Seed Priming Improves Enzymatic and Biochemical Performances of Rice During Seed Germination under Low and High Temperatures

As an abiotic stress,adverse germination temperatures cause serious disruptions in physiological and biochemical processes involved in seed germination.Using a factorial experiment,we examined the effects of different seed priming treatments on enzymatic and biochemical performances of rice seed germination under different temperatures.Each of the rice genotypes(Hashemi,Sadry-domsefid,IRON-70-7053-7 and NORIN-22)was primed with hydro-hardening,KCl,CaCl2 and ascorbic acid(AsA)and without a priming agent as a control at low(15℃),optimum(25℃)and high(35℃)germination temperatures.The results showed that the enzymatic and biochemical performances of all the rice genotypes were affected by the seed priming agents,especially under the low germination temperature.At 15℃,seed priming with AsA was found to be the best agent for the activities of amylase,α-amylase,catalase(CAT),peroxidase(POX),ascorbate peroxidase(APOX)and superoxide dismutase(SOD)as well as the content of soluble sugars in the NORIN-22 genotype,and for protease activity and soluble protein content in the IRON-70-7053-7 genotype.SOD at the low germination temperature and CAT,POX and protease at the optimum and high germination temperatures were the most important enzymes in occurrence of germination potential in terms of seedling length,vigor index,normal seedling rate and germination rate.Under the priming agents,the highest changes in normal seedling rate were observed at the low and optimum germination temperatures by AsA priming in the Hashemi and NORIN-22 genotypes,and at the high germination temperature under KCl priming in the Hashemi genotype.

Highly reinforce the interface stability using 2-Phenyl-1H-imidazole-1-sulfonate electrolyte additive to enhance the high temperature performance of LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.1)Mn_(0.1)O_(2)/graphite batteries

This work develops 2-Phenyl-1H-imidazole-1-sulfonate(PHIS)as a multi-functional electrolyte additive for H2O/HF scavenging and film formation to improve the high temperature performance of LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.1)Mn_(0.1)O_(2)/graphite batteries.After 450 cycles at room temperature(25℃),the discharge capacity retentions of batteries with blank and PHIS-containing electrolyte are 56.03%and 94.92%respectively.After 230 cycles at high temperatures(45℃),their values are 75.30%and 88.38%respectively.The enhanced electrochemical performance of the batteries with PHIS-containing electrolyte is supported by the spectroscopic characterization and theoretical calculations.It is demonstrated that this PHIS electrolyte additive can facilitate the construction of the electrode interface films,remove the H2O/HF in the electrolyte,and improve the electrochemical performance of the batteries.This work not only develops a sulfonate-based electrolyte but also can stimulate new ideas of functional additives to improve the battery performance.

Regulating Effect of Substrate Temperature on Sputteringgrown Ge/Si QDs under Low Ge Deposition

The effect of deposition temperature on the morphology and optoelectronic performance of Ge/Si QDs grown by magnetron sputtering under low Ge deposition(~4 nm)was investigated by atomic force microscopy,Raman spectroscopy,and photoluminescence(PL)tests.The experimental results indicate that temperatures higher than 750℃effectively increase the crystallization rate and surface smoothness of the Si buffer layer,and temperatures higher than 600℃significantly enhance the migration ability of Ge atoms,thus increasing the probability of Ge atoms meeting and nucleating to form QDs on Si buffer layer,but an excessively high temperature will cause the QDs to undergo an Ostwald ripening process and thus develop into super large islands.In addition,some PL peaks were observed in samples containing small-sized,high-density Ge QDs,the photoelectric properties reflected by these peaks were in good agreement with the corresponding structural characteristics of the grown QDs.Our results demonstrate the viability of preparing high-quality QDs by magnetron sputtering at high deposition rate,and the temperature effect is expected to work in conjunction with other controllable factors to further regulate QD growth,which paves an effective way for the industrial production of QDs that can be used in future devices.

