We investigated forest road networks and forestry operations before and after mechanization on aggregated forestry operation sites. We developed equations to estimate densities of road networks with average slope angl...We investigated forest road networks and forestry operations before and after mechanization on aggregated forestry operation sites. We developed equations to estimate densities of road networks with average slope angles, operational efficiency of bunching operations with road network density, and average forwarding distances with operation site areas. Subsequently, we analyzed the effects of aggregating forests, establishing forest road networks, and mechanization on operational efficiency and costs. Six ha proved to be an appropriate operation site area with minimum operation expenses. The operation site areas of the forest owners＇ cooperative in this region aggregated approximately 6 ha and the cooperative conducted forestry operations on aggregated sites. Therefore, 6 ha would be an appropriate operation site area in this region. Regarding road network density, higher-density road networks increased operational expenses due to the higher direct operational expenses of strip road establishment. Therefore, road network density should be reduced to approximately 200 m.展开更多
The maximal entropy ordered weighted averaging （ME-OWA） operator is used to aggregate metasearch engine results, and its newly analytical solution is also applied. Within the current context of the OWA operator, the...The maximal entropy ordered weighted averaging （ME-OWA） operator is used to aggregate metasearch engine results, and its newly analytical solution is also applied. Within the current context of the OWA operator, the methods for aggregating metasearch engine results are divided into two kinds. One has a unique solution, and the other has multiple solutions. The proposed method not only has crisp weights, but also provides multiple aggregation results for decision makers to choose from. In order to prove the application of the ME-OWA operator method, under the context of aggregating metasearch engine results, an example is given, which shows the results obtained by the ME-OWA operator method and the minimax linear programming （ minimax-LP ） method. Comparison between these two methods are also made. The results show that the ME-OWA operator has nearly the same aggregation results as those of the minimax-LP method.展开更多
Genetic engineering in filamentous N2-fixing cyanobacteria usually involves Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 and several other non-aggregating species. Mass culture and harvest of such species are more energy consuming relative ...Genetic engineering in filamentous N2-fixing cyanobacteria usually involves Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 and several other non-aggregating species. Mass culture and harvest of such species are more energy consuming relative to aggregating species. To establish a gene transfer system for aggregating species, we tested many species of Anabaena and Nostoc, and identified Nostoc muscorum FACHB244 as a species that can be genetically manipulated using the conjugative gene transfer system. To promote biodegradation of organophosphorus pollutants in aquatic environments, we introduced a plasmid containing the organophosphorus-degradation gene （opd） into Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 and Nostoc muscorum FACHB244 by conjugation. The opd gene was driven by a strong promoter, Pp,bA. From both species, we obtained transgenic strains having organophosphorus-degradation activities. At 25~C, the whole-cell activities of the transgenic Anabaena and Nostoc strains were 0.163~0.001 and 0.289~0.042 unit/gg Chl a, respectively. However, most colonies resulting from the gene transfer showed no activity. PCR and DNA sequencing revealed deletions or rearrangements in the plasmid in some of the colonies. Expression of the green fluorescent protein gene from the same promoter in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 showed similar results. These results suggest that there is the potential to promote the degradation of organophosphorus pollutants with transgenic cyanobacteria and that selection of high-expression transgenic colonies is important for genetic engineering of Anabaena and Nostoc species. For the first time, we established a gene transfer and expression system in an aggregating filamentous N2-fixing cyanobacterium. The genetic manipulation system of Nostoc muscorum FACHB244 could be utilized in the elimination of pollutants and large-scale production of valuable proteins or metabolites.展开更多
The coaggregating behavior of the cationic kinetic probe P16;with different types of surfactants are in complete agreement with predictions based on the newly proposed ESAg concept.
Marine fisheries in Kenya mainly comprise of the artisanal fishermen who use non-motorized boats. Competition of these dwindling resources has led to overfishing and degradation of coral reef ecosystems. One of the me...Marine fisheries in Kenya mainly comprise of the artisanal fishermen who use non-motorized boats. Competition of these dwindling resources has led to overfishing and degradation of coral reef ecosystems. One of the methods which have been used to enhance sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources is the use of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs). The study was conducted in two areas along the Kenyan coast which are: Msambweni in the southern part and Kuruwitu (Vipingo) in the northern part of the Kenyan coast. A combination of systematic site surveys: structured and semi structured interviews with key informants (community leaders and resource users);participant observations;descriptions of daily and seasonal time use;and analyses of secondary sources, such as fisheries records, was used to gather information and triangulate results. The perception of the community about FADs was determined by conducting a socio-economic survey before and after deploying FADs. Colonization and biomass survey around the deployed FADs was undertaken and fish associated with FADs was recorded. Results indicate that nine families of fish aggregated around FADs and at different distances. Catch and effort at FADs have been evaluated by monitoring catch data from fishers on daily basis after deployments.展开更多
