Abstract Background Understanding the epidemiology of Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) isolates is important for pneumonia treatment and prevention. This research aimed to explore the epidemiological characteristics of S. pneumoniae isolated from pediatric inpatients and outpatients during the same period. Methods S. pneumoniae were isolated from unsterile samples of inpatients and outpatients younger than five years old between March 2013 and February 2014. The serotypes were determined using diagnostic pneumococcal antisera. The resistance of each strain to 13 antibiotics was tested using either the E-test or the disc diffusion method. The Sequence Types (STs) were analyzed via Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST). Results The dominant serotypes obtained from inpatients were 19F (32.9 %), 19A (20.7 %), 23F (10.7 %), 6A (10.0 %), and 14 (8.6 %), while those from outpatients were 19F (13.6 %), 23F (12.9 %), 6A (10.0 %), 6B (10.0 %), and 19A (7.9 %). The coverage rates of 13-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) formulations were high in both groups. The nonsusceptibility to penicillin, cefuroxime, imipenem, erythromycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole among the inpatient isolates was 7.1 %, 92.8 %, 65.7 %, 100 %, and 85.0 %, respectively, while that among the outpatient isolates was 0.7 %, 50.0 %, 38.6 %, 96.4 %, and 65.7 %, respectively. There were 45 and 81 STs detected from the pneumococci isolated from inpatients and outpatients, respectively. CC271 was common among both inpatients and outpatients (43.6 % and 14.3 %). Conclusions Pneumococcal vaccine-related serotypes are prevalent among both inpatients and outpatients, especially among inpatients, who exhibit more severe antibiotic resistance. Therefore, universal immunization with PCV13 would decrease the hospitalization rate due to S. pneumoniae and the antibiotic resistance rate of S. pneumoniae. S (S prevention period 201 2014 antisera 1 Etest E test method (STs MLST. MLST . (MLST) F 32.9 329 32 9 (32. , %) A 20.7 207 20 7 (20. 10.7 107 10 (10. 10.0 0 8.6 86 8 6 (8. 13.6 136 (13. 12.9 129 12 (12. B 7.9 79 (7. %. 13valent valent PCV (PCV groups penicillin cefuroxime imipenem erythromycin trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole 71 7. 928 92 92. 657 65 65. 850 85 85. respectively 07 0. 500 50 50. 386 38 38. 964 96 4 96. CC CC27 43.6 436 43 (43. 143 3 14. vaccinerelated vaccine related Therefore PCV1 (MLST 32. (32 20. 2 (20 10. (10 8. (8 13. (13 12. (12 (7 5 CC2 43. (43 (3 (2 (1 ( (4

Abstract The current developmental trend is to evaluate the quality of Yongchuan Xiuya tea rapidly. After spectrum pre-processing, near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) coupled with synergy interval partial least squares (siPLS), principal component analysis (PCA) and back propagation-artificial neural network (BP-ANN) was applied to rapidly and non-destructively predict the quality of Yongchuan Xiuya tea. External Yongchuan Xiuya tea samples were used for the actual application of the proposed model. The best pre-processing method was multiple scattering correction coupled with second derivative, and the characteristic spectral regions selected by siPLS were 4381.5-4755.6 cm-1, 4759.5-5133.6 cm-1, 6266.6-6637.8 cm-1 and 7389.9-7760.2 cm-1. The cumulative contribution rate was 99.05% for the first three principal components of the characteristic spectra regions. The transfer function, root mean square error and determinant coefficient of the best BP-ANN prediction model were the tanh function, 0.384 and 0.977, respectively. The root mean square error and determinant coefficient of the external 10 Yongchuan Xiuya tea samples were 0.406 and 0.969, respectively. These results showed that NIRS combined with BP-ANN algorithm can be used to evaluate the quality of Yongchuan Xiuya tea rapidly and accurately.

