The law of strength damage and deterioration of jointed sandstone after dry-wet cycles

Under the periodic rise and fall of the water level in the Three Gorges Reservoir in China,the rock mass in the ebb and flow zone of the slope is always in a state of a dry-wet cycle.In order to explore the influence of dry-wet cycle on mechanical properties of jointed sandstone,the triaxial and uniaxial compression tests of dry-wet cycle of jointed sandstone were carried out.For the experiment,four groups of samples with different numbers of joints were set up,and the jointed rock samples were subjected to 20 dry-wet cycles.Using both the triaxial compression test and the Mohr-Coulomb(M-C)rock fracture criterion,the strength envelope of the sandstone samples was fitted,and their strength degradation was further analyzed and studied.The results show that:(1)The peak intensity and elastic modulus of the sandstone samples decrease with increased number of dry-wet cycles.(2)The total deterioration of mechanical properties of intact rock samples is bigger than that of jointed sandstone samples as the number of dry-wet cycles increases.(3)With the increase of confining pressure,the peak intensity of intact sandstone samples increases much more than that of jointed sandstone samples,which indicates that joints and their numbers have obvious influence.(4)Joints and their numbers play an important role in guiding the damage effects of sandstone samples,which weaken the damage caused by dry-wet cycles.Therefore,the envelope of the M-C strength criterion of intact sandstone samples moves more than that of jointed sandstone samples.

Research on saponin active compounds of Tuchao Baibiandouren for the treatment of type-2 diabetes based on UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS and network pharmacology

Objective To explore the pharmacological mechanism of active saponin compounds of Tuchao Baibiandouren(Lablab Semen Album fried with earth,TCBBDR)in treating type 2 diabetes(T2DM)using UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS and network pharmacology.Methods UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS was used for a qualitative analysis of saponin compounds in TCBBDR.PharmMapper and CTD were used to screen drug active compounds and disease targets,and an active compound-target network was constructed via Cytoscape 3.8.0.Molecular docking was applied with the drug active compounds and key targets using AutoDock Vina 1.1.2,and a trajectory for the molecular dynamics simulation was completed by GROMACS 2019-3.Results Sixteen saponin compounds were identified from TCBBDR,along with 292 saponin compoud targets and 792 T2DM targets.Through Venn analysis of target saponin constituents and T2DM related targets,a total of 91 intersection targets were screened out in the treatment of T2DM with saponin.The mean values of degree,betweenness centrality and closeness centrality were taken as the thresholds to screen out 22 key genes,among which 4 key proteins namely MAPK1,IGF1 EGFR,PIK3R1 were selected in the top 10 key genes.On this basis,the saponin active constituent-target-signaling pathway network was established.The Gene Ontology(GO)enrichment analysis showed that the related biological modules included activity of steroid hormone receptor,steroid binding,and insulin receptor binding,etc.;the related signaling pathways were EGFR,PI3K-Akt and MAPK,etc.;regulating signaling pathways like MAPK could induce the proliferation,inhibition and apoptosis of pancreaticβcells,increase the quantity of pancreaticβcells,improve the functions of pancreaticβcells and stimulate the insulin secretion.Docking experiment analysis showed that all selected saponin compounds could enter the active sites of targets and form 3–14 hydrogen bonds with residues of the active sites.Moreover,van der Waals forces were present between chemical compounds and active sites.By combining the docking binding energy,we determined that the chemical compounds showed strong binding energy to the targets.Conclusion TCBBDR exerts therapeutic effects on diabetes through multi-compound and multi-target collaboration.Specifically,saponin components mediate pathways including inflammatory reaction and signal transduction to treat T2DM by regulating several key proteins that interact with EGFR and a series of signaling pathways related to disease development.

Interface Engineering of Titanium Nitride Nanotube Composites for Excellent Microwave Absorption at Elevated Temperature

Currently,the microwave absorbers usually suffer dreadful electromagnetic wave absorption(EMWA)performance damping at elevated temperature due to impedance mismatching induced by increased conduction loss.Consequently,the development of high-performance EMWA materials with good impedance matching and strong loss ability in wide temperature spectrum has emerged as a top priority.Herein,due to the high melting point,good electrical conductivity,excellent environmental stability,EM coupling effect,and abundant interfaces of titanium nitride(TiN)nanotubes,they were designed based on the controlling kinetic diffusion procedure and Ostwald ripening process.Benefiting from boosted heterogeneous interfaces between TiN nanotubes and polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS),enhanced polarization loss relaxations were created,which could not only improve the depletion efficiency of EMWA,but also contribute to the optimized impedance matching at elevated temperature.Therefore,the TiN nanotubes/PDMS composite showed excellent EMWA performances at varied temperature(298-573 K),while achieved an effective absorption bandwidth(EAB)value of 3.23 GHz and a minimum reflection loss(RLmin)value of−44.15 dB at 423 K.This study not only clarifies the relationship between dielectric loss capacity(conduction loss and polarization loss)and temperature,but also breaks new ground for EM absorbers in wide temperature spectrum based on interface engineering.