The influence on fine particle aggregation and flotation behavior induced by high intensity conditioning(HIC) from saturated of the slurry with CO2 saturation was investigated.Bubble size measurements were conducted.T...The influence on fine particle aggregation and flotation behavior induced by high intensity conditioning(HIC) from saturated of the slurry with CO2 saturation was investigated.Bubble size measurements were conducted.The effect of dissolved gas,xanthate addition and agitation speed on fine sphalerite particle aggregation-and flotation-behavior were studied.The results show that during HIC in air or CO2 saturated water xanthate acts as a frother.The dissolved gas content in the pulp and HIC play a synergistic role in promoting fine particle aggregation and hence flotation;a significantly enhanced aggregation of fine sphalerite particles in a CO2 saturated slurry by HIC is observed.The aggregate size increased when the agitation speed was increased from 700 r/min to 1500 r/min.Increasing the HIC speed to 1500 r/min caused a positive impact on flotation kinetics.Further increasing the speed to 2000 r/min resulted in an adverse effect on flotation kinetics.展开更多
The aggregating properties of Cz-C-n (n = 3, 6, 10) have been investigated by means of fluorescence method in DMSO-H2O binary solvent. The measured CAC and C F values indicate that the aggregating tendency of the amp...The aggregating properties of Cz-C-n (n = 3, 6, 10) have been investigated by means of fluorescence method in DMSO-H2O binary solvent. The measured CAC and C F values indicate that the aggregating tendency of the amphiphilic compounds Cz-C-n containing crown ether increases with the length of alkyl chains, similar to that of carbazole compounds with long alkyl chains.展开更多
At first sight, the choice of a socially best economic policy and the choice of an optimal engineering design seem to be quite separate issues. A closer look, however, shows that both approaches which aim at generatin...At first sight, the choice of a socially best economic policy and the choice of an optimal engineering design seem to be quite separate issues. A closer look, however, shows that both approaches which aim at generating a (set of) best alternative(s) have much in common. We describe and characterize axiomatically an aggregation method that uses a set of evaluations that are arranged on a common scale. This scale establishes a common language, so to speak, which conforms to the criteria that are deemed relevant in order to compare various design options. Two conditions are able to characterize the proposed aggregation mechanism. One is a simple dominance requirement, and the other called cancellation independence makes use of the fact that for any pair of objects, rank differences of opposite sign can be reduced without changing the aggregate outcome of the ranking procedure. The proposed method has its origin in voting theory but may have the potential to prove useful in engineering design as well.展开更多
The aggregating process of particle suspension systems is a very universal phenomena and crucial for various processes both in nature and in industry.In this paper,the aggregating process was simulated with offlattice...The aggregating process of particle suspension systems is a very universal phenomena and crucial for various processes both in nature and in industry.In this paper,the aggregating process was simulated with offlattice diffusion-limited cluster-cluster aggregation(DLCA)Monte Carlo programs.The self-similar fractal structures of aggregates have been clearly demonstrated by the statistical analysis of gyration radius distribution and the existence of a scaling distribution of the reduced cluster size.The fractal dimension determined from the relationship between mass and gyration radius of aggregates was 1.80 or so.The fractal dimension of the aggregates drawn from the radial distribution function and structure factor of a single aggregate is about 1.90-2.10.It was also showed that,along with the increasing of particle volume fraction,the fractal dimension will increase in a nearly square root manner,and the spatial range of the fractal structure appearing becomes narrower.Also,the gelation transition can only occur in a particle suspension system where the particle volume fraction is greater than a critical value.展开更多
Protein aggregates,mitochondrial import stress and neurodegenerative disorders:A salient hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases,including Parkinson’s disease,is the abundance of protein aggregates(Goiran et a...Protein aggregates,mitochondrial import stress and neurodegenerative disorders:A salient hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases,including Parkinson’s disease,is the abundance of protein aggregates(Goiran et al.,2022).This molecular event is believed to lead to activation of stress pathways ultimately resulting in cellular dysfunction(Eldeeb et al.,2022).Accordingly,many lines of research investigations focused on dampening the formation of protein aggregates or augmenting the clearance of protein aggregates as a potential therapeutic strategy to counteract the progression of neurodegenerative diseases,albeit with little success(Costa-Mattioli and Walter,2020).Cell stress cues such as the accumulation of protein aggregates lead to the activation of stress response pathways that aid cells in responding to the damage.Despite the notion that the transient activation of these pathways helps cells cope with stressors,persistent activation can induce unwanted apoptosis of cells and reduce overall tissue strength as well as lead to an accumulation of aggregation-prone proteins(Hetz and Papa,2018).Mutations in proteins involved in stress signaling termination can cause conditions like ataxia and early-onset dementia(Conroy et al.,2014).Therefore,it is crucial for stress response signaling to be turned off once conditions have improved.Nevertheless,the mechanisms by which cells silence these signals are still elusive.展开更多
Amyloid protein aggregation plays a major role in multiple neurodegenerative diseases and is likely the primary driving force for the progression of most of these diseases.Multiple recent studies have highlighted that...Amyloid protein aggregation plays a major role in multiple neurodegenerative diseases and is likely the primary driving force for the progression of most of these diseases.Multiple recent studies have highlighted that the DNAJ homolog subfamily B member 6(DNAJB6)chaperone is particularly interesting,when it comes to preventing amyloidogenic proteins from aggregating.It has been shown that DNAJB6 can prevent the aggregation of polyglutamine-expanded proteins in models of Huntington’s disease.Likewise,it can suppress aggregation ofα-synuclein in models of Parkinson’s disease and other synucleinopathies.Finally,it has been shown that DNAJB6 can block aggregation of multiple additional amyloid proteins involved in Alzheimer’s disease and other tauopathies as well.We believe there is yet much to learn about the protective role of DNAJB6 in the brain,but this focused review summarizes,what we know so far of this chaperone.It describes the biological role of DNAJB6 in the brain and its interaction with Hsp70,with particular emphasis on the studies that show its ability to prevent amyloid protein aggregation in vitro and in vivo.Moreover,recent work on dysregulation of the expression of DNAJB6 in brain clinical tissue is discussed.Finally,we discuss potential therapeutic perspectives as we believe this protein is a promising druggable target.展开更多