This article proposes a posthumanist reading of Joyce Carol Oates's "Poe Posthumous; or, The Light-House," and argues that posthumanism provides human beings with a new way of living. In the story, the narrator comes to the Light-House at Viña de Mar to participate in a scientific experiment. As an "exemplary specimen of Homo sapiens," the narrator endeavours to preserve human knowledge, which symbolises his superiority over nonhuman species. However, on becoming further involved in nature, he gradually abandons his anthropocentric thought, and learns to live with other species. The posthumanist thought finds its full expression in the symbiotic coexistence of multiple species and culminates in the narrator' s cross-species marriage to a female Cyclophagus. The juxtaposition of the decentring of anthropocentrism with the ascent of nonhuman agents highlights the posthumanist coexistence of humans and nonhumans.

Abstract Oxygen glucose deprivation/re-oxygenation (OGD/R)-mediated ischemia of kidney is frequently leads to enhanced apoptosis and amplified inflammatory response. Sappanchalcone (Sap) is a flavonoid compound that extracted from Caesalpinia sappan L. with a range of cell-protective activities. Herein, we primarily reconnoitered the influence of Sap in HK-2 cells under OGD/R treatment. In this research, the consequence revealed that Sap might linked with ischemia of kidney. Besides, Sap lessened OGD/R-mediated HK-2 cell injury by boosting cell viability, inhibiting apoptosis and inflammation. In addition, Sap hindered activation of the TNFRSF1A/NF-kB signaling. Moreover, upregulation of TNFRSF1A diminished the repressive influence of Sap on OGD/R-mediated apoptosis and inflammation. In conclusion, Sap declined the OGD/R-induced HK-2 cell injury by downregulation of TNFRSF1A/NF-kB signaling, thereby offered a theoretical basis for the handling of ischemia of kidney.

ABSTRACT Purpose: We aimed to find the association between screen time (ST)-based sedentary behavior and depression in children and adolescents. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Web of science database were searched to find eligible studies until April 25, 2021. Data extraction was conducted by two investigators independently, followed by quality assessment for included studies. Odd ration (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were regarded as effect size index. Heterogeneity test was conducted using Cochran’ s Q test and I2 test. Least squares trend estimation method was used for dose-response meta-analysis. All statistical analyses were conducted using Stata12.0 software. Results: Totally 22 articles containing 197,673 cases were included. The pooled results displayed that there was a significant positive correlation between ST and depression [OR (95%CI) = 1.24 (1.11, 1.38), P < 0.001]. Similar results were observed for watching television (TV), computer use (CU), computer game (CG)/video game (VG) and internet use (IU)/mobile phone (MP) time. Dose-response meta-analysis showed that take 1 hour/day as control, the risk of depression went down and then went up as sedentary time increased for ST (P > 0.05). The risk of depression was significantly increased when TV time beyond 4.5 hours/day (P < 0.05), or CU time beyond 0.5 hours/day (P < 0.05), or CG/VG time beyond 2 hours/day (P < 0.05), or IU/MP time beyond 0.5 hours/day (P < 0.05). Conclusion: ST-based sedentary behavior was associated with the risk of depression in a non-linear dose–response manner for children and adolescents.

