AHermitian C^(2) Differential Reproducing Kernel Interpolation Meshless Method for the 3D Microstructure-Dependent Static Flexural Analysis of Simply Supported and Functionally Graded Microplates

This work develops a Hermitian C^(2) differential reproducing kernel interpolation meshless(DRKIM)method within the consistent couple stress theory(CCST)framework to study the three-dimensional(3D)microstructuredependent static flexural behavior of a functionally graded(FG)microplate subjected to mechanical loads and placed under full simple supports.In the formulation,we select the transverse stress and displacement components and their first-and second-order derivatives as primary variables.Then,we set up the differential reproducing conditions(DRCs)to obtain the shape functions of the Hermitian C^(2) differential reproducing kernel(DRK)interpolant’s derivatives without using direct differentiation.The interpolant’s shape function is combined with a primitive function that possesses Kronecker delta properties and an enrichment function that constituents DRCs.As a result,the primary variables and their first-and second-order derivatives satisfy the nodal interpolation properties.Subsequently,incorporating ourHermitianC^(2)DRKinterpolant intothe strong formof the3DCCST,we develop a DRKIM method to analyze the FG microplate’s 3D microstructure-dependent static flexural behavior.The Hermitian C^(2) DRKIM method is confirmed to be accurate and fast in its convergence rate by comparing the solutions it produces with the relevant 3D solutions available in the literature.Finally,the impact of essential factors on the transverse stresses,in-plane stresses,displacements,and couple stresses that are induced in the loaded microplate is examined.These factors include the length-to-thickness ratio,the material length-scale parameter,and the inhomogeneity index,which appear to be significant.

Temperature-dependent photoluminescence of lead-free cesium tin halide perovskite microplates

Tin halide perovskites recently have attracted extensive research attention due to their similar electronic and band structures but non-toxicity compared with their lead analogues. In this work, we prepare high-quality CsSnX_(3)(X=Br,I) microplates with lateral sizes of around 1–4 μm by chemical vapor deposition and investigate their low-temperature photoluminescence(PL) properties. A remarkable splitting of PL peaks of the CsSnBr_(3)microplate is observed at low temperatures. Besides the possible structural phase transition at below 70 K, the multi-peak fittings using Gauss functions and the power-dependent saturation phenomenon suggest that the PL could also be influenced by the conversion from the emission of bound excitons into free excitons. With the increase of temperature, the peak position shows a blueshift tendency for CsSnI_(3), which is governed by thermal expansion. However, the peak position of the CsSnBr3microplate exhibits a transition from redshift to blueshift at ~160 K. The full width at half maximum of CsSnX_(3)broadens with increasing temperature, and the fitting results imply that longitudinal optical phonons dominate the electron–phonon coupling and the coupling strength is much more robust in CsSnBr3than in CsSnI_(3). The PL intensity of CsSnX_(3)microplates is suppressed due to the enhanced non-radiative relaxation and exciton dissociation competing with radiative recombination. According to the Arrhenius law, the exciton binding energy of CsSnBr_(3)is ~38.4 meV, slightly smaller than that of CsSnI_(3).

Bending and Buckling of Circular Sinusoidal Shear Deformation Microplates with Modified Couple Stress Theory

The modified couple stress theory(MCST)is applied to analyze axisymmetric bending and buckling behaviors of circular microplates with sinusoidal shear deformation theory.The differential governing equations and boundary conditions are derived through the principle of minimum total potential energy,and expressed in nominal form with the introduced nominal variables.With the application of generalized differential quadrature method(GDQM),both the differential governing equations and boundary conditions are expressed in discrete form,and a set of linear equations are obtained.The bending deflection can be obtained through solving the linear equations,while buckling loads can be determined through solving general eigenvalue problems.The influence of material length scale parameter and plate geometrical dimensions on the bending deflection and buckling loads of circular microplates is investigated numerically for different boundary conditions.

Well-posedness of two-phase local/nonlocal integral polar models for consistent axisymmetric bending of circular microplates

Previous studies have shown that Eringen’s differential nonlocal model would lead to the ill-posed mathematical formulation for axisymmetric bending of circular microplates.Based on the nonlocal integral models along the radial and circumferential directions,we propose nonlocal integral polar models in this work.The proposed strainand stress-driven two-phase nonlocal integral polar models are applied to model the axisymmetric bending of circular microplates.The governing differential equations and boundary conditions(BCs)as well as constitutive constraints are deduced.It is found that the purely strain-driven nonlocal integral polar model turns to a traditional nonlocal differential polar model if the constitutive constraints are neglected.Meanwhile,the purely strain-and stress-driven nonlocal integral polar models are ill-posed,because the total number of the differential orders of the governing equations is less than that of the BCs plus constitutive constraints.Several nominal variables are introduced to simplify the mathematical expression,and the general differential quadrature method(GDQM)is applied to obtain the numerical solutions.The results from the current models(CMs)are compared with the data in the literature.It is clearly established that the consistent softening and toughening effects can be obtained for the strain-and stress-driven local/nonlocal integral polar models,respectively.The proposed two-phase local/nonlocal integral polar models(TPNIPMs)may provide an efficient method to design and optimize the plate-like structures for microelectro-mechanical systems.

