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Two new α -pyrone derivatives, curvulapyrones B (1) and C (2), and a new naturally occurring resorcylic acid lactone (11), along with fourteen known compounds (3 − 10, 12 − 17), were isolated from the rice fermentation of sponge-derived fungus Curvularia sp. ZYX-Z-4. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated from comprehensive analysis of HRESIMS and NMR spectroscopic data as well as NMR and ECD spectra calculations. Among them, compounds 5 and 16 inhibited the release of NO from RAW264.7 cells induced by LPS with the IC 50 values of 43.16 and 64.14 µM, respectively, and without cytotoxicity observed. Compounds 11 and 12 exhibited inhibitory activities against the phytopathogenic fungus Colletotrichum capsici with the same MIC values of 32.0 µg/mL. [Display omitted] • Chemical investigation on the fungus Curvularia sp. ZYX-Z-4 was performed. • Two new α -pyrone derivatives (1 and 2) were isolated and identified. • Compounds 5 and 16 inhibited NO release from RAW264.7 cells induced by LPS. • Compounds 11 and 12 inhibited phytopathogenic fungus Colletotrichum capsici. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new indole alkaloids, colletotryptins G (1) and H (2), along with four known alkaloids (3 – 6), were isolated from an endophytic fungus Colletotrichum sp. HD-1 (Melanconiaceae) derived from the mangrove plant Acrostichum aureum (Pteridaceae). The structures of new compounds were elucidated by comprehensive analysis of their UV, HRESIMS, and NMR data. All the isolates were evaluated for their α -glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. Only compound 2 showed stronger inhibitory activity against α -glucosidase with IC 50 value of 133.4 μM than that of the positive control acarbose (319.8 μM). [Display omitted] • Indole alkaloids are the main metabolites of endophytic fungus Colletotrichum sp. • Two new indole alkaloids (1 and 2) were isolated and identified from this fungus. • Compound 2 showed better α -glucosidase inhibitory activity than acarbose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consider that the constrained convex optimization problems have emerged in a variety of scientific and engineering applications that often require efficient and fast solutions. Inspired by the Nesterov's accelerated method for solving unconstrained convex and strongly convex optimization problems, in this paper we propose two novel accelerated projection neurodynamic approaches for constrained smooth convex and strongly convex optimization based on the variational approach. First, for smooth, and convex optimization problems, a non-autonomous accelerated projection neurodynamic approach (NAAPNA) is presented and the existence, uniqueness and feasibility of the solution to it are analyzed rigorously. We provide that the NAAPNA has a convergence rate which is inversely proportional to the square of the running time. In addition, we present a novel autonomous accelerated projection neurodynamic approach (AAPNA) for addressing the constrained, smooth, strongly convex optimization problems and prove the existence, uniqueness to the strong global solution of AAPNA based on the Cauchy–Lipschitz–Picard theorem. Furthermore, we also prove the global convergence of AAPNA with different exponential convergence rates for different parameters. Compared with existing projection neurodynamic approaches based on the Brouwer's fixed point theorem, both NAAPNA and AAPNA use the projection operators of the auxiliary variable to map the primal variables to the constrained feasible region, thus our proposed neurodynamic approaches are easier to realize algorithm's acceleration. Finally, the effectiveness of NAAPNA and AAPNA is illustrated with several numerical examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method of two-step laser etching for bulk micromachining of 4H–SiC membranes through a femtosecond (fs) laser with a wavelength of 532 nm, a pulse width of 290 fs and a repetition rate of 100 kHz is present in this paper. Using a control variable method, the first step of fs-laser etching for rapid material removal and the second step of fs-laser etching mainly for improving surface morphology are studied by changing the laser fluence, scanning spacing, number of scans and scanning speed. The average surface roughness of the membrane bottom after the first step of laser etching is 691 nm, which is reduced to 237 nm after the second step. Compared with one-step laser etching, two-step laser etching obtains a better surface morphology, and it only takes 38% of the processing time of one-step laser etching. The finite element analysis shows that the sensitivity of the SiC pressure sensor drops with the decrease of the membrane roughness. The sensor sensitivity of the membrane fabricated by two-step laser etching is only 3.0% lower than that of the ideal smooth model. Furthermore, a 4H–SiC laser-prepared membrane with a diameter of 1.2 mm and a thickness of 75 μm applied in pressure sensor is tested, showing good linearity and repeatability at a load of up to 10 MPa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The first annular variable focus Fresnel lens driven by electrowetting. • Each annular region can be independently controlled, and achieve multiple functions. • Suitable for applications as an optical collection device and for achieving uniform beam illumination. Traditional Fresnel lenses can achieve volume diminution by reducing lens material cost, thereby achieving further integration in optical