Search

Highly transparent and super-wettable nanocoatings for multifunctional applications with outstanding physical properties are in high demanded. However, such nanocoatings resistant to water invasion and Ultraviolet (UV) weathering remain a significant challenge. In this work, physically durable coatings based on inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) and an organic segment (isocyanate-silane modified surfactant) have been synthesized via a sol-gel approach. It is noteworthy the isocyanate-silane with –NH–CO- functional group creates a strong bonding between the highly hydrophilic surfactant and the inorganic NPs. This in-house synthesized organic segment can render the coating long-lasting wetting properties and resist to be washed away by water, while the inorganic NPs can form sturdy covalent bonds with the nano-scale hierarchical structure on the glazing substrate to improve the durability. This nanocoating demonstrates high transparency with superwetting property (water contact angle, WCA ​= ​4.4 ​± ​0.3°), effective de-frosting performance. Water invasion or UV accelerated weathering tests do not significantly affect the self-cleaning performance of nanocoating. Physical properties, including coating adhesion, hardness, Young's modulus, and abrasion resistance are systematically investigated. Interestingly, this clear coating shows prominent infrared shielding property attributed to Antimony-doped tin oxide (Sb-doped SnO2) NPs. The developed nanocoating process is easy to scale up for larger areas that require multipurpose self-cleaning functions.

The Schrödinger–Newton model is a nonlinear system obtained by coupling the linear Schrödinger equation of canonical quantum mechanics with the Poisson equation of Newtonian mechanics. In this paper, we investigate the effects of dark energy on the time-dependent Schrödinger–Newton equations by including a new source term with energy density proportional to the cosmological constant Λ, in addition to the particle-mass source term. The resulting Schrödinger–Newton–Λ (S-N-Λ) system cannot be solved exactly, in closed form, and one must resort to either numerical or semianalytical (i.e., series) solution methods. We apply the Adomian Decomposition Method, a very powerful method for solving a large class of nonlinear ordinary and partial differential equations, to obtain accurate series solutions of the S-N-Λ system, for the first time. The dark energy dominated regime is also investigated in detail. We then compare our results to existing numerical solutions and analytical estimates and show that they are consistent with previous findings. Finally, we outline the advantages of using the Adomian Decomposition Method, which allows accurate solutions of the S-N-Λ system to be obtained quickly, even with minimal computational resources. The extensive use of the Adomian Decomposition Method in the field of quantum mechanics and quantum field theory may open new mathematical, and physical, perspectives on obtaining semi-analytical solutions for some complex problems of quantum theory.

The biharmonic equation, as well as its nonlinear and inhomogeneous generalizations, plays an important role in engineering and physics. In particular the focusing biharmonic nonlinear Schrödinger equation, and its standing wave solutions, have been intensively investigated. In the present paper we consider the applications of the Laplace-Adomian and Adomian Decomposition Methods for obtaining semi-analytical solutions of the generalized biharmonic equations of the type Δ 2y+α Δ y+ω y+b2+g( y) =f, where α , ω and b are constants, and g and f are arbitrary functions of y and the independent variable, respectively. After introducing the general algorithm for the solution of the biharmonic equation, as an application we consider the solutions of the one-dimensional and radially symmetric biharmonic standing wave equation Δ 2R+R-R2σ +1=0, with σ =constant. The one-dimensional case is analyzed by using both the Laplace-Adomian and the Adomian Decomposition Methods, respectively, and the truncated series solutions are compared with the exact numerical solution. The power series solution of the radial biharmonic standing wave equation is also obtained, and compared with the numerical solution.

We study the equations of motion of the massive and massless particles in the Schwarzschild geometry of general relativity by using the Laplace-Adomian Decomposition Method, which proved to be extremely successful in obtaining series solutions to a wide range of strongly nonlinear differential and integral equations. After introducing a general formalism for the derivation of the equations of motion in arbitrary spherically symmetric static geometries and of the general mathematical formalism of the Laplace-Adomian Decomposition Method, we obtain the series solution of the geodesics equation in the Schwarzschild geometry. The truncated series solution, containing only five terms, can reproduce the exact numerical solution with a high precision. In the first order of approximation we reobtain the standard expression for the perihelion precession. We study in detail the bending angle of light by compact objects in several orders of approximation. The extension of this approach to more general geometries than the Schwarzschild one is also briefly discussed.

