The original online version of this article (Kitadokoro, K., Matsui, S., Osokoshi, R., Nakata, K. and Kamitani, S. (2018) Expression, Purification and Crystallization of Thermostable Mutant of Cutinase Est1 from Therm...The original online version of this article (Kitadokoro, K., Matsui, S., Osokoshi, R., Nakata, K. and Kamitani, S. (2018) Expression, Purification and Crystallization of Thermostable Mutant of Cutinase Est1 from Thermobifida alba. Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology, 9, 215-223. https://doi.org/10.4236/abb.2018.95015) unfortunately contains some mistakes. The author wishes to correct the errors.展开更多
Background Three-dimensional terrain models are essential in domains such as video game development and film production.Because surface color is often correlated with terrain geometry,capturing this relationship is cr...Background Three-dimensional terrain models are essential in domains such as video game development and film production.Because surface color is often correlated with terrain geometry,capturing this relationship is critical for generating realistic results.However,most existing methods synthesize either a heightmap or a texture without adequately modeling their inherent correlation.Methods We propose a method that jointly generates terrain heightmaps and textures using a latent diffusion model.First,we train the model in an unsupervised manner to randomly generate paired heightmaps and textures.Then,we perform supervised learning on an external adapter to enable user control via hand-drawn sketches.Results Experiments demonstrate that our approach supports intuitive terrain generation while preserving the correlation between heightmaps and textures.Conclusion Our method outperforms the two-stage and GAN-based baselines by ensuring structural coherence,in which textures naturally align with geometry,successfully accommodating both realistic landscapes and extreme user-defined shapes.展开更多
The thermal conversion process known as biomass gasification has the potential to produce environmentally friendly fuels such as hydrogen.However,tar generation during the gasification remains an issue,affecting opera...The thermal conversion process known as biomass gasification has the potential to produce environmentally friendly fuels such as hydrogen.However,tar generation during the gasification remains an issue,affecting operational efficiency and environmental health.Biochar has been confirmed as an inexpensive and efficient catalyst for tar removal.The challenge lies in creating a highly reactive biochar which can be applied for different types of biomass with varying properties.This review discusses the factors that affect biochar’s reactivity as a catalyst for tar reforming.Additionally,incorporating biochar into a gasification scenario with raw biomass offers a practical solution by leveraging the synergistic behavior.However,this synergy could be either positive or negative:the positive synergy enhances tar removal while the negative synergy has the opposite effect.The numerous factors affecting the results of gasification are presented in this review.It is concluded that the positive synergistic effect resulted from the balance between the available reactants from biomass and biochar,the optimal gas flowrate and the active sites on the carbon surface.Understanding these interactions is crucial for optimizing biochar performance for tar removal.Ultimately,this research provides insights into biochar’s role in biomass gasification and suggests improvements for future studies to enhance the feasibility of biomass gasification with the assistance of biochar.展开更多
The Tien's Mountain Stream Snake,Opisthotropis daovantieni Orlov, Darevsky, and Murphy, 1998, has been represented solely by its type series, with no additional specimens reported in the past two decades. As a res...The Tien's Mountain Stream Snake,Opisthotropis daovantieni Orlov, Darevsky, and Murphy, 1998, has been represented solely by its type series, with no additional specimens reported in the past two decades. As a result, limited data exist and O. daovantieni remains one of the least studied members of its genus. Based on a re-examination of the type series, analysis of newly collected topotypic specimens, and a review of museum collections, this study provides an updated and comprehensive morphological characterization of O. daovantieni including detailed descriptions of hemipenial morphology, revised diagnostic characters,phylogenetic positioning, and ecological insights.Based on morphological comparisons with congeners, we also define the informal Opisthotropis spenceri group to facilitate future taxonomic work. In addition, this study documents a previously unreported defensive behavior involving tail-poking,observed in the field and thus far unique within the genus Opisthotropis.展开更多
Traffic at urban intersections frequently encounters unexpected obstructions,resulting in congestion due to uncooperative and priority-based driving behavior.This paper presents an optimal right-turn coordination syst...Traffic at urban intersections frequently encounters unexpected obstructions,resulting in congestion due to uncooperative and priority-based driving behavior.This paper presents an optimal right-turn coordination system for Connected and Automated Vehicles(CAVs)at single-lane intersections,particularly in the context of left-hand side driving on roads.The goal is to facilitate smooth right turns for certain vehicles without creating bottlenecks.We consider that all approaching vehicles share relevant information through vehicular communications.The Intersection Coordination Unit(ICU)processes this information and communicates the optimal crossing or turning times to the vehicles.The primary objective of this coordination is to minimize overall traffic delays,which also helps improve the fuel consumption of vehicles.By considering information from upcoming vehicles at the intersection,the coordination system solves an optimization problem to determine the best timing for executing right turns,ultimately minimizing the total delay for all vehicles.The proposed coordination system is evaluated at a typical urban intersection,and its performance is compared to traditional traffic systems.Numerical simulation results indicate that the proposed coordination system significantly enhances the average traffic speed and fuel consumption compared to the traditional traffic system in various scenarios.展开更多
