Search

Many countries are devoting considerable efforts to replace fossil energy with renewable energy to achieve 'Carbon Neutrality'. Straw-based bioenergy is considered as a potential substitute of fossil energy. This paper investigates the government regulations (i.e. penalty and subsidy policy) for a straw-based bioenergy supply chain consisting of power plants and farmers, in which the three parties are of bounded rationality. We develop a three-party evolutionary game model and obtain the evolutionary stable strategies of the three parties. We establish the dynamic penalty model and show that the dynamic penalty policy can encourage power plants to use bioenergy and farmers to collect bioenergy than the existing static penalty policy. Our results further demonstrate if the proportion of the farmers choosing the 'Collecting bioenergy' strategy is low, the government should choose the 'Penalizing the farmer' strategy; otherwise, the government should choose the 'Penalizing the power plant' strategy. We also extend our model to the government's subsidy policy and compare it with the penalty policy. Specially, when the proportion of the power plants (farmers) using (collecting) bioenergy is high, if the government's subsidies are lower than penalties, the government should choose the subsidy policy; otherwise, the government should choose the penalty policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the government subsidy programmes for a bioenergy supply chain composed of a power plant and farmers who privately know their quality information of bioenergy. The government offers two types of subsidy programmes to increase the supply of bioenergy: Agriculture Quantity Coverage (AQC) programme that pays the farmers subsidies based on the quantity of bioenergy, and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programme that is triggered when the market price of bioenergy falls below a reference price. With AQC programme, when the quantity of bioenergy is large, farmers may get more subsidies but the wholesale price of bioenergy would decrease, thus hurting the farmers' payoffs. By contrast, with PLC programme, the farmers can get more subsidies with a lower wholesale price, which also undermines the farmers' profitability. In equilibrium, the government prefers the AQC programme when the cost of the non-bioenergy is high, or the cost of the non-bioenergy is low and the government's subsidy payment coefficient in the PLC programme is high. Moreover, social welfare is higher with the PLC programme than that with the AQC programme when the cost of the non-bioenergy is high and the subsidy payment coefficient is low, and is lower otherwise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designing the high-performance, high-subsonic airfoils suitable for different Reynolds number flow is the major challenge for high-altitude long-endurance drones and ultra-high altitude solar aircraft. To overcome the difficulties, this paper proposed a set of aerodynamic optimization design methods that combine the improved category shape function transformation method, parallel computational fluid dynamics, and an improved whale optimization algorithm. This approach achieves high modeling accuracy, computational efficiency, and strong optimization ability. Verification using single-peak, multi-peak, and fixed-dimensional test functions demonstrates that the improved whale optimization algorithm has significantly enhanced optimization capabilities compared with the conventional whale optimization, particle swarm optimization, and gravity search algorithms. Numerical simulations are used to analyze the internal flow mechanisms before and after airfoil optimization under different Reynolds numbers. The results show that, compared with the original airfoil, the optimized airfoil has front loading characteristics that effectively reduce the adverse pressure gradient of the rear part of suction surface, promoting the transition in this region. The reduced adverse pressure gradient also inhibits the development and growth of laminar separation bubbles and slows down the growth of the boundary layer displacement thickness, thereby reducing wake mixing loss and improving the aerodynamic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploration of host–guest complexation between a shape-persistent H-bonded macrocycle and flexible guests may enable construction of new pseudorotaxanes systems. Here, we present the impact of varying the spacer length of four bis(4-phenylpyridinium) guests G1-G4 on production of pseudorotaxanes with a 2D H-bonded macrocycle 1a. The host–guest complexes are probed by 1H NMR, 2D NOESY and UV–vis spectroscopic techniques. [2]- and [3]- pseudorotaxane assemblies are formed specifically using these guests, demonstrating the dependency of accessing [2]- and [3]- pseudorotaxane on the spacer length of these dications. Theoretical calculations reveal the difference in the conformation of the guests between these two binding modes: the one with a 1:1 stoichiometry (spacer length: C4 and C6) show Z-shaped conformation and the other with a 2:1 stoichiometry (spacer length: C8 and C10) take a linear conformation. The findings of the threading modes may help develop new H-bonded macrocycle-based rotaxanes and other related mechanically interlocked molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distributed pulsating flow planar tube bundle heat exchanger (DPFPTB-HE) can improve heat transfer and have a high prospect of application in the industry. