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We explore local Andreev reflection and crossed Andreev reflection in a normal metal (N)–superconductor (S)–normal metal (N) hybrid junction based on the α − T 3 lattice. Initially, both the left and right sections feature dice lattice structures (α = 1). We compute probabilities for electron reflection, local Andreev reflection, electron transmission, and crossed Andreev reflection, as well as local conductance, electron transmission conductance, and crossed Andreev reflection conductance. Subsequently, we analyze structures with the left side featuring dice lattice and the right side graphene (α = 0), as well as the reverse configuration. Our findings reveal that crossed Andreev reflections are more prevalent in the graphene–superconductor–dice lattice (GSD) junction, particularly with moderate superconducting region lengths, larger electron incidence angles, and lower electron incidence energy. • Investigate local Andreev reflection and crossed Andreev reflection within a normal metal-superconductor-normal metal hybrid junction based on the α − T 3 lattice. • Explore scattering processes in NSN hybridized junctions, with both the left and right sections featuring a dice lattice structure (α = 1). • Subsequently, we evaluate two configurations: one with dice lattice on the left side and graphene (α = 0) on the right side, and the reverse configuration. • The transport properties of these three junctions are systematically compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guidelines recommend hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance in patients with chronic HBV infection. Several HCC risk prediction models are available to guide surveillance decisions, but their comparative performance remains unclear. Using a retrospective cohort of patients with HBV treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues at 130 Veterans Administration facilities between 9/1/2008 and 12/31/2018, we calculated risk scores from 10 HCC risk prediction models (REACH-B, PAGE-B, m-PAGE-B, CU-HCC, HCC-RESCUE, CAMD, APA-B, REAL-B, AASL-HCC, RWS-HCC). We estimated the models' discrimination and calibration. We calculated HCC incidence in risk categories defined by the reported cut-offs for all models. Of 3,101 patients with HBV (32.2% with cirrhosis), 47.0% were treated with entecavir, 40.6% tenofovir, and 12.4% received both. During a median follow-up of 4.5 years, 113 patients developed HCC at an incidence of 0.75/100 person-years. AUC values for 3-year HCC risk were the highest for RWS-HCC, APA-B, REAL-B, and AASL-HCC (all >0.80). Of these, 3 (APA-B, RWS-HCC, REAL-B) incorporated alpha-fetoprotein. AUC values for the other models ranged from 0.73 for PAGE-B to 0.79 for CAMD and HCC-RESCUE. Of the 7 models with AUC >0.75, only APA-B was poorly calibrated. In total, 10–20% of the cohort was deemed low-risk based on the published cut-offs. None of the patients in the low-risk groups defined by PAGE-B, m-PAGE-B, AASL-HCC, and REAL-B developed HCC during the study timeframe. In this national cohort of US-based patients with HBV on antiviral treatment, most models performed well in predicting HCC risk. A low-risk group, in which no cases of HCC occurred within a 3-year timeframe, was identified by several models (PAGE-B, m-PAGE-B, CAMD, AASL-HCC, REAL-B). Further studies are warranted to examine whether these patients could be excluded from HCC surveillance. Risk prediction models for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) could guide HCC surveillance decisions. In this large cohort of US-based patients receiving treatment for HBV, most published models discriminated between those who did or did not develop HCC, although the RWS-HCC, REAL-B, and AASL-HCC performed the best. If confirmed in future studies, these models could help identify a low-risk subset of patients on antiviral treatment who could be excluded from HCC surveillance. [Display omitted] • CAMD, APA-B, HCC-RESCUE, CU-HCC, AASL-HCC, RWS-HCC, REAL-B models identified patients at high risk of developing HCC. • RWS-HCC, REAL-B, and AASL-HCC had the highest AUCs and also predicted the actual risk of HCC closely. • No low-risk patients (∼10-20% of cohort) defined by PAGE-B, m-PAGE-B, AASL-HCC, CMAD and REAL-B models developed HCC within 3 years. • Further studies are warranted to examine whether this low-risk group may be excluded from HCC surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energy band structures and transport properties in 8-Pmmn borophene superlattice were investigated. It is found that the Dirac point at other energy appears in the energy band structure and the Dirac cone is tilted. As a function of the incident angle, the transmission probability no longer maintains chiral symmetry. The transmission gaps highly dependent on the widths of the well and barrier of the superlattice. Some forbidden bands appear in the transmission probability with different incident angles, the location and width of the forbidden bands can be regulated by changing the system parameters, which filters the electrons. Modulating the widths of the well and barrier the original Dirac point in superlattice disappears, the minimum value of the conductance at the initial Dirac point was changed into maximum when the widths of the well and barrier of the superlattice were increased to a certain value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An energy-based multifield damage model for early-age concrete is well established. • A new approximation of the heat of hydration is derived to reduce the nonlinearity. • The damage is driven by the energy release rate rather than the plastic strain. • The validated model can well simulate the hydration process of early-age concrete. Cracking prediction and control in hydration process of mass concrete and structures has always been a challenging task. In this work, an energy-based chemo-thermo-mechanical damage model for early-age concrete is well established within the framework of thermodynamics and continuum damage mechanics. The evolution laws for the mechanical damage are driven by the work conjugate elastoplastic damage energy release rates to fully represent the microcracks closure-reopening effect, the anisotropy, and the aging effect of concrete relating to the degree of hydration. A formulation fitted from a large number of test data is introduced to simulate the thermal evolution during hydration process, resulting in an excellent approximation of the degree of hydration. When the degree of hydration is 1, the model is degenerated into the classical plastic damage model. The presented model is thus able to simulate the hydration process of early-age concrete and mechanical responses of concrete as well as reinforced concrete structures at any age. The model is implemented by user defined subroutine in Abaqus, in which a sequential coupling method is established. Several benchmark tests are successfully reproduced, indicating that the proposed model is capable of predicting the damage evolution and typical nonlinear behavior of early-age concrete and hardened concrete. The computational efficiency of the model is significantly improved compared to the classical ones due to the introduction of the fitting formulation of the thermal evolution and the sequential coupling method to reduce the nonlinearity of the system. The strategy allows the model to be applied in massive concrete structures during construction and provide valuable prediction as well as guidance for large scale engineering structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Innate lymphoid cells type 2 (ILC2s) play critical homeostatic functions in peripheral tissues. ILC2s reside in perivascular niches and limit atherosclerosis development.Objectives: ILC2s also reside in the pericardium but their role in postischemic injury is unknown.Methods: We examined the role of ILC2 in a mouse model of myocardial infarction (MI), and compared mice with or without genetic deletion of ILC2. We determined infarct size using histology and heart function using echocardiography. We assessed cardiac ILC2 using flow cytometry and RNA sequencing. Based on these data, we devised a therapeutic strategy to activate ILC2 in mice with acute MI, using exogenous interleukin (IL)-2. We