Exploring the supersymmetric U(1)B−L×_{B-L} \times U(1)R_{R} model with dark matter, muon g−2g-2 and Z′Z^\prime mass limits

We study the low scale predictions of supersymmetric standard model extended by $U(1)_{B-L}\times U(1)_{R}$ symmetry, obtained from $SO(10)$ breaking via a left-right supersymmetric model, imposing universal boundary conditions. Two singlet Higgs fields are responsible for the radiative $U(1)_{B-L}\times U(1)_{R}$ symmetry breaking, and a singlet fermion $S$ is introduced to generate neutrino masses through inverse seesaw mechanism. The lightest neutralino or sneutrino emerge as dark matter candidates, with different low scale implications. We find that the composition of the neutralino LSP changes considerably depending on the neutralino LSP mass, from roughly half $U(1)_R$ bino, half MSSM bino, to singlet higgsino, or completely dominated by MSSM higgsino. The sneutrino LSP is statistically much less likely, and when it occurs it is a 50-50 mixture of right-handed sneutrino and the scalar $\tilde S$. Most of the solutions consistent with the relic density constraint survive the XENON 1T exclusion curve for both LSP cases. We compare the two scenarios and investigate parameter space points and find consistency with the muon anomalous magnetic moment only at the edge of $2\sigma$ deviation from the measured value. However, we find that the sneutrino LSP solutions could be ruled out completely by strict reinforcement of the recent $Z^\prime$ mass bounds. We finally discuss collider prospects for testing the model

Effect of Ultrasonic Treatment on Vitis vinifera L. Cell Wall Pectin Components

In order to clarify the content and structural changes of different pectin fractions in grape cell walls under ultrasonic treatment, the grapes were treated with different ultrasonic time and ultrasonic power in this study, and the content of pectin fractions, composition of monosaccharides and structural changes of grape cell walls were analyzed by means of carbazole sulfuric acid method, PMP pre-column derivatization, high-performance liquid gel chromatography , scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and circular dichroism. Results showed that the highest and the lowest contents in fresh grape cell walls were alkali-soluble pectin (NSP) and chelate pectin (CSP), respectively, and they were 27.41 mg/g AIR and 8.25 mg/g AIR. The total pectin decreased after ultrasonic treatments, in which the water-soluble pectin (WSP) increased and the CSP and NSP decreased. A total of six monosaccharides were detected in three pectins, and the monosaccharides of different pectin were not the same. The galactose and arabinose were high in WSP, the glucuronic acid was the most abundant of CSP and the rhamnose were the highest in NSP. After ultrasonic treatment, the contents of monosaccharides decreased, while the composition did not change, and the main chain structure of pectin was no change, but the linear structure and the degree of branch chain were changed. With the increase of ultrasonic times and powers, the molecular weight of different pectins declined gradually. And in the microstructure showed a more loose morphology. In addition, ultrasonic treatment had an effect on the structure and chain conformation of CSP and NSP, which made their maximum response values shift, and the effect of ultrasonic power was more significant. In conclusion, ultrasonic treatment could reduce the pectin and monosaccharide contents in grape cell walls, and affect the molecular linear structure and molecular chain conformation of pectin. These results can provide theoretical basis for the quality change of grape products under ultrasonic treatment

Bi-directional Mendelian randomization analysis provides evidence for the causal involvement of dysregulation of CXCL9, CCL11 and CASP8 in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis

Background and Aims Systemic inflammation is well recognised to be associated with ulcerative colitis [UC], but whether these effects are causal or consequential remains unclear. We aimed to define potential causal relationship of cytokine dysregulation with different tiers of evidence. Methods We first synthesised serum proteomic profiling data from two multicentred observational studies, in which a panel of systemic inflammatory proteins was analysed to examine their associations with UC risk. To further dissect observed associations, we then performed a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomisation [TSMR] analysis from both forward and reverse directions using five genome-wide association study [GWAS] summary level data for serum proteomic profiles and the largest GWAS of 28 738 European-ancestry individuals for UC risk. Results Pooled analysis of serum proteomic data identified 14 proteins to be associated with the risk of UC. Forward MR analysis using only cis-acting protein quantitative trait loci [cis-pQTLs] or trans-pQTLs further validated causal associations of two chemokines and the increased risk of UC: C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 9 [CXCL9] [OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.08, 1.95, p = 0.012] and C-C motif chemokine ligand 11 [CCL11] [OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.09, 1.18, p = 3.89 x 10(-10)]. Using both cis- and trans-acting pQTLs, an association of caspase-8 [CASP8] [OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.03, 1.05, p = 7.63 x 10(-19)] was additionally identified. Reverse MR did not find any influence of genetic predisposition to UC on any of these three inflammation proteins. Conclusion Pre-existing elevated levels of CXCL9, CCL11 and CASP8 may play a role in the pathogenesis of UC

