Association between Exposure of Rare Earth Elements and Outcomes of In Vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer in Beijing

Objective The study aimed to investigate the impact of rare earth elements(REEs)exposure on pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer(IVF-ET)by analyzing samples from spouses.Methods A total of 141 couples were included.Blood and follicular fluid from the wives and semen plasma from the husbands,were analyzed for REEs using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS).Spearman's correlation coefficients and the Mann–Whitney U test were used to assess correlations and compare REE concentrations among three types of samples,respectively.Logistic models were utilized to estimate the individual REE effect on IVF-ET outcomes,while BKMR and WQS models explored the mixture of REE interaction effects on IVF-ET outcomes.Results Higher La concentration in semen(median 0.089 ng/mL,P=0.03)was associated with a lower fertilization rate.However,this effect was not observed after artificial selection intervention through intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI)(P=0.27).In semen,the REEs mixture did not exhibit any significant association with clinical pregnancy.Conclusion Our study revealed a potential association between high La exposure in semen and a decline in fertilization rate,but not clinical pregnancy rate.This is the first to report REEs concentrations in follicular fluid with La,Ce,Pr,and Nd found at significantly lower concentrations than in serum,suggesting that these four REEs may not accumulate in the female reproductive system.However,at the current exposure levels,mixed REEs exposure did not exhibit reproductive toxicity.

Effect of K Fertilizer on Absorption of Mineral Elements in Greenhouse-grown Strawberry Fruits

[Objectives]The paper was to explore the effect of K fertilizer on the absorption of mineral elements in greenhouse-grown strawberry fruits.[Methods]A systematic investigation was conducted on the effects of K fertilizer dosage levels on the absorption of mineral elements in Fengxiang strawberries,an excellent variety suitable for cultivation in Anhui Province.The investigation was carried out under medium N and P conditions in a greenhouse.[Results]The N content of strawberry fruits increased as the K_(2)O dosage increased within the range of 0-250 kg/hm^(2).Similarly,the P content of strawberry fruits increased gradually with the increase of K_(2)O dosage within the range of 0-125 kg/hm^(2).[Conclusions]This study presents a basis for enhancing the absorption of mineral elements in strawberry fruit by applying K appropriately.

Effects of Organic and Medium and Trace Element Fertilizers on Yield and Quality of Panax notoginseng

[Objectives]This study aimed to investigate the effects of organic and medium and trace element fertilizers(Ca,Zn,B)on yield and quality of Panax notoginseng to provide theoretical support for rational fertilization in cultivation of P.notoginseng.[Methods]Five fertilization treatments,control(CK),organic fertilizer(OM),zinc fertilizer(ZF),boron fertilizer(BF)and lime(LF),were designed.A two-consecutive-year field plot trail was conducted.The biological traits,yield and saponin content of P.notoginseng were determined.[Results]The application of organic fertilizer had no significant effect on the biological traits of P.notoginseng.Trace element fertilizers significantly increased the scape length of P.notoginseng.Among the treatments,ZF significantly increased the single flower weight but reduced the inflorescence diameter,while the effects of BF were opposite to those of ZF;LF significantly increased the stem thickness and reduced the plant height.All treatments significantly increased the seedling rate of three-year-old P.notoginseng,and the increase in the LF group(20.49%)was the largest,followed by those in the ZF(16.80%)and OM(16.40%)groups,and the increase in the BF group(13.08%)was the smallest.Although OM,ZF and BF treatments caused the root weight of individual plants to decrease,the final yield of each treatment was higher than that of the control group,and the increases in the BF and LF groups exceeded 17%(P<0.05).The total saponin outputs of all the treatments except OM were significantly higher than that of the control group.[Conclusions]Under the conditions of this test,the supplementation of organic and medium and trace element fertilizers on the basis of conventional fertilization will help to increase the yield of P.notoginseng.However,the reduction of the total saponin output of P.notoginseng caused by organic fertilizer cannot be ignored.