also assessed the ability of low-dose IL-2 to activate ILC2 in a double-blind randomized clinical trial of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS).Results: We found that ILC2 levels were increased in pericardial adipose tissue after experimental MI, and genetic ablation of ILC2 impeded the recovery of heart function. RNA sequencing revealed distinct transcript signatures in ILC2, and pointed to IL-2 axis as a major upstream regulator. Treatment of T-cell-deficient mice with IL-2 (to activate ILC2) significantly improved the recovery of heart function post-MI. Administration of low-dose IL-2 to patients with ACS led to activation of circulating ILC2, with significant increase in circulating IL-5, a prototypic ILC2-derived cytokine.Conclusions: ILC2s promote cardiac healing and improve the recovery of heart function after MI in mice. Activation of ILC2 using low-dose IL-2 could be a novel therapeutic strategy to promote a reparative response after MI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tin selenide exhibits outstanding thermoelectric properties. Among its various forms, multicrystalline SnSe stands out as a more practical choice compared to single-crystal SnSe, owing to its straightforward chemical synthesis process, enhanced processability, and scalability. Herein, we synthesized p-type polycrystalline Sn 1−x Ag X Se bulk materials (x = 0, 0.01, 0.015, 0.02, 0.025, 0.03) using a simple hydrothermal and hot pressing method. Characterization methods such as XRD, Raman and XPS were used to demonstrate the successful doping of Ag+ into the SnSe matrix. When the doping concentration reached Sn 0.98 Ag 0.02 Se (x = 0.02), Ag+ reached the optimal concentration in the SnSe matrix, causing significant lattice distortion which increased phonon scattering and lowered the thermal conductivity, resulting in Sn 0.98 Ag 0.02 Se achieving ZT max = 1.14. However, when the doping concentration exceeded Sn 0.98 Ag 0.02 Se (x > 0.02), excess silver ions precipitated, partially acting as charge carriers, leading to a significant increase in electrical conductivity, resulting in Sn 0.97 Ag 0.03 Se having an electrical conductivity of 6860 s/m at 773 K. Compared to the pure phase, the electrical conductivity of Sn 0.97 Ag 0.03 Se increased by 259 %, and the ZT value of Sn 0.98 Ag 0.02 Se increased by 178%. This work demonstrates that Ag+ is an effective p-type dopant in the SnSe system and indicates that high ZT values in SnSe can be achieved through a simple, low-cost, and environmentally friendly method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing demand for freshwater, desalination of seawater and its alternatives has become a major priority for the scientific community. This work studied the preparation of a flat-sheet poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composite membrane by non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) for desalination using membrane distillation. The casting dope comprises PVDF, PMMA, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in accordance with the green chemistry principle. The effect of PMMA content ranging from 3.6 wt% to 14.4 wt% in the casting dope on the membrane morphologies and characteristics was investigated. For a better understanding of membrane distillation, the performance of air gap membrane distillation (AGMD) and water gap membrane distillation (WGMD) at different feed temperatures (50–70 °C), flow rates (0.4–0.8 L/min), and gap widths (∼0, 1, 3 mm) were analyzed. Additionally, the advantages and disadvantages of DCMD and WGMD were evaluated using the permeate flux and gained output ratio (GOR). According to the results of the experiments, with an increase in PMMA content, the pore size, porosity, and contact angle of the membrane increased while the thickness of the skin layer decreased. In addition, the permeate fluxes were found to be greater in WGMD than in AGMD due to the higher thermal conductivity of water relative to air. The flux of membrane distillation increased as the gap width decreased and the feed temperature and flow rate increased. The highest flux of WGMD is 26.04 L m−2 h−1 when the feed temperature is 70 °C, the flow rate is 0.8 L/min, and the gap width is ∼0 mm. With optimal operating conditions, the as-prepared membrane showed potential for desalination, offering a viable solution to water stress concerns. [Display omitted] • Flat-sheet PVDF/PMMA composite membranes were prepared with DMSO accordance with green chemistry principles via NIPS. • Effect of PMMA composition ratio on membrane characteristics were investigated. • The PVDF/PMMA composite membranes in different MD modules (DCMD, AGMD and WGMD) and set-up conditions were compared. • The PVDF/PMMA composite membrane showed the enhanced permeate flux in WGMD up to 26.04 L m−2 h−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For data-driven iterative learning control (ILC) methods, both the model estimation and controller design problems are converted to parameter estimation problems for some chosen model structures. It is well-known that if the model order is not chosen carefully, models with either large variance or large bias would be resulted, which is one of the obstacles to further improve the modeling and tracking performances of data-driven ILC in practice. An emerging trend in the system identification community to deal with this issue is using regularization instead of the statistical tests, e.g., AIC, BIC, and one of the representatives is the so-called kernel-based regularization method (KRM). In this paper, we integrate KRM into data-driven ILC to handle a class of repetitive linear time-varying systems, and moreover, we show that the proposed method has ultimately bounded tracking error in the iteration domain. The numerical simulation results show that in contrast with the least squares method and some existing data-driven ILC methods, the proposed one can give faster convergence speed, better accuracy and robustness in terms of the tracking performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mathematical model was presented to characterise heat transfer in high-humidity hot air impingement blanching (HHAIB) of cuboid carrots. The model accounts for condensation heat transfer and predicts the sample's core temperature evolution with time. The simulation was performed at different relative humidity of 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% with constant temperature of 383 K. Results showed that the heat transfer process of HHAIB is divided into two stages based on vapor-liquid phase transition, namely a condensing heat transfer segment and a non-condensing heat transfer segment. In the initial stage of HHAIB, a comprehensive and intense condensation occurred on the sample surface leading to high heat transfer coefficient and greatly enhancing heat transfer, but at the same time creating a huge temperature gradient in the sample. The relative humidity of 40%-60% at 383K could not only enhance the heat transfer rate but also improve the homogeneity of temperature distribution in the sample. Simulated core temperatures were compared with experimental measurements, showing good agreement with a coefficient of determination R2 of 0.991. The findings of current work provide theoretical basis to better design and control of the process conditions of HHAIB as it elucidates the heat transfer characteristic taking account condensation phenomenon and illustrates the temperature distribution and evolution profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The dynamic game of supply chain decision-making behaviors is investigated. • The study adopts backward induction method to analyze the green supply chain model. • The reasonable green technology subsidies can promote greenness of building materials. • Green building material manufacturers need to set rational green technology output. The national priority of carbon neutrality and decarbonization goals drive the transformation and upgrading of China's construction industry. The production of green building materials is one of the key ways to decrease carbon emission. To better promote the green development of the construction industry and the realization of the decarbonization goals, a supply-chain system under technology subsidies, inclusive