Search

A new copper powder preparing method is proposed, which can flexibly manufacture spherical copper powders by arc micro explosion machining. The effects of pulsed arc and continuous arc on copper powders prepared by arc micro explosion machining were investigated. The properties and microstructure of the two types of copper powders were analyzed using high-resolution synchrotron X-ray computed tomography (CT), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), and Transmission electron microscope(TEM). The results showed that under the same conditions, the type of arc has an effect on the size, surface finish and crystal structure of copper powder. In contrast, it has no significant effect on the size distribution, sphericity, purity and oxygen content. Under the condition of voltage 100V and current 400A, the D50 of copper powder prepared by pulsed arc is 63.08μm, and the D50 of copper powder prepared by continuous arc is 72.24μm; the copper powder made by continuous arc has higher surface finish than that made by pulsed arc; the polycrystalline structure is easy to be obtained by the copper powder prepared by pulsed arc, while monocrystalline structure is easy to be obtained by continuous arc. The two copper powders had the advantages of narrow particle size distribution, good fluidity, high sphericity, high purity, low oxygen content and non-satellite powder, which met the requirements for copper powders in additive manufacturing (AM). This research result can serve as a basis for selecting the arc type for arc micro explosion machining of copper powders.

Hypertension is still a common chronic disease worldwide and seriously affects human health. Aim of this study was to investigate the association between tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle-related metabolites and hypertension in older adults. A total of 1127 community-dwelling older adults were included in this cross-sectional analysis, of whom 609 were assigned to the hypertension group and 518 to the no-hypertension group. Plasma concentrations of 8 TCA cycle-related metabolites (citrate, cis-aconitate, isocitrate, 2-oxoglutarate, succinate, maleate, fumarate, and malate) were determined by gas chromatography–triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between these metabolites and hypertension risk. After adjustment for covariates, we found that the increased plasma concentrations of 2-oxoglutarate and malate were significantly associated with hypertension. These two associations remained unchanged after using the false discovery rate (FDR)-adjustment method (both FDR-adjusted P-trend <0.05). In stratified analysis, these two associations were not modified by overweight, physical activity, and current drinking (all P-interaction >0.05). In the multivariate diagnostic model, the inclusion of these two metabolites modestly and significantly improved the diagnosis of hypertension (AUC = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.60–0.67). These results indicated that plasma 2-oxoglutarate and malate might be the candidate metabolic markers of hypertension among older adults. However, further longitudinal and experimental studies are necessary to confirm this finding.

This report discloses a transition-metal-free [4 + 2] spirocyclization of isatin-derived β-silylcarbinols and 2-aminobenzenethiols, providing a facile approach to 1,4-benzothiazide spiroindolinones in decent yields. Control experiments indicate that 3-methylene oxindoles and disulfides are key intermediates in this tandem reaction. Moreover, the resulting products can be facilely converted into pharmaceutically significant sulfone and sulfoxide scaffolds, which further demonstrates the potential utility of this protocol.

Caffeine intake during pregnancy is common, while its effect on gut microbiota composition of offspring and the relationship with susceptibility to adult diseases remains unclear. This study aimed to confirm the effects of prenatal caffeine exposure (PCE) on the gut microbiota composition and its metabolites in female offspring rats, and to further elucidate its underlying mechanism and intervention targets in adult non-alcoholic fatty disease (NAFLD). The results showed that the gut microbiota of PCE female offspring at multiple time points from infancy to adolescence were significantly changed with depletion of butyric acid-producing bacteria, leading to a decrease in butyric acid in adulthood. It was also found that PCE female offspring rats were sensitive to NAFLD induced by a postnatal high-fat diet (HFD), which is mainly related to the enhancement of hepatic triglyceride synthesis function. Through mechanism exploration, we found that HFD further reduced the fecal and serum butyric acid levels in the PCE female offspring, which was significantly negatively correlated with hepatic SREBP-1c/FASNmRNA expression and triglyceride level. In vivoand in vitroexperiments confirmed that sodium butyrate (NaB) supplementation could reduce hepatic lipid accumulation through MCT1/GPR109A-AMPK, thereby effectively decreasing the susceptibility to NAFLD in the PCE female offspring rats.

