DMT of Multihop Networks: End Points and Computational Tools

In this paper, the diversity-multiplexing gain tradeoff (DMT) of single-source, single-sink (ss-ss), multihop relay networks having slow-fading links is studied. In particular, the two end-points of the DMT of ss-ss full-duplex networks are determined, by showing that the maximum achievable diversity gain is equal to the min-cut and that the maximum multiplexing gain is equal to the min-cut rank, the latter by using an operational connection to a deterministic network. Also included in the paper, are several results that aid in the computation of the DMT of networks operating under amplify-and-forward (AF) protocols. In particular, it is shown that the colored noise encountered in amplify-and-forward protocols can be treated as white for the purpose of DMT computation, lower bounds on the DMT of lower-triangular channel matrices are derived and the DMT of parallel MIMO channels is computed. All protocols appearing in the paper are explicit and rely only upon AF relaying. Half-duplex networks and explicit coding schemes are studied in a companion paper.

Completely random nanoporous Cu4O3-CuO-C composite thin films for potential application as multiple channel photonic band gap based filter in the telecommunication wavelengths

In 2003, Babin et al. theoretically predicted (J. Appl. Phys. 94:4244, 2003) that fabrication of organic-inorganic hybrid materials would probably be required to implement structures with multiple photonic band gaps. In tune with their prediction, we report synthesis of such an inorganic-organic nanocomposite, comprising Cu4O3-CuO-C thin films that experimentally exhibit the highest (of any known material) number (as many as eleven) of photonic band gaps in the near infrared. On contrary to the report by Wang et al. (Appl. Phys. Lett. 84:1629, 2004) that photonic crystals with multiple stop gaps require highly correlated structural arrangement such as multilayers of variable thicknesses, we demonstrate experimental realization of multiple stop gaps in completely randomized structures comprising inorganic oxide nanocrystals (Cu4O3 and CuO) randomly embedded in a randomly porous carbonaceous matrix. We report one step synthesis of such nanostructured films through the metalorganic chemical vapor deposition technique using a single source metalorganic precursor, Cu-4(deaH)(dea)(oAc)(5) a <...aEuro parts per thousand(CH3)(2)CO. The films displaying multiple (4/9/11) photonic band gaps with equal transmission losses in the infrared are promising materials to find applications as multiple channel photonic band gap based filter for WDM technology.

Synthesis of a mixed-metal spinel, NiMn2O4, through site-selective substitution in MOF, (NiMn2){C6H3(COO)(3)}(2)]: synthesis, structure and magnetic studies

A mixed-metal metal-organic framework (MOF) compound NiMn2{C6H3(COO)(3)}(2)], I, is prepared hydrothermally by replacing one of the octahedral Mn2+ ions in Mn-3{C6H3(COO)(3)}(2)] by Ni2+ ions. Magnetic studies on I suggest antiferromagnetic interactions with weak canted antiferromagnetism below 8 K. On heating in flowing air I transforms to NiMn2O4 spinel at low temperature (T < 400 degrees C). The thermal decomposition of I at different temperatures results in NiMn2O4 with particle sizes in the nano regime. The nanoparticle nature of NiMn2O4 was confirmed using PXRD and TEM studies. Magnetic studies on the nanoparticles of NiMn2O4 indicate ferrimagnetism. The transition temperature of NiMn2O4 nanoparticles exhibits a direct correlation with the particle size. This study highlights the usefulness of MOF compound as a single-source precursor for the preparation of important ceramic oxides with better control on the stoichiometry and particle size.