Temperature inversion enables superior stability for low-temperature Zn-ion batteries

It is challenging for aqueous Zn-ion batteries(ZIBs)to achieve comparable low-temperature(low-T)performance due to the easy-frozen electrolyte and severe Zn dendrites.Herein,an aqueous electrolyte with a low freezing point and high ionic conductivity is proposed.Combined with molecular dynamics simulation and multi-scale interface analysis(time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry threedimensional mapping and in-situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy method),the temperature independence of the V_(2)O_(5)cathode and Zn anode is observed to be opposite.Surprisingly,dominated by the solvent structure of the designed electrolyte at low temperatures,vanadium dissolution/shuttle is significantly inhibited,and the zinc dendrites caused by this electrochemical crosstalk are greatly relieved,thus showing an abnormal temperature inversion effect.Through the disclosure and improvement of the above phenomena,the designed Zn||V_(2)O_(5)full cell delivers superior low-T performance,maintaining almost 99%capacity retention after 9500 cycles(working more than 2500 h)at-20°C.This work proposes a kind of electrolyte suitable for low-T ZIBs and reveals the inverse temperature dependence of the Zn anode,which might offer a novel perspective for the investigation of low-T aqueous battery systems.

Effect of temperature gradientinduced periodic deformation of CRTS III slab track on dynamic responses of the train-track system

Purpose-Temperature is an important load for a ballastless track.However,little research has been conducted on the dynamic responses when a train travels on a ballastless track under the temperature gradient.The dynamic responses under different temperature gradients of the slab are theoretically investigated in this work.Design/methodology/approach-Considering the moving train,the temperature gradient of the slab,and the gravity of the slab track,a dynamic model for a high-speed train that runs along the CRTS III slab track on subgrade is developed by a nonlinear coupled way in Abaqus.Findings-The results are as follows:(1)The upward transmission of the periodic deformation of the slab causes periodic track irregularity.(2)Because of the geometric constraint of limiting structures,the maximum bending stresses of the slab occur near the end of the slab under positive temperature gradients,but in the middle of the slab under negative temperature gradients.(3)The periodic deformation of the slab can induce periodic changes in the interlayer stiffness and contact status,leading to a large vibration of the slab.Because of the vibration-reduction capacity of the fastener and the larger mass of the concrete base,the accelerations of both the slab and concrete base are far less than the acceleration of the rail.Originality/value-This study reveals the influence mechanism of temperature gradient-induced periodic deformation in the dynamic responses of the train-track system,and it also provides a guide for the safe service of CRTS III slab track.

Interfacial built-in electric field and crosslinking pathways enabling WS_(2)/Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x) heterojunction with robust sodium storage at low temperature

Developing efficient energy storage for sodium-ion batteries(SIBs)by creating high-performance heterojunctions and understanding their interfacial interaction at the atomic/molecular level holds promise but is also challenging.Besides,sluggish reaction kinetics at low temperatures restrict the operation of SIBs in cold climates.Herein,cross-linking nanoarchitectonics of WS_(2)/Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x) heterojunction,featuring built-in electric field(BIEF),have been developed,employing as a model to reveal the positive effect of heterojunction design and BIEF for modifying the reaction kinetics and electrochemical activity.Particularly,the theoretical analysis manifests the discrepancy in work functions leads to the electronic flow from the electron-rich Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x) to layered WS_(2),spontaneously forming the BIEF and“ion reservoir”at the heterogeneous interface.Besides,the generation of cross-linking pathways further promotes the transportation of electrons/ions,which guarantees rapid diffusion kinetics and excellent structure coupling.Consequently,superior sodium storage performance is obtained for the WS_(2)/Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x) heterojunction,with only 0.2%decay per cycle at 5.0 A g^(-1)(25℃)up to 1000 cycles and a high capacity of 293.5 mA h g^(-1)(0.1A g^(-1)after 100 cycles)even at-20℃.Importantly,the spontaneously formed BIEF,accompanied by“ion reservoir”,in heterojunction provides deep understandings of the correlation between structure fabricated and performance obtained.

