Search

Process safety is always a core issue in chemical industry, which is conventionally not taken into consideration during the conceptual design stage of a process flowsheet. Distillation handles more than ninety percent of the separation and purification tasks of hazardous chemicals and accounts for no less than forty percent of the total energy consumption. Therefore, this work presents an inherently safer synthesis framework for thermally coupled distillati on sequences with structure constraints, which can efficiently quantify and optimize the inherent safety index of each column configuration in the sequence, based on State-Task Network and Dow's F&El. To efficiently quantify the inherent safety index of each column configuration, a series of structure constraints are proposed. Within the superstructure, Hengstebeck-Underwood-Gilliland shortcut method is employed for distillation column design. Finally, two hazardous zeotropic mixture separation examples are performed to demonstrate the feasibility and validity of the proposed synthesis methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a wide-range leaky-wave antenna with fast scanning rate and open-stopband (OSB) suppression based on microstrip spoof surface plasmon polaritons (MSSPPs) is proposed. First, the high-scanning-rate theory is analyzed. And based on the theory, the MSSPPs is used to radiate the fan beam rather than quasi-omnidirectional beam. In order to suppress the OSB, a capacitive slot is introduced using the proposed method of impedance matching. The prototype of the proposed antenna is fabricated and the measured results show that the antenna has 140° scanning range from −72° to 68° with the scanning rate of 8.8 and reflection coefficient lower than −10 dB in 8.7–10.2 GHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methionine was demonstrated to be the most limiting amino acid for growing sheep when microbial protein is the predominant source of absorbable AA, but its specific requirement was not well quantified. The indicator amino acid oxidation (IAAO) method is based on the concept that when the most limiting amino acid (LAA) is deficient for protein synthesis, then all other AAs will be oxidized. With increasing intakes of the LAA, IAAO will decrease until the requirement for the LAA is met, and there is no further change in the indicator oxidation afterwards. Therefore, the catabolism of 13 C-Phe was used to indicate the effects of varying duodenal infusing levels of Met on the oxidation rate by 4-month-old Kazakh lambs (30.8 ± 0.4 kg BW). After a 6-d adaptation period, the IAAO test was conducted on d 7. Each lamb received a priming dose of 0.67 mg/kg BW of 13 C-Phe injected via the jugular vein, together with 0.18 mg/kg BW of NaH 13 CO 3 at time 0. Then, constant infusions [1.33 mg 13 C-Phe/(kg h) −1 ] were started. Breath samples were collected prior to and half-hourly between 90 and 210 min after the start of the 13 C-Phe infusions. An estimate of the mean Met requirement was determined by a breakpoint analysis of the rate of 13 CO 2 released by 13 C-Phe oxidation, with a 2-phase linear regression model. The oxidation rate of 13 C-Phe decreased (P < 0.001) with increasing amounts of methionine infused in a dose-dependent fashion up to 1.65 g/day, and it was not different from 1.65 to 2.15 g/day (P > 0.05). The mean Met requirement was estimated to be 1.28 ± 0.11 g/day of supplementation. The total postruminal minimum requirement of Met would be 2.02 g/day when the basal passage of Met (0.74 g/day) was summed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within a transport model coupled with a microscopic coalescence model, the directed and elliptic flows of protons and deuterons as well as their scalling properties are studied in the centrality of 20-30% Au+Au collisions at s NN = 2.4 GeV. It is found that the flows as well as their scaling properties simulated with the isospin- and momentum-dependent nuclear mean field with an incompressibility K 0 = 230 MeV fit fairly the HADES data, while those simulated with the commonly used momentum-independent nuclear mean field with an incompressibility K 0 = 380 MeV can only fit partially the HADES data. Moreover, by checking the rapidity distributions of both protons and deuterons in the centrality of 0-10% Au+Au collisions at s NN = 2.4 GeV, we find that the rapidity distributions of deuterons are underestimated while those of protons are overestimated by the simulations with the momentum-independent nuclear mean field. In contrast, the rapidity distributions of both protons and deuterons simulated with the isospin- and momentum-dependent nuclear mean field are in good agreement with the HADES data. Our findings imply that the momentum dependence of nuclear mean field is an unavoidable feature for a fundamental understanding of nuclear matter properties and for the successful interpretation of the HADES data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs), complex mixtures of polychlorinated alkanes, are widely used in various industries and are thus ubiquitous in the receiving environment. The present study comprehensively reviewed the occurrence, fate and ecological risk of CPs in various environmental matrices in Asia. Releases from the production and consumption of CPs or CP-containing materials, wastewater discharge and irrigation, sewage sludge application, long-range atmospheric transport and aerial deposition have been found to be most likely sources and transport mechanisms for the dispersion of CPs in various environmental matrices, such as air, water, sediment, soil and biota. CPs can be bioaccumulated in biota and biomagnified through food webs, likely causing toxic ecological effects in organisms and posing health risks to humans. Inhalation, dust ingestion and dietary intake are strongly suggested as the major routes of human exposure. Research gaps are discussed to highlight the perspectives of future research to improve future efforts regarding the analysis of CPs, the environmental occurrence and elimination of CPs, the total environmental pressure, and the risks to organisms and populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on a novel type of liquid-filled simplified hollow-core photonic crystal fibers (HC-PCFs), and investigate their transmission properties with various filling