Damage Evolution In Cement Mortar Due To Erosion Of Sulphate

Ultrasonic technique is used to detect the velocity change of stress wave propagated in the cement mortar immersed in the solution of sodium sulfate for 425 days. Also the density change of specimens at different erosion time is measured. By curve fitting, the effect of solutions' concentration and water/cement ratio on the damage evolution is analyzed. The SEM observation on the growth of delayed ettringite is also performed. It shows that the damage evolution of specimens attacked by sulphate solution is dominantly induced by the nucleation and growth of delayed ettringite, and the average size of microvoids in cement mortar affects the damage evolution significantly. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Microstructure, deformation and failure of polymer bonded explosives

Polymer bonded explosives (PBXs) are highly particle filled composite materials comprised of explosive crystals and a polymeric binder (ca. 5-10% by weight). The microstructure and mechanical properties of two pressed PBXs with different binder systems were studied in this paper. The initial microstructure of the pressed PBXs and its evolution under different mechanical aggressions were studied, including quasi-static tension and compression, ultrasonic wave stressing and long-pulse low-velocity impact. Real-time microscopic observation of the PBXs under tension was conducted by using a scanning electron microscope equipped with a loading stage. The mechanical properties under tensile creep, quasi-static tension and compression were studied. The Brazilian test, or diametrical compression, was used to study the tensile properties. The influences of pressing pressures and temperatures, and strain rates on the mechanical properties of PBXs were analyzed. The mesoscale damage modes in initial pressed samples and the samples insulted by different mechanical aggressions, and the corresponding failure mechanisms of the PBXs under different loading conditions were analyzed.

Microstructures of explosively consolidated rapidly solidified aluminum and Al-Li alloy powders

The microstructures and the characteristics of water-atomized, nitrogen gas-atomized Al powders and ultrasonic argon gas-atomized Al-Li alloy powder were investigated by means of metallography, SEM, Auger electron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. Rapidly solidified powders were explosively consolidated into different sized cylinders under various explosive parameters. The explosively consolidated compacts have been tested and analysed for density microhardness, retention of rapidly solidified microstructures, interparticle bonding, fractography and lattice distortion. It is shown that the explosive consolidation technique is an effective method for compacting rapidly solidified powders. The characteristics of surface layers play a very important role in determining the effectiveness of the joints sintered, and the Al-Li alloy explosive compacts present an abnormal softening appearance compared to the original powder.

A passive acoustic monitoring method applied to observation and group size estimation of finless porpoises

The present study aimed at determining the detection capabilities of an acoustic observation system to recognize porpoises under local riverine conditions and compare the results with sighting observations. Arrays of three to five acoustic data loggers were stationed across the main channel of the Tian-e-zhou Oxbow of China's Yangtze River at intervals of 100-150 m to record sonar. signals of free-ranging finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides). Acoustic observations, concurrent with visual observations, were conducted at two occasions on 20-22 October 2003 and 17-19 October 2004. During a total of 42 h of observation, 316 finless porpoises were sighted and 7041 sonar signals were recorded by loggers. The acoustic data loggers recorded ultrasonic signals of porpoises clearly, and detected the presence of porpoises with a correct detection level of 77.6% and a false alarm level of 5.8% within an effective distance of 150 m. Results indicated that the stationed passive acoustic observation method was effective in detecting the presence of porpoises and showed potential in estimating the group size. A positive linear correlation between the number of recorded signals and the group size of sighted porpoises was indicated, although it is faced with some uncertainty and requires further investigation. (C) 2005 Acoustical Society of America.