Performance of Sn-Cu Alloy Anode at Low Temperature

Sn-Cu alloy anode was prepared by pulsed electrodeposition for lithium ion batteries, and its electrochemical performance was tested at low temperature. When temperature decreased from 25℃ to -20℃, the Sn-Cu alloy anode provided the capacity retentions of 76% in the electrolyte of 1 mol/L LiBF4/EC＋EMC＋γBL and 51% in the electrolyte of 1 mol/L LiPF6/EC＋DMC＋DEC. Under the same conditions, the graphite anode presented the capacity retentions of only 41% and 18%, respectively. The Sn-Cu alloy anode showed better performance in the electrolyte of 1 mol/L LiBF4/EC＋EMC＋γBL than in the electrolyte of 1 mol/L LiPF6/EC＋DMC＋DEC, and kept much higher capacity retention than that of graphite at -20℃. The Sn-Cu alloy anode in the electrolyte of 1mol/L LiBF4/EC＋EMC＋γBL （1：1：1, volume ratio） is promising for low temperature application of lithium batteries.

The Effect of Thermal Exfoliation Temperature on the Structure and Supercapacitive Performance of Graphene Nanosheets

Graphene nanosheets(GSs) were prepared from graphite oxide by thermal exfoliation method. The effect of thermal exfoliation temperature on the structure and supercapacitive performance of GSs has been investigated. The results show that the GSs with pore sizes center around 4.0 nm. With an increase of thermal reduction temperature, the number of stacking layers and the structure disorder degree increase, while the oxygen-containing groups content, BET surface area,and electrical resistivity of GSs decrease. The results indicate that 673 K is the preferable thermal exfoliation temperature to acquire good supercapacitive performance. In this case, the GSs have the best supercapacitive performance(233.1 F g-1) in a 6 mol L-1KOH electrolyte. The prepared GSs at the preferable thermal exfoliation temperature have good rate performance and cycle stability.

Effects of Reduced Nocturnal Temperature on Performance and Behavior of Nursery Pigs

Previous studies suggested that pigs prefer lower environmental temperatures during nighttime compared to daytime. So reducing nocturnal temperature in nursery barns may not jeopardize performance or welfare of pigs, but can save energy for heating the barn. A study was conducted to investigate growth performance and behavioral response of nursery pigs to reduced nocturnal temperature. This study was conducted in four replicates, each utilizing 270 newly weaned pigs and lasting for 5 wk. Temperature setpoint in the control room （CON） was started at 30℃ and decreased by 2℃ per week. In the treatment room （RNT）, temperature setpoint was maintained same as in CON between 7：00 h and 19：00 h, and reduced by 8~C between 19：00 h and 7：00 h starting from d 5. Growth performance （15 pens/room, 9 pigs/pen, BW=（6.3±0.61） kg） was monitored for 5 wk, and behaviors in 6 pens in each room were video-recorded for 24 h 3 d after being exposed to the experimental temperature. Instantaneous scan sampling was performed to determine time budgets for standing, sitting, eating, drinking, belly nosing, three postures of lying, and huddling. Two focal pigs were continuously viewed to record duration and occurrence of eating and drinking. Reduced nocturnal temperature did not affect the growth performance of the pigs, time spent standing, sitting, total lying and eating or duration and frequencies of eating and drinking （all P〉0.10）. However, RNT increased time spent lying sternal （83 vs. 72%, P〈0.001） and number of pigs that were huddling （70 vs. 50% of lying pigs, P〈0.001）, and decreased time spent lying laterally （0.8 vs. 4.6%, P〈0.001）, lying half laterally （5.3 vs. 11.0%, P〈0.001）, and belly nosing （0.9 vs. 1.7%, P=0.01） during nighttime. These results indicate that nursery pigs adopted the posture of lying sternal and huddled together to reduce heat loss from their body surface to maintain thermal balance and growth performance in RNT. Such mild reduction in nocturnal temperature in the nursery barn can save energy for heating the barn without negative effects on performance and behavior of nursery pigs.