We investigated the effects of fly ash(FA)content on the mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete(RAC)and its regeneration potential under freeze and thaw(F-T)cycles.The physical properties of second-gener...We investigated the effects of fly ash(FA)content on the mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete(RAC)and its regeneration potential under freeze and thaw(F-T)cycles.The physical properties of second-generation recycled concrete aggregates(RCA)were used to analyze the regeneration potential of RAC after F-T cycles.Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the interfacial transition zone microstructure of RAC after F-T cycles.Results showed that adding 20%FA to RAC significantly enhanced its mechanical properties and frost resistance.Before the F-T cycles,the compressive strength of RAC with 20%FA reached 48.3 MPa,exceeding research strength target of 40 MPa.A majority of second-generation RCA with FA had been verified to attain class Ⅲ,which enabled their practical application in non-structural projects such as backfill trenches and road pavement.However,the second-generation RCA with 20%FA can achieve class Ⅱ,making it ideal for 40 MPa structural concrete.展开更多
Insight into the carbon turnover in soil aggregates and density fractions is essential for reducing the uncertainty in estimating carbon pools on the Tibetan Plateau,and how they vary with land use type is unclear.In ...Insight into the carbon turnover in soil aggregates and density fractions is essential for reducing the uncertainty in estimating carbon pools on the Tibetan Plateau,and how they vary with land use type is unclear.In this study,the effect of land use type on carbon storage and fractionation was quantified based on organic carbon and its ^(13)C abundance at the microscale of soil aggregates and density fractions in Tibetan alpine ecosystems.The sequence of soil aggregate destruction in the land use types of plantation(13.1%)<shrubland(32.7%)<grassland(47.9%)<farmland(61.8%)shows that plantations strengthen the soil structure.Plantation land had a greater contribution of light fraction organic carbon(28.3%)but a lower contribution of mineral-associated organic carbon(40.6%)to the carbon stock compared to farmland(13.5 and 70.3%).Interestingly,plantation land enhanced the aggregational differentiation of organic carbon and ^(13)C in each density fraction,whereas no such phenomenon existed in the soil organic carbon.Carbon isotope analyses revealed that carbon transfer in the plantation land occurred from the light fraction in macroaggregates(–24.9‰)to the mineral-associated fraction in microaggregates(–19.9‰).When compared to the other three land use types,the low transferability of carbon in aggregates and density fractions in plantation land provides a stable carbon pool for the Tibetan Plateau.This study shows that plantations can mitigate global climate change by slowing carbon transfer and increasing carbon storage at the microscale of aggregates and density fractions in alpine regions.展开更多
Crushing waste coral concrete into recycled aggregates to create recycled coral aggregate concrete(RCAC)contributes to sustainable construction development on offshore islands and reefs.To investigate the impact of re...Crushing waste coral concrete into recycled aggregates to create recycled coral aggregate concrete(RCAC)contributes to sustainable construction development on offshore islands and reefs.To investigate the impact of recycled coral aggregate on concrete properties,this study performed a comprehensive analysis of the physical properties of recycled coral aggregate and the basic mechanical properties and microstructure of RCAC.The test results indicate that,compared to coral debris,the crushing index of recycled coral aggregate was reduced by 9.4%,while porosity decreased by 33.5%.Furthermore,RCAC retained the early strength characteristics of coral concrete,with compressive strength and flexural strength exhibiting a notable increase as the water-cement ratio decreased.Under identical conditions,the compressive strength and flexural strength of RCAC were 12.7% and 2.5% higher than coral concrete's,respectively,with porosity correspondingly reduced from 3.13% to 5.11%.This enhancement could be attributed to the new mortar filling the recycled coral aggregate.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM)analysis revealed three distinct interface transition zones within RCAC,with the‘new mortar-old mortar’interface identified as the weakest.The above findings provided a reference for the sustainable use of coral concrete in constructing offshore islands.展开更多
As renewable energy penetration continues to rise,enhancing power system flexibility has become a critical requirement.Photovoltaic–storage–charging stations(PSCSs)are key components for enhancing local regulation c...As renewable energy penetration continues to rise,enhancing power system flexibility has become a critical requirement.Photovoltaic–storage–charging stations(PSCSs)are key components for enhancing local regulation capability and promoting renewable integration.However,evaluating the adjustable capability of such hybrid stations while considering security constraints remains a major challenge.This paper first analyzes the adjustable capabilities of all the resources within such a station based on the power-energy boundary(PEB)model.Then,an optimal formulation is proposed to obtain the adjusted parameters of the aggregate feasible region(AFR)model,which embeds low-dimensional linear models within high-dimensional linear models to improve the accuracy.To solve this formulation,it is transformed using duality theory and an alternating optimization algorithm is designed to obtain the solution.Finally,a multi-station adjustable capability aggregation method considering security constraints is introduced.Simulation results verify that the proposed method effectively reduces infeasible regions and improves smoothness of aggregated boundaries,providing an accurate and practical tool for flexibility evaluation in PSCSs and offering guidance for aggregators and system planners.展开更多
