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In recent years, the tumor-stroma ratio (TSR) has been considered to a new and independent predictive variable for the prognosis of some kinds of neoplasms. The objective of this study was to assess the prognostic significance of the TSR in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).A cohort of 261 NSCLC patients who underwent radical surgery of lung cancer were included in the present study. Two independent observers visually estimated the TSR on hematoxylin-eosin (HE) stained tissue pathological slices. According to the proportion of stroma ≥50% or50%, We separate the patients into two groups: those with stroma-poor and those with stroma-rich tumors.Both univariate and multivariate analyses disclosed that the TSR was associated with overall survival (OS) [hazard ratio (HR), 1.741; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.040-2.913 and HR, 1.904; 95% CI, 1.132-3.202, respectively]. The HR values for disease-free survival (DFS) were 1.795 (95% CI, 1.073-3.005) and 2.034 (95% CI, 1.210-3.420). The OS and DFS of patients with stroma-poor tumors were better than those with stroma-rich tumors.These results demonstrated that the TSR is a new prognostic factor for NSCLC. Stroma-poor tumors were associated with longer disease-free period and better prognosis than were stroma-rich tumors in NSCLC patients. The TSR may contribute to the development of individualized treatment for NSCLC in the future.

Four transition metal–organic frameworks were solvothermally synthesized with V-shaped 1,3-bis(1-imidazolyl)benzene (bib) and two Y-shaped carboxylate ligands (1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (H3btc) and 3,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (H2pydc)), namely, {[M2(μ3-OH)(bib)(btc)]·H2O}n (M = Co (1) and Fe (2)) and {[M′2(μ3-OH)(μ2-NO3)(bib)(pydc)]·solvents}n (M′ = Co (3) and Ni (4)). All of them are characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, infrared spectrosopy, and powder X-ray diffraction. Both complexes 1 and 2 present two-dimensional (3,8)-connected layer structures, and the point symbol is (3.42)2(34.46.56.68.73.8), but Fe2 in 2 is weakly coordinated to O5 as a trigonal bipyramidal geometry compared with the tetrahedral Co2 in 1, while complexes 3 and 4 exhibit three-dimensional “pillar-layer” structures with (3,8)-connected tfz-d net. Interestingly, nitrate anions with a rare μ2-η2 coordination mode take part in coordination, and rectangular channels along the c axis exist in 3 and 4. Magnetic stu...

The preparation of ferronickel alloy from the nickel laterite ore with low Co and high MgO contents was studied by using a pre-reduction–smelting method. The effects of reduction time, calcination temperature, quantity of reductant and calcium oxide (CaO), and pellet diameter on the reduction ratio of Fe and on the pellet strength were investigated. The results show that, for a roasting temperature >800 °C, a roasting time >30 min, 1.5wt% added anthracite coal, 5wt% added CaO, and a pellet size of ~10 mm, the reduction ratio of Fe exceeds 70% and the compressive strength of the pellets exceeds 10 kg per pellet. Reduction smelting experiments were performed by varying the smelting time, temperature, quantity of reductant and CaO, and reduction ratio of Fe in the pellets. Optimal conditions for the reduction smelting process are as follows: smelting time, 30–45 min; smelting temperature, 1550°C; quantity of reductant, 4wt%–5wt%; and quantity of CaO, 5wt%; leading to an Fe reduction ratio of 75% in the pellets. In addition, the mineral composition of the raw ore and that during the reduction process were investigated by process mineralogy.

Three Pb(II) complexes {[Pb 3 (BOABA) 2 (H 2 O)]·H 2 O} n ( 1 ), {[Pb 4 (BOABA) 2 (µ 4 -O)(H 2 O) 2 ]·H 2 O} n ( 2 ), and [Pb 3 (BOABA) 2 (H 2 O)] n ( 3 ) (H 3 BOABA=3,5-bis-oxyacetate-benzoic acid) were obtained under the same reaction systems with different temperatures. Complexes 1 and 2 are two dimensional (2D) networks based on Pb-BOABA chains and Pb 4 (µ 4 -O)(COO) 6 SBUs, respectively. Complex 3 presents an interesting three dimensional (3D) framework, was obtained by increasing the reaction temperature. Structural transition of the crystallization products is largely dependent on the reaction temperature. Moreover, the fluorescence properties of complexes 1 – 3 have been investigated.

