Search

While recycling technologies are being developed for silicon solar modules, design changes to improve module circularity have been rarely explored. This commentary discusses several cost-effective design changes that could alleviate some of the challenges in silicon module recycling to reduce recycling cost, improve material recovery, and minimize environmental hazard.

This paper is concerned with the prescribed-time bipartite synchronisation of switched coupled neural networks in signed graphs. A novel switching control method is proposed to force the coupled system into a prespecified attraction domain within a predefined time. Then, a twist controller is designed to further drive the system to its origin at another prescribed time. The dwell time of the prescribed-time control is allowed to be flexibly set based on specific task requirements, which adaptability enhances the applicability of the approach across various scenarios. The switched network topology encompasses both competitive and cooperative relationships. Finally, a simulation example is constructed to justify the theoretical results.

The dynamical system with a second-order + first-order structure has been proven to be effective for solving convex optimization problems with equality constraints. In this brief, this structure is extended to distributed optimization to deal with set-constrained convex optimization problems under strongly connected and weight-balanced directed topology, and a continuous optimization dynamics based on projection operator and primal-dual method is proposed. When proper values of the system parameters are selected, the dynamics converges quickly to the optimal solution of the problem. Finally, two numerical experiments are given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed model.

In response to the pressing global issue of reducing carbon emissions and the crucial technical challenges of fully utilizing steel slag, researchers have been studying an accelerated carbonation process that entails the carbonation of basic oxides in steel slag to store CO2. However, despite its promising potential, the process has yet to see widespread industrial application. The latest research progress in the area of mineral carbonation processes, both direct and indirect, that are used to capture, utilize, and store carbon in steel slag are summarized. Given the limited scale of steel slag carbonation and the underutilized products that can be derived from it, a new research focus is proposed for examining the regulation of calcium carbonate crystal forms during carbonation using the Ca source in steel slag. Precise control of synthesis variables will help to ensure accurate control of calcium carbonate precipitation in the carbonation process. A summary of the effects of synthesis variables on CaCO3crystal form and the latest research findings on controlling aragonite morphology are provided. The review is concluded with a discussion of the potential applications and future development prospects of CaCO3whiskers.

The COVID-19 pandemic has helped raise the profile of halal foods due to their hygienic and tidy preparation. More non-Muslim consumers have also come to recognise the halal method as healthy and humane toward animals, and the foods made in this manner as healthy and tasty. The primary aim of the present study is to determine the association between consumers' trust in halal foods and their inclination to purchase them in China, a communist country of mainly non-Muslims. It aims to investigate themes such as credibility, certification, nutrition, and cleanliness as drivers of trust in halal foods and of the intention to purchase them. The study validates the conceptual framework via the convenience sampling of 368 Chinese consumers to test and measure structural models. Its findings indicate that trust plays a crucial role in non-Muslim consumers' choice for halal foods. Notably, these results provide a menu of potential managerial actions to improve halal product awareness in non-Muslim-majority countries like China.

Fluorescent polymer nanomaterials with dynamic fluorescence properties hold great potential in many advanced applications, including but not limited to information encryption, adaptive camouflage, and biosensors. The key to improving the application value of materials is to establish an accurate control strategy for dynamic fluorescence behavior. Herein, we develop a core–shell engineering strategy to precisely and independently manipulate the dynamic fluorescence behavior through the shell polymeric matrix. The core–shell fluorescent polymer nanoparticles (CS-FPNPs) are constructed through a sequential process of miniemulsion polymerization and seeded emulsion polymerization. Taking advantage of the core–shell structure, the rigid core matrix ensures the strong initial emission of AIE units, while the photoisomerization behavior of spiropyrane (SP) units is delicately and independently regulated by the rigidness of the shell matrix. Thereby, CS-FPNPs exhibit bright time-dependent reversible dynamic fluorescence behavior under alternating UV/vis irradiation. Benefited from the excellent processability and film formation ability, we have successfully applied CS-FPNPs to dynamic decorative painting, warning labels, and dynamic QR code security. Impressively, the fluorescence manipulation strategy based on core–shell engineering allows the independent regulation of specific luminescent units in complicated emission systems to accurately embody designed emission behavior.

