CeO_(2) based semiconductor are widely used in solar-driven photothermal catalytic dry reforming of methane(DRM)reaction,but still suffer from low activity and low light utilization efficiency.This study developed gra...CeO_(2) based semiconductor are widely used in solar-driven photothermal catalytic dry reforming of methane(DRM)reaction,but still suffer from low activity and low light utilization efficiency.This study developed graphite-CeO_(2) interfaces to enhance solar-driven photothermal catalytic DRM.Compared with carbon nanotubes-modified CeO_(2)(CeO_(2)-CNT),graphite-modified CeO_(2)(CeO_(2)-GRA)constructed graphite-CeO_(2) interfaces with distortion in CeO_(2),leading to the formation abundant oxygen vacancies.These graphite-CeO_(2) interfaces with oxygen vacancies enhanced optical absorption and promoted the generation and separation of photogenerated carriers.The high endothermic capacity of graphite elevated the catalyst surface temperature from 592.1−691.3℃,boosting light-to-thermal conversion.The synergy between photogenerated carriers and localized heat enabled Ni/CeO_(2)-GRA to achieve a CO production rate of 9985.6 mmol/(g·h)(vs 7192.4 mmol/(g·h)for Ni/CeO_(2))and a light-to-fuel efficiency of 21.8%(vs 13.8%for Ni/CeO_(2)).This work provides insights for designing graphite-semiconductor interfaces to advance photothermal catalytic efficiency.展开更多
In today's fast-paced modern life, whether for fitness training, outdoor adventures, or daily commutes, we all yearn for quick-dry apparel that can rapidly wick away moisture and keep our bodies dry and comfortabl...In today's fast-paced modern life, whether for fitness training, outdoor adventures, or daily commutes, we all yearn for quick-dry apparel that can rapidly wick away moisture and keep our bodies dry and comfortable. As a standout in functional textiles, quick-dry fabrics are becoming the top choice for more and more people, thanks to their exceptional moisture-wicking performance and rapid drying capabilities.展开更多
The design and development of solar dryers are crucial in regions with abundant solar energy,such as Bhopal,India,where seasonal variations significantly impact the efficiency of drying processes.The paper is focused ...The design and development of solar dryers are crucial in regions with abundant solar energy,such as Bhopal,India,where seasonal variations significantly impact the efficiency of drying processes.The paper is focused on employing a comprehensive mathematical model to predict the dryer’s performance in drying the materials such as banana slices.To enhance this model,Hyper Tuned Swarm Optimization with Gradient Tree(HT_SOGT)was utilized to accurately predict and determine the optimal size of the dryer dimensions considering various mathematical calculations for material drying.The predictive model considered the influence of seasonal fluctuations,ensuring an efficient drying process with an objective function to optimize the drying time of an average of 7 hrs throughout the year.Across all recorded ambient temperatures(ranging from 16.985○C to 31.4○C),the outlet temperature of the solar dryer is consistently higher,ranging from 39.085○C to 66.2○C.The results show that the optimized dryer design,based on HT_SOGT modelling,significantly improves drying efficiency of the materials across varying conditions,making it suitable for sustainable applications in agriculture and food processing industries in the Bhopal region.展开更多
To improve the controlled release ability,we prepared attapulgite into microspheres by spray drying.This research began with a thorough thermogravimetric analysis to optimize attapulgite's heat treatment for drug ...To improve the controlled release ability,we prepared attapulgite into microspheres by spray drying.This research began with a thorough thermogravimetric analysis to optimize attapulgite's heat treatment for drug loading.By advanced spray drying,attapulgite was transformed into microspheres,refining its drug release characteristics.Various parameters were examined,achieving optimal particle size and morphology at 25%solid content,2.5%dispersant,and 3% binder.Attapulgite microspheres demonstrated exceptional encapsulation efficiency,exceeding 95% for doxorubicin hydrochloride,highlighting their versatility in drug delivery.FTIR and XRD were used to predict changes in material properties after spray drying.Notably,cytotoxicity tests confirmed the high biocompatibility of attapulgite microspheres,devoid of cell death induction.Attapulgite microsphere loaded with doxorubicin enable sustained drug release and maintain killing ability against tumor cells.This study confirms the viability of spray dried attapulgite microspheres for efficient drug loading and delivery and provides insights for innovative drug delivery systems that utilize the unique properties of attapulgite to advance therapeutics.展开更多
