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Digital twins have attracted more and more attention in the past few years. To put digital twins into practice, a large number of modeling approaches have been proposed, vast amounts of data have been collected, and their accuracy has been improving. However, current research has paid insufficient attention to the multi-scale features of the shop floor, which hinders the effective application of the digital twin shop floor. To address the problem of how to achieve effective multi-level and multi-dimensional fusion of digital twin models with production process data, this paper first proposes a structured data modeling framework for sorting out all the production process data collected in real-time; and then proposes a multi-level fusion framework for supporting the fusion of real-time data and twin models from the unit level to the system level. The method judges the parsed received data streams through the full-factor semanticization framework, and at the same time fuses the parsed data streams with the constructed full-factor twin model from multiple dimensions and layers, forming a twin model fusion method with real-time data streams as the blood and twin model as the skeleton. Finally, the micro-assembly-based production shop environment is selected as a case study to verify the correctness and feasibility of the proposed data grooming framework, data, and model fusion method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin‐inspired optical materials that combine both chemical and physical colors provide enhanced information capacity for potential applications in optical multiplexing and anti‐counterfeiting technologies. However, the existing materials suffer from the limitations of an extremely narrow gamut and incompatibility with universal patterning methods to program dual‐mode images. Here, novel two‐chromatic printing technology is proposed to create full‐color, high‐resolution, and geminate patterns by newly designed fluorescent liquid crystal nanocomposites. Such nanocomposites consist of porous cholesteric liquid crystal networks embedded with core–shell CdSe/ZnS quantum dots to produce extended wide color palettes of both photoluminescence and Bragg reflection. The drop‐on‐demand two‐chromatic printing technology simultaneously enables the construction and patterning of the nanocomposites in a high‐precision way, orthogonally tuning the hues of two color palettes according to Grassmann's and Bragg's law. Therefore, the combination of different color generation mechanisms offers a versatile toolbox, which can be generalized to pigmentary, photonic, and even dynamic optical materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical illness survivors frequently experience various degrees of depressive symptoms, which hinder their recovery and return to daily life. However, substantial variability in the prevalence of depressive symptoms has been reported among critical illness survivors. The exact prevalence remains uncertain. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO from inception to August 2023 for observational studies that reported depressive symptoms in adult critical illness survivors. The random-effects model was used to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were conducted to explore potential moderators of heterogeneity. Study quality was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute's tool and the GRADE approach. Fifty-two studies with 24,849 participants met the inclusion criteria. Overall prevalence estimate of depressive symptoms was 21.1% (95% CI, 18.3–24.1%). The prevalence of depressive symptoms remains stable over time. Point prevalence estimates were 21.3% (95% CI, 9.9–35.4%), 19.9% (95% CI, 14.6–25.9%), 18.5% (95% CI, 9.6–29.2%), 21.0% (95% CI, 16.8–25.5%), and 22.6% (95% CI, 14.4–31.8%) at <3, 3, 6, 12, and > 12 months after discharge from intensive care unit (ICU), respectively. Depressive symptoms may impact 1 in 5 adult critically ill patients within 1 year or more following ICU discharge. An influx of rehabilitation service demand is expected, and risk stratification to make optimal clinical decisions is essential. More importantly, to propose measures for the prevention and improvement of depressive symptoms in patients after critical care, given the continuous, dynamic management of ICU patients, including ICU stay, transition to general wards, and post-hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Physiological cardiac hypertrophy occurs in response to exercise and can protect against pathological stress. In contrast, pathological hypertrophy occurs in disease and often precedes heart failure. The cardiac pathways activated in physiological and pathological hypertrophy are largely distinct. Our prior work demonstrated that miR-222 increases in exercised hearts and is required for exercise-induced cardiac hypertrophy and cardiomyogenesis. Here, we sought to define the role of miR-222 in pathological hypertrophy. Methods and results We found that miR-222 also increased in pathological hypertrophy induced by pressure overload. To assess its functional significance in this setting, we generated a miR-222 gain-of-function model through cardiac-specific constitutive transgenic miR-222 expression (TgC-miR-222) and used locked nucleic acid anti-miR specific for miR-222 to inhibit its effects. Both gain- and loss-of-function models manifested normal cardiac structure and function at baseline. However, after transverse aortic constriction (TAC), miR-222 inhibition accelerated the development of pathological hypertrophy, cardiac dysfunction, and heart failure. Conversely, miR-222-overexpressing mice had less pathological hypertrophy after TAC, as well as better cardiac function and survival. We identified p53-up-regulated modulator of apoptosis, a pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member, and the transcription factors, Hmbox1 and nuclear factor of activated T-cells 3, as direct miR-222 targets contributing to its roles in this context. Conclusion While miR-222 is necessary for physiological cardiac growth, it inhibits cardiac growth in response to pressure overload and reduces adverse remodelling and cardiac dysfunction. These findings support the model that physiological and pathological hypertrophy are fundamentally different. Further, they suggest that miR-222 may hold promise as a therapeutic target in pathological cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to affect the mental health of college students in the post-epidemic era. We assessed the status and related factors of college students who are vulnerable to anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted two weeks after the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown, from November 6, 2022, to December 2, 2022, with 1176 valid samples using convenience sampling. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were used to measure levels of anxiety and depression in college students. Factors related to anxiety, depression, and their comorbidity were analyzed using binary logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and their comorbidity were 27.04%, 34.10%, and 25.60%, respectively. There was a higher risk of anxiety, depression, and their comorbidity among those who were currently living in rural areas. Compared with individuals with low monthly living expenses, those with higher monthly living expenses were less prone to anxiety, depression, and their comorbidity. Conclusions: High prevalence of anxiety, depression, and their comorbidity were detected among college students during the COVID-19 lockdown. These were most common among college students who were senior students, had abnormal body mass index (BMI), were rural area residents, did study arts and humanities, were one-child in the family, and had low monthly living expenses and poor academic performance. Intervention practitioners and policymakers should formulate individualized prevention and intervention measures during the COVID-19 lockdown in the post-epidemic and possible future pandemics for college students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate estimation of mineral composition is essential for refined reservoir characterization, thermal conductivity and mechanical determinations of sedimentary rocks, but is extremely challenging in shale units due to the mineralogical complexity, low porosity and ultra‐low permeability. Direct mineral measurements derived from laboratory X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis on core samples and borehole geochemical logging tool (GLT), and conventional geophysical logs from vertical wells penetrating sediments are widely available in some basins, which enables detailed mineralogical characterization of a well. A hybrid machine learning (ML) architecture that improves model training and validation by combining convolutional neural network (CNN) with XGBoost allows accurate description of the mineralogical compositions across a basin. We