Search

Abstract Pedestrian flow refers to the spatiotemporal distribution of people moving in a defined area. At crosswalks, pedestrian dynamics exhibit complex self‐organization patterns resulting from interactions between individuals. This paper proposes a novel crosswalk pedestrian flow model based on the concept of directional fuzzy visual field (DFVF) to capture pedestrian heterogeneity. The DFVF defines fuzzy distributions of personal space and information processing capabilities, enabling improved representation of diversity compared to previous models. Incorporating k‐nearest neighbour rules in the DFVF pedestrian network topology also better mimics real‐world interactions. Using a cellular automata framework, pedestrian self‐organization effects like stratification and bottleneck oscillation are simulated at intersections. The model replicates empirically observed dynamics of density, velocity, and evacuation time. Results demonstrate that controlling pedestrian conflicts can effectively enhance crosswalk flow efficiency. This research introduces new techniques for simulating pedestrian psychology and behaviour, providing a valuable contribution to pedestrian flow theory and supporting crosswalk design optimization.

Abstract The molecular representation model is a neural network that converts molecular representations (SMILES, Graph) into feature vectors, and is an essential module applied across a wide range of artificial intelligence‐driven drug discovery scenarios. However, current molecular representation models rarely consider the three‐dimensional conformational space of molecules, losing sight of the dynamic nature of small molecules as well as the essence of molecular conformational space that covers the heterogeneity of molecule properties, such as the multi‐target mechanism of action, recognition of different biomolecules, dynamics in cytoplasm and membrane. In this study, a new model named GeminiMol is proposed to incorporate conformational space profiles into molecular representation learning, which extracts the feature of capturing the complicated interplay between the molecular structure and the conformational space. Although GeminiMol is pre‐trained on a relatively small‐scale molecular dataset (39290 molecules), it shows balanced and superior performance not only on 67 molecular properties predictions but also on 73 cellular activity predictions and 171 zero‐shot tasks (including virtual screening and target identification). By capturing the molecular conformational space profile, the strategy paves the way for rapid exploration of chemical space and facilitates changing paradigms for drug design.

Abstract This paper constructs a two-layer road data asset revenue allocation model based on a modified Shapley value approach. The first layer allocates revenue to three roles in the data value realization process: the original data collectors, the data processors, and the data product producers. It fully considers and appropriately adjusts the revenue allocation to each role based on data risk factors. The second layer determines the correction factors for different roles to distribute revenue among the participants within those roles. Finally, the revenue values of the participants within each role are synthesized to obtain a consolidated revenue distribution for each participant. Compared to the traditional Shapley value method, this model establishes a revenue allocation evaluation index system, uses entropy weighting and rough set theory to determine the weights, and adopts a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation and numerical analysis to assess the degree of contribution of participants. It fully accounts for differences in both the qualitative and quantitative contributions of participants, enabling a fairer and more reasonable distribution of revenues. This study provides new perspectives and methodologies for the benefit distribution mechanism in road data assets, which aid in promoting the market-based use of road data assets, and it serves as an important reference for the application of data assetization in the road transportation industry.

ABSTRACT: The Jinling White duck represents a newly developed breed characterized by a rapid growth rate and a superior meat quality, offering significant economic value and research potential; however, the genetic basis underlying their body weight traits remains less understood. Here, we performed whole-genome resequencing for 201 diverse Jinling White male ducks and conducted population genomic analyses, suggesting a rich genetic diversity within the Jinling White duck population. Equipped with our genomic resources, we applied genome-wide association analysis for body weight on birth (BWB), body weight on 1 wk (BW1), body weight on 3 wk (BW3), body weight on 5 wk (BW5) and body weight on 7 wk (BW7) using 4 statistical models. Comparative studies indicated that factored spectrally transformed linear mixed models (FaST-LMM) demonstrated the most superior efficiency, yielding more results with the minimal false positives. We discovered that PUS7, FBXO11, FOXN2, MSH6, and SLC4A4 were associated with BWB. RAG2, and TMEFF2 were candidate genes for BW1, and STARD13, Klotho, ZAR1L are likely candidates for BW3 and BW5. PLXNC1, ATP1A1, CD58, FRYL, OCIAD1, and OCIAD2 were linked to BW7. These findings provide a genetic reference for the selection and breeding of Jinling White ducks, while also deepened our understanding of Growth and development phenotypic in ducks.

When organic matter, especially sodium oxalate (Na2C2O4), accumulates to a certain extent, it will seriously affect the alumina production process in the refinery and therefore urgently needs to be removed. This work attempts to illuminate the benefits of ultrasonic intensification of the crystallization process of Na2C2O4, taking the alumina refinery waste liquor, i.e., flat plate washing liquor, as a case study. The effects of different operating parameters (seed crystal addition amount, caustic soda concentration, reaction time, ultrasonic power) on the crystallization behavior and yield are discussed, and it is found that ultrasonic can increase the Na2C2O4 removal rate to 70.4%. The addition of ultrasonic promotes the morphological evolution of Na2C2O4 and is of great significance to the optimization of the components of the precipitated Na2C2O4. Specifically, the proportion of Na2C2O4 in the crystallized product reaches 64% with conventional conditions, while it reaches 77% with ultrasonic conditions. Therefore, ultrasonic can greatly reduce the alkali loss caused by the crystallization process of Na2C2O4 in flat plate washing liquor, which has great economic benefits.

GH4169 alloy, a nickel-based superalloy known for its excellent high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, mechanical properties, and high-temperature tribological properties, is widely used in industrial applications, such as in gas turbines for space shuttles and rocket engines. This study addresses the issue of electrolyte product residue in the electrochemical machining process of a GH4169 alloy by utilizing a C6H5Na3O7-containing NaNO3 new mixed electrolyte. Comparative investigations of the electrochemical behavior and electrolyte product removal mechanisms at different concentrations of C6H5Na3O7 additive in NaNO3 solutions were conducted. The effects of additives, applied voltage, and the rotating speed of the cathode tool on the processing performance of micro-pit arrays on a GH4169 alloy were analyzed. The results indicate that the mixed solution containing C6H5Na3O7 significantly improves the localization and geometric morphology of the micro-pits compared to a single NaNO3 solution. The optimal electrochemical machining parameters were identified as 0.5 wt% C6H5Na3O7 + 10 wt% NaNO3 mixed electrolyte, 12 V applied voltage, and 0.1 r/min rotating speed of the cathode tool. Under these conditions, high-quality micro-pit arrays with an average diameter of 405.85 μm, an average depth of 87.5 μm, and an etch factor (EF) of 1.67 were successfully fabricated, exhibiting excellent morphology, localization, and consistency.

