[en] The hydriding performance, electrochemical properties and structure of MlNi_5-xSn_x (x=0-0.5) hydrogen storage alloys containing La-rich mischmetal were investigated by the use of pressure-composition isotherms, electrochemical measurements, and XRD, XPS, SEM and atomic parameters to improve properties and reduce cost. The substitution of Ni by Sn leads to an increase of the unit cell volume and charge-discharge cycle life and decrease of the plateau pressure, hysteresis and the hydrogen storage capacity. The standard enthalpy of hydride formation decreases with increasing tin substitution. The main factor which influences the standard enthalpy of the hydriding reaction is the number of the outer orbit electrons and not the atomic size factor. With a small amount of tin substitution, the cycle life increases by 52% (0.5C) and 42% (1.0C), but maximum discharge capacity decreases only by 3.0 and 3.5%, respectively. The cycle life is obviously improved by the low volume expansion and the formed SnO₂ surface layers upon electrochemical cycling

[en] Carbon nanotubes/AlSi10Mg composites has drawn lots of attention in structural engineering and functional device applications due to its extraordinary high elastic modulus and mechanical strength as well as excellent electrical and thermal conductivities. In this study, the CNTs/AlSi10Mg composites was firstly prepared and then processed by selective laser melting. The powder preparation, SLM process, and microstructure evolution, properties were clarified. The results showed that CNTs were decomposed due to the direct interaction with the laser beam. The SLMed composites displayed a similar microstructure to that of SLMed AlSi10Mg. The common brittleness phase Al_4C_3 didn't form, and the carbon dispersion strengthening was observed. The electrical resistivity of the composites was reduced significantly and the hardness was improved. - Highlights: • Carbon nanotubes/AlSi10Mg powder were prepared by slurry ball milling process. • Carbon nanotubes/AlSi10Mg composites were firstly prepared by SLM. • The electrical resistivity of the composites was significantly reduced and hardness was improved.

[en] Objective: To evaluate the significance of "9"9Tc"m-MIBI imaging combined with serum tumor markers (NSE, CYFRA21-1) in diagnosis of pulmonary nodules. Methods: 54 patients who were detected pulmonary nodules by Computed Tomography(CT) were involved in this study. All of them underwent "9"9Tc"m-MIBI imaging and serum tumor markers testing. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of two methods were calculated respectively and the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, negative predictive value of combined application of two methods were also calculated. Results: The accuracy rate and positive predictive value of "9"9Tc"m-MIBI imaging combined with serum tumor markers were higher than that of alone detection(P < 0.05). The specificity of the combination detection was higher than that of tumor marker detection(P < 0.05). There was no significantly difference on the specificity between combination detection and "9"9Tc"m-MIBI imaging(P > 0.05). The sensitivity, negative predictive value among combination, "9"9Tc"m-MIBI imaging and tumor marker detection had no significance difference(P > 0.05). Conclusion: "9"9Tc"m-MIBI imaging combined with serum tumor markers has great clinical significance in identifying pulmonary nodules. (authors)

[en] With Excel VBA function to write a data extraction module of RGD-3B thermo luminescence spectrometer (China Institute of Chemical Defense), which Speed up the efficiency of data extraction, analysis and accuracy. Improved the experimental process of equivalent dose (E. D.) in geological samples, using a data extraction module to draw natural accumulation of light curve of different discs for the same samples, then select the disc which glow curve is consistent with each other by the means of additional close experiment, each sample is guaranteed by five discs that natural value is similar. This improvement makes the growth curve linearity better, and the equivalent dose is more stable. (authors)

[en] The debris flow deposits of Daduo platform was studied using RGD-3B thermoluminescence spec trometer. Single aliquot regenerative dose method was utilized to measure the equivalent dose (E.D.) of the profile samples, the result indicates that with the increasing of depth and burial time, the acceptance of the surrounding environment of U, Th, K radiation dose increased, the overall equivalent dose values rise largely, range of 92.91∼155.38 Gy. It shows that the using of thermoluminescence to date the ancient debris flow deposits samples on the platform technology has some viability. Determine the age range of Daduo platform has a basic significance in dividing the stages of debris flow activity and establishing chronological scale. At the same time TL dating provides the ancient debris flow deposits of the platform which is an event dating environmental record carrier with a new way of thinking and methods. (authors)

