Search

The benchmarking of CO2 emissions serves as the foundation for the accurate assessment of the environmental impact of air traffic. To calculate the environmental benchmarks of arrival traffic flows with Point Merge System (PMS) patterns, this study proposes a 4D trajectory optimization method that combines data-driven and optimal control models. First, the predominant arrival routes of traffic flows are identified using the trajectory spectral clustering method, which provides the horizontal reference for 4D trajectory optimization. Second, an optimal control model for vertical profiles with point merging topology is established, with the objective of minimizing the fuel–time cost. Finally, considering the complex structure of the PMS, a flexible and adaptable genetic algorithm-based vertical profile nonlinear optimization model is created. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is adaptable to variations in aircraft type and cost index parameters, enabling the generation of different 4D trajectories. The results also indicate an environmental efficiency gap of approximately 10% between the actual CO2 emissions of the arrival traffic flow example and the obtained benchmark. With this benchmark trajectory generation methodology, the environmental performance of PMSs and associated arrival aircraft scheduling designs can be assessed on the basis of reliable data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To better understand the mechanism of air traffic delay propagation at the system level, an efficient modeling approach based on the epidemic model for delay propagation in airport networks is developed. The normal release rate (NRR) and average flight delay (AFD) are considered to measure airport delay. Through fluctuation analysis of the average flight delay based on complex network theory, we find that the long-term dynamic of airport delay is dominated by the propagation factor (PF), which reveals that the long-term dynamic of airport delay should be studied from the perspective of propagation. An integrated airport-based Susceptible-Infected-Recovered-Susceptible (ASIRS) epidemic model for air traffic delay propagation is developed from the network-level perspective, to create a simulator for reproducing the delay propagation in airport networks. The evolution of airport delay propagation is obtained by analyzing the phase trajectory of the model. The simulator is run using the empirical data of China. The simulation results show that the model can reproduce the evolution of the delay propagation in the long term and its accuracy for predicting the number of delayed airports in the short term is much higher than the probabilistic prediction method. The model can thus help managers as a tool to effectively predict the temporal and spatial evolution of air traffic delay., 1. Introduction Flight delays are one of the most important performance indicators of air transportation system. It has become increasingly more serious, which directly causes huge damage to the quality [...]

The agricultural soils were polluted by the chemical fertilizer for a long time, which led to changing of the soil engineering properties. The strength, compressibility and permeability of red clay contaminated by different concentration solution of ammonium carbonate were tested by the direct shear testing, one-dimensional consolidation testing and variable head permeability test, respectively. The test results show that the cohesion values and the permeability of red clay increase, but the failure strength, internal friction angle and modulus of compressibility under the same load decrease with increasing of the concentration of ammonium carbonate solution. The hydrated film thickness in the red clay is calculated by the theory of double electric layer. And the mechanism of the engineering properties of red clay contaminated by the ammonium carbonate solution is analyzed. The thickness of hydrated film changed by ammonium carbonate solution is the key to influence of the strength, compressibility and permeability of red clay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant threat to global public health, especially for Enterobacterales. In this study, we investigated the distribution and antimicrobial resistance of Enterobacterales in children in the China Antimicrobial Surveillance Network (CHINET) in 2015–2021. In total, 81,681 strains isolated from children were collected in this period, accounting for 50.1% of Gram-negative organisms. The most frequently isolated Enterobacterales were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Salmonella spp., and Enterobacter spp. The main sources of the isolates were urine and the respiratory tract, accounting for 29.3% and 27.7% of isolates, respectively. The proportions of E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis expressing extended-spectrum β-lactamase were 48.8%–57.6%, 49.3%–66.7%, and 23.1%–33.8%, respectively. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales was 5.7%–9.5%, which showed a decreasing trend from 2015 to 2021. The detection rates of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella spp., carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter spp., and carbapenem-resistant E. coli were 14.1%–22.6%, 7.1%–15.7% and 2.0%–3.4%, respectively. In Enterobacterales, the resistance rates to ciprofloxacin were higher than to levofloxacin. However, the Enterobacterales strains were highly susceptible to amikacin, polymyxin B, and tigecycline. The resistance rate of Salmonella spp. to ampicillin was > 70%, whereas their resistance rate to ceftriaxone was < 30%. These findings indicate that the resistant rates of some Enterobacterales isolates in children to common antimicrobial agents show decreasing trends. Continuous monitoring of bacterial resistance should be strengthened to prevent and control the spread of drug-resistant bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses different spatial complex networks construction models useful in Regional Science, and different associated issues and problems. First, we define two different models of spatial networks: Collaboration (SCN) and Competition (SCtN) network, both based on distances among nodes. We then discuss several problems related to Regional Science in these types of spatial networks, showing alternative cases and possible computational solutions. Evolutionary algorithms are proposed to solve these problems both in SCN and SCtN. The experimental part of the paper is comprehensive, and it discuses several approaches for spatial network modelling and construction by means of different computational experiments and simulations, including the evolution of SCN and SCtN in Regional Science problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to explore the therapeutic effect of the oral administration of pseudo-ginsenoside RT4 (RT4) on ulcerative colitis (UC), and to determine the rate of absorption and distribution of RT4 in mice with UC. Balb/c mice were induced using dextran sulfate sodium salts (DSS) to establish the UC model, and 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg of RT4 was subsequently administered via gavage. The clinical symptoms, inflammatory response, intestinal barrier, content of total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and gut microbiota were investigated. Caco-2 cells were induced to establish the epithelial barrier damage model using LPS, and an intervention was performed using 4, 8, and 16 µg/mL of RT4. The inflammatory factors, transient