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Fiber absorbents are among the most economical materials for uranium extraction from seawater. Marine organisms are prone to fouling while being deployed in the sea, severely impairing the adsorption properties of the fiber. In this study, a novel antimicrobial adsorbent (UHMWPE-g-GEAO) was prepared by grafting guanidino and amidoxime groups onto ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) using radiation-induced graft polymerization technique. The guanidino groups endowed the fiber with excellent resistance to biofouling, enabling it to kill 99.9% of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). UHMWPE-g-GEAO fibers exhibited a fast uranium adsorption rate and high adsorption capacity, reaching 156.00 mg/g in aqueous solution and 1.39 mg/g in real seawater within 14 days. Additionally, the adsorbent exhibited superior reusability, preserving more than 94.5% of its adsorption efficiency and 96.2% of its desorption efficiency after five adsorption-desorption cycles. In this study, a reusable UHMWPE antimicrobial adsorbent fiber with promising potential for uranium extraction from seawater was developed.

Although significant amounts of methane are present in anthracite coal seams, coalbed methane resources cannot be extracted effectively and quickly. This study mainly focused on investigating the pore system and methane adsorption capacity to clarify the storage of coalbed methane. Anthracite coal samples from the Anzenan coalbed methane block in China were collected, and pore characterization methods (low-pressure N2 adsorption, mercury injection experiments, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations) and methane isothermal adsorption experiments were conducted. The results showed that few mesopores and nanoscale macropores were present in the anthracite coal samples. The volume of the 2–300 nm pores in these coal samples obtained from the N2 adsorption experiment was lower than 0.01 cm3/g. SEM observations also revealed that only a small number of mesopores and nanoscale macropores could be seen, and most of these pores were isolated. In terms of the methane isothermal adsorption data, it was found these anthracite coals have a large methane adsorption capacity, and the Langmuir volume ranges from 19.5 to 28.4 cm3/g, with an average of 22.2 cm3/g. With increasing ash yield, the Langmuir volume decreased linearly, indicating that methane molecules were mainly adsorbed in the organic matter of coal. As methane is mainly adsorbed in the micropores of coal organic matter and there are few mesopores and nanoscale macropores in the organic pores in coal, there are not enough tunnels to transport the adsorbed methane molecules to the outside. Thus, it is difficult to extract coalbed methane from anthracite. This study reveals the impact of pore system limitations on the storage and extraction of coalbed methane in anthracite coal. The findings can be applied to the extraction of coalbed methane from anthracite coal seams worldwide.

The main purpose of this study was to improve the function and quality of frozen purple sweet potato cubes. In this study, osmotic dehydration (OD), natural drying, hot air drying and freeze drying (FD) were used as pretreatment methods to evaluate the changes in anthocyanin composition of purple sweet potato after freezing and thawing, and to identify the most effective pretreatment methods to reduce the loss of anthocyanin in the freeze-thawing process. The results showed that after freezing and thawing, OD-treated purple sweet potato exhibited a significant decrease in total colordifference compared with the other pretreatment groups (P < 0.05), and the colour was closest to that of the fresh samples. Compared with other treatment groups, OD and FD pretreatment could significantly inhibit the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activities of purple sweet potato after dehydration (P < 0.05), while the OD-treated group had the lowest PPO and POD activities. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging capacity and total antioxidant capacity were maintained at a higher level in the OD- and FD-treated groups compared to the other pretreatment groups. Twenty-seven Anthocyanins in purple sweet potato were lost after freezing and thawing. Compared with other pretreatments, OD pretreatment minimised the loss of anthocyanins after dehydration and freeze-thawing of purple potato cubes. Therefore, OD is the most effective pretreatment method for anthocyanin protection infrozen purple sweet potato, which is suitable for freezing storage of purple sweet potato to be used for anthocyanin extraction.

