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In this study, we explored various conditioning treatments (Fe(II)-NaClO, Fe(III), polyacrylamide (PAM), CaO, MgO, Fe(III) + CaO, and Fe(III) + MgO) aimed at enhancing the dewatering efficiency of industrial textile-dyeing landfill sludge (LS) and reducing heavy metal leaching in the dewatered filtrate. The analysis revealed significant improvements in sludge dewaterability, especially with the combined Fe(III) + CaO and Fe(III) + MgO treatments, with the latter demonstrating a marginally superior performance. The adsorption of hydrophilic loosely bound and tightly bound extracellular polymeric substances (LB-EPS and TB-EPS) onto hydroxide complexes facilitated the formation of a more stable and porous structure, which enhanced the release of bound water. However, certain treatments such as Fe(II)-NaClO and PAM presented challenges to dewatering due to excessive oxidation and the formation of a highly viscous gel structure, respectively. Furthermore, the exploration underscored the critical role of protein concentrations within soluble extracellular polymeric substances (S-EPS) in mediating heavy metal translocation, particularly Zn, Cu, and Ni, from the solid to the liquid phase of LS. An increased risk of leaching was observed with the Fe(II)-NaClO treatment, associated with over-oxidation-induced solubilization of S-EPS proteins. Notably, the findings elucidated effective mechanisms for immobilizing heavy metals. Combined treatments (Fe(III) + CaO and Fe(III) + MgO) were particularly effective in containing heavy metals, with varying mechanisms contributing to their removal. Specifically, the adsorption and precipitation of ferric hydroxide complexes with calcium or magnesium were crucial in the removal of Cr, Pb, and Hg, while the removal of Zn, Cu, and Ni was predominantly facilitated by the formation of heavy metal-protein-hydroxide co-precipitates.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) can occur in children or adults. Sinus rinses and intranasal steroids are standard of care for initial treatment. However, for non-responders, secondary options include functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and biologic therapies such as dupilumab. Adult studies have shown that dupilumab can frequently be tapered while maintaining disease control.

The improvements in tracking performance resulting from inversion-based feedforward controllers are limited by the accuracy of the available model describing the inverse system dynamics. For this reason, the use of neural networks (NNs) as a model parameterization is growing in popularity. However, training black-box NNs to represent a general description of the inverse dynamics while respecting physical laws turns out to be troublesome, especially in situations where the training data does not cover the full domain of interest. In order to solve this, this paper adopts physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) for identification of the inverse system dynamics. Additionally, a method is proposed that enables a form of graceful degradation by having the PINN feedforward controller obey an a priori known physical model when it is operated on conditions that were not present in the training data.

