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To understand the self‐priming characteristics of a self‐priming pump, a closed‐loop piping system that includes the self‐priming pump, valve, tank, and piping system is established. The acceleration–constant speed operation processes of the impeller are controlled through a user‐defined function that ensures that the computational model and startup conditions are consistent with the real situation. Based on numerical calculations of the self‐priming process with two different self‐priming heights, the gas–liquid distributions during the self‐priming startup process are obtained. The results show that the self‐priming startup process can be divided into three stages: rapid inhalation, oscillating exhaust, and accelerated exhaust. Under the two self‐priming heights, the time required for the rapid inhalation and accelerated exhaust stages is basically the same. Thus, the difference in self‐priming time is mainly concentrated in the oscillating exhaust stage. The rate at which the liquid level rises in the vertical pipe is not proportional to the self‐priming height, and the difference in the self‐priming time is not proportional to the change in the self‐priming height. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the flow characteristics in front chamber and rear chamber in pump mode and pump as turbine mode, a 3D computational model of a centrifugal pump was established, including the front and rear chamber. Based on Realizable k-ε turbulence model, numerical calculations of incompressible flow were carried out for internal viscous flow in two operating modes. Further analysis was conducted on the flow stability and hydraulic losses under two modes using energy gradient theory and entropy production theory. The numerical simulation results are within reasonable error compared to the experimental results in pump operation mode, which ensures the reliability of the numerical calculation method. The results indicate that the volumetric efficiency in both two modes is on an upward trend with increasing flow, but the volumetric efficiency of the pump mode is more significantly affected by changes in flow; the distribution patterns of dimensionless circumferential velocity and dimensionless radial velocity in the front and rear chambers under two operating modes are similar, but the distribution pattern of dimensionless radial velocity in the front chamber in turbine mode is significantly different from other operating conditions; flow instability is most likely to occur at the outlet of impeller, and the energy loss in clearance of wear-rings is greater than that in the pump chamber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the unsteady Bernoulli equation for the piping system and the angular momentum equation for the rotor, derives here a theoretical model to predict the startup performance of a pump as turbine (PAT). This model is effective for predicting the instantaneous evolution characteristics of the main performance parameters of PAT during startup, and these changings are initially faster and then slowly as a whole. The effect of the rotor moment of inertia and the final stabilized rotational speed of PAT on evolution characteristics of parameters is opposite. The rotational speed, head, hydraulic power, and conversion efficiency show a upward rising trend with the startup time, whereas the flow rate and hydraulic head loss display a downward trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tryptophan (Trp) metabolism plays a crucial role in influencing the development of digestive system tumors. Dysregulation of Trp and its metabolites has been identified in various digestive system cancers, including esophageal, gastric, liver, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. Aberrantly expressed Trp metabolites are associated with diverse clinical features in digestive system tumors. Moreover, the levels of these metabolites can serve as prognostic indicators and predictors of recurrence risk in patients with digestive system tumors. Trp metabolites exert their influence on tumor growth and metastasis through multiple mechanisms, including immune evasion, angiogenesis promotion, and drug resistance enhancement. Suppressing the expression of key enzymes in Trp metabolism can reduce the accumulation of these metabolites, effectively impacting their role in the promotion of tumor progression and metastasis. Strategies targeting Trp metabolism through specific enzyme inhibitors or tailored drugs exhibit considerable promise in enhancing therapeutic outcomes for digestive system tumors. In addition, integrating these approaches with immunotherapy holds the potential to further enhance treatment efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A single injection of local anaesthetic (LA) in the erector spinae plane block (ESPB) can reduce pain after modified radical mastectomy (MRM) surgery, but the duration of analgesia is affected by the duration of the LA. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of continuous ESPB on acute and chronic pain and inflammatory response after MRM surgery. Methods: In this prospective, randomised, controlled trial, we will recruit 160 patients, aged 18–80 years, scheduled for elective MRM surgery under general anaesthesia. They will be randomly assigned to two groups: a continuous ESPB group (group E) and a sham block group (group C). Both groups of patients will have a nerve block (group C pretended to puncture) and an indwelling catheter fixed prior to surgery. Electronic pumps containing LA are shielded. The primary outcome is the total consumption of analgesic agents. The secondary outcomes include the levels of inflammation-related cytokines; the occurrence of chronic pain (post-mastectomy pain syndrome, PMPS); static and dynamic pain scores at 2, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h postoperatively; and post-operative and post-puncture adverse reactions. Discussion: Analgesia after MRM surgery is important and chronic pain can develop when acute pain is prolonged, but the analgesic effect of a nerve block with a single injection of LA is limited by the duration of drug action. The aim of this trial is to investigate whether continuous ESPB can reduce acute pain after MRM surgery and reduce the incidence of chronic pain (PMPS), with fewer postoperative analgesic drug-related complications and less inflammatory response. Continuous ESPB and up to 12 months of follow-up are two innovations of this trial. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (https://www.chictr.org.cn/) ChiCTR2200061935. Registered on 11 July 2022. This trial is a prospective registry with the following registry names: Effect of ultrasound-guided continuous erector spinae plane block on postoperative pain and inflammatory response in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aims to investigate the cultural and psychological factors that significantly affect teachers' intention to accept VR technology and use it long-term in their classes in elementary and secondary schools. The extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) model effectively measured such factors in this context. We conducted a questionnaire survey with 351 elementary and secondary school teachers in four provinces in China and analyzed their responses utilizing Partial Least Squares (PLS) technique. The results of this work showed that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, and hedonic motivation significantly impacted continued usage intention. However, the habit did not promote continued usage intention. Based on the results, research on VR classroom application guidance and teachers' professional development with VR technology applications should be strengthened. Meanwhile, increasing the publicity of integrating VR technology into classroom teaching, creating a favorable climate for VR technology adoption, and enhancing the fun of VR technology can also contribute to teachers' continued VR technology usage intention in classroom teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the majority of data mining tasks, feature selection serves as an essential pre-processing step. The most important attributes are selected to lower the dimensionality reduction of data set and enhance the precision of classification. Natural heuristic algorithms are extensively employed in the realm of encapsulated feature selection. Based on the wrapper feature selection method, seven natural heuristic algorithms are used to solve feature selection problems and perform performance comparison, which include Slime Mold Algorithm (SMA), Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA), Harris Hawks Optimization Algorithm (HHO), Marine Predator Algorithm (MPA), Butterfly Optimization Algorithm (BOA), Cuckoo Search (CS) and Firefly Algorithm (FA). At the same time, performance tests are carried out on 21 standard UCI data sets to verily the functionality of various algorithms, and the convergence curves and accuracy boxplots of 7 natural heuristic algorithms on 21 data sets are given. The simulation outcomes were assessed utilizing the mean and standard deviation of fitness, as well as the number of chosen features, and the running time, with the optimal value in bold. By comparing the comprehensive performance indexes, MPA obtained the maximum mean fitness value in most data sets (16 data sets), followed by FA (6 data sets). SMA obtained the best performance and finds the minimum eigenvalues (20 data sets) in multiple data sets and has an advantage in computing time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water stable Zr-BTDB ultrathin nanosheets incorporated with benzothiadiazole moieties enable efficient aerobic oxidation of a wide range of sulfides to sulfoxides under visible light irradiation in water at room temperature. [Display omitted] • Ultrathin, water stable and photoactive Zr-MOF nanosheets were synthesized. • Zr-MOF nanosheets exhibit superior photocatalytic activity for aerobic oxidation of sulfides. • Singlet oxygen and superoxide radical are reactive oxygen species for the oxidation of sulfides. Ultrathin metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) nanosheets incorporating photochromic units are highly efficient heterogeneous photocatalysts, thanks to their highly exposed catalytic sites, short diffusion pathways, and efficient separation of photo-generated carriers. Herein, we report on the solvothermal synthesis of photoactive benzothiadiazole (BTz) functionalized Zr-MOF nanosheets (Zr-BTDB-NS), which are constructed from Zr 12 nodes linked by nine BTDB2− (BTDB = 4,4′-(benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole-4,7-diyl)dibenzoate) ligands. The Zr-BTDB-NS exhibited superior photocatalytic activity towards the aerobic oxidation of a broad range of sulfides to their corresponding sulfoxides under visible light irradiation in water at room temperature, even in a gram-scale. The Zr-BTDB-NS can be efficiently recycled and reused for seven cycles without a decrease in conversion or selectivity. Detailed mechanism studies revealed that the Zr-BTDB-NS generates singlet oxygen (1O 2) and superoxide radical (O 2 –) reactive oxygen species under visible light irradiation, which are responsible for the oxidation of sulfides into their corresponding sulfoxides. The simplicity of the synthetic approach as well as the diversity of photoactive organic units hold great promise for designing ultrathin, water-stable, and photoactive Zr-MOF nanosheets. This work will also be of added value for selective photooxidation of sulfides under green and mild conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small nucleolar RNA H/ACA Box 51 (SNORA51) is involved in progression of multiple cancers. However, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still unclear. The aim of the present study was to analyze the expression of SNORA51 in HCC and its clinical significance. A total of 136 patients with HCC who underwent surgery from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018 were included. The expression of SNORA51 in cancer tissues and adjacent tissues was compared using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and bioinformatics methods. Methylation of the SNORA51 promoter in cancer and adjacent tissues was compared using bioinformatics. The relationship between SNORA51 expression levels and clinicopathological characteristics of patients with HCC, in addition to prognosis, was analyzed. The expression of SNORA51 in HCC was significantly higher compared with that in adjacent tissues (P<0.05). starBase demonstrated that higher expression levels of SNORA51 were associated with a