The Artemis Program, for constructing the lunar base, is in progress. How to design and construct architectural and civil engineering structures in the lunar environment has become an important issue. The lunar surfac...The Artemis Program, for constructing the lunar base, is in progress. How to design and construct architectural and civil engineering structures in the lunar environment has become an important issue. The lunar surface is covered with soft sand, called regolith, and it is required to protect lunar bases and structures, as well as internal precision equipment, against vibrational disturbances such as moonquakes and meteorite collisions. Therefore, in this study, the static and cyclic triaxial compression tests of the regolith simulant were conducted. The reference strain and equivalent damping factor of the regolith simulant were smaller compared to sandy soil on Earth. In addition, a shaking table test using model specimens was conducted on the response properties of regolith ground alone and structures set on regolith ground. The buried foundation and pile foundation notably suppressed the horizontal response attributed to the rocking component compared to a direct foundation.展开更多
The rectifier filter circuit is widely applied.However,it is difficult to gain a global solution for the optimization design.4-D visual analysis and design optimization of the single-phase uncontrolled bridge rectifie...The rectifier filter circuit is widely applied.However,it is difficult to gain a global solution for the optimization design.4-D visual analysis and design optimization of the single-phase uncontrolled bridge rectifier with an LC filter are presented in this paper.展开更多
The algorithm of Binary Image Cross-Correlation (BICC) was developed to measure the unsteady flow field. A vortex flow field was used to test the algorithm by numerical simulation. The results show that BICC is an e...The algorithm of Binary Image Cross-Correlation (BICC) was developed to measure the unsteady flow field. A vortex flow field was used to test the algorithm by numerical simulation. The results show that BICC is an effective algorithm for particle identification from consecutive images, the accurate velocity vector field can be obtained. The real velocity field in a valve chamber was measured by BICC in this study. From the full-field velocity information, the pressure and vorticity fields were also extracted by post-processing. (Edited author abstract) 6 Refs.展开更多
Particle Image Velocimetry(PIV)techniques were developed to measure the convec- tive N_2-air flow under gradient magnetic fields.The velocity fields were calculated by the Minimum Quadratic Difference(MQD)algorithm an...Particle Image Velocimetry(PIV)techniques were developed to measure the convec- tive N_2-air flow under gradient magnetic fields.The velocity fields were calculated by the Minimum Quadratic Difference(MQD)algorithm and spurious vectors were eliminated by Delaunay Tessellation. The N_2-air flow was measured as the magnetic flux density varying from 0～1.5 T.A strengthened vortex flow of air was observed under the condition that the magnetic field was applied,and the ve- locity of N_2 jet rose with the increase of the magnetic density.The experimental results show that the magnetic force will induce a vortex flow and cause a convection flow of the air mixture when both gradients of the O_2 concentration and the magnetic field intensity exist.展开更多
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of chronic pain (CP) and the relationship between CP, especially headache adjusted for CP at other sites, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in middle-aged ...The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of chronic pain (CP) and the relationship between CP, especially headache adjusted for CP at other sites, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in middle-aged Japanese residents. We examined the prevalence of CP (defined as pain persisting for 3 months or more) and HRQoL (SF-36) in 1117 middle-aged residents of Japan. We assessed the eight dimensions of health status and the 3 component SF-36 summary score to evaluate HRQoL. The prevalence of CP was 15.3% among men and 15.1% among women. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that lumbar pain (p β = -0.132), knee pain (p β = -0.115), foot pain (p = 0.042, β = -0.065), and age (p β = -0.154) were independently correlated with a lower physical component score (PCS). Older age (ppβ = -0.096), knee pain (p β = -0.109), upper limb pain (p β = -0.098), and lumbar pain (p = 0.022, β = -0.077) all showed a significant negative correlation with MCS. The presence of chronic headache (p = 0.011, β = -0.082) was the only factor significantly correlated with a lower role component score (RCS). We identified a negative correlation between chronic headache and RCS, unlike the relation between musculoskeletal pain and PCS or MCS, suggesting that RCS was an independently influenced by CP differently from PCS or MCS in Japanese residents.展开更多
Objectives Regular consumption of moderate amounts of Chinese yellow wine is associated with a reduced risk of coronary disease. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that participate in extracellular matrix degradation ha...Objectives Regular consumption of moderate amounts of Chinese yellow wine is associated with a reduced risk of coronary disease. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that participate in extracellular matrix degradation have been involved in atherosclerotic plaque growth and instability. The present research aimed to study the effects of Chinese yellow wine on the production of homocysteine-induced extracellular MMP-2 in cultured rats’ vascular smooth muscle cells. Methods The effects of different homocysteine levels (0-1000 ?滋mol/l) on MMP-2 production, and the effects of Chinese yellow wine with low alcohol concentrations (12-19%) on homocysteine-induced MMP-2 in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were examined using gelatin zymography and western blotting. The changes of MMP-2 under various treatments for 12 h, 24 h and 48 h were further compared. Results Homocysteine (50-1000 ?滋mol/l) increased the production of MMP-2 significantly in a dose-dependent manner. Increased production of MMP-2 induced by homocysteine was reduced by extracellularly added Chinese yellow wine. Production of MMP-2 under various treatments for 48 h increased more than 12 h and 24 h. Conclusions Extracellularly added Chinese yellow wine decreased homocysteine-induced MMP-2 secretion. The inhibitory effect of yellow wine on the activation of MMP-2 might contribute to their beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system.展开更多
