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​​​​​​​This study compares aerosol mixing-state parameters obtained via simultaneous measurements using DMA–CCNC, H(/V)TDMA, and DMA–SP2, shedding light on the impacts of primary aerosol emissions and secondary aerosol (SA) formation. The analysis reveals significant variations in mixing-state parameters among different techniques, with VTDMA and DMA–SP2 indicating that non-volatile particles mainly stem from black carbon (BC)-containing aerosols, while a substantial proportion of nearly hydrophobic aerosols originates from fossil fuel combustion and biomass-burning emissions. Synthesizing the results, some nearly hydrophobic BC-free particles were found to be cloud condensation nuclei (CCN)-inactive under the measured supersaturated conditions, likely from fossil fuel combustion emissions, while others were CCN-active, linked to biomass-burning emissions. Moreover, BC-containing aerosols emitted from fossil fuel combustion exhibit more external mixing with other aerosol components compared to those from biomass burning. Secondary nitrate and organic aerosol formation significantly affect aerosol mixing states, enhancing aerosol hygroscopicity and volatility while reducing heterogeneity among techniques. The study also highlights distinct physical properties of two resolved secondary organic aerosol factors, hinting at their formation through different mechanisms. These findings underscore the importance of comparing aerosol mixing states from different techniques as a tool for understanding aerosol physical properties from different sources and their responses to SA formation, as well as aiding in the exploration of SA formation mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starch is a major part of the human diet and an important material for industrial utilization. The structure of starch granules is the subject of intensive research because it determines functionality, and hence suitability for specific applications. Starch granules are made up of a hierarchy of complex structural elements, from lamellae and amorphous regions to blocklets, growth rings and granules, which increase in scale from nanometers to microns. The complexity of these native structures changes with the processing of starch-rich ingredients into foods and other products. This review aims to provide a comprehensive review of analytical methods developed to characterize structure of starch granules, and their applications in analyzing the changes in starch structure as a result of processing, with particular consideration of the poorly understood short-range ordered structures in amorphous regions of granules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contribution of new particle formation (NPF) to cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) number concentration varies largely under different environments, depending on several key factors such as formation rate (J), growth rate (GR), distribution of preexisting particles and properties of new particles during NPF events. This study investigated the contribution of NPF to the NCCN and its controlling factors based on measurements conducted at the Heshan supersite, in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region of China during fall-time 2019. The size-resolved cloud condensation nuclei activity and size-resolved particle hygroscopicity were measured by a cloud condensation nuclei counter (CCNc) and a hygroscopic tandem differential mobility analyzer (HTDMA), respectively, along with a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) and a diethylene glycol scanning mobility particle sizer (DEG-SMPS) for particle number size distribution (PNSD). A typical NPF event on 29th October was chosen to investigate the contribution of the NPF to NCCN under several supersaturation ratios. Two particle properties (hygroscopicity and surface tension) affect CCN activation with the latter being more important in terms of the CCN concentration (NCCN). A lower value of surface tension (i.e., 0.06 N m-1) than pure water assumption (0.073 N m-1) could increase the NCCN at SS = 1.0 % by about 20 % during non-event period and by about 40 % during the event. In addition, an earlier peak time corresponding to a lower critical diameter (D50) was also observed. The results show that high formation rate, growth rate, and low background particle concentration lead to high number concentrations of newly-formed particles. The high growth rate was found to have the most profound impact on the NCCN which can be attributed to the facts that a higher growth rate can grow particles to the CCN size in a shorter time before they are scavenged by pre-existing particles. Two other NPF events (an event on 18th October in this campaign and an event on 12th December, 2014 in Panyu) were chosen to perform sensitivity tests under different scenarios (growth rate, formation rate, and background particle concertation). The calculated NCCN at SS = 1.0 % on 12th December, 2014 was significantly lower than that from the other two events. The event on 12th December was re-simulated using high growth rate taken from the event on 18th October which resulted in similar CCN concentrations between the two events (12th December and 18th October), implying that the growth rate is the most controlling factor for CCN activation. Our results highlight the importance of growth rate and surface tension when evaluating the contribution of NPF to the NCCN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professor SONG Nanchang owns unique experience of preventing bronchial asthma by the blistering therapy of dog-day moxibustion. He believes that the method has the action of festering moxibustion without its adverse reaction, the pathogenesis of asthma is the impairment of the dispersing and descending of the lung. When the lung,the spleen and the kidney are deficient,pathogenic factors,such as phlegm,damp and the cold,twist in the lung and the air passage is blocked, then asthma happens. Blistering therapy with little but fierce medicines acquires the features of specific but overall acupoints and more big blister. Meanwhile,with the emphasis on communication and nursing service,the therapy is apparently effective and worth widely using.

Professor SONG Nanchang's clinical experience and characteristics for treatment of peripheral facial paralysis are introduced. In clinical treatment, professor SONG has adopted staging treatment strategy, and performed acupuncture stimulation with different levels. He attaches great importance to the acupoint selection on distal limbs. For the treatment on the face, he takes temperature as necessity; he inherits from famous Chinese doctor ZONG Ruilin's acupuncture technique of slow-twisting and gentle-pressing. Meanwhile, he excels in combination, of different therapies, using acupuncture, moxibustion, electroacupuncture, auricular point sticking, Chinese herbal medicine, etc. according to individual condition and disease stages. He also emphasizes on psychological counseling and daily life care to achieve rehabilitation within the shortest time.