The dynamics of the drying process of polymer solutions are important for the development of coatings and films.In the present work,digital holographic microscopy(DHM)was performed to capture the drying dynamics of po...The dynamics of the drying process of polymer solutions are important for the development of coatings and films.In the present work,digital holographic microscopy(DHM)was performed to capture the drying dynamics of poly(ethylene oxide)(PEO)droplets using a gold nanoparticle tracer,where the heterogeneous flow field in different regions was illustrated.This demonstrates that the gold nanoparticles at either the center or the edge regions of the droplet exhibit anisotropic kinematic behavior.At early stage,Marangoni backflow causes gold nanoparticles to move towards the edge firstly,and the circles back towards the droplet center after arriving the contact line with a sudden increase in z axis for 10.4μm,indicating the scale of the upward-moving microscopic flow vortices.This phenomenon does not occur in water droplets in the absence of polymers.The gold nanoparticles underwent Brownian-like motion at the center of the PEO droplet or water droplet owing to the low perturbation of the flow field.At the late stage of pinning of the PEO droplets,the motion showed multiple reverses in the direction of the gold nanoparticles,indicating the complexity of the flow field.This study enhances the understanding of the drying dynamics of polymer solution droplets and offers valuable insights into the fabrication of surface materials.展开更多
To study the effects of fine-aggregates on the drying-shrinkage properties of concrete,two types of manufactured-sand and one type of natural sand(excluding<75μm particles)were selected for tests,and nine sets of ...To study the effects of fine-aggregates on the drying-shrinkage properties of concrete,two types of manufactured-sand and one type of natural sand(excluding<75μm particles)were selected for tests,and nine sets of concrete drying shrinkage tests were designed with three strength grade(C30,C40,and C50)as variables.By observing the drying-shrinkage deformation of the specimens over 360 days,the effects of fine-aggregate properties on the drying shrinkage properties of concrete of different strength grades were analyzed and a prediction model was developed.Compared with natural sand concrete,the development of drying shrinkage of manufactured-sand concrete exhibits the phenomenon of advancement.The apparent density of the fine-aggregate and the strength grade are the two main factors affecting the limit value of the drying shrinkage of concrete.With a reduction in the water absorption or apparent density of the fine-aggregate or the strength grade of concrete prepared using the same fine-aggregate,the prediction accuracy of the existing models decreases.According to the GL 2000 model,two coefficients-and-were introduced to propose a prediction model for the drying shrinkage of fine-aggregate concrete,which is applicable to different strength grades.展开更多
Background Feeding spray dried plasma(SDP)to weanling pigs improves growth,but there is a lack of research on how SDP impacts oxidative stress and inflammatory response in lactating sows,and performance of their pigle...Background Feeding spray dried plasma(SDP)to weanling pigs improves growth,but there is a lack of research on how SDP impacts oxidative stress and inflammatory response in lactating sows,and performance of their piglets after weaning.Therefore,an experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that sows fed a diet with SDP in late gestation and lactation have improved reproductive performance and reduced inflammation compared with sows fed no SDP.The second hypothesis was that pigs weaned from sows fed 0.5%SDP in lactation have reduced diarrhea incidence and improved growth performance during the initial 14 d of the nursery period regardless of dietary SDP.Results The percent of low vitality or starved pigs during lactation was less(P<0.05)from sows fed 0.5%dietary SDP compared with sows fed the diet without SDP.Dietary SDP did not influence oxidative stress markers in the plasma of sows,but serum cytokines increased(P<0.05)in sows fed the diet with 0.5%SDP compared with sows fed the diet without SDP.Pigs weaned from young sows fed no SDP or from mature sows fed 0 or 0.5%SDP had a greater gain to feed ratio when fed a phase 1 diet containing 6%SDP compared with pigs fed a diet without SDP,but the gain to feed ratio of pigs weaned from young sows fed 0.5%dietary SDP was not affected by dietary SDP in phase 1(interaction,P<0.05).Regardless of sow treatment,pigs fed a phase 1 diet with 6%SDP had greater(P<0.05)growth performance than pigs fed a phase 1 diet without SDP,and pigs fed the phase 1 diet with 6%SDP had reduced(P<0.05)diarrhea incidence in phase 1.Conclusions Feeding 0.5%dietary SDP to sows may reduce the number of mummified pigs and increase pig vitality during lactation,but adding 0.5%SDP to sow diets during lactation did not improve post-weaning performance of pigs fed a starter diet with 6%SDP.展开更多
Purpose–Severe scarcity of natural river sand(RS),exacerbated by environmental protection policies and extraction constraints,has significantly impacted aggregate supply for railway concrete.While manufactured sand(M...Purpose–Severe scarcity of natural river sand(RS),exacerbated by environmental protection policies and extraction constraints,has significantly impacted aggregate supply for railway concrete.While manufactured sand(MS)offers a substitute for RS in railway applications,its widespread adoption in high-strength railway prestressed structures is challenged by lack of drying shrinkage and creep research data on concrete.Design/methodology/approach–High-strength manufactured sand concrete(MSC)was prepared using MS with varying lithologies and stone powder contents.Its drying shrinkage and creep behaviors were evaluated in accordance with the Chinese standard GB/T 50082.The deformation mechanism was analyzed by