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Under the double pressure of global energy consumption and climate change, nuclear power has become a low-carbon alternative energy source that could transform the energy structure of the globe. In the nuclear power industry, selecting suitable suppliers plays a significant role in improving the overall performance of nuclear power projects. Along with this symmetrical impact, this paper aims to develop a multistage decision-support framework to determine the optimal nuclear power equipment supplier, which is constructed in the context of Z-number information. Concretely, the Analytic Network Process (ANP) and Tomada de Decisão Iterativa Multicritério (TODIM) are extended by Z-numbers symmetrically—namely, Z-ANP and Z-TODIM. Z-ANP is first applied to analyze the symmetrical interdependence of criteria, so as to accurately determine the criterion weights. Further, the ranking of alternatives is obtained by Z-TODIM, which sufficiently considers the risk preference and psychological states of decision-makers. Finally, a practical case of nuclear-grade cable procurement in the Karachi 2-3 international nuclear power project is performed to illustrate the practicality of the proposed method, and its robustness and superiority are proven by comparing it with current representative approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C22H30O6, orthorhombic, P212121 (no. 19), a = 5.979(4) Å, b = 16.735(12) Å, c = 20.323(15) Å, V = 2034(3) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt (F) = 0.0498, wRref (F2 ) = 0.1209, T = 293(2) K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three isopimarane diterpenes [fladins B (1), C (2), and D (3)] were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Chinese folk medicine, Isodon flavidus. The chemical structures were determined by the analysis of the comprehensive spectroscopic data, and the absolute configuration was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The structures of 1–3 were formed from isopimaranes through the rearrangement of ring A by the bond break at C-3 and C-4 to form a new δ-lactone ring system between C-3 and C-9. This structure type represents the first discovery of a natural isopimarane diterpene with an unusual lactone moiety at C-9 and C-10. In the crystal of 1, molecules are linked to each other by intermolecular O-H···O bonds, forming chains along the b axis. Compounds 1–3 were evaluated for their bioactivities against different diseases. None of these compounds displayed cytotoxic activities against HCT116 and A549 cancer cell lines, antifungal activities against Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes, or antiviral activities against HIV entry at 20 µg/mL (62.9–66.7) µM. Compounds 1 and 3 did not show antiviral activities against Ebola entry at 20 µg/mL either; only 2 was found to show an 81% inhibitory effect against Ebola entry activity at 20 µg/mL (66.7 µM). The bioactivity evidence suggested that this type of compound could be a valuable antiviral lead for further structure modification to improve the antiviral potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuro-inflammation plays a key role in the occurrence and development of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). Although S100A8 and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) have been increasingly recognized to contribute to neuro-inflammation, little is known about the interaction between S100A8 and TLR4/MyD88 signaling in the process of systemic inflammation that leads to neuro-inflammation. Firstly, we demonstrated that C57BL/6 wide-type mice exhibit cognitive deficit 24 h after the tibial fracture surgery. Subsequently, increased S100A8 and S100A9 expression was found in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), spleen, and hippocampus of C57BL/6 wide-type mice within 48 h after the surgery. Pre-operative administration of S100A8 antibody significantly inhibited hippocampal microgliosis and improved cognitive function 24 h after the surgery. Secondly, we also observed TLR4/MyD88 activation in the PBMCs, spleen, and hippocampus after the surgery. Compared with those in their corresponding wide-type mice, TLR4 −/− and MyD88 −/− mice showed lower immunoreactive area of microglia in the hippocampal CA3 region after operation. TLR4 deficiency also led to reduction of CD45 hi CD11b + cells in the brain and better performance in both Y maze and open field test after surgery, suggesting a new regulatory mechanism of TLR4-dependent POCD. At last, the co-location of S100A8 and TLR4 expression in spleen after operation suggested a close relationship between them. On the one hand, S100A8 could induce TLR4 activation of CD11b + cells in the blood and hippocampus via intraperitoneal or intracerebroventricular injection. On the other hand, TLR4 deficiency conversely alleviated S100A8 protein-induced hippocampal microgliosis. Furthermore, the increased expression of S100A8 protein in the hippocampus induced by surgery sharply decreased in both TLR4 and MyD88 genetically deficient mice. Taken together, these data suggest that S100A8 exerts pro-inflammatory effect on the occurrence and development of neuro-inflammation and POCD by activating TLR4/MyD88 signaling in the early pathological process of the postoperative stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The successful diagnosis of nuclear power equipment failures plays a vital role in guaranteeing the safe operation of nuclear power systems. Failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) is one of the most commonly used methods for identifying potential failures. However, several shortcomings associated with the conventional FMEA method limit its further application. This paper develops an extended FMEA approach based on hesitant fuzzy linguistic Z-numbers (HFLZNs). Firstly, the concept of HFLZNs is proposed to describe the evaluation information, which inherits the prominent features of the hesitant fuzzy linguistic term set and linguistic Z-numbers (LZNs). Secondly, an HFLZN assessment method is developed to determine the weights of risk factors, and