Cracks coalescence mechanism and cracks propagation paths in rock-like specimens containing pre-existing random cracks under compression

The mechanism of cracks propagation and cracks coalescence due to compressive loading of the brittle substances containing pre-existing cracks （flaws） was modeled experimentally using specially made rock-like specimens from Portland Pozzolana Cement （PPC）. The breakage process of the specimens was studied by inserting single and double flaws with different inclination angles at the center and applying uniaxial compressive stress at both ends of the specimen. The first crack was oriented at 50＆#176; from the horizontal direction and kept constant throughout the analysis while the orientation of the second crack was changed. It is experimentally observed that the wing cracks are produced at the first stage of loading and start their propagation toward the direction of uniaxial compressive loading. The secondary cracks may also be produced in form of quasi-coplanar and/or oblique cracks in a stable manner. The secondary cracks may eventually continue their propagation in the direction of maximum principle stress. These experimental works were also simulated numerically by a modified higher order displacement discontinuity method and the cracks propagation and cracks coalescence were studied based on Mode I and Mode II stress intensity factors （SIFs）. It is concluded that the wing cracks initiation stresses for the specimens change from 11.3 to 14.1 MPain the case of numerical simulations and from 7.3 to 13.8 MPa in the case of experimental works. It is observed that cracks coalescence stresses change from 21.8 to 25.3 MPa and from 19.5 to 21.8 MPa in the numerical and experimental analyses, respectively. Comparing some of the numerical and experimental results with those recently cited in the literature validates the results obtained by the proposed study. Finally, a numerical simulation was accomplished to study the effect of confining pressure on the crack propagation process, showing that the SIFs increase and the crack initiation angles change in this case.

Bird specimen number linked with species trait and climate niche breadth

Biological specimens are fundamental for taxonomy and flora/fauna research.More importantly,they also play crucial roles in recording environmental impacts on morphology and behavior,which is vital for biodiversity research and conservation.However,there are few systematic studies on the patterns and drivers of bird specimen number at regional scales.This study is the first attempt to examine the relationships between bird specimen number and species traits as well as climate niche breadth in China,aiming to answer two questions:1)how do species’temperature niche breadth and precipitation niche breadth influence specimen number?2)which trait is most associated with bird specimen number?The associations between bird specimen number and explanatory variables were examined using ordinary least squares,generalized linear models,phylogenetic generalized linear mixed models,and multiple comparisons.The results showed that Muscicapidae was the family with the highest specimen number,and Passeriformes was the order with the highest specimen number.Bird specimen number significantly increased with larger temperature niche breadth and precipitation niche breadth.Specimen number was also positively associated with geographic range size,habitat specificity,hunting vulnerability and clutch size,but negatively associated with body size.These findings suggest that future bird specimen collection should pay more attention to birds with limited ecological niches,large body sizes,and small clutch sizes.This research enhances the use of bird specimen data to study and preserve biodiversity.

Dynamic characteristics of coal specimens with varying static preloading levels under low-frequency disturbance load

The mechanical properties of residual coal pillars under the influence of upward mining disturbances significantly affect the safety of residual mining activities on working faces.This study conducted low-frequency disturbance dynamic uniaxial compression tests on coal specimens using a self-developed dynamic-static load coupling electro-hydraulic servo system,and studied the strength evolutions,surface deformations,acoustic emission(AE)characteristic parameters,and the failure modes of coal specimens with different static preloading levels were studied.The disturbance damage is positively correlated with the coal specimen static preload level.Specifically,the cumulative AE count rates of the initial accelerated damage stage for the coal specimens with static preloading level of 60%and 70%of the uniaxial compressive strength(UCS)were 2.66 and 3.19 times that of the 50%UCS specimens,respectively.Macroscopically,this behaviour manifested as a decrease in the compressive strength,and the mean strengths of the disturbance-damaged coal specimens with 60%and 70%of UCS static preloading decreased by 8.53%and 9.32%,respectively,compared to those of the specimens under pure static loading.The crack sources,such as the primary fissures,strongly control the dynamic response of the coal specimen.The difference between the dynamic responses of the coal specimens and that of dense rocks is significant.

