A Note on Soil Structure Resistance of Natural Marine Deposits

It has been well documented that natural normally-consolidated marine soils are generally subjected to the effects of soil structure. The interpretation of the resistance of soil structure is an important issue in the theory study and engineering practice of ocean engineering and geotechnical engineering. It is traditionally considered that the resistance of soil structure gradually disappears with increasing stress level when the applied stress is beyond the consolidation yield stress. In this study, however, it is found that this traditional interpretation of the resistance of soil structure can not explain the strength behavior of natural marine deposits with a normally-consolidated stress history. A new interpretation of the resistance of soil structure is proposed based on the strength behavior. In the preyield state, the undrained strength of natural marine deposits is composed of two components: one developed by the applied stress and the other developed by the resistance of soil structure. When the applied stress is beyond the consolidation yield stress, the strength behavior is independent of the resistance of soil structure.

Structural Characteristics of Semen coicis Resistant Starch and Its Effect on the Proliferation of Bifidobacterium bifidum

Semen coicis resistant starch is a type of starch which has undergone retrogradation. In this study,the structural characteristics of Semen coicis native starch,high-amylose maize starch,and heat-moisture treated Semen coicis resistant starch were investigated. The field emission scanning electron microscopy results indicated that compared to Semen coicis native starch and high-amylose maize starch,the surface of heat-moisture treated Semen coicis resistant starch was rough and full of irregular layered strips. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements indicated the degree of ordered structure values of Semen coicis native starch,high-amylose maize starch,and heat-moisture treated Semen coicis resistant starch are 1.355,1.372,and 1.410,respectively,and the degree of double helix values is 1.931,1.942,and 2.027,respectively,indicating that the degree of ordered structure and double helix structure of heat-moisture treated Semen coicis resistant starch is both higher than those of Semen coicis native starch and high-amylose maize starch. ^（13） C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed that Semen coicis native starch and high-amylose maize starch exhibited A-type crystal structures,while heat-moisture treated Semen coicis resistant starch displayed B-type crystal structures. The relative crystallinity of Semen coicis native starch,high-amylose maize starch,and heat-moisture treated Semen coicis resistant starch is 76.41,85.36,and 87.25,respectively,and the percentages of amorphous region are 5.78,4.72,and 4.39,respectively. Additionally,heat-moisture treated Semen coicis resistant starch could increase the proliferation of Bifidobacterium bifidum more than Semen coicis native starch or high-amylose maize starch. Bifidobacterium bifidum displayed a higher tolerance under simulated gastrointestinal tract conditions such as low p H,bile acid,pepsin,and trypsin in heat-moisture treated Semen coicis resistant starch medium than in Semen coicis native starch or high-amylose maize starch media.

Radiation Resistance of Fluorine-Implanted PNP Using Gated-Controlled Lateral PNP Transistor Structure

The radiation damage responses of ttuorinated and non-fluorinated lateral PNP transistors are studied with specially designed gated-controlled lateral PNP transistors that allow for the extraction of the oxide trapped charge （Not） and interface trap （Nit） densities. All the samples are exposed in the Co-60γ ray with the dose rate of 0.5 Gy（Si）/s. After the irradiation, the buildup of Not and Nit of the samples with total dose is investigated by the gate sweep test technique. The results show that the radiation resistance of fluorinated lateral PNP transistors is significantly enhanced compared with the non-fluorinated ones.

The evolution of resistance gene in plants

Resistance genes enable plants to fight against plant pathogens. Plant resistance genes （R gene） are organized complexly in genome. Some resistance gene sequence data enable an insight into R gene structure and gene evolution. Some sites like Leucine-Rich Repeat （LRR） are of specific interest since homologous recombination can happen. Crossing over, transposon insertion and excision and mutation can produce new specificity. Three models explaining R gene evolution were discussed. More information needed for dissection of R gene evolution though some step can be inferred from genetic and sequence analysis.