applied this ML approach to predict the mineral compositions using conventional well logs from the Horn River Basin, northeast British Columbia, Canada, where extensive drilling for shale‐gas and conventional hydrocarbon resources, complemented by high temperature geothermal energy potential is ideal for case testing. The predicted mineral compositions from the ML approach are consistent with the mineralogical readings from the GLT and are confirmed by the XRD mineral measurements. This allows basin‐wide mineral compositions mapping that reveals spatial trends of major mineral compositions and their relationship with the previously recognized geomechanical and geological features, which have important implications for thermal conductivity modeling, reservoir evaluation and extensive geological studies. Key Points: A hybrid machine learning approach is applied to develop log‐mineral models for mineralogy characterization using geophysical well logsThe model‐predicted major mineral compositions are consistent with the mineral data from geochemical logging tool and XRD analysisThe Horn River Group shale is dominated by quartz, clay, and carbonate and shows great variability among the three formations in the basin [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Behavioral lifestyles are important social determinants of health. The impact of changes in living arrangements on behavioral lifestyles is currently under-explored. This study aims to examine the association between living arrangements and health risk behaviors among the Hakka older adults. Methods: Data were extracted from China's Health-Related Quality of Life Survey for Older Adults 2018. Living arrangements were divided into five categories: living alone, living with spouse only, living with child, mixed habitation, and others. Five health risk behaviors, including unhealthy dietary patterns, drinking, smoking, irregular sleep practices, and physical inactivity were measured. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between living arrangements and specific health risk behaviors, and generalized linear models were established to test the association between living arrangements and the number of health risk behaviors. Results: A total of 1,262 Hakka older adults were included in this study. Compared to those living alone, those living with spouse only were less likely to have unhealthy dietary patterns (OR = 0.45, P < 0.05) and drinking (OR = 0.50, P < 0.05), those living with the child were less likely to experience unhealthy dietary patterns (OR = 0.35, P < 0.001), drinking (OR = 0.32, P < 0.001), smoking (OR = 0.49, P < 0.05), and physical inactivity (OR = 0.13, P < 0.01). Moreover, those who were living with child (β = -0.78, P < 0.001) or mixed habitation (β = -0.33, P < 0.05) tended to engage in fewer health risk behaviors than those living alone. Conclusions: This study suggests significant differences in health risk behaviors among the Hakka older adults with different living arrangements. Living with the child could reduce the occurrence of health risk behaviors in the Hakka older adults and thus maintain their health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of the digital twin maturity model, higher requirements are put forward for data collection and transmission. From IoT (Internet of things) to an all-element information network architecture combining IoB (Internet of behavior), IoR (Internet of rule), and IoT, the existing data collection and transmission cannot meet the requirements. In order to achieve high real-time data collection and transmission of all-element data in the digital twin, a digital twin connection module framework for the production shop is proposed. The proposed framework uses the virtual sensor technology to complete the information collection of IoT and establishes the information network system of IoB and IoR. On this basis, a digital twin information collection model is constructed to complete the data integration and finally complete the data transmission. Based on OPC UA, a prototype framework of an all-element digital twin model connection module is developed, through which the construction of the all-element information network of IoT, IoB, and IoR has been completed, and a complete information path can be built. The effectiveness of the framework has been verified through the production line instance data collection and transmission network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an urgent need for homogeneous immunoassays that offer sufficient sensitivity for routine clinical practice. In this study, we have developed a highly sensitive, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based homogeneous immunoassay. Unlike previous FRET-based homogeneous immunoassays, where acceptors were attached to antibody molecules located far from the donor, we employed acceptors to label the entire sandwich-structured immunocomplex, including two antibodies and one antigen. As a result, the FRET signal was amplified by a factor of 10, owing to the reduced distance between the donor and acceptors. We validated our method by quantifying carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and α-fetoprotein (AFP) in PBS buffer and blank plasma. The limits of detection (LOD) for CEA and AFP in both PBS buffer and blank plasma were comparable, reaching sub-femtomolar levels. Furthermore, we successfully quantified CEA and AFP in three human plasma samples, thereby confirming the reliability of our method for clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In contrast to traditional phase-shifting (PS) algorithms, which rely on capturing multiple fringe patterns with different phase shifts, digital PS algorithms provide a competitive alternative to relative phase retrieval, which achieves improved efficiency since only one pattern is required for multiple PS pattern generation. Recent deep learning-based algorithms further enhance the retrieved phase quality of complex surfaces with discontinuity, achieving state-of-the-art performance. However, since much attention has been paid to understanding image intensity mapping, such as supervision via fringe intensity loss, global temporal dependency between patterns is often ignored, which leaves room for further improvement. In this paper, we propose a deep learning model-based digital PS algorithm, termed PSNet. A loss combining both local and global temporal information among the generated fringe patterns has been constructed, which forces the model to learn inter-frame dependency between adjacent patterns, and hence leads to the improved accuracy of PS pattern generation and the associated phase retrieval. Both simulation and real-world experimental results have demonstrated the efficacy and improvement of the proposed algorithm against the state of the art. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, global dynamics of fractional-order discrete maps is analyzed by an extended generalized cell mapping (EGCM) method. Considering the lack of valid global analysis methods, the EGCM method is used to explore the global dynamics for fractional-order discrete maps. Firstly, considering the slowly convergence speed of solution of fractional-order discrete maps, the one-step mapping time of the EGCM method should be sufficient long to guarantee the precision of the results. Secondly, global dynamics of three typical fractional-order discrete maps is analyzed by the EGCM method. The stable and the unstable invariant sets can be obtained by the method. The results confirm their previous results, and furthermore obtain the global dynamics in the interesting region which includes attractors, saddles, basin boundaries and domains of attraction. These indicate that the EGCM method is also valid and efficient for fractional-order discrete maps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-assembled DNA nanospheres, as versatile and ideal vehicles, have offered new opportunities to create intelligent delivery systems for precise bioimaging and cancer therapy, due to their good biostability and cell permeability, large loading capacity, and programmable self–assembly behaviors. DNA nanospheres can be synthesized by the self–assembly of Y–shaped DNA monomers, ultra–long single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), and even metal–DNA coordination. Interestingly, they are size–controllable by varying some parameters including concentration, reaction time, and mixing ratio. This review summarizes the design of DNA nanospheres and their extensive biomedical applications. First, the characteristics of DNA are briefly introduced, and different DNA nanostructures are mentioned. Then, the design of DNA nanospheres is emphasized and classified into three main categories, including Y–shaped DNA unit self-assembly by Watson–Crick base pairing, liquid crystallization and the dense packaging of ultra–long DNA strands generated via rolling circle amplification (RCA), and metal–DNA coordination–driven hybrids. Meanwhile, the advantages