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The concept of electrified aircraft propulsion (EAP) has garnered substantial attention and investigation due to its potential for mitigating fuel consumption, emissions, and noise. Present studies mainly concentrate on point design rather than systematic design space exploration. This paper considers the attainment of prescribed mission objectives as a paramount evaluation criterion and proposed a mission-oriented design and verification method based on model-based systems engineering (MBSE). Instead of using a general modeling language, this method develops a domain-specific metamodel library for EAP based on six meta-metamodels. A Mission-Operational-Functional-Logical-Physical (MOFLP) modeling methodology is provided to standardize EAP design process. Furthermore, the modeling process is integrated with the verification process by executable verification script. A case study about skydiving mission is conducted to verify the effectiveness of this method. The case results corroborate the utility of this method in the generation of an initial EAP solution. Such initial solution can serve as a fundamental benchmark for iterative design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To examine the potential of galangin in a mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis (AR), as chronic AR, induced by immunoglobulin-E (IgE), leads to histamine release and nasal inflammation, and although galangin exhibits antiasthmatic and anti-inflammatory potential, its effect on AR is yet to be investigated. ANIMALS 126 BALB/c mice. METHODS AR induction involved sensitizing female mice with OVA (5%, 500 µL, IP) for 14 days. Post OVA challenge, the mice were divided into 7 groups (n = 18/group), including normal, AR control, montelukast (10 mg/kg), galangin (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg), and per se (galangin [20 mg/kg] treatment. Various outcomes were evaluated, including nasal symptoms, histopathology, biochemistry, and nasal lavage fluid inflammatory cytokines and signaling pathways in nasal mucosal to assess galangin potential in AR. RESULTS In AR mice, galangin (10 and 20 mg/kg) significantly (P < .05) reduced sneezing, rubbing, and nasal discharge post-OVA challenge. Galangin treatment attenuated (P < .05) elevated serum histamine, ß-hexosaminidase, IgE, and Immunoglobulin G1 levels in AR control mice. Additionally, galangin significantly (P < .05) decreased OVA-induced alterations in IL-4, IL-6, IL-13, and interferon-γ levels in nasal lavage fluid compared to AR control mice. Western blot analysis demonstrated that galangin lowered OVA-induced AR by significantly (P < .05) downregulating the phosphorylated protein kinase B and mammalian target of rapamycin-protein expressions while markedly (P < .05) upregulating the glycogen synthase kinase-3ß protein expressions in nasal mucosal. Galangin also significantly ameliorated (P < .05) the OVA-induced histological aberrations in the nasal mucosa, reflected by reduced eosinophil infiltration, hyperplasia, and edema. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Galangin exhibits antihistaminic and anti-inflammatory effects in AR mice by regulating IgE-mediated histamine and inflammatory release and modulating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Ak strain transforming/mammalian target of rapamycin pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compressor fouling is one of the most prevalent fault modes that contribute to the performance degradation of a gas turbine power plant. Off-line washing is a standard maintenance procedure to recover the fouling degradation, but with washing cost. In this paper, an off-line washing schedule optimization method with a long short-term memory (LSTM) prediction model is proposed to maximize the plant net profit. First, a mechanism model-based gas path analysis method is developed to identify the fouling indications of compressor flow rate degradation (DGC) and compressor efficiency degradation (DEC). Second, a sliding window prediction method based on LSTM is proposed to accurately predict the nonlinear fouling trends. The prediction models are trained and tested by the true trends of the DGC and DEC that are identified from the field data of a real gas turbine power plant. The comparison results prove that the LSTM algorithm outperforms other machine learning algorithms. The mean relative square error of the DGC LSTM model is 9.72 Ã-- 10-4, and DEC is 4.08 Ã-- 10-4. Finally, a detailed economic model is developed by coupling the fouling prediction model with the gas turbine performance model. On this basis, an optimization method of the washing schedule is developed to maximize the net profit. Two case studies, under full load and field data, are carried out to verify the proposed optimization method. The results show that the washing schedules of the two case studies are much similar, in which three washing tasks with gradually reduced intervals are provided. Furthermore, the comparison results of different schedules show that the proposed optimal schedule has a huge potential in saving the net profit. It can save 3.26 million Yuan compared with the practical schedule adopted by the real power plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of devices with biocompatible and biodegradable materials is a sustainable approach which will open up a new way for the development of green electronics in the future. Compared with organic materials, inorganic