systems. However, the solid Fresnel lenses in being are fixed once they are fabricated due to the limitation of materials, so their optical parameters, like focal length, cannot change. In this paper, we propose a ring-shaped tunable optofluidic Fresnel lens (OFL) based on the electrowetting effect for the first time. Each annular region of the OFL can be independently controlled. By changing the tilt angle of the liquid-liquid interface of each annular region to control the deflection of the beam, the OFL can achieve axial zoom and multi-focus, as well as off-axis zoom. We analyze and establish a theoretical model, provide calculation formulas for the focusing position, and explain the design principle of an annular Fresnel lens driven by electrowetting. A three-annular-regions OFL is fabricated, and we test the focal length of each ring band through experiments to prove the correctness and feasibility of our proposed theory. The OFL can achieve a maximum zoom range of -254 mm to 223 mm. At the same time, we also demonstrate the different working modes of the OFL for applications such as light collection and uniformity. The OFL has a variety of functions, with a lightweight and thin thickness, which meets the expectations of a more and more compact liquid photonic device in the future. We expect this innovative OFL will have extensive applications in various fields, such as optical imaging, lighting engineering, motion tracking, infrared tracking, solar energy collection, and so on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to determine the risk factors for reduction loss in patients with proximal humeral fractures after locking plate fixation and establish a nomogram prediction model.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of proximal humeral fractures patients who had been surgically treated for locking plate in our institution from January 2016 to December 2018. Perioperative information was obtained through the electronic medial record system, univariate and multivariate analyzes were performed to determine the risk factors of reduction loss, and a nomogram model was constructed to predict the risk of reduction loss. The predictive performance and consistency of the model were evaluated by the consistency coefficient (C-index) and the calibration curve, respectively.Results: 115 patients were finally enrolled in our study. Multivariate analysis results showed that age, fracture classification, medial comminution, and calcar screw status were independent risk factors for reduction loss. The accuracy of the contour map for predicting transfusion risk was 0.944.Conclusion: We found a correlation between reduction loss and age, fracture classification, medial comminution, and calcar screw status after locking plate fixation for proximal humeral fractures patients. Our nomogram is helpful for clinicians to identify high-risk patients, early intervention and reduce the incidence of reduction loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a smoothing inertial neurodynamic approach (SINA) which is used to deal with L p -norm minimization problem to reconstruct sparse signals. Note that the considered optimization problem is nonsmooth, nonconvex and non-Lipschitz. First, the problem is transformed into a smooth optimization problem based on smoothing approximation method, and the Lipschitz property of gradient of the smooth objective function is discussed. Then, SINA based on Karush–Kuhn–Tucker (KKT) condition, smoothing approximation and inertial dynamical approach, is designed to handle smooth optimization problem. The existence, uniqueness, global convergence and optimality of the solution of the SINA are discussed by the Cauchy–Lipschitz–Picard theorem, energy function and KKT condition. In addition, for p = 1 , the SINA has a mean sublinear convergence rate O 1 ∕ t under some mild conditions. Finally, some numerical examples on sparse signal reconstruction and image restoration are given to illustrate the theoretical results and the efficiency of SINA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Two new compounds were isolated from cultures of the fungus Marasmius berteroi. • Indanone and isobenzofuran are the main metabolites of Marasmius berteroi. • Three compounds revealed better nematicidal activity than albendazole. Chemical investigation on the cultures of the fungus Marasmius berteroi , resulted in the isolation of 10 compounds including 2 new ones named (S)-3,7-dihydroxy-1-indanone (1) and (S)-3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-3-methyl isobenzofuran-1(3 H)-one (2). Their structures were determined based on NMR, HRESIMS and ECD spectra analysis. Compounds 5 - 6 , 10 revealed moderate inhibitory activity against the nematode Panagrellus redivivus with mortality ratio of 95 %, 85 %, and 75 % at 2.5 mg/mL, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous clinical models have been proposed to evaluate and predict recurrence and survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients in different stages after resection, but no model for very early-stage HCC. The data of 661 very early-stage HCC patients after curative resection in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze recurrence and survival. The risk classifications for recurrence and survival were established by using classification and regression tree analysis. The nomograms were constructed and validated using bootstrap resampling and an independent 186-patient validation cohort from the same institution. According to the results of multivariate analysis for prognosis