Formation of pyrite (FeS 2) films through electrodeposition from aqueous solutions which contain different source materials has been investigated. Na 2S 2O 3·5H 2O is used as sulfur source material, FeSO 4·7...Formation of pyrite (FeS 2) films through electrodeposition from aqueous solutions which contain different source materials has been investigated. Na 2S 2O 3·5H 2O is used as sulfur source material, FeSO 4·7H 2O, FeCl 2·4H 2O and FeCl 3·6H 2O are used as iron source materials respectively. The samples are annealed in N 2 atmosphere at 400 ℃ and 500 ℃ respectively. From XRD (X-ray diffraction) patterns of the films, it is found that there are peaks of FeS 2, FeS and Fe 7S 8 in all films, but there are sharp and more peaks characterizing FeS 2 in the film from Na 2S 2O 3 +FeSO 4 than other films, and 400 ℃ is the more suitable temperature than 500 ℃ for annealing the samples in N 2 atmosphere. In addition, one solution can be used repeatedly.展开更多
With the aid of immunohistochemistry, the present review attempts to demonstrate the composite fibers and nerve topographical anatomy in the vaginal supportive tissues. Along the tendinous arch of the pelvic fasciae, ...With the aid of immunohistochemistry, the present review attempts to demonstrate the composite fibers and nerve topographical anatomy in the vaginal supportive tissues. Along the tendinous arch of the pelvic fasciae, distal parts of the pelvic plexus extend antero-inferiorly and issue nerves to the internal anal sphincter as well as the cavernous tissues. At the attachment of the levator ani muscle to the rectum, smooth muscles in the endopelvic fascia lining the levator ani merge with the longitudinal smooth muscle layer of the rectum to provide the conjoint longitudinal muscle coat or the longitudinal anal muscle (LAM: smooth muscle). However, at the rectovaginal interface, the longitudinal smooth muscle layer of the rectum continues to the LAM without any contribution of the endopelvic fascia. The bilateral masses of the perineal smooth muscles (PSMs) are connected by the perineal body, and the PSMs receive 1) the longitudinal anal muscle, 2) the internal and external anal sphincters and, 3) the perineal membrane lining the vestibular wall. Tensile stress from the levator ani seems to be transferred to the PSMs via the LAM. Because of their irregularly arrayed muscle fibers, instead of a synchronized contraction in response to nerve impulses, the PSMs are likely to act as a barrier, septum or protector against mechanical stress because, even without innervation, such smooth muscle fibers resist (not absorb) pressure, in accordance with Bayliss’ rule. The external anal sphincter, a strong striated muscle, inserts into the PSMs and seems to play a dynamic role in supporting the rectovaginal interface to maintain the antero-posterior length of the urogenital hiatus. However, we do not think that smooth muscles play an active traction role without cooperation from striated muscle. The fibrous skeleton composed of smooth muscle in the female perineum is explained in terms of a “catamaran” model.展开更多
Objective:To evaluate functional i mpairment in the corneal endothelium of eyes in patients with diabetes mellitus,after small-incision cataract surgery.Methods:Evaluation was performed in 93eyes in patients with type...Objective:To evaluate functional i mpairment in the corneal endothelium of eyes in patients with diabetes mellitus,after small-incision cataract surgery.Methods:Evaluation was performed in 93eyes in patients with type 2diabetes mel-litus(diabetic group)and 93eyes in patients without dia-betic mellitus(nondiabetic group)who underwent cataract surgery.Using a topography system,the corneal thickness in the central area was measured befo re surgery and 1day,1week,and 1month after surgery.Corneal endothelial cells were counted using a noncontact specular microscope.Results:No significant differences in any preoperative measures were observed between the d iabetic and nondia-betic groups.The increase in corneal thickness 1month after surgery was significantly hig her in the diabetic group than in the nondiabetic group(P=.03).The corneal endothelial cell losses 1day and 1we ek after surgery were significantly higher in the diabeti c group than in the non-diabetic group(after 1day,P=.03;and after 1week,P=.04).Conclusions:Compared with nondia betic eyes,eyes of patients with diabetes mellitus showed more damage in corneal endothelial cells due to c ataract surgery and a delay in the postoperative recovery of corneal edema.展开更多
The inclusion complex formation of α-CD, β-CD, and γ-CD with various water-soluble polymers has beeninvestigated, and the relationship between the chain cross-sectional areas of the polymers and the diameters of th...The inclusion complex formation of α-CD, β-CD, and γ-CD with various water-soluble polymers has beeninvestigated, and the relationship between the chain cross-sectional areas of the polymers and the diameters of the cavities ofcyclodextrins (molecular recognition) was found. Polyrotaxanes and tubular polymers were prepared on the basis ofmolecular recognition. Several kinds of polymers having tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) and paramagnetic metallotetraphenyl-porphyrin (AgTPP, CuTPP, VOTPP or ZnTPP) have been prepared by radical polymerization of the correspondingmonomers. Visible spectra of these polymers show hypochromism in the Sorer bands of TPP moieties as compared withthose of monomers. Polymer effects were observed in the magnetic behavior and oxygen adsorption of paramagneticmetallotetraphenylporphyrin moieties. Moreover, polymer effects on photophysical and photochemical behavior were foundin the amphiphilic polymers covalently tethered with small amounts of zinc(Ⅱ)-tetraphenylporphyrin (ZnTPP).展开更多
Magnetic moments of the A=12 unstable mirror pair nuclides 12B and 12N have been measured by the β-NMR technique. The experimentally measured magnetic moments are μ（12B）=1.001（17）μN and μ（12N）=0.4571（1）μN...Magnetic moments of the A=12 unstable mirror pair nuclides 12B and 12N have been measured by the β-NMR technique. The experimentally measured magnetic moments are μ（12B）=1.001（17）μN and μ（12N）=0.4571（1）μN. The improved shell model using an SFO Hamiltonian with enhanced spin-isospin monopole proton-neutron interaction and modified single-particle energies is employed to calculate the magnetic moments of 12B and 12N. The calculation yields μ （12B）=0.929μN and μ（12N）=0.452μN and has produced a new magic number 6 for the short-lived unstable mirror pair nuclides 12B and 12N.展开更多