Enhancing soil organic carbon(SOC)stocks is a key aspect of modern agriculture,but whether this can be achieved by incorporating legume green manure crops in cereal production to substitute synthetic N fertilizers is ...Enhancing soil organic carbon(SOC)stocks is a key aspect of modern agriculture,but whether this can be achieved by incorporating legume green manure crops in cereal production to substitute synthetic N fertilizers is unknown.This study used a six-year(2017-2022)field study to explore the impacts of intercropping green manure with maize and reducing nitrogen fertilization on SOC stocks,while specifically focusing on the relationship between aggregate composition and carbon sequestration.Maize intercropped with common vetch(M/V),maize intercropped with rapeseed(M/R),and sole maize(M),were each tested at conventional(N2,360 kg ha^(-1))and reduced(N1,270 kg ha^(-1),25% reduced)N application rates.Soil was sampled in 2020,2021,and 2022.Compared with sole maize,intercropping with green manure(M/V and M/R)significantly increased SOC stocks which compensated for any negative effect due to the 25% reduction in N application.Based on 3-year averages,intercropping with M/V and M/R increased the SOC content compared to sole maize(M)by 12.1 and 9.1%,respectively,with intercropping further mitigating the negative impact of reduced nitrogen application.There was no significant difference between M/V and M/R.The SOC content at N1 was reduced by 9.3-10.5%compared to that at N2 in sole maize,but the differences in SOC stocks between N1 and N2 were not significant in the intercropping patterns(M/V and M/R).The intercropped M/V and M/R showed 20.9 and 16.3% higher SOC contents compared to sole maize at N1,with no differences at N2.Intercropping green manure led to a 5.3% greater SOC in the 0-20 cm depth soil in 2022 compared to that in 2020,due to the cumulative effect of two years of green manure intercropping.Intercropping green manure(M/V and M/R)increased the proportion of macroaggregates(>0.25 mm)and aggregate stability while reducing the proportion of microaggregates compared to sole maize under the N1 application.Structural equation modeling indicated that cropping patterns and nitrogen application levels mainly affect SOC indirectly by regulating the composition of macroaggregates and aggregate organic carbon(AOC).Correlation analysis further revealed that the composition of macroaggregates is significantly and positively correlated with the SOC content(R^(2)=0.64).In addition,intercropping green manure can maintain high crop yields by increasing SOC under reduced chemical nitrogen application.The results of this study show that intercropping green manure with grain crops can be a viable measure for increasing SOC sinks and maize productivity by optimizing the aggregate composition with reduced N application in the Hexi Oasis Irrigation Area.展开更多
Neuroinflammation is a key process in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases,such as multiple sclerosis(MS),Alzheimer's disease,and traumatic brain injury.Even for disorders historically unrelated ...Neuroinflammation is a key process in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases,such as multiple sclerosis(MS),Alzheimer's disease,and traumatic brain injury.Even for disorders historically unrelated to neuroinflammation,such as Alzheimer's disease,it is now shown to precede pathological protein aggregations.展开更多
The practical application of lithium metal batteries(LMBs)requires electrolytes that simultaneously ensure high safety and interfacial stability.Although locally concentrated ionic liquid electrolytes(LCILEs)exhibit e...The practical application of lithium metal batteries(LMBs)requires electrolytes that simultaneously ensure high safety and interfacial stability.Although locally concentrated ionic liquid electrolytes(LCILEs)exhibit exceptional electrochemical stability and compatibility with electrode electrolyte interfaces(EEIs),two major challenges persist:(i)safety risks caused by excessive low-flash-point diluents,and(ii)insufficient understanding of how diluents modulate solvation structures.Herein,we introduce a low-diluent-content LCILE system composed of lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide(LiFSI)salt,N-methyl-N-propyl-pyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide(Pyr_(13)FSI)ionic liquid,and trifluoromethanesulfonate(TFS)diluent.The TFS diluent strengthens ion-ion interactions by lowering the dielectric constant of the electrolyte,resulting in the formation of a unique nanometric anion aggregates(N-AGGs)reinforced solvation structure.These large anionic clusters exhibit accelerated redox decomposition kinetics,facilitating the rapid formation of a thin,dense,and low-impedance EEI.Consequently,the Li/LiNi_(0.6)Co_(0.2)Mn_(0.2)O_(2)coin cell achieves 87.8%capacity retention over 300 cycles at 4.3 V,while a practical 1.4 Ah Li/NCM622 pouch cell retains 84.5%capacity after 80 cycles at 4.5 V.Furthermore,the electrolyte demonstrates exceptional safety,and 2 Ah Li metal pouch cells successfully pass rigorous nail penetration tests without any ignition or explosion.This work not only provides a design strategy for intrinsically safe and high-performance electrolytes but also highlights the critical role of anion cluster decomposition kinetics in shaping EEI formation.展开更多
Autophagy is well-known for delivering cargo materials to lysosomes for proteolytic digestion.Recently,autophagy has emerged as a key mechanism in unconventional protein secretion(UPS).This perspective introduces unco...Autophagy is well-known for delivering cargo materials to lysosomes for proteolytic digestion.Recently,autophagy has emerged as a key mechanism in unconventional protein secretion(UPS).This perspective introduces unconventional secretion pathways,focusing on secretory autophagy and its role in secreting protein aggregates associated with neurodegenerative disorders.We also explore additional neuronal functions of secretory autophagy beyond the release of protein aggregates.We propose autophagosomes as transport organelles that deliver cargo material directly from the endoplasmatic reticulum(ER)to the plasma membrane rather than solely to lysosomes.展开更多
文摘We investigated forest road networks and forestry operations before and after mechanization on aggregated forestry operation sites. We developed equations to estimate densities of road networks with average slope angles, operational efficiency of bunching operations with road network density, and average forwarding distances with operation site areas. Subsequently, we analyzed the effects of aggregating forests, establishing forest road networks, and mechanization on operational efficiency and costs. Six ha proved to be an appropriate operation site area with minimum operation expenses. The operation site areas of the forest owners＇ cooperative in this region aggregated approximately 6 ha and the cooperative conducted forestry operations on aggregated sites. Therefore, 6 ha would be an appropriate operation site area in this region. Regarding road network density, higher-density road networks increased operational expenses due to the higher direct operational expenses of strip road establishment. Therefore, road network density should be reduced to approximately 200 m.