The proliferation and differentiation of myoblasts are considered the key biological processes in muscle development and muscle-related diseases, in which the miRNAs involved remain incompletely understood. Previous research reported that miR-424(322)-5p is highly expressed in mouse skeletal muscle. Therefore, C2C12 cells are used as a model to clarify the effect of miR-424(322)-5p on the proliferation and differentiation of myoblasts. The data show that miR-424(322)-5p exhibits a decreasing trend upon myogenic differentiation. Overexpression of miR-424(322)-5p inhibits the proliferation of myoblasts, manifested by downregulation of proliferation marker genes ( CCNB1, CCND2, and CDK4), decreased percentage of EdU + cells, and reduced cell viability. In contrast, these phenotypes are promoted in myoblasts treated with an inhibitor of miR-424(322)-5p. Interestingly, its gain of function inhibits the expression of myogenic regulators, including MyoD, MyoG, MyHC, and Myf5. Additionally, immunofluorescence staining of MyHC and MyoD shows that overexpression of miR-424(322)-5p reduces the number of myotubes and decreases the myotube fusion index. Consistently, inhibition of its function mediated by an inhibitor promotes the expressions of myogenic markers and myotube fusion. Mechanistically, gene prediction and dual-luciferase reporter experiments confirm that enhancer of zeste homolog 1 ( Ezh1) is one of the targets of miR-424(322)-5p. Furthermore, knockdown of Ezh1 inhibits the proliferation and differentiation of myoblasts. Compared with NC and inhibitor treatment, inhibitor+si- EZH1 treatment rescues the phenotypes of proliferation and differentiation mediated by the miR-424(322)-5p inhibitor. Taken together, these data indicate that miR-424(322)-5p targets Ezh1 to negatively regulate the proliferation and differentiation of myoblasts.

Uranyl ions in seawater are prone to complexing with organic matter, forming stable compounds that can impact the adsorption performance of uranium adsorption materials. Herein, glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) monomers were introduced onto the surface of the polypropylene/polyethylene nonwoven (PP/PE SNW) substract using radiation-induced graft polymerization (RIGP). Thereafter, three different polyamines, namely, triethylenetetramine (TETA), tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA), and pentaethylenehexamine (PEHA), were utilized to a ring-opening reaction, introducing the amine group into the substrate. This was followed by an addition reaction with acrylonitrile and an amidoxime reaction to produce the straight-chain-structured AO-based adsorbents, termed P-TETA-AO, P-TEPA-AO, and P-PEHA-AO. Subsequently, structural characterization, adsorption performance investigation, and adsorption mechanism analysis were performed. The experimental results confirm that three different functional polymer chains with varying chain lengths were successfully modified on the substrate surface and that the target amidoxime-based adsorption material was successfully prepared. The adsorption process followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the adsorption isotherm was well described by the Langmuir model. The adsorption capacities of P-TETA-AO, P-TEPA-AO, and P-PEHA-AO for uranium were 66.1 mg/g, 63.22 mg/g, and 65.62 mg/g, respectively, within 24 h and exhibited adequate adsorption performance in the pH range of 5~9. The adsorption-desorption experiments indicated good regenerability, with only a 6% decrease in the uranium adsorption rate after five cycles, and a desorption ratio that was consistently above 95%. In the simulated seawater adsorption experiment, the uranium removal rates for P-TETA-AO, P-TEPA-AO, and P-PEHA-AO were found to be 72.94%, 79.97%, and 87.78%, respectively, indicating that the adsorption performance improved with the growth of the grafting chain in a highly saline, multi-competitive ion environment. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results indicate that during uranium adsorption, the amino and amidoxime groups of all three adsorption materials participate in the coordination with uranyl ions, demonstrating a synergistic effect.

A super absorbent polymer (SAP) was prepared using starch and acrylic acid under exposure to 60Co γ-rays irradiation. The chemical structure of the SAP was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy Scanning electron micrographs showed that the surface of the SAP contained numerous mesoporous structures. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated improved thermal stability of the SAP compared to that of the original starch. The absorbed dose and feed ratio of the acrylic acid and starch significantly affected the water absorption performance of the SAP. The water absorption capacity of the SAP was 532 g/g at the optimal conditions (absorbed dose: 20 kGy, crosslinking agent: 80 mg/L, feed ratio of starch to acrylic acid: 1/2). The SAP efficiently released the loaded KNO3 or Na3PO4; the release rates were 82% for K+ and 80% for PO43-.

