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Summary Belief rule base (BRB) is an effective nonlinear relationship modeling approach. It has been widely used in the fault diagnosis of electromechanical systems. To improve the performance of the BRB‐based diagnostic model, a two‐phase features extraction approach called CNPCA based on complex network (CN) and principal component analysis (PCA) is proposed in this paper. In the first phase, the weighted visibility graph method is applied to transform the time series data of monitored variables into complex networks. Then the statistical attributes of the constructed networks are extracted as the initial features. In the second phase, the PCA method is used to process the initial features and the principal component features are obtained. After that, the CNPCA‐BRB diagnostic model for the electromechanical system is constructed. The experimental results of the elevator fault diagnosis show that the constructed diagnostic model outperforms better than the classical ones. It demonstrates that the CNPCA approach can ensure the integrity of fault information in the features and improve the separability of the fault features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The remarkable advance in gene editing technology presents unparalleled opportunities for transforming medicine and finding cures for hereditary diseases. Human trials of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein-9 nuclease (Cas9)-based therapeutics have demonstrated promising results in disrupting or deleting target sequences to treat specific diseases. However, the potential of targeted gene insertion approaches, which offer distinct advantages over disruption/deletion methods, remains largely unexplored in human trials due to intricate technical obstacles and safety concerns. This paper reviews the recent advances in preclinical studies demonstrating in vivo targeted gene insertion for therapeutic benefits, targeting somatic solid tissues through systemic delivery. With a specific emphasis on hemophilia as a prominent disease model, we highlight advancements in insertion strategies, including considerations of DNA repair pathways, targeting site selection, and donor design. Furthermore, we discuss the complex challenges and recent breakthroughs that offer valuable insights for progressing towards clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Balantioides coli is a common intestinal parasitic protozoan in pigs. In the present study, 801 fecal samples of pigs from seven farms in Xinjiang were analyzed based on the ITS1-5.8S rRNA-ITS2 gene. The prevalence of B. coli was 4.2% (34/801), with the highest prevalence of 18.9% (18/95) occurring in Alaer, Xinjiang. B. coli was detected in all age groups (pre-weaned pigs, post-weaned pigs, fattening pigs and sows), with the highest rate in fatteners (6.9%, 9/129) and the lowest (1.2%, 2/169) in pre-weaned pigs. Significant differences (P = 0.000) were found among sampling sites but not among age groups (P = 0.084). Sequence analysis indicated that 34 sequence variants, including sequence type A (n = 11) and sequence type B (n = 23), occurred in all age groups. In this study, the existence of sequence type A suggested that B. coli poses a potential threat to human health. More studies are needed to better understand the distributions and public health significance of B. coli in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prospecting for and exploiting buried mineral deposits is currently challenging. Given their high precision and resolution, reflection seismic methods might be useful in such applications involving deep mineral deposits. However, there are few open seismic datasets available from mineral deposit exploration, especially in hardrock environments. The world‐class Caosiyao porphyry Molybdenum deposit (1.76 Mt) in the Jining area of Inner Mongolia, China, is largely covered by loess layers, which poses challenges to its exploration. Seismic reflection surveys were conducted to help delineate the deep granite porphyry intrusions and associated orebodies. This paper presents the raw seismic reflection dataset from three profiles on the Caosiyao deposit area, which can be used as a standard dataset for reflection seismic processing in shallow coverage and hardrock areas. Situated at the juxtaposition of the Khondalite Belt and the Trans‐North China Orogen in the northern North China Craton, the Jining region hosts considerable known porphyry Mo deposits. As such, this open dataset can assist in research on deep geological structures and hence increase prospecting efficiency in geologically similar areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a size-dependent bilayer piezoelectric microbeam model is established based on the modified piezoelectric theory, which considers the strain gradient effect. The hypothesis of the Euler–Bernoulli beam is taken for the size-dependent bilayer piezoelectric microbeam model. The governing equations and boundary conditions are obtained from the variational principle. The electromechanical coupling performance for two boundary value problems of a cantilever beam and a simply supported beam is assessed. The size dependence of a bilayer piezoelectric microbeam electromechanical coupling property under the direct piezoelectric effect and converse piezoelectric effect is investigated. Results reveal that, for the piezoelectric mircobeam, the electromechanical coupling responses have been restrained by the size effect. The induced charge and deflection predicted by the size-dependent model is smaller than that of the classical model. However, the influence of the size effect is weakened with the increase in the beam thickness. The size effect can be neglected when the beam thickness is far greater than the material length-scale parameter. Because the structural stiffness of the cantilever beam is higher than that of the simply supported beam, the electromechanical coupling responses of the bilayer piezoelectric cantilever microbeam are greater than that of the bilayer piezoelectric simply supported microbeam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although plasticizing materials by modification with small‐molecular chemicals has been extensively utilized in the industrial community, processing poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) at high concentrations (CPVA) or with a high degree of polymerization (DP) remains challenging. Optimization the plasticizing conditions is one means of addressing this issue. In this study, two types of frequently used plasticizers, glycerol (GLY) and diethanolamine (DEA), are chosen to plasticize PVA resin with a DP of 2400. Both PVA/plasticizer films possess excellent optical transmittance and mechanical ductility, whereas the films blended with DEA exhibit higher strength than the PVA/GLY films. The viscosity variation in the temperature (Top)–CPVA space is monitored by real‐time viscous flow testing, demonstrating that DEA is more effective for reducing the viscosity of PVA, which should improve the processability, facilitating film‐forming from concentrated solutions. Furthermore, density functional theory calculations and molecular dynamics simulations illustrate that the PVA/DEA system has a lower binding energy, longer hydrogen bond length, and higher isotropic diffusion coefficient, indicating a stable hydrogen bond network and homogenous dispersion of the plasticizer, leading to good solution fluidity and mechanical performance. This study is significant for guiding the design and manufacture of optically transparent, high‐performance PVA films as polarizer precursor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The imbibition phenomenon widely exists in nature and industrial applications. It is of great significance to study the mechanism of imbibition and the influence laws of related factors. In this paper, based on the assumption of interacting capillaries, a capillary bundle model of counter-current imbibition is established. In addition, the characteristics of imbibition and the influences of capillary size and fluid viscosity are analyzed. The results show that water is imbibed into the smaller capillaries and expelled from the larger capillaries. The rate of the meniscus in water-imbibition capillaries is proportional to the square root of time. In the interacting capillaries, oil production by counter-current imbibition decreases and then increases gradually with the increase of the capillary diameter difference. When the total cross-sectional area of the capillary remains unchanged, the cross-sectional area of the total water-imbibition capillaries is affected by the size distribution of the capillaries. The larger the viscosity of the non-wetting phase, the more uneven the imbibition front, the lower the imbibition efficiency. The higher the viscosity of the wetting phase, the more uniform the imbibition front, and the higher the imbibition efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The