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.71171048)
文摘The maximal entropy ordered weighted averaging （ME-OWA） operator is used to aggregate metasearch engine results, and its newly analytical solution is also applied. Within the current context of the OWA operator, the methods for aggregating metasearch engine results are divided into two kinds. One has a unique solution, and the other has multiple solutions. The proposed method not only has crisp weights, but also provides multiple aggregation results for decision makers to choose from. In order to prove the application of the ME-OWA operator method, under the context of aggregating metasearch engine results, an example is given, which shows the results obtained by the ME-OWA operator method and the minimax linear programming （ minimax-LP ） method. Comparison between these two methods are also made. The results show that the ME-OWA operator has nearly the same aggregation results as those of the minimax-LP method.
基金Supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 Program) (No. 2002AA601170)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30623001)
文摘Genetic engineering in filamentous N2-fixing cyanobacteria usually involves Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 and several other non-aggregating species. Mass culture and harvest of such species are more energy consuming relative to aggregating species. To establish a gene transfer system for aggregating species, we tested many species of Anabaena and Nostoc, and identified Nostoc muscorum FACHB244 as a species that can be genetically manipulated using the conjugative gene transfer system. To promote biodegradation of organophosphorus pollutants in aquatic environments, we introduced a plasmid containing the organophosphorus-degradation gene （opd） into Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 and Nostoc muscorum FACHB244 by conjugation. The opd gene was driven by a strong promoter, Pp,bA. From both species, we obtained transgenic strains having organophosphorus-degradation activities. At 25~C, the whole-cell activities of the transgenic Anabaena and Nostoc strains were 0.163~0.001 and 0.289~0.042 unit/gg Chl a, respectively. However, most colonies resulting from the gene transfer showed no activity. PCR and DNA sequencing revealed deletions or rearrangements in the plasmid in some of the colonies. Expression of the green fluorescent protein gene from the same promoter in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 showed similar results. These results suggest that there is the potential to promote the degradation of organophosphorus pollutants with transgenic cyanobacteria and that selection of high-expression transgenic colonies is important for genetic engineering of Anabaena and Nostoc species. For the first time, we established a gene transfer and expression system in an aggregating filamentous N2-fixing cyanobacterium. The genetic manipulation system of Nostoc muscorum FACHB244 could be utilized in the elimination of pollutants and large-scale production of valuable proteins or metabolites.
文摘The coaggregating behavior of the cationic kinetic probe P16;with different types of surfactants are in complete agreement with predictions based on the newly proposed ESAg concept.
文摘Marine fisheries in Kenya mainly comprise of the artisanal fishermen who use non-motorized boats. Competition of these dwindling resources has led to overfishing and degradation of coral reef ecosystems. One of the methods which have been used to enhance sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources is the use of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs). The study was conducted in two areas along the Kenyan coast which are: Msambweni in the southern part and Kuruwitu (Vipingo) in the northern part of the Kenyan coast. A combination of systematic site surveys: structured and semi structured interviews with key informants (community leaders and resource users);participant observations;descriptions of daily and seasonal time use;and analyses of secondary sources, such as fisheries records, was used to gather information and triangulate results. The perception of the community about FADs was determined by conducting a socio-economic survey before and after deploying FADs. Colonization and biomass survey around the deployed FADs was undertaken and fish associated with FADs was recorded. Results indicate that nine families of fish aggregated around FADs and at different distances. Catch and effort at FADs have been evaluated by monitoring catch data from fishers on daily basis after deployments.