Echolocation signals of the free-ranging Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientialis)

This paper describes the high-frequency echolocation signals from free-ranging Yangtze finless porpoise in the Tian-e-zhou Baiji National Natural Reserve in Hubei Province, China. Signal analysis showed that the Yangtze finless porpoise clicks are typical high-frequency narrow-band (relative width of the frequency spectrum Q=6.6 &PLUSMN; 1.56, N=548) ultrasonic pulses. The peak frequencies of the typical clicks range from 87 to 145 kHz with an average of 125 &PLUSMN; 6.92 kHz. The durations range from 30 to 122 μ s with an average of 68 &PLUSMN; 14.12 μ s. The characteristics of the signals are similar to those of other members of the Phocoenidae as well as the distantly related delphinids, Cephalorhynchus spp. Comparison of these signals to those of the baiji (Lipotes vexillifer), who occupies habitat similar to that of the Yangtze finless porpoise, showed that the peak frequencies of clicks produced by the Yangtze finless porpoise are remarkably higher than those produced by the baiji. Difference in peak frequency between the two species is probably linked to the different size of prefer-red prey fish. Clear double-pulse and multi-pulse reverberation structures of clicks are noticed, and there is no indication of any low-frequency (< 70 kHz) components during the recording period. © 2005 Acoustical Society of America.

Comparison between visual and passive acoustic detection of finless porpoises in the Yangtze river, China

Recently, sonar signals and other sounds produced by cetaceans have been used for acoustic detection of individuals and groups in the wild. However, the detection probability ascertained by concomitant visual survey has not been demonstrated extensively. The finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) have narrow band and high-frequency sonar signals, which are distinctive from background noises. Underwater sound monitoring with hydrophones (B&K8103) placed along the sides of a research vessel, concurrent with visual observations was conducted in the Yangtze River from Wuhan to Poyang Lake in 1998 in China. The peak to peak detection threshold was set at 133 dB re 1 mu Pa. With this threshold level, porpoises could be detected reliably within 300 m of the hydrophone. In a total of 774-km cruise, 588 finless porpoises were sighted by visual observation and 44 864 ultrasonic pulses were recorded by the acoustical observation system. The acoustic monitoring system could detect the presence of the finless porpoises 82% of the time. A false alarm in the system occurred with a frequency of 0.9%. The high-frequency acoustical observation is suggested as an effective method for field surveys of small cetaceans, which produce high-frequency sonar signals. (C) 2001 Acoustical Society of America.

Surface acoustic wave velocity and electromechanical coupling coefficient of GaN grown on (0001) sapphire by metal-organic vapour phase epitaxy

High-quality and high-resistivity GaN films were grown on (0001) sapphire face by metal-organic vapour phase epitaxy. To measure the surface acoustic wave properties accurately, we deposited metallized interdigital transducers on the GaN surface. The acoustic surface wave velocity and electromechanical coupling coefficient were measured, respectively, to be 5667 m/s and 1.9% by the pulse method.

超声波对HCFC-141b水合物形成过程的影响研究

针对水合物形成过程中存在成核诱导期长、过冷度大，形成速度慢的问题，本文以HCFC-141b（1，1-dichloro-1-flooroethane）作为研究工质，将超声波引入水合物形成过程中，研究超声波对水合物形成的影响。建立了包括超声波水合反应系统、数据采集和图像采集系统的可视化低温实验系统。利用这套实验系统，分别实验研究了频率为20kHz和15kHz，功率为0-1000w的超声波对HCFC-141b水合物的形成影响。实验结果表明，超声波对水合物的形成有明显的影响。水合物形成过程主要分为三阶段：冷却期、