Species’ geographical range, environmental range and traits lead to specimen collection preference of dominant plant species of grasslands in Northern China

Many different factors,such as species traits,socio-economic factors,geographical and environmental factors,can lead to specimen collection preference.This study aims to determine whether grassland specimen collection in China is preferred by species traits(i.e.,plant height,flowering and fruiting period),environmental range(i.e.,the temperature and precipitation range)and geographical range(i.e.,distribution range and altitudinal range).Ordinary least squares models and phylogenetic generalized linear mixed models were used to analyze the relationships between specimen number and the explanatory variables.Random Forest models were then used to find the most parsimonious multivariate model.The results showed that interannual variation in specimen number between 1900 and 2020 was considerable.Specimen number of these species in southeast China was notably lower than that in northwest China.Environmental range and geographical range of species had significant positive correlations with specimen number.In addition,there were relatively weak but significant associations between specimen number and species trait(i.e.,plant height and flowering and fruiting period).Random Forest models indicated that distribution range was the most important variable,followed by flowering and fruiting period,and altitudinal range.These findings suggest that future floristic surveys should pay more attention to species with small geographical range,narrow environmental range,short plant height,and short flowering and fruiting period.The correction of specimen collection preference will also make the results of species distribution model,species evolution and other works based on specimen data more accurate.

Direct Pointwise Comparison of FE Predictions to StereoDIC Measurements:Developments and Validation Using Double Edge-Notched Tensile Specimen

To compare finite element analysis(FEA)predictions and stereovision digital image correlation(StereoDIC)strain measurements at the same spatial positions throughout a region of interest,a field comparison procedure is developed.The procedure includes(a)conversion of the finite element data into a triangular mesh,(b)selection of a common coordinate system,(c)determination of the rigid body transformation to place both measurements and FEA data in the same system and(d)interpolation of the FEA nodal information to the same spatial locations as the StereoDIC measurements using barycentric coordinates.For an aluminum Al-6061 double edge notched tensile specimen,FEA results are obtained using both the von Mises isotropic yield criterion and Hill’s quadratic anisotropic yield criterion,with the unknown Hill model parameters determined using full-field specimen strain measurements for the nominally plane stress specimen.Using Hill’s quadratic anisotropic yield criterion,the point-by-point comparison of experimentally based full-field strains and stresses to finite element predictions are shown to be in excellent agreement,confirming the effectiveness of the field comparison process.

Perioperative outcomes of transvaginal specimen extraction laparoscopic total gastrectomy and conventional laparoscopicassisted total gastrectomy

BACKGROUND Natural orifice specimen extraction surgery(NOSES)has emerged as a promising alternative compared to conventional laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy(LATG)for treating gastric cancer(GC).However,evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of NOSES for GC surgery is limited.This study aimed to compare the safety and feasibility,in addition to postoperative complications of NOSES and LATG.METHODS Dual circular staplers were used in Roux-en-Y digestive tract reconstruction for transvaginal specimen extraction LATG,and its outcomes were compared with LATG in a cohort of 51 GC patients with tumor size≤5 cm.The study was conducted from May 2018 to September 2020,and patients were categorized into the NOSES group(n=22)and LATG group(n=29).Perioperative parameters were compared and analyzed,including patient and tumor characteristics,postoperative outcomes,and anastomosis-related complications,postoperative hospital stay,the length of abdominal incision,difference in tumor type,postoperative complications,and postoperative survival.RESULTS Postoperative exhaust time,operation duration,mean postoperative hospital stay,length of abdominal incision,number of specific staplers used,and Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire score were significant in both groups(P<0.01).In the NOSES group,the postoperative time to first flatus,mean postoperative hospital stay,and length of abdominal incision were significantly shorter than those in the LATG group.Patients in the NOSES group had faster postoperative recovery,and achieved abdominal minimally invasive incision that met aesthetic requirements.There were no significant differences in gender,age,tumor type,postoperative complications,and postoperative survival between the two groups.CONCLUSION The application of dual circular staplers in Roux-en-Y digestive tract reconstruction combined with NOSES gastrectomy is safe and convenient.This approach offers better short-term outcomes compared to LATG,while long-term survival rates are comparable to those of conventional laparoscopic surgery.