In this study, genes of two distinct tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) from Japanese puffer fishFugu rubripes, Fugu TIMP-2a and TIMP-2b, were cloned. The open reading frames of Fugu TIMP-2a and TIMP-2...In this study, genes of two distinct tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) from Japanese puffer fishFugu rubripes, Fugu TIMP-2a and TIMP-2b, were cloned. The open reading frames of Fugu TIMP-2a and TIMP-2b cDNAsare composed of 660 and 657 nucleotides and 220 and 219 amino acids, respectively. Both Fugu TIMP-2s contain 12 cysteineresidues, which might form six disulfide bonds as in other animals’ TIMP-2s. Reverse-transcribed polymerase chain reactionanalysis showed the mRNAs of Fugu TIMP-2a and TIMP-2b to be expressed in some tissues examined with different expres-sion patterns. These findings suggest that the two distinct Fugu TIMP-2s might perform different functions in Fugu tissues.展开更多
Factors such as errors during the fabrication or construction of structural components and errors of calculation as- sumption or calculation methods, are very likely to cause serious deviation of many strings’ actual...Factors such as errors during the fabrication or construction of structural components and errors of calculation as- sumption or calculation methods, are very likely to cause serious deviation of many strings’ actual prestressing forces from the designed values during tension structure construction or service period, and further to threaten the safety and reliability of the structure. Aiming at relatively large errors of the prestressing force of strings in a tension structure construction or service period, this paper proposes a new finite element method (FEM), the "tensile force correction calculation method". Based on the measured prestressing forces of the strings, this new method applies the structure from the zero prestressing force status approach to the measured prestressing force status for the first phase, and from the measured prestressing force status approach to the designed prestressing force status for the second phase. The construction tensile force correction value for each string can be obtained by multi-iteration with FEM. Using the results of calculation, the strings’ tensile force correction by group and in batch will be methodic, simple and accurate. This new calculation method can be applied to the prestressed correction construction simulation analysis for tension structures.展开更多
This paper addresses the conservation laws in finite brittle solids with microcracks. The discussion is limited to the 2-D cases. First, after considering the combination of the Pseudo-Traction Method and the indirect...This paper addresses the conservation laws in finite brittle solids with microcracks. The discussion is limited to the 2-D cases. First, after considering the combination of the Pseudo-Traction Method and the indirect Boundary Element Method, a versatile method for solving multi-crack interacting problems in finite plane solids is proposed, by which the fracture parameters （SIF and path-independent integrals） can be calculated with a desirable accuracy. Second, with the aid of the method proposed, the roles the conservation laws play in the fracture analysis for finite microcracking solids are studied. It is concluded that the conservation laws do play important roles in not only the fracture analysis but also the analysis of damage and stability for the finite microcracking system. Finally, the physical interpretation of the M-integral is discussed further. An explicit relation between the M-integral and the crack face area, i.e., M = GS, has been discovered using the analytical method, which can shed some light on the Damage Mechanics issues from a different perspective.展开更多
Health checks are key features of primary and secondary disease prevention. The aim of this study was to examine the sex- and age-specific association of social status and health-related behaviors with health check at...Health checks are key features of primary and secondary disease prevention. The aim of this study was to examine the sex- and age-specific association of social status and health-related behaviors with health check attendance in eligible persons. Data were derived from the Kanazawa Study 2011 (n = 12,781), a cross-sectional study which investigated all the residents in model areas of Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. We selected participants aged 23 years or older with National Health Insurance (n = 4920). Attendance at health checks was the outcome. We used social status and health-related behaviors as predictor variables. We analyzed them by sex and applied stratified analyses by age groups for each sex. The bivariate analyses were conducted by means of cross-tabs. We calculated health check attendance rates by each variable. We used Pearson’s χ2-test to examine statistically significant differences. We fitted logistic regression models to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of attendance in the past one year. We computed ORs in a logistic regression model containing all variables described above. Workingmen and women aged 23 to 39 years and aged 40 to 64 years had significantly increased ORs for health check attendance compared with non-working persons. Men, men aged 23 to 39 years and men aged 65 years or older with more physical activity had significantly increased ORs for health check attendance. Male ex-smokers, female ex- and non-smokers, male ex-smokers aged 65 years or older, and female non-smokers aged 40 to 64 years had significantly increased ORs. The findings suggest that population groups with lower social status or increased risks of adverse health effects are less likely to attend health checks than those with higher social status or decreased risks in particular sex and age groups. It indicates that diverse approaches are required to realize the full benefit of health checks.展开更多