A novel Co-based metal-organic framework (MOF) with the formula of {[Co

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Tongning Gel (TNG) compared to placebo-controlled (PC) for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods. A multicentre, randomized, double-blinded, parallel, placebo-controlled, clinical trial was performed in 576 patients (432 patients in the TNG group, 144 patients in the PC group), and 1 in the experimental group withdrew due to nonuse of drug. Patients were randomized to receive TNG or PC applied to knee skin at 3g per time, 2 times per day, which lasted for 3 weeks. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) pain score was used to evaluate the primary efficacy of TNG and WOMAC stiffness and physical function and total scores were used to evaluate the secondary efficacy of TNG. All participants who received at least one dose of study drug were included in the safety analysis. This trial has been registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (no. CTR20131276). Results. Primary efficiency outcome: there were significant differences in the decreased value of WOMAC pain score between two groups (P<0.05), and the decreased value of WOMAC pain score in the TNG group were better than those in the PC group (P<0.05). Secondary efficiency outcome: the WOMAC total score, WOMAC stiffness score, WOMAC physical function score, and the decrease of the above indexes of the two groups of patients after treatment were statistically significant (P<0.05), and the improvement of the above indexes in the TNG group was better than that of the PC group (P<0.05). Safety Evaluation. A total of 42 adverse events were reported by 29 patients: 25 adverse events reported by 16 patients (3.71%) in the experimental group and 17 adverse events were reported by 13 patients (9.03%) in the control group. And 8 adverse reactions were reported by 6 patients including 2 adverse reactions by 2 patients (0.46%) in the experimental group and 6 adverse reactions by 4 patients (2.78%) in the control group. Two cases of significant adverse events occurred in the experimental group. Both groups had one serious adverse event, respectively, which were not relevant to the intervention. Conclusion. These results of the trial demonstrate that TNG is superior to placebo in the treatment of patients with KOA, and TNG can improve other symptoms of KOA, such as stiffness and physical function. TNG is safe for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis as a whole.

Three metal-organic frameworks {[Cd(L)(glu)]⋅3 H

A new metal-organic framework (MOF) {[Cd

A Zn

High heat flux electronics have encountered difficulties in thermal management. There are some shortcomings in traditional cooling methods. Ionic wind cooling technology based on electrohydrodynamic (EHD) has unique advantages. There are by-product hazards and speed raising limits in the reported ionic wind generators. An electromagnetic field and nanomaterials improved ionic wind cooling system is designed for environment-friendly improvement and thermal management application. The proposed cooling system is optimized experimentally to increase the ionic wind intensity and reduce ozone generation. The results indicate that adding a magnetic field changes the movement trajectory of charged particles and thus regulates the distribution of the flow field. In the macroscopic sense, the ionic wind intensity is also improved, and the greater the magnetic flux density is, the more obvious the effect is. A maximal improvement of 58.6% was obtained. The ionic wind velocity increases by 0.71 m/s due to the synergistic effect of a magnetic field. Meanwhile, the O3 concentration decreased by more than 95% using both the magnetic field and the carbon nanotubes. When the cooling system is applied to a high-power light-emitting diode (LED) chip for thermal management, the cooling effect is remarkable. The results provide an important theoretical basis for the application of EHD technology in the thermal management of electronic devices.

Heterosis is an important biological phenomenon, and it has been used to increase grain yield, quality and resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses in many crops. However, the genetic mechanism of heterosis remains unclear up to now. In this study, a set of 184 chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) population, which derived from two inbred lines lx9801 (the recurrent parent) and Chang 72 (the donor parent), were used as basal material to construct two test populations with the inbred lines Zheng 58 and Xun 9058. The two test populations were evaluated in two locations over two years, and the heterotic loci for plant height and ear height were identified by comparing the performance of each test hybrid with the corresponding CK at P

Construction project managers (CPMs) with different types of personalities make various assessments in risky situations and draw up different risk management strategies. This research presents the findings of an empirical study in China that investigated whether and how CPMs with different personality traits differed in the way they perceived project risk. A conceptual model was developed and four hypotheses were proposed concerning the relationships among personality traits, risk propensity, and risk perception using the Big Five personality model. The Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling analyses of a sample of 152 imply that 1) Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness significantly influence risk propensity; 2) risk propensity negatively affects risk perception; 3) Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness have significant effects on risk perception; and 4) risk propensity fully mediates the relationship between personality traits and risk perception. The results were complemented by qualitative evidence from 5 semi-structured interviews with project managers. This research contributes to a better understanding of how CPMs perceive risk.

Skin color segmentation plays an important role in the biological feature recognition system. In order to improve the system adaptability to the complex environment, a new model of Cr*a*b by combing the YCbCr with Lab model is proposed. Firstly, establish the three-dimensional coordinate system based on the Cr, a, b axes, the two-two coordinates form the directional vectors by using the origin as the starting point. Then calculate the angles between the three vectors. Finally, realize the purpose of skin color segmentation by reducing the dimensions of angle data. Experimental results show that this algorithm can improve the over sensitive of YCbCr model to red and yellow, the defect of the skin color weak clustering in the Lab model is also overcame. Even if for the image with complex background environment, the percent of average accurate detection is about 87.7%. The proposed algorithm can get the high skin color segmentation rate and has good practicability.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are important in tumor angiogenesis. Stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) and its receptor C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) are key in stem cell homing. Melittin, a component of bee venom, exerts antitumor activity, however, the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. The present study aimed to assess the effects of melittin on EPCs and angiogenesis in a mouse model of osteosarcoma. UMR‑106 cells and EPCs were treated with various concentrations of melittin and cell viability was determined using the MTT assay. EPC adherence, migration and tube forming ability were assessed. Furthermore, SDF‑1α, AKT and extracellular signal‑regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 expression levels were detected by western blotting. Nude mice were inoculated with UMR‑106 cells to establish an osteosarcoma mouse model. The tumors were injected with melittin, and its effects were assessed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Melittin decreased the viability of UMR‑106 cells and EPCs. In addition, it decreased EPC adhesion, migration and tube formation when compared with control and SDF‑1α‑treated cells. Melittin decreased the expression of phosphorylated (p)‑AKT, p‑ERK1/2, SDF‑1α and CXCR4 in UMR‑106 cells and EPCs when compared with the control. The proportions of cluster of differentiation (CD)34/CD133 double‑positive cells were 16.4±10.4% in the control, and 7.0±4.4, 2.9±1.2 and 1.3±0.3% in tumors treated with 160, 320 and 640 µg/kg melittin per day, respectively (P