combining nano-scratch testing.Findings–Compared to RS concrete,MSC from all tested lithologies showed higher drying shrinkage but lower creep deformation.The drying shrinkage rose steadily with increased stone powder content,while the creep strain displayed a distinct non-linear trend,decreasing first before rising.To prepare low-deformation MSC,select high-strength MS and limit stone powder content not greater 10%.Nano-scratch tests indicated that harder MS particles suppress microcracking at the interfacial transition zone(ITZ),improving the creep resistance.The predictive models for drying shrinkage and creep were also developed by incorporating coefficients for stone powder and lithology effects.Originality/value–These findings serve as a foundation for the application of MSC in railway prestressed structures,offering both theoretical and practical guidance.展开更多
Ni-based catalysts hold great potential in the light-driven dry reforming of methane(DRM)for syngas production due to their low cost and comparable catalytic performance to conventional noble-metal catalysts.However,t...Ni-based catalysts hold great potential in the light-driven dry reforming of methane(DRM)for syngas production due to their low cost and comparable catalytic performance to conventional noble-metal catalysts.However,the currently available Ni-based catalysts are confronted with low light-driven DRM efficiency and poor stability attributed to the coking.Herein,an atomically dispersed Ni-loaded CeO_(2)(Ni/CeO_(2))for light-drivenDRMis prepared by employing a polyol-mediated doping method to allow the high loading concentration of Ni on the CeO_(2),which overcomes the conventional atomically dispersed metal problem of low loading content.The atomically dispersed nature of the Ni can induce enormous CH4 activation sites for the reaction and photothermal effects for driving the reaction,while the CeO_(2) can facilitateCO_(2) activation.Therefore,the optimized atomically dispersed Ni-loaded CeO_(2) demonstrates an excellent light-drivenDRMperformance forH_(2)(626.5 mmol gcat^(-1) h^(-1))and CO(728.5 mmol gcat^(-1) h^(-1))production.More importantly,the optimized sample sustains its DRM performance after 100 h of continuous test,and such excellent stability of the presence of enormous Ni–O pairs can prevent the rapid conversion of CH_(x) intermediates into coke.This work demonstrates the meticulous design of non-noble metal catalysts for the lightdriven DRM with both high performance and stability.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the association between active corneal epithelial dendritic cells(CEDCs)and ocular pain in patients with dry eye disease(DED).METHODS:This cross-sectional study enrolled 67 DED patients,who were div...AIM:To investigate the association between active corneal epithelial dendritic cells(CEDCs)and ocular pain in patients with dry eye disease(DED).METHODS:This cross-sectional study enrolled 67 DED patients,who were divided into two groups based on numerical rating scale(NRS)scores:the mild pain group(n=44)and the moderate-to-severe pain group(n=23).In vivo confocal microscopy(IVCM)was used to image the subbasal layer of the central cornea.Corneal nerve characteristics were analyzed using ACCMetrics software,while CEDCs were quantified manually with Image J software.Regression and correlation analyses were performed to assess the impact of active CEDCs on ocular pain.Additionally,the Luminex method was employed to compare the concentrations of inflammation-related cytokines in tears between patients with≥2 CEDCs and those with<2 CEDCs.Differences in cytokine levels between the two groups were analyzed using Student’s t-test.RESULTS:The study included 44 eyes of 44 patients with mild ocular pain(12 males and 32 females)and 23 eyes of 23 patients with moderate-to-severe ocular pain(3 males and 20 females).The mean age was 36.2±13.5y in the mild pain group and 39.7±12.4y in the moderate to severe pain group.There were no significant differences in age or sex between the two groups(P=0.30;P=0.19).Multivariable regression analysis showed that older age[odds ratio(OR)=1.05,95%confidence interval(CI)1.00–1.11]and a higher number of CEDCs(OR=1.80,95%CI 1.17–2.76)were associated with ocular pain.Patients with≥2 CEDCs had significantly higher tear concentrations of interleukin(IL)-6(P<0.05),IL-8(P<0.05),and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α(P<0.05)compared to those with<2 active CEDCs.CONCLUSION:The findings suggest that infiltrating CEDCs in the corneal subbasal layer are a potential risk factor for ocular pain in DED.展开更多
Soil microorganisms and labile soil organic carbon(SOC)fractions are essential factors affecting greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions in paddy fields.However,the effects of labile SOC fractions and microorganisms on GHG emiss...Soil microorganisms and labile soil organic carbon(SOC)fractions are essential factors affecting greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions in paddy fields.However,the effects of labile SOC fractions and microorganisms on GHG emissions from flooding to drying after organic fertilizer replacing for chemical fertilizer remain unclear.Here,a long-term experiment was conducted with four treatments:chemical fertilization only(control),organic fertilizer substituting 25%of chemical N fertilizer(NM1),50%of chemical N fertilizer(NM2),and NM2combined with crop straw(NMS).GHG emissions were