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Modified polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) resin was prepared using octafluoropentyl methacrylate and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate as modifying monomers through seeded emulsion polymerization. The successful incorporation of octafluoropentyl methacrylate into the PVDC resin was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and XPS were utilized to investigate the element distribution in the modified monomer emulsion and the mechanism of monomer modification. The results demonstrated that the fluorine monomer was reacted in the resin, and mainly concentrated on the surface of the resin. The addition of octafluoropentyl methacrylate and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate improved the water resistance of the resin. Compared to unmodified PVDC resin, the contact angle of the modified PVDC resin increased from 89.46° to 109.51°, and the water resistance at room temperature increased from 120 to 500 h. Furthermore, the modified resin exhibited excellent mechanical properties, thermal stability, and storage stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractWe conducted this meta-analysis to investigate neurological toxicities with poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPis) in cancer patients. Databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from 1 January 2000 to 1 November 2023. Forty-six RCTs and 9529 patients were included. PARPis could increase the risk of all-grade headache [risk ratio (RR), 1.22; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.14–1.30; P < 0.00001], dizziness (RR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.28–1.53; P < 0.00001), dysgeusia (RR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.44–2.60; P < 0.0001) and insomnia (RR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.09–1.60; P < 0.0001) in cancer patients. Headache was the most common neurological toxicity. Niraparib was associated with a higher risk of headache and insomnia, talazoparib with a higher risk of dizziness and rucaparib with a higher risk of dysgeusia. Breast cancer patients receiving PARPis have a higher risk of dysgeusia, while ovarian cancer patients are at an increased risk of insomnia. PARPis may increase the risk of mild to moderate neurological toxicities, but not severe ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A weldable Al–Mg–Zn–Sc alloy was produced using vacuum induction melting and an argon-protected casting method to achieve high strength and ductility, and the effects of heat treatment on the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Al–Mg–Zn–Sc alloys were comparatively investigated. The results reveal that fine equiaxed grains with an average grain size of 40 μm in an as-cast Al–Mg–Zn–Sc alloy change little after heat treatments, bringing about a grain-boundary strengthening of 46.1 MPa. The coarse T-Mg32(Al, Zn)49 phases at grain boundaries are completely dissolved into the matrix through solid-solution treatment, and T-Mg32(Al, Zn)49 with diameters ranging from 10 to 25 nm and Al3Sc with diameters ranging from 5 to 20 nm gradually precipitate during the artificial aging process. The Mg solid solubility is 4.67% in the as-cast Al–Mg–Zn–Sc alloy, and it increased to 5.33% after solid-solution treatment and dramatically decreased to 4.15% after post-aging treatment. The contributions of solid-solution strengthening to as-cast, post-solid-solution and post-aging Al–Mg–Zn–Sc alloys are 78.2 MPa, 85.4 MPa and 72.3 MPa, respectively. The precipitation strengthening of the post-aging alloy is 49.7 MPa, which is an increase of 21% in comparison to that of both as-cast and post-solid-solution alloys. The alloy achieves an optimal tensile strength of 355.3 MPa, yield strength of 175 MPa and elongation of 22% after undergoing solid-solution treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen is an important alternative as a clean fuel for industry and power-to-gas energy storage. The water electrolysis process is a promising technology in green hydrogen production where proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology has been keenly interested. Industrial large-scale PEM electrolyzers need a high current power supply. When connected to an alternating current (AC) source, high current power rectifiers are used to convert AC to DC. Currently, the most commonly used topology in large-scale PEM electrolysis systems is the thyristor-based topology due to its technology maturity and low cost. However, this topology presents several drawbacks in terms of power quality and consequently leads to higher stack-specific energy consumption (SEC) and additional losses. In the present research, we demonstrate the potential power quality improvement for a 20 MW PEM water electrolysis system by rectifier topology upgrade. Rather than traditional thyristor-based topology, a 3-phase interleaved buck rectifier topology is proposed. The new topology presents advantages on both AC and DC sides via a validated simulation model, which is built using MATLAB/Simulink and then validated with experimental data from an industrial 20 MW PEM water electrolyzer at Air Liquide's Bécancour plant. Results show a great improvement in terms of power factor, Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), and DC-current ripple reducing the total losses and the SEC of the PEM stack, especially under partial load. Towards a higher power efficiency, the proposed rectifier topology may be considered in the construction of future large-scale PEM systems. • Reported the power quality of the world's largest PEM water electrolyzer (20 MW). • Modeled the power electronics performance for the 20 MW PEM water electrolyzer. • Validated the numerical model using test data from the 20 MW PEM hydrogen plant. • Proposed power quality improvement using topology optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for shale gas has propelled researchers to focus on precise and high-resolution stratigraphic divisions for homogeneous shales, of which the late-Ordovician Wufeng (O3w) and the early-Silurian Longmaxi (S1l) formations in southwest China are two of the best candidates for shale gas exploration in China. However, systematic chemostratigraphic work for these strata is still sparse, and the existing chemostratigraphic work either lack representativeness in terms of the proxies used or are subjective during their division procedures. Thus, automatic division process based on multi proxies and an objective statistical technique was applied to establish a quantitative, high-resolution, and robust chemostratigraphic scheme for the Wufeng and lower Longmaxi shales. The geochemical analysis unveils that the Wufeng and Lower Longmaxi shales show prominent heterogeneities in terrigenous inputs, redox conditions, and paleoproductivity, enabling the potential application of chemostratigraphy to these strata. Based on these heterogeneities, the chemostratigraphic scheme for the Wufeng and Lower Longmaxi shales has been established, and the whole strata could be divided into 13 chemozones using constrained clustering analysis. The chemostratigraphic scheme could not only be comparable to the regional sequence stratigraphic scheme but also more objective and higher-resolution. The high TOC content and brittle minerals within chemozone C1 makes it the most preferable layer for shale gas exploration and development. This research gives a systematic chemostratigraphic analysis on Wufeng and Lower Longmaxi shales, which testifies the feasibility and potential of usage of chemostratigraphy for Chinese shale gas exploration and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method of replacing soft soil with lightweight foam concrete (lightweight foam concrete replacement method, LFCRM) is carried out to treat deep soft foundation under the low-filled embankment. Two-dimensional models with different thicknesses of replacement are established by the finite element platform (MIDAS/GTS). Moreover, the deformation and stress distribution law of treated foundation is analyzed by numerical simulation with different models. The results are as follows: (1) LFCRM can offset part of dead load; (2) the transverse distribution of settlement