Herein, a bifunctional nonwoven fabric sorbent containing thioamide and carboxyl groups was synthesized via radiation grafting of acrylonitrile and acrylic acid, followed by modification with sodium sulfide, to selectively recover Au(Ⅲ) from the acidic solution. A polyethylene/polypropylene skin-core-structured nonwoven fabric was used as the substrate. The structure and properties of the sorbent were characterized using infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, contact angle measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The adsorption performance of the sorbent was determined through batch adsorption tests. The results indicated that the sorbent exhibited excellent Au‍(Ⅲ) adsorption capacity over a wide pH range (2-7) and demonstrated good selectivity for Au(Ⅲ) in the presence of coexisting metal ions, with selectivity coefficients ranging from 55.00 to 2 429.17 and a gold recovery ratio of 98.5%. The adsorption followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models, with an Au(Ⅲ) saturation adsorption capacity of 133.91 mg/g. Au(Ⅲ) could be reduced to crystalline Au(0) during the adsorption process. Moreover, the modified nonwoven fabric could be effectively removed via simple high-temperature treatment, facilitating Au recovery.

A super absorbent polymer (SAP), sodium lignosulfonate (LS)/sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), was produced from LS and CMC through the irradiation of γ-rays. The effects of the absorbed dose and LS dosage on the water absorption performance of the SAP were investigated. The ultraviolet (UV) resistance of the SAP was also evaluated. The surface morphology, chemical structures, and thermal weightlessness of the SAP were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. The optimal conditions for preparing the SAP were as follows: 20 g of CMC, 1 g of LS, 100 g of water, and 15 kGy of absorbed dose. The water absorption capacities of the prepared SAP were 316.1 g/g and 97.1 g/g for deionized water and 0.9% NaCl solution, respectively. Therefore, the water absorption capacity improved with the addition of LS. Moreover, after irradiation with a 365-nm-wavelength UV lamp (16 W) for 15 d, the water absorption capacity (deionized water) of the LS1/CMC SAP was 276 g/g, while that of the LS0/CMC SAP decreased from 259.3 g/g to 176.7 g/g. Finally, the as-prepared SAP exhibited outstanding UV resistance.

In the present study, the effect of the Nb element on the lattice parameters, phase stability and martensitic transformation behaviors of Ti-Zr-based shape memory alloys was extensively investigated using the first-principles calculation. The lattice parameters of both the β parent phase and α′ martensite phase gradually decreased with Nb content increasing. For the α″ martensite phase, the lattice constant (a) gradually increased with the increase in Nb content, whereas the lattice constants (b and c) continuously decreased due to the addition of Nb. Based on the formation energy and density of state, β→α′ martensitic transformation occurred, as the Nb content was not more than 12.5 at.%. However, the Ti-Zr-Nb shape memory alloys with a Nb content higher than 12.5 at.% possessed the β→α″ martensitic transformation. However, both the largest transformation strain and sensitivity of critical stress to temperature (dσ/dT) can be optimized by controlling 12.5 at.% Nb in the Ti-Zr-Nb shape memory alloy, which was favorable to obtaining the largest elastocaloric effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large residual stress induced by significant difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion compromises the mechanical performance of a brazed joint between the WC–Co cemented carbide (YG20) and 3Cr13 stainless steel in a cutting tool of shield machine. In this study, a melamine formaldehyde foam precursor was utilized to produce a 3D hollow carbon foam (HCF) used as interlayer through a high‐temperature carbonization process to aid in the brazing process of YG20 and 3Cr13. First, the morphology and microstructure of the HCF interlayer were revealed as a defect‐rich carbon shell with a hollow structure. Afterward, the effects of introducing the as‐prepared HCF interlayer on the joint microstructure and shear performance were investigated. Results indicate that the HCF interlayer contributed to phase homogenization and, moreover, the residual stress relieving through in situ forming a core (metallic matrix)–sheath (ceramic shell) structure. This method outperformed the direct brazing approach without using an interlayer, with a 41% increase in the joint shear strength due to the synergistic strengthening mechanism of the HCF through residual stress reliving and joint seam toughening. Based on the results, in spite of the residual stress, the fast load transfer and the compensation from the matrix core to the ceramic sheath are responsible for the improved mechanical performance of the joint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starch-based super absorbent polymers (SAPs) were prepared using the gamma-ray co-irradiation method, where two comonomers were grafted and cross-linked. Incorporation acrylamine (AM) and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) into the SAP was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The thermal decomposition behavior of the SAP was studied using thermogravimetric analysis. The salt tolerance was significantly improved by introducing AM and AMPS monomers into the SAP. The absorption rate of the SAP with AMPS in normal saline increased from 46 g/g (without AMPS) to 81 g/g when the ratio of AA:AMPS was 3:1.