Physiological performance of three calcifying green macroalgae Halimeda species in response to altered seawater temperatures

The effects of seawater temperature on the physiological performance of three Halimeda species were studied for a period of 28 d.Five treatments were established for Halimeda cylindracea,Halimeda opuntia and Halimeda lacunalis,in triplicate aquaria representing a factorial temperature with 24°C,28°C,32°C,34°C and 36°C,respectively.The average Fv/Fm of these species ranged from 0.732 to 0.756 between 24°C and 32°C but declined sharply between 34°C(0.457±0.035)and 36°C(0.122±0.014).Calcification was highest at 28°C,with net calcification rates(Gnet)of(20.082±2.482)mg/(g·d),(12.825±1.623)mg/(g·d)and(6.411±1.029)mg/(g·d)for H.cylindracea,H.opuntia and H.lacunalis,respectively.Between 24°C and 32°C,the specific growth rate(SGR)of H.lacunalis(0.079%–0.110%d–1)was lower than that of H.cylindracea(0.652%–1.644%d–1)and H.opuntia(0.360%–1.527%d–1).Three Halimeda species gradually bleached at 36°C during the study period.Malondialdehyde(MDA)and proline levels in tissues of the three Halimeda were higher in 34–36°C than those in 24–32°C.The results indicate that seawater temperature with range of 24–32°C could benefit the growth and calcification of these Halimeda species,however,extreme temperatures above 34°C have negative impacts.The measured physiological parameters also revealed that H.cylindracea and H.opuntia displayed broader temperature tolerance than H.lacunalis.

Shrinkage Behavior of High Performance Concrete at Different Elevated Temperatures under Different Sealing Conditions

The shrinkage behavior of high performance cement concrete made from Portland cement, ultra fine granulated blast furnace slag and pulverized fly ash with addition of superplasticizer at different temperatures from ambient temperature to 120 ℃ under different seuliug conditions was investigated by means of length change measurement on cylindrical concrete specimens along with curing age. Results show that drying shrinkage deformations of titled concrete specimens increased rapidly as the curing temperature rose. The development of dryiing shrinkage deformatian can be efficiently controlled with the aid of aluminum tape sealing as compared with the unsealed specimens, especially when the curing temperature is below 60℃ , although it will increase dramatically when the curing temperature is elevated to above 90%＂ . Polymer coating on concrete specimens showed a similar effect on the control of drying shrinkage as the sealing operation with aluminum tape.

Effects of flaky rare earth oxide additives on the high temperature performance of nickel electrodes

Effects of flaky rare earth oxide additives including Er2O3,Tm2O3,and Yb2O3,Lu2O3 on high temperature and high rate discharge performance of nickel electrodes were investigated.The discharge efficiency at 0.2C reached 96% at 60 oC for electrodes with 1 at.% flaky rare earth oxides.The high rate discharge performance for electrodes with flaky rare earth oxides were improved significantly,for example,discharge efficiency at 5C improved from 50% to 70%.The results showed that the end charging potential of the ...

High Temperature Performances of Spherical Nickel Hydroxide with Additive Y_2O_3

The effect Of Y2O3 as additive to the positive electrode on the high-temperature performances of the Ni-MH batteries was studied. The specific capacities of the positive electrode in Ni-MH battery at higher temperatures are much lower than usual. In order to improve high-temperature performances, charge/discharge curves of the Ni(OH)(2) electrodes with different amounts Of Y2O3 it different temperatures were studied. It is found that the specific capacities of the spherical Ni (OH)(2) with Y2O3 as additive are much higher than those of the regular at higher temperatures. The specific capacity of Ni (OH)(2) containing 1% Y2O3 at 0.2C C/D rate is 35% higher than that of the regular. The specific capacity of Ni (OH)(2) containing 0.2% Y2O3 at 1C C/D rate is 15% higher than that of the regular. Mechanism Of Y2O3 improving high temperature performances of Ni(OH)(2) electrode was also discussed in detail.

