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The study of Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)-based treatment is still unmet needs topic in recent years, especially focusing on the therapeutic effects of genetically modified BMSCs. IFN-β acts as a critical mediator in the occurrence and progress of prostate cancer. Additionally, its related signal transduction pathways affect malignancies. This study aims to discussion the mechanism of IFN-β-modified BMSCs in impeding the metastatic tropism of prostate cancer. A total of 40 male mice (SPF) with a clean grade were randomized into 4 groups (10 mice per group) as follows: control group, BMSCs group, IFN-β modified BMSCs group and TGF-beta/Smads inhibitor group. The following indicators were investigated: the expression level of IFN-β in IFN-β-modified BMSCs, in vitro metastatic tropism of prostate cancer cells, quantification of TGF-beta and Smads protein, along with the targeting of IFN-β and TGF-beta/Smads. The expression of IFN-β level was significantly increased denoted in the modified BMSCs (1.82±0.42) in comparison with those unmodified BMSCs (P < 0.05). After 48- and 72-hour culture, the proportion of migrating cells in the IFN-β-modified BMSCs group was significantly decreased than those in other groups (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, cells in the TGF-beta/Smads inhibitor group exhibited a significantly weaker tendency to migrate in comparison with those in the control group and BMSCs group, but still showed more migrating cells compared to cells in the IFN-β-modified BMSCs group (P < 0.05). Moreover, a significant reduction of migrated cells was denoted in the BMSCs group after 48- and 72-hour culture in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05). The weakest expression of TGF-beta/Smads proteins was denoted in the IFN-β-modified BMSCs group, followed by the TGF-beta/Smads inhibitor group, BMSCs group and control group (P < 0.05). The TGF-beta/Smads inhibitor group exhibited significantly decreased levels of TGF-beta/Smads proteins in comparison with the control group and BMSCs group (P < 0.05). Moreover, a significant decline of TGF-beta/Smads proteins was denoted in the BMSCs group in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05). The IFN-β gene was incubated separately with wild-type and mutant plasmids in the dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. The results indicated that the expression of IFN-β was stronger in the mutant plasmids (P < 0.05) IFN-β-modified BMSCs can boost the entrance of IFN-β into prostate cancer cells, thereby enhancing their expression of IFN-β, which resulted in the expression impediment of TGF-beta/Smads signals, leading to an inhibited metastatic tropism of prostate cancer cells. Its mechanism was mainly related to the TGF-beta/Smads signal transduction pathway.

In the electromagnetic transient (EMT) and transient stability (TS) hybrid simulation, the entire power system is artificially split into two sub-grids, and sub-grids interact with each other via an interface. Thus interface distortions emerge, including latency and errors. The influence of interface latency is quantitated based on a demo circuit containing delayed interaction. Moreover, the principles of improving hybrid simulation interface accuracy are concluded. Inspired by the principles, a novel interface displacement (ID) and dynamic phasor mapping equivalence (DP-ME) interface scheme is proposed. The scheme makes sub-grids at opposite sides of an interface loosely coupled and avoids interface variable form conversion by applying two techniques. 1) Displacement of the partition interface from the converter buses to the control loops and interior of the EMT sub-grid to utilize the built-in inertias. 2) Construction of the DP-ME model to calculate the injected power from EMT to TS sub-grid. Tests based on designed cases and an actual HVAC/DC power grid give credibility to the proposed ID & DP-ME scheme in comparison with full electromagnetic simulation.

In this study, Al–CuO nanocomposites were fabricated by sol-gel method. As a contrast, the thermite was prepared by physical mixing at the equivalence ratio of 0.5, 1, 2, respectively. The intermediates and samples as prepared were characterized by SEM and XRD. The exothermic properties of the two samples prepared at different equivalence ratios were tested and the reaction products were characterized by XRD. The SEM results show that the sample prepared by the sol-gel method demonstrates a micron-sized agglomerated sphere formed by a mutual wrapping of Al NPs and CuO NPs, and the particles are evenly distributed in the agglomerate. In addition, when the content of Al powder is seriously insufficient, the heat release of the sample prepared by physical mixing is 1.6 times that of by sol-gel method. With the increase of Al powder content, the exothermic properties of Al/CuO NPs prepared by sol-gel method began to increase significantly compared with physical mixing and the difference is 1.5 times when the equivalence ratio increases to 2. It can be concluded that the reason for this result may be attributed to the different mass transfer modes of components due to the different morphologies of samples.

