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To date, the tunnel lining GHEs have encountered issues with the relatively low heat exchange rate and the rapid decline of heat exchange rate with time. This is because the huge heat accumulation around the tunnel lining GHEs obstructs the heat transfer between the absorber pipe and the surrounding rock during the GHEs operation. Hence, to improve the heat accumulation and enhance heat exchange rate, the two-phase closed thermosyphon (TPCT), an efficient device for long-distance heat transfer, was employed in the tunnel lining GHEs to build a thermally induced channel between absorber pipes and the surrounding rock, accelerating heat transfer between the absorber pipe and surrounding rock. The heat transfer model of the tunnel lining GHEs using TPCTs was built to analyze the thermal performance enhancement mechanism of tunnel lining GHEs using TPCTs for building cooling with different thermal conductivities of primary lining concrete and surrounding rock, and convective heat transfer coefficients (CHTCs) on tunnel internal walls. The results showed that throughout a 90-day operation, TPCTs dramatically boosted the heat injection rate of tunnel lining GHEs from 16.5 to 27.0 W/m2 with an increase of 63.6%. Thermal conductivities of the primary tunnel lining concrete have significant effects on the heat injection rates of the GHEs with TPCTs. The heat injection rates increased from 27.0 to 36.4 W/m2 as thermal conductivities of the concrete increased from 1.85 to 10.7 W/m K, and the enhancement rate ranged from 63.6% to 94.7% when compared to tunnel lining GHEs without TPCTs. The enhancement rate of tunnel lining GHEs with TPCTs decreased with increasing thermal conductivity of surrounding rock and CHTC, reaching up to 122.1% under the thermal conductivity of 1.4 W/m K and CHTC of 0 W/m2 K. Overall, TPCT greatly enhances the heat injection rate of tunnel lining GHEs, implying that it is a promising technology. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is considered to be a microsporidial species of humans and animals in the worldwide. Limited data have been reported on the prevalence and genotypes of E. bieneusi in livestock and wild animals around Qinghai Lake in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau area, which shares water sources, grasslands, and harsh climate with high altitudes. In this study, fecal samples from 110 Tibetan sheep, 128 yaks, 227 wild birds, 96 blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) and 268 Przewalski's gazelle (Procapra przewalskii) around Qinghai Lake were collected, and then tested for E. bieneusi by PCR and sequencing analysis based on the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer. Among them, ten (9.09%) samples from Tibetan sheep, five (3.91%) from yaks, five (2.20%) from wild birds, one (1.04%) from wild blue sheep and two (0.75%) from Przewalski's gazelle were positive for E. bieneusi. Among sheep, there were nine E. bieneusi genotypes, including two known genotypes (BEB6 and J), and seven novel genotypes (named CHS18-CHS24). From yaks, four genotypes were identified, including two known ones (BEB4 and J) and two novel genotypes (named CHN15 and CHN16). While in wild animals, eight genotypes were found, including five different genotypes from wild bids, with three known genotypes (EbpC, J and NCF2), two novel genotypes (named CHWB1 and CHS24), and two genotypes from Przewalski's gazelle, with one known genotype J and one novel genotype CHWPG1, and one novel genotype CHWBS1 from blue sheep. According to the phylogenetic analysis, five isolates belonged to group 1, and the others were clustered into group 2. This study provides unique data on the epidemiological reports and potential risk factors for E. bieneusi in both domesticated livestock and wild animals around Qinghai Lake in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau area; it is important to better understand the molecular epidemiology and zoonotic potential of E. bieneusi in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau area. [Display omitted] • First report on the prevalence and genotypes of E. bieneusi in animals around Qinghai Lake. • New genotypes (CHS18-CHS24 and CHN15-CHN16) of E. bieneusi were discovered in livestock. • New genotypes (CHWB1, CHS24, CHWPG1 and CHWBS1) of E. bieneusi were found in wild animals. • Unique epidemiological data and potential risk factors for E. bieneusi in animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Part II, we present the use and application of the Compliant Building Elements (CBE) method to generate practical designs for different multiple degree-of-freedom (DOF) compliant mechanisms. We first create a compliant mechanism library based on the combination of prismatic beams, which includes commonly used basic elements (BEs), serial elements (SEs), and parallel elements (PEs). Examples are given during the construction of the library. Based on the library and CBE method, we demonstrate the design of a six-axis nanopositioner, a compliant steering mechanism, and a one-dimensional mechanical metamaterial structure. The outcome of each design process yields a flexure topology that meets the design requirements as well as the corresponding parametric stiffness and compliance