Selection and modification of ground motion records using Newmark-Hall spectrum as target spectrum for long-period structures

Input ground motions have significant impacts on the uncertainty of structural responses in time-history analysis.In this study,records were selected and scaled for the evaluation of mean structural responses according to the target spectrum.The Newmark-Hall spectrum is closely related to seismic response of short,medium and long-period structures,so it was taken as the target spectrum here.The nonlinear time-history analyses of 9-story and 20-story steel moment-resisting frame structures were carried out as examples.They represent medium and long-period buildings,respectively.Three target spectra with risk of 50%,10%and 2%probabilities for exceedance in 50 years were calculated by the average Newmark-Hall spectrum method for three ground motion sets developed in the SAC Steel Project.The predicted structural mean responses of these Newmark-Hall spectra were compared with those calculated by the average spectral acceleration method for the same record set.It is found that both methods have similar accuracy for estimating the structural mean response.However,the method proposed herein is more effective in reducing the variability of the structural responses.Also,the proposed method is more advantageous for the time-history analysis of long-period structures or structures with more severe nonlinear responses under strong seismic excitations.

Morphology effect of zirconia support on the catalytic performance of supported Ni catalysts for dry reforming of methane

An immature pinecone shaped hierarchically structured zirconia （ZrO2-ipch） and a cobblestone-like zirconia nanoparticulate （ZrO2-cs）, both with the monoclinic phase （m-phase）, were synthesized by the facile hydrothermal method and used as the support for a Ni catalyst for the dry reforming of methane （DRM） with CO2. ZrO2-ipch is a much better support than ZrO2-cs and the traditional ZrO2 irregular particles made by a simple precipitation method （ZrO2-ip）. The supported Ni catalyst on ZrO2-ipch （Ni/ZrO2-ipch） exhibited outstanding catalytic activity and coke-resistant stability compared to the ones on ZrO2-cs （Ni/ZrO2-cs） and ZrO2-ip （Ni/ZrO2-ip）. Ni/ZrO2-ip exhibited the worst catalytic performance. The origin of the significantly enhanced catalytic performance was revealed by characterization including XRD, N2 adsorption measurement （BET）, TEM, H2-TPR, CO chemisorption, CO2-TPD, XPS and TGA. The superior catalytic activity of Ni/ZrO2-ipch to Ni/ZrO2-cs or Ni/ZrO2-ip was ascribed to a higher Ni dispersion, increased reducibility, enhanced oxygen mo- bility, and more basic sites with a higher strength, which were due to the unique hierarchically structural morphology of the ZrO2-ipch support. Ni/ZrO2-ipch exhibited better stability for the DRM reaction than Ni/ZrO2-ip, which was ascribed to its higher resistance to Ni sintering due to a strengthened metal-support interaction and the confinement effect of the mesopores and coke deposition resistance. The higher coking resistance of Ni/ZrO2-ipch for the DRM reaction in comparison with Ni/ZrOz-ip orignated from the coke-removalabitity of the higher amount of lattice oxygen and more basic sites, confirmed by XPS and CO2-TPD analysis, and the stabilized Ni on the Ni/ZrO2-ipch catalyst by the confinement effect of the mesopores of the hierarchical ZrO2-ipch sup- port. The superior catalytic performance and coking resistance of the Ni/ZrO2-ipch catalyst makes it a promising candidate for synthesis gas production from the DRM reaction.

Crust and Upper Mantle Electrical Resistivity Structure in the Panxi Region of the Eastern Tibetan Plateau and Its Significance

The Panxi region is located in the frontal zone of positive squeezing subduction and side squeezing shearing between the Indian plate and the Eurasian plate. The long-period magnetotelluric （LMT） and broadband magnetotelluric （MT） techniques are both used to study the deep electrical conductivity structure in this region; magnetic and gravity surveys are also performed along the profile. According to the 2-D resistivity model along the Yanyuan-Yongshan profile, a high- conductivity layer （HCL） exists widely in the crust, and a high-resistivity block （HRB） exists widely in the upper mantle in general, as seen by the fact that a large HCL exists from the western Jinpingshan tectonic zone to the eastern Mabian tectonic zone in the crust, while the HRB found in the Panxi tectonic zone is of abnormally high resistivity in that background compared to both sides of Panxi tectonic zone. In addition, the gravity and magnetic field anomalies are of high value. Combined with geological data, the results indicate that there probably exists basic or ultrabasic rock with a large thickness in the lithosphere in the Panxi axial region, which indicates that fracture activity once occurred in the lithosphere. As a result, we can infer that the high-resistivity zone in the Panxi lithosphere is the eruption channel for Permian Emeishan basalt and the accumulation channel for basic and ultrabasic rock. The seismic sources along the profile are counted according to seismic record data. The results indicate that the most violent earthquake sources are located at the binding site of the HRB and the HCL, where the tectonic activity zone is generally acknowledged to be; however, the earthquakes occurring in the HCL are not so violent, which reflects the fact that the HCL is a plastic layer, and the fracture threshold of a plastic layer is low generally, making high stress difficult to accumulate but easy to release in the layer. As a result, a higher number of smaller earthquakes occurred in the HCL at Daliangshan tectonic zone, and violent earthquakes occurred at the binding site of high- and low-resistivity blocks at the Panxi tectonic zone.

