Background Major depressive disorder(MDD),characterised by persistent anhedonia and elevated suicide risk,represents a global mental health challenge.Recent studies suggest a link between gut-brain axis dysfunction an...Background Major depressive disorder(MDD),characterised by persistent anhedonia and elevated suicide risk,represents a global mental health challenge.Recent studies suggest a link between gut-brain axis dysfunction and depression.The natural compound paeoniflorin demonstrates clinically relevant antidepressant effects,yet its underlying neurobiological mechanisms remain elusive.Aims This study aims to examine how paeoniflorin alleviates depression-like behaviours in rats subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)by modulating the function of gut-brain axis,and explore the connections between gut microbiota,metabolites and MDD.Methods Depression-like behaviours in rats were induced by CUMS,and the antidepressant effect of paeoniflorin was assessed using behavioural tests.The composition and function of the intestinal microbiota were analysed using 16S rRNA sequencing,and metabolomic analysis was performed on serum,hippocampus,jejunum and faecal samples.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to detect the levels of inflammatory factors and cortisol,as well as the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the jejunum of rats after cohousing.Long-term potentiation assays and Golgi staining were used to detect dendritic spine density and synaptic plasticity,respectively.Results Paeoniflorin significantly alleviated depression-like behaviours and cognitive deficits in CUMS rats.16S rRNA sequencing revealed that paeoniflorin improved the abundance and diversity of the gut microbiota in CUMS rats.Enrichment of differential metabolites in the brain,intestine,faeces and serum revealed a primary accumulation in the amino acid metabolism pathway.We further observed a correlation between the relative abundance of microbial communities and metabolites.Cohousing experiments verified that microbial metabolites of paeoniflorin can reduce neuroinflammation and improve synaptic plasticity.Conclusions Disruptions in gut microbiota and its metabolites impair gut-brain interactions.Paeoniflorin’s neuroprotective and antidepressant effects are mediated through the modulation of the function of the gut-brain axis.展开更多
To the editor:Adverse home environments(AHE),characterised by family conflict,parental separation or dysfunctional parenting,are linked to negative mental health outcomes in children and adults.12 AHE disproportionate...To the editor:Adverse home environments(AHE),characterised by family conflict,parental separation or dysfunctional parenting,are linked to negative mental health outcomes in children and adults.12 AHE disproportionately affect children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD),which is characterised by inattention,hyperactivity/impulsivity and functional impairments.3 Apart from core symptoms,including inattention and hyperactivity,disruptive behaviour disorders(DBD),such as oppositional defiant disorder(ODD)and conduct disorder(CD),may be associated with AHE.Conduct problems are risk factors for ODD.And CD has become a main concern for childhood mental health.展开更多
Minor errors in the spoil deposition process,such as placing stronger materials with higher shear strength over weaker ones,can lead to potential dump failure.Irregular deposition and inadequate compaction complicate ...Minor errors in the spoil deposition process,such as placing stronger materials with higher shear strength over weaker ones,can lead to potential dump failure.Irregular deposition and inadequate compaction complicate coal spoil behaviour,neces-sitating a robust methodology for temporal monitoring.This study explores using unmanned aerial vehicles(UAV)equipped with red-green-blue(RGB)sensors for efficient data acquisition.Despite their prevalence,raw UAV data exhibit temporal inconsistency,hindering accurate assessments of changes over time which could be attributed to radiometric errors.To this end,the study introduces an empirical line calibration with invariant targets(ELC-IT),for precise calibration across diverse scenes,particularly in the context of UAV imagery used to monitor the evolving nature of spoil dumps.To evaluate the effec-tiveness of this calibration approach,accuracy assessment of an object-based classification is conducted on both calibrated and uncalibrated data.This classification involves several steps:performing segmentation,carrying out feature extraction,and integrating the extracted features and ground truth labels collected over the time period of UAV image capture into machine learning pipelines.Calibrated RGB data exhibit a substantial performance advantage,achieving a 90.7%overall accuracy for spoil pile classification using ensemble(subspace discriminant),representing a noteworthy 7%improvement compared to classifying uncalibrated data.The study highlights the critical role of data calibration in optimising UAV effectiveness for spatio-temporal mine dump monitoring.These findings play a crucial role in informing and refining sustainable management practices within the domain of mine waste management.展开更多
The 'Industry 4.0' era is characterised by a series of new digital technologies, which affect every link of the vertical value chain and are the important driving force of world change. Digitalisation creates ...The 'Industry 4.0' era is characterised by a series of new digital technologies, which affect every link of the vertical value chain and are the important driving force of world change. Digitalisation creates new jobs for people and creates more value for businesses.展开更多
Laser scanning can provide timely assessments of mine sites despite adverse challenges in the operational environment.Although there are several published articles on laser scanning,there is a need to review them in t...Laser scanning can provide timely assessments of mine sites despite adverse challenges in the operational environment.Although there are several published articles on laser scanning,there is a need to review them in the context of underground mining applications.To this end,a holistic review of laser scanning is presented including progress in 3D scanning systems,data capture/processing techniques and primary applications in underground mines.Laser scanning technology has advanced significantly in terms of mobility and mapping,but there are constraints in coherent and consistent data collection at certain mines due to feature deficiency,dynamics,and environmental influences such as dust and water.Studies suggest that laser scanning has matured over the years for change detection,clearance measurements and structure mapping applications.However,there is scope for improvements in lithology identification,surface parameter measurements,logistic tracking and autonomous navigation.Laser scanning has the potential to provide real-time solutions but the lack of infrastructure in underground mines for data transfer,geodetic networking and processing capacity remain limiting factors.Nevertheless,laser scanners are becoming an integral part of mine automation thanks to their affordability,accuracy and mobility,which should support their widespread usage in years to come.展开更多