The study examines the crucial role of value co-creation impacts on customer loyalty (attitudinal and behavioural loyalty) in the Chinese self-service food industry, especially in “Hot Pot,” also known as “Huo Guo,” taking into account the mediating impact on customer trust and satisfaction. The authors collected 377 valid Chinese customers' questionnaires to assess the conceptual model with a purposive sampling method, and data were analyzed using SmartPLS3 software. The findings show that value co-creation positively impacts customer satisfaction, whereas satisfaction fully mediates the association between value co-creation and trust. The findings further portray that consumer satisfaction partially mediates the association among value co-creation and attitudinal and behavioural loyalty. Based on the results, another key finding is that consumer satisfaction has an insignificant impact on behavioural loyalty. Notably, the findings provide a menu of potential managerial implications to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.

•Utilization of cluster analysis in morphological research.•Development of a novel EHBD classification system using computerized analysis and clinical characteristics.•Establishment of minimally invasive treatment strategies based on clinical data of various EHBD types.

This research showcases the crucial role of platform trust in the relationship between website quality (system, information, service, familiarity) and platform loyalty of expatriates residing in foreign countries, taking into account the moderating effect of cultural intelligence. To test the hypothesized relationships, an online survey collected responses of 786 from foreign expatriates' travelers, and data was analyzed using SmartPLS3 software. Platform trust mediates the relationship between website quality, system, information, service, familiarity, and purchase loyalty. The results show that cultural intelligence seem to moderate this mediated relationship. This paper analyzes the importance of quality signals on expatriates' relationships with OTA website. This study contributes to the understanding the role of cultural intelligence in OTA sector.

In this paper, a High-K dielectric permittivity Enhanced Depletion-JTE(HKED-JTE) for 10 kV ultra-high voltage is studied. The HKED-JTE improves the terminal protection efficiency by the self-charge balance of High-K dielectric polarization charges. The tolerance of the implantation dose window of HKED-JTE reaches 9 times as large as that of normal TZ-JTE with the same terminal area, and the corresponding BV holding theoretical breakdown voltage is over 80%. The thicker High-K layer accomplishes the modulation of the surface electric flux and decreases the electric field up to 51% and 47% at the abrupt junction J2 and J3 along the device interface between the SiC and High-K materials.

A 10kV/100A SiC PiN rectifier with MRM-JTE (multiple-ring modulated junction termination extension) is designed, fabricated and characterized. The optimized MRM-JTE achieves high breakdown capability and extends the optimal JTE dose window. A 100μm thick epitaxial SiC PiN rectifier with a doping concentration of 5×1014cm−3 has been fabricated using a standard TZ-JTE process. A 5.4V forward voltage drop is obtained at 100A forward current. Moreover, a measured breakdown voltage is up to 13.5kV corresponding to about 96% of the ideal parallel plane junction. The fabricated device exhibits a low RON,SP of 3.76mΩ·cm2 at 200A/cm2 , and a high BFOM of 48.5GW/cm2. In addition, the C-V characteristic and reverse recovery switch characteristic are also analyzed. In this paper, the successfully fabrication of high-voltage SiC PiN rectifier provides a further development for high-voltage high-power SiC power modules.

The clinical data of 149 patients who underwent successful laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) between January 2014 and September 2017 were analyzed in the present study. The incidence of portal vein system thrombosis (PVST) in patients with and without cirrhosis was 32.0% and 9.5%, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the ratio of the postoperative maximum platelet (PLT) count to the preoperative PLT count (r=1.144; P=0.007) was the risk factor for PVST in all patients after LS. Of patients who received prophylactic anticoagulation, 9 and 6 cases of PVST in patients with and without cirrhosis, respectively, (37.5% vs. 85.7%; P=0.037) resolved during hospitalization. In patients who underwent LS, a PLT count increasing to >8 times baseline levels after surgery was the risk factor for PVST after LS, and the sensitivity to anticoagulation postoperatively was significantly higher in patients without cirrhosis than in those with cirrhosis.