Abstract Objective This study aimed to identify the predictors and threshold of failure in neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome. Methods Newborns with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome aged 0-28 days and gestational age ≥36 weeks were included in the study if their cases were managed with non-extra corporal membrane oxygenation treatments. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they died before discharge. Predictors of non-extra corporal membrane oxygenation treatment failure were sought, and the threshold of predictors was calculated. Results A total of 103 patients were included in the study. A total of 77 (74.8%) survived hospitalization and were discharged, whereas 26 (25.2%) died. Receiver operating characteristic analysis of oxygen index, pH, base excess, and combinations of these indicators demonstrated the advantage of the combination of oxygen index and base excess over the others variables regarding their predictive ability. The area under the curve for the combination of oxygen index and base excess was 0.865. When the cut-off values of oxygen index and base excess were 30.0 and −7.4, respectively, the sensitivity and specificity for predicting death were 77.0% and 84.0%, respectively. The model with base excess added a net reclassification improvement of 0.090 to the model without base excess. Conclusion The combination of oxygen index and base excess can be used as a predictor of outcomes in neonates receiving non-extra corporal membrane oxygenation treatment for acute respiratory distress syndrome. In neonates with acute respiratory distress syndrome, if oxygen index >30 and base excess <−7.4, non-extra corporal membrane oxygenation therapy is likely to lead to death.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Investigar o efeito protetor e o mecanismo da dexmedetomidina (Dex) na lesão perioperativa do miocárdio em doentes com dissecação aórtica Tipo A de Stanford (AD). MÉTODOS: Oitenta e seis pacientes com o Tipo A de Stanford foram aleatoriamente divididos em Dex e grupos de controle, 43 casos em cada grupo. Durante a cirurgia, o grupo de controle recebeu a anestesia de rotina, e o grupo Dex recebeu tratamento Dex baseado na anestesia de rotina. A frequência cardíaca (AR) e a pressão arterial média (MAP) foram registradas no momento anterior ao Dex carregar (t0), 10 minutos após o Dex carregar (t1), incisão cutânea (t2), serragem de esterno (t3), antes do bypass cardiopulmonar (t4), extubação (t5) e fim da cirurgia (t6). Os índices de sangue foram determinados no momento antes da indução da anestesia (T0) e no pós-operatório 12 horas (T1), 24 horas (T2), 48 horas (T3) e 72 horas (T4). RESULTADOS: Em T2 e t3, o RH e o MAP do grupo Dex foram inferiores ao grupo de controle (p<0,05). Em comparação com o grupo de controle, no grupo Dex em T1, T2 e T3, os níveis séricos de creatina quinase-MB, troponina-I, proteína C-reativa e necrose do fator-α do tumor diminuíram, o nível interleucina-10 aumentou, o desalinhamento total do superóxido sérico e a capacidade antioxidante total aumentaram e os níveis de mielopeperóxido e malondialdeído diminuíram (todos p<0,05). CONCLUSÃO: O tratamento com Dex pode aliviar a lesão do miocárdio perioperativo em doentes com o Tipo A de Stanford por resistência à resposta inflamatória e ao estresse oxidativo.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of dexmedetomidine (Dex) on perioperative myocardial injury in patients with Stanford type-A aortic dissection (AD). METHODS: Eighty-six patients with Stanford type-A AD were randomly divided into Dex and control groups, with 43 cases in each group. During the surgery, the control group received the routine anesthesia, and the Dex group received Dex treatment based on routine anesthesia. The heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded before Dex loading (t0), 10 min after Dex loading (t1), at the skin incision (t2), sternum sawing (t3), before cardiopulmonary bypass (t4), at the extubation (t5), and at end of surgery (t6). The blood indexes were determined before anesthesia induction (T0) and postoperatively after 12h (T1), 24h (T2), 48h (T3), and 72h (T4). RESULTS: At t2 and t3, the HR and MAP in the Dex group were lower than in the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, in the Dex group at T1, T2, and T3, the serum creatine kinase-MB, cardiac troponin-I, C-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels were decreased, and the interleukin-10 level, the serum total superoxide dismutase, and total anti-oxidant capability increased, while the myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde levels decreased (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Dex treatment may alleviate perioperative myocardial injury in patients with Stanford type-A AD by resisting inflammatory response and oxidative stress.