of a general contractor, two green building material manufacturers, is investigated. The Stackelberg model of green building material supply chain is constructed to explore how the green technology innovation of supply chain main body is affected by the technology subsidy. Meanwhile, the backward induction method is utilized to analyze the technology innovation decision-making behavior of green building material players of supply chain under a dynamic game. MATLAB software is used to simulate the stability and dynamic changes of the system in the long-term game. The results show that the decision-making stability of green building material supply chain is beneficial to the stability of supply chain system. The technology subsidy standard with reasonable policy promotes the degree of green building materials to achieve the maximum. However, once the adjustment coefficient of decision-making variables of the main body of the supply chain is large, the supply chain system will fall into chaos and disorder through bifurcation. The delayed feedback control method thus needs to be applied to control chaos, to ensure the sustainable and healthy development of the supply chain of green building materials. This study expands the application scenario of complex system theory in construction supply chain. It also provides theoretical guides for the government to formulate policies to encourage the promotion of green building materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glutathione S -transferases (GSTs) comprise a diverse family of enzymes found ubiquitously in aerobic organisms and they play important roles in insecticide resistance. In this study, we tested the sensitivities of Liposcelis entomophila , collected from four different field populations, to three insecticides. The results showed that the insects from Tongliang population had a relatively higher tolerance to malathion and propuxor than insects from other field populations. The insecticide sensitivities of different populations detected in psocids may be due to the different control practices. Through sequence mining and phylogenetic analyses, we identified 15 delta class GST genes that contained the conserved motifs of the GSTs. Quantitative real-time PCR (Q-PCR) analysis indicated that the 15 GST genes were expressed at all tested developmental stages, and 12 GST genes had significantly higher expression levels in adulthood than in egg stage. The expression levels of 15 GST genes in different field populations showed that 9 GST genes were significantly higher in Tongliang population compared to other populations. Furthermore, Q-PCR confirmed that the expression of several delta class GSTs was upregulated at different times after malathion, propuxor and deltamethrine exposure with the LC 50 concentration of insecticide. Taken together, these findings showed that delta class GST genes have various expression levels in different developmental stages and different field populations, and they were up-regulated in response to insecticide exposure, which suggested that these GSTs may be associated with insecticide metabolism in psocids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heat transfer of pin-fin heat sinks cooled by dual piezoelectric fans is investigated experimentally by infrared thermography. The effects of the phase difference, the configuration, the elevation of the piezoelectric fans, and the dimensions of the heat sinks on the thermal performance of the heat sinks are discussed. The experimental results show that the thermal resistance reaches the minimum (3.37 °C/W) when the fin width is 8 mm, the two piezoelectric fans are in edge-to-edge configuration, and the fans vibrate counter phase in a series of nine-fin heat sinks with a fin height of 15 mm. The minimum thermal resistance (2.4 °C/W) is obtained when the fin width is 5.1 mm and the two piezoelectric fans are in edge-to-edge configuration and vibrate counter phase in a series of sixteen-fin heat sinks with a fin height of 30 mm. The thermal resistance increases significantly when the elevation of the two piezoelectric fans is increased. The effects of the phase difference and the configuration of the two piezoelectric fans on thermal resistance depend on the dimensions of the heat sinks. However, for most tested heat sinks, the minimum thermal resistance is obtained when the two piezoelectric fans are in edge-to-edge configuration and vibrate counter phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An external aeration and intermittent circulation were used to improve the nitrogen removal performance of subsurface flow constructed wetland (SSF CW) in landscape garden ponds. Nitrification was the main mechanism of ammonium-nitrogen (NH4+-N) removal and partial nitrification/anaerobic ammonia oxidation was a minor process. Field measurements yielded a removal rate of NH4+-N of 0.266-0.566 gN/dm2 and a corresponding temperaturedependent rate constant of 0.184 d-1 to 0.377 d-1 representing an improvement overnitrogen removal. The nitrate-nitrogen (NOJ-N) removal was degraded to the background level of NO3--N concentration in an environment with a high concentration of dissolved oxygen. The NO3--N removal rate ranged from 0.0393 gN/d m2 to 0.0825 gN/d m2 and resulted from aerobic denitrification, indicating that external aeration and intermittent circulation effectively improved oxygen transportation in SSF CW. This could remove NO3--N of the effluent of SSF CW when using in-tank aeration to improve the nitrogen removal performance of SSF CW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudomonas aeruginosa antimicrobial resistance is a major therapeutic challenge. DNA vaccination is an attractive approach for antigen-specific immunotherapy against P. aeruginosa . We explored the feasibility of employing Herpes simplex virus type 1 tegument protein, VP22, as a molecular tool to enhance the immunogenicity of an OprF DNA vaccine against P. aeruginosa . Recombinant DNA vaccines, pVAX1-OprF, pVAX1-OprF-VP22 (encoding a n-OprF-VP22-c fusion protein) and pVAX1-VP22-OprF (encoding a n-VP22-OprF-c fusion protein) were constructed. The humoral and cellular immune responses and immune protective effects of these DNA vaccines in mice were evaluated. In this report, we showed that vaccination with pVAX1-OprF-VP22 induced higher levels of IgG titer, T cell proliferation rate. It also provided better immune protection against the P. aeruginosa challenge when compared to that induced by pVAX1-OprF or pVAX1-VP22-OprF DNA vaccines. Molecular mechanistic analyses indicated vaccination with pVAX1-OprF-VP22 triggered immune responses characterized by a preferential increase in antigen specific IgG2a and IFN-γ in mice, indicating Th1 polarization. We concluded that VP22 is a potent stimulatory molecular tool for DNA vaccination when fused to the carboxyl end of OprF gene. Our study provides a novel strategy for prevention and treatment of P. aeruginosa infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight novel coordination polymers, {[LnZn(2,3-pydc) 2 (ox) 0.5 (H 2 O) 3 ]·3H 2 O} n (Ln = Pr 1 , Nd 2 , Ho 3 , Er 4 , Yb 5 , Sm 6 , Eu 7 , Tb 8 ) (2,3-H 2 pydc = pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid, H 2 ox = oxalic acid) are synthesized by the hydrothermal method and their structures are determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. They are isomorphous and crystallized in the triclinic system, with space group P 1 ¯ . In crystals, Ln(III) and Zn(II) ions are linked into 2D layers by 2,3-pydc 2− ligands adopting two coordination modes, and neighboring layers are bridged into 3D network structure through oxalate ligands in bridging tetradentate coordination mode. The IR, UV–Vis–NIR absorption spectra and emission spectra in the visible and near-infrared (NIR) region of polymers are determined and analyzed. All of polymers exhibit characteristic emission bands of corresponding Ln(III) ions, which should be attributed to sensitization from the d-block (Zn–ligand moiety) and ligands after introducing Zn(II) ion into the system of Ln(III) complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background External fixation combined with limited open reduction and internal fixation (EF + LORIF) is a well-accepted and effective method for distal