Background/Purpose: Coronal femoral bowing is common in Chinese population. This might affect the restoration of mechanical alignment in conventional total knee replacement (TKR). The aim of the study was to compare the postoperative alignment of conventional TKR with computer-assisted navigation TKR (CAN-TKR), to investigate the effect of femoral bowing on postoperative alignment in conventional TKR and to understand the role of CAN-TKR in limbs with significant femoral bowing. Methods: This is a retrospective study of 331 knees that underwent TKR (either conventional or CAN-TKR) in our centre from January 2010 to June 2012. The incidence of coronal femoral bowing was measured. The postoperative alignments were compared between the two groups. Results: The incidence of excessive coronal femoral bowing was 41.4%. For patients with or without significant coronal femoral bowing, the CAN-TKR group was significantly better in restoring postoperative mechanical axis and the coronal femoral angle (p

We consider the dynamics of a barotropic cosmological fluid in an anisotropic, Bianchi type I space-time in Eddington-inspired Born–Infeld (EiBI) gravity. By assuming isotropic pressure distribution, we obtain the general solution of the field equations in an exact parametric form. The behavior of the geometric and thermodynamic parameters of the Bianchi type I Universe is studied, by using both analytical and numerical methods, for some classes of high density matter, described by the stiff causal, radiation, and pressureless fluid equations of state. In all cases the study of the models with different equations of state can be reduced to the integration of a highly nonlinear second order ordinary differential equation for the energy density. The time evolution of the anisotropic Bianchi type I Universe strongly depends on the initial values of the energy density and of the Hubble function. An important observational parameter, the mean anisotropy parameter, is also studied in detail, and we show that for the dust filled Universe the cosmological evolution always ends into isotropic phase, while for high density matter filled universes the isotropization of Bianchi type I universes is essentially determined by the initial conditions of the energy density.

We study the stability of the cosmological scalar field models by using the Jacobi stability analysis, or the Kosambi-Cartan-Chern (KCC) theory. In this approach, we describe the time evolution of the scalar field cosmologies in geometric terms, by performing a “second geometrization” and considering them as paths of a semispray. By introducing a nonlinear connection and a Berwald-type connection associated with the Friedmann and Klein-Gordon equations, five geometrical invariants can be constructed, with the second invariant giving the Jacobi stability of the cosmological model. We obtain all the relevant geometric quantities, and we formulate the condition for Jacobi stability in scalar field cosmologies. We consider the Jacobi stability properties of the scalar fields with exponential and Higgs type potential. The Universe dominated by a scalar field exponential potential is in Jacobi unstable state, while the cosmological evolution in the presence of Higgs fields has alternating stable and unstable phases. We also investigate the stability of the phantom quintessence and tachyonic scalar field models, by lifting the first-order system to the tangent bundle. It turns out that in the presence of a power law potential both of these models are Jacobi unstable during the entire cosmological evolution.