and disadvantages of different self–assembled DNA nanospheres are discussed, respectively. Next, the biomedical applications of DNA nanospheres are mainly focused on. Especially, DNA nanospheres serve as promising nanocarriers to deliver functional nucleic acids and drugs for biosensing, bioimaging, and therapeutics. Finally, the current challenges and perspectives for self-assembled DNA nanospheres in the future are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1), also known as redox factor-1 (Ref-1), is a multifunctional protein that exists widely in living organisms. It can specifically recognize and cleave the DNA in apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites in the base excision repair (BER) pathway, as well as regulate the expression of genes to activate some transcription factors. The abnormal expression and disruptions in the biological functions of APE1 are linked to a number of diseases, including inflammation, immunodeficiency, and cancer. Hence, it is extremely desired to monitor the activity of APE1, acquiring a thorough understanding of the healing process of damaged DNA and making clinical diagnoses. Thanks to the advent of DNA nanotechnology, some nanodevices are used to image the activity of APE1 with great sensitivity and simplicity. In this review, we will summarize developments in DNA-nanotechnology-empowered fluorescence imaging in recent years for APE1 activity according to different types of DNA probes, which are classified into linear DNA probes, composite DNA nanomaterials, and three-dimensional (3D) DNA nanostructures. We also highlight the future research directions in the field of APE1 activity imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The smart shop floor is the basic unit to realize intelligent manufacturing. Digital twin (DT) technology is a virtual presentation of the physical world and provides model support for shop floor layout, production scheduling, and production simulation. However, the complex connection and interaction of multiple devices, materials, and information poses a great challenge for the design and production simulation of the smart shop floor, and it is a major difficulty in the application of DT technology to build a multi-scale DT model of shop floor resources to accurately simulate the manufacturing system and guide the actual production process. Inspired by this need, this paper presents a multi-scale, multi-level digital twin modeling method for production resources of shop floor. First, the DT model of production resources is formally represented as four parts: geometric model, physical model, behavioral model, and rule model. Second, for implementing the interaction of different production resources, the connection and interaction mechanism is proposed. Last, taking the DT model of a micro-assembly shop floor as an example, the feasibility of the proposed method is verified, and a prototype system is developed. The implementation of the micro-assembly shop floor application case provides engineers with guidance for building a reliable, reusable DT model of production resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition characterized by a harmful host response to infection with organ dysfunction. Annually about 20 million people are dead owing to sepsis and its mortality rates is as high as 20%. However, no studies have been carried out to investigate sepsis from the system biology point of view, as previous research predominantly focused on individual genes without considering their interactions and associations. Here, we conducted a comprehensive exploration of genome-wide expression alterations in both mRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in sepsis, using six microarray datasets. Co-expression networks were conducted to identify mRNA and lncRNA modules, respectively. Comparing these sepsis modules with normal modules, we observed a homogeneous expression pattern within the mRNA/lncRNA members, with the majority of them displaying consistent expression direction. Moreover, we identified consistent modules across diverse datasets, consisting of 20 common mRNA members and two lncRNAs, namely CHRM3-AS2 and PRKCQ-AS1, which are potential regulators of sepsis. Our results reveal that the up-regulated common mRNAs are mainly involved in the processes of neutrophil mediated immunity, while the down-regulated mRNAs and lncRNAs are significantly overrepresented in T-cell mediated immunity functions. This study sheds light on the co-expression patterns of mRNAs and lncRNAs in sepsis, providing a novel perspective and insight into the sepsis transcriptome, which may facilitate the exploration of candidate therapeutic targets and molecular biomarkers for sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dilute Russell's viper venom time (DRVVT) and Staclot-LA demonstrated that LA was positive. Dear Editor, Acquired factor V inhibitor (AFVI) with lupus anticoagulant (LA) characteristics is an extremely rare coagulopathy disease [[1]]. Moreover, as critical patients can be often complicated with coagulation dysfunction, AFVI should be considered when patients have prolonged PT and APTT that cannot be explained as normal by TT. [Extracted from the article]

Inversion is a fundamental step in magnetotelluric (MT) data routine analysis to retrieve a subsurface geoelectrical model that can be used to inform geological interpretations. To reduce the effect of non-uniqueness and local minimum trapping problems and improve calculation speeds, a data-driven mathematical method with a deep neural network was developed to estimate the subsurface resistivity. In this study, a deep learning (DL) inversion technique using a revised multi-head convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture was investigated for MT data analysis. We created synthetic datasets consisting of 100,000 random samples of resistivity layers to train the network's parameters. The trained model was validated with independent noised datasets, and the predicted results displayed reasonable accuracy and reliability, which demonstrates the potential application of DL inversion for real-world MT data. The trained model was used to analyze MT data collected in the southwestern Athabasca Basin, Canada. The calculated results from the DL method displayed a detailed subsurface resistivity distribution compared to traditional iterative inversion. Since this approach can predict a resistivity model without multiple forward modeling operations after the CNN model is created, this framework is suitable to speed up the computation of multidimensional MT inversion for subsurface resistivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a promising way to produce renewable energy. The solid-state anaerobic digestion (SSAD) with a dry matter content more than 15% in the reactors is seeing its increasing potential in biogas plant deployment. The relevant processes involve multiple of evolving chemical and physical phenomena that are not crucial to conventional liquid-state anaerobic digestion processes (LSAD). A good simulation of SSAD is of great importance to better control and operate the reactors. The modeling of SSAD reactors could be realized either by theoretical or statistical approaches. Both have been studied to a certain extent but are still not sound. This paper introduces the existing mathematical tools for SSAD simulation using theoretical, empirical and advanced statistical approaches and gives a critical review on each type of model. The issues of parameter identifiability, preference of modeling approaches, multiscale simulations, sensibility analysis, particularity of SSAD operations and global lack of knowledge in SSAD media evolution were discussed. The authors call for a stronger collaboration of multidisciplinary research in order to further developing the numeric simulation tools for SSAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, magnetic Gd atom is firstly introduced into the type-I clathrate Eu8Ga16Ge30. A sample with nominal composition Eu6.5Gd1.5Ga16Ge30 was synthesized by combining arc melting (ARC) and melt spinning (MS) techniques. The lattice parameter decreases due to the smaller ionic radius of Gd3+ than that of Eu2+. The sample experiences a paramagnetic to ferromagnetic magnetic transition at about 31.5 K. It is about 3 K lower than that of Eu8Ga16Ge30. Under the applied magnetic field of 3 T, the maximum magnetic entropy change - Δ S M max around TC is 4.8 J/kg·K. This value is much lower than that of the undoped Eu8Ga16Ge30 (6.0 J/kg·K). The reduction of saturation magnetization is mainly responsible for the reduction of magnetic entropy change. The large critical exponent β confirms the inevitability of the decrease of magnetic entropy change. On the other hand, Gd-doping strengthens the small second magnetic transition at low temperature. Coexistence of two magnetic transitions widens the - Δ S M (T) curves and results in large values of refrigerant capacity (RC) and relative cooling power (RCP). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This showed that the sedimentation yields of the GU watershed were similar to those of the TU watershed, even though there was substantially less runoff (19.27% of that in the TU watershed). Due to larger cropland area and lower landscape stability in the GU watershed than that in the TU watershed, the annual sedimentation for the two watersheds was similar, even though the annual runoff in the TU watershed was greater than that in the GU watershed. Keywords: land use/cover change; landscape; runoff; sedimentation; Loess Plateau EN land use/cover change landscape runoff sedimentation Loess Plateau 1688 13 11/17/22 20221101 NES 221101 1. [Extracted from the article]

