Ghost Dog

The single crystal of the extra-large pore zeolite, ITQ-33, was obtained and used to explore its crystal structure details. The ITQ-33 structure was found to be disordered with the columnar periodic building unit, explaining the morphology changes upon the different Si/Ge ratio, and the formation of the hierarchical structure from assembling of ITQ-33 nanofibers

Evaluation of the effectiveness and mechanism of action of the Chang-Kang-Fang formula combined with bifid triple viable capsules on diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome

IntroductionThe Chang-Kang-Fang (CKF) formula, a traditional Chinese herbal formula, can decrease serotonin (5-HT) levels and treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Probiotics have a better synergistic effect on diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) when combined with 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. The present study aimed to elucidate the efficacy and the mechanisms of action of the CKF formula combined with bifid triple viable capsules (PFK) against IBS-D.MethodsThe rat models of IBS-D were induced by gavage with senna decoction plus restraint stress. The CKF formula, PFK and their combination were administered to the rats. Their effects were evaluated based on general condition of the rats and the AWR score. The levels of 5-HT and fos protein in the colon and hippocampus were measured by immunohistochemistry. The levels of SP and VIP, as well as ZO-1 and occludin in the colon, were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemistry. The intestinal microbiota in faeces was analyzed by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing.ResultsThe results showed that the oral CKF formula combined with PFK (CKF + PFK) could significantly relieve the symptoms of IBS-D, including elevating the weight rate and decreasing the AWR score. Compared with the MC group, administration of CKF + PFK significantly reduced the expression of fos in the colon and hippocampus and that of 5-HT, SP and VIP in the colon and increased the levels of 5-HT in the hippocampus and ZO-1 and occludin in the colon. The above indexes exhibited statistical significance in the CKF + PFK group relative to those in the other groups. Moreover, treatment with CKF + PFK improved the diversity of intestinal microbiota and the abundance of Firmicutes, Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae but decreased those of Bacteroidetes and Prevotellaceae.ConclusionsThe CKF formula combined with PFK may have a synergistic effect on IBS-D by slowing gastrointestinal motility, lowering visceral hypersensitivity, enhancing the intestinal barrier function and modulating the composition of intestinal microbiota

Influences of accelerating states on supercritical n-decane heat transfer in a horizontal tube applied for scramjet engine cooling

Supercritical n-decane is applied in the regenerative cooling system of scramjet engines while scramjets are always in various irregular movements. With the desire to explore heat transfer performance of supercritical n-decane under actual flight conditions, numerical simulations and analysis of different states during the accelerated flight process are carried out under three different heat fluxes and eight varying acceleration states. Specific flow and heat transfer mechanisms are explored by analyzing the temperature and flow fields affected by acceleration. Results show that acceleration weakens the intensity of the first abnormal heat transfer state but does not affect its appearance location, and there are almost no effects on the second heat transfer state. Another important conclusion is that the external factors have a great influence on supercritical n-decane heat transfer. The overall average surface heat transfer coefficient could be even up to 27.5% higher than for an ordinary horizontal tube. It is indicated that more attention should be paid to the external factors when investigating supercritical flow and heat transfer in the research and development of scramjet engine cooling

Modeling the Effect of Mineral Particles of Mixture of Sandy Soil on Its Physical–Mechanical Properties Based on the Triangular Nomogram

Soil is regarded as a multi-component, multi-phase (solid, liquid and gaseous) dynamic system. The solid component, especially soil mineral particles, has a significant influence on the properties of soil, including its physical, physical–chemical and physical–mechanical properties. By studying the literature, we know that the majority of studies have explained the influence of mineral particles on the physical and physical–mechanical properties of soil bino–mixtures (sand–silt, sand–clay, coarse sand, etc.) through two-dimensional figures. Obviously, for multi-component soil, these two-dimensional figures are not sufficient and should be improved in order to show the influence of soil particles more comprehensively. Therefore, in this paper, we applied a new model—the triangular nomogram—to describe and analyze the change in the inter-friction angle of soil mixtures under different particle size distributions. Through the obtained result, we found that the triangular nomogram is an effective model that can be used to analyze and simulate the properties of soil mixtures

