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Two types of pneumatic proportional pressure valves that use microelectromechanical system-based thermally actuated chips—a one-chip valve and a two-chip valve—are developed. The relative structures, unilateral driving mechanism, design considerations, control method, and experimental results are demonstrated. Under closed-loop control, the pressure curves of the two valves show good linearity; the rise time of the one-chip valve is about 50 ms and that of the two-chip valve is less than 40 ms. The experimental results reveal that the thermally actuated pneumatic pressure valves meet the general requirements of some industry applications. An actuator driven by the developed two-chip valve is introduced briefly as an application example, and the voltage–displacement and voltage–force output characteristics of the actuator are demonstrated via a test. The test results demonstrate the possibility and feasibility of realising a new type of thermally actuated actuator with a large force output (max. 400 N) and limited displacement (max. 1.8 mm). The designed thermally actuated actuator can be used as a driving device independently or as a pilot stage for other pneumatic control valves.

A novel electrochemical sensing method based on CuN-T/GCE modified electrode was developed for the sensitive and selective determination of sunset yellow (SY) in sports drinks. The research offers several advantages over existing techniques, such as rapid response time, low cost, and ease of operation. The modified electrode exhibited enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards SY oxidation compared to the bare electrode, resulting in an increased peak current and a reduced potential difference. The linear range of the method was from 50 nM to 10 µM, with a detection limit of 13 nM (S/N = 3). The reproducibility of the method was demonstrated with a relative standard deviation of 3.31%. The optimized conditions included the use of 0.1 M PBS buffer at pH 7.0 and a modifier content of 10 µL. The method was successfully applied to the determination of SY in sports drinks, showing high accuracy and precision with recovery rates ranging from 96.0 to 107.0%.

ABSTRACTFerroptosis is an important mode of regulated cell death (RCD). Its inhibition is closely related to therapeutic resistance and poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Previous reports have demonstrated ferroptosis as a biological process highly dependent on selective autophagy, such as ferritinophagy, lipophagy, and clockophagy. Our study also revealed a role for ER-phagy-mediated ferroptosis in HCC cells treated with multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). In the current study, we found that the homologous circular RNA (circRNA) of the family with sequence similarity 134, member B (FAM134B), hsa_circ_0128505 (was abbreviated as circFAM134Bin the present study), was identified to specifically target ER-phagy to promote lenvatinib (LV)-induced ferroptosis using reactive oxygen species (ROS), Fe2+, malondialdehyde (MDA), and western blot (WB) assays in HCC cells. RNA pull-down and mass spectrometry analyses suggested that circFAM134Band FAM134BmRNA were enriched with several common interacting proteins. Among them, poly (A) binding protein cytoplasmic 4 (PABPC4) was identified as the most enriched binding partner. It was proven to be a novel antagonist against the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) mechanism. We then applied RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), RNA pull-down, luciferase reporter, and NMD reporter gene assays to further explore the exact role and underlying mechanism of circFAM134B-PABPC4-FAM134B axis in HCC cells. circFAM134Bwas confirmed as a sponge that competitively interacted with PABPC4, thereby influencing FAM134BmRNA nonsense decay. Our results provide novel evidences and strategies for the comprehensive treatment of HCC.

A visible-light-promoted nickel/photoredox-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling reaction between vinyl bromides and benzyl chlorides is reported. A diverse array of enantioenriched allylic centers containing products could be achieved in good yields (up to 90%) and high enantioselectivities (up to 95% ee). The mechanistic studies show that this reductive cross-coupling involves a radical pathway.

Modeling the penetration process in soft tissue simulant is the basis for evaluating the damaging efficiency of projectiles. To investigate the penetration dynamics of fragments in gelatin, this paper presented a model describing both the penetration resistance and the temporary cavity dynamics. The modeling process was set up using the law of energy conversion and conservation. The equations for the movement of the penetrator and the movement of the target medium are closely combined through sharing the same set of parameters. Penetration experiments were conducted using fragments of two different shapes: cylinder and rhombus. By comparing with the experimental results, the parameters in the present model were estimated and discussed thoroughly. The present model can predict the movement of the penetrator and the cavity expansion in the target with satisfactory accuracy.

