Kinetic folding mechanism of PDZ2 from PTP-BL

PDZ domains represent a large family of protein-interaction modules associated with a variety of unrelated proteins with different functions. We report a complete characterization of the kinetic folding mechanism of a fluorescent variant of PDZ2 from PTP-BL, investigated under a variety of different experimental conditions. For this purpose, we engineered a fluorescent variant of this protein Y43W (called pseudo-wild-type, pWT43). The results suggest the presence of a high-energy intermediate in the folding of PDZ2, as revealed by a pronounced non-linear dependence of the unfolding rate constant on denaturant concentration. Such an intermediate may or may not be detectable depending on the experimental conditions, giving rise to apparent two-state folding under stabilizing conditions (e.g. in the presence of sodium sulfate). Interestingly, even under these conditions, three-state folding can be restored by selectively destabilizing the native-like rate-limiting barrier by one specific mutation (V44A). Finally, we show that data taken on pWT43 under different experimental conditions (e.g. different pH values from 2.1 to 8.0 or in the presence of a stabilizing salt) and also data on a site-directed conservative mutant can be rationalized in terms of a simple reaction scheme involving a single set of intermediates and transition states.     

Analytical investigation of response modification (behaviour) factor,R, for reinforced concrete frames rehabilitated by steel chevron bracing

Steel bracing of reinforced concrete (RC) frames has received noticeable attention in recent years as a retrofitting measure to increase the shear capacity of the existing RC buildings. In order to evaluate the seismic behaviour of steel-braced RC frames, some key response parameters, including the ductility and the overstrength factors, should first be determined. These two parameters are incorporated in structural design through a force reduction or a response modification factor. In this paper, the ductility and the overstrength factors as well as the response modification factor (or seismic behaviour factor) for steel chevron-braced RC frames have been evaluated by performing inelastic pushover analyses of brace-frame systems of different heights and configurations. The effects of some parameters influencing the value of behaviour factor, including the height of the frame and share of bracing system from the applied lateral load have been investigated. It is found that the latter parameter has a more localised effect on the R values and its influence does not warrant generalisation at this stage. However, the height of this type of lateral load-resisting system has a profound effect on the R factor, as it directly affects the ductility capacity of the dual system. Finally, based on the findings presented in the article, tentative R values have been proposed for steel chevron-braced moment-resisting RC frame dual systems for different ductility demands and compared with different type of bracing systems.     

百万千瓦级压水堆核电厂蒸汽发生器干燥器冷态试验研究

介绍了百万千瓦级压水堆核电厂蒸汽发生器(SG)干燥器水-空气冷态选型试验概况.冷态试验选定的最佳结构干燥器的分离元件采用双钩波形板,从干燥器的入口到出口波形板疏水沟宽度逐渐减小;干燥器入口安装非均匀开孔均气多孔板,孔径自下而上减小.试验表明,该干燥器具有很高的临界速度.     

Prevention of Internal Cracks in Forward Extrusion by Means of Counter Pressure: A Numerical Treatise

In the context of forward bulk extrusion, where product defects are frequently observed, the effect of counter pressure on damage accumulation materializing a Continuum Damage Mechanics (CDM) approach is presented. A Lemaitre variant damage model accounting for unilateral damage evolution coupled with a multiplicative finite plasticity is utilized for this purpose. After a presentation of the crack governing mechanism, it is demonstrated that application of counter pressure introduces a marked decrease in the central damage accumulation, which in turn increases the formability of the material through keeping the tensile triaxiality in tolerable limits. It is also shown that, for a crack involving process, through systematic increase of the counter pressure, the crack sizes diminish; and at a certain level of counter pressure chevron cracks can be completely avoided.     

确定现代陶瓷材料断裂韧度的人字形裂纹法

人字形裂纹法是测量脆性材料平面应变断裂韧度K_1值最有效的方法。试验期间,裂纹在人字形切口的端部形成,随着载荷的增加而稳定地扩展。人字形切口法的优点是在加载试验的早期阶段就自然形成了一个锐型裂纹,而不再需要制作预裂纹。对于特定的试样和裂口几何形状,最大荷载与裂纹长度有关,而与材料无关。用此最大荷载可以确定断裂韧度,而不再需要测量裂纹的长度。     

标定ISRM岩石断裂韧度新型试样CCNBD的应力强度因子

国际岩石力学学会(International Society for Rock Mechanics--ISRM)在1995年提出一种新型的岩石断裂韧度试样——人字型切槽巴西圆盘试样(cracked chevron notched Brazilian disc--CCNBD)。但是，该试样的重要力学参数即无量纲应力强度因子的标定尚有问题。针对此关键问题进行深入的研究，获得了该试样新的更准确的标定值。采用大型商业有限元软件ANSYS，引入了ANSYS子模型法和局部裂纹子模型法进行三维应力强度因子的计算。结果表明，子模型方法具有很高的精度和适用性。在计算了CCNBD试样的无量纲应力强度因子以后，还综合比较了前人相关的一些结果。从理论分析的角度证明了所得结果是合理可靠的。     

V-Notch Technique for Single-Edge Notched Beam and Chevron Notch Methods

The technique of a V-shaped notch with very sharp root radius was used with the single-edge notched beam and chevron notch methods to evaluate fracture toughness of ceramics. These methods are improved techniques using a V-shaped diamond wheel. The single-edge precracked beam and chevron notch techniques were also used to compare with these methods. The material used is a gas-pressured Si₃N₄. The fracture toughness measured by these techniques showed quite small scatters and coincided with one another quite well, except for the usual chevron notch method.     

Estimation of fracture toughness of steel using chevron notched round bar specimens

A generalized methodology has been outlined in this paper for estimating the minimum normalized stress intensity factor (Y*_min) of chevron notched round bar specimens, subjected to three‐point bend loading. Using such specimens, a series of fracture toughness tests have been carried out for the first time on two steels. The major inferences drawn from this investigation are: (i) reproducible fracture toughness values can be achieved using chevron notched rod specimens of identical configuration and (ii) the estimated magnitudes of fracture toughness obtained by using chevron notched rod specimens are in good agreement with those achieved by using chevron notched rectangular bar specimens of the same material.     

Experimental analysis on effect of grouser circumferential angle on motion performance of lunar rover wheel

To guide the design of grouser parameters for lunar rover wheel,the effect analysis of circumferential angle of grousers on motion performance of a rigid wheel was conducted in a laboratory single-wheel test bed with loose sand bin.All tests had been done at a free wheel sinkage.The circumferential angle was varied from 0°,5°,10°,15° to 20°.By the analysis and comparisons of tractive and steering performance between smooth wheels and wheels with different circumferential angle grousers,the results show that the drawbar pull(DP),driving torque(DT) and steering resistance moment(SRM) decrease slightly with the increasing circumferential angle.And chevron grousers are more beneficial to improve the tractive performance than herringbone grousers.In order to evaluate motion performance of wheels with grousers,the evaluation indexes of motion performance are introduced into the experimental results.The results reveal that the optimal circumferential angle is 0°,and the optimum value of wheel slip is 13% from the perspective of saving energy to the similar loose sand in the experiments.