A major limiting factor for high productivity of maize (Zea mays L.) in dense planting is light penetration through the canopy. Plant architecture with a narrower leaf angle (LA) and an optimum leaf ...orientation value (LOV) is desirable to increase light capture for photosynthesis and production per unit area. However, the genetic control of the plant architecture traits remains poorly understood in maize. In this study, QTL for LA, LOV, and related traits were mapped using a set of 229 F₂:₃ families derived from the cross between compact and expanded inbred lines, evaluated in three environments. Twenty-five QTL were detected in total. Three of the QTL explained 37.4% and five of the QTL explained 53.9% of the phenotypic variance for LA and LOV, respectively. Two key genome regions controlling leaf angle and leaf orientation were identified. qLA1 and qLOV1 at nearest marker umc2226 on chromosome 1.02 accounted for 20.4 and 23.2% of the phenotypic variance, respectively; qLA5 and qLOV5 at nearest bnlg1287 on chromosome 5 accounted for 9.7 and 9.8% of the phenotypic variance, respectively. These QTL could provide useful information for marker-assisted selection in improving performance of plant architecture with regard to leaf angle and orientation.
Grating coupling is a widely adopted strategy for coupling light into optical waveguides. While this versatile approach benefits both fabrication and alignment, grating couplers are particularly ...sensitive to both wavelength and polarization. These drawbacks hinder its application in integrated wavelength-division-multiplexing passive optical network (WDM-PON) transceivers, where widely separated wavelength bands are utilized for upstream and downstream signals. In this letter, we propose a three-port grating coupler that enables polarization-independent receiving for the downstream signal from fiber and single-polarized coupling of the upstream signal from chip. Dual-wavelength-band operation is obtained by adding an output port to couple upstream wavelength on existing polarization-splitting grating coupler for downstream wavelength. Peak coupling efficiencies of -2.93 dB and -3.50 dB are achieved for 1266 nm and 1481 nm respectively. This grating coupler design can be adopted in transceivers for fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) networks.
•Integrated model for wave-induced soil response in loosely deposited seabed foundations.•Numerical simulation of the pore pressure accumulation with an elastoplastic seabed model.•The development of ...residual pore pressure under various types of wave loading is investigated.•Significant effects of soil heterogeneity and wave irregularity on the accumulation of pore pressure in a loose sandy seabed.
The failure of marine structures is often attributed to liquefaction in loose sand deposits that are subjected to ocean waves. In this study, a two-dimensional integrated numerical model is developed to characterize the liquefaction behaviours of loosely deposited seabed foundations under various types of ocean waves. In the present model, Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations are used to simulate the surface wave motion, and Biot's consolidation equations are used to link the solid-pore fluid interactions in a porous medium. A poro-elasto-plastic solution is used to reproduce foundation behaviour under cyclic shearing. Unlike previous investigations, both oscillatory and residual soil responses were considered; they are coupled in an instantaneous approach. Verification of the model results to the previous centrifugal wave tests is carried out, obtaining fairly good agreement. Numerical examples show that foundation behaviour under various types of wave loading, particularly standing waves or a solitary wave, embodies a completely two-dimensional process in terms of residual pore pressure development. The parametric studies demonstrate that liquefaction caused by the build-up of pore pressures is more likely to occur in loosely deposited sand foundations with poor drainage and under large waves.
