Search

Automobile anti-lock braking system (ABS) is an important component of vehicle active safety control system and is widely used in various automobiles. In the car braking process, the car equipped with ABS can effectively shorten the braking distance, and avoid vehicle side-slip, etc., ensuring the braking performance and driving safety of the vehicle. In order to further improve the performance and robustness of automobile ABS, a robust ABS control method based on road recognition is proposed for the current ABS control method. Based on the fuzzy logic control method, the road surface adhesion coefficient is estimated to realize the road surface recognition, and the optimal slip rate is dynamically obtained. According to the slip rate, a robust controller of ABS is designed. The simulation results show that the robust controller of ABS has good control effect and robustness and can estimate the road adhesion coefficient in real time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to analyze the influence of three-phase asymmetrical operation of a generator on its stable operation, firstly, taking a 24-MW bulb turbine generator as an example, the 2-D transient electromagnetic field model is established. Through the comparison analysis of the experimental results and simulation data, the correctness of the model is verified. Secondly, the values of air gap flux density, torque and loss in different conditions are obtained by using the finite element method. The effects of asymmetric three-phase current on air gap flux density, torque and loss are determined. Thirdly, the corresponding relationships between the three-phase current unbalance degree and torque ripple, eddy current loss are established, and the variations of torque ripple and eddy current loss are given when the three-phase current unbalance degree is changed. The result shows that the asymmetry three-phase current makes the torque ripple and eddy current loss increase dramatically, which seriously threaten the safe and stable operation of the generator. Finally, the further study on the torque ripple and eddy current loss of the generator under different current distributions and the same three-phase unbalance degree identifies that the content of negative sequence current is a key factor to affect the torque ripple and eddy current loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) underlies a spectrum of human diseases including organ fibrosis, and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the main effectors of hepatic fibrosis. Here, we showed that the expression of host miR-351 in HSCs was markedly reduced during the early stage of Schistosoma infection. However, this expression was significantly increased during the later stage of infection (after 52 d of infection). The elevated levels of miR-351 promoted hepatic fibrosis by targeting the vitamin D receptor (VDR), which is an antagonist of SMAD signaling. Importantly, efficient and sustained inhibition of miR-351 in liver tissues using the highly hepatotropic recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (rAAV8), alleviated the hepatic fibrosis, partially protecting the host from lethal schistosomiasis. In addition, we found that miR-351 is negatively regulated by IFN-γ in HSCs during infection. At the early stage of infection, the elevated levels of IFN-γ inhibited the expression of miR-351 in HSCs through activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 and induction of IFN regulatory factor 2, which binds the promotor of pre-miR-351. Our study provides insights into the mechanisms by which miR-351 regulates schistosomiasis hepatic fibrosis and highlights the potential of rAAV8-mediated miR-351 inhibition as a therapeutic intervention for fibrotic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesoporous Cu2O spheres with a large pore size (LP-Cu2O) bring out a better performance towards the photocatalytic aza-Henry reaction than Cu2O spheres with a small pore size (SP-Cu2O). This work highlights the internal diffusion coefficient as a critical parameter for the fabrication of porous photocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major reasons that cause the damage of damper bars in the leeward side are found in this paper. It provides a route for the structure optimization design of a hydro generator. Firstly, capacity of a 24 MW bulb tubular turbine generator is taken as an example in this paper. The transient electromagnetic field model is established, and the correctness of the model is verified by the comparison of experimental results and simulation data. Secondly, when the generator is operated at rated condition, the eddy current density distributions of damper bars are studied. And the asymmetric phenomenon of the eddy current density on damper bars is discovered. The change laws of the eddy currents in damper bars are determined through further analysis. Thirdly, through the study of eddy current distributions under different conditions, it is confirmed that the stator slots and armature reaction are the main factors to affect the asymmetric distribution of the eddy current in damper bars. Finally, the studies of the magnetic density distribution and theoretical analysis revealed the asymmetric distribution mechanism of eddy current density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic separation is a promising strategy in protein separation. Owing to their unique one-dimensional structures and desired magnetic properties, stacked-cup carbon nanotubes (CSCNTs) with