liquids, including water, ethanol and FC-40. The loss and dispersion characterizations are calculated for different fiber parameters including strut thickness and core diameter. The results show that there are still low-loss windows existing for liquid-filled simplified HC-PCFs, and the low-loss windows and dispersions can be easily tailored by filling different liquids. Such liquid-filled simplified HC-PCFs open up many possibilities for nonlinear fiber optics, optical, biochemical and medical sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reveal the flame propagation behaviors during coal dust explosions, a kind of coal dust cloud was studied through experiment and numerical simulation in semi-enclosed vertical combustion tubes with different lengths. A high speed video camera and a thermal infrared imaging device were used to record the flame propagation process. The result indicated that the supreme flame propagation velocity and the highest flame temperature both rose gradually with the tube length increasing. Meanwhile, FLUENT was applied to numerical simulation of flame propagation behaviors during the coal dust explosions. The simulation result showed the flame combustion and the temperature varying process was consistent with the experimental result. It also revealed the distribution of flow velocity in the flow field during the combustion process, which indicated that flow velocity higher than flame propagation velocity was an important reason for dust re-entrainment and consistent explosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a Padé compact high-order finite volume scheme is presented for the solution of one-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger equations. The compact high-order finite volume schemes posses inherent conservation of the equations and high order accuracy within small stencils. Fourier error analysis demonstrates that the spectral resolution of the Padé compact finite volume scheme exceeds that of the standard finite volume schemes in terms of the same order of accuracy. Besides, the linear stability of the temporal discretization scheme is also performed by using the Fourier analysis. Numerical results are obtained for the nonlinear Schrödinger equations with various initial and boundary conditions, which manifests high accuracy and validity of the Padé compact finite volume scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sign pattern (matrix) A is a matrix whose entries are from the set {+,-,0} . If no entry of A is zero, then A is called a full sign pattern. The inertia of a real matrix A is the ordered triple (n+,n-,n0), in which n+, n- and n0 are the numbers of its eigenvalues (counting multiplicities) with positive, negative and zero real parts, respectively. The refined inertia of A is the ordered 4-tuple (n+,n-,nz, 2np) where nz (resp., 2np) is the number of zero (resp., nonzero pure imaginary) eigenvalues of A. An nxn sign pattern A is an inertially arbitrary pattern (IAP) if it allows all possible inertias. Similarly, A is a refined inertially arbitrary pattern (rIAP) if it allows all possible refined inertias. A proper subset S of the set of all possible inertias (resp., refined inertia) of real matrices of order n is called a critical set of inertias (resp., critical set of refined inertias) for a family F of sign patterns of order n if for every A∈F, S⊆i(A) ensures that A is inertially arbitrary (resp., S⊆ri(A) ensures that A is refined inertially arbitrary); S is called a minimal critical set of inertias (resp., minimal critical set of refined inertias) for F if no proper subset of S is a critical set of inertias (resp., refined inertias) for F. In this paper, all minimal critical sets of inertias and refined inertias for 3x3 full sign patterns are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Tracing regional anthropogenic influences is important for assessing the magnitude of human interferences with the environment. In the present study, the utility of soil linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) as indicators of anthropogenic influences was examined, with the emphasis on the role of atmospheric transport in dissipating LABs from input sources to remote areas. The Pearl River Delta, South China, which has experienced rapid economic growth and urbanization, was selected as the study region. The concentrations of LABs (mean: 8.6ng/g and median: 5.7ng/g, with an outlier of 2020ng/g excluded) suggested that sewage contamination throughout the entire study region was generally light. The spatial variation of sewage pollution was significantly positively correlated with population density and per capita gross domestic product, with hot spots concentrated in the central PRD. Atmospheric deposition was hypothesized as an important input route for soil LABs in forestry and drinking water source areas with little impact of irrigation or direct wastewater discharge. This proposition could explain the opposite spatial patterns of LAB concentrations and values of a biodegradation index (5-C12 +5-C13)/(5-C11 +5-C10), where i-C n defines a specific LAB congener with i and n indicating the position of the phenyl group and the number of carbon atoms on the alkyl chain, respectively. These findings somewhat validated LABs as tracers of regional anthropogenically derived contamination, with atmospheric transport of LABs as a viable dissipating mechanism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] A Schiff base (R) with an excited state proton transfer fluorescence was studied. [•] R was selected for recognition of sulfate anions in 95% ethanol solution. [•] The recognition nature of R with anion is the deprotonation of its phenol hydrogen. [•] The deprotonation process can be tuned in nonaqueous solutions. [•] Suitable phenolic hydroxyl acidity is the key factor for anion recognition selectivity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to introduce the surgical technique of a modified spiral orthotopic ileal neobladder and to assess the long-term outcomes. Patients and methods: Between January 1998 and January 2006, 44 male and 7 female patients with bladder cancer received radical cystectomy (RC) and pelvic lymphadenectomy. An ileal segment 40 cm to 45 cm long was isolated to create a spiral orthotopic ileal neobladder, and the ureters were implanted