基金Project 50674103 supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘The influence on fine particle aggregation and flotation behavior induced by high intensity conditioning(HIC) from saturated of the slurry with CO2 saturation was investigated.Bubble size measurements were conducted.The effect of dissolved gas,xanthate addition and agitation speed on fine sphalerite particle aggregation-and flotation-behavior were studied.The results show that during HIC in air or CO2 saturated water xanthate acts as a frother.The dissolved gas content in the pulp and HIC play a synergistic role in promoting fine particle aggregation and hence flotation;a significantly enhanced aggregation of fine sphalerite particles in a CO2 saturated slurry by HIC is observed.The aggregate size increased when the agitation speed was increased from 700 r/min to 1500 r/min.Increasing the HIC speed to 1500 r/min caused a positive impact on flotation kinetics.Further increasing the speed to 2000 r/min resulted in an adverse effect on flotation kinetics.
基金We thank the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The foundation of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (grant No. G2000078104 and No. G2000077502) for financial supports.
文摘The aggregating properties of Cz-C-n (n = 3, 6, 10) have been investigated by means of fluorescence method in DMSO-H2O binary solvent. The measured CAC and C F values indicate that the aggregating tendency of the amphiphilic compounds Cz-C-n containing crown ether increases with the length of alkyl chains, similar to that of carbazole compounds with long alkyl chains.
文摘At first sight, the choice of a socially best economic policy and the choice of an optimal engineering design seem to be quite separate issues. A closer look, however, shows that both approaches which aim at generating a (set of) best alternative(s) have much in common. We describe and characterize axiomatically an aggregation method that uses a set of evaluations that are arranged on a common scale. This scale establishes a common language, so to speak, which conforms to the criteria that are deemed relevant in order to compare various design options. Two conditions are able to characterize the proposed aggregation mechanism. One is a simple dominance requirement, and the other called cancellation independence makes use of the fact that for any pair of objects, rank differences of opposite sign can be reduced without changing the aggregate outcome of the ranking procedure. The proposed method has its origin in voting theory but may have the potential to prove useful in engineering design as well.
基金the Foundation of Key Laboratory of National Defense Science and Technology of Plasma Physics,China(No.9140C6806020707)the Foundation of China Academy of Engineering Physics(No.2007B08008)for the support.
文摘The aggregating process of particle suspension systems is a very universal phenomena and crucial for various processes both in nature and in industry.In this paper,the aggregating process was simulated with offlattice diffusion-limited cluster-cluster aggregation(DLCA)Monte Carlo programs.The self-similar fractal structures of aggregates have been clearly demonstrated by the statistical analysis of gyration radius distribution and the existence of a scaling distribution of the reduced cluster size.The fractal dimension determined from the relationship between mass and gyration radius of aggregates was 1.80 or so.The fractal dimension of the aggregates drawn from the radial distribution function and structure factor of a single aggregate is about 1.90-2.10.It was also showed that,along with the increasing of particle volume fraction,the fractal dimension will increase in a nearly square root manner,and the spatial range of the fractal structure appearing becomes narrower.Also,the gelation transition can only occur in a particle suspension system where the particle volume fraction is greater than a critical value.
文摘Protein aggregates,mitochondrial import stress and neurodegenerative disorders:A salient hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases,including Parkinson’s disease,is the abundance of protein aggregates(Goiran et al.,2022).This molecular event is believed to lead to activation of stress pathways ultimately resulting in cellular dysfunction(Eldeeb et al.,2022).Accordingly,many lines of research investigations focused on dampening the formation of protein aggregates or augmenting the clearance of protein aggregates as a potential therapeutic strategy to counteract the progression of neurodegenerative diseases,albeit with little success(Costa-Mattioli and Walter,2020).Cell stress cues such as the accumulation of protein aggregates lead to the activation of stress response pathways that aid cells in responding to the damage.Despite the notion that the transient activation of these pathways helps cells cope with stressors,persistent activation can induce unwanted apoptosis of cells and reduce overall tissue strength as well as lead to an accumulation of aggregation-prone proteins(Hetz and Papa,2018).Mutations in proteins involved in stress signaling termination can cause conditions like ataxia and early-onset dementia(Conroy et al.,2014).Therefore,it is crucial for stress response signaling to be turned off once conditions have improved.Nevertheless,the mechanisms by which cells silence these signals are still elusive.
文摘Amyloid protein aggregation plays a major role in multiple neurodegenerative diseases and is likely the primary driving force for the progression of most of these diseases.Multiple recent studies have highlighted that the DNAJ homolog subfamily B member 6(DNAJB6)chaperone is particularly interesting,when it comes to preventing amyloidogenic proteins from aggregating.It has been shown that DNAJB6 can prevent the aggregation of polyglutamine-expanded proteins in models of Huntington’s disease.Likewise,it can suppress aggregation ofα-synuclein in models of Parkinson’s disease and other synucleinopathies.Finally,it has been shown that DNAJB6 can block aggregation of multiple additional amyloid proteins involved in Alzheimer’s disease and other tauopathies as well.We believe there is yet much to learn about the protective role of DNAJB6 in the brain,but this focused review summarizes,what we know so far of this chaperone.It describes the biological role of DNAJB6 in the brain and its interaction with Hsp70,with particular emphasis on the studies that show its ability to prevent amyloid protein aggregation in vitro and in vivo.Moreover,recent work on dysregulation of the expression of DNAJB6 in brain clinical tissue is discussed.Finally,we discuss potential therapeutic perspectives as we believe this protein is a promising druggable target.
