Effects of Geometrical Symmetry on the Vortex Nucleation and Penetration in Mesoscopic Superconductors

We investigate how the geometrical symmetry affects the penetration and arrangement of vortices in mesoscopic superconductors using self-consistent Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations. We find that the entrance of the vortex happens when the current density at the hot spots reaches the depairing current density. Through determining the spatial distribution of hot spots, the geometrical symmetry of the superconducting sample influences the nucleation and entrance of vortices. Our results propose one possible experimental approach to control and manipulate the quantum states of mesoscopic superconductors with their topological geometries, and they can be easily generalized to the confined superfluids and Bose-Einstein condensates

Relationship between Crude Oil Prices and Stock Prices of Alternative Energy Companies with Recent Evidence

This paper examines the recent interactive relationships between crude oil prices and stock performances of alternative energy companies. Oil prices and stock index of alternative energy sector are found independent from each other before late 2006. Contrary to existing studies, however, we find significant interdependence between oil prices and stock index of alternative energy industry in the recent years. Since late 2006, oil prices become significantly responsible for the stock performances of alternative energy companies. This finding suggests that the stock market investors of alternative energy sector incorporate oil price shocks into their trading decisions only recently.Crude oil price; Alternative energy; Oil stock index

Saliency Detection Gradient Preservation for Bayer Image Color Reconstruction

Image color reconstruction is a necessary process to recover high quality full color images from Bayer images. In view of the existence of image texture and edge blurring in color reconstruction algorithms, a four-direction joint gradient weighted residual interpolation algorithm is proposed, which uses four-direction weights obtained from RGB pixel gradients and residual gradients in Bayer images, linearly combined with the color difference estimation to effectively obtain the full G image. Aiming at the color cast phenomenon of the image after color interpolation, a saliency detection gradient-preserving color correction algorithm is proposed based on the RGB image captured under natural light. Firstly, the saliency detection method is used to segment the interpolated image and the RGB image into two regions, then carrying out the region correspondence for gradient-preserving color correction, and finally the weighted fusion method is used to obtain the final color reconstructed image. The experimental results show that the reconstructed image texture and edges are clearer and the colors are closer to RGB images

catena-Poly[[chloridomercury(II)]-μ-1,4-diaza­bicyclo­[2.2.2]octane-κ2 N:N′-[chlorido­mercury(II)]-di-μ-chlorido]

In the title coordination polymer, [Hg2Cl4(C6H12N2)]n, each HgII center within the chain is four-coordinated by one terminal Cl atom, two bridging μ2-Cl atoms, and one N-atom donor from a μ2-1,4-diaza­bicyclo­[2.2.2]octane (μ2-daco) ligand in a distorted tetra­hedral geometry. The daco ligand acts as an end-to-end bridging ligand and bridges adjacent HgII centers, forming a chain running along [001]. Weak C—H⋯Cl hydrogen-bonding inter­actions link the chains into a three-dimensional network. Comparison of the structural differences with previous findings suggests that the space between the two N donors, as well as the skeletal rigidity in N-heterocyclic linear ligands, may play an important role in the construction of such supra­molecular networks

A two-way linear piezoelectric vibratory conveyor actuated by a composite sinusoidal voltage input

Piezoelectric vibratory conveyors are widely used in many industrial fields such as factory automation. However, there is still a limitation for most cases that the vibratory conveyor can only feed in the designed direction. In today's multitasking intelligent machinery, how to sort different parts from the same feed source and convey them efficiently in different directions remains a challenge to be overcome. This study proposes an innovative design that uses a composite sinusoidal control signal to drive a linear two-stage piezoelectric vibratory feeder. By simply tuning the amplitude and phase of the input composite signal, the conveying velocity and direction can be altered easily. The dynamic characteristics of this feeder were both investigated by theoretical formulation and experimental measurement. It is found that the conveying performance of this feeder is better suited for using the composite signal with two sinusoidal components of double frequency. With the composite control signal synthesized by two sinusoidal components of 237.5 Hz and 475.0 Hz, which were close to the feeder’s first two resonance frequencies to increase the response gain of the structure, and the input voltage of 60 V, which corresponded to the trough’s displacement amplitude of 54.5 m, the measured conveying speeds were +30.8 mm/s and –33.3 mm/s for setting the phase angles 180° and 0°, respectively. The result demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed two-way vibratory feeder design

Six lanthanide supramolecular frameworks based on mixed m-/p-hydroxybenzoic acid and 1,10-phenanthroline tectons: syntheses, crystal structures, and properties