Application Effect of Feedforward Control in Outpatient Blood Specimen Management

Objective:To analyze the application effect of feedforward control in outpatient blood specimen management.Methods:1,200 patients who had their venous blood collected in outpatient phlebotomy room of our hospital's outpatient clinic from January 2021 to April 2021 were selected as study subjects and divided into 600 cases in the control group and 600 cases in the observation group.The two groups of patients were compared in terms of their satisfaction with the staff,the efficiency of the nurses and the quality of nursing care,turnaround time before specimen analysis,the rejection rate of the blood specimens,and the time of result reporting.Results:After the implementation of feedforward control,patients'satisfaction with staff,nurses work efficiency and quality of care,turnaround time before specimen analysis,specimen rejection rate,and result reporting time in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The application of feedforward control in the management of outpatient blood specimens has significant effect,which effectively improves patients'satisfaction,enhances the efficiency of nurses and the quality of nursing care,shortens the turnaround time of specimens before analysis and the reporting time of results,and reduces the rejection rate of specimens.

A damage constitutive model of rock-like materials containing a single crack under the action of chemical corrosion and uniaxial compression

To describe the deformation and strength characteristics of the corroded rock-like specimens containing a single crack under uniaxial compression,a damage constitutive model combining hydro-chemical damage with coupling damage of micro-flaws and macro-cracks is proposed.Firstly,based on phenomenological theory,the damage variable of the rock-like specimens subjected to water environment erosion and chemical corrosion is obtained.Secondly,a coupled damage variable for cracked rock-like specimens is derived based on the Lemaitre strain equivalence hypothesis,which combines the Weibull statistical damage model for micro-flaws and the fracture mechanics model for a macro single crack.Then,considering the residual strength characteristics of the rock-like materials,the damage variable is modified by introducing the correction coefficient,and the damage constitutive model of the corroded rock-like specimens with a single crack under uniaxial compression is established.The model is verified by comparing the experimental stress−strain curves,and the results are in good agreement with those provided in the literature.Finally,the correction coefficient of the damage variable proposed in this paper is discussed.The damage constitutive model developed in this paper provides an effective method to describe the stress−strain relationship and residual strength characteristics of the corroded rock-like specimens with a single crack under uniaxial compression.

Failure characteristics and its influencing factors of rock-like material with multi-fissures under uniaxial compression

The compression test on rock-like specimens with prefabricated closed multi-fissures made by pulling out the embedded metal inserts in the precured period was done on the servo control uniaxial loading instrument. The influence of fissure inclination angle and distribution density on the failure characteristics of fissure bodies was researched. It was found that, the fissure inclination angle was the major influencing factor on the failure modes of fissure bodies. The different developmental states of micro-cracks would appear on specimens under different fissure inclination angles. However, the influence of fissure distribution density on the failure mode of fissure bodies was achieved by influencing the transfixion pattern of fissures. It was shown by the sliding crack model that, the effective shear, which drove the relative sliding of the fissure, was a function of fissure inclination angle and friction coefficient of the fissure surface. The strain-softening model of fissure bodies was established based on the mechanical parameters that were obtained by the test of rock-like materials under the same experimental condition. And the reliability of experimental results was identified by using this model.