基金Funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(No.BK20220626)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52078068)+2 种基金Science and Technology Innovation Foundation of NIT(No.KCTD006)Jiangsu Marine Structure Service Performance Improvement Engineering Research CenterKey Laboratory of Jiangsu"Marine Floating Wind Power Technology and Equipment"。
文摘We investigated the effects of fly ash(FA)content on the mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete(RAC)and its regeneration potential under freeze and thaw(F-T)cycles.The physical properties of second-generation recycled concrete aggregates(RCA)were used to analyze the regeneration potential of RAC after F-T cycles.Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the interfacial transition zone microstructure of RAC after F-T cycles.Results showed that adding 20%FA to RAC significantly enhanced its mechanical properties and frost resistance.Before the F-T cycles,the compressive strength of RAC with 20%FA reached 48.3 MPa,exceeding research strength target of 40 MPa.A majority of second-generation RCA with FA had been verified to attain class Ⅲ,which enabled their practical application in non-structural projects such as backfill trenches and road pavement.However,the second-generation RCA with 20%FA can achieve class Ⅱ,making it ideal for 40 MPa structural concrete.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (42477044,32171648 and U23A2017)the Hubei Provincial Science and Technology Program,China (2025AFD451 and 2022CFB030)。
文摘Insight into the carbon turnover in soil aggregates and density fractions is essential for reducing the uncertainty in estimating carbon pools on the Tibetan Plateau,and how they vary with land use type is unclear.In this study,the effect of land use type on carbon storage and fractionation was quantified based on organic carbon and its ^(13)C abundance at the microscale of soil aggregates and density fractions in Tibetan alpine ecosystems.The sequence of soil aggregate destruction in the land use types of plantation(13.1%)<shrubland(32.7%)<grassland(47.9%)<farmland(61.8%)shows that plantations strengthen the soil structure.Plantation land had a greater contribution of light fraction organic carbon(28.3%)but a lower contribution of mineral-associated organic carbon(40.6%)to the carbon stock compared to farmland(13.5 and 70.3%).Interestingly,plantation land enhanced the aggregational differentiation of organic carbon and ^(13)C in each density fraction,whereas no such phenomenon existed in the soil organic carbon.Carbon isotope analyses revealed that carbon transfer in the plantation land occurred from the light fraction in macroaggregates(–24.9‰)to the mineral-associated fraction in microaggregates(–19.9‰).When compared to the other three land use types,the low transferability of carbon in aggregates and density fractions in plantation land provides a stable carbon pool for the Tibetan Plateau.This study shows that plantations can mitigate global climate change by slowing carbon transfer and increasing carbon storage at the microscale of aggregates and density fractions in alpine regions.
基金Funded by Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi(No.2025GXNSFBA069565)Guangxi Science and Technology Program(No.AD25069101)Guangxi Bagui Scholars Fund。
文摘Crushing waste coral concrete into recycled aggregates to create recycled coral aggregate concrete(RCAC)contributes to sustainable construction development on offshore islands and reefs.To investigate the impact of recycled coral aggregate on concrete properties,this study performed a comprehensive analysis of the physical properties of recycled coral aggregate and the basic mechanical properties and microstructure of RCAC.The test results indicate that,compared to coral debris,the crushing index of recycled coral aggregate was reduced by 9.4%,while porosity decreased by 33.5%.Furthermore,RCAC retained the early strength characteristics of coral concrete,with compressive strength and flexural strength exhibiting a notable increase as the water-cement ratio decreased.Under identical conditions,the compressive strength and flexural strength of RCAC were 12.7% and 2.5% higher than coral concrete's,respectively,with porosity correspondingly reduced from 3.13% to 5.11%.This enhancement could be attributed to the new mortar filling the recycled coral aggregate.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM)analysis revealed three distinct interface transition zones within RCAC,with the‘new mortar-old mortar’interface identified as the weakest.The above findings provided a reference for the sustainable use of coral concrete in constructing offshore islands.
基金supported by Science and Technology Project of China Southern Power Grid Company(036000KK52222007(GDKJXM20222121)).