The storage stability of energetic materials is important for its application. Here, the storage stability of Al/CuO nanothermite, which was prepared by electrospray method and stored with different storage time, was systematically researched. The activation energy of Al/CuO nanothermite was calculated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The ignition temperature and the curve pressure history of Al/CuO nanothermite was measured using ignition temperature measuring device and constant-volume pressurization tests, respectively. Further, the thermites were characterized by X-ray Diffractometer (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that the morphology of the thermites did not change significantly. The activation energy was decreased from 254.1 kJ/mol to 181.8 kJ/mol after storage for 13 months. When stored for 0, 7 and 13 months, the peak pressures of Al/CuO nanothermite were 685.8 kPa, 626.3 kPa and 625.5 kPa, respectively. In addition to the ignition temperature, it was 775 °C, 739 °C and 754 °C, respectively. This result indicated that the ignition and combustion properties of Al/CuO nanothermite are obviously reduced when stored for a long time, at room temperature.

The stable carbon and hydrogen isotopes of light crude oils from deep reservoirs of Cambrian-Ordovician strata in Tazhong area of Tarim Basin, NW China were investigated. The δ13C and δD values det...

The control of energy storage and release in micro energy devices is important and challengeable for utilization of energy. In this work, three kinds of micro energy storage devices were fabricated through in situ integrating different aluminum/molybdenum trioxide (Al/MoO3) nanolaminates on a semiconductor bridge. The morphology and composition characterizations confirm that Al layer and MoO3 layer closely contacted with different single thickness, endowing the Al/MoO3 nanolaminates with variable heat release from 466.3 J/g to 613.0 J/g. Meanwhile, these devices demonstrate controllable energy release ability showing the flame durations of 60–600 μs (discharged with 47 μF/50 V) by simply changing the Al and MoO3 accumulate structure in Al/MoO3 nanolaminates. Preliminary reaction mechanism obtained by probing the reaction in argon and vacuum atmosphere suggests that condensed state reaction process was confirmed in these nano multilayered films. This result may yield significant advantages in developing a tailored architecture for micro ignition applications.

Three types of Al/MoO3 energetic semiconductor bridge (ESCB) initiators were prepared by integrating Al/MoO3 reactive multilayer films (RMFs) of different stoichiometric ratios on semiconductor bridges through magnetron sputtering. The stoichiometric ratios of Al:MoO3 were 4:1, 2:1, and 4:3. An experimental investigation for obtaining the electrical explosive characteristics of the ESCBs with different stoichiometric ratios of Al/MoO3 RMFs was carried out under the stimulation of a 47 μF tantalum capacitor discharge. The results reveal a ‘stagflation’ phenomenon in the voltage–current–resistance curves of the ESCBs, which is obvious at low discharge voltages. The critical burst energy and critical burst time decrease with an increase in the MoO3 ratio in RMFs for initiators discharged with identical voltages. Moreover, among the three ESCBs, the one with a stoichiometric ratio of 4:3 exhibits the highest performance with the shortest critical burst time, lowest critical burst energy, and most violent explosion phenomenon. This suggests that the ignition performance of ESCBs can be enhanced by optimising the stoichiometric ratio of Al/MoO3 RMFs.

Hybrid explosive-nanothermite energetic composite is synthesized on silicon substrate by embedding hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL20) with CuO/Al core/shell nanothermite arrays. The CL20 is in situ integrated with CuO/Al through a facile dissolution-recrystallization process utilizing the core/shell array structure. The hybrid energetic composite is characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The heat release characteristics are studied by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis, and the combustion phenomenon is investigated through open burn experiments. It is found that CL20 is recrystallized within the CuO/Al arrays as a linker with a controllable loading amount. The integration of CL20 explosive not only improves the heat release properties with an increased total heat of reaction and an 18.2% decreased activation energy of integrated CL20, but more interestingly, causes an obvious two-step reaction. Each step is rate-limited by CuO decomposition and diffusion of reacting species through alumina, respectively. In addition, the embedded CL20 and CuO/Al nanothermite arrays jointly ensure a violent and stable combustion behavior, which are very promising for practical applications.