Pulses in ground motions identified through surface partial matching and their impact on seismic rocking consequence

In seismology and earthquake engineering,it is fundamental to identify and characterize the pulse-like features in pulse-type ground motions.To capture the pulses that dominate structural responses,this study establishes congruence and shift relationships between response spectrum surfaces.A similarity search between spectrum surfaces,supplemented with a similarity search in time series,has been applied to characterize the pulse-like features in pulse-type ground motions.The identified pulses are tested in predicting the rocking consequences of slender rectangular blocks under the original ground motions.Generally,the prediction is promising for the majority of the ground motions where the dominant pulse is correctly identified.

A new insight into LPSO phase transformation and mechanical properties uniformity of large-scale Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr alloy prepared by multi-pass friction stir processing

A large-scale fine-grained Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr alloy plate with high strength and ductility was successfully prepared by multi-pass friction stir processing(MFSP)technology in this work.The structure of grains and long period stacking ordered(LPSO)phase were characterized,and the mechanical properties uniformity was investigated.Moreover,a quantitative relationship between the microstructure and tensile yield strength was established.The results showed that the grains in the processed zone(PZ)and interfacial zone(IZ)were refined from 50μm to 3μm and 4μm,respectively,and numerous original LPSO phases were broken.In IZ,some block-shaped 18R LPSO phases were transformed into needle-like 14H LPSO phases due to stacking faults and the short-range diffusion of solute atoms.The severe shear deformation in the form of kinetic energy caused profuse stacking fault to be generated and move rapidly,greatly increasing the transformation rate of LPSO phase.After MFSP,the ultimate tensile strength,yield strength and elongation to failure of the large-scale plate were 367 MPa,305 MPa and 18.0% respectively.Grain refinement and LPSO phase strengthening were the major strengthening mechanisms for the MFSP sample.In particularly,the strength of IZ was comparable to that of PZ because the strength contribution of the 14H LPSO phase offsets the lack of grain refinement strengthening in IZ.This result opposes the widely accepted notion that IZ is a weak region in MFSP-prepared large-scale fine-grained plate.

Excess non-COVID-19-related mortality among inflammatory bowel disease decedents during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic disrupted healthcare in the United States.AIM To investigate COVID-19-related and non-COVID-19-related death and characteristics associated with excess death among inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)decedents.METHODS We performed a register-based study using data from the National Vital Statistics System,which reports death data from over 99%of the United States population,from January 1,2006 through December 31,2021.IBD-related deaths among adults 25 years and older were stratified by age,sex,race/ethnicity,place of death,and primary cause of death.Predicted and actual age-standardized mortality rates(ASMRs)per 100000 persons were compared.RESULTS 49782 IBD-related deaths occurred during the study period.Non-COVID-19-related deaths increased by 13.14%in 2020 and 18.12%in 2021[2020 ASMR:1.55 actual vs 1.37 predicted,95%confidence interval(CI):1.26-1.49;2021 ASMR:1.63 actual vs 1.38 predicted,95%CI:1.26-1.49].In 2020,non-COVID-19-related mortality increased by 17.65%in ulcerative colitis(UC)patients between the ages of 25 and 65 and 36.36%in non-Hispanic black(NHB)Crohn’s disease(CD)patients.During the pandemic,deaths at home or on arrival and at medical facilities as well as deaths due to neoplasms also increased.CONCLUSION IBD patients suffered excess non-COVID-19-related death during the pandemic.Excess death was associated with younger age among UC patients,and with NHB race among CD patients.Increased death at home or on arrival and due to neoplasms suggests that delayed presentation and difficulty accessing healthcare may have led to increased IBD mortality.