magnetic nanoparticles trapped in their tips can serve as train-like systems for protein separation. In this study, we functionalized the magnetic CSCNTs with high density of carboxyl groups by radical addition and then anchored 3-aminophenylboronic acid (APBA) through amidation reaction to achieve oriented conjunction of antibodies (IgG). It was also demonstrated that the obtainedmagnetic CSCNTs-APBA-IgG conjugates could readily react with target antigens through specific antigen-antibody reaction and be used as new magnetic systems for protein separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vehicle center of sideslip angle is an essential parameter in vehicle stability control system. In view of the current problems is taken as the research object including low estimation accuracy and poor real-time performance of the current centroid sideslip angle, the four-wheel motor driven electric vehicle. The estimation problem of the sideslip angle is studied in-depth when the vehicle is in a nonlinear state. In addition, an Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) estimation method is proposed to reduce observation error and improve the practicability of the estimation system. First of all, the research starts with building a 7-degree-of-freedom vehicle model which is based on the Dugoff tire model. Then, after measuring the state parameters, the UKF algorithm is used to estimate the sideslip angle. By comparing with the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) algorithm, it is confirmed that the estimation method can not only better estimate the center of sideslip angle in real time, but also greater improve the handling stability of the vehicle in the driving state. Besides, the effectiveness of the algorithm is further verified by the real vehicle road test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene has got considerable attention in both experimental and theoretical fields for its extraordinary properties. Covalent functionalization is an efficient strategy to render graphene additional properties and overcome its shortcomings such as zero band gap and nondispersibility in solvents. This study reports the synthesis and characterizations of a new kind of functionalized graphene, graphene-TCNEO, obtained by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. The graphene-TCNEO was systematically characterized by FTIR, Raman, XPS, SEM, TEM, and EDS mapping, and the covalent linkage between graphene and tetracyanoethylene oxide was firmly verified. Considering the great diversity of nitrile chemistry, the obtained graphene-TCNEO could be further transformed into other graphene-based derivatives with interesting properties. Graphene has got considerable attention in both experimental and theoretical fields for its extraordinary properties. Covalent functionalization is an efficient strategy to render graphene additional properties and overcome its shortcomings such as zero band gap and nondispersibility in solvents. This study reports the synthesis and characterizations of a new kind of functionalized graphene, graphene-TCNEO, obtained by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. The graphene-TCNEO was systematically characterized by FTIR, Raman, XPS, SEM, TEM, and EDS mapping, and the covalent linkage between graphene and tetracyanoethylene oxide was firmly verified. Considering the great diversity of nitrile chemistry, the obtained graphene-TCNEO could be further transformed into other graphene-based derivatives with interesting properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient recovery of nanocatalysts, especially the graphene supported noblemetal catalysts, is a challenge. In this study, we report a simple one-step route to prepare the graphene supported Pt/Ni nanocatalysts with ideal superparamagnetic properties. We demonstrated that they had excellent catalytic activities in the catalytic reduction of aromatic nitro compounds and could be easily separated from the reaction mixtures by applying an external magnetic field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene sheets decorated with metal/metal oxide nanoparticles are gaining increasing attention. In this study, sulfhydrylated graphene was prepared by reducing the sulfonic acid groups on sulfonated graphene to thiol groups. We evaluated its ability to anchor different metal/metal oxide nanoparticles by simply mixing the sulfhydrylated graphene with the corresponding pre-prepared metal/metal oxide nanoparticles. The sulfhydrylated graphene and its nanohybrids were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). We demonstrate that the obtained sulfhydrylated graphene can act as a general platform to anchor different kinds of metal/metal oxide nanoparticles with different shapes, structures or properties through thiol–metal bonds. These novel hybrids will render graphene with additional interesting properties and potential applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a one-step method to prepare robust and smart gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) utilizing poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm)-grafted dextran (DexPNI) viaa “grafting-onto” approach. Using NaBH4as a reducing agent, and DexPNI as a nucleating and stabilizing agent, the AuNPs can be obtained at ambient temperature within a short reaction time. Different features of AuNPs, such as their morphologies, optical properties and temperature-responsive behaviours are found to be dependent on the dosage of the