Law of large numbers for branching symmetric Hunt processes with measure-valued branching rates

We establish weak and strong law of large numbers for a class of branching symmetric Hunt processes with the branching rate being a smooth measure with respect to the underlying Hunt process, and the branching mechanism being general and state-dependent. Our work is motivated by recent work on strong law of large numbers for branching symmetric Markov processes by Chen-Shiozawa [J. Funct. Anal., 250, 374--399, 2007] and for branching diffusions by Engl\"ander-Harris-Kyprianou [Ann. Inst. Henri Poincar\'e Probab. Stat., 46, 279--298, 2010]. Our results can be applied to some interesting examples that are covered by neither of these papers

Smoking: An Important Environmental Risk Factor in Pregnancy

It is generally recognized that smoking has been one of the most public health disorders around the world. Nowadays, more and more studies have proved that smoking during pregnancy is responsible for both maternal and fetal health disorders along with several general health effects. It may lead to various kinds of pregnancy illness and cause risk to the fetus during perinatal stage. After birth, this behavior can also have harmful influences on neonates, and even on children. However, smoking during pregnancy has several adverse effects, the molecular mechanism of it remains unclear. Recently, some studies have proved that it is associated with aberrant epigenetic modifications. All of these remind us that more attention should be paid to maternal cigarette smoking, and more studies should be carried out to confirm the effects and investigate the molecular mechanisms. In this chapter, a brief review is given on the perinatal effects and long-term influences of maternal and passive smoking. We also briefly clarify the epigenetic mechanisms underlying the adverse effects of passive smoking during pregnancy

Experimental Evaluation of Fragments from TBM Disc Cutting under Different Load Cases

The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) tunneling process always contains a certain degree of vibrations due to the step broken phenomenon of the cutting tools. Undoubtedly, there is a quite difference in the fragment characteristics which are related to the construction efficiency of TBM under the static load and the combination of static and impact load. In this study, a series of rock breaking tests with a 216 mm diameter disc cutter and marble samples were conducted under different load cases. Based on the Rosin–Rammler distribution curve, the fragments from the cutting tests were also sieved to calculate the absolute size constant (x’) and coarseness index (CI). The relationship between coarseness index, absolute size parameter and the cutting parameters, specific energy, production rate was evaluated. The results show that there is an increasing trend of x’ and CI with the increase of cut spacing and penetration as well as adding impact load component. An overall downtrend in specific energy and upward trend in production rate which are associated with the high efficiency can be observed with the increasing CI and x’. It is believed that the conclusions are of great significance for improving TBM construction efficiency and cutterhead design

Assessing the effectiveness of complex dietary candidate probiotics on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, antioxidant capability, and intestinal microbiota of koi carp (Cyprinus carpio var. koi)

The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of three complex dietary candidate probiotics (LDJ, LAC, and LJD) composing different candidate probiotic combinations on the growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, antioxidant parameters, and intestinal microbiota in koi carp (Cyprinus carpio var. koi). After a 60-days feeding trial, samples from the control and three candidate probiotic groups were obtained and analyzed. The results suggested that all complex dietary candidate probiotic treatments (LDJ, LAC, and LJD) improved the growth performance, nutrition utilization, and intestinal digestive enzyme activities compared with the control group. Furthermore, a dietary supplement with LAC or LJD is more efficient in growth and digestive enzyme than LDJ. The antioxidant enzyme activities, including SOD (superoxide dismutase), CAT (catalase), and GPX (glutathione peroxidase), were intensively improved, the GSH (glutathione) contents increased, and the MDA (malondialdehyde) contents decreased to different extents depending on the tissues and kinds of candidate probiotics. Dietary candidate probiotics also regulated the intestinal microbiota composition: LDJ and LAC increased the proportion of potential candidate probiotics and reduced the level of pollutants reducing bacteria and geosmin producer Nannocystis. The LJD group had a similar pattern of the dominant bacteria to the control sample, suggesting a minor disturbance of the gut microbiota of koi carp. Overall, the multi-strain complex candidate probiotics LAC and LJD are more efficient in growth performance and digestive enzymes

Axial Force Analysis and Roll Contour Configuration of Four-High CVC Mill

In order to analyze the influence of technical parameters on work roll axial force of four-high continuous variable crown (CVC) mill, the deformation analyzing model with top roll system and strip was established based on influence function method. Then a CVC work roll curve designing scheme was proposed and it was carried out on some cold rolling mill considering the requirement of comprehensive work roll axial force minimization. The status of comprehensive work roll axial force is improved considering the rolling schedule that is beneficial to the roller bearing. Corresponding to the newly designed work roll contour, the backup roll end chamfer was designed considering comprehensive performance of interroll stress concentration, comprehensive work roll axial force, and strip shape control ability. The distribution of roll wear with newly designed backup roll contour is more even according to the field application data. The newly established roll configuration scheme is beneficial to four-high CVC mill