Nodular fasciitis (NF) has a low incidence, many classification subtypes and large histological variations. We describe a 17-month-old child who presented with a mass in the right cavity of auricular concha that was successfully cured by 2 procedures. In pediatric patients with fibroproliferative lesions, the possibility of NF should be excluded to avoid misdiagnosis and overtreatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As global climate change progresses, soil will experience prolonged periods of both drought and heavy rainfall, leading to a more frequent drought-re-wetting process that may impact the ecosystem's carbon (C) cycle. However, understanding the extent to which different water conditions and wet-dry cycles alter the process of soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization remains limited. Therefore, our study focused on the dammed land unique to the Loess Plateau, silted by check dams constructed for erosion control. We implemented three water gradients-drought (30% WHC), water stress (100% WHC), and wet-dry cycling (30–100%)-indoors to observe the SOC mineralization process five times. We identified a transient excitation effect of the wet-dry cycles on SOC mineralization. Soil mineralization decreased gradually with the alternation of wet-dry cycles. The wet-dry cycles not only significantly impacted the contents of SOC and TN but also stimulated the activities of enzymes related to C and N cycles. As the cycle frequency increased, the utilization of C sources by soil microorganisms gradually decreased, and the dominance of carbohydrates, amines, and acids evolved into a single acid, esters, or alcohols. Phosphatase and Chloroflexi were the main factors influencing SOC mineralization under drought stress, while TN and Ascomycota were the primary factors under water stress. SOC and Gemmatimonadetes were the main limiting factors for SOC mineralization under the wet-dry cycles. Additionally, we quantified the direct and interactive contributions of each factor to SOC mineralization. The direct contributions of drought stress, water stress, and the wet-dry cycles to SOC mineralization were 0.961, 0.736, and 0.942, respectively. This study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying SOC mineralization in the Loess Plateau under changing conditions. • Wet-dry cycles caused simplification of carbon sources utilization by microorganisms. • Wet-dry cycles stimulated C, N related enzymes more strongly than P related enzymes. • The direct contribution to SOC mineralization was higher than interactions. • The biological factors dominated the role in SOC mineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Historical inversion of the formation time of a siltation body produced by erosion; • The siltation body formed by the check dam significantly reduced SOC mineralization; • The direct and interactive effects of factors on SOC mineralization were quantitatively analyzed; • During the 58 years of the check dam operation, the total mineralization and net storage of SOC was 41.56 kg, 1603.16 kg, respectively. The construction of check dams on the Loess Plateau has altered the landscape through the creation of a large erosive siltation volume. Understanding the mechanisms that drive biogeochemical cycling within this unique, high-volume carbon pool is crucial for accurate assessments of global organic carbon dynamics. Understanding the time-scale effects of soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization during the formation of siltation bodies is critical for a mechanistic understanding of these dynamics and for estimating the carbon storage potential of check dams. Through nuclear tracer elements (137Cs, 210Pb) analyze combining with the precipitation data during the operation of the check dam, we analyzed the siltation profiles formed by these dams to determine the year of formation and to classify the silt stages. We also observed SOC mineralization in different siltation stages with an average of 2.83 mg·kg−1·d-1, using field sampling and indoor incubation experiments, while the maximum value appeared in ST-4 (4.64 mg·kg−1·d-1). We found that the SOC mineralization in the initial (ST-1) and mid-term (ST-2) stages decreased, while mineralization in the late (ST-3) and terminal (ST-4) stages first increased before decreasing. In ST-3, mineralization lagged significantly and increased more slowly compared to ST-4 (ST-4: 26.78 % > ST-3: 9.60 %). There were significant differences in the type of carbon source utilized by soil microorganisms, and the degree of utilization gradually increased with siltation stage. The factors limiting SOC mineralization also varied across stages, and we quantified the direct and interactive contributions of each factor to mineralization. The direct effect of factors on SOC mineralization was significantly higher than the interaction between factors at all stages of siltation (ST-4:0.82＞0.17; ST-3:0.94＞0.05; ST-2:0.93＞0.06; ST-1:0.96＞0.04). We also calculated the amount of SOC fixed and released at each stage. During the 58 years the check dam has been operating, 41.56 kg of SOC has been mineralized and 1644.77 kg has been deposited to net 1603.16 kg of net SOC storage. Ultimately, we conclude that siltation bodies formed by check dams can significantly reduce SOC mineralization and play a positive role in the net storage of SOC. Thus, these mechanisms ought to contribute to the creation of a cohesive theory about the SOC pool evolution in check dams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vehicle brake wear particles significantly contribute to urban airborne pollution. Understanding the effect of abrasive fillers on the wear particle characteristics of brake composites is vital in curbing brake wear particle emissions. In this study, we investigated the effects of alumina filler size and crosslinking treatment on the tribology and airborne particle emissions of brake composites. Our findings revealed that the use of larger abrasive fillers effectively reduces < 10 µm particle emissions without compromising tribological performance. Crosslinking the filler minimizes wear but has a limited effect on particle emissions. Mechanistic investigations show a direct correlation between wear-induced airborne particle size and composite surface properties: particle average size aligns with composite surface roughness and is inversely related to its hardness. This study sheds light on strategies to mitigate vehicle brake airborne particle emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel and convenient method for the highly chemoselective synthesis of β-hydroxysulfides mediated by DMSO is reported. This eco-friendly reaction was amenable to a broad range of substrates and provided the desired β-hydroxysulfides in moderate to good yields with high selectivity via radical process. Moreover, several pharmaceutical and bioactive molecules were also suitable substrates for this reaction conditions to afford the targeted products in good yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sandwich‐type electrochemical immunosensor was developed for sensitive detection of Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) in milk and eggs. According to the antigen‐antibody specific binding, Anti‐S. Typhimurium antibody was used to recognize the S. Typhimurium, while the HRP‐Anti‐S. Typhimurium antibody as signal probe was used to catalyze H2O2 with the assistance of thionine. The immunosensor showed wide linear range from 5.6×101 to 5.6×108 CFU/mL and low detection limit of 35 CFU/mL. The immunosensor also exhibited excellent specificity, reproducibility and stability, indicating that it had practicability in quality control of complex food samples and potential in clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the authors discuss a generalization of Lappan's theorem to higher dimensional complex projective space and get the following result: Let f be a holomorphic mapping of Δ into ℙn(ℂ), and let H1, ⋯, Hq be hyperplanes in general position in ℙn(ℂ). Assume that sup { (1 − | z | 2) f ♯ (z) : z ∈ ∪ j = 1 q f − 1 (H j) } < ∞ , if q ≥ 2n2 + 3, then f is normal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The key to promoting the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) model in China's public construction