Overhanging rock slopes(steeper than 90°) are typically avoided in rock engineering design, particularly where the scale of the slope exceeds the scale of fracturing present in the rock mass. This paper highlight...Overhanging rock slopes(steeper than 90°) are typically avoided in rock engineering design, particularly where the scale of the slope exceeds the scale of fracturing present in the rock mass. This paper highlights an integrated approach of designing overhanging rock slopes where the relative dimensions of the slope exceed the scale of fracturing and the rock mass failure needs to be considered rather than kinematic release of individual blocks. The key to the method is a simplified limit equilibrium(LE) tool that was used for the support design and analysis of a multi-faceted overhanging rock slope. The overhanging slopes required complex geometries with constantly changing orientations. The overhanging rock varied in height from 30 m to 66 m. Geomechanical modelling combined with discrete fracture network(DFN)representation of the rock mass was used to validate the rock mass strength assumptions and the failure mechanism assumed in the LE model. The advantage of the simplified LE method is that buttress and support design iterations(along with sensitivity analysis of design parameters) can be completed for various cross-sections along the proposed overhanging rock sections in an efficient manner, compared to the more time-intensive, sophisticated methods that were used for the initial validation. The method described presents the development of this design tool and assumptions made for a specific overhanging rock slope design. Other locations will have different geological conditions that can control the potential behaviour of rock slopes, however, the approach presented can be applied as a general guiding design principle for overhanging rock cut slope.展开更多
C-type lysozyme genes （Lyzls） belong to the class of lysozymes and are highly expressed in the testis and epididymis. The members Lyzl4 and Spaca3 have been reported to play a role in sperm-egg binding and fertilisa...C-type lysozyme genes （Lyzls） belong to the class of lysozymes and are highly expressed in the testis and epididymis. The members Lyzl4 and Spaca3 have been reported to play a role in sperm-egg binding and fertilisation in mice. However, the function of the remaining two mouse c-type lysozyme genes, Lyzll and Lyzl6, is still not clear. In the present study, we analysed the tissue expression and androgen-dependent expression of mouse c-type lysozyme genes and the possible contribution of human recombinant LYZL6 （rLYZL6） to immunity. The expression of Lyzlswas detected by RT-PCR, Western blots, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. The bacteriolytic activity of rLYZL6 was analysed by a colony-forming assay. In mice, the expression of Lyzlgenes was mainly in the testis and epididymis in a developmentally regulated manner and androgen- or testicular factor-regulated manner. Immunodetection revealed the presence of LYZL6 protein in primary spermatocytes and round spermatids of the testis and on the post-acrosomal area and midpiece of mature epididymal spermatozoa. The rLYZL6 protein exhibited antibacterial activity. From the results, Lyzls may play a role in mitochondrial function of spermatozoa and LYZL6 may contribute to the innate immunity of the male genital tract.展开更多
C1 chemistrymainly involves the catalytic transformation of C1molecules(i.e.,CO,CO2,CH4 and CH3OH),which usually encounters thermodynamic and/or kinetic limitations.To address these limitations,non-thermal plasma(NTP)...C1 chemistrymainly involves the catalytic transformation of C1molecules(i.e.,CO,CO2,CH4 and CH3OH),which usually encounters thermodynamic and/or kinetic limitations.To address these limitations,non-thermal plasma(NTP)activated heterogeneous catalysis offers a number of advantages,such as relatively mild reaction conditions and energy efficiency,in comparison to the conventional thermal catalysis.This review presents the state-of-the-art for the application of NTP-catalysis towards C1 chemistry,including the CO2 hydrogenation,reforming of CH4 and CH3OH,and water-gas shift(WGS)reaction.In the hybrid NTP-catalyst system,the plasma-catalyst interactions aremultifaceted.Accordingly,this reviewalso includes a brief discussion on the fundamental research into themechanisms of NTP activated catalytic C1 chemistry,such as the advanced characterisation methods(e.g.,in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy,DRIFTS),temperatureprogrammed plasma surface reaction(TPPSR),kinetic studies.Finally,prospects for the future research on the development of tailor-made catalysts for NTP-catalysis systems(which will enable the further understanding of its mechanism)and the translation of the hybrid technique to practical applications of catalytic C1 chemistry are discussed.展开更多
Novel applications of nanotechnology may lead to the release of engineered nanoparticles（ENPs）, which result in concerns over their potential environmental hazardous impact. It is essential for the research workers ...Novel applications of nanotechnology may lead to the release of engineered nanoparticles（ENPs）, which result in concerns over their potential environmental hazardous impact. It is essential for the research workers to be able to quantitatively characterise ENPs in the environment and subsequently to assist the risk assessment of the ENPs. This study hence explored the application of nanoparticle tracking system（NTA） to quantitatively describe the behaviour of the ENPs in natural sediment-water systems. The NTA allows the measurement of both particle number concentration（PNC） and particle size distribution（PSD） of the ENPs. The developed NTA method was applied to a range of gold and magnetite ENPs with a selection of surface properties. The results showed that the positively-charged ENPs interacted more strongly with the sediment than neutral and negatively-charged ENPs. It was also found that the citrate coated Au ENPs had a higher distribution percentage（53%） than 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid coated Au ENPs（20%） and citrate coated magnetite ENPs（21%）. The principles of the electrostatic interactions between hard（and soft） acids and bases（HSAB） are used to explain such behaviours; the hard base coating（i.e. citrate ions） will interact more strongly with hard acid（i.e. magnetite） than soft acid（i.e. gold）.The results indicate that NTA is a complementary method to existing approaches to characterise the fate and behaviour of ENPs in natural sediment.展开更多