Modeling the Effect of Mineral Particles of Mixture of Sandy Soil on Its Physical–Mechanical Properties Based on the Triangular Nomogram

Soil is regarded as a multi-component, multi-phase (solid, liquid and gaseous) dynamic system. The solid component, especially soil mineral particles, has a significant influence on the properties of soil, including its physical, physical–chemical and physical–mechanical properties. By studying the literature, we know that the majority of studies have explained the influence of mineral particles on the physical and physical–mechanical properties of soil bino–mixtures (sand–silt, sand–clay, coarse sand, etc.) through two-dimensional figures. Obviously, for multi-component soil, these two-dimensional figures are not sufficient and should be improved in order to show the influence of soil particles more comprehensively. Therefore, in this paper, we applied a new model—the triangular nomogram—to describe and analyze the change in the inter-friction angle of soil mixtures under different particle size distributions. Through the obtained result, we found that the triangular nomogram is an effective model that can be used to analyze and simulate the properties of soil mixtures

Statistical properties of H

Context. Dynamic features such as chromospheric jets, transition region network jets, coronal plumes, and coronal jets are abundant in the network regions of polar coronal holes on the Sun. Aims. We investigate the relationship between chromospheric jets and coronal activities, such as coronal plumes and jets. Methods. We analyzed observations of a polar coronal hole including the filtergrams taken by the New Vacuum Solar Telescope at the Hα − 0.6 Å to study the Hα jets, as well as the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly 171 Å images to follow the evolution of coronal activities. Results. The Hα jets are persistent in the network regions, with only some regions (denoted as R1–R5) rooted in discernible coronal plumes. With an automated method, we identified and tracked 1320 Hα jets in the network regions. We find that the average lifetime, height, and ascending speed of the Hα jets are 75.38 s, 2.67 Mm, 65.60 km s−1, respectively. The Hα jets rooted in R1–R5 are higher and faster than those in the others. We also find that propagating disturbances (PDs) in coronal plumes have a close connection with the Hα jets. The speeds of 28 out of 29 Hα jets associated with PDs are ≳50 km s−1. In the case of a coronal jet, we find that the speeds in both the coronal jet and the Hα jet are over 150 km s−1, suggesting that both cool and hot jets can be coupled. Conclusions. Based on our analyses, it is evident that more dynamic Hα jets could release their energy to the corona, which might be the result of a Kelvin-Helmholtz instability developing or that of small-scale magnetic activities. We suggest that chromospheric jets, transition region network jets, and ray-like features in the corona are coherent phenomena that serve as important vehicles for cycling energy and mass in the solar atmosphere

Experimental research on the cooling effect of a novel two-phase closed thermosyphon with semiconductor refrigeration in permafrost regions

Hybrid two-phase closed thermosyphon (TPCT) artificial ground freezing technique is an effective cooling strategy adaptable to different geological and meteorological conditions in permafrost regions. Previous studies have focused on the feasibility of hybrid TPCT with little attention given to the cooling characteristics and long-term effects of this technique under actual environmental conditions. In this study, a novel structured semiconductor refrigeration device, with simple structure, small size, and wide operating temperature range, was designed and manufactured to act as the active condenser of a hybrid TPCT, and the cooling effect of this device was investigated during a two-year field test under stable power supply. This study showed that: 1) The minimum (maximum) average temperature of the semiconductor refrigeration two-phase closed thermosyphon (SRTPCT) evaporator was 0.5 (2.1) °C lower than the TPCT evaporator. The average ground temperature decreased by 0.3 °C, and the permafrost table rose to 0.2 m at 1 m from the evaporators around SRTPCT. The semiconductor refrigeration device added more than 9.75 MJ of cold storage to the soil around the TPCT evaporator during an operating cycle. 2) The optimal working period for the semiconductor refrigeration device was from June to October, and the cooling effect was better when the ambient temperature was low in the warm season. 3) As active condenser of hybrid TPCT in permafrost regions, semiconductor refrigeration device has a larger heat transfer power enhancement for TPCTs than vapor compression refrigeration device in the warm season, and vice versa in the cold season, as well as a higher heat transfer power enhancement for TPCTs than adsorption refrigeration device. The results of this study provide relevant parameters and references for the design and engineering application of future SRTPCT