projects is to alter the path dependence of a project owner's choice of project delivery model (PDM). This study uses evolutionary game theory to discuss the mechanism of government incentives as an external motivation to alter path dependence in the PDM. In addition, a cellular automata simulation to examine the influence of various government incentives on the project owner's choice. The results show that the combination of subsidies and penalties can produce the best incentive. Subsidies are more effective at promoting PDM institutional change, whereas penalties are more effective at preventing PDM institutional change from anti-recession effects. Based on our results, we propose that the Chinese government should take active subsidy measures at the initial stage of EPC promotion, and adopt a dynamic incentive strategy of continuously reducing subsidies and increasing penalties according to the improvement of the development degree of EPC model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advancement of urbanisation, the inflow of population in China's large cities has been increasing and the demand for rental housing of "new citizens" with insufficient housing affordability has become increasingly strong. Therefore, the Chinese government proposes to provide government-subsidized rental housing (GSRH) different from public rental housing. At present, the supply mode of public rental housing in China is mainly government construction and operation, which has the problems of low supply efficiency and low service level. It is critical to explore an efficient supply model in the construction of the GSRH system. Therefore, this study, starting from the three supply subjects of government, market, and society, constructs an evolutionary game model and uses agent-based modelling simulation to explore how multisubjects achieve optimal collaboration in the supply process of GSRH. The results are as follows: First, the development of a collaborative supply system includes four stages: noncooperative behaviour, collaborative exploration, collaborative game, and three-subject collaborative supply. Second, the government is the core of realising multisubject coordination. Increasing government supervision will boost market participation, while increasing government subsidies can fully mobilise the enthusiasm of social subjects but cannot continuously improve the market's enthusiasm. Third, increasing the participation ratio of social subjects will help mobilise the enthusiasm of other subjects to participate, while the excessive participation ratio of market subjects may cause an imbalance in the collaborative supply system. This study provides theoretical support for the efficient supply of GSRH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a novel fractional-order discrete map with a sinusoidal function possessing typical nonlinear features, including chaos and bifurcations, is proposed. Firstly, the basic properties involving the stability of the equilibrium points and the symmetry of the map are studied by theoretical analysis. Secondly, the dynamics of the map in commensurate-order and incommensurate-order cases with initial conditions belonging to different basins of attraction is investigated by numerical simulations. The bifurcation types and influential parameters of the map are analyzed via nonlinear tools. Hopf, period-doubling, and symmetry-breaking bifurcations are observed when a parameter or an order is varied. Bifurcation diagrams and maximum Lyapunov exponent spectrums, with both a variation in a system parameter and an order or two orders, are shown in a three-dimensional space. A comparison of the bifurcations in fractional-order and integral-order cases shows that the variation in an order has no effect on the symmetry-breaking bifurcation point. Finally, the heterogeneous hybrid synchronization of the map is realized by designing suitable controllers. It is worth noting that the increase in a derivative order can promote the synchronization speed for the fractional-order discrete map. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forkhead box protein P1 (Foxp1) is a kind of tumor suppressor gene, and the role of Foxp1 in the macrophages of myocardial infarction (MI) has not been studied yet. Here, we verified the role of the transcription factor high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and its target gene Foxp1 in the inflammatory response. In this study, the key genes HMGB1 and Foxp1 in the macrophages of mouse MI model were screened out through single‐cell transcriptome analysis of GSE136088 (GEO database). In vitro experiment indicated that hypoxia induced the inflammatory response in RAW264.7 macrophages, promoted the secretion of inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor α [TNF‐α], interleukin 6 [IL‐6], and IL‐1β) and the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome (NLRP3, ASC, and pro‐caspase‐1). Meanwhile, HMGB1 increased while Foxp1 decreased in hypoxia‐treated RAW264.7 macrophages. HMGB1 bound to the upstream promoter region of Foxp1 as demonstrated by the dual‐luciferase reporter assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and agarose gel electrophoresis. As a transcription factor, HMGB1 regulated Foxp1 expression. The secretion of inflammatory factors and the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome protein were changed when the expression of HMGB1 and Foxp1 was regulated in the hypoxia‐treated RAW264.7 macrophages. This study verified that HMGB1 could aggravate the hypoxia‐treated inflammatory response of macrophages through downregulating Foxp1, which not only provides evidence to support the role of HMGB1/Foxp1 in macrophages but also offers another angle for the treatment of MI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accuracy of robotic surgery has been recognized by many doctors, but traditional robotic surgery requires 4-5 puncture holes in the operating area. With the popularization and application of single port laparoscopic surgery, the aesthetic of abdominal incision of robotic surgery has been challenged. How to use the single-site platform to complete robot operation is a new field worthy of our exploration. Here we introduce a kind of technology innovation of robot-assisted single-site laparoscopic surgery through common robotic equipment and LAGIS single-site port. From November 2018 to March 2019, 20 patients with cervical cancer or endometrial cancer admitted to the minimally invasive gynecological group were included. Single-hole robotic surgery was successfully performed in all 20 patients, with no additional assisted puncture and no conversion to laparotomy. The operation time of patients, intraoperative bleeding volume and hospitalization time were recorded and compared. Besides, the Intraoperative complications were observed and analyzed. By comparison, we can find that the effect of this innovative single-hole robotic surgery is significantly better than that of traditional single-hole laparoscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Check dam interception in the Loess Plateau leads to a buildup of silt-based deep soil reserves. These deep soils tend to be high in organic carbon (C), and could dramatically impact our estimates of terrestrial C storage. Despite a growing interest in the terrestrial C cycle, little work has focused on deep soil organic carbon (SOC) pools. In this study, we observed how soil depth and consequential oxygen concentration may influence the way in which microorganisms act on the SOC mineralization process. We found that the change from aerobic to anaerobic environment led to a decrease in cumulative mineralization from 1.37 mg to 1.06 mg and a significant decrease in mineralization rate, which had a limiting effect on SOC mineralization. The reduction of oxygen concentration (approximating depth) also led to changes in the dominant population of bacteria/fungi. Microorganisms with higher C metabolism capacity in aerobic conditions had higher utilization of C sources than that in anaerobic conditions, and vice versa. The limiting factors affecting the amount of SOC mineralization in aerobic soil were carbohydrate, Rokubacteria and Mortierellomycota , and that in anaerobic soil were Amino acid, Mortierellomycota and Ascomycota. Microorganisms with high C metabolism in anaerobic conditions have a weaker metabolism in aerobic conditions, and vice versa. We further quantified the direct and interactive contribution of each factor to SOC mineralization and found that when the soil was aerobic, the contribution of single factor to SOC mineralization was significantly lower (0.32) than the interactions (0.65). Conversely, when the soil was anaerobic, the contribution of single factor to SOC mineralization was much higher (0.76) than the interactions (0.20). When the soil is in anaerobic condition for a long time, the contribution of single factor will gradually increase and the interactions among factors will gradually weaken, further limiting