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This study employs first-principles calculation to investigate the MoSi 2 N 4 /SiC heterojunction. It aims to determine the structure, electronic, and optical properties of the heterojunction and assess the impact of varying vertical electric fields and biaxial strains on these properties. The results show that the MoSi 2 N 4 /SiC heterojunction is a direct bandgap semiconductor, exhibiting a band gap of 0.31 eV. This heterojunction benefits from a built-in electric field originating from the SiC layer and extending to the MoSi 2 N 4 layer. The optical absorption peaks in the ultraviolet region are significantly more intense than those in MoSi 2 N 4 and SiC monolayers, particularly at a wavelength of 172 nm, where the intensity reaches 1.99 × 106 cm−1. The study also shows that an increasing positive vertical electric field leads to a rising band gap. On the other hand, increasing tensile or compressive strain causes a gradual decline in the band gap. Specifically, at a strain of −8 %, the absorption peak intensity reaches 3.4 × 106 cm−1 at 172 nm, and the absorption spectrum broadens to 722 nm at an 8 % strain. In conclusion, the MoSi 2 N 4 /SiC heterojunction shows promise for enhancing the optical properties of two-dimensional materials and offers valuable insights for the development of efficient new ultraviolet devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a novel three-dimensional semi-rigid steel joint with a channel steel component is proposed, in which the channel steel component is connected to the column flange through a hybrid connection of bolts and welds along the minor axis. The design of the minor axis connection in this study had no weakening effect on the column web, and it was more convenient and easier to attach the additional channel steel component than the additional plates to the column flanges by welding. In order to investigate the static behaviour and seismic performance of the proposed novel three-dimensional semi-rigid steel joint with a channel steel component and to evaluate the interaction between both axes, numerical analyses were conducted systematically. The finite element (FE) models are firstly calibrated against the experimental results in order to get accurate results, and then the rotating characteristics, joint moment capacity, joint stiffness, ductility and energy dissipation capacity of the proposed novel semi-rigid steel joints were analysed under ten loading cases along the major and minor axes. The results indicate that the proposed novel semi-rigid steel joint has good energy dissipation capacity and deformation performance. Loading in the major-axis direction has almost no influence on the ultimate joint moment capacity but has some influence on the initial stiffness, ductility, stiffness degradation and energy dissipation ability of the proposed novel semi-rigid steel joint along the minor axis. In addition, the modified moment-rotation (M - θ) hysteretic model for the proposed novel semi-rigid steel joint is capable of effectively characterising its hysteretic behaviours, which can provide a reference for practical applications. • A novel 3D semi-rigid steel joint with channel steel component is proposed. • It is simpler and easier to attach channel steel component in minor-axis direction. • The novel joint has a good energy dissipation capacity and deformation performance. • Loading in major axis has some influence on the mechanical behaviours in minor axis. • The modified M - θ hysteretic model for the proposed novel joint is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, waste sawdust was functionalized by monosodium glutamate for improving its cationic sorption capacity. The functionalized sawdust (FS) and crude sawdust (CS) were compared for their malachite green (MG) sorption behaviors with a batch system. The effects of various experimental parameters (e.g. initial pH, sorbent dose, dye concentration, contact time, and temperature etc.) were investigated and the sorption kinetic and thermodynamic characteristics were understood. The MG removal ratios on FS and on CS increased with increasing initial pH and came up to the maximum value beyond pH 6 for FS and pH 8 for CS, respectively. The ratio of sorbed MG kept above 95% for 250mg/l of MG solution when 2.0g/l or more of FS was used. The MG removal percentage decreased more on CS than on FS with increasing initial MG concentration. The isothermal data of MG sorbed on FS and on CS followed the Langmuir model. By functionalizing, the sorption capacity (Q m) of sawdust for MG was increased from 85.47 to 196.08mg/g and the sorption equilibrium time of MG was shortened from 23 to 4.5h. The MG sorption processes on FS and on CS followed the pseudo-second-order rate kinetics. The sorptions of MG on FS and on CS were spontaneous and exothermic processes and lower temperatures were favorable for the sorption processes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Inflammation is a biological process closely related to different kinds of diseases, such as cancer and metabolic diseases. Therefore, effective control of the occurrence and development of inflammation is of great significance for disease prevention and control. Recently, 2-substituted indoles have gradually become a research hotspot because of their stability and pharmacological activity. Here we synthesized a series of compound containing 2-substituted indoles and investigated XCR-7a's role in inflammatory response. Our data show that XCR-7a can inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and inflammatory mediator cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Also, XCR-7a has a protective effect on LPS-induced inflammatory response in mice. Mechanically, we found that XCR-7a could inhibit the phosphorylation of c-Fos induced by LPS, which suggested that the protective effect of XCR-7a on inflammation was related to its negative regulation to phosphorylation of c-Fos. Briefly, our results demonstrated that XCR-7a could be expected to be a potential drug for controlling inflammation. XCR-7a had anti-inflammatory activities in vitro and in vivo, and might be a potential therapeutic candidate for LPS-induced sepsis. [Display omitted] • XCR-7a inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines in mouse peritoneal macrophages. • XCR-7a relieves LPS-induced sepsis in mice. • XCR-7a suppresses LPS-induced c-Fos phosphorylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A deterministic Extreme Value Analysis method is of particular importance in an engineering-oriented context. In this paper, three extreme value analysis (EVA) methods, in which annual maxima, monthly maxima or the Peaks-Over-Threshold are fitted into Generalized Extreme Value distribution (GEV) function or Generalized Pareto distribution (GP) function, are used to estimate return values of significant wave height. Sensitivity of return levels on water depth and sampling length is vigorously investigated, based on a 40-year long and high-resolution wave hindcast for the South Yellow Sea (SYS). A spatially-and-temporally varied POT sampling method combined with GP function produces most conservative and confident estimates of return levels for a large return period, but produces wider confidence level than the other two EVA approaches based on GEV function for short return period. In the SYS, the return level estimates are significantly reduced with a longer sample length. However, we find that the reduction is closely related to the long-term trend in extreme wave heights, rather than due to the sampling effect. From deep to shallow waters, spatial inhomogeneity of return levels increases, which should be considered in the engineering practice. • A sophisticated investigation was conducted on the dependence of the return level of extreme wave heights in the SYS to the epistemic and intrinsic factors. • GEV distribution model is more confident in short-term return level estimates, whilst GP distribution model is more confident for long-term return level estimates. • The inter-tidal region although is least sensitive to sampling length for the return level estunates, whilst contains the largest spatial inhomogeneity of extreme wave heights. • A temporal negative long-term trend was found in the return levels of extreme wave height in the SYS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]