In this paper, based on in-situ observational data of the Coordinated Enhanced Observing Period （CEOP） Asia-Australia Monsoon Project （CAMP） on the Tibetan＇Plateau （CAMP-Tibet）, structure of the Atmospheric Bou...In this paper, based on in-situ observational data of the Coordinated Enhanced Observing Period （CEOP） Asia-Australia Monsoon Project （CAMP） on the Tibetan＇Plateau （CAMP-Tibet）, structure of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer （ABL） was preliminarily studied during the dry and rainy seasons. The main results show： （a） Diurnal variation of the ABL is obvious over the northern Tibetan Plateau area. The height of the ABL is different with the season change, which ranges from 2,211 m to 4,430 m during the pre-monsoon season and from 1,006 m to 2,212 m during the monsoon season. The ABL height is higher during the dry period than during the rainyigeriod. （b） The humidity is lower during the dry period than during the rainy period, and there are reverse humidity during both periods. （c） Horizontal wind direction is mostly west during the dry period, east under the height of 2,500 m and west above the height of 2,500 m during the rainy period. The wind speed is low during both the rainy and dry periods in the lower ABL layer. The wind speed is stronger within the upper ABL during the dry period than dtn-ing the rainy period.展开更多
Assisted natural remediation(ANR)has been highlighted as a promising,less expensive,and environmentally friendly solution to remediate soil contaminated with heavy metals.We tested the effects of three amendments(10%c...Assisted natural remediation(ANR)has been highlighted as a promising,less expensive,and environmentally friendly solution to remediate soil contaminated with heavy metals.We tested the effects of three amendments(10%compost,C;5 or 15%phosphate sludge,PS5 and PS15;and 5 or 15%marble waste,MW5 and MW15)in combination with microorganism inoculation(rhizobacteria consortium alone,mycorrhizae alone,and the two incombination)on alfalfa in contaminated soil.Plant concentrations of Zn,Cu,and Pb were measured,along with proline and malondialdehyde production.The microbiological and physicochemical properties of the mining soil were evaluated.Application of the amendments allowed germination and promoted growth.Inoculation with the rhizobacteria consortium and/or mycorrhizae stimulated plant growth.PS and MW stimulated the production of proline.Inoculation of alfalfa with the rhizobacteria-mycorrhizae mixture and the application of MW allowed the safe cultivation of the legume,as shown by the low concentrations of metals in plant shoots.Zn and Pb concentrations were below the limits recommended for animal grazing and accumulated essentially in roots.Soil analyses showed the positive effect of the amendments on the soil physicochemical properties.All treatments increased soil p H(around 7),total organic carbon,and assimilable phosphorus content.Notably,an important decrease in soluble heavy metals concentrations was observed.Overall,our findings revealed that the applied treatments reduced the risk of metal-polluted soils limiting plant growth.The ANR has great potential for success in the restoration of polymetallic and acidic mining soils using the interaction between alfalfa,microorganisms,and organomineral amendments.展开更多
The Gujingling （古井岭） Section in Xiaodong （小董）, Guangxi （广西） Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, consists of cherts and siliceous siltstones, which belongs to the Bancheng （板城）Formation of the Qinzhou （...The Gujingling （古井岭） Section in Xiaodong （小董）, Guangxi （广西） Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, consists of cherts and siliceous siltstones, which belongs to the Bancheng （板城）Formation of the Qinzhou （钦州） allochthon. Three successive radiolarian assemblage-zones related to the Guadalupian （Middle Permian） appear in the section in the following ascending order： Pseudoalbaillella sp. aff. Pseudoaibailleila longicornis-Pseudoalbaillella fusiformis, Follicucuilus monacanthus, and Follicucuilus scholasticus-Foilicucullus porrectus. The radiolarian content in this section is generally greater than that of sponge spicules. The radiolarian fauna commonly consists of abundant Albaillellaria and spherical radiolaria with minor Latentifistularia and Entactinaria. The sponge fauna is composed mainly of hexactinellids with minor demosponges. These siliceous fossil faunal features, comparable with those in a deep basin of the western belt of the Phosphoria Basin in the western United States, indicate that the Bancheng Formation in the Gujingling Section was deposited in a basin deeper than 1 000 m. The siliceous siltstones in the section are characterized by inclusion of silt-sized quartz and no inclusion of sand-sized materials, suggesting that the Gujingling Section was located at least a few hundred kilometers from the South China Block in the Guadalupian.展开更多
Bacillus pumilus X-6-9 isolated from soil and subsequently identified, produced xylooligosaccharides with long chains from xylan and accumulated them in the culture. By improving the culture conditions and mutating th...Bacillus pumilus X-6-9 isolated from soil and subsequently identified, produced xylooligosaccharides with long chains from xylan and accumulated them in the culture. By improving the culture conditions and mutating the bacterium, a 3.2-fold increase in the production of the xylooligosaccharides was established, when compared to the original culture conditions of B. pumilus X-6-19. The addition of D-glucose to the culture of the mutant strain U-3 of B. pumilus X-6-9 repressed the synthesis of β-xylosidase, but not xylanase. Thus, it was revealed that strain U-3 was a good organism for the production and accumulation of xylooligosaccharides with long chains from xylan by a microbial culture. Xylanase produced by strain U-3 was purified to homogeneity and characterized. The hydrolyzates generated by the purified xylanase contained xylobiose, xylotriose, xylotetraose, and xylopentaose, but not xylose.展开更多
The luminescent rare earth(RE)complex based multifunctional nanocomposites offer new potential applications of multimodal imaging(magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),fluorescent bioimaging,etc.)that can be associated with...The luminescent rare earth(RE)complex based multifunctional nanocomposites offer new potential applications of multimodal imaging(magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),fluorescent bioimaging,etc.)that can be associated with therapeutic activities.In this study,we report some results obtained with novel multifunctional Fe3O4/Si-amine/Eu(NTA)3 nanocomposites that are composed of europium(Ⅲ)complex with 1-(2-naphthoyl)-3,3,3-trifluoroacetone ligands(NTA)(Eu(NTA)3)and superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles.These nanocomposites were functionalized with an amine group for biomedicine application.The multifunctional Fe3O4/Si-amine/Eu(NTA)3 nanocomposites exhibit both good magnetic behavior of Fe3O4 nanoparticles as a core and strong fluorescent property of europium(Ⅲ)complex.Their characterizations were analyzed by XRD,SEM,EDX and FTIR spectra.The optical properties were studied in detail by UV-VIS spectra and luminescent emission spectra.The magnetic property was estimated by VMS.The effect of concentrations of luminescent Eu(NTA)3 complex on luminescent and magnetic properties is discussed.展开更多