Gross alpha and beta activities and trace heavy elemental concentration levels in chemical fertilizers and agricultural farm soils in Nigeria

The gross alpha (α) and beta (β) activities and trace heavy elemental concentrations have been determined in Single Super Phosphate (SSP) and Nitrogen Phosphorous Potassium (NPK) fertilizers samples used for agricultural purposes in Nigeria. Cultivated farm soil samples from two regions (north and south) in the country and samples of phosphate rocks were also analyzed for gross α and β radioactivity and elemental concentrations. The beta activity concentration in the NPK (15-15-15) fertilizers was found to vary from 2410.0 ± 80.0 Bq·kg–1 to 4560 ± 140.0 Bq·kg–1, between 1340.0 ± 70.0 Bq·kg–1 and 1440.0 ± 70.0 Bq·kg–1 in the Single Super phosphate fertilizers while in the farm soil it ranged between 360.0 ± 40.0 Bq·kg–1 to 570.0 ± 50.0 for the north samples and 200.0 ± 50.0 to 230.0 ± 20 Bq·kg–1 for the south samples. The alpha activities in the NPK fertilizers was found to vary from 20.0 ± 10.0 to 90.0 ± 20.0 Bq·kg–1, in the SSP it varied from 60.0 ± 20.0 to 100.0 ± 20.0 Bq·kg–1 while in the soil samples it varied from 8.0 ± 6.0 to 40.0 ± 10.0

Effect of Spraying Liquid Mineral Mixed Fertilizers on the Mineral Elements of Potted Poa crymophila cv. Qinghai

Objective] The aim was to explain the accumulation characteristic of mineral elements in alpine grassland plants and the effect of supplementary supply on the nutrient changes of mineral elements. [Method] Potted Poa crymophila cv. Qinghai plants were regularly applied with liquid mineral mixed fertilizers, and samples were collected for analysis and detection. [Result] After the regular spraying of liquid mineral mixed fertilizers, the mineral elements in potted P. crymophila and its soil reduced （ P 〈0.05）, but the accumulation of corresponding mineral elements of P. crymophila in the control group was increased due to the ＂Starvation Effect＂, which was one of the endogenetic forces driving the increase in the accumulation of mineral elements. [Conclusion] This study is of great significance for the study of the accumulation of mineral elements in degraded grassland plants and its dynamic mechanism, as well as testing the hypothesis of the Starvation Effect of mineral elements. In addition, it also provides scientific bases and technical support for the restoration and remediation of degraded grassland and the development of ecological livestock husbandry.

Effects of Spraying Nitrogen and Zinc Fertilizers after Flowering on Grain Weight and Nutritional Quality of Winter Wheat

In order to explore the effect of spraying fertilizers after flowering on grain weight and nutritional quality of different winter wheat cultivars, twenty wheat culti- vars in wheat zones along Yellow River and Huai River, were used to investigate the change of thousand kernel weight （TKW）, phytic acid content （PAC）, contents of Fe, Zn and Mg and bioavailability by spraying zinc and nitrogen fertilizers after flowering. The results showed that both of TKW and protein content in grains in- creased by spraying Zn and N fertilizers, and the effect of N fertilizer proved more significant. The PAC decreased significantly after Zn treatment, for example, PAC of ＂955159＂, a wheat cultivar, decreased by 27.95%. However, PAC was in- significantly influenced by N fertilizer. On the other hand, Zn content in wheat grains were improved after spraying Zn fertilizer and the increase aveaged 54.38%. Furthermore, Fe and Zn contents grew significantly after spraying N fertilizer, and the increase averaged 36.88% and 11.25% respectively. However, Mg content in grains declined by N fertilizer. Still, the bioavailability of zinc in grains was enhanced after spraying Zn fertilizer, and of Fe was also increased greatly after spraying N fertilizer. In conclusion, grain weight, and content and effectiveness of mineral ele-ments can be improved simultaneously by rational spraying of N and Zn fertilizers to improve quality of grains.