after resection, decision trees and 3-stratification classifications that satisfactorily determined the risk of recurrence and survival were established. Based on these two risk classifications, a six-factor nomogram for predicting recurrence and a six-factor nomogram for predicting survival were created. The concordance indexes were 0.64 for recurrence nomogram, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.60–0.67, and 0.76 for survival nomogram, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.70–0.82. The calibration curves showed good agreement between the predictions made by the nomograms and the actual survival outcomes. These predicting results for recurrence and survival were better than three common classical HCC stages and were confirmed in the independent validation cohort. The 3-stratification classifications enabled satisfactory risk evaluations of recurrence and survival, and the nomograms showed considerably accurate predictions of the risk of recurrence and survival in very early-stage HCC patients after curative resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

4H–SiC is one of the most promising materials for pressure sensing in harsh environments. A Yb:KGW femtosecond laser was employed to fabricate 4H–SiC sensor membranes with size of Φ1200 × 80 μm. The optimal parameter combination under 15 μJ single pulse energy was obtained with the laps of 16, the scanning speed of 130 mm/s, the scanning line interval of 2 μm and the repetition rate of 100 kHz. High size accuracy (±1%) and steep sidewall (87.4°) were achieved. Wet cleaning and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching can obviously improve the membrane bottom surface morphology. The surface roughness Ra in X direction was reduced from 0.82 μm to 0.15 μm, and that in Y direction was reduced from 1.32 μm to 0.16 μm. Pinhole defect was related to the nonuniform distribution of laser fluence. This defect can be avoided by reducing the laser spot overlap ratio. Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) and Raman spectrum were adopted to analyse the changes of material properties after laser processing. The analysis indicated that the crystal properties of the membrane bottom and the thin epitaxial layers on the front side of membrane are not damaged by the integrating micromachining. The results indicate the potential of utilizing the femtosecond laser combined with ICP etching to fabricate 4H–SiC sensor membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We propose an electrowetting liquid lens integrating adaptive liquid iris (ELL-LI) with adjustable radial aperture and axial position. • The liquid iris part is ring shape and does not need the flat support of a traditional liquid iris. • The aperture can change from 1.16 to 5.11 mm. • The iris can move up and down in the axial direction, according to different working electrodes on the side wall. • Experiments show that our proposed ELL-LI has the functions of depth of field expansion and field adjustment, which has a great application prospect in imaging systems, such as camera imaging systems, etc. Multifunctional integration is the development direction of electrowetting liquid lenses. We propose an electrowetting liquid lens integrating adaptive liquid iris (ELL-LI) with adjustable radial aperture and axial position. The liquid iris and the liquid lens are both driven by electrowetting on dielectric and integrated in the same chamber together, and share the same conductive liquid part. The liquid iris does not need the flat support of a traditional liquid iris. The aperture can change from 1.16 to 5.11 mm. The iris can move up and down in the axial direction, according to different working electrodes on the side wall. Experiments show that our proposed ELL-LI has the functions of depth of field expansion and field adjustment, which has a great application prospect in imaging systems, such as camera imaging systems, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to mitigate carbon emissions and address environmental concerns, an increasing number of industries have started investing in green technologies to produce environmentally friendly products. This research develops a game theoretical model to examine the phenomenon of manufacturer encroachment in the context of carbon emission reduction and asymmetric information. Our analysis reveals that when the manufacturer does not encroach, a reduction in carbon emissions benefits all members of the supply chain. However, under encroachment, only the manufacturer stands to benefit from the reduction in carbon emissions. Moreover, with a low direct selling cost, we recommend that the manufacturer should aim to achieve a lower level of carbon emissions under encroachment compared to non-encroachment scenarios. Another key finding is that the benefits of encroachment for the manufacturer depend on the relative costs of direct selling and carbon emission reduction. Encroachment is advantageous to the manufacturer when either the direct selling cost or the carbon emission reduction cost is low. On the other hand, encroachment benefits the retailer only when both the direct selling cost and the carbon emission reduction cost are high. Furthermore, we demonstrate that it is in the retailer's best interest to voluntarily share demand information with the manufacturer, particularly when the direct selling cost is either low or high. By sharing demand information, the retailer can enhance the overall performance of the supply chain. Overall, this study provides valuable insights