In this study, a gold labelled immunochromatographic assay was developed to detect tigecycline (TGC) in human serum. For this purpose, an anti-TGC monoclonal antibody, 2G7, was produced and characterized, and was found to have a 50%-inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 2.303 ng mL−1and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.215 ng mL−1for TGC. This strip assay had a visual limit of detection (vLOD) of 50 ng mL−1and a cut-off value of 1000 ng mL−1for TGC in human serum, when assessed by eye. With the aid of a strip scan reader, a quantitative determination of TGC was obtained with a calculated limit of detection (cLOD) of 15.03 ng mL−1. Analysis of TGC in human serum indicated that the results of our strip assay compared well with results obtained using ic-ELISA and LC-MS/MS. Therefore, this strip assay represents a sensitive and reliable method for the on-site detection of TGC in serum samples.

In this paper, a new form of structural design of the combination column—Cellular U-shaped steel combination column, as vertical force components applied to steel structure buildings. By changing the diameter size of honeycomb holes, the thickness of U-shaped steel and embellished plates, and the steel strength, the seismic properties of this new combination steel column are studied by using ABAQUS finite element software. Results the setting of honeycomb hole is reduced by part, the delay of the test piece and its energy consumption capacity are improved to varying degrees, the stiffness degradation rate is improved, and the setting of honeycomb steel plays a certain role in the seismic performance of the steel column. The experiment is used as a reference, and the destruction form and carrying capacity are compared, so that the numerical model has some credibility. Results the strength and stiffness of the cell U-shaped steel grid composition column are analyzed to meet the standards, the seismic performance is good, and can be applied to engineering practice.

A nickel/photoredox mediated asymmetric domino alkyl arylation of vinyl phosphonates to generate a diverse array of enantioenriched α-aryl phosphonates is disclosed. This asymmetric three-component difunctionalization couples aryl halides and alkyl bromides with vinyl phosphonates, exhibiting excellent chemo- and regioselectivity under mild reaction conditions. The method avoids the need for pre-formed organometallics and phosphorus halides. Mechanistic and DFT studies suggest that photoexcited [4CzIPN]* oxidizes diethyl 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate (HEH) to generate the [4CzIPN]•–, which then reduces the alkyl bromide to form alkyl radicals that undergo Giese addition to the vinyl phosphonate. At the same time, Ni0oxidatively adds the aryl bromide followed by enantiodetermining oxidative radical trapping of the phosphonate-based radical by the tetrahedral NiIIcenter followed by reductive elimination. Independent gradient model based on Hirshfeld partition (IGMH) analysis suggests that the orientation of the phosphonate group (P=O…π interaction) is expected to play an essential role in controlling the enantioselectivity.

The ratio of transpiration to evapotranspiration (T/ET) is a key parameter for quantifying water use efficiency of ecosystems and understanding the interaction between ecosystem carbon uptake and water cycling in the context of global change. The estimation of T/ET has been paid increasing attention from the scientific community in recent years globally. In this paper, we used the Priestly-Taylor Jet Propulsion Laboratory Model (PT-JPL) driven by regional remote sensing data and gridded meteorological data, to simulate the T/ET in forest ecosystems along the North-South Transect of East China (NSTEC) during 2001–2010, and to analyze the spatial distribution and temporal variation of T/ET, as well as the factors influencing the variation in T/ET. The results showed that: (1) The PT-JPL model is suitable for the simulation of evapotranspiration and its components of forest ecosystems in Eastern China, and has relatively good stability and reliability. (2) Spatial distribution of T/ET in forest ecosystems along NSTEC was heterogeneous, i.e., T/ET was higher in the north and lower in the south, with an averaged value of 0.69; and the inter-annual variation of T/ET showed a significantly increasing trend, with an increment of 0.007/yr (p<0.01). (3) Seasonal and inter-annual variations of T/ET had different dominant factors. Temperature and EVI can explain around 90% (p<0.01) of the seasonal variation in T/ET, while the inter-annual variation in T/ET was mainly controlled by EVI (53%, p<0.05).