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Este estudo visa investigar o valor da aplicação da hidrografia por ressonância magnética (RM) do ouvido interno no implante coclear. MÉTODOS Cento e quarenta e seis pacientes foram inscritos. Os exames da hidrografia por RM e do CT espiral para o canal auditivo intracraniano foram executados antes da cirurgia, e todos os resultados da imagem foram analisados estatisticamente, a fim de explorar o valor da aplicação da hidrografia por RM do ouvido interno no implante coclear. RESULTADOS Centro e quarenta e seis pacientes (292 ouvidos) foram examinados. Dentre esses pacientes, 13 foram diagnosticados com aquedutos vestibulares anormais (20 ouvidos) pela hidrografia por RM, enquanto cinco pacientes foram diagnosticados com esta doença pelo CT; 15 pacientes foram diagnosticados com malformação do ouvido interno (19 ouvidos) pela hidrografia por RM, enquanto 11 pacientes foram diagnosticados por CT (quatro foram diagnosticados erroneamente); cinco pacientes foram diagnosticados com estenose de canal acústico interno (oito ouvidos) pela hidrografia por RM, enquanto dois pacientes foram diagnosticados por CT (três foram diagnosticados erroneamente); e quatro pacientes foram diagnosticados com fibrose coclear (cinco ouvidos) pela hidrografia por RM, enquanto quatro foram diagnosticados por CT (quatro ouvidos). A taxa correta de diagnóstico foi de 77,40% (113/146) com base no CT, enquanto a taxa foi de 93,84% (137/146) com base na hidrografia por RM. CONCLUSÕES A técnica de imagem da hidrografia por RM pode ser aplicada à avaliação pré-operatória do implante coclear, que pode fornecer informações anatômicas precisas e confiáveis sobre o labirinto membranoso interno e os nervos no canal acústico interno, além de uma base exata para o diagnóstico da fibrose coclear e do desenvolvimento do nervo. Isso tem um significado orientador para a seleção de esquemas de tratamento.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE This study aims to investigate the application value of magnetic resonance (MR) hydrography of the inner ear in cochlear implantation. METHODS 146 patients were enrolled. MR hydrography and spiral CT examinations for the intracranial auditory canal were performed before surgery, and all imaging results were statistically analyzed in order to explore the application value of MR hydrography of the inner ear in cochlear implantation. RESULTS 146 patients (292 ears) were examined. Among these patients, 13 were diagnosed with abnormal vestibular aqueducts (20 ears) by MR hydrography, while five were diagnosed with this disease by CT; 15 patients were diagnosed with inner ear malformation (19 ears) by MR hydrography, while 11 were diagnosed by CT (four were misdiagnosed); five patients were diagnosed with internal acoustic canal stenosis (eight ears) by MR hydrography, while two were diagnosed by CT (three were misdiagnosed); and four patients were diagnosed with cochlear fibrosis (five ears) by MR hydrography, while four were diagnosed by CT (four ears). The correct rate of diagnosis was 77.40% (113/146) based on CT, while the rate was 93.84% (137/146) based on MR hydrography. CONCLUSIONS MR hydrography imaging technique can be applied to the preoperative evaluation of cochlear implantation, providing accurate and reliable anatomic information on the inner membranous labyrinth and nerves in the internal acoustic canal and an accurate basis for the diagnosis of cochlear fibrosis and nerve development. This has a guiding significance for the selection of treatment schemes.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Estudar os fatores que afetam a regeneração hepática após hepatectomia. MÉTODOS A capacidade de regeneração hepática de 117 pacientes foi analisada com a tecnologia de reconstituição 3D e foram estudados os fatores relacionados. RESULTADOS Não houve diferença estatística significante entre o volume de ressecção hepática simulada e a ressecção atual. Todos os fígados apresentaram diferentes graus de regeneração após cirurgia. Idade, gênero e indicadores sanguíneos não tiveram impacto na regeneração hepática, enquanto que tempo de cirurgia, perda sanguínea intraoperatória, tempo de bloqueio do fluxo sanguíneo e diferentes formas de ressecção mostraram impacto significante na regeneração do órgão. Além disso, condições patológicas dos pacientes, incluindo hepatite e fibrose hepática, tiveram impacto significante na regeneração hepática. CONCLUSÃO O modelo de reconstituição 3D é um bom modelo para calcular o volume do fígado. Idade, gênero, indicadores sanguíneos e bioquímicos não tiveram impacto na regeneração hepática, mas indicadores operatórios e condição patológica dos pacientes mostraram influência na regeneração do órgão.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE To study factors affecting the liver regeneration after hepatectomy METHODS With 3D reconstitution technology, liver regeneration ability of 117 patients was analysed, and relative factors were studied. RESULTS There was no statistically difference between the volume of simulated liver resection and the actual liver resection. All livers had different degrees of regeneration after surgery. Age, gender and blood indicators had no impact on liver regeneration, while surgery time, intraoperative blood loss, blood flow blocking time and different ways of liver resection had a significant impact on liver regeneration; In addition, the patients’ own pathological status, including, hepatitis and liver fibrosis all had a significant impact on liver regeneration. CONCLUSION 3D reconstitution model is a good model to calculate liver volume. Age, gender, blood indicators and biochemistry indicators have no impact on liver regeneration, but surgery indicators and patients’ own pathological status have influence on liver regeneration.

