Effects of CCEP and Sc on superplasticity of Al–5.6Mg–0.7Mn alloys

Trace amount (0.3?wt%) of scandium is added to Al–5.6Mg–0.7Mn alloy to form uniformly distributed Al₃Sc precipitates for producing a fine-grained and stable microstructure at high temperature through cross-channel extrusion process. Superplasticity and hot workability of the Sc-containing Al–5.6Mg–0.7Mn alloy, after extrusion, are also examined. The result indicates that Al–5.6Mg–0.7Mn alloys with and without 0.3?wt% Sc after extrusion of six passes at 300°C, fine-grained structures were observed with grain sizes of 1–2?µm and improvement of mechanical properties. Furthermore, Al₃Sc phase can effectively retard recrystallization to increase the thermal stability and remain equiaxed. The elongation of Al–5.6Mg–0.7Mn alloy with Sc addition to failure is extended to 873% maximum at high temperature of 450°C at strain rate of 1?×?10^?1?s^?1after six passes in the CCEP.     

Consistent data operations for multi-databases in extended possibility-based data models

This paper considers the data operation for multi-databases in an extended possibility-based data model. Owing to the complexity of the data model considered, inconsistent redundancy of tuples may occur when database relations being operated are associated with different resemblance relations on a given domain. This work first demonstrates the inconsistency problem, and then presents the notions of consistency constraints for multi-database design. Under the constraints, the extended possibility-based databases using different resemblance relations can preserve consistent redundancy.     

Effects of heat shock on the thermotolerance, protein composition, and toxin production of Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Vibrio parahaemolyticus, an important seafood-associated enteropathogen, usually encounters different adverse conditions in its native or food-processing environment, and the stresses resulting from these conditions may affect the survival of this pathogen and thus change its risk with regard to food hygiene. In this study, we investigated the thermotolerance of V. parahaemolyticus under sublethal heat shock and characterized this response by examining the changes in protein profiles and toxin production. Logarithmically grown cells heat shocked at 42 degrees C for 30 min were more resistant to thermal inactivation at 47 degrees C than were unshocked cells. After the 25 degrees C culture was heat shocked, 24 species of proteins were induced, while 13 species were inhibited, as indicated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. DnaJ-, GroEL-, and GroES-like proteins with molecular sizes of 47, 62, and 12 kDa, respectively, were detected by immunoblotting with antibodies raised against the Escherichia coli proteins. During 1 to 8 h of heat shock, GroEL-like protein was produced in substantial amounts and was present in the periplasmic and extracellular fractions, while DnaJ- and GroES-like proteins were present mainly in the total cellular fraction. DnaK-like protein was not detected; nevertheless, the presence of the dnaK-like genetic element was revealed by Southern blotting. Production of thermostable direct hemolysin, the major virulence factor in V. parahaemolyticus, was enhanced in the cells heat shocked at 42 degrees C but not in those heat shocked at 37 degrees C.     

Constraint-based Correspondence Matching for Stereo-based Interactive Robotic Massage Machine

Locating the 3D positions of the points on the human back is an essential issue in stereo-based interactive robotic back massage machines. In stereoscopic 3D localization, the 3D positions are determined from the corresponding image points captured by calibrated stereo cameras. However, detecting these corresponding points on the human back is highly challenging due to the smooth and texture-less characteristics of human skin. In the present study, this problem is resolved by means of a novel correspondences detection scheme designated as Correspondences from Epipolar geometry and Contours via Triangle barycentric coordinates (CECT). In the proposed approach, reliable correspondences are extracted from the edge contours of the human back by applying epipolar geometry, and these correspondences are then used to compute the correspondences of the featureless points within the edge contour using a triangle barycentric coordinate approach. The accuracy and robustness of the estimated correspondences are ensured by applying three geometric constraints, namely a similarity constraint, a shape constraint and an epipolar constraint. The performance of the proposed approach is demonstrated by means of a series of experiments involving 28 subjects and four different testing conditions. In addition, the accuracy of the proposed localization scheme is evaluated by comparing the estimated 3D positions with those obtained using the cun-based measurement method in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).     

