Search

• Accurately measuring high concentration particle concentration while preventing contamination. • Establishing a functional relationship to describe changes in powder contamination using a fiber optic probe. • Combining microscopic particle contamination patterns with macroscopic particle extinction measurements. Achieving real-time measurements of ultra-fine dry chemical agents (UDCA) is extremely challenging, with their complex composition, high injection concentrations, and susceptibility to contamination. In this study, a high-concentration particulate matter measurement method was proposed based on the extinction principle to reduce the powder contamination effect during calibrations. Through theoretical analysis and experimental verification, a functional relationship was established. Calibration experiments were conducted using sodium bicarbonate (SBA) and potassium bicarbonate (PBA) UDCAs, which are the most representative. The results showed that the measurement ranges of SBA and PBA reached 227.15 g/m3 and 122.55 g/m3, respectively. Compared with the uncorrected calibration method, the maximum indicated errors of SBA and PBA with the powder contamination effect corrected were reduced from 11.25% and 22.68% to 5.98% and 9.21%. This method provides a strategy for measuring high concentration powder, especially for achieving the measurement of UDCA in aircraft engine compartments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heat flow behavior of lithium-ion batteries during normal operation is an important consideration for safety. Yet, there are few studies on this subject. In current work, the heat flow of Li(Ni 1/3 Co 1/3 Mn 1/3)O 2 (NCM) and LiFePO 4 (LFP) batteries during a discharge and charge cycle at different ambient temperatures and discharge rates has been tested for the first time using a high precision isothermal microcalorimeter (TAM IV). The agreement of the measured heat flow over several repeated cycles is excellent, with a spike in heat flow occurring at the end of discharge. Low temperatures have a greater effect on the heat flow of the battery than high temperatures. NCM batteries have greater thermal stability than LFP batteries during heating and cooling, as well as when the discharge rate increases. Meanwhile, the heat flow spike of NCM batteries has a good exponential dependence on temperature and discharge rate. At a certain temperature, a model of the heat flow eigenvalue function, which is only dependent on the discharge rate, is developed. There is a strong correlation between the heat flow behavior and the electrical behavior of LFP and NCM batteries. The research provides a practical basis for the application, monitoring, and optimization of lithium-ion batteries. • In-situ measurements of the heat flow from the battery are analyzed. • Fitted curves for heat flow spikes and fitted equations for heat are given. • Relationship between voltage and heat flow during charge and discharge is given. • Voltage varying with different temperatures during charge/discharge is analyzed. • Main reasons for the capacity degradation of LFP and NCM batteries are analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acupuncture is a widely used asthma therapy, but the benefits remain uncertain. This study aimed to access the effectiveness of acupuncture for treatment of asthma in adults. Five English databases and four Chinese databases were searched from inception to November 2021. Randomised sham/placebo-controlled trials meeting inclusion criteria were included. Risk of bias was evaluated according to the Cochrane Review Handbook, and data analysis was performed in RevMan 5.4.1. Quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) profiler. Sixteen randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included in the meta-analysis. Results indicated that acupuncture was well-tolerated and could improve FEV1% compared with sham/placebo acupuncture [MD 6.11, 95% CI 0.54–11.68, I2 = 93%, number of participants (n) = 603]. Acupuncture also improved Cai's Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) (MD 7.26, 95% CI 5.02–9.50, I2 = 0, n = 358), and reduced the asthma symptom score (SMD −2.73, 95% CI −3.59 to −1.87, I2 = 65%, n = 120). One study showed acupuncture increased the Asthma Control Test (ACT) score (MD 2.00, 95% CI 0.90–3.10, n = 111), and decreased exacerbation frequency (MD −1.00, 95% CI −1.55 to −1.45, n = 111). Other lung function and medication use parameters were not statistically significant. Acupuncture versus sham/placebo control appeared to improve quality of life, FEV1%, symptoms, and asthma control, and reduced exacerbation frequency per year. Further studies with appropriate controls, more participants, and high-quality evidence are needed. • This is the first systematic review focused on acupuncture for adults with asthma compared with sham/placebo acupuncture. • Acupuncture appeared to have improved asthma symptoms, asthma control and exacerbation. • Moderate-quality evidence showed that acupuncture could increase FEV1% and quality of life in adults asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new compounds (1 – 3), euphorimaoid A (1), euphorimaoid B (2), 1 α -hydroxy-3 β -acetoxy-olean-9,12-diene (3), two firstly isolated natural products 3 β -acetyloxy-olean-13(18)-en-12-one (4) and 18,19-epoxyolean-3 β -ol acetate (5), together with 13 known compounds (6 – 18) have been identified from the aerial parts of Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. Structures of compounds 1 – 5 were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configuration of euphorimaoid A (1) was established using single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. All the isolates were evaluated for their inhibition of osteoclastogenesis in BMMs. Among them, compounds 7 and 10 showed significantly inhibition in a concentration-dependent manner. Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we designed and synthesized two "A-π-A" structural small molecules based on N -dimethylaminopropyl-1,8-naphthalimide with π-bridge, namely 4,4'-(thiophene-2,5-diyl)bis(2-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)-1H-benzo[de]isoquinoline-1,3(2H)-dione) (ONTN) and 4,4'-(1,4-phenylene)bis(2-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)-1H-benzo[de]isoquinoline-1,3(2H)-dione) (ONBN), which are used as cathode interfacial materials (CIMs) to systematically reveal the effect of π-bridge of 1,8-naphthalimide-based cathode interlayers for efficient organic solar cells (OSCs). Compared with ONBN, ONTN shows higher decomposition temperature, more red-shift absorption, lower LUMO and higher HOMO energy levels, higher electron mobility and conductivity, and more uniform film morphology. Both molecules exhibit excellent thermal stability and high light transmittance. The OSCs based on ONTN with PBDB-T:ITIC as active layer demonstrate a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.38%, higher than the control device of ONBN (a PCE of 9.04%). It turns out that thiophene π-bridge 1,8-naphthalimide-based ONTN got better performance as CIMs than that of ONBN with benzene π-bridge. [Display omitted] • We synthesize new building block 2-bromo-2-(3-(dimethylamino) propyl)-1H-benzo[de]isoquinoline-1,3(2H)-dione and demonstrate its great potential for constructing cathode interfacial materials using in OSCs. • We find that thiophene π-bridge in ONTN significantly enhances the device efficiency. • We investigate effects of the π-bridge on electronic properties, charge transport, film morphology, and photovoltaic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Acupuncture point injection therapy has been used for respiratory conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and may be an effective adjunct to pharmacotherapy. This review evaluated the efficacy and safety of acupuncture point injection therapy plus pharmacotherapy for COPD. Methods Five English and four Chinese databases were searched from inceptions to May 2015. Studies of acupuncture point injection therapy reporting on clinical outcomes (including lung function, symptom severity, quality of life and exercise capacity) were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration’s risk of bias tool, and data analysed using RevMan 5.2. Results Twelve studies (841 participants) were included. Results from meta-analyses showed the combination of acupuncture point injection therapy plus pharmacotherapy produced better outcomes for lung function during acute exacerbation (FEV 1 L: MD 0.16 L [0.04, 0.28], I 2 = 0%; FVC L: MD 0.29 L [0.14, 0.44], I 2 = 0%) and effective rate for stable COPD and acute exacerbations (RR 1.45 [1.17, 1.79], I 2 = 0% and RR 1.16 [1.07, 1.26], I 2 = 0%, respectively) than pharmacotherapy alone. Higher arterial oxygenation (PaO 2 ) was seen in participants with acute exacerbations who received acupuncture point injection therapy plus pharmacotherapy (MD 7.43 mmHg [3.49, 11.39], I 2 = 93%), although considerable statistical heterogeneity was detected. Conclusions Based on the included studies, there is insufficient information on the safety of acupuncture point injection therapy for COPD. There is some evidence that acupuncture point injection therapy may improve lung function and effective rate in people with COPD, however the conclusions are limited by the small number of included studies and methodological differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glycosyltransferases (UGTs), which are major phase II detoxification enzymes, have been implicated in the glycosylation of lipophilic endobiotics and xenobiotics and thus potentially lead to the evolution of insecticide resistance. In this study, we identified and cloned two putative UGT genes from transcriptome data which are named UGT352A4 and UGT352A5. As demonstrated by qRT-PCR, two UGT genes were over-expressed in the thiamethoxam-resistant (THQR) strain relative to the susceptible (THQS) strain. Moreover, the induction experiment revealed that the expression of the UGT352A5 gene was significantly increased following exposure to thiamethoxam in the THQR strain. Furthermore, the expression of both UGT352A4 and UGT352A5 was downregulated after RNA interference, whereas only the silencing of UGT352A5 resulted in a noticeable increase in the mortality of THQR adults. Our results represent the first line of evidence showing that UGT352A5 might be responsible for conferring thiamethoxam resistance in B. tabaci. The results will be shed new insights for obtaining a better understanding of the role of UGTs in the evolution of insecticide resistance and developing new insect resistance management tactics within the sustainable integrated pest management framework. • Two UGT genes whether function to thiamethoxam resistance were comparative verified. • Over-expressed UGT352A4 does not involve in thiamethoxam resistance in B. tabaci. • Silenced the UGT352A5 increased the sensitivity of B. tabaci to thiamethoxam • UGT352A5 expression level increased with the increasing time of thiamethoxam exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]