Microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of a low-carbon quenching and partitioning steel after partial and full austenitization

In this work, low-carbon steel specimens were subjected to the quenching and partitioning process after being partially or fully austenitized to investigate their microstructural evolution and mechanical properties. According to the results of scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy observations, X-ray diffraction analysis, and tensile tests, upper bainite or tempered martensite appears successively in the microstructure with increasing austenitization temperature or increasing partitioning time. In the partially austenitized specimens, the retained austenite grains are carbon-enriched twice during the heat treatment, which can significantly stabilize the phases at room temperature. Furthermore, after partial austenitization, the specimen exhibits excellent elongation, with a maximum elongation of 37.1%. By contrast, after full austenitization, the specimens exhibit good ultimate tensile strength and high yield strength. In the case of a specimen with a yield strength of 969 MPa, the maximum value of the ultimate tensile strength reaches 1222 MPa. During the partitioning process, carbon partitioning and carbon homogenization within austenite affect interface migration. In addition, the volume fraction and grain size of retained austenite observed in the final microstructure will also be affected.     

The SRA domain of UHRF1 flips 5-methylcytosine out of the DNA helix

Maintenance methylation of hemimethylated CpG dinucleotides at DNA replication forks is the key to faithful mitotic inheritance of genomic methylation patterns. UHRF1 (ubiquitin-like, containing PHD and RING finger domains 1) is required for maintenance methylation by interacting with DNA nucleotide methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), the maintenance methyltransferase, and with hemimethylated CpG, the substrate for DNMT1 (refs 1 and 2). Here we present the crystal structure of the SET and RING-associated (SRA) domain of mouse UHRF1 in complex with DNA containing a hemimethylated CpG site. The DNA is contacted in both the major and minor grooves by two loops that penetrate into the middle of the DNA helix. The 5-methylcytosine has flipped completely out of the DNA helix and is positioned in a binding pocket with planar stacking contacts, Watson-Crick polar hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions specific for 5-methylcytosine. Hence, UHRF1 contains a previously unknown DNA-binding module and is the first example of a non-enzymatic, sequence-specific DNA-binding protein domain to use the base flipping mechanism to interact with DNA.     

Influence of oxygen exposure on instabilities of perfluoropentacene transistor characteristi cs with different gate insulators

Life cycle assessment(LCA) is a technique for systematically analyzing the environmental impacts and resources used throughout a target's life cycle,i.e.from raw material acquisition,via production and use phases,to waste management.It is an effective tool that gives a detailed information of environmental profiles of a material or a product.More importantly,the value of life cycle thinking lies in its ability to provide the decision-making basis for sustainable development,making the products, industrie...     

Effect of lower bainite/martensite/retained austenite triplex microstructure on the mechanical properties of a low-carbon steel with quenching and partitioning process

We present a study concerning Fe–0.176C–1.31Si–1.58Mn–0.26Al–0.3Cr (wt%) steel subjected to a quenching and partitioning (Q&P) process. The results of scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and tensile tests demonstrate that the microstructures primarily consist of lath martensite, retained austenite, lower bainite (LB), and a small amount of tempered martensite; moreover, few twin austenite grains were observed. In the microstructure, three types of retained austenite with different sizes and morphologies were observed: blocky retained austenite (~300 nm in width), film-like retained austenite (80–120 nm in width), and ultra- fine film-like retained austenite (30–40 nm in width). Because of the effect of the retained austenite/martensite/LB triplex microstructure, the specimens prepared using different quenching temperatures exhibit high ultimate tensile strength and yield strength. Furthermore, the strength effect of LB can partially counteract the decreasing strength effect of martensite. The formation of LB substantially reduces the amount of retained austenite. Analyses of the retained austenite and the amount of blocky retained austenite indicated that the carbon content is critical to the total elongation of Q&P steel.     

城市近郊林的减少率预测及保护对策

利用日本神奈川县1960-1995年的林业统计资料、农林业普查数据和森林面积与人口数量关系的数学模型,对该区域森林面积的减少趋势进行了分析.结果表明:随着人口的增加,居民人均森林面积在逐渐减少.在人口增加10%的情况下,该区36个市、镇、村的人均森林面积减少率分布为1%～92%.大部分市、镇、村的可决系数(r2)都在0.9以上.根据森林面积减少率的不同和政府财力的差异,笔者提出了通过政府购买,实现国有化、公有化,以及对土地开发行为进行长期监控,降低成本等对城市近郊林的保护对策.