A dual-RPA based lateral flow strip for sensitive,on-site detection of CP4-EPSPS and Cry1Ab/Ac genes in genetically modified crops

Traditional transgenic detection methods require high test conditions and struggle to be both sensitive and efficient.In this study,a one-tube dual recombinase polymerase amplification(RPA)reaction system for CP4-EPSPS and Cry1Ab/Ac was proposed and combined with a lateral flow immunochromatographic assay,named“Dual-RPA-LFD”,to visualize the dual detection of genetically modified(GM)crops.In which,the herbicide tolerance gene CP4-EPSPS and the insect resistance gene Cry1Ab/Ac were selected as targets taking into account the current status of the most widespread application of insect resistance and herbicide tolerance traits and their stacked traits.Gradient diluted plasmids,transgenic standards,and actual samples were used as templates to conduct sensitivity,specificity,and practicality assays,respectively.The constructed method achieved the visual detection of plasmid at levels as low as 100 copies,demonstrating its high sensitivity.In addition,good applicability to transgenic samples was observed,with no cross-interference between two test lines and no influence from other genes.In conclusion,this strategy achieved the expected purpose of simultaneous detection of the two popular targets in GM crops within 20 min at 37°C in a rapid,equipmentfree field manner,providing a new alternative for rapid screening for transgenic assays in the field.

New Explorations of Laboratory and On-site Testing of Broadband Seismographs in China

According to different testing purposes, methods and available environmental conditions, the seismograph testing can be divided into laboratory and on-site testing, respectively. The testing of the seismograph's key parameters and other concerning technical specifications are well described in guide documents(China Earthquake Administration, 2017). This includes seismometer sensitivity, linearity and clip levels based on the shake table test, as well as the seismometer natural period, damping constant based on electrical calibration(Wang Guangfu,1986; Ple?inger A.,1993) and instrumental self-noise collocation estimation(Holcomb L.G., 1989; Sleeman R. et al., 2006). However, with the development of seismic observation technology, many new requirements for the performance evaluation of seismographs have been put forward, and new testing items and methods have emerged.

An Experience of On-site PD Testing for Condition Monitoring of an 11 kV PILC Cable Insulation System

A cable circuit of a substation in the United Kingdom showed high level of PD activities during a survey using hand hold PD testing equipment. The authors were invited to carry out on-site PD testing experiment to further diagnose and locate the potential problem of the cable system. This paper presents the experience of the present authors carrying out the cable test. Following a brief introduction to the experiment equipments and physical connections, the paper analyses the data collected from the testing, including PD pulse shape analysis, frequency spectrum analysis and phase resolved PD pattern analysis. Associated with PD propagation direction identification, PD source diagnosis and localisation was made. Four different types of sensors, which were adapted during the testing, are shown to have different frequency bandwidths and performed differently. Aider comparing the parameters of the sensor and the PD signals detected by individual sensor, optimal PD monitoring bandwidth for cable system is suggested.

Laboratory pull-out tests on fully grouted rock bolts and cable bolts:Results and lessons learned

Laboratory pull-out tests were conducted on the following rock bolts and cable bolts:steel rebars,smooth steel bars,fiberglass reinforced polymer threaded bolts,flexible cable bolts,IR5/IN special cable bolts and Mini-cage cable bolts.The diameter of the tested bolts was between 16 mm and 26 mm.The bolts were grouted in a sandstone sample using resin or cement grouts.The tests were conducted under either constant radial stiffness or constant confining pressure boundary conditions applied on the outer surface of the rock sample.In most tests,the rate of displacement was about 0.02 mm/s.The tests were performed using a pull-out bench that allows testing a wide range of parameters.This paper provides an extensive database of laboratory pull-out test results and confirms the influence of the confining pressure and the embedment length on the pull-out response(rock bolts and cable bolts).It also highlights the sensitivity of the results to the operating conditions and to the behavior of the sample as a whole,which cannot be neglected when the test results are used to assess the bolt-grout or the grouterock interface.