SOC mineralization. In this study, the mechanism of SOC mineralization based on microbial activity in anaerobic and aerobic environment of check dam was reported for the first time, providing theoretical support for understanding the contribution of check dam construction to SOC pool on the Loess Plateau. • Reduced oxygen supply alters the predominant fungal/bacterial community in the soil of the check dam. • Microorganisms under aerobic conditions use more carbon than that under anaerobic conditions. • The change of aerobic to anaerobic environment has a limiting effect on SOC mineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aeromagnetic noise compensation is a vital part of aerial survey measurement, and its compensation effect directly determines the quality of aeromagnetic survey data. At present, the commonly used compensation model is the T-L model, and the least squares method is used to solve for the coefficients. However, the noise source modeled in the T-L model is incomplete. Since the tail boom cannot be completely rigid, tail-boom swing is an unavoidable problem in aeromagnetic measurement. This kind of swing is the most obvious when the aircraft is maneuvering, and it will significantly interfere with the measurement data of the sensor. In this article, two causes of the swing noise are analyzed, and the nonlinear relationship between the swing displacement and the noise is derived. Since it is difficult to express the nonlinear relationship with mathematical forms to compensate for the aeromagnetic data, we propose a new compensation method that uses a 1-D convolutional neural network to perform secondary compensation on the data already compensated by the T-L model in order to remove the effect of tail-boom swing. The flight experiment data show that the proposed method can significantly improve the quality of aeromagnetic data. Compared with the T-L method, the improve ratio is increased by 60%–100%. It shows that the proposed method has a remarkable compensation effect for aeromagnetic noise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, residents in rural areas of Guanzhong Plain used to burn bulk coal for cooking and space heating, creating serious environmental challenges. With the stable development of rural economy in China, more and more rural residents have begun to adopt clean and green energy consumption mode, starting from suburban rural areas. Therefore, the energy consumption behaviors of residents in suburban rural areas exhibit the dual characteristics of urban and rural energy consumption. This study conducted an on-site survey of energy consumption behaviors of residents and their influencing factors in typical suburban rural areas in the Guanzhong Plain. A total of 554 valid questionnaires were obtained in this investigation, which were used to assess the behaviors and habits of local residents with respect to different energy consumption activities, such as cooking, space cooling/heating, laundry, etc. The results showed that the energy consumption behaviors of residents in investigated suburban rural areas were different from either traditional Chinese rural areas or typical Chinese urban areas, in terms of energy type and usage habits. The two most significant household characteristics affecting energy consumption behavior are income level and family structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuously high housing prices in large and medium-sized cities in China indicate that the urban housing provision system (HPS) has some drawbacks. One reason is that the housing rental market has long been ignored by authorities. In this paper, we divided the development process of HPSs into five stages from the view of housing purchases and rentals. Then, we analyzed the possible housing demand change of citizens based on changed migration distribution, demographic trends, and housing affordability. Subsequently, we established a distance coordination model to determine the coordination level between the housing purchase market and the housing rental market and found that the western region in China has the highest degree of coordinated development, followed by the eastern region, and the central region has the lowest. Finally, we proposed six preliminary strategies to optimize the HPS in the new era, and they can be summarized as (i) realizing virtuous interactions between the policies of the central government and the local government on two housing markets, (ii) reducing the development gap between the housing purchase market and the housing rental market, and (iii) establishing a Housing with Joint Property Rights system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly-tetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a well-known solid lubricant, but its poor wear resistance limits its tribological applications. Certain carbonaceous fillers reduce PTFE wear rate by up to 4000-fold with no sacrifice of the friction coefficient; whereas the responsible mechanisms remain unclear. We systematically studied the effects of three graphene fillers with different aggregate strengths (graphene nanoplates, few-layer graphene and single-layer graphene) on the wear resistance of graphene-PTFE composites. The results found (1) graphene of weak aggregate strength outperform that of strong aggregate strength by 100 times in wear reduction, (2) strong correlations between wear rate, tribofilm carboxylate signal intensity and filler-matrix area per unit composite mass. The carboxylate signals likely correspond to chemical bonding between mechanochemically degraded PTFE, graphene and the steel counterface within highly crosslinked and adherent transfer films and worn polymer surfaces. Results in this study support two independent (primary versus secondary) wear reduction hypotheses in literature which were further backed by DFT simulations of filler-matrix interactions, TEM/EDS analysis of wear debris, SEM/EDS images of the polymer surfaces, and environmental test results in a dry argon (Ar) atmosphere. The results of this paper are also of instructive value for the development of solid lubricants with highly controllable wear characteristics. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring ctDNA in blood is important for cancer management. Here, a one-step single particle counting approach was developed for directly quantifying ctDNA in plasma. Hairpin DNA containing a triple helix stem was immobilized onto QD 585 as a probe. The hairpin was opened by the target, and therefore hybridized with assistant DNA on QD 655, resulting in an aggregate of QD 585 and QD 655. The two-color QD aggregate was regarded as the target. Observed under a single particle transmission grating-based spectral microscope, the two-color QD aggregate was distinguished by a unique spectral pattern of two first-order streaks, and it was counted. The difference in the responses of the probes to perfect-match DNA, single-base mismatch DNA, and non-match DNA indicated that the probe had sufficient single-base discrimination capabilities. The success in plasma recovery tests demonstrated the feasibility of carrying out the direct detection of ctDNA in plasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing demand for building information modeling (BIM) data and ubiquitous applications make it increasingly necessary to establish a reliable way to share the models on lightweight devices. Building scenes have strong occlusion features and the building exterior plays an important role in digital devices with limited computational resources. This allows the possibility to reduce the resource consumption while roaming in outdoor scenes by culling away the interior building data. This article addresses the task of automatic annotation of BIM building exterior via voxel index analysis. We showcase the research of using industry foundation classes (IFC) and other mainstream formats as our input data and proposed an automatic algorithm for annotating the building exterior. Afterward, a practical and accurate voxel index analysis procedure is designed for frequently flawed models. The annotation can be added directly into the original data file under the same IFC standard, avoiding the complex procedure and information loss in semantics mapping between different standards. The final examinations show the robustness of our algorithm and the capability of handling large BIM building models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spectral line confocal imaging (LCI) technology enables high-resolution, rapid 3D surface morphology analysis of transparent materials and other samples, positioning it as a leading optical measurement tool. Nevertheless, where the sensor measures samples with significant variations in surface reflectance, the peak signals of the acquired images exhibit low signal-to-noise ratios or become distorted, hampering the peak extraction algorithm from accurately locating their peak positions. Consequently, it's arduous to reconstruct their precise surface topography. To enhance