IMPORTANCE: Mouth breathing is associated with increased airway resistance, pharyngeal collapsibility, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity. The common belief is that closing the mouth can mitigate the negative effects of mouth breathing during sleep. However, mouth breathing may serve as an essential route to bypassing obstruction along the nasal route (eg, the velopharynx). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of mouth breathing as an essential route in some patients with OSA and its association with upper airway anatomical factors. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This nonrandomized clinical trial included participants diagnosed with OSA who underwent drug-induced sleep endoscopy. Patients were stratified into 3 quantiles based on oral-breathing level (quantile 1: oral airflow &lt; 0.05 L/min; quantile 2: oral airflow 0.05-2.2 L/min; quantile 3: oral airflow > 2.2 L/min). INTERVENTIONS: Closing the mouth during sleep during alternating breaths by applying pressure to the mentum until teeth are in occlusion. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was total inspiratory flow defined as the change in airflow in the transition from mouth relaxed to mouth closed, analyzed overall and by 3 oral-breathing quantiles. The association of velopharyngeal obstruction on the change in total inspiratory airflow was also investigated. RESULTS: Of 66 enrolled patients with OSA, 12 were excluded due to insufficient baseline airflow. The analytic cohort consisted of 54 patients (39 [72%] male; median [IQR] age, 55 [46-64] years; apnea-hypopnea index, 26.9 [17.6-39.9] events/h; and body mass index calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared, 28.9 [27.1-31.6]). Mouth closure increased total inspiratory flow by 27.8 percentage points overall (β, 1.0 [95% CI, 0.4-1.9] L/min). However, outcomes varied based on the degree of baseline oral breathing. No association was found for 10 patients with near-zero mouth breathing (0.9 [95% CI, −0.2 to 2.1] L/min). Airflow improved with mouth closure in 32 patients with moderate levels of mouth breathing (2.0 [95% CI, 1.3-2.7] L/min), whereas it worsened in patients with high levels of mouth breathing (−1.9 [95% CI, −3.1 to −0.6] L/min). Velopharyngeal obstruction was associated with increased mouth breathing (0.6 [95% CI, 0.1-3.0] L/min) and reduced airflow with mouth closure (−1.9 [95% CI, −3.1 to −0.7] L/min). CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Although mouth closure increased inspiratory airflow in the overall cohort of this nonrandomized clinical trial, the outcomes were heterogeneous. In patients who breathe primarily through their mouth during sleep and have velopharyngeal obstruction, airflow worsens with mouth closure. Hence, personalized approaches to treating mouth breathing should be considered. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06547658

Extracellular vesicles, including exosomes, are small extracellular vesicles that range in size from 30 nm to 10 μm in diameter and have specific membrane markers. They are naturally secreted and are present in various bodily fluids, including blood, urine, and saliva, and through the variety of their internal cargo, they contribute to both normal physiological and pathological processes. These processes include immune modulation, neuronal synapse formation, cell differentiation, cancer metastasis, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, progression of infectious disease, and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. In recent years, interest has grown in the use of exosomes as a potential drug delivery system for various diseases and injuries. Importantly, exosomes originating from a patient's own cells exhibit minimal immunogenicity and possess remarkable stability along with inherent and adjustable targeting capabilities. This review explores the roles of exosomes in angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and nerve repair with a specific emphasis on these processes within the cornea. Furthermore, it examines exosomes derived from specific cell types, discusses the advantages of exosome-based therapies in modulating these processes, and presents some of the most established methods for exosome isolation. Exosome-based treatments are emerging as potential minimally invasive and non-immunogenic therapies that modulate corneal angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, as well as enhance and accelerate endogenous corneal nerve repair.