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software Fluent was utilized as an analysis tool, and the factors affecting heat transfer in heat exchangers were comprehensively studied based on the theory of fluid mechanics and heat transfer in this article. The local average surface Nusselt number(Nuv) evaluated the heat transfer performance. Results found that the DPFPTB-HE proposed in this paper has more uniform distribution of cold fluid in the shell domain and higher heat transfer efficiency in each layer of the tube bundle compared with the conventional planar tube bundle heat exchanger (PTB-HE). In this paper's single-factor analysis experimental session, the study showed that with the inlet velocity increases, Nuv increases; as the length of the branch pipe increases, Nuv decreases; branch pipe diameter increases, Nuv decreases. The results obtained Nuv by applying the optimal experimental parameters selected by the Taguchi method were 7.22% larger than the maximum value in the control group. The numerical result and methodology are beneficial for providing further insight into guiding the optimization of heat exchanger structure and promoting industrial progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The further development of fishery resources is a hotspot in the development of the fishery industry. However, how to develop aquatic animal resources deeply is a key point to be solved in the fishery industry. Over the past decades, numerous aquatic animals have gained great attention in the development and utilization of their bioactive molecules which are of therapeutic applications as nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. Recent research revealed that aquatic animals are composed of many vital moieties, such as polysaccharides and proteins, which provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. In particular, aquatic animal polysaccharides are gaining worldwide popularity owing to their high content, ease of extraction, specific structure, few side effects, prominent therapeutic potential and incorporation in functional foods and dietary supplements. Thus, tremendous research on the isolation, identification and bioactivities of polysaccharides has been carried out. This review presents comprehensive viewpoints on extraction, separation, purification, structural characterization and bioactivity of various polysaccharides from aquatic animals, such as sea cucumber, abalone, oyster and mussels. In addition, this review profiled a brief knowledge on both current challenges and future scope in aquatic animal polysaccharides field. The review will be a direction of deep processing in fishery resources, which is a hotspot, but technical bottleneck. Furthermore, the review could be served as a useful reference material for further investigation, production and application of polysaccharides from aquatic animals in functional foods and therapeutic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human rights indicators are tools for monitoring a government's progress in fulfilling its human right obligations. In 2012, the United Nations released a manual of human rights indicators that includes a conceptual framework and illustrative indicators. This article reports on an examination of “right to work” indicators appropriate for use in Taiwan. The review was undertaken under the auspices of the executive branch of the government of Taiwan in consultation with panels of experts, officials of statistical departments, and persons from vulnerable groups, to contextualize the indicators for future implementation. The authors modified several indicators suggested in the manual and created one additional attribute on collective labor rights. Following an analysis of the indicators, the article highlights several issues that require further attention, including the feasibility of disaggregating administrative data, the use of indicators at subnational levels of governments, and the development of human rights indicators for particular groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel extension of the basis reduction method for kinematic hardening shakedown problem is presented. Firstly, the basis reduction method is implemented based on the modified Newton–Raphson (N-R) method. Then a new technique for the construction of back stress field is introduced, where the simultaneous influence of multiple load corners in shakedown is taken into consideration. Finally, two typical numerical examples are investigated. The results compared with previous works in literatures demonstrated that the proposed method is accurate and the performance in reducing of computation time is significant. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article focuses on the buckling of cylindrical shells with stepwise variable thickness subjected to uniform external pressure. First, combining the method of separation of variables, perturbation method, and Fourier series expansion, an analytical method for the buckling analysis of cylindrical shells with axisymmetric thickness variation subjected to external pressure is established. The method is verified by comparing with the previous results. Then, the stepwise variable thickness of cylindrical shells is described exactly by the arc tangent function. Finally, using the presented method, a general formula for the critical buckling load of cylindrical shells with stepwise variable thickness subjected to uniform external pressure is derived. This general formula is compared and discussed with some empirical formulae in the current design standards. This study lays a theoretical foundation for the calculation of the buckling load of cylindrical shells with stepwise variable thickness subjected to uniform external pressure. Moreover, it provides a reference and guidance for the further revision of related standards. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Chinese giant salamander (CGS), Andrias davidianus (Amphibian, Caudata, Cryptobranchidae), is endemic to China. After overhunting in the 1990’s, it is very difficult to find the CGS in the wild. Due to mating disorder, the captive breeding population is genetically confounded. The genetic backgrounds of all wild-release individuals in China are not explicit. Herein, we reported four living wild-type complete mitochondrial genomes of this species. The gene order and contents are identical to those found in typical vertebrates. Thirteen protein-coding genes (PCGs) of 7 A. davidianus (4 from this study, 3 retrieved from GenBank) and 11 other closely species retrieved from GenBank were used to reconstruct phylogenetic tree. The Maximum likelihood (ML) topology shown that the clade of CGS has two subclades with a high support (100%). This study provides partial fundamental information for further exploring the true genetic background of whole population of A. davidianus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) on the mechanical behavior of AM60/Al2O3p magnesium metal–matrix nanocomposites was investigated. ECAE is a useful technique to produce bulk nanostructured materials through severe plastic deformation. The present magnesium metal–matrix composites (Mg MMCs) with 1 wt% nanosized Al2O3 particles for ECAE were fabricated using stir-casting method. The significantly enhanced mechanical behavior of AM60/Al2O3p magnesium metal–matrix nanocomposites at room temperature, for instance, yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and ductility, can be obtained after ECAE process. The AM60/Al2O3p MMC after 4 passes of ECAE exhibited greater YS, UTS, and ductility (+135%, +107%, and +245% increase, respectively) than those of as-cast AM60. Experimental results show that the AM60/1wt %Al2O3p MMC after 4 passes of ECAE exhibits the superior mechanical behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome of Asymblepharus himalayanus, has been determined for the first time by sanger sequencing. The overall length of the mitogenome is 17,304 bp and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and a putative control region. The total base composition is 31.2% for A, 27.0% for T, 14.4% for G, and 27.4% for C. The phylogenetic tree with the whole mitochondrial genome sequence of A. himalayanus together with 10 other related species belonging to the family Scincidae was reconstructed, in order to prove the validity of the mitogenome of A. himalayanus. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that A. himalayanus was not nested within Scincella, and further corroborated this species does not belong to the genus of Scincella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two bisdiglycolamides (BisDGAs) ofN,N,N′′′,N′′′-tetrabutyl-Nʹ,N′′-ethidene bisdiglycolamide (TBE-BisDGA) andN,N,N′′′,N′′′-tetrabutyl-Nʹ,N′′-m-xylylene bisdiglycolamide (TBX-BisDGA) were synthesized. Their extraction behaviors of Eu(III) and Am(III), as well as nitric acid were investigated from nitric acid medium by using n-octanol as diluent. Nitric acid is extracted as the form of HNO3·(BisDGAs)0.6by BisDGAs and the conditional acid uptake constants of TBE-BisDGA and TBX-BisDGA were 0.26 and 0.10, respectively. The distribution ratios of Eu(III) and Am(III) increased with the increase of nitric acid and extractant concentration, whilst decreased with temperature rise. TBX-BisDGA had a stronger extraction power for Eu(III) and Am(III) than TBE-BisDGA. Both of the extractants displayed a higher affinity toward Eu(III) than Am(III). In the examination of the acidity range from 0.5 to 5.0 M, a maximum separation factor SFEu(III)/Am(III)can reach 8.0 at 3.0 M HNO3for TBX-BisDGA; and 10 at 4.0 M HNO3for TBE-BisDGA, respectively. Slope analyses showed that Eu(III) and Am(III) are extracted as di-solvated species by TBX-BisDGA or TBE-BisDGA. The extraction mechanism was described and the apparent extraction equilibrium constant as well as Gibbs free energy change, enthalpy change and entropy change were presented. In addition, their Eu(III) complexes were analyzed by using infrared spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The surface crack growth under rolling contact fatigue in a bearing ring is investigated in this study. To study the fatigue crack propagation under rolling contact fatigue, a fatigue crack is observed in a tapered roller bearing ring. Then, a realistic three-dimensional model of a bearing ring containing a surface crack is established. Several parameters, such as the crack depth, inclination angle, and propagation direction, are varied to study their effects on rolling contact fatigue in the bearing ring in terms of stress intensity factor (SIF) calculations. The crack growth angle is also estimated by the maximum tangential stress criterion. The results provide valuable guidelines for enhanced understanding of the surface crack growth in bearings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Laudakia stoliczkana stoliczkana was determined by shotgun sequencing. The total length of mitogenome is 16,133 bp and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosome