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We investigate the defect structures around a spherical colloidal particle in a cholesteric liquid crystal using spectral method, which is specially devised to cope with the inhomogeneity of the cholesteric at infinity. We pay particular attention to the cholesteric counterparts of nematic metastable configurations. When the spherical colloidal particle imposes strong homeotropic anchoring on its surface, besides the well-known twisted Saturn ring, we find another metastable defect configuration, which corresponds to the dipole in a nematic, without outside confinement. This configuration is energetically preferable to the twisted Saturn ring when the particle size is large compared to the nematic coherence length and small compared to the cholesteric pitch. When the colloidal particle imposes strong planar anchoring, we find the cholesteric twist can result in a split of the defect core on the particle surface similar to that found in a nematic liquid crystal by lowering temperature or increasing particle size.

We analyze in this paper the pressure splitting scheme of a partitioned semi-implicit coupling algorithm for fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulation. The semi-implicit coupling algorithm is developed on the ground of the artificial compressibility characteristic-based split (AC-CBS) scheme that serves not only for the fluid subsystem but also for the global FSI system. As the dual-time stepping procedure recommended for quasi-incompressible flows is incorporated into the implicit coupling stage, the fluctuating pressure may be unusually susceptible to the AC coefficient. Moreover, it is not trivial to devise an optimal AC formulation for pressure estimation. Instead, we consider a stabilized second-order pressure splitting scheme in the AC-CBS-based partitioned semi-implicit coupling algorithm. Computer simulation of a benchmark FSI experiment demonstrates that good agreement is exposed between the available and present data.

Bacillary dysentery continues to be a major health issue in developing countries and ambient temperature is a possible environmental determinant. However, evidence about the risk of bacillary dysentery attributable to ambient temperature under climate change scenarios is scarce. We examined the attributable fraction (AF) of temperature-related bacillary dysentery in urban and rural Hefei, China during 2006–2012 and projected its shifting pattern under climate change scenarios using a distributed lag non-linear model. The risk of bacillary dysentery increased with the temperature rise above a threshold (18·4 °C), and the temperature effects appeared to be acute. The proportion of bacillary dysentery attributable to hot temperatures was 18·74% (95 empirical confidence interval (eCI): 8·36–27·44%). Apparent difference of AF was observed between urban and rural areas, with AF varying from 26·87% (95% eCI 16·21–36·68%) in urban area to −1·90% (95 eCI −25·03 to 16·05%) in rural area. Under the climate change scenarios alone (1–4 °C rise), the AF from extreme hot temperatures (>31·2 °C) would rise greatly accompanied by the relatively stable AF from moderate hot temperatures (18·4–31·2 °C). If climate change proceeds, urban area may be more likely to suffer from rapidly increasing burden of disease from extreme hot temperatures in the absence of effective mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Phase stability, elastic, and thermodynamic properties of (Co,Ni)3(Al,Mo,Nb) with the L12 structure have been investigated by first-principles calculations. Calculated phonon density of states show that (Co,Ni)3(Al,Mo,Nb) is dynamically stable, and calculated elastic constants indicate that (Co,Ni)3(Al,Mo,Nb) possesses intrinsic ductility. Young’s and shear moduli of the simulated polycrystalline (Co,Ni)3(Al,Mo,Nb) phase are calculated using the Voigt–Reuss–Hill approach and are found to be smaller than those of Co3(Al,W). Calculated electronic density of states depicts covalent-like bonding existing in (Co,Ni)3(Al,Mo,Nb). Temperature-dependent thermodynamic properties of (Co,Ni)3(Al,Mo,Nb) can be described satisfactorily using the Debye–Grüneisen approach, including heat capacity, entropy, enthalpy, and linear thermal expansion coefficient. Predicted heat capacity, entropy, and linear thermal expansion coefficient of (Co,Ni)3(Al,Mo,Nb) show significant change as a function of temperature. Furthermore the obtained data can be used in the modeling of thermodynamic and mechanical properties of Co-based alloys to enable the design of high temperature alloys.

A series of oxidation experiments were carried out on these novel γ/γ′-strengthened cobalt-based alloys of the systems Co–9Al–10W and Co–9Al–10W–0.02X (X = La, Ce, Dy, Y) at 900 °C. The appropriate amounts’ addition of rare earth elements leads to improved oxidation properties at 900 °C, especially La elements show the best oxidation resistance (129.008 mg/cm2). However, the base Co–9Al–10W alloy shows the worst oxidation performance (151.544 mg/cm2). Multilayer oxide layers formed during the oxidation process, the outer were mainly CoO and Co3O4 oxides, and the middle layer contained complex oxides (containing Co, Al, and W). The inner layer consists of little discontinuous oxides, included few Al2O3 oxides. There existed a different crack width and the base alloy had the widest crack. Moreover, there exists a phase transformation (γ/γ′ to γ/Co3W) at the interface between oxide film and substrate.