Suppression of neuroinflammation using small molecule compounds targeting the key pathways in microglial inflammation has attracted great interest. Recently, increasing attention has been gained to the role of the second bromodomain (BD2) of the bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins, while its effect and molecular mechanism on microglial inflammation has not yet been explored. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of ABBV-744, a BD2 high selective BET inhibitor, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglial inflammation in vitro and in vivo, and explored the key pathways by which ABBV-744 regulated microglia-mediated neuroinflammation. We found that pretreatment of ABBV-744 concentration-dependently inhibited the expression of LPS-induced inflammatory mediators/enzymes including NO, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, iNOS, and COX-2 in BV-2 microglial cells. These effects were validated in LPS-treated primary microglial cells. Furthermore, we observed that administration of ABBV-744 significantly alleviated LPS-induced activation of microglia and transcriptional levels of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β in mouse hippocampus and cortex. RNA-Sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis revealed that ABBV-744 induced 508 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells, and gene enrichment and gene expression network analysis verified its regulation on activated microglial genes and inflammatory pathways. We demonstrated that pretreatment of ABBV-744 significantly reduced the expression levels of basic leucine zipper ATF-like transcription factor 2 (BATF2) and interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4), and suppressed JAK-STAT signaling pathway in LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells and mice, suggesting that the anti-neuroinflammatory effect of ABBV-744 might be associated with regulation of BATF2-IRF4-STAT1/3/5 pathway, which was confirmed by gene knockdown experiments. This study demonstrates the effect of a BD2 high selective BET inhibitor, ABBV-744, against microglial inflammation, and reveals a BATF2-IRF4-STAT1/3/5 pathway in regulation of microglial inflammation, which might provide new clues for discovery of effective therapeutic strategy against neuroinflammation.

The interfacial reaction behavior of Al and Ti3AlC2at different pouring temperatures and its effect on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. The results show that the addition of 3.0 wt.% Ti3AlC2refines the average grain size of α(Al) in the composite by 50.1% compared to Al6061 alloy. Morphological analyses indicate that an in-situ Al3Ti transition layer of ~180 nm in thickness is generated around the edge of Ti3AlC2at 720 °C, forming a well-bonded Al−Al3Ti interface. At this processing temperature, the ultimate tensile strength of Al6061−3.0 wt.%Ti3AlC2composite is 199.2 MPa, an improvement of 41.5% over the Al6061 matrix. Mechanism analyses further elucidate that 720 °C is favourable for forming the nano-sized transition layer at the Ti3AlC2edges. And, the thermal mismatch strengthening plays a dominant role in this state, with a strengthening contribution of about 74.8%.

Estimating the severity of lightning-caused voltage sag events lays the foundation of voltage sag mitigation by differentiated lightning protection. Traditional methods require numerous parameters for modeling power grid and lightning-caused voltage sags. In real-world scenarios, obtaining these parameters is challenging due to security issues or management problems. Therefore, a generic severity estimation method for lightning-caused voltage sags by using multiplatform monitoring data mining is proposed in this paper. The generic estimation method can be divided into three main modules: data discretization, association rule mining, and rule matching. Association rules are mined to discover hidden patterns between available lightning-related parameters and the corresponding sag severity based on historical records in multiplatform. For unmonitored sites, the severity of voltage sag caused by newly recorded lightning can be estimated by matching lightning-parameters with mined rules. Field records from multiplatform are applied to verify the performance and effectiveness of the proposed method. The proposed method yields acceptable performance as long as a few essential monitoring parameters are available. All the parameters are monitored in two widely used monitoring platforms, i.e., Lightning Location System (LLS) and Power Quality Monitoring System (PQMS), indicating the proposed method is generic. Moreover, the supplementation of more parameters from other platforms can further improve the estimated accuracy.

The noradrenaline transporter has a pivotal role in regulating neurotransmitter balance and is crucial for normal physiology and neurobiology1. Dysfunction of noradrenaline transporter has been implicated in numerous neuropsychiatric diseases, including depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder2. Here we report cryo-electron microscopy structures of noradrenaline transporter in apo and substrate-bound forms, and as complexes with six antidepressants. The structures reveal a noradrenaline transporter dimer interface that is mediated predominantly by cholesterol and lipid molecules. The substrate noradrenaline binds deep in the central binding pocket, and its amine group interacts with a conserved aspartate residue. Our structures also provide insight into antidepressant recognition and monoamine transporter selectivity. Together, these findings advance our understanding of noradrenaline transporter regulation and inhibition, and provide templates for designing improved antidepressants to treat neuropsychiatric disorders.