Experimental Investigation of Acoustic Propagation Characteristics in a Fluid-Filled Polyethylene Pipeline

Fluid-filled polyethylene (PE) pipelines have a wide range of applications in, for example, water supply and gas distribution systems, and it is therefore important to understand the characteristics of acoustic propagation in such pipelines in order to detect and prevent pipe ruptures caused by vibration and noise. In this paper, using the appropriate wall parameters, the frequencies of normal waves in a fluid-filled PE pipeline are calculated, and the axial and radial dependences of sound fields are analyzed. An experimental system for investigating acoustic propagation in a fluid-filled PE pipeline is constructed and is used to verify the theoretical results. Both acoustic and mechanical excitation methods are used. According to the numerical calculation, the first-, second-, and third-order cutoff frequencies are 4.6, 10.4, and 16.3 kHz, which are close to the experimentally determined values of 4.7, 10.6, and 16 kHz. Sound above a cutoff frequency is able to propagate in the axial direction, whereas sound below this frequency is attenuated exponentially in the axial direction but can propagate along the wall in the form of vibrations. The results presented here can provide some basis for noise control in fluid-filled PE pipelines

Spatiotemporal Changes in the Geographic Imbalances between Crop Production and Farmland-Water Resources in China

Agricultural production is constrained by farmland and water resources, especially in China with limited per capita resources. Understanding of the geographic changes between national crop production and resource availability with the spatial shift of crop production has been limited in recent decades. To solve this issue, we quantified the changes in geographic relationships between crop production and farmland-water resources in China from 1990 to 2015 by a spatial imbalance measurement model. Results found a clear spatial concentration trend of crop production in China, which increased the pressure on the limited farmland and water resources in the main production areas. The geographic imbalances between the total production of crops and farmland resources (∑SMI_PF) alleviated slightly, whereas that of water resources (∑SMI_PW) increased by 9.12%. The rice production moved toward the north of the country with less water but abundant farmland resources, which led to a decrease of 1.34% in ∑SMI_PF and an increase of 14.20% in ∑SMI_PW. The shift of wheat production to the south was conducive to alleviating the pressure on water resources, but the production concentration still increased the demand for farmland and water resources, resulting in an increase in ∑SMI_PF and ∑SMI_PW by 39.96% and 10.01%, respectively. Of the five crops, adjustments to the spatial distribution of corn production had the most significant effect on reducing pressure on farmland and water resources and ∑SMI_PF and ∑SMI_PW decreased by 11.23% and 1.43%, respectively. Our results provided a reference for adjustments in crop production distribution and for policy formulation to sustainably utilize farmland and water resources

Spatiotemporal Changes in the Geographic Imbalances between Crop Production and Farmland-Water Resources in China

Agricultural production is constrained by farmland and water resources, especially in China with limited per capita resources. Understanding of the geographic changes between national crop production and resource availability with the spatial shift of crop production has been limited in recent decades. To solve this issue, we quantified the changes in geographic relationships between crop production and farmland-water resources in China from 1990 to 2015 by a spatial imbalance measurement model. Results found a clear spatial concentration trend of crop production in China, which increased the pressure on the limited farmland and water resources in the main production areas. The geographic imbalances between the total production of crops and farmland resources (∑SMI_PF) alleviated slightly, whereas that of water resources (∑SMI_PW) increased by 9.12%. The rice production moved toward the north of the country with less water but abundant farmland resources, which led to a decrease of 1.34% in ∑SMI_PF and an increase of 14.20% in ∑SMI_PW. The shift of wheat production to the south was conducive to alleviating the pressure on water resources, but the production concentration still increased the demand for farmland and water resources, resulting in an increase in ∑SMI_PF and ∑SMI_PW by 39.96% and 10.01%, respectively. Of the five crops, adjustments to the spatial distribution of corn production had the most significant effect on reducing pressure on farmland and water resources and ∑SMI_PF and ∑SMI_PW decreased by 11.23% and 1.43%, respectively. Our results provided a reference for adjustments in crop production distribution and for policy formulation to sustainably utilize farmland and water resources