Pull-out tests and slope stability analyses of nailing systems comprising single and multi rebars with grouted cement

The pull-out capacities for soil nailing systems comprising of one single 29 mm diameter(type A) and four 16 mm diameter(type B) rebars with grouted cement were examined.A field test and numerical analysis for the type A and type B systems were carried out to investigate the pull-out capacities and the slope stability reinforcement efficiency in soil and rock slopes.The results of the pull-out tests show the mobilized shear force and load transfer characteristics with respect to soil depth.The load-displacement relationship was examined for both type A and type B systems.Slope stability analyses were carried out to study the relationships between soil and nail reinforcement and bending stiffness as well as combined axial tension and shear forces.Factors of safety were calculated in relation to the number of nails and their outside diameters.Both soil and rock slopes were included in this evaluation.

Effects of different pull-out loading rates on mechanical behaviors and acoustic emission responses of fully grouted bolts

Due to the influence of mining disturbance stress,it is of great significance to better understand the bearing characteristics of fully grouted bolts under different pull-out loading rates.For this purpose,a series of laboratory pull-out tests were conducted to comprehensively investigate the effects of different pull-out loading rates on the mechanical performance and failure characteristics of fully grouted bolts.The results show that the mechanical performance of the anchored specimen presents obvious loading rate dependence and shear enhancement characteristics.With the increase of the pull-out loading rates,the maximum pull-out load increases,the displacement and time corresponding to the maximum pull-out load decrease.The accumulated acoustic emission(AE)counts,AE energy and AE events all decrease with the increase of the pull-out loading rates.The AE peak frequency has obvious divisional distribution characteristics and the amplitude is mainly distributed between 50-80 dB.With the increase of the pull-out loading rates,the local strain of the anchoring interface increases and the failure of the anchoring interface transfers to the interior of the resin grout.The accumulated AE counts are used to evaluate the damage parameter of the anchoring interface during the whole pull-out process.The analytical results are in good agreement with the experimental results.The research results may provide guidance for the support design and performance monitoring of fully grouted bolts.

Loading characteristics of mechanical rib bolts determined through testing and numerical modeling

Underground coal mines use mechanical bolts in addition to other types of bolts to control the rib deformation and to stabilize the yielded coal ribs.Limited research has been conducted to understand the performance of the mechanical bolts in coal ribs.Researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH)conducted this work to understand the loading characteristics of mechanical bolts(stiffness and capacity)installed in coal ribs at five underground coal mines.Standard pull-out tests were performed in this study to define the loading characteristics of mechanical rib bolts.Different installation torques were applied to the tested bolts based on the strength of the coal seam.A typical tri-linear load-deformation response for mechanical bolts was obtained from these tests.It was found that the anchorage capacity depended mainly on the coal strength.Guidelines for modeling mechanical bolts have been developed using the tri-linear load-deformation response.The outcome of this research provides essential data for rib support design.

Bond Property Test of Reinforced Concrete with All Soaking and Impressed Current Method Corrosion

In order to research the bond properties between corroded reinforcement bars and concrete,reinforcement bars with different diameters and different types and concrete with different strength levels were treated specially with all soaking and impressed current method,and the bond properties were measured with the pull-out test.The comparative analysis of the bond properties of corroded reinforcement bars was carried out.The results showed that the types of reinforcement bars and concrete had great influence on the bond strength.The corrosion and volume expansion of reinforcement bars made concrete in tensile condition,which tended to produce cracks in parallel reinforced direction.The typical bond failure of plain reinforcement bars was pull-out,while the typical bond failure of ribbed reinforcement bars was split.The bond strength between corroded reinforcement bars and concrete increased with the increase of concrete strength.The bond strength of plain and ribbed reinforcement bars showed a decreasing trend after the first increase with the increase of the extent of corrosion.Through the test,the coefficients of the bond strength of plain and ribbed reinforcement bars were given,respectively.

Investigating Earth Reaction to Pull-Out Process of Frictional Rock Bolts Using Distinct Element Method

The reaction of earth to pull-out process of frictional rock bolts was here modeled by the distinct element method (DEM). Ten frictional bolts were prepared;the expanding shells of five bolts included convex edges and the others had the shells with concave bits. The strength of bolts was measured by applying a standard pull-out test;the results confirmed that the strength of shells with convex edges was remarkably more than the strength of other shells. Furthermore, a two-dimensional DEM model of the test was developed by a particle flow code;the obtained results showed that the reaction of rock particles to the contacts occurring between the convex edges and earth was considerably more than those of the concave bits. In the other words, the convex edges transferred the pull-out force into a large area of the surrounded rock, causing these bolts to have the highest resistance against earth movements.