temperature field model of heterogeneous materials was simulated by the Level-Set method. • The mechanisms of material removal and the formation of thermal damage were studied. • We proposed a spray-mist-assisted laser processing of the CFRP based on the cooling characteristics of the water–air. • The state of balance between cold and heat has been realized by optimizing the process. To regulate the balance between heat and cold during laser processing, a method of combining water and air to form a spray-mist is proposed to assist in the laser processing of CFRP. The characteristics of the temperature field and flow field distribution are analyzed by the finite element model. And the machining mechanism is revealed. The results show that the material will be removed by vaporization under the coupling of heat accumulation and heat conduction. The heat-affected zone (HAZ) will be generated when the removal of heterogeneous material is inconsistent. The temperature of the material steam is up to 2000 K, so the timely removal of the high-temperature steam can effectively reduce the HAZ. The uneven thickness distribution of the water film formed by the spray mist impacting the wall will change the laser distribution. Fortunately, there exists a region suitable for laser processing where the water film thickness is about 100 μm. It can provide effective cooling and a low laser power loss rate. Finally, the balance between heat and cold is realized by regulating the heat input, reducing the HAZ. This study can provide a reference for laser processing of composite materials with low damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Three-dimensional gold dendrite structures are in-situ grown on the surface of the sensor. • The sensors, with wide response range and high accuracy, capable of measuring Aβ-42 peptide concentration at the femtogram level. • Integrated portable testing instrument to realize blood and Undiluted serum detection of Alzheimer's disease. Beta-amyloid 42 (Aβ-42) peptide is an essential biomarker for Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis. This study presents high sensitivity and stability sensors for Aβ-42 peptide detection, along with an integrated handheld analysis and display device. The sensors, with a wide response range and high accuracy, capable of measuring Aβ-42 peptide concentration at the femtogram level, could have enabled early screening for AD. Employing an in-situ grown three-dimensional sensor, the specific surface area of the sensor was increased by 200 % which, thereby, provided more antibody binding sites to enhance detection accuracy. This electrochemical sensor demonstrated a broad linear response range from 4.5 × 10−8 pg/mL to 4.5 × 102 pg/mL and could accurately determine the concentration of spiked analytes (including artificial saliva, human plasma, and human blood). Furthermore, the sensor exhibited satisfactory stability, with only a 5 % sensitivity loss after 35 days of storage at 4 °C. Additionally, this handheld Aβ-42 peptide testing device incorporates a display for result delivery. Such innovative technology could fill the gap in the market for portable testing instruments and could provide an efficient and reliable solution for early AD screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro X-ray fluorescence analysis (micro-XRF) commonly has a lower spatial (lateral) resolution than other elemental mapping techniques like scanning electron microscopy. This disadvantage limits further applications of micro-XRF in microanalysis. In this study, the spatial resolution of micro-XRF was improved by oversampling and image restoration techniques, including both blind and non-blind methods. The point spread function (PSF) for the non-blind method was estimated efficiently by applying both the small point method and the knife-edge method. Three non-blind algorithms—the fast iterative shrinkage-thresholding algorithm, the Wiener filter, and the Richardson–Lucy (RL) method—were tested. The results showed that all these methods could improve the spatial resolution by as much as 26.5%. According to two image quality metrics—the mean squared error and the structural similarity index measure—the results of the RL method were better than those of the others. Compared to the non-blind method, the blind method called "blind deblurring with L0-regularized intensity and gradient prior" only yielded a 12.3% improvement of the resolution, but it obtained a more precise estimation of the size of the PSF. An oversized PSF helps to denoise, but it might reduce the resolution, and vice versa. When the correct PSF was used in the RL method, the improvement of the resolution was as high as 41.6%. A further application on rock samples showed that the technique helped to reduce the resolution variations caused by polychromatic X-rays. This study demonstrated that this technique is promising, but it is still necessary to accumulate more data and design more appropriate algorithms for micro-XRF images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptosporidium parvum is a major zoonotic pathogen responsible for outbreaks of severe diarrhoea in humans and calves. Almost all investigations of cryptosporidiosis outbreaks caused by C. parvum have focused on its IIa subtype family in industrialized nations. From December 2018 to April 2019, approximately 200 neonatal calves on a large cattle farm in Hebei Province, China, were diagnosed with watery diarrhoea and over 40 died. To investigate the cause of the outbreak, faecal samples were taken during and after the outbreak from neonatal calves of ≤4 weeks of age (n = 40 and n = 56) and older calves of 4–24 weeks of age (n = 79 and n = 38). A total of 18 faecal samples collected from ill calves at the peak of the outbreak were analysed for four common enteric pathogens using an enzymatic immunoassay (EIA). In addition, 75 samples from neonatal calves were tested for rotavirus by EIA. All samples were analysed for Cryptosporidium spp. using PCR and sequencing techniques. Of the initial 18 samples from sick calves, ten were positive for C. parvum, five for rotavirus, and one for coronavirus. The overall prevalence of rotavirus in neonatal calves was 20.0% (15/75), with no significant differences during and after the outbreak. In contrast, Cryptosporidium parvum infections were significantly higher during the outbreak (60.0%, 24/40) than after the outbreak (30.4%, 17/56; p =.004). Cryptosporidium parvum infection was associated with the presence of watery diarrhoea in neonatal calves (OR = 11.19), while no association was observed between C. bovis infection and diarrhoea. All C. parvum isolates were identified as subtype IIdA20G1. This is one of the few reports of outbreaks of severe diarrhoea caused by C. parvum IId subtypes in calves. More attention should be directed towards the dissemination of C. parvum in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A size-dependent buckling response model of the laminated microbeam with a partially covered elastic layer is established. • The relations among the classical/anti-symmetric/symmetric couple stress theory and the general theory are studied. • Compared with the general theory, the reduced theories underestimate the strain gradient effects. • The size dependency of the buckling response with different boundary conditions is analyzed. • The effects of the position of laminated area and material length-scale parameters on the buckling load are discussed. The buckling responses of the micro-components show size dependency. The general strain gradient theory is applied to explain the size effects. In this paper, we derive the theoretical relations among the classical couple stress theory, the modified couple stress theory and the general theory. The general theory includes all strain gradients and can respectively reduce to the classical couple stress theory and the modified couple stress theory when certain strain gradients are ignored. Subsequently, we further compare the difference of the ability of the general theory and the reduced theories to capture the size-dependent buckling response of the beam. The buckling load of the beam predicted by the general theory is larger than that predicted by the reduced theories. The general theory can predict the size dependency more accurately. In addition, the variation law of buckling load with the location of the upper elastic layer is also clarified. The location variation of the upper elastic layer leads to the change of buckling load, and thus affects the ability of the beam to resist the deformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In situ stress and underground water are known to significantly influence the deformation and stability of deep underground caverns. These factors should be considered in the design of excavation and supporting schemes. However, the rock failure mechanism and permeability characteristics under the coupling condition remain largely unexplained. Based on the Xianglushan diversion