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.     

The influence of NaCl and CO2 on the atmospheric corrosion of magnesium alloy AZ91

The influence of NaCl and CO₂ on the atmospheric corrosion of magnesium alloy AZ91 is studied in the laboratory. Samples were exposed under carefully controlled air and flow conditions; the relative humidity was 95%, the temperature was 22.0°C and the concentration of CO₂ was < 1 ppm or 350 ppm. Different amounts of sodium chloride (0–70 μg/cm²) were added before exposure. The corrosion products were analyzed by gravimetry, ion chromatography, X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Mass gain and metal loss results are reported. The combination of high humidity and NaCl is very corrosive towards AZ91. However, the NaCl‐induced corrosion is inhibited by ambient concentrations of CO₂. Exposure in the absence of CO₂ gives rise to heavy pitting, with brucite, Mg(OH)₂, being the dominant corrosion product. In the presence of CO₂ a layer of hydrated magnesium hydroxy carbonate, Mg₅(CO₃)₄(OH)₂ · 5 H₂O forms. A tentative corrosion mechanism is presented that explains the behavior in the two environments.     

Effect of Calcium Lactate, 4-Hexyl Resorcinol and Vacuum Packing on Physico-chemical, Sensory and Microbiological Qualities of Minimally Processed Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.)

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) fruits are very susceptible to pericarp browning which adversely affects consumer acceptability even though the aril portion remains in excellent condition. Litchi arils (litchis) were treated with a solution containing 0–2% (w/v) calcium lactate (CL), 0–0.02% (w/v) 4‐hexyl resorcinol (4‐HR) and 1% potassium sorbate. The pH of solution was adjusted to 4.0 with citric acid. Treated litchis were packed in polystyrene trays, over‐wrapped with polypropylene film, vacuum‐packed (0, 47409.3, 94831.9 Pa) and stored at 4 ± 2 °C. Drip losses, pH, total soluble solids (TSS), sensory attributes and microbiological quality of stored samples were estimated. A four‐factor, three‐level experimental design (D₆ Hokes design) with 19 experiments was chosen. Mathematical models were developed to analyse and predict the effect of CL, 4‐HR, in‐package vacuum and storage time on the responses. TSS, pH and sensory scores decreased significantly (P 0.01), whereas drip losses and microbial count increased significantly (P 0.01) with time. Drip loss was significantly (P 0.1) reduced by addition of CL. 4‐HR prevented browning and changes in colour score during storage were significantly less. Vacuum in packages exerted significant (P 0.01) effect over pH, TSS, sensory and microbiological qualities of minimally processed litchis.     

圆柱谐振腔式MPCVD装置中氢、氩微波等离子体分布规律的数值模拟

在使用简化的等离子体放电模型的基础上,模拟了圆柱谐振腔式微波等离子体沉积室中,不同金刚石膜生长条件下微波等离子体的分布状态。在模拟中,针对纳米金刚石的生长环境,就纯氩气反应气体中,不同的输入功率、不同气体压力条件下,沉积室中形成的等离子体分布的变化规律进行了模拟,将其与一般氢气气氛下的相应模拟结果相对比。模拟所获得的结果,对微波等离子体方法沉积金刚石膜的操作环境的优化,有着一定的指导意义。     

InfluenCe of Downstream Flow on Conduction Phase of Coaxial Plasma Opening Switch

Plasma behaviour and the scaling relations in a coaxial plasma opening switch （POS） using hydrogen plasma are studied self-consistently based on the two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic （MHD） equations in conjunction with the generalized Ohm＇s law. The vacuum region on the right of POS is included in the model and the influence of downstream flow on the conduction characteristics is discussed. It is found that with the penetration of magnetic field, the pure hydrogen plasma is pushed downstream significantly; and POS still conducts current after the magnetic field arrives at the load edge of POS, which is different from the previous experimental results in a multispecies POS. It is because that the noticeable downstream plasma in the pure hydrogen POS may continue to conduct the current, while in the multispecies POS, the downstream plasma is unimportant so that the conduction phase ends soon after the magnetic field reaches the load edge. The scaling relation obtained from the simulations including the downstream region is consistent with the experimental results.     

Learning Structure from Data and Its Application to Ozone Prediction

In this paper we propose an algorithm for structure learning in predictive expert systems based on a probabilistic network representation. The idea is to have the simplest structure (minimum number of links) with acceptable predictive capability. The algorithm starts by building a tree structure based on measuring mutual information between pairs of variables, and then it adds links as necessary to obtain certain predictive performance. We have applied this method for ozone prediction in México City, where the ozone level is used as a global indicator for the air quality in different parts of the city. It is important to predict the ozone level a day, or at least several hours in advance, to reduce the health hazards and industrial losses that occur when the ozone reaches emergency levels. We obtained as a first approximation a tree-structured dependency model for predicting ozone in one part of the city. We observe that even with only three parameters, its estimations are acceptable.A causal network representation and the structure learning techniques produced some very interesting results for the ozone prediction problem. Firstly, we got some insight into the dependence structure of the phenomena. Secondly, we got an indication of which are the important and not so important variables for ozone forecasting. Taking this into account, the measurement and computational costs for ozone prediction could be reduced. And thirdly, we have obtained satisfactory short term ozone predictions based on a small set of the most important parameters.     

稀土对等离子喷涂氧化铝陶瓷涂层组织及耐蚀性能的影响

针对氧化铝涂层的层状结构和多孔性特点,通过控制喷涂粉末的成分来实现改变涂层组织结构和提高耐蚀性。结果表明,在喷涂粉末中添加适量的稀土不仅可以改变涂层显微组织、减少和消除层状结构,而且显著提高涂层的耐蚀性     

规整填料在5 Mt/a常减压装置减压塔提馏段中的应用

介绍了新型规整填料Zugrid 64 X和Zupak125 Y在中国石油兰州石化分公司5 Mt/a常减压装置减压塔提馏段的工业应用情况.运行结果表明,新型规整填料具有明显的节能降耗优势,分离效果好,渣油中500 ℃以下的馏分质量分数仅为2.58%,且蒸汽用量较低[m(蒸汽)/m(渣油)为9 kg/t],操作成本低,抗堵塞性能良好.