The Internet of Things (IoT) helps establish massive viewpoints and complicated yet functional operational systems. IoT can strengthen the entire supply chain. However, due to a larger integration gap between HRM and SCM and fuzzy, integration of these two contemporary issues has been severely delayed even if academics in each field continue to progress SCM and HRM contribution to creating greater sustainable firms. The findings of the study show that the fuzzy based HRM-SCM strategy is workable and points to the educational requirement as the HRM element with the most positive influence. Designing and assessing the network of a supply chain is a crucial and challenging decision. In order to establish a comprehensive and synergistic foundation for the HRM-SCM relationship, this paper proposes a research program for this integration. The IoT is used in this study to maintain the supply-chain analytics for HRM. Additionally, the Butter Ant Optimization (BAO) is suggested to improve SCM performance. The IoT+FL+BAO approach is the one that this study suggests using. In comparison to other previous approaches, the experimental results show that the proposed IoT+FL+BAO approach improves the supply-chain performance proportion by 97.9%, the efficiency proportion by 98.2%, employee satisfaction by 97.03%, decision-making scale by 97.2%, prediction rate by 96.5%, and F1-score by 98.4%.

Non-contact thickness measuring systems can be found in a wide spectrum of technologies. In this paper, Hilbert–Huang transform method is used to analyze the real time signals of a measuring system which includes two round conveyor strings carrying a thin plate, a solar wafer as a sample under test. The vibrations of moving strings and the plate, which are sensitive to moving speed and initial tension in the string, are introduced briefly; the relevant analyses should be helpful for the system design. Using EMD-based time-domain filtering and complementary method, thickness variations and error bands are estimated for different cases. The results show that HHT method as an adaptive time–frequency method, should be potential in measurement engineering applications.

DGAT2 is the critical catalyzing enzyme for triglyceride biosynthesis, and excess triglyceride accumulation in fat tissues is a fundamental process for obesity. Mutations in DGAT2or other genes interacting with DGAT2associated with adiposity have not been reported in human to date. DGAT2 mutation was identified based on our in-home database-exome sequencing 227 young obese subjects (body-mass index (BMI), 35.1–61.7 kg/m2) and 219 lean controls (BMI, 17.5–23.0 kg/m2), further validated in 1190 lean subjects and the pedigree of the proband. The trios of the proband were further subjected to whole-exome sequencing to explore the candidate genes for obesity. The mutations in DGAT2and FAAHwere functionally evaluated in vitro. We detected two rare variants in DGAT2 with no significant difference between obese and lean individuals. One novel heterozygous nonsense variant c.382C > T (p.R128*) was identified in one obese subject but not in 219 lean subjects and another 1190 lean subjects. Notably, in vitro study showed that R128* mutation severely damaged the TG-biosynthesis ability of DGAT2, and all other R128* carriers in the pedigree were lean. Thus, we further identified a loss-of-function variant c. 944G > T (p.R315I) in FAAHin the proband inheriting from his obese father. Importantly, FAAH overexpression inhibited DGAT2 expression and TG synthesis, while R315I mutant largely eliminated this inhibitory effect. We first report loss-of-function mutations in DGAT2and FAAHin one obese subject, which may interact with each other to affect the adiposity penetrance, providing a model of genetic interaction associated with human obesity.

The ring-closing metathesis reaction of diene plays an important role in the construction of cyclic compounds. In this research, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were conducted to elucidate the mechanisms and origins of the selectivity of ring-closing metathesis and homometathesis. The computational results suggest that the selectivity is determined by the substrate conformation. For the ester-tethered substrate, the homometathesis is more favorable, due to the planar structure of ester facilitating the conjugative effect of the formed E-homometathesis product. For the amide-tethered substrate, the ring-closing metathesis product is the only observed product because the steric hindrance of N-substituents disfavors homometathesis.

The palladium-catalyzed three-component domino reaction of ortho-iodostyrene, 2,3-dicarbomethoxy-7-oxanorbornadiene (ONBD), and phenylboronic acid discovered by the Lautens group provides a convenient method to synthesize indenes derivatives. Herein, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to explore the detailed mechanism of this domino reaction. The computational results suggest that the alkene-insertion-first and the transmetalation-first mechanisms are competitive, and the former mechanism is slightly more favorable because of the difficult intramolecular alkene insertion of the alkyl-PdII-aryl than alkyl-PdII-I complex. Further analysis on substituents of ONBD unveils the impacts of noncovalent interactions and electronic effect on the rate-determining retro-Diels–Alder process. The understanding of this domino reaction has important implications for developing a novel palladium-catalyzed domino reaction with a retro-Diels–Alder strategy.

