ABSTRACT The original two-order separating sieve has a good potato-soil separating ability, but it causes significant damage to potatoes while ensuring a high potato detection rate, which in turn affects the working effectiveness of the potato digger. Thus, it is necessary to improve the design of the original swing separation sieve with a two-order sieve surface to one with a three-order sieve surface to solve the contradiction between the potato detection and potato damage. On this basis, the movement characteristics of potatoes and the separation performance of the new sieve were experimentally investigated. The experiment was conducted in a test field in Wuchuan County using a completely randomized design in a single-factor scheme with three factors and five levels, with five crank speeds (140, 150, 180, 210 and 225 rpm), five machine forward speeds (1.41, 1.51, 1.70, 1.89 and 2.21 km h-1) and five boom-connecting rod length combinations (250-350-1,030, 250-370-1,040, 270-370-1,050, 290-370-1,060 and 310-370-1,070 mm). Each experiment was repeated three times at each level, and the average value was taken as the final result. The experimental results demonstrate that the new three-order separation sieve can ensure a high potato detection rate while maintaining a low potato skin breakage rate.

RESUMO A peneira de separação de duas ordens original tem uma boa capacidade de separação batata-solo, mas causa danos significativos às batatas ao mesmo tempo em que garante uma alta taxa de evidência de batatas, o que, por sua vez, afeta a eficácia do trabalho da escavadeira de batatas. Assim, o estudo teve como objetivo aprimorar a peneira de separação de balanço original com uma superfície de peneira de duas ordens para uma nova peneira de separação com uma superfície de peneira de três ordens para resolver a contradição entre a taxa obvia de batatas e os danos às batatas na operação da peneira original. Com base nisso, as características de movimentação das batatas e o desempenho de separação da nova peneira foram investigados experimentalmente no campo. O experimento foi conduzido em um campo de teste no Condado de Wuchuan, utilizando um delineamento completamente aleatório em um esquema de fator único com três fatores e cinco níveis, com cinco velocidades de manivela (140, 150, 180, 210 e 225 rpm), cinco velocidades de avanço da máquina (1,41, 1,51, 1,70, 1,89 e 2,21 km h-1) e cinco combinações de comprimento da haste de ligação do braço (250-350-1.030, 250-370-1.040, 270-370-1.050, 290-370-1.060 e 310-370-1.070 mm). Cada experimento foi repetido três vezes em cada nível, e o valor médio foi considerado como o resultado final. Os resultados experimentais demonstram que a nova peneira de separação de três ordens pode garantir uma alta taxa de detecção de batatas enquanto mantém uma baixa taxa de danos à casca das batatas.

RESUMO Fatores climáticos desempenham papel essencial no crescimento da largura dos anéis das árvores. Neste estudo, objetivou-se avaliar a correlação entre variáveis climáticas e características de crescimento de anéis de árvores de Pinus sibirica nas montanhas de Altai, noroeste da China. Este estudo é o primeiro desse tipo na análise do crescimento climático de Pinus sibirica no noroeste da China. O estudo mostrou grande potencial para entender as espécies que crescem sob as condições climáticas específicas. Total de 70 testemunhos coletados em três locais na área de amostragem, dos quais 63 testemunhos considerados para este estudo. O efeito das variáveis climáticas estudadas incluem precipitação, temperatura e PDSI. Nossos resultados mostraram que a cronologia da Largura do Anel da Árvore tem uma correlação significativamente positiva com a temperatura do final do inverno (março) e uma correlação negativa significativa com as temperaturas de julho. Uma correlação significativa foi observada com a precipitação do final do verão, enquanto nenhuma relação significativa foi encontrada com o Índice de Severidade de Seca de Palmer. Essas correlações significativas com a temperatura e precipitação sugeriram que esta espécie de árvore tinha o potencial para a reconstrução do clima passado na área.