Endogenous serotonin induced by cold acclimation increases cold tolerance by reshaping the MEL/ROS/RNS redox network in Kandelia obovata

Cold stress severely limits the distribution of mangrove species worldwide and it remains unclear how mangroves respond and adapt to cold temperatures.In this study,we investigated the effects of cold acclimation and/or inhibition of serotonin levels on reactive oxygen species(ROS),reactive nitrogen species(RNS),melatonin(MEL)and serotonin(SER)accumulation during cold stress in Kandelia obovata.Morphologic observation and param-eter analysis revealed that cold acclimation mitigated the photoinhibition of photosystem I(PSI)and photosystem II(PSII),maintained optimal ROS and RNS redox homeosta-sis,and increased the contents of SER and MEL in leaves.This suggests that cold acclimation reshapes the MEL/ROS/RNS redox network.In particular,the tryptophan/tryptamine/Ser/N-acetylserotonin/MER pathway was identi-fied as a branch of the MEL synthesis pathway.Inhibition of endogenous SER exacerbated damage caused by cold stress,indicating the crosstalk of SER synthesis and cold acclima-tion.In this study,we report a coordinated regulation of cold stress by a complex defense network in K.obovata.

Suppression of Co(Ⅱ)ion deposition and hazards:Regulation of SEI film composition and structure

Despite the presence of Li F components in the solid electrolyte interphase(SEI)formed on the graphite anode surface by conventional electrolyte,these Li F components primarily exist in an amorphous state,rendering them incapable of effectively inhibiting the exchange reaction between lithium ions and transition metal ions in the electrolyte.Consequently,nearly all lithium ions within the SEI film are replaced by transition metal ions,resulting in an increase in interphacial impedance and a decrease in stability.Herein,we demonstrate that the SEI film,constructed by fluoroethylene carbonate(FEC)additive rich in crystalline Li F,effectively inhibits the undesired Li^(+)/Co^(2+)ion exchange reaction,thereby suppressing the deposition of cobalt compounds and metallic cobalt.Furthermore,the deposited cobalt compounds exhibit enhanced structural stability and reduced catalytic activity with minimal impact on the interphacial stability of the graphite anode.Our findings reveal the crucial influence of SEI film composition and structure on the deposition and hazards associated with transition metal ions,providing valuable guidance for designing next-generation electrolytes.

Super-resolution Imaging of Telescopic Systems based on Optical-neural Network Joint Optimization

Optical telescopes are an important tool for acquiring optical information about distant objects,and resolution is an important indicator that measures the ability to observe object details.However,due to the effects of system aberration,atmospheric seeing,and other factors,the observed image of ground-based telescopes is often degraded,resulting in reduced resolution.This paper proposes an optical-neural network joint optimization method to improve the resolution of the observed image by co-optimizing the point-spread function(PSF)of the telescopic system and the image super-resolution(SR)network.To improve the speed of image reconstruction,we designed a generative adversarial net(LCR-GAN)with light parameters,which is much faster than the latest unsupervised networks.To reconstruct the PSF trained by the network in the optical path,a phase mask is introduced.It improves the image reconstruction effect of LCR-GAN by reconstructing the PSF that best matches the network.The results of simulation and verification experiments show that compared with the pure deep learning method,the SR image reconstructed by this method is rich in detail and it is easier to distinguish stars or stripes.

Tackling application limitations of high-safetyγ-butyrolactone electrolytes:Exploring mechanisms and proposing solutions

Developing wide-temperature and high-safety lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)presents significant challenges attributed to the absence of suitable solvents possessing broad liquid range and non-flammability properties.γ-Butyrolactone(GBL)has emerged as a promising solvent;however,its incompatibility with graphite anode has hindered its application.This limitation necessitates a comprehensive investigation into the underlying mechanisms and potential solutions.In this study,we achieve a molecular-level understanding of the perplexing interphase formation process by employing in-situ spectroelectrochemical techniques and density function calculations.Our findings reveal that,even at high salt concentrations,GBL consistently occupies the primary Li^(+)solvation sheath,leading to extensive GBL decomposition and the formation of a high-impedance and inorganic-poor solid-electrolyte interphase(SEI)layer.Contrary to manipulating solvation structures,our research demonstrates that the utilization of filmforming additives with higher reduction potential facilitates the pre-establishment of a robust SEI film on the graphite anode.This approach effectively inhibits GBL decomposition and significantly enhances the battery's lifespan.This study provides the first reported intrinsic understanding of the unique GBLgraphite incompatibility and offers valuable insights for the development of wide-temperature and high-safety LIBs.