Effect of aggregate gradation on low temperature performance of asphalt paving mixtures

Low temperature cracking has become one of the important factors that diminish asphalt pavement's ride quality and service life.Especially in cold region,cracking caused by low temperature is the main distress form.This paper discussed the effect of aggregate gradation on the low temperature performance in asphalt paving mixtures.A total of 11 asphalt mixtures with 11 different aggregate gradations and one asphalt binder content were studied.Volumetric properties of the coarse aggregate and asphalt mixtures showed aggregate grading has a significant impact on the degree of aggregate interlock in asphalt mixtures.A trend is existed in the low temperature performance with the change of gradation.With the aid of mathematic statistics,it indicates gradation affects the low temperature performance significantly.The findings also indicate the relationship between the degree of aggregate interlock in asphalt mixtures and the low temperature performance:With the stone-to-stone contact developed,the mixture has a high energy to resist contract and deformation at low temperature.The properties of fine aggregate and asphalt play an important part in resisting low temperature cracking in floating structure.But it provides lower energy to resist low temperature cracking compared to the skeleton structure.

Comprehensive Analysis of High Temperature Performance of SBS-modified Asphalt Mixture

Evaluation of high temperature performance of SBS-modified asphalt mixture was presented.Both wheel loaded method and creep method were adopted for two different mixtures and two kinds of specimens with different height,and corresponding indicators were measured.Meanwhile,the correlation between these indicators was thoroughly analyzed and two kinds of mixtures were compared.The experimental results show that there is a good linear relationship between LWT indicators and CT indicators for M-13,while a relatively poor relationship for M-25,especially that between dynamic stiffness and static stiffness and that between dynamic stability and static creep stiffness.Besides,logarithmic relationship between DS and RD has a higher determination coefficient than that for linear relationship.Thus,multi-index evaluation should be taken for synthetically assessing high temperature performance of asphalt mixture.

High-temperature electrochemical performance and phase composition of Ti_(0.7) Zr_(0.5) V_(0.2) Mn_(1.8-x)Ni_x hydrogen storage electrode alloys

The rapid development of electric vehicles demands the development of high performance nickel metal hydride battery that is able to endure high temperature. The discharge properties of Ti 0.7 Zr 0.5 V 0.2 Mn 1.8- x Ni x ( x =0.4, 0.8, 1.1, 1.4, 1.7)hydrogen storage alloys was investigated and its phase composition was analyzed using X ray diffraction. The results show that the cycling life was improved as the content of nickel increases. When x =0.4, 0.8, 1.1 and 1.4, the main phase is MgZn 2 type C14 Laves phase and the second one is cubic TiNi phase. When x =1.7, the Laves phase structure disappears. EDAS analysis shows that the increase of nickel content is effective in suppressing the dissolution of vanadium component in alloys. [

Multifunctional interlayer with simultaneously capturing and catalytically converting polysulfides for boosting safety and performance of lithium-sulfur batteries at high-low temperatures

Lithium-sulfur(Li-S) batteries as extremely promising high-density energy storage devices have attracted extensive concern. However, practical applications of Li-S batteries are severely restricted by not only intrinsic polysulfides shuttle resulting from their concentration gradient diffusion and sluggish conversion kinetics but also serious safety issue caused by thermolabile and combustible polymer separators.Herein, it is presented for the first time that a robust and multifunctional separator with urchin-like Co-doped Fe OOH microspheres and multiwalled carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs) as an interlayer simultaneously achieves to suppress polysulfides shuttle as well as improves thermotolerance and nonflammability of commercial PP separator. Accordingly, Li-S batteries with modified separator exhibit remarkable performance in a wide range temperatures of-25–100 ℃. Typically, under 25 ℃, ultrahigh initial capacities of 1441 and 827.29 m A h g-1 at 1 C and 2 C are delivered, and remained capacities of 936 and 663.18 mA h g-1 can be obtained after 500 cycles, respectively. At 0.1 C, the S utilization can reach up to 97%. Significantly, at 1 C, the batteries also deliver an excellent performance with remained capacities of high to862.3, 608.4 and 420.6 m A h g-1 after 100, 300 and 450 cycles under 75, 0 and-25 ℃, respectively. This work provides a new insight for developing stable and safe high-performance Li-S batteries.

