Effects of Cr and Mo elements on the microstructures and compressive properties of the in situ (TiC_xN_y–TiB_2)/Ni cermets

In-situ(TiC_xN_y–TiB_2)/Ni cermets with 70 wt%TiC_xN_y–TiB_2 were successfully fabricated by combustion synthesis and hot pressing sintering in Ni-Ti-B_4C-BN powder systems.The microstructures,density,compressive properties,and hardness of the TiC_xN_y–TiB_2/Ni cermets with the addition of 0–8 wt%Cr/Mo to the Ni-Ti-B_4C-BN powder systems were compared and analysed.The results showed that the ceramic particles distributed uniformly in the cermets,and the size of the ceramic particles reduced with the Cr/Mo addition.Both Cr and Mo addition can improve the hardness,compressive properties,and fracture strains of the cermets.The hardness,compressive strength,and fracture strain of the(TiC_xN_y–TiB_2)/(Ni+Cr)cermets increased from 1561 HV,2.94 GPa,and 2.9%to 1864 HV,3.65 GPa,and 3.4%,respectively when the Cr content increased to 5 wt%.The hardness and compressive strength of the(TiC_xN_y–TiB_2)/(Ni+Mo)cermets increased from 1561 HV and 2.94 GPa to 1902 HV and 3.43 GPa,respectively when the Mo content increased to 8 wt%.The cermets with Cr had better compressive properties than the cermets with Mo.     

Eustigmaeus floridensis sp. nov., a new mite species of the genus Eustigmaeus Berlese, 1910 (Acari: Stigmaeidae) from citrus in Florida

Eustigmaeus floridensis sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on female specimens collected from citrus trees in Florida, USA. The new species is closely related to Eustigmaeus arcuata, Eustigmaeus segnis and Eustigmaeus microsegnis, all known to occur in Florida. Eustigmaeus floridensis sp. nov. can be distinguished by larger dimples associated with setae sce, d₂ and e₁ containing at least four or more vacuoles centrally; dorsal body setae broadly lanceolate and feather-like, except c₂, which is slender; anogenital area with striae and one pair of serrated aggenital (ag1) and three pairs of serrated pseudanal (ps_1?3) setae. A key to the Eustigmaeus species known to occur across USA is also provided.     

Systemic Design for Applying the Combined Use of SSM and CDA to Social Practices

In this paper, we propose a framework for applying the combined use of soft systems methodology (SSM) and critical discourse analysis (CDA) based on social semiotic systemic functional linguistics to social practices. In the social practice, ‘participation’ mode of Checkland’s SSM is used for ‘problem-solving’ whilst CDA is used to problematize ‘problem-solving’ processes within the practice. During the meta-process of problematization of our research, we used Churchman’s systems approach and its theory of ‘boundary critique’ in order to explore issues such as governance, inequality of power, and social values within the organization examined for this study. In other words, the process-oriented methodology proposed in this paper consists of two processes: that of ‘problem-solving’ based on SSM and of problematization of naturalized discourse from the perspective of CDA and two phases of boundary critique in social practice. A detailed account of a case study of Korean social enterprise is given to demonstrate how our proposed framework of the combined use of SSM and CDA is applied into practice. Reflecting the outcome of the case study, this paper argues that critical social research from systemic inquiry using what we call ‘process-oriented methodology’ is useful to address some of the social and complex issues related to understanding dynamic relation between power and discourse amongst participants in the social enterprise in Korean contexts.     

Phospholipid flippases attenuate LPS-induced TLR4 signaling by mediating endocytic retrieval of Toll-like receptor 4

P4-ATPases are lipid flippases that catalyze the transport of phospholipids to create membrane phospholipid asymmetry and to initiate the biogenesis of transport vesicles. Here we show, for the first time, that lipid flippases are essential to dampen the inflammatory response and to mediate the endotoxin-induced endocytic retrieval of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in human macrophages. Depletion of CDC50A, the β-subunit that is crucial for the activity of multiple P4-ATPases, resulted in endotoxin-induced hypersecretion of proinflammatory cytokines, enhanced MAP kinase signaling and constitutive NF-κB activation. In addition, CDC50A-depleted THP-1 macrophages displayed reduced tolerance to endotoxin. Moreover, endotoxin-induced internalization of TLR4 was strongly reduced and coincided with impaired endosomal MyD88-independent signaling. The phenotype of CDC50A-depleted cells was also induced by separate knockdown of two P4-ATPases, namely ATP8B1 and ATP11A. We conclude that lipid flippases are novel elements of the innate immune response that are essential to attenuate the inflammatory response, possibly by mediating endotoxin-induced internalization of TLR4.     

Electric charge in hyperbolic motion: the early history

The study of an electric charge in hyperbolic motion is an important aspect of Minkowski’s geometrical formulation of electrodynamics. In “Space and Time”, his last publication before his premature death, Minkowski gives a brief geometrical recipe for calculating the four-force with which an electric charge acts on another electric charge. The subsequent work of Born, Sommerfeld, Laue, and Pauli filled in the missing derivation details. Here, we bring together these early contributions, in an effort to provide a more modern, accessible, and unified exposition of the early history of the electric charge in hyperbolic motion.

     

三角网格模型五轴加工刀轴矢量调整及优化

为消除全局干涉,提出了一种基于K-D树及刀具离散的高效刀轴矢量调整算法.算法首先以有限个点离散表示刀具,然后利用K-D树快速查找刀具的可能干涉点,并在此基础上计算调整后的刀轴矢量.为避免过大的刀轴矢量突变,提出一种分角度区域方法优化刀轴矢量.实例验证表明:算法能够高效实现全局干涉避免及刀轴矢量优化.     

互动式教学法和微信订阅号在分子生物学教学改革中的应用

应用型人才培养是地方本科高校转型发展的目的.针对分子生物学课程内容抽象和体系庞杂的特点,在教学中恰当引入互动式教学法(基于问题的教学法、案例教学法和主题探讨法).知识获取方法的改革能更好地培养学生的创新思维和实践能力,从而提高他们解决实际问题的能力.课堂上穿插介绍微信订阅号,使学生在课余能够巩固知识和紧跟产业发展,并将专业技能与岗位要求对接.教学改革有效改善了教学效果,充分体现了适需致用人才培养的内涵.     

基于正交试验设计的区间数立体决策方法

为了减少决策信息损失,针对区间数决策问题,提出了一种立体决策方法。将m维区间数决策向量看作具有2m个顶点的超矩形。利用Ls(2m)正交表在超矩形上均匀、分散地选取s个顶点代表该超矩形,再根据不同超矩形对应顶点之间的相对熵度量超矩形之间的差异,最后利用各决策方案同理想解的贴近度进行决策方案排序。实例验证表明该文方法有效、可行。由于选取了多个多维实数点代表区间数决策向量,在丰富了决策信息的同时也增加了计算量。