Postbuckling behaviour of stainless steel (SUS304) columns under loading-unloading cycles

Based on the equilibrium configuration paths, this study investigates the postbuckling behaviour, including the shape recovery capability, of stainless steel (SUS304) columns after a complete loading-unloading cycle. Experiments were conducted and later numerical simulation was carried out in order to analyze the observed buckling and postbuckling behaviour. Large deflection analysis is necessary for slender columns. Moreover, comparison of the experimental critical load with analytical predictions verifies the fact that physical nonlinearity should be taken into account to analyze the column’s buckling behaviour comprehensively. Thus, based on large deflection theory as well as the nonlinear stress-strain relations, the load-deformation curves of the columns during a complete loading-unloading cycle have been predicted by using the finite element modelling (FEM) code ANSYS.Precise and quantitative analyses of the results verify the fact that the material’s stress-strain properties, both in tension and compression, attribute to the column’s buckling behaviour.     

Quantitative acoustic emission source characterization of microcrackings in steel

Acoustic emission (AE) source wave analysis is a new NDE technique for the investigation of dynamic fracture process. We applied this technique to the quantitative characterization of crack sources in ductile fracture. Using two samples of ASTM A533B steel with different sulfur content, acoustic emissions during fracture toughness tests were detected, located, and analyzed. The detected AE signals were classified into two types according to the analyzed source waveforms. One was a signal due to microcracking at the MnS inclusion, and the other was a signal due to coalescence of the voids. The results of the source wave analysis showed that microcracking at the inclusions was due to Mode I type tension crack with sizes of 10–30 µm, and the coalescence of the voids was due to tension shear mixed cracks with sizes of 60–100 µm. It was confirmed that this technique is very effective for the quantitative evaluation of microcrackings and for the detection of the nucleation and growth of cracks.     

Acute ingestion of yerba mate infusion (Ilex paraguariensis) inhibits plasma and lipoprotein oxidation

Yerba mate extract (Ilex paraguariensis) is a source of phenolic compounds that possesses in vitro antioxidant activities and may contribute to a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease. In this study we examined the acute effects of the consumption of mate infusion on ex vivo plasma and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, plasma antioxidant capacity, and platelet aggregation. Twelve healthy fasted subjects ingested 500 mL of mate infusion and blood samples were collected before and 1 h after mate intake. Lipid peroxidation of plasma and LDL was monitored by the measurement of cholesteryl-ester hydroperoxides (CE-OOH) and cholesterol oxides. The plasma antioxidant capacity was measured as ferric-reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP). Platelet aggregation was evaluated in platelet-rich plasma stimulated with adenosine diphosphate and coagulation was tested in platelet-poor plasma. Ingestion of mate infusion diminished the ex vivo oxidizability of both plasma and LDL particles. After mate intake, the CE-OOH levels were around 50% lower in plasma oxidized with copper or 2,2′-azobis[2-amidine-propane-hydrochloride] (AAPH) and the lag time to plasma oxidation increased 2-fold (P < 0.05). Copper- and AAPH-induced LDL peroxidation were also inhibited by around 50% and 20%, respectively, after mate consumption (P < 0.05). The levels of various oxysterols were significantly reduced in oxidized-plasma and LDL (P < 0.05) and FRAP increased by 7.7% after mate intake (P < 0.01). However, mate consumption did not inhibit platelet aggregation or blood coagulation. In summary, intake of yerba mate infusion improved the antioxidant capacity and the resistance of plasma and LDL particles to ex vivo lipid peroxidation.     

IEC阵风作用下箱梁断面的气动特性分析

基于二维非定常不可压缩雷诺平均N-S方程和RNG k-ε湍流模型,采用CFD（computational fluid dynamics）方法对箱梁断面在IEC（international electrotechnical commission）阵风以? 5°～+ 5°攻角作用下的气动力及流场特性进行数值模拟分析,获得了IEC阵风作用过程中箱梁断面的三分力系数的总体变化特征、入口边界静压变化特性及流场内静压的顺压和逆压特性等。分析表明,IEC阵风模型比TSI（technical specifications for interoperability）阵风模型更适于桥梁气动力的数值模拟分析。     

Lithium Phenolate Complexes with a Pyridine‐Containing Polymer for Solution‐Processable Electron Injection Layers in PLEDs

A series of (vinylphenyl)pyridine‐based polymer binders, PVPh2Py, PVPh3Py, and PVPh4Py, are designed and synthesized and it is found that mixtures of Liq and the polymers exhibit superior electron injection characteristics as ultrathin (1.6 nm) electron injection layer (EIL) films. They are comparable to those of EILs composed only of Liq. The addition of the polymers does not deteriorate the performance of Liq EILs. Additionally, when the EIL thickness is increased from 1.6 nm to 16 nm, the driving voltages increase and the external quantum efficiencies decrease. The increase in the voltage and decrease in the EQE are suppressed in the device with mixed EILs compared to those observed for the device composed of 100 wt% Liq. Furthermore, the position of the nitrogen in the pyridine ring is considered to influence the electron transport properties of the EILs. The mixing PVPh4Py with Liq improves the driving voltage of the fabricated devices, even with a thick mixed EIL. This reduced dependence of the performance of EILs on their thickness will be advantageous for the coating of large areas using solution processes.     