Hydrocarbon aromatization involves the cleavage of multiple C–H bonds and the dehydrogenation of aliphatic rings, with a resultant fractionation of stable hydrogen between aromatic hydrocarbons and...

The Mamu Formation source rocks in the Anambra Basin are targets for shale gas reservoir. However, fundamental data on the critical pore structures for assessing the shale reservoir capabilities are lacking. In this study, the source rocks were investigated for their mineralogical compositions and pore structure characteristics by X-ray diffraction, accelerated surface area and porosimetry and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The bulk mineralogy of the samples is dominated by kaolinite and quartz with average percentage composition of 52.0 and 41.5, respectively, suggesting that the rocks are potential candidates for fracking. The total average pore volume and specific surface area in the samples are 0.0421 cm3/g and 22.43 m2/g, respectively. The shale samples show higher amounts of total pore volumes relative to the sub-bituminous coals. No obvious organic pore is observed in the shale samples, but some inherited primary organic matter pores of plant origin exist in the sub-bituminous coals. Therefore, inorganic minerals pores are the major contributors to the pore development in the immature shales. The FE-SEM results reveal that the pore network in the shales is dominated by intraparticle pores and fractures. The observed well-developed fractures within the Mamu shales that may have resulted from tectonic events are capable of positively influencing the petrophysical properties of shales in the basin and by extension assist in shale gas exploration and development in the entire Lower Benue Trough.

Transient instability has become the crux threatening the safety and stability of the multi-infeed HVDC power grid. The dynamic reactive power compensation is one of the methods to solve it. However, the existing schemes of the dynamic reactive power compensation always directly select the installation location on the HVDC converter bus or the primary network bus, without considering dynamic loads in the transient stability problem. In view of the interaction between multiple HVDCs, this paper suggests locating parallel capacitors on the power flow path to block the interaction between HVDCs. Considering the transient characteristics of dynamic loads, this paper proposes a dynamic reactive power compensation scheme, where SVG is installed in the low-voltage heavy-load area to suppress the development of transient instability from the source. Simulation results show that the proposed method can effectively suppress the development of transient stability problems.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the polymorphisms of SLC6A4 gene affect the occurrence of lifelong premature ejaculation (LPE). In this case-control study, Agena MassARRAY was used to genotype SLC6A4 polymorphisms of 91 LPE patients and 362 controls. Then, genetic model and haplotype analysis were utilised to explore the correlation between SLC6A4 polymorphisms and LPE risk. The results showed that allele T, genotype T/T and C/T-T/T of rs9303628 were significantly correlated with a decreased risk of LPE in allele (p = .009), co-dominant (p = .025) and dominant (p = .014) model respectively. Allele T and genotype C/T-T/T of rs2054847 reduced the risk of LPE in co-dominant (p = .015) and dominant (p = .030) models respectively. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between Ars9303628 Crs2054847 haplotype and the decreased the risk of LPE (p = .010). In conclusion, this study firstly proved that the presence of rs9303628 and rs2054847 in SLC6A4 gene was a protective factor for the occurrence of LPE in the Chinese Han population.

Nanothermites composed of nano-fuels and oxidants are attractive energetic materials, which have potential applications in microscale energy-demanding systems. Herein, nano-Al/CuO with nitrocellulose (NC) binder have been bottom-up assembled on semiconductor bridge (SCB) chip by electrospray, from nanoparticles to three-dimensional (3D) deposited structure. The morphological and compositional characterization confirms the constituents in Al/CuO@NC are homogeneously mixed at nano scale and the 3D structure at micro scale is tunable. The as-deposited Al/CuO@NC exhibits excellent energy output and superior chemical reactivity. Specifically, the heat release of Al/CuO@NC (1179.5 J g-1) is higher than that of random mixed Al/CuO (730.9 J g-1). Benefiting from outstanding exothermic properties, the material integrated with SCB initiator chip (Al/CuO@NC-SCB) for potential ignition application was investigated. The Al/CuO@NC-SCB micro energetic initiator can be functioned rapidly (with delay time of 2.8 μs) and exhibits superb ignition performances with violent explosion process, high combustion temperature (4636 °C) and successful ignition of B/KNO3 propellant, in comparison to SCB initiator. The strategy provides promising route to introduce nano reactive particles into various functional energy-demanding systems for potential energetic applications.

