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In this paper, we aim to reconstruct the unknown Robin coefficient and unknown heat flux simultaneously in an elliptic system from Cauchy data on arbitrarily small portion of accessible boundary. A novel logarithmic type stability in terms of the negative Sobolev norms is established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Compressed air-driven large cross-section (3m×3 m) shock tube is developed. • Blast test on seven unreinforced and SPUA-retrofitted brick MIWs is conducted. • Applicability of theoretical calculation and numerical simulation methods is verified. • Improved evaluation criteria of unreinforced and SPUA-retrofitted MIWs are given. • W - R diagrams for the blast-resistant assessment of typical MIWs are proposed. Unreinforced masonry infill walls (MIWs) are prone to crack, fragment, and even collapse under blast loads, threatening the safety of building structures, as well as the inside occupants and equipment. Spray polyurea (SPUA) has been proven to be an excellent retrofitted material for MIWs to improve their blast resistance. Aiming to study the dynamic behaviors of brick MIWs under far-field range blast loads, the successive blast tests on seven unreinforced and SPUA-retrofitted brick MIWs with different thicknesses and boundary constraints were first carried out based on the developed compressed air-driven large cross-section (3m×3 m) shock tube. It was indicated that the blast resistance of MIWs significantly improved by increasing wall thickness and strengthening boundary constraint; SPUA coating can improve the blast resistance of MIWs and effectively suppress the debris generation and splash. Then, the equivalent single degree of freedom model based theoretical calculation and the simplified micro-model based numerical simulation methods previously established by authors were briefly introduced. Additionally, the dynamic behaviors of seven examined MIWs were further predicted and compared with test results, which verified the applicability of theoretical calculation and numerical simulation methods. Finally, the improved damage and failure evaluation criteria of unreinforced and SPUA-retrofitted MIWs were given, and the charge weight and standoff distance diagrams of typical MIWs were proposed based on the validated theoretical and numerical methods as well as the improved criteria, which would provide a helpful reference for blast-resistant evaluation and retrofitted design of brick MIWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of motherwort injection (MI, Yi mu cao) in preventing post-abortion hemorrhage and promoting uterine retraction after induced abortion surgery.Methods: In this multi-center randomized controlled trial undertaken between September 2014 and August 2016, 408 child-bearing age women who underwent induced abortion surgery and randomly assigned to two groups: MI group who received intramuscular MI treatment (n = 207) and no-treatment group (n = 201). The volume of vaginal bleeding and its duration were used as primary end points; and uterine size and dimension were measured as secondary end points. Blood coagulation indices, routine blood and adverse events were recorded to evaluate the safety.Results: The efficacy analysis was based on 366 patients. No significant difference were found in baseline characteristics between the two groups (P > 0.05). The amount of vaginal bleeding and duration of bleeding were significantly reduced in MI group compared with on-treatment group in Full Analysis Set (FAS) and Per Protocol Set (PPS) populations (P < 0.001). The volume and perimeter of the uterine dimensions in MI group were smaller than no-treatment group (P < 0.001). No significant abnormal vital signs were observed. Only 1 case of mild, transient erythema was found in MI group.Conclusions: MI could reduce post-abortion hemorrhage and improve uterine retraction in women undergoing surgical induced abortion, without serious adverse events. It was a safe and effective treatment in preventing post-abortion hemorrhage after induced abortion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The dynamic response and design optimization of clamped sandwich panels comprising two aluminum alloy face-sheets and a layered-gradient closed-cell aluminum foam core subjected to air-blast loading were examined in this study. The numerical approach was first validated by blast test results of sandwich panels with monolithic aluminum foam cores, and then the dynamic responses of layered-gradient core sandwich panels were briefly discussed in terms of deflection response and energy absorption. Two surrogate model methods (i.e., response surface method – RSM, and radial basis function – RBF) were adopted to construct objective response functions, and the single-objective adaptive response surface method (ARSM) and multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) were used for the defined optimization problem. The optimization results show the trade-off relationships among the maximum energy absorption, minimum structural