Abstract Biofertilizer Ning shield was composed of different strains of plant growth promotion bacteria. In this study, the plant growth promotion and root-knot nematode disease control potential on Trichosanthes kirilowii in the field were evaluated. The application of Ning shield significantly reduced the diseases severity caused by Meloidogyne incognita, the biocontrol efficacy could reached up to 51.08%. Ning shield could also promote the growth of T. kirilowii in the field by increasing seedling emergence, height and the root weight. The results showed that the Ning shield could enhance the production yield up to 36.26%. Ning shield could also promote the plant growth by increasing the contents of available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and organic matter, and increasing the contents of leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid pigment. Moreover, Ning shield could efficiently enhance the medicinal compositions of Trichosanthes, referring to the polysaccharides and trichosanthin. Therefore, Ning shield is a promising biofertilizer, which can offer beneficial effects to T. kirilowii growers, including the plant growth promotion, the biological control of root-knot disease and enhancement of the yield and the medicinal quality.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Analgesia pós-operatória é fundamental para o exercício funcional precoce logo após a artroplastia total de joelho. O objetivo foi investigar a eficácia clínica do bloqueio contínuo do nervo femoral guiado por ultrassom e estimulador de nervo em analgesia após artroplastia total do joelho. MÉTODOS: Receberam analgesia pós-operatória, de outubro de 2012 a janeiro de 2013, 46 pacientes, estado físico ASA I-III, submetidos à artroplastia total de joelho. Em 22 pacientes, o bloqueio femoral contínuo foi guiado por ultrassom e estimulador de nervo para analgesia (grupo BFC); em 24 pacientes, analgesia foi administrada por via epidural (grupo ACP). Os efeitos analgésicos, efeitos colaterais, a recuperação articular e as complicações foram comparados entre os dois grupos. RESULTADOS: Às seis e 12 horas após a cirurgia, os escores de dor no joelho (escore EVA) durante os testes funcionais após exercício ativo e passivo foram significativamente menores no grupo BFC do que no grupo ACP. A quantidade usada de parecoxib nos pacientes do grupo BFC foi significativamente menor em comparação com o grupo ACP. Quarenta e oito horas após a cirurgia, o grau de força muscular no grupo BFC foi significativamente maior e o tempo de atividade ambulatória foi menor do que no grupo ACP. A incidência de náusea e vômito em pacientes do grupo BFC foi significativamente menor em comparação com o grupo ACP. CONCLUSÃO: O bloqueio femoral contínuo guiado por ultrassom e estimulador do nervo proporcionou melhor analgesia às seis e 12 horas, demonstrada por EVA-R e EVA-P. A quantidade de parecoxib também foi menor, a incidência de náusea e vômito diminuiu, a influência sobre a força muscular é comprometida e os pacientes podem fazer atividade ambulatorial sob essa condição.