for managers regarding encroachment and carbon emission decisions in the context of low carbon manufacturing, carbon cap-and-trade policies, and asymmetric information. These findings can guide decision-making processes and help optimize the performance of supply chains in environmentally conscious settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The fungus Fusarium sp. LGWB-7. was isolated from the Harmonia axyridis. • Two new compounds isolated from the entomogenous fungus Fusarium sp. LGWB-7. • Beauvericin showed obvious inhibitory activity against K562 comparable to cisplatin. • Sesquiterpeniods and alkaloids are the main metabolites of Fusarium sp. LGWB-7. Two new compounds, named fusariumtrin A (1) and climacomontaninate D (2) , together with eight known ones were isolated from the rice culture of the Fusarium sp. LGWB-7, an entomogenous fungus isolated from the Harmonia axyridis. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by the analysis of 1D and 2D spectroscopic data as well as mass spectrum (MS). Compound 10 showed cytotoxicity against K562, A549, SGC-7901, and Hela human tumor cell lines with IC 50 values of 1.46, 13.97, 9.34, and 6.64 μM, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates a smoothing neural network (SNN) to solve a robust sparse signal reconstruction in compressed sensing (CS), where the objective function is nonsmooth l 1 -norm and the feasible set satisfies an inequality of l p -norm 2 ≥ p ≥ 1 which is used for measuring residual errors. With a smoothing approximate technique, the non-smooth and non-Lipschitz continuous issues of the l 1 -norm and the gradient of l p -norm can be solved efficiently. We propose a SNN which is modeled by a differential equation and give its circuit implementation. In this case, we prove the proposed SNN converges to the optimal of considered problem. Simulation results are discussed to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thrombus formation is increased under conditions of hypoxia in animal models of thrombosis and in human populations, but current therapies for thrombosis do not directly target hypoxia-responsive signaling pathways. The vascular response to hypoxia is controlled primarily by the hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs), whose target genes include several factors that regulate thrombus formation. In this article, we review the HIF-dependent and HIF-independent signaling pathways that regulate thrombus formation under hypoxic conditions. A better understanding of hypoxia-induced thrombus formation could lead to the development of novel prophylactic therapies for thrombosis. • Hypoxia is a stimulus for thrombus formation. • Hypoxia-inducible factors control the vascular response to hypoxia. • Thrombus formation can be regulated via HIF-dependent or -independent pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the prognostic values of the change of α-fetoprotein within 1 week after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma. We retrospectively analyzed patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent curative hepatectomy as primary therapy at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University (Shanghai, China) from 2009 to 2011. We measured serum α-fetoprotein before (α-fetoprotein 0) and 1 week after (α-fetoprotein 7) hepatectomy, calculated change of α-fetoprotein, namely the α-fetoprotein response by the formula: AR = lgAFP 7 /lgAFP 0 (lg = log 10), analyzed the relationship between patient survival and α-fetoprotein response, and explored the potential clinical implications of the α-fetoprotein response. The results were validated in an independent cohort of patients from the same institute. A total of 841 eligible patients were analyzed. We determined that the optimal cutoff value of the α-fetoprotein response was 0.8135 and subsequently classified patients from the exploration cohort into the α-fetoprotein responder (α-fetoprotein response ≤ 0.8135; n = 452) and α-fetoprotein nonresponder (α-fetoprotein response > 0.8135; n = 146). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that the α-fetoprotein response independently predicted overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) time after resection (both P <.001). In patients with a higher risk of tumor recurrence (either single tumor with microvascular invasion or multiple tumors), α-fetoprotein responders were associated with better survival than the nonresponders (P <.05). The results were validated by propensity score matched population and another independent cohort. The α-fetoprotein response is a reliable and simple predictive marker for evaluating the oncological effect of surgical resection for hepatocellular carcinoma with positive α-fetoprotein before resection, independent of tumor features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Channels packed with disordered particles are of great importantance for enhancing heat transfer. This paper builds the convective heat transfer experiment platform and studies the heat transfer coefficient in a channel packed with disordered cement particles experimentally. Under the given heat sources, cooling the channel with air at steady state obtains the data, which calculates the convective heat transfer coefficient. Then fitting the Nusselt and Reynolds numbers offers the experimental correlation. Error analysis and comparison with the existing correlations validate the fitted correlation. Discussion on the Nusselt number and wall temperature shows that the Nusselt number in the packed channel is