Growth process of the NaY zeolite membranes was investigated by fluoride-containing precursor synthesis gel.Compared with the fluoride-free precursor synthesis gel,the irregular NaY zeolite crystals were dissolved int...Growth process of the NaY zeolite membranes was investigated by fluoride-containing precursor synthesis gel.Compared with the fluoride-free precursor synthesis gel,the irregular NaY zeolite crystals were dissolved into amorphous by the fluoride-containing precursor synthesis gel initially,the amorphous contained the Y-type zeolite characteristic bands by the IR characterization.The fine square NaY zeolite crystals arose from the amorphous,which were accumulated and gradually grew into a dense NaY zeolite layer on the support surface after 6.5 h.Because the excessive NaY zeolites were dissolved by the strong alkaline and fluoride-containing precursor synthesis gel,there was plenty of amorphous on NaY zeolites layer for prolonging the crystallization time.The assynthesized NaY zeolite membranes had a good separation performance and repeatability for separation of 10 wt%methanol(MeOH)/methyl methacrylate(MMA) mixture by pervaporation,the flux and separation factor were(1.27 ± 0.07) kg·M^(-2)·h^(-1) and(4900 ± 1500) at 323 K,respectively.Besides,the NaY zeolite membranes were applied to separate the other short chain alcohol from the various alcohol/organic ester and alcohol/organic ether mixtures,the NaY zeolite membranes showed high short chain alcohol perm-selectivity.展开更多
Zr was added to Ti−Nb−Fe alloys to develop low elastic modulus and high strengthβ-Ti alloys for biomedical applications.Ingots of Ti−12Nb−2Fe−(2,4,6,8,10)Zr(at.%)were prepared by arc melting and then subjected to hom...Zr was added to Ti−Nb−Fe alloys to develop low elastic modulus and high strengthβ-Ti alloys for biomedical applications.Ingots of Ti−12Nb−2Fe−(2,4,6,8,10)Zr(at.%)were prepared by arc melting and then subjected to homogenization,cold rolling,and solution treatments.The phases and microstructures of the alloys were analyzed by optical microscopy,X-ray diffraction,and transmission electron microscopy.The mechanical properties were measured by tensile tests.The results indicate that Zr and Fe cause a remarkable solid-solution strengthening effect on the alloys;thus,all the alloys show yield and ultimate tensile strengths higher than 510 MPa and 730 MPa,respectively.Zr plays a weak role in the deformation mechanism.Further,twinning occurs in all the deformed alloys and is beneficial to both strength and plasticity.Ti−12Nb−2Fe−(8,10)Zr alloys with metastableβphases show low elastic modulus,high tensile strength,and good plasticity and are suitable candidate materials for biomedical implants.展开更多
The major element composition of sound-producing sand is reported together with rare-earth elements (REE) and other selected elements for the first time. Rare-earth element concentrations in beach sands from Miyagi an...The major element composition of sound-producing sand is reported together with rare-earth elements (REE) and other selected elements for the first time. Rare-earth element concentrations in beach sands from Miyagi and Tottori in Japan were determined by induction-coupled, argon-plasma spectrometry (ICP-MS) to characterize the REE of sound-producing and silent sands relative to the parental rocks. Sound-producing sand beaches are very common and all over in Japan: five beaches in Miyagi and 2 in Tottori are selected with other silent sand beaches in the areas. Both sound-producing sand and silent sand samples from Miyagi and Tottori contain more than 60wt% of SiO2 and are composed mainly of quartz and feldspar. Miyagi sand samples are characterized by light REE enrichment and flat chondrite-normalized patterns that are similar to those of local source sandstone. However, all sand samples from Miyatojima in Miyagi show positive Eu anomalies, a characteristic feature not shown in other sand samples from Miyagi. Tottori sand samples also are characterized by high REE contents and remarkable positive Eu anomalies. The sands containing lower REE contents are due to high quartz and feldspar contents. Miyatojima sand samples and Tottori sand samples have high REE contents and show remarkable positive Eu anomalies due to the presence of feldspar. The best results are obtained using all of the geological methods and the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) as a measure of the similarity between sound-producing sand and silent sand. The difference between sound-producing sand and silent sand is obtained from the PCA results.展开更多
This study assessed the treatment of azo dye Acid Orange 7 （AO7） containing wastewater by laboratory-scale up-flow constructed wetland （UFCW） with and without supplementary aeration. The supplementary aeration cou...This study assessed the treatment of azo dye Acid Orange 7 （AO7） containing wastewater by laboratory-scale up-flow constructed wetland （UFCW） with and without supplementary aeration. The supplementary aeration could effectively control the ratio of anaerobic and aerobic zones in the UFCW reactor. The results clearly show the supplementary aeration boosted the biodegradation of organic pollutants and mineralization of intermediate aromatic amines formed by AO7 degradation.展开更多
In this paper,we consider the fuel economy optimization problem for a mild hybrid electric vehicle(HEV)using hierarchical model predictive control.In the proposed algorithm,two problems are addressed:eco-driving and t...In this paper,we consider the fuel economy optimization problem for a mild hybrid electric vehicle(HEV)using hierarchical model predictive control.In the proposed algorithm,two problems are addressed:eco-driving and torque distribution.In the eco-driving problem,vehicle speed was controlled.Considering the reduction in fuel consumption and NOx emissions,the torque required to follow the target speed was calculated.Subsequently,in the torque distribution problem,the distribution between the engine and motor torques were calculated.In this phase,engine characteristics were considered.These problems differ in terms of time scales;therefore,a hierarchical model predictive control is proposed.Lastly,the numerical simulation results demonstrated the efficacy of this research.展开更多
