Characteristics’ relation model of asphalt pavement performance based on factor analysis

Pavement performance of asphalt is an important criterion for road engineering quality evaluation. Proposed research paper designed an orthogonal experiment using three asphalt mixtures, including SMA-13, AC-20 and ATB-25 to get their relation models and evaluate pavement performances. Totally twenty-seven samples from private companies have been selected and seven crucial parameters are analyzed via factor analysis. Further analysis concluded three main factors corresponding to the three main pavement performance parameters (i) high-temperature stability (ii) durability and (iii) shear resistance. Based on scores of each asphalt mixture’s 3D scatter-map is plotted. Analysis found the relationship between three above-mentioned parameters. Relationship between the three main performance parameters has been established using graphical analysis. A separation plane can define the different types of asphalt mixtures’ scatter distribution area, and get the regression equation for the plane. Based on the equation for the plane a more intuitionistic model has been made which describes the relationship of asphalt pavement performance. Keywords: Road engineering, Asphalt, Index correlation, Surface fitting, 3D-mode

Regulated proteolysis of the alternative sigma factor SigX in Streptococcus mutans: implication in the escape from competence

BACKGROUND: SigX (σ(X)), the alternative sigma factor of Streptococcus mutans, is the key regulator for transcriptional activation of late competence genes essential for taking up exogenous DNA. Recent studies reveal that adaptor protein MecA and the protease ClpC act as negative regulators of competence by a mechanism that involves MecA-mediated proteolysis of SigX by the ClpC in S. mutans. However, the molecular detail how MecA and ClpC negatively regulate competence in this species remains to be determined. Here, we provide evidence that adaptor protein MecA targets SigX for degradation by the protease complex ClpC/ClpP when S. mutans is grown in a complex medium. RESULTS: By analyzing the cellular levels of SigX, we demonstrate that the synthesis of SigX is transiently induced by competence-stimulating peptide (CSP), but the SigX is rapidly degraded during the escape from competence. A deletion of MecA, ClpC or ClpP results in the cellular accumulation of SigX and a prolonged competence state, while an overexpression of MecA enhances proteolysis of SigX and accelerates the escape from competence. In vitro protein-protein interaction assays confirm that MecA interacts with SigX via its N-terminal domain (NTD(1–82)) and with ClpC via its C-terminal domain (CTD(123–240)). Such an interaction mediates the formation of a ternary SigX-MecA-ClpC complex, triggering the ATP-dependent degradation of SigX in the presence of ClpP. A deletion of the N-terminal or C-terminal domain of MecA abolishes its binding to SigX or ClpC. We have also found that MecA-regulated proteolysis of SigX appears to be ineffective when S. mutans is grown in a chemically defined medium (CDM), suggesting the possibility that an unknown mechanism may be involved in negative regulation of MecA-mediated proteolysis of SigX under this condition. CONCLUSION: Adaptor protein MecA in S. mutans plays a crucial role in recognizing and targeting SigX for degradation by the protease ClpC/ClpP. Thus, MecA actually acts as an anti-sigma factor to regulate the stability of SigX during competence development

An experimental study on the rotational accuracy of variable preload spindle-bearing system

The rotational performance of the spindle-bearing system has critical influence upon the geometric shape and surface roughness of the machined parts. The effects of preload and preload method on the rotational performance of the spindle-bearing system is explored experimentally to reveal the role of preload and preload method in spindle rotational performances under different speeds. A test rig on which both the rigid preload and elastic preload can be realized, equipped with variable preload spindle-bearing system, is developed. Based on the mechanical model, the relationship of the axial preload and negative axial clearance of the spindle-bearing system is provided. Rotating sensitive radial error motion tests are conducted for evaluating synchronous and asynchronous radial errors of the variable preload spindle-bearing system under different rotating speeds and preload methods. The change regularity of synchronous and asynchronous radial errors with preloads under different rotating speeds are given. The results show that the preload plays an important role on the rotational performance of spindle-bearing system. The rigid preload is more efficient in achieving better rotational performance than elastic preload under the same rotating speed. Furthermore, this article significantly guides the preload designing and assembling of the new spindle-bearing system

Influence of the initial cooling rate from γ′ supersolvus temperatures on microstructure and phase compositions in a nickel superalloy

Different cooling paths from a supersolvus temperature have been applied to FGH96, a polycrystalline nickel base superalloy for turbine disc applications, in order to simulate the different microstructures that exist through the thickness of a disc following an industrial heat treatment. Secondary and tertiary γ′ precipitate size distributions and morphology have been analysed and compared for the different heat treatments using SEM and atom probe tomography (APT). Detailed compositional data for both γ′ precipitate and γ matrix are presented, and compared to equilibrium compositions calculated by Thermo-Calc. For the heat-treatments studied, the secondary γ′ composition indicates a shell of differing composition to that towards the precipitate core. From sequential equilibria compositional calculations, it is suggested that the ‘shell’ forms at a lower temperature than the precipitate core. The fine tertiary precipitates do not show the core-shell compositional differences on continuous cooling. W peaks are noted at the γ/γ′ interfacial region, which is of significance for retarding coarsening. A γ′ depletion zone surrounds the secondary precipitates, within which the γ matrix composition differs significantly to the γ far-field values, Finally, a precipitate nucleation and growth mechanistic model is suggested based on the experimental data and Thermo-Calc calculations

Study on the characteristics of a novel wrap-around cooled diaphragm compressor for hydrogen refueling station

This study introduces a novel wrap-around cooled diaphragm compressor, designed for employment in hydrogen refilling station. The performance of this innovative compressor is evaluated using a specially developed experimental platform. The analysis focused on the impact of pressure ratio and suction gas temperature on the compressor's performance, and the cooling effect is assessed under varying temperatures of the cooling medium. The findings indicate that both the isentropic and volumetric efficiencies of the diaphragm compressor decrease with an increase in pressure ratio, with maximum values reaching 70% and 65% respectively. Under constant pressure ratio conditions, the exhaust temperature is found to increase with the rise in suction temperature. For a given suction temperature, a higher-pressure ratio resulted in a higher exhaust temperature. Furthermore, the cooling effect of the wrap-around cooling pipeline is found to be more pronounced under high pressure ratio conditions, with a maximum temperature reduction of 189.5 °C