presents an "arc" shape; (3) the replacement made of lightweight foam concrete can spread stress well; (4) increase of replacement thickness will cause the necking of the additional stress "bubble"; (5) initial excess pore water pressure is related to the additional stress, and its dissipation path is deduced; (6) preliminary analysis indicates the feasibility of LFCRM for treating deep soft foundation with the low-filled embankment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small colony variants (SCVs) are a slow-growing subpopulation of bacteria characterized by their atypical colony morphology and distinct biochemical properties, which are known to cause chronic persistent infections. Here, we investigated the characteristics of three phenotypes of Escherichia coli, including a capnophilic SCV, co-isolated from a 64-year-old patient with bacteremia in China. The three strains were identified as a capnophilic strain (EC1), a capnophilic SCV (EC2), and a normal colony strain (EC3). The EC1 and EC2 strains did not grow in the absence of CO2, while the EC2 colonies were pinpoint in appearance and had the ability to revert to the normal colony phenotype. The growth of the SCV was slow and not enhanced in the presence of thymidine, hemin, thiamine, and menadione. The results of antimicrobial susceptibility among the three strains showed similar sensitivity to cefoxitin and imipenem, but resistant to most of the other antimicrobials tested. Whole-genome sequencing showed that no genetic mutational variations associated with SCVs were observed, while EC1, EC2 and the revertible strains of EC2 lacked the can gene. Multi-locus sequence typing showed that all strains belonged to ST457 and nucleotide similarity analysis indicated that they had high homology. In conclusion, we report rarely described co-isolated forms of three phenotypes of E. coli that included a capnophilic SCV in a patient with bacteremia. The capnophilic SCV strain had atypical morphology and biochemical characteristics in the absence of can gene. Based on our findings, we have discussed the laboratory identification, characterization, mechanisms, and clinical treatment of capnophilic SCV strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Introducing a small dose of SDBS into the Pb-BHA collector can dramatically boost cassiterite recovery. • The SDBS integrated into the molecular framework of Pb–BHA through bonding with lead ions. • Pb–BHA–SDBS exhibited stronger adsorption capabilities on cassiterite surfaces compared to Pb–BHA. • The Pb–BHA–SDBS adsorption significantly increased the hydrophobicity of the cassiterite surface. As high-quality cassiterite resources dwindle, the significance of cassiterite associated with scheelite escalates. In this study, we synthesized a novel lead-group double ligand collector (Pb-BHA-SDBS) by introducing a new ligand, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS), into the structure of lead complexes of benzohydroxamic acid (Pb-BHA). The flotation performance of Pb-BHA-SDBS was investigated by single-mineral flotation. The structural and chemical properties of Pb-BHA-SDBS were systematically investigated through FTIR, XPS, and quantum chemical calculations. The mechanism of enhancing cassiterite flotation with Pb-BHA-SDBS were investigated through adsorption energy analysis, XPS, AFM and contact angle analysis. The flotation recovery of cassiterite greatly increased from ≤30 % to ≥80 % when the Pb-BHA-SDBS is utilized as the collector. The FTIR and XPS results indicated that both SDBS and BHA form coordination bonds with lead ions, significantly strengthening the adsorption ability on the cassiterite surface. The adsorption of Pb-BHA-SDBS on the surface of cassiterite forms larger colloidal aggregates, further enhancing the roughness and hydrophobicity of the cassiterite surface, thereby strengthening the flotation of cassiterite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The model predictive current control (MPCC) method is considered to be one of the most effective methods to solve the dual three-phase permanent magnet synchronous motor driving problem. However, the existing traditional MPCC method is limited. In some cases, inaccuracies in the selected optimal voltage vector (Vopt) can lead to additional current ripple and unsatisfactory steady-state performance, and the MPCC method needs to carry out the traversal optimization process, which increases the computational burden. To solve the above problem, this paper proposes an MPCC method based on an extended finite control set and duty cycle modulation. Firstly, 12 virtual voltage vectors (V3s) with new directions are synthesized, and an extended control set containing 24 V3s is constructed to effectively reduce harmonic current and torque ripple. Then, the dead-beat current control is used to calculate the sector of the reference voltage vector (Vref), and the Vopt is selected by judging the position of the sector, which reduces the calculation burden. More importantly, the technique of duty cycle modulation is put forward to calculate the residence time of the Vopt, aiming to amend the Vopt magnitude, which can improve the control accuracy. For ease of understanding and software implementation on Digital Signal Processors, triangular carriers are used to generate asymmetric switching sequences. Finally, the experimental results show that the proposed method has better current quality and lower torque ripple than the two existing methods, and the calculation burden is reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium cobalt silicate Li2CoSiO4 (LCSO) is a promising but challenging high energy‐density cathode for lithium‐ion battery. Herein, recent studies of synthesis–structure–performance of LCSO are reported, in which carbon coating, element doping, and nanostructure designs are incorporated in a two‐step synthesis starting with hydrothermal reaction. The initial performance is significantly improved with respect to previous reports in literature with the charge and discharge capacities now reaching 330 and 220 mAh g−1, respectively. The discharge voltage platform is compatible with the 4 V window of the nonaqueous organic electrolytes and presents no structural‐change‐induced voltage drops. The striking finding from the study of LCSO is the oxygen redox activity amid the second lithium deintercalation process, in which peroxo formation dominates the charge compensation to the high‐voltage lithium capacity. First‐principles modeling reveals an intrinsic and general relation between oxygen redox and cationic disorder in bulk compounds. Thus, LCSO is a new prototype of polyanionic materials with oxygen redox, which is the foundation of high‐capacity Li‐rich cathodes. This review is also aimed to narrate the progresses of LCSO within a broad domain of Li3PO4‐based polyanionic structures that support the development of solid‐state electrolytes for all solid‐state batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nanocomposite based on bentonite was synthesized. Its adsorption properties for Hg(II) were evaluated by batch and fixed-bed column adsorption experiments. The results showed that the nanocomposite was an efficient adsorbent for the treatment of wastewater containing low-concentration Hg(II). It removed more than 92% of Hg(II) from aqueous solution with a pH ranged from 4.00 to 12.00. Its adsorption capacity for Hg(II) increased linearly with the increase of mercury concentration. The nanocomposite had excellent reusability. HCl solution can be used to elute Hg(II) ions loaded. The developed Bohart–Adams model can be used for the design of adsorption column. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile edge computing (MEC) is considered one of the key technologies for large-scale network services. Task scheduling helps to improve the task completion rate of MEC, by properly mapping tasks generated by devices onto MEC resources. However, the mobility of devices introduces complexities, potentially resulting in failed task offloading or unavailable task results. To tackle this issue, we propose a mobile-aware task scheduling scheme. We first model the trajectory of mobile devices and introduce a strategy for the fastest task offloading, coupled with an efficient result return method. Subsequently, to improve the task completion rate, we present a task scheduling model based on task migration and formulate the relevant problem as a Mixed Integer Non-linear Programming (MINLP) problem. To achieve a solution within a reasonable time complexity, we propose a Particle Swarm Optimization and Genetic Algorithm with a Rescheduling operator (PSOGAR). In PSOGAR, particles update their positions using a mating operator, while maintaining diversity by a mutation operator. In addition, a rescheduling operator is used to further improve the task completion rate. Finally, through simulation experiments, compare PSOGAR with state-of-the-art and classic algorithms. The experimental results show that PSOGAR can improve the task completion rate by 18–31% and can be applied to scenarios with tight task deadlines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modeling user intention with limited evidence in short-term historical sequences is a major challenge in session recommendation. In this domain, research exploration extends from traditional methods to deep learning. However, most of them solely concentrate on the sequential dependence or pairwise relations within the session, disregarding the inherent consistency among items. Additionally, there is a lack of research on context adaptation in session intention learning. To this end, we propose a novel session-based model named C-HAN, which consists of two parallel modules: the context-embedded hypergraph attention network and self-attention. These modules are designed to capture the inherent consistency and sequential dependencies between items. In the hypergraph attention network module, the different types of interaction contexts are introduced to enhance the model's contextual awareness. Finally, the soft-attention mechanism efficiently integrates the two types of information, collaboratively constructing the representation of the session. Experimental validation on three real-world datasets demonstrates the superior performance of C-HAN compared to state-of-the-art methods. The results show that C-HAN achieves an average improvement of 6.55%, 5.91%, and 6.17% over the runner-up baseline method on Precision@K, Recall@K, and MRR evaluation metrics, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Double-layer island working face main roadway coal pillars are affected by complex mining stress superposition, when different coal pillar width combinations, the surrounding rock stress field will produce different degrees of regional loading increase effect; the study of the surrounding rock stress field regional superposition loading increase law is meaningful to explaining the failure mode of the roadway and determining the critical control area. This study combines numerical simulation with on-site monitoring and other methods and draws the following conclusions: The superimposed loading increase law (“decreasing” → “increasing”) of the abutment pressure and deviatoric stress in the lower coal seam of the double-layer island working face during the mining; the type of the principal stress deflection in the advance working face region; and by obtaining the three types of development morphology of the deviatoric stress peak zone of the roadway and its corresponding nine evolution modes (one type of circular tube → four types of inverse hyperbolic body → four types of hyperbolic body) in the double-layered island working face mining. Indicated the critical reinforcement area corresponding to the main roadway when at different combinations of coal pillar widths; determined the main track roadway protective coal pillars width for 40 m and the shape of the roadway peak deviatoric stress zone is the inverse class hyperbolic body mode; according to the evolution mode of the peak deviatoric stress zone, determined the synergistic failure control program for the asymmetric critical zone of the roadway surrounding rock which is a targeted scientific support method; after the feedback of on-site monitoring and, the support program is reasonable and effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of industrialization, it is essential to use high-performance building materials and environmentally safe construction methods. Although earlier studies have shown that magnetized water has a significant strengthening effect on cement materials, they have rarely used alternating magnetic fields. This study explores the preparation conditions of magnetized water under alternating magnetic fields, aiming to obtain the optimal strengthening effect on cement mortar. The variation in surface tension of magnetized water is analyzed. The prepared magnetized water and Portland cement are used to mix mortar with water-to-cement ratios (w/c) of 0.74, and the apparent density, compressive strength, and microscopic appearance (under scanning electron microscope) of the mortar are observed. The results show that the surface tension of magnetized water decreases as the frequency of the alternating magnetic field increases, thereby improving the apparent density and compressive strength of the mortar. A relevant mathematical model is proposed. When the frequency of the alternating magnetic field is higher than 800 Hz, the surface tension of magnetized water significantly decreases, with a maximum reduction of 20.6%; The compressive strength of magnetized water mortar has significantly increased, with a maximum increase of 14.8%. Under appropriate magnetic field parameters, strength requirements can be met with a reduction of 10% in the consumption of cement and water. By exploring the optimal magnetic treatment conditions for alternating magnetic fields, this study provides a theoretical basis for the design of magnetizers in engineering applications. • We designed and used alternating electromagnetic devices to prepare magnetized water for future industrial applications. • This study also reduced the use of water and cement, striving to further reduce resource consumption. • We analyzed the influence of different parameters of alternating magnetic field on magnetized water mortar. • We developed a mathematical model between the properties of magnetized water and the performance indicators of mortar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ZnIn 2 S 4 hierarchitecture prepared by self-templated strategy devotes many more active sites for Ag 3 PO 4 nanoparticles. Z-Scheme electron transport accounts for the stable oxidizing capacity of Ag 3 PO 4 and protecting Ag 3 PO 4 from photo-corrosion. Regulated degradation pathway of tetracycline was revealed with identification of intermediates by combing prediction of Fukui indices. • ZnIn 2 S 4 hierarchitecture prepared by self-templated strategy devotes many more active sites for Ag 3 PO 4 nanoparticles. • Z-Scheme electron transport accounts for the stable oxidizing capacity of Ag 3 PO 4 and protecting Ag 3 PO 4 from photo-corrosion. • Regular degradation pathway of tetracycline was predicated by Fukui indices, which is consistent with the practical identification of intermediates. Z-scheme photocatalyst preserved with superior oxidicability is an innovative photocatalyst system that can be used for efficient photocatalytic detoxification of antibiotics. In this study, Z-scheme Ag 3 PO 4 @ZnIn 2 S 4 photocatalyst was constructed by decorating Ag 3 PO 4 nanoparticles on ZnIn 2 S 4 nanoscopariums. ZnIn 2 S 4 nanoscopariums were prepared by self-templated strategy and given hierarchical structures. The hierarchical Ag 3 PO 4 @ZnIn 2 S 4 provides more active sites for generating photogenerated carriers and large surface area for capturing tetracycline. The study results show that Ag 3 PO 4 @ZnIn 2 S 4 performed excellently well in the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline and also in protecting Ag 3 PO 4 nanoparticles from photo-corrosion. The highest removal efficiency (up to 92.3%) was achieved from the optimal composites of Ag 3 PO 4 and ZnIn 2 S 4. In stability tests, Ag 3 PO 4 @ZnIn 2 S 4 did not reduce the photocatalytic activity of degrading tetracycline after five successive runs. Active radical identification proves that the transfer behavior of electron and hole over Ag 3 PO 4 @ZnIn 2 S 4 follows a direct Z-scheme mechanism. Furthermore, the transformation pathway for degrading tetracycline was proposed by combining the Fukui index prediction with Mass Spectra identification of intermediates. This work presents in-depth sights into a regulated degradation pathway from theoretical prediction and practical identification based on innovative Z-scheme photocatalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For pre-operative osteoarthritis (OA) patients with varus knee, previous studies showed inconsistent results. Therefore, we conducted this study to better identify the association of Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score and mechanical alignment. 