approximately eight times than that in the smooth channel, which provides an effective method for intensifying the effect of channel wall cooling. Moreover, the inner wall temperature of channel with smaller particles is lower, which means the heat transfer enhancement performs better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porcine circovirus 4 (PCV4) is a recently discovered circovirus that was first reported in 2019 in several pigs with severe clinical disease in Hunan province of China, and also identified in pigs infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). To further investigate the epidemic profile and genetic characteristics of the two viruses, 150 clinical samples were collected from 9 swine farms in Shaanxi and Henan provinces of China, and a SYBR Green I-based duplex quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was developed for detecting PCV4 and PRRSV simultaneously. The results showed the limits of detection were 41.1 copies/μL and 81.5 copies/μL for PCV4 and PRRSV, respectively. The detection rates of PCV4 and PRRSV were 8.00% (12/150) and 12.00% (18/150) respectively, and a case of co-infection with PCV4 and PRRSV was found in the lung tissue of a suckling pig with respiratory symptom. Subsequently, the complete genomic sequences of five PCV4 strains were obtained, of which one PCV4 strain (SX-ZX) was from Shaanxi province, and these strains were 1770 nucleotides in length and had 97.7%−99.4% genomic identity with 59 PCV4 reference strains. The genome characteristic of the SX-ZX strain was evaluated from three aspects, a "stem-loop" structure, ORF1 and ORF2. As essential elements for the replication, the 17-bp iterative sequence was predicted as the stem structure, in which three non-tandem hexamers were found at downstream with H1/H2 (12-CGGCACACTTCGGCAC-27) as the minimal binding site. Three of the five PCV4 strains were clustered into PCV4b, which was composed of Suidae, fox, dairy cow, dog and raccoon dog. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that seven PRRSV strains from the present study were clustered into the PRRSV-2 genotype. Collectively, these data extend our understanding of the genome characteristic of PCV4 as well as the molecular epidemiology and the genetic profile of PCV4 and PRRSV. • A duplex qPCR assay was developed for the simultaneous detection of PCV4 and PRRSV. • Limits of detection were 41.1 copies/μL and 81.5 copies/μL for PCV4 and PRRSV, respectively. • A case of co-infection with PCV4 and PRRSV was found in lung tissue of a suckling pig with respiratory symptom. • The 17-bp iterative sequence was predicted as the stem structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present the analog circuits to solve a class of variational inequality problems (VIPs) based on the projection neural network (PNN) and inertial projection neural network (IPNN) algorithms. The proposed circuits are normative and only require basic circuit elements. The optimal solutions of VIPs are equivalent to the stable output voltages of the associated circuits. This paper also shows how to design analog circuits with projection operators (box constrains set and sphere constrains set) on the basis of PNN and IPNN algorithms. As a result, a class of variational inequality problems can be solved by proposed circuit frameworks. The effectiveness and superiority (with less computing time) of the proposed analog circuits are expound by simulating on three examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigate a more general sparse signal recovery minimization model and a smoothing neural network optimal method for compress sensing problem, where the objective function is a L p − q minimization model which includes nonsmooth, nonconvex, and non-Lipschitz quasi-norm L p norms 1 ≥ p > 0 and nonsmooth L q norms 2 ≥ p > 1 , and its feasible set is a closed convex subset of R n . Firstly, under the restricted isometry property (RIP) condition, the uniqueness of solution for the minimization model with a given sparsity s is obtained through the theoretical analysis. With a mild condition, we get that the larger of the q , the more effective of the sparse recovery model under sensing matrix satisfies RIP conditions at fixed p . Secondly, using a smoothing approximate method, we propose the smoothing inertial projection neural network (SIPNN) algorithm for solving the proposed general model. Under certain conditions, the proposed algorithm can converge to a stationary point. Finally, convergence behavior and successful recover performance experiments and a comparison experiment confirm the effectiveness of the proposed SIPNN algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new nortriterpenoids named daqingshones A ( 1 ) and B ( 2 ), along with two known ganderic acids ( 3 and 4 ), were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma daqingshanense . Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data including MS, 1D and 2D NMR. Compound 2 exhibited weak anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity with IC 50 value of 39.2 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erythroid apoptosis increases significantly in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients with iron overload, but the underlying mechanism is not fully clear. In this study, we aim to explore the effect of HIF-1a/ROS on erythroid apoptosis in MDS patients with iron overload. We found that iron overload injured cellular functions through up-regulating ROS levels in MDS/AML cells, including inhibited cell viability, increased cell apoptosis and blocked cell cycle at G0/G1 phase. Interestingly, overexpression of hypoxia inducible factor-1a (HIF-1a), which was under-expressed in iron overload models, reduced ROS levels and attenuated cell damage caused by iron overload in MDS/AML cells. And gene knockdown of HIF-1a got the similar results as iron overload in MDS/AML cells. Furthermore, iron overload caused high erythroid apoptosis was closely related with ROS in MDS patients. Importantly, the HIF-1a protein levels of erythrocytes elevated obviously after incubation with desferrioxamine (DFO) from MDS patients with iron overload, accompanied by ROS levels inhibited and erythroid apoptosis reduced. Taken together, our findings determine that the HIF-1a/ROS signaling pathway plays a key role in promoting erythroid apoptosis in MDS patients with iron overload. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new drimane-type sesquiterpenoids named xylariaines A–C ( 1 – 3 ), together with one known analogue ( 4) , were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of cultures of the fungus Xylaria polymorpha (Pers.: Fr.) Grer. Their structures were elucidated unambiguously by NMR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited weak anti-acetylcholinesterase activities at a concentration of 50 μg/mL with inhibition ratios of 12.4% and 18.0%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Novel supermicroporous silica with bimodal micromesopores was synthesized. • A pluronic triblock copolymer of small molecular weight was used as template. • Desulfurization performance was remarkably enhanced due to super micropore. • Super microporous silica exhibited excellent regeneration performance. As an efficient fuel purification technique, adsorption desulphurization has attracted wide attention. Silicon oxide has been verified as a promising candidate for adsorption desulfurization reagent due to the advantages of stable structure, inexpensiveness and accessibility. However, its adsorption desulfurization performance is always weakened by the limited pore channel size leading to pore diffusion resistance over the traditional microporous silicon oxide, and it suffers from the poor shape selectivity of mesoporous silicon oxide as well. In this work, we successfully prepared a novel super microporous silica material (SMS) with a unique bimodal micro-mesoporous pore size distribution mainly around 1.2 nm, 1.6 nm and 1.8 ∼ 3.5 nm, using a pluronic triblock copolymer with approximately an average molecular weight of 3858 as template by hydrothermal synthesis. The SMS possessed the characteristics of Ia3d cubic phase and super microporous as well as mesoporous silica structure, according to the X-ray diffraction characterization as well as nitrogen adsorption isotherms. The SMS could effectively reduce the diffusion resistance and exhibit improved shape selectivity compared to microporous or mesoporous silicon oxide, respectively, by virtue of its bimodal micro-mesoporous pore size distribution. Under an optimized crystallization temperature of 100 °C for 24 h, the as-synthesized SMS displayed a notable desulfurization performance with a breakthrough capacity of 0.122 mmol S/g benzothiophene, which was significantly superior to that of traditional mesoporous silica KIT-6 (0.04 mmol S/g). Furthermore, the desulfurization performance of SMS adsorbent was not significantly reduced after three cycles of regeneration. The SMS exhibited high desulfurization capacity, easy regeneration and satisfactory regeneration performance, and it could be applied in adsorptive desulfurization technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• In this paper, we propose a triple-layer spherical electrowetting liquid lens (TL-SELL) with large-aperture and high zoom ratio. The chamber of the proposed lens is spherical which can enlarge the apparent contact angle range compared with the conventional chamber, and brings an excellent 4.12 zoom ratio. • We define the thickness of conductive liquid layer under spherical chamber, and establish a model. • We analyzed the geometric principle of the TL-SELLand proposed a model. • The focal length of the TL-SELL can be changed from ~–35.2mm to ~51.1mm under 0–80V applied voltages. • 8mm clear aperture and 6mm total liquid thickness mean that the TL-SELL can be pretty compact. We propose a triple-layer spherical electrowetting liquid lens with large-aperture and high zoom ratio. The chamber of the proposed lens is spherical, which can enlarge the apparent contact angle range. The triple-layer liquid consists of a conductive liquid, an insulating liquid and a conductive liquid in turn, which forms two independent liquid-liquid (L-L) interfaces. We simulated and analyzed the geometric location of the L -L interfaces to ensure that the two liquid-liquid interfaces do not fuse under the requirement of compact design. The two L -L interfaces are symmetrically distributed on the upper and lower hemispheres of the spherical chamber and can be changed the surface shapes at the same time. The experimental results show that the zoom ratio of our proposed lens is 4.12. And the focal length can be changed from −35.2 mm to 51.1 mm under 0–80 V applied voltage, and has two focal segments according to different working electrodes. 8 mm clear aperture and 6 mm total liquid thickness mean that the triple-layer spherical electrowetting liquid lens can be pretty compact and has a great application prospect in imaging systems, such as microscopic imaging system, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]