Modeling of equiaxed and columnar dendritic growth of magnesium alloy

Based on the cellular automaton （CA） method, a numerical model was developed to simulate the dendritic growth of magnesium alloy with HCP crystal structure. The growth kinetics was calculated from the complete solution of the transport equations. By defining a special neighborhood configuration with the square CA cell, and using a set of capturing rules which were proposed by BELTRAN-SANCHEZ and STEFANESCU for the dendritic growth of cubic crystal metals during solidification, modeling of dendritic growth of magnesium alloy with different growth orientations was achieved. Simulation of equiaxed dendritic growth and columnar dendritic growth under directional solidification was carried out, and validation was performed by comparing the simulated results with the experimental results and those in the previously published works.

Microstructure and crystal growth direction of Al-Cu alloy

The microstructures and crystal growth directions of permanent mould casting（PMC） and directionally solidified（DS） Al-Cu alloys with different contents of Cu were investigated. Simultaneously, the effects of pouring temperature on the microstructure and crystal growth direction of permanent mould casting pure Al were also discussed. The results indicate that the α（Al） crystals in the pure Al do not always keep common columnar grains, but change from the columnar grains to columnar dendrites with developed arms as the pouring temperature rises. The growth direction also varies with the change of pouring temperature. Cu element has similar effects on the microstructures of the PMC and DS casting Al-Cu alloys and the α（Al） crystals gradually change from columnar crystals in turn to columnar dendrites and developed equiaxed dendrites as the Cu content increases. The crystal growth direction in the PMC alloys gradually approaches （110） orientation with increasing Cu content. But the resulting crystals with growth direction of （110） do not belong to feathery grains. There are also no feathery grains to form in all of the DS Al-Cu alloys.

Optimization of Cultivation Medium for Container Seedling Raising of Camellia oleifera

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the optimal component of culti- vation medium for container seedling raising of Camellia oleifera. [Method] In the application of container nursery technology of Camellia oleifera grafting in emergent stocks, yellow clay soil, surface soil of pine forest, decomposed edible fungus, peat soil, dung and dirt were mixed by different proportions into five formulae as nursery substrates, with garden soil as the control, in order to investigate the influences of various substrates on the growth of annual Camellia oleifera container seedlings by using randomized block design based on variance analysis and multiple comparisons, and to screen the optimal substrate formula for container nursery of Camellia oleifera. [Result] The influences of different substrates on the transplanting survival rate, seedling height, basal diameter, height-diameter ratio and lateral root length of Camellia oleifera container seedlings were significantly different. Various growth indi- cators of Camellia oleifera container seedlings cultivated in the substrate containing 40% of yellow clay soil ＋ 15% of surface soil of pine forest ＋ 20% of decomposed edible fungus ＋ 20% of peat soil ＋ 5% of dung and dirt exceeded that of the control and other substrate formulae, which could be used as the optimal substrate formula for the container nursery of Camellia oleifera. [Conclusion] This study screened the optimal substrate formula for the container nursery of Camellia oleifera, which provided technical reference for the cultivation of Camellia oleifera container seedlings.

Growth Performance of Hybrid Progenies of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) Populations from Different Geographical Origins

[Objective] This study aimed to evaluate growth performance of hybrid progenies of 10 grass carp （Ctenopharyngodon idella） populations from different ge- ographical origins （Foshan population, Zhaoqing population, Jingzhou population 1, Jingzhou population 2, Jingzhou population 3, Ezhou population, Yiyang population, Changsha population 1, Changsha population 2 and Jiangsu population）. [Method] Fifteen hybrid combinations were established with these ten grass carp populations and cultured in the same pond. The body mass of hybrid progenies was measured at the age of 4, 7, 8, 10, 12, 15 and 18 months, respectively. Using body mass at the age of 4 months as a concomitant variable, the growth performance of proge- nies from different hybrid combinations was analyzed by covariance analysis. [Re- suit] The average body mass of hybrid progenies of Jingzhou population 2 c2 x Foshan population $ reached the maximum （1 892.90 g） at the age of 18 months, which was 3.51%-32.36% higher than that of other hybrid progenies. Multiple com- parison analysis showed that average body mass of hybrid progenies of Jingzhou population 2 2 x Foshan population ♂ and Jingzhou population 1 ♀× Foshan population ♂ was significantly higher than that of other hybrid progenies （P〈0.05）. [Conclusion] In the production process, Jingzhou population 2 ♀ × Foshan popula- tion 5 and Jingzhou population 1 ♀×Foshan population ♂ can be used to pro- duce high-quality fries, thereby greatly improving economic benefits. This study laid the foundation for establishment of rapid-growing grass carp core populations.