Human skin is the largest organ and also the main barrier that prevents foreign substances from entering the body.The surface properties of the skin are relevant for transdermal drug delivery and cosmetics.Yucatan mic...Human skin is the largest organ and also the main barrier that prevents foreign substances from entering the body.The surface properties of the skin are relevant for transdermal drug delivery and cosmetics.Yucatan micropig skin is used as a substitute for human skin.A microplasma electrode is used for surface modification of the skin epidermal layer of the Yucatan micropig.Microplasma dielectric barrier discharge has a thin dielectric as a barrier (~50 μm) and a frequency of 25 kHz.The surface properties of the epidermal layer were characterized by the measurement of the contact angle of the water droplet.The effects of different gases such as air,nitrogen,oxygen,helium or argon were compared.The change of the contact angle is temporal and it is returned to its initial state after several hours.Among the gases used for plasma ignition,oxygen and argon were the most effective for skin treatment.The distance of the skin from the electrode and the treatment time played a crucial roles in the increasing water contact angle.Changes of surface atomic concentration were determined by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.After microplasma treatment,the oxygen and nitrogen concentration increased at the skin surface.展开更多
The fundamental experiments were performed to establish the operational conditions required to prepare the microcapsules containing paraffin wax as a phase change material (PCM) and SiC powder with the interfacial pol...The fundamental experiments were performed to establish the operational conditions required to prepare the microcapsules containing paraffin wax as a phase change material (PCM) and SiC powder with the interfacial polycondensation reaction. It was investigated how SiC powder affected a few characteristics of microcapsules such as the diameters of microcapsules, latent heat storage density, thermal responsibility and supercooling. In the experiment, the concentration of oil soluble surfactant, the revolution speed of impeller for preparing the (O/W) emulsion and the added weight of SiC powder were changed stepwise. The microcapsules containing PCM in which SiC powder was dispersed could be prepared well and characterized. The diameters of microcapsules increased by containing SiC powder and the content of SiC powder could be increased by performing surface modification of SiC powder. Latent heat storage density decreased with the content of SiC powder. Supercooling of PCM and thermal responsibility could be improved to some degree by containing SiC powder.展开更多
We investigated the relationships between the existence of exercise partners and exercise habits among Japanese university students. Subjects were 650 university students (539 males, 111 females;age range 18 - 27 year...We investigated the relationships between the existence of exercise partners and exercise habits among Japanese university students. Subjects were 650 university students (539 males, 111 females;age range 18 - 27 years). They responded to an anonymous questionnaire asking about current and past exercise habits, preference for exercise (i.e., like or dislike of exercise), and the existence of one or more exercise partners. In the results, the existence of exercise partners had a significant association with exercise habits at each school stage in both genders. Exercise preference had a significant association with exercise habits during high school in both genders;during primary and middle school, however, this association was significant only in males. In males, exercise habits and the preference for exercising in high school affected current exercise habits. In females, only exercise habits in high school affected current exercise habits. Our results suggest that the existence of one or more exercise partners is important for the practice of exercise, as well as the preference for exercise. They also suggest that continuity of exercise habits is different between males and females.展开更多
It was tried to microencapsulate camellia oil using heterocoagulation between fatty acid dissolved in camellia oil and chitosan dissolved in the continuous water phase. Oleic acid as a fatty acid was dissolved in came...It was tried to microencapsulate camellia oil using heterocoagulation between fatty acid dissolved in camellia oil and chitosan dissolved in the continuous water phase. Oleic acid as a fatty acid was dissolved in camellia oil in order to certainly form the microcapsule shell made from oleic acid and chitosan. The microcapsules were observed with optical microscope and characterized about the diameters, ζ-potential, FTIR analysis and adhesion feature on human hair. Microcapsules with the mean diameter in the range from ca. 1.5 μm to 4.5 μm could be prepared with the preparation method presented in this study. The oil droplets of camellia oil charged negatively to be -54.6 mV and the microcapsules charged positively to be 59.6 mV. The microcapsules adhered well on the negatively charged human hair and were kept stably before and after drying at room temperature for 24 h and blowing.展开更多
The fracture toughness of extruded Mg-1Zn-2Y(at.%)alloys,featuring a multimodal microstructure containing fine dynamically recrystallized(DRXed)grains with random crystallographic orientation and coarse-worked grains ...The fracture toughness of extruded Mg-1Zn-2Y(at.%)alloys,featuring a multimodal microstructure containing fine dynamically recrystallized(DRXed)grains with random crystallographic orientation and coarse-worked grains with a strong fiber texture,was investigated.The DRXed grains comprised randomly oriented equiaxedα-Mg grains.In contrast,the worked grains includedα-Mg and long-period stacking ordered(LPSO)phases that extended in the extrusion direction(ED).Both types displayed a strong texture,aligning the(10.10)direction parallel to the ED.The volume fractions of the DRXed and worked grains were controlled by adjusting the extrusion temperature.In the longitudinal-transverse(L-T)orientation,where the loading direction was aligned parallel to the ED,there was a tendency for the conditional fracture toughness,KQ,tended to increase as the volume fraction of the worked grains increased.However,the KQ values in the T-L orientation,where the loading direction was perpendicular to the ED,decreased with an increase in the volume fraction of the worked grains.This suggests strong anisotropy in the fracture toughness of the specimen with a high volume fraction of the worked grains,relative to the test direction.The worked grains,which included the LPSO phase and were elongated perpendicular to the initial crack plane,suppressed the straight crack extension,causing crack deflection,and generating secondary cracks.Thus,these worked grains significantly contributed to the fracture toughness of the extruded Mg-1Zn-2Y alloys in the L-T orientation.展开更多
文摘The original online version of this article (Kitadokoro, K., Matsui, S., Osokoshi, R., Nakata, K. and Kamitani, S. (2018) Expression, Purification and Crystallization of Thermostable Mutant of Cutinase Est1 from Thermobifida alba. Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology, 9, 215-223. https://doi.org/10.4236/abb.2018.95015) unfortunately contains some mistakes. The author wishes to correct the errors.
