Pathogenic effects of O-polysaccharide from Shigella flexneri strain

AIM To investigate the specific pathogenesis ofO-polysaccharide (O--PS) which is on the outermembrane of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) fromShigella fi^eri.METHODS The O--PS was isolated and purifiedfrom Shigella nexneri 5 MgoT by enzymatichydrolysis and gel chromatography. Effects ofO--PS were observed by in vitro experiment,(HeLa cell Culture ), and in vivo experiment(rabbit lieal loop assay).RESULTS ID vitro and in vivo e-cP6riments withthe purified O--PS from Shigells flexnefi revealedthat the O--PS alone was toxic to Hela cells andcaused mucosal inflammation and hemorrhagicexudation in lieal loop of rabbit.DISCUSSION O--PS might b6 one of the factorscausing diarrhea and its mechanism wasdifferent from endotoxin reaction of LPS. Themolecular mechanism of O-PS need furtherstudies.

Construction of a trivalent candidate Shigella vaccine strain with host-vector balanced-lethal system

A trivalent live Shigella vaccine candidate FSD01 against S. flexneri 2a, S. sonnei and S. dysen-teriae I was constructed. This candidate strain was based on the S. flexneri 2a vaccine T32. By homologous recombi-nation exchange, the chromosomal asd gene of T32 was site-specifically inactivated, resulting in the strain unable to grow normally in LB broth, while another asd gene of S. mutans was employed to construct an Asd complementary vector. This combination of asd 'host/ Asd+ vector formed a balanced-lethal expression system in T32 strain. By use of this system, two important protective antigen genes coding for S. sonnei Form I antigen and Shiga toxin B subunit were cloned and expressed in T32, which led to the construction of trivalent candidate vaccine FSD01. Experimental results showed that this strain was genetically stable, but its recombinant plasmid was non-resistant. Moreover, it was able to effectively express trivalent antigens in one host and induce protective responses in mice against the challenges of the above three Shigella strains.

Deformation Localization-A Review on the Maximum-Effective-Moment(MEM) Criterion

The essential difference in the formation of conjugate shear zones in brittle and ductile deformation is that the intersection angle between brittle conjugate faults in the contractional quadrants is acute （usually ～60°） whereas the angle between conjugate ductile shear zones is obtuse （usually 110°）. The Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion, an experimentally validated empirical relationship, is commonly applied for interpreting the stress directions based on the orientation of the brittle shear fractures. However, the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion fails to explain the formation of the low-angle normal fault, high-angle reverse fault, and the conjugate strike-slip fault with an obtuse angle in the ~1 direction. Although it is ten years since the Maximum-Effective-Moment （MEM） criterion was first proposed, and increasingly solid evidence in support of it has been obtained from both observed examples in nature and laboratory experiments, it is not yet a commonly accepted model to use to interpret these anti- Mohr-Coulomb features that are widely observed in the natural world. The deformational behavior of rock depends on its intrinsic mechanical properties and external factors such as applied stresses, strain rates, and temperature conditions related to crustal depths. The occurrence of conjugate shear features with obtuse angles of -110~ in the contractional direction on different scales and at different crustal levels are consistent with the prediction of the MEM criterion, therefore -110° is a reliable indicator for deformation localization that occurred at medium-low strain rates at any crustal levels. Since the strain-rate is variable through time in nature, brittle, ductile, and plastic features may appear within the same rock.

Local buckling failure analysis of high-strength pipelines

Pipelines in geological disaster regions typically suffer the risk of local buckling failure because of slender structure and complex load. This paper is meant to reveal the local buckling behavior of buried pipelines with a large diameter and high strength, which are under different conditions, including pure bending and bending combined with internal pressure. Finite element analysis was built according to previous data to study local buckling behavior of pressurized and unpressurized pipes under bending conditions and their differences in local buckling failure modes. In parametric analysis, a series of parameters,including pipe geometrical dimension, pipe material properties and internal pressure, were selected to study their influences on the critical bending moment, critical compressive stress and critical compressive strain of pipes.Especially the hardening exponent of pipe material was introduced to the parameter analysis by using the Ramberg–Osgood constitutive model. Results showed that geometrical dimensions, material and internal pressure can exert similar effects on the critical bending moment and critical compressive stress, which have different, even reverse effects on the critical compressive strain. Based on these analyses, more accurate design models of critical bending moment and critical compressive stress have been proposed for high-strength pipelines under bendingconditions, which provide theoretical methods for highstrength pipeline engineering.