Recent advances in high slope reinforcement in China: Case studies

This paper reviews a number of engineering technologies and workmanships for addressing the challenging issues concerning possible landslides in large-scale slope reinforcement projects in China.It includes:(1) the multi-point anchored piles with a depth of 64 m in the Jietai Temple rehabilitation project,(2) soil nailing strengthened by driven pipe grouting technique covering an area of530 m × 100 m(length × height) in the Xiluodu hydropower project,(3) the cantilever piles extending vertically from the slope toe to stabilize a 300 m high slope at the Xiaowan hydropower station,(4) a new and simple workmanship for building a pile with cross-sectional area of 20 m × 5 m in the Hongjiadu hydropower station,and(5) comprehensive reinforcement scheme proposed for excavation of a 530 m high slope in Jinping I hydropower station.These new technologies can provide valuable experiences for reinforcement of high slopes of similar projects in China and other regions and countries with similar geological conditions.

Relationship of Resistivity with Water Content and Fissures of Unsaturated Expansive Soils

The development of fissures in expansive soils has a great effect on the stability of slope. Of the three phases of soils,the gas phase and solid phase are relatively insulated,so the average resistivity of soils can be calculated from the resistivity of the liquid phase. On this basis,the two-part model of resistivity changing with the water saturation of the expansive soil can be deduced. A 2-D resistance grid model is established based on simulating the resistance of ver-tically developed fissures. Variation in measured resistance of vertically developed fissures at different positions can be calculated from this model. Fissure development can be inversely determined from the variation in the measured resis-tance. Finally,the model is verified by an indoor resistivity test for remolded soil samples,indicating that the test result agrees well with that of the model established.

Adaptive base-isolation of civil structures using variable amplification

Semi-active dampers are used in base-isolation to reduce the seismic response of civil engineering structures. In the present study, a new semi-active damping system using variable amplification will be investigated for adaptive baseisolation. It uses a novel variable amplification device （VAD） connected in series with a passive damper. The VAD is capable of producing multiple amplification factors, each corresponding to a different amplification state. Forces from the damper are amplified to the structure according to the current amplification state, which is selected via a semi-active control algorithm specifically tailored to the system＇s tmique damping characteristics. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the VAD-damper system for adaptive base-isolation, numerical simulations are conducted for three and seven-story base-isolated buildings subject to both far and near-field ground motions. The results indicate that the system can achieve significant reductions in response compared to the base-isolated buildings with no damper. The proposed system is also found to perform well compared to a typical semi-active damper.

Oil–water pre-separation with a novel axial hydrocyclone

A novel hydrocyclone with guide vanes, named as axial hydrocyclone(AHC), is designed to tackle the problem of oil–water separation faced by most mature oilfields. Optimal design of the AHC is carried out by using numerical methods. The effects of guide vanes, cone angle, tapered angle and overflow pipe on the oil–water separation are discussed in this paper. The results show that a double swirling flow is generated in the tapered section where oil–water separation occurs. Both the cylindrical and the tapered section have important influences on AHC performance. On the basis of single factor results, response surface methodology is employed to optimize the AHC design. The experimental results indicate that the novel AHC has an excellent performance for the oil–water separation.

Viability of high-density resistivity method for evaluating mountain slope stability in Erdaojiang District,Tonghua City,China

The authors employ the high-density resistivity method to image the subsurface structure of a mountain in Erdaojiang District,Tonghua City,Jilin Province,China,to evaluate the potential risk of slope failure on surrounding residential areas and infrastructure,and identify a shallow fault that extends across the center of the mountain and is perpendicular to the mountain slope and accurately locate the spatial position and depth of another fault on the southern side of the mountain.The results provide an important basis for evaluating mountain slope stability.This study also demonstrates that the high-density resistivity method is effective for detecting mountain faults.