文摘As renewable energy penetration continues to rise,enhancing power system flexibility has become a critical requirement.Photovoltaic–storage–charging stations(PSCSs)are key components for enhancing local regulation capability and promoting renewable integration.However,evaluating the adjustable capability of such hybrid stations while considering security constraints remains a major challenge.This paper first analyzes the adjustable capabilities of all the resources within such a station based on the power-energy boundary(PEB)model.Then,an optimal formulation is proposed to obtain the adjusted parameters of the aggregate feasible region(AFR)model,which embeds low-dimensional linear models within high-dimensional linear models to improve the accuracy.To solve this formulation,it is transformed using duality theory and an alternating optimization algorithm is designed to obtain the solution.Finally,a multi-station adjustable capability aggregation method considering security constraints is introduced.Simulation results verify that the proposed method effectively reduces infeasible regions and improves smoothness of aggregated boundaries,providing an accurate and practical tool for flexibility evaluation in PSCSs and offering guidance for aggregators and system planners.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021YFD1700204)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U21A20218 and 32372238)+1 种基金the Modern Agro-Industry Technology Research System of China(CARS-22-G-12)the“Innovation Star”Program of Graduate Students in 2025 of Gansu Province,China(2025CXZX-749)。
文摘Enhancing soil organic carbon(SOC)stocks is a key aspect of modern agriculture,but whether this can be achieved by incorporating legume green manure crops in cereal production to substitute synthetic N fertilizers is unknown.This study used a six-year(2017-2022)field study to explore the impacts of intercropping green manure with maize and reducing nitrogen fertilization on SOC stocks,while specifically focusing on the relationship between aggregate composition and carbon sequestration.Maize intercropped with common vetch(M/V),maize intercropped with rapeseed(M/R),and sole maize(M),were each tested at conventional(N2,360 kg ha^(-1))and reduced(N1,270 kg ha^(-1),25% reduced)N application rates.Soil was sampled in 2020,2021,and 2022.Compared with sole maize,intercropping with green manure(M/V and M/R)significantly increased SOC stocks which compensated for any negative effect due to the 25% reduction in N application.Based on 3-year averages,intercropping with M/V and M/R increased the SOC content compared to sole maize(M)by 12.1 and 9.1%,respectively,with intercropping further mitigating the negative impact of reduced nitrogen application.There was no significant difference between M/V and M/R.The SOC content at N1 was reduced by 9.3-10.5%compared to that at N2 in sole maize,but the differences in SOC stocks between N1 and N2 were not significant in the intercropping patterns(M/V and M/R).The intercropped M/V and M/R showed 20.9 and 16.3% higher SOC contents compared to sole maize at N1,with no differences at N2.Intercropping green manure led to a 5.3% greater SOC in the 0-20 cm depth soil in 2022 compared to that in 2020,due to the cumulative effect of two years of green manure intercropping.Intercropping green manure(M/V and M/R)increased the proportion of macroaggregates(>0.25 mm)and aggregate stability while reducing the proportion of microaggregates compared to sole maize under the N1 application.Structural equation modeling indicated that cropping patterns and nitrogen application levels mainly affect SOC indirectly by regulating the composition of macroaggregates and aggregate organic carbon(AOC).Correlation analysis further revealed that the composition of macroaggregates is significantly and positively correlated with the SOC content(R^(2)=0.64).In addition,intercropping green manure can maintain high crop yields by increasing SOC under reduced chemical nitrogen application.The results of this study show that intercropping green manure with grain crops can be a viable measure for increasing SOC sinks and maize productivity by optimizing the aggregate composition with reduced N application in the Hexi Oasis Irrigation Area.
基金supported by FWO(Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek),grant number G07562NFWO(to BB)。
文摘Neuroinflammation is a key process in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases,such as multiple sclerosis(MS),Alzheimer's disease,and traumatic brain injury.Even for disorders historically unrelated to neuroinflammation,such as Alzheimer's disease,it is now shown to precede pathological protein aggregations.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(Grant No.2022YFE0207300)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.22179142 and 22075314)+1 种基金Jiangsu Provincial Science and Technology Program(Grant No.BG 2024020).XPSWAXS and TOF-SIMS characterizations were supported by Nano-X(Vacuum Interconnected Nanotech Workstation,Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics,Chinese Academy of Sciences(SINANO),Suzhou 215123,China)。
文摘The practical application of lithium metal batteries(LMBs)requires electrolytes that simultaneously ensure high safety and interfacial stability.Although locally concentrated ionic liquid electrolytes(LCILEs)exhibit exceptional electrochemical stability and compatibility with electrode electrolyte interfaces(EEIs),two major challenges persist:(i)safety risks caused by excessive low-flash-point diluents,and(ii)insufficient understanding of how diluents modulate solvation structures.Herein,we introduce a low-diluent-content LCILE system composed of lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide(LiFSI)salt,N-methyl-N-propyl-pyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide(Pyr_(13)FSI)ionic liquid,and trifluoromethanesulfonate(TFS)diluent.The TFS diluent strengthens ion-ion interactions by lowering the dielectric constant of the electrolyte,resulting in the formation of a unique nanometric anion aggregates(N-AGGs)reinforced solvation structure.These large anionic clusters exhibit accelerated redox decomposition kinetics,facilitating the rapid formation of a thin,dense,and low-impedance EEI.Consequently,the Li/LiNi_(0.6)Co_(0.2)Mn_(0.2)O_(2)coin cell achieves 87.8%capacity retention over 300 cycles at 4.3 V,while a practical 1.4 Ah Li/NCM622 pouch cell retains 84.5%capacity after 80 cycles at 4.5 V.Furthermore,the electrolyte demonstrates exceptional safety,and 2 Ah Li metal pouch cells successfully pass rigorous nail penetration tests without any ignition or explosion.This work not only provides a design strategy for intrinsically safe and high-performance electrolytes but also highlights the critical role of anion cluster decomposition kinetics in shaping EEI formation.
基金supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft(DFG,German Research Foundation)grant LU 2347/3-1(to PL).
文摘Autophagy is well-known for delivering cargo materials to lysosomes for proteolytic digestion.Recently,autophagy has emerged as a key mechanism in unconventional protein secretion(UPS).This perspective introduces unconventional secretion pathways,focusing on secretory autophagy and its role in secreting protein aggregates associated with neurodegenerative disorders.We also explore additional neuronal functions of secretory autophagy beyond the release of protein aggregates.We propose autophagosomes as transport organelles that deliver cargo material directly from the endoplasmatic reticulum(ER)to the plasma membrane rather than solely to lysosomes.
