Quality Standard of Barberry Branches

[Objectives] To establish the quality standard of barberry branches. [Methods] Microscopic identification and thin layer identification were used to qualitatively identify barberry branches. Berberine content was determined by HPLC method, and the content of water, total ash, acid insoluble ash and extract was detected according to the method of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 edition). [Results] The microscopic identification showed that the features were obvious, and stone cells, cork cells, epidermal cells, stomata, fibers and catheter with reticulated pores could be found. Berberine was detected in barberry branches by thin layer chromatography, and the characteristic spots were separated clearly. Moisture, total ash, and acid insoluble ash content shall not exceed 13%, 6%, and 3%, respectively, and extract content shall not be less than 10%. Berberine hydrochloride (C_(20)H_(18)ClNO_(4)) should be calculated in the branches of Berberis wilsonae Hemsley and Berberis aggregata C. K. Schneid., and berberine (C_(20)H_(17)NO_(4)) content should not be less than 0.05%. The linear relationship was good in the range of 0.002-0.240 mg/mL ( R^(2)=0.999 5). The average recovery was 89.63%, and RSD was 5.28%. [Conclusions] The method was simple, accurate and reproducible, and can be used for the quality control of barberry branches.

Changes in Soil Organic Matter,Nitrogen and Phosphorus Contents during Decomposition of Pear Branches

[Objectives]To investigate the changes in soil organic matter,nitrogen and phosphorus content in the decomposition process of Korla fragrant pear branches by indoor mixed culture.[Methods]The branches of Korla fragrant pear in the orchard were collected and returned to the field for a period of 150 d for indoor mixed culture.[Results]Different ages of Korla fragrant pear branches have different effects on soil nutrient content during the simulated return to field decomposition process.Compared with the control in the same period,the treatment of returning to field reached a significant level(P<0.05).Compared with the control,the average values of organic matter,total nitrogen and available phosphorus content in treatment 1 and treatment 2 increased by 2.16 times and 1.93 times,61%and 59%,5.88 times and 6.88 times,respectively;compared with the control,the average increase performance of the alkaline hydrolysis nitrogen content of the two treatments was basically the same,and the treatment 2 was the best;compared with the control,the average total phosphorus content of treatment 1 and treatment 2 increased but not significantly.[Conclusions]The contents of soil organic matter,nitrogen and phosphorus were all increased during the decomposition of pear branches,and the overall improvement effect of 10-year-old trees was better than that of 5-year-old trees.Returning the pruned branches to the field can provide a reliable theoretical basis for solving the problem of organic fertilizer shortage in orchards,and also can ensure technical support for improving soil fertility and improving the rhizosphere micro-environment of pear trees.

Large borehole with multi-lateral branches: A novel solution for exploitation of clayey silt hydrate

Raising the in situ decomposition rate of natural gas hydrate and increasing the decomposition contact area are two main ways to raise the productivity of hydrate. An exploitation technique based on large borehole with multi-lateral branches (LB & MB) was proposed in this paper. This technique is mainly intended for the clayey silt hydrate reservoir in the South China Sea, and its main purpose is to alleviate the sand output from formation for maintaining the stability of the reservoir and to greatly increase the gas productivity of the reservoir. In this paper, the following aspects were mainly expounded: definition of the basic geometric parameters for layout of multi-lateral branches in clayey silt hydrate reservoir, simulation of the stimulation effect of a typical well profile with two branches, and prediction and simulation of the reservoir failure risk in a well profile with eight branches. The results show that the LB & MB effectively improves the flow field in the formation, raises the productivity of the reservoir and may also help to decrease the produced water-gas ratio (WGR). When the lateral branches spacing is too small, the failure zones around adjacent lateral branches overlap each other, possibly causing reservoir failure in a larger range. Therefore, the geometric parameters of multi-lateral branches depend on the dual control of the productivity and geotechnical risk factor of reservoir. Further study is being carried out, so as to obtain the optimal combination of parameters of multi-lateral branches.