When the Cassini spacecraft finally plunged into the Saturnian atmosphere on 2017 September 15, China’s deep space telescope pointed to Saturn to observe Cassini and study the Saturnian upper neutral atmosphere. In this first Chinese Saturnian radio science experiment, X band Doppler velocity radio science data between the deep space telescope and the Cassini spacecraft were obtained. After removing Saturnian and solar gravity effects, Earth rotation effect, the remaining Saturnian atmosphere drag information was retrieved in the Cassini final plunge progress. Saturn’s upper neutral atmosphere mass density profile is approximately estimated based on atmosphere mass density derived principally by real orbit measurement data. Saturn’s upper neutral atmospheremass density from76 000 km to 1400 km is estimated fromthe orbit measurement data, the mass density results are about from 1.4 × 10−15 kg cm−3 to 2.5 × 10−14 kg cm−3.

Three new Cd(II) luminescent metal-organic frameworks (LMOFs), namely {[Cd(bib) (bdc)]·DMF·H2O}n (1), {[Cd(bib)(ndc)(H2O)]·DMF}n (2) and {[Cd2(bib)2(bpdc)2]·1.5H2O} (3) (bib ​= ​1,3-bis(1-imidazolyl)benzene, H2bdc ​= ​1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid, H2ndc ​= ​1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, H2bpdc ​= ​biphenyl-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid and DMF ​= ​N,N-dimethylformamide), have been synthesized by combining the V-shaped bib ligand and different dicarboxylate ligands under solvothermal conditions. Complex 1 displays a 4-fold interpenetrated 3D framework with sra topology. Complex 2 presents a 2D (4,4) layer structure derived from bib and ndc2− mixed spacers. Complex 3 is a 2-fold interpenetrated array based on 2D (4,4) wave-like coordinated layers. The structural diversity among these complexes can be realized by the abduction of linear dicarboxylate ligands. The results demonstrate that the length of dicarboxylate ligands makes an impact on the structural diversity. Moreover, the complexes 1–3 can be well dispersed in different solvents, which exhibit highly selective and sensitive detection for nitrobenzene (NB) over other solvents by means of fluorescence quenching effect. The work illuminates fine-tuning of structure and in turn sensing properties towards LMOFs based on the reasonable selection of organic ligands.

Multi-functional fluorescent detection for inorganic pollutants and biological protein is important but challenging. In this work, five multi-functional luminescent coordination polymers (LCPs), [Co2(L)2(PDA)2]·H2O (1), [Co(L)(TPD)(H2O)2]·8H2O (2), [Co(L)(1,3-BDC)]·2H2O (3), [Co(L)(MIP)]·H2O (4) and [Co3(L)3(HIPA)3] (5) [H2PDA = 1,3-phenylenediacetic acid, H2TPD = 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic acid, 1,3-H2BDC = 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid, H2MIP = 5-methylisophthalic acid and H2HIPA = 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid] have been successfully synthesized from a naphthalene-dicarboxamide [N,N′-bis(4-methylenepyridin-4-yl)-1,4-naphthalene dicarboxamide (L)] with multi-functional spacers. 1 and 2 show 4-c sql networks. 3–5 display mab, pcu and hxg 3D frameworks, respectively. The title complexes exhibit multi-functional fluorescent responses towards metal ion (Fe3+), anions (CrO42−, Cr2O72− and MnO4−) and biological protein (bovine serum albumin).