An ab initio calculation of the electric-field gradient(EFG)at the site of a phosphorous impurity substituting an Al atom in α-Al_(3)O_(2) is carried out using the WIEN2k code with the full-potential linearized augme...An ab initio calculation of the electric-field gradient(EFG)at the site of a phosphorous impurity substituting an Al atom in α-Al_(3)O_(2) is carried out using the WIEN2k code with the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave plus local orbital method(LAPW+lo)in the frame of density functional theory.The atomic lattice relaxations caused by the implanted impurities were calculated for two different charged states to well describe the electronic structure of the doped system.The EFG at the site of the phosphorous impurity in the charged supercell calculated with the exchange-correlation potential of the Wu-Cohen generalized gradient approximation(WC-GGA)is 0.573×10^(21) V/m^(2).Then,the nuclear quadrupole moment of the I=3 state in ^(28)P is deduced to be 137 mb from the quadrupole interaction frequency of 190 kHz measured recently by theβ-NQR method.展开更多
This study aimed to examine differences in the frequency of falls during the past year and fall risk among 392 elderly females was categorized into five groups on the basis of the knee pain expe-rienced: no knee pain,...This study aimed to examine differences in the frequency of falls during the past year and fall risk among 392 elderly females was categorized into five groups on the basis of the knee pain expe-rienced: no knee pain, mild unilateral knee pain, mild bilateral knee pain, severe unilateral knee pain, and severe bilateral knee pain. The subjects participated in a fall risk survey comprising 50 items representing five risk factors: “symptoms of falling”, “disease and physical symptoms”, “en-vironment”, “behavior and character”, and “physical function”. The frequency of falls during the past year, score for each risk factor, and the total fall risk score were not significantly different between the mild unilateral and mild bilateral knee pain groups, and between the severe unilateral and severe bilateral knee pain groups. Therefore, these groups were pooled to form a mild knee pain group and a severe knee pain group and analyzed. The severe knee pain group had experienced a significantly greater number of falls during the past year compared with the no knee pain group. Furthermore, the symptom of falling score was significantly higher in the severe knee pain group than in the no knee pain group, while the disease and physical symptoms score was significantly higher in the mild and severe knee pain groups than in the no knee pain group. The physical function score and total fall risk score were significantly higher in the following order: the severe knee pain group, the mild knee pain group, and the no knee pain group. Our results indicate that for elderly females who can achieve ADL independently, the degree of knee pain (mild or severe) has a marked effect on fall risk, irrespective of laterality of the pain (unilateral or bilateral). Factors such as symptoms of falling, disease and physical symptoms, and physical function are also related to fall risk in this population. Furthermore, elderly individuals with severe knee pain experience frequent falls.展开更多
In wheat plants at the vegetative growth stage, the shoot apical meristem (SAM) produces leaf primordia. When reproductive growth is initiated, the SAM forms an inflorescence meristem (IM) that differentiates a series...In wheat plants at the vegetative growth stage, the shoot apical meristem (SAM) produces leaf primordia. When reproductive growth is initiated, the SAM forms an inflorescence meristem (IM) that differentiates a series of spikelet meristem (SM) as the branch. The SM then produces a series of floret meristem (FM) as the branch. To identify the mechanisms that regulate formation of the reproductive meristems in wheat, we have investigated a leaf initiation mutant, fushi-darake (fdk) which was developed by ion beam mutagenesis. The morphological traits were compared in wild type (WT) and fdk mutant plants grown in the experimental field. WT plants initiated leaves from SAM at regular intervals in spiral phyllotaxy, while fdk plants had 1/2 alternate phyllotaxy with rapid leaf emergence. The fdk plants have increased numbers of nodes and leaves compared with WT plants. The time interval between successive leaf initiation events (plastochron) was measured in plants grown in a growth chamber. The fdk plants clearly show the rapid leaf emergence, indicating a shortened plastochron. Each tiller in fdk plants branches at the upper part of the culm. The fine structure of organ formation in meristems of fdk plants was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM analysis indicated that fdk plants show transformation of spikelet meristems into vegetative shoot meristems. In conclusion, the fdk mutant has a heterochronic nature, i.e., both reproductive and vegetative programs were simultaneously in operation during the reproductive phase, resulting in a shortened plastochron and transformation of reproductive spikelets into vegetative shoots.展开更多
The effects of Al 2O 3 fiber on wear characteristics of eutectic Al-Si alloy composites were studied using a pin-on-disk tester under dry sliding condition. The results show that the Al 2O 3 fiber can make matrix grai...The effects of Al 2O 3 fiber on wear characteristics of eutectic Al-Si alloy composites were studied using a pin-on-disk tester under dry sliding condition. The results show that the Al 2O 3 fiber can make matrix grain be fine, specially the eutectic Si be finer and prevent the plastic flow of matrix and prohibit the crack propagation in the wear layer, thereby it can remarkably improve the mechanical property and the wear resistance of the MMCs. Since Al 2O 3 fiber plays a role of certain framework in protecting the matrix against crash, it can eliminate the severe wear of MMCs with higher φ f of fiber from the beginning of test. At mild stage, when φ f is in the range of 8%～10%, the wear rates are the lowest. With increasing φ f of Al 2O 3 fiber, the wear mechanism of MMCs can be transformed from adhesive delamination to brittle breakaway.展开更多