tunnel in Central-Yunnan Water Diversion Project, we conducted triaxial compression experiments on both intact rock specimens and cracked rock specimens with three confining pressures (11 MPa, 18 MPa, and 25 MPa) and three osmotic pressures (2 MPa, 6 MPa, and 10 MPa). The experimental results show that rock strength can be expressed as a function of confining pressure and osmotic pressure. Osmotic pressure can reduce rock strength, while the effect of confining pressure is opposite. With the increase of osmotic pressure, the initial permeability and the peak permeability increase. Compared with the stress-strain curve, the variation of permeability-strain curve is "hysteretic." For cracked specimens, the stress-strain curve after failure presents a "step down" trend, and the permeability-strain curve appears a "bimodal shape." The failure pattern changes from shear failure to tensile failure as the osmotic pressure increases. With the increase of osmotic pressure, the crack increases gradually and becomes tortuous and rough. The generation and propagation of cracks gradually develop towards vertical load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Static characteristics and leakage flow rates of liquid annular seals have great influences on the hydraulic efficiency of turbomachinery. In this paper, a two-dimensional (2D) mathematical model for predicting the leakage flow rates and static characteristics of liquid seal is established, based on the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) combined with the D2G9 velocity model for incompressible fluid and large eddy simulation (LES) turbulence model, in which the transformation equation of reference pressure is developed with the Bernoulli equation. Moreover, the proposed model is validated by comparing with the experimental results, calculation results based on the finite volume method (FVM), and the results based on the empirical method of three seals under different operating conditions. The comparisons show that the maximum deviation in leakage prediction of the calculating model based on 2D LBM is 4%, and this calculating model will effectively improve the leakage prediction accuracy of the seals compared with the FVM and theoretical method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most common complication of extremely preterm birth. This study was aimed at detecting cytokine and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels to evaluate their mechanisms and predicted significance for BPD. Preterm infants born at g e s t a t i o n a l a g e ≤ 32 w e e k s were recruited, and clinical data were collected. We detected ten cytokines, including IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α on Days 1–3, Days 7–14, and Days 21–28 after birth by using the Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) technology. The FeNO levels of infants were measured when they met the discharge criteria. A total of 46 preterm infants were enrolled, consisting of 14 infants in BPD group and 32 infants in the control group. The gestational age (27.5 ± 1.3 vs. 29.9 ± 1.3 weeks) and birth weight (1021 ± 261 g vs. 1489 ± 357 g) were lower in the BPD group. The following were high-risk factors for BPD, as determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis: g e s t a t i o n a l a g e < 30 w e e k s , b i r t h w e i g h t < 1000 g , PDA, longer mechanical ventilation, and higher FeNO. The cytokines of IL-6 and IL-8 on Days 7–14 and IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α on Days 21–28 were also high-risk factors for BPD. IL-6 contributed to BPD disease severity. Conclusion. The preterm infants with PDA and prolonged mechanical ventilation tended to develop BPD. The IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly increased on Days 7–14 and were high-risk factors for BPD. Moreover, the IL-6 level was associated with BPD disease severity. We speculated that NO was related to BPD via Th2 cell-mediated inflammatory responses such as IL-4 and IL-6. Cytokines might predict the occurrence of BPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bamboo rats are widely farmed in southern China for meat, but their potential in transmitting pathogens to humans and other farm animals remains unclear. Methods: To understand the transmission of Cryptosporidium spp. in these animals, 709 fecal samples were collected in this study from Chinese bamboo rats (Rhizomys sinensis) on nine farms in Jiangxi, Guangxi and Hainan provinces, China. They were analyzed for Cryptosporidium spp. using PCR and sequence analyses of the small subunit rRNA gene. Cryptosporidium parvum, C. parvum-like and C. ubiquitum-like genotypes identified were subtyped by sequence analysis of the 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene. Results: Altogether, Cryptosporidium spp. were detected in 209 (29.5%) samples. The detection rate in samples from animals under two months of age (70.0%,105/150) was significantly higher than in samples from animals above 2 months (18.6%, 104/559; χ2 = 150.27, df = 1, P < 0.0001). Four Cryptosporidium species/genotypes were identified: C. parvum (n = 78); C. occultus (n = 1); a new genotype that is genetically related to C. ubiquitum (n = 85); and another new genotype that is genetically related to C. parvum (n = 44). Among them, C. parvum (27,610 ± 71,911 oocysts/gram of feces) and the C. parvum-like genotype (38,679 ± 82,811 oocysts/gram of feces) had higher oocyst shedding intensity than the C. ubiquitum-like genotype (2470 ± 7017 oocysts/gram of feces) and the C. occultus (1012 oocysts/gram of feces). The C. parvum identified belonged to three subtypes in two rare subtype families, including IIpA9 (n = 43), IIpA6 (n = 6) and IIoA15G1 (n = 9), while the C. parvum-like and C. ubiquitum-like genotypes generated very divergent gp60 sequences. Conclusions: Results of the present study suggest that bamboo rats on the study farms were infected with diverse Cryptosporidium species and divergent C. parvum subtypes, which probably had originated from their native habitats. As similar C. parvum subtypes have been recently detected in humans and farmed macaques, attentions should be paid to the potential role of these new farm animals in the transmission of zoonotic pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the prevalence and molecular characteristics of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis , and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in grazing adult sheep from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China, 318 fecal samples were collected and screened for the presence of these parasites by polymerase chain reaction. The overall infection rate for the three pathogens was 13.5% (43/318), with observed individual infection rates of 0.9% (3/318), 7.5% (24/318), and 6.3% (20/318) for Cryptosporidium spp., G. duodenalis , and E. bieneusi , respectively. Three Cryptosporidium species were identified amongst the samples, including C. xiaoi (n = 1), C. ubiquitum (n = 1), and C. parvum (n = 1), with gp60 -based subtyping analysis identifying C. parvum as subtype IIdA15G1 and C. ubiquitum as subtype XIIa. Eight E. bieneusi genotypes were identified based on internal transcribed spacer region sequencing, including six known (BEB6, CHG1, CHG3, CHS3, CHS8, and COS-I) and two novel (designated XJS1 and XJS2) genotypes. All G. duodenalis -positive samples were identified as assemblage E based on small subunit rRNA (n = 24) and gdh (n = 10) gene sequence analysis. These data support the occurrence of host adaptation by Cryptosporidium spp., G. duodenalis , and E. bieneusi in sheep, and the zoonotic risk may posed by these parasites in Xinjiang, China. Unlabelled Image • Sheep have played a role in the spread of C. parvum and C. ubiquitum in Xinjiang, China • Identified Eight E. bieneusi genotypes that belonged to cattle host-specific Group 2. • All the G. duodenalis -positive specimens belonged to assemblage E. • Two novel E. bieneusi genotypes were named as XJS1 and XJS2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increase of burial depth, complex geological conditions such as high in situ stress, high seepage pressure and weak faults bring many adverse effects to the construction of deep tunnels. Taking Xianglushan Tunnel of Yunnan Water Diversion Project as the engineering background, we conduct a three-dimensional geo-mechanical model test under hydro-mechanical coupling to investigate the excavation stability and the supporting control of a deep tunnel crossing a weak fault. The test results reveal that: (1) The fault has adverse effects on the distribution of physical fields. In the fault, the stress of the surrounding rock is in the plastic state; the displacement and seepage pressure are larger. Accordingly, the contact pressure and seepage pressure of the lining become larger. (2) The distribution of contact pressure and seepage pressure on the lining is uneven. The contact pressure of the lining at the vault and the bottom is generally larger