RNA genes, and 2 control regions. The base composition was 38.0% for A, 24.0% for T, 25.6% for C, and 12.4% for G. Most of the genes of L. stoliczkana stoliczkana were distributed on the H-strand, except for the ND6 subunit gene and eight tRNA genes which were encoded on the L-strand. The phylogenetic tree of L. stoliczkana stoliczkana and 16 other related species was built. The mitogenome sequence presented here will be useful to study the evolutionary relationships and genetic diversity of Laudakia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Papenfuss' Rock Agama Laudakia papenfussi is an endemic species in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of this species was determined by shotgun sequencing. The total length of mitogenome is 17,005 bp and its base composition was 37.3% for A, 23.9% for T, 12.5% for G, and 26.3% for C, which contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosome RNA genes, and 2 control regions. The phylogenetic tree of L. papenfussi and 15 other related species was reconstructed using maximum likelihood (ML) methods. The mitogenome sequence presented here will be useful to understand the phylogenetic relationships of Laudakia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of Laudakia wui, has been firstly determined by shotgun sequencing. The overall length of mitogenome is 16,455 bp and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 2 control regions. Majority of the genes (13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA and 14 tRNA) were distributed on the H-strand, in addition to the two ND6 genes and eight tRNA genes, which were encoded on the L-strand. The phylogenetic tree was built by L. wui and 13 other related species. The DNA data presented here will be useful to study the evolutionary relationships and genetic diversity of L. wui. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Bufotes zamdaensis was reported in the present research by shotgun sequencing. The total length of mitogenome is 17,189 bp, and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two ribosome RNA genes, and one D-loop region. All gene conformations were consistent with the gene arrangement in vertebrates. Most of the genes of B. zamdaensis were distributed on the H-strand, except for the ND6 subunit gene and eight tRNA genes which were encoded on the L-strand. Phylogenetic analysis of B. zamdaensis and 12 other closely amphibian species was reconstructed using Maximum-likelihood methods. The sequences of B. zamdaensis were clustered in genus Bufotes. The phylogenetic analyses based on these mitogenomes presented here will be useful to further insights on the evolutionary relationships of Bufonidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Lycodon ruhstrati was determined by shotgun sequencing. The total genome size is 17,168 bp, and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosome RNA genes and 2 control regions (D-loops). Most of the genes of L. ruhstrati were distributed on the H-strand, except for the ND6 subunit gene and eight tRNA genes which were encoded on the L-strand. The phylogenetic tree of L. ruhstrati and 12 other closely related species was reconstructed. The mitogenome sequence presented here will be useful to study the evolutionary relationships and genetic diversity of L. ruhstrati. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Pelodiscus axenaria was determined by shotgun sequencing. The total length of mitogenome is 16,593 bp, and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosome RNA genes, and 1 control region. Most of the genes of P. axenaria were distributed on the H-strand, except for the ND6 subunit gene and eight tRNA genes which were encoded on the L-strand. The phylogenetic tree of P. axenaria and 11 other closely related species was reconstructed. The phylogenetic analyses based on these mitogenomes presented here will be useful for further insights on the evolutionary relationships of Trionychidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Takydromus septentrionalis was determined by shotgun sequencing. The total length of mitogenome is 18,304 bp, and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosome RNA genes, and 2 control regions. Most of the genes of T. septentrionalis were distributed on the H-strand, except for the ND6 subunit gene and eight tRNA genes which were encoded on the L-strand. The phylogenetic tree of T. septentrionalis and 8 other closely related species was reconstructed. The phylogenetic analyses based on these mitogenomes presented here will be useful for further insights on the evolutionary relationships of Takydromus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence of Sphenomorphus incognitus was determined by shotgun sequencing. The total length of mitogenome is 17 417 bp, and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two ribosome RNA genes and two non-coding regions (the control region and the putative L-strand replication origin). Most of the genes of S. incognitus were distributed on the H-strand, except for the ND6 subunit gene and eight tRNA genes which were encoded on the L-strand. The phylogenetic tree of S. incognitus and 8 other closely species was built. The DNA data presented here will be useful to study the evolutionary relationships and genetic diversity of S. incognitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence of the MeCord's box turtle (Cuora mccordi) was firstly determined by shotgun sequencing. The total length of mitogenome is 16,688 