Non-parallel double-crack propagation in rock-like materials under uniaxial compression

Coalescence among fractures would have influence on the stability of rock masses. Deep understanding of mechanical behavior of fractured rock masses is an important mean to identify failure mechanism of geological disaster. In this study, crack propagation processing was studied through loading pre-fractured specimens of concrete block, termed as rock-like material, in uniaxial compression tests. New non-parallel double-crack geometry was introduced to observe crack coalescence. The flaw combinations are different from the normally used flaw configurations. In addition, ultrasonic detection tests were performed on the test blocks. The stress and strain data of these tests and characteristic parameters of sound wave were recorded. The stress-strain curves of each test block under the uniaxial compression test were drawn, relations among deformation characteristics and crack angle of the crack specimens, and their overall strength were analyzed. It is found that strength of the specimen decreases as crack inclination increases under two crack inclinations. The highest uniaxial compressive strength is found in the specimen with the cracks at the same angle in different directions. Based on description of the crack initiation location, crack surface and the ultimate failure patterns, failure modes of eight subtype for test blocks are divided into three categories. It is expected that the study results could be beneficial for engineering application of jointed rock masses.

An experimental study on fracture mechanical behavior of rock-like materials containing two unparallel fissures under uniaxial compression

Strength and deformability characteristics of rock with pre-existing fissures are governed by cracking behavior. To further research the effects of pre-existing fissures on the mechanical properties and crack coalescence process, a series of uniaxial compression tests were carried out for rock-like material with two unparallel fissures.In the present study, cement, quartz sand, and water were used to fabricate a kind of brittle rock-like material cylindrical model specimen. The mechanical properties of rock-like material specimen used in this research were all in good agreement with the brittle rock materials. Two unparallel fissures（a horizontal fissure and an inclined fissure） were created by inserting steel during molding the model specimen.Then all the pre-fissured rock-like specimens were tested under uniaxial compression by a rock mechanics servocontrolled testing system. The peak strength and Young＇s modulus of pre-fissured specimen all first decreased and then increased when the fissure angle increased from 0？to 75？.In order to investigate the crack initiation, propagation and coalescence process, photographic monitoring was adopted to capture images during the entire deformation process.Moreover, acoustic emission（AE） monitoring technique was also used to obtain the AE evolution characteristic of prefissured specimen. The relationship between axial stress, AE events, and the crack coalescence process was set up： when a new crack was initiated or a crack coalescence occurred, thecorresponding axial stress dropped in the axial stress–time curve and a big AE event could be observed simultaneously.Finally, the mechanism of crack propagation under microscopic observation was discussed. These experimental results are expected to increase the understanding of the strength failure behavior and the cracking mechanism of rock containing unparallel fissures.

STUDY ON DAMAGE BIFURCATION AND INSTABILITY OF ROCK-LIKE MATERIALS

The critical bifurcation orientation and its corresponding hardening modulus for rock-like geomaterials are derived by considering the effect of stiffness degradation and volumetric dilatancy under the assumption of isotropic damage. The dependency of the localized orientation on the degree of damage and initial Poisson＇s ratio of rock is examined and the bifurcation behavior of the uniaxial compression sample under the plane-stress condition is compared with that under plane-strain condition. It is shown that the localization orientation angle intimately depends on both the initial Poisson＇s ratio and degree of damage for the rock sample under the uniaxial compression condition. As the initial Poisson＇s ratio or degree of damage increases, the orientation angle of the plane on which localization tends to be initiated gets to decrease. At the same time, the localization orientation angle of a rock sample under the plane-stress condition is larger than that under the plane-strain condition.

Mechanism of stress distribution and failure around two different shapes of openings within fractured rock-like materials

The complexity of a rock masses structure can lead to high uncertainties and risk during underground engineering construction.Laboratory tests on fractured rock-like materials containing a tunnel were conducted,and twodimensional particle flow models were established.The principal stress and principal strain distributions surrounding the four-arc-shaped and inverted U-shaped tunnels were investigated,respectively.Numerical results indicated that the dip angle combination of preexisting fractures directly affects the principal stress,principal strain distribution and the failure characteristics around the tunnel.The larger the absolute value of the preexisting fracture inclination angle,the higher the crushing degree of compression splitting near the hance and the larger the V-shaped failure zone.With a decrease in the absolute value of the preexisting fracture inclination angle,the compressive stress concentration of the sidewall with preexisting fractures gradually increases.The types of cracks initiated around the four-arc-shaped tunnel and the inverted U-shape tunnel are different.When the fractures are almost vertical,they have a significant influence on the stress of the sidewall force of the four-arc-shaped tunnel.When the fractures are almost horizontal,they have a significant influence on the stress of the sidewall of the inverted U-shaped tunnel.The findings provide a theoretical support for the local strengthening design of the tunnel supporting structure.