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Postoperative analgesia is crucial for early functional excise after total knee arthroplasty. To investigate the clinical efficacy of ultrasound and nerve stimulator guided continuous femoral nerve block analgesia after total knee arthroplasty. METHODS: 46 patients with ASA grade I-III who underwent total knee arthroplasty received postoperative analgesia from October 2012 to January 2013. In 22 patients, ultrasound and nerve stimulator guided continuous femoral nerve block were performed for analgesia (CFNB group); in 24 patients, epidural analgesia was done (PCEA group). The analgesic effects, side effects, articular recovery and complications were compared between two groups. RESULTS: At 6 h and 12 h after surgery, the knee pain score (VAS score) during functional tests after active exercise and after passive excise in CFNB were significantly reduced when compared with PCEA group. The amount of parecoxib used in CFNB patients was significantly reduced when compared with PCEA group. At 48 h after surgery, the muscle strength grade in CFNB group was significantly higher, and the time to ambulatory activity was shorter than those in PCEA group. The incidence of nausea and vomiting in CFNB patients was significantly reduced when compared with PCEA group. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound and nerve stimulator guided continuous femoral nerve block provide better analgesia at 6 h and 12 h, demonstrated by RVAS and PVAS. The amount of parecoxib also reduces, the incidence of nausea and vomiting decreased, the influence on muscle strength is compromised and patients can perform ambulatory activity under this condition.

JUSTIFICACIÓN Y OBJETIVOS: La analgesia postoperatoria es fundamental para el ejercicio funcional precoz posteriormente a la artroplastia total de rodilla. El objetivo fue investigar la eficacia clínica del bloqueo continuo del nervio femoral guiado por ultrasonido y estimulador de nervio en analgesia después de la artroplastia total de la rodilla. MÉTODOS: Cuarenta y seis pacientes, con estado físico ASA I-III, sometidos a artroplastia total de rodilla recibieron analgesia postoperatoria de octubre de 2012 a enero de 2013. En 22 pacientes, el bloqueo femoral continuo fue guiado por ultrasonido y estimulador de nervio para analgesia (grupo BFC); en 24 pacientes, la analgesia fue administrada por vía epidural (grupo ACP). Los efectos analgésicos, efectos colaterales, recuperación articular y las complicaciones fueron comparados entre los 2 grupos. RESULTADOS: A las 6 y 12 h después de la operación, las puntuaciones de dolor en la rodilla (puntuación EVA) durante los test funcionales después del ejercicio activo y pasivo fueron significativamente menores en el grupo BFC que en el grupo ACP. La cantidad usada de parecoxib en los pacientes del grupo BFC fue significativamente menor en comparación con el grupo ACP. Cuarenta y ocho horas después de la operación, el grado de fuerza muscular en el grupo BFC fue significativamente mayor y el tiempo de actividad ambulatoria fue menor que en el grupo ACP. La incidencia de náuseas y vómitos en pacientes del grupo BFC fue significativamente menor en comparación con el grupo ACP. CONCLUSIÓN: El bloqueo femoral continuo guiado por ultrasonido y estimulador del nervio proporcionaron una mejor analgesia a las 6 y 12 horas, lo que quedó demostrado por EVA-R y EVA-P. La cantidad de parecoxib también fue menor, la incidencia de náuseas y vómito disminuyó, la influencia sobre la fuerza muscular está comprometida y los pacientes pueden realizar una actividad ambulatoria bajo esa condición.