The. objectives.of this study are to convert at laboratory s.cale agric.ultural residues into activated carbons （AC） with specific properties, to characterize them and to test them in adsorption reactor for tetracyc...The. objectives.of this study are to convert at laboratory s.cale agric.ultural residues into activated carbons （AC） with specific properties, to characterize them and to test them in adsorption reactor for tetracycline removal, a common antibiotic. Two new ACs were produced by direct activation with steam from beet pulp （BP-H2O） and peanut hu_lls （PH-H2O） in environmental friendly conditions BP-H2O and PH-H2Opresentcarbon content rangedcarbons with different intrinsic properties.展开更多
Flexible strip supercapacitors are developed and their electrochemical properties are characterized. Activated carbon is used as the electrode material and it is found to have a good porous structure which provides a ...Flexible strip supercapacitors are developed and their electrochemical properties are characterized. Activated carbon is used as the electrode material and it is found to have a good porous structure which provides a large surface area for energy storage.Furthermore, this activated carbon performs well. The manufacturing processes for the supercapacitors are described in detail and the preparation process has good reproducibility. The strip supercapacitors are combined in series and parallel to measure their electrical properties. The performances of these two samples in series or in parallel both follow the theoretical models. The electrochemical potential window of a series circuit of these two strip supercapacitors is 4.8 V. The energy and power of the series or parallel circuits are equal to the sums of the two strip supercapacitors.展开更多
The feasibility of durian tree sawdust (DTS), coconut coir (CC) and oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) as low-cost biosorbents for the removal of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) ions from aqueous solutions was investigated. T...The feasibility of durian tree sawdust (DTS), coconut coir (CC) and oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) as low-cost biosorbents for the removal of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) ions from aqueous solutions was investigated. The effects of solution pH and initial metal concentration on adsorption capacity were examined in batch experiments. The affinity and the adsorption capacity of DTS, CC and EFB were evaluated. The adsorption behaviour of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) ions onto DTS, CC and EFB was described using Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. The separation factor (RL) analysis suggests that the removal of metal ions onto three agricultural wastes studied was favourable. The maximum adsorption capacities (Q) estimated from the Langmuir isotherm model for Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) were 18.42, 20.37 and 22.78 mg/g for DTS, 18.38, 37.04 and 24.39 mg/g for CC, and 26.95, 37.59 and 21.19 mg/g for EFB, respectively. The characterisation studies were carried out using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (EDX) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR). The surface morphology of the biosorbents changed significantly following interaction with metal ions. The primary adsorption mechanism was complexation between metal ions and binding sites of biosorbents. Both hydroxyl and amine groups are the main binding sites in DTS, CC and EFB.展开更多
The development of a pseudo-one pot synthesis of 3（5）,4-dinitropyrazole enabled us to use it as a starting material for energetic plasticisers. Its acidic proton allowed simple derivatisation on one of the ring nitr...The development of a pseudo-one pot synthesis of 3（5）,4-dinitropyrazole enabled us to use it as a starting material for energetic plasticisers. Its acidic proton allowed simple derivatisation on one of the ring nitrogens. The thermal characteristics of two derivatives were evaluated. For instance, the N-allyl compound was a liquid with very low glass transition temperature, whereas the N-propargyl compound was a sticky solid at ambient temperature. The two compounds were both thermally stable according to STANAG 4582.展开更多
This study is done with the aim to bring together the various antimicrobial peptides that are present in the crustacean hemolymph and their sources along with its characteristics.Invertebrates lack immune systems that...This study is done with the aim to bring together the various antimicrobial peptides that are present in the crustacean hemolymph and their sources along with its characteristics.Invertebrates lack immune systems that involve antigen-antibody reactions and do not have an immune memory, therefore most invertebrate species show no evidence of acquired immunity.Crustaceans possess an open circulatory system, where nutrients, oxygen, hormones, and cells are distributed in the hemolymph. They lack adaptive immune system and rely exclusively on their innate immune mechanisms that include both cellular and humoral responses. Antimicrobial peptides and proteins form an important means of host defense in eukaryotes. In addition to their role as endogenous antibiotics, antimicrobial peptides have functions in inflammation,wound repair and regulation of the adaptive immune system. Over the past several years, many antimicrobial peptides have been found and characterized in crabs.展开更多