To further explore the research of the coordination possibilities of lanthanide ions with m-/p-hydroxybenzoic acid isomers in the presence of chelating N-donor ligand 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), six lanthanide supramolecular frameworks based on 3- and 4-hydroxybenzoic acids, namely [Dy(m-L)(m-HL) (phen)]center dot H2O (1) (m-H2L = 3-hydroxybenzoic acid), [Ln(m-HL)(3)(phen)] (Ln = Gd for 2 and Tb for 3), [Ln(p-HL)(3)(phen)(H2O)] (Ln = Dy for 4, Gd for 5, and Tb for 6; p-H2L = 4-hydroxybenzoic acid), were synthesized and characterized. Structural analyses reveal that complex 1 has a two-dimensional (2-D) sheet structure while complexes 2 and 3 take the dinuclear structures in the 3-hydroxybenzoate derivatives. In the 4-hydroxybenzoate derivatives, complexes 4-6 are isostructural and incorporated by monomeric units. Finally, all the complexes exhibit three-dimensional (3-D) supramolecular frameworks (bcu net for I; bct nets for 2, and 4-6; hex net for 3) with the aid of abundant hydrogen bonding, pi center dot center dot center dot pi and C-H center dot center dot center dot pi interactions. The results reveal that the different positions of the-OH substituent and coordination modes of hydroxybenzoic acids adjust the final coordination networks. Moreover, the magnetic and luminescent properties of the complexes have also been investigated and discussed. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

抑郁发作患者抑郁严重程度与认知应对策略的关系

Objective: To explore the relationship between the depressive mood and cognitive emotion regulation strategies.  Methods: A total of 143 major depression patients were assessed with a self-designed questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Chinese version of Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ-C) and the twenty-item Toronto Scale (TAS-20), and 95 healthy people were involved as controls. Regression analysis was carried out for the influcing factors to depressive mood. Results: Compared with controls, Patients with Depressive Episode showed significantly higher total scores of inadaptability strategy，TAS and BDI(P<0.01). There were lots of factors, such as domestic stress and maladaptive strategy showed significant correlation with total score of BDI in major depression (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The factors of domestic stress and maladaptive strategy et al entered the regression equation for BDI by turns. Conclusions: Patients with depression suffered from maladaptive strategy. Cognitive coping strategies and stressl were the important influence factors of depression emotion in patients with depression.目的 探讨抑郁发作患者抑郁情绪与认知应对策略的关系。方法 采用自编一般情况问卷、贝克抑郁问卷（BDI）、认知情绪调节问卷中文版（CERQ-C）、多伦多述情量表(TAS-20) 中文版对143例抑郁发作患者及95例健康对照者进行评定，采用多元回归方法对抑郁的影响因素进行分析。结果 抑郁发作患者CERQ-C不适应性策略分、TAS总分及抑郁总分高于对照组（P<0.01）。抑郁发作患者抑郁总分与家庭应激、CERQ-C不适应性策略等因素密切相关（P<0.05或P<0.01）。家庭应激与CERQ-C不适应性策略等依次进入BDI总分的回归方程。结论 抑郁发作患者较多地使用了不适应性策略。认知应对策略、应激等为抑郁发作患者抑郁情绪的重要影响因素

Surveillance cultures of samples obtained from biopsy channels and automated endoscope reprocessors after high-level disinfection of gastrointestinal endoscopes

BACKGROUND: The instrument channels of gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopes may be heavily contaminated with bacteria even after high-level disinfection (HLD). The British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines emphasize the benefits of manually brushing endoscope channels and using automated endoscope reprocessors (AERs) for disinfecting endoscopes. In this study, we aimed to assess the effectiveness of decontamination using reprocessors after HLD by comparing the cultured samples obtained from biopsy channels (BCs) of GI endoscopes and the internal surfaces of AERs. METHODS: We conducted a 5-year prospective study. Every month random consecutive sampling was carried out after a complete reprocessing cycle; 420 rinse and swabs samples were collected from BCs and internal surface of AERs, respectively. Of the 420 rinse samples collected from the BC of the GI endoscopes, 300 were obtained from the BCs of gastroscopes and 120 from BCs of colonoscopes. Samples were collected by flushing the BCs with sterile distilled water, and swabbing the residual water from the AERs after reprocessing. These samples were cultured to detect the presence of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and mycobacteria. RESULTS: The number of culture-positive samples obtained from BCs (13.6%, 57/420) was significantly higher than that obtained from AERs (1.7%, 7/420). In addition, the number of culture-positive samples obtained from the BCs of gastroscopes (10.7%, 32/300) and colonoscopes (20.8%, 25/120) were significantly higher than that obtained from AER reprocess to gastroscopes (2.0%, 6/300) and AER reprocess to colonoscopes (0.8%, 1/120). CONCLUSIONS: Culturing rinse samples obtained from BCs provides a better indication of the effectiveness of the decontamination of GI endoscopes after HLD than culturing the swab samples obtained from the inner surfaces of AERs as the swab samples only indicate whether the AERs are free from microbial contamination or not