There is a dearth of information about the distribution of trace elements in kerogen from shale rocks despite several reports on trace element composition in many shale samples. In this study, trace elements in shale rocks and their residual kerogens were determined by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. The results from this study show redox-sensitive elements relatively concentrated in the kerogens as compared to the shales. This may be primarily due to the adsorption and complexation ability of kerogen, which enables enrichment in Ni, Co, Cu, and Zn. For the rare earth elements (REEs), distinct distribution characteristics were observed for shales dominated by terrigenous minerals and their kerogen counterparts. However, shales with less input of terrigenous minerals showed similar REE distribution patterns to their residual kerogen. It is speculated that the distribution patterns of the REEs in shales and kerogens may be source-related.

Studies of occluded oxygen-bearing compounds inside kerogen are scarce, although such studies are important in understanding early-stage transformation of organic matter. A relatively low-maturity kerogen from the late Permian mudstone of the Lucaogou Formation of the Santanghu Basin, northwestern China, was successively extracted with n-hexane, acetone and dichloromethane to release the adsorbed components, and the extracted kerogen was treated with a mild oxidation reagent H2O2 to release the occluded components. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of the adsorbed and occluded components revealed a suite of oxygen-bearing compounds, including n-alkan-2-ones, n-aldehydes and fatty acid methyl esters. The n-alkan-2-ones were mainly detected in the adsorbed fraction and n-aldehydes in the occluded component. Comparison of the long-chain oxygen-bearing compound distributions and their individual stable carbon isotope characteristics both suggest that the oxygen-bearing compounds released by H2O2 treatment were occluded in the kerogen. The shorter-chain (C15 to C19) occluded n-aldehydes reflected similar isotopic distribution trends to the adsorbed n-alkan-2-ones, and the δ13C values of the mid-length (C21 to C25) occluded n-aldehydes were much closer to the adsorbed n-alkanes. Bacterially mediated methylation and decarbonylation of the n-aldehydes during kerogen formation may be important source(s) of n-alkan-2-ones and n-alkanes, respectively. The mid-chain ketones mainly originated from hydrothermal alteration of n-alkanes after kerogen formation. Uplift of the Lucaogou Formation in the Yuejingou section allowed surface-enhanced aerobic reactions.

Nanothermites are attracting much attention because of the high energy density, self-sustained exothermic reaction, and high combustion temperature. However, they suffer from sintering and incomplete combustion, leading to poor reactivity and low energy utilization efficiency. In order to enhance the energy output and combustion performance of nanothermites, ammonium perchlorate (AP) was introduced into the Al/CuO nanothermites. The nanothermites with varied content of AP were prepared by electrospray. The morphological characterization of the nanothermites confirms that the nanoparticles are homogeneously mixed without agglomeration. Heat release, specific impulse, and peak pressure of gaseous products exhibit remarkable enhancement with increasing AP content. Specifically, the nanothermites with 7.5 wt % AP produce specific impulse and heat energy of ∼2.7 and ∼1.4 times higher than those of Al/CuO-based nanothermites without AP. In addition, the ignition delay time of the nanothermites containing AP is ...

Nanothermites are attracting much attention for energetic applications. However, they suffer from high electrostatic discharge (ESD) sensitivity which makes their handling hazardous. Developing safe yet powerful nanothermites is still a challenge. In this work, nitrocellulose (NC) was adhered to the surface of Al and Bi2O3 nanoparticles by a facile electrospray method aiming to improve the ESD safety and energy output of Al/Bi2O3. The morphological and compositional characterization of Al/Bi2O3@NC confirms the NC-coated structure. Benefiting from the structure, the ESD safety of coated Al/Bi2O3 is improved, for instance, the Al/Bi2O3@NC containing 10 wt% of NC has a ESD ignition threshold to be 81 mJ instead of 1 mJ for the Al/Bi2O3 without NC. On the other hand, tunable energy output is obtained by the addition of NC coating. Specifically, Al/Bi2O3@NC (3 wt%) exhibits remarkably enhancements in pressurization, combustion reaction and heat release, which even outperforms the most widely used primary explosive lead styphnate (LTNR). The enhancements are attributed to the fact that NC serves as a gas-generating agent to prevent the nanoparticles from sintering to larger particles and enables sufficient combustion. These results suggest that the electrospray formation of NC-coated nanothermites is a facile strategy for obtaining novel nanothermites. Keywords: Al/Bi2O3 nanothermites, Energetic materials, Electrospray, Nitrocellulose coating, Electrostatic discharge safety, Energy output