Research advances in enhanced coal seam gas extraction by controllable shock wave fracturing

With the continuous increase of mining in depth,the gas extraction faces the challenges of low permeability,great ground stress,high temperature and large gas pressure in coal seam.The controllable shock wave(CSW),as a new method for enhancing permeability of coal seam to improve gas extraction,features in the advantages of high efficiency,eco-friendly,and low cost.In order to better utilize the CSW into gas extraction in coal mine,the mechanism and feasibility of CSW enhanced extraction need to be studied.In this paper,the basic principles,the experimental tests,the mathematical models,and the on-site tests of CSW fracturing coal seams are reviewed,thereby its future research directions are provided.Based on the different media between electrodes,the CSW can be divided into three categories:hydraulic effect,wire explosion and excitation of energetic materials by detonating wire.During the process of propagation and attenuation of the high-energy shock wave in coal,the shock wave and bubble pulsation work together to produce an enhanced permeability effect on the coal seam.The stronger the strength of the CSW is,the more cracks created in the coal is,and the greater the length,width and area of the cracks being.The repeated shock on the coal seam is conducive to the formation of complex network fracture system as well as the reduction of coal seam strength,but excessive shock frequency will also damage the coal structure,resulting in the limited effect of the enhanced gas extraction.Under the influence of ground stress,the crack propagation in coal seam will be restrained.The difference of horizontal principal stress has a significant impact on the shape,propagation direction and connectivity of the CSW induced cracks.The permeability enhancement effect of CSW is affected by the breakage degree of coal seam.The shock wave is absorbed by the broken coal,which may hinder the propagation of CSW,resulting in a poor effect of permeability enhancement.When arranging two adjacent boreholes for CSW permeability enhancement test,the spacing of boreholes should not be too close,which may lead to negative pressure mutual pulling in the early stage of drainage.At present,the accurate method for effectively predicting the CSW permeability enhanced range should be further investigated.

Anchoring mechanical characteristics of Ductile-Expansion bolt

The application of ductile rock bolts has been a crucial method for solving the problems of large deformations,energy absorption and stability control issues in deep rock masses.To study the anchoring mechanism of the key expansive structure,this paper proposes a novel type of bolt—the Ductile-Expansion bolt,and conducts research on anchoring mechanics,energy absorption characteristics,and failure modes of the bolt.In addition,this paper defines the concept of load-volume ratio of metal rock bolts and proves the Ductile-Expansion bolt is capable of better improving the unit volume bearing capacity of the bolt material.Furthermore,laboratory and field tests verify the Ductile-Expansion bolt had better anchoring effect than the traditional rebar bolt,with the expansion structure favorably enhancing the ductility and energy absorption performance of the bolt.Finally,this paper microscopically analyzes the crack propagation and distribution morphology of the bolts by establishing a 3D coupled numerical model based on FDM-DEM.Numerical results illustrate the interface at the variable diameter of the Ductile-Expansion bolt serves as the transition zone between high and low stress levels.The expansion structure can impose radial compression on the medium around the bolt,which can improve the bolt anchorage performance.

PULTRUSION OF POLYBENZOXAZINE RESIN MATRIX Z-PIN

The pultrusion of the polybenzoxazine resin matrix Z-pin is studied, because the Z-pin technology is an efficient reinforcement method for composites. Based on the curing characteristics acquired by differential scanning calorimeter（DSC） analysis, the suitable mould temperature for pultrusion is researched with the visual inspection and the Z-pin short beam shear test. The pull-out test is designed to evaluate the post oven temperature that can affect the combination between Z-pins and laminates. And then, the appropriate temperature for the post oven is obtained. Finally, micro photos are used to inspect the defects in Z-pins. The results show that when the resin is heated to 70°C, Z-pin pultrusion demands for viscosity are satisfied, and the shelf-life is about 4 h. With the mould temperature increasing to 140°C, the Z-pin short beam shear strength rises correspondingly and the cross section profile is the best. When the post oven temperature declines, the combination between Z-pins and laminates becomes stronger. However, pores appear in Z-pins unless the oven temperature increases to 200°C. Therefore, the optimum post oven temperature should be set at 200°C.