Network-error correcting codes using small fields

Recently, Ebrahimi and Fragouli proposed an algorithm to construct scalar network codes using small fields (and vector network codes of small lengths) satisfying multicast constraints in a given single-source, acyclic network. The contribution of this paper is two fold. Primarily, we extend the scalar network coding algorithm of Ebrahimi and Fragouli (henceforth referred to as the EF algorithm) to block network-error correction. Existing construction algorithms of block network-error correcting codes require a rather large field size, which grows with the size of the network and the number of sinks, and thereby can be prohibitive in large networks. We give an algorithm which, starting from a given network-error correcting code, can obtain another network code using a small field, with the same error correcting capability as the original code. Our secondary contribution is to improve the EF Algorithm itself. The major step in the EF algorithm is to find a least degree irreducible polynomial which is coprime to another large degree polynomial. We suggest an alternate method to compute this coprime polynomial, which is faster than the brute force method in the work of Ebrahimi and Fragouli.

Carbonaceous nickel oxide nano-composites: as electrode materials in electrochemical capacitor applications

Carbonaceous nickel oxide powder samples have been synthesized from an adducted nickel beta-ketoester complex used as a ``single source precursor'' through a solution-based microwave-assisted chemical route. Comprehensive analysis of the resulting powder material has been carried out using various characterization techniques. These analysis reveal that, depending on the solvent used, either NiO/C or Ni/NiO/C composites are formed, wherein Ni and/or NiO nanocrystals are enveloped in amorphous carbon. As the components emerge from the same molecular source, the composites are homogeneous on a fine scale, making them promising electrode materials for supercapacitors. Electrochemical capacitive behavior of these oxide composites is studied in a three-electrode configuration. With a specific capacitance of 113 F g(-1), Ni/NiO/C is superior to NiO/C as capacitor electrode material, in 0.1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte. This is confirmed by impedance measurements, which show that charge-transfer resistance and equivalent series resistance are lower in Ni/NiO/C than in NiO/C, presumably because of the presence of metallic nickel in the former. The cyclic voltammograms are nearly rectangular and the electrodes display excellent cyclability in different electrolytes: Na2SO4, KOH and Ca(NO3)(2)center dot 4H(2)O. Specific capacitance as high as 143 F g(-1), is measured in Ca(NO3)(2)center dot 4H(2)O electrolyte.

Joint Scheduling & Jamming for Data Secrecy in Wireless Networks

The broadcast nature of the wireless medium jeopardizes secure transmissions. Cryptographic measures fail to ensure security when eavesdroppers have superior computational capability; however, it can be assured from information theoretic security approaches. We use physical layer security to guarantee non-zero secrecy rate in single source, single destination multi-hop networks with eavesdroppers for two cases: when eavesdropper locations and channel gains are known and when their positions are unknown. We propose a two-phase solution which consists of finding activation sets and then obtaining transmit powers subject to SINR constraints for the case when eavesdropper locations are known. We introduce methods to find activation sets and compare their performance. Necessary but reasonable approximations are made in power minimization formulations for tractability reasons. For scenarios with no eavesdropper location information, we suggest vulnerability region (the area having zero secrecy rate) minimization over the network. Our results show that in the absence of location information average number of eavesdroppers who have access to data is reduced.

Chelmsford College: Full circle – using systems integration to enhance observation, appraisal and CPD

Chelmsford College has created an observation, appraisal and continuing professional development (CPD) cycle by successfully integrating a collection of bespoke web-based systems together within its intranet. Students have benefitted from improved teaching and learning because of the rapid, transparent and thorough cycle of staff being observed, appraised and given appropriate CPD. The College has also saved time and money by being able to use single-source data to schedule observations, appraisals and CPD to individuals' needs.