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare histiocytic disorder of unclear etiology, which commonly presented with the enlargement of lymph nodes of the neck and the head. Here, we report an unusual case of 77-year-old male patient presenting with left kidney lesion with several small enlarged lymph nodes around the abdominal aorta. The diagnosis of left kidney cancer was suspected and the patient underwent left laparoscopic exploration and lymph node biopsy. Only saponification of the renal surrounding fat and enlargement of the left renal pedicle and 5 abdominal aortic lymph nodes were found; no kidney cancer was found. Surrenalectomy and lymphadenectomy dissection were then performed and the left kidney was retained. Intraoperative frozen and postoperative pathology indicates Rosai-Dorfman disease. RDD with kidney involvement is uncommon, and its x-ray imaging appearances are atypical, and often resemble kidney cancer leading to kidney loss. A systematic literature review was also performed to investigate the x-ray imaging and treatment features of this disease.

Since gas hydrate was sampled by drilling in the Qilian Mountain permafrost in 2008, to investigate the source of the gas hydrate and the relationship between gas hydrate and the concomitant oil and gas indication (OGI) have become an important research focus. The rocks bearing gas hydrate and OGI from the Middle Jurassic strata in the Qilian Mountain permafrost, Qinghai, Northwest China were extracted by organic solvent and thermally treated (300 °C and 400 °C) in vacuum glass tubes. The hydrocarbons from the extracts and cracked products of the rocks and the stable carbon isotope of the gas hydrocarbons were studied. The results showed that the OGIs can be classified into two types according to different biomarker characteristics. The I-type of OGIs, which suffered from the process of early biodegradation and later-hydrocarbon input and featured high concentrations of 17α(H)-diahopane and αββ-regular steranes, mainly originated from the shallow source rocks of the Middle Jurassic strata, while the II-type one with a series of long-chain alkylnaphthalene may originate from the lower portion of Middle Jurassic or deeper source rocks than the Middle Jurassic strata. The adsorbed gas (300 °C) of the Middle Jurassic rocks was very wet, had a normal carbon isotope sequence, and can be regarded as an organic thermogenic gas derived from Middle Jurassic source rocks. Comparing the adsorbed (300 °C) and cracked (400 °C) gases from the rocks with gases from the gas hydrate and drilling core, we found they had similar stable carbon isotope distributions but different relative contents of methane (C 1 ), ethane (C 2 ), and propane (C 3 ). The Middle Jurassic source rocks are mainly deposited in a freshwater paleo-environment, similar to the parent biomass of the gas hydrate and drilling core gas. The difference of the relative concentrations of C 1 -C 3 may result from different formation processes between the adsorbed and cracked gases and the gas hydrate and drilling core gas. The II-type OGI, which possibly originated from deeper strata than the Middle Jurassic, were closely associated with the gas hydrate under the drilling well and had a similar parent biomass and depositional environment as the gas hydrate, showing they have a closely correlated hydrocarbon origin.

Inspired by the crucial role of the carbon materials in tuning the reactivity of energetic materials, in this paper, nitrated graphene oxide (NGO) was endowed as an additive, and its catalytic effects on Al/CuO nanocomposites were studied. Compared with Al/CuO, the obtained composites showed superior properties in heat of reaction and pressurization rate by introducing a certain amount of NGO as an energetic additive. The results of the T-jump and propagation behavior tests show that the ignition temperature and the propagation velocity of the metastable Al/CuO/NGO composites are tunable due to the special partially crinkled structure of NGO. In addition, benefiting from the high electrical conductivity of the NGO, the composites exhibit better electrostatic discharge safety. Therefore, the NGO additives can be potentially used as a control medium, which can tune the exotherm, ignition, pressurization, combustion performance, and Electrostatic discharge (ESD) safety of nanothermites, and thus may be capable of facilitating the practical applications of nanothermites.