Modal interactions in primary and subharmonic resonant dynamics of imperfect microplates with geometric nonlinearities

This paper analyses the modal interactions in the nonlinear, size-dependent dynamics of geometrically imperfect microplates. Based on the modified couple stress theory,the equations of motion for the in-plane and out-of-plane motions are obtained employing the von Kármán plate theory as well as Kirchhoff＇s hypotheses by means of the Lagrange equations. The equations of motions are solved using the pseudo-arclength continuation technique and direct timeintegration method. The system parameters are tuned to the values associated with modal interactions, and then nonlinear resonant responses and energy transfer are analysed.Nonlinear motion characteristics are shown in the form of frequency-response and force-response curves, time histories, phase-plane portraits, and fast Fourier transforms.

Crystalline all-inorganic lead-free Cs_(3)Sb_(2)I_(9) perovskite microplates with ultra-fast photoconductive response and robust thermal stability

Hybrid organolead halide perovskites have attracted tremendous attention due to their recent success as high efficiency solar cell materials and their fascinating material properties uniquely suitable for optoelectronic devices. However, the poor ambient and operational stability as well as the concern of lead toxicity greatly hamper their practical utilization. In this work, crystalline, all-inorganic and lead-free Cs_(3)Sb_(2)I_(9) perovskite microplates are successfully synthesized by a two-step chemical vapor deposition method. As compared with other typical lead-free perovskite materials, the Cs_(3)Sb_(2)I_(9) microplates demonstrate excellent optoelectronic properties, including substantial enhancements in the Stokes shift, exciton binding energy and electron-phonon coupling. Simple photoconductive devices fabricated using these microplates exhibit an ultra-fast response with the rise and decay time constants down to 96 and 58 µs, respectively. This respectable photoconductor performance can be regarded as a record among all the lead-free perovskite materials. Importantly, these photodetectors show superior thermal stability in a wide temperature range, capable to function reversibly between 80 and 380 K, indicating their robustness to operate under both low and high temperatures. All these results evidently suggest the technological potential of inorganic lead-free Cs_(3)Sb_(2)I_(9) perovskite microplates for next-generation high-performance optoelectronic devices.

Movable Au Microplates as Fluorescence Enhancing Substrates for Live Cells

Hexagonal and triangular Au microplates extending over an area of~12,000μm^(2) with thickness in the range 30-1000 nm have been synthesized using a single step thermolysis of(AuCl_(4))^(-)-tetraoctylammonium bromide complex in air.The microplates are self-supporting and can be easily manipulated using a sharp pin,a property which enables them to serve as substrates for living cells.The microplate surface is non-toxic to living cells and can enhance the fluorescence signal from fluorophores residing within the cell by an order of magnitude.In addition,the microplates are smooth and single-crystalline,and ideal as microscopy substrates and molecular electrodes.The growth of the microplates in the initial stages is interesting in that they seem to grow perpendicular to the substrate,as evidenced by in situ microscopy.

Template-free synthesis of carbon doped TiO_2 mesoporous microplates for enhanced visible light photodegradation

Titanium dioxide(Ti O_2) is widely employed as a solid photocatalyst for solar energy conversion and environmental remediation. The ability to construct porous Ti O_2 with controlled particle size and narrowed bandgap is an essential requirement for the design of highly efficient and recyclable photocatalysts. Here, we report a templatefree acetic acid induced method for the synthesis of visiblelight responsive carbon-doped Ti O_2 microplates with high crystallinity and mesoporous structure. It is shown that the electron-withdrawing bidentate carboxylate ligands derived from acetic acid can narrow the bandgap of Ti O_2(1.84 e V)substantially. Moreover, the resultant microplate photocatalysts exhibit excellent photocatalytic efficiency and solid–liquid separation performance, which will be beneficial for future industrial applications.