materials are more suitable candidates for the fabrication of synaptic transistors due to their better environmental stability, higher mobility and less toxicity. However, the majority of gate electrolytes used in the reported synaptic transistors were non-biocompatible or non-biodegradable. Herein, for the first time, we sputtered inorganic metal oxide indium tin oxide (ITO) on biomass-based hydrogel for the fabrication of synaptic devices, which showed good current on/off ratio (>105). Moreover, several vital synaptic behaviors were successfully simulated in pair such as excitatory post-synaptic current, inhibitory post-synaptic current, paired pulse facilitation, paired-pulse depression and short-term memory to long-term memory. High-pass filter and Pavlov associative learning and oblivion, two kinds of advanced simulation behaviors, were mimicked respectively. Finally, synaptic transistors were fabricated on flexible PET substrates with ITO electrodes and exhibited good mechanical stability under the bending tests. In conclusion, this work provides a unique example for the sustainable development of green neuromorphic electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the background of general financial knowledge confidence and insufficient retirement planning, this study investigates the relationship between overconfident financial knowledge and consumer retirement planning. Using data from the National Financial Capability Study, this study employs probit regressions and finds that consumers with overconfident financial knowledge are less likely to have retirement planning, that is, contribute to retirement accounts regularly. This study further explores the mediators in this relationship and concludes that consumers who are overconfident in their financial knowledge tend to be more preference to risk, fail to make ends meet, and do not care about their financial situation, therefore are less likely to plan for retirement. Furthermore, compared to retirement accounts such as 401(k) that are through an employer, consumers with overconfident financial knowledge are more willing to engage in those such as IRA that are not through an employer. This study also finds that underconfident financial knowledge, another type of incorrect subjective evaluation of financial knowledge, is positively associated with retirement planning. Based on these findings, this study recommends policymakers reduce financial knowledge overconfidence, guide individuals to regularly pay attention to their financial situation, and encourage employers to actively participate in retirement plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Resveratrol, a polyphenol extracted from many plant species, has emerged as a promising pro-apoptotic agent in various cancer cells. However, the role of resveratrol in cell proliferation and apoptosis of fibroblast-like synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA-FLS) is not fully understood. The study was aimed at elucidating the role of resveratrol in cell proliferation and apoptosis of RA-FLS and the underlying molecular mechanism. Material and methods: Cultured RA-FLSs were subjected to tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α). The cell proliferation was measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle of RA-FLSs were determined by flow cytometry. The levels of apoptosis or autophagy or cell cycle-related protein were detected by immunoblot analysis. Results: In our study, we confirmed that resveratrol reversed TNF-α mediated cell proliferation in RA-FLS. Meanwhile, resveratrol blocked cells at the G2/M stage and reduced the ratio of S phase cells through upregulation of p53 and consequently led to apoptotic cell death. Quite interestingly, we found that resveratrol reversed TNF-α-induced autophagy. Inhibition of autophagy by resveratrol or autophagy inhibitor or Beclin-1 siRNA suppressed TNF-α mediated cell survival and promoted cell apoptosis. However, the autophagy inducer rapamycin (RAPA) reversed the effect of resveratrol on autophagy and cell proliferation. Mechanistic studies revealed that resveratrol inhibited the activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinases/serine-threonine kinase (PI3K/AKT) pathway. Inhibition of PI3K/AKT pathway by inhibitor LY294002 or resveratrol increased the expression of p53 and decreased the expression of cycle protein (cyclin B1), which further led to block cells in the G2/M arrest. Conclusions: Our preliminary study indicated that resveratrol may suppress RA-FLS cell survival and promote apoptosis at least partly through regulation of autophagy and the AKT-p53 axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to obtain a loaded Pt-based catalyst with enhanced high activity and stability towards formic acid electro-oxidation (FAO), PtTe nanoparticles loaded on graphene oxide (GO) were fabricated by a facile and scalable method. XRD and HRTEM results show that the morphology of PtTe particles could be affected by the additive amount of GO and Te. It is observed that the supported PtTe particles are cubic. The XPS results show the change in the Pt electronic structure after the incorporation of Te, which impedes the chemisorption of the CO intermediate and promotes the dehydrogenation pathway of FAO. By electrochemical analysis, the performance towards FAO is greatly enhanced. The mass activity of PtTe/GO-67 is at 0.45 V (versus SCE), which is 11.5 times as high as that of Pt/C The incorporation of Te atoms