Background: Hypoparathyroidism, sensorineural deafness, and renal dysplasia (HDR) syndrome (Barakat syndrome) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding GATA3 on chromosome 10p14. Method: Informed consent was obtained from a 38-year-old female patient. 5 mL of venous blood was collected and sent for whole-exome sequencing. GATA3 constructs of both wild-type and mutant were transfected into HEK-293 T cells. Three-dimensional modeling, luciferase-reporter gene test, western blotting and cellular immunofluorescence were used to evaluate the effect of the mutation. Results: A novel frameshift mutation c. 677dup(p.Pro227AlafsTer77), named P227Afs, was found in GATA3. Three-dimensional modeling revealed that the mutation caused the loss of the dual zinc finger structures 1 and 2 (ZNF1 and ZNF2) of the synthesized protein. Expression of wild-type GATA3 produced a six-fold increase in luciferase activity when compared with pcDNA3.1 vector only (P

Abstract Bi-directional pedestrian flow in corridors is a complex dynamic system due to the diversity in pedestrian psychological characteristics. Incorporating individual differences of pedestrians is vital for improving pedestrian flow models. However, due to the inherent complexity and variability of pedestrian movement, model parameter calibration remains challenging. Controlled experiments are needed to collect empirical pedestrian movement data under different environments. This enriches the database on pedestrian movement patterns and provides necessary support for improving pedestrian flow models. To address this issue, we conducted controlled experiments to quantify pedestrian heterogeneity by defining the direction of fuzzy visual field (DFVF). The DFVF incorporates various static and dynamic pedestrian factors. We used it to modify the traditional cellular automata model. This improved model simulates bi-directional pedestrian movements in the corridors, reproduces density-speed and density-volume relationships, and reveals self-organization phenomena. Furthermore, an analysis was conducted to examine the impacts of pedestrian density and facility spatial layout on evacuation time. Pedestrian interactions were also studied to uncover fundamental bi-directional flow properties. As pedestrian density increased, the evacuation time showed an exponential upward trend. Corridor length significantly impacts evacuation time, while increasing corridor width helps control it. As crowd density increases, pedestrian flows exhibit three distinct steady states: the strolling flow at low densities, directional separated flows at medium densities, and dynamic multi-lane flows at high densities. In summary, the modified cellular automata model successfully incorporates pedestrian heterogeneity and reveals intrinsic bi-directional pedestrian flow patterns. This study provides valuable insights for pedestrian facility design and optimizing pedestrian flow organization.

Abstract This paper is focused on the Riemann problem for a 2 × 2 $2\times 2$ hyperbolic system of conservation laws with a time-gradually-degenerate damping. Two kinds of non-self-similar solutions involving the delta-shocks and vacuum are obtained using the variable substitution method. The generalized Rankine-Hugoniot relation and entropy condition are clarified for the delta-shock. Furthermore, the vanishing viscosity method proves the existence, uniqueness, and stability of non-self-similar solutions.

Abstract Aims/Introduction The hemoglobin glycation index (HGI) represent the disparity between actual glycated hemoglobin measurements and predicted HbA1c. It serves as a proxy for the degree of non‐enzymatic glycation of hemoglobin, which has been found to be positively correlated with diabetic comorbidities. In this study, we investigated the relationship between HGI and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), along with other relevant biological markers in patients with diabetes. Materials and Methods This cross‐sectional study consisted of 3,191 adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. We calculated the predicted glycated hemoglobin levels based on fasting blood glucose levels. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the correlation between the HGI and NAFLD. Hepatic steatosis was diagnosed using ultrasonography. Results Among all participants, 1,784 (55.91%) were diagnosed with NAFLD. Participants with confirmed NAFLD showed elevated body mass index, diastolic blood pressure, liver enzyme, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low‐density lipoprotein and uric acid levels compared with those without NAFLD. In the unadjusted model, participants in the last tertile of HGI were 1.40‐fold more likely to develop NAFLD than those in the first tertile (95% confidence interval 1.18–1.66; P

Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) have been widely applied in various edge computing devices based on intelligent sensors. However, due to the high computational demands of CNN tasks, the limited computing resources of edge intelligent terminal devices, and significant architectural differences among these devices, it is challenging for edge devices to independently execute inference tasks locally. Collaborative inference among edge terminal devices can effectively utilize idle computing and storage resources and optimize latency characteristics, thus significantly addressing the challenges posed by the computational intensity of CNNs. This paper targets efficient collaborative execution of CNN inference tasks among heterogeneous and resource-constrained edge terminal devices. We propose a pre-partitioning deployment method for CNNs based on critical operator layers, and optimize the system bottleneck latency during pipeline parallelism using data compression, queuing, and “micro-shifting” techniques. Experimental results demonstrate that our method achieves significant acceleration in CNN inference within heterogeneous environments, improving performance by 71.6% compared to existing popular frameworks.

GH4169 alloy/Inconel 718 is extensively utilized in aerospace manufacturing due to its excellent high temperature mechanical properties. Micro-structuring on the workpiece surface can enhance its properties further. Through-mask electrochemical micromachining (TMEMM) is a promising and potential processing method for nickel-based superalloys. It can effectively solve the problem that traditional processing methods are difficult to achieve large-scale, high-precision and efficiency processing of surface micro-structure. This study explores the feasibility of electrochemical machining (ECM) for GH4169 using roll-print mask electrochemical machining with a linear cathode. Electrochemical dissolution characteristics of GH4169 alloy were analyzed in various electrolyte solutions and concentrations. Key parameters including cathode sizes, applied voltage and corrosion time were studied in the roll-print mask electrochemical machining. A qualitative model for micro-pit formation on GH4169 was established. Optimal parameters were determined through experiments: 300 μm mask hole and cathode size, 10 wt% NaNO3 electrolyte, 12 V voltage, 6 s corrosion time. The results demonstrate that the micro-pits with a diameter of 402.3 μm, depth of 92.8 μm and etch factor (EF) of 1.81 show an excellent profile and localization.

The signalling effects of microbial biofilms and extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) determine the stability of microbial communities. As messenger molecules, extracellular vesicles (EVs) mediate the interactions of microbial populations by carrying cargo. Therefore, this study took biofilm and EPS as screening factors, preliminarily explored the basic characteristics of strains with strong biofilm formation ability and high EPS production. The results showed that the EVs concentration of three lactic acid bacteria (KLK29, KLH2 and KEF14) were high. The concentration of their EVs was proportional to the EPS production, indicating that EVs were directly involved in the formation and regulation of EPS, but it did not mean that EVs could directly affect other biological characteristics of the strains. This study offers crucial information about kefir-derived strains and their EVs, and provides a preliminary research basis for EVs-mediated expression of probiotic characteristics of strains in kefir.