海马环路中的组合突触可塑性与大鼠情绪研究

海马在某些类型的学习和记忆中起着关键的作用，而突触可塑性（synaptic plasticity）为学习和记忆的模型提供了理论基础。在海马环路中，分布着各种类型的可塑性，包括突触特异的Hebbian形式的可塑性，如长时程增强（long-term potentiation，LTP）和长时程抑制（long-term depression，LTD）；稳态可塑性（homeostatic plasticity），如突触缩放（synaptic scaling）。稳态可塑性是一种整体的调控过程，它可以调节神经元甚至神经网络的平衡；而Hebbian可塑性则是突触特异的，即每个突触进行单独调控的过程。 越来越多的研究提示稳态可塑性和Hebbian可塑性之间存在着空间间隙（spatial gap），那么，如何使得神经元可以通过Hebbian可塑性的过程来维持细胞整体的兴奋性就变得尤为重要。一些报道揭示了LTP和LTD可以在同一突触通路中同时被激活，因此，我们提出组合突触可塑性的概念，即LTP和LTD的组合，它在赋予系统灵活性的同时又可以降低噪音维持系统的稳定性。基于此，本文将围绕这个问题而开展实验工作。 通过对海马CA1区锥体神经元的微小兴奋性突触后电流（miniature excitatory synaptic current, mEPSC）进行测定分析，我们发现mEPSC的幅度分布符合双峰正态分布（double-peak normal distribution）。Theta节律刺激（theta burst stimuli, TBS）诱导后，mEPSC的幅度分布发生改变，呈现右移趋势。随后，采用干扰肽Pep-A2特异地阻断LTP而不影响LTD，我们发现Pep-A2不影响基础状态下mEPSC的幅度分布。在干扰肽Pep-A2存在下，TBS诱导对基础状态下mEPSC的幅度分布也没有影响。结果为揭示LTP和LTD的组合可塑性提供了初步的证据，对进一步理解记忆的编码过程提供了一定的基础。社交隔离可以引起实验大鼠产生焦虑样和抑郁样的行为，而性经历可以改变动物的情绪状态，降低焦虑样和抑郁样的反应。然而，性经历后进行社交隔离对大鼠情绪的影响并没有报道。在这部分工作中，雄性大鼠经历一周的社交活动（male-male paired housing）或者性活动（male-female paired housing），随后进行一段时间的隔离（1天，2天或者7天）。我们发现，经历过性活动的大鼠，无论隔离与否都表现出相似的情绪反应，包括焦虑样和抑郁样行为以及超声波（ultrasonic vocalizations，USVs）发放；而未经历过性活动的大鼠，其情绪反应随着隔离时间的不同而不同。这一现象提示我们，先前的性经历可以对抗实验动物对环境应激事件，如社交隔离的反应。

