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Heat transfer to supercritical water were investigated both experimentally and numerically. A 2-m long vertical upward smooth tube with a diameter of 19 mm was tested at pressures ranged from 11 to 32 MPa, values of mass flux from 170 to 800 kg·m −2 ·s −1 and heat fluxes up to 600 kW·m −2 . Various dimensionless parameters representing effects of property variations, buoyancy and thermal induced acceleration were estimated. Some of them show unique and strong relations to heat transfer coefficient, while no single behavior of independence is obtained with the majority of them. This result indicates additional parameters are required in case these dimensionless parameters are applied to predict supercritical heat transfer. Based on the experimental data, six typical correlations were evaluated. It turns out that the Mokry et al. correlation and Bishop et al. correlation show the best performance in predicting heat transfer. The shear stress transport k-ω model was employed to numerical analysis. Results of numerical prediction show a good agreement with experimental data, which proves the suitability of the present model. According to the result, physical mechanisms of both enhanced and deteriorated heat transfer at supercritical pressure are revealed. The integral effect of specific heat and buoyancy effect are the main reasons resulting in the abnormal heat transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants are always exposed to abiotic and biotic stresses which can adversely affect their growth and development. As an important antioxidant, AsA plays a vital role in plant defence against damage caused by stresses. In this study, we cloned a tomato GDP- L -galactose phosphorylase-like ( SlGGP-LIKE ) gene and investigated its role in resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses by using antisense transgenic (AS) tomato lines. The AsA content in AS plants was lower than that in WT plants. Under chilling stress, the growth of AS plants was inhibited significantly, and they yielded higher levels of ROS, REC and MDA but demonstrated weaker APX activity than that shown by WT plants. Additionally, the declined values of Pn, Fv/Fm, oxidisable P700, and D1 protein content of PSII in AS lines were significant. Furthermore, the effect on xanthophyll cycle of AS plants was more severe than that on WT plants, and the ratio of zeaxanthin (Z)/(V + A + Z) and (Z + 0.5 A)/(V + A + Z) in AS lines was lower than that in WT plants. In spite of chilling stress, under Pseudomonas syringae pv.tomato ( Pst ) DC3000 strain infection, AS plants showed lesser bacterial cell growth and dead cells than those shown by WT plants. This finding indicated that AS plants demonstrated stronger resistance against pathogenic infection. Results suggest that SlGGP-LIKE gene played an important role in plant defence against chilling stress and pathogenic infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mucus hypersecretion is a prominent mechanism in airway inflammation. Muc5ac is a major component of mucus and can be activated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) highly expresses in airway epithelium and protects the airway from oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated the roles of Prdx6 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mucin production in mice. We found that the levels of H 2 O 2 and the Muc5ac mRNA were significantly increased in Prdx6 (-/-) mice compared to those in C57BL/6J mice after LPS instillation, which were markedly inhibited by epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor Elrotinib. In vitro studies showed that mRNA levels of Prdx6 were decreased while H 2 O 2 and Muc5ac were increased in a dose-dependent manner after LPS exposure, with significant increase in Prdx6 knockdown bronchial epithelial cells compared with those in normal epithelial cells. LPS-induced Muc5ac release was significantly inhibited by EGFR inhibitor, p38 inhibitor and JNK inhibitor, but not ERK1/2 inhibitor, indicating that the H 2 O 2 -EGFR-MAPK pathway is likely involved in the responses. This study indicated that Prdx6 decreased LPS-induced Muc5ac increase and played important roles in mucin hypersecretion after LPS exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a better design of 1000 MW ultra supercritical pressure boiler with spirally water wall tubes, an experimental study has been performed in the State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University to investigate the instability of the steam-water two-phase flow inside a smooth tube with an inclined angle of 20 degree from the horizon. The static hydrodynamic characteristic curves are obtained and the dynamic instabilities are also analyzed. The boundary conditions of the pressure drop oscillation and the density wave oscillation are proposed. The effects of pressure, mass flux, inlet and outlet throttle, inlet subcooling and the compressible volumes are analyzed primarily. The results demonstrate that the above parameters significantly influence the critical heat flux for the mentioned two types of oscillations and the density wave oscillations are the major type of oscillations in boilers and steam generators. The density wave oscillations occur at a higher heat flux than the pressure drop oscillations with the other operating parameters remaining constant. The inducing mechanisms of the above two types of oscillations are clarified. The variation ranges of critical heat flux and critical vapor quality are illustrated. Two empirical correlations predicting the onset of pressure drop oscillation and density wave oscillation are derived from the experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ascorbate (AsA) is very important in scavenging reactive oxygen species in plants. AsA can reduce photoinhibition by xanthophyll cycle to dissipate excess excitation energy. GGP is an important enzyme in AsA biosynthesis pathway in higher plants. In this study, we cloned a gene, SlGGP-LIKE , that has the same function but different sequence compared with SlGGP . The function of SlGGP-LIKE gene in response to oxidative stress was investigated using transgenic tobacco plants overexpressed SlGGP-LIKE under methyl viologen treatment. After oxidative stress treatment, transgenic tobacco lines exhibited higher levels of reduced AsA content and APX activity than WT plants. Under oxidative stress, transgenic tobacco plants accumulated less ROS and exhibited lower degrees of REC and MDA. Consequently, relatively higher levels of Pn, Fv/Fm, de-epoxidation status of xanthophyll cycle and D1 protein were maintained in transgenic tobacco plants. Hence, overexpression of SlGGP-LIKE gene enhances AsA biosynthesis and can alleviate the photoinhibition of PSII under oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The corrosion inhibition of a polyamine compound, N -(4-amino-2, 3-dimethylbutyl)-2, 3-dimethylbutane-1, 4-diamine (ADDD), was investigated for HAl77-2 copper alloy in 3 wt.% NaCl solution. Electrochemical measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) techniques were employed for this research. The results show that ADDD strongly suppresses the corrosion of HAl77-2 alloy. The inhibition efficiency of ADDD is 98.6% at 0.5 mM, which is better than benzotriazole (BTAH) at the same concentration. Polarization curves indicate that ADDD is an anodic type inhibitor. Surface analysis suggests that a protective film is formed via the interaction of ADDD and copper. FT-IR reveals that the inhibition mechanism of ADDD is dominated by chemisorption onto the copper alloy surface to form an inhibition film. Furthermore, quantum chemical calculation and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations methods show that ADDD adsorbs on HAl77-2 surface via amino group in its molecule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we present a green and facile method of utilizing biomimetic silicification to trigger enzyme immobilization on the surface of the rGO/FeOOH hydrogel for constructing stable monolithic biocatalytic systems. In brief, the rGO/FeOOH hydrogel is firstly prepared through metal ion-induced reduction/assembly of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets, which is then utilized to adsorb cationic polyethyleneimine (PEI). This cationic PEI, as the mineralization-inducing agent, catalyzes the condensation of silicate to form silica (biomimetic silicification) on the rGO surface, where enzyme is simultaneously entrapped. The resultant rGO/FeOOH/silica hydrogel shows an extraordinary three-dimensional (3D) porous structure. The silica content on the rGO surface can be facilely tailored through changing the silica precursor concentration. Combined with