High content sulfur (S2−) in Bayer liquor can increase alkali consumption, accelerate equipment corrosion, especially seriously affect alumina production. The removal of S2− in Bayer liquor is studied using ultrasonic enhanced ozone method, which significantly improves the removal efficiency. Results indicate that the best removal efficiency of 93.83 % is obtained with reaction duration of 20 min, oxygen flow rate of 80 L/h, ultrasonic power of 60 W and reaction temperature of 60 °C. The comparative analysis shows that the removal efficiency of S2− is 25.34 % higher than that of ozone (O3) system after introducing ultrasound (US), indicating that US accelerates the mass transfer process of O3 and increases the hydroxyl radicals (·OH) content. For further explanation of the mechanism of US/O3 system, EPR and XPS spectra are applied to analyze the content of free radical and the form of sulfur in Bayer liquor, indicating that the content of free radical in US/O3 system is more than US and O3 systems, and all sulfur is converted to SO42− after full oxidation.

ABSTRACTTimely and accurate wetland information is necessary for wetland resource management. Recent advances in machine learning and remote sensing have facilitated cost-effective monitoring of wetlands. However, reliable methods for fine-grained and rapid wetland mapping are still lacking. To address the issue, a wetland sample set with 20 categories for China was collected based on a sampling strategy that combines automatic sample generation and visual interpretation. Simultaneously, a novel multi-stage method for fine-grained wetland classification was proposed, which integrates pixel-based and object-based strategies using ensemble learning algorithms and multi-source remote sensing data. First, a pixel-based ensemble learning algorithm was implemented to classify five rough wetland categories and six non-wetland categories. Second, an object-based ensemble learning approach was designed to separate the water cover in the pixel-based classification results into eight detailed categories. Third, the merged pixel-based and object-based classification results were refined with knowledge-based post-processing procedures to identify 14 fine-grained wetland categories. Results using the Pixel Information Expert Engine (PIE-Engine) cloud platform proved the effectiveness of the proposed wetland classification method. The overall accuracy, kappa, and weighted F1 reached 87.39%, 82.80%, and 86.02%, respectively. The adopted ensemble learning algorithm yielded better performance than classifiers such as CatBoost, random forest, and XGBoost. The incorporation of spectral, texture, shape, topographic, and geographic features from multi-source data contributed to differentiating wetland categories. According to the relative contribution, spectral indexes (NDVI and NDWI), texture features (sum average and contrast), and topographic features (slope and elevation) were identified as important leading predictors for the first-stage pixel-based classification. Shape features (shape index and compactness) and auxiliary features (geographic location) were crucial predictors for the second-stage object-based classification. Compared with other products, our 10-m wetland mapping results for national wetland reserves were rich in detail and fine in categories. Overall, the constructed sample set and developed classification method show promise in laying a foundation for large-scale wetland mapping. The derived wetland maps can provide support for wetland protection and restoration.

Abstract Background There is a great association between the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and asthma. Nonetheless, whether OSA impacts lung function, symptoms, and control in asthma and whether asthma increases the respiratory events in OSA are unknown. This meta-analysis aimed to examine the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and asthma severity and vice versa. Methods We carried out a systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus from inception to September 2022. Primary outcomes were lung function, parameters of polysomnography, the risk of OSA in more severe or difficult-to-control asthmatic patients, and the risk of asthma in patients with more severe OSA. Heterogeneity was examined with the Q test and I2 statistics. We also performed subgroup analysis, Meta-regression, and Egger’s test for bias analysis. Results 34 studies with 27,912 subjects were totally included. The results showed that the comorbidity of OSA aggravated lung function in asthmatic patients with a consequent decreased forced expiratory volume in one second %predicted (%FEV1) and the effect was particularly evident in children. %FEV1 tended to decrease in adult asthma patients complicated with OSA, but did not reach statistical significance. Interestingly, the risk of asthma seemed to be slightly lower in patients with more severe OSA (OR = 0.87, 95%CI 0.763–0.998). Asthma had no significant effect on polysomnography, but increased daytime sleepiness assessed by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale in OSA patients (WMD = 0.60, 95%CI 0.16–1.04). More severe asthma or difficult-to-control asthma was independently associated with OSA (odds ratio (OR) = 4.36, 95%CI 2.49–7.64). Conclusion OSA was associated with more severe or difficult-to-control asthma with decreased %FEV1 in children. The effect of OSA on lung function in adult patients should be further confirmed. Asthma increased daytime sleepiness in OSA patients. More studies are warranted to investigate the effect of asthma on OSA severity and the impact of different OSA severity on the prevalence of asthma. It is strongly recommended that people with moderate-to-severe or difficult-to-control asthma screen for OSA and get the appropriate treatment.

Abstract The power system dynamics have consistently challenged the rapid and persistent proliferation of photovoltaic (PV) systems in power systems. In this paper, the authors propose the generalized discrete‐time equivalent model (GDEM) of PV power generation system using a fourth‐order dynamic equivalent model for representing the physical characteristics of PV power stations in power system dynamic studies. In addition, the authors propose a grid‐connected system model which includes modelling interfaces (MIs) for the GDEM of power grid and the GDEM of PV power generation system in dynamic studies. The proposed equivalent models of the power grid and PV power generation system will improve the simulation accuracy and speed in dynamic power system studies. The authors have used the IEEE 14‐bus system and simulated various types of short‐circuit faults and PV penetration levels in their study to demonstrate the merits of the proposed GDEM of grid‐connected system in power systems. The pertinent simulation results are analyzed and conclusions are presented.

Abstract To solve the problems of voltage violation and fast voltage fluctuation caused by photovoltaic (PV) grid connections in distribution networks, a two‐stage coordinated voltage control strategy for PV inverters with multimode coordinated operation in distribution networks (DNs) is proposed. It is based on the characteristics of PV inverters that can be regulated rapidly and continuously. First, the voltage control process is divided into two control stages according to the voltage change rate, and the corresponding voltage control models are established. Then, the operating modes of PV inverters are classified into three modes: economic prevention, economic control, and efficient control. Different operating modes are used to adapt to the two‐stage voltage control. Finally, a voltage fast control solution algorithm is proposed, which considers adaptive time delays and combines local measurement, prediction, and communication information to update control commands. The effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed voltage control strategy were demonstrated through simulation tests on a real 10‐kV line with a high PV penetration rate in the Anhui province of China. The results show that the proposed strategy can prevent voltage violation and sudden changes and can smooth out voltage fluctuation.