Influence of different portal vein branches on hepatic encephalopathy during intrahepatic portal shunt via jugular vein

This letter is regarding the study titled‘Targeted puncture of left branch of intrahepatic portal vein in transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)to reduce hepatic encephalopathy’.Prior to the approval of TIPS dedicated stents(Viatorr stents)in China in October 2015,Fluency covered stents were typically used.As Fluency covered stents have a strong support force and axial elastic tension,a‘cap’may form if the stent is located too low at the end of the hepatic vein or too short at the end of the portal vein during surgery,leading to stent dysfunction.Since the blood shunted by the stent is from the main trunk of the portal vein,the correlation between the incidence of postoperative hepatic encephalopathy and the location of the puncture target(left or right portal vein branch)is worth discussion.Notably,no studies in China or foreign countries have proven the occurrence of left and right blood stratification after the accumulation of splenic vein and mesenteric blood flow in the main trunk of the portal vein in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension.

Experiment on the Fattening Effects of Mixed Silage of Wolfberry Branches on Hybrid

[Objectives] This study was conducted to use the feeding value of wolfberry branches and to provide a basis for the rational use of its active ingredients and nutrients and the development of new feed resources. [Methods] Wolfberry branches and whole-plant corn were used to make mixed silage of wolfberry branches, which replaced different proportions of whole-plant corn silage for feeding hybrid mutton sheep, and the feeding effect of the mixed silage of wolfberry branches on hybrid mutton sheep was analyzed, which provides a technical basis for rational utilization of mulberry resources to ruminants. A single factor feeding comparison experiment was carried out. 32 hybrid mutton sheep of 8 months old with conform gender, age, body weight, physiological state and feeding management level were selected and divided into two groups, 16 in each group. [Results] The gross output value of weight gain of the experimental group was 18.06 yuan, which was higher than the CK(12.97 yuan) by 5.09 yuan. [Conclusions] The addition of the mixed silage of wolfberry branches to the diet had a positive effect on the increase of the weight gain of the hybrid mutton sheep and the reduction of the feed conversion ratio compared with the single whole-plant corn silage.

Dual Branches of MHD Three-Dimensional Rotating Flow of Hybrid Nanofluid on Nonlinear Shrinking Sheet

In this study,magnetohydrodynamic(MHD)three-dimensional(3D)flow of alumina(Al2O3)and copper(Cu)nanoparticles of an electrically conducting incompressible fluid in a rotating frame has been investigated.The shrinking surface generates the flow that also has been examined.The single-phase(i.e.,Tiwari and Das)model is implemented for the hybrid nanofluid transport phenomena.Results for alumina and copper nanomaterials in the water base fluid are achieved.Boundary layer approximations are used to reduce governing partial differential(PDEs)system into the system of the ordinary differential equations(ODEs).The three-stage Lobatto IIIa method in bvp4c solver is applied for solutions of the governing model.Graphical results have been shown to examine how velocity and temperature fields are influenced by various applied parameters.It has been found that there are two branches for certain values of the suction/injection parameter b:The rise in copper volumetric concentration improved the velocity of hybrid nanofluid in the upper branch.The heat transfer rate improved for the case of hybrid nanofluid as compared to the viscous fluid and simple nanofluid.

ASYMPTOTIC BEHAVIOR OF SOLUTION BRANCHES OF NONLOCAL BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEMS

In this article, by employing an oscillatory condition on the nonlinear term,a result is proved for the existence of connected component of solutions set of a nonlocal boundary value problem, which bifurcates from infinity and asymptotically oscillates over an interval of parameter values. An interesting and immediate consequence of such oscillation property of the connected component is the existence of infinitely many solutions of the nonlinear problem for all parameter values in that interval.

