The effect of macadamia nut shell biochar on nitrogen,potassium,phosphorus,magnesium,calcium and sodium concentrations in potting mix used to grow Eucalyptus nitens seedlings was investigated in a glasshouse experimen...The effect of macadamia nut shell biochar on nitrogen,potassium,phosphorus,magnesium,calcium and sodium concentrations in potting mix used to grow Eucalyptus nitens seedlings was investigated in a glasshouse experiment.The treatments combined two fertiliser rates（50 and 100% rate of the commercial mix commonly used in forestry nurseries） with eight biochar rates(0,2,5,10,20,50,80 and 100 t ha;) arranged in a randomised complete block with three replicates of four sample plants.Nutrients were quantified in the potting mix and seedling leaves at four destructive harvests 135,177,219 and269 days after planting.Biochar significantly increased nitrate-N,Colwell P,Colwell K and exchangeable Na andreduced ammonium-N,Mg and Ca concentrations in the potting mix.Seedling leaf concentrations of P,K and Na were increased by biochar application,while N remained dependent on fertiliser rate only.Mg and Ca leaf concentrations decreased in response to increasing biochar rates.Elevated nitrate-N and decreased ammonium-N concentrations suggest that biochar might have increased nitrification in the potting mix.We presumed that biochar mediated processes that reduced uptake of P and K when high doses of biochar were combined with full fertilisation.Changes in potting mix K,Na,Mg and Ca were consistent with selective adsorption of ions to biochar surfaces.展开更多
In this paper we present a high repetition rate experimental platform for examining the spatial structure and evolution of Biermann-generated magnetic fields in laser-produced plasmas.We have extended the work of prio...In this paper we present a high repetition rate experimental platform for examining the spatial structure and evolution of Biermann-generated magnetic fields in laser-produced plasmas.We have extended the work of prior experiments,which spanned over millimeter scales,by spatially measuring magnetic fields in multiple planes on centimeter scales over thousands of laser shots.Measurements with magnetic fiux probes show azimuthally symmetric magnetic fields that range from 60 G at 0.7 cm from the target to 7 G at 4.2 cm from the target.The expansion rate of the magnetic fields and evolution of current density structures are also mapped and examined.Electron temperature and density of the laser-produced plasma are measured with optical Thomson scattering and used to directly calculate a magnetic Reynolds number of 1.4×10^(4),confirming that magnetic advection is dominant at≥1.5 cm from the target surface.The results are compared to FLASH simulations,which show qualitative agreement with the data.展开更多
To advance preclinical testing of novel targeted drugs in colorectal cancer (CRC) we established a panel of 133 mouse xenograft models from fresh tumor specimens of 239 patients with CRC of all four UICC stages. A sub...To advance preclinical testing of novel targeted drugs in colorectal cancer (CRC) we established a panel of 133 mouse xenograft models from fresh tumor specimens of 239 patients with CRC of all four UICC stages. A subgroup of 67 xenograft models was treated with cetuximab, bevacizumab and oxaliplatin as single agents. Mutation status of KRAS (G12, G13, A146T), BRAF (V600E) and PIK3CA (E542K, E545K, H1047R) was assessed in all xenografts by allelespecific real-time PCR. KRAS codon 61 was assessed by conventional sequencing. AREG and EREG expression levels were analyzed by real-time PCR expression assays. In the treatment experiment we observed response rates of 27% (18/67) for cetuximab, 3% (2/67) for bevacizumab, and 6% (4/67) for oxaliplatin. Classification based on KRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA mutation status identified 15 of the responders (sensitivity 83%, confidence interval at p = 0.05 (CI): 59% - 96%), and 38 nonresponders (specificity 78%, CI: 63% - 88%). If any mutation except in KRAS codon 13 were considered, the classifier reached sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 69%. We improved specificity of the classifiers to 90% and 86% respectively by adding AREG and EREG RNA expression thresholds retrospectively. In patient-derived xenograft models, we found a predictive classifier for response to cetuximab that is more accurate than established biomarkers. We confirmed its potential performance in primary human tumors. For patients, the classifier’s sensitivity promises increased response rates and its specificity limits unnecessary toxicity. Given the scope of our xenograft models across all UICC stages, this applies not only to mCRC but also to the adjuvant setting of earlier stages. The xenograft collection allows to mimic randomized phase II trials and to test novel drugs effectively as single agents or in combinations. It also enables the development of highly accurate companion diagnostics as demonstrated by us for cetuximab.展开更多