significantly worse prognosis of patients with HCC compared with those who had lower expression levels of SNORA51 (P<0.05). Bioinformatics analysis using The University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer Data Analysis Portal demonstrated that methylation of the SNORA51 promoter region in HCC was significantly decreased compared with adjacent tissues (P<0.05). A high expression of SNORA51 was significantly associated with portal vein tumor thrombus, vascular invasion and TNM stage (P<0.05). The median survival time of patients with high SNORA51 expression was significantly lower compared with those who had low SNORA51 expression (P<0.05). Both uni- and multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that SNORA51 expression was an independent risk factor that significantly worsened the prognosis of patients with HCC (P<0.05). The overexpression of SNORA51 in patients with HCC was significantly associated with a poor prognosis and may be related to the reduced methylation of the SNORA51 promoter region. Therefore, SNORA51 may be a promising biomarker for prediction of the prognosis of patients with HCC and may be a therapeutic target for the treatment of HCC in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reduction of friction-induced noise is a crucial research area for enhancing vehicle comfort, and this paper proposes a method based on circular pit texture to achieve this goal. We conducted a long-term sliding friction test using a pin-on-disc friction and a wear test bench to verify the validity of this method. To compare the friction noise of different surfaces, texture units with varying line densities were machined on the surface of friction disk samples. The resulting friction-wear and noise characteristics of the samples were analyzed in conjunction with the microscopic morphology of the worn surfaces. The results indicate that surfaces with textures can delay the onset of squeal noise, and the pattern of its development differs from that of smooth surfaces. The noise reduction effect is most evident due to the proper distribution of textures that can form furrow-like wear marks at the wear interface. The finite element results demonstrate that this morphology can improve pressure distribution at the leading point and reduce the tendency of system instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large number of nanopores and complex fracture structures in shale reservoirs results in multi-scale flow of oil. With the development of shale oil reservoirs, the permeability of multi-scale media undergoes changes due to stress sensitivity, which plays a crucial role in controlling pressure propagation and oil flow. This paper proposes a multi-scale coupled flow mathematical model of matrix nanopores, induced fractures, and hydraulic fractures. In this model, the micro-scale effects of shale oil flow in fractal nanopores, fractal induced fracture network, and stress sensitivity of multi-scale media are considered. We solved the model iteratively using Pedrosa transform, semi-analytic Segmented Bessel function, Laplace transform. The results of this model exhibit good agreement with the numerical solution and field production data, confirming the high accuracy of the model. As well, the influence of stress sensitivity on permeability, pressure and production is analyzed. It is shown that the permeability and production decrease significantly when induced fractures are weakly supported. Closed induced fractures can inhibit interporosity flow in the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV). It has been shown in sensitivity analysis that hydraulic fractures are beneficial to early production, and induced fractures in SRV are beneficial to middle production. The model can characterize multi-scale flow characteristics of shale oil, providing theoretical guidance for rapid productivity evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ventilation work is an important step to be completed before the start of the positive pressure explosion-proof robot. The existing explosion-proof technology uses constant pressure inflation, which will cause explosive gas to accumulate in the corner area of the cavity for a long time. In order to solve this problem, a ventilation method with periodic pulse intake is proposed. Based on the finite element method, the cleaning and ventilation process of the positive pressure explosion-proof robot is simulated and analyzed. The concentration of explosive gas in the robot cavity with time under constant pressure intake and pulse intake with different periods and amplitudes is compared. The simulation results show that the pulse intake is beneficial to the ventilation of the corner position. The period and amplitude of the pulse intake has an effect on the ventilation efficiency, when the period is the same, the greater the amplitude of the pulse intake, the higher the ventilation efficiency; when the amplitude is the same, the smaller the period of the pulse intake, the higher the ventilation efficiency. After experimental verification, the validity of the simulation results is proved. This study helps to improve the ventilation efficiency of positive-pressure explosion-proof robots and provides guidance for practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spline teeth fracture of separator plates in wet multi-plate clutches compromises driving safety and the vehicle's lifespan. Tooth fracture is mainly caused by stress concentration at the tooth root and uneven circumferential load distribution. This paper considers parameters such as torque, teeth count, tooth profile, and misalignment errors, establishing the corresponding finite element (FE) model to analyze the impact of the above-mentioned parameters on the strength of the separator plates. Analysis under even and biased load circumstances demonstrated that an optimum tooth count and profile can significantly increase the strength of the separator plates, offering advice for the optimized design of wet multi-plate clutch separator plates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coati Optimization Algorithm (COA) is a novel heuristic algorithm that simulates the intricate behavioral repertoire of coatis manifestations during their pursuit of iguanas as well as their evasive tactics against predators. Aiming to elevate the convergence