A Neural Based Modeling Approach for Drying Kinetics Analysis of Mint Branches and Their Fractions (Leaves and Stems)

This work is aimed at investigating regular mint (Mentha × villosa) drying behavior and assessing how the heterogeneous composition of plants affects their drying kinetics. Drying kinetics and sorption isotherms were evaluated for whole branches and their fractions (leaves and stems). Stems and leaves were characterized by measurement of dimensions, apparent density and initial moisture content. The moisture sorption isotherms were obtained under temperatures of 30°C, 40°C and 50°C for branches, stems and leaves and the data were fitted to the GAB model. Mint branches and their fractions were oven dried at temperatures from 40°C to 70°C?and were obtained kinetic curves for each part. Water sorption patterns were similar for leaves and stems and the GAB model described well the sorption behavior of both materials. At a constant temperature, the drying rates were higher for leaves in comparison to stems and the differences increased as the temperature was raised. Therefore, depending on drying conditions, the moisture distribution in dried branches might be significantly different. Since the leaves constitute the major fraction in branches, the drying rates of branches were closer to those of leaves. The kinetic curves were fitted to a diffusion model based on an analytical solution of Fick’s second diffusion law and to an empirical model based on artificial neural network (ANN). The results showed that the model based on the ANN predicted the drying kinetics of the different parts better than the diffusive model. A single network was built to describe the kinetic behavior of branches and fractions in the whole range of temperatures investigated. The diffusive model based on fitting effective diffusivity did not provide good predictions of moisture content, probably because neither the dependence of effective diffusivity on the moisture content nor the heterogeneity and shrinking of static beds were considered.

Effects of Short-cut Flowering Branches on Harvest Time,Yield and Quality of Guire No.82 Mango

[Objectives]To further study the technology of short-cut flowering branches for Guire No.82 Mango,adjust its harvest time,increase yield and improve fruit quality,and increase the economic benefits of mango production.[Methods]The experiment of short-cut flowering branches was carried out for Guire No.82 Mango.[Results]At the initial flowering stage and full flowering stage of the primary inflorescence,with short-cut flowering branches and corresponding cultivation techniques,Guire No.82 Mango was easy to extract regenerated inflorescences.Compared with the control group,the flowering period of the regenerated inflorescences was delayed by 30-35 d and 40-50 d,respectively;the harvest time was delayed by 30 and 40 d,respectively;the yield significantly increased by 1.63 times and 2.25 times,respectively;compared with the control group,the number of fruits with embryo increased significantly,which were 1.39 and 2.25 times of the control,respectively;there was no significant difference in the fruit quality at the harvest time.[Conclusions]Short-cut flowering branches at the initial flowering stage and full flowering stage of the primary inflorescence is an effective measure to delay the marketing time of Guire No.82 Mango.

Experiment on the Fattening Effects of Mixed Silage of Mulberry Branches and Leaves on Hybrid Mutton Sheep

[Objectives] This study was conducted to investigate the effect of mixed silage of mulberry branches and leaves on the production performance of Tan Han hybrid mutton sheep and explore the feasibility in production. [Methods] Twenty-six Tan Han hybrid mutton sheep were selected and divided into two groups, 13 in each group. The experimental group was fed with the mixed silage and the control group(CK) was fed with whole-plant corn silage. [Results] The average daily weight gain per sheep of the experimental group was 9.2% higher than that of the CK(P<0.05), and the feed conversion ratio was decreased by 6.98%(P<0.05). The average daily weight gain per sheep in the 30 d improved the gross profit by 7.75 yuan, which meant an increase of 16.32%. [Conclusions] The mulberry mixed silage is feasible in the production, and it could significantly improve the production performance of the hybrid mutton sheep.

Reverse flap based on the end dorsal branches of the digital artery

Objective To introduce the treatment outcome of the reverse flap of the end dorsal branches of the digital artery for coverage of fingertip soft tissue loss and exposed digital bone. Methods The reverse flap from the dorsal of the middle phalanx was harvested for coverage of the distal phalanx for 5 cases. Results All cases survived completely and had a satisfactory appearance. Conclusion The procedure was one of the pedicled flaps named with the finest vascular branches presently. It can avoid injury of the digital proper artery with simple procedure. 8 refs.