To investigate the effects of down-regulation of PTTG1 expression on the proliferation, invasiveness and apoptosis of androgen-independent human prostate cancer LNCaP-AI cells and their sensitivity to androgen antagonists.Human prostate cancer LNCaP-AI cells were transfected with siRNA targeting the PTTG1 gene using the Lipofectamine 2000 transfection reagent. The proliferation, invasiveness and apoptosis of the cells were detected by MTT, Transwell assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The protein expressions of PTTG1, p-Akt, and p-ERK were determined by Western blot and the mRNA expression of PTTG1 measured by agarose gel electrophoresis.The siRNA expression vector markedly down-regulated the expression of PTTG1, which effectively suppressed the proliferation of the LNCaP-AI cells, with the inhibition rates of (19.47 ± 2.12), (24.01 ± 2.13) and (48.02 ± 2.22)% at 24, 48 and 72 hours, respectively, after transfection, with statistically significant differences among the three groups (P0.05). The number of the cells passing through the polycarbonate film was remarkably decreased at 24, 48 and 72 hours (74.67 ± 9.85, 56.44 ± 8.66 and 37.33 ± 6.14) as compared with the baseline (111.11 ± 13.47) (P0.01), while the apoptosis rate of the cells was significantly increased at 24, 48 and 72 hours (18.32 ± 0.94), (19.94 ± 1.30) and (21.73 ± 1.88)% in comparison with the baseline (［2.17 ± 0.49］%)， (P0.05). PTTG1 siRNA combined with androgen antagonist flumatide exhibited even more significant effects in inhibiting the proliferation and promoting the apoptosis of the LNCaP-AI cells than either used alone, and in a flumatide dose-dependent manner. The inhibition and apoptosis rates of the LNCaP-AI cells treated with 50 nmol/L flumatide were (27.13 ± 3.52) and (3.94 ± 0.48)%, and those treated with siRNA + 50 nmol/L flumatide were (67.51 ± 5.13) and (19.93 ± 1.72)%, respectively, both with statistically significant differences between the two groups (P0.05). The inhibition and apoptosis rates of the cells treated with 100 nmol/L flumatide were (43.72 ± 3.90) and (5.33 ± 0.66)%, and those treated with siRNA + 100 nmol/L flumatide were (73.19 ± 4.78) and (23.43 ± 1.76)%, respectively, both with statistically significant differences between the two groups (P0.05).The siRNA expression vector can down-regulate the expression of PTTG1, which can inhibit the proliferation and invasiveness of LNCaP-AI cells, promote their apoptosis, and increase their sensibility to androgen antagonists. Suppressing the expression of PTTG1 may enhance the effect of androgen-deprivation therapy on advanced prostate cancer.目的： 探讨下调垂体肿瘤转化基因1（PTTG1）表达对雄激素非依赖性前列腺癌LNCaP-AI细胞增殖、侵袭、凋亡，以及对雄激素拮抗剂敏感性的影响。方法： LNCaP-AI细胞转染靶向PTTG1基因的siRNA，MTT法检测细胞增殖，Transwell法检测细胞侵袭，流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡，Western印迹检测PTTG1、p-Akt、p-ERK等蛋白表达水平，琼脂糖凝胶电泳法检测PTTG1 mRNA表达水平。结果： siRNA有效抑制了PTTG1的表达；下调PTTG1表达有效抑制了LNCaP-AI细胞在去雄激素培养液中的增殖，24、48、72 h抑制率分别为（19.47±2.12）%、 （24.01±2.13）% 、(48.02±2.22) %，组间比较有显著性差异（P0.05）；降低其侵袭力，Transwell试验显示，对照组、转染24、48、72 h后穿过聚碳酸酯膜细胞个数分别为111.11±13.47、74.67±9.85、56.44±8.66、37.33±6.14，组间比较有显著性差异（P0.01）；siRNA-PTTG1转染LNCaP-AI细胞后，空白对照组、转染24、48、72 h后凋亡率分别为(2.17±0.49)%、(18.32±0.94)%、(19.94±1.30)%、(21.73±1.88)%，各组间比较有显著性差异（P0.05）。siRNA联合氟他胺组对LNCaP-AI增殖的抑制作用和促凋亡作用显著强于siRNA或者氟他胺组，并呈氟他胺浓度相关性；50 nmol/L氟他胺、siRNA联合50 nmol/L氟他胺对LNCaP-AI的抑制率分别为（27.13±3.52）%、（67.51±5.13）%，两组间比较有显著性差异（P0.05）；凋亡率分别为（3.94±0.48）%、（19.93±1.72）%，两组间比较有显著性差异（P0.05）；100 nmol/L氟他胺、siRNA联合100 nmol/L氟他胺的抑制率分别为（43.72±3.90）%、（73.19±4.78）%，两组间比较有显著性差异（P0.05）；凋亡率分别为（5.33±0.66）%、（23.43±1.76）%，两组间比较有显著性差异（P0.05）。结论： siRNA下调PTTG1表达能够抑制LNCaP-AI的增殖和侵袭，促进凋亡，提高了LNCaP-AI细胞对雄激素拮抗剂氟他胺的敏感性，抑制PTTG1表达可能会强化雄激素剥夺治疗晚期前列腺癌的作用。.