44 patients (51 knees) with constitutional varus knee caused by combined deformities (LDFA (lateral distal femoral angle) > 90°and MPTA (medial proximal tibial angle) < 85°)) were selected and analyzed with a mean follow-up period of 14 months after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). From January 2015 to December 2016, patients were collected consecutively after primary TKA. After filtering, fifty-one knees (44patients) were analyzed with a mean follow-up period of 14 months. All patients were divided into two groups based on post-operative hip-knee-ankle (HKA) acute angle: varus mechanical alignment (VMA) group (HKA < − 3°) and neutral mechanical axis (NMA) group (− 3° ≤ HKA ≤ 3°). 30 knees were included in the NMA group, and 21 knees in the VMA group. Comparisons of HSS between NMA group and VMA group were performed. After adjusting for age and Body Mass Index (BMI) confounders, Compared with NMA group, the HSS score in VMA group decreased by 0.81 units (95% CI, − 3.37 to 1.75) p = 0.5370). For pre-operative constitutional varus knee caused by combined deformities in chinese populations, no significant association between post-operative lower limb mechanical alignment and HSS score was found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hybrid organic–inorganic perovskite (HOIP) becomes a promising candidate for ultra-thin photoelectric batteries and skin-like sensors. However, homogeneous thin films of the material usually provide low absorption efficiency. In this work, by engineering the nanohole arrays on a HOIP ultrathin film, we successfully design an all-dielectric HOIP metasurface with broadband optical absorption enhancement through the finite-difference time-domain technique. The absorption enhancement arises from the Mie resonance, which can be tuned by varying the geometrical parameters and the spatial periodicity of the nanoholes. Compared with a uniform HOIP film, the HOIP metasurface significantly enhances the absorption over the entire visible regime, and the maximum absorption rate reaches 90%. Moreover, our design with multiple nanohole sizes provides consistently high absorption efficiency up to 51%–87% in a broad wavelength range of 400 nm–770 nm. Furthermore, the external quantum efficiency of a solar cell with our HOIP metasurface is 44% higher than that of a uniform HOIP film by assuming the ideal process with infinite carrier lifetime and negligible recombination. Our findings may provide a route for effective light trapping and efficient photoelectric conversion with ultrathin HOIP metasurfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the interest in model predictive control (MPC) and dual three-phase drives has been growing rapidly. Due to the high redundancy of voltage vector in the system composed of dual three-phase permanent magnetic synchronous motor (PMSM) and six-phase inverter, the computational complexity and current harmonics of MPC are high. In addition, the zero vector has been used by traditional MPC, which will cause higher common-mode voltage. In this paper, a novel MPC method with twice predictions and synthetic vectors is proposed which can not only suppress common-mode voltage, but also reduce computational complexity and current harmonics. The mathematical model of a dual three-phase PMSM are verified by the experimental results under the common-mode voltage suppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The orbital angular momentum (OAM) intrinsically carried by vortex light beams holds a promise for multidimensional high-capacity data multiplexing, meeting the ever-increasing demands for information. Development of a dynamically tunable OAM light source is a critical step in the realization of OAM modulation and multiplexing. By harnessing the properties of total momentum conservation, spin-orbit interaction, and optical non-Hermitian symmetry breaking, we demonstrate an OAM-tunable vortex microlaser, providing chiral light states of variable topological charges at a single telecommunication wavelength. The scheme of the non–Hermitian-controlled chiral light emission at room temperature can be further scaled up for simultaneous multivortex emissions in a flexible manner. Our work provides a route for the development of the next generation of multidimensional OAM-spin-wavelength division multiplexing technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of the Fe2O3/Al2O3 oxygen carrier modified by the alkali metals, Na and K, was studied by thermogravimetric analysis and in a laboratory‐scale fluidized‐bed reactor. Different factors, such as the alkali metal content, the alkali metal type, and the interaction between Na and K, were taken into account. Both Na and K had strong catalytic effects on the conversion of Fe2O3. A high K content caused serious agglomeration. Increasing the Na content led to slagging because of the low‐melting point solid solution. The possibility of agglomeration and slagging was reduced when Na and K were added together. The oxygen carrier with 1.5 wt % Na and 1.5 wt % K had better combustion efficiency and optimal thermal stability. Na and K could enhance the attrition resistance and prolong the lifetime of the oxygen carriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collaborative filtering is the most popular and efficient recommendation algorithm to character the potential preference of the new users, by exploring the patterns of historical consuming records/ratings of the investigated users. There are two types of primary collaborative filtering algorithms: the user-based recommendation system, which recommends items to new users by ranking the similarity of the shared items between the history users and the new users, and the item-based collaborative filtering recommend items to new users by considering the rank of the similarity among all the history items of the training data. Although the collaborative filtering has been successfully applied to many commercial fields, several original drawbacks of collaborative filtering, especially the sparsity of the rating data raises a serious challenge to the accuracy and the universality of those algorithms. In particular, the most rating terms for each specific user are missing in many applications, and the performance of collaborative filtering will be degraded along with the increment of the number of items in training dataset. In this paper, we proposed a novel collaborative filtering method (CBE-CF) to extract the local dense rating modules to cope with the data sparsity and the computational efficiency of the traditional recommendation algorithms, by introducing the information entropy and bi-clustering into collaborative filtering. Here, both the rows and columns of the user-item-rating matrix are clustered together to identify the dense rating modules of the historical records (training) data, and then an information entropy metric is used to quantify the similarity between the new user and each dense modules, and the final prediction is optimized by the aggregative recommendations of the global generalization of item-based methods and the local similarity of the nearest modules. Experimental analysis presents the characters of the proposed CBE-CF, and the precision and the computational cost, etc., are better than state of the art on the benchmark dataset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novel Al-Mg-(Zn-Sc) alloys were fabricated using vacuum induction melting and argon-protected casting method. The effects of Zn and Sc on the microstructure evolution, mechanical properties and corrosion properties of the as-cast Al-Mg-(Zn-Sc) alloys were comparatively studied. The results show that the addition of 1.5 wt% Zn facilitates