Abstract Climatic factors play an essential role in the growth of tree ring width. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the correlation between climatic variables and tree-ring growth characteristics of Pinus sibirica in Altai mountains, northwestern China. This study being is first of its kind on climate growth analysis of Pinus sibirica in northwestern China. The study showed great potential to understand the species growing under the specific climatic conditions. Total of 70 tree cores collected from three sites in the sampling area, out of which 63 tree cores considered for this study. The effect of climatic variables which was studied include precipitation, temperature and PDSI. Our results showed that Tree Ring Width chronology has a significantly positive correlation with the late winter (March) temperature and significant negative correlation with the July temperatures. A significant correlation was observed with the late summer precipitation whereas no significant relation found with the Palmer Drought Severity Index. These significant correlations with temperature and precipitation suggested that this tree species had the potential for the reconstruction of the past climate in the area.

Abstract Cobalt metal is considered as an essential trace element for the animals. Present investigation was undertaken in the peri-urban area to analyze the cobalt availability in animal food chain by using different indices. Cow, buffalo and sheep samples along with forage and soil samples were collected from the three different sites of District Jhang and analyzed through atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Cobalt values differed in soil samples as 0.315-0.535 mg/kg, forages as 0.127-0.333 mg/kg and animal samples as 0.364-0.504 mg/kg. Analyzed cobalt concentration in soil, forage and animal samples was found to be deficient in concentration with respect to standard limits. Soil showed the minimum cobalt level in Z. mays while maximum concentration was examined in the forage C. decidua samples. All indices examined in this study has values lesser than 1, representing the safer limits of the cobalt concentration in these samples. Enrichment factor (0.071-0.161 mg/kg) showed the highly deficient amount of cobalt enrichment in this area. Bio-concentration factor (0.392-0.883) and pollution load index (0.035-0.059 mg/kg) values were also lesser than 1 explains that plant and soil samples are not contaminated with cobalt metal. The daily intake and health risk index ranged from 0.00019-0.00064 mg/kg/day and 0.0044-0.0150 mg/kg/day respectively. Among the animals, cobalt availability was maximum (0.0150 mg/kg/day) in the buffaloes that grazed on the C. decidua fodder. Results of this study concluded that cobalt containing fertilizers must be applied on the soil and forages. Animal feed derived from the cobalt containing supplements are supplied to the animals, to fulfill the nutritional requirements of livestock.

Resumo O metal cobalto é considerado um oligoelemento essencial para os animais. A presente investigação foi realizada na área periurbana para analisar a disponibilidade de cobalto na cadeia alimentar animal usando diferentes índices. Amostras de vacas, búfalos e ovelhas, juntamente com amostras de forragem e solo foram coletadas em três locais diferentes do Distrito Jhang e analisadas por meio de espectrofotômetro de absorção atômica. Os valores de cobalto diferiram em amostras de solo como 0,315-0,535mg/kg, forragens como 0,127-0,333 mg/kg e amostras de animais como 0,364-0,504 mg/kg. A concentração de cobalto analisada no solo, forragem e amostras de animais foi considerada deficiente em relação aos limites padrão. O solo apresentou o teor mínimo de cobalto em Z. mays enquanto a concentração máxima foi examinada nas amostras de forragem C. decidua. Todos os índices examinados neste estudo possuem valores menores que 1, representando os limites mais seguros da concentração de cobalto nestas amostras. O fator de enriquecimento (0,071-0,161 mg/kg) mostrou a quantidade altamente deficiente de enriquecimento de cobalto nesta área. Os valores do fator de bioconcentração (0,392-0,883) e do índice de carga de poluição (0,035-0,059 mg/kg) também foram menores que 1, o que explica que as amostras de plantas e solo não estão contaminadas com cobalto metálico. A ingestão diária e o índice de risco à saúde variaram de 0,00019-0,00064 mg/kg/dia e 0,0044-0,0150 mg/kg/dia, respectivamente. Entre os animais, a disponibilidade de cobalto foi máxima (0,0150 mg/kg/dia) nos búfalos que pastaram na forragem de C. decidua. Os resultados deste estudo concluíram que fertilizantes contendo cobalto devem ser aplicados no solo e nas forragens. A ração animal derivada dos suplementos contendo cobalto é fornecida aos animais, para atender às necessidades nutricionais do gado.