than that at the hance. The largest seepage pressure appears at the bottom, while the smallest at the vault. (3) There is a coupling effect between the stress field and the seepage field in the surrounding rock. The stress field affects the seepage field by changing the deformation of the surrounding rock. The seepage field simultaneously acts to the stress field. Test results obtained in this study will provide an experimental basis for further theoretical studies and engineering designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classical piezoelectric elasticity theory fails to explain the size-dependent electro-mechanical behaviour. The strain gradient elasticity and flexoelectricity are responsible for the size effects phenomenon. In this paper, the general strain gradient elasticity is incorporated into the flexoelectric elasticity theory to describe the size dependency. The degeneration analysis of the flexoelectric elasticity theory incorporating the general strain gradient elasticity is performed. The flexoelectric elasticity theory incorporating the general strain gradient elasticity includes all strain gradients, and can degenerate to the simplified flexoelectric elasticity theories incorporating the approximated strain gradient elasticity when some strain gradients are ignored. Subsequently, the differences between the general theory and the simplified theories in describing the size effects are revealed by solving the direct/inverse electro-mechanical problems of the laminated microbeam with a partially covered piezoelectric layer under the uniformly distributed load and external voltage. Compared with the general theory, the simplified theories predict larger collected charge, polarization, electric potential and deflection, and thus underestimate the size-dependent electro-mechanical response. Moreover, the contributions from the strain gradient elasticity and flexoelectricity to the electro-mechanical behaviour are further identified, respectively. The strain gradient elasticity consideration significantly weakens the flexoelectricity and piezoelectricity when the beam thickness is comparable to the material length-scale parameters. The flexoelectricity enhances the polarization, weakens the electric potential while hardly affects the deflection when the beam thickness is in micron range. • The general strain gradient elasticity is incorporated into the flexoelectric elasticity theory to describe the electro-mechanical response. • The relation among the general strain gradient elasticity, the modified strain gradient elasticity and the simplified strain gradient elasticity is clarified. • The size-dependent electro-mechanical model of laminated piezoelectric microbeam is established. • The influential mechanism of different strain gradient elasticity on the electro-mechanical response is identified. • The flexoelectric elasticity theory with general strain gradient elasticity can reflect the electro-mechanical response more appropriately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classical piezomagnetic elasticity theory fails to explain the size-dependent magneto-mechanical behaviour. The extended piezomagnetic elasticity theory incorporating the strain gradient elasticity and flexomagneticity is developed to describe the size effects phenomenon. Compared with the flexomagneticity whose contribution is explicit, the influence mechanism of strain gradient elasticity on the magneto-mechanical response is not clarified. In this paper, we clarify the relation and difference among the extended piezomagnetic elasticity theory considering different strain gradient elasticity. For the relation analysis, according to the orthogonal decomposition of the general strain gradient elasticity, we express the extended piezomagnetic elasticity theory in form of strain gradient tensor and its components of symmetric/anti-symmetric splitting, respectively. By ignoring some strain gradients, the extended piezomagnetic elasticity theory with the general strain gradient elasticity can reduce to that with the reduced strain gradient elasticity. For the difference analysis, we perform the magneto-mechanical analysis of the Terfenol-D/Silicon bilayer microbeam. The flexomagnetic coefficient of Terfenol-D is obtained by fitting deflection solution with experiment results. Then, the size-dependent direct/inverse magneto-mechanical behaviour is revealed. Results reveal that the strain gradient effects and flexomagnetic effects significantly affect the magnetic potential and bending defection when the beam thickness is comparable to the material length-scale parameters. Moreover, compared with the extended piezomagnetic elasticity theory with the reduced strain gradient elasticity, the extended piezomagnetic elasticity theory with the general strain gradient elasticity predicts smaller magnetic potential, bending deflection, and thus can describe the magneto-mechanical behaviour more appropriately. • The relation among the general/reformulated/dilatation strain gradient elasticity is studied. • The difference of the extended piezomagnetic elasticity theories in describing the size dependency is revealed. • The fitting value of flexomagnetic efficient of Terfenol-D is obtained. • The direct/inverse magneto-mechanical problems are solved. • The contributions from the strain gradient effects and flexomagnetic effects are identified, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • A bivalent CVA6 and CVA10 vaccine induced systemic antibody titers comparable to those of monovalent vaccines. • The bivalent vaccine could induce strong antigen-specific polyfunctional T cell immune responses. • Passive transfer of antisera from vaccinated mice protected recipient mice against virus challenge. • Maternal antibody could afford protection against challenge with homologous or heterologous CVA6, CVA10, or CVA6/CVA10. • There was no immunological interference between the CVA6 and CVA10 components of the bivalent vaccine. Abstract Coxsackievirus A6 (CVA6) and CVA10 are two of the major pathogens associated with hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in children. The majority of CVA6 and CVA10 infections result in mild, self-limiting episodes (fever and herpangina) in pediatric populations; however, in some cases, can proceed to severe neurological disease and death. Efforts to mitigate viral transmission to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with infection would be greatly strengthened by the availability of an efficacious CVA6 and CVA10 bivalent vaccine. Here we report the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a bivalent combination vaccine comprised of formaldehyde-inactivated, whole-virus CVA6 and CVA10. We demonstrate that subcutaneous delivery of the bivalent vaccine can induce antigen-specific systemic immune responses, particularly the induction of polyfunctional T cells, which elicit active immunization to achieve a protection rate of >80% in the infected neonatal mice. Furthermore, passive transfer of the antisera from vaccinated mice potently protected recipient mice against CVA6 and CVA10 challenge. Importantly, the bivalent vaccine could induce high levels of IgG and neutralizing antibodies in adult female mice and the maternal antibody transmitted to the recipient mice played an important role in controlling homotypic and heterotypic CVA6 and CVA10 infections and viral replication in vivo. Collectively, these findings indicate that there is no immunological interference between the two antigens with respect to their ability to induce virus-specific immune responses, and thus provides proof-of-concept for further development of multivalent vaccines for broad protection against HFMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industry alliance is a cooperative mode based on some kind of contract or restraint, which is a new stage of the evolution and development of industrial cluster. In order to enhance the sharing ability of manufacturing resources, a new application mode called cloud manufacturing for industry alliance (CMfgIA) is presented in this paper. Firstly, the concept, architecture, and operation mechanism of CMfgIA is elaborated. Secondly, a domain-driven development approach for multi- granularity manufacturing services is proposed to ensure on-demand supply of manufacturing resources. In the approach, an improved feature model which contains process information of service composition is used to construct domain requirements. Based on the feature model, two-phase development process of manufacturing service is described. In the first phase, atomic manufacturing services are developed based on atomic features, and in the second phase, coarse-grained manufacturing services are modeled through automatic service composition which is realized by feature model customization. Then, a relationship management model is applied to manage the relationships between customized feature models and manufacturing services. Finally, an application example of