Growth of Cubic GaN by MOCVD at High Temperature

High quality cubic GaN (c GaN) is grown by metalorganic vapor deposition (MOCVD) at an increased growth temperature of 900℃,with the growth rate of 1 6μm/h.The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of room temperature photoluminescence (PL) for the high temperature grown GaN film is 48meV.It is smaller than that of the sample grown at 830℃.In X ray diffraction (XRD) measurement,the high temperature grown GaN shows a (002) peak at 20° with a FWHM of 21′.It can be concluded that,although c GaN is of metastable phase,high growth temperature is still beneficial to the improvement in its crystal quality.The relationship between the growth rate and growth temperature is also discussed.

Method of Growth in Finding the Test Cube of Industrial Robots

In order to find the test cube for industrial robots as specified by ISO 9283, a seed cube is grown up in an irregular working space of the robot, provided that the corners of the cube do not exceed the boundary of the working space. All possible cubes are searched, and the cube with the maximum volume is selected. The calculation examples show that the method of growth can be used for a variety of industrial robots. The method of growth can determine the test cube and test points of irregular working space according to ISO 9283, and can avoid blindness and randomness in the selection of test points.

Effects of Mg content on primary Mg_2Si phase in hypereutectic Al-Si alloys

Hypereutectic Al-Si alloy with variant Mg contents were fabricated by casting,and the effects of Mg content on the microstructure of primary Mg2Si particles in hypereutectic Al-Si alloys were investigated.The results show that the volume fraction of primary Mg2Si particles increases linearly with raising the Mg content,but the average size of Mg2Si particles does not exhibit a corresponding change.When the Mg content is 3%,á1 0 0？ directions have the fastest growth velocity,so that Mg2Si particles are likely to form octahedron shape.When gradually increasing the Mg content,the distributions of Mg and Si atoms on the solid-liquid interface become inhomogeneous,which results in the formation of irregular octahedron structures.Finally,when the Mg content is about 10%,the morphology of primary Mg2Si particles changes from the octahedron shape into various complex structures with a large size.

Effect of 2,4-D on Microtubule Reorientation in Rice Root Tips

The reorientation of microtubules (MTS) in roots of Oryza sativa L. treated with 2,4_D was studied using confocal laser scanning microscopy. In the control (the roots were not treated with 2,4_D), different distribution patterns of MTS were observed in the different growth zones of root tips. MTS of the cortical cells were randomly aligned in the zone of cell division. They were transversely arranged in the cortical cells of the zone of cell elongation; and obliquely oriented in the root hair zone. After treatment with 2,4_D, MTS displayed distinct changes with reorientation in the cortex of the root tip coupling with the inhibition of root growth. MTS changed their orientation in the cortical cells of the zone of cell division from being randomly oriented to transversely oriented when incubated in 1 mg/L 2,4_D for 1 h. However, they were recovered and became randomly oriented when the roots were treated with 1 mg/L 2,4_D for 24 h. An array of MTS, which was different from that in the control, was observed in the cortical cells of the zone of cell elongation in the roots treated with 1 mg/L 2,4_D for 1 h. After treatment with 10 mg/L 2,4_D for 1 h, the MTS in the cortical cells of the zone of cell division became transversely reorientated, but the pattern of MTS distribution was different from that in the 1_hour treatment of 1 mg/L 2,4_D. MTS were hardly detected in the same type of cells when roots were submerged in 10 mg/L 2,4_D for 24 h. When roots were incubated in 10 mg/L 2,4_D for 1 h, the MTS of the cortical cells in the zone of cell elongation became randomly oriented, and much more randomly when the roots were treated for 24 h.