Evaluation of the Influence of Ambient Temperature on the Performance of the Trans-Amadi Gas Turbine Plant

This paper examines the effects of ambient temperature on the Trans-Amadi gas turbine power station Phase II. The investigation took thirteen (13) months (January 2012 to January 2013) during which plant data were monitored and operational Logsheets like turbine logsheets, plant—auxiliaries’ logsheets and generator logsheets were studied. The gas turbine (GT) that was under investigation was GT-2: MS5001 Nuovopignone with designed installed capacity of 25.0 Megawatts (MW). The result of the study shows that a 1℃ rise of the ambient temperature is responsible for the following: 0% - 0.12% decrease in the power output, 0% - 0.12% increase in the power differential, 0% - 1.17% decrease in the thermal efficiency, 0% - 27.18% increase in the heat rate and 0% - 3.57% increase in the specific fuel consumption. An ambient temperature of 30℃ is found to yield minimal fuel consumption.

Influence of the Steel-making Dust on High Temperature and Fatigue Performance of Asphalt Mortars

To research the possibility of steel-making dust as a kind of mineral filler in asphalt mixture, two steel-making dusts and one ordinary mineral filler were adopted. The specific density, specific surface area, fineness modulus and mineralogy component of the dusts were tested. Scanning electron microscopy(SEM) was carried out to research the microstructure of the dusts; dynamic shear rheological(DSR) test and time sweep test were used to research the high temperature and fatigue performance of asphalt mortars containing steel-making dust. The experimental results indicate that, compared with ordinary mineral filler, steel-making dusts have more active ingredients, difference surface characteristics and micro-structure. Furthermore, the high temperature and fatigue performance of steel-making dusts corresponding asphalt mortars are superior to those of reference group. Therefore, the steel-making dust would be an alternative to the ordinary mineral filler to improve the performance of asphalt mortars and reduce the harm of the dusts to the environment at the same time.

Effect of relative humidity at chronic temperature on growth performance, glucose consumption, and mitochondrial ATP production of broilers

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of relative humidity(RH)at chronic temperature on growth performance,glucose consumption,and mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate(ATP)production of broilers.A total of 180 28-day-old Arbor Acres broilers(half males and half females)were randomly allocated to three treatments,each containing six replicates of 10 birds per treatment,using a completely randomized design.Birds were reared at 35,60 or 85%RH at 32℃for 15 days(temperature increased by 3℃every 3 days from 20 to 32℃within 15 days:20–23–26–29–32℃).RH affected(P<0.05)average daily feed intake(ADFI),average daily gain(ADG),average daily water consumption(ADWC),blood glucose concentrations,muscle glycogen levels,avian uncoupling protein(av UCP)mRNA expression,and cytochrome c oxidase(CCO)activity in liver of broilers at 42 days of age.The 85%RH decreased(P<0.05)ADFI,ADG and ADWC;35%RH decreased(P<0.02)ADG.Both 85 and 35%RH increased(P<0.01)blood glucose and decreased(P<0.05)muscle glycogen.Both 85 and 35%RH increased(P<0.05)av UCP mRNA expression.35%RH decreased(P<0.05)CCO activity.In conclusion,both high and low RH inceased glucose consumption and reduced mitochondrial ATP poduction,leading to a decline in growth rate.