Purpose – Making the right bid/no-bid decision is critical to the success and development of construction contracting enterprises. Decision makers’ personal characteristics, such as risk perception and propensity, have great impact on bid/no-bid decisions, which is the major concern of this research. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship among decision makers’ risk perception, risk propensity, and their bid/no-bid decision making of construction projects, as well as the factors influencing the risk perception and propensity. Design/methodology/approach – In total, four hypotheses were proposed based on an extensive literature review. Experimental questionnaires were distributed to employees working in Chinese construction contracting enterprises with knowledge of construction bidding, and 134 valid questionnaires were obtained. Multivariate statistical analysis through SPSS 19.0 was used to analyze the acquired data. Findings – Data analysis shows that in the context of international construction contracting: risk perception has a negative influence on bid/no-bid decision making; while risk propensity produces a positive influence and the probability and magnitude of potential gain or loss both have significant impacts on risk perception, and the probability plays a more important role. Originality/value – This research studied the bid/no-bid decision making of construction projects from the new perspectives of risk perception and risk propensity of the decision makers.

To explore the expression of pituitary tumor transforming gene 1 (PTTG1) during the transformation of prostate cancer from androgen-dependent (ADPC) to androgen-independent (AIPC).We established an AIPC cell model LNCaP-AI by culturing the androgen-dependent LNCaP cell line in the hormone-deprived medium for over 3 months. The cell model was verified and the PTTG1 expression in the LNCaP cells was detected by Western blot and RT-PCR during hormone deprivation.The AIPC cell model LNCaP-AI was successfully established. The PTTG1 expression was gradually increased in the LNCaP cells with the prolonged time of hormone deprivation and the expressions of matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and -9 were elevated at the same time.The expression of PTTG1 is increased gradually in AIPC, which may be a target of gene therapy for advanced prostate cancer.目的： 探讨垂体肿瘤转化基因1(PTTG1)在前列腺癌由激素依赖性转化为激素非依赖性过程中的表达变化。方法： 通过在去雄激素培养条件下长期培养雄激素依赖性前列腺癌细胞株LNCaP，建立并验证雄激素非依赖性亚系LNCaP-AI细胞模型，用Western印迹、RT-PCR方法每2周检测在去雄激素培养过程中PTTG1的表达改变。结果： 经过3个月培养，成功建立雄激素非依赖性亚系LNCaP-AI细胞模型；在LNCaP细胞中，随着去雄激素培养时间延长，PTTG1的表达水平逐渐升高，基质金属蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)和MMP-9表达有同步升高趋势。结论： PTTG1表达在雄激素非依赖性前列腺癌发生过程中逐渐增强，可能是晚期前列腺癌基因治疗的靶标之一。.

Under the background of education modernization, construction of bilingual teaching courses in colleges and universities is directly driven by project of undergraduate teaching quality and teaching reform launched by the Ministry of Education, and has been expanding rapidly. This paper, takes the course of “introduction to e-commerce” as an object, measures the bilingual teaching effect from the four aspects, namely teachers’ professional capacity, teachers’ foreign language capacity, students’ learning motivation and suitability of teaching materials. The results of the study show that, students learning motivation, teachers’ professional capacity and teachers’ foreign language capacity significantly impact the bilingual teaching effect of “introduction to e-commerce”. Therefore, colleges and universities should actively guide students to interest in learning, stimulate students’ learning motivation, improve teachers’ foreign language level and enhance their professional quality, so as to improve the bilingual teaching effect of the course.

The present paper investigates steady spatially periodic eutectic growth during directional solidification with isotropic surface tension in terms of analytical approach. We consider the case when the Peclet number ∊ is small and the segregation coefficient κ is close to unit, and obtain a family of the global, steady-state solutions with two free parameters: the tilt angle φ and the Peclet number ∊ . The corresponding interfacial patterns of the steady states are spatially periodic, and may be tilted or non-tilted. The results show that near the triple point, there is a boundary layer O ∊ 1 2 thick, where the isotropic surface tension plays a significant role, the slope and curvature of interface may be very large and the undercooling temperatures of interface may have a noticeable non-uniformity. Quantitative comparisons between theoretical predictions and recent experimental data are made without making any adjustments to parameters, and show good agreement.

The present paper investigates steady eutectic growth with the isotropic surface tension by using the analytical approach. We consider the case that Peclet number ϵ is small and the segregation coefficient κ is close to the unit, and obtain a family of the global steady state solutions with two free parameters: the Peclet number ϵ and tilt angle φ , which may describe the basic states of both tilted and non-tilted eutectic growth. It is found that due to the singularity of the triple point in the system, there is a thin boundary layer in the vicinity of the triple point, where the curvature and the temperature of interface vary drastically. The quantitative comparisons between the theoretical predictions with recent available experimental data are made with no adjustable parameter. The agreements are very good.

The present paper is concerned with the global instability mechanisms for the basic steady state of lamellar eutectic growth with curved and tilted interface affected by the triple point. We solve the related linear eigenvalue problem (EVP) by using the analytical approach for the case that the Peclet number is small and the segregation coefficient parameter κ is close to the unit. It is found that the system involves two types of global instability mechanisms: the ‘exchange of stability’ invoked by the non-oscillatory, unstable modes and the global wave instabilities invoked by four types of oscillatory unstable modes, namely (AA)-, (SS)-, (AS)- and (SA)-mode. The quantization conditions for these modes are derived, the neutral curves for these global instabilities on the parameters plane are calculated. The stability criterion yields the range of the interlamellar spacing and explains the interfacial pattern transitions observed in the experiments.