characteristics regarding speed and precision of the original algorithmic process, and addressing the issue of susceptibility to local optima, an enhanced Coati Optimization Algorithm is suggested based on Cauchy mutation and chaotic maps. Firstly, the Cauchy mutation is embedded in the process of coatis hunting for iguanas. Subsequently, each of ten chaotic maps was incorporated into the probing phase of the COA, generating ten unique enhanced versions. This augments the algorithm's precision in optimization, bolsters the equilibrium between exploration and exploitation and enhances its itinerancy and non-redundancy. The enhanced optimization algorithm exhibiting the aggregated optimal performance is selected from ten types of different enhanced COA and used for subsequent comparisons with other algorithms for function optimization and engineering optimization. Thirty benchmark functions from the CEC-BC-2022 datasets were incorporated for evaluation on performance metrics of the improved COA with Cauchy mutation and ten types of chaotic maps, and then the performance of the Chebyshev map enhanced COA and other six swarm intelligent algorithms are compared for optimization purposes. Finally, optimization was performed on four distinct engineering design problems. The outcomes of the simulation experiment evidence that the advanced Cauchy mutation chaotic COA yields satisfactory outcomes in addressing both function optimization and engineering optimization. The algorithm exhibits superiority in balancing exploration and exploitation during the iterative procedure of optimization, thereby enhancing convergence precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ammonia–methane (NH3–CH4) mixtures have potentials to serve as low-carbon fuels for gas turbines. Recent studies demonstrated that secondary air injection was an effective strategy to reduce NOx emissions from the combustion of NH3–CH4–air mixtures. However, the effects of secondary air injection on the performance of thermoacoustic instability of NH3–CH4–air flames remain unknown. To this end, this study experimentally investigated the thermoacoustic instability performance of a premixed, swirl-stabilized NH3–CH4–FF air combustor without and with secondary air injection. Without secondary air injection, thermoacoustic instabilities were widely detected at NH3 ratios below 50% (by volume). It was discovered that such instabilities were significantly suppressed by secondary air injection over a wider range of operating conditions. In conjunction with the analysis of the flame and flow dynamics, it was revealed that the secondary air injection suppressed the large amplitude axial oscillations of the flame and the flow field. Combined with the experimental results, it was inferred that the introduction of secondary air changed the velocity and pressure distribution downstream of the primary combustion zone, which in turn affected the formation and evolution of the vortex structures, thereby mitigating thermoacoustic coupling. Finally, emission measurements were discussed and the results indicated that the secondary air injection strategy reduced unburnt NH3 and CO emissions to a certain extent as well as decreased NOx emissions at specific equivalence ratios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and disease threaten shrimp farming. Here, we studied the beneficial properties of a phytogenic formulation, Shrimp Best (SB), in whiteleg shrimp. Functional studies showed that SB dose-dependently increased shrimp body weight and decreased feed conversion ratio. We found that SB protected against Vibrio parahaemolyticus as evidenced by survival rate, bacterial load, and hepatopancreatic pathology in shrimp. Finally, we explored the likely mechanism by which SB affects growth performance and vibriosis in shrimp. The 16S rRNA sequencing data showed that SB increased 6 probiotic genera and decreased 6 genera of pathogenic bacteria in shrimp. Among these, SB increased the proportion of Lactobacillus johnsonii and decreased that of V. parahaemolyticus in shrimp guts. To dissect the relationship among SB, Lactobacillus and Vibrio, we investigated the in vitro regulation of Lactobacillus and Vibrio by SB. SB at ≥ 0.25 μg/mL promoted L. johnsonii growth. Additionally, L. johnsonii and its supernatant could inhibit V. parahaemolyticus. Furthermore, SB could up-regulate five anti-Vibrio metabolites of L. johnsonii, which caused bacterial membrane destruction. In parallel, we identified 3 fatty acids as active compounds from SB. Overall, this work demonstrated that SB improved growth performance and vibriosis protection in shrimp via the regulation of gut microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Stocking density (SD) is an important issue in the poultry industry, which is related to the production performance, intestinal health and immune status. In the present study, the effects of SD on the metabolism and homeostasis of uric acid as well as the related functions of the liver and kidney in ducks were examined. Methods: A total of 360 healthy 56-day-old Shan-ma ducks were randomly divided into the low stocking density (n = 60, density = 5 birds/m2), medium stocking density (n = 120, density = 10 birds/m2) and high stocking density groups (HSD; n = 180, density = 15 birds/m2). Samples were collected in the 3rd, 6th, and 9th weeks of the experiment for analysis. Results: The serum levels of uric acid, lipopolysaccharide and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1ß [IL-1ß], IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-a [TNF-a]) were increased significantly in the HSD group. Serious histopathological lesions could be seen in both the livers and kidneys in the HSD group in the 9th week. The mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-8 and TNF-a) and related pathway components (toll-like receptor 4, myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88, and nuclear factor-κB) were increased significantly in both the livers and kidneys in the HSD group. The mRNA expression levels of enzymes (adenosine deaminase, xanthine oxidase, phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amidotransferase, and phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase 1) related to the synthesis of uric acid increased significantly in the livers in the HSD group. However, the mRNA expression