Modal Strain Energy Based Structural Damage Localization for Offshore Platform using Simulated and Measured Data

Modal strain energy based methods for damage detection have received much attention. However, most of published articles use numerical methods and some studies conduct modal tests with simple 1D or 2D structures to verify the damage detection algorithms. Only a few studies utilize modal testing data from 3D frame structures. Few studies conduct performance comparisons between two different modal strain energy based methods. The objective of this paper is to investigate and compare the effectiveness of a traditional modal strain energy method(Stubbs index) and a recently developed modal strain energy decomposition(MSED) method for damage localization, for such a purpose both simulated and measured data from an offshore platform model being used. Particularly, the mode shapes used in the damage localization are identified and synthesized from only two measurements of one damage scenario because of the limited number of sensors. The two methods were first briefly reviewed. Next, using a 3D offshore platform model, the damage detection algorithms were implemented with different levels of damage severities for both single damage and multiple damage cases. Finally, a physical model of an offshore steel platform was constructed for modal testing and for validating the applicability. Results indicate that the MSED method outperforms the Stubbs index method for structural damage detection.

THE VOID-SIZE EFFECT ON PLASTIC FLOW LOCALIZATION IN THE GURSON MODEL

Recent studies have shown that the size of microvoids has a significant effect on the void growth rate.The purpose of this paper is to explore whether the void size effect can influence the plastic flow localization in ductile materials.We have used the extended Gurson's dilatational plasticity theory,which accounts for the void size effect,to study the plastic flow localization in porous solids with long cylindrical voids.The localization model of Rice is adopted,in which the material inside the band may display a different response from that outside the band at the incipient plastic flow localization.The present study shows that it has little effect on the shear band angle.

Electric potential and energy band in ZnO nanofiber tuned by local mechanical loading

Recent success in strain engineering has triggered tremendous interest in its study and potential applications in nanodevice design. In this paper, we establish a coupled piezoelectric/semiconducting model for a wurtzite structure ZnO nanofiber under the local mechanical loading. The energy band structure tuned by the local mechanical loading and local length is calculated via an eight-band k·p method, which includes the coupling of valance and conduction bands. Poisson's effect on the distribution of electric potential inversely depends on the local mechanical loading. Numerical results reveal that both the applied local mechanical loading and the local length exhibit obvious tuning effects on the electric potential and energy band. The band gap at band edges varies linearly with the applied loading. Changing the local length shifts the energy band which is far away from the band edges. This study will be useful in the electronic and optical enhancement of semiconductor devices.

Strain localization of Mohr-Coulomb soils with non-associated plasticity based on micropolar continuum theory

To address the problems of strain localization, the exact Mohr-Coulomb (MC) model is used based on second-order cone programming (mpcFEM-SOCP) in the framework of micropolar continuum finite element method. Using the uniaxial compression test, we focused on the earth pressure problem of rigid wall segment involving non-associated plasticity. The numerical results reveal that when mpcFEM-SOCP is applied, the problems of mesh dependency can be effectively addressed. For geotechnical strain localization analysis involving non-associated MC plasticity, mpcFEM-SOCP in conjunction with the pseudo-time discrete scheme can improve the numerical stability and avoid the unreasonable softening issue in the pressure-displacement curves, which may be encountered in the conventional FEM. It also shows that the pressure-displacement responses calculated by mpcFEM-SOCP with the pseudo-time discrete scheme are higher than those calculated by mpcFEM-SOCP with the Davis scheme. The inclination angle of shear band predicted by mpcFEM-SOCP with the pseudo-time discrete scheme agrees well with the theoretical solution of non-associated MC plasticity.

Fano Resonance Enabled Infrared Nano-Imaging of Local Strain in Bilayer Graphene

Detection of local strain at the nanometer scale with high sensitivity remains challenging.Here we report near-field infrared nano-imaging of local strains in bilayer graphene by probing strain-induced shifts of phonon frequency.As a non-polar crystal,intrinsic bilayer graphene possesses little infrared response at its transverse optical phonon frequency.The reported optical detection of local strain is enabled by applying a vertical electrical field that breaks the symmetry of the two graphene layers and introduces finite electrical dipole moment to graphene phonon.The activated phonon further interacts with continuum electronic transitions,and generates a strong Fano resonance.The resulted Fano resonance features a very sharp near-field infrared scattering peak,which leads to an extraordinary sensitivity of-0.002%for the strain detection.Our results demonstrate the first nano-scale near-field Fano resonance,provide a new way to probe local strains with high sensitivity in non-polar crystals,and open exciting possibilities for studying strain-induced rich phenomena.