Abstract Quinoa starch microparticles (QSMs) fabricated with unhydrolyzed quinoa starch (QS) by inverse microemulsion technology could be used as medicine delivery and cosmetic accessories. The size distribution of QSMs was uniform at 28.5 μM, and the adsorption capacity of methylene blue was 0.82 mg/ g. The optimum preparation process was as follows: a QS mass fraction of 9%, an epoxy chloropropane content of 1%, an amount of oil phase of 100 mL, a span 80 of 3 mg/mL, and a stirring speed of 400 r/min for 3 h at room temperature and pressure. The QSMs were spherical, ellipsoidal in shape with the specific surface area of 1.676 m2/g. The crystallinity of the QSMs increased from 1.24% to 16.8% after crosslinking. The maximum thermal degradation temperature of the QSMs rose slightly than QS. It will be a promising material for application as a drug carrier and in cosmetics.

ABSTRACT Traditional cultivars account for a large part of worldwide almond cultivars. However, the oil chemical traits of traditional almond cultivars in China remain unclear. Here, the oil chemical traits of four native and two traditional almond cultivars grown in China were determined. The content of unsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids ranged from 93.02% to 93.29% and 75.24% to 77.98%, respectively. The tocopherol content varied between 25.15 and 18.37 mg/100 g. β-sitosterol content varied between 93.06% and 94.40%. VB1, VB2, VB3, and VB6 contents ranged from 0.11 to 0.23, 0.26 to 0.73, 370.00 to 1272.00, and 0.05 to 0.07 mg/100 g, respectively. The levels of squalene and phospholipids ranged from 131.20 to 274.80 mg/kg and 1.18 to 1.47 mg/g, respectively. These results indicated that the composition and content of fatty acids, tocopherols, sterols, VB1, VB2, VB3, VB6, squalene, and phospholipids in almond kernels were significantly different among the investigated cultivars.

ABSTRACT The motion of a body can be expressed relative to the present configuration of the body, known as the relative motion description, besides the classical Lagrangian and the Eulerian descriptions. When the time increment from the present state is small enough, the nonlinear constitutive equations can be linearized relative to the present state so that the resulting system of boundary value problems becomes linear. This formulation is based on the well-known “small-on-large” idea, and can be implemented for solving problems with large deformation in successive incremental manner. In fact, the proposed method is a process of repeated applications of the well-known “small deformation superposed on finite deformation” in the literature. This article presents these ideas applied to thermoelastic materials with a brief comment on the exploitation of entropy principle in general. Some applications of such a formulation in numerical simulations are briefly reviewed and a numerical result is shown.

The properties and deterioration in strength of cemented tailings backfill (CTB )in the underground acidic environment under oxidizing conditions were studied. X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy of the surface of the CTB was carried out, and the sulphuric acid corrosion mechanism elucidated. The properties tested included compressive strength, elastic modulus, cohesion, internal friction angle, variation in the hydrogen ion concentration, and stress-strain relationship in different corrosion periods. The damage model of the CTB was established considering the effects of parameters such as corrosion time and strain on the damage evolution. It was found that the compressive strength, elastic modulus, cohesion (binder effect), and internal friction angle increased at first and then decreased with exposure time. In the long term, the peak stress decreased with corrosion time while the peak strain increased; elastic modulus, and deformation modulus also decreased. The damage caused by corrosion and by load were related by means of a mathematical model, which revealed the relationships between sulphuric attack, load, and damage to backfill in complex underground environments. During corrosion, the expansion of gypsum and ettringite caused microfractures in the CTB. With increasing corrosion time, micro-cracks developed and proliferated. The mechanism of corrosion damage was found to be the dissolution of hydrogen ions and a sulphate ion reaction that produces an expansive substance, resulting in deterioration of the strength of CTB.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) has brought attention to flap failure in reconstructive surgery. To improve the prognosis of skin transplantation, we performed experimental IRI by surgical obstruction of blood flow and used sodium ferulate (SF) to prevent IRI in rats. After SF treatment, the morphological and histological changes of the skin flaps were observed by H&E and Masson's trichrome staining. We also detected the expression levels of COX-1, HO-1, and Ki67 by immunohistochemical and western blot analysis. Moreover, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to identify the content of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) in peripheral blood and skin tissue. Compared with the model group, SF treatment significantly improved the recovered flap area (%) and promoted collagen synthesis. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression was significantly inhibited by heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) induction after SF treatment. Furthermore, SF significantly inhibited the levels of TNF-α in peripheral blood, MPO and MDA in the skin tissue, and the increased synthesis of NO. Our results showed the protective effects of SF on IRI after flap transplantation and we believe that the protective effects of SF was closely related to the alleviation of the inflammatory response and the inhibition of the oxidative stress injury.