level of solute carrier family 2 member 9, which plays an important role in the excretion of uric acid by the kidney, was decreased significantly in the kidneys in the HSD group. Conclusion: These results indicated that a higher SD could cause tissue inflammatory lesions in the liver and kidney and subsequently affect the metabolism and homeostasis of uric acid, and is helpful for guiding decisions related to the breeding and production of ducks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasmodiophora brassicae is one of the biggest threats to cruciferous plants and one of the most economically significant diseases worldwide. However, our current understanding of its pathogenic mechanisms remains limited. In this study, we have identified an effector, Pb257, which plays a crucial role in the virulence of P. brassicae. The expression pattern analysis revealed continuous induction of Pb257 during both primary and secondary infections. Ectopic expression of Pb257 strongly triggered cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana and several other plants, which was dependent on SOBIR1 and the salicylic acid pathway but not BAK1, a central molecular regulator, to mediate classical defense pathways. Overexpression of Pb257 increased susceptibility of Brassica rapa to P. brassicae. Silencing of the Pb257-encoding gene led to reduce root swelling. Further investigation showed that the conserved GOLD domain within Pb257 was essential for inducing root enlargement, which is similar to the mild symptoms of clubroot, indicating that it is an important effector for promoting root cell enlargement. GOLD domain-containing family proteins were widely present in the kingdoms of protozoa, fungi, and animalia, and Pb257 was clustered into a clade of protozoa, suggesting the encoding gene as a potential marker gene for classification of P. brassicae. The GOLD domain-containing proteins are known regulators involved in human cell proliferation and immune system disruption, however, no previous reports have described a pathogen-derived GOLD domain protein with elicitor activity. Our findings demonstrate that Pb257 functions as a crucial effector contributing to the virulence of P. brassicae and could be used as a potential molecular target for controlling clubroot disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metallurgical solid waste blast furnace water quenched slag (WBFS) was employed as carrier materials to prepare Fe–TiO 2 /WBFS composite photocatalyst using a sol-gel method for improving both the photocatalytic activity and the high-value utilization of metallurgical solid waste. The Fe3+ doping technology was adopted to increase the utilization of solar energy. The influencing factors and photocatalytic activity were systematically evaluated by thermogravimetry/differential thermal analyser (TG-DSC), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method, scanning electron microscopy-energy spectrometer (SEM-EDS), X-ray photoelectric spectroscopy (XPS), UV–Vis absorption spectrum and photoluminescence spectra technology through the degradation rate of methylene blue (MB) solution. The results showed that the Fe3+ ions were successfully incorporated into the TiO 2 lattice, which had no effect on the crystalline phase of TiO 2 and expanded the spectral response range of TiO 2 from the ultraviolet region to the visible light region. When the calcination temperature was at 450 °C and the number of Fe–TiO 2 sol loading cycles was two times, the photocatalytic activity of Fe–TiO 2 /WBFS presented the strongest, and the degradation ratio of MB reach the maximum value of 98.9 %. A uniform and dense anatase TiO 2 thin film was wrapped on the surface of WBFS. The photocatalytic activity first improved and then weakened with an increase of calcination temperature, Fe3+ doping amounts and the loading cycles of sol. The TiO 2 film changed from thin to thick and uneven to uniform, until cracking and spalling phenomenon finally occurred with an increase of Fe–TiO 2 sol loading cycle from 1 to 3 times. When the Fe–TiO 2 /WBFS was reused for four times, the degradation rate of MB could still show 67.4 %, being far higher than that of TiO 2 /WBFS of 25.4 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurately identifies the cellular composition of complex tissues, which is critical for understanding disease pathogenesis, early diagnosis, and prevention. However, current methods for deconvoluting bulk RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) typically rely on matched single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) as a reference, which can be limiting due to differences in sequencing distribution and the potential for invalid information from single‐cell references. Hence, a novel computational method named SCROAM is introduced to address these challenges. SCROAM transforms scRNA‐seq and bulk RNA‐seq into a shared feature space, effectively eliminating distributional differences in the latent space. Subsequently, cell‐type‐specific expression matrices are generated from the scRNA‐seq data, facilitating the precise identification of cell types within bulk tissues. The performance of SCROAM is assessed through benchmarking against simulated and real datasets, demonstrating its accuracy and robustness. To further validate SCROAM's performance, single‐cell and bulk RNA‐seq experiments are conducted on mouse spinal cord tissue, with SCROAM applied to identify cell types in bulk tissue. Results indicate that SCROAM is a highly effective tool for identifying similar cell types. An integrated analysis of liver cancer and primary glioblastoma is then performed. Overall, this research offers a novel perspective for delivering precise insights into disease pathogenesis and potential therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial cystitis, a commonly occurring urinary tract infection (UTI), is renowned for its extensive prevalence and tendency to recur. Despite the extensive utilization of levofloxacin as a conventional therapeutic approach for bacterial cystitis, its effectiveness is impeded by adverse toxic effects, drug resistance concerns, and its influence on the gut microbiota. This study introduces Lev@PADM, a hydrogel with antibacterial properties that demonstrates efficacy in the treatment of bacterial cystitis. Lev@PADM is produced by combining