The U.S. military has a need for more powerful propellants with balanced/stoichiometric amounts of fuel and oxidants. However, balanced and more powerful propellants lead to accelerated gun barrel erosion and markedly...The U.S. military has a need for more powerful propellants with balanced/stoichiometric amounts of fuel and oxidants. However, balanced and more powerful propellants lead to accelerated gun barrel erosion and markedly shortened useful barrel life. Boron nitride(BN) is an interesting potential additive for propellants that could reduce gun wear effects in advanced propellants(US patent pending 2015-026P). Hexagonal boron nitride is a good lubricant that can provide wear resistance and lower flame temperatures for gun barrels. Further, boron can dope steel, which drastically improves its strength and wear resistance, and can block the formation of softer carbides. A scalable synthesis method for producing boron nitride nano-particles that can be readily dispersed into propellants has been developed. Even dispersion of the nano-particles in a double-base propellant has been demonstrated using a solvent-based processing approach. Stability of a composite propellant with the BN additive was verified. In this paper, results from propellant testing of boron nitride nano-composite propellants are presented, including closed bomb and wear and erosion testing. Detailed characterization of the erosion tester substrates before and after firing was obtained by electron microscopy,inductively coupled plasma and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. This promising boron nitride additive shows the ability to improve gun wear and erosion resistance without any destabilizing effects to the propellant. Potential applications could include less erosive propellants in propellant ammunition for large, medium and small diameter fire arms.展开更多
Unmanned agricultural aircraft system(UAAS)hasbeen widely employed as a low-cost and reliable method to apply agrochemicals to small agricultural fields in China.The performance of battery-poweredmultirotor UAAS has a...Unmanned agricultural aircraft system(UAAS)hasbeen widely employed as a low-cost and reliable method to apply agrochemicals to small agricultural fields in China.The performance of battery-poweredmultirotor UAAS has attracted considerable attention from manufacturers and researchers.The objective of this research was to design a UAAS equippingwith a data acquisition system,to characterize its chemical application performance based on droplet deposition data and optimize the operating parameters.Each test was repeated three times to assess the reliability of the spraying system.Various flight parameters were also evaluated.The optimal spray pressure for the XR8001 and XR8002(TeeJet,Wheaton,IL,USA)nozzles was found to be 300 kPa,and the latter nozzle had a higher droplet deposition rate and spray volume.Spray volume was not significantly affected by the flight speed or droplet density and was negatively correlated with the nozzle pressure.The results of this study provide a basis for improving the efficiency of UAAS chemicalapplication systems in terms of large-scale application.展开更多
基金Forestry Tasmaniap,BHP Billiton TEMCO Community FoundationTasmanian Community Fund+1 种基金Centre for Renewable Energy and Power Systems(CREPS)Rainbow Bee Eater Project for their support
文摘The effect of macadamia nut shell biochar on nitrogen,potassium,phosphorus,magnesium,calcium and sodium concentrations in potting mix used to grow Eucalyptus nitens seedlings was investigated in a glasshouse experiment.The treatments combined two fertiliser rates（50 and 100% rate of the commercial mix commonly used in forestry nurseries） with eight biochar rates(0,2,5,10,20,50,80 and 100 t ha;) arranged in a randomised complete block with three replicates of four sample plants.Nutrients were quantified in the potting mix and seedling leaves at four destructive harvests 135,177,219 and269 days after planting.Biochar significantly increased nitrate-N,Colwell P,Colwell K and exchangeable Na andreduced ammonium-N,Mg and Ca concentrations in the potting mix.Seedling leaf concentrations of P,K and Na were increased by biochar application,while N remained dependent on fertiliser rate only.Mg and Ca leaf concentrations decreased in response to increasing biochar rates.Elevated nitrate-N and decreased ammonium-N concentrations suggest that biochar might have increased nitrification in the potting mix.We presumed that biochar mediated processes that reduced uptake of P and K when high doses of biochar were combined with full fertilisation.Changes in potting mix K,Na,Mg and Ca were consistent with selective adsorption of ions to biochar surfaces.
基金the Department of Energy(DOE)under award number DE-SC0019011the National Nuclear Security Administration(NNSA)Center for Matter under Extreme Conditions under award number DE-NA0003842+1 种基金the National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship Research Program under award number DGE-1650604support by the U.S.DOE NNSA under Subcontracts 536203 and 630138 with Los Alamos National Laboratory,Subcontract B632670 with LLNL and support from the Cooperative Agreement DE-NA0003856 to the Laboratory for Laser Energetics University of Rochester。
文摘In this paper we present a high repetition rate experimental platform for examining the spatial structure and evolution of Biermann-generated magnetic fields in laser-produced plasmas.We have extended the work of prior experiments,which spanned over millimeter scales,by spatially measuring magnetic fields in multiple planes on centimeter scales over thousands of laser shots.Measurements with magnetic fiux probes show azimuthally symmetric magnetic fields that range from 60 G at 0.7 cm from the target to 7 G at 4.2 cm from the target.The expansion rate of the magnetic fields and evolution of current density structures are also mapped and examined.Electron temperature and density of the laser-produced plasma are measured with optical Thomson scattering and used to directly calculate a magnetic Reynolds number of 1.4×10^(4),confirming that magnetic advection is dominant at≥1.5 cm from the target surface.The results are compared to FLASH simulations,which show qualitative agreement with the data.