Toward a comprehensive hypothesis of oxygen-evolution reaction in the presence of iron and gold

This study investigates the effects of Fe on the oxygen-evolution reaction(OER)in the presence of Au.Two distinct areas of OER were identified:the first associated with Fe sites at low overpotential(~330 mV),and the second with Au sites at high overpotential(~870 mV).Various factors such as surface Fe concentration,electrochemical method,scan rate,potential range,concentration,method of adding K_(2)Fe O_(4),nature of Fe,and temperature were varied to observe diverse behaviors during OER for Fe O_(x)H_(y)/Au.Trace amounts of Fe ions had a significant impact on OER,reaching a saturation point where the activity did not increase further.Strong electronic interaction between Fe and Au ions was indicated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)and electron paramagnetic resonance(EPR)analyses.In situ visible spectroscopy confirmed the formation of Fe O_(4)^(2-)during OER.In situ Mossbauer and surfaceenhanced Raman spectroscopy(SERS)analyses suggest the involvement of Fe-based species as intermediates during the rate-determining step of OER.A lattice OER mechanism based on Fe O_(x)H_(y)was proposed for operation at low overpotentials.Density functional theory(DFT)calculations revealed that Fe oxide,Fe-oxide clusters,and Fe doping on the Au foil exhibited different activities and stabilities during OER.The study provides insights into the interplay between Fe and Au in OER,advancing the understanding of OER mechanisms and offering implications for the design of efficient electrocatalytic systems.

Challenges and Solutions for the Additive Manufacturing of H) Biodegradable Magnesium Implants

Due to their capability of fabricating geometrically complex structures,additive manufacturing(AM)techniques have provided unprecedented opportunities to produce biodegradable metallic implants—especially using Mg alloys,which exhibit appropriate mechanical properties and outstanding biocompatibility.However,many challenges hinder the fabrication of AM-processed biodegradable Mg-based implants,such as the difficulty of Mg powder preparation,powder splash,and crack formation during the AM process.In the present work,the challenges of AM-processed Mg components are analyzed and solutions to these challenges are proposed.A novel Mg-based alloy(Mg-Nd-Zn-Zr alloy,JDBM)powder with a smooth surface and good roundness was first synthesized successfully,and the AM parameters for Mg-based alloys were optimized.Based on the optimized parameters,porous JDBM scaffolds with three different architectures(biomimetic,diamond,and gyroid)were then fabricated by selective laser melting(SLM),and their mechanical properties and degradation behavior were evaluated.Finally,the gyroid scaffolds with the best performance were selected for dicalcium phosphate dihydrate(DCPD)coating treatment,which greatly suppressed the degradation rate and increased the cytocompatibility,indicating a promising prospect for clinical application as bone tissue engineering scaffolds.

Carbon Capture and Storage:History and the Road Ahead

The large-scale deployment of carbon capture and storage(CCS)is becoming increasingly urgent in the global path toward net zero emissions;however,global CCS deployment is significantly lagging behind its expected contribution to greenhouse gas emission reduction.Reviewing and learning from the examples and history of successful CCS practices in advanced countries will help other countries,including China,to promote and deploy CCS projects using scientific methods.This paper shows that the establishment of major science and technology CCS infrastructures in advanced countries has become the main source of CCS technological innovation,cost reduction,risk reduction,commercial promotion,and talent training in the development and demonstration of key CCS technologies.Sound development of CCS requires a transition from pilot-scale science and technology infrastructures to large-scale commercial infrastructures,in addition to incentive policies;otherwise,it will be difficult to overcome the technical barriers between small-scale demonstrations and the implementation of million-tonne-scale CCS and ten-million-tonne-scale CCS hubs.Geological CO_(2) storage is the ultimate goal of CCS projects and the driving force of CO_(2) capture.Further improving the accuracy of technologies for the measurement,monitoring,and verification(MMV)of CO_(2) storage capacity,emission reduction,and safety remains a problem for geological storage.CO_(2) storage in saline aquifers can better couple multiple carbon emission sources and is currently a priority direction for development.Reducing the energy consumption of lowconcentration CO_(2) capture and the depletion of chemical absorbents and improving the operational efficiency and stability of post-combustion CO_(2) capture systems have become the key constraints to largescale CCS deployment.Enhanced oil recovery(EOR)is also important in order for countries to maximize fossil fuel extraction instead of importing oil from less environmentally friendly oil-producing countries.