Investigating changes in global tropical cyclone storm frequency and intensity

Understanding fluctuations in tropical cyclone activity along United States shores and abroad becomes increasingly important as coastal managers and planners seek to save lives, mitigate damage, and plan for resilience in the face of changing storminess and sea-level rise. Tropical cyclone activity has long been of concern to coastal areas as they bring strong winds, heavy rains, and high seas. Given projections of a warming climate, current estimates suggest that not only will tropical cyclones increase in frequency, but also in intensity (maximum sustained winds and minimum central pressures). An understanding of what has happened historically is an important step in identifying potential future changes in tropical cyclone frequency and intensity. The ability to detect such changes depends on a consistent and reliable global tropical cyclone dataset. Until recently no central repository for historical tropical cyclone data existed. To fill this need, the International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS) dataset was developed to collect all known global historical tropical cyclone data into a single source for dissemination. With this dataset, a global examination of changes in tropical cyclone frequency and intensity can be performed. Caveats apply to any historical tropical cyclone analysis however, as the data contributed to the IBTrACS archive from various tropical cyclone warning centers is still replete with biases that may stem from operational changes, inhomogeneous monitoring programs, and time discontinuities. A detailed discussion of the difficulties in detecting trends using tropical cyclone data can be found in Landsea et al. 2006. The following sections use the IBTrACS dataset to show the global spatial variability of tropical cyclone frequency and intensity. Analyses will show where the strongest storms typically occur, the regions with the highest number of tropical cyclones per decade, and the locations of highest average maximum wind speeds. (PDF contains 3 pages)

Consumo de água e tarifa social em áreas de baixa renda: estudo de caso das comunidades de Santa Marta, Complexo do Borel/Casa Branca e Complexo da Mangueira.

O município do Rio de Janeiro, desde sua fundação luta com o grave problema de abastecimento de água. Com o passar do tempo todas as pequenas captações no entorno da cidade foram exauridas tanto em termos de quantidade como em qualidade, afetadas pela poluição decorrente do lançamento de efluentes in natura. Solução foi a busca por novas fontes de abastecimento em outros municípios. Atualmente 80% (oitenta por cento) do abastecimento da região metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro, RMRJ, é proveniente de uma única fonte: o rio Guandu. Isto foi possível devido à transposição da bacia do rio Paraíba do Sul para o rio Guandu ocorrida na década de 50. Esta fonte essencial de abastecimento, onde foi construída a maior Estação de Tratamento de Água do mundo - ETA Guandu - está à beira da exaustão. Somente uma pequena parcela de água bruta foi captada e tratada nesta última década. Visando minimizar o grave problema que já se apresenta e enquanto investimentos em novas alternativas não forem alcançados, o consumo com responsabilidade e sustentabilidade passa a ser a tônica da discussão. Neste contexto, as áreas de baixa renda do município com suas 801 favelas e mais de 1.500 loteamentos irregulares representando em 2010 aproximadamente 1/3 (um terço) da população total, consumindo de 10% a 15% de toda a produção de água tratada da região metropolitana deve ser permanentemente estimulada a contribuir com esta redução de consumo. Estudos apresentados nesta dissertação em três metodologias distintas apontam para um consumo acima da média nacional deste mesmo perfil de população. Os resultados obtidos indicam a necessidade real da redução de consumo observando, entretanto que este é um trabalho extremamente árduo e difícil uma vez que exige mudança de hábitos e a envolvimento de todos, desde a população até a Companhia de Saneamento local.

