Prebiotic synthesis of sequential peptides on the Hadean beach by a molecular engine working with nitrogen oxides as energy sources

Addressing the still open question of the prebiotic origin of sequential macromolecules (peptides, nucleic acids) on the primitive Earth, we describe a molecular engine (the primary pump), which works at ambient temperature and continuously generates, elongates and complexifies sequential peptides. This new scenario is based on a cyclic reaction sequence, whose keystep is the activation of amino acids into their N‐carboxyanhydrides (NCA) through nitrosation by NOx. This process could have taken place on tidal beaches; it requires a buffered ocean, emerged land and a nitrosating atmosphere. With the help of geochemical studies and computer simulations of atmosphere photochemistry, we show that the primitive Earth during the Hadean may have satisfied all these requirements. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry.     

Planar and axially symmetric slow shearing granular flows: a comparative evaluation of assembly evolution incorporating wavelet transforms

We demonstrate the enhanced capacities of our analysis toolset for three-dimensional data. In particular, we provide supporting evidence for some of the conclusions reached in our previous studies of two-dimensional avalanching heaps. Segregation by self-diffusion is shown to take place in three-dimensional assemblies and self-diffusion velocities are shown to be of a comparable order of magnitude to those found in plane-strain situations. The effect on assembly evolution by discrete avalanching of the availability of a third dimension for translation is investigated. The discrete wavelet transform is again shown to be a useful component of the toolset in coupling process variables in the context of the discrete defining events associated with assembly evolution. In particular, we move towards the determination of time constants by correlating wavelet coefficients with a time shift.     

Relation between structural evolution of the Longmenshan orogenic zone and sedimentation of its foreland basin

In order to determine the area for oil and gas exploration in China's north Sichuan basin, we have divided the time during which the Longmenshan foreland basin was formed into five periods, based on the sedimentary response relationship of the fore-land basin to structural evolution: 1) a late Triassic Noric period; 2) an early-Middle Jurassic period; 3) a late Jurassic to early Cre-taceous period; 4) a late Cretaceous to Paleogene-Neogene period and 5) the Quaternary period. As well, we analyzed the sedimen-tary environment and lithologic features of every basin-forming period. The results show that there are several favorable source-reservoir-cap assemblages in our study area, making it a major region for future oil and gas exploration in China's northern Sichuan basin.     

Experimental Study of Microstructure Evolution during Tempering of Quenched Steel and Its Application

LARGE-SIZED FORGINGS are usually intensivelyquenched to obtain the desired microstructuredistribution,high strength and hardness.Becauseresidual stresses are high in quenched large-sizedforgings,tempering processes follow quenchingprocesses to reduce the residual stress and obtain goodmechanical properties.Several differentmicrostructures are generated in quenched steelforgings,such as martensite,bainite and retainedaustenite.Modeling of microstructure evolution inquenched steel during …     

An ant direction hybrid differential evolution heuristic for the large-scale passive harmonic filters planning problem

This article presents a heuristic which combines the orthogonal array experiment technique and an ant direction hybrid differential evolution algorithm (ADHDEOA) for planning of a large-scale passive harmonic filters problem. The addressed problem has a multi-bus and under abundant harmonic current sources in the system. In this study, an orthogonal array is first conducted to obtain the initial solution. Next, an ant direction hybrid differential evolution (ADHDE) is applied to search for a near optimum solution. The objective is to minimize the cost of the filter, the total demand distortion of harmonic currents and the total harmonic distortion of voltages at each bus simultaneously. In order to determine a set of weights of each term in the objective function, the simplest and most efficient form of triangular membership functions has been considered. The designed heuristic ADHDEOA is applied to a practical harmonic problem in a steel plant, and three design schemes are compared to demonstrate the performance of the ADHDEOA.     

中国传统符号的演变——门

人类学会构筑房屋并为自己的进出留下一个进出方便的口,门就产生了。门是一个极为抽象的形态,一个变化万千的符号,这个古老的符号——门的形态变化一直在随着科技的发展而演变,无论是古人还是后人都在其中精心地演绎着中国的传统民族文化。     

Noise analysis compact differential evolution

This article proposes a compact algorithm for optimisation in noisy environments. This algorithm has a compact structure and employs differential evolution search logic. Since it is a compact algorithm, it does not store a population of solutions but a probabilistic representation of the population. This kind of algorithmic structure can be implemented in those real-world problems characterized by memory limitations. The degree of randomization contained in the compact structure allows a robust behaviour in the presence of noise. In addition the proposed algorithm employs the noise analysis survivor selection scheme. This scheme performs an analysis of the noise and automatically performs a re-sampling of the solutions in order to ensure both reliable pairwise comparisons and a minimal cost in terms of fitness evaluations. The noise analysis component can be reliably used in noise environments affected by Gaussian noise which allow an a priori analysis of the noise features. This situation is typical of problems where the fitness is computed by means of measurement devices. An extensive comparative analysis including four different noise levels has been included. Numerical results show that the proposed algorithm displays a very good performance since it regularly succeeds at handling diverse fitness landscapes characterized by diverse noise amplitudes.     

基于Agent的遗传算法描述与演化模型研究

Agent是指具有智能的人或其它智能物.它具有自治、反响、推测、协作、自学习和相互学习等能力,本文基于Darwin自然进化论与Mendel遗传变异理论,给出Agent的遗传算法与演化模型.这些理论的提出,进一步丰富和完善了Agent的研究内容.     

Aspects of microstructure in low carbon steels produced by the CSP process

The solidification structure, microstructure evolution during rolling and precipitates with nanometers in dimension of the low carbon steels produced by CSP process with thin slabs have been studied in recent years. Important differences in microstructure and mechanical properties between the CSP products and the conventional one were observed. These differences may arise from the much rapider solidification rate and cooling rate after casting of the thin slabs. Some aspects of the microstructure for the low carbon steels of the CSP thin slabs are summarized and compared with the conventional one.