matrices, from which we can efficiently obtain the kinematic characteristics of the flexure system and optimize the stiffnesses in selected axes. • CBE is a new design methodology to generate practical designs for multiple degree-of-freedom mechanisms. • CBE combines the advantages of screw theory, matrix-based method, and practical experience to synthesize complex flexures. • A compliant mechanism library is provided based on the combination of prismatic beams to facilitate the design process. • We demonstrate the design process of compliant nanopositioners, steering mechanisms, and metamaterial structures via CBE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic pain patients tend to have comorbid depressive symptoms, and empirical data investigating differences related to depressive symptoms classes and opioid misuse are scant. The aim of this study was to identify heterogeneous depressive symptoms trajectories in elderly individuals with chronic pain who take opioids, and investigate the association between depressive symptoms subgroups and opioid misuse. Secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional study. Twelve communities were selected from a city in Shandong Province, China, using multi-stage cluster sampling. Individuals aged ≥60 years with self-reported chronic pain lasting more than one year and who took opioids under prescription were screened. Latent class analysis was used to identify homogeneous depressive symptoms groups within the elderly population with chronic pain. Multinomial logistic regression, and one-way analysis of variance were also performed. The best-fitted model suggested three depressive symptoms subgroups: "Impaired Memory," "Perceived Stress in Life and Work," and "Low Mood." Age, education level, and marital status were depression risk factors. The odds of opioid misuse varied among the depressive symptoms subgroups. These findings may help improve depressive symptoms and chronic pain management by identifying high-risk elderly individuals for early intervention and personalizing treatment according to the depressive symptoms subgroup and severity of opioid misuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of traditional borehole ground heat exchangers (GHEs) is extremely limited in tropical zones because of the performance degradation induced by thermal imbalances over the years. Unlike traditional borehole GHEs, tunnel-lining GHEs have absorber pipes between the primary and secondary linings, allowing tunnel ventilation to aid in ground temperature recovery during off periods. To date, the application potential of tunnel-lining GHEs in tropical zones has rarely been reported. In this study, a coupled heat transfer model for heat pumps and tunnel-lining GHEs was built to investigate the effects of tunnel ventilation on thermal imbalance and analyze the feasibility of tunnel-lining GHEs in tropical zones under different thermal conductivities of the surrounding rocks, annual average temperatures, and wind velocities. The results showed that tunnel-lining GHEs effectively reduce the influence of thermal imbalance. The maximum outlet temperature increase for absorber pipes induced by thermal imbalance was 0.54 °C for ten years under building cooling, implying that no obvious annual performance degradation of tunnel-lining GHEs occurs in the tropics of China. However, not all tropical zones of China are suitable for tunnel-lining GHEs because of their excessively high outlet temperatures ranging from 31.2 °C to 41.4 °C. Hence, parametric design charts were proposed to determine the outlet temperature for a preliminary evaluation of feasibility. Finally, parametric design charts were employed in an actual tunnel-lining GHEs project in a tropical zone. Energy, environmental, and economic performance were analyzed for this project. The electricity usage and CO 2 emission of tunnel-lining GHEs decreased by 24.6% compared to the cooling towers, and the payback period was 5.9 years. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We find that, following the 2008 global financial crisis, there was a rapid increase in overall financial misallocation among enterprises. • The degree of financial misallocation across regions varies considerably, with the western region the largest, followed by the central region and the eastern region the smallest. • Compared to non-advanced manufacturing enterprises, firms in advanced manufacturing industries experience a higher degree of financial misallocation. • Financial misallocation plays mediating roles between government debt or house price and economic growth or employment. This study documents the financial misallocation in China from 2000 to 2022. We find that, following the 2008 global financial crisis, there was a rapid increase in overall financial misallocation among enterprises. The degree of financial misallocation across regions varies considerably, with the western region the largest, followed by the central region and the eastern region the smallest. Compared to non-advanced manufacturing enterprises, firms in advanced manufacturing industries experience a higher degree of financial misallocation. Lastly, we briefly explore the mediating role of financial misallocation at the macroeconomic level. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of financial misallocation in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) model is valuable for investigating myocarditis pathogenesis. M1-type macrophages and CD4+T cells exert key pathogenic effects on EAM initiation and progression. Baicalein (5,6,7-trihydroxyflavone, C 15 H 10 O 5 , BAI), which is derived from the Scutellaria baicalensis root, is a primary bioactive compound with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. BAI exerts good therapeutic effects against various autoimmune diseases; however, its effect in EAM has not been thoroughly researched. This study aimed to explore the possible inhibitory effect of BAI on M1 macrophage polarisation and CD4+T cell differentiation into Th1 cells via modulation of the JAK-STAT1/4 signalling pathway, which reduces the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors, namely, TNF-α and IFN-γ, and consequently inhibits TNF-α- and IFN-γ-triggered apoptosis in cardiomyocytes of the EAM model mice. Flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR), and western blotting were performed to determine whether BAI alleviated M1/Th1-secreted TNF-α- and IFN-γ-induced myocyte death in the EAM model mice through the inhibition of the JAK-STAT1/4 signalling pathway. These results indicate that BAI intervention in mice resulted in mild inflammatory infiltrates. BAI inhibited JAK-STAT1 signalling in macrophages both in vivo and in vitro, which attenuated macrophage polarisation to the M1 type and reduced TNF-α secretion. Additionally, BAI significantly inhibited the differentiation of CD4+ T cells to Th1 cells and IFN-γ secretion both in vivo and in vitro by modulating the JAK-STAT1/4 signalling pathway. This ultimately led to decreased TNF-α and IFN-γ levels in cardiac tissues and reduced myocardial cell apoptosis. This study demonstrates that BAI alleviates M1/Th1-secreted TNF-α- and IFN-γ-induced cardiomyocyte death in EAM mice by inhibiting the JAK-STAT1/4 signalling pathway. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared to metal oxide, owing to the sulfur's lower electronegativity, metal sulfide is a promising catalyst. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2) has been used as a catalyst or co-catalyst in the technology of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation due to its conductivity and rich active sites. In this work, MoS 2 /NiCo 2 S 4 composite was synthesized successfully as an effective catalyst to activate PMS for removal of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH). Catalyst screening indicated the composite with a Mo:Co molar ratio of 0.5:1 (0.5-MoS 2 /NiCo 2 S 4) exhibited the best PMS activation performance. The results showed that 98.3% of TCH (15 mg/L) was removed, and the removal efficiency of total organic carbon (TOC) was 54.5% within 90 min under conditions of an Oxone dosage of 400 mg/L and a catalyst dosage of 300 mg/L. The main active substances were found to be sulfate radicals (SO 4 •−), hydroxyl radicals (•OH), superoxide radicals (O 2 •−) and singlet oxygen (1O 2) in 0.5-MoS 2 /NiCo 2 S 4 /PMS system based on the active species quenching tests and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analyses. A potential activation mechanism for the 0.5-MoS 2 /NiCo 2 S 4 /PMS system was proposed in the following two aspects: one is that molybdenum and sulfur species enhanced the cyclic transformation of Co3+/Co2+ and Ni3+/Ni2+ in the reaction system, and the other is the synergy of Co3+/Co2+, Ni3+/Ni2+ and Mo6+/Mo4+ cycles in the PMS activation. In summary, owing to its high activity and reusability, the 0.5-MoS 2 /NiCo 2 S 4 composite is a promising catalyst for wastewater treatment. [Display omitted] • Novel MoS 2 /NiCo 2 S 4 composite catalyst was prepared for PMS activation. • MoS 2 /NiCo 2 S 4 owned the excellent activity for PMS activation on TCH degradation. • ROSs such as SO 4 •–, •OH, O 2 •– and 1O 2 were produced in MoS 2 /NiCo 2 S 4 /Oxone system. • Synergy between MoS 2 and NiCo 2 S 4 enhanced catalytic degradation of TCH. • The possible catalytic mechanism of MoS 2 /NiCo 2 S 4 in PMS activation was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct seawater electrolysis is the main method of hydrogen energy production in the future. However, due to the competition of anode chlorine evolution and the phenomenon of cathode fouling, direct seawater electrolysis faces great challenges. Alkali treatment of seawater is the treatment method for most work at present, but there is currently no uniform standard for the amount of alkali. Obviously, excessive alkali treatment will increase operating costs. Here, the NiFe LDH material, which is considered to have the best catalytic OER performance, is grown on carbon cloth, and the optimal amount of alkali treatment seawater is explored. By determining the amount of alkali by the amount of precipitation, it can reduce the operating cost of industrial production. It can also prevent the impact of sedimentation on the life of the equipment. We believe that this treatment method will make a great contribution to the future standard seawater pretreatment method. [Display omitted] • The effect of alkaline treatment on the catalyst's performance for OER was revealed. • Economical alkali treatment of seawater reduced the competition