Thermal stratification produced by plumes and jets in enclosed spaces

The airflow and thermal stratification produced by a localised heat source located at floor level in a closed room is of considerable practical interest and is commonly referred to as a 'filling box'. In rooms with low aspect ratios H/R ≲ 1 (room height H to characteristic horizontal dimension R) the thermal plume spreads laterally on reaching the ceiling and a descending horizontal 'front' forms separating a stably stratified, warm upper region from cooler air below. The stratification is well predicted for H/R ≲ 1 by the original filling box model of Baines and Turner (J. Fluid. Mech. 37 (1968) 51). This model represents a somewhat idealised situation of a plume rising from a point source of buoyancy alone-in particular the momentum flux at the source is zero. In practical situations, real sources of heating and cooling in a ventilation system often include initial fluxes of both buoyancy and momentum, e.g. where a heating system vents warm air into a space. This paper describes laboratory experiments to determine the dependence of the 'front' formation and stratification on the source momentum and buoyancy fluxes of a single source, and on the location and relative strengths of two sources from which momentum and buoyancy fluxes were supplied separately. For a single source with a non-zero input of momentum, the rate of descent of the front is more rapid than for the case of zero source momentum flux and increases with increasing momentum input. Increasing the source momentum flux effectively increases the height of the enclosure, and leads to enhanced overturning motions and finally to complete mixing for highly momentum-driven flows. Stratified flows may be maintained by reducing the aspect ratio of the enclosure. At these low aspect ratios different long-time behaviour is observed depending on the nature of the heat input. A constant heat flux always produces a stratified interior at large times. On the other hand, a constant temperature supply ultimately produces a well-mixed space at the supply temperature. For separate sources of momentum and buoyancy, the developing stratification is shown to be strongly dependent on the separation of the sources and their relative strengths. Even at small separation distances the stratification initially exhibits horizontal inhomogeneity with localised regions of warm fluid (from the buoyancy source) and cool fluid. This inhomogeneity is less pronounced as the strength of one source is increased relative to the other. Regardless of the strengths of the sources, a constant buoyancy flux source dominates after sufficiently large times, although the strength of the momentum source determines whether the enclosure is initially well mixed (strong momentum source) or stably stratified (weak momentum source). © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

EFFECT OF A SI LAYER ON THE SUPERCONDUCTIVE PROPERTIES OF A BIPBSRCACUO THIN-FILM

The Pb-doped BiSrCaCuO superconducting films were grown by the single source mixed evaporation technique. The microbridges of dimensions 50 mum x 40 mum were fabricated by standard photolithography technologies. Si films with a thickness of 2500 angstrom were deposited on the microbridge area surfaces of BiPbSrCaCuO superconducting films by rf-magnetron sputtering. A greatly lowered zero resistance temperature of the microbridge area of the BiPbSrCaCuO film after Si sputtering was found. A non-linear effect of the current-voltage (I-V) characteristics at 78 K was shown. The high-frequency capacitance-voltage (C-V) curve of this structure at 78 K was symmetrical with the maximum capacitance at V = 0, and the capacitance decreased with increasing applied bias voltage. Afl experimental results are discussed.

THIN-FILM BIPBSRCACUO DIRECT-CURRENT SUPERCONDUCTING QUANTUM INTERFERING DEVICES OPERATING AT 78-K

Direct current SQUIDs (superconducting quantum interference devices) have been successfully fabricated by using a Pb-doped BiSrCaCuO superconducting thin film made by mixed evaporation of a single source composed of related components with a resistance heater. The dc SQUID comprises a square washer with a small hole. These SQUIDs show perfectly periodic voltage-flux characteristics without magnetic shield, that is, typically, the flux noise and energy resolution at a frequency range from dc to 1 Hz and at 78 K being 1.7 x 10(-3) PHI-0/ square-root Hz and 3.6 x 10(-26) J/Hz, respectively. Meanwhile, we have found out that one of the SQUIDs still was able to operate on flux-locked mode without bias currents and showed voltage-flux second harmonic characteristics. This phenomenon is not well understood, but it may be related to I-V (current-voltage) characteristics of the dc SQUID.