levofloxacin with decellularized porcine acellular dermal matrix hydrogel and exhibits remarkable biocompatibility. Lev@PADM demonstrates excellent stability as a hydrogel at body temperature, enabling direct administration to the site of infection through intravesical injection. This localized delivery route circumvents the systemic circulation of levofloxacin, resulting in a swift and substantial elevation of the antimicrobial agent's concentration specifically at the site of infection. The in vivo experimental findings provide evidence that Lev@PADM effectively prolongs the duration of levofloxacin's action, impedes the retention and invasion of E.coli in the urinary tract, diminishes the infiltration of innate immune cells into infected tissues, and simultaneously preserves the composition of the intestinal microbiota. These results indicate that, in comparison to the exclusive administration of levofloxacin, Lev@PADM offers notable benefits in terms of preserving the integrity of the bladder epithelial barrier and suppressing the recurrence of urinary tract infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, the effects of aging treatment on the microstructures of a TC18 alloy are studied. The influence of aging treatment on the tensile properties and failure mechanisms is systematically analyzed. It is found that the size and morphology of the primary α (αp) phases are insensitive to aging temperature and time. Furthermore, the aging temperature and time dramatically influence the precipitation of the secondary α (αs) phases. Massive αs phases precipitate and gradually coarsen, and finally weave together by increasing the aging temperature or extending the aging time. The variations in αp and αs phases induced by aging parameters also affect the mechanical properties. Both yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) first increase and then decrease by increasing the aging temperature and time, while ductility first decreases and then increases. There is an excellent balance between the strengths and ductility. When the aging temperature is changed from 450 to 550 °C, YS varies from 1238.6 to 1381.6 MPa, UTS varies from 1363.2 to 1516.8 MPa, and the moderate elongation ranges from 9.0% to 10.3%. These results reveal that the thickness of αs phases is responsible for material strengths, while the content of α phases can enhance material ductility. The ductile characteristics of the alloy with coarser αs phases are more obvious than those with thinner αs phases. Therefore, the aging treatment is helpful for the precipitation and homogeneous distribution of αs phases, which are essential for balancing the strengths and ductility of the studied Ti alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a study on gene editing in Salvia miltiorrhiza, a plant used in Eastern medicine to treat cardiovascular diseases. The researchers developed a protoplast regeneration system for S. miltiorrhiza using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology. They targeted seven transcription factor genes involved in the production of bioactive compounds in the plant. The study demonstrated high-efficiency gene editing and the regeneration of knockout plants, which could potentially enhance the contents of active compounds in medicinal plants. [Extracted from the article]

• Nanocavity geometry effects on nucleate boiling are first investigated by molecular dynamics simulation. • Bubble dynamics and heat transfer characteristics for different scenarios are systematically compared. • Underlying mechanisms are analyzed and elucidated based on numerous quantitative results. • Combined effects of nanocavity geometry and solid-liquid interaction are identified. • Provide essential guidance towards surface design in thermal energy systems. In recent years, surfaces with nanocavities have been identified to considerably improve boiling heat transfer, that is highly promising for advanced thermal energy systems. To boost developments in nanostructured boiling surfaces, effects of nanocavity geometry on nucleate boiling at the nanoscale are systematically studied for the first time by utilizing molecular dynamics simulation. Three typical nanocavities with rectangular, semicircular, and triangular cross-sectional shapes are constructed, which have the identical width and depth (8 nm and 4 nm). Moreover, three representative wetting conditions corresponding to different solid-liquid interaction strengths are further considered to provide a comprehensive understanding of geometry effects. The results manifest that nanocavity geometry effect on nucleate boiling can be attributed to the differences in their solid-liquid contact area and solid-liquid interactions play a vital role in reinforcement effectiveness. When the solid-liquid interaction is sufficiently strong (energy coefficient equals 1.5, termed ultra-superhydrophilicity), variations in nanocavity geometries will induce remarkable effects on boiling performance. Among three geometric configurations, the rectangular nanocavity exhibits the highest heat transfer efficiency and achieves maximum boiling enhancement, including significant improvements in bubble nucleation and growth, as well as critical heat flux. This study provides an essential insight into nanoscale boiling reinforcement mechanism. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulating the evolution of microstructures and the mechanical response of alloys with cubic and hcp structures is crucial for the industrial manufacturing of key alloy components. In this work, a modified Voce (ME-Voce) model is proposed, based on the extended Voce hardening model, to depict the variations of hardening rate with cumulative shear strain. Also, an orientation-dependent weight that describes the neighboring grain-induced 'drag' effect is evaluated. These improvements are numerically implemented in a standard viscoplastic self-consistent (VPSC) model. The ME-Voce parameters are determined through multi-parameter optimization using Matlab software. The influences of grain shape and neighboring grains on the hot deformation behavior of alloys are investigated. The proposed ME-Voce model is validated through hot compression experiments of alloys with cubic and hcp structures. The results show the VPSC embedded in the ME-Voce can reasonably predict the mechanical response under