cloud manufacturing platform for elevator industry alliance is given to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of CMfgIA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A new fatigue model of metal welding interface is proposed based on J k -integral. • DIC method is investigated to measure the J k -integral at the interface crack tip. • The proposed model includes the prediction of crack propagation path and life. • The model can clearly describe the two-stage process under mixed-mode loading. In this paper, an innovative fatigue crack propagation model of metal welding interface is investigated based on the concept of J k -integral (k = 1, 2) in elastic–plastic material, including the prediction of crack propagation path and life. In order to validate the effectiveness of the present fatigue model, the experiments of mixed-mode interface fatigue cracks are carried out on compact tensile shear specimens of N36 zirconium alloy using DIC methods. The results demonstrate that the fatigue crack only propagates along the interface under mode I loading where the relationship between the crack growth rate da / dN and Δ J 1 (the J 1 -integral range per loading cycle) is logarithmic linear. As for mode I/II mixed-mode loading, interface cracks start to propagate along the interface when J 1 reaches J int-C (the interface fracture toughness). When J total (the vector sum of J 1 and J 2) reaches J sub-C (the substrate fracture toughness), the crack deflects to the substrate in the J total direction. In this case, da / dN shows a two-stage logarithmic linear relation with Δ J total (the J total -integral range per loading cycle) under mixed-mode loading, and the critical J total at the beginning of crack deflection is approximately matching the specific value. The theoretical deflection angle (i.e. the J total direction) calculated from the corresponding J 1 and J 2 at the beginning of crack deflection is well consistent with the actual deflection angle observed in experiments. Moreover, the model can clearly describe the two-stage process from the crack propagation along the interface to the crack deflection to the substrate under mixed-mode loading. It is concluded that the proposed fatigue model based on J k -integral can accurately predict the fatigue crack propagation path and lifetime of metal welding interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptosporidium is a common enteric parasite in chickens. A total of 812 fecal specimens were collected from 11 broiler farms in Zhejiang Province, China, and analyzed by nested PCR amplification based on the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. The overall infection rate of Cryptosporidium was 6.3% (51/812), and five of 11 farms were Cryptosporidium positive. Broilers aged > 90 days accounted for the highest infection rate of 16.1% (6/56), followed by those aged 30–60 days (10.6%, 38/358) and 60–90 days (4/378, 1.1%). Two Cryptosporidium species were identified by sequence analysis, with the predominant species being C. baileyi (96.1%, 49/51) and the minor infection being C. meleagridis (3.9%, 2/51). Based on the 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene, two C. meleagridis-positive isolates were identified as one known subtype, IIIbA24G1R1. This study indicated the common occurrence of C. baileyi in broiler chickens in this region and low zoonotic transmission potential of Cryptosporidium to humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first polymer–MOF hybrid material (polyMOF) with a UiO-66 architecture is reported, prepared from polymers with varying alkyl spacers, molecular weights, and dispersities. With appropriate spacing, mesoporous UiO-66 polyMOF can be obtained having an uncommon, interlaced crystal morphology, suggesting that polyMOFs can be used to generate MOF materials with hierarchical architectures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Wurinitu Mo deposit is one of the newly found molybdenum deposits in the southwestern part of the late Paleozoic-Mesozoic Erenhot-Dong-Ujimqin metallogenic belt (S-EDMB), Inner Mongolia, China. In the present study, the mineralization age of the Wurinitu deposit is constrained to 137.3 ± 1.3 to 131.9 ± 1.5 Ma based on a combination of the laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) zircon U-Pb dating of the mineralization related fine-grained monzonitic granite and the post-mineralization granite porphyry. The results of zircon Lu-Hf isotopes, combined with the geochemical characteristics of the granites in the S-EDMB, suggest that the Wurinitu Mo deposit was formed in an extensional environment in relation to the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate in late Mesozoic. The Wurinitu deposit shares similarities with the classical Climax-type porphyry molybdenum deposits in tectonic setting, mineral assemblages, and metal zonation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aims to make an initial attempt to the controllable fracture performances of sheet lattices. Four types of variable-thickness sheet lattices (VTSLs) are designed using the Schwarz-P type triply periodic minimal surface, taking into account the manufacturability of the laser powder bed fusion technique. Three-point bending tests are conducted to investigate the fracture performance of VTSLs. Using ductile damage simulations, the fracture evolution process is analyzed, and mechanisms of fracture initiation and crack interaction are described. Experimental and numerical studies have established that distributions of local materials have a significant impact on fracture patterns, including intracellular and intercellular fractures. Under the same condition, the flexural strength, energy absorption capability, and fracture force can be improved for VTSLs with smooth transitions of neighboring unit cells. Specifically, the strength of VTSLs can be further enhanced when the homogenized material model is used. This work establishes a link between the controllable fracture performance and the additive manufacturing design of VTSLs. [Display omitted] • Variable-thickness sheet lattices are designed without losing structural smoothness. • L-PBFed VTSLs variable-thickness sheet lattices exhibit controllable fracture patterns. • The mechanism of fracture performances was experimentally and numerically studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When the buried depth of underground engineering exceeds 1000 m, the deep surrounding rock will show typical nonlinear deformation characteristics due to the coupling effect of high in-situ stress, and high seepage pressure. The stress field of surrounding rock will change the distribution characteristics of seepage field, and in turn, the change of seepage field will affect the distribution of surrounding rock stress field, which is a process of mutual influence and interaction. Considering the variation of permeability coefficient of deep surrounding rock and non-Darcy flow movement of fluid, a fully coupled hydraulic-mechanical analytical model of deep tunnel was proposed based on Hoek-Brown criterion and effective stress principle, and the detailed application method of the model was also given. Through the triaxial compression test under hydro-mechanical coupling, the nonlinear softening model considering seepage pressure and permeability variation equation were established, which solved two key problems of the model. The corresponding numerical calculation program was compiled based on ABAQUS finite element platform, and the reliability of the calculation program was verified by comparing with the model test results. The influence of the thickness of the grouting layer, the permeability coefficient of the grouting layer, the number of drainage holes and the depth of drainage holes on tunnel surrounding rock seepage pressure and lining seepage pressure were calculated and analyzed, and the anti-seepage optimization design of Xianglushan tunnel was carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eastern Tibetan Plateau has the highest topographic relief on Earth and is studded with abundant mineral reserves. However, the orogenic evolution and its link to mineral resources are unclear. The Zhongdian block, as the convergent center of several blocks during the final closure of the Paleotethys, is one of the most important regions for exploring the evolution of the eastern Tibetan Plateau. The geochemical parameters of intermediate-composition magmatic rocks can reflect mineral assemblages in the lower crust and can be used to constrain crustal thickness. Here, we show that the whole rock Sr/Y and (La/Yb) N and zircon Eu/Eu* values for the Late Triassic and Late Cretaceous intermediate to silicic magmatic rocks reveal two changes in crustal thickness of the Zhongdian block. The crustal thickness of the Zhongdian block increased to >70 km during ca. 230 to 210 Ma, while it decreased from >70 km to ~55 km during ca. 90 to 80 Ma. The two changes in crustal thickness could have benefited the formation