tibia shaft fractures, but it was also related to complications. The objective of this study was to compare external fixation combined with closed reduction and internal fixation (EF + CRIF) with EF + LORIF in the treatment of distal tibia shaft fractures, and explore the benefits and defects of these two techniques. Methods Fifty-six patients were randomised to operative stabilisation either by an external fixator combined with two closed titanium elastic nails or by external fixation combined with limited open reduction and internal fixation. Pre-operative variables included the patients’ age, sex, the affected side, cause of injury, Tscherne classification of soft tissue injury, fracture pattern, and time from injury to surgery. Peri-operative variables were the operating time and the radiation time. Postoperative variables were wound problems and other complications, union time, time of recovery to work, the functional American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle surgery (AOFAS) score. Results There was no significant difference in the mean operating time (72.6 ± 11.5 vs. 78.5 ± 16.4 min, P = 0.125), the time to union (21.2 ± 11.0 vs. 22.5 ± 12.3 weeks, P = 0.678), the time of recovery to work (25.0 ± 14.5 vs. 26.4 ± 13.6 weeks, P = 0.711), pin track infection (3/28 vs. 4/28, P = 1.000), delayed union (2/28 vs. 3/28, P = 1.000), pain (38.3 ± 1.6 vs. 38.7 ± 1.5, P = 0.339), function (44.4 ± 6.0 vs. 45.0 ± 5.5, P = 0.698), and total AOFAS scores (91.5 ± 7.4 vs. 93.4 ± 6.8, P = 0.322) between the two groups. However, the mean radiation time was longer in the EF + CRIF group than in the EF + LORIF group (2.0 ± 1.2 vs. 0.3 ± 0.1 min, P < 0.01). The EF + CRIF group had no wound complications while the EF + LORIF group had five wound complications, though the difference was not statistically significant ( P = 0.052). Acceptable alignment was obtained in 50 patients (22 in EF + CRIF vs. 28 in EF + LORIF, P = 0.023). Two cases with EF + CRIF had a 6 degrees of recurvatum deformity and four had 6–9 degrees of valgus deformity. Conclusion Our results indicated that both EF + CRIF and EF + LORIF were reliable methods in treatment of distal tibia shaft fractures. EF + CRIF had fewer wound complications and broader indications while EF + LORIF had lower radiation exposure and better alignment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incidence of dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV), two mosquito-borne flaviviruses, is increasing in large parts of the world. Vaccination and medication for these diseases are unsatisfactory. Here, we developed a novel antiviral approach, using a virus-inducible gene expression system, to block virus replication and transmission. Constructs containing the smallest replication units of dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV2) with negative-stranded DENV2 artificial genomes and genes of interest were established in an Aedes aegypti cell line, resulting in expression of target genes after DENV2 infection. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) assays confirmed the system was virus-inducible. When we used one of two apoptosis-related genes, A. aegypti michelob_x (AaMx) and inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP)-antagonist michelob_x-like protein (AaIMP) instead of GFP, the production of viral RNA and proteins were inhibited for all five viruses tested (DENV1–4 and ZIKV), and effector caspase activity was induced. The system thus inhibited the production of infectious virus particles in vitro , and in mosquitoes it did so after DENV2 infection. This is a novel broad-spectrum antiviral approach using a flavivirus-inducible gene-expression system, which could lead to new avenues for mosquito-borne disease control. [Display omitted] • A virus-inducible gene expression system was developed to block virus replication and transmission. • The system was activated upon dengue and Zika viruses infection, leading to the production of two apoptosis-related genes. • A bacteria-based delivery approach was established to generate mosquitoes with antiviral activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study is focused on computation optimization of the geometry for the flow channels in a micro-reformer used for methanol steam reforming. Three-dimensional mass and momentum transport phenomena with a pure fluid simulation in a micro-reformer are predicted using a commercial computational fluid dynamics code. Meanwhile, a simplified conjugate-gradient method is adopted to seek the optimal manifold shape and channel width of the micro-reformer iteratively using a Python interface. In the present study, the geometrical optimization tasks involve the designs of the inlet manifold and outlet manifold shapes as well as channel width distribution, and the design purpose is to obtain a uniform flow distribution throughout the entire micro-reformer so as to increase the hydrogen gas production rate. Cubic-spline interpolation is used in shape design to fit the points on the manifold shape more smoothly. The results show that the velocity standard deviation decreased from 0.14 to 0.048 and 0.051 after searching the optimal manifold shapes and channel widths, respectively. The manifold shapes of the inlet and outlet as well as the channel widths can efficiently lead to significant uniformity in the flow fields using a simplified conjugate-gradient method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of the present article is to study the fractal channel pattern design and the gradient catalyst layer in relation to their effects on the performance of a micro methanol steam reformer. A three-dimensional simulation model is established for the purpose of predicting the effects of bio-channel design on the performance of a micro-reformer. The CO concentration in the production gases, which is necessary to avoid the poisoned catalyst layers of low temperature fuel cells, is also investigated. In addition, the distributions of velocity and gas concentrations are predicted, and the methanol conversion ratios are also evaluated. Due to further decreases of the CO in product gases, a gradient catalyst layer arrangement is proposed to delay the timing of hydrogen generation and thus avoid the presence of hydrogen in the catalyst layer too long. This catalyst arrangement can effectively decrease the possibility of a reverse water gas shift reaction to reduce CO generation. Results showed that the fractal channel design increases the conversion ratio, decrease CO as well as decrease the pressure drop in the channels. Relative to a parallel channel design, the CO and methanol conversion ratio of this fractal channel design pattern with uniform catalyst layer can be decreased and increased by 17% and 8%, respectively, based on a 0.3 cc/min flow rate, respectively. Meanwhile, the pressure drops in the parallel channel design and in the fractal channel design were found to be 254 Pa and 51 Pa, respectively. From an energy consumption point of view, a low pressure drop also implies low input pumping power. Furthermore, compared to the fractal design with a uniform catalyst layer, the gradient catalyst layer was demonstrated to effectively increase the conversion ratio by 8.5% and decrease CO by 11% when the inlet liquid flow rate was fixed at 1.0 cc/min. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the field of blind image separation (BIS) based on the sparse component analysis, separation efficiency and accuracy are directly affected by the number of clustering samples. To address this problem, a new algorithm for the detection of points in the Haar wavelet domain was proposed in which only single source contributions occur. The algorithm identified the single source points (SSPs) by comparing the absolute direction between the diagonal and horizontal components of the Haar wavelet coefficients of mixed images. After screening the SSPs, the wavelet coefficients of the images are sparser. The experimental results showed that, compared to the conventional method, the proposed algorithm could estimate the mixing matrix faster and more accurately, and it allowed identification of latent variables via statistical histograms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Four Ln3+ coordination complexes with the formulas [Ln(p-toluylate)2(Ac)(H2O)] n (Ln=Ho 1, Yb 2) and {[Ln2(OOCCH2CH2COO)3(H2O)4]·6H2O} n (Ln=Ho 3, Yb 4) were synthesized hydrothermally. Their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 1 and 2 are isomorphic and form infinite 2D network structures comprising p-toluylate and acetate (Ac–) moieties. Complexes 3 and 4 are also isomorphic and possess infinite 2D structures in which succinate acts as bridging ligands that are connected to a 3D hydrogen bonding network by O–H…O hydrogen bonds. Solid-state IR and UV-Vis-NIR spectra, excitation and emission spectra were determined for the four complexes at room temperature. Complexes 1 and 2 exhibit characteristic NIR emission bands of Ln3+ ions but these are shifted and split relative to the theoretical positions. This is also evident for their UV-Vis-NIR spectra. The influence of ligands on enhancing the NIR luminescence of Ln3+ ions in complexes is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effects of enlarging the channel outlet on the heat transfer through a porous microchannel heat sink (MCHS) were investigated numerically. Emphasis was placed on the influences of the enlargement ratios for the channel outlet width and height on the hydraulic and thermal performances of a porous MCHS. The simulation results indicated that increasing the width or height enlargement ratio reduces the pressure drop across an MCHS. The averaged Nusselt number, heat transfer efficacy, and temperature control effectiveness are enhanced, while thermal resistance is reduced with an enlarged channel outlet. Hence, increasing the width or height enlargement ratio of the channel outlet is an effective method for improving the hydraulic and thermal performance of porous MCHSs. For certain width or height enlargement ratios, the thermal resistance of a porous MCHS is not necessarily lower than that of an MCHS without a porous medium if the pumping power is not large enough to overcome the pressure loss. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Three-dimensional models of porous-microchannel heat sinks (porous-MCHSs) with different configuration designs, such as rectangular, outlet enlargement, trapezoidal, thin rectangular, block, and sandwich distributions, are verified in this work. Hydraulic and thermal performances of the porous-MCHSs with various configuration designs are investigated from the pumping power, heat transfer coefficient, and temperature control effectiveness, results with Reynolds number ranging from 45 to 1350. The results reveal that the thermal performances can be improved using the porous configuration designs and can increase with a large Reynolds number. Both the sandwich and the trapezoidal distribution designs have the best heat transfer efficiency, cooling performance, and convective performance. In particular, the thermal performance of the rectangular, outlet enlargement, thin rectangular, or block distribution designs are not necessarily better than the nonporous medium for lower pumping power. In addition, adding a porous medium to the channel leads to a significant increase in the pressure drop. Among the six porous configuration designs, the lowest pressure drop was observed for a sandwich distribution design. Hence, the sandwich distribution design is the best porous-MCHS design when considering the thermal performance along with the pressure drop. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper develops an inverse problem approach to optimize the geometric structure of TECs (thermoelectric coolers). The approach integrates a complete multi-physics TEC model and a simplified conjugate-gradient method. The present TEC model couples the heat and electrical conductions and accounts for all physical mechanisms occurred within TECs. Three geometric parameters, the semiconductor pair number, N, leg length of semiconductor column, H pn, and base area ratio of semiconductor columns to TEC, γ, are optimized simultaneously at fixed current and fixed temperature difference. The cooling rate on the cold end is the objective function to be maximized to obtain the optimal TEC geometry. The effects of applied current and temperature difference on the optimal geometry are discussed. The results show that at temperature difference of 20 K, the geometry optimization increases the TEC cooling rate by 1.99–10.21 times compared with the initial TEC geometry, and the optimal N decreases from 100 to 47 with invariable γ = 0.95 and H pn = 0.2 mm, as the applied current varies from 1.0 A to 3.0 A. With the increase in temperature difference, the optimal N increases at smaller currents of I ≤ 1.0 A, however, it is almost invariable at larger currents of I ≥ 1.5 A. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Three Ag(I) coordination complexes, [Ag(pyzca)]n (1) (Hpyzca=pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid), Ag[(HNA)(NA)(H2O)4] (2) (HNA=nicotinic acid) and [Ag1Ag2-(2,3-pydc)]n (3) (H2pydc=pyridine-2, 3-dicarboxylic acid) have been synthesized by the hydrothermal method. Their structures are determined by single-crystal X–ray diffractometer. Complex 1 possesses the 3D infinite structure. Complex 2 is a mononuclear coordination complex and exhibits one 3D infinite network by a large number of hydrogen bonds. In complex 3, two crystallographic independent Ag(I) ions exist, i.e., Ag1 is three-coordinate and Ag2 is two-coordinate, forming the 2D layer structure. At room temperature in the solid state, the IR, FP and UV–Vis spectra of all complexes were measured and investigated in detail. The emission and absorption spectra of the three complexes and their corresponding ligands are compared and analyzed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A simple and sensitive spectrofluorimetric method was developed for the determination of nitrite in environmental and food samples. The method was based on the selective reaction of o-phenylenediamine with nitrite in acidic medium to form benzotriazole, which exhibited strong fluorescence at 568nm with excitation at 420nm in alkaline medium. The detection limit and sensitivity of the proposed method were improved by hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin through complexation. The linear calibration range for nitrite was 0.04–0.8μgmL−1 with a detection limit of 13.6ngmL−1 (S/N=3.29). The relative standard deviation for ten determinations of 0.1 and 0.4μgmL−1 nitrite were 1.38% and 2.01%, respectively. Twenty-eight coexistent ions were examined, and no serious interference for most of ions was observed. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of nitrite in the water, sausage and soil samples with recoveries of 95.5–108.5%. The results were in good agreement with the recommended AOAC method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Thermoelectric devices (TEs) can achieve direct conversion of heat and electricity by semiconductor materials, coupling of heat transfer and electric conduction is important to accurately predict the performance of TEs. This paper develops a general, three-dimensional numerical model of TEs with consideration of coupling of temperature field and electric potential field. The model is used to figure out the performance of thermoelectric coolers (TECs) with the temperature-dependent thermal conductivity, electric conductivity, and Seebeck coefficient of semiconductor materials. A miniature TEC is considered and Bi2(Te0.94Se0.06)3 and (Bi0.25Sb0.75)Te3 are selected as the n-type and p-type thermoelectric materials, respectively. The effect of parameters such as the temperature difference and the current is investigated under conditions of variable material properties as well as radiation and convection heat transfer occurred between the TEC and the ambient gas. The results show that the variable properties and the heat losses to the ambient gas have significant effects on the cooling capacity and the coefficient of performance (COP) of the TEC. Three-dimensional temperature distributions within the semiconductors is observed under convective boundary condition and it becomes remarkable at large temperature differences and high currents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Using transfer matrix method, transport properties in graphene based double velocity-barrier structures under magnetic