into the reservoir using a non-refluxing split-cuff nipple technique. Preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative data were collected. Complications were classified as early (less than 3 months after surgery) or late (more than 3 months after surgery). Continence incidence and urodynamic studies were evaluated 5 years after surgery. Duration of follow-up was an average of 95 months (range 60–156 months). Results: There were no perioperative deaths. The mean operative time was 315 ± 34 minutes. The mean blood loss was 783 ± 316 ml. There were 31 early complications in 21 patients (41%) and 42 late complications in 30 patients (59%). Urodynamic studies showed the maximum neobladder capacity to be 500 ± 71 ml, maximum flow rate to be 16 ± 5 ml/s and post-voiding residual (PVR) to be 50 ± 44 ml. Postoperative continence was excellent with a daytime continence rate of 90% and a nocturnal continence rate of 78% 5 years after surgery. Conclusions: The modified spiral neobladder is easy to perform and allows for excellent long-term results with regard to complications and continence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We use a simple algebraic formalism, i.e., based on the Sturm–Liouville theorem and shape invariance formalism, to study the energy spectra for Dirac equation with scalar and vector hyperbolic like potentials. The Rosen–Morse and Eckart potentials as typical models are performed to show the advantage of this method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Gene polymorphisms of cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen 4 (CTLA4) play an influential role in the graft rejection and long-term clinical outcome of organ transplantation. We investigated the associations of five CTLA4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs733618T/C, rs4553808A/G, rs5742909C/T, rs231775G/A, rs3087243G/A) on the early acute rejection (AR) of Chinese deceased donor renal transplantation recipients. Genotyping of the CTLA4 SNPs was performed in 167 deceased donor renal transplantation recipients. Each patient underwent a 6-month follow-up observation for AR. The incidence of AR during the 6 months post-transplantation was 26.9% (45 out of 167 patients). Patients experiencing AR were found to have a higher frequency of the rs733618TT genotype and T allele (p = 0.000 and p = 0.002, respectively). While the haplotype CACAG was merely observed in non-AR group (corrected p = 0.000), the frequency of haplotype TACGG was significantly higher in AR group than in non-AR group even after 50,000 permutation tests (corrected p=0.018). In conclusion, these polymorphisms statistically significantly associated with acute renal allograft rejection may be considered as a risk factor of AR in Chinese renal transplantation recipients except for haplotype CACAG as a protective one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This critical overview covers current analytical methods and future developments in quantitative determination of fatty acids (FAs), emphasizing sample extraction, derivatization and instrumental analysis with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS2). We compare the benefits and the drawbacks of these two analytical techniques. We consider the well-established GC/MS method with pre-derivatization to be a traditional technique in terms of highly standardized sample-preparation procedures, affordability and readily available library searching for compound identification. However, the complicated derivatization steps required prior to instrumental analysis with GC/MS take a long time, with loss and transformation of FAs, low recovery and poor reproducibility. HPLC/MS2 without derivatization shows the benefits of simple, mild sample-processing conditions, satisfactory recovery, short running time and high selectivity and sensitivity, which may allow it to become a viable alternative to GC/MS for the analysis of FAs in the years ahead. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Based on the Sturm–Liouville theorem and shape invariance formalism, we study by applying a Pekeris-type approximation to the pseudo-centrifugal term the pseudospin symmetry of a Dirac nucleon subjected to scalar and vector Manning–Rosen potentials including the spin–orbit coupling term. A quartic energy equation and spinor wave functions with arbitrary spin–orbit coupling quantum number k are presented. The bound states are calculated numerically. The relativistic Manning–Rosen potential could not trap a Dirac nucleon in the limit case . [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the case of spin symmetry we solve the Dirac equation with scalar and vector deformed generalized Pöschl–Teller (DGPT) potential and obtain exact energy equation and spinor wave functions for s-wave bound states. We find that there are only positive energy states for bound states in the case of spin symmetry based on the strong regularity restriction condition for the wave functions. The energy eigenvalue approaches a constant when the potential parameter α goes to zero. Two special cases such as generalized PT potential and standard PT potential are also briefly discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this Letter the approximately analytical bound state solutions of the Dirac equation with the Manning–Rosen potential for arbitrary spin–orbit coupling quantum number k are carried out by taking a properly approximate expansion for the spin–orbit coupling term. In the case of exact spin symmetry, the associated two-component spinor wave functions of the Dirac equation for arbitrary spin–orbit quantum number k are presented and the corresponding bound state energy equation is derived. We study briefly two special cases; the general s-wave problem and the equal scalar and vector Manning–Rosen potential. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this Letter the approximately analytical scattering state solutions of the l-wave Schrödinger equation for the Manning–Rosen potential are carried out by a proper approximation to the centrifugal term. The normalized radial wave functions of l-wave scattering states are presented and the calculation formula of phase shifts is derived. It is well shown that the poles of the S-matrix in the complex energy plane correspond to bound states for real poles and scattering states for complex poles in the lower half of the energy plane. We consider and verify two special cases: the and the s-wave Hulthén potential. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this work, we apply a monotone iterative procedure to prove the existence of positive pseudo-symmetric solutions for a three-point second-order -Laplacian boundary value problem. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Background: Bovine tuberculosis (TB) has re-emerged as a major problem for British cattle farmers. Failure to control the infection has been linked to transmission from European badgers; badger culling has therefore formed a component of British TB control policy since 1973. Objectives and design: To investigate the impact of repeated widespread badger culling on cattle TB, the Randomised Badger Culling Trial compared TB incidence in cattle herds in and around ten culling areas (each 100km2) with those in and around ten matched unculled areas. Results: Overall, cattle TB incidence was 23.2% lower (95% confidence interval (CI) 12.4–32.7% lower) inside culled areas, but 24.5% (95% CI 0.6% lower–56.0% higher) higher on land ≤2km outside, relative to matched unculled areas. Inside the culling area boundary the beneficial effect of culling tended to increase with distance from the boundary (p =0.085) and to increase on successive annual culls (p =0.064). In adjoining areas, the detrimental effect tended to diminish on successive annual culls (p =0.17). On the basis of such linear trends, the estimated net effect per annum for culling areas similar to those in the trial was detrimental between the first and second culls, but beneficial after the fourth and later culls, for the range of analyses performed. Conclusions: Careful consideration is needed to determine in what settings systematic repeated culling might be reliably predicted to be beneficial, and in these cases whether the benefits of such culling warrant the costs involved. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The utilization of a solid waste – fly ash (FA) in the construction of concrete dams was investigated in this paper, which contained its effects on the strength, shrinkage and expansion strain of dam concrete with and without 8% of a novel MgO-bearing expansive agent. The results are shown a relationship between the content of fly ash replacing cement and the above properties of dam concrete. The compressive strengths of dam concrete with 50% fly ash in 90d are higher than that of dam concrete with 30% fly ash or without fly ash slightly. Fly ash may decrease the deformation of dam concrete in that with 50% fly ash, and the shrinkage and expansive strain was reduced significantly – about 33% and 40% less than that of the specimens without fly ash respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Twenty- five coumarin-isoxazole derivatives were highly synthesized by [3+ 2] cycloaddition reaction. • The benzene ring of oximes (b4 - b5) was chlorinated to obtain imidoyl chlorides (c4-c5). • The structure of MC-16 was confirmed by X- ray. • MC-14 (IC50 = 12.85 μM/ L, SI= 11.23) exhibited selecteive cytotoxicity against HepG2 cell line. • Docking study between bioactive compounds and protein residue of tubulin (PDB ID: 6O5N) was performed. In here, a series of coumarin-isoxazole derivatives were synthesized, characterized by spectroscopy technologies and evaluated for their cytotoxicity against HepG2 cell lines. Meanwhile, eight bioactive compounds were also evaluated for their toxicity on normal Vero cell lines. MC-16 , a monoclinic crystal with P21/c space group, was further confirmed by X-ray and 2D-NMR. Results demonstrated that b5 was reacted with 7 equivalents NCS to given c5, and then MC-16 was obtained by the reaction of nitrile oxides derivatized from c5 with e1 , passing intermediate state TS1. Bioactive results indicated that eight compounds (MC-2, MC-4, MC-5, MC-9, MC-10, MC-14, MC-19 and MC-20) exhibited weak to strong cytotoxicity against HepG2 cell lines, and their toxicity to Vero cells was much lower than that of Cisplatin (IC 50 (HpeG2) = 8.44 μM/ L, IC 50 (Vero) = 28.63 μM/ L, SI= 3.39). Among them, MC-14 (IC 50 (HpeG2) = 12.85 μM/ L, IC 50 (Vero) = 144.32 μM/ L, SI= 11.23) owned the strongest anti- HepG2 activity and obviously induced apoptosis under 48 μM. Structure-relationship analysis displayed that substituent group R = Cl or Br was the key factors to enhance the anti-HepG2 activity. The docking results revealed that bioactive compounds can effectively interacted with protein (PDB ID: 6O5N). [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this letter, a simple approach to design a reconfigurable feeding network (RFN) for antenna array beam scanning is presented. By combining a 3 dB power divider and a reconfigurable delay line group (RDLG), the two output signals with 2 m+n sets of uniformly distributed phase gradients (PGs) can be obtained. And by adopting multi two-output RFNs and multi-stage design, a RFN for generating 2 m+n continuously distributed beams is constructed. For verifying the design method, a microstrip four-output RFN for generating four scanning beams is implemented, fabricated and measured. The measured results are consistent with the theoretical analysis, which provides the validity of the design. And the design of the RFN can be used as a candidate of the feeding network for antenna array beam scanning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shaker-like K + outward rectifying channel (SKOR) is involved in mediating long-distance K + transport from roots to shoots. In this study, a Shaker-like outward K + channel gene CmSKOR (GenBank accession number MF447462 ) was isolated from melon ( Cucumis melo L.). Phylogenetic analysis showed that CmSKOR belongs to the SKOR-subfamily in the Shaker-like K + channel family. Electrophysiological experiments indicated that CmSKOR was a K + -permeable channel with low affinity. Expressed in Xenopus oocytes, CmSKOR displayed classical Shaker-like outwardly rectifying K + currents. Confocal imaging of a CmSKOR – yellow fluorescent fusion protein (YFP) in transgenic Nicotiana tabacum leaves indicated that CmSKOR was located in the plasma membrane. Transcript analysis showed CmSKOR predominantly expressed in melon roots and with lower abundance in stem and leaves. In