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BackgroundNegative ion sources driven by radio frequency (RF) waves have become the preferred solution for future neutral beam injection systems.PurposeThis study aims to monitor the plasma discharge state of each exciter of a high power RF negative ion source by developing a plasma luminescence monitoring system based on a photodiode is designed and constructed.MethodsThe intensity of plasma emission was closely related to the number of specific collisions, collision particle density, and collision particle energy. Therefore, the intensity of plasma emission was applied to monitoring plasma parameters qualitatively, and a photodiode-based multichannel plasma luminescence monitoring system was designed and implemented to monitor the plasma discharge state of each exciter of a high power RF negative ion source. Based on a reasonable collision radiation model, plasma parameters were quantitatively obtained by analyzing the intensity of plasma characteristic spectral lines, and the influence of the filtering magnetic field generated by plasma current on plasma emission signals as experimental tested.ResultsExperimental results this monitoring system demonstrate that the real-time intensity information of plasma emission from different positions is successfully collected, and subsequently presented and saved in the form of voltage signals for real-time monitoring and post-data processing by the host computer. The intensity of plasma emission has a good linearity with RF discharge power.ConclusionsThe plasma light monitoring system of this study can accurately and real-time measure the excitation, maintenance, and extinction processes of plasma in the RF exciter.

NaPF6 is a common electrolyte for sodium-metal batteries (SMBs) due to its high ionic conductivity and stability. However, SMBs using NaPF6 electrolyte face the risk of electrolyte hydrolysis and disordered growth of sodium dendrites. Herein, N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) was introduced into triethyl phosphate solvent for stabilizing the electrolyte and inhibiting the growth of dendrites in SMBs. Self-extinguishing experiments show the non-flammability of the electrolyte to realize high cycling safety of the cell. Simulations explored the solvent structure of the electrolyte with the addition of BSTFA. Experimental and Gibbs free energy calculations demonstrate the spontaneous reaction of BSTFA with trace amounts of water, thereby protecting NaPF6. By in situ optical microscopy, it was found that the stable SEI layer generated by the reduction of the BSTFA additive at the sodium anode inhibited the growth of sodium dendrites, and the excellent cycling performance of the Na3V2(PO4)3/Na full cell further proved the effect of the addition of BSTFA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The marine–continental transitional shale of the Upper Permian Longtan Formation in northern Guizhou is an important source rock in the upper Yangtze region of China, and it holds significant potential for the exploration of shale gas. To investigate the correlation between sedimentary conditions and the accumulation of organic matters in marine–continental transitional shale, this paper performed an extensive analysis using organic geochemical testing, organic petrology examination, a cross-section polisher–scanning electron microscope (CP-SEM), and geochemical analysis. The Jinsha and Dafang drilling cores were selected as the research subjects. The results showed that the TOC of the Longtan Formation in the study area was relatively high, and the TOC content of the tidal flat–lagoon environment (average of 8.37%) was significantly higher than that of the delta samples (average of 2.77%). The high content of Al2O3 (average of 17.41% in DC-1, average of 16.53% in JC-1) indicated strong terrigenous detrital input. The proxies indicated that the Longtan Formation shale in northern Guizhou was deposited in a climate that was both warm and humid, with oxic–dysoxic sedimentary water characterized by high biological productivity and a rapid sedimentation rate. The organic-rich shales during the marine and continental transitional phases were affected by various factors, including the paleo-climate, water redox properties, paleo-productivity, sedimentation rate, and other variables, which directly or indirectly impacted the availability, burial, and preservation of organic matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence of the relationship between fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) levels, dietary quality and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in rural populations is limited. Here, we aimed to investigate the association between fecal SCFA levels and T2DM and the combined effects of dietar quality on T2DM in rural China. In total, 100 adults were included in the case–control study. Dietary quality was assessed by the Alternate Healthy Eating Index 2010 (AHEI-2010), and SCFA levels were analysed using the GC-MS system. Generalised linear regression was conducted to calculate the OR and 95 % CI to evaluate the effect of SCFA level and dietary quality on the risk of T2DM. Finally, an interaction was used to study the combined effect of SCFA levels and AHEI-2010 scores on T2DM. T2DM participants had lower levels of acetic and butyric acid. Generalised linear regression analysis revealed that the OR (95 % CI) of the highest acetic and butyric acid levels were 0·099 (0·022, 0·441) and 0·210 (0·057, 0·774), respectively, compared with the subjects with the lowest tertile of level. We also observed a significantly lower risk of T2DM with acetic acid levels > 1330·106 μg/g or butyric acid levels > 585·031 μg/g. Moreover, the risks of higher acetic and butyric acid levels of T2DM were 0·007 (95 % CI: 0·001, 0·148), 0·005 (95 % CI: 0·001, 0·120) compared with participants with lower AHEI-2010 scores (all P < 0·05). Acetate and butyrate levels may be important modifiable beneficial factors affecting T2DM in rural China. Improving dietary quality for body metabolism balance should be encouraged to promote good health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the effects of wild-type vesicular stomatitis virus strain (VSV-IN) on immunomodulation and tumour metastasis in mouse triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) 4T1 cell transplantation model mice. Methods: After VSV-IN infected 4T1 cells with MOI=1, MOI=10 and MOI=100 for 12, 24 and 48 h, 4T1 cell mortality was detected by CCK-8 method, migration ability by scratch healing assay, and the expressions of E-cadherin, MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA by qPCR. The fat pads of female BALB/c mice were inoculated with 0.1 mL of 4T1 cells with a cell density of 1x106 cells/mL to construct a 4T1 cell-loaded mouse model. When the tumour volume reached 200 mm³, the mice were injected intratumorally with PBS, taxol (TAX) (15 mg/kg), and VSV (1x106 pfu) once a week, respectively. After 4 administrations, mice were executed, stripped of intact grafted tumour tissues, and tumour volume and mass were measured. Histopathological sections of the lungs were stained with H-E, and tumour metastatic nodules of the lungs were observed. The proportion of T-cell subpopulations in the spleen was detected by flow cytometry. The levels of serum IL-6 and TNF-α were detected by ELISA. The expression levels of migration-related proteins in mammary gland tumours were analysed by using the online analysis of GEPIA. The expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 and E-cadherin in mouse tumours were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the affinity of G and M proteins of VSV-IN and ERK2 and E-cadherin was predicted by protein-protein docking technology. Results: The mortality rate of 4T1 cells after 48 hours of VSV treatment at MOI=10 and 100 were significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.01). Compared with that of the control group, the cell migration rate of the VSV-IN group (MOI=10) was significantly lower (P<0.01), and the relative expression of MMP-9 mRNA was significantly lower (P<0.05). Compared with those in the mice of the control group, transplanted tumours in the mice of the VSV-IN group grew more slowly, and their endpoint volume was significantly reduced (P<0.05). The number of lung metastatic nodules in the mice of the VSV group was significantly less than that of the control group ([12.86±1.86] vs [24±3.67], P<0.01). The proportions of splenic CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells in the VSV group were significantly higher (both P<0.05). The serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels were significantly higher (both P< 0.01). GEPIA tool analysis revealed that the expression levels of E-cadherin and MMP-9 were higher in breast cancer tissues than in paracancerous tissues (P<0.05). The expression of MMP-9 in the tumour cells of the mice in the VSV-IN group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The binding free energies of G and M proteins of VSV-IN to ERK2 were -11.7 kcal/mol and -6.4 kcal/mol, respectively. Conclusion: Wild-type VSV-IN inhibits the growth and metastasis of transplanted tumours in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice, which may be related to its promotion of anti-tumour immunity and modulation of the expression of migration-related proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]