超声与磁粉强化含单宁废水生物处理研究

单宁是一种典型的有毒难降解污染物，在制革、造纸、制药、印染等行业废水中广泛存在，对水环境造成污染并且影响废水生物处理效果。本研究针对含单宁废水生物处理效率低、较高浓度时微生物受抑制且污泥容易膨胀等问题，采用超声和磁粉来强化含单宁废水生物处理，研究超声和磁粉对微生物活性、污染物去除及污泥沉降性能的影响，并对其作用机理进行了分析和探讨。 研究结果表明，活性污泥系统中单宁酸容积负荷可以达到1.8kgCOD/(m3·d)，单宁酸和COD去除率分别达到85.2%和79.6%，但如果负荷进一步增大则微生物活性迅速降低。系统在pH 5~8、温度20~35℃、DO>1 mg/L的条件下具有较好的单宁酸降解效果和处理稳定性。单宁降解动力学参数为：μmax =0.208h-1；Ks=226mg/L；Ki=522mg/L；kd=0.0092h-1；Y =0.594。 磁粉对系统处理效果和污泥沉降性能有一定的促进作用，且效果要优于外磁场。适宜的磁粉粒径和投加量分别为0.05~0.15mm和1.0g/L，COD去除率比对照系统提高6.4%，SVI降低28.6%，污泥絮体结构紧密。磁粉强化主要是通过其对污泥菌胶团的凝聚、吸附作用以及对微生物活性的强化作用实现。 在适当强度（0.4W/cm2）和辐照时间（20min）的超声作用下污泥絮体和细胞膜通透性增大，酶分泌也增多，系统的COD去除率比对照提高了8.8%，单宁酶酶活提高了11%。但超声也使污泥絮体结构松散，沉降性能下降，SVI比对照系统升高9.3%。 由于污泥流失加剧导致污泥浓度相对较低，声磁联合强化系统相对于磁粉强化系统其处理效果并没有提高。但相对于单纯活性污泥系统，声磁联合作用下系统处理效果、污泥沉降性能以及系统运行稳定性都得到明显改善。本研究为难降解废水的生物处理提供了一个新的思路。 Tannins are typical refractory and toxic pollutants that commonly exist in wastewater from dye, medicine, paper and leather industries and cause many problems associated with environmental pollution and biological treatment of wastewater. Biological treatment efficiency of tannin-containing wastewater is usually low owing to its biological toxicity and low biodegradability, microbes are usually inhibited under high tannin concentration and sludge bulking frequently occurs. In this study, ultrasound and magnetic powder were used to improve the biological treatment performance of simulated tannic acid-containing wastewater. The effects of ultrasonic irradiation and magnetic powder on microbial activity, tannic acid degradation rate and sludge sedimentation were investigated. The augmentation mechanisms were analyzed and discussed. The experimental results showed that the microbes were prominently inhibited under high tannic acid concentration, but moderate degradation efficiency can be maintained under a tannic acid load of up to 1.8kgCOD/(m3·d), with the tannic acid degradation and COD removal percentage of 85.2% and 79.6% respectively. The highest degradation rates and treatment stability were achieved at pH range of 5~8, temperature range of 20~35℃ and DO concentration of above 1mg/L. The kinetic parameters were estimated, including: μmax =0.208h-1；Ks=226mg/L；Ki=522mg/L；kd=0.0092h-1；Y =0.594. The microbial activity, tannic acid degradation rate and sludge sedimentation were improved by adding Fe3O4 magnetic powder, and the augmentation performance was better than external magnetic field. The appropriate particle size and dosage of magnetic powder were found to be 0.05~0.15mm and 1.0g/L, respectively, under which the COD removal percentage was improved by 6.4% and SVI value decreased by 28.6%, and compact floc structure was observed. This was mainly caused by the flocculation and adsorption effects of magnetic powder against sludge floc and the stimulation of microbial activity under appropriate magnetic field. Under appropriate ultrasonic irradiation (ultrasonic intensity 0.4W/cm2, ultrasonic irradiation time 20min), the permeability of floc and cell membrane are improved, transfer of substrate and oxygen were reinforced; meanwhile, more enzyme were produced by microbes under the slight damage caused by ultrasound. However, the floc structure became loose under ultrasonic irradiation, leading to relatively poor sedimentation, with the SVI value 9.3% higher than the control system. Although the magnetic powder-ultrasonic irradiation combined augmentation system showed no improvement in treatment performance compared with sole magnetic augmentation system owing to its relatively low sludge concentration, it guaranteed the stable operation of system, meanwhile the tannic acid degradation and sludge sedimentation were significantly improved compared with sole activated sludge system. This study gives a new idea for biological treatment of refractory wastewater.

Determination and identification of isoflavonoids in Radix astragali by matrix solid-phase dispersion extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array and mass spectrometric detection

The isoflavonoids in Radix astragali were determined and identified by HPLC-photodiode array detection-MS after extraction employing matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD). As a new sample preparation method for R. astragali, the MSPD procedure was optimized, validated and compared with conventional methods including ultrasonic and Soxhlet extraction. The amounts of two major components in this herb, formononetin (6) and ononin (2), were determined based on their authentic standards. Four major isoflavonoids, formononetin (6), ononin (2), calycosin (5) and its glycoside (1), and three minor isoflavonoids, (6aR,11aR)-3-hydroxy-9, 10-dimethoxypterocarpan (7), its glycoside (3), and (3R)-7,2'-dihydroxy-3',4'-dimethoxyisoflavone-7-O-beta-D-glycoside (4), were identified based on their characteristic two-band UV spectra and [M + H](+), [aglycone + H](+) and [A1 + H](+) ions, etc. The combined MSPD and HPLC-DAD-MS method was suitable for quantitative and qualitative determination of the isoflavonoids in R. astragali. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.