水稻同源四倍体三系法杂种优势利用研究

水稻是重要的粮食作物，其产量的增加和品质的改良都是关系国计民生的大事。就我国现阶段的国情而言，水稻产量在现有水平上稳步提升仍是未来十几年甚至几十年农业生产最重要的目标之一。尽管根据“超级杂交水稻育种”的战略设想和水稻育种实践，通过不断地改进育种技术可望在更高的产量水平上进行水稻杂种优势利用，在稻属植物内还具有很大的产量潜力可以挖掘。然而，仅仅从现有的种质基础出发，要更大幅度提高水稻单产，实现“超级杂交稻”的目标也存在一些困难：现有的推广品种是二倍体，尽管种类众多，但是其基因组的来源相对单一；同时，水稻基因组DNA含量也是作物中最少的，基因组内寻求开发潜力有一定困难；水稻作为C3植物，光合利用效率不高也是制约水稻产量提高的因素之一。因此，寻求常规手段以外的技术突破或者方法创新，是实现“超级杂交稻”的目标的迫切需求。本研究利用秋水仙素能抑制细胞分裂中纺锤丝的收缩、使细胞染色体加倍的作用，对水稻幼穗诱导的愈伤组织细胞进行加倍，并分化出再生植株；创制出水稻同源四倍体新的种质材料，在此基础上选育水稻同源四倍体雄性不育三系材料，并实现水稻同源四倍体的三系配套，开展水稻同源四倍体杂种优势利用和四倍体杂交水稻选育研究，建立水稻同源四倍体杂种优势利用的新技术体系。这不仅有助于倍性水平杂种优势的开拓和利用，同时也将为我国新世纪“超级稻”育种研究开辟一条新的技术途径。 水稻幼穗诱导愈伤组织并分化成苗是一项成熟、简单的组织培养技术。本研究以普通二倍体水稻亲本为材料，用秋水仙素进行水稻的多倍体化诱导，创制同源四倍体水稻三系亲本材料并对其进行鉴定。多倍体化以秋水仙素诱导的愈伤组织培养为基础，研究不同秋水仙素浓度梯度和愈伤组织诱导培养基组合对诱导四倍体植株的影响。结果表明在MS+2,4 D 1.0mg/L+ KT0.2mg/L+ IAA0.2mg/L 和500mg/L的秋水仙素处理下，水稻愈伤组织染色体加倍（有最高的效率）效果较好，平均加倍频率可达25.26%，其中，材料CDR22和IR26诱导较易成功，加倍频率分别达到75%和26.5%；相对材料94109 1.3%加倍频率和冈46B 10.8%加倍频率，诱导率差异极显著。 对水稻四倍体材料进行了形态学鉴定结果表明，与二倍体水稻对照相比其株高、穗长、花粉育性等主要农艺性状，确定四倍体材料在穗长和千粒重两方面极显著提高，种子的长度和宽度也显著增长。对花粉育性鉴定，确认水稻四倍体不育系材料仍为不育，保持系材料自交和杂交可育，恢复系材料自交和杂交可育。对四倍体材料进行细胞形态、染色体数目等方面进行细胞学鉴定，经核型分析表明水稻四倍体材料具有48条染色体，是二倍体水稻的两倍。水稻四倍体材料根尖分生组织细胞与二倍体的根尖分生组织细胞相比，细胞体积、细胞核和核仁显著增大。四倍体三系材料在细胞有丝分裂中期均可规则排列在赤道板，并能均等地移向两极；后期观察中没有发现染色体分离滞后现象，分裂末期细胞能够形成大小相对均一的子细胞。水稻同源四倍体三系材料细胞分裂未见异常，植株生长发育正常。 从1996年至2006年，针对结实率、有效分蘖、着粒数和穗长等主要农艺性状，通过系谱选育的方法，对培育的同源四倍体水稻亲本材料进行了连续选择和改良，取得较好成效。表现为结实率的改良效果极佳，所有改良材料的平均结实率均呈上升趋势，如D237（29.70％→72.70％）、DTB（19.55％→53.21％）等。有效分蘖总体呈现上升趋势，但在不同的年份，如1998和2002存在较大的负向波动。部分材料改良效果明显，如D19B（5.87→13.50）、D什香 (7.00→12.00)等；同时一些材料如DTB和D明恢63虽然总体略有提高，但在不同的年份波动很大，因此存在较大改良阻力，原因还有待进一步研究。着粒数的改良上升趋势比较显著，除保持系的DTB之外，其余材料的平均着粒数有显著提高。穗长的改良阻力较大，虽然不同材料总体上有所提高，但效果并不显著，并且不同年份有较大负向波动（2001）。此外还对株高、剑叶长等性状也进行了选择，但效果不显著，原因有待进一步提高。同源四倍体材料产量相关性状遗传改良幅度不一致，保持系和恢复系间的遗传改良效果也存在差异。这为同源四倍体水稻的进一步利用打下了良好的基础。 籼稻和粳稻亚种间杂交及杂种优势利用的主要障碍就是其低的结实率。而同源四倍体杂交水稻的研究为提高杂交水稻的杂种优势利用创造了新的途径。本研究通过随机区组设计方案，挑选性状优良的二倍体水稻材料，包括雄性不育系，保持系和恢复系进行秋水仙素诱导加倍，从而获得同源四倍体水稻对应的三系材料。利用选育的优良水稻同源四倍体三系材料，配制7个杂交组合，杂交F1代与其恢复系亲本进行比较，用于计算超亲优势（HB）；而杂交F1代与生产上大面积推广的二倍体杂交品种汕优63进行比较，用于计算杂种优势。结果显示，同源四倍体杂交水稻的超亲优势表现为：每株有效穗变化幅度为1.4%至105.9%，总粒数为0.5%至74.3%，每穗实粒数为17.6%至255.7%，结实率为9.6%至130.4%。这些农艺性状的改良使得这7个杂种F1的理论产量的超亲优势高达64.8%至672.7%。小区试验中四倍体杂交水稻组合T461A/T4002和T461A/T4193分别比二倍体对照汕优63提高46.3%和38.3%以上，除一个品种以外所有品种产量均接近或高于汕优63的产量。同源四倍体水稻强大的杂种优势表明，亚种间杂交育性低的问题可通过四倍体化及强化选择来解决。此外，同源四倍体杂交水稻器官的巨大性也是其产量提高的有利因素，水稻同源四倍体三系杂种优势利用研究具有一定的理论价值和商业生产潜力。 Rice is one of the major food crops, the improvement of the production and quality of it is an important thing related to the people's livelihood. On China's current national conditions, steadily increase of the rice yield based on the current level is still one of the most important goals in the next decade or even decades of agricultural production. According to the "super hybrid rice breeding" the strategic and rice breeding practice, improvement of the use of hybrid rice heterosis through continuous improvements in breeding technology is expected to get a higher level of rice yield, there are also a great yield potential can be exploited. However, there are also some difficulties to increase rice yield obviously and implement the goal of "super hybrid