monolithic macroscale of the rGO/FeOOH/silica hydrogel, the acquired monolithic biocatalytic systems display easy recyclability and elevated pH/thermal/recycling/storage stabilities during the catalytic production of 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA) in comparison to enzyme in free form and enzyme adsorbed on rGO/FeOOH hydrogel. Notably, the activity can be retained up to 93.3% of its initial activity after 11 reaction cycles for our biocatalytic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multiplicity of smoke flow states may pose a great threat to both human evacuation and emergency rescue in tunnels. A case study is conducted to investigate the multiple steady states of fire smoke transport in a triple-branch tunnel. Both theoretical analysis and numerical simulation are employed in this study. For the case examined in this study, at least three flow regimes are identified under the effects of similar boundary conditions. The results indicate that even for a “well-designed” smoke exhaust system, multiple flow regimes could exist and some flow modes could threaten the human evacuation. The operating point of the mechanical fan system shifts due to the transition between multiple flow regimes. The preliminary results indicate that the inclination angle of the inclined tunnel branches could play an important role in the multiplicity of smoke flow states in such a tunnel system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In road tunnel fires, exhaust vent layout and smoke exhaust rate are two important parameters that affect the smoke exhaust performance of ceiling central smoke extraction. However, the synergistic effect between the two (cooperation of two factors) has not yet been quantitatively analysed. Reduced-scale (1:20) burning experiments were conducted in this study. Through variations in the vent area, vent width, and exhaust rate, the factors influencing the ventilation system efficiency V S E ′ and ventilation system output V S O ′ were analysed. It can be seen from the experimental results that for a constant vent width, the exhaust vent area has nearly no effect on V S E ′ and V S O ′. Furthermore, increasing the smoke exhaust rate can improve V S E ′ , but will reduce V S O ′ , whereas increasing the vent width can increase both V S E ′ and V S O ′. We also considered the effects of heat transfer at the tunnel wall and obtained a normalised V S E ′ estimation correlation, which includes the aforementioned dimensionless influencing factors and the factor of distance between the exhaust vent and fire source. After verifying the correlation, we demonstrated its application value as a significantly useful reference for central smoke extraction design. • Reduced-scale experiments were performed to study the central smoke extraction. • Ventilation system efficiency and ventilation system output were analysed. • Synergistic effect of exhaust vent layout and exhaust rate was studied. • A normalised ventilation system efficiency estimation correlation was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates if the Japan-Korea-Marker (JKM) price is a feasible benchmark to replace the oil indexation in Asian liquified natural gas (LNG) trade. For this purpose, we propose an equilibrium pricing model for the LNG long-term contract (LTC) in Asia. Our model incorporates the risk-averse importer and exporter who optimize their risk-profit tradeoffs by deciding their LTC-spot trade portfolios. Using the model, we compare the pricing efficiency and the risk-profit tradeoff of an importer/exporter under different benchmarks (oil price versus JKM price). The results show that the JKM price is more efficient as an LTC pricing benchmark than the oil price. The JKM pricing benchmark is favored for both exporters and importers when they are low risk-aversion. In addition, we compare the performance of the JKM benchmark based on the CIF price term (i.e., the importer pays for freight charges) with that based on the FOB price term (i.e., the exporter pays for freight charges). We find that the freight liability has little effect on the pricing efficiency of the JKM benchmark. • We propose an equilibrium model for Asian LNG long-term contract pricing. • We apply the model to investigate the feasibility of different pricing benchmarks. • JKM price is more efficient than the oil price in pricing long-term LNG contracts. • Oil-indexed LTC can spread the risks of importers when oil-gas price decoupling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subsidy given by the government for production is common to develop renewable energy enterprises. This article establishes a duopoly model including renewable energy enterprises and traditional energy enterprises based on market with both complete information and asymmetric information. A generalized consumer surplus (GCS) function is defined, and the assumption that the government maximizes generalized consumer surplus is provided. To identify the cost of enterprises precisely, the government gives incentive compatibility constraint. Firstly, this article found that optimal subsidy for renewable energy enterprises positively correlates with its cost under complete information. Secondly, under asymmetric information, the optimal subsidy values increase with the probability of firms with high costs. Thirdly, renewable energy enterprises may hide their cost to maximize their profits when the difference between subsidies for renewable energy enterprises with disparate cost is too large or too small. Finally, a mechanism to induce enterprises' truth based on incentive compatibility constraints is offered. Under this circumstance, a suggestion is provided that government should choose to screen the cost information of the enterprises or to maximize generalized consumer surplus as the preferred target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual boundary meshfree Galerkin method (VBMGM) is developed to solve the multi-domain variable coefficient heat conduction problem with heat source. Both the virtual source function on the virtual boundary and heat source within each subdomain are approximate by the radial basis function interpolation. The equation of the proposed technique is derived by one of the weighted residual methods, namely the Galerkin method, for multi-domain variable coefficient heat conduction problem with heat source. Therefore, VBMGM simultaneously possesses the merits of Galerkin method, boundary element method and meshfree method. And the numerical meanings of the weighted values are definite, such as the partial derivative heat source expressions, the temperature, the heat flux and the continuity conditions, in VBMGM for multi-domain variable coefficient heat conduction problem with heat source. The specific and detailed equation of VBMGM is obtained for multi-domain variable coefficient heat conduction problem with heat source. The accuracy and the stability of the proposed technique are validated by two numerical examples for multi-domain variable coefficient heat conduction problem with heat source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High transparency was obtained in (1− x )(K 0.5 Na 0.5 )NbO 3 – x Sr(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 ( x =0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08) lead-free ceramics by pressure-less sintering procedure. The effects of Sr(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 content on the microstructure, phase transition, optical properties and electrical properties were studied in detail. The X-ray diffraction results showed that the crystal structure of ceramics gradually transformed from orthorhombic phase into pseudo-cubic phase with doping of Sr(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 . The fine grain microstructure with clear grain boundary was observed in all compositions, while the grain size exhibited significant composition dependence. It was found that a more uniform distribution with smaller grain size was favorable to high optical transmittance, owing to the decreased scattering by grains and grain boundaries. In addition, a strong diffuse phase transformation in KNN-based ceramics induced by Sr(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 doping, causing the ceramics become more relaxor-like and transparent. The transmittance and electric properties results indicated that the 0.95(K 0.5 Na 0.5 )NbO 3 –0.05 Sr(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 ceramics exhibited higher transmittance (60% in the near-IR region) accompanied with better electrical properties ( ε m =2104, P r =5.0 μC/cm 2 , d 33 =92 pC/N). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of [1,2,3]triazolo[4,5- d ]pyrimidine derivatives bearing a hydrazone moiety were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against several cancer cell lines of different origins by MTT assay. Most of the synthesized compounds demonstrated moderate to good activity against the cancer cell lines selected. Especially, compound 43 showed the most potent antiproliferative activity as well as good selectivity between cancer and normal cells (IC 50 values of 0.85 μM against MGC-803 and 56.17 μM against GES-1). In addition, compound 43 evidently inhibited the colony formation of MGC-803 cells at 0.8 μM. Further mechanism studies revealed that compound 43 could induce apoptosis of MGC-803 cells probably through the mitochondrial pathway accompanied with decrease of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), activations of caspase-9/3, up-regulation of the expression of Bax, Bak and PUMA, as well as down-regulation of that of Bcl-2 and Mcl-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bleomycin (BLM) is used clinically in combination with a number of other agents for the treatment of several types of tumours. Members of the BLM family of drugs include zorbamycin (ZBM), phleomycin D1, BLM A2 and BLM B2. By manipulating the BLM biosynthetic machinery, we have produced two new BLM analogues, BLM Z and 6′-deoxy-BLM Z, with the latter exhibiting significantly improved DNA cleavage activity. Here we determined the DNA sequence specificity of BLM Z, 6′-deoxy-BLM Z and ZBM, in comparison with BLM, with high precision using purified plasmid DNA and our recently developed technique. It was found that ZBM had a different DNA sequence specificity compared with BLM and the BLM analogues. While BLM and the BLM analogues showed a similar DNA sequence specificity, with TGTA sequences as the main site of cleavage, ZBM exhibited a distinct DNA sequence specificity, with both TGTA and TGTG as the predominant cleavage sites. These differences in DNA sequence specificity are discussed in relation to the structures of ZBM, BLM and the BLM analogues. Our findings support the strategy of manipulating the BLM biosynthetic machinery for the production of novel BLM analogues, difficult to prepare by total synthesis; some of which could have beneficial cancer chemotherapeutic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frequent outbreaks and the rapid global spread of infectious diseases have increased the urgent need for massive vaccination especially in countries with limited resources. Intranasal vaccination facilitates the mass vaccination via needle-free delivery of vaccine through nasal mucosal surfaces. Inspired by the strong capability of calcium phosphate (CaP) materials to adhere to cells and tissues, we propose to improve nasal vaccination by using a biomineralization-based strategy. The vaccine nanohybrid was obtained by covering the viral surface with CaP nanoshell, which changed the physiochemical properties of original vaccine, resulting in the increase of mucosal adhesion to the nasal tissues. The core-shell structure was beneficial for the receptor-independent uptake and the induction of elevated local IgA response within the nasal cavity. Moreover, the vaccine complex elicited enhanced systemic antibody response that neutralized wild type of dengue virus and promoted the systemic cellular immune responses. This achievement presents the potential of CaP based vaccine biomineralization for the fabrication of needle-free vaccine formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chloride-induced reinforcement steel corrosion usually causes premature failure of performance in reinforced concrete structures subjected to chloride environment. However, conventional prescriptive design methods or fully probabilistic methods cannot ensure an explicit performance in design stage. The main objective of this study is to develop a performance-based service life design method, by which concrete structures such as bridges can be designed according to a predefined performance level to satisfy the target service life, reliability and deterioration level. The mechanism of chloride-induced reinforcement steel corrosion initiation was analyzed to deduce a time-varying limit state function, and the corresponding stochastic model was developed considering the effects of random factors. Through first-order reliability method, a partial factor formula was deduced to realize performance verification in performance-based design process. Finally, a case study of a concrete bridge deck exposed to marine environment was presented and the sensitivity analysis of steel corrosion was carried out. The proposed performance-based design method can rationally deal with the uncertainties of random parameters and ensure the predefined target performance to be satisfied during design process instead of predicting performance after design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When oil shale is pyrolyzed with high-temperature water vapor as a heat carrier fluid, the water vapor will participate in the pyrolysis reaction of organic matter, to change the release characteristics of oil and gas products. Based on the self-designed long reaction system of oil shale pyrolysis by injecting water vapor, this paper deeply studies the quantitative law of water vapor temperature and reaction distance on oil upgrading, compares the quality of shale oil using different pyrolysis methods, and reveals the mechanism of upgrading of oil shale pyrolysis by injecting water vapor. The change of heteroatom and light component contents of shale oil can indicate the change in shale oil quality. The relationship between the two indexes and the reaction distance follows the Boltzmann distribution, and the relationship is called the modification distance. When the injection temperature is 450 °C, the modification distance of shale oil is 1400 mm. When the injection temperature reaches 500 °C, the modification distance extends to 2600 mm. Moreover, when the temperature of the water vapor is low, the reaction intensity is low, the upgrading level is low, and the modification distance is short. However, when the temperature of the water vapor is high, the shale oil's rapid hydro-upgrading distance increases, and the upgrading degree is also enhanced. To make oil shale fully pyrolyzed and form shale oil with good quality, the injection temperature should be at least 500 °C. In that case, the reaction distance of 2600 mm is the threshold distance of oil upgrading. The light component content in the shale oil obtained by the pyrolysis of oil shale with water vapor can be two times that obtained by direct distillation and three times that of crude oil. • The effects of temperature and reaction distance on the upgrading and modification of shale oil were revealed. • The threshold distance of oil upgrading was obtained. • The technical advantages of oil shale pyrolysis by water vapor injection were explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The improvement of notch wear in laser-assisted milling (LAM) is well explained by stress analysis. • During the LAM process, notch wear is hard to form when the laser power exceeds a certain extent. • A critical laser power model without notch wear generation on the bull-nose tool in LAM is established. • This work can be applied to optimize the laser power to minimize notch wear formation in the LAM process. Notch wear is one of the main tool failure modes when machining difficult-to-cut materials. Some experimental studies have confirmed that thermal-assisted machining is beneficial to suppress notch wear. However, the quantitative analysis model between the heating power and notch wear has not been reported. The stress distribution along the tool edge during laser-assisted milling with a bull-nose tool is calculated in this paper, and the influence of material softening is considered. Further, the critical laser power without notch wear generation is determined by calculating the stress concentration coefficient and comparing it with a critical value. A series of laser-assisted milling experiments are conducted to validate the critical laser power model, the results show the presented model is effective. Moreover, the effects of feed rate and radial cutting depth on the critical laser power are analyzed. This study can be further applied to optimize the laser power to minimize notch wear formation in the laser-assisted milling process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Propose a stacking model for vessel destination prediction incorporating both a static model of historical information and a dynamic model of current trajectory information. • Propose a modified DBSCAN clustering method for trajectory clustering and core trajectory identification in the dynamic trajectory model. • Develop a multi-response constrained