of Late Triassic subduction-related porphyry copper deposits and Late Cretaceous collision-related porphyry molybdenum deposits. By quantitatively constraining the paleoelevation of the Zhongdian block, we interpret the existence of a paleoplateau (~5500 m in elevation) during the Early Jurassic–Early Cretaceous and a relict peneplain (~3500 m) during the Late Cretaceous to the present day. This is supported by the absence of Jurassic–Cretaceous strata and the decrease in the erosion rate during the Late Cretaceous. The slowing of the erosion rate caused by the decrease in elevation during the Late Cretaceous may be key to the preservation of these Mesozoic porphyry ore deposits. Quantifying crustal thickness is of great significance for understanding how orogenesis impacts elevation, magmatism, and mineralization in the eastern Tibetan Plateau. • Crustal thickness increased to >70 km in the Zhongdian block during the Late Triassic. • Crustal thickness decreased to ~55 km during the Late Cretaceous. • The two changes in crustal thickness favored the formation of porphyry ore deposits. • The decrease in elevation may have been key to the preservation of these deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we utilize a new, squaramide-based ligand, combined with a postsynthetic exchange (PSE) synthetic approach to prepare a series of Cu(ii)–squaramide MOFs that are active catalysts for the Friedel–Crafts reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, both the fuzzy weights of evidence (FWofE) and random forest (RF) methods were applied to map the mineral prospectivity for Cu polymetallic mineralization in southwestern Fujian Province, which is an important Cu polymetallic belt in China. Recent studies have revealed that the Zijinshan porphyry–epithermal Cu deposit is associated with Jurassic to Cretaceous (Yanshanian) intermediate to felsic intrusions and faulting tectonics. Evidence layers, which are key indicators of the formation of Zijinshan porphyry–epithermal Cu mineralization, include: (1) Jurassic to Cretaceous intermediate–felsic intrusions; (2) mineralization-related geochemical anomalies; (3) faults; and (4) Jurassic to Cretaceous volcanic rocks. These layers were determined using spatial analyses in support by GeoDAS and ArcGIS based on geological, geochemical, and geophysical data. The results demonstrated that most of the known Cu occurrences are in areas linked to high probability values. The target areas delineated by the FWofE occupy 10% of the study region and contain 60% of the total number of known Cu occurrences. In comparison with FWofE, the resulting RF areas occupy 15% of the study area, but contain 90% of the total number of known Cu occurrences. The normalized density value of 1.66 for RF is higher than the 1.15 value for FWofE, indicating that RF performs better than FWofE. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) were used to validate the prospectivity model and check the effects of overfitting. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was greater than 0.5, indicating that both prospectivity maps are useful in Cu polymetallic prospectivity mapping in southwestern Fujian Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the molecular epidemiology and evolution of avian influenza viruses (AIV) along the East Asian–Australian migration flyway, we collected faecal samples (n = 2859) between November 2014 and March 2015 from poultry, environmental sources and wild birds in Dongying, Shandong province and Yancheng, Jiangsu province in eastern China. The presence of AIV RNA was evaluated by real-time PCR and the positivity rate ranged from 0 to 29.3%. In both Dongying and Yancheng, samples collected from live poultry markets had the highest positivity rate for AIV RNA. AIV whole genomes were generated and phylogenetically analysed. Our results demonstrate that most of the viruses belonged to the H9N2 subtype, and could be classified into nine novel genotypes based on the phylogenetic analysis of the eight gene segments of the AIV genomes. This revealed a high genetic diversity of H9N2 in this region and suggested that they might have undergone frequent genetic reassortment. In addition, the internal genes (PB2, etc.) of two viruses from wild birds and several viruses from poultry belonged to the same gene constellation, suggesting a potential inter-host transmission of AIV between wild birds and poultry in live markets along routes of migratory flyways. Our results highlight the high genetic diversity of AIV along the East Asian–Australian migration flyway and the need for more extensive AIV surveillance in eastern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have pointed out that the widespread iron deposits in southwestern Fujian metallogenic belt (SFMB) (China) are skarn-type deposits associated with the Yanshanian granites. There is still excellent potential for mineral exploration because large areas in this belt are covered by forest. A new predictive model for mapping skarn-type Fe deposit prospectivity in this belt was developed and focused on in this study, using five criteria as evidence: (1) the contact zones of Yanshanian granites (GRANITE); (2) the contact zones within the late Paleozoic marine sedimentary rocks and the carbonate formations (FORMATION); (3) the NE-NNE-trending faults (FAULT); (4) the zones of skarn alterations (SKARN); and (5) the aeromagnetic anomaly (AEROMAGNETIC). The fuzzy weights of evidence (FWofE) method, developed from the classical weights of evidence (WofE) and based on fuzzy sets and fuzzy probabilities, could provide smaller variances and more accurate posterior probabilities and could effectively minimize the uncertainty caused by omitted or wrongly assigned data and be more flexible than the WofE. It is an efficient and widely used method for mineral potential mapping. Random forests (RF) is a new and useful method for data-driven predictive mapping of mineral prospectivity method, and needs further scrutiny. Both prospectivity results respectively using the FWofE and RF methods reveal that the prediction model for the skarn-type Fe deposits in the SFMB is successful and efficient. Both methods suggested that the GRANITE and FORMATION are the most valuable evidence maps, followed by SKARN, AEROMAGNETIC, and FAULT. This is coincident with the skarn-type Fe deposit mineral model in the SFMB. The unstable performance experienced when FORMATION was omitted might indicate that the highest uncertainty and risk in follow-up exploration is related to the sequences. In addition, the performance of the RF method for the skarn-type Fe deposits prospectivity in the SFMB is better than the FWofE; therefore, it could be used to guide further exploration of skarn-type Fe prospects in the SFMB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the southwestern Fujian metallogenic belt, one of the important Fe polymetallic belts in southern China, was chosen as a case study area to evaluate the uncertainty due to missing evidence in mineral prospectivity mapping. Four geological features were considered important for mineral prospectivity mapping based on the geological model for skarn deposits in the belt: (1) the Yanshanian granitic intrusions, because they provided energy, fluids, and part of the metal budget; (2) faults, because they served as pathways for hydrothermal fluids; (3) the Carboniferous–Permian carbonate sequences, because they supplied part of the metal budget and served as host rocks for ore deposition; and (4) geochemical anomalies, because they indicate presence of skarn-type alteration and mineralization. Four separate predictive evidence layers depicting each the above geological features were extracted from relevant geoscience data and were integrated using a modified fuzzy weights-of-evidence model, which retains the advantages of both fuzzy weights-of-evidence and logistic regression modeling. The results show that most of the known Fe deposits occur in or near, and thus have strong correlation with, areas of high posterior probabilities, as indicated by the delineated prospective areas that occupy only 4.6% of the studied region but contain 88.5% of the total number of known Fe deposits. Different combinations of predictive evidence layers were used to examine prediction uncertainty related to missing evidence. Plots of accumulative number of Fe deposits versus accumulative prospective areas show that the order of the most to the least important evidence of mineral prospectivity in the studied region is: favorable rock types > geochemical anomalies > intrusive rocks > faults. Results of blind testing the prospectivity models indicate that the geological model of Fe mineralization in the belt is suitable for predicting exploration target areas for skarn-type Fe deposits, and suggest that the highest risk in follow-up exploration is related to sequences of carbonates in the Carboniferous–Permian formations that were likely either not mapped or not represented at the present regional scale