Comparative Study of Rice Morphogenesis with Different Cultivation Methods

[Objective] The aim of this study was to compare the morphological char- acteristics of rice （Oryza sativa L.） with different cultivation methods and investigate the dynamics of organ growth and development characteristics of different rice culti- vars. [Method] Based on continuous field observation and destructive sampling over a growing season, detailed organ morphological data were obtained including leaf length, node number, plant height, tiller number, leaf angle, leaf area and specific leaf weight, to compare organ morphological differences among 4 rice cultivars of Baidao （indica）, Jinnanfeng （japonica）, 9325 （japonica） and 9915 （japonica） with 3 cultivation methods of field planting in Weigang, pot planting in Weigang, and field planting in Jiangpu. [Result] Maximum leaf length of each node gradually increased at the early growth stage and decreased at the later growth stage, the relationship between maximum leaf length and node position can be described by the equations y=a,,-~ and y=ax＋b; node number, growth duration, leaf length and plant height of pot planting rice in Weigang were smaller than that of the other two field planting meth- ods; the relationship between plant height and sunshine duration, plant height and GDD （growing degree days） can be described by the equation y=ax＋b, 19.23 ℃.d of GDD （≥10 ≥-d） and 8.12 h of sunshine duration were required to increase 1 cm of plant height; plant height, tiller number, and leaf area of Baidao were higher than that of the other 3 laponica rice cultivars, but the specific leaf weight and leaf angle were smaller. [Conclusion] Comparison of morphological characteristic differ- ences among rice cultivars is an important way to select water-saving and drought- tolerant rice varieties. In this study, the experimental results can be integrated into a rice functional-architectural model to simulate rice organ growth dynamics in a three- dimensional space, thereby providing reference for selecting water-saving and drought-tolerant rice cultivars.

Growth and Mortality of Small Yellow Croaker(Larimichthys polyactis) Inhabiting Haizhou Bay of China

Length frequency data of small yellow croaker （Larimichthys polyactis） were acquired from the survey vessel in May, July, September and December, 2011 in Haizhou Bay of China. In this study, 921 fish individuals were analyzed for the estimation of growth and mortality parameters. Between length and weight, the power coefficient b was 2.7321, 2.9703, 3.0418 and 2.7252 for the 4 surveying months, respectively. The estimated von Bertalanffy growth function parameters were 230mm （L∞） and 0.26yr-1 （K） as were calculated with ELEFAN method equipped in FiSAT computer package. With length-converted catch curve analysis, the total mortality rate （Z） and its 95% confidence interval were 2.16 （1.69-2.64） yr-1, 0.59 （0.15-1.04） yr-1, 1.16 （0.80-1.52） yrl and 0.96 （0.70-1.23） yr1 for the 4 surveying months, respectively, with the pooled data the value was 1.15 （0.81-1.48） yr1. The natural mor- tality rate （M） was 0.516 yr 1 as was calculated with Pauly＇s equation （the annual average sea water temperature was 11 ℃）. Therefore, fish mortality rate was 0.634 yrz. The yield-per-recruit analysis indicated that when tc was 1, Fmax, was 0.7 and F01 was 0.55. Cur- rently, the age at first capture is about 1 year and Fcurrent was 0.634. Therefore, Fcurrent was larger than F0.1 and less than Fmax. This indicates that current fish mortality is at a dangerously high level. With Gulland method, the biological reference point for fishery （Fopt） was estimated as 0.516 yr1, lower than current fish mortality. Accordingly, reducing catch in the region was strongly recom- mended.

Formation of twinned dendrites during unidirectional solidification of Al-32%Zn alloy

The present study focused on the formation and crystallographic orientation of twinned dendrites coexisting with equiaxed grains in unidirectional solidification of Al-32%Zn(mass fraction)alloy.The morphology was investigated by optical metallograph and electron back-scattered diffraction technique.Results showed that the macrostructure of the alloy exhibited a typical feathery and fan-like structure while the microstructures were elongated lamellas,which were separated by coherent and incoherent twin boundaries.Both the primary trunk and all lateral arms of twinned dendrites grew along〈110〉directions,unlike regular〈100〉α(Al)dendrites.The facet growth of crystals at solid/liquid interface was responsible for the origin of twinned dendrites during the weak local convection,and high thermal gradient and medium solidification velocity had significant contribution to the formation of twinned dendrites.The formation mechanism of twinned dendrites which consisted of three multiplication ways of new twin boundaries formation and one way of dendrite evolution in twin plane was shown schematically.

