Since the carbohydrate content affects pear flavor during the process of growth, it is necessary to determine the sugar components that accumulate in the fruit. We analyzed the fruit carbohydrate content, and the gene expression and activity of acid invertase (AI), neutral invertase (NI), sucrose synthase (SS), and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) during the development of “Huangguan” and “Yali” pears. The results demonstrate that during development, the fruit sugar metabolism of the “Huangguan” pear follows a typical sorbitol–starch-soluble sugars middle model, whereas the “Yali” pear fruit follows a typical sorbitol–sucrose–starch-soluble sugars middle model. In the “Huangguan” pear, we found the AI and NI gene expressions, as well as AI (P < 0.05) and NI (P < 0.01) enzyme activities, to be positively correlated, whereas we found the NI gene expression and NI enzyme activity of “Yali” pear to be negatively correlated (P < 0.01). We observed the high levels of late-stage AI and early-stage SS during development to roughly correspond with the gene expression found in the late and early stages, respectively, suggesting their potential regulatory roles in “Huangguan” pear fruit development. Our results indicate that the primary function of SPS during the early developmental stage is to accumulate sucrose, whereas the primary function of AI is to promote hexose accumulation during the late developmental stage of mature “Yali” pear fruit.

Transition metal-doping could effectively extend the light response range of TiO₂ photocatalysts from the ultraviolet (UV) to the visible region. Co-doped brookite titanium dioxide (Co–TiO₂) photocatalysts were synthesized via the hydrothermal method with titanium tetrachloride as the raw material and cobalt chloride hexahydrate as the dopant. The prepared Co–TiO₂ photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–Vis DRS). The photocatalytic activities of Co–TiO₂ photocatalysts were evaluated by photocatalytic degradation of isopropanol alcohol (IPA), a typical volatile organic compound (VOC), under visible light. The influences of different Co doping rates, initial concentrations of IPA gas and the amounts of photocatalyst addition were also studied. At the same time, the enhancement mechanism of cobalt ions as a trap for photogenerated holes was discussed. Thus, we found the optimum doping rate, initial concentration of IPA gas and amount of photocatalyst to add. The results show that the mesoporous Co–TiO₂ photocatalysts possess smaller size particles, larger specific surface area, lower forbidden bandgap energy (Eg) and better photocatalytic activity than pure brookite TiO₂. When the doping of Co was 7% by mass, the initial concentration of IPA gas was 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol/L and the addition of Co–TiO₂ photocatalysts was 50 mg, the best photocatalytic activity was achieved. Furthermore, the degradation rate of IPA was up to 91%, which shows great potential for waste water treatment.

C.I. Acid Red 73 (AR73) wastewater was treated by cross-flow nanofiltration coupling electro-catalytic oxidation using an NF90 membrane and a Ti/SnO₂–Sb anode prepared via electrodeposition. Experiments conducted for standard electrochemical degradation of AR73 studied the reaction rate of removing AR73 using the Ti/SnO₂–Sb anode. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed to predict the permeate flux under a laminar flow regime, including the effects of operating pressure, applied potential, initial concentration, and cross-flow velocity on this coupling process. The variations of the membrane surface concentration and permeate flux along the length of the channel were quantified. The experimental results were compared with those predicted by the model, and they agreed well.

We conducted a transient experimental investigation of steam–water direct contact condensation in the absence of non-condensible gas in a laboratory-scale column with the inner diameter of 325 mm and the height of 1045 mm. We applied a new analysis method for the steam state equation to analyze the molar quantity change in steam over the course of the experiment and determined the transient steam variation. We also investigated the influence of flow rates and temperatures of cooling water on the efficiency of steam condensation. Our experimental results show that appropriate increasing of the cooling water flow rate can significantly accelerate the steam condensation. We achieved a rapid increase in the total volumetric heat transfer coefficient by increasing the flow rate of cooling water, which indicated a higher thermal convection between the steam and the cooling water with higher flow rates. We found that the temperature of cooling water did not play an important role on steam condensation. This method was confirmed to be effective for rapid recovering of steam.

The synthesis of calcium formate by Ca(OH)₂ carbonylation was studied in a semi-batch stirred tank. The reaction mechanism was analyzed theoretically and the rate of each step was compared. The influence of reaction conditions on the formation of calcium formate was investigated. The results indicate that the rate-controlling step is the reaction between dissolved CO and dissolved Ca(OH)₂, and the gaseous diffusion resistance can be eliminated when the stirring speed reached 1000 r/min. Furthermore, the reaction kinetics was studied at a stirring speed of 1000 r/min, temperature of 423–453 K, pressure of 2.0–3.5 MPa and different initial concentrations of Ca(OH)₂. An effective method was proposed to measure the reaction rate of CO. A mathematical model was developed using the dual-film theory, and the parameters were obtained using regression of experimental data. The reaction rates calculated using the kinetics model were compared with experimental data. The results show that the deviations are within ±10%, proving that the established model is valid and can provide a basis for industrial amplification.

