Passive Control Reinforced Concrete Frame Mechanism with High Strength Reinforcements and Its Potential Benefits Against Earthquakes

Introduction In most reinforced concrete (RC) structures, a large stiffness is needed in order to limit structural deforma- tion for service load conditions. In seismic resistant structures, however, the energy dissipation demands are imposed and inelasti…     

Template/surfactant free and UV light irradiation assisted fabrication of Mn-Co oxides composite nanorings: Structure and synthesis mechanism

A facile, green, cost effective, and template or surfactant free strategy via a two-step route i.e. UV irradiation followed by dissolution-growth for the controlled synthesis of Mn-Co composite nanorings at room temperature was proposed. The nanorings structures and the process were systematically studied via TEM, HRTEM, EDX and XRD. Bir-MnO_2 nanosheets first formed through the direct photolysis of KMnO_4 under UV light irradiation. This was followed by a dissolution-growth process via the dissolution of Bir-MnO_2 nanosheets by the generated H~+ from the redox reaction between the added Co(NO_3)_2 and residual KMnO_4, as well as the accompanied formation of CoOOH, and Mn-Co composite nanorings. It was found that a balance between the dissolution and growth rate was needed. Suitable pH, KMnO_4 presence and the starting nanosheets like Bir-MnO_2 were the key factors for the formation of nanorings. The obtained Mn-Co nanorings/TiO_2 showed enhanced efficiency for the catalytic oxidation of HCHO. Based on the above understandings, it is believed that the developed dissolution-growth method can be adopted for the designing and preparation of other Mn-Co composite nanostructures which can be further applied for environmental pollution remediation.     

Proliferation status defines functional properties of endothelial cells

Homeostasis of solid tissue is characterized by a low proliferative activity of differentiated cells while special conditions like tissue damage induce regeneration and proliferation. For some cell types it has been shown that various tissue-specific functions are missing in the proliferating state, raising the possibility that their proliferation is not compatible with a fully differentiated state. While endothelial cells are important players in regenerating tissue as well as in the vascularization of tumors, the impact of proliferation on their features remains elusive. To examine cell features in dependence of proliferation, we established human endothelial cell lines in which proliferation is tightly controlled by a doxycycline-dependent, synthetic regulatory unit. We observed that uptake of macromolecules and establishment of cell–cell contacts was more pronounced in the growth-arrested state. Tube-like structures were formed in vitro in both proliferating and non-proliferating conditions. However, functional vessel formation upon transplantation into immune-compromised mice was restricted to the proliferative state. Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV) infection resulted in reduced expression of endothelial markers. Upon transplantation of infected cells, drastic differences were observed: proliferation arrested cells acquired a high migratory activity while the proliferating counterparts established a tumor-like phenotype, similar to Kaposi Sarcoma lesions. The study gives evidence that proliferation governs endothelial functions. This suggests that several endothelial functions are differentially expressed during angiogenesis. Moreover, since proliferation defines the functional properties of cells upon infection with KSHV, this process crucially affects the fate of virus-infected cells.     

Robust Adaptive Multi-Switching Synchronization of Multiple Different Orders Unknown Chaotic Systems

Multi-switching synchronization(MSS) of multiple different orders unknown chaotic(UC)systems confines hacking in the digital transmission process. Similarly, the suppression of undesirable chattering increases synchronization performance. This paper proposes a new robust synchronization control(RASC) technique and discusses the MSS of multiple different orders UC systems. This controller accomplishes(i) quick convergence,(ii) reduces the transient oscillations, and(iii) the rate of convergence decreases in the vicinity of the origin that causes the suppression of chattering. Analysis based on the Lyapunov direct method assures this convergence behavior with any positive values of the feedback gains. This work also provides parameters updated law that estimates the true values of unknown parameters. Numerical examples of five UC systems different orders are simulated. The computer based graphical results validate the efficiency and performance of the proposed RASC technique and the synchronization strategy when compare to peer works. In the simulation, the proposed synchronization strategy successfully recovers an encrypted received image on a communication channel.The article suggests some future research problems to extend the use of the proposed work.     

Effect of Graphene Nanoplatelets addition on mechanical properties of pure aluminum using a semi-powder method

In recent years, graphene has attracted considerable research interest in all fields of science due to its unique properties. Its excellent mechanical properties lead it to be used in nano-composites for strength enhancement. This paper reports an Aluminum–Graphene Nanoplatelets(Al/GNPs)composite using a semi-powder method followed by hot extrusion. The effect of GNP nano-particle integration on tensile, compressive and hardness response of Al is investigated in this paper. It is demonstrated that 0.3 wt% Graphene Nanoplatelets distributed homogeneously in the matrix aluminum act as an effective reinforcing filler to prevent deformation. Compared to monolithic aluminum(in tension), Al–0.3 wt% GNPs composite exhibited higher 0.2% yield strength(+14.7%), ultimate tensile strength(+11.1%) and lower failure strain( -40.6%). Surprisingly, compared to monolithic Al(in compression), Al–0.3 wt% GNPs composite exhibited same 0.2% compressive yield strength and lower ultimate compression strength(- 7.8%),and lower failure strain(- 20.2%). The Al–0.3 wt% GNPs composite exhibited higher Vickers hardness compared to monolithic aluminum(+11.8%).Scanning electron microscopy(SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy(EDS) and X-ray diffraction(XRD) were used to investigate the surface morphology, elemental percentage composition, and phase analysis, respectively.     

Identification of an S5n allele in Oryza rufipogon Griff. and its effect on embryo sac fertility

Oryza rufipogon exhibits abundant genetic diversity and contains many elite genes. In this work, a total of 441 accessions of O. rufipogon were genetically examined using the functional marker S5n, revealing that 18 accessions carried the S5n allele with a heterozygous genotype (S5nS5i/j). Of these accessions, 14 were from Guangdong Province, 2 from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 1 from Hainan Province and 1 from Jiangxi Province. Further sequence analysis spanning both sides of the deletion in S5n allel...     

Microbial control of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. （Lepidoptera： Yponomeutidae） using bacteria （Xenorhabdus nematophila） and its metabolites from the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae

Cells and cell-free solutions of the culture filtrate of the bacterial symbiont, Xenorhabdus nematophila taken from the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae in aqueous broth suspensions were lethal to larvae of the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella. Their application on leaves of Chinese cabbage indicated that the cells can penetrate into the insects in the absence of the nematode vector. Cell-free solutions containing metabolites were also proved as effective as bacterial cells suspension. The application of aqueous suspensions of cells of X.nematophila or solutions containing its toxic metabolites to the leaves represents a possible new strategy for controlling insect pests on foliage.