Herein, an antibody-protein-aptamer electrochemical biosensor was designed by highly efficient proximity-induced DNA hybridization on a tetrahedral DNA nanostructure (TDN) for ultrasensitive detection of human insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Impressively, the IGF-1 antibody immobilized on the top vertex of the TDN could effectively capture the target protein with less steric effect, and the ferrocene-labeled signal probe (SP) bound on the bottom vertex of the TDN was close to the electrode surface for generating a strong initial signal. In the presence of target protein IGF-1 and an aptamer strand, an antibody-protein-aptamer sandwich could be formed on the top vertex of TDN, which would trigger proximity-induced DNA hybridization to release the SP on the bottom vertex of TDN; therefore, the signal response would decrease dramatically, enhancing the sensitivity of the biosensor. As a result, the linear range of the proposed biosensor for target IGF-1 was 1 fM to 1 nM with the limit of detection down to 0.47 fM, which was much lower than that of the traditional TDN designs on electrochemical biosensors. Surprisingly, the use of this approach offered an innovative approach for the sensitive detection of biomarkers and illness diagnosis.

Precisely assessing driving threat of road segments could significantly enhance the driving efficiency of intelligent connected vehicles (ICV) within mixed traffic scenarios. Existing methods primarily concentrate on collision probabilities, resulting in an insufficient appraisal of asymmetrical hazard levels attributed to the various interactions. Meanwhile, the uncertainty and communication delay have great influence on ICV, and it is an issue that must be addressed when designing decision-making and planning model. Thus, this study proposes and formulates a new driving aggressiveness model after analyzing asymmetric interactions behaviors among vehicles with different types. Subsequently, aims to verify the capability of generating asymmetric interaction, the driving aggressiveness model is applied on lane-change decision-making and planning. Concretely, the aggressiveness-sensitive lanes-selection model is designed based on game theory, and the uncertainty-aware trajectory planning is developed by utilizing stochastic model predictive control (MPC) and the asymmetric driving aggressiveness. Finally, two naturalistic driving scenarios are utilized to verify the performance of the decision-making and planning model. The outcomes of simulations illustrate that the driving aggressiveness model introduces a novel perspective to assess the asymmetric driving threat. Meanwhile, the uncertainty-aware decision making and planning model can reduce the influence on interactive vehicles, and it has superior adaptability for dynamic and connected traffic environments.

Tadpole swimming, including a solitary tadpole swimming and schooling side-by-side in an in-phase mode, is investigated numerically in the present paper. The three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations for the unsteady incompressible viscous flow are solved. A dynamic mesh fitting the tadpole’s deforming body surface is adopted. The results showed that for a solitary tadpole swimming, two vortex rings are shed in each undulating period. However, as the resultant force on the tadpole is drag, the vortex rings are obviously asymmetric, shaped like “C”. When the resultant force in the swimming direction approaches zero, the axes of the vortex rings are nearly vertical to the swimming direction. Distorted vortex rings are found when the resultant force on the tadpole is thrust. When the tadpole model obtains the optimum propulsive efficiency, its swimming speed and undulating frequency are close to the values observed in nature. For tadpoles swimming side-by-side in an in-phase mode, the vortex structures in the wake may merge, split and recombine. Compared to a solitary tadpole swimming, only a small hydrodynamic advantages occur with schooling in parallel, which may be one of the reasons why tadpoles rarely, if ever swim, side by side for any amount of time or distance in nature. The effect of the undulating frequency on the tadpoles schooling is similar to that on a solitary tadpole. In addition, with an increase in the Reynolds number, the thrust force and the propulsive efficiency both increase, while the power consumption decreases. We also found that the tadpole benefits from the vortex pair shedding from its blunt snout, which can strengthen the vortex intensity in the wake and improve the pressure distribution.