Emodin and baicalein inhibit sodium taurocholate-induced vacuole formation in pancreatic acinar cells

AIM To investigate the effects of combined use of emodin and baicalein(CEB) at the cellular and organism levelsin severe acute pancreatitis(SAP) and explore the underlying mechanism.METHODS SAP was induced by retrograde infusion of 5% sodium taurocholate into the pancreatic duct in 48 male SD rats. Pancreatic histopathology score, serum amylase activity, and levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha(TNf-α), interleukin 6(IL-6), and IL-10 were determined to assess the effects of CEB at 12 h after the surgery. The rat pancreatic acinar cells were isolated from healthy male SD rats using collagenase. The cell viability, cell ultrastructure, intracellular free Ca2+ concentration, and inositol(1,4,5)-trisphosphate receptor(IP3 R) expression were investigated to assess the mechanism of CEB.RESULTS Pancreatic histopathology score(2.07 ± 1.20 vs 6.84 ± 1.13, P < 0.05) and serum amylase activity(2866.2 ± 617.7 vs 5241.3 ± 1410.0, P < 0.05) were significantly decreased in the CEB(three doses) treatment group compared with the SAP group(2.07 ± 1.20 vs 6.84 ± 1.13, P < 0.05). CEB dose-dependently reduced the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6(466.82 ± 48.55 vs 603.50 ± 75.53, P < 0.05) and TNF-α(108.04 ± 16.10 vs 215.56 ± 74.67, P < 0.05) and increased the level of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10(200.96 ± 50.76 vs 54.18 ± 6.07, P < 0.05) compared with those in the SAP group. CEB increased cell viability, inhibited cytosolic Ca2+ concentration, and significantly ameliorated intracellular vacuoles and IP3 m RNA expression compared with those in the SAP group(P < 0.05). There was a trend towards decreased IP3 R protein in the CEB treatment group; however, it did not reach statistical significance(P > 0.05).CONCLUSION These results at the cellular and organism levels reflect a preliminary mechanism of CEB in SAP and indicate that CEB is a suitable approach for SAP treatment.

Transcriptome and metabolomics analysis revealed that CmWRKY49 regulating CmPSY1 promotes β-carotene accumulation in orange fleshed oriental melon

The flesh color of oriental melons is an important commercial trait that affects consumer preferences.To explore the mechanisms underlying the flesh color formation and regulation during fruit ripening,carotenoid-targeted metabolomic and RNA-seq analysis were conducted between white-fleshed(WF) and orange-fleshed(OF) oriental melon cultivars at different stages.The carotenoid-targeted metabolomic analysis indicated that β-carotene was the major metabolite that caused differences in flesh color between the two cultivars.Additionally,through KEGG pathway enrichment and weighted gene co-expression network(WGCNA) analysis,metabolic pathways and related transcription factors that are associated with carotenoid metabolism were selected and transcriptome data was verified using RT-qPCR.Finally,the yeast one hybrid and luciferase activity showed that the transcription factor CmWRKY49 could directly bind to the CmPSY1 promoter to activate its expression in the ’OF’ cultivar.Transient overexpression of CmWRKY49 in ’OF’ cultivar increased the β-carotene content,while the β-carotene content decreased when it was silenced in the same cultivar.This study provides insights into the underlying regulatory network of carotenoid metabolism in oriental melon fruit.

Removal of SO_2 from flue gas using Bayer red mud:Influence factors and mechanism

The absorbent composing of Bayer red mud and water was prepared and applied to removing SO2 from flue gas.Effects of the ratio of liquid to solid(L/S),the absorption temperature,the inlet SO2 concentration,the O2 concentration,SO4^2-and other different components of Bayer red mud on desulfurization were conducted.The mechanism of flue gas desulfurization was also established.The results indicated that L/S was the prominent factor,followed by the inlet SO2 concentration and the temperature was the least among them.The optimum condition was as follows:L/S,the temperature and the SO2 concentration were 20:1,25℃and 1000 mg/m^3,respectively,under the gas flow of 1.5 L/min.The desulfurization efficiency was not significantly influenced when O2 concentration was above 7%.The accumulation of SO4^2-inhibited the desulfurization efficiency.The alkali absorption and metal ions liquid catalytic oxidation were involved in the process,which accounted for 98.61%.