Effects of biochar-based fertilizers on nutrient leaching in a tobacco-planting soil

Biochar is a soil amendment for increasing soil quality and decreasing nutrient leaching. However, there is little information on the impact of biochar-based fertilizer(BF) on soil nutrient leaching in agricultural soils. We conducted a soil column leaching experiment to study the effects of BF on the leaching of total nitrogen(TN), total phosphorus, and total potassium(TK) in tobacco soils. The distribution characteristics of NH_4^+-N, available P, and available K in soil profiles were analyzed after the application of BF. Biochar was prepared by pyrolysis of fluecured tobacco stems. It was applied at four levels, 0%, 3%,9%, and 15%(w/w), respectively, to the compound fertilizer. Compared with the control, the leaching loss of soil TN decreased by 8.36%, 6.72%, and 6.45%, and the loss of soil TK decreased by 9.18%, 9.31% and 11.82% in the 3%,9%, and 15% BF treatments, respectively. However, BF had no significant effect on the P leaching due to the low movement of P in the soil profile. In addition, the BF addition increased the immobilization of NH_4^+-N, available P, and available K in the soil profile. These results indicate that addition of BF to a tobacco-planting soil reduced nutrient leaching, and suggest that BF could be an effective method of applying biochar to agriculture fields.

Effect of homogenization treatment on microstructure evolution and the distributions of RE and Zr elements in various MgeLieREeZr alloys

Mge3Lie0.4Zr alloys containing RE elements(Gd,La,Nd)(Mge3LieREe0.4Zr alloys)are investigated to reveal the influence of homogenization treatment on microstructures and distributions of RE,Zr elements.It is found that 300
C24 h homogenization treatment shows better improvement on the microstructure including the refinement of grain size,the dispersion of cellular dendrite and low melting point particles.Before treatment,La and Nd segregate effectively at grain boundary and Zr segregates in the form of precipitates.Homogenization treatment induces the reduction of RE segregation.However,the segregation of Zr in precipitates cannot be abated due to the relatively low diffusion rate compared with RE elements.

Characterizing the influence of stress-induced microcracks on the laboratory strength and fracture development in brittle rocks using a finite-discrete element method-micro discrete fracture network FDEM-μDFN approach

Heterogeneity is an inherent component of rock and may be present in different forms including mineralheterogeneity, geometrical heterogeneity, weak grain boundaries and micro-defects. Microcracks areusually observed in crystalline rocks in two forms： natural and stress-induced; the amount of stressinducedmicrocracking increases with depth and in-situ stress. Laboratory results indicate that thephysical properties of rocks such as strength, deformability, P-wave velocity and permeability areinfluenced by increase in microcrack intensity. In this study, the finite-discrete element method （FDEM）is used to model microcrack heterogeneity by introducing into a model sample sets of microcracks usingthe proposed micro discrete fracture network （mDFN） approach. The characteristics of the microcracksrequired to create mDFN models are obtained through image analyses of thin sections of Lac du Bonnetgranite adopted from published literature. A suite of two-dimensional laboratory tests including uniaxial,triaxial compression and Brazilian tests is simulated and the results are compared with laboratory data.The FDEM-mDFN models indicate that micro-heterogeneity has a profound influence on both the mechanicalbehavior and resultant fracture pattern. An increase in the microcrack intensity leads to areduction in the strength of the sample and changes the character of the rock strength envelope. Spallingand axial splitting dominate the failure mode at low confinement while shear failure is the dominantfailure mode at high confinement. Numerical results from simulated compression tests show thatmicrocracking reduces the cohesive component of strength alone, and the frictional strength componentremains unaffected. Results from simulated Brazilian tests show that the tensile strength is influenced bythe presence of microcracks, with a reduction in tensile strength as microcrack intensity increases. Theimportance of microcrack heterogeneity in reproducing a bi-linear or S-shape failure envelope and itseffects on the mechanisms leading to spalling damage near an underground opening are also discussed.