EXPERIMENTS AND SIMULATIONS OF A NEW DEVELOPED FORMING TECHNOLOGY-SHEAR-EXTRUSION PROCESS OF COMPONENTS WITH BRANCHES

Shear-extrusion process and its forming parumeters are proposed, whilst its laborsav- ing characteristic is utilized to forge large-size shutoff valve body on middle-due press. This new process is intended for the manufacture of large-size forged tubular components with branches on middle-due press. Experiments are carried out and processing parameters are obtained regarding the shear-extrusion process of a large-size shutoff valve body. Daformation and metal flow in the shear-extrusion process are inves- tigated. In orber to verify the laborsaving characteristic of this new process some contrastive experiments of extrusion force are performed between shear-extrusion and upsetting-extrusion for forming tubular components with branches. Based on rigid plastic FEM a plane-stain model is established to analyze shear-extrusion process of tubular components with branches. The analysis results by 2-dimensions PEM are comparatively quite well consistent with those of experiments. Both simulated and experimental results show that this new forming process is feasible for forging large-size tubular components with branches on middle-due press.

Branches of the Summer Asian Lower-Level Jet Stream and Its Influence on the Rain Belt in China

Based on the analysis of the Asian lower-level jet stream, this paper indicates that having shifted to the Bay of Bengal, this large-scale lower-level jet(LLJ) develops into two branches: the northern branch (NB) which is a strong southwest flow moving into the inland of China along the southeast side of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and then moving eastward to Japan along the north side of the subtropical high, and the southern branch (SB) which continues to be a west flow and travels into the West Pacific across the Indo-China Peninsula along the south side of the monsoon trough. Above the two branches are two synoptic-scale transient tubular monsoon circulation systems, the northern branch being a subtropical monsoon stream tube (SMST) and the southern branch a tropical monsoon stream tube (TMST). Their ascending branches, corresponding to a subtropical monsoon rain belt and a tropical monsoon rain belt respectively, bear considerable influence on the weather over China.

Vibration Absorption Efficiency and Higher Branches Elimination of Variable-Stiffness Nonlinear Energy Sink

Vibration absorption efficiency of a variable⁃stiffness nonlinear energy sink(NES)was investigated when the main oscillator was subjected to harmonic and impulse excitations.The slow flow equations of the coupled system were derived by using the complexification⁃averaging method,and the nonlinear equations which describe the steady⁃state response were obtained.As the harmonic excitation force increased,the system which comprises constant⁃stiffness NES generated higher branch responses,greatly reducing the vibration absorption efficiency.The influence of nonlinear stiffness on the responses of the system was investigated.Results show that,with the increase of harmonic exciting force,a reduction of NES stiffness can eliminate the higher branch responses and even the frequency band of strongly modulated responses.The vibration absorption efficiency of variable⁃stiffness NES attached to the linear oscillator for different amplitudes of impulse excitation was investigated.Results show that the proper reduction of nonlinear stiffness under increasing impulse excitation can greatly increase the vibration absorption efficiency of NES,and the variable⁃stiffness design can effectively mitigate the negative influences of the increase of the excitation amplitude on the efficiency of constant⁃stiffness NES.

Information for Authors

Chinese Physics Letters(CPL)is a peer-reviewed,international and multidisciplinary journal sponsored by the Chinese Physical Society(CPS)and Institute of Physics,CAS,and hosted online by IOP Publishing Ltd.Launched in 1984 as the flagship journal of CPS,CPL has become one of the most prestigious periodicals published in China,and been among the good choices for worldwide physicists to disseminate their most important breakthroughs.Nowadays it is dedicated to build an internationally recognized platform for researchers to publish original research works in all the branches of fundamental,applied,and interdisciplinary physics.

Information for Authors

Chinese Physics Letters(CPL)is a peer-reviewed,international and multidisciplinary journal sponsored by the Chinese Physical Society(CPS)and Institute of Physics,CAS,and hosted online by IOP Publishing Ltd.Launched in 1984 as the flagship journal of CPS,CPL has become one of the most prestigious periodicals published in China,and been among the good choices for worldwide physicists to disseminate their most important breakthroughs.Nowadays it is dedicated to build an internationally recognized platform for researchers to publish original research works in all the branches of fundamental,applied,and interdisciplinary physics.