Prediction of Acoustic Energy Radiated by Bubble Produced by Raindrops

Underwater noise produced by rainfall is an important part of underwater ambient noise. The bubbles produced by raindrops are the main noise source of underwater noise. Generally, the sound pressure signal of individual bubbles is easily contaminated by tank reverberation, hydrodynamic flow, and laboratory electrical noise. In order to solve this problem, this study proposes a method for calculating the acoustic energy of the bubble produced by a raindrop when the latter falls onto a plane water surface. For this purpose, a series of experiments was conducted in a 15 m × 9 m × 6 m reverberation tank filled with tap water. The bubble produced by a raindrop behaves as a simple exponentially damped sinusoidal oscillator. Based on the dipole radiation pattern, a formula was derived to predict the sound energy of these bubbles. The damping coefficient of the bubble formed by raindrops is found to differ appreciably from the empirical value of the bubble formed by other mechanisms. The resonance frequency of the bubbles is found to decrease with time. It is due to the rapid increase in the distance between the bubble and the interface. Then, the formula is optimized by using these two improved variables. The experimental results agree well with the theoretical derivation

Effect of Freeze-Thaw Pretreatment on Extraction Yield and Antioxidant Bioactivity of Corn Carotenoids (Lutein and Zeaxanthin)

As a green and low-energy pretreatment method, the effect of freeze-thaw (FT) pretreatment on extraction yield and antioxidant bioactivity of carotenoids of the corn gluten meal (CGM) were evaluated in this study. The CGM particles ruptured in FT treatment due to the repeated damage caused by FT to CGM particles. The carotenoid compounds of pretreated CGM were lutein, zeaxanthin, β-carotene, and cryptoxanthin. Among them, the major carotenoids are lutein and zeaxanthin. The optimized FT pretreatment conditions included freezing temperature of −20°C, moisture content of 100%, and 2 cycles. An increase in the yield of lutein and zeaxanthin was observed in the range of 2.23–16.39 µg/g and 4.66–36.3 µg/g as a result of pretreatment as against 1.17 and 2.52 µg/g of the untreated sample, respectively. Moreover, the release of lutein and zeaxanthin from CGM was facilitated by FT pretreatment and increased the antioxidant activity of the carotenoids

A Flow Velocity Measurement Method Based on a PVDF Piezoelectric Sensor

To measure the flow velocity of a fluid without affecting its motion state, a method was proposed based on a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric film sensor. A self-made PVDF piezoelectric sensor placed parallel with the flow direction was used to measure the flow velocity. First, the piezoelectric characteristics of PVDF were obtained theoretically. Next, the relationship between flow velocity and sound pressure was verified numerically. Finally, the relationship between flow velocity and the electrical output of the PVDF piezoelectric film was obtained experimentally. In conclusion, the proposed method was shown to be reliable and effective

Influence of grain discharge rate on the normal force of arch

The arch stress of grain particles during the discharge of the silo is very important to the safety of the silo. At present, most silos adopt the standard discharge port size. To improve the discharge efficiency, it is generally achieved by changing the angle of the discharge port. In this article, an improved silo model is used to study the discharge experiments in the silo with five inclination angles of the discharge port, and analyze the normal force distribution of the wheat grains at the arch, comparing the normal force distribution under five different discharge rates. From the results given, when the angle of the discharge port is 45°, the area where the normal force among particles is larger is wider. At other flow rates, increasing the flow rate can shorten the arching period. During the arching cycle, the normal force among particles in the center area of the silo at the same height is smaller than at the silo wall and is negatively correlated with the discharge rate. In addition, the normal force on the silo wall gradually decreases with the increase in the discharge rate