AbstractObjectivesTo estimate the effects of nationwide replacement of discretionary salt (used at table or during cooking) with potassium enriched salt substitute on morbidity and death from ...cardiovascular disease in China.DesignModelling study.SettingChina.PopulationAdult population in China, and specifically individuals with chronic kidney disease (about 17 million people).InterventionsComparative risk assessment models were used to estimate the effects of a nationwide intervention to replace discretionary dietary salt with potassium enriched salt substitutes (20-30% potassium chloride). The models incorporated existing data and corresponding uncertainties from randomised trials, the China National Survey of Chronic Kidney Disease, the Global Burden of Disease Study, and the Chronic Kidney Disease Prognosis Consortium.Main outcome measuresAverted deaths from cardiovascular disease, non-fatal events, and disability adjusted life years from a reduction in blood pressure were estimated after implementation of potassium enriched salt substitution. In individuals with chronic kidney disease, additional deaths from cardiovascular disease related to hyperkalaemia from increased intake of potassium were calculated. The net effects on deaths from cardiovascular disease were estimated as the difference and ratio of averted and additional deaths from cardiovascular disease.ResultsNationwide implementation of potassium enriched salt substitution could prevent about 461 000 (95% uncertainty interval 196 339 to 704 438) deaths annually from cardiovascular disease, corresponding to 11.0% (4.7% to 16.8%) of annual deaths from cardiovascular disease in China; 743 000 (305 803 to 1 273 098) non-fatal cardiovascular events annually; and 7.9 (3.3 to 12.9) million disability adjusted life years related to cardiovascular disease annually. The intervention could potentially produce an estimated 11 000 (6422 to 16 562) additional deaths related to hyperkalaemia in individuals with chronic kidney disease. The net effect would be about 450 000 (183 699 to 697 084) fewer deaths annually from cardiovascular disease in the overall population and 21 000 (1928 to 42 926) fewer deaths in individuals with chronic kidney disease. In deterministic sensitivity analyses, with changes to key model inputs and assumptions, net benefits were consistent in the total population and in individuals with chronic kidney disease, with averted deaths outweighing additional deaths.ConclusionsNationwide potassium enriched salt substitution in China was estimated to result in a substantial net benefit, preventing around one in nine deaths from cardiovascular disease overall. Taking account of the risks of hyperkalaemia, a substantial net benefit was also estimated for individuals with chronic kidney disease.
We present Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) Cycle-0 observations of the CO (6-5) line emission (rest-frame frequency = 691.473 GHz) and of the 435 mum dust continuum emission in the nuclear ...region of NGC 34, a local luminous infrared galaxy at a distance of 84Mpc (1" = 407 pc) which contains a Seyfert 2 active galactic nucleus (AGN) and a nuclear starburst. The CO emission is well resolved by the ALMA beam (0".26 x (0".23), with an integrated flux of f sub((CO(6-5)) = 1004 (+ or -151) Jy km s super(-1). Both the morphology and kinematics of the CO (6-5) emission are rather regular, consistent with a compact rotating disk with a size of 200 pc. A significant emission feature is detected on the redshifted wing of the line profile at the frequency of the H super(13)CN (8-7) line, with an integrated flux of 17.7 + or - 2.1 (random) + or - 2.7(systematic) Jy km s super(-1). However, it cannot be ruled out that the feature is due to an outflow of warm dense gas with a mean velocity of 400 km s super(-1). The continuum is resolved into an elongated configuration, and the observed flux corresponds to a dust mass of M sub(dust) = 10 super(6.97+ or -0.13) M sub(middot in circle). An unresolved central core (radius Asymptotically = to 50 pc) contributes 28% of the continuum flux and 19% of the CO (6-5) flux, consistent with insignificant contributions of the AGN to both emissions. Both the CO (6-5) and continuum spatial distributions suggest a very high gas column density (gap super(4) M sub(middot in circle) pc super(-2)) in the nuclear region at radius lap100 pc.
To evaluate the association between prediabetes and heart failure (HF) and the association of HF with changes in glycemic status.
Patients newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF) between 2015 ...and 2018 were divided into three groups (normoglycemia, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes) according to their baseline glycemic status. The primary outcome was incident HF. The Fine and Gray competing risks model was applied, with death defined as the competing event.
Among 17,943 patients with AF (mean age 75.5 years, 47% female), 3,711 (20.7%) had prediabetes, and 10,127 (56.4%) had diabetes at baseline. Over a median follow-up of 4.7 years, HF developed in 518 (14%) patients with normoglycemia, 646 (15.7%) with prediabetes, and 1,795 (17.7%) with diabetes. Prediabetes was associated with an increased risk of HF compared with normoglycemia (subdistribution hazard ratio SHR 1.12, 95% CI 1.03-1.22). In patients with prediabetes at baseline, 403 (11.1%) progressed to diabetes, and 311 (8.6%) reversed to normoglycemia at 2 years. Compared with remaining prediabetic, progression to diabetes was associated with an increased risk of HF (SHR 1.50, 95% CI 1.13-1.97), whereas reversion to normoglycemia was associated with a decreased risk (SHR 0.61, 95% CI 0.42-0.94).