Metrnl is a secreted protein involved in neurite outgrowth, insulin sensitivity, immunoinflammatory responses, blood lipids and endothelial protection. In this study, we investigated the role of Metrnl in ischemic stroke. Fifty-eight ischemic stroke patients (28 inpatient patients within 2 weeks of onset and 30 emergency patients within 24 h of onset) and 20 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum Metrnl was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We showed that serum Metrnl levels were significantly reduced in both inpatient and emergency patient groups compared with the controls. Different pathological causes for ischemic stroke such as large artery atherosclerosis and small artery occlusion exhibited similar reduced serum Metrnl levels. Transient ischemic attack caused by large artery atherosclerosis without brain infarction also had lower serum Metrnl levels. Metrnl was correlated with some metabolic, inflammatory and clotting parameters. Reduced serum Metrnl was associated with the severity of intracranial arterial stenosis and the presence of ischemic stroke. In order to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the reduced serum Metrnl levels, we established animal models of ischemic stroke in normal mice, atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-knockout mice and Metrnl-knockout mice by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) using intraluminal filament or electrocoagulation. We demonstrated that serum Metrnl levels were significantly lower in atherosclerosis mice than normal mice, whereas acute ischemic stroke injury in normal mice and atherosclerosis mice did not alter serum Metrnl levels. Metrnl knockout did not affect acute ischemic stroke injury and death. We conclude that reduced serum Metrnl levels are attributed to the chronic vascular pathogenesis before the onset of ischemic stroke. Metrnl is a potential target for prevention of ischemic stroke.

Substance use disorders (SUD) and drug addiction are major threats to public health, impacting not only the millions of individuals struggling with SUD, but also surrounding families and communities. One of the seminal challenges in treating and studying addiction in human populations is the high prevalence of co-morbid conditions, including an increased risk of contracting a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Of the ~15 million people who inject drugs globally, 17% are persons with HIV. Conversely, HIV is a risk factor for SUD because chronic pain syndromes, often encountered in persons with HIV, can lead to an increased use of opioid pain medications that in turn can increase the risk for opioid addiction. We hypothesize that SUD and HIV exert shared effects on brain cell types, including adaptations related to neuroplasticity, neurodegeneration, and neuroinflammation. Basic research is needed to refine our understanding of these affected cell types and adaptations. Studying the effects of SUD in the context of HIV at the single-cell level represents a compelling strategy to understand the reciprocal interactions among both conditions, made feasible by the availability of large, extensively-phenotyped human brain tissue collections that have been amassed by the Neuro-HIV research community. In addition, sophisticated animal models that have been developed for both conditions provide a means to precisely evaluate specific exposures and stages of disease. We propose that single-cell genomics is a uniquely powerful technology to characterize the effects of SUD and HIV in the brain, integrating data from human cohorts and animal models. We have formed the Single-Cell Opioid Responses in the Context of HIV (SCORCH) consortium to carry out this strategy.

RNA isoforms influence cell identity and function. However, a comprehensive brain isoform map was lacking. We analyze single-cell RNA isoforms across brain regions, cell subtypes, developmental time points and species. For 72% of genes, full-length isoform expression varies along one or more axes. Splicing, transcription start and polyadenylation sites vary strongly between cell types, influence protein architecture and associate with disease-linked variation. Additionally, neurotransmitter transport and synapse turnover genes harbor cell-type variability across anatomical regions. Regulation of cell-type-specific splicing is pronounced in the postnatal day 21-to-postnatal day 28 adolescent transition. Developmental isoform regulation is stronger than regional regulation for the same cell type. Cell-type-specific isoform regulation in mice is mostly maintained in the human hippocampus, allowing extrapolation to the human brain. Conversely, the human brain harbors additional cell-type specificity, suggesting gain-of-function isoforms. Together, this detailed single-cell atlas of full-length isoform regulation across development, anatomical regions and species reveals an unappreciated degree of isoform variability across multiple axes.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–Zn–Y alloys with different Zn/Y atomic ratios with or without artificial cooling (AC) extrusion were systematically investigated in this work. The results show that bimodal microstructure consisting of submicron dynamic recrystallized (DRXed) grains with high fraction of low-angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) and elongated unDRXed grains was formed in Mg98.7Zn1Y0.3alloy with AC extrusion. The AC process effectively limits the growth of precipitated phases, and large amount of nanoscale precipitates were dynamically precipitated during the extrusion process. AC extrusion could effectually refine the lamellar 14H LPSO phases and inhibit the transition from stacking faults to LSPO phases in Mg98Zn1Y1alloy and the narrow LPSO phase in Mg98Zn1Y1-AC alloy which could promote the nucleation of DRXed grains. The AC extrusion significantly improves the strength of Mg–Zn–Y alloys. Owing to AC extrusion, the strength improvement of Mg98.7Zn1Y0.3alloy is mainly attributed to fine grain strengthening, dislocation strengthening, and nano-phases precipitation strengthening. After AC process, more fine grains and nano-phases jointly strengthen the Mg98Zn1Y1alloy. The Mg98Zn1Y1alloy obtains optimal mechanical properties after extrusion at 623 K, with ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 406 MPa, yield strength (YS) of 388 MPa, and elongation (EL) of 5.6%.