the evolution of coarsen β-Al 3 Mg 2 phases into fine T-Mg 32 (Al, Zn) 49 phases, enhancing the resistance to intergranular corrosion (IGC) of Al-5.5Mg-1.5Zn-0.4Sc (alloy 4) with a maximum corrosion depth of 133.4 µm. The addition of Zn also promotes Mg solid solution, resulting in a 13.7 % increase in Mg solid solution concentration in Al-5.5Mg-1.5Zn (alloy 3) compared to Al-5.5Mg (alloy 2). The addition of 0.4 wt% Sc leads to the formation of smaller (∼2 µm) Al 3 Sc particles with a larger volume fraction of 0.96 %, providing grain refinement and improved strength in the Al-Mg alloy. Furthermore, the joint addition of Zn and Sc elements reduces the grain size by 64.0 % compared to Al-5.0Mg (alloy 1) and increases the tensile strength by 33.5 %. Alloy 4 exhibits the greatest measured tensile strength of 343 MPa. The solid solution strengthening, grain boundary strengthening and precipitation strengthening contributions to alloy 4 are calculated at 76.8 MPa, 27.9 MPa and 66.6 MPa, respectively. • Anovel Al-Mg-(Zn-Sc) alloy with enhanced mechanical properties and corrosion resistance was designed. • Transformation of β-Al 3 Mg 2 phases to T-Mg 32 (Al, Zn) 49 phases with the addition of 1.5 wt% in Al-Mg alloys. • Investigation of the effects of Zn and Sc elements on the mechanical and corrosion properties of Al-Mg alloys. • Evaluation of the solid solution concentration of Mg in Zn-modified Al-Mg alloy. • Quantitative characterization of strengthening mechanisms of the novel Al-Mg-(Zn-Sc) alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Swarm intelligence and evolutionary algorithms (SI&EAs) have been widely applied to various fields. In this paper, we make the first attempt, to our best knowledge, to apply an SI&EA, Quantum Particle Swarm Optimization (QPSO), for addressing the task scheduling problem in Device-Edge-Cloud Cooperative Computing (DE3C) which is one of the most widespread and new computing paradigms. We first formulate the problem and propose a QPSO based method to solve the problem with a reasonable time. Then we summarize the existing variants of QPSO, which exploit various improvement schemes for QPSO. At last, we conduct simulated experiments to evaluate the performance of QPSO and its variants on solving the task scheduling problem of DE3C, and have the following findings. (1) QPSO outperforms several up-to-date heuristics and SI&EAs in both the user satisfaction and the resource efficiency. (2) Existing improvement methods have no appreciable effect on QPSO for solving large-scale problems. (3) The performance of an improvement for QPSO depends mostly on randomness of the offset added to particle movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starch wastewater poses significant environmental harm, necessitating the implementation of effective treatment methods. The current starch wastewater treatment methods have some drawbacks, such as limited application scenarios, complicated process and insufficient purification efficiency. This study focuses on the purification of starch wastewater through metallic-starch complexes (MSCs) and magnetic flocculation. Metal ions (Fe3+, Pb2+ and Al3+) were added to interact with starch and coagulate, forming MSCs, in which the O 6 atom of the branched chain methanol most likely to interact with metal ions. Then, the magnetic particles, sintering dust (SD), was utilized to adsorb the MSCs and form magnetic flocs, facilitating their rapid settlement under an external magnetic field. The purification experiments were aimed at a high-concentration starch wastewater with COD concentration of 12,000 mg/L, and the results demonstrated the metal ions could effectively coordinate with starch and form MSCs, achieving a COD removal rate of over 90%. Meanwhile, to address the challenge of difficult settlement of MSCs, the addition of SD induced the magnetic flocculation with MSCs through Van der Waals force and electrostatic force, which effectively reduced settling time and decreased sedimentation layer thickness. The combined use of MSCs and magnetic flocculation achieved efficient purification of starch wastewater. [Display omitted] • The treatment of starch wastewater could be realized by metallic-starch complexes (MSCs) and magnetic flocculation. • Pb2+, Al3+ and Fe3+ could coordinate with starch molecule and form complexes. • Sintering dust (SD), as a kind of magnetic particle, could flocculate with Pb/Fe-starch complexes. • The flocs generated by SD and MSCs could rapidly settle down under external magnetic field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Powerful shovel-like forelimbs with special shape, structure and biological materials enable mole cricket to digging efficiently. During digging, the tip of the claw needs to wedge into the soil, and the base needs to withstand considerable anti-shear force. In this study, we analysed the structural characteristics, material composition and mechanical properties of the claw teeth using scanning electron microscopy, plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, nanoindentation and finite element analysis. The results show that the tips of claw teeth have a dense and homogeneous structure and a higher hardness and contents of Mn and Zn compared with the base. The structure of the base of claw teeth has an obvious laminar structure and higher fracture resistance. Moreover, it is speculated from the simulation results that basal position of the claw teeth is tough enough to withstand high stress, and the presence of the ribs effectively improves the mechanical stability and load-bearing capacity of the teeth during excavation. The results of this study can provide inspiration for the design of efficient mechanical components and agricultural implements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, an α-aminophosphonate extractant di(2-ethylhexyl) [N-(2-ethylhexyl)aminomethyl] phosphonate (Cextrant 230, L) was applied for the selective extraction and recovery of Ga(III) from the chloride solutions. The extraction of Ga(III) was compared with that of other metal ions such as Fe3+, Fe2+, Zn2+, Al3+, Mg2+ and Sn2+. The extracted complex of Ga(III) was deduced to be HGaCl 4 ·L. The extraction equilibrium constant and thermodynamic parameters (ΔG , ΔH and ΔS) were calculated. The positi v e value of ΔH indicates that the extraction reaction of Ga(III) is an endothermic process. The loading capacity of 30% (v/v) Cextrant 230 for Ga(III) was determined to be 0.38 mol/L. The loaded gallium can be complete stripped by distilled water. A process was established for the selective recovery of Ga(III), by which the purity of the gallium product reached 94% with a yield of 89.5% • An α-aminophosphonate extractant was applied for the extraction of gallium. • Gallium can be selectively recovered by this extractant. • The extractant does not need saponification. • The stoichiometry of the extracted species was determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Evaluation indexes of production logistics are developed. • Computational methods of evaluation indexes are given. • An operation entropy model of production-logistics systems is established. • An empirical study has verified well the validity of the model proposed. Abstract Production logistics is increasingly receiving attention from supply chain research. This paper focuses on the lack of quantitative approaches to assess the different operating efficiency of production logistics caused by different production modes or structures. Production logistics is first defined as a whole circulation process. Evaluation indexes are established from a perspective of major factors which make up production-logistics systems. Their computational methods are given as well. Based on the fuzzy entropy theory, an operation entropy model of production-logistics systems is developed to measure the operational efficiency of production logistics. In the case study, two operation order parameters under different conditions are calculated using the evaluation indexes and the operation entropy model developed to accurately compare the level of operational efficiency of the workshop before and after implementing cellular manufacturing. Finally, the result demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uniform direct chill (UDC) casting method was developed by combining annular electromagnetic stirring (A-EMS) with intercooling in direct chill casting. In order to investigate effect of UDC on flow patterns, temperature profiles and solidification during the casting, a numerical model of the UDC casting process was developed and used to simulate the UDC casting process for preparing 7005 aluminum alloy billets. The comparison of the calculated results of UDC casting with normal direct chill (NDC) casting indicated that flow patterns, temperature profiles and the sump depth are modified remarkably by the application of annular electromagnetic stirring and intercooling during the direct chill casting. The sump profile and the temperature history during UDC casing were studied, and the mechanism of the casting process were discussed. The comparisons between the simulations and experimental results suggested that the proposed model provides good agreement for the sump profiles and the temperature history within the billets. fx1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By coupling annular electromagnetic stirring with intercooling, a uniform direct chill (UDC) casting process has been developed to achieve fine and uniform microstructure for the large-sized aluminium alloy billets. In this study, the solidification behaviour of Φ508 mm 7005 alloy during UDC casting process was investigated, and the effect of the processing parameters on the microstructures and segregation of the billets were examined. The results indicated that, the solidification structure could be remarkably refined in the UDC casting process, and subsurface segregation could be alleviated by adjusting the vertical position of the stirring coils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • A high efficient, high power gas THz laser based on L-shaped cavity is present. • THz output performance was investigated both in theory and experiment. • The optimum output coupling is 0.8 and the optimum gas pressure is 500 Pa. • The maximum THz pulse energy is 8.4 mJ under the pumping energy of 1.6 J. Abstract A high power gas terahertz laser based on L-shaped cavity was demonstrated. We, for the first time, investigated the output performances of D 2 O gas 385 μm THz laser by optimizing the output coupler transmittance of the L-shaped cavity both in theory and experiment. Under the pump energy of 1.6 J, the optimum output coupler transmittance was about 0.78 and the optimum gas pressure was about 500 Pa. Up to 8.4 mJ pulse energy at 385 μm was achieved at output coupler transmittance of 0.8, corresponding to a photon conversion efficiency of 43.7%. Pulse width of 120 ns, and beam quality factor M2 of 1.58 were obtained at the highest output energy. In addition, the experimental results are in agreement with the theoretical simulation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fluorine-containing acylhydrazone was newly designed and found to form gels in a mixed solvent of DMSO–ethylene glycol. The gelator could show brilliant blue light upon mixing with Al3+, which could be erased by F− ions and thus forming an erasable gel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are shed from the primary lesion, entering the blood circulation, and potentially establishing metastasis at distant sites. CTCs play a vital role in cancer metastasis and treatment efficacy evaluation. Separation of CTCs and subsequent characterization has significances in monitoring and diagnosing of cancer. However, isolation of CTCs is technically challenging due to the rareness in patient blood. In the present review, we reviewed recent progress in the design and clinical advance of size and deformability-based CTCs separation chips. We focused on the principle and clinical indicators, such as capture efficiency, throughput, and viability, of devices. Finally, insights in future research and applications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an improved ant colony optimization (IACO) with global pheromone update is proposed based on ant colony optimization (ACO), and it is used to design interval Type-2 TSK fuzzy logic system (FLS), including parameters adjustment and rules selection. The performance of the system can be improved by obtaining the optimal parameters and reducing the redundant rules.In order to verify the feasibility of the proposed method, the intelligent FLS is applied to predict the international petroleum price and the Zhongyuan environmental protection shares price. It is proved that the IACO can improve the efficiency of the original algorithm and accelerate the convergence speed. The simulations show that both IACO and ACO are feasible and have a high performance for the design of FLS. The simulation results compared with back-propagation design (BP algorithm) show that intelligent algorithms have an advantage over the classical algorithm, the simulation result compared with without rule-selection shows that reduced redundant rules can improve the performance, and the result compared with the Type-1 FLS shows that interval Type-2 TSK FLS has a better performance than the Type-1 TSK FLS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tightly focused light fields of an azimuthally polarized light beam through a two-belt spiral phase plate were investigated. The focused light fields are presented in accordance with vectorial diffraction theory. The results show that a rotating light field with different intensity patterns can be produced by altering the azimuthal polarization state and modulating the two-belt spiral phase. A concurrent change in spiral handedness in the two-belt phase plate causes the rotation to occur along the direction of propagation, and the relative angular offset in the two-belt spiral phase plate can be exploited to rotate the light fields. The proposed method is useful for engineering the intensity distribution near the focal plane and related applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The extraction behavior of Cu(II) from chloride solution was investigated using di(2-ethylhexyl) [N-(2-ethylhexyl)aminomethyl] phosphonate (Cextrant 230, L). Cextrant 230 has a higher selectivity for Cu(II) over other divalent metal ions, e.g. Co(II), Ni(II), Mg(II) and Ca(II). The effect of the concentration of chloride ion and the extractant, aqueous pH values and temperature on the Cu(II) extraction was studied in detail. A possible extraction mechanism was proposed and the extracted complex was determined to be CuCl 2 ·3L by the slope analysis method. Thermodynamic parameters (Δ G , Δ H and Δ S) were calculated, suggesting that the copper extraction was an exothermic process. The loading capacity of 30% (v/v) Cextrant 230 was 16.9 g Cu/L. The loaded Cu(II) can be stripped efficiently by HCl, HNO 3 and H 2 SO 4. A extraction process for the selective extraction and recovery of Cu(II) from a raffinate obtained after the recovery of rare earths from the waste NdFeB magnets was proposed, by which the purity of copper product reached 99.5% with a yield of 98.0%. Highlights • An α-aminophosphonate extractant was applied for the extraction of copper. • The extractant has higher selectivity towards copper. • The extractant does not need saponification. • The stoichiometry of the extracted species was determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The model of a droplet squeezed through a narrow-constricted channel has many applications in pathology, chip/filter/membrane design, drug delivery, etc. Understanding the transient physics of the squeezing process is important in the design and optimization of many micro flow systems. However, available models often ignore the influence of droplet viscosity, and they usually feature low numerical efficiency by solving Navier-Stokes equations. In the present research, we developed a low-dimension analytical model to predict the pressure of squeezing a viscous droplet through a circular constricted channel with acceptable fidelity and low computational cost. Our approach is as follows. We first adapt the Hagen–Poiseuille law to predict the viscosity effect of droplet squeezing. Next, we obtain an analytical expression for the extra pressure caused by only the curvature change obtained. Finally, the general expression of squeezing pressure taking consideration of