Search

AbstractIn order to reduce the pressure of the central smoke shaft in high-rise apartments, a controllable baffle-hood was proposed to improve the smoke removal efficiency without increase the exhaust airflow rate in the kitchen. A series of baffle-type hoods with various locations and shape of panel were explored to evaluate the pollutant removal efficiency. The results showed that the baffle design reduces pollutant concentration by 8%–71% and lowers temperature by 0.8 °C–2.0 °C compared to conventional range hoods. A power function relationship was found between pollutant concentration and air velocity at cross-sectional of inlet. The panel is still a simple and useful technology in the home kitchen, if it can solve the convenience of cooking operations.

Boosting the core competitiveness and operational efficiency of enterprises while minimizing costs through strategic R&D investments is crucial for the advancement of wind power companies. This paper examines data from listed wind power enterprises from 2015 to 2023 and develops a detailed multiple linear regression model for comprehensive analysis. Goldwind Science & Technology Co., Ltd. is used as a case study. The paper explores the impact of R&D investment on wind power enterprise performance through empirical and case analyses, revealing several key insights. First, both R&D intensity and per capita R&D investment positively affect wind power enterprise performance, with R&D intensity having a more substantial impact. Second, the case study of Goldwind demonstrates a clear positive correlation between R&D intensity, per capita R&D investment, and corporate performance. Third, the impact mechanism analysis shows that increased R&D investment enhances Goldwind's technological advancements, leading to new products that meet market demand and improve enterprise performance. Based on these findings, the paper proposes policy recommendations, including increasing R&D investment and recruiting more scientific researchers.

Efficient utilization of clean energy is iminent for achieving the ambitious “dual-carbon” goal, digitalization provides favorable conditions for decarbonzation. Based on the data of 30 provinces in China, the biggest developing country, this study measures clean energy efficiency with improved DEA and digitalization with entropy method, and empirically explores the linear and nonlinear relationships from multidimensions. The major study findings are as follows. (1) On the whole from 2013 to 2017, digitalization and clean energy efficiency represent a steady growth trend, and the former increases by 8.98 % annually with a relatively low average level of 0.2286, while the latter increases by 1.24 % annually with a high average level of 0.9695. Meanwhile, regional heterogeneity of clean energy efficiency is significant. (2) digitalization can significantly promote clean energy efficiency with the marginal effect of 0.676, and clean energy efficiency increases by 0.0525 in the study period, indicating that 5.4 % of the improvement in clean energy efficiency caused by digitalization. (3) Hansen threshold analysis shows three nonlinear critical factors with single threshold and heterogeneous trends: technology innovation, energy consumption structure and population aggregation. Finally, according to the conclusions, corresponding policy suggestions are put forward.

Interleukin-9 receptor alpha chain (IL-9Rα) is the ligand-binding subunit of IL-9R that plays roles in IL-9-mediated allergy, inflammation, infection, and tumor immunity. While mammalian IL-9Rαs have been extensively investigated, avian IL-9Rα has not yet been identified and characterized. In this study, we cloned chicken IL-9Rα (chIL-9Rα) and performed a phylogenetic analysis, analyzed its tissue distribution, characterized the expression form of natural chIL-9Rα. Phylogenetic analysis showed that chIL-9Rα has less than 25% amino acid homology with mammalian IL-9Rαs. The chIL-9Rα mRNA was abundantly detected only in heart and mitogen-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Furthermore, 4 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against chIL-9Rα were generated using prokaryotic recombinant chIL-9Rα (rchIL-9Rα). Using anti-chIL-9Rα mAbs, natural chIL-9Rα expressed on the splenocytes of chickens was observed by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), and its molecular weight of 51 kDa was identified by Western blotting. Overall, our study reveals for the first time the presence of IL-9Rα in birds, and provides immunological tools for further investigating the roles of chIL-9 in diseases and immunity.