gold precursor. The DexPNI-stabilized AuNPs not only show excellent stability against heat, high salt concentration and extreme pH, but could also be readily redispersed after freeze-drying. UV measurements and kinetic analysis of the AuNPs-catalyzed reduction of 4-nitrophenol at different temperatures illuminated that the optical properties and catalytic activity of AuNPs are closely related to temperature. Compared with previously reported diffusion-regulated nanoreacters, our AuNPs provide a unique opportunity to control the reaction rate in an inverse temperature-responsive manner at 32–35 °C, and further switch off the reaction at temperatures higher than 35 °C. These temperature-responsive properties could be used to create a smart sensor and catalyst, acting as an optical temperature alarm and recloser when the reaction temperature accidentally goes beyond the limit value. By using monomers and colloidal precursors other than NIPAAm and HAuCl4, it will be straightforward to extend the present route to build a variety of robust and smart nanomaterials with unprecedented properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To observe the efficacy and adverse reactions of acupuncture and psychological treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Methods: 120 diagnosed patients were randomly divided into two groups, one an integrated group, receiving acupuncture and psychological therapy, another a drug group, receiving methylphenidate hydrochloride therapy. Treatment was administered for 12 weeks. Connexion scale was determined before treatment and re-examined proceeding the 8th and 12th weeks during treatment. Results: Acupuncture and psychological therapy showed better hyperactivity index score than drug therapy alone. Conclusions: Satisfactory results could be eventually obtained by acupuncture plus psychotherapy, and which showed important medical significance in preventing and treating ADHD in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Schistosoma japonicum infection causes hepatic fibrosis, a primary cause of morbidity and mortality associated with the disease, and effective treatments are still lacking. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in the pathogenic process of various tissue fibroses. However, the role of lncRNAs in schistosomiasis hepatic fibrosis (HF) is poorly understood. Understanding the role of lncRNAs in schistosomiasis HF will enhance knowledge of disease processes and aid in the discovery of therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers. Methods: Differentially expressed lncRNA profiles in primary hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) of mice infected with S. japonicum were identified using high-throughput lncRNA sequencing. Primary HSCs were isolated from infected mice using collagenase digestion and density-gradient centrifugation, cultured in DMEM with 10% fetal bovine serum. Dual-luciferase reporter assays, nuclear cytoplasm fractionation and RIP assays were employed to assess the relationship between Malat1 and miRNA-96. Malat1 lentivirus and ASO-Malat1 were constructed for forced expression and downregulated expression of Malat1. The Malat1-KO mouse was constructed by CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Pathological features of the liver were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE), Masson's trichrome staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The expression levels of fibrosis-related genes were determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. Results: A total of 1561 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified between infected and uninfected primary HSCs. Among the top altered lncRNAs, the downregulated Malat1 was observed in infected HSCs and verified by qPCR. Treatment of infected mice with praziquantel (PZQ) significantly increased the Malat1 expression. Elevated Malat1 expression in infected primary HSC reduced the expressions of profibrogenic genes, whereas Malat1 knockdown had the opposite effect. Moreover, Malat1 was found to interact with miR-96, a profibrotic miRNA, by targeting Smad7. Forced Malat1 expression reduced miR-96 levels in infected primary HSCs, attenuating fibrogenesis and showing negative correlation between Malat1 expression and the expression levels of miR-96 and profibrogenic genes α-SMA and Col1α1. Notably, in Malat1-KO mice, knockout of Malat1 aggravates schistosomiasis HF, while restored Malat1 expression in the infected HSCs reduced the expression of profibrogenic genes. Conclusions: We demonstrate that lncRNA is involved in regulation of schistosomiasis HF. Elevated lncRNA Malat1 expression in infected HSCs reduces fibrosis via the Malat1/miR-96/Smad7 pathway, thus providing a novel therapeutic target for schistosomiasis HF. Furthermore, Malat1 expression is sensitive to PZQ treatment, thus offering a potential biomarker for assessing the response to chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large and growing amount of digital data creates a pressing need for approaches capable of indexing and retrieving multimedia content. A traditional and fundamental challenge consists of effectively and efficiently performing nearest-neighbor searches. After decades of research, several different methods are available, including trees, hashing, and graph-based approaches. Most of the current methods exploit learning to hash approaches based on deep learning. In spite of effective results and compact codes obtained, such methods often require a significant