Prediabetes was associated with an increased risk of HF in patients with AF. Compared with patients who remained prediabetic, those who progressed to diabetes at 2 years experienced an increased risk of HF, whereas those who reversed to normoglycemia incurred a lower risk of HF.
•We conducted a heat transfer experiment of SC water flowing upward in 2 × 2 rod bundles.•We used 3 different methods to calculate the HTC of sub-channels of rod bundles.•Spacer effects on heat ...transfer was observed and CFD simulation of spacer effect was also investigated.•HTCs in 2 × 2 rod bundles were compared with the annuli and circular tube of the same equivalent hydraulic diameter.
This paper presents the investigation of heat transfer of supercritical water flowing upward in 2 × 2 rod bundles, both experimentally and numerically. The experiment conditions are as follows: pressures from 22.9 MPa to 26.1 MPa, mass fluxes ranging from 450 kg/m2/s to 1500 kg/m2/s and heat fluxes ranging from 0.4 MW/m2 to 1.5 MW/m2. Four heated-rods of 8 mm outer diameter formed 2 set of experiment sections with pitch to diameter ratio (P/D ratio) 1.18 and 1.3. Heat transfer coefficients between the heated rod and fluid were conducted by 3 different methods and the effect of spacer grids was clearly observed. The experiment results show that heat transfer to supercritical water in rod bundles is strongly affected by flow channels and spacer grids. Moreover, a large database of heat transfer in rod bundles was carried out and HTC were compared with tube and annuli with the equivalent hydraulic diameter. The phenomenon of heat transfer difference in rod bundle circumferential direction and enhancement heat transfer in downstream of spacer grids were observed and investigated. In addition, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method was applied to give a deep insight of velocity profile, spacer effect and heat transfer enhancement in this research.
Broomcorn millet (
Panicum miliaceum
L.) is one of the important C
4
crops in the semiarid regions of northern China. It is a close relative of biofuel crop switchgrass. Yet, there is no information ...on how these crops might respond to a climate change in China. In order to gain insight into such a response, we studied the effect of elevated CO
2
concentration (EC) on broomcorn millet. The changes in leaf photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, morphological parameters, biomass and yield in response to EC
i.e.
, + 200 µmol(CO
2
) mol
−1
over two years were determined at the open-top chamber (OTC) experimental facility in north China. EC increased net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO
2
concentration, transpiration rate, instantaneous transpiration efficiency, effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry, and photochemical quenching coefficient of fully expanded flag leaves. Maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry declined under EC in 2013, but was not affected in 2014. EC significantly decreased intrinsic efficiency of PSII in 2013, but increased in 2014. Leaf nonphotochemical quenching decreased under EC both in 2013 and 2014. EC significantly enhanced the aboveground biomass and yield by average of 31.4 and 25.5% in both years, respectively. The increased yield of broomcorn millet under EC occurred due to the enhanced number of grains per plant. We concluded that photosynthesis of broomcorn millets was improved through increased stomatal conductance in leaves under EC, which led to an increase in height, stem diameter, aboveground biomass, and yield. This study extends our understanding of the response of this ancient C
4
crop to elevated CO
2
concentration.
.
Spin-polarized density functional theory has been used to study the effects of vacancy defects on the magnetic properties of graphene. Structural optimization shows that introducing a carbon ...vacancy cluster into a graphene sheet changes the spatial distribution of the neighbor atoms, particularly those located around the vacancy. From spin-polarized DOS and LPDOS calculations, we find that only vacancies containing unpaired electrons show magnetism. These results lead us to formulate a relation between the vacancy-induced magnetic moment and the size and shape of the vacancy clusters in graphene sheet.
PDF