In cereal species such as wheat (</span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Ttiticum aestivum</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">) and barley (</s...In cereal species such as wheat (</span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Ttiticum aestivum</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">) and barley (</span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Hordeum vulg</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">are</span></i><span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">), many studies have indicated that</span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> VERNALIZATION </span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">1</span><i> </i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">(</span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">VRN</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">1)</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> functions as a flowering promoter, which activates florigen gene expression. The wheat florigen gene </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Wheat FLOWERING LOCUS T</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> (</span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">WFT</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, which is identical to </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">VRN</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">3) is an integrator of the vernalization, photoperiod and au</span><span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">tonomous pathways in wheat flowering, and the </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">WFT</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> expression is corre</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">lated with the </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">V</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">RN</span></i><span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">1</span><i> </i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">expression. </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">VRN</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">1</span><i> </i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">encodes an APETALA1/FRUITFULL-lik</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">e MADS-box transcription factor which expression is induced by vernalization, leading to flowering thorough up-regulation of </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">WFT</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">. In </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Arabidopsis</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, it has been reported that protein-protein interactions are keys for MADS-box protein function and MADS-box transcription factors must dimerize to bind to the target gene. In this study, by using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) with purified VRN1 protein, we indicated the possibility that VRN1 protein exists as tetramer-like as flowering homeotic MADS-box proteins in </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Arabidopsis</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">.展开更多
文摘The Artemis Program, for constructing the lunar base, is in progress. How to design and construct architectural and civil engineering structures in the lunar environment has become an important issue. The lunar surface is covered with soft sand, called regolith, and it is required to protect lunar bases and structures, as well as internal precision equipment, against vibrational disturbances such as moonquakes and meteorite collisions. Therefore, in this study, the static and cyclic triaxial compression tests of the regolith simulant were conducted. The reference strain and equivalent damping factor of the regolith simulant were smaller compared to sandy soil on Earth. In addition, a shaking table test using model specimens was conducted on the response properties of regolith ground alone and structures set on regolith ground. The buried foundation and pile foundation notably suppressed the horizontal response attributed to the rocking component compared to a direct foundation.
文摘The rectifier filter circuit is widely applied.However,it is difficult to gain a global solution for the optimization design.4-D visual analysis and design optimization of the single-phase uncontrolled bridge rectifier with an LC filter are presented in this paper.
基金The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘The algorithm of Binary Image Cross-Correlation (BICC) was developed to measure the unsteady flow field. A vortex flow field was used to test the algorithm by numerical simulation. The results show that BICC is an effective algorithm for particle identification from consecutive images, the accurate velocity vector field can be obtained. The real velocity field in a valve chamber was measured by BICC in this study. From the full-field velocity information, the pressure and vorticity fields were also extracted by post-processing. (Edited author abstract) 6 Refs.
基金The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(50206019)Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(502046)SRF for ROCS,SEM
文摘Particle Image Velocimetry(PIV)techniques were developed to measure the convec- tive N_2-air flow under gradient magnetic fields.The velocity fields were calculated by the Minimum Quadratic Difference(MQD)algorithm and spurious vectors were eliminated by Delaunay Tessellation. The N_2-air flow was measured as the magnetic flux density varying from 0～1.5 T.A strengthened vortex flow of air was observed under the condition that the magnetic field was applied,and the ve- locity of N_2 jet rose with the increase of the magnetic density.The experimental results show that the magnetic force will induce a vortex flow and cause a convection flow of the air mixture when both gradients of the O_2 concentration and the magnetic field intensity exist.
文摘The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of chronic pain (CP) and the relationship between CP, especially headache adjusted for CP at other sites, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in middle-aged Japanese residents. We examined the prevalence of CP (defined as pain persisting for 3 months or more) and HRQoL (SF-36) in 1117 middle-aged residents of Japan. We assessed the eight dimensions of health status and the 3 component SF-36 summary score to evaluate HRQoL. The prevalence of CP was 15.3% among men and 15.1% among women. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that lumbar pain (p β = -0.132), knee pain (p β = -0.115), foot pain (p = 0.042, β = -0.065), and age (p β = -0.154) were independently correlated with a lower physical component score (PCS). Older age (ppβ = -0.096), knee pain (p β = -0.109), upper limb pain (p β = -0.098), and lumbar pain (p = 0.022, β = -0.077) all showed a significant negative correlation with MCS. The presence of chronic headache (p = 0.011, β = -0.082) was the only factor significantly correlated with a lower role component score (RCS). We identified a negative correlation between chronic headache and RCS, unlike the relation between musculoskeletal pain and PCS or MCS, suggesting that RCS was an independently influenced by CP differently from PCS or MCS in Japanese residents.