bp, and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and 2 main noncoding regions (the control region and the putative L-strand replication origin). The majority genes (12 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA and 14 tRNA) were distributed on the H-strand, except for the ND6 subunit gene and eight tRNA genes which were encoded on the L-strand. The phylogenetic tree of C. mccordi and 10 other closely related species was built. The DNA data presented here will be useful to study the evolutionary relationships and genetic diversity of C. mccordi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common burrowing snake Achalinus spinalis is the type species of Achalinus. The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence of A. spinalis was determined by using a PCR-based method. The total length of mitogenome is 17,165 bp and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosome RNA genes and 2 control regions (CR). All the protein-coding genes in A. spinalis were distributed on the H-strand, except for the ND6 subunit gene and eight tRNA genes which were encoded on the L-strand. The phylogenetic tree of A. spinalis and 12 other closely species was built. The DNA data presented here will be useful to study the evolutionary relationships and genetic diversity of A. spinalis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence ofAchalinus rufescenswas determined by using a PCR-based method. The total length of mitogenome is 17,339 bp and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosome RNA genes and 2 control regions (D-loop). All the protein-coding genes ofA. rufescenswere distributed on the H-strand, except for the ND6 subunit gene and eight tRNA genes which were encoded on the L-strand. The phylogenetic tree ofA. rufescensand 11 other closely species was built. The DNA data presented here will be useful to study the evolutionary relationships and genetic diversity ofA. rufescens. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Xizang hot-spring snake,Thermophis baileyi(Reptilia, Colubridae), is a relict species of the family Colubridae, which is known only from Tibet, China. In this study, we report the complete mitochondrial genome of this species. The total length of the genome is 17,385 bp, and comprises 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and 2 control regions. The total base composition is 32.5% for A, 23.8% for T, 13.5% for G, and 30.2% for C. The phylogenetic tree with 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) ofT.baileyitogether with 12 other closely related species belonging to the family Colubridae was built, in order to prove the validity of the mitogenome ofT.baileyi. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Here, we reported and characterized the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence ofDendrobium officinale‘ zhong ke IV hao’, a new variety from self-cross plants of imported SichuanD. officinale, obtained exclusively using Illumina and PacBio sequencing technology. The genome size is 152,185 bp, containing a large single copy (LSC) region (85,094 bp) and a small single copy(SSC) region (14,521 bp) that were separated by two inverted repeat (IRs) regions (26,285 bp).The GC content was 37.46%. In total, the complete cp DNA contains 89 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Twelve genes contained one or two introns. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the chloroplast genome ofD officinale ‘zhong ke IV hao’is related to that of the traditionalD.officinale. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Chinese giant salamander,Andrias davidianus, is the biggest extant amphibian in the world. The population from Huangshan is distinct from other populations. The complete mitochondrial genome of a living wild-type Chinese giant salamander from Huangshan was sequenced. The total length is 16,565 bp, containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and a D-loop. The phylogenetic tree ofA. davidianusand 12 other closely species belonging to the order Caudata was reconstructed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Xianggelila hot-spring snake,Thermophis shangrila(Reptilia, Colubridae), is a species of family Colubridae, which is seen only in Shangri-La, Northern Yunnan, China. Herein, the complete mitochondrial genome of this species has been reported. The total length of the genome was 17,327 bp, and composed of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and 2 control regions. The total base composition was 32.7% for A, 23.7% for T, 13.5% for G and 32.7% for C. The phylogenetic tree with 13 protein-coding genes ofT.shangrilatogether with 12 other closely related species belonging to the family Colubridae was reconstructed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Chung-an ground lizard Takydromus sylvaticus is an endemic and long-lost reptile species in China. In this study, its mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence was firstly determined by long PCR and primer walking methods. The genome is 17,838 bp long and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and 2 main noncoding regions (the control region and the putative L-strand replication origin). The gene order and contents in the T. sylvaticus mitogenome is identical to that found in typical vertebrates, suggesting that it represents an ancestral arrangement. Within the control region, typical conserved domains and distinct repeat regions were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]