of CER during OER. • A reasonable seawater pretreatment method for seawater electrolysis was provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with nonlocal and local diffusive SIR epidemic model with free boundaries including convolution, which is natural extension of reaction diffusion systems with free boundary problems and local diffusions. The existence of unique global solution for this model is considered. Dichotomy of the spreading and vanishing is established. A spreading barrier line is found to determine whether the spreading of disease will fail finally. The spreading of disease will fail when it cannot spread across the spreading barrier line l ∗ , while it will be successful when it transcends over this barrier line. The results show that if the basic reproduction number R 0 < 1 , the spreading of disease will fail eventually, and if R 0 > 1 + d 2 μ 2 + α , the spreading of disease will get success finally. We also find that the spreading coefficients play important role in the spreading achievement. When 1 + β θ μ 1 < R 0 < 1 + d 2 μ 2 + α , the spreading coefficient decides whether the spreading of disease will be successful. It is shown that the spreading will be successful when the spreading coefficient is relatively big, while the spreading will fail if the spreading coefficient is relatively small. • A spreading barrier line is found to determine whether the spreading of disease will fail finally. • The results show that if the basic reproduction number R 0 < 1 , the spreading of disease will fail eventually, and if R 0 > 1 + d 2 μ 2 + α , the spreading of disease will get success finally. • When 1 + β θ μ 1 < R 0 < 1 + d 2 μ 2 + α , the spreading coefficient decides whether the spreading will be successful.It is shown that the spreading will be successful when the spreading coefficient is relatively big, while the spreading will fail if the spreading coefficient is relatively small. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of phenolic substances in sugarcane juice seriously affects the color value of sugar products. Magnetic chitosan (MCS) was prepared using an ionic cross-linking technique, and then was modified with arginine to prepare arginine-modified magnetic chitosan (AMCS) for use as a new sucrose clarifying adsorbent. Gallic acid (GA) is a representative phenolic substance and was used to test the adsorption properties of the prepared AMCS. The adsorption kinetics indicated that the adsorption of GA on AMCS conformed to the pseudo-second-order model, the main adsorption mechanism was chemisorption. The Langmuir equation fit well and with good linearity, and indicated a maximum adsorption capacity of 48.38 mg g−1. The adsorption process was consistent with monolayer adsorption and spontaneous endothermic process. The prepared AMCS exhibited excellent regenerability, and can effectively remove GA in sugarcane juice to improve product safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roll-to-roll (R2R) printing technologies have been widely adopted in a variety of engineering fields, e.g., organic photovoltaics and flexible electronics, owing to the advantages of cost and throughput. Although a minimum feature size of 100 nm has been demonstrated on R2R systems, the layer to layer registration accuracy (i.e., overlay accuracy) still remains as low as tens of microns, which prevents the fabrication of common electronic and functional devices, such as transistors. To realize the full potential of R2R technologies, the registration accuracy must be improved to match the printing resolution, i.e., 100s nm. To address the issue, we have developed a multi-layer R2R system with multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) closed-loop control that achieves submicron level alignment precision for large-scale continuous printing processes. The enabling elements in the multi-layer R2R system include: (1) new vision-based alignment algorithm/method, which provides 100s nm position detection capability based on low-cost cameras; and (2) custom-built five-axis compliant roller positioner. Experimental results show that the compliant roller positioner has a ±1 mm range with 100s nm precision in X, Y, and Z axes respectively. For correcting in-plane web errors, the roller positioner can achieve a range of 1 mm with < 1 μm precision, realizing multi-layer R2R printing with submicron overlay accuracy. Based on the new methods, a gate/source-drain multi-layer electrode structure for field-effect transistors (FETs) has been designed and fabricated on a 4-inch PET web, demonstrating better than 1 μm overlay precision in fabricating flexible electronics on a R2R platform for the first time. • The first demonstration of a multi-layer R2R printing system that achieves better than 1 μm overlay accuracy. • The five-axis roller positioner actively corrects position errors with a precision of ±200 nm and ±2 μrad. • The new alignment solution achieves a large detection range (> 1 mm) with high-resolution (10s nm) based on low-cost cameras. • R2R printing of a multi-layer structure, i.e., FETs, was demonstrated on a 4-inch PET web with < 1 μm overlay precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with a nonlocal reaction–diffusion prey–predator model with free boundary. The spatial–temporal