and electric fields are numerically studied. It is found that velocity barriers for the velocity ratio (the Fermi velocity inside the barrier to that outside the barrier) less than one (or for the velocity ratio greater than one) have properties similar to electrostatic wells (or barriers). The velocity barriers for the velocity ratio greater than one significantly enlarge the resonant tunneling region of electrostatic barriers. In the presence of magnetic field, the plateau width of the Fano factor with a Poissonian value shortens (or broadens) for the case of the velocity ratio less than one (or greater than one). When the Fermi energy is equal to the electrostatic barrier height, for different values of the velocity ratio, both the conductivities and the Fano factors remain fixed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Cyclin D1, an oncogenic G1 cyclin which can be induced by environmental carcinogens and whose over-expression may cause dysplasia and carcinoma, has been shown to be a target for cancer chemoprevention and therapy. In this study, we investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms of action of a polyprenylated xanthone, gambogenic acid (GEA) on gefitinib-sensitive and -resistant lung cancer cells. We found that GEA inhibited proliferation, caused G1 arrest and repressed colony-forming activity of lung cancer cells. GEA induced degradation of cyclin D1 via the proteasome pathway, and triggered dephosphorylation of GSK3β which was required for cyclin D1 turnover, because GSK3β inactivation by its inhibitor or specific siRNA markedly attenuated GEA-caused cyclin D1 catabolism. GEA induced autophagy of lung cancer cells, possibly due to activation of GSK3β and inactivation of AKT/mTOR signal pathway. These results indicate that GEA is a cyclin D1 inhibitor and a GSK3β activator which may have chemopreventive and therapeutic potential for lung cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Rhizoma Smilacis Chinae (RSC) is a widely used herbal material in functional food and folk medicine. In this study, methanol extract (ME), water extract (WE), polysaccharide fraction and ethyl acetate fraction (EF) of RSC were prepared and the constituents were analysed by HPLC. Different antioxidant tests were employed to evaluate the antioxidant activities of RSC extracts and its main constituents, astilbin and chlorogenic acid. The results showed that RSC extracts possessed comparable antioxidant activity to butylated hydroxyanisole in a dose-dependent manner. The radical-scavenging capacity of ME and EF was even stronger than astilbin and chlorogenic acid. The EF and ME of RSC also showed stronger anti-proliferative activity on HepG2 cells than astilbin and chlorogenic acid, with IC 50 values of 47 and 32μg/mL for 24h treatment, respectively. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that RSC extracts induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and a late apoptosis of the cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Using aromatic carboxylic acids as main ligands, four Ln(III) coordination polymers, [Er(CH3C6H4COO)2(Ac)(H2O)] n (1), [Yb(β-C10H7COO)2(Ac)(H2O)] n (2), [Nd(C9H7O2)3] n (3) and [Ho(C9H7O2)3] n (4) (CH3C6H4COO= p-toluylate, Ac=acetate, β-C10H7COO= β-naphthoyloxy, C9H7O2 =cinnamate), were synthesized by hydrothermal method and their structures were studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Polymers 1 and 2 possess 2D layer structures, and polymers 3 and 4 possess 1D chain structures. At room temperature in the solid state, the IR, UV–Vis–NIR spectra and the emission spectra in the visible and near-infrared (NIR) regions of the four polymers were determined. In the NIR region, polymers 1–4 show characteristic emission bands of the corresponding Ln(III) ions which exhibit shift, splitting or broadness in comparison with their theoretical emission bands. This can be confirmed by their UV–Vis–NIR spectra and discussed emphatically. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Four heteronuclear Zn–Ln coordination complexes, [Nd2Zn2(p-toluylate)10(phen)2] (1), [Ln2Zn2(p-toluylate)10(phen)2]·2(HAc)1/2 (Ln=Tb 2, Ho 3) and [PrZn2(p-toluylate)5(Ac)2(phen)2] (4) (phen=1, 10-phenanthroline), are synthesized by the hydrothermal method and their structures are measured by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The IR and UV–vis–NIR absorption spectra and the emission spectra in the visible and near-infrared (NIR) regions of the four complexes are determined at room temperature. In the NIR region (or in the visible region), the complexes show the characteristic emission bands of Ln3+ ions, which may be attributed to sensitization from the ligands (the ligand directly-coordinated to Ln3+ ions and d-block) to Ln3+ ions after forming the Zn–Ln complexes. It is reported for the first time in this paper that the Zn–Pr complex 4 can exhibit the broad emission band in the NIR region. In addition, the shift, split or broadness of the ff emission bands in the NIR region of complexes 1, 3 and 4 are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The shot noise properties in a graphene-based multi-quantum well structure are investigated theoretically. It is found that when the number of the potential barriers (quantum wells) is big enough and the width of the barriers and the wells is shorter than the mean free path, another Dirac-like point at which the Fermi energy equals half of the barrier height appears. The transport is almost forbidden at this new Dirac-like point, the conductivity gets the minimum, and the Fano factor approaches 1/3. With the random potential barrier being taken into consideration, the conductance enhances clearly, meanwhile the Fano factor is suppressed much more. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton fibers (cotton lint) are single-celled trichomes that differentiate from the ovule epidermis. Unidirectional and fast-growing cells generally expand at the dome-shaped apical zone (tip-growth mode); however, previous studies suggest that elongating fiber cells expand via a diffuse-growth mode. Tip-localized Ca2+ gradient and active secretary vesicle trafficking are two important phenomena of tip-growth. Recently, a high Ca2+ gradient is found in the cytoplasm of fast-elongating cotton fiber cells near the growing tip. Several protein coding genes participating in vesicle coating and transport are highly expressed in elongating fiber cells. Taken together with the observation that ethylene acts as a positive regulator for cotton fiber and several Arabidopsis tissues that are known to elongate via tip growth prompted us to propose a linear-growth mode for similar cell types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A three-dimensional, two-phase, non-isothermal model has been developed to explore the interaction between heat and water transport in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Water condensate produced from the electrochemical reaction may accumulate in the open pores of the gas diffusion layer (GDL) and retard the oxygen transport to the catalyst sites. This study predicts the enhancement of the water transport for linear porosity gradient in the cathode GDL of a PEMFC. An optimal porosity distribution was found based on a parametric study. Results show that a optimal linear porosity gradient with ɛ 1 = 0.7 and ɛ 2 = 0.3 for the parallel and z-serpentine channel design leads to a maximum increase in the limiting current density from 10,696 Am−2 to 13,136 Am−2 and 14,053 Am−2 to 16,616 Am−2 at 0.49 V, respectively. On the other hand, the oxygen usage also increases from 36% to 46% for the parallel channel design and from 55% to 67% for the z-serpentine channel design. The formation of a porosity gradient in the GDL enhances the capillary diffusivity, increases the electrical conductivity, and hence, benefits the oxygen transport throughout the GDL. The present study provides a theoretical support for existing reports that a GDL with a gradient porosity improves cell performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective was to determine whether alterations of histone acetylation status in donor cells affected inter-generic SCNT (igSCNT)-cloned embryo development. Leopard cat cells were treated with trichostatin A (TSA; a histone deacetylase