15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I from the Functional Food Salvia miltiorrhiza Exhibits Anticancer Activity in Human HL-60 Leukemia Cells: in Vitro and in Vivo Studies

15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I (DHTS) is extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge which is a functional food in Asia. In this study, we investigated the apoptotic effect of DHTS on the human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) type III HL-60 cell line. We found that treatment with 1.5 μg/mL DHTS increased proapoptotic Bax and Bad protein expressions and activated caspases-3, -8, and -9, thus leading to poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage and resulting in cell apoptosis. DHTS induced sustained c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation and Fas ligand (FasL) expression. The anti-Fas blocking antibody reversed the DHTS-induced cell death, and the JNK-specific inhibitor, SP600125, inhibited DHTS-induced caspase-3, -8, -9, and PARP cleavage. In a xenograft nude mice model, 25 mg/kg DHTS showed a great effect in attenuating HL-60 tumor growth. Taken together, these results suggest that DHTS can induce HL-60 cell apoptosis in vitro and inhibit HL-60 cell growth in vivo; the underlying mechanisms might be mediated through activation of the JNK and FasL signal pathways.     

Relationships among interpersonal conflict, requirements uncertainty, and software project performance

Interpersonal conflict and user requirements uncertainty are pervasive phenomena that plague information systems projects. Relevant literature indicates that interpersonal conflicts can negatively affect information system (IS) projects, even after controlling for the effects of conflict management and resolution. However, the negative emotional characteristics of conflict alone have limited explanatory power with regard to IS project success. The purpose of this study is to provide additional insights into this phenomenon by examining the impact on IS project performance made by the interaction between interpersonal conflict and requirement uncertainty (which comprises both diversity and instability). The authors surveyed the top 1600 companies in Taiwan and the results revealed that requirements instability would lead to potential interpersonal conflict and interpersonal conflict was directly associated with requirements diversity which, in turn, was negatively associated with final project performance.     

Phase Equilibria of Sn-Co-Cu Ternary System

Sn-Co-Cu ternary alloys are promising lead-free solders, and isothermal sections of Sn-Co-Cu phase equilibria are fundamentally important for the alloys?? development and applications. Sn-Co-Cu ternary alloys were prepared and equilibrated at 523?K, 1073?K, and 1273?K (250?°C, 800?°C, and 1000?°C), and the equilibrium phases were experimentally determined. In addition to the terminal solid solutions and binary intermetallic compounds, a new ternary compound, Sn₃Co₂Cu₈, was found. The solubilities of Cu in the ??-CoSn₃ and CoSn₂ phases at 523?K (250?°C) are 4.2 and 1.6?at. pct, respectively, while the Cu solubility in the ??-Co₃Sn₂ phase is as high as 20.0?at. pct. The Cu solubility increases with temperature and is around 30.0?at. pct in the ??-Co₃Sn_2?at 1073?K (800?°C). The Co solubility in the ??-Cu₆Sn₅ phase is also significant and is 15.5?at. pct at 523?K (250?°C).     

Application of physical vapor deposition process to modify activated carbon fibers for ozone reduction

This study utilized the activated carbon fiber (ACF) modified with metal catalyst via physical vapor deposition (PVD) process (ACF/PVD) to diminish ozone. Furthermore, the ozone removal efficiency of ACF/PVD was compared with that of original ACF and ACF modified with metal catalyst via impregnation process (ACF/impregnation). In addition to the kinds of coated metal and the inlet ozone concentrations, the effects of the coating thickness and the reaction temperature on ACF/PVD for ozone removal were also examined. The results indicate that the ozone removal efficiency of ACF/PVD is better than that of original ACF and ACF/impregnation. The ozone removal efficiency of different metal-coated ACF/PVD in the superior order is gold (Au), and manganese (Mn). The increase of Au-coated thickness (3 nm to 80 nm) on ACF/PVD will enhance the ozone removal. However, when the Mn-coated thickness on ACF/PVD is larger than 15 nm, the ozone removal efficiency displays a declining trend. Furthermore, a higher reaction temperature will result in a better ozone removal of ACF/PVD and the original ACF.