mass and minimum deflection, and the advantage of "Pareto front" in such design circumstances. Furthermore, the applicability and accuracy of RSM and RBF agent models in the multi-objective design optimization (MDO) of sandwich panels with layered-gradient foam cores under air-blast loading were also compared and revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycarbonate (PC) has been widely applied in aerospace and railway industries, and it is imperative to improve its fire safety related properties, especially heat release properties. Particularly, the MARHE value (maximum average rate of heat emission) directly obtained from the cone calorimeter (CONE) test is a comprehensive property that is presented in the EN45545-2 standard developed by the EU. In order to study the effect of flame retardants on the MARHE of polycarbonate, four flame retardants with different flame retardant mechanisms were used to prepare low heat release PC. CONE was used to characterize the heat release performance of PC, focusing on exploring the factors affecting MARHE and the method of preparing low heat release materials. The flame-retardant mechanism of PC was studied by SEM and TG/DTG. Meanwhile, the flame retardant index (FRI) is calculated as a reference for the flame retardant performance of PC. Results show the MARHE of HPCTP/PC is reduced by 31.12%, and it is confirmed that MARHE is influenced by time to ignition (TTI), peak heat release rate (PHRR), total heat release rate (THR), and the shape of the peak. Mica-RDP/PC materials were prepared based on the conclusions of MARHE derivation. RDP and Mica play a typical synergistic flame-retardant mechanism, with MARHE reductions from 20.31% to 20.00% of the single-component systems to 31.39%. All FRI values of PC materials are in the range of Good flame retardancy. This study provides a feasible way for the deep understanding and wide application of MARHE and the improvement of the fire safety performance of PC. • Analyzing influencing behavior to MARHE, studying flame-retardant mechanism via CONE and carbon residue. • Mathematical derivation for MARHE to further guide experiment, MARHE drops by 31% via synergistic effect, and all FRI values are in good. • To meet the requirements of EN45545-2 for MARHE on low heat release PC material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining biochar with irrigation management to alter the microbial community is a sustainable method for remediating soils contaminated by heavy metals. However, studies on how these treatments promote Cr(VI) reduction are limited, and the corresponding microbial mechanisms are unclear. Therefore, we conducted a pot experiment to explore the responses of soil microbial communities to combined biochar amendment and irrigation management strategies and their involvement in Cr transformation in paddy soils. Six treatments were established using varying concentrations of biochar (0, 1, and 2% [w/w]) combined with two irrigation management strategies (continuous flooding [CF] and dry–wet alternation [DWA]). The results showed that the combined biochar addition and irrigation management strategy significantly altered soil pH, redox potential, organic matter content, and Fe(II) and sulfide concentrations. In addition, the Cr(VI) concentration under CF irrigation management was conspicuously lower (48.2–54.4%) than that under DWA irrigation management. Biochar amendment also resulted in a substantial reduction (8.8–27.4%) in Cr(VI) concentration. Moreover, the changes in soil physicochemical properties remarkably affected the soil microbial community. The microbial diversity and abundance significantly increased with biochar amendment. Furthermore, the combined biochar amendment and CF strategy stimulated the growth of Geobacter - and Anaeromyxobacter-related Fe(III)-reducing bacteria, Gallionella-related Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria, and Desulfovibro - and Clostridium -related sulfate-reducing bacteria, which simultaneously facilitated the generation of Fe(II) and sulfide, thereby enhancing Cr(VI) reduction. Consequently, our results suggest that the effectively increased abundance of Fe-reducing/oxidizing bacteria and sulfate-reducing bacteria via combined CF irrigation management and biochar addition may be a key factor in reducing Cr(VI) in paddy soil. The keystone genera responsible for Cr(VI) reduction were Geobacter , Anaeromyxobacter , Gallionella , Desulfovibro, and Clostridium. This study provides novel insights into the coupling mechanism of the Fe/S/Cr transformation mediated by Fe-reducing/oxidizing bacteria and sulfate-reducing bacteria. [Display omitted] • Biochar and irrigation altered soil pH, Eh, OM, and Fe(II) and sulfide levels. • Biochar addition and continuous flooding markedly reduced Cr(VI) concentration. • Biochar and continuous flooding stimulated growth of Fe/S functional bacteria. • Fe-reducing/oxidizing and sulfate-reducing bacteria facilitated Cr(VI) reduction. • Keystone genera included Geobacter , Anaeromyxobacter , Gallionella, and