Application of high-density resistivity method to evaluate safety around Minyan Tunnel,Helong City

By determining the distribution and extent of geological structures surrounding the Mingyan Tunnel,Xicheng Town,Helong City,Jilin Province,we can evaluate the stability of the rock mass and assess potential hazards during tunnel construction.We use the high-density resistivity method to analyze the subsurface structure of the study area.Conductive anomalies are likely to represent joint and fissure systems within strongly weathered host rocks,and the bedrock surrounding the tunnel is relatively stable and does not contain well-developed faults.High-density resistivity analysis can provide valuable information in the context of tunnel engineering and safety.

Impact of high dose Kr^+ ion irradiation on the corrosion behavior and microstructure of Zircaloy-4

In order to investigate the ion irradiation effect on the corrosion behavior and microstructure of Zircaloy-4, the Zircaloy-4 film were prepared by electron beam deposition on the Zircaloy-4 specimen surface and irradiated by Kr ions using an accelerator at an energy of 300 keV with the dose from 1×1015 to 3×1016ions/cm2. The post-irradiation corrosion tests were conducted to rank the corrosion resistance of the resulting specimens by potentiodynamic polarization curve measurements in a 0.5 mol/L H2SO4 water so- lution at room temperature. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed to examine the microstructural change in the surface. The potentiodynamic tests show that with the irradiation dose increasing, the passive current density, closely related to the surface corrosion resistance, decreases firstly and increases subsequently. The mechanism of the corrosion behavior transformation is due to the amorphous phase formation firstly and the amorphous phase destruction and the polycrystalline structure formation in the irradiated surface subsequently.

Application of high-density resistivity method in archaeological investigation of Sumicheng ancient city site

The authors employ the high-density resistivity method during an archaeological investigation of Sumicheng site,an ancient city of the Tang Dynasty,to find evidence of human activities and locate a favorable target for archaeological excavation in the southern part of the outer city.There are two obvious high-resistivity structures,the south wall of the inner city and an ancient building near the south gate along the outer city wall,of which the resistivities are indicative of rammed soil foundations.The south wall of the inner city is continuous but is cut off abruptly to the east,which we suggest it is due to either wall damage or destruction.The resistivity signature of the target area is verified by archaeological excavation,proving the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing the high-density resistivity method for archaeological exploration.

Magnetotelluric imaging and tectonic movement characteristics of the central Yunnan sub-block and its adjacent areas

The central Yunnan sub-block is an important channel for southeast migration of materials in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau,and therefore a key area to study tectonic movement and deformation.In this study,a three-dimensional electrical structure of the crust and upper mantle lithosphere was derived from magnetotelluric data inversion along a survey line across the central Yunnan sub-block.Results suggest that the middle and upper crust of the central Yunnan sub-block is comprised of several independent high-resistivity bodies.Deep extension of some faults was revealed according to electrical structure and relocated microseismicity.The Chenghai fault extends downward along the eastern boundary of a high-resistivity body.The Yuanmou fault dips to the west and extends to the depth along the boundary between two high-resistivity bodies.The Tanglang-Yimen fault cuts through a high-resistivity body in the middle and upper crust.There is an obvious high-conductivity C1 layer in the lower crust in the eastern part of the central Yunnan sub-block,and its western border displays an obvious structural boundary in the shallow part.The eastern part of the central Yunnan sub-block moves eastward relative to the western part(bounded by the west side of a high-resistivity body R3 in the C1 west).C1 is speculated to be characterized by low rheological strength and viscosity,thus reducing the resistance to eastward movement of the eastern part.Owing to the combined action of C1 and its western boundary,the eastern materials slip eastward faster relative to R3.Due to South China Block resistance,the middle and upper crust in the eastern part is within a compressional tectonic environment,consistent with the negative dilatation rate and the presence of compressive faults in this region.The C1 ground surface has a low strain rate,indicating weak deformation in this region and rigid motion dominance.Our results suggest that under the decoupling effect of the high-conductivity layer in the lower crust,the independent rigid blocks in the middle and upper crust can also exhibit tectonic deformation characteristics of rigid extrusion.