Single-crystal microplates of two-dimensional organic-inorganic lead halide layered perovskites for optoelectronics

Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites attract considerable attention owing to their applications in high-efficiency solar cells and light emission. Compared with three-dimensional perovskites, two-dimensional （2D） layered hybrid perovskites have a higher exciton binding energy and potentially higher light- emission efficiency. The growth of high-quality crystalline 2D perovskites with a well-defined nanoscale morphology is desirable because they can be suitable building blocks for integrated optoelectronics and （nano）photonics. Herein, we report the facile solution growth of single-crystal microplates of 2D perovskites based on a 2-phenylethylammonium （C6HsCH2CH2NHG PEA） cation, （PEA）2PbX- （X = Br, I）, with a well-defined rectangular geometry and nanoscale thickness through a dissolution-recrystallization process. The crystal structures of （PEA）2PbX4 are first confirmed using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. A solution-phase transport-growth process is developed to grow microplates with a typical size of tens of micrometers and thickness of hundreds of nanometers on another clean substrate different from the substrate coated with lead-acetate precursor film. Surface-topography analysis suggests that the formation of the 2D microplates is likely driven by the wedding-cake growth mechanism. Through halide alloying, the photoluminescence emission of （PEA）2Pb（Br, I）4 perovskites with a narrow peak bandwidth is readily tuned from violet （-410 nm） to green （-530 nm）.

Controllable Synthesis,Polar Behavior and Photoelectric Properties of BiOCl Microplates

Bismuth oxychloride(BiOCl)square microplates were prepared via a facile hydrothermal method.The X-ray diffraction patterns of the samples reveal a tetragonal BiOCl phase,and the scanning electron microscopy images show plate-like structures with large lateral size of 3~6μm and thickness in the range of 100~300 nm.The effects of surfactant,reaction temperature and duration on the morphology of BiOCl powders are systematically in-vestigated.The polar behavior of a BiOCl single-crystalline microplate is examined by using piezoresponse force microscopy evidenced over 80 pm displacement under 40 V bias voltage.In addition,the photoelectric performance of the BiOCl microplates is evaluated by using electrochemical workstation with three-electrode system,and large photocurrent densities(over 0.5μA/cm^(2))and fast photoresponse(0.7~1.1 s)are detected by applying both 365 nm monochromatic light and sunlight illumination.The surface potential changes of BiOCl microplate under different light condition,characterized by in-situ Kelvin probe force microscopy,further verify the separation ability of the photo-induced charge carriers.These findings would be beneficial for further design photocatalytic and piezocatalytic materials.

A New Species of Microplitis Foerster(Hymenoptera:Braconidae:Microgastrinae)of China

A new species of Microplitis Foerster 1862：Microplitis vitellipedis,sp.nov.（♀） is described from China,Fujian,Mt.Wuyi.The new species is similar to Microplitis changbaishana Song et Chen.but has the following differences：Microplitis vitllivipes sp.nov：T1 parallel or subparallel-sided;antennae with F12-15 loosely connected;hind coxae reddish yellow;body normal.Microplitis changbaishana Song et Chen：T1 slightly widened towards apex;antennae with F12-15 tightly connected;hind coxae yellowish beown;body stout.

Tectonic Constraints on the Transformation of Paleozoic Framework of Uplift and Depression in the Ordos Area

During the Paleozoic, the Ordos area in the western North China Plate was located at the intersecting position of microplates and controlled by their interaction. The structural framework in the Ordos area, which underwent transformations in the Ordovician, the Carboniferous and the Permian respectively, was dominated by the alternation of uplift and depression. The transformations of structural framework are utilized as the clues to investigate the microplates＇ interacting type and its response in the Ordos area. According to the regional structural evolution, the Ordos area is simplified into an isopachous, isotropic and elastic shell model, and under proposed various boundary conditions, three series of numerical simulations corresponding to the three structural transformations are carried out to determine the detailed tectonic constraints. Numerical simulations reveal that the structure of the uplift and depression, which is similar to the actual pattern, develops only under one special boundary condition in each of the three series, indicating that the structural framework responds to the unique tectonic background. The simulation results show that in the Early Paleozoic, the L-shaped paleouplift formed nearby the southwestern corner of the Ordos area because the intensity of the compressions in the southern and western boundaries resulting from the ocean-continent collisions was similar. In the Late Paleozoic, it evolved into continent-continent （or arc-continent） interaction in the southern and northern boundaries; in the preliminary stage of the interaction, since the interface between the North China Plate and the plates on the south and north was narrow, the relative acting force was little and the regional western boundary immobile, and the structural framework in the basin was characterized by the N-S trending slender-waist-shaped uplift; as the interface between the plates expanded gradually, the extrusive force in the southern and northern boundaries of the North China Plate increased, resulting in the paleogeographic divisions showing E-W trending, and, the western boundary of the basin was extruded westward due to the intense compression inducing the local NE trending of paleogeographic division in the central area. The simulation results further reflect that the symmetry of the uplift-depression pattern is restricted by that of the boundary conditions, suggesting that the Paleozoic structural transformations of the Ordos area under boundary constraints accord with the universal physical symmetrical principle.

