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Nonrubber components (NRCs) play an important role in the outstanding mechanical property of natural rubber (NR). The main inositol component of NRCs in natural rubber latex (NRL) is l-quebrachitol. In this study, the influence of l-quebrachitol on the properties of centrifuged natural rubber (CNR) was investigated. The NRL was centrifuged twice to remove most of the NRCs. After that, l-quebrachitol was added in the latex with per hundreds of rubber (phr) vary from 0% to 0.8%, and the vulcanized CNR were prepared. It is shown that the properties of vulcanized CNR were greatly changed, with T 90 reduced from 19 to 15 min, the tensile strength increased from 5 to 9 MPa, T g reduced by about 2°C, and the ability for strain-induced crystallization was enhanced. It was proved by FTIR results that l-quebrachitol was linked to the CNR crosslinking network with ester bond.

In order to improve the effective guidance of martial arts movements, a decomposition method of martial arts movements based on image recognition is proposed. First of all, visual image target sampling of martial arts action is performed, and most of the noise background is eliminated through morphological gradient operation. Then, the contour edge of the human body is obtained, the contour edge of each frame of the video is extracted, and the accumulation is realized in the same image. Using accumulation, the edge image calculates the grid-based HOG to obtain the image action feature vector. Secondly, using the improved dynamic time warping theory combined with the characteristics of the angle change of each joint under the action time sequence, the joint change sequence among various martial arts movements can be identified in order to realize the decomposition process of martial arts actions based on image recognition. The experimental results show that the use of image recognition can effectively decompose martial arts movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring potential future pathways for developing Asia's energy consumption, CO2 emissions and infrastructure investment needs is essential to understanding how the countries of this rapidly growing region may contribute to the global climate targets set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement. To this end, this study employs the state-of-the-art global integrated assessment model MESSAGEix-GLOBIOM to investigate mid-century decarbonization strategies for developing Asia to 2050. Our results indicate that a radical change in the energy portfolio is required to reach the target of 'well below' 2°C. Specifically, our scenarios point to a rapid reduction of fossil fuel utilization, enhancement of low-carbon energy supply, and boosting of energy efficiency efforts. Such a transformation leads to a deep cut in CO2 emissions by 78% and 93% by 2050 in scenarios consistent with the 2°C and 1.5°C targets, respectively. Electricity generation and final energy consumption become dominated by low-carbon energy by 2050 in these scenarios. In terms of investment needs beyond a baseline scenario, the 2°C and 1.5°C pathways imply that the scale of low-carbon investment may need to double and triple, respectively. These increases would be partially offset by disinvestment in coal, oil and natural gas extraction and conversion infrastructure. Decarbonizing the energy system also impacts the capital needed for making progress on other sustainable development goals (SDGs), such as air pollution, clean water and food security. Key policy insights Governments will need to employ a variety of policy mechanisms, including mandates and subsidies for renewables and electric vehicles, efficiency standards for end-use technologies, and bans on free-emitting fossil fuel plants, among others. Relative to the baseline scenario for developing Asia, the scale of investment into low-carbon energy to 2050 may need to double for a 2°C scenario, and to triple for 1.5°C. Policy instruments such as green finance are essential for this region to mobilize a broadened channel of investment, particularly from the private sector. Low-carbon investment would significantly reduce the capital investment needed to achieve the SDG target for air quality, but increase the requirements for meeting targets on clean water and food security, though only to a small extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Strain‐induced crystallization of natural rubber (NR) can greatly influence the mechanical properties of NR blends. In this study, we investigated the effect of strain‐induced crystallization on the tear energy (G) of NR/styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) blends with different compositions and cross‐link densities. Using a shift factor, we could superimpose G of an SBR blend and an NR/SBR (1/9) blend onto a single master curve. In contrast, G of NR was split into two master curves. Although the master curve of G for the NR/SBR (3:7) blend was split, increasing the cross‐link density threefold made it possible to superimpose it onto a single master curve. Strain‐induced crystallization of NR in the NR/SBR blend did not occur as a result of decreasing the NR content, increasing the cross‐link density, or removing fatty acids. Together, these findings indicate that strain‐induced crystallization of NR plays an important role in the mechanical properties of the blend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Axial-flow pumps are widely used in every sector of China. After many years of operation, the aging of mechanical and electrical facilities poses threats to their steady and safe operation. Taking the technical innovation of an axial-flow pump station as an example, the study is focused on the pump selection and performance prediction. The pump similarity law and specific speed were applied to guide the pump selection based on the designed head and discharge. The performances of pump models were compared and it is suggested for the technical innovation that when the selected model pump is adopted, the impeller diameter is kept at 3100 mm and the rotational speed is reduced from 150r/min to 136.4r/min to improve its cavitation performance. A three-dimensional pumping system model was established by using software Pro/E and CFD analyses were conducted to predict the hydraulic performance of the pumping system for the evaluation of technical innovation. It is shown through the comparison of computed results with model test results that the designed flow rate corresponding to the designed head can be fully satisfied with the selected pump and stronger pumping capacity can be prospected at the designed and mean lifting head. The pumping system model tests, in comparison between the original and the selected model pump, indicate that when the innovated pump station operates under characteristic heads, the pumping system efficiency can be raised by more than 3 percentages, and the cavitation allowance can be decreased by 0.90m; thus, better engineering and economic benefits can be prospected through the technical innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of the nanomatrix structure on mechanical properties of natural rubber was investigated in relation to the strain-induced crystallization. Structure of natural rubber was analyzed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction measurement and transmission electron microscopy. The nanomatrix of the non-rubber components was found to be inevitably formed in natural rubber, in which natural rubber particles linking to fatty acids were dispersed in the nanomatrix of the proteins and phospholipids. The nanomatrix disappeared after deproteinization of natural rubber with urea. Tensile strength and modulus of natural rubber were reduced by removal of the fatty acids and the proteins, which resulted in disappearance of the nanomatrix structure. The effect of fatty acids on the crystallization of natural rubber in small particles as a dispersoid was proved by tensile test of blend of natural rubber and styrene butadiene rubber. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The industrial sector dominates the global energy consumption and carbon emissions in end use sectors, and it faces challenges in emission reductions to reach the Paris Agreement goals. This paper analyzes and quantifies the relationship between industrialization, energy systems, and carbon emissions. Firstly, it forecasts the global and regional industrialization trends under Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) and Shared Socioeconomic Pathway2 (SSP2) scenarios. Then, it projects the global and regional energy consumption that aligns with the industrialization trend, and optimizes the global energy supply system using the Model for Energy Supply Strategy Alternatives and their General Environmental Impact (MESSAGE) model for the industrial sector. Moreover, it develops an expanded Kaya identity to comprehensively investigate the drivers of industrial carbon emissions. In addition, it employs a Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) approach to track the historical contributions of various drivers of carbon emissions, as well as predictions into the future. This paper finds that economic development and population growth are the two largest drivers for historical industrial CO2 emissions, and that carbon intensity and industry energy intensity are the top two drivers for the decrease of future industrial CO2 emissions. Finally, it proposes three modes, i.e., clean supply, electrification, and energy efficiency for industrial emission reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]