Experimental study of polyurethane foam reinforced soil used as a rock-like material

In this study, p o ly u reth an e foam ty p e th e rm o se t polym erizing, d u e to chem ical reaction b e tw e e n itsliquid ingredients, w as teste d as b in d e r afte r solidifying and th e n a rock-like m aterial m ixing w ith asandy silt ty p e soil w as prep ared . The uniaxial com pressive stren g th s （UCSs） o f p o ly u reth an e foamreinforced soil specim ens w ere d e term in ed for different p o ly u reth an e ratios in th e m ixture. A dditionally,a series o f te sts o n slake durability, im pact value, freezing-th aw in g resistance, and ab rasio n resistance ofp o ly u reth an e reinforced soil （PRS） m ix tu re w as co n d u cted . The UCS values over 3 M Pa w ere m easuredfrom th e PRS specim ens. The testin g results show ed th a t tre a te d soil can econom ically b ecom e adesirable rock-like m aterial in term s o f slake d u ra b ility a n d resistances ag ain st freezing-thaw ing, im pacteffect an d abrasion. As a n o th e r ch aracteristic o f th e rock-like m aterial m ade w ith p o ly u reth an e foam,u n it volum e w eig h t w as found to be q uite low er th a n th o se o f n atu ral rock m aterials.

Robotic natural orifice specimen extraction surgery I-type F method vs conventional robotic resection for lower rectal cancer

BACKGROUND Robotic resection using the natural orifice specimen extraction surgery I-type F method(R-NOSES I-F)is a novel minimally invasive surgical strategy for the treatment of lower rectal cancer.However,the current literature on this method is limited to case reports,and further investigation into its safety and feasibility is warranted.AIM To evaluate the safety and feasibility of R-NOSES I-F for the treatment of low rectal cancer.METHODS From September 2018 to February 2022,206 patients diagnosed with low rectal cancer at First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were included in this retrospective analysis.Of these patients,22 underwent R-NOSES I-F surgery(RNOSES I-F group)and 76 underwent conventional robotic-assisted low rectal cancer resection(RLRC group).Clinicopathological data of all patients were collected and analyzed.Postoperative outcomes and prognoses were compared between the two groups.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software.RESULTS Patients in the R-NOSES I-F group had a significantly lower visual analog score for pain on postoperative day 1(1.7±0.7 vs 2.2±0.6,P=0.003)and shorter postoperative anal venting time(2.7±0.6 vs 3.5±0.7,P<0.001)than those in the RLRC group.There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of sex,age,body mass index,tumor size,TNM stage,operative time,intrao-perative bleeding,postoperative complications,or inflammatory response(P>0.05).Postoperative anal and urinary functions,as assessed by Wexner,low anterior resection syndrome,and International Prostate Symptom Scale scores,were similar in both groups(P>0.05).Long-term follow-up revealed no significant differences in the rates of local recurrence and distant metastasis between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION R-NOSES I-F is a safe and effective minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of lower rectal cancer.It improves pain relief,promotes gastrointestinal function recovery,and helps avoid incision-related complications.

Identification of the Discrete Element Model Parameters for Rock-Like Brittle Materials

An inverse method for parameters identification of discrete element model combined with experiment is proposed.The inverse problem of parameter identification is transmitted to solve an optimization problem by minimizing the distance between the numerical calculations and experiment responses.In this method,the discrete element method is employed as numerical calculator for the forward problem.Then,the orthogonal experiment design with range analysis was used to carry out parameters sensitivity analysis.In addition,to improve the computational efficiency,the approximate model technique is used to replace the actual computational model.The intergeneration projection genetic algorithm(IP-GA)is employed as the optimization algorithm.Consequently,the parameters of the discrete element model are determined.To verify the effectiveness and accuracy of the inverse results,the comparisons of shape deviation experiments with discrete element simulations are provided.It indicates that the effective and reliable discrete element model parameters can be quickly obtained through several sets of experimental data.Hence,this inverse method can be applied more widely to determine the parameters of discrete element model for other materials.