文摘Background Three-dimensional terrain models are essential in domains such as video game development and film production.Because surface color is often correlated with terrain geometry,capturing this relationship is critical for generating realistic results.However,most existing methods synthesize either a heightmap or a texture without adequately modeling their inherent correlation.Methods We propose a method that jointly generates terrain heightmaps and textures using a latent diffusion model.First,we train the model in an unsupervised manner to randomly generate paired heightmaps and textures.Then,we perform supervised learning on an external adapter to enable user control via hand-drawn sketches.Results Experiments demonstrate that our approach supports intuitive terrain generation while preserving the correlation between heightmaps and textures.Conclusion Our method outperforms the two-stage and GAN-based baselines by ensuring structural coherence,in which textures naturally align with geometry,successfully accommodating both realistic landscapes and extreme user-defined shapes.
基金supported by JST Grant Number JPMJPF2104,Japan.Az Zahra and Alahakoon gratefully acknowledge MEXT of Japan for the scholarship.
文摘The thermal conversion process known as biomass gasification has the potential to produce environmentally friendly fuels such as hydrogen.However,tar generation during the gasification remains an issue,affecting operational efficiency and environmental health.Biochar has been confirmed as an inexpensive and efficient catalyst for tar removal.The challenge lies in creating a highly reactive biochar which can be applied for different types of biomass with varying properties.This review discusses the factors that affect biochar’s reactivity as a catalyst for tar reforming.Additionally,incorporating biochar into a gasification scenario with raw biomass offers a practical solution by leveraging the synergistic behavior.However,this synergy could be either positive or negative:the positive synergy enhances tar removal while the negative synergy has the opposite effect.The numerous factors affecting the results of gasification are presented in this review.It is concluded that the positive synergistic effect resulted from the balance between the available reactants from biomass and biochar,the optimal gas flowrate and the active sites on the carbon surface.Understanding these interactions is crucial for optimizing biochar performance for tar removal.Ultimately,this research provides insights into biochar’s role in biomass gasification and suggests improvements for future studies to enhance the feasibility of biomass gasification with the assistance of biochar.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32300370, 32200363)International Partnership Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (071GJHZ2023041MI),Biological Resources Programme, Chinese Academy of Sciences (KFJ-BRP-017-65, KFJ-BRP017-086, CAS-TAX-24-051, CAS-TAX-24-052)+2 种基金China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2023M743416)Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Province (No. 2023NSFSC1155)partially supported by the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (CT0000.03/25-27) to NTT。
文摘The Tien's Mountain Stream Snake,Opisthotropis daovantieni Orlov, Darevsky, and Murphy, 1998, has been represented solely by its type series, with no additional specimens reported in the past two decades. As a result, limited data exist and O. daovantieni remains one of the least studied members of its genus. Based on a re-examination of the type series, analysis of newly collected topotypic specimens, and a review of museum collections, this study provides an updated and comprehensive morphological characterization of O. daovantieni including detailed descriptions of hemipenial morphology, revised diagnostic characters,phylogenetic positioning, and ecological insights.Based on morphological comparisons with congeners, we also define the informal Opisthotropis spenceri group to facilitate future taxonomic work. In addition, this study documents a previously unreported defensive behavior involving tail-poking,observed in the field and thus far unique within the genus Opisthotropis.
基金supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science(JSPS)Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research(C)23K03898.
文摘Traffic at urban intersections frequently encounters unexpected obstructions,resulting in congestion due to uncooperative and priority-based driving behavior.This paper presents an optimal right-turn coordination system for Connected and Automated Vehicles(CAVs)at single-lane intersections,particularly in the context of left-hand side driving on roads.The goal is to facilitate smooth right turns for certain vehicles without creating bottlenecks.We consider that all approaching vehicles share relevant information through vehicular communications.The Intersection Coordination Unit(ICU)processes this information and communicates the optimal crossing or turning times to the vehicles.The primary objective of this coordination is to minimize overall traffic delays,which also helps improve the fuel consumption of vehicles.By considering information from upcoming vehicles at the intersection,the coordination system solves an optimization problem to determine the best timing for executing right turns,ultimately minimizing the total delay for all vehicles.The proposed coordination system is evaluated at a typical urban intersection,and its performance is compared to traditional traffic systems.Numerical simulation results indicate that the proposed coordination system significantly enhances the average traffic speed and fuel consumption compared to the traditional traffic system in various scenarios.