The paper provides a review of the subfamily Panchaetothripinae (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in China, including descriptions of two new species: Helionothrips rugatus Mirab-balou and Tong new species and Panchaetothrips bifurcus Mirab-balou and Tong new species. Rhipiphorothrips concoloratus Zhang and Tong, originally described in Chinese, is re-described based on type specimens. Identification keys to 13 genera and 32 species of Chinese panchaetothripine are presented.

The isothermal oxidation experiments were carried out on several new γ/γ′-strengthened cobalt-base alloys Co–Al–W–4Cr–0.02X (X = La, Ce, Dy, Y) at 900 and 800 °C. Due to an appropriate content of additional elements, the change in the morphology occurred and it significantly improved the oxidation resistance compared with those without Cr, among which the one with La elements shows the best oxidation resistance. Multiple oxide layers are also formed during the oxidation process, with CoWO4 and CoAl2O4 phases in the outer layer, and Cr, Al, W, and Co (e.g., Cr2O3) in the middle layer. The inner layer consists of some Al2O3 oxides, while more protective Al2O3 oxide was formed, esp. at the temperature of 800 °C. Both Cr2O3 and Al2O3 oxides were effectively protective oxides, which can prevent the intrusion of oxygen into the alloy substrate. Moreover, a phase transformation (γ/γ′ to γ/Co3W) was observed at the interface between oxide layer and substrate.

The effect of Ta concentration on the fundamental mechanical properties of W–Ta alloys has been studied from first principles study. The lattice constants, the cell volumes, and the formation energies of the W1−xTax (x = 0.0625, 0.125, 0.1875, 0.25, 0.3125, 0.5, 0.5625, 0.625, 0.75) alloys were calculated. It is shown that Ta alloying in bcc W lattice is an infinite solid solution and the W0.5Ta0.5 have the lowest formation energy. With the optimized geometry and lattice, the elastic constants are calculated and then the elastic moduli and other mechanical parameters are derived. Results show that although the mechanical strength of the W–Ta alloys is lower than that of pure W metal, it is much higher than that of pure Ta metal. On the other hand, the B/G ratio and the Poisson's ratio of the W–Ta alloys is much higher than that of pure W, and even higher than that of pure Ta, indicating that Ta alloying can improve the ductility of bcc W substantially.

In this paper, the recent studies of laboratory astrophysics with strong magnetic fields in China have been reviewed. On the Shenguang-II laser facility of the National Laboratory on High-Power Lasers and Physics, a laser-driven strong magnetic field up to 200 T has been achieved. The experiment was performed to model the interaction of solar wind with dayside magnetosphere. Also the low beta plasma magnetic reconnection (MR) has been studied. Theoretically, the model has been developed to deal with the atomic structures and processes in strong magnetic field. Also the study of shock wave generation in the magnetized counter-streaming plasmas is introduced.

Ti–47Al–1.0W–0.5Si (at.%) alloy was directionally solidified in the range of growth rate (V) (V = 3–100 μm/s) at a constant temperature gradient (G = 18 K/mm). It was found that α phase was the primary phase of the alloy. Both primary dendritic arm spacing (λ) and interlamellar spacing (λs) decreased with increase of the growth rate (V) according to the relationship of λ ∝ V−0.356 and λs ∝ V−0.49, respectively. The Solidification segregation occurred since the enrichment of the solute element W in primary α phase during solidification. The degree of the segregation increased with the increase of the growth rate (V). The results also revealed that the lamellar orientation was not always perpendicular to the growth direction (GD) because the GD of primary α dendritic deviated from the preferred $\left\langle {0001} \right\rangle$ direction. The microhardness increased with increasing growth rate (V) according to HV ∝ 289.5V0.12 because of the microstructure refinement.

Nanoporous carbon monoliths with different pore structures were obtained by carbonizing cured phenol–formaldehyde (PF) resin/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) blends. The effect of the molecular weight of PMMA, reaction activity of PF, and content ratio of compositions on the pore structure of carbon monoliths was systematically investigated, with emphasis on controlling the morphology of the nanostructure and pore size distribution. Nanostructures were an important factor in determining the compressive strength of porous carbon monoliths. The relationship between the nanoporous structure of carbon monoliths and compressive strength was revealed. Co-continuous pores provided escape channels for those volatile gases produced in the carbonization process to escape, reducing inner stress of the carbon materials. During compressive loading, co-continuous pores could also help to scatter and absorb the stress and energy. Porous carbon monoliths with a compressive strength of 34 MPa were obtained, and the compressive strength increased by 580% compared with that of carbon monoliths obtained from pure PF.

In this paper we present a fully discrete A-ø finite element method to solve Maxwell’s equations with a nonlinear degenerate boundary condition, which represents a generalization of the classical Silver-Müller condition for a non-perfect conductor. The relationship between the normal components of the electric field E and the magnetic field H obeys a power-law nonlinearity of the type H x n = n x (|E x n|α-1E x n) with α ∈ (0,1]. We prove the existence and uniqueness of the solutions of the proposed A-ø scheme and derive the error estimates. Finally, we present some numerical experiments to verify the theoretical result.