linear regression model to obtain the optimal weights for the static and dynamic models. • Predicting accuracy of proposed stacking method outperforms individual models using AIS data of very large crude oil carriers (VLCC) originating from Saudi Arabia as a case study. This paper proposes a stacking model for ship destination prediction that incorporates both a static model of historical information, based on a Bayesian neural network (BNN) and a dynamic model of current trajectory information. We propose a modified DBSCAN clustering method for trajectory clustering and core trajectory identification. By identifying core (representative) trajectories, we do not need to follow previous studies that compare a current trajectory with each historical trajectory, which significantly reduces the computation time and increases the accuracy of our similarity calculation. In order to obtain the optimal weights for the static and dynamic models, we develop a multi-response constrained linear regression model. This method has high interpretability, as the weights directly indicate the different roles of static and dynamic models at different stages after departure. Our results show that the stacking model is highly accurate after three days from departure, indicating the indispensable role of both information types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Fenton-like reaction, peroxymonosulfate (PMS) could be activated by either transition metals or graphitized carbon. These two activation paths had their own advantages and disadvantages. To simultaneously increase the PMS activation efficiency and degradation performance, lower the metal leaching, and improve the environmental adaption; herein, a yolk@shell nanoreactor was designed, where Kirkendall effect induced abundant hollow CoO nanoparticles were encapsulated inside a Co, N atoms co-doped graphitized carbon (Co-N-GC) shell. Because of the full exploitation of active sites on yolk@shell nanoreactor, nearly 100% of PMS activation efficiency was realized and 80.0% of tetracycline (TC) (50 mg/L) was degraded within 40 min. Under the protection of Co-N-GC shell, TC were effectively degraded over the full pH range or in the presence of various inorganic anions, and the leached Co2+ was only 0.462 mg/L even after 5 cycles. This study provided a new vision to improve the Fenton-like reaction using yolk@shell nanoreactor. In the reaction, PMS firstly adsorbed onto the CoN 4 sites on the Co-N-GC shell surface and then activated to be 1O 2. Part of PMS were diffused into the cavity via the porous shell, and activated to be SO 4 •- and •OH on the hollow CoO nanoparticles surface. TC was degraded via both radical path (SO 4 •- and •OH) and non-radical path (1O 2), in which 1O 2 was the primary reactive species, leading to outstanding environmental adaption. [Display omitted] • Co, N atoms are co-doped in GC shell, and CoO yolks are hollowed by Kirkendall effect. • PMS activation efficiency is 95.8% by fully exploiting active sites of CoO@Co-N-GC. • On CoN 4 site, PMS donates e - and main species 1O 2 is formed via SO 5 •- as intermediate. • CoO@Co-N-GC effectively works under full pH values or various anions. • Leached Co2+ is 0.462 mg/L after 5th run, completely meeting China Emission Standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Quantitative measurement of transient transcritical/supercritical jet under high pressure cell. • Improved phase-shifting interferometer system realized by pixelated-array masked method. • Subcritical jet flow fragmentation and atomization found under interfacial tension with density pulsations. • Jet flow goes cross pseudo-critical line with large gradient under pseudo-boiling expansion. Precise measurement and visualization of trans-/supercritical jet processes are of great significance for the control of power engines, chemical reaction and industrial processes. The quantitative measurement of transcritical jet under the influence of high pressure effect and transient effect is the key issues in such analysis. In this study, an improved phase-shifting interferometer system with high temporal and spatial resolution (0.001 s, 3.45 μm) has been realized by pixelated-array masked method to investigate characteristics in trans/supercritical jet processes. The transient density field and boundary structure of the phase-transition interface during four jet processes under sub/trans/supercritical conditions were quantitatively measured, which is different from those under subcritical conditions. The results show that the characteristic of subcritical jet is phenomenon of fragmentation and atomization within the experimental cell due to the presence of interfacial tension and strong density pulsations. The atomization is suppressed by high pressure effect in supercritical jet. Instead, Instead, single-phase mixing occurs due to the absence of surface tension. The dense core is found gradually dissolved during diffusion process of the jet flow. The transition from liquid-like to gas-like status of fluid occurs when the injection fluid goes cross the pseudo-critical line, and the jet surface has a large density gradient (in the current test range, | ∇ ρ | max = 8 × 105 kg/m4) due to temperature rise and pseudo-boiling expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) with the absence of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER2 ptotein, is the highly aggressive subtype of breast cancer that exhibits poor prognosis and high tumor recurrence. It is vital to develop effective agents regulating the core molecular pathway of TNBC. Through a medium throughput screening and iterative medicinal chemistry optimization, we identified compound 7h as an autophagic flux inhibitor, which showed potent activities against human TNBC (MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468) cell lines with IC 50 values of 8.3 μM, and 6.0 μM, respectively, which are comparable to the potency of 5-FU and Cisplatin, the first line therapies for TNBC. Extensive investigation of mechanisms of action indicated that 7h inhibits autophagic flux and sequential accumulation of p62, leading to DNA damage and disrepair in TNBC cells. Importantly, nuclear p62 accumulation induced by compound 7h results in the inhibition of RNF168-mediated chromatin ubiquitination and the degradation of HR-related proteins in regulating the DNA damage response (DDR) process. In in vivo studies, compound 7h completely suppressed tumor growth in the MDA-MB-231 xenograft model at a dose of 15 mg/kg/q.d. Our findings indicate that compound 7h is an autophagic flux inhibitor and induced the degradation of HR-related proteins. Compound 7h could be potentially developed as an anti-cancer therapeutics for TNBC. Compound 7h as an autophahic flux inhibitor showed potent activities against human TNBC cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 with IC 50 values of 8.3 μM, and 6.0 μM, respectively. Compound 7h completely suppressed tumor growth in the MDA-MB-231 xenograft model at a dose of 15 mg/kg/q.d, indicates that compound 7h could be potentially developed as an anticancer drug for the treatment of TNBC. [Display omitted] • Fused benzimidazole-imidazole as autophagic flux inhibitors for treatment of TNBC. • Benzimidazole-imidazole brings accumulation of p62 and leads to DNA damage and disrepair in TNBC cells. • Benzimidazole-imidazole inhibits ubiquitination of RNF168-mediated chromatin. • One compound completely suppressed tumor growth in the MDA-MB-231 xenograft model at a dose of 15 mg/kg/q.d. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-temperature operating chemiresistive gas sensors are attractive for a variety of real-time gas monitoring applications, with benefits such as low power consumption, profitability, and miniaturization of devices. In this regard, we developed a low-temperature operating H 2 gas sensor using solvothermal-processed novel amine-functionalized zinc-based metal-organic framework (Zn-BDC-NH 2) as a detection material. The Zn-BDC-NH 2 structure is consists of the Zn 4 O secondary building units and 2–aminoterephthalate acidic linker that form the 3D frame structure. Prior to sensing studies, various techniques were employed to confirm -NH 2 functionalization and to characterize structure, surface morphology, thermal stability, surface area, and surface chemistry of synthesized Zn-BDC-NH 2 materials. Benefitting from the simple synthesis process and larger surface area (880 m2g-1) with adequate porosity (~13 Å), Zn-BDC-NH 2 has proven to be an excellent chemiresistive sensor for the effective sensing of low concentrations of H 2 at 50 °C. Moreover, the sensor shown significant sensitivity to the detection of lower H 2 concentrations of 1–10 ppm, a response value of 2.93–10 ppm H 2 , and complete recovery characteristics at 50 °C. We discussed the mechanisms for attaining the excellent H 2 sensing. The utilized room temperature solvothermal approach opens up a perspective for synthesizing Zn-BDC-NH 2 material with suitable functionalities and their use in low temperature H 2 sensors. [Display omitted] • A highly effective H 2 gas sensor using a novel Zn-BDC-NH 2 as the detection material was developed. • Solvothermal-processed Zn-BDC-NH 2 features an ultra-high surface area of 880 m2g-1. • Zn-BDC-NH 2 was an excellent sensor for the selective detection of low-concentration H 2 at 50 °C. • Adding -NH 2 groups to Zn-BDC MOFs increased the binding energy for H 2 gas, ultimately improving H 2 adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paleo-relative sea level (paleo-RSL) records in the far-field are essential for constraining models for global sea level change. We compared the early Holocene RSL history on the central east coast of the Yellow Sea with those of Bohai Bay, the northernmost point, and Gunsan Bay, south of the study area. A multi-proxy approach, including lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, combined with radiocarbon and OSL dating, facilitated the generation of 28 sea level index points (SLIPs) using 11 borehole samples. Excavation of basal peat of the 10.3 ka in the study area established that the observed RSL of the transgression in the early Holocene was −14.88 m, which was much shallower than −27.9 m in Gunsan Bay at 9.8 ka and was similar to −17.3 m in Bohai Bay at 9.7 ka. The observed RSL and the prediction curves of the study area were compared with those of other areas. In Gunsan Bay, the early Holocene GIA prediction curves are consistent with those observed, which seems to be the result of a "low setting" of the crust thickness and mantle viscosity. Therefore, it is presumed that the significant difference in the elevations observed between the study area and Gunsan Bay is caused by the levering effect owing to the difference in the tectonic characteristics. Conversely, other observed groups during 7.6–6 ka have a similar slope to the prediction curve of the Early Holocene in the study site, and it is thought that the sediments of the early Holocene were eroded and re-deposited along the channel. These results are of great importance as data of sea level variability in the far field due to glacial collapse and as data for the GIA modeling process. • The RSL in the early Holocene is 13 m shallower than Gunsan on the west coast. • During the 8.2 ka event, the RSL difference between the two sites is 5 m. • GIA models suggest the different costal levering effects between two sites. • Different GIA responses of Gyeonggi Massif and Ockcheon Belt to IESL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamics of trans-/super-critical jet significantly influence system behaviors for applications in spray and combustion, power conversion and chemical reactions. In this study, a pixelated phase-shifting interferometer with high spatial and temporal resolution has been established to investigate the quantitative characteristics of the sub-/trans-/super-critical jets. Thermodynamic features of the jets have been revealed through the transient quantitative field data. Theoretical analysis through experimental results on density and its gradient data has been elaborated. Boundary fractal analysis and radial diffusion process are examined with parameters of mixing layer thickness and spreading rate. The radial distance of the maximum density gradient decreases with time, which indicates jet transition from liquid to supercritical state as approaching the dense core. The fractal dimension of the edge varies from 1.30 to 1.38 for liquid-into-supercritical jet, showing that the initial "liquid" dominated feature and gradually transform process to a supercritical state from the mixing layer. [Display omitted] • pixelated phase-shifting interferometer established for quantification of sub-/trans-/super-critical jets. • Thermodynamic transition features of the trans-/super-critical jets revealed through transient data. • Minimum mixing layer thickness found under large density gradient with supercritical jet breakup. • Solid wall (buffer layer) effect by large density gradient across interface found for liquid-supercritical jet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Model of Cu-loaded 8MR of high SAR LTA built to investigate NO adsorption, conversion and the subsequent O res removal process. • NO adsorption conformations confirmed by adsorption energy, bader charge transfer and PDOS. • Eley-Rideal (E-R) and Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) processes both considered for NO conversion process. • Multiple gaseous reductants (NO, CO, N 2) investigated for O res removal. • Kinetic and thermodynamic data of NO conversion and O res removal obtained and analysed. NO is a principal air pollutant that has received increasing attention due to its harmful impact on the environment and human health. Direct catalytic decomposition of NO to N 2 is a process that carries promising potential with further development of metal-exchanged zeolitic catalysts, while the challenge lies with the thermal durability of the catalysts. Several reports have cited Cu-loaded high silica to aluminium ratio (SAR) Linde Type A (LTA) zeolites to be effective deNOx catalysts with their high catalytic activity and hydrothermal stability, but the detailed mechanisms by which it acts are still poorly understood. In this study, both the Eley-Rideal (E-R) and Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) processes were discussed to elucidate a feasible reaction pathway that allows NO to be directly converted to N 2 O over the loaded-Cu in the eight-member ring (8MR) of the high silica LTA. The results have indicated that the L-H process is the most favourable pathway for the given temperature window (298.15–900 K). In addition, as the oxidation intermediate Cu-O hindered the desired NO conversion, multiple gaseous components (NO, CO, N 2) that frequently existed in the catalytic process were considered for residual O (O res) removal. NO and CO were both determined to be more favourable than N 2 as reductants for the O res removal, in consideration of their kinetic and thermodynamic characters. As a result, the high silica Cu-LTA showed catalytic feasibility in direct NO conversion from mechanistic insights. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solving the increasing contamination from toxic heavy metal ions in wastewater is an imperative issue in photocatalysis research area. In this study, three-dimensional (3D) porous SrTiO 3 microspheres have been fabricated by a sol–gel-templating method using the agarose gel bead containing SrCO 3 granules as the template. The resultant SrTiO 3 microspheres, several tens of micrometers in diameter, exhibit a bimodal pore structure, in which the macropore about 70–150 nm in size stems from SrCO 3 granules and the mesopore about 3 nm is formed via removing the agarose fiber embedded in the composite microspheres. The porous framework of SrTiO 3 microspheres is assembled by regular single-crystalline SrTiO 3 nanocubes with an edge length of 100 ± 10 nm. The highly interconnected porous network renders numerous pathways for the rapid mass transport, strong adsorption of reactants and multi-reflection of incident light. Moreover, the as-prepared SrTiO 3 microspheres exhibit excellent photocatalytic performance for the Cr(VI) reduction under simulated sunlight, which can reduce nearly 100% Cr(VI) at pH 2 within 2 h and retain a relatively high reduction ability after six recycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To determine the diameter of the crown, total crown area, individual cusp area, and occlusal table area in Korean maxillary permanent molars, as well as dental characteristics relevant to the hypocone reduction trait. Materials and methods Subjects included 121 dental school students in Korea (81 men and 40 women). A digital image analysis system was used for measurements and we relied on visual scoring to assign categories of hypocone expression. Results The mean crown dimension was larger in the first molar (M1) than in the second molar (M2). Regarding differences according to gender, the crown diameter, total crown area, and individual cusp area were significantly larger in the men than in the women. The mean occlusal table area ratios were 61% for M1 and 57% for M2, and these ratios increased in proportion to the total crown area. With respect to the hypocone and other features of the maxillary molars, differences between the men and women were more prominent for M1 than for M2. The M2 hypocone tended to be smaller than the M1 hypocone, and hypocone reduction was inversely related to the cusp area of the protocone. The protocone area may be considered a reliable parameter for comparing race and/or gender differences in maxillary molars. Conclusion This study concerning characteristics of the maxillary molar occlusal surface in Koreans provides useful information for comparative studies among human races. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasingly large, high-tonnage containerships are becoming a common sight on the Yangtze River, and the shipping network is being transformed accordingly. This paper reports the design of a hub-and-spoke network for a shipping company that is consistent with the characteristics of the Yangtze River. We first explore the economies of scale for container shipping by applying empirical data. Next, we propose a mixed-integer linear programming model, factoring in ship-operating and container-handling costs. We then conduct a numerical experiment and test the effectiveness of the model, and finally discuss the implications of hub-and-spoke shipping network design. The findings reported herein support the trends toward cargo concentration and port regionalization along the Yangtze River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A noise suppression method for feature frequency extraction that is supplemented with multi-point data fusion was investigated in consideration of issues involving wind turbine vibration signals subject to high noise disturbance. The difficulty of extracting early weak fault features was examined as well. First, a de-noising and feature extraction method that uses EMD-Correlation was developed by adding empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and autocorrelation de-noising to the wavelet package transform under the effects of white noise and short-term disturbance noise in wind turbine vibration signals. Second, an EMD-Correlation analysis model for feature frequency extraction supplemented with multi-point data fusion was established with reference to adaptive resonance theory-2 to highlight the feature frequency of a possible early weak fault. Third, the results obtained with the actual and simulated fault vibration signals of wind turbine bearing faults and the outcomes of comparing the different feature frequency extraction methods show that the proposed method of EMD-Correlation that is supplemented with multi-point data fusion can not only effectively reduce white noise and short-term disturbance noise but can also extract the feature frequency of early weak faults. Finally, prototype hardware and software were developed for a wind turbine condition monitoring system based on the aforementioned fault feature extraction algorithms and tested in an actual wind turbine generation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to further reveal the differences of association between body mass index (BMI) and cancer incidence across populations, genders, and menopausal status, we performed comprehensive meta-analysis with eligible citations. The risk ratio (RR) of incidence at 10 different cancer sites (per 5kg/m(2) increase in BMI) were quantified separately by employing generalized least-squares to estimate trends, and combined by meta-analyses. We observed significantly stronger association between increased BMI and breast cancer incidence in the Asia-Pacific group (RR 1.18:1.11-1.26) than in European-Australian (1.05:1.00-1.09) and North-American group (1.06:1.03-1.08) (meta-regression p<0.05). No association between increased BMI and pancreatic cancer incidence (0.94:0.71-1.24) was shown in the Asia-Pacific group (meta-regression p<0.05), whereas positive associations were found in other two groups. A significantly higher RR in men was found for colorectal cancer in comparison with women (meta-regression p<0.05). Compared with postmenopausal women, premenopausal women displayed significantly higher RR for ovarian cancer (pre- vs. post-=1.10 vs. 1.01, meta-regression p<0.05), but lower RR for breast cancer (pre- vs. post-=0.99 vs. 1.11, meta-regression p<0.0001). Our results indicate that overweight or obesity is a strong risk factor of cancer incidence at several cancer sites. Genders, populations, and menopausal status are important factors effecting the association between obesity and cancer incidence for certain cancer types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose A new antihypertensive drug that selectively blocks angiotensin II receptor type 1, fimasartan, has a potent and rapidly acting antihypertensive effect. We investigated the antihypertensive effects of fimasartan 60 and 120 mg and its safety in comparison to 8 mg of candesartan. Methods This clinical trial is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, active comparator, and parallel group study. Three hundred sixty-two individuals were screened, and 290 patients aged 19 to 75 years with mild to moderate hypertension (diastolic blood pressure [DBP], 90–110 mm Hg) were randomly assigned to 60 to 120 mg/d of fimasartan or 8 mg/d of candesartan after a 2-week placebo run-in period. Treatments were administered for 12 weeks without dosage adjustment. The primary end point was the differences in DBP changes at week 12. Findings After 12 weeks of treatment, DBP and systolic blood pressure (SBP) decreased significantly in all 3 groups. The decrease in DBP at week 12 was larger but not statistically significant in the fimasartan 60 mg compared with the candesartan 8 mg group with a mean (SD) difference of 1.72 (8.32) mm Hg (95% CI, −0.71 to 4.15 mm Hg; P = 0.17). The lower margin of the CI (−0.71 mm Hg) exceeded the noninferiority margin (−3.5 mm Hg). The DBP-lowering effect of fimasartan 120 mg was also nonsignificantly larger than candesartan 8 mg (difference, 1.58 [8.27] mm Hg; P = 0.20). The decrease in SBP was also nonsignificantly larger in the fimasartan 60 mg group compared with the candesartan 8 mg group (difference, 3.50 [12.63] mm Hg; P = .06). The SBP-lowering effect of fimasartan 120 mg was statistically larger than candesartan 8 mg (difference, 4.98 [13.99] mm Hg; P = .02). Response rate (DBP <90 mm Hg or DBP lowering >10 mm Hg at week 12) was also nonsignificantly greater in both fimasartan groups (Fimasartan 60 mg, 81%; fimasartan 120 mg, 72%; candesartan 8 mg, 71%). The safety profile of the fimasartan 60 mg and 120 mg was similar to candesartan 8 mg, with a slightly higher, but statistically not significant, incidence of hepatic enzyme elevation in fimasartan 120 mg. Implications The antihypertensive effect of fimasartan, a newly available angiotensin II receptor type 1 blocker, is comparable, although not superior, to candesartan with a good safety profile. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01135212. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coupling between thermal mass and buoyancy-driven natural ventilation has great potential for passive regulation of indoor thermal environment. The nonlinearity associated with the use of this coupled mode has attracted great attention. Theoretical models have been developed for decoupling indoor air temperature and ventilation flow rate for buildings exposed to harmonically fluctuating external thermal environments. However, the solutions in existing models are implicit and only the main fluctuation frequency of indoor environmental parameters is accounted for. This paper focuses on multi-frequency fluctuation behaviors induced by the coupling between thermal mass and buoyancy-driven natural ventilation. A mathematical approach is undertaken to decouple the indoor air temperature and ventilation flow rate, and explicit solutions are obtained for both the phase shift and fluctuation amplitude of the indoor air temperature and ventilation flow rate at various frequencies. Experiments are performed to validate the theoretical analysis. Both analytical and experimental results show that coupling between thermal mass and buoyancy inside a building can lead to multi-frequency (or anharmonic) fluctuation of natural ventilation. The phase shifts of the high-order indoor air temperature fluctuation terms (with respect to the 1st-order outdoor air temperature fluctuation term) can exceed π / 2 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lesion morphology poorly predicts functional significance of intermediate coronary artery stenosis. The aim of this study was to determine whether a coronary artery-based myocardial segmentation method that quantifies subtended myocardium can improve the diagnostic accuracy of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-derived parameters for detecting ischemia-producing lesions. Coronary computed tomography angiography, IVUS, and fractional flow reserve (FFR) data were analyzed in 101 non-left