and the content of GO are two major parameters for tuning the crystal structure and morphology and enhancing catalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mikulicz's disease (MD), an immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease, is a fibrosis-associated inflammatory disease characterized by painless bilateral swelling of lacrimal and salivary glands. Although thrombocytopenia is associated with many rheumatologic disorders, it is rare in IgG4-related MD. This novel study aims to report a rare case of IgG4-related MD complicated with severe autoimmune thrombocytopenia without any hematological malignancies and review all cases of IgG4-related disease associated with thrombocytopenia in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Involvement of the central nervous system in systemic lupus erythematosus has been well documented. Parkinsonism as a manifestation of central nervous system lupus is rare. In this article, we report a 17-year-old girl who developed parkinsonism within one month of the onset of systemic lupus erythematosus, and presented with expressionless facies, bradykinesia, marked rigidity, and hypermyotonia. Magnetic resonance imaging showed abnormity in bilateral basal ganglia, external capsule, insular lobe, and lateral hippocampus symmetrically. Methylprednisolone pulse therapy, intravenous cyclophosphamide, and intrathecal injection of methotrexate plus dexamethasone were prescribed. Two months later, the patient returned with complete clinical recovery of neuropsychiatric symptoms and signs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis, and the majority of gout patients experience recurrent acute attacks, joint damage, and other complications. Carpal tunnel syndrome caused by gouty tophi indicates the severity of untreated gouty tophi. In this article, we report a 54-yearold male chronic gout patient with serious carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to monosodium urate crystal deposit. The patient was admitted to our department with palmar numbness and disability for two years. He had a history of gout for 30 years but received no treatment. Multiple monosodium urate crystals were observed to be deposited in and around carpal tunnel on the three-dimensional reconstruction using dual energy computed tomography, which confirmed the diagnosis. The needle biopsy and electrophysiological test also supported the diagnosis. Our case indicates that dual energy computed tomography is a useful method to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome associated with gout and that we should keep in mind the possibility of gouty tophi as a possible cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with rheumatic diseases are at an increased risk for malignant lymphoproliferative disease, but the coexistence of rheumatic diseases and multiple myeloma is uncommon. Herein, we report a rare case of systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome, which preceded the development of multiple myeloma after three years. We also summarize the clinical features of this case and discuss the possible pathogenetic mechanisms that underlie this unusual association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beta-Bi2O3 film photoanodes with different surface structures were prepared by oxidizing bismuth films. The physical properties were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-visible absorbance spectra and atomic force microscopy (AFM). XRD shows that all films are beta phase crystal structure except the thinnest 12 nm film. SEM and AFM characterizations indicate that a nanoporous surface structure is generated on the surface after the film is annealed for 3 h, while the films annealed for 1 h show a dense surface. The direct band gaps vary from 2.63 to 2.88 eV, with the film thickness decreasing from 500 to 12 nm. The nanoporous surface structure film exhibits better light harvesting ability and incident photon-to-electron conversion efficiency (IPCE) than the dense surface films. The IPCE (61% at 350 nm and 43% at 400 nm, 0.197VNHE) is the highest ever reported. The photocurrent density reaches 0.45mAcm-2 when illuminated with a bias of 1.23VNHE in 0.5M Na2SO3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial intelligence devices that can mimic human brains are the foundation for building future artificial neural networks. A key step in mimicking biological neural systems is the modulation of synaptic weight, which is mainly achieved by various engineering approaches using material design, or modification of the device structure. Here, we realize the modulation of the synaptic weight of a Ta2O5/ITO-based all-metal oxide synaptic transistor via laser irradiation. Prior to the deposition of the active layer and electrodes, a femtosecond laser was used to irradiate the surface of the insulator layer. Typical synaptic characteristics such as excitatory postsynaptic current, paired pulse facilitation and long-term potentiation were successfully simulated under different laser intensities and scanning rates. In particular, we demonstrate for the first time that laser irradiation could control the quantity of oxygen vacancies in the Ta2O5 thin film, leading to precise modulation of the synaptic weight. Our research provides an instantaneous (<1 s), convenient and low-temperature approach to improving synaptic behaviors, which could be promising for neuromorphic computing hardware design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]