Newly obtained foraminifer faunas from the Permian-Triassic (P-Tr) transition at the Dajiang and Bianyang sections in the Nanpanjiang Basin, South China, comprise 61 species in 40 genera. They belong to the Palaeofusulina sinensis Zone, the youngest Permian foraminifer zone in South China. Quantitative analysis reveals that the last occurrences of more than a half of species (28/54) fall into a 60-cm-interval at the uppermost Changhsingian skeletal packstone unit and thus calibrate the end-Permian extinction to the skeletal packstonecalcimicrobial framestone boundary. About 93% (54/58) of species of the latest Permian assemblage became extinct in the P-Tr crisis. Four major foraminiferal groups, the Miliolida, Fusulinida, Lagenida, and Textulariina, have extinction rates up to 100%, 96%, 92%, and 50%, respectively, and thus experienced selective extinctions. Both Hemigordius longus and ?Globivalvulina bulloides temporarily survived the end-Permian extinction event and extended into the earliest Triassic but became extinct soon after. The post-extinction foraminifer assemblage is characterized by the presence of both disaster taxa and Lazarus taxa. Foraminifer distribution near the P-Tr boundary also reveals that the irregular contact surface at the uppermost Permian may be created by a massive submarine dissolution event, which may be coeval with the end-Permian mass extinction. A new species, Rectostipulina hexamerata, is described here.

ING2 (inhibitor of growth protein-2) is a member of the ING-gene family and participates in diverse cellular processes involving tumor suppression, DNA repair, cell cycle regulation, and cellular senescence. As a subunit of the Sin3 histone deacetylase complex co-repressor complex, ING2 binds to H3K4me3 to regulate chromatin modification and gene expression. Additionally, ING2 recruits histone methyltransferase (HMT) activity for gene repression, which is independent of the HDAC class I or II pathway. However, the physiological function of ING2 in mouse preimplantation embryo development has not yet been characterized previously. The expression, localization and function of ING2 during preimplantation development were investigated in this study. We showed increasing expression of ING2 within the nucleus from the 4-cell embryo stage onwards; and that down-regulation of ING2 expression by endoribonuclease-prepared small interfering RNA (esiRNA) microinjection results in developmental arrest during the morula to blastocyst transition. Embryonic cells microinjected with ING2-specific esiRNA exhibited decreased blastulation rate compared to the negative control. Further investigation of the underlying mechanism indicated that down-regulation of ING2 significantly increased expression of p21, whilst decreasing expression of HDAC1. These results suggest that ING2 may play a crucial role in the process of preimplantation embryo development through chromatin regulation.

In order to examine the chronologic changes in genetic variance and heritability of anthropometric characteristics of Chinese infants in Taiwan, a total of 521 pairs of same-sexed twin neonates given birth in four major general teaching hospitals in Taipei City were studied. Based on the placental pattern and 12 red blood cell antigens, 428 MZ and 93 DZ twin pairs were identified and followed up to the age of one year. There was no significant genetic variance for all anthropometric characteristics adjusted for sex and gestational week before the age of six months. After adjusting for sex and gestational week, a significant genetic variance was observed at the age of six months, with heritability values of 0.51 (weight), 0.63 (head circumference), 0.77 (chest circumference), and 0.53 (arm circumference), as well as at one year, although with considerably lower heritability values. This implies that growth is dynamically determined by both genetic and environmental factors during infancy.

In order to examine the genetic variance and heritability of serum total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides, a total of 349 pairs of same-sexed twin neonates born in four major general teaching hospitals in Taipei City were studied. Based on the placental pattern and 12 red blood cell antigens, 271 monozygotic (MZ) and 78 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs were identified. There was a significant genetic variance for total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, and triglycerides both unadjusted and adjusted for sex, gestational age and placentation. The unadjusted heritability of total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, and triglycerides was 0.59, 0.30, 0.25 and 0.75, respectively; while the corresponding adjusted heritability was 0.74, 0.38, 0.31, and 0.49, respectively. Intrapair variance of serum lipids was not significantly different between monochorionic and dichorionic MZ twins.

In order to examine the genetic variance and heritability of temperament among Chinese infants in Taiwan, a total of 62 pairs of same-sexed twin infants given birth in four major general teaching hospitals in Taipei City were studied. Based on placentation and 12 red blood cell antigens, 44 MZ and 18 DZ pairs were identified. Temperament was assessed at the age of six months by the Chinese edition of Carey's Temperament scale. Significant genetic variance was observed for activity level, approach or withdrawal, intensity of reaction, quality of mood, and threshold of responsiveness, with a heritability of 0.64, 0.56, 0.74, 0.39, and 0.45, respectively. There was no significant intrapair difference in temperamental characteristics between monochorionic and dichorionic MZ twins.