Explicit reinforcement models for fully-grouted rebar rock bolts

This paper investigates the explicit use of rock reinforcement in a discontinuous stress analysis model.A series of numerical experiments was undertaken to evaluate the performance of local and global reinforcement models implemented in universal distinct element code(UDEC).This was made possible by calibrating the reinforcement models to the laboratory behavior of a fully-grouted rebar bolt tested under pure pull and pure shear loading conditions.The model calibration focuses on matching different loading stages of the force-displacement curve including the initial elastic response,the hardening behavior and the bolt rupture.The paper concludes with a discussion on the suitability of the different reinforcement models in UDEC including their advantages and limitations.Finally,it addresses the choice of input parameters required for a realistic simulation of fully-grouted rebar bolts.

Overburden management in open pits: options and limits in large limestone quarries

The management of overburden is an important task in open pit exploitations. Site topography and morphology as well as geological and geotechnical properties of natural and remoulded materials are the most important factors affecting the disposal phase. Economic and environmental requirements must be followed in order to achieve the best reclamation results, keeping into account site constraints such as slope stability, hauling and dumping issues, and interactions with groundwater. This paper deals with the above mentioned issues, illustrating a rational approach applied on the case of a large limestone quarry where the thickness of the overburden is relevant and the spoil material has to be dumped in a flooded pit. The proposed multidisciplinary approach led to the selection of most suitable methods for excavation, transportation and disposal. The selection was based on a detailed laboratory and site characterisation that defined favorable and adverse factors to be considered during the preliminary study of a large quarrying project.

Anchoring effect and energy-absorbing support mechanism of large deformation bolt

To research the anchoring effect of large deformation bolt,tensile and drawing models are established.Then,the evolution laws of drawing force,bolt axial force and interfacial shear stress are analyzed.Additionally,the influence of structure element position on the anchoring effect of large deformation bolt is discussed.At last,the energy-absorbing support mechanism is discussed.Results show that during the drawing process of normal bolt,drawing force,bolt axial force and interfacial shear stress all gradually increase as increasing the drawing displacement,but when the large deformation bolt enters the structural deformation stage,these three values will keep stable;when the structure element of large deformation bolt approaches the drawing end,the fluctuation range of drawing force decreases,the distributions of bolt axial force and interfacial shear stress of anchorage section are steady and the increasing rate of interfacial shear stress decreases,which are advantageous for keeping the stress stability of the anchorage body.During the working process of large deformation bolt,the strain of bolt body is small,the working resistance is stable and the distributions of bolt axial force and interfacial shear stress are steady.When a rock burst event occurs,the bolt and bonding interface cannot easily break,which weakens the dynamic disaster degree.

Experimental and numerical studies on progressive debonding of grouted rock bolts

Understanding the mechanism of progressive debonding of bolts is of great significance for underground safety.In this paper,both laboratory experiment and numerical simulation of the pull-out tests were performed.The experimental pull-out test specimens were prepared using cement mortar material,and a relationship between the pull-out strength of the bolt and the uniaxial compressive strength(UCS)of cement mortar material specimen was established.The locations of crack developed in the pull-out process were identified using the acoustic emission(AE)technique.The pull-out test was reproduced using 2D Particle Flow Code(PFC^(2D))with calibrated parameters.The experimental results show that the axial displacement of the cement mortar material at the peak load during the test was approximately 5 mm for cement-based grout of all strength.In contrast,the peak load of the bolt increased with the UCS of the confining medium.Under peak load,cracks propagated to less than one half of the anchorage length,indicating a lag between crack propagation and axial bolt load transmission.The simulation results show that the dilatation between the bolt and the rock induced cracks and extended the force field along the anchorage direction;and,it was identified as the major contributing factor for the pull-out failure of rock bolt.