Effect of microstructure and passive film on corrosion resistance of 2507 super duplex stainless steel prepared by different cooling methods in simulated marine environment

The effect of microstructure and passive film on the corrosion resistance of 2507 super duplex stainless steel(SDSS)in simulated marine environment was investigated by electrochemical measurements,periodic wet–dry cyclic corrosion test,scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy,atomic force microscopy,and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry.The results show that the occupation ratio ofγphase increases with the decrease in cooling rate,whereas the content ofαphase reduces gradually.In addition,theσprecipitated phase only emerges in the annealed steel.The pitting sensitivity and corrosion rate of 2507 SDSS reduce first and then increase as the cooling rate decreases.Theσprecipitated phase drastically reduces the protective ability of the passive film and facilitates micro-galvanic corrosion of the annealed steel.For various microstructures,the pits are preferentially distributed within theσandγphases.The corrosion resistance of 2507 SDSS prepared by different cooling methods is closely related to the microstructure and structure(stability and homogeneity)of the passive film.Normalized steel shows an optimal corrosion resistance,followed by the quenched and annealed steels.

Insight into the interaction between Ni-rich LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathode and BF4--introducing electrolyte at 4.5V high voltage

Owing to the high specific capacity and high voltage,Ni-rich(LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2,LNCM811)cathode has been considered as one of the most promising candidate cathode materials for next generation lithium ion batteries,whereas severe capacity fading greatly hinders its practical application.Notably,the compatibility of Ni-rich materials with LiBF4-containing electrolyte has not yet been realized.Herein,1 M LiPF6-based electrolyte with introducing 2 M LiBF4 is proposed to dramatically improve the cyclic stability of high voltage LNCM811/Li half-cell.Addition of high concentrated LiBF4 improves the moisture stability of electrolyte,which hinders the generation of harmful by-product HF,resulting in improved interfacial stability of LNCM811.Lithium plating/stripping reaction of Li/Li symmetric cell confirms that the enhanced cyclic stability is ascribed to the improved interfacial stability of LNCM811 instead of lithium electrode.Morphology and composition characterization results reveal that LiBF4 participates in the CEI film-forming reaction,resulting in suppressed oxidation of electrolyte and interfacial structural destruction of LNCM811.

Pathogenicity of Klebsiella pneumonia(KpC4)infecting maize and mice

Recently, a new bacterial top rot disease of maize has frequently appeared in many areas of Yunnan Province, China. The pathogen of the disease was identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae （KpC4）, which is well known to cause pulmonary and urinary diseases in humans and animals and occasionally exists as a harmless endophyte in plants. To evaluate the viru- lence of the maize pathogen to maize and mice, we inoculated maize and mice with routine inoculation and intraperitoneal injection respectively according to Koch＇s postulates. The results showed that KpC4 and the clinical strain K. pneumoniae 138 （Kp138） were all highly pathogenic to maize and mice and the strain re-isolated from diseased mice also caused typical top rot symptoms on maize by artificial inoculation. It is highlighting that a seemingly dedicated human/animal pathogen could cause plant disease. This is the first report of K. pneumoniae, an opportunistic pathogen of human/animal, could infect maize and mice. The findings serve as an alert to plant, medical and veterinarian scientists regarding a potentially dangerous bacterial pathogen infecting both plants and animals/humans. The maize plants in the field could serve as a reservoir for K. pneumoniae which might infect animals and probably humans when conditions are favorable. The new findings not only are significant in the developing control strategy for the new disease in Yunnan, but also serve as a starting point for further studies on the mechanism of pathogenesis and epidemiology of K. pneumoniae.

Fracture behavior and acoustic emission characteristics of sandstone samples with inclined precracks

Sandstone samples with precracks of different dip angles were collected from a coal mine roof and subjected to uniaxial compression tests,and acoustic emission(AE)and scanning electron microscopy(SEM)were used to study how the crack dip angle affected the fracture mechanism.In the precracked sandstone samples,as the dip angle between the crack line and loading direction decreased,so did the peak stress and its completion time.The SEM observations revealed a fracture transition from tensile cleavage to shear slip,which was manifested by a microstructure change from aggregate to staggered.According to energy conversion,a decreased crack dip angle results in gradually decreasing total and dissipative peak energies,whose variation amplitudes at different stages are consistent with those of the peak stress of the samples.The decreased crack dip angle lowered the stress required to trigger the first appearance of AE energy peaks and ring-down counts,as well as shortening the period before the occurrence of the first AE peak signal.However,the AE energy and ring-down count during the failure stage after the stress peak increased gradually.A stepped increase was observed in the AE ring-down count curves,with each step corresponding to a jump in the stress-strain curve.From the characteristics of the AE signal of the fracture of a precracked rock sample,the occurrence of joints or faults in the rock mass can be reasonably inferred.This is expected to provide a new method and approach for predicting coal and rock dynamic disasters.