amount of labeled data for training. Unsupervised approaches also rely on expensive training procedures usually based on a huge amount of data. In this work, we propose an unsupervised data-independent approach for nearest neighbor searches, which can be used with different features, including deep features trained by transfer learning. The method uses a rank-based formulation and exploits a hashing approach for efficient ranked list computation at query time. A comprehensive experimental evaluation was conducted on seven public datasets, considering deep features based on CNNs and Transformers. Both effectiveness and efficiency aspects were evaluated. The proposed approach achieves remarkable results in comparison to traditional and state-of-the-art methods. Hence, it is an attractive and innovative solution, especially when costly training procedures need to be avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Cu2O based multi-layered photocathode was fabricated with a layer-by-layer assembly method for enhanced photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen evolution. Au was first electrodeposited on the fluorine-doped tin oxide glass to decrease the electrochemical impedance of the Cu2O photocathode. A layer of TiO2 was then coated to increase the light-to-electricity energy conversion efficiency and the chemical stability by forming a p–n junction with Cu2O. Exfoliated WS2 nanosheets obtained from lithium insertion were then coated as the electron acceptor to facilitate the hydrogen evolution. This photocathode is effective for PEC hydrogen evolution, and a photocurrent of −10 mA cm−2 can be obtained at −0.33 V versus RHE in a phosphorus buffer (pH = 6.0) under visible light (λ ≥ 420 nm, 100 mW cm−2) on the optimized photocathode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering is the property of Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

To evaluate factors predictive of the success of a slow-release dinoprostone vaginal insert for cervical ripening. Methods: This retrospective study included 187 women who received dinoprostone vaginal inserts for cervical ripening. The participants were divided into two groups: the transvaginal delivery group (n = 87) and cesarean section termination group (n = 100). The correlation between the parameters present before cervical ripening with dinoprostone slow release and its success, as well as complications and adverse outcomes, was analyzed. Cesarean section predictors and area under the curve (AUC) were compared between the two Groups. Results: There were statistical differences between the two groups in body mass index (BMI), height, cervical Bishop score, cephalic position, time of medication use, and fetal head position at the time of medication use (P< 0.05). The optimal thresholds for identifying cesarean section in dinoprostone vaginal insert for cervical ripening were 162.5 for height (AUC = 0.61), 10.65 cm for amniotic fluid index (AUC = 0.6), S-2.5 for cephalic position (AUC = 0.61), 5.5 for bishop score of cervix (AUC = 0.65). The height, amniotic fluid index, cephalic position, and Bishop score of the cervix were included in the same model. The AUC value of the combined model was higher than the AUC value of the single factor. Conclusion: The combined model was a better predictor of cesarean section in dinoprostone vaginal inserts for cervical ripening and labor induction. The success of cervical ripening with a dinoprostone slow-release vaginal insert can be predicted by the factors that can be recognized at admission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering is the property of Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

N‐coordinated Ni sites (NiNx) are effective catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of CO2 to CO. In most researches, modulating the coordination environment of Ni atoms is focused on to improve electrochemical CO2 reduction (ECR) performance. However, the influence of the carbon substrate's structure on the intrinsic activity of NiNx is seldom investigated. The highly curved surface of carbon nanotubes (CNT) may provide a unique curvature effect on NiNx. It is found that the Ni residues in CNT can be atomized to form NiNx sites on the surface of CNT (Ni‐N/CNT@covalent triazine framework [CTF]) through high‐temperature pyrolysis, using a soluble CTF nanosheet as N precursor. The π‐conjugated and ultrathin 2D structure of CTF enables closer interfacial contact between CTF and CNT, which avoids the formation of a thick carbon layer to maximize the curvature effect. Theoretical data reveal that the NiN3 configuration may act as a highly active ECR site, and the curvature effect from CNT can further tune the electronic structure of NiN3, thus improving the ECR kinetics. The Ni‐N/CNT@CTF‐based flow‐cell electrolyzer exhibits a jCO of 201 mA cm−2 at −0.9 V with a high FECO of 98%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering is the property of Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Exfoliated molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has unique 2H phase and semiconductor properties and potential applications across a wide range of fields. However, the chemically exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets from LixMoS2 have a 1T phase, and searching for a fast route to get processable 2H-MoS2 nanosheets and its nanocomposites is still an urgent task. This study reports on a simple, fast and efficient microwave strategy to achieve the 1T to 2H phase conversion of