inhibitor) for 48 h, and then donor cells were transferred into enucleated oocytes from domestic cats. Compared to non-treated cells, the acetylated histone 3 at lysine 9 (AcH3K9) and histone 4 at lysine 5 (AcH4K5) in the TSA group increased for up to 48 h (P < 0.05). The AcH3K9 signal ratios of igSCNT group was higher than control group 3 h after activation (P < 0.05). Treatment with TSA significantly increased total cell number of blastocysts (109.1 ± 6.9 vs. 71.8 ± 2.9, mean ± SEM), with no significant effects on rates of cleavage or blastocyst development (71.1 ± 2.8 vs. 67.6 ± 2.9 and 12.2 ± 2.6 vs. 11.0 ± 2.6, respectively). When igSCNT cloned embryos were transferred into a domestic cat oviduct and recovered after 8 d, blastocyst development rates and total cell numbers were greater in the TSA-igSCNT group (20.7 ± 3.0% and 2847.6 ± 37.2) than in the control igSCNT group (5.7 ± 2.2% and 652.1 ± 17.6, P < 0.05). Average total cell numbers of blastocysts were approximately 4.4-fold higher in the TSA-igSCNT group (2847.6 ± 37.2, n = 10) than in the control group (652.1 ± 17.6, n = 8; P < 0.05), but were ∼2.9-fold lower than in vivo cat blastocysts produced by intrauterine insemination (8203.8 ± 29.6, n = 5; P < 0.001). Enhanced histone acetylation levels of donor cells improved in vivo developmental competence and quality of inter-generic cloned embryos; however, fewer cells in blastocysts derived from igSCNT than blastocysts produced by insemination may reduce development potential following intergeneric cloning (none of the cloned embryos were maintained to term). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present study is concerned with the influence of the geometric and the operating conditions on the performance of a micro-methanol steam reformer. A three-dimensional numerical model is built for predicting the effects of wall temperature, channel geometry, inlet and outlet manifold configuration, and flow rate on the performance of chemical reaction. Distributions of velocity, temperature and gases concentrations are predicted and the methanol conversion ratios are evaluated. In addition, the mole fraction of CO contained in the reformed gas, which is essential to prevent the catalyst layers of fuel cells from poisoning, is investigated. Comparison between the present predictions and some existing experimental data is made, and close agreement has been found. A correlation expression for the methanol conversion ratio is presented in terms of the geometric and operating parameters. The solution model is used to improve the design of the micro-reformer. Results showed that the configuration of central inlet/two outlets cannot only improve the methanol conversion ratio from 32.4% to 42.3% but also decrease the carbon monoxide from 0.39% to 0.27% for the particular case at 1cm3 min−1 flow rate if the geometric and operating parameters are properly designed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: VP22, a tegument protein of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), is present in many copies in one virion and undergoes different types of post-translational modification. VP22 is believed to have certain functions in viral infection apart from virus assembly. Here we show that VP22 physically interacted with infected cell polypeptide 0 (ICP0) and colocalized in the nucleus, indicating that VP22 could be functionally involved in the modulation of viral transcription through interaction with ICP0. In the HSV-1 infection system and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) transcriptional system, VP22–ICP0 interaction was confirmed to play a role in modulating the transcription of some viral genes and could be a factor in viral transcription, which is probably required in the transcriptional control of latent infection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The cathode flow-field design of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) determines its reactant transport rates to the catalyst layer and removal rates of liquid water from the cell. This study optimizes the cathode flow field for a single serpentine PEM fuel cell with 5 channels using the heights of channels 2–5 as search parameters. This work describes an optimization approach that integrates the simplified conjugated-gradient scheme and a three-dimensional, two-phase, non-isothermal fuel cell model. The proposed optimal serpentine design, which is composed of three tapered channels (channels 2–4) and a final diverging channel (channel 5), increases cell output power by 11.9% over that of a cell with straight channels. These tapered channels enhance main channel flow and sub-rib convection, both increasing the local oxygen transport rate and, hence, local electrical current density. A diverging, final channel is preferred, conversely, to minimize reactant leakage to the outlet. The proposed combined approach is effective in optimizing the cathode flow-field design for a single serpentine PEMFC. The role of sub-rib convection on cell performance is demonstrated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Coastal erosion plays an important role in the terrestrial–marine–atmosphere carbon cycle. This study was conducted to explore the spatial variation of soil organic carbon (SOC) and other soil properties along the coastline of northern Alaska. A total of 769 soil samples, from 48 sites along over 1800-km of coastline in northern Alaska, were collected during the summers of 2005 and 2006. A geological information system (GIS) and a geostatistical method (ordinary kriging) were coupled to investigate the spatial variation of SOC along the coastline. SOC have a big variation ranging from 0.8 to 187.4kgCm−2 with the greatest value observed in the middle and lowest in the northeastern coastline. Compared to the 1-D model or the 1-D model with shortcut distance, the 2-D model was more reasonable to describe SOC along the coastline. The Gaussian correlation structure model had less prediction error than other examined geostatistical models. All mapping results also indicate that soils of the northwestern coastline stored greater SOC than those of the northeastern coastline. The estimation of total SOC along the coastline of northern Alaska was 6.86∗107 kgm−1. The prediction errors indicated that greater errors were observed in both ends of the coastline than were observed in other fractions, although the range was from 0.739 to 0.779. Our study suggests that the isotropic 2-D model without a trend, with the nugget effect and the Gaussian correlation structure is a useful tool to investigate SOC in large scale. Results of stable isotope of organic matter indicate that SOC are mainly derived from C3 plant, which ranged from −30‰ to −22‰. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The optimal cathode flow field design of a single serpentine proton exchange membrane fuel cell is obtained by adopting a combined optimization procedure including a simplified conjugate-gradient method (SCGM) and a completely three-dimensional, two-phase, non-isothermal fuel cell model. The cell output power density P cell is the objective function to be maximized with channel heights, H 1–H 5, and channel widths, W 2–W 5 as search variables. The optimal design has tapered channels 1, 3 and 4, and diverging channels 2 and 5, producing 22.51% increment compared with the basic design with all heights and widths setting as 1mm. Reduced channel heights of channels 2–4 significantly enhance sub-rib convection to effectively transport oxygen to and liquid water out of diffusion layer. The final diverging channel prevents significant leakage of fuel to outlet via sub-rib convection from channel 4. Near-optimal design without huge loss in cell performance but is easily manufactured is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Six novel heterometallic Zn–Ln coordination polymers {[ZnLnCl(pydc)2(H2O)6]·3H2O} n (Ln=Nd 1, Pr 2, Sm 3, Eu 4, Tb 5, Dy 6; pydc=pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylate) were synthesized by the hydrothermal method, and their structures were measured by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The IR and UV–Vis–NIR absorption spectra, and the luminescence spectra in the visible and near-infrared (NIR) regions of the six complexes were determined