Effects of Copper-based Nutritional Foliar Fertilizers on Photosynthetic Characteristics,Yield and Disease Control Efficiency of Cotton

[Objectives] The effects of copper-based nutrient foliar fertilizer on photosynthetic characteristics,yield,accumulation and distribution of trace elements in various organs,disease prevention effect and soil enzyme activity were studied,so as to provide a theoretical basis for the application of foliar fertilizers in cotton production. [Methods]Through two years of field experiments,six treatments were set in total,namely spraying water( CK),traditional Bordeaux mixture( BDM),Kocide 2000( KCD),copper-based nutrient foliar fertilizer( CF),iron-copper-based nutrient foliar fertilizer( CFFe),and zinc-boron-copper-based nutrient foliar fertilizer( CFZnB). Randomized block arrangement was adopted. Chlorophyll content in leaves was measured at each growth stage of the cotton. Photosynthetic characteristics of leaves were measured at the peak bolling stage. Plants were sampled at initial boll opening stage. The whole plant was divided into root,stem,leaf and cotton boll parts,in which the total copper,total zinc,total iron contents and accumulations were determined. Soil samples were collected from each plot,followed by the determination of soil enzyme activity. Disease index was investigated at bud,flowering and boll-forming and boll opening stage. [Results]( 1) Spraying CFFe,CFZnB,CF and KCD could significantly improve chlorophyll content of cotton leaves,and the CFFe treatment had the highest increase up to13. 30%,followed by the CFZnB treatment,which was 11. 40% higher than the CK; and photosynthetic rate,stomata conductance and transpiration rate could be improved significantly,and the CFFe treatment showed the highest photosynthetic rate,which increased by 26. 35% compared with the CK,followed by the CFZnB treatment,which increased by 17. 96% compared with CK; and intercellular CO2 concentration was significantly reduced.( 2) Spraying BDM,KCD,CF,CFFe and CFZnB can significantly increase total copper content and accumulation in various cotton organs( except the total copper content in the stem part of the CFZnB treatment; the CFZnB and CFFe treatments can significantly increase total zinc content and accumulation in various cotton organs; and spraying CFFe,CFZnB and CF can significantly increase total iron content and accumulation in various cotton organs( except the total iron content in the stem part of the CF treatment).( 3)Spraying CFFe,CFZnB,CF,KCD and BDM greatly reduced the disease index at flowering and boll-forming and boll opening stages.( 4) The CFZnB and CFFe treatments had the highest soil urease activity,which was 7. 14% higher than that of the CK,but the difference from the CK was not significant; the catalase activity of each treatment was significantly higher than that of the BDM treatment; and the sucrase activity of each treatment was significantly higher than that of the CK.( 5) Spraying CFFe,CFZnB,CF and KCD significantly improved lint yield of cotton,and the CFZnB treatment showed the highest yield increase up to 12. 34%,followed by the CFFe treatment,with an increase in the range of 8. 77%-10. 20%. [Conclusions]Copper-based nutrient foliar fertilizers have dual functions of disease control and prevention and plant nutrition and health care,and not only can significantly increase cotton yield,but also has certain disease prevention effect.It is recommended to use copper-based nutrient foliar fertilizers.

APPLICATION OF SUB-ELEMENT AND MICRO-ELEMENT IN BEM WITH ROLLER BEARING LOAD

Aiming at the discontinuous traction on contact elements of roller bearing,new concepts of sub- and micro-element are put forward. In the sub-element and micro-element,traction influence coefficient has been modified, which is calculated by the former boundary elementmethod (BEM) with roller bearing load. Hence, three-dimensional distribution of load on rollerbearing is calculated accurately. In practice, it has been proved that this method has highercalculation accuracy. An effective numerical method is offered for analyzing load characteristics ofroller bearing to improve service longevity of roller bearing and operation efficiency of rollingmill.

Three-dimensional Finite Element Modeling of a Maxillary Premolar Tooth Based on the Micro-CT Scanning: A Detailed Description

This study describes the details of how to construct a three-dimensional （3D） finite element model of a maxillary first premolar tooth based on micro-CT data acquisition technique, MIMICS soft- ware and ANSYS software. The tooth was scanned by micro-CT, in which 1295 slices were obtained and then 648 slices were selected for modeling. The 3D surface mesh models of enamel and dentin were created by MIMICS （STL file）. The solid mesh model was constructed by ANSYS. After the material properties and boundary conditions were set, a loading analysis was performed to demonstrate the ap- plicableness of the resulting model. The first and third principal stresses were then evaluated. The re- suits showed that the number of nodes and elements of the finite element model were 56 618 and 311801, respectively. The geometric form of the model was highly consistent with that of the true tooth, and the deviation between them was ~）.28%. The loading analysis revealed the typical stress patterns in the contour map. The maximum compressive stress existed in the contact points and the maximum tensile stress existed in the deep fissure between the two cusps. It is concluded that by using the micro-CT and highly integrated software, construction of the 3D finite element model with high quality will not be difficult for clinical researchers.