the weights of experts are measured based on hesitation degree. Subsequently, considering the psychological characteristics of decision makers, Tomada de Decisão Iterativa Multicritério and LZNs are integrated to obtain the risk ranking of failure modes. Finally, the practicability of the extended FMEA method is proven by an illustrative example concerning the risk evaluation of a nuclear main pump bearing, and its robustness is verified by indepth analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C19H16O7, monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 30.5661(14) Å, b = 7.0209(3) Å, c = 17.2028(7) Å, β = 117.342(1)°, V = 3279.3(2) Å3, Z = 8, Rgt(F) = 0.0489, wRref(F2) = 0.1398, T = 273(2) K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Exertional heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency that causes damage to the central nervous system. • Heat acclimation attenuate exertional heatstroke cerebral edema symptoms. • Heat acclimation protect cerebral cortex by relieving apoptosis of neurons. Exertional heatstroke (EHS) is an emergency with a high mortality rate, characterized by central nervous system dysfunctions. This study aims to establish a Heat acclimation/acclimatization (HA) rat model in locomotion to recapitulate the physical state of human in severe environment of high temperature and humidity, and investigate the mechanism of organism protection in HA. (2) Methods: Wistar rats were exposed to 36 °C and ran 2 h/d for 21 days, acquired thermal tolerance test was conducted to assess the thermotolerance and exercise ability. Core temperature and consumption of water and food were observed. Expression of HSP70 and HSP90 of different tissues were determined by WB. Pathological structure of brain tissue was detected with HE staining. Proteomics was used to identify the differently expressed proteins in cerebral cortex of different groups. And key molecules were identified by RT-PCR and WB. (3) Results: HA rats displayed stronger thermotolerance and exercised ability on acquired thermal tolerance test. Brain water content of HA + EHS group reduced compared with EHS group. HE staining revealed slighter brain injuries of HA + EHS group than that of EHS. Proteomics focused on cell death-related pathways and key molecules Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) related to cell edema. Identification results showed HA increased AQP4, Bcl-xl, ratio of p-Akt/AKT and Bcl-xl/Bax, down-regulated Cleaved Caspase-3. (4) Conclusions: This HA model can ameliorate brain injury of EHS by reducing cerebral edema and cell apoptosis, offering experimental evidence for EHS prophylaxis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C20H18O8, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 7.3855(2) Å, b = 28.1424(9) Å, c = 8.5863(3) Å, β = 98.4040(10)°, V = 1765.46(10) Å3, Z = 4, R gt (F) = 0.0545, wR ref (F 2) = 0.1641, T = 273(2) K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Leigong Mountain is an area in the Southwest of China where there is a high incidence rate of athlete's foot, but the Miao people, a Chinese minority who reside in this mountainous area have suffered less from this disease due to their use of the herbal medicine Isodon flavidus (Hand.-Mazz.) H. Hara. Aim of the study The present study is to identify the active chemical constituents responsible for antifungal effects of the folk medicine plant. Materials and methods The natural compounds were separated from the methanol extract of the twigs and leaves of I. flavidus by phytochemical study using chromatographic methods, and their chemical structures were determined by analysis of the spectroscopic data including 1D and 2D NMR spectra. The absolute configuration of fladin A ( 1 ) was further confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The compounds were evaluated for their antifungal activity against the athlete's foot fungus Trichophyton rubrum . They were further evaluated for their antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activity against the dental pathogens Streptococcus mutans , Porphyromonas gingivalis and Candida albicans . Results Phytochemical and biological studies of I. flavidus led to the discovery of two antifungal compounds, fladin A ( 1 ) and lophanic acid ( 2 ). Fladin A ( 1 ) is a novel diterpene with an unprecedented cyclic ether group formed between C-4 and C-9. Lophanic acid ( 2 ) displayed inhibition activity against the athlete's foot fungus Trichophyton rubrum with an MIC value of 7.8 μg/mL, and fladin A ( 1 ) also showed inhibition activity against the fungus with a MIC value of 62.5 μg/mL. Conclusions Our identification of two antifungal compounds provided strong evidence for the Miao people to use I. flavidus as a medicinal plant for treatment of athlete's foot disease. The very different chemical structures of the active compounds from those in the market presents them as potential antifungal lead compounds for follow-up study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C22H20O8, monoclinic, P21 (no. 4), a = 7.5482(10) Å, b = 7.0055(9) Å, c = 18.245(3) Å, β = 101.709(4)°, V = 944.7(2) Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0444, wRref(F2) = 0.1199, T = 293(2) K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To promote the development of nuclear power project in inland China, a specialized multi-criteria decision support framework is constructed for the site selection of inland nuclear power plants in this work. The best worst method (BWM), decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL), and technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) are integrated with Z-numbers, namely Z-BWM, Z-DEMATEL, and Z-TOPSIS. Z-BWM and Z-DEMATEL are combined to produce the weights of criteria, and an extended Z-TOPSIS is utilized to determine the ranking of all alternatives. Finally, a case study is performed in Hunan province to demonstrate the practicability of the proposed decision support framework. The robustness and feasibility of the proposed method are shown by an in-depth analysis of the decision results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]