Background Pituitary adenomas (PAs) are neuroendocrine tumors located in the sellar region. Surgery, being the primary treatment option for most PAs, is known to cause disruptions in sodium metabolism. Objective To develop and validate a nomogram for assessment the incidence of postoperative sodium disturbance (SD) in patients with PAs. Methods In this retrospective study, 208 patients with PAs who underwent resection surgery between 2013 and 2020 were included. Various demographic characteristics, clinical features and laboratory data were analyzed as potential predictors of postoperative sodium disturbance (SD). LASSO regression were used to identify independent preoperative variables associated with SD. Logistic regression was employed to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A nomogram was constructed to visualize these results and evaluated using metrics such as the area under the curve (AUC) for discrimination, the Hosmer-Lemeshow test for calibration and decision curve for usefulness assessment. Results The incidence of SD was 44.23% (92 cases out of 208). Six preoperative factors, including sex, types of PAs, phosphocreatine kinase (CK), serum iron (Fe), free fatty acids (NEFA) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV), were identified for constructing a predictive nomogram. The nomogram showed high accuracy, with AUC values of 0.851 (95% CI [0.799–0.923]) and 0.771 (95% CI [0.681–0.861]) in the training and validation datasets, respectively. Calibration assessment and decision curve analysis confirmed its good agreement and clinical utility. Conclusion A practical and effective nomogram for predicting SD after PAs surgery is presented in this study.

BackgroundStudies on the prognostic factors for patients with brain oligo-metastasis treated with fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) usually focus on the size of metastatic tumor and radiation dose. Some inflammatory indicators have predictive value in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with brain metastasis receiving stereotactic radiotherapy. However, the prognostic value of inflammatory indicators in NSCLC patients with brain oligo-metastasis treated with FSRT, and their effect on radiotherapy dose is unknown.MethodsA total of 95 advanced NSCLC patients with brain oligo-metastasis who had undergone FSRT treatment at Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital between January 2015 and April 2022 were enrolled into the study. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR), tumor diameter and biologically effective dose (BED10) were analyzed using Chi-square test. Univariate and multivariate Cox regressions were used to identify predictors of survival.ResultsTumor diameter (< 2 cm), BED10 (≥ 48Gy) and LMR (≥ 4) were found to be independently associated with good intracranial local control survival (i-LCS) through multivariate analysis. The median i-LCS was longer in patients with 2 independent risk factors (tumor diameter ≥ 2 and LMR < 4) administered with BED10 > 53.6Gy compared with patients administered with BED10 ≤ 53.6Gy (20.7 months vs 12.0 months, P = 0.042). LMR ≥ 4 (P = 0.019) and positivity for driver gene mutations (P = 0.011) were independently associated with better overall survival (OS).ConclusionsLMR is an independent prognostic factor of i-LCS and OS in NSCLC patients with brain oligo-metastasis treated with FSRT. Patients with tumor diameter ≥ 2 and LMR < 4 should be treated with BED10 greater than 53.6Gy.

Human society is facing the threat of various viruses. Proteases are promising targets for the treatment of viral infections. In this study, we collected and profiled 170 protease sequences from 125 viruses that infect humans. Approximately 73 of them are viral 3-chymotrypsin-like proteases (3CLpro), and 11 are pepsin-like aspartic proteases (PAPs). Their sequences, structures, and substrate characteristics were carefully analyzed to identify their conserved nature for proposing a pan-3CLpro or pan-PAPs inhibitor design strategy. To achieve this, we used computational prediction and modeling methods to predict the binding complex structures for those 73 3CLpro with 4 protease inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 and 11 protease inhibitors of HCV. Similarly, the complex structures for the 11 viral PAPs with 9 protease inhibitors of HIV were also obtained. The binding affinities between these compounds and proteins were also evaluated to assess their pan-protease inhibition via MM-GBSA. Based on the drugs targeting viral 3CLpro and PAPs, repositioning of the active compounds identified several potential uses for these drug molecules. As a result, Compounds 1–2, modified based on the structures of Ray1216 and Asunaprevir, indicate potential inhibition of DENV protease according to our computational simulation results. These studies offer ideas and insights for future research in the design of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs.

ObjectivePolycystic ovary syndrome is one of the most common endocrine disorders among women of childbearing age. The relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome and chronic kidney disease remains unclear and controversial. In this study, we investigated the causal role of polycystic ovary syndrome in the development of chronic kidney disease using the two-sample Mendelian randomization method.MethodsPublic shared summary-level data was acquired from European-ancestry genome wide association studies. We finally obtained 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms as instrumental variables, which were associated with polycystic ovary syndrome in European at genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10−8). Inverse-variance weighted method was employed in the Mendelian randomization analysis and multiple sensitivity analyses were implemented. Outcome data were obtained from the Open GWAS database.ResultsA positive causal association was observed between polycystic ovary syndrome and chronic kidney disease (odds ratio [OR]=1.180, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.038-1.342; P=0.010). Further analyses clarified that causal relationship exist between polycystic ovary syndrome and some serological indicators of chronic kidney disease (fibroblast growth factor 23: OR= 1.205, 95% CI: 1.031-1.409, P=0.019; creatinine: OR= 1.012, 95% CI: 1.001-1.023, P=0.035; cystatin C: OR= 1.024, 95% CI: 1.006-1.042, P=0.009). However, there was no causal association of polycystic ovary syndrome with other factors in the data sources we employed.ConclusionsOur results indicate an important role of polycystic ovary syndrome in the development of chronic kidney disease. This study suggests that regular follow-up of renal function in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome is necessary for the early treatment of chronic kidney disease.

Aiming at the unreliability of historical data for short-term load forecasting caused by the sudden change of power grid load under emergencies, a short-term load prediction method adopting transfer learning is studied. The proposed transfer learning method combines the attention mechanism (AM) with the long short-term memory network coupled with input and forgetting gates (CIF-LSTM) to construct the AM-CIF-LSTM short-term load prediction model. First, the variational modal decomposition (VMD) method is used to extract the trend component and certain periodic high-frequency components of the load datasets of the scene to be predicted and similar scenes. Subsequently, the AM-encoder/decoder learning model is established based on the trend component, and the AM learnable parameters are trained and transferred to the AM-CIF-LSTM model. Furthermore, inspired by the idea of classified forecasting, the load trend component and periodic high-frequency components under the required prediction scene are predicted by AM-CIF-LSTM and deep recursive neural network (DRNN), respectively. Finally, the load forecasting results are superimposed to obtain the load forecasting value. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method outperformed the existing methods in multiple accuracy indicators and could predict the rapid change trend of load in the case of insufficient data accurately and stably.