The efficacy of coconut tree sawdust (CTS), eggshell (ES) and sugarcane bagasse (SB) as alternative low-cost biosorbents for the removal of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) ions from aqueous solutions was investigated. Batch...The efficacy of coconut tree sawdust (CTS), eggshell (ES) and sugarcane bagasse (SB) as alternative low-cost biosorbents for the removal of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) ions from aqueous solutions was investigated. Batch adsorption studies were carried out to evaluate the effects of solution pH and initial metal concentration on adsorption capacity. The optimum biosorption condition was found at pH 6.0, 0.1 g biomass dosage and at 90 min equilibrium time. The adsorption data were fitted to the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. The adsorption capacity and affinity of CTS, ES and SB were evaluated. The Freundlich constant (n) and separation factor (RL) values suggest that the metal ions were favourably adsorbed onto biosorbents. The maximum adsorption capacities (Q) estimated from the Langmuir isotherm model for Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) were 3.89, 25.00 and 23.81 mg/g for CTS, 34.48, 90.90 and 35.71 mg/g for ES, and 3.65, 21.28 and 40.00 mg/g for SB, respectively. The characterisation studies were performed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (EDX) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR). Interaction with metal ions led to the formation of discrete aggregates on the biosorbents surface. The metal ions bound to the active sites of the biosorbents through either electrostatic attraction or complexation mechanism.展开更多
Nanocomposite hydrogels are the combination of known components that are a hydrogel and nanometre-sized fillers,typically leading to improved mechanical properties or new functionalities.With simplicity of design and ...Nanocomposite hydrogels are the combination of known components that are a hydrogel and nanometre-sized fillers,typically leading to improved mechanical properties or new functionalities.With simplicity of design and ease of synthesis,recent advances have highlighted that this family of hydrogels holds the significant promise of application in diverse biomedical and engineering fields.The elaborate design and investigation as well as suitable application of nanocomposite hydrogels require the synergy of mechanics,materials science,engineering,and biology.Despite similarities in design and fabrication,the data of mechanical properties for nanocomposite hydrogels scatter in a large space.It is worthwhile comparing various nanocomposite hydrogels for similarities and differences in mechanical properties to aid in designing novel hydrogels with extreme properties,and guide practical applications.This review aims to fill,in the literature,the missing gap of addressing mechanical measurement methods and comparison of mechanical properties in this ever-evolving broad area of research.Finally,the challenges and future research opportunities are highlighted.展开更多
Throughout the SMILE mission the satellite will be bombarded by radiation which gradually damages the focal plane devices and degrades their performance.In order to understand the changes of the CCD370s within the sof...Throughout the SMILE mission the satellite will be bombarded by radiation which gradually damages the focal plane devices and degrades their performance.In order to understand the changes of the CCD370s within the soft X-ray Imager,an initial characterisation of the devices has been carried out to give a baseline performance level.Three CCDs have been characterised,the two flight devices and the flight spa re.This has been carried out at the Open University in a bespo ke cleanroom measure ment facility.The results show that there is a cluster of bright pixels in the flight spa re which increases in size with tempe rature.However at the nominal ope rating tempe rature(-120℃) it is within the procure ment specifications.Overall,the devices meet the specifications when ope rating at -120℃ in 6 × 6 binned frame transfer science mode.The se rial charge transfer inefficiency degrades with temperature in full frame mode.However any charge losses are recovered when binning/frame transfer is implemented.展开更多
Isotropy in microstructure and mechanical properties remains a challenge for laser powder bed fusion(LPBF)processed materials due to the epitaxial growth and rapid cooling in LPBF.In this study,a high-strength TiB_(2)...Isotropy in microstructure and mechanical properties remains a challenge for laser powder bed fusion(LPBF)processed materials due to the epitaxial growth and rapid cooling in LPBF.In this study,a high-strength TiB_(2)/Al-Cu composite with random texture was successfully fabricated by laser powder bed fusion(LPBF)using pre-doped TiB_(2)/Al-Cu composite powder.A series of advanced characterisation techniques,including synchrotron X-ray tomography,correlative focussed ion beam-scanning electron microscopy(FIB-SEM),scanning transmission electron microscopy(STEM),and synchrotron in situ X-ray diffraction,were applied to investigate the defects and microstructure of the as-fabricated TiB_(2)/Al-Cu composite across multiple length scales.The study showed ultra-fine grains with an average grain size of about 0.86μm,and a random texture was formed in the as-fabricated condition due to rapid solidification and the TiB_(2)particles promoting heterogeneous nucleation.The yield strength and total elongation of the as-fabricated composite were 317 MPa and 10%,respectively.The contributions of fine grains,solid solutions,dislocations,particles,and Guinier-Preston(GP)zones were calculated.Failure was found to be initiated from the largest lack-of-fusion pore,as revealed by in situ synchrotron tomography during tensile loading.In situ synchrotron diffraction was used to characterise the lattice strain evolution during tensile loading,providing important data for the development of crystal-plasticity models.展开更多
Thermal plasma technology provides a stable and long term treatment of mixed wastes through vitrification processes. In this work, a transferred plasma system was realized to vitrify mixed wastes, taking advantage of ...Thermal plasma technology provides a stable and long term treatment of mixed wastes through vitrification processes. In this work, a transferred plasma system was realized to vitrify mixed wastes, taking advantage of its high power density, enthalpy and chemical reactivity as well as its rapid quenching and high operation temperatures. To characterize the plasma discharge, a temperature diagnostic is realized by means of optical emission spectroscopy （OES）. To typify the morphological structure of the wastes samples~ scan- ning electron microscopy （SEM）, and X-ray diffraction （XRD） techniques were applied before and after the plasma treatment.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No 82305144)the Jiangsu Provincial Natural Science Foundation Project for Universities(No 23KJB360004)the National Natural Science Foundation Supporting Project of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine(No XPT82305144).