• First investigation on multiple ballistic impacts of 2024Al-T4 alloy. • Crater parameters exhibit power-law increase with the number of impacts. • Twin-like deformation bands and macro-deformation twins coexist around crater walls. • FEM modelling reveals accumulated shear strain leads to deformation twinning. Multiple ballistic impacts are carried out on a 2024-T4 aluminum alloy by spherical steel projectiles (5-mm diameter) at ∼ 400 m s − 1 , to investigate its dynamic deformation and damage. The ballistic impact process is captured with high-speed photography. Postmortem samples are characterized with optical imaging, three-dimensional laser scanning, microhardness testing and electron backscatter diffraction. With increasing number of impacts, crater diameter increases slightly, but crater depth and crater volume increase significantly, and strain accumulation leads to microhardness increase overall. Crater parameters all follow power-law relations with the number of impacts. Twin-like deformation bands and macroscopic deformation twins are produced by impact as a result of spontaneous dislocation self-pinning under high strain rate, large shear deformation. Under multiple impacts, shear strain accumulation in the arc-shaped region of the crater induces deformation twinning when it exceeds a critical value (∼ 1.1 − 1.6). It is highly possible that the deformation twins are related to deformation bands, since they both share one set of the { 111 } pole with the initial matrix grain. A finite element method model is optimized to reproduce experimental observations and interpret deformation mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fabricating large areas of geometrically complex and precisely controlled topographies is required for the studies of cell behavior on patterned surfaces. Direct laser writing (DLW) is an advanced 3D-fabrication technique, which facilitates the manufacturing of structures within various scales (from a few hundred nanometers to millimeters). However, this method requires improvements in the accuracy and reproducibility of the submicron and nanoscale features that are printed over a large area. Here, we present a scheme to both improve the uniformity of the printed submicron patterns and decrease the printing time. The effects of various processing parameters (e.g., laser power and writing field) on the dimensions and uniformity of submicron pillars as well as on their Young’s modulus and surface wettability were assessed. Decreasing the writing field to 33 × 33 μm2significantly improved the uniformity of submicron pillars that were printed over an area of 4 mm2in a single-step process. Preosteoblast cells (MC3T3-E1) were used to assess the cytocompatibility of the used material (IP-L780 resin) with a focus on cell morphology, cell proliferation, cytoskeletal organization, and the elastic modulus of the cells. The cells cultured for 2 days on the submicron pillars showed a polarized shape and a higher Young’s modulus of the area corresponding to the nucleus relative to those cultured on flat surfaces. Taken together, the results of the current study clearly show that the submicron patterns created using DLW are both cytocompatible and could modulate the morphology and mechanical properties of cells. This work paves the way for direct printing of submicron features with controlled Young’s moduli over large areas in a single-step process, which is necessary for systematically studying how such patterns modulate cellular functions.

In the era of time-domain astronomy, scientists often need to generate light curves with varying time-bin. However, an increase in time resolution typically leads to a substantial increase in data transmission. To enhance the data processing efficiency in time-domain astronomy, we propose a novel time-series data model for storing time-series observation data, and we construct the LCGCT, a tool designed to produce light curves with customisable time bins. To validate our approach, we utilise the 7-year MAXI/GSC (Gas Slit Camera of the Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image) X-ray source catalogue, incorporating its 24-h binned light curves for a comparative analysis with our approach. The results obtained confirm the accuracy and effectiveness of our proposed approach. Subsequently, we compare the storage capacity and query performance of LCGCT with a PostgreSQL-based implementation, and results show that LCGCT conserves 75% of the storage space and achieves three times the query speed. Owing to its noteworthy storage and query performance, our proposed time-series data model-based LCGCT can be used in time-domain astronomical projects with high time resolution.

Public observatory is playing more and more important role in astronomy education, citizen science and scientific research. It is developing rapidly and has made some progress through a variety of approaches. As relative small number and high operating costs of professional observatories, it leads that only just a few students benefit. As a result, amateur astronomers begin to build their own remote observatories, but they also face great challenge, especially in hardware technology experience and construction funds. Their self-designed hardware connection and control system often breaks down, and then a stable hardware integration system becomes very critical. According to requirement investigation to dozens of the amateur, we propose an amateur public observatory model, and a hardware integration system as a bridge between observatory equipment and observation software. It not only can satisfy hardware requirement for multiple control modes, but also saves cost. It has great significance in promoting citizen science and astronomy education.

The unique structure of Zintl phases makes it an ideal system to realize the concept of phonon-glass and electron-crystal in the thermoelectric community. In this work, by combining first-principles calculations and Boltzmann transport theory for both electrons and phonons, the thermoelectric properties of the Zintl compound KSnSb are investigated, where the carrier relaxation time is accurately treated within the framework of electron–phonon coupling. It is demonstrated that the figure of merit value of KSnSb can reach ∼2.2 at 800 K. Such an extraordinary thermoelectric performance originates from the large Seebeck coefficient because of the multivalley band structures and particularly the low lattice thermal conductivity caused by mixed-bond characteristics.