A new method for determination of antithrombotic activity of egg white protein hydrolysate by microplate reader

A new method for the determination of antithrombotic activity of egg white protein hydrolysate （EWPH） was developed using a microplate reader. Reaction was carried out at 37℃and pH 7.2 with fibrinogen concentration 0.1%. Microplate reading was conducted at 405 nm. Inhibition rate of EWPH on thrombin activity showed linearity （R2 = 0.9971）, when the inhibition rate was in the range of 10-90%. The lower limit of detection （LLD, at 99.7% probability） and the biological limit of detection （BLD, at 99.7% probability） of the method were 10.643 and 40 mg/mL, respectively. The repeatability standard deviation （R.S.D.） was 1.08%. The standard deviation of the method was ±0.027 AT-U.

Environmental Soil Phosphorus Testing and Phosphorus Release in Taihu Lake,China

A microtiter plate assay (MPA) for soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) was applied to samples in overlying water and pore water as well as in three forms of environmental soil test phosphorus (P) types: water soluble phosphorus (WSP),diluted calcium chloride extractable phosphorus (PCaCl2), and Olsen-P in the sediments of Taihu Lake, China, where potential P release in response to pH was analyzed. MPA for rapid P analysis was shown to be promising when applied on samples of natural water and sediment extracts. Concentrations of WSP and PCaCl2 in the sediments were much lower than those of Olsen-P. Olsen-P levels in the littoral sediments along the north coast of Meiliang Bay in Taihu Lake (80to 140 mg kg-1) were much higher than those in the mouth of the bay (less than 50 mg kg-1). The risk of P release in the mouth area of Meiliang Bay was lower than that in the north littoral zone with a risk of sediment P release induced by pH increases.

HBV resistant to lamivudine: experimental and clinical studies

Objective: To identify the impact of lamivudine on HBV e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion and HBV DNA level, and the appearance of Tyr-Met-Asn-Asp (YMDD) resistants. Methods: Forty-seven hepatitis B patients were trea- ted with oral lamivudine. ALT level and HBeAg were detected in the treatment on the zero, 3rd, 6th and 9th month respectively. The levels of HBV DNA and YMDD resistants were analyzed with PCR mi- croplate hybridization-ELISA. Results: After 9 months of treatment, HBV DNA be- came negative and ALT level was normal in 74% pa- tients. Among these patients, 17% patients had HBeAg converted to negative and anti-HBe antibody positive, whereas another 15% patients showed HBeAg negative. YMDD resistants appeared in 19 % patients (9/47). One, three and five resistants were detected in the treatment on the 3rd, 6th and 9th month respectively. Conclusions: Most HBV DNA in serum became nega- tive after 9 months of treatment, and the rate of HBeAg seroconversion was 17% (HBV DNA level was lower than 100 pg/ml before treatment). YMDD resistants appeared in 19% patients.

Determination of Total Flavonoids in Leaves of Paliurus ramosissimus and Orthogonal Experiment Optimization Process

[Objectives] To screen the optimal extraction conditions of flavonoids from leaves of Paliurus ramosissimus( Lour.) Poir.,measure the content of flavonoids in leaves of P. ramosissimus. using the Microplate Reader,and provide experimental basis for the development of medicinal resources of P. ramosissimus. [Methods] The ultrasonic extraction method was adopted and orthogonal design was carried out to study the effects of ethanol concentration( A),ultrasonic time( B),the solid-to-liquid ratio( C) on the extraction of flavonoids from leaves of P. ramosissimus. The Microplate Reader was used to measure the content of flavonoids in leaves of P. ramosissimus. in different extraction conditions,P. ramosissimus. and the optimal extraction conditions were used to measure the content of flavonoids from leaves of P. ramosissimus.[Results]Effects of the ultrasonic extraction method on the extraction rate of flavonoids from leaves of P. ramosissimus: extraction times >ethanol concentration > Ultrasound time > solid-liquid ratio. The screened optimal extraction process was: ethanol concentration of 65%,the solid-to-liquid ratio of 1∶ 25,ultrasonic time of 2 h and extraction times Under this condition,the extraction rate of total flavonoids in leaves of P. ramosissimus. was 2. 56%. [Conclusions] This method is simple and feasibility,reliable,and suitable for rapid measurement with large samples.