基金under the auspices of the Chinese National Key Programme for Developing Basic Sciences (2010CB951703)the Chinese National Key Programme for Developing Basic Sciences (2005CB422003)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41175008, 40810059006 and 40675012)
文摘In this paper, based on in-situ observational data of the Coordinated Enhanced Observing Period （CEOP） Asia-Australia Monsoon Project （CAMP） on the Tibetan＇Plateau （CAMP-Tibet）, structure of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer （ABL） was preliminarily studied during the dry and rainy seasons. The main results show： （a） Diurnal variation of the ABL is obvious over the northern Tibetan Plateau area. The height of the ABL is different with the season change, which ranges from 2,211 m to 4,430 m during the pre-monsoon season and from 1,006 m to 2,212 m during the monsoon season. The ABL height is higher during the dry period than during the rainyigeriod. （b） The humidity is lower during the dry period than during the rainy period, and there are reverse humidity during both periods. （c） Horizontal wind direction is mostly west during the dry period, east under the height of 2,500 m and west above the height of 2,500 m during the rainy period. The wind speed is low during both the rainy and dry periods in the lower ABL layer. The wind speed is stronger within the upper ABL during the dry period than dtn-ing the rainy period.
基金supported by PPR2/2016/42 project(CNRST Morocco)KAKENHI Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research(A)(15H02486)from Japan Society for the Promotion of Sciences+1 种基金Strategic International Collaborative Research Program by the Japan Science and Technology Agency(JPMJSC16C5)Grant for Promotion of KAAB Projects(Niigata University)from the Ministry of Education,Culture,Sports,Science,and Technology,Japan。
文摘Assisted natural remediation(ANR)has been highlighted as a promising,less expensive,and environmentally friendly solution to remediate soil contaminated with heavy metals.We tested the effects of three amendments(10%compost,C;5 or 15%phosphate sludge,PS5 and PS15;and 5 or 15%marble waste,MW5 and MW15)in combination with microorganism inoculation(rhizobacteria consortium alone,mycorrhizae alone,and the two incombination)on alfalfa in contaminated soil.Plant concentrations of Zn,Cu,and Pb were measured,along with proline and malondialdehyde production.The microbiological and physicochemical properties of the mining soil were evaluated.Application of the amendments allowed germination and promoted growth.Inoculation with the rhizobacteria consortium and/or mycorrhizae stimulated plant growth.PS and MW stimulated the production of proline.Inoculation of alfalfa with the rhizobacteria-mycorrhizae mixture and the application of MW allowed the safe cultivation of the legume,as shown by the low concentrations of metals in plant shoots.Zn and Pb concentrations were below the limits recommended for animal grazing and accumulated essentially in roots.Soil analyses showed the positive effect of the amendments on the soil physicochemical properties.All treatments increased soil p H(around 7),total organic carbon,and assimilable phosphorus content.Notably,an important decrease in soluble heavy metals concentrations was observed.Overall,our findings revealed that the applied treatments reduced the risk of metal-polluted soils limiting plant growth.The ANR has great potential for success in the restoration of polymetallic and acidic mining soils using the interaction between alfalfa,microorganisms,and organomineral amendments.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 40839903 and 40921062)the "111" Project (No. B08030)the Niigata University’s Scholarship Program for graduate school students conducting research abroad
文摘The Gujingling （古井岭） Section in Xiaodong （小董）, Guangxi （广西） Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, consists of cherts and siliceous siltstones, which belongs to the Bancheng （板城）Formation of the Qinzhou （钦州） allochthon. Three successive radiolarian assemblage-zones related to the Guadalupian （Middle Permian） appear in the section in the following ascending order： Pseudoalbaillella sp. aff. Pseudoaibailleila longicornis-Pseudoalbaillella fusiformis, Follicucuilus monacanthus, and Follicucuilus scholasticus-Foilicucullus porrectus. The radiolarian content in this section is generally greater than that of sponge spicules. The radiolarian fauna commonly consists of abundant Albaillellaria and spherical radiolaria with minor Latentifistularia and Entactinaria. The sponge fauna is composed mainly of hexactinellids with minor demosponges. These siliceous fossil faunal features, comparable with those in a deep basin of the western belt of the Phosphoria Basin in the western United States, indicate that the Bancheng Formation in the Gujingling Section was deposited in a basin deeper than 1 000 m. The siliceous siltstones in the section are characterized by inclusion of silt-sized quartz and no inclusion of sand-sized materials, suggesting that the Gujingling Section was located at least a few hundred kilometers from the South China Block in the Guadalupian.
文摘Bacillus pumilus X-6-9 isolated from soil and subsequently identified, produced xylooligosaccharides with long chains from xylan and accumulated them in the culture. By improving the culture conditions and mutating the bacterium, a 3.2-fold increase in the production of the xylooligosaccharides was established, when compared to the original culture conditions of B. pumilus X-6-19. The addition of D-glucose to the culture of the mutant strain U-3 of B. pumilus X-6-9 repressed the synthesis of β-xylosidase, but not xylanase. Thus, it was revealed that strain U-3 was a good organism for the production and accumulation of xylooligosaccharides with long chains from xylan by a microbial culture. Xylanase produced by strain U-3 was purified to homogeneity and characterized. The hydrolyzates generated by the purified xylanase contained xylobiose, xylotriose, xylotetraose, and xylopentaose, but not xylose.