文摘Objectives Regular consumption of moderate amounts of Chinese yellow wine is associated with a reduced risk of coronary disease. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that participate in extracellular matrix degradation have been involved in atherosclerotic plaque growth and instability. The present research aimed to study the effects of Chinese yellow wine on the production of homocysteine-induced extracellular MMP-2 in cultured rats’ vascular smooth muscle cells. Methods The effects of different homocysteine levels (0-1000 ?滋mol/l) on MMP-2 production, and the effects of Chinese yellow wine with low alcohol concentrations (12-19%) on homocysteine-induced MMP-2 in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were examined using gelatin zymography and western blotting. The changes of MMP-2 under various treatments for 12 h, 24 h and 48 h were further compared. Results Homocysteine (50-1000 ?滋mol/l) increased the production of MMP-2 significantly in a dose-dependent manner. Increased production of MMP-2 induced by homocysteine was reduced by extracellularly added Chinese yellow wine. Production of MMP-2 under various treatments for 48 h increased more than 12 h and 24 h. Conclusions Extracellularly added Chinese yellow wine decreased homocysteine-induced MMP-2 secretion. The inhibitory effect of yellow wine on the activation of MMP-2 might contribute to their beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system.
文摘Formation of pyrite (FeS 2) films through electrodeposition from aqueous solutions which contain different source materials has been investigated. Na 2S 2O 3·5H 2O is used as sulfur source material, FeSO 4·7H 2O, FeCl 2·4H 2O and FeCl 3·6H 2O are used as iron source materials respectively. The samples are annealed in N 2 atmosphere at 400 ℃ and 500 ℃ respectively. From XRD (X-ray diffraction) patterns of the films, it is found that there are peaks of FeS 2, FeS and Fe 7S 8 in all films, but there are sharp and more peaks characterizing FeS 2 in the film from Na 2S 2O 3 +FeSO 4 than other films, and 400 ℃ is the more suitable temperature than 500 ℃ for annealing the samples in N 2 atmosphere. In addition, one solution can be used repeatedly.
文摘With the aid of immunohistochemistry, the present review attempts to demonstrate the composite fibers and nerve topographical anatomy in the vaginal supportive tissues. Along the tendinous arch of the pelvic fasciae, distal parts of the pelvic plexus extend antero-inferiorly and issue nerves to the internal anal sphincter as well as the cavernous tissues. At the attachment of the levator ani muscle to the rectum, smooth muscles in the endopelvic fascia lining the levator ani merge with the longitudinal smooth muscle layer of the rectum to provide the conjoint longitudinal muscle coat or the longitudinal anal muscle (LAM: smooth muscle). However, at the rectovaginal interface, the longitudinal smooth muscle layer of the rectum continues to the LAM without any contribution of the endopelvic fascia. The bilateral masses of the perineal smooth muscles (PSMs) are connected by the perineal body, and the PSMs receive 1) the longitudinal anal muscle, 2) the internal and external anal sphincters and, 3) the perineal membrane lining the vestibular wall. Tensile stress from the levator ani seems to be transferred to the PSMs via the LAM. Because of their irregularly arrayed muscle fibers, instead of a synchronized contraction in response to nerve impulses, the PSMs are likely to act as a barrier, septum or protector against mechanical stress because, even without innervation, such smooth muscle fibers resist (not absorb) pressure, in accordance with Bayliss’ rule. The external anal sphincter, a strong striated muscle, inserts into the PSMs and seems to play a dynamic role in supporting the rectovaginal interface to maintain the antero-posterior length of the urogenital hiatus. However, we do not think that smooth muscles play an active traction role without cooperation from striated muscle. The fibrous skeleton composed of smooth muscle in the female perineum is explained in terms of a “catamaran” model.
文摘Objective:To evaluate functional i mpairment in the corneal endothelium of eyes in patients with diabetes mellitus,after small-incision cataract surgery.Methods:Evaluation was performed in 93eyes in patients with type 2diabetes mel-litus(diabetic group)and 93eyes in patients without dia-betic mellitus(nondiabetic group)who underwent cataract surgery.Using a topography system,the corneal thickness in the central area was measured befo re surgery and 1day,1week,and 1month after surgery.Corneal endothelial cells were counted using a noncontact specular microscope.Results:No significant differences in any preoperative measures were observed between the d iabetic and nondia-betic groups.The increase in corneal thickness 1month after surgery was significantly hig her in the diabetic group than in the nondiabetic group(P=.03).The corneal endothelial cell losses 1day and 1we ek after surgery were significantly higher in the diabeti c group than in the non-diabetic group(after 1day,P=.03;and after 1week,P=.04).Conclusions:Compared with nondia betic eyes,eyes of patients with diabetes mellitus showed more damage in corneal endothelial cells due to c ataract surgery and a delay in the postoperative recovery of corneal edema.
文摘The inclusion complex formation of α-CD, β-CD, and γ-CD with various water-soluble polymers has beeninvestigated, and the relationship between the chain cross-sectional areas of the polymers and the diameters of the cavities ofcyclodextrins (molecular recognition) was found. Polyrotaxanes and tubular polymers were prepared on the basis ofmolecular recognition. Several kinds of polymers having tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) and paramagnetic metallotetraphenyl-porphyrin (AgTPP, CuTPP, VOTPP or ZnTPP) have been prepared by radical polymerization of the correspondingmonomers. Visible spectra of these polymers show hypochromism in the Sorer bands of TPP moieties as compared withthose of monomers. Polymer effects were observed in the magnetic behavior and oxygen adsorption of paramagneticmetallotetraphenylporphyrin moieties. Moreover, polymer effects on photophysical and photochemical behavior were foundin the amphiphilic polymers covalently tethered with small amounts of zinc(Ⅱ)-tetraphenylporphyrin (ZnTPP).
