspect ratio on its propulsive properties can be divided into three typical regimes which are related to the plate flexibility, i.e. stiff, medium flexible, and more flexible regime. It is also identified that a suitable structure flexibility, corresponding to the medium flexible regime, can improve the propulsive speed and efficiency. The wake behind the flapping plate is investigated for several aspect ratios to demonstrate some typical vortical structures. The results obtained in this study can provide some physical insights into the understanding of the propulsive mechanisms in the flapping-based locomotion.

Municipal solid waste management in Dalian： practices and challenges

The fast growing of urban areas in developing countries has brought serious problems on municipal solid waste （MSW） management. It will be rational to adopt an integrated approach to deal with such a challenge so that the overall eco-efficiency of MSW management could be improved. To better examine how attributes of integrated MSW management are being interpreted and put into practice, and to explore what changes should be made to improve the application of integrated MSW management, we employ a case study method so that lessons learned could be used to inform initiatives in other cities and the potential solution may offer feasible strategies. The case study city is Dalian, a typical seaport city with fast growing rate in economy. The outcomes of this case study show us that fragmented management structure, ineffective and inefficient enforcement of relevant regulations, backward technologies, limited financial resources and lack of public participation are main barriers for the implementation of integrated MSW management. Consequently, in order to overcome these barriers, we propose an integrated management framework on MSW management, aiming to maximize the overall eco-efficiency of MSW management.

Flower-, wire-, and sheet-like MnO_2-deposited diatomites:Highly efficient absorbents for the removal of Cr(Ⅵ)

Flower-, wire-, and sheet-like MnO2-deposited diatomites have been prepared using a hydrothermal method with Mn（Ac）2, KMnO4 and/or MnSO4 as Mn source and diatomite as support. Physical properties of the materials were characterized by means of numerous analytical techniques, and their behaviors in the adsorption of chromium（VI） were evaluated. It is shown that the IvinO2-deposited diatomite samples with different morphologies possessed high surface areas and abundant surface hydroxyl groups （especially the wire-like MnO2/diatomite sample）. The wire-like MnO2/diatomite sample showed the best performance in the removal of Cr（VI）, giving the maximum Cr（VI） adsorption capacity of 101 mg/g.