In this paper, the theory of the fuzzy control and self-learning ability of neural network is combined, joining the genetic algorithm to optimize the fuzzy control rules, so in the light of temperature control system of variable air volume air conditioning puts forward a fuzzy neural network control method based on genetic algorithm,and this paper introduces in detail the structure, algorithm of fuzzy control and neural network. In addition,this paper verifies the superiority of the fuzzy neural network based on genetic algorithm and ordinary fuzzy neural control.

Four cadmium coordination frameworks, namely, {[Cd(L1)(1,4-ndc)]·1.5H2O}n (1), {[Cd(L1)(2,5-tpdc)]·H2O}n (2), {[Cd2(L1)2(btc)(Ac)]·8H2O}n (3), and [Cd2(L1)(sdba)2]n (4) [L1 = 4′-(4-pyridyl)-4,2′:6′,4′′-terpyridine, 1,4-H2ndc = 1,4-naphthalene-dicarboxylic acid, 2,5-H2tpdc = 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic acid, H3btc = benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid, Ac– = acetate, and H2sdba = 4,4′-sulfonyldicarboxylic acid], were synthesized under hydrothermal/solvothermal conditions. Structural analyses revealed that the four complexes have different three-dimensional (3D) frameworks due to the different CdII-multicarboxylate subnets and the coordination modes of the ligand L1. Moreover, the fluorescence properties of 1, 2, and 4 are reported herein.

Solvent induced structural diversities from a cup-shaped Co8 cluster (1) in methanol to a Co8 cluster-based co-crystal chain (2) in ethanol/n-propanol and a Co8 cluster-based chain (3) in n-butanol under the same stoichiometric ratio of reactants have been reported. In situ ligand conversion has taken place and the new ligand is captured within the metallic core. Magnetic analyses indicate that theses complexes exhibit distinct magnetic behaviours at low temperature.

A polynuclear manganese complex composed of alternating cyclic tetramer and monomer has been solvothermally prepared and magnetically characterized. Magnetic analyses indicate that the title compound shows spin-canting behavior.

A new metal–organic framework (MOF) based on metal clusters as secondary building units (SBU), has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The reported MOF presents an interesting 8-connected self-penetrating coordination network based on dinuclear cadmium cluster with a 4 24 ·5·6 3 topology. Moreover, the thermal stability and luminescence property of this compound have been investigated.

Two water-insoluble isostructural inorganic–organic hybrid materials, [M(pytpy)2Mo4O13]∞ (M = Cu 1, Ni 2, pytpy = 4′-(4-pyridyl)-4,2′:6′,4″-terpyridine), have been prepared by in situ formation of the Mo4O132– clusters from the decomposition of H3PMo12 under hydrothermal conditions. Both of the two complexes display three-dimensional (3D) “pillar-layer” frameworks based on bimetal-oxide layers pillared by the pytpy ligands. Topological analysis revealed that two 3D frameworks can be simplified into (3,4,4)-connected (42.62.83)2(4.62)2(44.102) and (3,5,6)-connected (42.6)2(44.66)2(44.68.83) topologies with the metal ions as nodes, respectively. Importantly, good photocatalytic activities were observed for both complexes in the photodecomposition of methyl orange (MO) solution under UV light irradiation.

Physical properties of the charge, such as viscosity, basicity and melting temperature, are key factors for the reduction smelting of laterite ore. In this study, CaO is used to improve the properties of the ore. The effect of CaO on the properties before and after smleting is studied and the dosage of CaO is optimized. The results show that the properties of the smelted ore after the addition of CaO are improved as follows: the basicity of 0.55, the density of 2.86 g/cm3, the melting temperature of 1320 oC, the viscosity of 0.82 Pa•s (at 1500 oC), the specific conductivity of 0.64 Ω-1•cm-1 (at 1500 oC). The results also show that 99.87% of nickel is recovered and nickel in the alloy is concentrated to 14.82% while nickel in the slag is as lower as 0.004%.

In this paper, the removal of aluminum in leach liquor of nitric acid pressure leaching laterite was investigated, and a new method of aluminum removal by precipitation with calcium sulphide was presented. The effect of reaction temperature, pH value before ageing and ageing time on the removal of aluminum were examined in details. The optimum conditions were determined as follows: reaction temperature 40 °C, pH 3.9~4.1 (before aging) and aging time 30 min. Compared with the traditional precipitation method, the loss of nickel and cobalt was less than 1% in the obtained aluminum precipitate slag, which is 3% lower than that by the traditional method; the filtration rate of aluminum precipitate slurry was faster than the traditional method, when the filtration press was controlled at -0.04 MPa, the filtration rate of aluminum precipitate slurry could reach 0.109 m3/(h•m2), which is 6.5 times higher than that obtained by the traditional method.