As the rapid and continually proliferation of photovoltaic (PV) systems are connected to the power system, the load structure are changeable to lack an accurate dynamic discrete equivalent model to describe its characteristics of power grid. In this study, the generalized discrete-time equivalent model (GDEM) of PV system using a fourth-order dynamic equivalent model for representing the physical characteristics of PV power stations are proposed in power system dynamic studies. The paper then investigates the inherent relations among GDEM parameters in the discrete-time models of PV system to facilitate the GDEM parameters estimation in PV system. Finally, the least square method (LSM) was to identify the GDEM of PV system parameters, and various types of ground faults and PV penetration rate levels is adopted to verify the dynamic characteristics of the proposed GDEM of PV system in power system simulations.

Abstract Background To describe the natural course of myopic traction maculopathy (MTM) and determine predictive factors for its progression and visual prognosis. Methods This retrospective observational study included 113 MTM patients (113 eyes). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurements and optical coherence tomography findings were recorded. Results Over a mean follow-up of 38.2 ± 11.1 months, 49 of 113 eyes (43.4 %) progressed. The progression rate of outer schisis prominently located in the fovea or posterior staphyloma was significantly higher than that of outer schisis prominently located in paravascular areas (P = 0.0011). MTM with partial posterior vitreous detachment during the follow-up progressed more rapidly than MTM without (P = 0.0447). Patients with older age (> 65 years), without domed-shaped macula and with defects in the ellipsoid zone (EZ) had worse BCVA at the last visit (P = 0.0416, P = 0.0494and P = 0.0130). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that BCVA and defects in the EZ at baseline were significantly associated with the final BCVA (P

Nanofiltration application for the separation of Mg2+-Li+ from salt-lake brines was attempted in the present work. Four different nanofiltration membranes identified in the manuscript as DL, DK, NF-270, and NF-90 were used to treat salt brine with a magnesium to lithium ratio (MLR) of 61, additionally contaminated by the other ions such as Na+, K+, Ca2+, etc. The effect of the dilution factor, operating pressure, circulation rate, and feed pH were assessed to identify the optimal operating conditions for each membrane based on the retention efficiency of each ion. The results showed an insignificant effect of Ca2+ on the retention performance of Mg2+-Li+. Na+ and K+ had a smaller hydration radius and larger diffusion coefficient, which competed with Li+ and altered the separation of Mg2+-Li+. Under the optimal conditions (dilution factor: 40; operating pressure: 1.2 MPa; circulation flow rate: 500 L/h; pH: 7), the retention efficiency of lithium was as low as 5.17%, separation factor (SF) was as low as 0.074, and the MLR in the permeate reduced to 0.088.

Straw return benefits soil nutrient circulation and avoids the environmental pollution caused by incineration. The straw return effect is determined by many factors, such as the returning mode and tillage method. To find the most suitable straw return mode in the hilly areas of south China, we conducted experiments with preceding maize straw in Nanchong (Sichuan Province, China) for three years. Five treatments were tested: (A) rotary tillage without straw return (RT), (B) crushed straw return with rotary tillage (CRT), (C) crushed straw return without rotary tillage (CSR), (D) whole straw return with rotary tillage (WRT), and (E) whole straw return without rotary tillage (WSR). The results indicated that CRT had the fastest decomposition rate, followed by CSR. Moreover, CRT had the fastest nutrient release rates for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, as well as the highest maize yield (6.62% higher than RT). CRT increased the content of organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total potassium in the soil, as well as improved the soil pH. Furthermore, the numbers of bacteria, Actinomycetes, and fungi in the soil under CRT, CSR, and WSR treatments were higher than those under the other two treatments. This study has important reference value for exploring the most favourable straw return method for improving farmland fertility.

The switching frequency of high-power inverters, such as those used in rail transit traction systems, is low, due to switching loss and heat dissipation limitations. This can result in considerable output voltage harmonics. This paper proposes an optimal SPWM strategy for traction inverters based on non-equally spaced carriers to address this issue. By dividing the fundamental wave cycle into regions according to the principle of three-phase, half-wave, and quarter-wave symmetry, the carrier width is symmetrically changed in each region, and a switching angle sequence is generated by comparing the fundamental wave with the non-isometric carrier. The proposed optimal modulation strategy has lower harmonic content than traditional strategies within a specific modulation range. Enhancing the inverter output waveform leads to increased torque accuracy, lowering additional losses in the motor and avoiding overheating. This results in improved performance, enhanced efficiency, and extended service life of the motor system. To further reduce voltage harmonics across the full-speed range, a multi-mode segmented synchronous modulation strategy is designed based on the optimal modulation strategy for different modulation ranges. Appropriate switching points are selected to improve the stability of the traction drive system across the full-speed range. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified through simulation and experimental results.

Abstract Delayed intracerebral hemorrhage (DICH) secondary to ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is considered to be a potentially severe event. This study aimed to investigate the association between a ratio of postoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio to preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLRR) and DICH secondary to VP shunt. We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent VP shunt between January 2016 and June 2020. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association of DICH and NLRR. Then patients were divided into two groups according to the optimal cut-off point of NLRR, propensity score matching (PSM) method was performed to reconfirm the result. A total of 130 patients were enrolled and DICH occurred in 29 patients. Elevated NLRR and history of craniotomy were independent risk factors for DICH secondary to VP shunt. The optimal cut off point of NLRR was 2.05, and the sensitivity was 89.7%, the specificity was 63.4%. Patients with NLRR > 2.05 had much higher incidence of DICH (40.6% vs 4.5%). Our finding suggested that DICH following VP shunt was not a rare complication and elevated NLRR could independently predict DICH. Inflammatory responses might play an important role in the development of DICH following VP shunt.

Similar to the enzymatic process, there might also be an active fragment in polysaccharides, how to obtain is important for investigating the bioactivity and pharmacological mechanism of polysaccharides. Presently, a Gynostemma pentaphyllum endophytic fungus Chaetomium globosum CGMCC 6882 polysaccharide [Genistein Combined Polysaccharide (GCP)] was degraded by ultrasonic treatment, two polysaccharide fragments of GCP-F1 and GCP-F2 were obtained. Physicochemical results showed that GCP-F1 and GCP-F2 had the same monosaccharide composition of arabinose, galactose, glucose, xylose, mannose, and glucuronic acid as compared to GCP with slightly different molar ratios. However, weight-average molecular weights of GCP-F1 and GCP-F2 decreased from 8.093 × 104 Da (GCP) to 3.158 × 104 Da and 1.027 × 104 Da, respectively. In vitro scavenging assays illustrated that GCP-F1 and GCP-F2 had higher antioxidant activity against 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, superoxide anions, and hydroxyl radical than GCP, the order was GCP < GCP-F1 < GCP-F2. Meanwhile, antibacterial tests showed that ultrasonic degradation increased the antibacterial activity of GCP-F1 as compared to GCP, but GCP-F2 almost lost its antibacterial activity with further ultrasound treatment. Changes in the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of GCP-F1 and GCP-F2 might be related to the variation of their molecular weights.