It is known that ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) shared a common genetic component. The gist of current study is to assess the role of IBD-associated autophagy gene IRGMon AS susceptibility in a Chinese Han population. A total of 1270 unrelated subjects (643 AS and 627 controls) were enrolled. Two tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs10065172 and rs4958846) were selected and were genotyped by iMLDR Assay technology. Genotypes and haplotype analysis were conducted by using SPSS 16.0 and haploview 4.2 software. Among two tag SNPs of IRGM, no correlation was observed between rs10065172 and AS susceptibility. For rs4958846, genotype and allelic frequencies were marginally discrepant between female cases and controls before, not after, Bonferroni correction (P=0.049; P=0.031). Logistic regression analysis revealed that carriers with CT+TT or CT genotype had a significantly decreased risk for developing AS among female subjects when compared with CC genotype (OR=0.514, 95% CI=0.301–0.876, P=0.014; OR=0.518, 95% CI=0.297–0.902, P=0.020, respectively). Additionally, a risk haplotype rs4958846C–rs10065172C(OR=2.093, 95% CI=1.301–3.368) and a protective haplotype rs4958846T–rs10065172C(OR=0.652, 95% CI=0.441–0.964) were also identified to be associated with female AS. IBD-associated IRGMgene is also associated with AS susceptibility in the Chinese female population, indicating that autophagy pathway may involve in AS genetic predisposition.

Background/Objectives:: Obesity-related brain structural abnormalities have been reported extensively, and bariatric surgery (BS) is currently the most effective intervention to produce sustained weight reduction in overtly obese (OB) people. It is unknown whether BS can repair the brain circuitry abnormalities concomitantly with long-term weight loss. Subjects/Methods:: In order to investigate whether BS promotes neuroplastic structural recovery in morbidly OB patients, we quantified fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD) and gray (GM) and white (WM) matter densities in 15 morbidly OB patients and in 18 normal weight (NW) individuals. OB patients were studied at baseline and also 1 month after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy surgery. Results:: Two-sample t-test between OB (baseline) and NW groups showed decreased FA values, GM/WM densities and increased MD value in brain regions associated with food intake control (that is, caudate, orbitofrontal cortex, body and genu of corpus callosum) and cognitive-emotion regulation (that is, inferior frontal gyrus, hippocampus, insula, external capsule) (P<0.05, family-wise error correction). Paired t-test in the OB group between before and after surgery showed that BS generated partial neuroplastic structural recovery in the OB group, but the differences had relative less strength and smaller volume (P<0.001). Conclusions:: This study provides the first anatomical evidence for BS-induced acute neuroplastic recovery that might in part mediate the long-term benefit of BS in weight reduction. It also highlights the importance of this line of gut–brain axis research employing the combined BS and neuroimaging model for identifying longitudinal changes in brain structure that correlated with obesity status.

Image registration is one of the most critical steps in super-resolution (SR) image reconstruction. Correspondingly, it is of considerable importance to improve the accuracy of image registration. Here, we report a novel least squares adjustment theory to significantly improve the image registration algorithm, which combines both the advantages of Vandewalle algorithm and Keren algorithm. Compared with traditional Vandewalle algorithm, Keren algorithm and Li algorithm, the experimental results show that the registration parameters exhibit the highest accuracy in our improved algorithm. Meanwhile, the runtime of the improved algorithm is much faster than that of Keren algorithm and Li algorithm, and the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) value of the reconstructed image is 1·5 dB higher than that of Vandewalle algorithm and Keren algorithm.

The size-dependent optical gap due to the quantum confinement effect is a hallmark of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). A major research effort underway is to control energy transfer in QDs for diverse applications ranging from solar energy harvesting to fluorescent displays and biological imaging. In this work, we report an innovative approach for fabricating monodispersed arrays of Au/polymer/QDs sandwiched nanodisks on a wafer scale with high rationality and reproducibility. Via template-assisted assembling of QDs, the plasmonic Au nanodisk can be precisely coupled to a defined number of QD clusters. Using steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy, we studied the enhancement of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) rate between donor and acceptor QDs coupled with plasmonic resonance of the Au nanodisks. By systematically increasing the spectral overlap of the acceptor QD emission with plasmonic resonance, we demonstrated that the donor lifetime decreases monotonically and FRET rate increases significantly. The results suggest a viable route to fabricate precisely controlled plasmonic–QD coupled nanoentities and to enhance energy transfer at the nanoscale.