Finite element analysis of the effect of micro-pore defect on linear friction welding of medium carbon steel

Micro-pore is a very common material defect. In the present paper, the temperature fields of medium carbon steel joints with and without micro-pore defect during linear friction welding （LFW） were investigated by using finite element method. The effect of micro-pore defect on the axial shortening of joints during LFW was examined. The x- and y-direction displacements of micro-pore during the LFW process were also studied. In addition, the shape of micro-pore after LFW was observed. The heat conducted from the weld inteace to the specimen interior. The fluctuation range of the temperature curves for the joint with micro-pore is larger than that without micro-pore. Position of micro-pore changes with the change of the friction time. The circular shape of micro-pore becomes oval after welding.

Microanalysis of Multi-Element in Juncus effusus L. by LIBS Technique

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy （LIBS） was used to decipher the unique multi-elemental characteristics of Juncus effusus L. The spectral fingerprints of Juncus effusus L. were established based on elemental microanalysis via LIBS. Microanalysis and multimode sampling methodologies were designed in this study. The relative standard deviation （RSD） approach was performed to optimize the multi-shot measurements. Taking advantage of the capability with no or minimal sample pre-treatment of LIBS, a thermodynamic chart of four elements （Mg, Ca, Ba, and Na） was created from twelve collection regions. The diagram of elemental distribution on a micro-scale was generated to explore the nature of Juncus effusus L. by LIBS. The results demon- strated that LIBS is a promising technique for rapid elemental microanalysis of heterogeneous samples.

Biomechanical assessment of new surgical method instead of kyphoplasty to improve the mechanical behavior of the vertebra:Micro finite element study

AIM To reduce post treatments of kyphoplasty, as a common treatment for osteoporotic vertebrae.METHODS This study suggests a new method for treating vertebrae by setting the hexagonal porous structure instead of the rigid bone cement mass in the kyphoplasty(KP). The KP procedure was performed on the fresh ovine vertebra of the level L1. Micro finite element modeling was performed based on micro computed tomography of ovine trabecular cube. The hexagonal porous structure was set on one cube instead of the bone cement mass. For the implant designing, two geometrical parameters were considered: Spacing diameter and thickness.RESULTS The results of micro finite element analyses indicated the improvement in the mechanical behavior of the vertebra treated by the hexagonal porous structures, as compared to those treated by vertebroplasty(VP) and KP under static loading. The improvement in the mechanical behavior of the vertebra, was observed as 54% decrease in the amount of maximum Von Misses stress(improvement of stress distribution), in trabecular cube with embedded hexagonal structure, as compared to VP and KP. This is comparable to the results of the experimental study already performed; it was shown that the improvement of mechanical behavior of the vertebra was observed as: 83% increase in the range of displacements before getting to the ultimate strength(increasing the toughness) after setting hexagonal pearls inside vertebrae. Both the material and geometry of implant influenced the amount of Von Mises stress in the structure.CONCLUSION The new proposed method can be offered as a substitute for the KP. The implant geometry had a more obvious effect on the amount of Von Mises stress, as compared to the implant material.

Response of Element Distribution of Various Organs of Maize to Fertilizer Application