TC4 (Ti–6Al–4V) titanium alloy and Al5(HfNbTiZr)95 refractory high-entropy alloy were successfully diffusion bonded at a temperature range of 800–1000 °C for 60 min under 5 MPa. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the diffusion bonded joints were investigated. The diffusion bonding seam of the joint contained two different zones, namely: a reaction zone with acicular titanium structures (Zone I); and a continuous solid solution reaction zone (Zone II) which inherited the orientation of the matrix Al5(HfNbTiZr)95. The highest microhardness of reaction zone reached 6.82 GPa, located in the boundary of TC4 and the acicular titanium structure zone. The effects of bonding temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the joints were revealed. As bonding temperature increased, all the reaction zones grew in a parabolic manner with an increase in the bonding temperature. The shear strength of the joints ranged from 55.56 MPa to 777.06 MPa as the bonding temperature increased. The maximum shear strength of 770.06 MPa was obtained at a bonding temperature of 950 °C for 60 min under 5 MPa, and the fracture located in the TC4 substrate illustrated a typical ductile fracture mode.

The process of germanium–tannin complex is the oldest form of technology for extracting germanium from Ge-containing solutions. This reaction mechanism is relatively controversial as it imposes restrictions on ideas and methods for reducing the amount of tannin. In this paper, using SEM, TEM, FT-IR, XPS, NMR, TOF-SIMS and UV diffuse reflectance spectroscopy for a deep analysis of germanium–tannin complex, the mechanism of extracting germanium from Ge-containing solutions with tannins is investigated. The results show that the theoretical tannin complex mass is 30 times that of tannin mass, and the complex rate reaches 98.84%. The changes of -OH stretching band in FT-IR spectra, the emergence of C3H3GeO7, C2H3GeO6, and C8H7GeO7 in TOF-SIMS images, and the shift of Ge and O banding energy in XPS detail spectra provided definitive evidence for the germanium–tannin complex process, highlighting that the formed complexes of tannins with germanium involve six coordinate Ge-O bonds, which are obtained through orthophenol hydroxyl groups in tannins reacting with Ge4+. Furthermore, the complex mode of germanium–tannins is layer polymerization, which finally forms an agglomeration of complex flocs. The findings of this research is innovative, and can have a profound impact on the future introduction of various methods to reduce the mass of tannins.

Researchers have investigated the role of polysaccharides in disease treatment via gut microbiota regulation but ignore their function in disease prevention and physique enhancement. In this work, a Gynostemma pentaphyllum polysaccharide (GPP) was tested by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and proved to be safe to Caco-2 cells. Animal experiments showed that the administration of GPP for 3 weeks decreased the body weight gain of mice from 15.4 ± 1.7 to 12.2 ± 1.8 g in a concentration-dependent manner. Analysis of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) indicated that GPP increased the levels of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total SCFAs in the cecum contents of normal mice. Furthermore, GPP improved the species richness and abundance in the gut microbiota but reduced the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio from 0.8021 to 0.3873. This work provides a basis for incorporating GPP into diet to prevent or mitigate the occurrence of obesity via gut microbiota regulation.

Promoting processing efficiency and taking advantage of agricultural by-products are two promising ways to achieve sustainable textile industry. This study presents a customized efficient ultrasonic-assisted bleaching strategy for yak hair – a widely existing but underexploited secondary dark shade fibre from yak. A melanin-targeted Fenton oxidation process is established which involves three phases, i.e., (I) incorporation of Fe2+ ions with melanin, (II) catalytic oxidative bleaching using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and (III) reductive cleansing. The bleaching efficacy, dyeing performance and tensile property of yak hair treated with and without ultrasound were explored and compared. Further, the ultrasonic bleaching mechanism in terms of the catalytic effect of Fe2+ ions, the promotion of H2O2 decomposition, removal of melanin granule from yak hair, were demonstrated. Finally, the main effects and interactions of parameters in phase II, and optimal condition were obtained through mathematical modelling based on a central composite design (CCD). Results reveal that ultrasonic bleaching dramatically enhances the whiteness index (WI) of yak hair from 11 to 45 which is 44.6% higher than those bleached without ultrasound, and also promotes the uptake of acid dyes. There is only 15% tensile strength loss and 14% elongation increment of yak hair after ultrasonic bleaching, rising from a slight damage of cuticle layer and cleavage of disulfide bonds, respectively. In the study of bleaching mechanism, Fe2+ ion is confirmed to improve the H2O2 decomposition rate by 20.9% which further runs up to 35.9% after introducing ultrasound. Ultrasound increases the concentration of hydroxyl radicals (HO·) by 94% which are the main oxidative species participating in bleaching confirmed by HO· scavenging experiment. The porous structure was observed on the cross section of yak hair stemming from the removal of melanin granules contributed by the cleaning action of ultrasound. A theoretical highest WI of 52.4 can be achieved under an optimal condition based on the CCD study. In general, the proposed melanin-targeted bleaching strategy for yak hair that integrates ultrasonic technology and Fenton reaction, is beneficial to the development of sustainable textile industry from material and processing perspectives.

Despite much attention on the history of goat evolution, information on origin, demographic history, and expansion route remains controversial. To address these questions, we collected 4,189 published goat DNA sequences including 1,228 sequences from 57 breeds in China and 2,961 sequences including 193 goat breeds from 71 other countries and carried out an integrated analysis. We found goat breeds from South China had the highest genetic diversity of lineage B, and subclades B2 only were found in Southwest China, suggesting that lineage B (particularly, subclade B2) probably originated from Southwest China and its surrounding areas. In addition, in this study, we found that lineage A from South China also presented higher genetic diversity and earlier expansion time (10, 606 years ago), even earlier than breeds from the Middle East. Hence, we speculated that South China and surrounding areas were the origin of lineage B and also the transportation hub for lineage A spreading to North China and Southwest Asia. Furthermore, according to the analysis of correlation between genetic differentiation value λ1 and λ2 and geographical distance, we further confirmed two phases of migration in goat breeds of North China. These results will contribute to a better understanding of the origin and migration history of domestic goat.