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No 10435010.
文摘Magnetic moments of the A=12 unstable mirror pair nuclides 12B and 12N have been measured by the β-NMR technique. The experimentally measured magnetic moments are μ（12B）=1.001（17）μN and μ（12N）=0.4571（1）μN. The improved shell model using an SFO Hamiltonian with enhanced spin-isospin monopole proton-neutron interaction and modified single-particle energies is employed to calculate the magnetic moments of 12B and 12N. The calculation yields μ （12B）=0.929μN and μ（12N）=0.452μN and has produced a new magic number 6 for the short-lived unstable mirror pair nuclides 12B and 12N.
基金partially supported by a grant from the Ministry of Education,Culture,Sports,Science and Technology of Japan.
文摘In this study, genes of two distinct tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) from Japanese puffer fishFugu rubripes, Fugu TIMP-2a and TIMP-2b, were cloned. The open reading frames of Fugu TIMP-2a and TIMP-2b cDNAsare composed of 660 and 657 nucleotides and 220 and 219 amino acids, respectively. Both Fugu TIMP-2s contain 12 cysteineresidues, which might form six disulfide bonds as in other animals’ TIMP-2s. Reverse-transcribed polymerase chain reactionanalysis showed the mRNAs of Fugu TIMP-2a and TIMP-2b to be expressed in some tissues examined with different expres-sion patterns. These findings suggest that the two distinct Fugu TIMP-2s might perform different functions in Fugu tissues.
基金Project (No. 50678157) supported by the National Natural ScienceFoundation of China
文摘Factors such as errors during the fabrication or construction of structural components and errors of calculation as- sumption or calculation methods, are very likely to cause serious deviation of many strings’ actual prestressing forces from the designed values during tension structure construction or service period, and further to threaten the safety and reliability of the structure. Aiming at relatively large errors of the prestressing force of strings in a tension structure construction or service period, this paper proposes a new finite element method (FEM), the "tensile force correction calculation method". Based on the measured prestressing forces of the strings, this new method applies the structure from the zero prestressing force status approach to the measured prestressing force status for the first phase, and from the measured prestressing force status approach to the designed prestressing force status for the second phase. The construction tensile force correction value for each string can be obtained by multi-iteration with FEM. Using the results of calculation, the strings’ tensile force correction by group and in batch will be methodic, simple and accurate. This new calculation method can be applied to the prestressed correction construction simulation analysis for tension structures.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 19472053).
文摘This paper addresses the conservation laws in finite brittle solids with microcracks. The discussion is limited to the 2-D cases. First, after considering the combination of the Pseudo-Traction Method and the indirect Boundary Element Method, a versatile method for solving multi-crack interacting problems in finite plane solids is proposed, by which the fracture parameters （SIF and path-independent integrals） can be calculated with a desirable accuracy. Second, with the aid of the method proposed, the roles the conservation laws play in the fracture analysis for finite microcracking solids are studied. It is concluded that the conservation laws do play important roles in not only the fracture analysis but also the analysis of damage and stability for the finite microcracking system. Finally, the physical interpretation of the M-integral is discussed further. An explicit relation between the M-integral and the crack face area, i.e., M = GS, has been discovered using the analytical method, which can shed some light on the Damage Mechanics issues from a different perspective.
文摘Health checks are key features of primary and secondary disease prevention. The aim of this study was to examine the sex- and age-specific association of social status and health-related behaviors with health check attendance in eligible persons. Data were derived from the Kanazawa Study 2011 (n = 12,781), a cross-sectional study which investigated all the residents in model areas of Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. We selected participants aged 23 years or older with National Health Insurance (n = 4920). Attendance at health checks was the outcome. We used social status and health-related behaviors as predictor variables. We analyzed them by sex and applied stratified analyses by age groups for each sex. The bivariate analyses were conducted by means of cross-tabs. We calculated health check attendance rates by each variable. We used Pearson’s χ2-test to examine statistically significant differences. We fitted logistic regression models to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of attendance in the past one year. We computed ORs in a logistic regression model containing all variables described above. Workingmen and women aged 23 to 39 years and aged 40 to 64 years had significantly increased ORs for health check attendance compared with non-working persons. Men, men aged 23 to 39 years and men aged 65 years or older with more physical activity had significantly increased ORs for health check attendance. Male ex-smokers, female ex- and non-smokers, male ex-smokers aged 65 years or older, and female non-smokers aged 40 to 64 years had significantly increased ORs. The findings suggest that population groups with lower social status or increased risks of adverse health effects are less likely to attend health checks than those with higher social status or decreased risks in particular sex and age groups. It indicates that diverse approaches are required to realize the full benefit of health checks.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos 10975189 and 91126002.
文摘An ab initio calculation of the electric-field gradient(EFG)at the site of a phosphorous impurity substituting an Al atom in α-Al_(3)O_(2) is carried out using the WIEN2k code with the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave plus local orbital method(LAPW+lo)in the frame of density functional theory.The atomic lattice relaxations caused by the implanted impurities were calculated for two different charged states to well describe the electronic structure of the doped system.The EFG at the site of the phosphorous impurity in the charged supercell calculated with the exchange-correlation potential of the Wu-Cohen generalized gradient approximation(WC-GGA)is 0.573×10^(21) V/m^(2).Then,the nuclear quadrupole moment of the I=3 state in ^(28)P is deduced to be 137 mb from the quadrupole interaction frequency of 190 kHz measured recently by theβ-NQR method.