rice" based on the existing germplasm: Rice varieties in promotion are diploid, although there are many varieties, but their genome are from a comparatively single source; Meanwhile, the rice genome DNA are the least among the crops, it is difficult to exploit the development potential within the genome; Rice as C3 plants, photosynthetic efficiency is not high, it is one of the factors constraint rice yield. Therefore, seeking technological breakthroughs or innovative methods different from conventional means is the urgent needs to reach the target of "super hybrid rice". Using colchicine inhibit spindle contraction during cell division, double the cell chromosome, we induced callus cells from rice panicle to be doubled, and differentiated regeneration; we created a new autotetraploid rice germplasm material, and on that basis we bred male sterility three line autotetraploid rice materials, and the achieved the three line rice autotetraploid matchmaking, researched in autotetraploid rice heterosis usage and tetraploid hybrid rice breeding, constituted a new technology system of autotetraploid hybrid rice heterosis utilization. This not only helps the tetraploid rice heterosis exploration and use, but also inaugurates a new technical means for China in the new century "super rice" breeding research. We chose ordinary diploid rice as materials, using colchicine to induce the polyploidization, created the autotetraploid rice three-line materials and identified them. The polyploidization was based on the colchicine-induced callus tissue culture, and we experimented different colchicine concentrations and culture mediums to induce tetraploid plants, confirmed that the optimal concentration for inducement was 500 mg/L, the average induce rate was 25.26 %. Among all the materials, CDR22 and IR26 had higher induced rate; in contrary, 94109 and GANG46B had lower induced rate, the difference was significant. Autotetraploid materials was identified of both morphological and cytological, compared plant height, length of pollen sterility, and other major agronomic traits with a diploid rice as the control plant, identified that the autotetraploid materials had very significant advantages in ear length and thousand-grain weight, as well as the size of the seeds. Cytology identification included observation of the cell morphology, the number of chromosomes, and karyotype analysis on the autotetraploid materials confirmed that their chromosome number was 48, twice of the diploid rice. Mitoses in the three lines were common: chromosomes arrayed normally in metaphase and separated balanced into the two poles, chromosome moved without lagging in anaphase and daughter cells normally formed in telophase except one. It has been proved that tetraploid rice has normal meiosis as their diploid relatives, which usually including series of sub-phases as interphase, prophase I (five sub-phases), prophase II, metaphase I, II, anaphase I, II and telophase I, II. However, abnormal phenomena, such as formation of tetravalent, trivalent and univalent, chromosome lagging and so on, which would finally block