Generation of Linear and Parabolic Concentration Gradients by Using a Christmas Tree-Shaped Microfluidic Network

This paper describes a simple method of generating concentration gradients with linear and parabolic profiles by using a Christmas tree-shaped microfluidic network.The microfluidic gradient generator consists of two parts:a Christmas tree-shaped network for gradient generation and a broad microchannel for detection.A two-dimensional model was built to analyze the flow field and the mass transfer in the microfluidic network.The simulating results show that a series of linear and parabolic gradient profiles were generated via adjusting relative flow rate ratios of the two source solutions(R_L~2≥0.995 and _PR~2≥0.999),which could match well with the experimental results(R_L~2≥0.987 and _PR~2≥0.996).The proposed method is promising for the generation of linear and parabolic concentration gradient profiles,with the potential in chemical and biological applications such as combinatorial chemistry synthesis,stem cell differentiation or cytotoxicity assays.     

Critical Chords of Convex Bodies of Constant Width

In this paper, we show that when Minkowski measure of asymmetry of convex body K of constant width is bigger than α (n-1), K has at least n+1 critical chords, where \(\alpha (n) = \frac{{n + \sqrt {2n(n + 1)} }}{{n + 2}}\).     

Wiener Indices in Random Cyclooctane Chains

The Wiener index of a connected graph (molecule graph) G is the sum of the distances between all pairs of vertices of G. In this paper, simple exact formula are established for the expected value of Wiener index in random cyclooctane chain. Moreover, we obtain the average value of the Wiener indices with respect to the set of all cyclooctane chains with n octagons.     

可迹图的谱半径条件

本文研究的是简单图,它的邻接矩阵是表示顶点之间相邻关系的矩阵,它的最大特征值被定义为图的谱半径。如果图中有一条包含图中所有顶点的路,则称这条路为哈密尔顿路;如果一个图含有哈密顿路,则称该图是可迹图。设图具有最小度条件,本文主要利用图的补图的谱半径给出图是可迹图的充分条件。     

学龄前和学龄期儿童希氏束以上心动过速性心肌病高危因素分析

目的探讨学龄前和学龄期儿童希氏束以上的心动过速(室上性心动过速)与心动过速性心肌病的相关性及高危因素.方法选取室上性心动过速患儿179例,根据心动过速时心功能状态分为心肌病组23例,非心肌病组156例.分析患儿性别、年龄、发作类型、发作频率、持续时间、心室率与心功能损伤的关系和相关高危因素.结果 179例患儿中心动过速性心肌病23例,其中房室折返性、房室结折返性、无明确分类的心肌病分别为7例、10例、6例.房速所致心动过速性心肌病发生率为25.00%(8/32),明显高于阵发性室上性心动过速所致的心肌病发生率10.20%(15/147),差异具有统计学意义(P0.05).心肌病组患儿中房速所占比例、发作持续时间明显高于非心肌病组患儿,发作频率明显低于非心肌病组患儿,差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05).二元Logistic回归分析显示:发作持续时间是心动过速性心肌病的独立影响因素.结论学龄前和学龄期儿童室上性心动过速所致心动过速性心肌病的发生率为12.85%,其中房速所致的心肌病发生率明显高于阵发性室上性心动过速,发作持续时间是唯一高危因素.     

Shear-thickening behavior of Fe-ZSM5 zeolite slurry and its removal with alumina/boehmites

A cryogenic scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM) technique was used to explore the shear-thickening behavior of Fe-ZSM5 zeolite pastes and to discover its underlying mechanism. Bare Fe-ZSM5 zeolite samples were found to contain agglomerations, which may break the flow of the pastes and cause shear-thickening behaviors. However, the shear-thickening behaviors can be eliminated by the addition of halloysite and various boehmites because of improved particle packing. Furthermore, compared with pure Fe-ZSM5 zeolite samples and its composite samples with halloysite, the samples with boehmite (Pural SB or Disperal) additions exhibited network structures in their cryo-SEM images; these structures could facilitate the storage and release of flow water, smooth paste flow, and avoid shear-thickening. By contrast, another boehmite (Versal 250) formed agglomerations rather than network structures after being added to the Fe-ZSM5 zeolite paste and resulted in shear-thickening behavior. Consequently, the results suggest that these network structures play key roles in eliminating the shear-thickening behavior.     

Fabrication of homogeneously dispersed graphene/Al composites by solution mixing and powder metallurgy

Graphene-reinforced aluminum (Al) matrix composites were successfully prepared via solution mixing and powder metallurgy in this study. The mechanical properties of the composites were studied using microhardness and tensile tests. Compared to the pure Al alloy, the graphene/Al composites showed increased strength and hardness. A tensile strength of 255 MPa was achieved for the graphene/Al composite with only 0.3wt% graphene, which has a 25% increase over the tensile strength of the pure Al matrix. Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to investigate the morphologies, chemical compositions, and microstructures of the graphene and the graphene/Al composites. On the basis of fractographic evidence, a relevant fracture mechanism is proposed.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of SiC-particle-strengthening tri-metal Al/Cu/Ni composite produced by accumulative roll bonding process

In this study, a multilayer Al/Ni/Cu composite reinforced with SiC particles was produced using an accumulative roll bonding (ARB) process with different cycles. The microstructure and mechanical properties of this composite were investigated using optical and scanning microscopy and hardness and tensile testing. The results show that by increasing the applied strain, the Al/Ni/Cu multilayer composite converted from layer features to near a particle-strengthening characteristic. After the fifth ARB cycle, a composite with a uniform distribution of reinforcements (Cu, Ni, and SiC) was fabricated. The tensile strength of the composite increased from the initial sandwich structure to the first ARB cycle and then decreased from the first to the third ARB cycle. Upon reaching five ARB cycles, the tensile strength of the composite increased again. The variation in the elongation of the composite exhibited a tendency similar to that of its tensile strength. It is observed that with increasing strain, the microhardness values of the Al, Cu, and Ni layers increased, and that the dominant fracture mechanisms of Al and Cu were dimple formation and ductile fracture. In contrast, brittle fracture in specific plains was the main characteristic of Ni fractures.     

Crystallographic texture and earing behavior analysis for different second cold reductions of double-reduction tinplate

Since the production of tinplate with non-earing properties is difficult, especially when it is produced via the double-reduction process, the optimal degree of second cold reduction is particularly important for achieving desirable drawing properties. The evolution of texture and the earing propensity of double-reduction tinplate with different extents of second reduction were investigated in this study. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to observe the changes in the microstructure at various extents of reduction. Two common testing methods, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron backscatter diffraction, were used to investigate the texture of the specimens, which revealed the effects of deformation percentage on the final texture development and the change in the grain boundary. The earing rate was determined via earing tests involving measurement of the height of any ear. The results obtained from both XRD analyses and earing tests revealed the same ideal value for the second cold reduction on the basis of the relationship between crystallographic texture and the degree of earing.     

Solid-phase synthesis of Cu<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoS<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles for degradation of methyl blue under a halogen-tungsten lamp

The Cu₂MoS₄ nanoparticles were prepared using a relatively simple and convenient solid-phase process, which was applied for the first time. The crystalline structure, morphology, and optical properties of Cu₂MoS₄ nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and UV-vis spectrophotometry. Cu₂MoS₄ nanoparticles having a band gap of 1.66 eV exhibits good photocatalytic activity in the degradation of methylene blue, which indicates that this simple process may be critical to facilitate the cheap production of photocatalysts.