Activins and activin antagonists in hepatocellular carcinoma

In many parts of the world hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)is among the leading causes of cancer-related mortality but the underlying molecular pathology is still insufficiently understood.There is increasing evidence that activins,which are members of the transforming growth factorβ(TGFβ)superfamily of growth and differentiation factors,could play important roles in liver carcinogenesis.Activins are disulphide-linked homo- or heterodimers formed from four differentβsubunits termedβA,βB,βC,andβE,respectively.Activin A, the dimer of twoβA subunits,is critically involved in the regulation of cell growth,apoptosis,and tissue architecture in the liver,while the hepatic function of other activins is largely unexplored so far.Negative regulators of activin signals include antagonists in the extracellular space like the binding proteins follistatin and FLRG,and at the cell membrane antagonistic coreceptors like Cripto or BAMBI.Additionally,in the intracellular space inhibitory Smads can modulate and control activin activity.Accumulating data suggest that deregulation of activin signals contributes to pathologic conditions such as chronic inflammation,fibrosis and development of cancer.The current article reviews the alterations in components of the activin signaling pathway that have been observed in HCC and discusses their potential significance for liver tumorigenesis.

Study on pig growth hormone gene polymorphisms in western meat-type breeds and Chinese local breeds

Chinese Meishan and Jiangquhai pigs are two of the most prolific pigs in the world, but their growth rate is lower than that of Duroc, Landrace and Pietrain pigs. It is suggested that growth rate is regulated by growth hormone. The objective of the current study was to analyze the porcine growth hormone (p GH ) gene polymorphisms based on the polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism method (PCR RFLP) for three western meat type breeds (Duroc, Landrace and Pietrain) and two local Chinese pigs (Meishan and Jiangquhai). Five polymorphic restriction sites were detected with the Apa I, Msp I, Bsp I and Hha I restriction enzymes in two amplified fragments (605 bp, -119 to +486; 506 bp, +206 to +711). Breed difference was found only in the 506 bp fragment. There was no difference in allelic frequencies of Bsp I and Hha I restriction sites among the five breeds ( P >0.05). Landrace and Meishan pigs lacked allele G 3 of Msp I site. The allele G 3 frequency of restriction Msp I site of the 506 bp fragment in Pietrain pigs was higher than that in Duroc and Jianquhai pigs ( P <0.001). For Apa I site, the Meishan pigs lacked allele G1 ; no difference was found in allelic frequencies among Pietrain, Duroc, Landrace and Jiangquhai pigs ( P > 0.05 ). This new and rapid PCR RFLP typing method is an attractive tool for analysis of porcine growth hormone gene restriction sites. The differences in Msp I and Apa I restriction sites may explain the growth difference between the foreign meat type breeds above mentioned and local Chinese pigs.

Effects of nitrogen specification and culture method on growth of Enteromorpha prolifera

Eutrophication, which is the enrichment of a water mass with inorganic and organic nutrients that support plant growth, is a key factor in stimulating phytoplankton growth. In this study, we determined the effects of various nitrogen sources, different nitrogen concentrations in the culture medium, and two culture methods on the growth of the green alga, Enteromorpha prolifera. The relationship between the specific growth rate of E. prolifera and NO3-N concentration was consistent with that estimated using the Monod equation （R2=0.9713, P〈0.01）. In the N O3-N medium, the maximum specific growth rate was calculated to be 0.1634/d and the semi-saturation constant was calculated to be 16.86 μmol/L. Our results show that E. prolijkra can effectively utilize NH4^＋-N, NO3^-N, and NO^2-N and urea-N in the range of 5 to 50 μmol/L. NH4^＋-N was preferentially assimilated by E. prolifera, and urea-N was favorable for long-term growth.

Age, Growth and Distribution of the Antarctic Fish Chaenocephalus Aceratus Based on Otoliths

The Chaenocephalus aceratus were sampled in summers between 1979 and 1990. Their otoliths show pattern of daily microincrements as otoliths of similar species--Pseudochaenichthys georgianus and fishes both temperate and tropical waters. Changes of the microincrements growth pattern and otolith shape are described in relation to larval, hatching and metamorphosis stages have similar patterns for Ps. georgianus and Charnpsocephalus gunnari, reflecting similar habitats in their early life. Width of larvae-postlarvae daily increments are： （1.0-1.6）×10-3 SSI, （1.8-2.8）×10-3 SG1 and （1.5-2.4）×10-3 ANI. They were search and chosen automatically from density profiles of otolith tissues. Tissues were prepared by new saving time and materials way--one time up to 40 ones per microscopic glass. Age of fish estimated from microincrements was alike to that inferred from the body length distribution, otoliths mass （age （years） = 140.82 OM （g） ＋ 0.8546） and otolith shape changes--large in length and surface on medial plane. Those parameters create age groups of close neighbours. They have different environments. C. aceratus due to its adaptation to cold water, attain rapidly large body according to a growth equation： Lt= 75.1 ×10-3 （1-e-0.26（t-0.51）. Among large fishes there were only females.