[en] Modern surface debris flow deposits were equi-distantly sampled along the main ditch in Jiangjia valley located at the interchange from Menqian gully and Duozhao gully to Jiangjia valley and Xiaojiang River for two successive years, the TL signals were measured and the background values were calculated. The research demonstrated that the trend of equivalent dose and background ages in the surface of debris flow deposits along the main ditch increased in 2010, whereas decreased in 2011. 2011 showed the regular fluctuations but no obvious rule in 2010 compared to 2011. The irradiation dose responses on the surface of debris flow deposits in 2010 had bigger difference, and those in 2011 were basically the same compared with each other. With the import of debris flow deposits from tributary into the main ditch, the residual age increased at first and then reduced, the support of tributary reset the annealed point of the main ditch. To ensure the correlation of debris flow dating studies , samples in the study should be chosen from good consistency, and studies of the annealing mechanism of main ditch should be based on the annealing process of the tributary. The present work can provide technical support in revealing the annealing mechanism of debris flow deposits and carrying out the ancient debris flow deposits dating. (authors)

[en] This paper presents a study on the formation, microstructure and mechanical property of Cr₃C₂/Fe nanocomposites using selective laser melting (SLM). Scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and tensile tests were conducted to investigate the influence of Cr₃C₂ particulates on the microstructure and mechanical properties. It was found that the porosity decreased when volumetric energy density increased from 27 to 37 J/mm³, then rose to 55 J/mm³. The results showed that the Cr₃C₂ particulates decomposed completely during SLM process and interacted with Fe matrix to form (α-Fe, Cr) solid solution and M(Fe, Cr)₂₃C₆ carbides. In addition, due to the characteristic of rapid solidification, very fine grains were obtained throughout the composites. The tensile tests showed that the ultimate tensile strength could reach up to 1158 MPa.

[en] A new Kolsky tension bar has been re-designed and developed at Sandia National Laboratories, CA. The new design uses the concept that a solid striker is fired to impact an end cap attached to the open end of the gun barrel to generate dynamic tensile loading. The gun barrel here serves as part of the loading device. The incident bar that is connected to the gun barrel and the transmission bar follow the design similar to the Kolsky compression bar. The bar supporting and aligning systems are the same as those in the Kolsky compression bar design described by Song et al (2009 Meas. Sci. Technol. 20 115701). Due to the connection complication among the gun barrel, bars and specimen, stress-wave propagation in the new Kolsky tension bar system is comprehensively analyzed. Based on the stress-wave analysis, the strain gage location on the incident bar needs to be carefully determined. A highly precise laser-beam measurement system is recommended to directly measure the displacement of the incident bar end. Dynamic tensile characterization of a 4330-V steel using this new Kolsky tension bar is presented as an example

[en] Objective: to evaluate the safety and efficacy of stent-assisted mechanical recanalization technique in treating acute ischemic stroke. Methods: Stent-assisted mechanical recanalization procedure was carried out in 12 patients with acute ischemic stroke. The lesions were located at the anterior circulation in 10 cases and at posterior circulation in 2 cases. The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. The technical success rate, the vascular recanalization, the occurrence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, the clinical improvement and mortality were observed and evaluated. Results: The stent was successfully deployed in 11 patients (92%). After the treatment, different degrees of vascular recanalization were obtained in all patients. The complete (TIMI 3), partial (TIMI 2) and minor (TIMI 1) recanalization rate was 58.3% (7/12), 25% (3/12) and 8.3% (1/12), respectively. Postoperative symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in one patient (8.3%). Stroke-related death occurred in one patient (8.3%) and eight patients had their modified Rankin Score ≤ 2. Conclusion: For the treatment of acute ischemic stroke, stent-assisted mechanical recanalization technique is clinically feasible and safe with high vascular recanalization rate although further studies with larger sample to clarify its clinical usefulness are still needed. (authors)

[en] The debris flow sediments record the chronology in precipitation and climate change of local historical period has important implications. A serious of dating methods were applied to debris flow deposits chronology. Attempted to utilize thermoluminescence (TL) single aliquot regenerative dose (SAR) of ancient debris flow deposits dating at Daduo in Dongchuan, Yunnan Province, achieved the equivalent dose values of 12 samples of the section, measured U, Th, K content of each sample by neutron activation technique, calculated the annual dose, obtained the range of development time is 44.4∼27.1 Ka BP. It indicated that the debris flow was still developed in the late Pleistocene: the physical weathering of reeks in glacial was stronger which made minerals more broken and the precipitation in interglacial was more abuandant. The annual dose was ranther changeable which can be mainly attributed to the large scatter of water content between ancient and modern and the content of U, Th and K with depth. Standard deviation of U was 17%, Th was 12% and K was 11%. Ages of correction which was divided by arithmetic average annual dose rate had good internal consistency. The preliminary research results show that the SAR protocol of TL is a potential dating method in obtaining the chronology of debrris flow deposits. (authors)