A recent study suggests that the deep dolomites in well Xike-1 located more than 1000 m deep have a very low porosity, and no permeability for most of the samples. Given that the largest oil and gas fields in the South China Sea are all composed of biohermal dolomites while the deep dolomites of Xike-1 serve as the caprock formations rather than the reservoirs, this represents the first discovery and is of great theoretical importance. In this paper, core photos of the tight dolomites are presented. Hand specimens description and systematic porosity-permeability reveal a very low porosity, and no permeability for most of the samples. PLM, SEM and XRPD analysis discovered that the dolostones in the deep tight dolomites are quite large in size and euhedral or subhedral in shape. Alizarin red-stained sections are mostly pink in color and have a full coverage, which are considered as evidence for multiple calcite intrusions after the formation of ankerite dolomites. Biological relict textures are developed. The order degree is medium to low. The dolomites could be the product of penecontemporaneous dolomitization.

Sleep is a critical health-related behavior; research evidence has shown that sleep duration, poor sleep quality and insomnia are associated with aging and relevant age-related diseases. However, the associations between sleep duration, chronotype, sleep disturbance, and biological age have not been comprehensively assessed. This study aimed to examine sleep characteristics with biological age.

Recent progress to boost photoelectrochemical seawater oxidation was systemically reviewed based on based understanding of challenges, emphasizing the opportunities in material design, interfacial modification, local environment control, and reactor design.

•What is the primary question addressed by this study?Are hepatitis C antiviral treatments associated with risk of dementia among patients with hepatitis C virus?•What is the main finding of this study?This study found that hepatitis C-infected patients who achieved sustained virological response had significantly decreased risk of dementia compared to untreated patients the risk of dementia.•What is the meaning of the finding?These findings suggest that timely accessing antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis C-infected patients is important to reduce dementia burden.

Edge preparation can improve tool life, cutting process stability, and quality of the machined surface. The coated tool must be edge-prepared after grinding to ensure enough bonding area to improve tool life. The influence of edge preparation on milling of aluminum alloy 211Z using the coated carbide tool is investigated via DEFORM simulations and corresponding cutting experiments. In this paper, the influence of edge radius, type of coating (TiN, TiCN, TiAlN, TiSiN, TiCrN), cutting speed, feed, axial depth, and radial depth on cutting force, surface roughness, and temperature is revealed. The results provide a basis for determining the effects of edge preparation. Moreover, theoretical values are used to reveal basic laws governing the cutting process, which may have practical significance.

Low-cost spray deposition is employed to investigate the suitability of spray-deposited Al2O3 for rear passivation and optical trapping in passivated emitter rear contact (PERC) Si solar cells. Structural, optical, and electrical properties of spray-deposited Al2O3 films are investigated. Capacitance-voltage measurements indicate that spray-deposited Al2O3 has a negative charge density of 3.19 x 1012 cm[?]2 for an 80-nm film, suggesting that it can serve as the passivation layer. Optical properties of spray-deposited Al2O3 are identical to the Al2O3/SiNx stack prepared by atomic layer deposition and plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition, indicating that it can also serve as the optical trapping layer. Atomic force microscopy studies show that spray-deposited Al2O3 is crack and pore free, and its surface roughness has a root-mean-square value of 0.52 nm for an 80-nm film. Spray-deposited Al2O3 is amorphous as determined by X-ray diffraction. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis suggests that spray-deposited Al2O3 is slightly Al-rich. The resistivity and breakdown field of an 80-nm Al2O3 film are 5.46 x 1014 -cm and 3.28 MV/cm, respectively, which are stable after 800degC firing. These properties suggest that spray-deposited Al2O3 is a promising candidate to replace the Al2O3/SiNx stack in Si PERC cells.

The innovative technologies have paved the way for hotel booking through mobile applications and thus creating a strong bonding among hotel industry companies and OTAs (online travel agents) regarding the distribution channels. Mobile hotel booking users’ loyalty intentions are becoming equally important for the hotel business, OTAs and to the mobile hotel booking service providers. It’s so indispensable to retain the current consumers and grow market share. Though, present literature related to mobile booking technology first and foremost concentrated on espousal and acceptance of the technology. The drive behind this study is to understand a model that describes the issues connected to mobile hotel booking and consumer loyalty towards it. The designed and planned models have been examined using SEM approach, the two-step approach by using SmartPLS3 statistical package. Empirical data was collected through distribution of online questionnaire from 733 mobile hotel booking users from United Kingdom (mainly England) and China. Study results revealed that convenience, compatibility, and performance expectancy had a clear and vivid influence on the users’ loyalty intentions towards mobile hotel booking through the use of technology. In addition, the compatibility factor is influencing PEOU. And PEOU has a significant impact towards loyalty intentions of consumers. Research findings have provided treasured insights for theoretical and practical implications for lodging and traveling industry organizations. Also, it provided good information to app developers and to those companies that provide tools and technology towards hospitality industry.