文摘To advance preclinical testing of novel targeted drugs in colorectal cancer (CRC) we established a panel of 133 mouse xenograft models from fresh tumor specimens of 239 patients with CRC of all four UICC stages. A subgroup of 67 xenograft models was treated with cetuximab, bevacizumab and oxaliplatin as single agents. Mutation status of KRAS (G12, G13, A146T), BRAF (V600E) and PIK3CA (E542K, E545K, H1047R) was assessed in all xenografts by allelespecific real-time PCR. KRAS codon 61 was assessed by conventional sequencing. AREG and EREG expression levels were analyzed by real-time PCR expression assays. In the treatment experiment we observed response rates of 27% (18/67) for cetuximab, 3% (2/67) for bevacizumab, and 6% (4/67) for oxaliplatin. Classification based on KRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA mutation status identified 15 of the responders (sensitivity 83%, confidence interval at p = 0.05 (CI): 59% - 96%), and 38 nonresponders (specificity 78%, CI: 63% - 88%). If any mutation except in KRAS codon 13 were considered, the classifier reached sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 69%. We improved specificity of the classifiers to 90% and 86% respectively by adding AREG and EREG RNA expression thresholds retrospectively. In patient-derived xenograft models, we found a predictive classifier for response to cetuximab that is more accurate than established biomarkers. We confirmed its potential performance in primary human tumors. For patients, the classifier’s sensitivity promises increased response rates and its specificity limits unnecessary toxicity. Given the scope of our xenograft models across all UICC stages, this applies not only to mCRC but also to the adjuvant setting of earlier stages. The xenograft collection allows to mimic randomized phase II trials and to test novel drugs effectively as single agents or in combinations. It also enables the development of highly accurate companion diagnostics as demonstrated by us for cetuximab.
基金supported by the US ARMY RDECOM Tech Base ProgramSmall Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Army Contract Number W15QKN-12-C-0041
文摘The U.S. military has a need for more powerful propellants with balanced/stoichiometric amounts of fuel and oxidants. However, balanced and more powerful propellants lead to accelerated gun barrel erosion and markedly shortened useful barrel life. Boron nitride(BN) is an interesting potential additive for propellants that could reduce gun wear effects in advanced propellants(US patent pending 2015-026P). Hexagonal boron nitride is a good lubricant that can provide wear resistance and lower flame temperatures for gun barrels. Further, boron can dope steel, which drastically improves its strength and wear resistance, and can block the formation of softer carbides. A scalable synthesis method for producing boron nitride nano-particles that can be readily dispersed into propellants has been developed. Even dispersion of the nano-particles in a double-base propellant has been demonstrated using a solvent-based processing approach. Stability of a composite propellant with the BN additive was verified. In this paper, results from propellant testing of boron nitride nano-composite propellants are presented, including closed bomb and wear and erosion testing. Detailed characterization of the erosion tester substrates before and after firing was obtained by electron microscopy,inductively coupled plasma and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. This promising boron nitride additive shows the ability to improve gun wear and erosion resistance without any destabilizing effects to the propellant. Potential applications could include less erosive propellants in propellant ammunition for large, medium and small diameter fire arms.
基金This work was partially financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2016YFD0200701).
文摘Unmanned agricultural aircraft system(UAAS)hasbeen widely employed as a low-cost and reliable method to apply agrochemicals to small agricultural fields in China.The performance of battery-poweredmultirotor UAAS has attracted considerable attention from manufacturers and researchers.The objective of this research was to design a UAAS equippingwith a data acquisition system,to characterize its chemical application performance based on droplet deposition data and optimize the operating parameters.Each test was repeated three times to assess the reliability of the spraying system.Various flight parameters were also evaluated.The optimal spray pressure for the XR8001 and XR8002(TeeJet,Wheaton,IL,USA)nozzles was found to be 300 kPa,and the latter nozzle had a higher droplet deposition rate and spray volume.Spray volume was not significantly affected by the flight speed or droplet density and was negatively correlated with the nozzle pressure.The results of this study provide a basis for improving the efficiency of UAAS chemicalapplication systems in terms of large-scale application.