A new manganese(II) coordination polymer, [Mn2(L1)4/3(L2)2]n (1) (L1 = 4′-(4-pyridyl)-4,2′:6′,4″-terpyridine, H2L2 = (4-phenyl)-2,6-bis(4-carboxyphenyl)pyridine), has been prepared and structurally characterized. Complex 1 is a 2-fold interpenetrated three-dimensional framework, which to our knowledge represents the first interpenetration example of coordination framework with unique (3,6)-connected loh1 topology. Furthermore, the magnetic properties and photocatalytic activity have been investigated. As a result, complex 1 displays a weak antiferromagnetic interaction among the Mn(II) centers and good photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methyl orange solution under ultraviolet light irradiation.

The present paper reviews the situation and technology progress of lead smelting in China. According to the new lead smelting processes, this paper also presents a lead oxygen-enriched flash smelting technology, whose intellectual property rights are completely owned by China，it points out that lead smelting processes develop as follow: lower environmental pollution, higher metal recovery rate, more effective for complex low grade lead-bearing ore materials, lower energy consumption and higher automation degree.

Clearly identifying the critical success factors (CSFs) of construction projects and a good understanding of the interrelationships among CSFs will help project managers focus on the control of key factors and allow them to make reasonable resource allocations. To explore the interrelationships among CSFs, this research established a CSFs system by first identifying 62 CSFs of construction projects through a literature review, and then refining them to produce 46 CSFs by expert discussions. On the basis of the CSFs system, which consisted of three categories and ten subcategories, this study applied the structural equation model (SEM) to explore the interrelationships among the CSFs. One hundred twenty-four project data that were collected from a questionnaire survey were used to determine the hypothetical model. A detailed evaluation and modification was then performed to revise the model. On the basis of the revised model, which was verified through evaluating the goodness-of-fit (GOF) indexes, ...

An industrial converter slag was treated by a selective reduction-roasting process to recovery cobalt and copper in this study. To maximizing the recovery of cobalt and copper, the major process parameters such as reducing agent, curing agent and roasting temperature were investigated. Under the determined conditions, 95% cobalt and 96% copper can be recovered. According to the mineralogical analysis, it is found that cobalt in the converter slag mainly distributes in the iron-bearing minerals, which migrates with iron during the reduction-roasting process. After the reduction-roasting, most cobalt distributes in the metallic iron in the form of Co-Fe alloy.

Two new metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), [Zn2(OH)(cpia)(bipy)0.5]n (1) and {[Zn7(OH)2(HOMe)2(cpia)4(bib)]·5H2O}n (2) (bib = 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-yl)benzene, H3cpia = 5-(4-carboxyphenoxy)isophthalic acid, bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine), have been solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. Both of them are based on zinc clusters as secondary building units (SBUs). Compound 1 presents an interesting three-dimensional 2-fold interpenetrated (3,8)-connected network constructed from tetranuclear [Zn4(OH)2]6+ clusters with (43)2(46·618·84) topology, while compound 2 can be described as a (3,14)-connected framework built from an unprecedented heptanuclear [Zn7(OH)2(HOMe)2]12+ cluster with {(420·652·76·813)(43)4} topology. Detailed structural comparison of two compounds indicated that coligands play significant roles in tuning the nuclearity of metal clusters and the connectivity of specific networks. Furthermore, the thermal stabilities and luminescence properties of two compounds reveal that they all exhi...

A limonitic laterite ore from Indonesea was treated by pressure leaching in H2SO4-Mg(NO3)2 medium, using Mg(NO3)2 as an oxidant. Experiments were conducted in order to determine the optimum conditions by studying various parameters, including Mg(NO3)2/ore mass ratio, initial acidity, reaction temperature, holding time and liquid/solid ratio. Pressure leaching experiments showed that nickel, cobalt and iron extractions were 90.8 %, 91.9 % and 2.1 % after 60 min of leaching at 493 K with 0.06 g/g Mg(NO3)2/ore mass ratio, 140 g/L initial acidity and 2 mL/g liquid/solid ratio.The total decrement of acid consumption was 72 g H2SO4/kg ore in the presence of Mg(NO3)2.

An unusual 3D 10-connected metal–organic framework [Zn5(μ3-OH)2(1,4-ndc)4(1,4-bix)2] (1, 1,4-ndc = 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid; 1,4-bix = 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene) has been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. Topological analysis indicates that 1 is a 3D 10-connected self-penetrating framework based on [Zn5(μ3-OH)2] pentanuclear zinc clusters as secondary building units with the short Schlafli symbol of 364345362. This represents highly connected a uninodal network topology presently known for self-penetrating systems. Moreover, the TGA and luminescence properties of 1 were investigated.