The development and progression of cancer cachexia are connected to systemic inflammation and physical performance. However, few relevant studies have reported the survival outcomes prediction of systemic inflammation and physical performance in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) cachexia. This study investigated the prognostic prediction value of systemic inflammation and performance status in patients with CRC cachexia. This multicentre cohort study prospectively collected 905 patients with CRC (58.3% males, 59.3 ± 11.5 years old). Cancer cachexia was diagnosed according to the 2011 Fearon Cachexia Diagnostic Consensus. The prognostic value of systematic inflammatory indicators was determined using the area under the curve, concordance index, and multivariate survival analysis. Performance status was evaluated with Eastern Coopertive Oncology Group performance score (ECOG‐PS). Survival data were analysed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. The area under the curve, concordance index and survival analysis showed that C‐reactive protein (CRP), lymphocyte to CRP ratio (LCR) and CRP to albumin ratio (CAR) were more stable and consistent with the survival of patients with CRC, both in non‐cachexia and cachexia populations. Among patients with CRC cachexia, high inflammation [low LCR, hazard ratio (HR) 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 3.33 (2.08–5.32); high CAR, HR (95% CI) = 2.92 (1.88–4.55); high CRP, HR (95% CI) = 3.12 (2.08–4.67)] indicated a worse prognosis, compared with non‐cachexia patients [low LCR, HR (95% CI) = 2.28 (1.65–3.16); high CAR, HR (95% CI) = 2.36 (1.71–3.25); high CRP, HR (95% CI) = 2.58 (1.85–3.60)]. Similarly, among patients with CRC cachexia, high PS [ECOG‐PS 2, HR (95% CI) = 1.61 (1.04–2.50); ECOG‐PS 3/4, HR (95% CI) = 2.91 (1.69–5.00]) indicated a worse prognosis, compared with patients with CRC without cachexia [ECOG‐PS 2, HR (95% CI) = 1.28 (0.90–1.81); ECOG‐PS 3/4, HR (95% CI) = 2.41 (1.32–4.39]). Patients with CRC cachexia with an ECOG‐PS score of 2 or 3–4 and a high inflammation had a shorter median survival time, compared with patients with an ECOG‐PS score of 0/1 and a low inflammation. The systemic inflammatory markers LCR, CAR and CRP have stable prognostic values in patients with CRC. The ECOG‐PS may be an independent risk factor for CRC. Combined evaluation of systemic inflammation and ECOG‐PS in patients with CRC cachexia could provide a simple survival prediction.

Manually planning a crane's lifting path is complicated and laborious since it typically depends on the planner's experience. We examined dynamic three-dimensional lift planning, including problem formulation for multiobjective planning and problem-solving with an improved A* algorithm. First, we quantified various feasible movements by introducing energy and time consumption models to determine the most efficient and quickest path. Second, we examined a new method for determining the visible lifting path in Configuration space (C-space) and derived an obstacle enveloping method for collision detection in C-space. Our method is both safe and feasible. Finally, we proposed an improved A* algorithm for lift planning considering multiple objectives and featuring better computational efficiency. The experimental and simulation results demonstrate that the proposed lift planning method can comprehensively consider multiple objectives, thus providing a high-quality path for actual lifting. Furthermore, compared with the ordinary A* algorithm, the improved A* algorithm had better computational efficiency and consumed less energy and time. To our best knowledge, this is the first novel algorithm for planning crane lifts considering energy consumption and visibility in C-space.