DEM investigation of rock/bolt mechanical behaviour in pull-out tests

Rock bolt anchorage performance is crucial for tunnel support safety.We investigate the mechanical behaviour of reinforced rock and the bolts that reinforce it from the micro-scale to the macro-scale.Bolt pull-out tests were performed on soft rock using the distinct element method,in which a new contact model that considers bond size,is employed to constrain the main rock mechanical behaviour.The minimum sample width and height values for which the boundary effect can be neglected are first proposed through numerous tests on the influence of sample size on peak load and bond breakage.The influence of sample width is substantially greater than that of sample height.We then select an appropriate sample size to study the influence of bolt embedment length and confining pressure on the mechanical behaviours of the rock and bolt.The results show that increased rock bolt embedment length and confining pressure can increase the peak load;however,the bolt length effect is limited when exceeding the critical anchorage length.In cases without confining pressure,bond breakage occurs in the rock around the grout-rock interface and the breakage zone is rectangular,whereas in cases under confining pressure,the breakage zone presents an inverted cone shape.We use our results to discuss the influence of bond strength at the bolt-grout interface on the peak load and failure mode.The failure mode changes gradually from complex failure to single failure along the bolt-grout interface with decreasing interfacial bond strength.

A hardening load transfer function for rock bolts and its calibration using distributed fiber optic sensing

Confinement of rock bolts by the surrounding rock formation has long been recognized as a positive contributor to the pull-out behavior,yet only a few experimental works and analytical models have been reported,most of which are based on the global rock bolt response evaluated in pull-out tests.This paper presents a laboratory experimental setup aiming to capture the rock formation effect,while using distributed fiber optic sensing to quantify the effect of the confinement and the reinforcement pull-out behavior on a more local level.It is shown that the behavior along the sample itself varies,with certain points exhibiting stress drops with crack formation.Some edge effects related to the kinematic freedom of the grout to dilate are also observed.Regardless,it was found that the mid-level response is quite similar to the average response along the sample.The ability to characterize the variation of the response along the sample is one of the many advantages high-resolution fiber optic sensing allows in such investigations.The paper also offers a plasticity-based hardening load transfer function,representing a"slice"of the anchor.The paper describes in detail the development of the model and the calibration/determination of its parameters.The suggested model captures well the coupled behavior in which the pull-out process leads to an increase in the confining stress due to dilative behavior.

Bond Properties and Experimental Methods of Textile Reinforced Concrete

Textile reinforced concrete（TRC, for short） allows the low size production and offers a high effectiveness of the reinforcement by using continuous roving instead of short-chopped fibers. However, whether textiles can cooperate with concrete very well depends on the bond between them. In this paper, the bonding mechanism that the stress was transferred from fine concrete to textile was analyzed, and the influences of the initial bond length of textile, the surface treatment of textile, the strength and workability of concrete as well as the level of prestressing force on bond behavior were investigated on the basis of pull-out tests. The results reveal that with initial bond length increasing, the maximum pull force increases, and increasing concrete strength and improving workability of concrete matrix, epoxy resin impregnating and sand covering of textile as well as prestressing textile can obviously increase the bond strength between the textile and concrete.

A critical review of on-site inorganic arsenic screening methods

Approximately 94 to 220 million people worldwide are at risk of drinking well water containing arsenic > 10 μg/L, the WHO guideline value. To identify non-compliant domestic wells, assess health risks and reduce exposure, accurate and rapid on-site inorganic arsenic screening methods are desirable because all domestic wells worldwide need to be tested.Here, the principles, advantages and limitations of commonly used colorimetry, electrochemistry, and biosensing methods are critically reviewed, with the performance compared with laboratory-based benchmark methods. Most commercial kits are based on the classic Gutzeit reaction. Despite being semi-quantitative, the more recent and more expensive products display improved and acceptable accuracy and shorter testing time (~10 min). Carried out by trained professionals, electrochemical methods are also feasible for on-site analysis, although miniaturization is desirable yet challenging. Biosensing using whole bacterial cells or bio-engineered materials such as aptamers is promising, if incorporated with function specific nanomaterials and biomaterials. Since arsenic is frequently found as arsenite in reducing groundwater and subject to oxidation during sampling, transportation and storage, on-site separation and sample preservation are feasible but the specific methods should be chosen based on sample matrix and tested before use. To eliminate arsenic exposure among hundreds of millions of mostly rural residents worldwide, we call for concerted efforts in research community and regulatory authority to develop accurate, rapid, and affordable tests for on-site screening and monitoring of arsenic in drinking water. Access to affordable testing will benefit people who are socioeconomically disadvantaged.