This paper presents concrete columns with inclined honeycomb stiffened rib steel tubes and proposes three special shaped cross-section columns to improve the overall force capacity of steel tube concrete columns on the basis of saving steel. Variables (type of section, direction of load application, honeycomb opening, strength class of concrete and steel) are set in this paper to investigate the seismic performance of inclined honeycomb stiffened rib concrete columns. The effect of honeycomb ribs on the seismic performance of shaped columns with different cross-sectional forms varies, and the improvement in cross-sectional performance is more obvious for T-shaped sections; the effect of load application direction is more obvious for asymmetric sections; the installation of honeycomb openings in stiffened ribs has a weak effect on the overall mechanical performance of the specimen, but the seismic performance in both directions is improved; the results are consistent when modeled using ABAQUS software and compared in tests. The setting of honeycomb holes in the stiffening ribs improves the bonding capacity of the stiffening ribs to the concrete, and the welding of the honeycomb stiffening ribs to the outer steel pipe improves the joint working capacity of the outer steel pipe and the concrete; the diagonal placement of the stiffening ribs improves the two-way seismic capacity of the shaped column. The new structural form of oblique honeycomb stiffening rib steel pipe concrete column is conducive to promoting the development of steel pipe concrete column.

To investigate the penetration mechanism of spherical projectiles into soft tissues, ballistic gelatin was used as tissue substitute in ballistic tests. A theoretical motion model was established based on the cavity expansion theory. We first presented a quasi-static cylindrical cavity expansion model for the radial stress at the cavity wall of a cracked-hyperelastic material. The pressure on the cavity surface, PS, was also defined as the energy required to open a unit volume in the medium quasi-statically. Based on this interpretation, we proposed an approximate expression for the dynamic pressure, P, acting on the surface of the cavity by analyzing the energy transformation and conservation. Then, based on the analysis and solutions of the cylindrical cavity expansion model, we obtained a resistance force model for spherical projectiles, which consisted of an inertial term and a rate-dependent strength term. Subsequently, ballistic tests, in which gelatin blocks were penetrated by spherical projectiles of different materials and sizes, were analyzed, and the parameters in the resistance model were identified using the test results obtained from the 3?mm steel projectile. Further, the ability of the motion model to describe the motion of spherical projectiles penetrating ballistic gelatin was verified by comparing the calculated and measured results from projectiles of different materials and sizes. The proposed motion model based on the cavity expansion theory can therefore provide a basis for understanding the interaction of small arms ammunition and soft tissues.

A novel and mechanically‐robust composite with a leaf‐shaped morphology for Li‐ion battery anodes is designed. The composite anode exhibits high capacity and stable rate‐performance owing to its bio‐inspired structure, which is confirmed by using density functional theory calculations and in‐situ transmission electron microscopy. More details can be found in article number 1901149by Jinyun Liu, Yonghong Ni, Jinjin Li, and co‐workers.

Current high‐energy‐density secondary battery electrodes have several issues, in major part due to mechanical instabilities. Herein, a novel, mechanically robust anode is presented, which consists of a leaf‐shaped architecture with high lithium‐storage performance. As a demonstrative example, a leaf‐shaped tin dioxide (SnO2) anode is prepared through a templated layer‐by‐layer approach. The robust mechanical properties of the SnO2anode are demonstrated through density functional theory (DFT) in which principle stress caused by lithiation is calculated. Real‐time lithiation is observed using in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technology. The presented anode shows a stable capacity of 760 mAh g−1after 200 cycles at 0.2 C, and a high capacity retention of 99% is achieved after three rounds of measurements. A novel, mechanically robust anode for secondary batteries is presented. The constructed leaf‐shaped SnO2anodes exhibit good Li‐storage performance. The robust mechanical properties are confirmed through density functional theory (DFT) simulations, and real‐time lithiation is demonstrated using in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technology.