Anti-clogging ability of the labyrinth emitter and its evaluation method

Emitter clogging is one of the most serious factors that restrict the drip irrigation system operation and water use efficiency.To scientifically characterize and evaluate emitter clogging risk,a literature review,short-period emitter anti-clogging tests,and CFD(Computational Fluid Dynamics)hydraulic performance tests were conducted.Results showed that the emitter anti-clogging ability is related to its structure,material,and processing technology,not external factors.This was evidenced in the irrigation tests,as with the different water qualities,the same emitters were repeatedly prone to clog or to avoid clogging.A predictive model of structural resistance coefficient(Cs),a quantitative indicator of the emitter anti-clogging ability,whose value ranges between 0 and 1,was utilized.Larger Cs values indicate a lower anti-clogging ability and thus a higher risk of clogging.A good linear relationship between Cs and the relative flow rate was detected,and the Cs relationship with the fluidity index(x)was determined to be a power function.The Cs should be controlled within the range of 0.146-0.461 when designing new emitters to ensure that they have good anti-clogging properties.This research will provide theoretical guidance for the anti-clogging management of drip irrigation systems and for the design of optimal emitter structures.

Study of isolation of fluoroquinolone-resistant Ureaplasma urealyticum and identification of mutant sites

To study the resistance mechanism of clinical isolates of Ureaplasma urealyticum resistant to fluoroquinolones Methods Thirteen isolates of Ureaplasma urealyticum resistant to six fluoroquinolones were selected out of 184 clinical isolates and their QRDRs (quinolone resistance determining region) gyrA, gyrB, parC and parE were amplified by PCR Sequencing results were compared to those susceptible reference strains and a comparison of deduced amino acid sequences were performed Results Sequence comparison revealed a C to A change at 87nt of gyrA QRDR leading to the substitution of Asp95 with glutamic acid and a C to T change at 50nt of parC QRDR leading to the substitution of Ser80 with leucine Conclusion These results suggest that a C to A change at 87nt of gyrA QRDR and a C to T change at 50nt of parC QRDR are associated with fluoroquinolone resistance of Ureaplasma urealyticum

Geophysical Exploration for Geothermal Resources:An Application of MT and CSAMT in Jiangxia,Wuhan,China

We present a case study of applying MT （magnetotellurics） and CSAMT （controlled source audio-frequency magnetotelluries） for geophysical exploration in Jiangxia （江夏）, which is located in new industrial developing suburb, where artificial noises are severe. In order to know deep buried structure, fracture status, and characteristics of underground geothermal development about 2 km, we acquired MT and CSAMT data to image subsurface structure through inversion and joint interpretation. The electrical terms of the 2D MT inversion can be divided into three ranges of resistivity values： （1） a highly resistive （〉350 ~.m） layer mainly characteristic of limestone, dolomitic limestone, leuttrite, silicarenite, and packsand; （2） an intermediate resistivity （250-350 Ω·m） layer mainly constituted by siliceous shale, siltstone, battie, and ampelitic limestone; and （3） a low resistivity （20-250 Ω·m） layer, from surface to-100 m, which is related to lacustrine alluvium of Quaternary period; the deep low resistivity layer is interpreted to be representative of the geothermal field. The result of the 2D CSAMT inversion reveals two layers of different electrical resistivities： （1） the first resistive layer （20-250 Ω·m）, which is related to lacustrine alluvium of Quaternary period and the heat source, and （2） the second resistive layer （250-3 000Ω·m）. The heat source appears to be bounded within the middle of exploration area and shows the N-S trend. Its depth ranges from more than 1.2 to less than 0.7 km, and its resistivity values range from 20 to 250 Ω·m in the northeast part of Jiangxia. Comparing the results of MT and CSAMT method, the positive anomalies are similar and can be assumed to be generated by the same source.

Corrosion Behavior of S450EW Low-alloy Weathering Steel in Cyclically Alternate Corrosion Environments

Weathering steel is widely used in various fields due to its excellent mechanical properties and high corrosion resistance. The effect of chromium content on the S450 EW weathering steel in cyclic immersion test was studied. The results indicated that the corrosion resistance of S450 EW weathering steel is closely related to chromium content. The addition of chromium significantly inhibited the weathering steel corrosion. The corrosion rate of experimental steel after 96 h immersion was 1.101 g·m-2·h-1. The rust of S450 EW weathering steel was mainly constituted of Fe OOH and Fe3O4 phase, and the elevation of chromium content promoted the formation of α-Fe OOH. The fine precipitates of the two phases contributed to the formation of dense dust layer of test steel. Furthermore, the increase of chromium is beneficial for the cure of original defects and cracks of the rust layer via the enrichment of chromium. The corrosion potential and the resistance of corrosion process were thus increased, protecting the experimental steel from further corrosion. A S450 EW steel with corrosion resistance more than 1.5 times of Q450NQR1 steel was prepared.