Silicon solar modules are only 10–15 wt% circular with today's recycling technologies. A 90 wt% circularity requires that all the inorganic materials in silicon modules be recovered for reuse in solar or similar applications. Major technical barriers to a 90 wt% circularity for silicon modules include: 1) removal of the fluoropolymer back sheet; 2) detachment of silicon cells from glass; 3) removal of the encapsulant on silicon cells; and 4) mild chemistry and minimization of chemical waste along with high material recovery rates. Noticeable progress in recycling technologies in the last few years includes: 1) mechanical milling to remove the fluoropolymer back sheet; 2) laser debonding of the encapsulant from silicon cells; 3) dissolution of the encapsulant with a base; 4) mild chemistry for silver and lead recovery; and 5) regenerative chemistry to reuse some of the chemicals in silicon cell recycling.

The Xisha Block is a minor one in the South China Sea and an important tectonic unit in the northwestern part of the region. Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb ages for three volcanic intrusive core samples from Xike-1, an exploratory well penetrating the bioherms of the Xisha Islands. The core samples are from the Miocene reef carbonate bedrock and are recognized as dark-gray biotite-hornblende gabbro, gray fine-grained biotite diorite, and gray fine-grained granite, respectively. Zircon cathodoluminescence (CL) images and trace Th, U and Pb compositions of the zircons show that these rocks are of volcanic intrusive origin. Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb dating yielded six groups of ages, ranging from 2451-1857 Ma to early Cretaceous, which indicate that the formation and evolution of the Xisha Block was affected by the evolution and closure of Neotethys Ocean, probably within its eastern extension into South China Sea. Both old, deep-sourced material, including fragments from Rodina supercontinent, and recent mantle-derived magma products contributed to the emergence and formation of the Xisha block. The SHRIMP U-Pb results also proved that this process differed from that of the Kontum massif, the Hainan Block, and the South China Block, but is similar to that of the Nansha and Zhongsha blocks. The process was associated with the effects of Yanshanian magmatism induced by subduction mechanisms of the Paleo-Pacific Plate or the reworking of the multiple magmatisms since the Early to mid-Yanshanian, possibly jointly experienced by the Xisha-Zhongsha-Nansha Block.