RESUMO Utilizando um anticorpo monoclonal contra a aflatoxina B1 (AFB1) como ligante, foi identificado um mimotopo específico de aflatoxina B1 após se realizarem quatro ciclos de seleção biológica de 7-peptídeos aleatórios em biblioteca de fago exibida. O mimotopo é denominado P10, e sua sequência de aminoácidos é YRRHEKD. O soro imunológico de ratos Balb/c imunizados com P10 foi especificamente ligado à aflatoxina B1-albumina, indicando que o anticorpo era específico ao AFB1. Esses resultados sugerem que é possível desenvolver a vacina baseada em mimotopo associado à toxina.

Abstract Gynostemma yixingense, an important medicinal member of the Cucurbitaceae family, is an endemic herbaceous species distributed in East China. It is morphologically similar to the plants in the same genus, which resulted in some confusion in identification and application. Meanwhile, there are still some controversies in taxonomy. Herein, the complete chloroplast genome sequence of G. yixingense was obtained by Illumina paired-end sequencing technology and compared to other chloroplast genome sequences of congeneric species. The complete chloroplast genome of G. yixingense is 157,910 bp in length with 36.94% GC content and contains a large single-copy (LSC) region of 86,791 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,635 bp and a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions of 26,242 bp. The whole genome contains 133 unique genes, including 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, eight rRNA genes and one pseudogene. In addition, 74 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were identified, most of which were A/T rich. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that G. yixingense had the closest relationship to G. laxiflorum. The result of this study provided an important theoretical basis for chloroplast genome and phylogenetic analysis of G. yixingense.

RESUMO O presente trabalho visa investigar os efeitos do extrato de semente de uva Proanthocyanidin (GSPE) sobre o desempenho da produção, o metabolismo e o status antioxidante de gado leiteiro Holstein em lactação precoce. Quarenta e oito vacas leiteiras multíparas Holstein foram divididas em quatro grupos (CON, G20, G40 e G80) e receberam 0, 20, 40 e 80mg de GSPE/kg de peso corporal/dia, respectivamente. O G20 aumentou significativamente o rendimento do leite em comparação com os outros grupos. A proteína e os sólidos não gordurosos do leite foram aumentados nos grupos G20, G40 e G80 somente no sétimo dia durante a experiência. Não foi observada diferença significativa na gordura do leite e na contagem de células somáticas, bem como nos parâmetros de metabolismo energético no sangue, na função hepática e na função renal entre os grupos em relação ao grupo controle. Não houve diferença significativa na glutationa peroxidase, na dimutase de superóxido, na capacidade antioxidante total e no peróxido de hidrogênio entre os grupos, mas o conteúdo malondialdeído do G20 aumentou significativamente no dia 14 em comparação com o CON, e tendia a aumentar no dia 28. Em conclusão, a alimentação de 20mg de GSPE/kg de peso corporal/dia foi associada a um aumento significativo no rendimento do leite, sem efeitos nocivos sobre a função hepática ou a renal, com o metabolismo de energia substancial e a melhoria dos parâmetros antioxidantes de gado leiteiro no início da lactação.

