PSR J1926-0652: A Pulsar with Interesting Emission Properties Discovered at FAST

We describe PSR J1926-0652, a pulsar recently discovered with the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). Using sensitive single-pulse detections from FAST and long-term timing observations from the Parkes 64-m radio telescope, we probed phenomena on both long and short time scales. The FAST observations covered a wide frequency range from 270 to 800 MHz, enabling individual pulses to be studied in detail. The pulsar exhibits at least four profile components, short-term nulling lasting from 4 to 450 pulses, complex subpulse drifting behaviours and intermittency on scales of tens of minutes. While the average band spacing P3 is relatively constant across different bursts and components, significant variations in the separation of adjacent bands are seen, especially near the beginning and end of a burst. Band shapes and slopes are quite variable, especially for the trailing components and for the shorter bursts. We show that for each burst the last detectable pulse prior to emission ceasing has different properties compared to other pulses. These complexities pose challenges for the classic carousel-type models.Comment: 13pages with 12 figure

Contour Line Extraction from Paper-based Topographic Maps

Abstract. Contour line is the main linear feature on topographic maps. Extraction of contour lines is tedious and time-consuming process, and is still an interesting problem. A novel method for extraction of contour lines from paper-based topographic maps is presented in this paper. In our approach, we firstly segment color topographic maps for achieving the binary image of brown color contour lines. Then, mathematic morphology method is used to filter the binary image. Next, Utilizing c-means algorithm to look for initial seed point on thinning contour lines. Fourthly, utilizing improved active contour model to extract nonthinning contour lines. Last, we have analyzed the directional field of contour lines near the gap, and then reconnected broken contour lines. The performance of the algorithm is tested on several topographic maps and comparing with other algorithms

Whole Exome Sequencing Identified a Novel Heterozygous Mutation in HMBS Gene in a Chinese Patient With Acute Intermittent Porphyria With Rare Type of Mild Anemia

Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a rare hereditary metabolic disease with an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. Germline mutations of HMBS gene causes AIP. Mutation of HMBS gene results into the partial deficiency of the heme biosynthetic enzyme hydroxymethylbilane synthase. AIP is clinically manifested with abdominal pain, vomiting, and neurological complaints. Additionally, an extreme phenotypic heterogeneity has been reported in AIP patients with mutations in HMBS gene. Here, we investigated a Chinese patient with AIP. The proband is a 28-year-old Chinese male manifested with severe stomach ache, constipation, nausea and depression. Proband’s father and mother is normal. Proband’s blood sample was collected and genomic DNA was extracted. Whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing identified a heterozygous novel single nucleotide deletion (c.809delC) in exon 12 of HMBS gene in the proband. This mutation leads to frameshift followed by formation of a truncated (p.Ala270Valfs∗2) HMBS protein with 272 amino acids comparing with the wild type HMBS protein of 361 amino acids. This mutation has not been found in proband’s unaffected parents as well as in 100 healthy normal control. According to the variant interpretation guidelines of American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), this variant is classified as “likely pathogenic” variant. Our findings expand the mutational spectra of HMBS gene related AIP which are significant for screening and genetic diagnosis for AIP

The Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of TiBw/TA15 Composite with Network Structure Prepared by Rapid Current Assisted Sintering

TiBw/TA15 (TA15 alloy reinforced by TiB whiskers) composites with network microstructures were successfully prepared by current-assisted sintering at 1100 °C for 10 min. The influence of the sintering parameters on the microstructures of obtained composites was investigated. The sintering temperature was the main factor affecting the average aspect ratio of TiBw, and the average diameter of TiBw could be controlled for various sintering conditions. Yield strength, ultimate compressive strength, and plastic strain at ambient temperature are 1172.5 MPa, 1818.4 MPa, and 22.4% for the TiBw/TA15 composites, respectively. Moreover, yield strength of the composites at 600 °C is 616.3 MPa, which is 26.1% higher than that of the TA15 titanium alloy. The effect of the TiBw on the microstructure evolution for the alloy matrix was discussed in detail. The strengthening mechanism of the TiBw/TA15 composites with network microstructure was attributed to the microstructure modification induced by TiBw, load bearing effect, and dislocation strengthening effect of the TiBw

The effects of annealing on the microstructure and the dynamic mechanical strength of a ZrCuNiAl bulk metallic glass

Isothermal annealing has been applied to a bulk metallic glass alloy, Zr50.7Cu28Ni9Al12.3. Nanocrystalline precipitates, mainly consisting of Ni3Zr and Ni42Zr 58 phases, appear from the amorphous matrix when annealed at 743 K for different times, and the size of the precipitates increases with the increasing of the annealing time. High strain rate compression experiments were been also performed to test the fully amorphous and annealed Zr-based BMG samples. The dynamic fracture strengths of the tested samples firstly increase with the increasing of the annealing time, and reach the maximum value for the case of annealed for 90 min. A correlation between the microstructure and the dynamic mechanical properties was established in this study. © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved

Natural cryptomelane and its potential application in the adsorption of heavy metal cadmium

The Xiangtan manganese deposit (XTM) was formerly considered a supergene oxide manganese deposit in South China. Here, we report upon a new identification of naturally outcropping cryptomelane from the XTM, rather than psilomelane and pyrolusite, as it was previously considered. Most crystals in aggregates of XTM cryptomelane are acicular, with a diameter from 20 nm to 120 nm. There are large pseudotetragonal tunnels in the cryptomelane formed by [MnO6] octahedral double chains with an aperture of 0.462 x 0.466 nm(2). The importance of our find relates not only to manganese resource prospecting in South China, but also to the application of the octahedral molecular sieve of cryptomelane. On the basis of the study of some mineralogical characteristics, experiments on heavy metal cadmium adsorption have been done. The overall adsorption capacity of cryptomelane for Cd2+ with different electrolytes showed an increase with a pH rise from 3 to 11.5. This work also showed that in addition to an ion exchange with H+, the adsorption of Cd2+ might involve exchange with Mn and K cations in the cryptomelane structure. Isotherms for Cd2+ adsorption in about neutral pH solutions can be satisfactorily represented by the Langmuir expression and the theoretic maximum disposal capacity thus determined is 5.54 mg/g.http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000249170500001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=8e1609b174ce4e31116a60747a720701MineralogySCI(E)0ARTICLE4217-22510

Table_1_Whole Exome Sequencing Identified a Novel Heterozygous Mutation in HMBS Gene in a Chinese Patient With Acute Intermittent Porphyria With Rare Type of Mild Anemia.DOCX

<p>Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a rare hereditary metabolic disease with an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. Germline mutations of HMBS gene causes AIP. Mutation of HMBS gene results into the partial deficiency of the heme biosynthetic enzyme hydroxymethylbilane synthase. AIP is clinically manifested with abdominal pain, vomiting, and neurological complaints. Additionally, an extreme phenotypic heterogeneity has been reported in AIP patients with mutations in HMBS gene. Here, we investigated a Chinese patient with AIP. The proband is a 28-year-old Chinese male manifested with severe stomach ache, constipation, nausea and depression. Proband’s father and mother is normal. Proband’s blood sample was collected and genomic DNA was extracted. Whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing identified a heterozygous novel single nucleotide deletion (c.809delC) in exon 12 of HMBS gene in the proband. This mutation leads to frameshift followed by formation of a truncated (p.Ala270Valfs^∗2) HMBS protein with 272 amino acids comparing with the wild type HMBS protein of 361 amino acids. This mutation has not been found in proband’s unaffected parents as well as in 100 healthy normal control. According to the variant interpretation guidelines of American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), this variant is classified as “likely pathogenic” variant. Our findings expand the mutational spectra of HMBS gene related AIP which are significant for screening and genetic diagnosis for AIP.</p

Table_2_Whole Exome Sequencing Identified a Novel Heterozygous Mutation in HMBS Gene in a Chinese Patient With Acute Intermittent Porphyria With Rare Type of Mild Anemia.DOCX

<p>Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a rare hereditary metabolic disease with an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. Germline mutations of HMBS gene causes AIP. Mutation of HMBS gene results into the partial deficiency of the heme biosynthetic enzyme hydroxymethylbilane synthase. AIP is clinically manifested with abdominal pain, vomiting, and neurological complaints. Additionally, an extreme phenotypic heterogeneity has been reported in AIP patients with mutations in HMBS gene. Here, we investigated a Chinese patient with AIP. The proband is a 28-year-old Chinese male manifested with severe stomach ache, constipation, nausea and depression. Proband’s father and mother is normal. Proband’s blood sample was collected and genomic DNA was extracted. Whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing identified a heterozygous novel single nucleotide deletion (c.809delC) in exon 12 of HMBS gene in the proband. This mutation leads to frameshift followed by formation of a truncated (p.Ala270Valfs^∗2) HMBS protein with 272 amino acids comparing with the wild type HMBS protein of 361 amino acids. This mutation has not been found in proband’s unaffected parents as well as in 100 healthy normal control. According to the variant interpretation guidelines of American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), this variant is classified as “likely pathogenic” variant. Our findings expand the mutational spectra of HMBS gene related AIP which are significant for screening and genetic diagnosis for AIP.</p