I ncreasing attention has been paid to health condition of the elderly as the fast growth of the elderly population. The Traditional Chinese Medicine external application has advantages of easy-to-use and low cost, and is highly accepted among patients. This paper summarized the current status of Traditional Chinese Medicine external application, such as moxibustion, auricular acupoint pressing therapy and Chinese Herbal medicine footbath, in integrated pension and medical service of Traditional Chinese Medicine for the elderly, and provides reference for the establishment and practice of pension and medical service with Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques. (随着老龄化趋势加重, 老年人群的健康问题是社会关注的重点。中医外治法具有操作简便、医疗成本低等优势, 患者更易于接受。本文总结了在中医药医养结合养老服务中的应用现状, 包括艾灸、耳穴压豆、中药足浴等中医特色技术, 旨在为改善老年人生活状况, 提高生存质量, 为中医外治法与医养结合相结合的养老服务提供参考。)

A novel amidoximated polyethylene nonwoven fabric (PE-g-AO) was successfully prepared by electron beam pre-irradiation grafting with glycidyl methacrylate, followed by reaction induced of ethylenediamine and maleic anhydride, AIBN-initiated polymerization of acrylonitrile, and finally, amidoximation. The chemical structure and morphology of the PE nonwoven fabric before and after modification were characterized by total reflection infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Adsorption experiment results showed that the adsorption capacity of PE-g-AO for uranium is 71.92 mg/g (U(VI): 20 mg/L; NaF: 2.0 g/L; sorbent dosage: 0.2 g/L; adsorption time: 216 h). When the dosage of adsorbent is 1.0 g/L, the uranyl ions in the solution are basically adsorbed, and the residual uranium concentration is 0.04 mg/L, which meets the national emission standard. Furthermore, the material has a good adsorption selectivity for uranium in a solution containing UO22+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, and Na+ ions.

Objective: The main pathological change of myocarditis is an inflammatory injury of cardiomyocytes. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are closely related to inflammation, and our previous study showed that differential expression of lncRNAs is associated with myocarditis. This study aimed to investigate the impact of lncRNAs on the onset of myocarditis. Methods: RNA expression was measured by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce inflammation in human cardiomyocytes (HCMs). The expression of inflammatory cytokines and myocardial injury markers was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and RT-qPCR. Cell viability and apoptosis were measured by the cell counting kit-8 assay and flow cytometry. The binding force between lncRNA NONHSAT122636.2 and microRNA miRNA-2110 was detected using the dual-luciferase assay. Results: NONHSAT122636.2 was dynamically expressed in patients with myocarditis and negatively correlated with inflammation severity. The overexpression of NONHSAT122636.2 improved inflammatory injury in LPS-stimulated HCMs. The study observed that there was a weak binding force between NONHSAT122636.2 and miR-2110. Conclusion: NONHSAT122636.2 attenuates myocardial inflammation and apoptosis in myocarditis. Additionally, its expression decreases in the peripheral blood of children suffering from myocarditis and in patients who are diagnosed for the first time showing higher diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. This decrease is negatively correlated with the degree of inflammation. Overall, the study suggests that NONHSAT122636.2 can be exploited as a potential diagnostic biomarker for pediatric myocarditis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite extensive research highlighting the pivotal role of MYB transcription factors in regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis, the interactive regulatory network involving these MYB factors in pear fruits remains inadequately characterized. In this study, the anthocyanin-regulatory gene PbrMYB114 was successfully cloned from 'Yuluxiang' pear (Pyrus bretschneideri) fruits, and its influence on anthocyanin accumulation was confirmed through transient expression assays. Specifically, the co-transformation of PbrMYB114 with its partner PbrbHLH3 in pears served to validate the functional role of PbrMYB114. Subsequently, PbrMYB114 was employed as bait in a yeast two-hybrid screening assay, using a 'Yuluxiang' pear protein library, which led to the identification of 25 interacting proteins. Further validation of the interactions between PbrMYB114 and PbrMT2/PbrMT3 was conducted. Investigations into the role of PbrMT2 and PbrMT3 in 'Duli' seedlings (Pyrus betulaefolia) revealed their potential to enhance anthocyanin accumulation. The outcomes of these studies provide novel insights into the protein network that regulates pear anthocyanin biosynthesis, particularly the functional interactions among PbrMYB114 and associated proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing need for new antibiotics. Compounds that target the proton motive force (PMF), uncouplers, represent one possible class of compounds that might be developed because they are already used to treat parasitic infections, and there is interest in their use for the treatment of other diseases, such as diabetes. Here, we tested a series of compounds, most with known antiinfective activity, for uncoupler activity. Many cationic amphiphiles tested positive, and some targeted isoprenoid biosynthesis or affected lipid bilayer structure. As an example, we found that clomiphene, a recently discovered undecaprenyl diphosphate synthase inhibitor active against Staphylococcus aureus, is an uncoupler. Using in silico screening, we then found that the anti-glioblastoma multiforme drug lead vacquinol is an inhibitor of Mycobacterium tuberculosis tuberculosinyl adenosine synthase, as well as being an uncoupler. Because vacquinol is also an inhibitor of M. tuberculosis cell growth, we used similarity searches based on the vacquinol structure, finding analogs with potent (∼0.5-2 μg/mL) activity against M. tuberculosis and S. aureus. Our results give a logical explanation of the observation that most new tuberculosis drug leads discovered by phenotypic screens and genome sequencing are highly lipophilic (logP ∼5.7) bases with membrane targets because such species are expected to partition into hydrophobic membranes, inhibiting membrane proteins, in addition to collapsing the PMF. This multiple targeting is expected to be of importance in overcoming the development of drug resistance because targeting membrane physical properties is expected to be less susceptible to the development of resistance.