at room temperature. They possess the same crystal structure, and the Zn(II) and Ln(III) ions in each complex are bridged into 1D infinite chain by pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylates. Meanwhile, there are numerous hydrogen bonds which result in the 3D hydrogen bonding network in the crystal. In the visible and NIR regions, the emission spectra of the complexes show the characteristic bands of the corresponding Ln(III) ions, which are mainly attributed to the sensitization from the d-L-moiety to f-L-moiety after forming the Zn–Ln complexes. In this paper, we first report the Zn–Sm complex which can exhibit the emission bands of Sm(III) in the NIR region, and discuss the sensitization from the d-L-moiety to f-L-moiety on the basis of the different characteristics of levels for different Ln(III) ions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Kondo effect and the Andreev reflection tunneling through a normal (ferromagnet)–double quantum dots–superconductor hybrid system is examined in the low temperature by using the nonequilibrium Green''s function technique in combination with the slave-boson mean-field theory. The interplay of the Kondo physics and the Andreev bound state physics can be controlled by varying the interdot hopping strength. The Andreev differential conductance is mainly determined by the competition between Kondo states and Andreev states. The spin-polarization of the ferromagnetic electrode increases the zero-bias Kondo peak. The spin-flip scattering influences the Kondo effect and the Andreev reflection in a nontrivial way. For the ferromagnetic electrode with sufficiently large spin polarization, the negative Andreev differential conductance is found when the spin flip strength in the double quantum dots is sufficiently strong. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The electron transport through an Aharonov–Bohm (AB) interferometer with embedded four coupled quantum dots (QDs) is studied with the Green''s function technique. The QDs are coupled to each other by the hopping integral . Two among them connect with the left lead and the other two with the right lead by the tunneling matrix element T which incorporates the effects of the applied magnetic field φ. The linear conductance spectra swap between the molecular levels and the atomic states by adjusting and T. Fano effect appears when the electrons tunnel through different channels contributed by different QDs energy levels, and the Fano resonance peaks split for large . The Fano factor can be manipulated by , T, φ, and the QD energy levels. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In order to study the coordination structures and the reaction modes of diperoxovanadate complexes in the gas phase, the interaction between K3[OV(O2)2(C2O4)]·H2O and a series of histidine-like ligands has been investigated by the combination of the electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and the density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The experimental results proved the formation of both [OV(O2)2L]− (L=all histidine-like ligands) and (L′=histidine and carnosine only) species. DFT calculations at the level of B3LYP/6-31+G* showed that is a hexa-coordinated complex, instead of a hepta-coordinated complex as proposed before. The unique coordination mode in the gas phase is for one ligand to bind to the oxygen atoms via hydrogen binding, rather than both ligands to the metal center. The dimer formation and the maintenance of the hydrogen bonding within the dimer during the complex formation are two important factors that enhance the abundance of the species. The calculated bonding enthalpy and free energy changes provided an explanation on the reaction modes of the interaction systems, in agreement with the observations of the ESI-MS experiments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Stereoscopic particle-image velocimetry (SPIV) measurements are conducted in a Low-speed Large-scale Axial Compressor. During the experiment the two CCD cameras are placed at the different sides of the laser light sheet and it is proved that this configuration is more suitable for the investigation in multi-stage turbomachines. The measured results, including the overall performances of many typical flow structures near the rotor tip region and the phase locked unsteady flows inside the stator passage at both the design and near-stall conditions, are introduced. Some new features of the complicated flow structures, such as the breakdown of the tip leakage vortex, the formation of the compound corner vortex at the rotor suction tip corner, the interactions between the hub stall and the tip separation and the rotor wakes, and the evolutions of the tip corner anti-rotating streamwise vortices inside the stator passage, are revealed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The formation of new blood vessels permits a supply of nutrients and oxygen to the proliferating synovial cells and augmented inflammatory cell mass in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Angiogenesis inhibition is not dependent on a down-regulated immune system. Therefore, angiogenesis is an attractive target in treating rheumatoid arthritis. To confirm the effect of recombinant human endostatin, an angiogenesis inhibitor, on inflammatory angiogenesis and to elucidate the related mechanisms, rat adjuvant arthritis model induced by Freund''s complete adjuvant was used. The secondary arthritis was evaluated by using clinical scores and determining the volume of hind paw swelling. The number of new blood vessels was counted under microscope based on HE (hematoxylin and eosin) staining and positive immunoreactivity of factor VIII related antigen. factor VIII related antigen and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expressions in synovial tissue were determined by using immunohistochemistry. It was found that endostatin attenuated rat secondary paw swelling induced by Freund''s complete adjuvant in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, the number of new blood vessels in synovial tissue stained with HE was reduced after treatment with endostatin, which was proved by the positive immunostaining of factor VIII related antigen. Further, endostatin decreased the expression of VEGF in both cartilage and synovial tissue. These suggest that endostatin inhibiting VEGF expression contributes to the regression of rat adjuvant arthritis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Transcription factors (TFs) are a group of proteins that control cellular processes by regulating the expression of downstream target genes. Recent progress has been made in the cloning and characterization of Arabidopsis TFs on the genome scale, especially on the cloning of open reading frames (ORFs), sequence analysis and the expression profiling of different TF families. Huge difference in numbers of subfamily members were found for Arabidopsis MYB, C2H2 (Zn), C3H-type 1 (Zn), C3H-type 2 (Zn) TFs by independent research groups, mainly because of differences in bioinformatic search stringency. However, the Arabidopsis and rice genomes contain very different numbers of TFs in the WRKY, NAC, bZIP, MADS, ALFIN-like, GRAS and C2C2 (Zn)-dof families, indicating a possible divergence of biological functions from dicots to monocots. TFs have also been found to play key roles in the biosynthesis and signaling of plant hormones, in cell growth and differentiation, and in photomorphogenesis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Using an adiabatic approximate method, spin-dependent conductance and thermopower of quasi-one-dimensional semiconductor nano-constrictions are investigated in the presence of Rashba spin–orbit interaction under an applied magnetic field. The significant quantum size, quantum coherence, and spin–orbit interaction are considered simultaneously. With the strength of the spin–orbit coupling increasing, the thermopower oscillates more rapidly, the peaks become sharper, and the intervals between adjacent peaks are narrowed. The results also indicate that the conductance and the thermopower are strongly spin-dependent due to the spin split originated from the spin–orbit interaction and the Zeeman effect. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]