类岩石试件三轴扰动破坏特性试验研究

为研究高应力围岩扰动破坏机制,开展了不同围压下类岩石试件的三轴常规压缩和三轴循环扰动试验,得到了试件的扰动应力–应变规律和变形破坏特征,并对试件开展了核磁共振(Nuclear Magnetic Resonance)成像试验,从微观角度进一步阐明了试件扰动破坏机理。研究结果表明:(1)试件在不同围压下均存在一个阈值强度,轴向荷载超过阈值强度后,轴向变形对扰动变得敏感,再次施加扰动会引起试件显著变形,当轴向荷载低于阈值强度时,变形对扰动不敏感。阈值强度与极限强度的比值可以反映试件的抗扰动能力,随着围压增大,该比值呈现逐步递减的规律,说明高围压下试件抗扰动能力下降,对扰动作用更敏感。(2)扰动作用下类岩石试件存在弱化效应,如常规三轴10MPa围压下试件表现出腰鼓破坏,而受扰动作用后,试件呈现斜切脆性破坏,与常规三轴5MPa围压下破坏形态相近。(3)岩石试件在高应力作用下进入塑性流动状态,内部颗粒重新排列,内部小孔隙与大孔隙的占比减少,而中孔隙的占比显著增多,试件内部孔隙率整体降低。

Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy for the Quantitative Analysis of Pyrite Thin Specimens

To explore ways to improve the accuracy of quantitative analysis of samples in the micrometer to nanometer range of magnitudes,we adopted analytical transmission electron microscopy(AEM/EDS)for qualitative and quantitative analysis of pyrite materials.Additionally,the k factor of pyrite is calculated experimentally.To develop an appropriate non-standard quantitative analysis model for pyrite materials,the experimentally calculated k factor is compared with that estimated from the non-standard quantitative analytical model of the instrument software.The experimental findings demonstrate that the EDS attached to a TEM can be employed for precise quantitative analysis of micro-and nanoscale regions of pyrite materials.Furthermore,it serves as a reference for improving the results of the EDS quantitative analysis of other sulfides.

Statistical Analysis and Countermeasures for Specimen Rejection in the Emergency Department

The rejected specimens from the Emergency Department of the Center of Clinical Laboratory from January 1,2022 to January 1,2023 were analyzed to reduce the specimen rejection rates and to improve the quality of inspection.The results showed that there were 1488 samples of rejected specimens and the non-conforming rate was 0.58%.The departments involved were mainly the Emergency Department,the Hematology Department,the Cardiology Department,the Intensive Care Department,and the Brain Surgery Department.Among the reasons for rejection,blood hemolysis accounted for 43.15%,blood coagulation accounted for 26.61%,and the rate of insufficient specimens was 17.14%.Among them,the sample rejection rate for arterial blood gas analysis was the highest,which accounted for 1.74%;followed by specimens for coagulation test,which was 1.18%.These results indicate the main reason for producing rejected specimens is mainly due to not following the standard operating procedure.Specimen rejection can largely be avoided if the standards for specimen collection are strictly followed.

公安实践教学中数字化标本库的构建与应用

为推进信息化教学的发展,提出在公安实践教学中建设数字化标本库的构想。以虚拟仿真教学中的毒品数字化标本库构建与教学组织应用为例,探讨公安数字化标本库建设可持续发展的路径和内涵,提出适合公安特色数字化标本库内容和标准化建设的建议,采用资源利用、整合、共建等高效节约办法,注重数字化样本库和数据库同步开发使用的发展趋势。数字化标本库具有线上自学、线上线下教学、终身学习等优势,可启发公安教育智慧教学工作高质量发展。