MoS2 and the successful preparation of processable 2H-MoS2 nanosheets and their nanocomposites. The method here may be easily changed to achieve the phase change of other exfoliated TMDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cultivation of strawberries in controlled environments presents challenges related to environmental stressors, especially insufficient light. Melatonin, as a widely investigated plant growth regulator, was considered as a potential candidate to mitigate damage, and enhance photosynthesis stability. However, whether melatonin can improve photosynthesis under light deficiency in woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca) remains elusive. In this study, we evaluated gas exchange parameters, Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, photochemical efficiency, and the related genes' expression levels to decipher the multifaceted impact of melatonin on photosynthesis. We found concentration-dependent effects of melatonin on photosynthetic parameters, with potential benefits at lower concentration and inhibitory effects at higher concentration. Notably, melatonin increased non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), a mechanism for dissipating excess light energy, while leaving photochemical quenching (qP) relatively stable. Further analysis showed that melatonin up-regulated key xanthophyll cycle-related genes (DHAR, VDE, and PsbS), indicating its involvement in energy dissipation processes. In conclusion, our study uncovered the dual and complex role of melatonin in the short-term response of photosynthesis in woodland strawberries under low-light conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The simultaneous optimization of sluggish reaction kinetics and mass transfer in bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts for air cathodes remains a great challenge. This study utilizes CoAl‐layered double hydroxide as a metal precursor to fabricate a bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst, denoted as CoAlOXD‐Thin. This electrocatalyst features a specific core–shell structure of Co species, which grows on an aerophilic and conductive substrate composed of Al2O3 and carbon. It is successfully demonstrated that the thickness of Co@Co3O4 core–shell structure can be easily controlled by selecting different precursors and the combination of Co core and Co3O4 shell optimizes the adsorption strength of intermediates, leading to enhanced catalytic performance. Additionally, the Al species plays a dual role. It not only facilitates the mass transfer of oxygen species but also hinders the 2e− pathway of oxygen reduction reaction, leading to improved selectivity. Notably, the Zn–air batteries utilizing CoAlOXD‐Thin demonstrate an impressive peak power density of 216.2 mW cm−2, a high specific capacity of 800.8 mAh gZn−1, and excellent cycling stability and reversibility, surpassing those of the Pt/C + RuO2 catalyst. This study presents a novel approach to enhance air cathode performance by optimizing reaction kinetics and mass transfer through precursor design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at the problem that the current ABS control algorithm cann't make full use of the ground braking force to complete the braking when the complex road surface is in emergency braking, the ABS sliding mode variable structure control method based on road surface identification is proposed. Combined with the in-wheel motor of in-wheel motor electric vehicle, a coordinated control method of motor hydraulic composite is designed. Based on the fuzzy logic control method, the road adhesion coefficient is estimated to realize the identification of typical roads and dynamically obtain the optimal slip rate of different roads. The ABS sliding mode variable structure controller is designed with the optimal slip ratio and the actual slip ratio as input, and the saturation function is used to replace the sign function in the traditional sliding mode variable structure control to weaken the ' chattering ' phenomenon in the sliding mode variable structure control, and then the ABS controller is designed. Taking the experimental prototype vehicle driven by four-wheel hub motor as the research object, an eight-degree-of-freedom dynamic simulation model of the whole vehicle is established. Compared with the traditional PID controller, the braking time is shortened by 0.2 s and the braking distance is shortened by 2.3 m, which shows the feasibility of the designed controller. Through the simulation braking experiment of the docking road, the adaptability and real-time performance of the ABS sliding mode controller are verified, and the importance of the road adhesion coefficient identification to the ABS controller is verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vehicle active safety system is the hotspot of current research and development, and the road adhesion coefficient is one of the essential parameters in the development of automobile active safety system, which plays a pivotal role in automobile safety. To improve the real-time performance and accuracy of the road adhesion coefficient, this paper proposes different control methods and compares and analyzes them. To accurately estimate the road adhesion coefficient in real-time, an eight-degree-of-freedom vehicle model was adopted in this paper. According to the tire torque and wheel speed, the adhesion coefficient was estimated based on the second-order nonlinear extended state observer. The experimental data, such as