Decomposition of different crop straws and variation in straw-associated microbial communities in a peach orchard,China

Crop residue is a major source of soil organic matter;therefore,application of crop straw to soil contributes to the sustainable development of organic agriculture.To better understand the transformation of crop straw in orchard soils,we investigated the relationship between the characteristics of straw decomposition and functional diversity of associated microbial communities in a long-term peach orchard,China.Mesh bags,each containing 30 g of corn or bean straw,were buried at a soil depth of 20 cm in a 12-year-old peach orchard for 360 d(October 2011–October 2012).Three treatments were applied,i.e.,fresh corn straw,fresh corn straw with nitrogen fertilizer(urea,10.34 g/kg),and fresh bean straw.Changes in straw residual rate,straw water content and soil conditions were monitored after treatment.The functional diversity of straw-associated microbial communities was analyzed by the Biolog-Eco microplate assay.During the decomposition process,straw residual rates did not vary considerably from 10 d(30.4%–45.4%)to 360 d(19.0%–30.3%).Irrespective of nitrogen addition,corn straw decomposed faster than bean straw.Corn straw with nitrogen fertilizer yielded the highest average well color development(AWCD)values(1.11–1.67),followed by corn straw(1.14–1.68)and bean straw(1.18–1.62).Although the AWCD values did not differ significantly among the three treatments,substantial differences occurred across various time periods of the decomposition process(P<0.01).In terms of carbon source utilization,the dominant microbial groups fed mainly on saccharides.Hard-to-decompose substances gradually accumulated in the middle and late stages of straw decomposition.Of the six categories of carbon sources tested,the utilization rate of aromatics was the lowest with corn straw,whereas that of polymers was the lowest with bean straw.Among different treatments,straw residual rate was negatively correlated to soil available phosphorous,soil available potassium and soil temperature(P<0.05),but not to soil water content.In some cases(corn straw with or without nitrogen fertilizer),straw residual rate was negatively correlated to straw water content,amino acid utilization and carboxylic acid utilization,and positively correlated with microbial species richness and evenness(P<0.05).Microbial community associated with corn and bean straw decomposition in soil was respectively dominated by aromatic-and polymer-metabolizing groups during the middle and late stages of this process,which could reduce the stability of microbial community structure and decrease the rate of straw decomposition in the fruit tree orchard.

A data processing method for MAPR hydrothermal plume turbidity data and its application in the Precious Stone Mountain hydrothermal field

Hydrothermal plume is an important constituent of seabed hydrothermal circulation and is also one of the characteristics of active hydrothermal vents. Portable Miniature Autonomous Plume Recorders （MAPR） attached to a towed deep-sea instrument was used to search for hydrothermal plumes and hydrothermal vents. We introduced the basic principle of MAPR based on deep towing technology to detect plumes, then analyzed the factors affecting the quality of the MAPR data and presented a data correction method for MAPR, including instrument location correction, noise reduction processing, system error elimination and seawater background reduction. Finally we applied the method to analyze MAPR data obtained during the Chinese DY115-21 cruise on R/VDayang Iin the “Precious Stone Mountain” hydrothermal field on the Gala-pagos Microplate. The results provided a better understanding of the distribution of the hydrothermal activ-ity in this field, indicating the presence of a new hydrothermal vent.

Gene Analysis of Free Fetal DNA in Maternal Plasma

To investigate the feasibility of using free fetal DNA from maternal plasma as the source of fetal material in non invasive prenatal diagnosis, SRY gene of free DNA in maternal blood of 65 samples were analyzed by using primer extension preamplication (PEP) and probe microplate hybridization techniques. The results showed that the detection rate of SRY gene in maternal blood from women carrying male fetuses detected by probe microplate hybridization alone and probe microplate hybridization with PEP were 76.09 % (35/46) and 95.65 % (44/46) respectively, and there was a significant difference between them. The non detection rate of SRY gene in blood samples from women carrying female fetus was 100 % (19/19). It is indicated that probe microplate hybridization was an effective method in detecting trace fetal DNA from maternal plasma and the sensitivity could be substantially improved by combined use of the two techniques. Analysis of fetal DNA in maternal plasma can serve as an alternative for non invasive prenatal diagnosis.

Optimized Assay for Hydrogen Peroxide Determination in Plant Tissue Using Potassium Iodide

Here, we present an optimization of colorimetric determination of hydrogen peroxide content in plants using potassium iodide. Our method is based on a one step buffer (extraction and reaction) for the determination of H2O2 in different plant tissues and overcomes interference of soluble antioxidant and color background. A particular attention is paid to buffer pH shown to be tissue dependent. With this inexpensive microplate method, it is possible to analyze 12 experimental samples in about 45 min all in triplicates, with blanks, controls and standard curve.