ABSTRACT Aims to investigate the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) on production performance, metabolism, and anti-oxidative status of Holstein dairy cattle in early lactation. Forty-eight multiparous Holstein dairy cattle were assigned to four groups (CON, G20, G40 and G80) and supplied with 0, 20, 40, and 80mg GSPE/kg of body weight/day. G20 significantly increased milk yield compared with other groups. Milk protein and non-fat-solids were increased in G20, G40 and G80 groups compared with the control group only at the 7th day during the experiment. No significant difference was observed in milk fat and somatic cell count, nor on parameters of energy metabolism in blood, liver function and kidney function between the four groups. There was no significant difference in glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, and hydrogen peroxide between the groups; but the malondialdehyde content of G20 significantly increased at day 14 in comparison with CON, and tended to increase at the 28th day. In conclusion, feeding 20mg GSPE/kg of body weight/day was associated with a significant increase in milk yield without detrimental effects on liver or kidney function and with substantial energy metabolism and antioxidant parameters improvement in early lactation dairy cattle.

ABSTRACT The process of solid circulation in an internally circulating fluidized bed (ICFB) having two or more chambers can be developed by applying unequal gas velocities in these chambers. Such a process is beneficial to several applications and provides the means for the energy transfer between the chambers in the ICFB. In this paper, a multi-fluid CFD model incorporating the kinetic theory of granular flow is used to simulate the hydrodynamic characteristics of a binary mixture of particles in an ICFB using ANSYS-Fluent software. The mixture is composed of two particles of different sizes but the same densities. The ICFB has two chambers named the reaction chamber (RC) and the heat exchange chamber (HEC), separated by a vertical central baffle. An increase in the RC gas velocity UR at constant HEC gas velocity UH results in an increase in the circulation rate of the binary mixture. The circulation rate of small particles GBs is found to be higher than that of the big particles GBb. Increasing the slot size causes a decrease in the pressure difference between the chambers and consequently decreasing the solid circulation rate in the ICFB. The mixture circulation rate also decreases when the mixture is richer in GBb particles than in GBs.

Flotation is widely used to process fine coal. However, problems of concentrate contamination caused by slime coating, entrapment, and entrainment have severely impeded its performance. Oil agglomeration, another physicochemical separation method, works as a substitute to solve the contamination problems. Agglomerates were prepared from coal fines using different stirring times and the ash content and combustible recovery in four size fractions: +500, 500-250, 250-125, and -125 μm determined. The results showed that coal particles finer than 45 μm with low ash content transformed from scattered particles to solid agglomerates. With longer stirring times, the number of large and stabilized agglomerates increased and attained equilibrium. The agglomeration process can be separated into three stages according to the degree of agglomeration at different stirring times.

Abstract An efficient solid acid catalyst (Ce/Kaolin clay) was prepared and investigated for transesterification of cottonseed oil to fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). The catalysts were characterized by XRD, BET, and NH3-TPD measurements. A new integrated apparatus for extraction and transesterification of cottonseed oil was developed. The effects of cerium loading, catalyst calcination temperature, methanol flow rate, reaction temperature, reaction time, and catalyst amount were also investigated. The results indicated that the Ce/Kaolin clay showed high catalytic activity under the calcination temperature of 700 oC and cerium loading of 0.05 g/g. The optimum transesterification reaction conditions were as follows: methanol flow rate 4.0 mL/min, reaction temperature 60 oC,reaction time 3 h, and catalyst amount 15 g. Under these conditions, the yield of FAME was up to 91%.The catalytic activity of Ce/Kaolin clay still remained high after 4 times of repeated use. The results indicated that the Ce/Kaolin clay catalysts had a good potential for use in the large-scale production of FAME.