The distribution performance of the gravity-type liquid distributor (GTLD) significantly affects column operation efficiency and the consequent product quality. In industrial settings, maldistribution is normally considered to be caused by vertical positional or coplanarity errors stemming from deflections associated with manufacture and installation, or even by excessive weight. The lack of estimation protocols or standards impedes the description of this error, which influences the corresponding outflow rates. Given this situation, the paper proposes a lumped parameter, orifice position deviation (OPD), to facilitate the calculation of the relative discharge rate error (RDRE) based on a formula derivation, which allows the systematic analysis of the influence of a single orifice or weir OPD. The paper introduces a sensitivity factor K as a concise and unified expression in theoretical RDREs for calibrating the influence of OPD on the RDREs of geometrically different orifices and weirs. With respect to the GTLD, a larger K indicates the need for more strict OPD requirements. The paper verifies that the extent of GTLD outflow nonuniformity is associated with diverging tendencies regarding its morphology, especially in the orifice and weir, which can be determined using our proposed procedures.

A bacterial strain WY047 was isolated from fermented grains and the bacterium was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, based on morphological, biochemical, and physiological tests, and analysis of 16S rRNA and gyrA sequences. The culture supernatant of WY047 demonstrated inhibition of a wide spectrum of bacteria (Gram positive and Gram negative) and fungi. Nine pairs of primers were designed and six genes (bmyD, fenA, hag, ituA, mrsA, and tasA) of antimicrobial substances were detected by PCR, one of which was isolated by 80% ammonium sulfate precipitation, D201 resin anion-exchange chromatography, and Sephadex G-75 filtration column. The purified peptide was estimated to be 35,207 Da and identified as flagellin by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Another four antimicrobial substances were extracted with methanol and identified as iturin A, fengycin, bacillomycin D, and mersacidin through the liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) method. The sixth possible peptide encoded by tasA could not be isolated in this study; however, the broader spectrum suggested huge application prospects.

To analyze the factors affecting the leakage rate of water distribution system, we built a macroscopic “leakage rate–leakage factors” (LRLF) model. In this model, we consider the pipe attributes (quality, diameter, age), maintenance cost, valve replacement cost, and annual average pressure. Based on variable selection and principal component analysis results, we extracted three main principle components—the pipe attribute principal component (PAPC), operation management principal component, and water pressure principal component. Of these, we found PAPC to have the most influence. Using principal component regression, we established an LRLF model with no detectable serial correlations. The adjusted R ² and RMSE values of the model were 0.717 and 2.067, respectively. This model represents a potentially useful tool for controlling leakage rate from the macroscopic viewpoint.

The wide-shallow composite bucket foundation (WSCBF) is a new type of offshore wind power foundation that can be built on land and rapidly installed offshore, thereby effectively reducing the construction time and costs of offshore wind power foundation. In this study, the horizontal bearing capacity is calculated by finite element simulation and compared with test results to verify the validity of results. In this process, the vertical load and bending load are respectively calculated by the finite element simulation. Under the vertical load effect, the bucket foundation and the soil inside are regarded as a whole, and the corresponding buckling failure mode is obtained. The ultimate vertical bearing capacity is calculated using empirical and theoretical formulas; the theoretical formula is also revised by finite element results. Under bending load, the rotational center of the composite bucket foundation (in a region close to the bucket bottom) gradually moves from the left of the central axis (reverse to loading direction) to the nearby compartment boards along the loading direction. The H–M envelope line shows a linear relationship, and it is determined that the vertical and bending ultimate bearing capacities can be improved by an appropriate vertical load.

Disc cutters are the most critical tool for excavation by tunnel boring machine (TBM). Based on the energy conservation law, finite-element modeling, and elastic–plastic continuum theory for tunneling by TBM, the interaction between disc cutters and rock mass was examined. First, the disc cutter motion was studied to establish the disc cutter strain equations as a function of time. Second, by using elastic–plastic theory, a rock strain model was constructed. Finally, a three-directional force model with time-varying characteristics was established for disc cutters during rock breaking. The model was applied to the Qinling Mountains Tunnel of the Lan-Yu Railway. Model cutterhead thrust and torque values were found in good agreement with actual data. In brief, the model can be used to predict the TBM performance and examine the mechanism of rock breaking.