基金Project supported by Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology(VAST03.03/18-19)
文摘The luminescent rare earth(RE)complex based multifunctional nanocomposites offer new potential applications of multimodal imaging(magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),fluorescent bioimaging,etc.)that can be associated with therapeutic activities.In this study,we report some results obtained with novel multifunctional Fe3O4/Si-amine/Eu(NTA)3 nanocomposites that are composed of europium(Ⅲ)complex with 1-(2-naphthoyl)-3,3,3-trifluoroacetone ligands(NTA)(Eu(NTA)3)and superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles.These nanocomposites were functionalized with an amine group for biomedicine application.The multifunctional Fe3O4/Si-amine/Eu(NTA)3 nanocomposites exhibit both good magnetic behavior of Fe3O4 nanoparticles as a core and strong fluorescent property of europium(Ⅲ)complex.Their characterizations were analyzed by XRD,SEM,EDX and FTIR spectra.The optical properties were studied in detail by UV-VIS spectra and luminescent emission spectra.The magnetic property was estimated by VMS.The effect of concentrations of luminescent Eu(NTA)3 complex on luminescent and magnetic properties is discussed.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 21868012 and 21968009)Jiangxi Provincial Department of Science and Technology (20171BCB24005, 20181ACH80003, 20192ACB80003 and 20192BBH80024)。
文摘Growth process of the NaY zeolite membranes was investigated by fluoride-containing precursor synthesis gel.Compared with the fluoride-free precursor synthesis gel,the irregular NaY zeolite crystals were dissolved into amorphous by the fluoride-containing precursor synthesis gel initially,the amorphous contained the Y-type zeolite characteristic bands by the IR characterization.The fine square NaY zeolite crystals arose from the amorphous,which were accumulated and gradually grew into a dense NaY zeolite layer on the support surface after 6.5 h.Because the excessive NaY zeolites were dissolved by the strong alkaline and fluoride-containing precursor synthesis gel,there was plenty of amorphous on NaY zeolites layer for prolonging the crystallization time.The assynthesized NaY zeolite membranes had a good separation performance and repeatability for separation of 10 wt%methanol(MeOH)/methyl methacrylate(MMA) mixture by pervaporation,the flux and separation factor were(1.27 ± 0.07) kg·M^(-2)·h^(-1) and(4900 ± 1500) at 323 K,respectively.Besides,the NaY zeolite membranes were applied to separate the other short chain alcohol from the various alcohol/organic ester and alcohol/organic ether mixtures,the NaY zeolite membranes showed high short chain alcohol perm-selectivity.
基金the Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai,China(No.15ZR1428400)Shanghai Engineering Research Center of High-Performance Medical Device Materials,China(No.20DZ2255500)the Project of Creation of Life Innovation Materials for Interdisciplinary and International Researcher Development,Tohoku University,sponsored by Ministry,Education,Culture,Sports,Science and Technology,Japan,and the Grant-in Aid for Scientific Research(C)(No.20K05139)from JSPS(Japan Society for the Promotion of Science),Tokyo,Japan.
文摘Zr was added to Ti−Nb−Fe alloys to develop low elastic modulus and high strengthβ-Ti alloys for biomedical applications.Ingots of Ti−12Nb−2Fe−(2,4,6,8,10)Zr(at.%)were prepared by arc melting and then subjected to homogenization,cold rolling,and solution treatments.The phases and microstructures of the alloys were analyzed by optical microscopy,X-ray diffraction,and transmission electron microscopy.The mechanical properties were measured by tensile tests.The results indicate that Zr and Fe cause a remarkable solid-solution strengthening effect on the alloys;thus,all the alloys show yield and ultimate tensile strengths higher than 510 MPa and 730 MPa,respectively.Zr plays a weak role in the deformation mechanism.Further,twinning occurs in all the deformed alloys and is beneficial to both strength and plasticity.Ti−12Nb−2Fe−(8,10)Zr alloys with metastableβphases show low elastic modulus,high tensile strength,and good plasticity and are suitable candidate materials for biomedical implants.
文摘The major element composition of sound-producing sand is reported together with rare-earth elements (REE) and other selected elements for the first time. Rare-earth element concentrations in beach sands from Miyagi and Tottori in Japan were determined by induction-coupled, argon-plasma spectrometry (ICP-MS) to characterize the REE of sound-producing and silent sands relative to the parental rocks. Sound-producing sand beaches are very common and all over in Japan: five beaches in Miyagi and 2 in Tottori are selected with other silent sand beaches in the areas. Both sound-producing sand and silent sand samples from Miyagi and Tottori contain more than 60wt% of SiO2 and are composed mainly of quartz and feldspar. Miyagi sand samples are characterized by light REE enrichment and flat chondrite-normalized patterns that are similar to those of local source sandstone. However, all sand samples from Miyatojima in Miyagi show positive Eu anomalies, a characteristic feature not shown in other sand samples from Miyagi. Tottori sand samples also are characterized by high REE contents and remarkable positive Eu anomalies. The sands containing lower REE contents are due to high quartz and feldspar contents. Miyatojima sand samples and Tottori sand samples have high REE contents and show remarkable positive Eu anomalies due to the presence of feldspar. The best results are obtained using all of the geological methods and the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) as a measure of the similarity between sound-producing sand and silent sand. The difference between sound-producing sand and silent sand is obtained from the PCA results.
基金supported by a grant-in-aid for scientific research from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science(No.1907086).
文摘This study assessed the treatment of azo dye Acid Orange 7 （AO7） containing wastewater by laboratory-scale up-flow constructed wetland （UFCW） with and without supplementary aeration. The supplementary aeration could effectively control the ratio of anaerobic and aerobic zones in the UFCW reactor. The results clearly show the supplementary aeration boosted the biodegradation of organic pollutants and mineralization of intermediate aromatic amines formed by AO7 degradation.