Activity maintenance of the excised branches and a case study of NO_2 exchange between the atmosphere and P.nigra branches

The efficient maintenance of the activity of excised branches is the powerful guarantee to accurately determine gas exchange flux between the detached branches of tall trees and the atmosphere. In this study, the net photosynthetic rate(NPR) of the excised branches and branches in situ were measured simultaneously by using two photosynthetic instruments to characterize the activity of the excised branches of Phyllostachys nigra. The ratio of normalized NPR of excised branches to NPR in situ was used to assess the photosynthetic activity of detached branches. Based on photosynthetic activity, an optimal hydroponics protocol for maintaining activity of excised P. nigra branches was presented:1/8 times the concentration of Gamborg B5 vitamin mixture with p H = 6. Under the best cultivation protocol, photosynthetic activity of excised P. nigra branches could be maintained more than 90% within 6 hr in the light intensity range of 200–2000 μmol/(m2·sec) and temperature range of 13.4–28.7°C. The nitrogen dioxide(NO2) flux differences between in situ and in vitro branches and the atmosphere were compared using double dynamic chambers.Based on the maintenance method of excised branches, the NO2 exchange flux between the excised P. nigra branches and the atmosphere(from-1.01 to-2.72 nmol/(m2·sec) was basically consistent with between the branches in situ and the atmosphere(from-1.12 to-3.16 nmol/(m2 sec)) within 6 hr. Therefore, this study provided a feasible protocol for in vitro measurement of gas exchange between tall trees and the atmosphere for a period of time.

Simultaneous evaluation of two branches of a multifunctional integrated optic chip with an ultra-simple dual-channel configuration

We propose an ultra-simple dual-channel configuration for simultaneously evaluating two branches of a multifunctional integrated optic chip(MFIOC). In the configuration, the MFIOC is employed as a beam splitter to construct the demodulation interferometer together with a 2 × 2 fiber coupler. Interference happens between polarization modes traveling through different channels of the MFIOC. The cross-couplings of each channel are respectively characterized by the interference peaks which distribute on opposite sides of the central interference peak. Temperature responses of the MFIOC are experimentally measured from-40°C to 80°C. Results show that the proposed configuration can achieve simultaneous dual-channel transient measurements with resolution of-90 d B and dynamic range of 90 d B. In addition, the two channels of the configuration have consistent measuring performance, and the two branches of the MFIOC have different responses to temperature variation.

Unilateral branch retinal artery occlusion in association with COVID-19:a case report

Dear Editor,I am Kunihiko Hirosawa of the Department of Ophthalmology at Juntendo University Hospital.I am writing to present a case of concomitant Coronavirus Disease 2019(COVID-19)with branch retinal artery occlusion(BRAO).BRAO presents as a sudden,painless loss of vision on the afflicted side and is most often focal in nature[1].

Particle Discontinuous Deformation Analysis of Static and Dynamic Crack Propagation in Brittle Material

Crack propagation in brittle material is not only crucial for structural safety evaluation,but also has a wideranging impact on material design,damage assessment,resource extraction,and scientific research.A thorough investigation into the behavior of crack propagation contributes to a better understanding and control of the properties of brittle materials,thereby enhancing the reliability and safety of both materials and structures.As an implicit discrete elementmethod,the Discontinuous Deformation Analysis(DDA)has gained significant attention for its developments and applications in recent years.Among these developments,the particle DDA equipped with the bonded particle model is a powerful tool for predicting the whole process of material from continuity to failure.The primary objective of this research is to develop and utilize the particle DDAtomodel and understand the complex behavior of cracks in brittle materials under both static and dynamic loadings.The particle DDA is applied to several classical crack propagation problems,including the crack branching,compact tensile test,Kalthoff impact experiment,and tensile test of a rectangular plate with a hole.The evolutions of cracks under various stress or geometrical conditions are carefully investigated.The simulated results are compared with the experiments and other numerical results.It is found that the crack propagation patterns,including crack branching and the formation of secondary cracks,can be well reproduced.The results show that the particle DDA is a qualified method for crack propagation problems,providing valuable insights into the fracture mechanism of brittle materials.