main lesions (20% to 80% angiographic stenosis). Using the coronary artery-based myocardial segmentation method, total left ventricular myocardial volume (Vtotal), myocardial volume subtended by the stenotic coronary segment (Vsub), and Vratio (the ratio of the Vsub to the Vtotal) were assessed. Both Vsub >30.7 cm(3) and Vratio >25.4% were determinants of FFR ≤0.75 (area under the curve = 0.696 and 0.744). Overall, an IVUS-measured minimum lumen area (IVUS-MLA) ≤2.83 mm(2) predicted FFR ≤0.75 with a sensitivity 88% and specificity 73%. Among lesions with IVUS-MLA ≤2.83 mm(2) and FFR >0.75, 89% showed Vsub <30.7 cm(3). In 50 lesions with Vsub >30.7 cm(3), an IVUS-MLA ≤2.85 mm(2) predicted FFR ≤0.75 with sensitivity 85%, specificity 92%, positive predictive value 92%, and negative predictive value 85%. Conversely, in 51 lesions with a Vsub ≤30.7 cm(3), IVUS-MLA ≤2.67 mm(2) showed sensitivity 100%, specificity 69%, positive predictive value 38%, and negative predictive value 100% for predicting FFR ≤0.75. Body surface area, reference lumen diameter, and vessel area had modest correlations with Vsub. In those lesion subsets, IVUS-MLA ≈2.8 mm(2) accurately predicted an FFR ≤0.75, whereas the clinical relevance of assessing and treating lesions with a smaller myocardial territory may be limited (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT1696006). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We derived the conditions on certain combinations of integrals of the fragmentation functions of pion using HERMES data for the sum of the charged pion multiplicities from semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering (SIDIS) off the deuteron target. In our derivation the nucleon parton distribution functions (PDFs) are assumed to be isospin SU(2) symmetric. Similar conditions have also been obtained for the fragmentation functions (FFs) of kaon by the sum of charged kaon multiplicities as well. We have chosen several FFs to study the impact of those conditions we have derived. Among those FFs, we find that the fragmentation functions produced by the nonlocal chiral-quark model (NL χ QM) constantly satisfy the conditions. Furthermore, the ratios of the strange PDFs S ( x , Q 2 ) and the non-strange PDFs Q ( x , Q 2 ) extracted from the charged pion and kaon multiplicities differ from each other significantly. Finally, we demonstrate that the HERMES pion multiplicity data are unlikely to be compatible with two widely-used PDFs, namely CTEQ6L and leading order NNPDF3.0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the effect of the size of a sheet with sheared protrusions on the deformed shape was investigated. After the forming process, a sheet with sheared protrusions was bent to result in specific curvatures with respect to the size of the plate due to springback. Springback deformation was assumed to be biaxial bending of an orthotropic plate. Resultant material properties of the plate were determined by using finite element analysis with hexahedral mesh coarsening. An analytic model was used to calculate deformed shapes with respect to the size of the plate. The results calculated with the proposed method showed excellent agreement with the measured results. Increasing the length in the transverse direction caused the curvature in the longitudinal direction to converge to the curvature of uniaxial bending. Increasing the length in the longitudinal direction suppressed bending in the transverse direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residual stresses and their optimization in terms of machining and service performance represent both a serious barrier to better materials processing, usage, and an opportunity in terms of surface engineering and life extension. It is therefore that there is a considerable amount of researches on developing predictive models for machining-induced residual stress such as analytical model, computational/numerical model. However, these developed models for residual stress prediction are operational complexity, time-consuming and low prediction efficiency. For the purpose of avoiding the large number of time-consuming experimental work, a hybrid technique combining the finite element method and the statistical model is developed in this paper. On the basis of the simulation residual stress, the exponentially damped cosine function is fitted using a particle swarm optimization method. It was found that values of fitting accuracy R 2 are ranging from 81.7 to 99.2% in peripheral milling of titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V. Sensitivity to cutting speed and feed rate of four key features of the residual stress profile including surface residual stress ( σ r,Sur ), compressive stress peak value ( σ C,ax ) and location ( h r 0 ), response depth ( h ry ) are investigated. The four key features showed the similar sensitivity to cutting speed and feed rate. Performance of σ r,Sur changed from compressive to tensile, while σ C,ax decreased, h r0 and h ry increased with the increase of cutting speed and feed rate. However, the trend was not significant at low feed rate. Using the proposed procedure, the optimum cutting conditions could be obtained to control the residual stress of milling titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V and also other metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead-free (1− x )(K 0.37 Na 0.63 )NbO 3 - x Ca(Sc 0.5 Nb 0.5 )O 3 ( x =0.050, 0.070, 0.090, 0.095 and 0.100) transparent ferroelectric ceramics have been fabricated by pressureless sintering procedure. Transmittance of 0.91(K 0.37 Na 0.63 )NbO 3 -0.09Ca(Sc 0.5 Nb 0.5 )O 3 ceramics sintered in sealed alumina crucible was 15% higher than those sintered unsealed in air. By increasing the content of Ca(Sc 0.5 Nb 0.5 )O 3 , the phase structure of (K 0.37 Na 0.63 )NbO 3 ceramics transformed from orthorhombic to tetragonal symmetry first and then to pseudo cubic symmetry. The 0.91(K 0.37 Na 0.63 )NbO 3 -0.09Ca(Sc 0.5 Nb 0.5 )O 3 ceramics exhibited high density (98%), high transmittance (60%) in the near-IR region and relatively good electrical properties ( ε r =1914, tan δ =0.037, T c =147 °C, P r =6.88 μC/cm 2 , E c =8.49 kV/cm). Meanwhile, the introduction of Ca(Sc 0.5 Nb 0.5 )O 3 induced a composition fluctuation in the (K 0.37 Na 0.63 )NbO 3 lattice and made the ceramics more relaxor-like, which would lead to a further reduction of light scattering. These results demonstrated that 0.91(K 0.37 Na 0.63 )NbO 3 -0.09Ca(Sc 0.5 Nb 0.5 )O 3 could be promising lead-free transparent ferroelectric ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider a single-server retrial queue with constant retrial rate and batch arrivals, in which the unreliable server has the option to take an additional vacation after the first essential vacation. Customers arriving at the system according to a compound Poisson process are served immediately as long as the server is available; otherwise, they enter a retrial orbit and form a single queue. When the orbit becomes empty, the server leaves for the first essential vacation, after which he may either remain idle within the system or take one of J optional vacations. When the server is busy, he is subject to random breakdowns and repairs. It is assumed that the service times, repair times and customer retrial times are arbitrarily distributed. The implementation of the supplementary variable technique makes it possible to derive the probability generating functions of the system size distribution at a random epoch. We also develop a variety of system performance measures as well as two reliability indices. Finally, we deal with the problem of cost optimization and provide a number of numerical examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The skin responds to environmental stressors by coordinated actions of neuropeptides and their receptors. An endogenous peptide for δ-opioid receptor (DOPr), Leu-enkephalin (L-ENK), is expressed in the skin and its expression is altered in pathological conditions. Although the importance of DOPr is rapidly gaining recognition, the molecular mechanisms underlying its effects on wound healing are largely undefined. We show here that L-ENK induced activation of Erk, P90 RSK , and Elk-1 and promoted the disruption of hemidesmosomes and the expression of matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, important processes for wound healing. Treatment with Erk inhibitor blocked activation of P90 RSK and Elk-1 and significantly blunted wound repair. Therefore, our results suggest that activation of Erk and its downstream effectors, P90 RSK and Elk-1, are critical for DOPr-mediated skin homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The earth-to-air heat exchanger (EAHE) is a low-energy device used to