In the field of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), one of the challenges is the fabrication of novel materials that display/correlate the prediction of structures and functionality. Usually, the structures of MOFs are influenced by the skeleton of ligands. In this article, five different dicarboxylic acids, namely, fumaric dioic acid (H2FUM), 2-aminoterephthalic acid (2-H2ATA), 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (1,4-H2NAPDC), 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid (1,2-H2BDC), and oxalic acid (H2OX) are employed as the secondary auxiliary ligands to perform a systematic study on the structure diversities in the Zn(II)–1,4-bis(imidazol-1-yl)benzene (L) frameworks. By introducing various secondary dicarboxylate anions in the Zn(II)-L system, six new complexes {Zn(L)(FUM)}∞ (1), {Zn2(L)(2-ATA)2}∞ (2), {Zn(L)(1,4-NAPDC)·H2O}∞ (3), {Zn2(L)(1,4-NAPDC)2·2DMF}∞ (4), {Zn(L)(1,2-BDC)}∞ (5), and {Zn3(L)2(OX)3·H2O}∞ (6) were obtained. Complexes 1 and 3 possess three-dimensional (3D) 5-fold interpenetrating diamond frameworks. Com...

The present paper investigates the global instability mechanisms of arrayed-cellular growth with asymptotic approach. We find that the system involves two types of global instability mechanisms: the low frequency (LF) instability and the global oscillatory (GTW) instability. Based on these results, the selection conditions for the limiting steady arrayed cellular and dendritic pattern formation are proposed.

Four new polymeric frameworks, [Co(bbbi)(L1)] ( 1 ), [Cu(bbbi)(L1)] ( 2 ), [Co(bbbi)(L2)] ( 3 ) and [Ni(bbbi)(L2)] ( 4 ), (bbbi = 1,1-(1,4-butanediyl)bis-1H-benzimidazole, H 2 L1 = 5-nitroisophthalic acid and H 2 L2 = itaconic acid) have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 1 and 2 are isomorphous, and they can be described as CsCl-type net utilizing bimetal cores as eight-connected nodes, the bridging bbbi ligands and L1 serve as spacers to yield a unique eight-connected net with 4 24 6 4 topology. Complexes 3 and 4 are isomorphous. It is interesting that 3D frameworks containing meso -helical chains (left- and right helical chains) have been observed in 3 and 4 , in which meso -helical chains are alternately linked by bbbi ligands coordinating to Co1(Ni1) cations with the zigzag shaped conformation to generate a 3D binodal (4,4)-connected net with {5 3 ·6·8 2 }{5 2 ·6 4 } topology structure. The bbbi ligands adopt three conformations, namely, the completely “M” shaped conformation in 1 and 2 , the zigzag shaped conformation and “Ω” shaped conformation in 3 and 4 . The influence of carboxylate anions with different flexibility on the construction of different network topology in the self-assembly process has been discussed. Moreover, the thermal stabilities and the voltammetric behavior of complexes 1–4 have been reported.

The present paper is dealing with steady deep-cellular growth in directional solidification of binary mixture in terms of analytical approach. We obtain the global solutions for steady cellular growth and find that the solutions have complicated triple internal layers structure in the root region and are subject to a quantization condition profoundly affected by the surface tension.

The leaching behavior of battery grade lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) was studied in Na2SO3-H2SO4 aqueous solutions with low H2SO4 concentration. The effects of H2SO4 concentration, leaching time, leaching temperature, and dosage of Na2SO3 on the leaching rate of LiCoO2 were investigated. The experimental results show that all the cobalt in LiCoO2 can be dissolved in the following conditions: the H2SO4 concentration of 0.4 mol/L, the leaching time of 0.5 h, the leaching temperature of 70°C and the Na2SO3 dosage being equal to the weight of LiCoO2. It is proved that the leaching of LiCoO2 in the system of Na2SO3-H2SO4 solutions is much more effective than that in other leaching systems. Moreover, the consumption of H2SO4 can be lowered greatly. Based on the leaching of pure LiCoO2, the Na2SO3-H2SO4 leaching system is further applied in the treatment of spent Li-ion battery and the leaching rate of cobalt can be achieved as higher as more than 98%.

Du-Huo-Ji-Sheng-Tang (DHJST) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used to treat osteoarthritis. In the present study, the therapeutic effect of DHJST on cartilage degradation in a rabbit model of osteoarthritis was investigated. In the knee joints of rabbits, anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) was performed to induce experimental osteoarthritis. At the end of the sixth week, 30 rabbits with ACLT were divided into six groups, control group, DHJST group and Osaminethacine (OSA) group, which were followed for another 4 weeks. The other three groups of rabbits with ACLT were untreated with DHJST or OSA, which were sacrificed after 6 weeks, and served as 6-week time point controls. Results indicated that at the end of the sixth week after surgery, there was a significantly histological degeneration in the control group compared with the normal group. In the control group, the mean score for histological degeneration were further increases at 10th week, and there was a significantly lower mean score for histological degeneration in the DHJST group compared with the control group. To research the potential mechanism, the expression level of VEGF and HIF-1αwere detected. The expression of VEGF mRNA and HIF-1αmRNA are low in normal group, while the activities increase gradually in the control group. However, compared to that of the same time point model group, activity of VEGF and HIF-1αdecreased significantly in DHJST group. In conclusion, DHJST exerts significant therapeutic effect on osteoarthritis rabbits, and mechanisms are associated with inhibition of VEGF and HIF-1αexpression.