addition, both external K + and NaCl treatment could up-regulate the expression of CmSKOR in melon and enhance the K + content in shoot. Constitutive overexpressed CmSKOR in Arabidopsis thaliana , the transgenic plants showed changes in root length in MS plates, displayed higher maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm), higher fresh and dry weight, and accumulation of K + in shoot, together with the changes of transcript amount of CmSKOR with NaCl treatments in mixture substrate. In conclusion, it was proposed that CmSKOR may play the role on distributing K + to the shoot in melon and its constitutive expression in Arabidopsis improved saline tolerance by maintaining K + homeostasis in the plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceramics are highly valued for their exceptional thermal resistance and ability to withstand high temperatures. This study investigated the production of ceramic-like pressed geopolymer, focusing on the effects of aging period and sintering temperature. The results showed that the 7-day pressed geopolymer achieved the highest compressive (134.7 MPa) and flexural (34.9 MPa) strengths after sintering at 1000°C, with a density retention of 93.7 %, a mass loss of 7.9 %, and a thermal shrinkage of 1.4 %. Microstructural analysis at 1000°C showed a dense ceramic-like structure with nepheline formation. Phase analysis of the 7-day pressed geopolymer revealed a decrease in the amorphous phase as temperature increased, with nepheline formed at 800°C (26.0 %) and maximized at 1000°C (61.0 %). This work offers an optimal aging period and sintering temperature to maximize the mechanical strength and nepheline crystal formation, making them perfect for fire-resistant panels and precast construction products. • Pressed geopolymer was formed at various aging times and sintering temperatures. • The highest mechanical strength was achieved by the 7d pressed geopolymer at 1000°C. • The residual compressive strength at 1000°C ascends in 28d < 7d < 1d. • Gel matrix transformed into a ceramic-like structure with rising temperature. • The 7d pressed geopolymer has the most nepheline phase formation at 1000°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abnormal inflammation and accelerated decline in lung function occur in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Klotho, an anti-aging protein, has an anti-inflammatory function. However, the role of Klotho has never been investigated in COPD. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible role of Klotho by alveolar macrophages in airway inflammation in COPD. Klotho levels were assessed in the lung samples and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of non-smokers, smokers, and patients with COPD. The regulation of Klotho expression by cigarette smoke extract (CSE) was studied in vitro, and small interfering RNA (siRNA) and recombinant Klotho were employed to investigate the role of Klotho on CSE-induced inflammation. Klotho expression was reduced in alveolar macrophages in the lungs and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of COPD patients. CSE decreased Klotho expression and release from MH-S cells. Knockdown of endogenous Klotho augmented the expression of the inflammatory mediators, such as MMP-9, IL-6, and TNF-α, by MH-S cells. Exogenous Klotho inhibited the expression of CSE-induced inflammatory mediators. Furthermore, we showed that Klotho interacts with IκBα of the NF-κB pathway. Dexamethasone treatment increased the expression and release level of Klotho in MH-S cells. Our findings suggest that Klotho plays a role in sustained inflammation of the lungs, which in turn may have therapeutic implications in COPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dissimilar metals of AA6013 aluminum alloy and Q235 low-carbon steel of 2.5 mm thickness were butt joined using a 10 kW fiber laser welding system with ER4043 filler metal. The study indicates that it is feasible to join aluminum alloy to steel by butt joints when zinc layer was hot-dip galvanized at the steel's groove face in advance, and better weld appearance can be obtained at appropriate welding parameters. The joints had dual characteristics of a welding joint on the aluminum side and a brazing joint on the steel side. The smooth Fe2Al5 layer adjacent to the steel matrix and the serrated-shape FeAl3 layer close to the weld metal were formed at the brazing interface. The overall thickness of Fe-Al intermetallic compounds layers produced in this experiment were varied from 1.8 μm to 6.2 μm at various welding parameters with laser power of 2.85-3.05 kW and wire feed speed of 5-7 m/min. The Al/steel butt joints were failed at the brazing interface during the tensile test and reached the maximum tensile strength of 120 MPa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eu2+ doped aluminosilicate phosphors (Ca2AlMg0.5Si1.5O7:Eu2+ (CAMS:Eu2+)) for white near-UV w-LEDs have been synthesized by solid-state reaction at 1250 °C. The phase and crystal structure of CAMS have been analyzed by using XRD. The material with a relatively low Eu2+ concentration displayed a peak in excitation spectrum at 372 nm and a tunable emission spectrum. The colorimetric coordinate of sample with optimum Eu2+ concentration locates in green-yellow region with coordinate value of (0.2639, 0.6212). When the phosphor was pumped by UV light (λ ≈ 372 nm), we obtained bright green-yellow light, suggesting this material has a potential application as a NUV converting green-yellow phosphor for the NUV w-LEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] PLS regression models based on NIRS were built for the rapid analysis of coal properties. [•] Models for different kind of coal samples show better result than models for the whole sample set. [•] A method for the coal classification was obtained by applying PCA and SVM to the NIRS of coal samples. [•] Different regression models for different categories classified by the SVM method get better prediction results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, the thermal energy storage system of Badaling 1 MW solar power tower plant is modelled from mathematical models for whole of the working conditions using the modular modelling method. This model can accurately simulate the recharge and discharge processes of thermal energy storage system. The dynamic and static characteristics of the thermal energy storage system are analyzed based on the model response curves of the system state parameters that are obtained from different steam flow disturbances. Conclusions of this paper are good references for the design, operating, and control strategy of solar thermal power plant. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, we study the following nonlinear Neumann boundary value problem where is a bounded domain with smooth boundary is the outer unit normal derivative on , is a real number, is a continuous function on with is a continuous function. Using the three critical point theorem due to Ricceri, under the appropriate assumptions on , we establish the existence of at least three solutions of this problem. Some known results are generalized. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the paper, we obtain the existence of monotone positive solutions and establish acorresponding iterative scheme for the following multipoint boundary value problem with p-Laplacian operator, The main tool is the monotone iterative technique. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Interoception plays an important role in psychological functioning and mental and physical health. Recent studies have highlighted the need to distinguish between different aspects of interoception in self-report measures, including subjective interoceptive accuracy and attention. However, there is currently no questionnaire available in Chinese to measure either of these aspects, especially in patients with chronic pain conditions. This paper presents a Chinese translation of the Interoceptive Accuracy Scale (IAS; Murphy et al., 2020). In three studies (N = 1166), we examined the factor structure and improved dimensionality of the Chinese IAS using factor analysis and item response theory models, compared its criterion validity in respondents with and without chronic pain, and examined its construct (convergent and discriminant) validity using network analysis approach. We demonstrated that the Chinese IAS is essentially unidimensional and developed a refined short form (IAS-SF) with improved unidimensionality. Both the Chinese IAS and IAS-SF showed comparable criterion validity in respondents with and without chronic pain, and both showed acceptable construct validity. Overall, the Chinese IAS and Chinese IAS-SF will be useful tools for researchers and clinicians interested in interoceptive processes in Chinese populations or cross-cultural settings, especially in pain research. • We introduced the Interoceptive Accuracy Scale (IAS) into Chinese. • Construct validity was examined using traditional and network approach. • Criterion validity was comparable in individuals with and without chronic pain. • A short form with improved dimensionality was developed with IRT analysis. • Both full and short forms have acceptable validity in general and clinical populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer gel foam shows excellent development potential and application prospects in the prevention of coal spontaneous combustion. To reveal the relationship between the characteristics of gel foam and the prevention of coal spontaneous combustion, XG/GG/HPAM gel foam consisting of polymer xanthan gum (XG), guar gum (GG), and polyacrylamide (HPAM) is prepared. The characteristics of gel foam are investigated in terms of microstructure, viscosity, thermal stability, and film-forming. The effects of gel foam on gas products, characteristic temperature, combustion characteristics parameters, and functional groups during coal oxidation are studied. The results show that polymer delays the foam coarsening and improves the foam stability. XG/GG/HPAM gel foam exhibits a slow foam coarsening process, concentrated bubble diameter distribution, shear-thinning behavior, excellent thermal stability, and film-forming properties. Moreover, the inhibition rate of XG/GG/HPAM gel foam on coal is 43.63% higher than that of ordinary foam. XG/GG/HPAM gel foam effectively improves the apparent activation energy of coal, the maximum weight loss rate of the coal is decreased by 7.55%, and the combustibility, combustion stability, and comprehensive combustion index are diminished by 8.50%, 7.64%, and 10.17%, respectively. Simultaneously, XG/GG/HPAM gel foam reduces the oxidation activity of aliphatic hydrocarbons and oxygen-containing functional groups in coal, blocks the chain reaction, and thus inhibits coal spontaneous combustion. The results provide support for achieving efficient fire prevention performance of gel foam. [Display omitted] • The stability of gel foam was characterized by microstructure and water loss rate. • The effects of gel foam on combustion characteristics and oxidation kinetics of coal were discussed. • XG/GG/HPAM gel foam reduces oxidation activity of coal aliphatic hydrocarbon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The suppression effects of ABC powder on 100 nm polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) dust explosions with different mass densities were experimentally studied. Results showed that the suppressed flames were dim and the flame propagation was slowed down with the addition of ABC powder. When the proportion of suppressant increased, the average propagation velocity was decreased. After adding 30% ABC powder to 650 g/m³ PMMA dust cloud, the maximum suppression ratio for velocity was 93%. After adding 10% ABC powder, the temperatures of PMMA dust cloud with the mass densities of 250 g/m³, 450 g/m³ and 650 g/m³ were decreased to 19.8%, 27.4% and 33.1%, respectively. Meanwhile, the critical suppression proportion of PMMA dust explosion with three mass densities were 25%, 35% and 35%. Thermal analysis results showed that the addition of suppressant could increase the thermal stability of PMMA. The suppression mechanisms were comprised of physical suppression and chemical suppression which reflected on the consumption of H and OH radicals. The chemical kinetic models indicated that PO2 and HOPO played a catalytic role in the combination of H and OH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Exothermic of pulverized coal on various oxygen concentrations was researched. • Revealing three oxidation stages of low-temperature oxidation of pulverized coal. • Apparent activation