Desulfovibro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The metal-organic framework Ni-MOF-74 was synthesized and then characterized by XRD, SEM, and N 2 adsorption techniques. The unary isotherms of CO 2 , CH 4 , C 3 H 6 , and C 3 H 8 on Ni-MOF-74 were measured by means of a volumetric method. The Langmuir–Freundlich model appropriately describes the adsorption equilibrium data. The selective separations of two mixtures CO 2 /CH 4 and C 3 H 6 /C 3 H 8 on Ni-MOF-74 were experimentally investigated by a breakthrough-column technique. Simulations of transient breakthroughs for the two mixtures agree well with the experimental data. In addition, with the inclusion of intra-crystalline diffusion into the simulations, the quality of the simulated breakthrough curves are improved and agree better with the experimental data. The results indicate that Ni-MOF-74 might be a candidate for the removal of C 3 H 6 from C 3 H 6 /C 3 H 8 mixtures and for the efficient separation of CO 2 from CH 4 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to investigate the Rayleigh–Bénard convection of Al 2 O 3 /water nanofluids in a cavity considering the sedimentation, thermophoresis, and Brownian motion. For this purpose, a numerical simulation is carried out using finite volume method to obtain the flow patterns and heat transfer characteristics of nanofluid flow inside the cavity. The results are presented for volume fractions up to 4%, Rayleigh numbers between 10 4 and 8 × 10 4 where the temperature difference between top and bottom walls is between 2 and 10 °C. To validate the numerical solution, comparisons are made between the numerical results and experimental data available in the literature. The comparisons unfold that the results of numerical work are in a good agreement with the previous experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Biochar treatment at 20–40tha−1 reduced rice Cd by 20%–90% from metal polluted rice fields. [•] Grain Cd under biochar treatment fell in a safe level by 0.4mgkg−1 in soils with Cd in range 0.16–4.83mgkg−1. [•] Biochar amendment caused Cd immobilization primarily due to the liming effect by biochar. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ni-based industrial alloy samples (INCONEL® 601) were subjected to oxidizing conditions, followed by exposure to a high carbon activity gaseous mixture containing 10% CO in Ar at 550°C in order to reveal factors critical to the initial carbon-formation. Fresh and treated samples were studied via optical-microscopy, SEM, Auger depth-profile analysis, TEM and EPMA. The results show that the extent of carbon formation is dependent on the oxidation parameters, since these affect both the composition and the structure of the 20-60nm thick oxide layer formed. A high oxygen partial pressure during oxidation appears to promote inclusion of Ni or Fe species in the oxide, which subsequently reduce and catalyse the growth of carbon filaments. Surface pre-treatment (i.e. polishing before oxidation) is also found to affect the carbon formation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: We identify ionizing radiation-induced mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions in human lymphocytes and their distribution in normal populations. Methods: Long-range polymerase chain reactions (PCR) using two pairs of primers specific for the human mitochondrial genome were used to analyze the lymphoblastoid cell line following exposure to 10 Gy 60Co γ-rays. Limited-condition PCR, cloning and sequencing techniques were applied to verify the mtDNA deletions detected with long-range PCR. Human peripheral blood samples were irradiated with 0, 2 and 6 Gy 60Co γ-rays, and real-time PCR analysis was performed to validate the mtDNA deletions. In order to know the distribution of mtDNA deletions in normal population, 222 healthy Chinese adults were also investigated. Results: Two mtDNA deletions, a 7455-bp deletion (nt475-nt7929 in heavy strand) and a 9225-bp deletion (nt7714 -nt369 in heavy strand), occurring between two 8-bp direct repeats, were identified in lymphoblastoid cells using long-range PCR, limited-condition PCR and sequencing. These results were also observed for 60Co γ-rays irradiated human peripheral blood cells. Conclusion: Two novel mtDNA deletions, a 7455-bp deletion and a 9225-bp deletion, were induced by ionizing radiation. The rate of the mtDNA deletions within a normal population was related to the donors'' age, but was independent of gender. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Bioproducts are chemicals derived from renewable biological resources and have the potential to replace petrochemicals in the future to tackle the arising environmental problems. Among them, lactic acid (LaA) is attracting significant focus from both academia and industry due to its wide application in our daily life. In this study, lactic acid is produced from the chemo-catalytic converting the glucose over the homogeneous ErCl 3 catalyst in an aqueous solution. The highest LaA yield of 97% was obtained at a full glucose conversion on this homogeneous catalyst at 260 °C through process optimization. Furthermore, the techno-economic analysis (TEA) was leveraged for the concept design of LaA biorefineries. Three parameters, namely the selling price of LaA, the price of glucose, and the catalyst recyclability were identified for the overall profit. Therefore, this work highlights the notable ability of TEA for the concept design or simulation to screen the promising biorefinery industrial process, and intuitively provide us with the internal rate of return of a certain chemical process. Thus, this work is supposed to provide the feasibility of LaA acid production from a chemo-catalytic process from both the technical and scientific points of view. [Display omitted] • A high lactic acid yield was obtained on the ErCl 3 homogeneous catalyst. • The potential of using converting glucose to lactic acid was analyzed. • Concept design and tech-economic analysis were performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catalytic converting the lignin-derived bio-oil to liquid fuel is one promising methodology to reduce the dependence on petroleum-based fuel while easing the atmospheric carbon dioxide burden. Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) is one commonly used method to convert and upgrade bio-oil from biomass. In the present work, a Ru-promoted MoFeP/Al 2 O 3 catalyst was prepared and evaluated the HDO performance by converting two model compounds, guaiacol and anisole with a batch reactor at 250 °C. This catalyst shows a quite good HDO performance over the two model compounds, in which, oxygen was removed from the phenolic and hydrocarbons were produced as the product. Kinetic studies were also performed to build the reaction network and elucidate the reaction pathway of guaiacol and anisole HDO reactions. The primary, secondary, and tertiary products can be identified for the HDO reactions. A better understanding of HDO chemistry from the fundamental study can lead to more efficient catalysts for the target products. [Display omitted] • A highly active Ru-MoFeP/Al 2 O 3 was proposed in HDO reaction. • Reaction network of guaiacol and anisole HDO reaction were proposed. • Primary product, secondary or tertiary products can be identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The CO2 capture properties of a new nanocrystalline CaO-based mixed oxide (CaCeZrO x ) were studied in both TGA and a fixed bed reactor. The kinetics of CO2 capture at dry conditions was compared between these two reactors. The application of the new CO2 acceptor in sorption enhanced steam methane reforming was studied by a fixed-bed reactor in the presence of 40wt% nickel hydrotalcite catalysts. Experimental results show that the new CO2 acceptor, CaCeZrO x has a significantly improved CO2 capture capacity and cyclic reaction stability compared to natural dolomites, because of the large pores and stable backbone structure. It has also been observed that the sorption enhanced steam methane reforming in the fixed bed reactor produces more than 95% H2 in a single-step process. Increase in production of hydrogen and higher CO2 capture capacity are also observed with an increase in the residence time of methane. Steam has a significant effect on the stability of the acceptors, but not very much on the kinetics and capacity of CO2 capture. The capacity of CO2 capture on the acceptors in the SESMR process cannot be predicted by the independent CO2 capture kinetic study on acceptor alone. A synergy effect between the sorption enhanced reactions and CO2 capture on the CO2 capture capacity was observed on the all solid CaO based CO2 acceptors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An S-naproxen (S-NAP) molecularly imprinted monolithic stationary phase (MIMSP) with specific recognition for S-NAP and naproxen (NAP) was prepared by in situ technique, utilizing 4-vinylpridine (4-VP) as a function monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) as a cross-linking agent, and low-polar solvents (toluene and dodecanol) as porogenic solvents. The selectivity of the polymers for S-NAP and NAP was evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The binding characteristics were tested by Scatchard analysis. Racemic NAP could be specifically separated to some extent. At the same time, NAP could be separated from ibuprofen under optimized conditions. Scatchard analysis showed that two classes of binding sites existed in the S-NAP-imprinted polymers, with their dissociation constants estimated to be 1.045 and 5.496 μM, respectively. The results demonstrate that S-NAP and NAP can be recognized specifically on the obtained MIMSP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The mechanism of bubble growth has been of particular interest for decades due to its significant contribution to understanding boiling heat transfer. In present work, a visualization experiment was carried out to analyze the bubble growth in a vertical rectangular narrow channel by using water as working fluid under 1 and 3bar system pressure. The bubble growth in various experimental conditions