improve the thermal condition of buildings, which is filled with the air directed from the outside and surrounded by the soil. The temperatures of both the air and soil are periodically fluctuating, leading to the EAHEs working in a harmonic thermal environment. However, most of the previous theoretical studies investigated the performance of EAHEs by ways of static and steady-state models, paying insufficient attention to the temperature phase shifting and fluctuation attenuation effects. The main purpose of this work is to develop an approach to predict the performance of EAHE subjected to harmonic thermal environments. The harmonic temperature signals transmitted from both the pipe inlet and the ground surface are incorporated in the model by means of the ‘excess fluctuating temperature’. The amplitude dampening and phase-shifting of the EAHE air temperature for both annually and daily fluctuating cycles are derived as explicit expressions. The analytical results are validated against numerical simulations. The model is applied in a hot-summer/cold-winter region. Results indicate that a deep-buried EAHE pipe can reduce the air temperature by 7 °C on a summer day. The maximum cooling or heating capacities occur in spring/summer or autumn/winter transitional seasons. The use of an EAHE pipe can create a 3000-W cooling or heating capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's laptop exports account for more than 70% of global laptop shipments by volume. Laptop is a typical import-and-assembly processing trade product in the machinery and electrical equipment-manufacturing sector and comprises nearly 60% of China's total export value. The laptop sector is also carbon emissions intensive and contributes heavily to China's carbon emissions problem. To study the laptop sector's impact on carbon emissions, we first developed a carbon footprint map for the product across its supply chain, which allowed us to identify the emission contributions of each component and the production process as a whole. Then, using Simapro software and life cycle inventory data derived from the bottom-up life cycle-analysis method, we calculated the carbon footprint of laptop production. The results show that 33.3% of the carbon emissions from the production of export laptops originate from components produced abroad, while 66.7% is derived mainly from components produced domestically. Finally, we discuss the uncertainties in our approach and the trade policy implications of our research results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents work to identify the sound source location within a finite length duct with beamforming methods. Two types of problems were studied in this paper. First, the deconvolution approach for the mapping of acoustic sources (DAMAS) method is applied to minimize the side-lobe effects, and improve the spatial resolution at low frequencies. Second, the beamforming results may deteriorate when the sound frequency is close to the cut-on frequencies. In order to improve the results, an algorithm was developed. To validate the methods, both simulations and experiments were implemented. In the experiments, a synchronized system with forty-eight wall-mounted microphones in a finite length duct was established. The dependence of the azimuthal sound source localization and the planar sound source localization on the measurement frequency was studied. The results indicate that the accuracy of the localization is highly dependent on the number of the spinning modes that are able to propagate in the duct. The localization may fail when the frequency is close to the cut-on frequencies. Significant improvements can be achieved when DAMAS and the improved algorithm are implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical reduction of CO 2 has been studied in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate ([Bmim][CF 3 SO 3 ])/propylene carbonate (PC) solution on Au electrode. The linear sweep voltammetry measurements show that [Bmim][CF 3 SO 3 ] has significant catalytic effect toward CO 2 reduction. In order to study the mechanism of CO 2 reduction in [Bmim][CF 3 SO 3 ]/PC on Au electrode, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is employed. The experiment results show that the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy detected in [Bmim][CF 3 SO 3 ]/PC is different from that detected in tetrabutylammonium trifluoromethanesulfonate ([Bu 4 N][CF 3 SO 3 ])/PC solution. The reasonable explanation is that [Bmim] + is absorbed on the Au electrode, leading to the formation of ionic liquid film. During the CO 2 reduction process, absorbed CO 2 is reduced to CO 2 − radical via single electron transfer. The generated CO 2 − radical interacts with [Bmim] + and inducing the formation of [Bmim-CO 2 ] (ad) . Thus, the activation energy and overpotential of CO 2 reduction are reduced. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy can be used as a methods to investigate the mechanism of CO 2 reduction in non-aqueous solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, the reduced graphene oxide–Fe 3 O 4 (rGO–Fe 3 O 4 ) nanocomposites are synthesized by the simultaneous reduction of graphene oxide (GO) and in situ deposition of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles ( ca. 20 nm) enabled by Fe 2+ ions. The rGO–Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposites integrate the magnetic property of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles and the large specific surface area of rGO nanosheets. Catalase (CAT), as a commonly used enzyme, can be efficiently immobilized on the rGO–Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposites through physical adsorption. The CAT loading capacity is as high as 312.5 ± 12.6 mg g −1 , while the activity recovery of CAT can be high up to nearly 98%. The strong magnetic response of immobilized CAT ensures its easy separation from the reaction system when an external magnetic field is applied. Owing to the hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding interactions between enzyme and the support, the immobilized CAT exhibits zero leaching, desirable stability and excellent reusability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an experimental investigation on heat transfer characteristics of water flowing upward in a 2-m long vertical rifled tube with an hydraulic diameter of 19.1 mm. The experiment was conducted at pressures ranged from 11 to 32 MPa, values of mass flux from 170 to 800 kg m −2 s −1 and heat fluxes up to 600 kW m −2 . The results show that at subcritical pressures, dryout occurs at high vapor qualities and is delayed by decreasing heat flux. The influence of mass flux on the onset of dryout is non-monotonic. Compared to smooth tube, rifled tube can effectively prevent the occurrence of departure from nucleate boiling (DNB). Whereas, at near-critical pressures, the enhancement disappears and DNB even occurs in sub-cooling region. But the peak wall temperature is remarkably reduced. Based on the experimental data, correlations were obtained to predict heat transfer in single-phase, two-phase and post-dryout regions. At supercritical pressures, heat transfer is enhanced within the pseudo-critical region due to drastic variations of thermo-physical properties. Both buoyancy and flow acceleration have little effect on heat transfer. Five heat transfer correlations were evaluated with the experimental data divided into forced convection and mixed convection. The Mokry et al. correlation shows the best performance in predicting heat transfer with forced convection and the Jackson correlation gives the best prediction in mixed convection region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The virtual boundary meshfree Galerkin method (VBMGM) is presented to calculate the single-domain heat conduction with heat source problem. The virtual source function of the virtual boundary and the heat source in the computational domain both are interpolated by the radial basis function interpolation. The equation of the proposed method is obtained by the Galerkin method of the weighted residual methods. Consequently, VBMGM possesses the advantages of Galerkin method, boundary element method and meshfree method. And the numerical meanings of the weighted values in VBMGM, such as the partial derivative the temperature, the heat flux and the heat source expression, are definite. The detailed and specific equation of VBMGM is deducted. The numerical examples, namely the temperatures of the rectangular domain and the square domain, are computed. And the accuracy and the stability of the proposed method for the single-domain heat conduction with heat source problem are validated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]