In order to improve oral bioavailability of tacrolimus (FK506), a novel poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic anhydride)-graft-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin amphiphilic copolymer (CD-PVM/MA) is developed, combining the bioadhesiveness of PVM/MA, P-glycoprotein (P-gp), and cytochrome P450-inhibitory effect of CD into one. The FK506-loaded nanoparticles (CD-PVM/MA-NPs) were obtained by solvent evaporation method. The physiochemical properties and intestinal absorption mechanism of FK506-loaded CD-PVM/MA-NPs were characterized, and the pharmacokinetic behavior was investigated in rats. FK506-loaded CD-PVM/MA-NPs exhibited nanometer-sized particles of 273.7 nm, with encapsulation efficiency as high as 73.3%. FK506-loaded CD-PVM/MA-NPs maintained structural stability in the simulated gastric fluid, and about 80% FK506 was released within 24 h in the simulated intestinal fluid. The permeability of FK506 was improved dramatically by CD-PVM/MA-NPs compared to its solution, probably due to the synergistic inhibition effect of P-gp and cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A). The intestinal biodistribution of fluorescence-labeled CD-PVM/MA-NPs confirmed its good bioadhesion to the rat intestinal wall. Two endocytosis pathways, clathrin- and caveolae-mediated endocytosis, were involved in the cellular uptake of CD-PVM/MA-NPs. The important role of lymphatic transport in nanoparticles’ access to the systemic circulation, about half of the contribution to oral bioavailability, was observed in mesenteric lymph duct ligated rats. The AUC0–24of FK506 loaded in nanoparticles was enhanced up to 20-fold compared to FK506 solutions after oral administration. The present study suggested that the novel multifunctional CD-PVM/MA is a promising efficient oral delivery carrier for FK506, due to its ability in solubilization, inhibitory effects on both P-gp and CYP 3A, high bioadhesion, and sustained release capability.

A simple, sensitive, precise and reliable gradient HPLC method was developed and validated for simultaneous quantitative determination of losartan potassium and its eleven related impurities and degradation products in a tablet formulation. Among them B, C, D, E, F, I and G were related impurities and J, K, L and M were degradation products. Optimum chromatographic separation was carried out on an ACCHROM ODS-C18 (250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 µm) column using mobile phases consisting of acetonitrile and 0.1% phosphoric acid under a gradient elution program. The UV detection wavelength was performed at 220 nm with a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The column temperature was maintained at 35 °C. All standard curves obtained exhibited good linear regression (r > 0.9995) within the tested range. All the average recovery rates were in the range of 97.00-103.00% and RSD was less than 2.00% (n = 3). Limits of detection and quantification were determined in the level of ng/mL. The results demonstrated that the validated method was suitable for the simultaneous quantification of losartan potassium and its eleven related impurities and degradation products in a tablet formulation.

A ratiometric fluorescence method for the detection of l-tryptophan based on mono-6-SH-β-cyclodextrin modified Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots has been developed. It exhibits a highly selective ratiometric emission response (400/598 nm) to l-tryptophan over other amino acids. β-Cyclodextrin still retained the ability of molecular recognition when it was coated on the surface of Mn–ZnS QDs, and this is also the cause for the identification of l-tryptophan.

Road pricing was regarded as an effective instrument to reduce traffic congestion and environmental-related problems in metropolitan areas. However the low public acceptability was always one of the biggest barriers to implement this measure. In order to solve the problem above, this paper uses cluster analysis approach to identify groups of car users with a similar background in relevant socioeconomic variables and compares their responses to road pricing. Four groups are identified: short-distance travel and low-income people, long-distance travel and low-income people, short-distance travel and high- income people, long-distance travel and high-income people. Those groups indeed differ in their acceptability towards urban road pricing and factors affecting their acceptability. While there were no significant difference in acceptability among four groups from the results. Finally, this paper proposes various suggestions towards different groups to improve their acceptability by analyzing characteristics and attitude to charging practices in those groups.

An endoreversible Brayton cycle-based cogeneration plant has been optimised based on the dimensionless total exergy output rate criterion with a constraint on power-to-heat ratio. An optimal pressure ratio parameter and the maximum dimensionless total exergy output rate have been numerically determined. The optimisation results have been compared with those based on the total useful energy rate criterion. It shows that a cogeneration plant based on the maximum total exergy output rate criterion has higher total exergy output rate and smaller pressure ratio while lower exergy efficiency than that based on the maximum total useful energy rate criterion.

This study performed design optimization on a building with integrated photovoltaic, Trombe wall and phase change material based on building life cycle cost (LCC) and indoor thermal comfort. A total of thirty-four design variables were considered as the optimization variables. The optimization process consists of four steps. Firstly, Monte Carlo Method was used to generate a set of design samples, and the LCC and indoor discomfort degree hour were obtained through computer simulation. Secondly, stepwise linear regression (SLR) and artificial neural network (ANN) models were developed as the prediction models. ANN models exhibited better prediction performance with errors of less than 6%. Thirdly, six optimization algorithms were selected to couple with the ANN models for design optimization and the Strength Pareto Evolutionary Algorithm II (SPEA II) presented the best performance. Finally, optimization with different groups of design variables were conducted by using the SPEA II algorithm. Compared with the reference building, the optimal solutions reduce life cycle cost up to 45.51% and improve thermal comfort level up to 43.81%. The recommended heating and cooling temperature setpoint is around 18 °C and 24 °C, respectively. The PCM type convergence value is BioPCM M182/Q21, and the east and west window-to-wall ratios are around 10%.