risk index R 0 p (t) which is threshold value, is introduced for this model. The global existence of positive solutions is proved and the long-time behavior of positive solutions is investigated. The sufficient conditions are found for vanishing of predators and the establishment of themselves in new environment. Furthermore, the spreading–vanishing criteria are established. The results show that the predators will vanish finally and not establish themselves if the sizes of habitant and spreading coefficient are relatively small or the initial value of predators is also relatively small with R 0 p (0) < 1 , and the predators will achieve if initial values of predators and preys are relatively big or R 0 p (t 0) > 1 for t 0 > 0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recognition of objects is strongly facilitated when they are presented in the context of other objects (Biederman, 1972). Such contexts facilitate perception and induce expectations of context-congruent objects (Trapp and Bar, 2015). The neural mechanisms underlying these facilitatory effects of context on object processing, however, are not yet fully understood. In the present study, we investigate how context-induced expectations affect subsequent object processing. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging and measured repetition suppression as a proxy for prediction error processing. Participants viewed pairs of alternating or repeated object images which were preceded by context-congruent, context-incongruent or neutral cues. We found a stronger repetition suppression in congruent as compared to incongruent or neutral cues in the object sensitive lateral occipital cortex. Interestingly, this stronger effect was driven by enhanced responses to alternating stimulus pairs in the congruent contexts, rather than by suppressed responses to repeated stimulus pairs, which emphasizes the contribution of surprise-related response enhancement for the context modulation on RS when expectations are violated. In addition, in the congruent condition, we discovered significant functional connectivity between object-responsive and frontal cortical regions, as well as between object-responsive regions and the fusiform gyrus. Our findings indicate that prediction errors, reflected in enhanced brain responses to violated contextual expectations, underlie the facilitating effect of context during object perception. • Context-induced expectations influence object processing as measured by fMRI. • We observed stronger RS in congruent contexts compared to incongruent or neutral cues. • Surprise-related response enhancement contributes to the modulation of context on RS. • Significant functional connectivity between LOC and frontal cortical regions during modulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Sectioning soft tissues, e.g., brain, into thin slices is frequently performed using an oscillating blade microtome; it is generally observed that a combination of normal and shear cutting forces at an appropriate frequency will minimize the material deformation, leading to better sectioning results. To understand and better exploit this phenomenon, we theoretically and experimentally study the cutting mechanism of soft materials using a custom-built oscillating blade microtome. Analytical models are derived to deterministically link the sectioning quality to the cutting parameters, including blade oscillation frequency, amplitude, and sample feed rate. Experiments have been performed on 2% agarose gels to verify the predicted results over a range of operating parameters. Importantly, for the first time the study reveals that the sectioning results given by microtomes can be greatly enhanced when the cutting frequency is above 150 Hz due to the material stiffening effect—a unique trait of viscoelastic materials. The model may be used to predict the optimal cutting parameters for various tissues. As most state-of-the-art microtomes operate below 100 Hz, the results also set the new requirements for the next-generation tissue sectioning and surgical instruments. Highlights • A new parametric model that explains the cutting mechanisms of soft materials using an oscillating blade. • For the first time, the analytical modeldeterministically links the sectioning quality to the cutting parameters. • The sectioning quality will be enhanced at high cutting frequency (> 150 Hz) due to the material stiffening effect. • As all microtomes operate < 100 Hz, the model sets new requirements for future tissue sectioning and surgical instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with a cross-diffusion predator–prey system with prey-taxis incorporating Holling type II functional response under homogeneous Neumann boundary condition. By employing global bifurcation theory, it is obtained that a branch of nonconstant solutions can bifurcate from the positive constant solution whenever the chemotactic is attractive or repulsive. Furthermore, by using perturbation of simple eigenvalues it is found that the bifurcating solutions are locally stable near the bifurcation point under suitable conditions. These results imply that cross-diffusion can create coexistence for the predators and preys under the above special case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]