文摘In this paper,we consider the fuel economy optimization problem for a mild hybrid electric vehicle(HEV)using hierarchical model predictive control.In the proposed algorithm,two problems are addressed:eco-driving and torque distribution.In the eco-driving problem,vehicle speed was controlled.Considering the reduction in fuel consumption and NOx emissions,the torque required to follow the target speed was calculated.Subsequently,in the torque distribution problem,the distribution between the engine and motor torques were calculated.In this phase,engine characteristics were considered.These problems differ in terms of time scales;therefore,a hierarchical model predictive control is proposed.Lastly,the numerical simulation results demonstrated the efficacy of this research.
文摘Human skin is the largest organ and also the main barrier that prevents foreign substances from entering the body.The surface properties of the skin are relevant for transdermal drug delivery and cosmetics.Yucatan micropig skin is used as a substitute for human skin.A microplasma electrode is used for surface modification of the skin epidermal layer of the Yucatan micropig.Microplasma dielectric barrier discharge has a thin dielectric as a barrier (~50 μm) and a frequency of 25 kHz.The surface properties of the epidermal layer were characterized by the measurement of the contact angle of the water droplet.The effects of different gases such as air,nitrogen,oxygen,helium or argon were compared.The change of the contact angle is temporal and it is returned to its initial state after several hours.Among the gases used for plasma ignition,oxygen and argon were the most effective for skin treatment.The distance of the skin from the electrode and the treatment time played a crucial roles in the increasing water contact angle.Changes of surface atomic concentration were determined by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.After microplasma treatment,the oxygen and nitrogen concentration increased at the skin surface.
文摘The fundamental experiments were performed to establish the operational conditions required to prepare the microcapsules containing paraffin wax as a phase change material (PCM) and SiC powder with the interfacial polycondensation reaction. It was investigated how SiC powder affected a few characteristics of microcapsules such as the diameters of microcapsules, latent heat storage density, thermal responsibility and supercooling. In the experiment, the concentration of oil soluble surfactant, the revolution speed of impeller for preparing the (O/W) emulsion and the added weight of SiC powder were changed stepwise. The microcapsules containing PCM in which SiC powder was dispersed could be prepared well and characterized. The diameters of microcapsules increased by containing SiC powder and the content of SiC powder could be increased by performing surface modification of SiC powder. Latent heat storage density decreased with the content of SiC powder. Supercooling of PCM and thermal responsibility could be improved to some degree by containing SiC powder.
文摘We investigated the relationships between the existence of exercise partners and exercise habits among Japanese university students. Subjects were 650 university students (539 males, 111 females;age range 18 - 27 years). They responded to an anonymous questionnaire asking about current and past exercise habits, preference for exercise (i.e., like or dislike of exercise), and the existence of one or more exercise partners. In the results, the existence of exercise partners had a significant association with exercise habits at each school stage in both genders. Exercise preference had a significant association with exercise habits during high school in both genders;during primary and middle school, however, this association was significant only in males. In males, exercise habits and the preference for exercising in high school affected current exercise habits. In females, only exercise habits in high school affected current exercise habits. Our results suggest that the existence of one or more exercise partners is important for the practice of exercise, as well as the preference for exercise. They also suggest that continuity of exercise habits is different between males and females.
文摘It was tried to microencapsulate camellia oil using heterocoagulation between fatty acid dissolved in camellia oil and chitosan dissolved in the continuous water phase. Oleic acid as a fatty acid was dissolved in camellia oil in order to certainly form the microcapsule shell made from oleic acid and chitosan. The microcapsules were observed with optical microscope and characterized about the diameters, ζ-potential, FTIR analysis and adhesion feature on human hair. Microcapsules with the mean diameter in the range from ca. 1.5 μm to 4.5 μm could be prepared with the preparation method presented in this study. The oil droplets of camellia oil charged negatively to be -54.6 mV and the microcapsules charged positively to be 59.6 mV. The microcapsules adhered well on the negatively charged human hair and were kept stably before and after drying at room temperature for 24 h and blowing.
基金supported by the JST CREST for Research Area“Nanomechanics”[JPMJCR2094]the JSPS KAKENHI for Scientific Research B[JP21H01673]the AMADA Foundation[AF-2023044-C2].
文摘The fracture toughness of extruded Mg-1Zn-2Y(at.%)alloys,featuring a multimodal microstructure containing fine dynamically recrystallized(DRXed)grains with random crystallographic orientation and coarse-worked grains with a strong fiber texture,was investigated.The DRXed grains comprised randomly oriented equiaxedα-Mg grains.In contrast,the worked grains includedα-Mg and long-period stacking ordered(LPSO)phases that extended in the extrusion direction(ED).Both types displayed a strong texture,aligning the(10.10)direction parallel to the ED.The volume fractions of the DRXed and worked grains were controlled by adjusting the extrusion temperature.In the longitudinal-transverse(L-T)orientation,where the loading direction was aligned parallel to the ED,there was a tendency for the conditional fracture toughness,KQ,tended to increase as the volume fraction of the worked grains increased.However,the KQ values in the T-L orientation,where the loading direction was perpendicular to the ED,decreased with an increase in the volume fraction of the worked grains.This suggests strong anisotropy in the fracture toughness of the specimen with a high volume fraction of the worked grains,relative to the test direction.The worked grains,which included the LPSO phase and were elongated perpendicular to the initial crack plane,suppressed the straight crack extension,causing crack deflection,and generating secondary cracks.Thus,these worked grains significantly contributed to the fracture toughness of the extruded Mg-1Zn-2Y alloys in the L-T orientation.