Ge doped ZnO films were deposited on Si substrates by sputtering technique. With the increasing annealing temperature, the crystal quality of samples becomes gradually better and the phase transition can be observed at annealing temperature of 600°C. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results show the incorporation of Ge into the ZnO films with 14·81 at-Ge content. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy absorption spectra of samples annealed at above 600°C display vibration mode of ? (ZnO4) and ? (GeO4) in Zn2GeO4. The enhancement of ultraviolet emission intensity should be attributed to the yielded mass holes caused by Ge doping and the rising crystal quality. The sample annealed at 800°C displays the strongest blue emission due to the native defects in Zn2GeO4films or/and surface defects.

Ag–reduced graphene oxide (Ag/rGO) nanoparticle composites were synthesized through a facile one-step hydrothermal reaction using GO and silver carbonate (Ag2CO3) as raw materials. The homogeneous silver nanospheres with an average size of 50 nm well dispersed on the surface of rGO were obtained without other additives. During the formation process, GO both promotes the dispersion of Ag2CO3in aqueous solution and acts as the substrate of silver cations, and the hydrolysis of Ag2CO3provides silver cations and alkaline condition. Moreover, GO further serves as reducing agent to generate elemental silver in the alkaline condition. The as-prepared materials exhibit excellent surface-enhanced Raman scattering activities when used to detect the Raman signals of R6G absorbed on the Ag/rGO substrate.

An optimum casting model was developed to simulate the effect of mould flux on bloom heat transfer and strain behaviour based on a 3D MiLE method, and the influence of casting speed and superheat on bloom heat transfer and lubrication were also investigated. The simulation results showed that solidified shell thickness growth conforms to a Square Root Law, and that the model predicted results are basically in agreement with previous data in the literature, and provide confidence in model. The bloom temperature distribution range in the corner area is smaller than that in the mid-face, and the corner regions form a high cracking risk zone. The hot tearing indicator and effective stress in the corner area are significantly greater than that in the mid-face, so the corner area is the dangerous zone of cracking; The mould flux lubrication in the bloom mid-face is better than for the bloom corner region, due to a higher shell temperature and a fluid slag; The increasing of casting speed can delay air gap formation of the bloom corner area, improving the lubrication conditions, but when the casting speed is changed, it is also necessary for the mould flux viscosity and crystallization temperature be changed also. Increasing the superheat has little influence on the completely solidified distance of liquid flux in the bloom corner area.

We report on the impact of the doping concentration design on the performance of silicon microwire arrays as photovoltaic devices. We have fabricated arrays with different p‐ and n‐doping profiles and thicknesses, obtaining mean efficiencies as high as 9.7% under AM 1.5G solar illumination. The results reveal the importance of scaling the microwire diameter with the depletion width resulting from doping concentrations. The doping of the core should be kept low in order to reduce bulk recombination. Furthermore, the thickness of the n‐shell should be kept as thin as possible to limit the emitter losses.

Velocity computation based on simple numerical differentiation from a low-resolution position sensor or numerical integration from an imperfect torque sensor may be highly erroneous, especially in the low-velocity or high-acceleration regions. To resolve this problem, a novel approach to obtaining high-performance velocities in these regions is presented. The proposed estimator is based on the framework of the Kalman filter. A switching architecture is used to address the estimation problem, with the sensors functioning under different situations. Experimental results show that the proposed estimator significantly reduces velocity errors in estimation compared with an encoder or torque sensor. A dual-loop control structure is also developed with estimated velocity feedback for application in the friction compensation control system of an inertially stabilized platform. Experimental findings show that the control characteristic significantly improves because the proposed approach enables the rejection of non-linear friction.

A new variant of activating flux tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding process called flux zoned TIG (FZ-TIG) welding is proposed to weld aluminium alloys based on the mechanism of activating flux constricting welding arc. This process can not only increase weld penetration but also obtain perfect weld surface appearance simultaneously. An alternative current FZ-TIG welding is made using SiO2as the side region material and flux FZ108 developed by the authors with uniform design method as the central region coat material. The weld penetration can reach above three times that of the conventional alternative current TIG welding. All the weld shape, weld microstructure and weld mechanical properties are fine. Except for argon shielding gas flowrate, other welding parameters, including welding current, welding speed, central coat width, central coat content and solvent, have great effect on the weld penetration of alternative current FZ-TIG welding for aluminium alloys.