Although public opinion in Taiwan has shifted to favoring self-determination regarding end-of-life care, many nursing home residents still entrust their end-of-life care decision making to family members. This study examined Chinese cultural impediments to nursing home residents signing advance directives. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted using content analysis. In total, 18 nursing home residents participated in face-to-face interviews. Five main themes were identified: (1) bad omens, (2) inability, (3) traditional culture, (4) uncertainty, and (5) unmet needs. The death taboo that is a prominent feature of Chinese culture and the delivery of generic information are primary impediments. Therefore, health care providers should provide tailored information about advance directives, communicate directly with residents, ensure that residents understand the relationship between signing an advance directive and having a good death, and respect the final decisions of residents.

Transit Signal Priority (TSP) is a broadly used traffic signal control strategy designed for reducing transit delays at signalized intersections. Although recent TSP systems began to consider more objectives, TSPs that addressed transit reliability issues commonly focused on improving schedule adherence and were only able to reduce schedule delays by expediting buses. Buses running ahead of the schedule were not considered. This paper proposed a dual-objective two-way TSP algorithm (D2 TSP) using Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL). D2 TSP concurrently optimizes transit delays and reliability (i.e., headway adherence) by expediting late buses or delaying early buses. Further, the DRL agents were enhanced with a coordination algorithm for an optimized solution balancing opposite directions. This D2 TSP reacts adaptively and efficiently to real-time bus performance using data provided by readily available technology (loop detector) at low communication frequencies. We trained and tested this algorithm in a stochastic microsimulation environment in Aimsun Next that modelled a transit route segment with reliability issues in the City of Toronto. The performance of D2 TSP was compared with four baseline scenarios, one without TSP, one with the current TSP algorithm used in the field in the City of Toronto, one conditional TSP with an arrival prediction model, and one using DRL agents with a First-Come-First-Served logic. D2 TSP demonstrated its advantages in providing an efficient and balanced solution in reducing headway variability and travel time for both directions.

The Mg-6Zn alloy with different contents of Ce was prepared by the gravity casting method, and then the Mg-6Zn-xCe (x=0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, wt.%) alloys were extruded at 300 °C and 350 °C after solution treatment. The phase constitution and microstructure evolution of Mg-Zn-xCe alloys were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD). Meanwhile, the mechanical properties of the alloy were tested at room temperature. For as-cast alloys, the results show that the main compound in Mg-6Zn alloy is Mg4Zn7phase, and the main compound is T-(MgZn)12Ce phase after the addition of different amounts of Ce. The microstructure and distribution of second phases are greatly improved after extrusion at 300 °C and 350 °C. Compared with initial mechanical properties, the strength and elongation increase obviously by means of extrusion at different temperatures. In addition, the microstructure after extrusion at 350 °C is further analyzed according to EBSD data. The results show that rare earth element Ce probably promotes the activation of non-basal slip during the deformation process with the increase of Ce, which reduces the strength of basal texture and thus improves the plasticity of the alloy. Meanwhile, the increase of grain boundary migration ability leads to the gradual increase of recrystallization grain size and decreases the strength.

The effect of 0.5wt.% Zn addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-3Y-2Nd-0.5Zr (WE32) alloy was investigated. The results indicate that WE32-0.5Zn alloy takes 48 h to reach peak hardness after solid solution treatment at 525 °C and aging at 200 °C, 10 h earlier than WE32 alloy, which implies an accelerated aging precipitation kinetics owing to the addition of 0.5wt.% Zn. A large quantity of fine-rod and rectangular block-like Zn-Zr precipitates in the α-Mg matrix are formed in the WE32-0.5Zn alloy, and numerous needle-like β1phases are distributed at both ends of the Zn-Zr precipitates at peak-aged condition. In peak-aged condition, the ultimate tensile strength considerably increases from 263.2 MPa (WE32) to 309.6 MPa (WE32-0.5Zn), and the elongation dramatically increases from 4.3% (WE32) to 8.9% (WE32-0.5Zn). The β′ and β1phases are the main precipitates of the WE32-0.5Zn alloy peak-aged at 200 °C. The β′ and β1phases easily nucleate at the Zn-Zr precipitates, and the β1phases are particularly likely to nucleate and grow at the interface between the two ends of the Zn-Zr precipitates, which accelerates aging precipitation kinetics and leads to a shorter time to achieve peak aging.