energies on various oxygen concentrations were investigated. • Low oxygen concentration had inhibitive effect on exothermic of pulverized coal. Abstract Low-temperature exothermic oxidation characteristics of pulverized sub-bituminous coal was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry system in atmospheres where the oxygen concentrations were 21, 17, 13, 9, and 5 vol. %, respectively. The results indicate that the heat flow gradually decreases after it reaches the maximum value. A decreased oxygen concentration had a delaying effect on the heat flow and derivative of heat flow curves. A low oxygen concentration has typical stage characteristics for inhibiting the exothermic oxidation of pulverized coal. The oxygen concentration has a significant influence on the kinetics characteristics and kinetics parameters. The apparent activation energy increased under different oxygen concentrations with an increase in the conversion rate. The apparent activation energy was less than that in the low oxygen concentration under a high oxygen concentration. When the oxygen concentration less than 9%, the activation energy increases significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The drug albendazole (ABZ) has a positive effect against Trichinella spiralis infection and has been used for the treatment and prevention of trichinellosis in humans and animals. However, the molecular mechanism ofthe effects of ABZ on T. spiralis remains unknown. Albendazole sulfoxide (ABZSO) is the main intermediary metabolic product of ABZ, and it is often used as a substitute for ABZ in metabolism and bioavailability research. Herein, isobaric tagging reagents for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ)-based LC–MS/MS analysis was used to identify the effect of ABZSO on the proteome of T. spiralis muscle larvae in vitro . 3795 proteins were quantified from 22974 unique peptides. Comparative proteomics analysis displayed that 417 proteins were remarkably differentially expressed in ABZSO-treated larvae, of which 213 proteins were up-regulated and 204 proteins were down-regulated. Quantitative real-time PCR of ten randomly-selected genes verified the proteomic data. Gene ontology annotation and KEGG pathway analysis showed that most of the differentially expressed proteins were involved in cell apoptosis, signal pathway, amino acid metabolism, protein synthesis/assembly/degradation and other biological processes. This study firstly provided the comprehensive proteomics data of T. spiralis in response to ABZSO, and would help us to deeply understand the molecular mechanism of ABZSO effects on T. spiralis . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk stratification using molecular features could potentially help distinguish indolent from aggressive prostate cancer (PCa). Mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) acquire an abnormal enzymatic activity, resulting in the production of 2-hydroxyglutarate and alterations in cellular metabolism, histone modification, and DNA methylation. Mutant IDH1 has been identified in various human malignancies, and IDH1R132H constituted the vast majority of mutational events of IDH1.Most recent studies suggested that IDH1mutations define amethylator subtype in PCa. However, the function of IDH1R132H in PCa development and progression is largely unknown. In this study, we showed that the prevalence of IDH1R132H in Chinese PCa patients is 0.6% (2/336). Of note, IDH1R132H-mutant PCa patients lacked other canonical genomic lesions (e.g., ERG rearrangement, PTEN deletion) that are common in most other PCa patients. The in vitro experiment suggested that IDH1R132H can promote proliferation of benign prostate epithelial cell RWPE-1 when under the situation of low cytokine. It could also promotemigration capacity ofRWPE-1 cells. Mechanistically, IDH1R132H was an important regulator of insulin-like growth factor 1receptor (IGF1R) by downregulating a set ofmicroRNAs (miR-141-3p, miR-7-5p, miR-223-3p). These microRNAs were repressed by the alteration of epigenetic modification to decrease the enrichment of active marker H3K4me3 or to increase repressive marker H3K27me3 at their promoters. Collectively, we proposed a novel model for an IDH1R132H-microRNAs-IGF1R regulatory axis, which might provide insight into the function of IDH1R132H in PCa development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spruce can grow at an extra low temperature (LT), and is inferred with important antifreezing gene resources. The research here identified 4 different spruce varieties, named as PicW1 , PicW2 , PicM and PicK . Sequence alignment showed base-substitution and deficiency mutations among them with sequence identity between 97.61% and 99.25%. Each gene was transferred into E. coli , where protein was induced by IPTG (isopropyl-β- d -thiogalactoside). Strains cultured at −5 °C showed the lethal dose 50% (LD-50) between 53 h and 57 h for the transgenic strains, but 35 h for the control. Strains cultivated at −20 °C showed the LD-50 between 38 h and 44 h for the transgenic strains, but 25 h for the control. Further, the soluble gene proteins were extracted and purified for Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) test, which showed characteristic thermal hysteresis (TH) value of 0.77 °C (PicW1), 0.78 °C (PicW2), 0.72 °C (PicM), and 0.86 °C (PicK) respectively, significantly higher than the value of 0.05 °C of the control (BSA). Summarily, four homologous proteins showed good antifreeze property with the range from high to low as PicK > PicW2 > PicW1 > PicM. It suggested that they can be used as resources for genetic engineering of plant cold tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene oxide (GO) shows promise as a nanocomposite building block due to its exceptional mechanical properties. While atomistic simulations have become central to investigating its mechanical properties, the method remains prohibitively expensive for large deformations and mesoscale failure mechanisms. To overcome this, we establish a coarse-grained (CG) model that captures key mechanical and interfacial properties, and the non-homogeneous effect of oxidation in GO sheets. The CG model consists of three types of CG beads, representing groups of pristine sp² carbon atoms, and hydroxyl and epoxide functionalized regions. The