Analysis of damage localization for ductile metal in process of shear band propagation

Distribution of localized damage in shear band can’ t be predicted theoretically based on classical elastoplastic theory. The average damage variable in shear band was considered to be a non-local variable. Based on non-local theory, an analytical expression for the localized damage in strain-softening region of shear band in the process of shear band propagation was presented using boundary condition and symmetry of local damage variable, etc. The results show that dynamic shear softening modulus, dynamic shear strength and shear elastic modulus influence the distribution of the localized damage in shear band. Internal length of ductile metal only governs the thickness of shear band. In the strain-softening region of shear band, the local damage variable along shear band’s tangential and normal directions is non-linear and highly non-uniform. The non-uniformities in the normal and tangential directions of shear band stem from the interactions and interplaying among microstructures and the non-uniform distribution of shear stress, respectively. At the tail of the strain-softening region, the maximum value of local damage variable reaches 1. This means that material at this position fractures completely. At the tip of shear band and upper as well as lower boundaries, no damage occurs. Local damage variable increases as dynamic shear softening modulus decreases or shear elastic modulus increases, leading to difficulty in identification or detection of damage for less ductile metal material at higher strain rates.

Revealing the role of local shear strain partition of transformable particles in a TRIP-reinforced bulk metallic glass composite via digital image correlation

The coupling effects of the metastable austenitic phase and the amorphous matrix in a transformation-induced plasticity(TRIP)-reinforced bulk metallic glass(BMG)composite under compressive loading were investigated by employing the digital image correlation(DIC)technique.The evolution of local strain field in the crystalline phase and the amorphous matrix was directly monitored,and the contribution from the phase transformation of the metastable austenitic phase was revealed.Local shear strain was found to be effectively consumed by the displacive phase transformation of the metastable austenitic phase,which relaxed the local strain/stress concentration at the interface and thus greatly enhanced the plasticity of the TRIP-reinforced BMG composites.Our current study sheds light on in-depth understanding of the underlying deformation mechanism and the interplay between the amorphous matrix and the metastable crystalline phase during deformation,which is helpful for design of advanced BMG composites with further improved properties.

Non-Local Analysis of Forming Limits of Ductile Material Considering Void Growth

The current study performed a finite element analysis of the strain localization behavior of a voided ductile material using a non-local plasticity formulation in which the yield strength depends on both an equivalent plastic strain measurement (hardening parameter) and Laplacian equivalent. The introduction of gradient terms to the yield function was found to play an important role in simulating the strain localization behavior of the voided ductile material. The effect of the mesh size and characteristic length on the strain localization were also investigated. An FEM simulation based on the proposed non-local plasticity revealed that the load-strain curves of the voided ductile material subjected to plane strain tension converged to one curve, regardless of the mesh size. In addition, the results using non-local plasticity also exhibited that the dependence of the deformation behavior of the material on the mesh size was much less sensitive than that with classical local plasticity and could be successfully eliminated through the introduction of a large value for the characteristic length.

STUDY OF TEXTURE EFFECT ON STRAIN LOCALIZATION OF BCC STEEL SHEETS

Using elastic crystalline viscoplastic finite element (FE) annlysis, the formability of BCC steel sheets was assessed. An orientation probability assignment method in the FE modeling procedure, which can be categorized as an inhomogenized material modeling, was newly proposed. In the study, the crystal orientations of three materials, mild steel, dual phase steel and the high strength steel, were obtained by Xray diffraction and orientation distribution function (ODF) analyses. The measured ODF results have revealed clearly different textures in the sheets, featured by orientation fibers, skeleton lines and selected orientations in Euler angle space, which are closely related to the plastic anisotropy. Then, the crystal orientations were assigned to FE integration points by using this ODF data, individually. The FE analyses of the standard limiting dome height (LDH) test show how the fiber textures affect the extent of strain localization in the forming processes. It was confirmed by comparison with experimental results that this FE code could predict the extreme strain localization and assess the sheet formability.

Quantitative calculation of local shear deformation in adiabatic shear band for Ti-6Al-4V

JOHNSON-COOK(J-C) model was used to calculate flow shear stress—shear strain curve for Ti-6Al-4V in dynamic torsion test. The predicted curve was compared with experimental result. Gradient-dependent plasticity(GDP) was introduced into J-C model and GDP was involved in the measured flow shear stress—shear strain curve, respectively, to calculate the distribution of local total shear deformation(LTSD) in adiabatic shear band(ASB). The predicted LTSDs at different flow shear stresses were compared with experimental measurements. J-C model can well predict the flow shear stress—shear strain curve in strain-hardening stage and in strain-softening stage where flow shear stress slowly decreases. Beyond the occurrence of ASB, with a decrease of flow shear stress, the increase of local plastic shear deformation in ASB is faster than the decrease of elastic shear deformation, leading to more and more apparent shear localization. According to the measured flow shear stress—shear strain curve and GDP, the calculated LTSDs in ASB are lower than experimental results. At earlier stage of ASB, though J-C model overestimates the flow shear stress at the same shear strain, the model can reasonably assess the LTSDs in ASB. According to the measured flow shear stress—shear strain curve and GDP, the calculated local plastic shear strains in ASB agree with experimental results except for the vicinity of shear fracture surface. In the strain-softening stage where flow shear stress sharply decreases, J-C model cannot be used. When flow shear stress decreases to a certain value, shear fracture takes place so that GDP cannot be used.