Nickel-based single crystal superalloy DD6 was diffusion bonded in vacuum at 1170 °C under 55 MPa for 2–6 h. Two processes, direct bonding and bonding with interlayer, were designed for comparison. A pure 4 μm nickel (Ni) foil was selected for the interlayer. The joint strength was measured via shear test, whereas the joint microstructure and element distribution were analyzed via scanning electron microscope, electron probe analyzer and transmission electron microscope. The results indicated that the joint direct bonded for 6 h achieved the best joint quality at approximately 353 MPa of shear strength. In this case, the joint morphology and microstructure were characterized by microvoids and carbide precipitation. In contrast, in the joints bonded with interlayer, both carbide precipitation and microvoids disappeared. When 4 μm nickel foil was used as an interlayer, the foil/DD6 interface became less distinct as the bonding time prolonged. When the bonding time reached 6 h, the γ′ phase crystals connected each other with the misorientation distribution of the joint less than 5°, and maximum shear strength of 727 MPa was obtained. The fracture morphology has a mixed ductile-brittle feature.

This paper proposes a combined microwave and ultrasonic technique that aims to extract the refractory mineralogical properties of complex zinc ore. This technique consists of two steps: microwave-assisted phase transformation and ultrasonic-assisted complexation leaching. During the microwave-assisted phase transformation step, the refractory zinc phases transform into manageable phases using doping oxidation agents. In the ultrasonic-assisted complexation leaching step, the effect of NTA3 on Zn2+ species distribution is explored. The results show that microwave roasting with 20% Na2O2 at 600 °C for 15 min adequately transforms ZnS, ZnCO3 and Zn2SiO4 into ZnO and avoids the generation of Zn2SiO4. Further, 0.5 mol/L NTA3− (nitrilotriacetic acid) is especially effective as a complex additive for complexes with Zn2+ as Zn (NTA)24−. The ultrasonic technique can reduce the diffusion resistance and open the products in the leaching process, improving zinc leaching by 4.7%. The degree of zinc recovered from zinc ore can reach 91.4% when leach is assisted with 225 W ultrasonic force at 80 °C for 75 min. This paper shows great potential for the green extraction of non-traditional zinc-containing resources.

The recharge efficiency during artificial groundwater recharge (AGR) is reduced primarily by clogging that is triggered by suspended particles. However, there are loopholes in the current standards of recharge-water quality for clogging control during AGR, and the threshold values of turbidity to prevent clogging have not been reasonably determined. In this study, secondary effluents from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were injected into saturated sand columns to simulate the process of AGR. Batch experiments under different turbidity conditions were conducted, and the numerical modeling of particle transport and deposition was performed to assess the clogging processes. Theories of single-collector contact and interfacial interaction energy were applied to elucidate possible microcosmic mechanisms. The results showed that the diluted secondary effluent (SE) with turbidities of 0.540 ± 0.050, 1.09 ± 0.050, and 1.84 ± 0.060 NTU caused considerable clogging in the porous media, which decreased the relative hydraulic conductivities (K/K0) by 13.2%, 17.6%, and 83.6%, respectively. The filtered SE with a turbidity of 0.160 NTU did not cause clogging, and K/K0 was reduced by only 1.70%. The clogging was attributed to the deposition of suspended particles in the sand matrix because they have a high collision efficiency (0.007–1.98) and attachment efficiency (0.029–0.589 kBT). Finally, this paper recommends that the turbidity of the recharge water should not exceed 0.500 NTU during AGR practices.

The spring steel for automotive stabilizer bars has a great responsibility in that its quality directly affects the stability, safety, and comfort of vehicle operation. The isothermal thermal compression behavior of a novel lean Si spring steel that was used to manufacture an anti-roll bar was investigated with a DIL805A/D quenching thermal dilatometer in this research. A hyperbolic sine type of constitutive model was established, and hot processing maps were produced to evaluate the experimental steel’s hot workability properties. The experimental results suggest that dynamic recrystallization (DRX) preferentially occurs at a low strain rate and high thermal processing temperature, while the processing maps of the experimental steel are susceptible to strain. The instability regions increase as the strain increases. The processing maps’ stable and instable domains should be decided upon comprehensive analysis of the instability criterion, power dissipation efficiency, and strain rate sensitivity index. The optimum parameters of hot processing for the experimental steel at various strains are that the deformation temperature of 1000–1150 °C and the strain rate of 0.1, approximately.

The hydrophilicity and inherent flammability of cotton textiles severely limit their usage. To solve these drawbacks, a superhydrophobic and flame-retardant (SFR) coating made of chitosan (CH), ammonium polyphosphate (APP), and TiO2-SiO2-HMDS composite was applied to cotton fabric using simple layer-by-layer assembly and dip-coating procedures. First, the fabric was alternately immersed in CH and APP water dispersions, and then immersed in TiO2-SiO2-HMDS composite to form a CH/APP@TiO2-SiO2-HMDS coating on the cotton fabric surface. SEM, EDS, and FTIR were used to analyze the surface morphology, element composition, and functional groups of the cotton fabric, respectively. Vertical burning tests, microscale combustion calorimeter tests, and thermogravimetric analyses were used to evaluate the flammability, combustion behavior, thermal degradation characteristics, and flame-retardant mechanism of this system. When compared to the pristine cotton sample, the deposition of CH and APP enhanced the flame retardancy, residual char, heat release rate, and total heat release of the cotton textiles. The superhydrophobic test results showed that the maximal contact angle of SFR cotton fabric was 153.7°, and possessed excellent superhydrophobicity. Meanwhile, the superhydrophobicity is not lost after 10 laundering cycles or 50 friction cycles. In addition, the UPF value of CH/APP@TiO2-SiO2-HMDS cotton was 825.81, demonstrating excellent UV-shielding properties. Such a durable SFR fabric with a facile fabrication process exhibits potential applications for both oil/water separation and flame retardancy.