六角形布置反应堆高保真物理计算方法研究与验证

俄罗斯商用压水堆VVER和大多数实验堆均采用了六角形紧凑型栅格布置,为了实现VVER和六角形实验堆的高保真数值模拟分析,本文基于数值反应堆物理计算程序（NECP-X）开展了六角形堆芯高保真计算方法研究和程序开发。首先,将全局-局部耦合共振自屏计算方法拓展至六角形堆芯,实现六角形堆芯燃料棒的全堆芯高精度共振计算;其次,基于2D/1D耦合输运计算方法研究了六角形堆芯的高保真计算方法;最后,为了提高全堆芯计算的计算效率,研究了基于区域分解松耦合的非结构网格的粗网有限差分（CMFD）加速方法,可以实现以矩形、六角形和其他多边形栅元为基础的pin-by-pin CMFD 加速。为了验证六角形堆芯高保真计算方法的精度和效率,计算了六角形C5G7基准问题,并分析了六角形输运计算方法的计算精度和CMFD方法的加速效果;将NECP-X程序应用于西安脉冲堆的2D全堆芯计算,与蒙特卡罗程序的结果对比表明NECP-X程序计算得到的特征值和功率分布均具有较高精度。因此,本文建立的六角形堆芯高保真计算方法可以应用于六角形堆芯的分析计算。      

4-O-Methylascochlorin-Mediated BNIP-3 Expression Controls the Balance of Apoptosis and Autophagy in Cervical Carcinoma Cells

4-O-methylascochlorin (MAC) is a 4-fourth carbon-substituted derivative of ascochlorin, a compound extracted from a phytopathogenic fungus Ascochyta viciae. MAC induces apoptosis and autophagy in various cancer cells, but the effects of MAC on apoptosis and autophagy in cervical cancer cells, as well as how the interaction between apoptosis and autophagy mediates the cellular anticancer effects are not known. Here, we investigated that MAC induced apoptotic cell death of cervical cancer cells without regulating the cell cycle and promoted autophagy by inhibiting the phosphorylation of serine-threonine kinase B (Akt), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and 70-kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K). Additional investigations suggested that Bcl-2/adenovirus E1B 19 kDa protein-interacting protein 3 (BNIP-3), but not Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α), is a key regulator of MAC-induced apoptosis and autophagy. BNIP-3 siRNA suppressed MAC-induced increases in cleaved- poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and LC3II expression. The pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK suppressed MAC-induced cell death and enhanced MAC-induced autophagy. The autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) enhanced MAC-mediated cell death by increasing BNIP-3 expression. These results indicate that MAC induces apoptosis to promote cell death and stimulates autophagy to promote cell survival by increasing BNIP-3 expression. This study also showed that co-treatment of cells with MAC and CQ further enhanced the death of cervical cancer cells.     

Fabrication of damascene Cu wirings using solid acidic catalyst

The copper damascene process is one of the most promising technologies for fabricating Cu wirings for electronic devices such as LSIs. In this research, the fabrication of damascene Cu wirings was conducted using solid acidic catalyst. When a Cu-plated wafer, whose oxide is a basic oxide is dipped into a mixture of oxidizing solution and acidic solution, surface atoms are ionized and etched off into the solution. However, because conventional nonelectrolytic etching does not have a reference surface, it is difficult to utilize for planarization. Therefore, a new nonelectrolytic machining method using a cation-exchange fabric instead of an acidic solution was developed. To be more precise, the planarization of a Cu-plated wafer was carried out by rubbing with the cation-exchange fabric in ozone water. Basically, this method exploits chemical reactions so that the physical properties of the workpiece surface are not deteriorated. Furthermore, this method uses no chemicals except for ozone water, which easily dissociates into water and oxygen molecules; thus, this method is a low-cost, environmentally friendly process. In this paper, as a preliminary experiment, the nonelectrolytic etching of a Cu sample using solutions of O₃ and CO₂ was carried out to inspect the dependence of the etching rate on [O₃] and [H⁺]. The results indicate that the etching rate increased as [O₃] and [H⁺] increased. When [H⁺] was high relative to [O₃], a smooth etch-pit-free surface was achieved. Next, nonelectrolytic etching using a cation-exchange fabric was carried out, and properties similar to those in the case of etching using solutions were obtained. Finally, damascene Cu wirings were fabricated using ozone water and a cation-exchange catalyst.     

一种实时监测系统的体系结构及软件设计

本文介绍了监测点多、面广、距离远、采用无线通讯方式的实时监测系统的体系结构,阐述了其软件结构和功能,讨论了系统实时性、可靠性、灵活扩充性和数据库系统的设计和实现。本文工作对新型实时监测系统的设计与实现有一定参考价值。