Evaluation of Material-based Development of China Using GIS Methods

Regional development is a course of accumulation based on many factors, which is directly related to resources utilization and conversion. And material wealth production and accumulation embody the outcome of regional development. Thus, focusing on material wealth, regional development can be evaluated from resources and perspective of resources conversion. Taking the infrastructural level, transportation accessibility and economic development level into full account, the concept of "material-based development" was presented and the material-based development index (MDI) model was established. By using the MDI model, geographic information system technology and mathematic methods, this article then calculated MDI of each county and province of China in 2005 and systematically evaluated the material-based development of China at county and provincial scales, so as to bring some scientific references and policy-making supports to the population development function oriented zoning and population spatial distribution planning of China. The result showed that: (1) At county scale, the material-based development of counties within China in 2005 was significantly different, in which there were 1876 counties belonging to the mid-level material-based development and accounted for 78.10% of the total. The numbers of high-level and low-level counties were 144 and 382 and accounted for 6.00% and 15.90% respectively, demonstrating a spindle shape in general. The spatial distribution of material-based development was unbalanced, and it was much better in southeastern part of the line of "Daxinganling–Yinshan-Liupanshan–southeast edge of Qinghai–Tibet Plateau" than that of northwestern. Furthermore, there were also differences of the sub-index between different material-based development levels. Therefore, for different regions, key issues and measures adaptable to local condition should be prioritized and taken in order to realize regional balance development. (2) At provincial scale, there was also significant difference between each province and the spatial distribution of it was "high in the east, low in the west" in general. It meant that the capacity of natural resources attraction and conversion of east China was better than that of west China. The infrastructure level was the main factor ac- counting for the differences of material-based development levelsamong provinces. As a result, our government should make great efforts to improve infrastructure condition, especially the western part of China, so as to narrow the gap between the western part and the eastern part to realize the coordinated development within different regions and rapidly socio-economic development of China.

Recapturing meaning: Toward a new material-based design theory for architecture

Architects and students of architecture today are less physically engaged with modeling and drawing representations of proposed things and increasingly rely on digital means and methods that are transforming their embodied interactions with actual materials. The result is that meaning, which makes architecture so central to our cultures, is being diminished. It is being replaced by a misplaced belief that "better" buildings and architecture result from increased use of digital tools. To recapture meaning will require a new design theory for architecture that builds on material engagement theory and the critical role of resistance and sensuous reasoning in the design process, which material has historically provided.

Paraffin–CaCl_(2)·6H_(2)O dosage effects on the strength and heat transfer characteristics of cemented tailings backfill

The challenge of high temperatures in deep mining remains harmful to the health of workers and their production efficiency The addition of phase change materials (PCMs) to filling slurry and the use of the cold storage function of these materials to reduce downhole temperatures is an effective approach to alleviate the aforementioned problem.Paraffin–CaCl_(2)·6H_(2)O composite PCM was prepared in the laboratory.The composition,phase change latent heat,thermal conductivity,and cemented tailing backfill (CTB) compressive strength of the new material were studied.The heat transfer characteristics and endothermic effect of the PCM were simulated using Fluent software.The results showed the following:(1) The new paraffin–CaCl_(2)·6H_(2)O composite PCM improved the thermal conductivity of native paraffin while avoiding the water solubility of CaCl_(2)·6H_(2)O.(2) The calculation formula of the thermal conductivity of CaCl_(2)·6H_(2)O combined with paraffin was deduced,and the reasons were explained in principle.(3) The“enthalpy–mass scale model”was applied to calculate the phase change latent heat of nonreactive composite PCMs.(4)The addition of the paraffin–CaCl_(2)·6H_(2)O composite PCM reduced the CTB strength but increased its heat absorption capacity.This research can give a theoretical foundation for the use of heat storage backfill in green mines.

Nanoparticles:Untying the Gordian Knot in Conventional Computed Tomography Imaging

X-ray computed tomography(CT)imaging plays an essential role in disease diagnosis due to its noninvasive,painless mode and superior penetration depth.However,the resolution of the soft tissue and minor lesions remains limited.And the disadvantages of conventional contrast agents,such as their inefficient targeting capability,poor biocompatibility,and short circulation times,are considered intractable in clinical use.To overcome these“Gordian knots,”nanoparticles(NPs)for CT imaging have been developed.The advantages of NPs are their exceptionally high sensitivity to X-ray,better imaging performance in vivos and even therapeutic effects.In particular,based on various designs,NP contrast agents composed of different materials integrate multiple imaging modalities,make up for the inadequacy of a single imaging type,and thus provide more accurate information for diagnosis.This review focuses on NPs for X-ray CT imaging and their multifunctional designs.Some perspectives of crucial problems and prospective challenges are also discussed.