the sensor's dynamic measurement range and adaptability, this paper introduces an adaptive correction approach. It utilizes a regularized non-negative matrix to decompose images with various grey levels. This is followed by weighted frequency filtering and Gaussian enhancement of all the grey layers. Eventually, these layers are fused into one image with high contrast and uniformity. Using this approach, the sensor is capable of achieving precise 3D reconstruction with high-quality peak signals. Additionally, this study experimentally demonstrates the efficacy of the suggested approach by measuring the interdigital electrode and printed circuit boards (PCB). It should be noted that the technique presented in this paper is not limited to spectral line confocal instruments and is also effective for line laser and line structured light instruments. • A spectral line confocal system for high-speed 3D surface topography measurements was developed and built in-house. • A proposed adaptive signal correction algorithm to address the problem of reflectance difference surface measurement. • Enhances the dynamic measurement range and adaptability of the instrument. • The method is both simple and effective, as it requires only a single measurement followed by processing single image. • The method is also applicable to line laser and line structured light instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodeformable liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) are a typical representative of shape‐changing systems capable of remotely converting light energy into mechanical actuation. Such smart polymeric materials combining the features of polymers and liquid crystals (LCs) are envisioned to bring new functionality and drive innovation in the fields of soft robotics, solar‐energy harvesting, and microfluidics. The photodeformable LCPs and their soft actuators fueled by light from ultraviolet to near infrared, including basic actuation as well as the primary mechanisms are focused on. The complex actuation is also highlighted with emphasis on the designed LC alignment, such as splayed, twisted, out‐plane, and patterned, which bridges the gap between the shape change and practical applications. Special attention is devoted to the progress of light‐fueled soft actuators, which are classified into different categories and comprehensively summarized in the aspects of materials, alignment, mechanisms, and light stimuli. An outlook on future challenges and limitations in the light‐fueled soft actuators are discussed at the end of this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effects of four stabilization techniques (vibrated fluidized bed, oven, microwave, and extrusion) on the characteristics and stability of wheat germ and its oil were evaluated. The results showed that all methods were highly effective in inactivating lipoxygenase activity, although significant differences were observed in their ability to inactivate lipase activity. Among the techniques, extrusion was found to be the most effective, reducing residual lipase and lipoxygenase activity to less than 5% of that of fresh wheat germ. Acid value remained stable in the stabilized samples after 6 weeks of storage at 37 °C. However, the extrusion, oven, and microwave-treated samples showed rapid oxidation and/or significant losses of tocopherols (84.9%, 99.6%, and 33.9%, respectively). In contrast, wheat germ treated with the vibrated fluidized bed technique exhibited the best lipid stability, attributed to the suitable a w and few structural changes. Consequently, vibrated fluidized bed technique is recommended as the most suitable method for stabilizing wheat germ and producing high-quality wheat germ oil. • Four stabilization techniques for wheat germ were evaluated. • Acid value of stabilized wheat germ oil all kept stable during accerlarated test. • Vibrated fluidized bed treated wheat germ showed the best lipid stability. • The stability mechanism may be due to the suitable a w and few structural changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mollugin (MLG) inhibits LPS or TNF-α-induced inflammation in vitro. • MLG blocks NF-κB/MAPKs signaling, activates Nrf2 pathway. • MLG interacts with Keap1 and TAK1 via non-covalent binding. • MLG inhibits CLP-induced sepsis in mice. Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction associated with macrophage overactivation. Targeted therapy against macrophages is considered a promising strategy for sepsis treatment. Mollugin (MLG), a compound extracted from traditional Chinese medicine Rubia cordifolia L. , possesses anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activities. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of MLG in macrophages and its therapeutic role in CLP-induced sepsis in mice. The results demonstrated that MLG downregulated the inflammatory response induced by LPS or tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in macrophages. Mechanistically, MLG suppressed the phosphorylation of TAK1, the upstream modulator of IKKα/β and MAPKs, thereby inhibiting the pro-inflammatory signaling transduction of NF-κB and MAPKs. Additionally, MLG also activated the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway, reducing intracellular reactive oxygen species. CETSA and molecular docking analyses revealed that MLG could effectively bind to TAK1 and Keap1, which may be involved in the inhibition of TAK1- NF-κB/MAPKs and activation of Nrf2 mediated by MLG. Animal study demonstrated that MLG ameliorated inflammatory injury of lung and liver in CLP-induced sepsis mice probably by reducing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, our study suggests that bi-directional roles of MLG in improving sepsis via blocking the TAK1-NF-κB/MAPKs and activating Nrf2 pathways, indicating its potential as a promising candidate drug for sepsis treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recycling spent lithium-ion batteries is a significant way to achieve life-cycle management and a green circular economy, helping to achieve carbon neutrality. The form of battery pack disassembly has gradually moved away from manual manipulation to a human–robot collaborative process. However, there is no established methodology for assessing spent lithium-ion battery disassembly between the environmental benefits, technical feasibility, and economic viability of human–robot collaborative disassembly (HRCD). To ensure the efficiency and security of HRCD processes, this paper develops a resilience assessment model for HRCD using stability, redundancy, efficiency and adaptation metrics. The resilience assessment theory is used to obtain the internal relations among the resilience indicators of the system. In this work, we evaluate the resilience of HRCD for lithium-ion battery disassembly by integrating fuzzy Bayesian fusion with an analytical network process unfolding cloud. The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt driver demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach, which allows greater flexibility in complex tasks performed by humans and robots. In case study, the weights values of stability, redundancy, efficiency and adaptability are 0.340533, 0.161384, 0.203835 and 0.294248, respectively. IR2&HO1 and IR3&HO2 have an assessment value of 93 and 95, respectively, with eigenvalues of 1.28 and 1.23, which are level I. RI3&HO1 and RI4&HO3 belong to level IV, with an evaluation value of 38 and 45, respectively, and a characteristic value of 2.27 and 2.55, respectively. The integrated methodology proposed in this paper could be effectively used by disassembly management, to evaluate the HRCD disassembly scheme resilient strategies for better managing production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Hygienization of animal by-products prior to biogas production is mandatory in EU. • Pulsed electric field (PEF) is proposed as an alternative hygienization technology. • Ent. faecalis and E. coli reduction kinetics by continuous PEF process are studied. • Synergistic effect of PEF and ohmic heating can reduce 5 log10 of Ent. faecalis. • PEF treatment with ohmic heating at 25 kV∙cm−1 is the most efficient. Thermal hygienization of waste animal by-products (ABP) before anaerobic digestion is imposed by EU regulations in order to minimize its sanitary risk during digestate land application. This process is energy and time consuming. The present paper deals with the hygienization of ABP using pulsed electric field (PEF) in a continuous system. Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 19433 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 were tested as indicator bacteria characterizing the microbial inactivation efficiency. Four electric field strengths (15, 20, 25 and 30 kV∙cm−1) were applied to the continuous treatment chamber where circulated the ABP suspension. Synergistic effect of PEF and ohmic heating (T ave = 41 °C) and single effect of PEF (T ave = 28 °C) on bacterial inactivation were investigated. With the effect of ohmic heating, PEF treatment at 25 and 30 kV∙cm−1 for 0.9 ms could obtain 5-log10 reduction of Ent. faecalis. This efficiency complies with the EU criteria to validate an alternative hygienization process. The time estimated by Weibull model for 5-log10 reduction of both indicator bacteria (5-D value) was significantly reduced by 2–24.5 times when the synergistic effect of PEF and ohmic heating was present. The increase in electric field strength from 25 kV∙cm−1 to 30 kV∙cm−1 did not amount to a further inactivation. PEF process coupling ohmic heating at 25 kV∙cm−1 was the most efficient for ABP hygienization among the four electric field strengths studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The addition of 0.2–5% nanoscale (40–80 nm) α-phase or microscale (40 μm) γ-phase Al2O3 particles in PTFE effectively reduce the matrix wear rate by 99.99%, whereas microscale (> 0.5 μm) α-Al2O3 or nanoscale (40–80 nm) γ-Al2O3 only reduce PTFE wear by ~ 90% under identical loading, dispersion and testing conditions. This paradoxical material system best illustrates the complexity of tribology and the importance of filler–matrix interactions at small scales. We studied the independent effect of the Al2O3/PTFE interface area and alumina structure by systematically varying the particle size over two orders of magnitude for both α- and γ-Al2O3/PTFE composites. Detailed characterizations of filler size, surface area and tribofilm’s chemical composition were conducted. The results found: (1) DLS median particle sizes conformed reasonably to vendor reported values and percentages of microscale filler aggregates correlated weakly with wear rates, (2) electron microscopy of the as-worn composite surface suggested a strong relation between the characteristic size of ‘unreinforced’ polymer domain and composite wear rate, (3) third bodies (i.e., transfer films, debris) played an important role in counterface abrasion, (4) wear rate correlated strongly with filler’s specific surface area and ultralow wear was only maintained ~ 0.3–10 m2/g nominal specific filler–matrix area values, (5) ultralow wear coincided with perfluorinated carboxylic salt rich tribofilms which supported a previously proposed wear reduction mechanism that mechanochemically degraded PTFE chelate with alumina and cause crosslinked and wear-resistant tribofilms, (6) tribofilm Al-F bond signal increased with filler surface area and high wear coincided with excessive tribofilm Al-F signal for γ-Al2O3/PTFE systems. Based on these results and literature hypothesis, we proposed that (1) the 1 μm α-Al2O3 provided the least filler–matrix interface and largest unreinforced polymer domain in PTFE, which lead to the least crosslinked and compartmentalized tribofilms; (2) in γ-alumina filled composites, Al-F bond forms as a product of mechanochemically degraded PTFE but also blocks chelation between the degraded PTFE and alumina fillers, (3) the 20 nm γ-Al2O3 provided the most filler–matrix interface which leads to excessive aluminum fluoride that blocked the filler–matrix chelation, prevented the tribofilm crosslinking and lead to high wear rates. This hypothesis was additionally supported by small molecule experiments in this study. However, this study provides no direct insight into how sensitive the filler–matrix tribochemical interaction is to filler phase or aggregate strength (strong, weak or fully dense). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy consumption monitoring technology plays a very important role in the realization of intelligent building energy saving, but it is not accepted widely in China. The main reasons for this are the low public energy-saving awareness and incomplete informational policy instruments; thus, studying how informational policy instruments affect the adoption of energy consumption monitoring technology and the impact of energy-saving awareness is of great significance to the widespread acceptance of energy consumption monitoring technology and its role in the realization of intelligent building energy saving. This paper introduces informational policy instruments and energy-saving awareness into technology acceptance model and builds an extended technology acceptance model. A questionnaire survey of 298 respondents who related to the operation and management of public buildings was used to explore the effect mechanism of informational policy instruments on adopting energy consumption monitoring technology. The results show that (1) informational policy instruments have no direct impact on the acceptance of energy consumption monitoring technology (2) and energy-saving awareness, attitudes, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use can mediate the relationship between informational policy instruments and behavioral intention of adopting energy consumption monitoring technology, namely, informational policy instruments can affect behavioral intention through six paths which are informational policy instruments ➔ energy-saving awareness ➔ behavioral intention, informational policy instruments ➔ energy-saving awareness ➔ attitudes ➔ behavioral intention, informational policy instruments ➔ attitudes ➔ behavioral intention, informational policy instruments ➔ perceived ease of use ➔ behavioral intention, informational policy instruments ➔ perceived ease of use ➔ perceived usefulness ➔ behavioral intention, informational policy instruments ➔ perceived usefulness ➔ behavioral intention. Finally, relevant policies and suggestions are put forward based on the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultra-compact electric vehicles have excellent environmental performance and are extremely convenient for short-distance travel. However, owing to cabin space limitations, it is difficult to mount power steering. Therefore, there is a need to increase the gear ratio of the rack and pinion to change steering angle because such vehicles need light torque to steer. However, increasing the gear ratio requires more rotations of the steering wheel. Our research group focused on developing a steer-by-wire system (SBWS) that freely controls the steering torque. Although we evaluated the burden when a driver rotates the steering wheel in one direction in a previous study. This study assumed the actual steering operation in an SBWS. And then we evaluate muscle burden when a driver steers with continuous changing of the steering direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the influence of joints on seepage capacity of a soil mass, the water infiltration range, the area of the wet zone, and water content distributions. Tests were performed using a self-designed seepage device to determine the hydraulic conductivity of loess samples with natural joints. The test results indicate that joints greatly improve the seepage capacity of a soil mass; the depth and quantity of infiltration for the jointed sample are larger than those for the intact sample. The infiltration depths of the jointed sample are about 2.6 times that of intact specimens, and the measured areas of wet zones of the jointed sample are about 2.2 times that of an intact sample. Due to the existence of the joint, higher water content is observed at the joint location. In comparison, the water content distributions are relatively horizontal for the intact sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in the levels of plasm interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and endotoxins in patients with acute aortic dissection (AAD). METHODS: 55 AAD patients who were admitted and scheduled to undergo emergency surgery in our hospital from January 2017 to July 2017 were selected and retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into the survival group (n = 40) and the death group (n = 15). The levels of plasma IL-6, TNF-α, CRP, MMP-9 and endotoxins at admission and at 6 h, 12 h and 24 h after admission (T0, T1, T2 and T3) were measured, and the correlations of inflammatory cytokines with endotoxins were analyzed. RESULTS: At T1, T2 and T3, the levels of inflammatory cytokines and endotoxins were increased. The levels of plasma IL-6, TNF-α, CRP, MMP-9 and endotoxins in the death group were significantly higher than those in the survival group at each time point (p < 0.05 in all comparisons). Neutrophil and platelet counts in the death group were higher than those in the survival group (p < 0.05). Correlation analyses indicated that the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, CRP and MMP-9 were positively correlated with the level of endotoxin. CONCLUSION: Patients with AAD are often accompanied by systemic inflammatory responses, with inflammation-related cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, CRP and MMP-9) and endotoxins levels significantly elevated. Combined monitoring of dynamic changes in inflammatory cytokines and endotoxins, as well as early interventions, has important clinical implications for evaluating the prognosis of AAD and reducing mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]