ONSET CONDITION OF STRAIN LOCALIZATION IN MATRIX OF SATURATED POROUS MEDIA

Based on governing equations of saturated porous media and Liapunov＇ s stability here, onset conditions matrix of porous media used by solid stress and Terzaghi＇s effective stress constitutive description under seepage flow state, are presented, which have different forms with different representation of the solid phase, matrix or skeleton, constitutive model of porous media. The main difference relates with how to describe the interaction between solid phase and liquid phase in constitutive model. The derived onset condition of strain localization under Terzaghi＇ s effective stress description can be used to interpret different failure types, piping effect, landslides and mudflows, by means of the type and the magnitude ratio of relative movement between solid phase and liquid phase. Examples here illuminate the onset condition of how to work.

Numerical simulation of strain localization and damage evolution in large plastic deformation using mixed finite element method

An investigation of computer simulation is presented to analyze the effectsof strain localization and damage evolution in large plastic deformation. The simulation is carriedout by using an elastic-plastic-damage coupling finite element program that is developed based onthe concept of mixed interpolation of displacement/pressure. This program has been incorporated intoa damage mechanics model as well as the corresponding damage criterion. To illustrate theperformance of the proposed approach, a typical strain localization problem has been simulated. Theresults show that the proposed approach is of good capability to capture strain localization andpredict the damage evolution.

Generation of Quantum-dot Photon Emission in h-BN via Local Strain Engineering

We reported a low-cost and easy-to-make method to effectively generate quantum dot(QD)states in 2D hBN films for quantum emissions at room temperature by utilizing silica nanospheres,in comparison with the sophisticated nanofabrication method reported in previous studies.The QDs created in 2D hBN films using silica nanospheres exhibit pronounced photon emissions with a good photo-stability in air,a narrow distribution of the emission peaks within the range of 580-620 nm,and a directional emission pattern,behaving as a single electric dipole.Our work develops the method of controllable fabrication of quantum emitters in 2D materials by using nano materials and structures.

Body Response to Local Muscular Performance of Individuals Engaged in Various Professional Occupations

We have compared 142 adult men and women of various ages, grouped by professional occupation, all the occupations involving local muscular performance. We studied heart reactions and central nervous system reactions to local muscular performance done until fatigue set in. The results suggested that adaptive body changes had a number of shared signs, namely, tachycardia, hypertension, and increased statistical figures of the heart rhythm, which were indicative of tension in central regulatory mechanisms of the heart.

Unveiling localized electronic properties of ReS2 thin layers at nanoscale using Kelvin force probe microscopy combined with tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Electronic properties of two-dimensional(2D) materials can be strongly modulated by localized strain. The typical spatial resolution of conventional Kelvin probe force microscopy(KPFM) is usually limited in a few hundreds of nanometers, and it is difficult to characterize localized electronic properties of 2D materials at nanoscales. Herein, tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy(TERS) is proposed to combine with KPFM to break this restriction. TERS scan is conducted on ReS2bubbles deposited on a rough Au thin film to obtain strain distribution by using the Raman peak shift. The localized contact potential difference(CPD) is inversely calculated with a higher spatial resolution by using strain measured by TERS and CPD-strain working curve obtained using conventional KPFM and atomic force microscopy. This method enhances the spatial resolution of CPD measurements and can be potentially used to characterize localized electronic properties of 2D materials.

DNS Analysis on the Indirect Relationship between the Local Burning Velocity and the Flame Displacement Speed of Turbulent Premixed Flames

The local burning velocity and the flame displacement speed are the dominant properties in the mechanism of turbulent premixed combustion. The flame displacement speed and the local burning velocity have been investigated separately, because the flame displacement speed can be used for the discussion of flame-turbulence interactions and the local burning velocity can be used for the discussion of the inner structure of turbulent premixed flames. In this study, to establish the basis for the discussion on the effects of turbulence on the inner structure of turbulent premixed flames, the indirect relationship between the flame displacement speed and the local burning velocity was investigated by the flame stretch, the flame curvature, and the tangential strain rate using DNS database with different density ratios. It was found that for the local tangential strain rate and the local flame curvature, the local burning velocity and the flame displacement speed had the opposite correlations in each density ratio case. Therefore, it is considered that the local burning velocity and the flame displacement speed have a negative correlation.