meiosis. Configurations of chromosome in metaphaseⅠwere versatile in structure and form accept the bivalent. That condition varied in different strain, suggesting more complex paring configurations and more versatile genetic characters in tetraploid rice. All these abnormalities in meiosis contributed to low fertility of gamete and might consequently resulted in low seed setting. Successive selection and improvement on seed set, productive tiller per plant, total grains per panicle, panicle length and so on had been carried out from 1996 to 2006. The raise of seed sets was significant in both restorers and maintainers. Seed sets of some strains were improved more significantly than others, for example D237（29.70％→72.70％）、DTB（19.55％→53.21％）and et al.. Productive tiller per plant was improved to some extant. The tendency of improvement was rising on the whole but changed in some years such as 1998 and 2002. Part of the stains increased greatly, such as D19B（5.87→13.50）、Dshixiang (7.00→12.00) and so on, but some strains including DTB and Dminghui63 only increased little and decreased in some years by unknown reason. Total grains per panicle increased significantly and all strains except DTB increased. Improvement of panicle length termed to be hard. Different strains showed different capacities for improvement and floating existed in different years for example 2001. It has been proved that other agronomical traits including plant length, flag leaf length and so on could be improved but not significantly by selection also. In a word, agronomical traits could be raised by successive selection that is prerequisite for further utility of autotetraploid rice. Poor fertility is the main barrier for utilizing heterosis between the two rice (Oryza stiva L.) sub-species, indica and japonica. Recently, the development of autotetraploid hybrids (2n=4x=48) has been suggested as a new method for increasing heterosis in hybrid rice. Using standard experimental protocols, the elite diploid rice male sterile, maintainer, and restorer lines were colchine-doubled and autotetraploid counterparts were obtained. Seven resulting hybrids were analyzed for heterobeltiosis (HB), where the F1 was compared to the male parent, and the degree of heterosis, where the F1 was compared to the diploid commercial hybrid, Shanyou 63. The HB among the autotetraploid hybrids ranged from 1.4 to 105.9% for the productive panicles per plant, 0.5 to 74.3% for total kernels per panicle, 17.6 to 255.7% for filled kernels per panicle, and 9.6 to 130.4% for seed set. Improvements in these yield components resulted in the HB for kernel yield ranging from 64.8 to 672.7% among the seven hybrids. Hybrids T461A/T4002 and T461A/T4193 yielded 46.3 and 38.3% more, respectively than Shanyou 63, and all other hybrids but one yielded the same or more than Shanyou 63. The high heterosis for yield suggests that hybrid sterility between two rice sub-species may be overcome by using tetraploid lines followed by intensive selection. Also, the gigantic features of the autotetraploid hybrids may establish a plant structure able to support the higher yield.