viscosity and surface tension is expressed. The analytical model we developed is in great agreement with the numerical solutions of the Navier-Stokes equation at a low Reynolds number and low capillary number. These findings have fundamental significance for future applications in engineering and industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • First study on metal oxides-catalyzed fast pyrolysis of a wood-plastic composite. • Metal oxides significantly influence WPC pyrolytic product distributions. • Synergism between poplar and PP enhanced lignin degradation by H-transfer reactions. • ZnO further enhanced the formation of monomeric phenols and olefins. • It provides a route for converting WPC wastes into biofuels or chemicals. Abstract The catalytic fast pyrolysis of a poplar wood-polypropylene composite (WPP) was investigated using Py-GC/MS in the presence of ZnO, CaO, Fe 2 O 3 and MgO. The synergistic effects between wood and plastic components in both non-catalytic and ZnO-catalyzed pyrolysis of WPP were studied. CaO facilitated the removal of oxygen due to its strong basicity, eliminating carboxylic acids and phenols from the products, while slightly increasing cyclopentanones and alkenes. MgO has weaker deoxygenation but stronger chain scission activities versus CaO, and significantly enhanced the alkene yields. Alkene yields were highest using ZnO among the four catalysts. ZnO increased ketone and phenol yields while reducing carboxylic acids. Aromatics were identified in the presence of Fe 2 O 3. A synergistic effect between poplar wood and PP in the uncatalyzed pyrolysis of WPP increased the yields of carboxylic acids, phenols and light alkenes, while it reduced carbonyl-containing oxygenates such as aldehydes, ketones and furans. The synergy in the ZnO-catalyzed pyrolysis of WPP further enhanced the formation of monomeric phenols and alkenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(glycidyl methacrylate)-b-polystyrene (PGMA-b-PS) block copolymers were synthesized by two steps with 1,1-diphenylethylene (DPE) as the chain transfer reagent. The molecular weights and chemical structures of block copolymers were characterized by GPC, FTIR and NMR analyses. Then PGMA-b-PS fibers were fabricated under a shear field using methanol as the antisolvent and glycerin as the shear medium. The shear speed, the concentration of block copolymer solution and the ratios of methanol to glycerin were controlled and regulated. The morphologies of block copolymer fibers were investigated by SEM. Finally, immobilization of bovine hemoglobin on block copolymer fibers was carried out which has potential applications in blood substitutes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smilax glabra ( SG ) is commonly used as a traditional edible herb in eastern Asia. Recently, sulfur-fumigation has been frequently used in order to obtain better color and a longer storage lifetime. However, the chemical alterations caused by this process remain unknown. The aim of this research was to explore potential chemical differences between non-fumigated and sulfur-fumigated SG samples . A novel approach was developed by using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS) with principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial squared discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). Fifty-eight compounds were unambiguously characterized or tentatively identified in the chemical profiles for the first time. Six newly generated sulfur-containing compounds, namely glucosyringic acid sulfate, 5-O-caffeoylshikimic acid sulfite, 3-O-caffeoylshikimic acid sulfite, 5-O-caffeoylshikimic acid sulfate, 3-O-caffeoylshikimic acid sulfate and astilbin sulfate, were screened out to be the most characteristic markers for distinguishing non-fumigated and sulfur-fumigated SG . This newly proposed approach can not only be applied for exploring chemical markers but can also be used to investigate the chemical transformation mechanism associated with sulfur for other edible herbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solvent extraction and separation of rare earths (REs: La ~ Lu, plus Y and Sc) by a novel synthesized extractant, (2-ethylhexylamino)methyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (HEHAMP, abbreviated as H2A2), were investigated in chloride medium. The favorable separation factors (SFs) between adjacent heavy REs suggested that HEHAMP has a better separation performance than P507. The extracted complex of trivalent REs was determined to be REClH2A4 by the slope analysis method. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔG, and ΔS) of Lu were calculated as 7.47 kJ mol−1, −6.05 kJ mol−1, and 45.4 J mol−1 K−1 at 298.15 K, respectively, which indicate that the extraction reaction of Lu is an endothermic process. The loading capacity of 30% (v/v) HEHAMP toward Lu(III), Yb(III), and Y(III) was about 15.17 g Lu2O3/L, 14.46 g Yb2O3/L, and 12.64 g Y2O3/L, respectively. HCl is the most efficient stripping acid, and 92% of the loaded Yb(III) can be stripped by one-stage stripping with 2 mol/L HCl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium cobalt silicate Li 2 CoSiO 4 is a promising but very challenging high energy cathode material for lithium-ion battery. This work presents a systematic study of synthesis-structure-performance of Li 2 CoSiO 4 , in which carbon coating and P doping are incorporated in nano-particles synthesized by hydrothermal reactions and the collaboration among different mechanisms of modification results in controlled synthesis of polymorphs and advanced electrochemical performance. The carbon coated Li 2 CoSiO 4 sample exhibits improved electrochemical performance with a reversible capacity of 112 mAh g −1 at room temperature. Furthermore, 10% P substituted Si in Li 2 CoSiO 4 /C demonstrates a single form in polymorphs with much higher discharge capacity of 144 mAh g −1 . The analysis of cyclic voltammograms and ex situ XRD indicates Li 2 CoSiO 4 bears electrochemical characters of stable structure and high discharge voltage plateau during cycling. First-principles calculations on P-doping Li 2 CoSiO 4 models find the P-doping site to be a repulsively positive center that suppresses the asymmetrical stress of Li + and Peierls distortion in the delithiated structures, therefore promoting the deintercalation in the electrochemical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium-sulfur battery has been considered as a promising electrochemical energy storage system based on its theoretical energy density. However, its practical application is hindered by poor conductivity of sulfur and the shuttle effect. Herein, a hierarchical three-dimensional nitrogen and phosphorous codoped graphene and carbon nanotubes with 70 wt% of sulfur content (N, P codoped G/CNTs-S70) composite was prepared using melamine phosphate as a single precursor of N and P. The simultaneous introduction of N and P creates high active sites on the G/CNTs backbones, restricts the detachments of sulfur from the host G/CNTs, and induces strong chemical adsorption of the dissolution of lithium polysulfides. The as-prepared N, P codoped G/CNTs-S70 composite delivers a high initial discharge capacity of 1550 mA h g and retains a capacity of 735 mA h g after 200 cycles at 0.5 C. This is a significant improvement in the rate capability and cycling stability compared with the un-doped G/CNTs-S70 cathode. This simple strategy with single precursor offers promising electrochemical properties for Li-S batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the superior optical properties of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs), specific recognition characteristics of aptamer and the strong fluorescence quenching properties of graphene oxide (GO), we constructed an aptamer-mediated composite fluorescent probe composed of aptamer-modified CdSe/ZnS QDs (QDs-IBA) and GO for specific detection of insulin. Under the mediation of aptamer, QDs-IBA were effectively adsorbed onto the GO surface, forming a stable QDs-IBA@GO complex through strong π-π stacking interactions. Consequently, the fluorescence of QDs-IBA was quenched through fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between QDs-IBA and GO. During incubation with QDs-IBA, insulin