For problems of existing pedestrian detection methods based on deep learning such as large computation, detection efficiency relying on hardware performance heavily and so on, the pedestrian detection method based on SSD network was improved. A lightweight convolutional neural network based on DenseNet network is designed as basic network of SSD network to meet real-time detection requirements of underground video pedestrian, and an auxiliary network based on ResNet network is designed to strengthen feature extraction ability and improve correctness of pedestrian detection. An underground video pedestrian detection method based on the improved SSD network has been arranged in embedded platform Jetson TX2 for experiments. The results show that detection accuracy rate of the method for underground video pedestrian is 87.9% as well as nearly 100% for underground low-density pedestrian scene, and calculation speed achieves 48 frames per second, which is about 4.4 times as quick as the pedestrian detection method based on SSD network and meets real-time detection requirements of underground pedestrian.

At present, the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, and the international political and economic governance system is undergoing profound changes. Protectionism and antiglobalization are on the rise, and the normalization of COVID-19 prevention and control has intensified international investment and economic and trade frictions. The domestic and foreign environment faced by the overseas investment and merger of Chinese power enterprises is increasingly complex, and the potential risks and uncertainties are increasing. Combing the energy industry key risk points of transnational mergers and acquisitions, this paper analyse the energy industry transnational M&A project political risk and legal risk evaluation method, and put forward the company transnational M&A project political risk and legal risk prevention strategy.

With the rise in antibiotic resistance, there is interest in discovering new drugs active against new targets. Here, we investigate the dynamic structures of three isoprenoid synthases from Mycobacterium tuberculosis using molecular dynamics (MD) methods with a view to discovering new drug leads. Two of the enzymes, cis-farnesyl diphosphate synthase (cis-FPPS) and cis-decaprenyl diphosphate synthase (cis-DPPS), are involved in bacterial cell wall biosynthesis, while the third, tuberculosinyl adenosine synthase (Rv3378c), is involved in virulence factor formation. The MD results for these three enzymes were then compared with previous results on undecaprenyl diphosphate synthase (UPPS) by means of active site volume fluctuation and principal component analyses. In addition, an analysis of the binding of prenyl diphosphates to cis-FPPS, cis-DPPS, and UPPS utilizing the new MD results is reported. We also screened libraries of inhibitors against cis-DPPS, finding ~1 μm inhibitors, and used the receiver operating characteristic-area under the curve (ROC-AUC) method to test the predictive power of X-ray and MD-derived cis-DPPS receptors. We found that one compound with potent M. tuberculosis cell growth inhibition activity was an IC(50) ~0.5- to 20-μm inhibitor (depending on substrate) of cis-DPPS, a ~660-nm inhibitor of Rv3378c as well as a 4.8-μm inhibitor of cis-FPPS, opening up the possibility of multitarget inhibition involving both cell wall biosynthesis and virulence factor formation.