Analysis of both chitinase and chitosanase produced by Sphingomonas sp.CJ-5

A novel chitinolytic and chitosanolytic bacterium, Sphingomonas sp. CJ-5, has been isolated and characterized. It secretes both chitinase and chitosanase into surrounding medium in response to chitin or chitosan induction. To characterize the enzymes, both chitinase and chitosanase were purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, Sephadex G-200 gel filtration and DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow. SDS-PAGE analysis demonstrated molecular masses of chitinase and chitosanase were 230 kDa and 45 kDa respectively. The optimum hydrolysis conditions for chitinase were about pH 7.0 and 36 ℃, and these for chitosanase were pH 6.5 and 56 ℃, respectively. Both enzymes were quite stable up to 45 ℃ for one hour at pH 5-8. These results show that CJ-5 may have potential for industrial application particularly in recycling of chitin wastes.

Simulation of facet dendrite growth with strong interfacial energy anisotropy by phase field method

Numerical simulations based on a new regularized phase-field model were presented, to simulate the solidification of hexagonal close-packed materials with strong interfacial energy anisotropies. Results show that the crystal grows into facet dendrites,displaying six-fold symmetry. The size of initial crystals has an effect on the branching-off of the principal branch tip along the<100> direction, which is eliminated by setting the b/a(a and b are the semi-major and semi-minor sizes in the initial elliptical crystals, respectively) value to be less than or equal to 1. With an increase in the undercooling value, the equilibrium morphology of the crystal changes from a star-like shape to facet dendrites without side branches. The steady-state tip velocity increases exponentially when the dimensionless undercooling is below the critical value. With a further increase in the undercooling value, the equilibrium morphology of the crystal grows into a developed side-branch structure, and the steady-state tip velocity of the facet dendrites increases linearly. The facet dendrite growth has controlled diffusion and kinetics.

Morphological evolution and growth kinetics of Kirkendall voids in binary alloy system during deformation process-Phase field crystal simulation study

The formation and growth of Kirkendall voids in a binary alloy system during deformation process were investigated byphase field crystal model.The simulation results show that Kirkendall voids nucleate preferentially at the interface,and the averagesize of the voids increases with both the time and strain rate.There is an obvious coalescence of the voids at a large strain rate whenthe deformation is applied along the interface under both constant and cyclic strain rate conditions.For the cyclic strain rate appliedalong the interface,the growth exponent of Kirkendall voids increases with increasing the strain rate when the strain rate is largerthan1.0×10-6,while it increases initially and then decreases when the strain rate is smaller than9.0×10?7.The growth exponent ofKirkendall voids increases initially and then decreases gradually with increasing the length of cyclic period under a square-waveform constant strain rate.

Grain growth in AZ31 alloy after uniaxial compression

The grain growth morphology,kinetics and texture change after uniaxial compression at 430 ℃ of an extruded AZ31 alloy were studied.The samples were loaded following two routes insuring two initial textures of the samples with compression direction parallel and normal to the extrusion direction.For both initial textures,a stable grain size is attained upon isothermal annealing and the grain growth kinetics can be described by:dn= dRn+kt with an n value of around 15.The annealing texture with grown grains is a retained hot deformation texture without emerging or strengthening other components.Abnormal grain growth is not observed for annealing time up to 10 000 h at 450℃.

STAT3 as a target for inducing apoptosis in solid and hematological tumors

Studies in the past few years have provided compelling evidence for the critical role of aberrant Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 （STAT3） in malignant transformation and tumorigenesis. Thus, it is now generally accepted that STAT3 is one of the critical players in human cancer formation and represents a valid target for novel anticancer drug design. This review focuses on aberrant STAT3 and its role in promoting tumor cell survival and sup- porting the malignant phenotype. A brief evaluation of the current strategies targeting STAT3 for the development of novel anticancer agents against human tumors harboring constitutively active STAT3 will also be presented.