specifically bound with QDs-IBA to prevent interaction between QDs-IBA and GO, leading to the insufficient quenching of QDs-IBA fluorescence. The fluorescence intensity of QDs-IBA@GO probe was directly proportional to the amount of target insulin. Under the optimized conditions, a linear response ranging from 4.3 nM to 206.4 nM was obtained for insulin detection, and the limit of detection was 2.74 nM. The established probe demonstrated its simplicity of operation and cost-effectiveness, which was used for insulin detection in injectable insulin samples and satisfactory results were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ground reaction forces and moments (GRFs and GRMs) measured from force plates in a gait laboratory are usually used as the input conditions to predict the knee joint forces and moments via musculoskeletal (MSK) multibody dynamics (MBD) model. However, the measurements of the GRFs and GRMs data rely on force plates and sometimes are limited by the difficulty in some patient's gait patterns (e.g. treadmill gait). In addition, the force plate calibration error may influence the prediction accuracy of the MSK model. In this study, a prediction method of the GRFs and GRMs based on elastic contact element was integrated into a subject-specific MSK MBD modelling framework of total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and the GRFs and GRMs and knee contact forces (KCFs) during walking were predicted simultaneously with reasonable accuracy. The ground reaction forces and moments were predicted with an average root mean square errors ( RMSEs ) of 0.021 body weight ( BW ), 0.014 BW and 0.089 BW in the antero–posterior, medio–lateral and vertical directions and 0.005 BW •body height ( BH ), 0.011 BW•BH , 0.004 BW•BH in the sagittal, frontal and transverse planes, respectively. Meanwhile, the medial, lateral and total tibiofemoral (TF) contact forces were predicted by the developed MSK model with RMSEs of 0.025–0.032 BW , 0.018–0.022 BW , and 0.089–0.132 BW , respectively. The accuracy of the predicted medial TF contact force was improved by 12% using the present method. The proposed method can extend the application of the MSK model of TKA and is valuable for understanding the in vivo knee biomechanics and tribological conditions without the force plate data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A binary mixture of α-aminophosphonic acid extractant 2-ethylhexyl-3-(2-ethylhexylamino)pentan-3-yl-phosphonic acid (HEHAPP, H 2 A 2 ) and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA, H 2 B 2 ) in n -heptane was employed for the extraction and separation of rare earths (REs) from chloride medium. A remarkable synergistic effect was observed in the Lu(III) extraction by the mixture. The extracted species of Lu(III) was determined as LuH 4 Cl 2 A 3 B 2 . The separation factors of adjacent heavy REs, i.e. SF Er/Ho , SF Tm/Er , SF Yb/Tm and SF Lu/Yb , were of 1.45, 2.58, 2.77 and 1.77, which were much higher than those for other reported synergistic systems, suggesting that the mixture of HEHAPP and D2EHPA is a potential synergistic extraction system for the separation of heavy REs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Objective: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) play a role in pain relief, especially in postoperative pain caused by inflammation. They have demonstrated significant opioid dose-sparing effects, which help in reducing postoperative effects and opioid side effects. The objective of this meta-analysis was to explore the role of NSAIDs in reducing postoperative pain at different time intervals and provide reference for medication after lumbar spine surgery by a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT).Design: A meta-analysis study of randomized controlled trials.Setting: Postoperative recovery area.Patients: Adult patients who have undergone lumbar spine surgery.Intervention: Patients received NSAIDs for pain control after lumbar spine surgery.Measurements: Standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95%CI were used to evaluate the visual analog scale of postoperative pain.Main Results: Four hundred and eight participants from eight studies were included in this study. The difference between the NSAIDs group and placebo is significant in 0-6, 12, and 24h groups (overall: SMD=-0.72, 95%CI -0.98 to -0.45; 0-6h: SMD=0.50, 95%CI -0.81 to -0.19; 12h: SMD=-1.07, 95%CI -1.45 to -0.70; 24h: SMD=-1.16, 95%CI -1.87 to -0.45). Heterogeneity and publication bias were observed in the 0-6 and 24h groups.Conclusion: NSAIDs are effective in postoperative analgesia after lumbar spine surgery. The study type, NSAID dose, different surgery types, and analgesic type might influence the efficacy of NSAIDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SOX17, a member of SRY-related high-mobility-group box (SOX) family, involves in endoderm formation, angiogenesis and carcinogenesis, and its expression characteristics are different in spermatogenesis among several vertebrates. In this study, we cloned a full-length cDNA sequence of sox17 from Zhikong scallop Chlamys farreri , and determined its expression characteristics in gonad at mRNA and protein levels. The cDNA sequence was 2802 bp in length, predicted to encode a protein of 511 amino acids and contained a conservative HMG-box of SOX family, while lacked the C-terminal region of SOX17 comparing to vertebrates. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that C. farreri sox17 ( Cf-sox17 ) mRNA exhibited a different tissue distribution, and the transcript abundance was the highest in the gonads. In situ hybridization determined that the Cf-sox17 mRNA was located in various germ cells in testis and ovary. Similar result of Cf- SOX17 protein was also observed by immunohistochemical detection. The location in gonad is different from that of mammals and fish in which SOX17 is only located in some specific germ cells. Our finding revealed a different characteristic of sox17 expression in gametogenesis between scallop and vertebrates, which implied that Cf-sox17 may involve in gametogenesis of bivalves and the function may differ from that in vertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclooxygenase (COX) is the rate-limiting enzyme in prostaglandins (PGs) biosynthesis. Previous studies indicate that COX-2, one of the isoforms of COX, is highly expressed in colon cancers and plays a key role in colon cancer carcinogenesis. Thus, searching for novel transcription factors regulating COX-2 expression will facilitate drug development for colon cancer. In this study, we identified XRCC5 as a binding protein of the COX-2 gene promoter in colon cancer cells with streptavidin-agarose pulldown assay and mass spectrometry analysis, and found that XRCC5 promoted colon cancer growth through modulation of COX-2 signaling. Knockdown of XRCC5 by siRNAs inhibited the growth of colon cancer cells in vitro and of tumor xenografts in a mouse model in vivo by suppressing COX-2 promoter activity and COX-2 protein expression. Conversely, overexpression of XRCC5 promoted the growth of colon cancer cells by activating COX-2 promoter and increasing COX-2 protein expression. Moreover, the role of p300 (a transcription co-activator) in acetylating XRCC5 to co-regulate COX-2 expression was also evaluated. Immunofluorescence assay and confocal microscopy showed that XRCC5 and p300 proteins were co-located in the nucleus of colon cancer cells. Co-immunoprecipitation assay also proved the interaction between XRCC5 and p300 in nuclear proteins of colon cancer cells. Cell viability assay indicated that the overexpression of wild-type p300, but not its histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain deletion mutant, increased XRCC5 acetylation, thereby up-regulated COX-2 expression and promoted the growth of colon cancer cells. In contrast, suppression of p300 by a p300 HAT-specific inhibitor (C646) inhibited colon cancer cell growth by suppressing COX-2 expression. Taken together, our results demonstrated that XRCC5 promoted colon cancer growth by cooperating with p300 to regulate COX-2 expression, and suggested that the XRCC5/p300/COX-2 signaling pathway was a potential target in the treatment of colon cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]