slip rate, using the improved tire model, is based on the recursive least squares method with forgetting factor and fuzzy logic algorithm real-time of tire-road friction coefficient estimation. The results show that the observer can effectively observe utilisation adhesion coefficient, and both control algorithms can estimate the road adhesion coefficient in real-time, effectively and quickly. On different roads, the use of the recursive least squares algorithm resulted in higher estimation accuracy, better robustness, and better control effect than using a fuzzy logic algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Asian Journals of Ecotoxicology is the property of Gai Kan Bian Wei Hui and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The development of low-cost, highly active, and rationally designed catalysts is the research trend in electrolytic water reduction. Herein, uniformly dispersed ultra-fine Pt NPs with an average grain diameter of 1.84 nm (DA-Pt (1 : 1)) were effectively loaded onto C3N4 molded and dopamine hydrochloride-modified crinkly nanosheet structures. The plicated structure contributes to the exposure of more surface edge sites, enhancement of metal loading regions, and accessible active sites. The regulation of electronic structure in Pt NPs by O via Pt–O also improves the intrinsic activity of Pt active sites. Additionally, the rich pore structure facilitates mass transfer for HER. As a result, the obtained material is capable of exhibiting effective HER activity in an acidic environment, as well as high-mass activity and long-term stability. DA-Pt (1 : 1) showed comparable current densities to commercial 20 wt% Pt/C (14 and 91 mV) of 10 and 100 mA cm−2 at overpotentials of 17 and 93 mV, respectively. Furthermore, the mass activity of DA-Pt (1 : 1) reached 5526 A gPt−1 at an overpotential of 100 mV, which is four times greater than that of commercial Pt/C (1400 A gPt−1). The research approach presented here is instructive for the development of highly active, low-cost, uniformly dispersed ultrafine Pt NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect law of the type, viscosity and content of dust suppressants on the dust emission and physical properties of cement based ceramic tile adhesive were analyzed and compared. The results show that the dust suppressant can better suppress the dust emission of the tile adhesive at lower viscosity, and can better maintain the mechanical properties of ceramic tile adhesive. As the amount of dust suppressant increases, the suppression of dust emission becomes stronger. However, beyond a certain amount, the mechanical properties of the ceramic tile adhesive will be greatly affected, and the optimal amount of dust suppressant is 0.4% ~0.6%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering is the property of Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hyperinsulinemia is a critical risk factor for the pathogenesis of insulin resistance (IR) in metabolic tissues, including the liver. Ethanolamine phosphate phospholyase (ETNPPL), a newly discovered metabolic enzyme that converts phosphoethanolamine (PEA) to ammonia, inorganic phosphate, and acetaldehyde, is abundantly expressed in liver tissue. Whether it plays a role in the regulation of hyperinsulinemia‐induced IR in hepatocytes remains elusive. Here, we established an in vitro hyperinsulinemia‐induced IR model in the HepG2 human liver cancer cell line and primary mouse hepatocyte via a high dose of insulin treatment. Next, we overexpressed ETNPPL by using lentivirus‐mediated ectopic to investigate the effects of ETNPPL per se on IR without insulin stimulation. To explore the underlying mechanism of ETNPPL mediating hyperinsulinemia‐induced IR in HepG2, we performed genome‐wide transcriptional analysis using RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) to identify the downstream target gene of ETNPPL. The results showed that ETNPPL expression levels in both mRNA and protein were significantly upregulated in hyperinsulinemia‐induced IR in HepG2 and primary mouse hepatocytes. Upon silencing ETNPPL, hyperinsulinemia‐induced IR was ameliorated. Under normal conditions without IR in hepatocytes, overexpressing ETNPPL promotes IR, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and AKT inactivation. Transcriptome analysis revealed that salt‐inducible kinase 1 (SIK1) is markedly downregulated in the ETNPPL knockdown HepG2 cells. Moreover, disrupting SIK1 prevents ETNPPL‐induced ROS accumulation, damage to the PI3K/AKT pathway and IR. Our study reveals that ETNPPL mediates hyperinsulinemia‐induced IR through the SIK1/ROS‐mediated inactivation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in hepatocyte cells. Targeting ETNPPL may present a potential strategy for hyperinsulinemia‐associated metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers studying heterogeneous catalysis are intrigued by single-atom catalysts (SACs) due to their ultrahigh atomic utilization. However, only a few reports on SAC-catalyzed classical organic transformations are available. In this work, atomically dispersed Pd sites are confined to a ZrO2 hybridized N-doped carbon skeleton with a smart design. UiO-66-NH2 is used to anchor Pd atoms by the coordination of the donor atoms including lone pairs of electrons and metal atoms. Subsequently, the in situ introduction of ZrO2 doping is achieved using pyrolysis, which helps improve the catalytic performance by modulating the electronic state. The Pd@ZrO2/N–C catalyst obtained from