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In this paper, four binary Ni-13.4 at.% Al/Ni-17.7 at.% Al diffusion couples were first prepared and subjected to homogenization at 1573 K for 10,800 s, from which a continuous concentration profile formed. The three diffusion couples were then cooled down for aging at respective temperatures, i.e., 1173, 1123, and 1073 K, for 14400 s. The effect of composition and aging temperature on the aging microstructure was studied in detail by means of different experimental techniques and statistical analysis. The volume fraction, grain size, and shape factor of γʹ precipitates in the three diffusion couples were plotted as a function of alloy composition and annealing temperatures. Together with the previously proposed evaluation function in which the phase fraction, grain size, and shape factor of γʹ precipitates were chosen as the evaluation indicators, the optimal alloy composition and aging temperature for binary Ni-Al alloys with the best mechanical properties were evaluated, and finally validated by the measured hardness values. The successful demonstration of alloy design in the present binary Ni-Al alloys indicated that the two-step diffusion couple, together with the evaluation function for mechanic properties, should be of generality for high-throughput screening of optimal alloy composition and heat treatment process in different alloys.

This study presents a novel approach to simulating and monitoring the dynamic performance of high-speed bearings, a critical component in automated industrial production for system efficiency and safety. The newly developed theoretical framework allows for detailed analysis of dynamic responses in these bearings, especially under high-speed conditions. The Short-Time Fourier Transform (STFT) is used to capture time-frequency domain characteristics, while real-time condition monitoring is achieved through a deep learning-based Convolutional Neural Network, enhanced by a multi-head attention mechanism. This method enables managing large datasets, real-time surveillance, and accurate prediction of bearing conditions. Ultimately, this approach provides an innovative perspective for fault diagnosis and performance assessment of high-speed bearings in complex production environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a thermodynamic re-assessment of the Al-Sn-Zn ternary system was performed by means of the CALculation of PHAse Diagram (CALPHAD) approach. The thermodynamic descriptions of the binary Al-Sn, Al-Zn, and Sn-Zn systems from the literature were directly adopted, and the newly reported experimental phase equilibria, enthalpies of mixing, and activities of Al in the ternary liquid phase were taken into account. A set of self-consistent thermodynamic parameters for the ternary Al-Sn-Zn system were finally obtained. A comprehensive comparison between the presently calculated phase equilibria/thermodynamic properties and the experimental data indicates that the present thermodynamic descriptions of the ternary Al-Sn-Zn system show very good agreement with most of the experimental data. The further direct comparison with the calculated results due to the previous assessment demonstrates that a significant improvement was achieved by the present assessment though fewer ternary interaction parameters were utilized.

OBJECTIVE: Transplant recipients have a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection owing to the use of immunosuppressive drugs like tacrolimus (FK506). FK506 and nirmatrelvir (NMV) (an anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug) are metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 and may have potential drug-drug interactions. It is important to determine the effect of NMV on FK506 concentrations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Following protein precipitation from blood, FK506 and its internal standard (FK506-13C,2d4) were detected by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/ tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Total 22 blood samples (valley concentrations) from two coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients were collected and analyzed for FK506 concentrations. RESULTS: Blood levels of FK506 (0.5-100 ng/ mL) showed good linearity. The UHPLC-MS/MS method was validated with intra- and inter-batch accuracies of 104.55-107.85%, and 99.52-108.01%, respectively, and precisions of < 15%. Mean blood FK506 concentration was 12.01 ng/mL (range, 3.15-33.1 ng/mL). Five-day co-administration with NMV increased the FK506 concentrations from 3.15 ng/mL to 33.1 ng/mL, returning to 3.36 ng/mL after a 9-day-washout. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a simple quantification method for therapeutic drug monitoring of FK506 in patients with COVID-19 using UHPLC-MS/MS with protein precipitation. We found that NMV increased FK506 blood concentration 10-fold. Therefore, it is necessary to re-consider co-administration of FK506 with NMV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to detect expression pattern and clinical significance of circRIP2 in colorectal carcinoma (CRC). In the meantime, the regulatory effect of circRIP2 on CRC cell functions is clarified. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Relative levels of circRIP2 in 45 cases of CRC tissues and paracancerous tissues were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Its clinical significance in predicting pathological manifestations of CRC was analyzed. In vitro regulation of circRIP2 on proliferative and migratory abilities of Sw620 and HCT-116 cells was assessed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) and transwell assay, respectively. Dual-Luciferase reporter assay and rescue experiments were conducted to reveal the interaction between circRIP2 and its target gene CBFB, as well as their co-regulation on CRC cell functions. At last, in vivo regulation of circRIP2 on CRC growth in nude mice implanted with HCT-116 cells was explored. RESULTS: CircRIP2 was upregulated in these samples of CRC tissues and cell lines. High level of circRIP2 predicted advanced staging, and high risk of distant metastasis of CRC. In vitro knockdown of circRIP2 weakened proliferative and migratory abilities in Sw620 and HCT-116 cells. CBFB was downregulated in CRC tissues, which was negatively regulated by circRIP2 as its target gene. The attenuated proliferative and migratory abilities in Sw620 and HCT-116 cells with circRIP2 knockdown were abolished by co-silence of circRIP2 and CBFB. Moreover, in vivo knockdown of circRIP2 slowed down CRC growth in nude mice, and upregulated positive expression of CBFB in xenografted CRC tissues. CONCLUSIONS: CircRIP2 is a potential indicator for predicting tumor staging and distant metastasis of CRC. It aggravates the deterioration of CRC through negatively regulating CBFB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]