different deformation conditions. This enhances the predictive capability of the VPSC model and provides more options for crystal plasticity simulation of alloys with different crystal structures. • A modified Voce model is proposed to depict the variations of hardening rate with cumulative shear strain. • An orientation-dependent weight describing neighboring grain-induced 'drag' effect is evaluated. • Viscoplastic self-consistent model including ME-Voce can reasonably predict the mechanical response of alloys. • More choices for crystal plasticity simulation of alloys with different crystal structures are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Membrane-based technology has garnered significant interest in the separation and purification of molecules due to its inherent advantages, such as high efficiency, low energy consumption, and ease of operation. In this study, rigid-flexible coupled organosilica membranes were fabricated through co-polymerization using 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)acetylene (BTESA) containing rigid acetylene bridges and 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)propane (BTESP) containing flexible propane bridges. The incorporation of flexible propane bridges into BTESA networks allowed for precise adjustment of the network structures, resulting in composite BTESA-P membranes with improved molecular sieving properties. BTESA-P membrane demonstrated significant promise for applications in both CO 2 capture and pervaporation (PV) dehydration due to its high potential. BTESA-P30 membrane, fabricated using the rigid-flexible coupled strategy, demonstrated a CO 2 permeance of 3807 GPU and a CO 2 /N 2 selectivity of approximately 40. These results surpassed those of numerous previously reported membranes, indicating significant potential for CO 2 capture applications. BTESA-P30 membrane exhibited significant competitiveness in the decarbonization process of natural gas. More significantly, analogous occurrences are evident in gas permeation and PV separation process, where the permeation mechanism of gas and PV separation is primarily governed by molecular sieving. The utilization of diverse organosilica precursors in the rigid-flexible coupled strategy proposed in this study offers increased potential for membrane structure design and energy-efficient separation of molecules. [Display omitted] • Rigid-flexible coupled organosilica membranes were fabricated. • BTESA-P membranes were endowed with enhanced sieving properties. • Rigid-flexible coupled strategy exhibited great potential for high-performance membranes design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the product of transesterification between various oils and alcohols, biodiesel exhibits characteristics of renewability and a wide range of raw materials. The ignition delay times (IDTs) of methyl oleate (MEOLE) and methyl linoleate (MLINO), the primary constituents of biodiesels, were measured in a heated rapid compression machine (RCM) to investigate the impact of C C double bond on the reactivity and autoignition characteristics. The experiment was conducted under two pressures of 8 bar and 10 bar at an equivalence ratio of 0.3–0.8 and a temperature range of 800–1000 K. The qualitative investigation unveiled the influence of compressed pressure, equivalence ratio, and oxygen mole fraction on the IDT of MEOLE and MLINO under varying compressed temperatures. Besides, a comparison of the IDTs for two fuels with different unsaturation degrees under identical conditions revealed that MEOLE exhibited greater reactivity at low temperatures compared to MLINO, while the increase in unsaturation degree can moderate and enhance reactivity at high temperatures. Moreover, three kinetic models in the literature were validated against the newly measured IDTs. The results indicate that the detailed lumped kinetic model exhibits better predictive capacity compared to other models, but it still underestimates the reactivity of MEOLE and MLINO within the investigated temperature range. Subsequently, the detailed kinetic model was optimized based on sensitivity analysis, resulting in excellent agreement between the predicted values of the optimized model and experimental data. Furthermore, accurate predictions were made regarding the relative reactivity changes of MEOLE and MLINO with temperature. Finally, different types of experimental data in the literature were employed to validate the optimized model, yielding satisfactory results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Photocatalytic Z-schemes are built for SiSe/SnSe 2 and SiSe/SnSSe heterostructures. • The STH efficiencies of the Z-schemes can reach 19.18%, 14.61%, and 14.24%. • NAMD simulations confirm photocatalytic activity of SiSe/SnSe 2 is well-protected. • Δ G s reveal both HER and OER with SiSe/SnSSe-I can spontaneously proceed. The direct Z-schemes of the photocatalytic overall water splitting with the SiSe/SnSe 2 , SiSe/SnSSe-I, and SiSe/SnSSe-II heterostructures are constructed based on the density functional theory calculations and nonadiabatic molecular dynamics (NAMD) simulations. The maximum solar-to-hydrogen efficiency (ηʹ STH) reaches 19.18% and can be promoted to 28.71% under tensile biaxial strains. NAMD simulations indicate the transfer of the electron for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and hole for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) for SiSe/SnSe 2 are apparently slower than those for the other two heterostructures, implicating the reduction and oxidation activities of this heterostructure are well-protected. Moreover, the shortest electron-hole recombination time is attributed to SiSe/SnSSe-I, indicating that it holds the best photocatalytic performance. Remarkably, the Gibbs free energies indicate that HER and OER with SiSe/SnSSe-I can spontaneously proceed, while OERs can but HERs cannot spontaneously proceed with the other two heterostructures. Therefore, the newfound heterostructures, especially SiSe/SnSSe-I, are promising candidates in photocatalytic overall water splitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capturing dibutyl phthalate (DBP) impurities from transformer oils and purifying them is crucial for maintaining long-term sustainable transformer operation. Furthermore, this process significantly reduces the generation