CG force field is parameterized based on density functional-based tight binding simulations on three extreme cases. It accurately quantifies deterioration of tensile modulus and strength at the expense of improving interlayer adhesion with increasing oxidation of varying chemical compositions. We demonstrate the applicability of the model to study mesoscale phenomena by reproducing different force vs. indentation curves in silico, corroborating recent experimental observations on how chemistry near contact point influences properties. Finally, we apply the model to measure the fracture toughness of pristine graphene and GO. The critical stress intensity factor (Kc) of graphene is found to be the highest, and epoxide-rich GO also possesses higher Kc compared to hydroxyl-rich GO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dual-tail approach was employed to design novel Carbonic Anhydrase (CA) IX inhibitors by simultaneously matching the hydrophobic and hydrophilic halves of the active site, which also contains a zinc ion as part of the catalytic center. The classic sulfanilamide moiety was used as the zinc binding group. An amino glucosamine fragment was chosen as the hydrophilic part and a cinnamamide fragment as the hydrophobic part in order to draw favorable interactions with the corresponding halves of the active site. In comparison with sulfanilamide which is largely devoid of the hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions with the two halves of the active site, the compounds so designed and synthesized in this study showed 1000-fold improvement in binding affinity. Most of the compounds inhibited the CA effectively with IC 50 values in the range of 7–152 nM. Compound 14e (IC 50 : 7 nM) was more effective than the reference drug acetazolamide (IC 50 : 30 nM). The results proved that the dual-tail approach to simultaneously matching the hydrophobic and hydrophilic halves of the active site by linking hydrophobic and hydrophilic fragments was useful for designing novel CA inhibitors. The effectiveness of those compounds was elucidated by both the experimental data and molecular docking simulations. This work laid a solid foundation for further development of novel CA IX inhibitors for cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study developed a method to establish a one-step global reaction mechanism for predicting the ignition delay time. The activation energy database applied in 850–1800K temperature, 0.1–100 atm pressure and a wider excess air coefficient within the range of flammable limit was constructed and the one-step reaction mechanism was then obtained for a specified chemical reaction state through a look-up or Lagrange interpolation technology. The present one-step global mechanism is able to predict the accurate ignition delay time compared with the detailed mechanism, and is superior to the other available reduced mechanisms. Coupled to a high-order in-house Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code, the current reaction mechanism is successfully applied to numerical simulations of supersonic chemically reacting mixing layers under different flow conditions. The numerical predictions of supersonic combustion process, ignition position as well as averaged flow fields, using the present mechanism are comparable to the results using the detailed mechanism. Therefore, this simplified reaction mechanism is suitable for fast simulation-based designs in industrial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the corrosion resistance of stainless steel, the microstructure and corrosion resistance of a Cu-bearing 316 L stainless steel coatings prepared by laser melting deposition (LMD) in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 solution were mainly investigated. The results showed that Cu can enrich in the dendrite to form FCC ε-Cu in the 316 L stainless steel, while possessing little affect on the microstructure morphology. The Cu addition facilitates the corrosion products forming in the interdendritic of coating, which protects the coating surface from being etched, improving its corrosion resistance in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 solution. With the Cu content increasing from 0 wt% to 7.52 wt%, the open circuit voltage of coating increases from −302.8 mV to −116.2 mV, the corrosion current density decreases from 1.64 × 10−3 μA cm−2 to 1.54 × 10−6 μA cm−2, and the polarization resistance increases from 36.9 Ω∙cm2 to 14240.3 Ω cm2. • A good metallurgical bond formed between the coating and TC4 alloy substrate. • The NiTi-based coating mainly consists of NiTi, Ti 2 Ni and Ni 3 Ti intermetallic compounds. • The microhardness of coating is up to 650 HV, which is 2.2 times than that of TC4 alloy. • The electrochemical corrosion resistance of coating is slightly inferior to TC4 alloy. • The wear resistance of coating is 1.7 times higher than that of TC4 alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combustion instabilities of diluted hydrogen and air driven by the large scale vortex in supersonic reacting mixing layer flows have been numerically studied using detailed chemical reaction kinetics and accurate transport properties. The overall unburned, unstable and stable combustion modes are then observed under different air temperature conditions, corresponding to 925, 1100, and 1600 K. Very large pressure oscillations are observed for the reacting flow with the medium-temperature air, the amplitudes of which are several times larger than those of the unreactive flow or stable combustion case. The analyses show that the auto-ignition of fuel and oxidizer premixed mixtures are formed inside the turbulent shedding vortexes and causes the extremely high local pressures; hence, large amplitude pressure oscillations occur. The mixing layer is ignited very close to the inlet and in advance of the vortex shedding of the flow with the high-temperature air, and the diffusion combustion moves downstream. It is concluded that the auto-ignition of the fuel and oxidizer premixed mixtures induced by the turbulent coherent structures could lead to combustion instability and drive the transition from the partially premixed quasi-constant-volume combustion to the diffusion combustion depending on the increasing air stream temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]