文摘Background Major depressive disorder(MDD),characterised by persistent anhedonia and elevated suicide risk,represents a global mental health challenge.Recent studies suggest a link between gut-brain axis dysfunction and depression.The natural compound paeoniflorin demonstrates clinically relevant antidepressant effects,yet its underlying neurobiological mechanisms remain elusive.Aims This study aims to examine how paeoniflorin alleviates depression-like behaviours in rats subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)by modulating the function of gut-brain axis,and explore the connections between gut microbiota,metabolites and MDD.Methods Depression-like behaviours in rats were induced by CUMS,and the antidepressant effect of paeoniflorin was assessed using behavioural tests.The composition and function of the intestinal microbiota were analysed using 16S rRNA sequencing,and metabolomic analysis was performed on serum,hippocampus,jejunum and faecal samples.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to detect the levels of inflammatory factors and cortisol,as well as the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the jejunum of rats after cohousing.Long-term potentiation assays and Golgi staining were used to detect dendritic spine density and synaptic plasticity,respectively.Results Paeoniflorin significantly alleviated depression-like behaviours and cognitive deficits in CUMS rats.16S rRNA sequencing revealed that paeoniflorin improved the abundance and diversity of the gut microbiota in CUMS rats.Enrichment of differential metabolites in the brain,intestine,faeces and serum revealed a primary accumulation in the amino acid metabolism pathway.We further observed a correlation between the relative abundance of microbial communities and metabolites.Cohousing experiments verified that microbial metabolites of paeoniflorin can reduce neuroinflammation and improve synaptic plasticity.Conclusions Disruptions in gut microbiota and its metabolites impair gut-brain interactions.Paeoniflorin’s neuroprotective and antidepressant effects are mediated through the modulation of the function of the gut-brain axis.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation Youth Project (81901386)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (YG2025ZD07)+5 种基金the National Science and Technology Innovation 2030 Major Project of China (2021ZD0203900)National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) grant (82422029)the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (24Y22800200, 22QA1407900)NSFC grant (82271530)Innovation teams of high-level universities in Shanghaithe Scientific Research and Innovation Team of Liaoning Normal University (24TD004).
文摘To the editor:Adverse home environments(AHE),characterised by family conflict,parental separation or dysfunctional parenting,are linked to negative mental health outcomes in children and adults.12 AHE disproportionately affect children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD),which is characterised by inattention,hyperactivity/impulsivity and functional impairments.3 Apart from core symptoms,including inattention and hyperactivity,disruptive behaviour disorders(DBD),such as oppositional defiant disorder(ODD)and conduct disorder(CD),may be associated with AHE.Conduct problems are risk factors for ODD.And CD has become a main concern for childhood mental health.
基金supported by the Australian Coal Industry's Research Program(ACARP)(C29048).
文摘Minor errors in the spoil deposition process,such as placing stronger materials with higher shear strength over weaker ones,can lead to potential dump failure.Irregular deposition and inadequate compaction complicate coal spoil behaviour,neces-sitating a robust methodology for temporal monitoring.This study explores using unmanned aerial vehicles(UAV)equipped with red-green-blue(RGB)sensors for efficient data acquisition.Despite their prevalence,raw UAV data exhibit temporal inconsistency,hindering accurate assessments of changes over time which could be attributed to radiometric errors.To this end,the study introduces an empirical line calibration with invariant targets(ELC-IT),for precise calibration across diverse scenes,particularly in the context of UAV imagery used to monitor the evolving nature of spoil dumps.To evaluate the effec-tiveness of this calibration approach,accuracy assessment of an object-based classification is conducted on both calibrated and uncalibrated data.This classification involves several steps:performing segmentation,carrying out feature extraction,and integrating the extracted features and ground truth labels collected over the time period of UAV image capture into machine learning pipelines.Calibrated RGB data exhibit a substantial performance advantage,achieving a 90.7%overall accuracy for spoil pile classification using ensemble(subspace discriminant),representing a noteworthy 7%improvement compared to classifying uncalibrated data.The study highlights the critical role of data calibration in optimising UAV effectiveness for spatio-temporal mine dump monitoring.These findings play a crucial role in informing and refining sustainable management practices within the domain of mine waste management.