SrF2 hierarchical flowerlike structures: Solvothermal synthesis, formation mechanism, and optical properties

We present a solvothermal route to the synthesis of SrF2 hierarchical flowerlike structures based on thermal decomposition of single source precursor (SSP) of strontium trifluoroacetate in benzylamine solvent. These flowerlike superstructures are actually composed of numerous aggregated nanoplates, and the growth process involves the initial formation of spherical nanoparticles and subsequent transformation into nanoplates. which aggregated together to form microdisks and finally flowerlike superstructures. The results demonstrate the important role of benzylamine in the formation of well-defined SrF2 superstructures, not only providing size and shape control to form nanoplates but also contributing to the self-assembly behavior of nanoplates to build into flower-like superstructures. Additionally, the photoluminescence properties of the obtained SrF2 superstructures are studied.

地下水流动数值模拟的并行计算方法研究

Numerical modeling of groundwater is very important for understanding groundwater flow and solving hydrogeological problem. Today, groundwater studies require massive model cells and high calculation accuracy, which are beyond single-CPU computer’s capabilities. With the development of high performance parallel computing technologies, application of parallel computing method on numerical modeling of groundwater flow becomes necessary and important. Using parallel computing can improve the ability to resolve various hydro-geological and environmental problems. In this study, parallel computing method on two main types of modern parallel computer architecture, shared memory parallel systems and distributed shared memory parallel systems, are discussed. OpenMP and MPI (PETSc) are both used to parallelize the most widely used groundwater simulator, MODFLOW. Two parallel solvers, P-PCG and P-MODFLOW, were developed for MODFLOW. The parallelized MODFLOW was used to simulate regional groundwater flow in Beishan, Gansu Province, which is a potential high-level radioactive waste geological disposal area in China. 1. The OpenMP programming paradigm was used to parallelize the PCG (preconditioned conjugate-gradient method) solver, which is one of the main solver for MODFLOW. The parallel PCG solver, P-PCG, is verified using an 8-processor computer. Both the impact of compilers and different model domain sizes were considered in the numerical experiments. The largest test model has 1000 columns, 1000 rows and 1000 layers. Based on the timing results, execution times using the P-PCG solver are typically about 1.40 to 5.31 times faster than those using the serial one. In addition, the simulation results are the exact same as the original PCG solver, because the majority of serial codes were not changed. It is worth noting that this parallelizing approach reduces cost in terms of software maintenance because only a single source PCG solver code needs to be maintained in the MODFLOW source tree. 2. P-MODFLOW, a domain decomposition–based model implemented in a parallel computing environment is developed, which allows efficient simulation of a regional-scale groundwater flow. The basic approach partitions a large model domain into any number of sub-domains. Parallel processors are used to solve the model equations within each sub-domain. The use of domain decomposition method to achieve the MODFLOW program distributed shared memory parallel computing system will process the application of MODFLOW be extended to the fleet of the most popular systems, so that a large-scale simulation could take full advantage of hundreds or even thousands parallel processors. P-MODFLOW has a good parallel performance, with the maximum speedup of 18.32 (14 processors). Super linear speedups have been achieved in the parallel tests, indicating the efficiency and scalability of the code. Parallel program design, load balancing and full use of the PETSc were considered to achieve a highly efficient parallel program. 3. The characterization of regional ground water flow system is very important for high-level radioactive waste geological disposal. The Beishan area, located in northwestern Gansu Province, China, is selected as a potential site for disposal repository. The area includes about 80000 km2 and has complicated hydrogeological conditions, which greatly increase the computational effort of regional ground water flow models. In order to reduce computing time, parallel computing scheme was applied to regional ground water flow modeling. Models with over 10 million cells were used to simulate how the faults and different recharge conditions impact regional ground water flow pattern. The results of this study provide regional ground water flow information for the site characterization of the potential high-level radioactive waste disposal.