In order to study the dynamic recrystallization (DRX) behavior of as-extruded 42CrMo high-strength steel, a series of isothermal upsetting experiments were carried out in a temperature range of 1123~1348 K and a strain rate range of 0.01~10 s-1 on Gleeble 1500. It was found that DRX softening is more recognizable at higher temperatures and lower strain rates, and stress level increases with increasing strain rate and decreasing deformation temperature. The types of flow stress evolution were distinguished by the following three characteristics: WH followed by DRX, WH followed by DRV, and WH followed by no dynamic softening. At a fixed temperature, the average grain size refined by DRX linearly decreases with increasing strain rate in log scale. At a fixed strain rate, the average grain size remains almost constant below 1273 K, while it rapidly increases above 1273 K. At a larger strain rate, data set of grain sizes has a smaller standard deviation to the average size value, and data have tightly grouped. This indicates that as strain rate increases, the microstructure becomes more and more uniform. The relationships between the average grain size and Zener-Hollomon parameter were nonlinearly fitted by the equation D A = 319.81202 - 13.6114 lnZ + 0.15322 (lnZ)². The results from this equation show that the average grain size decreases with increasing Zener-Hollomon parameter. On the plot of D A versus lnZ, the regions corresponding to DRV (lnZ 37.8) and DRX (lnZ 37.8) were clarified clearly.

English grain aphid (EGA, Sitobion avenae Fabricius) is an important pest in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). To develop EGA-resistant varieties, introducing the desirable genes from related species is regarded as an efficient avenue. In this study, the F1, F2 and F3 plants derived from the cross of EGA-susceptible wheat-Psathyrostachys huashanica Keng ex Kuo amphiploid (PHW-SA, AABBDDNsNs) and EGA-resistant triticale (Zhongsi 828, AABBRR) were analyzed for EGA resistance. Consequently, PHW-SA was moderately susceptible while Zhongsi 828 and their F1 hybrids were immune, suggesting that the resistance is dominant. All the F2 plants showed high resistance or immunity over two years, indicating that EGA resistance genes are more likely carried by the rye (Secale cereale L.) chromosomes rather than the genomes A or B of Zhongsi 828. In the F3 generation, 25 of 239 lines became susceptible. Giemsa C-banding patterns revealed that these F3 lines had 38-40 chromosomes, including complete rye genome except 5R (and 2R in five lines). Genomic in situ hybridization analysis confirmed this result. During meiosis, all the chromosomes formed bivalents. Six bivalents in 20 lines and five bivalents in five lines were characterized from rye. In contrast, their F2 parental lines had 42 chromosomes (21 bivalents), containing 1R-7R of rye. No P. huashanica chromosomes were detected. Therefore, we propose that the rye chromosome 5R may be related to EGA resistance.

The effects of processing parameters, such as the punch speed, reheating duration and reheating temperature, on microstructure and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of thixoformed AM60B magnesium alloy have been investigated. The results indicate that low punch speed, short reheating duration or low reheating temperature often produces the defect of cold shuts or shrinkage porosities. On the contrary, gas pores can easily form. In addition, the reheating duration or temperature also has obvious effects on the primary particle size, fraction and morphology. The three parameters can significantly affect the UTS due to their effects on the formation of pores (cold shuts, shrinkage porosities and gas pores). But they can not alter the fracture path during tensile testing and the path is always along the secondarily solidified structures between the primary particles. The effect of pore amount on the UTS is lager than that of the primary particle size, fraction or morphology. In view of their effects on the microstructure compactness and the resultant UTS, the optimized parameters are reheating for 130 minutes at 610 °C and punch speed of 3 m/s.

The microstructural evolution and corresponding phase transformations have been investigated during partial remelting of AZ91D magnesium alloy refined by Al-Ti-B master alloy. The effect of heating temperature on semisolid microstructure has also been discussed. The results indicate that the microstructural evolution process includes four stages, the initial rapid coarsening, structure separation, spheroidization accompanied by coarsening and the final coarsening. Two or more equiaxed dendrites in the as-cast microstructure evolve into one spheroidal primary particle in the semisolid microstructure through the former three stages. The initial rapid coarsening results from the reaction of β→α, the structure separation is due to the α + β→L and α→L, the spheroidization is attributed to the α→L and the final coarsening is ascribed to the two reverse reactions of α→L and L→α. Rising the heating temperature during partial remelting is beneficial for obtaining small and spheroidal primary particles.