文摘The 'Industry 4.0' era is characterised by a series of new digital technologies, which affect every link of the vertical value chain and are the important driving force of world change. Digitalisation creates new jobs for people and creates more value for businesses.
基金the Australian Coal Industry’s Research Program(ACARP)(Project No.C27057).
文摘Laser scanning can provide timely assessments of mine sites despite adverse challenges in the operational environment.Although there are several published articles on laser scanning,there is a need to review them in the context of underground mining applications.To this end,a holistic review of laser scanning is presented including progress in 3D scanning systems,data capture/processing techniques and primary applications in underground mines.Laser scanning technology has advanced significantly in terms of mobility and mapping,but there are constraints in coherent and consistent data collection at certain mines due to feature deficiency,dynamics,and environmental influences such as dust and water.Studies suggest that laser scanning has matured over the years for change detection,clearance measurements and structure mapping applications.However,there is scope for improvements in lithology identification,surface parameter measurements,logistic tracking and autonomous navigation.Laser scanning has the potential to provide real-time solutions but the lack of infrastructure in underground mines for data transfer,geodetic networking and processing capacity remain limiting factors.Nevertheless,laser scanners are becoming an integral part of mine automation thanks to their affordability,accuracy and mobility,which should support their widespread usage in years to come.
文摘Overhanging rock slopes(steeper than 90°) are typically avoided in rock engineering design, particularly where the scale of the slope exceeds the scale of fracturing present in the rock mass. This paper highlights an integrated approach of designing overhanging rock slopes where the relative dimensions of the slope exceed the scale of fracturing and the rock mass failure needs to be considered rather than kinematic release of individual blocks. The key to the method is a simplified limit equilibrium(LE) tool that was used for the support design and analysis of a multi-faceted overhanging rock slope. The overhanging slopes required complex geometries with constantly changing orientations. The overhanging rock varied in height from 30 m to 66 m. Geomechanical modelling combined with discrete fracture network(DFN)representation of the rock mass was used to validate the rock mass strength assumptions and the failure mechanism assumed in the LE model. The advantage of the simplified LE method is that buttress and support design iterations(along with sensitivity analysis of design parameters) can be completed for various cross-sections along the proposed overhanging rock sections in an efficient manner, compared to the more time-intensive, sophisticated methods that were used for the initial validation. The method described presents the development of this design tool and assumptions made for a specific overhanging rock slope design. Other locations will have different geological conditions that can control the potential behaviour of rock slopes, however, the approach presented can be applied as a general guiding design principle for overhanging rock cut slope.
基金This research was financially supported by the grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China （No. 31071262） and the Shandong Science and Technology Department （No. 032050102）.
文摘C-type lysozyme genes （Lyzls） belong to the class of lysozymes and are highly expressed in the testis and epididymis. The members Lyzl4 and Spaca3 have been reported to play a role in sperm-egg binding and fertilisation in mice. However, the function of the remaining two mouse c-type lysozyme genes, Lyzll and Lyzl6, is still not clear. In the present study, we analysed the tissue expression and androgen-dependent expression of mouse c-type lysozyme genes and the possible contribution of human recombinant LYZL6 （rLYZL6） to immunity. The expression of Lyzlswas detected by RT-PCR, Western blots, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. The bacteriolytic activity of rLYZL6 was analysed by a colony-forming assay. In mice, the expression of Lyzlgenes was mainly in the testis and epididymis in a developmentally regulated manner and androgen- or testicular factor-regulated manner. Immunodetection revealed the presence of LYZL6 protein in primary spermatocytes and round spermatids of the testis and on the post-acrosomal area and midpiece of mature epididymal spermatozoa. The rLYZL6 protein exhibited antibacterial activity. From the results, Lyzls may play a role in mitochondrial function of spermatozoa and LYZL6 may contribute to the innate immunity of the male genital tract.
基金the financial support from the Jiangsu Specially-Appointed Professors Program and the European Commission under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship(H2020-MSCA-IFNTPleasure-748196).
文摘C1 chemistrymainly involves the catalytic transformation of C1molecules(i.e.,CO,CO2,CH4 and CH3OH),which usually encounters thermodynamic and/or kinetic limitations.To address these limitations,non-thermal plasma(NTP)activated heterogeneous catalysis offers a number of advantages,such as relatively mild reaction conditions and energy efficiency,in comparison to the conventional thermal catalysis.This review presents the state-of-the-art for the application of NTP-catalysis towards C1 chemistry,including the CO2 hydrogenation,reforming of CH4 and CH3OH,and water-gas shift(WGS)reaction.In the hybrid NTP-catalyst system,the plasma-catalyst interactions aremultifaceted.Accordingly,this reviewalso includes a brief discussion on the fundamental research into themechanisms of NTP activated catalytic C1 chemistry,such as the advanced characterisation methods(e.g.,in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy,DRIFTS),temperatureprogrammed plasma surface reaction(TPPSR),kinetic studies.Finally,prospects for the future research on the development of tailor-made catalysts for NTP-catalysis systems(which will enable the further understanding of its mechanism)and the translation of the hybrid technique to practical applications of catalytic C1 chemistry are discussed.