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests the interaction of bone metabolism and the immune system, but how bone health is associated with the risk of infections remains unknown., Methods: This study aimed to investigate the relationship of bone mineral density (BMD) with the risk of common infections and sepsis in Hong Kong Osteoporosis Study (HKOS). A prospective cohort study, initiated in 1995 and followed until 31 December 2020, of 5,717 participants examined the association of BMD at three skeletal sites (lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip) with common infections - pneumonia, urinary tract infection (UTI), skin infection, and sepsis. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI)., Findings: During the median follow-up of 17 years, higher BMD T-scores at the femoral neck and total hip were significantly associated with the reduced risk of pneumonia (HRs 0.89 and 0.87; 95% CIs 0.82 to 0.98 and 0.81 to 0.95), UTI (HRs 0.85 and 0.86; 95% CIs 0.76 to 0.94 and 0.78 to 0.95), skin infection (HRs 0.85 and 0.82; 95% CIs 0.74 to 0.97 and 0.73 to 0.93), and sepsis (HRs 0.83 and 0.82; 95% CIs 0.71 to 0.97 and 0.72 to 0.94). A significant association was observed for the lumbar spine BMD T-score with the risk of skin infection (HR 0.86; 95% CI: 0.78 to 0.95) but not with other infections and sepsis. Similarly, participants with osteoporosis, but not osteopenia, were significantly associated with an increased risk of infections and sepsis compared to those with normal BMD., Interpretation: BMD is a novel risk factor of infections and sepsis. People with low BMD, particularly those with osteoporosis, are at higher risk of infections and sepsis than those with normal BMD. Further studies on whether improving bone health can reduce the risk of infections and sepsis are warranted., Funding: None., Competing Interests: Dr. Cheung reports grants and personal fees from Amgen, outside the submitted work. The other authors have nothing to declare., (© 2022 The Authors.)

Time-lapse 4D imaging of fluorescently tagged proteins to follow the dynamics of cellular structures (chromosomes, microtubules, actin, centrosomes, cortical structures like the CAB in ascidians, etc.) combined with targeted gene knockdown during embryonic development is a powerful technique to understand the mechanisms of embryonic development. The eggs and embryos of the primitive marine chordate Phallusia mammillata are an excellent model system for combining live cell imaging with gene knockdown experiments. Here we describe simple methods for microinjecting Phallusia eggs with mRNA encoding fluorescent fusion proteins combined with 4D time-lapse imaging techniques we use to follow all of embryonic development from the egg to late tailbud stage.

Vertical profiles (0-30 cm below surface) of four trace metals-Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb) and Zinc (Zn)-in the sediment and sediment porewater of an ecologically important intertidal mudflat in the Mai Po and Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site were thoroughly studied over a period of 10 months (from March 1999 to January 2000). Two surveys, one in summer and another in winter, involving a total of eight sampling stations were conducted to study the seasonal variation of the remobilization characteristics of these trace metals in the mudflat sediment. The range of depth averaged concentration of these trace metals in the mudflat sediment was: 0.3-0.8 microg/g (Cd); 9.8-91.0 microg/g (Cr); 7.3-69.1 microg/g (Pb); and 39.5-192.0 microg/g (Zn), while that in the sediment porewater was: 0.3-121.1 microg/l (Cd); 3.0-2704.1 microg/l (Cr); 2.6-105.6 microg/l (Pb); and 32.6-4238.3 microg/l (Zn). In general, levels of dissolved trace metals in the sediment porewater were much higher in the summer than in the winter while their concentrations in the sediment were more or less the same throughout the year. Enrichment of Cd, Pb and Zn in the sediment porewater of the upper oxic layer and that of Cr in the oxic-sub-oxic boundary was generally observed. Regions in the vicinity of the Mai Po mangroves and the river mouths of Shenzhen River and Shan Pui River were found to be hotspots of trace metal pollution. Benthic diffusive fluxes of trace metals from the mudflat sediment were also estimated. Of the four trace metals, cadmium showed the greatest tendency toward remobilization from the sediment phase to the more bio-available porewater phase.

While it is important that dietitians and other health or food professionals provide consistent messages to the public about food safety, it is equally important that the information be evidence-based. Conflicting recommendations are evident when reviewing consumer publications from food safety advisory groups and the scientific literature. In addition, caveats are attached to the various food-handling methods. Pathogens, spoilage microorganisms, and contamination of the work area are the major concerns in thawing turkey. While several methods, including thawing on the counter at ambient temperatures, can be employed for thawing turkey, cooking to an adequate internal temperature, validated with a meat thermometer, is the more critical step. The findings indicate that providing clients or consumers with clear, consistent, evidence-based messages is difficult for food and health professionals. Further research is required to corroborate best practices in a kitchen setting. This paper is of interest to professionals who counsel clients at high risk for foodborne illness, or who counsel consumers about safe preparation of foods such as turkey.