Core/shell structures often exhibit improved physical and chemical properties. Developing a relatively general, facile, and low temperature synthetic approach for semiconductor core/shell structures with complex compositions is still a particularly challenging work. Here we report a general chemical conversion route to prepare high quality ZnO-based core/shell (ZnO/ZnS, ZnO/Ag 2S, and ZnO/CuS) microspheres using inexpensive and commercially available reagents. The key to the success of our strategy lies in the use of reactive templates to realize the synthesis of various ZnO-based core/shell structures. The yielded core/shell nanostructures were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and X-ray diffraction measurements. Photoluminescence of the ZnO/ZnS core/shell microspheres exhibits a distinct enhancement compared with that of the uncoated ZnO microspheres, showing potential application in optoelectronic devices such as ultraviolet light-emitting diodes and diode lasers. The present chemical conversion approach is expected to be employed in a broad range of applications to fabricate innovative semiconductor core/shell structures with different compositions and shapes for unique properties.

A novel template-free hydrothermal method is developed to prepare large-scale ZnO hollow microspheres. The key strategy for the successful realization is that we employ a high concentration of trisodium citrate to control the nucleation and growth rate of ZnO crystal forming microspheres with core/shell structures and the proper pH of an alkaline solution to remove the cores generating hollow microspheres. The morphology, structure, and composition of the microspheres have been investigated with field-emission scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy for the growth mechanism. A series of controlled experiments have also been carried out to better understand the formation mechanism of ZnO hollow microspheres and the function of reactants used in the experiments. The infrared absorption spectra indicate that annealing can lead to the decomposition of impurity groups in the as-prepared sample. Both room-temperature Raman and photoluminescence results demonstrate that the annealed ZnO microspheres are of good crystalline wurtzite structure with high optical quality.

We have successfully realized the integration of ZnO nanotubes and well-ordered nanorods through a simple two-step thermal evaporation of Zn powder without any metal catalyst. Detailed structural analysis shows that the step-one prepared samples at the low substrate temperature are composed of hexagonal-shaped Zn/Zn suboxide nanowires dominated by Zn with little oxidation via the layer-by-layer growth mechanism. In the second step, by heating the step-one deposited samples and Zn powder at high temperature, highly ordered single-crystalline ZnO nanorods were epitaxially grown on the surface of nanowires through the screw dislocation growth mode. Simultaneously, Zn inside the nanowires sublimates to form hollow ZnO nanotubes, which finally results in the formation of ZnO nanotubes surrounded by well-ordered nanorods (ZNSWN). The field-emission scanning electron microscopy images of samples with different heating times indicate that the length of ZnO nanorods in the tube walls can be well controlled by changing the reaction time with a growth rate of ∼3 nm/min. We also further present the comparative X-ray diffraction, Raman, and photoluminescence investigation for the growth process and structural information of the fabricated ZNSWN nanostructures.

AbstractThe over-expression of a new zinc ribbon (ZNRD1) gene has been shown previously to promote a multidrug-resistant phenotype in gastric cancer cells through the upregulation of permeability-glycoprotein (P-gp). In the present study, siRNA eukaryotic expression vectors of ZNRD1 are constructed and transfected into SGC7901/VCR cells to examine whether or not down-regulation of ZNRD1 increases cell sensitivity towards chemotherapeutic drugs. After transfection, ZNRD1 expression decreased dramatically in ZNRD1 siRNA transfectants compared with that in parental cells and empty vector control cells. Down-regulation of ZNRD1 significantly enhanced the sensitivity of SGC7901/VCR cells to vincristine, adriamycin and etoposide, but not to 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin. Cell capacity to efflux adriamycin decreased markedly in ZNRD1 siRNA transfectants, and correlation between ZNRD1 down-regulation and increased multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) gene transcriptional activity was observed. These results suggest that the ZNRD1 siRNA constructs down-regulate the expression of ZNRD1 effectively and reverse the resistant phenotype of gastric cancer cells. Furthermore, ZNRD1 might influence transcription of the MDR1 gene and thus play an important role in multidrug resistance in gastric carcinoma.