基金CEFIC LRI,Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(No.BK20130186)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(No.2013QNA18)for funding this project
文摘Novel applications of nanotechnology may lead to the release of engineered nanoparticles（ENPs）, which result in concerns over their potential environmental hazardous impact. It is essential for the research workers to be able to quantitatively characterise ENPs in the environment and subsequently to assist the risk assessment of the ENPs. This study hence explored the application of nanoparticle tracking system（NTA） to quantitatively describe the behaviour of the ENPs in natural sediment-water systems. The NTA allows the measurement of both particle number concentration（PNC） and particle size distribution（PSD） of the ENPs. The developed NTA method was applied to a range of gold and magnetite ENPs with a selection of surface properties. The results showed that the positively-charged ENPs interacted more strongly with the sediment than neutral and negatively-charged ENPs. It was also found that the citrate coated Au ENPs had a higher distribution percentage（53%） than 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid coated Au ENPs（20%） and citrate coated magnetite ENPs（21%）. The principles of the electrostatic interactions between hard（and soft） acids and bases（HSAB） are used to explain such behaviours; the hard base coating（i.e. citrate ions） will interact more strongly with hard acid（i.e. magnetite） than soft acid（i.e. gold）.The results indicate that NTA is a complementary method to existing approaches to characterise the fate and behaviour of ENPs in natural sediment.
文摘The. objectives.of this study are to convert at laboratory s.cale agric.ultural residues into activated carbons （AC） with specific properties, to characterize them and to test them in adsorption reactor for tetracycline removal, a common antibiotic. Two new ACs were produced by direct activation with steam from beet pulp （BP-H2O） and peanut hu_lls （PH-H2O） in environmental friendly conditions BP-H2O and PH-H2Opresentcarbon content rangedcarbons with different intrinsic properties.
基金supported by European Union Seventh Framework Programme(FP7/2007-2013)(No.81063)
文摘Flexible strip supercapacitors are developed and their electrochemical properties are characterized. Activated carbon is used as the electrode material and it is found to have a good porous structure which provides a large surface area for energy storage.Furthermore, this activated carbon performs well. The manufacturing processes for the supercapacitors are described in detail and the preparation process has good reproducibility. The strip supercapacitors are combined in series and parallel to measure their electrical properties. The performances of these two samples in series or in parallel both follow the theoretical models. The electrochemical potential window of a series circuit of these two strip supercapacitors is 4.8 V. The energy and power of the series or parallel circuits are equal to the sums of the two strip supercapacitors.
文摘The feasibility of durian tree sawdust (DTS), coconut coir (CC) and oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) as low-cost biosorbents for the removal of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) ions from aqueous solutions was investigated. The effects of solution pH and initial metal concentration on adsorption capacity were examined in batch experiments. The affinity and the adsorption capacity of DTS, CC and EFB were evaluated. The adsorption behaviour of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) ions onto DTS, CC and EFB was described using Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. The separation factor (RL) analysis suggests that the removal of metal ions onto three agricultural wastes studied was favourable. The maximum adsorption capacities (Q) estimated from the Langmuir isotherm model for Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) were 18.42, 20.37 and 22.78 mg/g for DTS, 18.38, 37.04 and 24.39 mg/g for CC, and 26.95, 37.59 and 21.19 mg/g for EFB, respectively. The characterisation studies were carried out using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (EDX) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR). The surface morphology of the biosorbents changed significantly following interaction with metal ions. The primary adsorption mechanism was complexation between metal ions and binding sites of biosorbents. Both hydroxyl and amine groups are the main binding sites in DTS, CC and EFB.
文摘The development of a pseudo-one pot synthesis of 3（5）,4-dinitropyrazole enabled us to use it as a starting material for energetic plasticisers. Its acidic proton allowed simple derivatisation on one of the ring nitrogens. The thermal characteristics of two derivatives were evaluated. For instance, the N-allyl compound was a liquid with very low glass transition temperature, whereas the N-propargyl compound was a sticky solid at ambient temperature. The two compounds were both thermally stable according to STANAG 4582.
基金financially supported by University Grants Commission,Government of India
文摘This study is done with the aim to bring together the various antimicrobial peptides that are present in the crustacean hemolymph and their sources along with its characteristics.Invertebrates lack immune systems that involve antigen-antibody reactions and do not have an immune memory, therefore most invertebrate species show no evidence of acquired immunity.Crustaceans possess an open circulatory system, where nutrients, oxygen, hormones, and cells are distributed in the hemolymph. They lack adaptive immune system and rely exclusively on their innate immune mechanisms that include both cellular and humoral responses. Antimicrobial peptides and proteins form an important means of host defense in eukaryotes. In addition to their role as endogenous antibiotics, antimicrobial peptides have functions in inflammation,wound repair and regulation of the adaptive immune system. Over the past several years, many antimicrobial peptides have been found and characterized in crabs.