of waste from aged transformer oils, thereby contributing to environmental protection and sustainable development. In this study, various metal ion-modified wood activated carbons (ACs) were prepared using the wet impregnation method. The adsorption isotherms and adsorption kinetics studies reveal that Fe/AC exhibits a significant enhancement of more than 40% in DBP adsorption capacity compared to the original AC. Consequently, Fe/AC is the material with the highest adsorption capacity for DBP in transformer oils up to now. Furthermore, the desorption activation energy of DBP on Fe/AC was 46.623 kJ/mol, 1.73 times higher than original AC. Ultimately, the adsorption mechanism was explained using the Hard-Soft-Acid-Base (HSAB) principle, which demonstrated a stronger interaction between hard base DBP and Fe/AC due to the hard acidic nature of Fe3+ and therefore a higher capture capacity of DBP by Fe/AC. The simplified preparation method and enhanced adsorption capacity of the modified Fe/AC make it an efficient and cost-effective approach to ensure reliable and sustained transformer operation, while also minimizing the generation of waste transformer oils. • High-performance DBP adsorbent achieved through Fe3+ impregnation on AC. • The loading of Fe resulted in a 40% increase in the DBP adsorption capacity. • Fe/AC exhibits nearly twice the DBP adsorption capacity of γ-Al 2 O 3. • The loaded Fe3+ as hard acid improved the adsorption capacity of AC on hard base DBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An in-depth study of the chemical kinetic mechanism of biodiesels can facilitate accurate prediction of engine combustion and emission characteristics. Surrogate fuel is a feasible method for simulating the combustion chemistry of real biodiesel. Methyl myristate (MMY), one of the main components and a widely used surrogate for biodiesel, was investigated for the autoignition characteristics using a newly heated rapid compression machine (RCM). In this work, the ignition delay times (IDTs) of MMY were measured at compressed pressures of 10/15/20/30 bar with compressed temperatures ranging from 700 K to 900 K, and equivalence ratios varying from 0.3 to 1.25. The experimental observation successfully captured a typical negative temperature coefficient (NTC) phenomenon of IDT. The present experiment is the first one to measure the IDTs of MMY in a RCM, while also marking the first instance of observing the NTC phenomenon in macromolecular fatty acid methyl esters above C10. Besides, a skeletal model for methyl myristate has been developed based on the idea of decoupling methodology. In terms of fuel-dependent reactions, the kinetic model is divided into two parts: high-temperature reactions and low-temperature chain branching reactions. Combined with the experimental and simulation results, the dependence of the IDT of methyl myristate on compressed temperature, compressed pressure, equivalence ratio, and oxygen mole fraction at low-to-intermediate temperature was systematically investigated. The simulation results show that the developed skeletal model captures the ignition delay times well at low-to-intermediate temperatures and accurately predicts both the NTC phenomenon and the corresponding temperature range. Based on this, the key reactions in the combustion of MMY under different conditions were elucidated through sensitivity analysis. Ultimately, the model validation was conducted against the high-temperature IDT data from the literature. The chemical kinetic models of various biodiesels are essential for simulating the working process of internal combustion engines and accurately predicting the combustion and emission characteristics. Among these, the autoignition characteristic is one of the most important parameters for model validation. Besides, the carbon chain length of methyl myristate closely resembles that of real biodiesels, making it an ideal surrogate fuel for biodiesels. In this study, the IDTs of MMY were measured for the first time at low-to-intermediate temperatures in a heated RCM, thereby experimentally confirming the NTC phenomenon of methyl myristate. Additionally, a skeletal model of MMY was developed based on the idea of decoupling methodology, which can accurately predict the autoignition characteristics of MMY at low-to-intermediate temperatures. The simulated values demonstrate good agreement with experimental data. Overall, the present study provides an IDT database for the development and validation of the methyl myristate mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ammonia (NH 3) blending combustion strategy has been regarded as a high-efficient form of NH 3 utilization. To understand the high-pressure gas-phase auto-ignition characteristics of NH 3 blending with diesel, the ignition delay times of NH 3 /diesel mixtures with high NH 3 energy fractions of 70%, 80% and 90% were measured in an ultrahigh-pressure rapid compression machine, at high pressures of 50–120 bar, temperatures of 755–996 K, and equivalence ratios of 0.5–1.5. As a consecutive study of Part 1 (Combust. Flame, 251 (2023), 112391), this study mainly focuses on the auto-ignition characteristics and oxidation mechanism of NH 3 /diesel mixtures at pressures higher than 50 bar. The ignition-promoting effect of increasing pressure from 50 to 120 bar was experimentally confirmed. Moreover, the increase of the diesel energy fraction, equivalence ratio, and oxygen concentration was found to decrease the ignition delay time of the NH 3 /diesel mixtures. The chemical reaction mechanism proposed in Part 1 was utilized to simulate the auto-ignition of the NH 3 /diesel mixtures. Simulation results show that the mechanism was able to quantitatively capture the ignition delay times of the NH 3 /diesel mixtures at the wide pressures. The cross-reactions between NH 3 and diesel, especially reaction RH + NH 2 = R + NH 3 , was found to play a key role in the correct prediction of auto-ignition at high pressure. In addition, it is revealed the effect of pressure is closely related to OH production reactions 2OH (+M) = H 2 O 2 (+M) and NO + HO 2 = NO 2 + OH, the rate of which increase with rising pressure. The reaction H 2 NO + O 2 = HNO + HO 2 is an important pathway where oxygen concentration affects NH 3 /diesel mixture auto-ignition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]