the unique design exhibits a high yield (99%) in eco-friendly media with an extremely low noble metal dosage (0.03 mol% Pd) for the Suzuki reaction. Moreover, Pd@ZrO2/N–C remains highly active after being reused several times and possesses versatility in a variety of substrates. This strategy offers a feasible alternative to designing SACs with atomically dispersed noble metals for heterogeneous reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a vital half-reaction in several electrochemical energy conversion devices. Herein, we report a hierarchical NiMoO4/NiFe LDH pre-catalyst that enables complete reconstruction and fine structural inheritance, while exhibiting a low overpotential of 188 mV at 10 mA cm−2 in 1.0 M KOH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attributed to its distinctive dahlia-flowerlike structure and already desirable size (usually <100 nm), carbon nanohorn assemblies (CNHs), a new member of the fullerene family, are a potential vehicle for intracellular delivery. This paper shows that isolated CNHs and nanoscale CNH agglomerates can be successfully isolated by a copolymer (Gum Arabic) through steric stabilization. In vitrostudy shows that the modified CNHs are nontoxic and may be used as a promising vehicle for intracellular delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As the most common iron metabolism and storage organ, the specific regulatory mechanism and prognostic relevance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) need further study. Objective: We aimed to perform a multi-omics integration and a ferroptosis-associated signature of HCC. Methods: Gene Expression Omnibus was searched for available data with ferroptosis inducers, and three independent datasets (GSE104462, GSE112384, and GSE142591) were collected. Multi-omic data with available clinical information of TCGA-LIHC and CHCC were retrieved from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA, http://cancergenome.nih.gov/) and iProX database (www.iprox.org, IPX0000937000). Integrated multi-omics analyses revealed the difference among biological functions, the activation status of key signaling pathways, tumor microenvironment, and sorafenib resistance in HCC. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) identified a novel panel associated with clinical and molecular attributes, including survival, immune microenvironment, sorafenib resistance, genetic profile, liver-specific proteome, and phosphoproteome. Results: We performed a multi-omics integration for ferroptosis-associated characterization of HCC using paired tumor and adjacent liver tissues from 370 samples of TCGA. We proposed a novel panel including twelve genes that could reflect the prognosis and capacity of ferroptosis (ATAD2, DTL, DUT, E2F2, GINS2, FOXK1, MCM4, MCM5, MTHFD1, PHF19, POLA1, THOC6). Samples with high ferroptosis prognostic scores suggested significantly inferior survival (P = 0.0028), a lower degree of ferroptosis (P < 0.001), and greater ferroptosis induction capacity (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The score in our study revealed the inherent state and further potential of ferroptosis in tumor cells, which also distinct features in tumor metabolism, microenvironment, clinical phenotype, and potential therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: Identification, characterization and osmotic stress responsive expression of growth-regulating factor genes in grape. The growth and fruit production of grape vine are severely affected by adverse environmental conditions. Growth-regulating factors (GRFs) play a vital role in the regulation of plant growth, reproduction and stress tolerance. However, their biological functions in fruit vine crops are still largely unknown. In the present study, a total number of nine VvGRFs were identified in the grape genome. Phylogenetic and collinear relationship analysis revealed that they formed seven subfamilies, and have gone through three segmental duplication events. All VvGRFs were predicted to be nucleic localized and contained both the conserved QLQ and WRC domains at their N-terminals, one of the typical structural features of GRF proteins. Quantitative real-time PCR analyses demonstrated that all VvGRFs, with a predominant expression of VvGRF7, were constitutively expressed in roots, leaves and stems of grape plants, and showed responsive expression to osmotic stress. Further growth phenotypic analysis demonstrated that ectopic expression of VvGRF7 promoted the growth and sensitivity of transgenic Arabidopsis plants to osmotic stress. Our findings provide important information for the future study of VvGRF gene functions, and potential gene resources for the genetic breeding of new fruit vine varieties with improved fruit yield and stress tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heteroatom doping is an efficacious strategy for electronic structure modulation and intrinsic activity adjustment, but the mechanisms accounting for activity enhancement remain controversial. Herein, a controllable self-assembly strategy is applied to manufacture atomically dispersed Fe–N4–O1 anchored N-doped porous carbon. The Fe–N4–O1 active sites possess a coordination number of 5, which exhibit splendid catalytic activity compared with Fe–N4 sites. The oxygen atoms on Fe–N4–O1 sites can not only modulate the adsorption free energy of benzylamine molecules, but also directly oxidize the adsorbed benzylamine molecule to the corresponding imine, thereby promoting the oxidative coupling