was obtained by analyzing the recorded pictures. Results show that bubble growth and bubble size are significantly affected by mass flux, heat flux and system pressure, and also by the nucleation site density. To obtain a well prediction for bubble growth, a dual model is proposed in this paper. This model is comprised of a linear model for the inertia controlled stage of bubble growth and a power law model for the heat diffusion controlled stage of bubble growth, and the prediction of the dual model agrees well with the experimental result with an error less than ±15%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Of concern is the following Cauchy problem for fractional integro-differential equations with time delay and nonlocal initial condition where , , is a generator of a solution operator on a complex Banach space , the convolution integral in the equation is known as the Riemann–Liouville fractional integral, representing the delay property, is a function, and is an operator defined from into for some which constitutes a nonlocal condition. The local existence and uniqueness of mild solutions for the Cauchy problem, under various criteria, are proved. Moreover, we present an existence result of the global solution. Also an example is given to illustrate the applications of the abstract results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report the solubility of carbon dioxide in four physical solvents and compare our data to predicted phase behavior using the conductor-like screening model for real solvents (COSMO-RS) formalism. The solubility data are presented in pressure-composition (Px) diagrams as well as Henry''s law coefficients on a wt% basis at 298.15K. The oligomers presented in this study are poly ethylene glycol di-methyl ether (PEGDME), perfluoro polyether (PFPE), poly di-methyl siloxane (PDMS), and poly propylene glycol di-methyl ether (PPGDME), which is a new solvent designed for this application by our group. These oligomers had 2–5 repeat units. We assess these four oligomers for capturing CO2 from high-pressure streams. The COSMO-RS formalism is able to qualitatively and to some extent quantitatively describe solubilities of CO2 in each of the oligomers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To determine the spermicidal activity of antisemen antibodies in the hamster model.Design: Prospective, controlled study.Setting: Advanced preclinical sciences center.Animal(s): Subgroups of 10 and 14 golden hamsters.Intervention(s): Ex vitro and in vivo treatment of sperm with antisemen antibodies or normal rabbit serum.Main Outcome Measure(s): The EC(50) value of antisemen antibodies, the time required for 50% motility loss of progressively motile spermatozoa exposed to antisemen antibodies, the average sperm mitochondrion fluorescence intensity, the rate of fertilization, and the scoring of histologic changes in the hamster vaginal tissue.Result(s): The EC(50) value of antisemen antibodies was found 70 microg/mL, and the time required for 50% motility loss of progressively motile spermatozoa exposed to antisemen antibodies (at 70 microg/mL) was 5 minutes; for the experimental and control groups, the average fluorescence intensities of sperm mitochondria were respectively 180.28 +/- 82.24 and 309.74 +/- 148.37, the fertilization rates in vitro were 0.09% and 45%, the rates of fertilization with intrauterine sperm injection were 0 and 15.0%. There was a significant difference between two groups. None of the four hamsters that received antisemen antibodies in gel-polyoxyl-40-stearate had epithelial disruption characteristic of inflammation.Conclusion(s): Antisemen antibodies possess appreciable spermicidal potential, which may be explored as an effective constituent of spermicide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, an evaporative cooling test system consisting of an elliptical-heat exchanger was examined. Tests were conducted for various airflow rates of 52, 68, 81, 96 Cubic Meter per Minute (CMM), sprinkler water flow rates of 30, 40, 50 Liter per Minute (LPM), and hot water flow rates of 18, 22, 28 LPM. The sprinkle nozzle types and outside wet-bulb temperatures were also investigated. The convective heat transfer of the sprinkle water film outside the tubes and the mass transfer between air and water film on tube bundles were probed. The film thickness and sprinkle water picture were studied using high-speed cameras and image processing techniques. The results show that the mass transfer performance of the evaporative cooler was enhanced with the growth of the airflow rate. When the sprinkler water flow rate rose to 50 LPM, the heat-mass transfer coefficient of the evaporative cooler decreased since the water film on the tube was thickened. The low hot water flow rate at the tube side (18 LPM) resulted in a superior performance due to a high local temperature and improved local mass transfer. The experimental data were used to obtain empirical correlations for the heat coefficient of the liquid film and mass transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]