文摘This study aimed to examine differences in the frequency of falls during the past year and fall risk among 392 elderly females was categorized into five groups on the basis of the knee pain expe-rienced: no knee pain, mild unilateral knee pain, mild bilateral knee pain, severe unilateral knee pain, and severe bilateral knee pain. The subjects participated in a fall risk survey comprising 50 items representing five risk factors: “symptoms of falling”, “disease and physical symptoms”, “en-vironment”, “behavior and character”, and “physical function”. The frequency of falls during the past year, score for each risk factor, and the total fall risk score were not significantly different between the mild unilateral and mild bilateral knee pain groups, and between the severe unilateral and severe bilateral knee pain groups. Therefore, these groups were pooled to form a mild knee pain group and a severe knee pain group and analyzed. The severe knee pain group had experienced a significantly greater number of falls during the past year compared with the no knee pain group. Furthermore, the symptom of falling score was significantly higher in the severe knee pain group than in the no knee pain group, while the disease and physical symptoms score was significantly higher in the mild and severe knee pain groups than in the no knee pain group. The physical function score and total fall risk score were significantly higher in the following order: the severe knee pain group, the mild knee pain group, and the no knee pain group. Our results indicate that for elderly females who can achieve ADL independently, the degree of knee pain (mild or severe) has a marked effect on fall risk, irrespective of laterality of the pain (unilateral or bilateral). Factors such as symptoms of falling, disease and physical symptoms, and physical function are also related to fall risk in this population. Furthermore, elderly individuals with severe knee pain experience frequent falls.
文摘In wheat plants at the vegetative growth stage, the shoot apical meristem (SAM) produces leaf primordia. When reproductive growth is initiated, the SAM forms an inflorescence meristem (IM) that differentiates a series of spikelet meristem (SM) as the branch. The SM then produces a series of floret meristem (FM) as the branch. To identify the mechanisms that regulate formation of the reproductive meristems in wheat, we have investigated a leaf initiation mutant, fushi-darake (fdk) which was developed by ion beam mutagenesis. The morphological traits were compared in wild type (WT) and fdk mutant plants grown in the experimental field. WT plants initiated leaves from SAM at regular intervals in spiral phyllotaxy, while fdk plants had 1/2 alternate phyllotaxy with rapid leaf emergence. The fdk plants have increased numbers of nodes and leaves compared with WT plants. The time interval between successive leaf initiation events (plastochron) was measured in plants grown in a growth chamber. The fdk plants clearly show the rapid leaf emergence, indicating a shortened plastochron. Each tiller in fdk plants branches at the upper part of the culm. The fine structure of organ formation in meristems of fdk plants was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM analysis indicated that fdk plants show transformation of spikelet meristems into vegetative shoot meristems. In conclusion, the fdk mutant has a heterochronic nature, i.e., both reproductive and vegetative programs were simultaneously in operation during the reproductive phase, resulting in a shortened plastochron and transformation of reproductive spikelets into vegetative shoots.
文摘The effects of Al 2O 3 fiber on wear characteristics of eutectic Al-Si alloy composites were studied using a pin-on-disk tester under dry sliding condition. The results show that the Al 2O 3 fiber can make matrix grain be fine, specially the eutectic Si be finer and prevent the plastic flow of matrix and prohibit the crack propagation in the wear layer, thereby it can remarkably improve the mechanical property and the wear resistance of the MMCs. Since Al 2O 3 fiber plays a role of certain framework in protecting the matrix against crash, it can eliminate the severe wear of MMCs with higher φ f of fiber from the beginning of test. At mild stage, when φ f is in the range of 8%～10%, the wear rates are the lowest. With increasing φ f of Al 2O 3 fiber, the wear mechanism of MMCs can be transformed from adhesive delamination to brittle breakaway.
文摘In cereal species such as wheat (</span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Ttiticum aestivum</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">) and barley (</span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Hordeum vulg</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">are</span></i><span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">), many studies have indicated that</span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> VERNALIZATION </span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">1</span><i> </i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">(</span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">VRN</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">1)</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> functions as a flowering promoter, which activates florigen gene expression. The wheat florigen gene </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Wheat FLOWERING LOCUS T</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> (</span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">WFT</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, which is identical to </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">VRN</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">3) is an integrator of the vernalization, photoperiod and au</span><span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">tonomous pathways in wheat flowering, and the </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">WFT</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> expression is corre</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">lated with the </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">V</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">RN</span></i><span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">1</span><i> </i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">expression. </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">VRN</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">1</span><i> </i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">encodes an APETALA1/FRUITFULL-lik</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">e MADS-box transcription factor which expression is induced by vernalization, leading to flowering thorough up-regulation of </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">WFT</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">. In </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Arabidopsis</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, it has been reported that protein-protein interactions are keys for MADS-box protein function and MADS-box transcription factors must dimerize to bind to the target gene. In this study, by using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) with purified VRN1 protein, we indicated the possibility that VRN1 protein exists as tetramer-like as flowering homeotic MADS-box proteins in </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Arabidopsis</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">.