文摘The efficacy of coconut tree sawdust (CTS), eggshell (ES) and sugarcane bagasse (SB) as alternative low-cost biosorbents for the removal of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) ions from aqueous solutions was investigated. Batch adsorption studies were carried out to evaluate the effects of solution pH and initial metal concentration on adsorption capacity. The optimum biosorption condition was found at pH 6.0, 0.1 g biomass dosage and at 90 min equilibrium time. The adsorption data were fitted to the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. The adsorption capacity and affinity of CTS, ES and SB were evaluated. The Freundlich constant (n) and separation factor (RL) values suggest that the metal ions were favourably adsorbed onto biosorbents. The maximum adsorption capacities (Q) estimated from the Langmuir isotherm model for Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) were 3.89, 25.00 and 23.81 mg/g for CTS, 34.48, 90.90 and 35.71 mg/g for ES, and 3.65, 21.28 and 40.00 mg/g for SB, respectively. The characterisation studies were performed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (EDX) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR). Interaction with metal ions led to the formation of discrete aggregates on the biosorbents surface. The metal ions bound to the active sites of the biosorbents through either electrostatic attraction or complexation mechanism.
基金Flinders University through the DVCR Research Investment Fund Scheme to provide Research Support for ECR to MCR Academics.
文摘Nanocomposite hydrogels are the combination of known components that are a hydrogel and nanometre-sized fillers,typically leading to improved mechanical properties or new functionalities.With simplicity of design and ease of synthesis,recent advances have highlighted that this family of hydrogels holds the significant promise of application in diverse biomedical and engineering fields.The elaborate design and investigation as well as suitable application of nanocomposite hydrogels require the synergy of mechanics,materials science,engineering,and biology.Despite similarities in design and fabrication,the data of mechanical properties for nanocomposite hydrogels scatter in a large space.It is worthwhile comparing various nanocomposite hydrogels for similarities and differences in mechanical properties to aid in designing novel hydrogels with extreme properties,and guide practical applications.This review aims to fill,in the literature,the missing gap of addressing mechanical measurement methods and comparison of mechanical properties in this ever-evolving broad area of research.Finally,the challenges and future research opportunities are highlighted.
文摘Throughout the SMILE mission the satellite will be bombarded by radiation which gradually damages the focal plane devices and degrades their performance.In order to understand the changes of the CCD370s within the soft X-ray Imager,an initial characterisation of the devices has been carried out to give a baseline performance level.Three CCDs have been characterised,the two flight devices and the flight spa re.This has been carried out at the Open University in a bespo ke cleanroom measure ment facility.The results show that there is a cluster of bright pixels in the flight spa re which increases in size with tempe rature.However at the nominal ope rating tempe rature(-120℃) it is within the procure ment specifications.Overall,the devices meet the specifications when ope rating at -120℃ in 6 × 6 binned frame transfer science mode.The se rial charge transfer inefficiency degrades with temperature in full frame mode.However any charge losses are recovered when binning/frame transfer is implemented.
基金the support of the Diamond Light Source for providing the beamtime(MG22506)at the I12 beamlinethe support from the Royal Society International Exchange Grant(IECNSFC191319)and Research Grant(RGSR2202122)。
文摘Isotropy in microstructure and mechanical properties remains a challenge for laser powder bed fusion(LPBF)processed materials due to the epitaxial growth and rapid cooling in LPBF.In this study,a high-strength TiB_(2)/Al-Cu composite with random texture was successfully fabricated by laser powder bed fusion(LPBF)using pre-doped TiB_(2)/Al-Cu composite powder.A series of advanced characterisation techniques,including synchrotron X-ray tomography,correlative focussed ion beam-scanning electron microscopy(FIB-SEM),scanning transmission electron microscopy(STEM),and synchrotron in situ X-ray diffraction,were applied to investigate the defects and microstructure of the as-fabricated TiB_(2)/Al-Cu composite across multiple length scales.The study showed ultra-fine grains with an average grain size of about 0.86μm,and a random texture was formed in the as-fabricated condition due to rapid solidification and the TiB_(2)particles promoting heterogeneous nucleation.The yield strength and total elongation of the as-fabricated composite were 317 MPa and 10%,respectively.The contributions of fine grains,solid solutions,dislocations,particles,and Guinier-Preston(GP)zones were calculated.Failure was found to be initiated from the largest lack-of-fusion pore,as revealed by in situ synchrotron tomography during tensile loading.In situ synchrotron diffraction was used to characterise the lattice strain evolution during tensile loading,providing important data for the development of crystal-plasticity models.
文摘Thermal plasma technology provides a stable and long term treatment of mixed wastes through vitrification processes. In this work, a transferred plasma system was realized to vitrify mixed wastes, taking advantage of its high power density, enthalpy and chemical reactivity as well as its rapid quenching and high operation temperatures. To characterize the plasma discharge, a temperature diagnostic is realized by means of optical emission spectroscopy （OES）. To typify the morphological structure of the wastes samples~ scan- ning electron microscopy （SEM）, and X-ray diffraction （XRD） techniques were applied before and after the plasma treatment.