The ceramsite was prepared by using Bayan Obo tailings and blast furnace slag of Baotou Steel as the main raw materials and coal gangue as pore-forming agent, and the process system and the performance of ceramsite were optimized. The phase transformation rules of the ceramsite prepared by multi-source solid waste in sintering method were clarified. The influence of sintering process parameters on ceramsite performance and the purification effect of ceramsite on ammonia nitrogen wastewater were revealed. The results show that the reasonable proportion of raw materials for preparing ceramsite is 60% tailings, 35% blast furnace slag and 5% coal gangue. The reasonable preparation process of ceramsite is preheating at 350 °C for 12 min, increasing the temperature to 750 °C and holding for 60 min, then increasing the temperature to 1130 °C and roasting for 20 min. The cooling method is to cool down with the furnace. The prepared ceramsite has compressive strength of 1.89 MPa, porosity of 51.31%, water absorption of 31.42%, and bulk density of 1.94 g/cm3. When the ceramsite is used to treat ammonia nitrogen wastewater, the removal rate of ammonia nitrogen is 47.33%.

• The built-in electric field of the p-n junction promotes the transport of photogenerated carriers at the heterojunction interface. • The introduced VP served as the H 2 and CO 2 adsorption site and enhanced the adsorption capacity of 2D CNs/VP heterostructure. • The CNs/VP heterophotocatalyst exhibited much higher visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen and CO generation rates than CNs under visible-light irradiation. Two-dimensional (2D) carbon nitride sheets (CNs) with nanoscale thickness have great potential in solar energy conversion owing to their intrinsic bandgap. However, their photocatalytic efficiency falls far below the practical requirements because the generated electron-hole pairs rapidly recombine. We construct a metal-free 2D p–n junction heterophotocatalyst from CNs and violet phosphorene (VP) using a simple electrostatic self-assembly method. The experimental results and density functional theory calculations show that the built-in electric field of the p–n junction promotes photogenerated carrier transport at the heterojunction interface, thereby promoting the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. Under visible-light illumination, the visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen and CO production rates of the CNs/VP heterojunction were increased by 5.85 and 1.51 times, respectively, when compared to that of CNs. This study provides new insights into the design of metal-free heterogeneous photocatalysts with high catalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACTConsidering the inherent laws and logical relationships between disasters and poverty, the combination of poverty alleviation relocation (PAR) and earthquake reconstruction relocation (ERR) is valuable both theoretically and practically. This study compared PAR and ERR projects on a systematic basis in terms of implementation area, mode adoption, construction content, public engagement, and challenges. Moreover, four common types of villages (e.g., enclave, adjacent, centralized, and infill) and the two resident groups of the re-settler and local groups were recognized. Regarding the social restructuring after relocation, the performance of the double-directional degree of social isolation (SO) and spatial isolation (SP) between the two resident groups were evaluated and compared in types, which helps planners predict and clarify the social impact of the chosen type. The underlying social and spatial reasons affecting the social integration were explained to propose the corresponding planning measures for social integration promotion.

It is the first time that the readily available protonated 2,2′-bipyridinium salts are used as Brønsted acid catalysts to accelerate a series of organic transformations that included the hydration of aromatic alkynes, etherification of alcohols, cyclotrimerization of aliphatic aldehydes, Ritter reaction, Mannich reaction, Biginelli reaction, preparation of substituted alkenes from alcohols, synthesis of spirooxindole, bisindolylmethane, and noncyclized tetraketone with good to excellent yields. These results strongly suggest that there exists enormous potentiality in the development of the protonated 2,2′-bipyridinium catalytic system.