of mapping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have revealed that the Makeng Fe deposit is a skarn type deposit. However, the skarns in Makeng, occurring primarily between limestone and sandstone, are not typically associated with limestone and plutons. Different periods of intrusions, e.7. Hercynian mafic intrusions and Yanshanian (i.e. early Cretaceous) Dayang- Juzhou granitic intrusion, occurred in the Makeng deposit district. In this study, the formation processes of the skarns and Fe mineralization are constrained by detailed fieldwork, petrology, geochronology, and geochemistry. Skarns and Fe mineralization intersecting the Hercynian mafic intrusions are observed in consecutive specimens from the 106# tunnel. They suggest that the skarn formation and Fe mineralization occurred after the Hercynian mafic intrusions and are related to the later Yanshanian Dayang- Juzhou granitic intrusion. The geochronological characteristics of weakly skarn-altered diabases, the decreasing nature of Fe contents in altered diabase, and the major element compositions of pyroxenes and garnets also support that Hercynian mafic intrusions are strongly reformed by Yanshanian granitic magmas and the Fe migrated from mafic intrusion was responsible for formation of iron ore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preparation of porous materials from one-dimensional polymers is challenging because the packing of polymer chains results in a dense, non-porous arrangement. Herein, we demonstrate the remarkable adaptation of an amorphous, linear, non-porous, flexible organic polymer into a three-dimensional, highly porous, crystalline solid, as the organic component of a metal-organic framework (MOF). A polymer with aromatic dicarboxylic acids in the backbone functioned as a polymer ligand upon annealing with ZnII, generating a polymer-metal-organic framework (polyMOF). These materials break the dogma that MOFs must be prepared from small, rigid ligands. Similarly, polyMOFs contradict conventional polymer chemistry by demonstrating that linear and amorphous polymers can be readily coaxed into a highly crystalline, porous, three-dimensional structure by coordination chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preparation of porous materials from one-dimensional polymers is challenging because the packing of polymer chains results in a dense, non-porous arrangement. Herein, we demonstrate the remarkable adaptation of an amorphous, linear, non-porous, flexible organic polymer into a three-dimensional, highly porous, crystalline solid, as the organic component of a metal-organic framework (MOF). A polymer with aromatic dicarboxylic acids in the backbone functioned as a polymer ligand upon annealing with ZnII, generating a polymer-metal-organic framework (polyMOF). These materials break the dogma that MOFs must be prepared from small, rigid ligands. Similarly, polyMOFs contradict conventional polymer chemistry by demonstrating that linear and amorphous polymers can be readily coaxed into a highly crystalline, porous, three-dimensional structure by coordination chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Makeng Fe deposit is located in the southwestern Fujian district, South China. The Sm-Nd isochron ages of seven samples of pure garnet and five of pure magnetite separates from the Makeng ores yielded an isochron age of 157 ± 15 Ma. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) zircon U-Pb dating of the nearby exposed the Dayang-Juzhou (DJ) porphyritic biotite granite and fine-grained syenogranite yielded Pb/U ages of 140.2 ± 1.1 and 140.1 ± 1.0 Ma, respectively. These results suggest that the intrusion of the DJ granite and the Makeng skarn alterations and Fe mineralization are contemporaneous. The DJ granite exhibits geochemical characteristics of A-type granites, including high values of NaO + KO (8.13-8.92 wt%), FeO/MgO (3.4-21.5), and Ga/Al (2.64-3.45 × 10), and low AlO (10.71-13.29 wt%) value. Chondrite-normalized rare earth element patterns are characterized by obviously negative Eu anomalies (δEu = 0.02-0.28) and primitive-mantle normalized spidergrams show the enrichment in high field strength element and depleting in Sr, Ti, Ba, and Eu. The geochemical characteristics of DJ granite suggest that the granite was derived from partial melting of the Paleoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks of the Cathaysia basement. And some underplating of mafic magma in the lower tholeiitic crust and/or depleted mantle might be involved and provide the heat source for the partial melting. The DJ granite also fits the spatiotemporal distribution of the Jurassic-Cretaceous coastward migration of both extensional and arc-related magmatism and fills the A-type granites gap in the early stage of the early Cretaceous (145-125 Ma). Therefore, it is suggested that the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous magmatism in southwestern Fujian district were generated in an extensional environment responding to the slab rollback and concomitant retreating arc system of the paleo-Pacific plate within the South China Block. And the Fe metallogeny in southwestern Fujian district is genetically linked with the magmatism during this period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the viscous fluid behavior of concentrated aqueous solution of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA), wherein macromolecular coils severely overlap and/or entangle each other, is of significance to the process design of PVA solution fabrication. However, exploiting the fluidity of PVA solutions under severe conditions of simultaneously high operational temperature (T op), high concentration (C PVA) and large polymerization degree (PD) has been less involved in the past studies irrespective of practical importance. Herein, we utilize a self-made hydrothermal kettle with a built-in online viscometer to systematically trace the changes of apparent viscosity (η ap) of PVA aqueous solutions arising from the variables of T op (up to 160 °C), C PVA (high as 28%) and PD (largest at 3000). Applying Andrade's equation, the activation free energy of viscous flow (E η) is deduced from ln η ap ∝ 1/ T op. It shows that all the values of E η approximate to 37 (±3) kJ·mol−1 although both C PVA and PD increased progressively, indicating that these two factors will not affect the T op sensitivity of η ap. Meanwhile, the contour plots of η ap in C PVA - T op space are established for various PVAs with different PD s, to manifest the development trend of fluidity upon multiple external-fields coupling. Clarifying the synergic effect of C PVA - T op - PD on η ap may offer guidance for the preparation of PVA films by determing appropriate solution processing variables. The results of our study are of help to the PVA fabrications such as spinning fiber and casting film, in which precise control of flowability of concentrated solution is crucial. [Display omitted] • On-line viscometer is a powerful tool to monitor the viscosity change of polymer solution. • The dissolution temperature will significantly affect the transparency of solution. • T op , C PVA and PD independently affect the η ap of PVA solutions in this study. • The contour plots of η ap are constructed to provide indicative information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The MDV–BAC genetics system is highly flexible and facilitates the engineering of recombinant multivalent vaccine. [•] The rescue of rMDV as an ideal viral vector carries exogenous genes and lacks the meq oncogene. [•] The rMDV may be a useful tool not only to screen for a herpes and AIV-H9N2 multivalent vaccine, but also for fundamental research on the biology of the recombinant virus. [•] We were able to combine Red/ET with FLP/FRT screening system to mediate two steps of recombination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Pseudovirions are a good model for studying the biology of ALV-J. [•] The envelope protein of ALV-J was integrated into the surface of pseudovirions for skeleton. [•] Pseudovirions were used to study the infectious tropism of ALV-J at the cellular level in vitro. [•] The antibody levels of ALV-J infections in Chickens could be rapidly detected. [•] The advantages of the traditional ELISA and MN were evaluated in detecting the level of antibody against gp85. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate, biphenyl-3,4′,5-tricarboxylate,and [1,1′:3′,1″-terphenyl]-4,4″,5′-tricarboxylatereact with Cd(II) cations in the presence of meso-tetra(N-methyl-4-pyridyl) porphine cations to afford three metalloporphyrin-encapsulatingmetal–organic materials, porph@MOM-11, -12and -13, respectively. The metalloporphyrin moietiesare ordered within channels and closely fit hexagonal or rectangularcavities, thereby facilitating a better understanding of the structure-directingeffect that can be promoted by metalloporphyrins. Porph@MOM-12is noteworthy because it exhibits two distinct types of hexagonalchannels and it represents the first example of a net that exhibits mzztopology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Makeng Fe(−Mo) deposit is the largest Fe deposit in the southwestern Fujian depression belt in southern China. Although it has been extensively studied, there are different views on the genesis of the deposit. In the present study, Sr–Nd–Pb isotope data were used to determine the source of fluids and metals in the deposit. The initial 87Sr/86Sr and εNd (133Ma) ratios of magnetite samples from Makeng ore vary from 0.71067 to 0.71267 and from −11.2 to −8.7, respectively. Ratios for granites vary from 0.70878 to 0.71349 and from −11.2 to −8.7, respectively. The magnetite samples yield narrow ranges for 206Pb/204Pb (18.405–18.926), 207Pb/204Pb (15.657–15.710), and 208Pb/204Pb (38.598–38.809). The granites show ranges from 18.787 to 19.154, 15.670 to 15.692 and 39.158 to 39.413 for the same Pb isotopic ratios, respectively. The isotopic data of magnetite and granites shows that the Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic characteristics of magnetite samples are similar to the granites. According to the Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic characteristics, O–H isotopic systematics and rare earth elements characteristics, the initial mineralizing fluids and metals probably originated from granite magmas involving materials from Hercynian diabases or intruded country rocks. Field and laboratory observations suggest that skarn alteration is widespread in the Makeng ore district, indicating that the Makeng Fe deposit is a skarn-type iron deposit. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To qualitatively analyze and evaluate a bi-directional promoter transcriptional function in both transient and transgenic systems, several different plasmids were constructed and recombinant MDV type 1 strain GX0101 was developed to co-express a Neuraminidase (NA) gene from Avian Influenza Virus H9N2 strain and a Fusion (F) gene from the Newcastle disease virus (NDV). The two foreign genes, NDV-F gene and AIV-NA gene, were inserted in the plasmid driven in each direction by the bi-directional promoter. To test whether the expression of pp38/pp24 heterodimers are the required activators for the expression of the foreign genes, the recombinant plasmid pPpp38-NA/1.8kb-F containing expression cassette for the two foreign genes was co-transfected with a pp38/pp24 expression plasmid, pBud-pp38-pp24, in chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells. Alternatively, plasmid pPpp38-NA/1.8kb-F was transfected in GX0101-infected CEFs where the viral endogenous pp38/pp24 were expressed via virus infection. The expression of both foreign genes was activated by pp38/pp24 dimers either via virus infection, or co-expression. The CEFs transfected with pPpp38-NA/1.8kb-F alone had no expression. We chose to insert the expression cassette of Ppp38-NA/1.8kb-F in the non-essential region of GX0101ΔMeq US2 gene, and formed a new rMDV named MZC13NA/F through homologous recombination. Indirect fluorescence antibody (IFA) test, ELISA and Western blot analyses indicated that F and NA genes were expressed simultaneously under control of the bi-directional promoter, but in opposite directions. The data also indicated the activity of the promoter in the 1.8-kb mRNA transcript direction was higher than that in the direction for the pp38 gene. The expression of pp38/pp24 dimers either via co-tranfection of the pBud-pp38-pp24 plasmid, or by GX0101 virus infection were critical to activate the bi-directional promoter for expression of two foreign genes in both directions. Therefore, the confirmed function of the bi-directional promoter provides better feasibilities to insert multiple foreign genes in MDV genome based vectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Viewpoint turns back the clock to 1998 when a contribution by Carlucci, Ciani, Macchi and Proserpio (Chem. Commun., 1998, 1837–1838) addressed the existence of multiple properties in coordination polymer networks and the use of topology for classifying network connectivity, thereby serving as a presage of the exponential growth in the field of coordination polymers that continues unabated to this day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A new fatigue model is proposed based on the M -integral in notched elastic–plastic material, in which dA D /dN (A D : the equivalent damage area of notch, plastic zone and cracks) is defined as fatigue damage evolution rate and Δ M (the M -integral range per load cycle) is defined as fatigue driving force. • An experimental method for measuring the M -integral and the fatigue damage evolution rate of elastic–plastic material is proposed according to the relationship between the M -integral and CTPE (the change of the total potential energy). • The unified fatigue model can accurately describe the two-stage fatigue process in notched elastic–plastic body, including two stages: the formation and growth of plastic zone accompanying the initiation of microcracks (Stage I); the growth of macrocracks (Stage II). In this paper, an innovative fatigue model is investigated based on the concept of M -integral in notched elastic–plastic material. The contribution of notch and plastic zone damage to the lifetime of material are taken into account in the present fatigue model. The new form of fatigue damage evolution rate (dA D /dN) and fatigue driving force (Δ M) are introduced, where A D deontes the equivalent damage area of notch, plastic zone and cracks, N is the number of cycles, and Δ M corresponds to the M -integral range per load cycle. The fatigue experimental evaluations of a typically elastic–plastic material (e.g., No. 45 steel) with a circular notch have been carried out to validate the effectiveness of the present fatigue model. For experimental study, the change of the total potential energy (CTPE) is introduced to measure the value of M -integral. The results demonstrate that dA D /dN shows an apparent power law relation with Δ M in notched elastic–plastic material. The slope n and intercept λ of lg(dA D / dN)-lg(Δ M) curve has linear correlation with the initial notch radius R , but not with applied stress σ. Moreover, the model can clearly describe the two-stage process from the initiation of microcracks to the growth of macrocracks in notched body. It is concluded that the proposed fatigue model based on M -integral can accurately predict the fatigue lifetime of the notched elastic–plastic material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: With the advances of biomedical techniques in the last decade, the costs of human genomic sequencing and genomic activity monitoring are coming down rapidly. To support the huge genome-based business in the near future, researchers are eager to find killer applications based on human genome information. Causal gene identification is one of the most promising applications, which may help the potential patients to estimate the risk of certain genetic diseases and locate the target gene for further genetic therapy. Unfortunately, existing pattern recognition techniques, such as Bayesian networks, cannot be directly applied to find the accurate causal relationship between genes and diseases. This is mainly due to the insufficient number of samples and the extremely high dimensionality of the gene space. In this paper, we present the first practical solution to causal gene identification, utilizing a new combinatorial formulation over V-Structures commonly used in conventional Bayesian networks, by exploring the combinations of significant V-Structures. We prove the NP-hardness of the combinatorial search problem under a general settings on the significance measure on the V-Structures, and present a greedy algorithm to find sub-optimal results. Extensive experiments show that our proposal is both scalable and effective, particularly with interesting findings on the causal genes over real human genome data. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Low rank matrix approximation is an attractive model in large scale machine learning problems, because it can not only reduce the memory and runtime complexity, but also provide a natural way to regularize parameters while preserving learning accuracy. In this paper, we address a special class of nonconvex quadratic matrix optimization problems, which require a low rank positive semidefinite solution. Despite their non-convexity, we exploit the structure of these problems to derive an efficient solver that converges to their local optima. Furthermore, we show that the proposed solution is capable of dramatically enhancing the efficiency and scalability of a variety of concrete problems, which are of significant interest to the machine learning community. These problems include the Top-k Eigenvalue problem, Distance learning and Kernel learning. Extensive experiments on UCI benchmarks have shown the effectiveness and efficiency of our proposed method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]