Background: Cognitive dysfunction is one of the main symptoms of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). As an important cognitive function, working memory (WM) has rarely been systematically analyzed in NF1 by isolating the particular domain of WM, and existing data involving WM in adult patients with NF1 are insufficient. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of different types of WM in NF1 from the perspective of the adult population.Method: We comprehensively analyzed WM in both verbal and visuospatial WM domains by using the N-back task (including the verbal N-back task and the visuospatial N-back task) in 31 adults with NF1 and 34 healthy controls matched for age, gender, education levels, and general cognitive status. The accuracy and reaction times (RTs) in the N-back task were entered into mixed-design ANOVA.Results: Compared with healthy controls, adults with NF1 presented significantly lower mean accuracy and longer RTs in the visuospatial N-back task. However, no significant difference was found between the NF1 group and healthy controls in the verbal N-back task.Conclusions: The present study suggested that adults with NF1 might have deficits in visuospatial WM. We did not find evidence for verbal WM deficits in adult patients with NF1. Our findings supplement and refine the existing data on WM in the context of NF1.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) act through multiple mechanisms via their sequence features to fine-tune gene expression networks. Due to overlapping sequences with linear cognates, identifying internal sequences of circRNAs remains a challenge, which hinders a comprehensive understanding of circRNA functions and mechanisms. Here, based on rolling circular reverse transcription and nanopore sequencing, we developed circFL-seq, a full-length circRNA sequencing method, to profile circRNA at the isoform level. With a customized computational pipeline to directly identify full-length sequences from rolling circular reads, we reconstructed 77,606 high-quality circRNAs from seven human cell lines and two human tissues. circFL-seq benefits from rolling circles and long-read sequencing, and the results showed more than tenfold enrichment of circRNA reads and advantages for both detection and quantification at the isoform level compared to those for short-read RNA sequencing. The concordance of the RT-qPCR and circFL-seq results for the identification of differential alternative splicing suggested wide application prospects for functional studies of internal variants in circRNAs. Moreover, the detection of fusion circRNAs at the omics scale may further expand the application of circFL-seq. Taken together, the accurate identification and quantification of full-length circRNAs make circFL-seq a potential tool for large-scale screening of functional circRNAs.

With the increasing demand for lithium, the shortage of resources has become increasingly apparent. In order to conserve resources and to improve recovery, the extraction of lithium from salt lakes has become mandatory for sustainable development. Porous metal-organic framework (MOF) materials have attracted extensive attention due to their high/tunable porosity, pore function, multiple pore structures/compositions, and open metal sites. Moreover, MOFs combine the advantages of other porous materials and have a wide range of applications, which have received significant interest from the scientific community. Therefore, the selection of MOFs materials, the optimization of preparation methods, and the research of lithium separators are key directions to improve the total yield of lithium resources in salt lakes in China. This study aims to improve the comprehensive utilization of resources after lithium extraction and strengthen the engineering technology research of lithium extraction from salt lakes. This study can help to achieve the goal of efficient, integrated, and sustainable utilization of salt lake resources. An attempt has been made to summarize the types and preparation methods of MOFs materials, as well as the separation mechanism of MOFs nanofiltration membranes, with reference to its application in lithium extraction from salt lake brine. Finally, the future development of MOFs nanofiltration membranes for lithium extraction from salt lakes is also proposed.

As an important secondary zinc resource, large-scale reserves of zinc oxide dust (ZOD) from a wide range of sources is of high comprehensive recycling value. Therefore, an experimental study on ultrasound-enhanced sulfuric acid leaching for zinc extraction from zinc oxide dust was carried out to investigate the effects of various factors such as ultrasonic power, reaction time, sulfuric acid concentration, and liquid–solid ratio on zinc leaching rate. The results show that the zinc leaching rate under ultrasound reached 91.16% at a temperature of 25 °C, ultrasonic power 500 W, sulfuric acid concentration 140 g/L, liquid–solid ratio 5:1, rotating speed 100 r/min, and leaching time 30 min. Compared with the conventional leaching method (leaching rate: 85.36%), the method under ultrasound increased the zinc leaching rate by 5.8%. In a kinetic analysis of the ultrasound-enhanced sulfuric acid leaching of zinc oxide dust, the initial apparent activation energy of the reaction was 6.90 kJ/mol, indicating that the ultrasound-enhanced leaching process was controlled by the mixed solid product layers. Furthermore, the leached residue was characterized by XRD and SEM-EDS, and the results show that, with ultrasonic waves, the encapsulated mineral particles were dissociated, and the dissolution of ZnO was enhanced. Mostly, the zinc in leached residue existed in the forms of ZnFe2O4, Zn2SiO4, and ZnS.

This paper incorporates fairness concerns and consumer reference price effects into a two-echelon building-material closed-loop supply chain consisting of a manufacturer and a retailer. By establishing four differential game models, we investigate the sustainable operations and cooperation of this supply chain. The four game models are a Nash noncooperative game, Stackelberg game with cost sharing, Stackelberg game with fairness concerns and cost sharing, and centralized decision model. By using dynamic models and optimal control theory, we obtain the two members’ optimal equilibrium strategies in the supply chain. Analytical results show that the consumer reference price effect has a positive impact on the manufacturer’s effort level, retailer’s publicity level, and product brand goodwill, which can improve the supply chain performance. The retailer’s partial commitment to cost sharing can enhance the production enthusiasm of the manufacturer, improve the brand reputation of the product, and enhance the two members’ individual profitability. The distributional fairness concerns of the manufacturer not only prevent the manufacturer and retailer from achieving Pareto improvement but also lead to the decline of the manufacturer’s effort level and profitability. The research conclusions of this paper can provide some insights into the cooperation and sustainable development of the supply chain.

Due to its excellent mechanical performances, axially loaded concrete-filled steel circular tube (CFST) columns have been widely used in structural engineering. As an important long-term behaviour of CFST structures, the creep has an obvious nonlinear property under high stress levels, which makes the influence of creep more complicated. In this study, to analyze the impacts of nonlinear creep effect on the behaviour of axially loaded short CFST columns, a complete theoretical framework for coupling analysis of 3D creep effect and material nonlinearity was presented. First, the concrete damaged plasticity model with a uniform constraint (UCCDP) was established to simulate the plasticity and damage evolution of a concrete core. Next, based on the UCCDP, a method of 3D nonlinear creep analysis and a corresponding numerical analysis method were established and implemented in the ABAQUS secondary platform. Finally, by comparing the predicted results with the experimental results, it was observed that the method proposed to predict the creep of axially loaded short CFST columns had satisfactory accuracy.

This paper proposes the pressureless magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) system by neglecting the effect of pressure difference in the MHD system. Firstly, the Riemann problem for the pressureless MHD system is solved with five kinds of structures of solutions consisting of combinations of shock, rarefaction wave, contact discontinuity, and vacuum state. Secondly, the limit behavior of the obtained Riemann solutions as the magnetic field drops to zero is studied. It is shown that, as the magnetic field vanishes, the Riemann solutions of the pressureless MHD system just tend to the corresponding Riemann solutions of the Euler equations for pressureless fluids. The formation processes of delta shocks and vacuum states are clarified. For the delta shock, both the intermediate density and internal energy simultaneously develop delta measures.