The effect of fertilizer application on biomass dry weight and element distribution of various organs of maize was investigated from the aspect of microscopic view to disclose the internal mechanism of fertilizer effect on crop. Five fertilizer treatments： no fertilizer （CK）, nitrogen phosphorus fertilizer （NP）, nitrogen potassium fertilizer （NK）, phosphorus potassium （PK）, and nitrogen phosphorus potassium fertilizer （NPK） were designed. Field experiment on the response of biomass dry weight and N, P, K, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn element distribution of stem, leaf and seed of maize （Zea mays L.） to different fertilizer treatments application was carried out. The results showed that dry weight and element content of various organs of maize were different. N content of various organs followed this order leaf〉 seed 〉 stem; P content of various organs was seed 〉 leaf〉 stem; K content was stem 〉 leaf〉 seed; and Fe content was leaf〉 stem 〉 seed. Fertilizer application reduced the differences of N, P, K, and Fe contents of various organs, and changed the size order of the dry weight and the Cu and Zn contents of leaf, seed and stem. Except for individual treatment, the response direction of N, P and Fe elements to fertilizer application was similar to Cu and Zn. The response of element content of various organs of maize to different fertilizer combinations was also different. The response extent of N, P and K major elements to fertilizer application was larger than microelement of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn; the response extent of stem and leaf was larger than seed; the response to NPK fertilizer treatment was bigger than NP, NK and PK. In the whole, response differences of element distribution to various fertilizer treatments were not remarkable. Besides, element distribution of various organs of maize was also influenced by the mutual effect of fertilizer varieties. The response direction and extent of various element distributions to different fertilizer treatments had both similarities and differences. Adjusting fertilizer application could change the biomass dry weight and element distribution of various organs of maize, thus promote the uptake and cycle of nutrient. This investigation could provide useful information for high production.

Using Finite Element Analysis and Experimental Analysis on Vibration of a Piezoelectric Micro Pump

Due to the rise of biological and MEMS technology in recent years, some micro flow system components have drawn attention and been developed by many investigators. The importance of micro-pumps manufactured is higher than the other part of micro flow system since it is the power source of the entire micro-flow system and responsible for driving working fluid in the microfluidic system. In actual operation, the instability and bad dynamic characteristics of the micro-pump will cause larger fluid flow mobility error, such as transport behavior and response procedures failure, etc., and even damage the microfluidic system. Therefore, to investigate the stability and dynamic characteristics of a micro pump is necessary. The Finite element analysis (FEA), ANSYS Workbench, is employed to analyze the dynamic characteristics of this micro pump, and experiment is also considered in this study.

Effect of Different Fertilizer Formulations on Growth and Chlorophyll Content of Greenhouse Grown Macadamia Plants in a Micro Drip-Irrigation System

A greenhouse experiment was conducted at Mahidol University, Thailand from January to May 2009. Macadamia plants were planted in pots with mixed substrate of soil： sand： coconut-coir： rice-husk： charcoal; 3.0： 1.0： 0.5： 1.0, respectively. Micro drip-irrigation system was operated 10：00 to 16：00 h daily with a controller scheduled to pump 12 minutes at 12 intervals. The study showed that application of Enshi tablet （18 tablets/plant/year） in a drip-irrigation system enhances growth of Macadamia compared to the application of OsmocoteTM tablet, Modified-enshi and Enshi solution. Significant variation in chlorophyll （a ＋ b） content was observed in Enshi tablet treatment. Soil chemical analyses indicated that the nutrient content in Enshi tablet appeared low compared to other formulations but nutrient removal was considerably brought down by the system, which gives a balance between nutrient removals by crops and addition through fertilizers. Hence, application of Enshi tablet is suggested for Macadamia in a drip-irrigation system.

Investigation of Micro-mechanical Response of Asphalt Mixtures by a Three-dimensional Discrete Element Model

The micro-mechanical response of asphalt mixtures was studied using the discrete element method. The discrete element sample of stone mastic asphalt was generated first and the vehicle load was applied to the sample. A user-written program was coded with the FISH language in PFC3 D to extract the contact forces within the sample and the displacements of the particles. Then, the contact forces within the whole sample, in asphalt mastic, in coarse aggregates and between asphalt mastic and coarse aggregates were investigated. Finally, the movement of the particles in the sample was analyzed. The sample was divided into 15 areas and a figure was drawn to show how the balls move in each area according to the displacements of the balls in each area. The displacements of asphalt mastic balls and coarse aggregates were also analyzed. The experimental results explain how the asphalt mixture bears vehicle load and the potential reasons why the rutting forms from a micro-mechanical view.

Micro－PIXE analysis of trace element composition and their distribution in minerals of mantle peridotite

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