As a distinctive supportable route, the solvent-free synthesis of zeolites not only minimizes the problems of conversional hydrothermal synthesis, but also greatly increases the product yields with advantageous characteristics, such as reduced waste production and a hierarchical pore structure. Herein, we demonstrate using in situcrystal Co/SiO2to form a hierarchical catalyst with Co particles entrapped inside the ZSM-5 body viaa solvent-free process. Na-type zeolite catalysts enhanced the production of gasoline-range (C5–C11) products, with Co@NaZSM-5 giving a high selectivity of 68% in the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis. Obviously, all characterizations showed that these solvent-free synthesized samples had high crystallization and a high surface area for mass transfer. This hierarchical zeolite has the potential to be applied to other similar materials owing to its convenient synthesis method, features, and outstanding results.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a common autoimmune disease, however, available regimes exert little influence on it's long‐term prognosis. The aim of the current study is to investigate potential effects of 1,7‐dihydroxyl‐3,4‐dimethoxyl‐xanthone (XAN) in HFLS‐RA cells and describe the underlying mechanisms of induction of NF‐κB activity. Viability of cells was measured by MTT assay. Flow cytometry was employed to assess the pro‐apoptotic effects. Modulation on NF‐κB signaling was investigated by RT‐qPCR, Western‐blot and immunofluorescence methods. It was found that XAN induced proliferation inhibition and apoptosis of HFLS‐RA cells in the concentration‐dependent manner, which were strengthened by pyrrolidinedithiocarbamic acid but antagonized by IKK16. NF‐κB signaling was abrogated shortly after the treatment of XAN via various means including mRNA expression, phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, which leaded to up‐regulation of p38 and down‐regulation of X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein. Simultaneous suppressions on p‐IKKβ, p‐IκB and p‐p65 suggested the regulation on NF‐κB was IKKβ mediated. Meanwhile, XAN promoted the expression of IKKα, which has a possible connection to pro‐apoptotic effects suggested by the up‐regulated cleaved PARP. These findings indicated IKKβ/NF‐κB mediates the proliferation of HFLS‐RA cells inhibited by XAN, and divergent regulations on IKKs could provide synergic effects on the cells' proliferation.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a common autoimmune disease, however, available regimes exert little influence on it's long-term prognosis. The aim of the current study is to investigate potential effects of 1,7-dihydroxyl-3,4-dimethoxyl-xanthone (XAN) in HFLS-RA cells and describe the underlying mechanisms of induction of NF-κB activity. Viability of cells was measured by MTT assay. Flow cytometry was employed to assess the pro-apoptotic effects. Modulation on NF-κB signaling was investigated by RT-qPCR, Western-blot and immunofluorescence methods. It was found that XAN induced proliferation inhibition and apoptosis of HFLS-RA cells in the concentration-dependent manner, which were strengthened by pyrrolidinedithiocarbamic acid but antagonized by IKK16. NF-κB signaling was abrogated shortly after the treatment of XAN via various means including mRNA expression, phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, which leaded to up-regulation of p38 and down-regulation of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein. Simultaneous suppressions on p-IKKβ, p-IκB and p-p65 suggested the regulation on NF-κB was IKKβ mediated. Meanwhile, XAN promoted the expression of IKKα, which has a possible connection to pro-apoptotic effects suggested by the up-regulated cleaved PARP. These findings indicated IKKβ/NF-κB mediates the proliferation of HFLS-RA cells inhibited by XAN, and divergent regulations on IKKs could provide synergic effects on the cells' proliferation.

Novel chiral multidentate ligand has been synthesized and characterized, which exhibited highly catalytic activity and enantioselectivity for the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of various ketones under mild conditions.

ABSTRACTWe evaluated the association between methylation of 9 genes, SCGB3A1, GSTP1, RARB, SYK, FHIT, CDKN2A, CCND2, BRCA1, and SFNin tumor samples from 720 breast cancer cases with clinicopathological features of the tumors and survival. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) of methylation and Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HR) between methylation and breast cancer related mortality. Estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) positivity were associated with increased SCGB3A1methylation among pre- and post-menopausal cases. Among premenopausal women, compared with Stage 0 cases, cases of invasive cancer were more likely to have increased methylation of RARB(Stage I OR = 4.7, 95% CI: 1.1–19.0; Stage IIA/IIB OR = 9.7, 95% CI: 2.4–39.9; Stage III/IV OR = 5.6, 95% CI: 1.1–29.4) and lower methylation of FHIT(Stage I OR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1–0.9; Stage IIA/IIB OR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1–0.8; Stage III/IV OR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.1–3.4). Among postmenopausal women, methylation of SYKwas associated with increased tumor size (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.0–2.7) and higher nuclear grade (OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.2–3.6). Associations between methylation and breast cancer related mortality were observed among pre- but not post-menopausal women. Methylation of SCGB3A1was associated with reduced risk of death from breast cancer (HR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.17–0.99) as was BRCA1(HR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.16–0.97). CCND2methylation was associated with increased risk of breast cancer mortality (HR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.1–10.5). We observed differences in methylation associated with tumor characteristics; methylation of these genes was also associated with breast cancer survival among premenopausal cases. Understanding of the associations of DNA methylation with other clinicopathological features may have implications for prevention and treatment.

With the consistent improvement of the laser power and energy, further enhancement of the laser resistant ability of the target board is becoming a more and more crucial task in high energy laser diagnostics and irradiation effect studies. Applications of ceramic materials in high energy laser damage were studied. An aluminum panel was coated with ZrO2 ceramic for high power laser proof. Reflectivity and diffuse reflection characteristics of the coating were investigated at different wavelengths. Numerical simulation was conducted to analyze the thermal response of the coating under high power laser radiation. And, related experiments were carried out with high power fiber lasers. Irradiation experiments indicate that the ceramic layer helps to delay the heat conduction and reduce the peak temperature of the target board.