4,4‘-Dihydroxybenzophenone-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone (A-007) has recently completed a phase I clinical trial in advanced cancer with minimal toxicity, and impressive objective responses were noted. A-007 possesses three moieties that appear to have an influence on its anticancer activities:  diphenylmethane, hydrazone, and dinitrophenyl. The goals of this study were to modify A-007's chemical moieties with the ultimate goal of maximizing its anticancer activity through increased planarity and introduction of functional groups. Thirty-five phenylhydrazone analogues of A-007 were synthesized and evaluated in vitro in a human primary cancer explant assay. Anticancer activities for selected analogues were also assayed for activity vs established human/murine cell lines. One-hundred-eighty-six fresh human solid tumors were used to screen for anticancer activity. Selected analogues were assayed for therapeutic indices (vs GM-CFC from bone marrow) in preparation for preclinical studies. Several polyaryl phenylhydrazones demonstrated improved cytotoxic activities by factors of 10²−10³ when compared with A-007. However, the polyaryl quinone moieties of the latter analogues introduced potential toxic properties (cardiac, hematological) that do not exist with A-007.

Aspirin- and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced apoptosis is one of the important mechanisms for their anti-tumour effect in gastric cancer. We aimed at determining the role of bcl-2 family proteins and caspases in the apoptotic process. Gastric cancer cell lines AGS (wild-type p53) and MKN-28 (mutant p53) were used. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay. Apoptosis was determined by acridine orange staining. Protein expressions were determined by western blotting. Aspirin and indomethacin inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in both cells. AGS cells were more sensitive compared with MKN-28 cells. The pro-apoptotic proteins bax and bak were overexpressed after treatment, while the protein level of bcl-2 remained unchanged. Apoptosis was accompanied by an increase in caspase-3 activity and cleavage of caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Inhibition of caspase-3 rescued aspirin-induced apoptosis. Our results suggest that one of the major pathways which mediates the anti-tumour response of aspirin and indomethacin in gastric cancer cells is through up-regulation of bax and bak and activation of caspase-3. Bax and bak are important in the chemoprevention of gastric cancer.

Expression of MCSF in bone is important to the regulation of osteoclastogenesis. We show here that tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) increases the production of both soluble (sMCSF) and membrane-bound (mMCSF) macrophage colony stimulating factor by ST2 bone stromal cells. Treatment of ST2 cells with TNFα caused sMCSF levels to increase by 394 ± 5% from basal; mMCSF rose by 316 ± 66% from 30 ± 10 per 100,000 cells in the same time. These increases were consistent with increased expression of mRNAs encoding both isoforms. Increases in MCSF mRNA are also seen after stimulation with dexamethasone. To investigate the potential role of NFκB in this TNFα effect, we treated cells with sodium salicylate (NaS), an inhibitor of NFκB translocation. NaS decreased TNFα-stimulated NFκB activation by 50% as assessed by EMSA. Despite inhibition of NFκB signaling, NaS enhanced TNFα-stimulated MCSF secretion and did not prevent TNFα-stimulated increases in sMCSF mRNA, suggesting that NFκB was not involved in TNFα effect on the gene. TNFα failed to stimulate transcription of a 774 nucleotide MCSF promoter-luciferase reporter transfected into ST2 cells which contained the NFκB consensus sequence. Deletion of the seven nucleotides containing the NFκB homology response sequence from the MCSF promoter increased basal gene transcription by twofold. TNFα thus contributes to an osteoclastogenic environment through upregulation of bone expression of both MCSF isoforms. Our data suggests that NFκB is not the major signaling pathway through which this occurs. J. Cell. Physiol. 179:193–200, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.