process of benzylamine. The Fe–N4–O1 coordination, high atomic Fe loading density and huge specific surface area are proven to be three decisive factors affecting the overall activity. Moreover, a possible reaction mechanism involving dual Fe–N4–O1 oxidative and Fe–N4 reactive oxygen species pathways is proposed, which affords guidance for high-efficiency catalyst design toward oxidation-related reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative analysis of the characteristics of the salient pole synchronous machine for two variants of the rotor damping system design was performed by mathematical modeling methods. In the first embodiment, a traditional (internal) damping rotor system is used, which is made of electrically conductive rods immersed in the surface of the poles. In the second embodiment, the external damping system of the rotor is made in the form of conductive sheets fixed to the surface of the poles. It is noted that the external damping system of the rotor provides better asynchronous characteristics and is characterized by more uniform heating, which reduces the thermomechanical loads of structural elements. This design increases the reliability of the machine not only in the event of short-term asynchronous modes of operation, but also in the event of uneven air gap between the stator and rotor, which usually occurs during long operation of high-pole synchronous machines, such as hydro generators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of high-performance and low-cost electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is of great importance for renewable energy technologies. Herein, a highly efficient and stable self-supported electrocatalyst with V–Co4N nanowires as the core and NiFe LDH nanosheet arrays as the shell is developed. The obtained NiFe LDH/V–Co4N@NF shows strong electronic interaction at the heterointerface, which remarkably boosts its OER performance. It exhibits ultralow overpotentials of 203 and 240 mV at 10 and 100 mA cm−2 in 1 M KOH solution, respectively, together with a much smaller Tafel slope of 26.0 mV dec−1 and robust long-term durability. Structural characterization reveals that doping V contributes to the interfacial electron coupling between Co species and Fe species. Theoretical calculations confirm that the heterointerfaces reduce the free energy barriers of the rate-determining step. This study demonstrates the possibility of improving the OER performance of transition metal nitride catalysts through heterointerface engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PMS-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are a high-efficiency and economically favorable approach for dealing with aqueous organic pollutants. In this work, an Fe single-atom catalyst deposited on N-doped hollow mesoporous carbon spheres (Fe–NC HMCS) is prepared via an in situ hard-template strategy and used to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for organic pollutant degradation. Benefiting from the presence of Fe–N sites and a suitable structure (a large specific surface area and a uniform mesoporous structure), the obtained Fe–NC HMCS catalyst with a low Fe-loading capacity (0.16 wt%) exhibits an outstanding turnover frequency (TOF) as high as 55.4 min−1 during the degradation of bisphenol A (BPA). Remarkably, the introduction of atomically dispersed Fe atoms can successfully modulate the pathway of PMS activation, and the radical-mediated process of PMS activation accelerated by graphitic N is attenuated, in turn boosting electron-transfer-mediated nonradical processes. This work provides an ingenious strategy for designing highly efficient and selective single-atom catalysts and reveals the corresponding activation mechanism for PMS-based AOPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high dielectric loss tangent value of black phosphorus nanosheets enables them to be selectively heated under microwave radiation to realize the in situ surface reaction of BP with Ni2+ to prepare thermodynamically unstable two-dimensional Ni2P. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The practical applications of lithium–sulfur batteries are presently hindered by the shuttle effect, sluggish reaction kinetics, and poor electronic conductivity of sulfur. Siloxene, a new 2D nanomaterial with three types of structures (Weiss, chain like, and Kautsky), is regarded to be a promising cathode‐supporting material for Li–S batteries. Herein, a series of 3d transition metal single‐atom embedded siloxenes (TM‐SA‐siloxenes) is designed and their potential in Li–S batteries is evaluated by first‐principles calculations. It is found that Weiss‐siloxene shows the best polysulfide anchoring ability and lowest Gibbs free energy for the sulfur reduction reaction (SRR). Among a series of TM‐SA‐siloxenes, Co‐SA‐siloxene is identified as the optimal candidate. It shows moderate adsorption energies for polysulfides and outstanding bifunctional electrocatalytic activity for SRR and Li2S decomposition, as well as excellent electronic conductivity. It is also revealed that suitable d and p band center positions, obvious hybridization between Co–3d and S–3p orbitals, and more charge obtained from adsorbed polysulfides, contribute to the high redox kinetics of Co‐SA‐siloxene for the catalyzing conversion of polysulfides. These interesting results provide valuable theoretical guidance for the study of siloxene‐based cathode host materials for Li–S batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]