electrical resistance (TEER), and tight-junction protein expression were determined. Finally, pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies following the intragastric administration of RT4 in UC mice were performed. According to the results in mice, RT4 decreased the disease activity index (DAI) score, restored the colon length, reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β), and boosted the levels of immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10, increased the content of SCFAs, improved the colonic histopathology, maintained the ultrastructure of colonic mucosal epithelial cells, and corrected disturbances in the intestinal microbiota. Based on the results in caco-2 cells, RT4 reduced the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β; protected integrity of monolayers; and increased tight-junction protein expression. Additionally, the main pharmacokinetic parameters (Cmax, Tmax, t1/2, Vd, CL, AUC) were obtained, the absolute bioavailability was calculated as 18.90% ± 2.70%, and the main distribution tissues were the small intestine and colon. In conclusion, RT4, with the features of slow elimination and directional distribution, could alleviate UC by inhibiting inflammatory factors, repairing the intestinal mucosal barrier, boosting the dominant intestinal microflora, and modulating the expression of SCFAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Railway Science & Engineering is the property of Journal of Railway Science & Engineering Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Science Technology & Engineering is the property of Chinese Society of Technology Economics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background The rumen microbiota provides essential services to its host and, through its role in ruminant production, contributes to human nutrition and food security. A thorough knowledge of the genetic potential of rumen microbes will provide opportunities for improving the sustainability of ruminant production systems. The availability of gene reference catalogs from gut microbiomes has advanced the understanding of the role of the microbiota in health and disease in humans and other mammals. In this work, we established a catalog of reference prokaryote genes from the bovine rumen. Results Using deep metagenome sequencing we identified 13,825,880 non-redundant prokaryote genes from the bovine rumen. Compared to human, pig, and mouse gut metagenome catalogs, the rumen is larger and richer in functions and microbial species associated with the degradation of plant cell wall material and production of methane. Genes encoding enzymes catalyzing the breakdown of plant polysaccharides showed a particularly high richness that is otherwise impossible to infer from available genomes or shallow metagenomics sequencing. The catalog expands the dataset of carbohydrate-degrading enzymes described in the rumen. Using an independent dataset from a group of 77 cattle fed 4 common dietary regimes, we found that only <0.1% of genes were shared by all animals, which contrast with a large overlap for functions, i.e., 63% for KEGG functions. Different diets induced differences in the relative abundance rather than the presence or absence of genes, which explains the great adaptability of cattle to rapidly adjust to dietary changes. Conclusions These data bring new insights into functions, carbohydrate-degrading enzymes, and microbes of the rumen to complement the available information on microbial genomes. The catalog is a significant biological resource enabling deeper understanding of phenotypes and biological processes and will be expanded as new data are made available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Transactions of Nanjing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics is the property of Editorial Department of Journal of Nanjing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is a common and possibly precancerous digestive tract disease. Development of drugs with effect of preventing precancerous lesions draws the eyes of global researchers. Qilianshupi decoction (QLSP) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that is commonly used to treat CAG, but few studies have explored the mechanism of QLSP on treating CAG. This study investigated the molecular targets of the component herbs of QLSP in preventing precancerous lesions based on network pharmacology. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that the 6 herbs regulated multiple CAG-related genes, among which the most important were cancer-related pathway (apoptosis, p53, and VEGF) and epithelial cell signaling in Helicobacter pylori infection. Further animal experiments showed that the expression of survivin and p53 in precancerous lesions of CAG rats was significantly increased which was suppressed by QLSP. Moreover, telomerase activity was inhibited in precancerous lesions of CAG rats, and telomere length of gastric mucosa was increased, which was reversed by QLSP. Our results suggest that the components of QLSP prevents gastric precancerous lesions through decreasing the expression of survivin and p53 and regulating telomerase activity and telomere length in CAG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Liaoning Technical University (Natural Science Edition) / Liaoning Gongcheng Jishu Daxue Xuebao (Ziran Kexue Ban) is the property of Journal of Liaoning Technical University (Natural Science) Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Diabetes is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hydroxyapatite ( HAp) hollow microspheres with hierarchically porous structure and nanorice-like architecture units were synthesized by the composite-hydroxide approach. NH4 H2 PO4 was first reacted with hydroxides to form a hydroxide-insoluble M3 PO4 (the term M represents either Na or K). The diffusing M3 PO4 at the liquid-solid interface then reacted with the Ca( OH)2, forming insoluble HAp hollow spheres by Kirkendall process. Results show that when reaction time is increased from 3 to 12 h, the average diameter of the microspheres increased from 2.64 to 4.16 μm. In addition, the size homogeneity of the hollow microspheres was improved gradually due to Ostwald ripening. The prepared hollow microspheres were treated by ultrasound, and nanorice-like component units with a large mass of mesopores (<10 nm) were displayed. These prepared HAp hollow microspheres might be expected to apply to ion adsorption and drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A novel Pt–IrO2 electrocatalyst was prepared using the dip-coating/calcinations method on titanium substrates. Titanium electrodes coated with oxides were investigated for oxygen evolution. Experimental results showed that Ti/Pt–IrO2 electrode containing 30mol% Pt in the coating exhibited significantly higher electrocatalytic activity for oxygen evolution compared to Ti/IrO2 prepared by the same method, which is also supported by the electrochemical impedance data. Stability tests demonstrated Pt–IrO2 electrocatalyst had a service cycle of 10,000 times in 0.1M H2SO4 solution. And the anode surface had hardly discovered cracks and had compact structures, which contributed to stable nature of the electrode together with good conductivity and specific interaction between Pt and IrO2 formed during the calcination. Furthermore, the enhanced catalytic activity for O2 evolution at Ti/Pt–IrO2 electrode is preliminarily discussed using the Mott–Schottky analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]