monitored,and soil samples were collected to determine labile SOC fractions and microorganisms.Results revealed the GHG emissions in the NM2 significantly increased by 196.88%from flooding to drying,mainly due to the higher CO_(2) emissions.The GHG emissions per kg of C input in NMS was the lowest with the value of 9.17.From flooding to drying,organic fertilizer application significantly increased the readily oxidizable organic carbon(ROC)contents and C lability;the NM2 and NMS dramatically increased the SOC and non-readily oxidizable organic carbon(NROC).The bacterial communities showed significant differences among different treatments in the flooding,while the significant difference was only found between the NMS and other treatments in the drying.From flooding to drying,changing soil moisture conditions causes C fractions and microbial communities to jointly affect carbon emissions,and the NMS promoted carbon sequestration and mitigated GHG emissions.Our findings highlight the importance of the labile SOC fractions and microorganisms linked to GHG emissions in paddy fields.展开更多
Onsite sanitation offers a sustainable alternative to centralized wastewater treatment;however,effective faecal sludge management is crucial for safe disposal and resource recovery.Among emerging treatment solutions,s...Onsite sanitation offers a sustainable alternative to centralized wastewater treatment;however,effective faecal sludge management is crucial for safe disposal and resource recovery.Among emerging treatment solutions,solar thermal drying holds significant promise to reduce sludge moisture content and enhance handling.Despite this potential,its application remains limited,with important knowledge gaps,particularly concerning the drying kinetics under different environmental and operational conditions.This study aims to fill these gaps by investigating the solar thermal drying behaviour of faecal sludge from ventilated improved pit latrines(VIPs)and urine-diverting dry toilets(UDs),with a specific focus on how air temperature and velocity influence drying performance.A bench-scale solar drying apparatus was used to investigate thin-layer sludge drying kinetics under controlled airflow conditions.The drying experiments were conducted at varying air temperatures(ambient,40℃,and 80℃)and velocities(0,0.5,and 1 m/s),where heated air was supplied via an electric resistance heater.Key drying parameters-including drying rate,critical moisture content,effective moisture diffusivity,and activation energy-were determined.Results showed that drying proceeded through a constant-rate period followed by a falling-rate period,with the critical moisture content ranging from 1.41 to 1.78 g/g db.Higher temperatures and airflow reduced the duration of the constant-rate phase,increased drying rates(0.31–0.99 g/g·min·m^(2)),and enhanced moisture diffusivity(4.56×10^(−9) to 1.52×10^(−8) m^(2)/s).Activation energy decreased with increased airflow,suggesting reduced temperature sensitivity.Thermal efficiency ranged from 14.6%to 35.1%,with solar energy contributing 73%–95% of total input.VIP sludge dried faster than UD sludge,which showed signs of surface crusting that limited moisture transfer.This research offers valuable insights into solar drying design and operation,providing scientific evidence to improve faecal sludge treatment strategies in decentralized sanitation systems.展开更多
The effect of a storage system on drying time and estimation of drying parameters of cocoa beans using an indirect solar dryer with a sensible heat energy storage system (stones which act as both absorber and heat sto...The effect of a storage system on drying time and estimation of drying parameters of cocoa beans using an indirect solar dryer with a sensible heat energy storage system (stones which act as both absorber and heat storage media) is the main subject of this article. This dryer, which uses stones as storage material and is made of wood and plywood, was used to dry a quantity of 5 kg of fermented cocoa beans. The drying parameters for the drying curves and the drying efficiency of cocoa beans were established and studied. The drying curves were modelled from semi-empirical models. The results showed that the moisture of cocoa beans decreased from 60% to 7% in wet basis. With a solar collector and drying efficiency of 40% and 34%, respectively. And this with a maximum average difference temperature between the drying air and the ambient temperature of 13.25˚C day or night. The best concordances are obtained with R2 values of 0.9983, 0.9843, 0.9813 and 0.9837 respectively from the models of Hii, Jena and Das, Demir et al. and Alibas.展开更多
Percussion drilling is a promising approach for hot dry rock(HDR)fragmentation.However,understanding of HDR fragmentation mechanism under multi-dimensional percussion remains limited and hinders the corresponding dril...Percussion drilling is a promising approach for hot dry rock(HDR)fragmentation.However,understanding of HDR fragmentation mechanism under multi-dimensional percussion remains limited and hinders the corresponding drilling performance.Herein,an innovative true triaxial multi-dimensional percussion device was developed for the study of HDR fragmentation mechanism under in-situ temperature and stress conditions.Multi-dimensional percussion,involving both axial and torsional components,was applied to drilling in granite and carbonatite rocks sampled from the typical HDR target areas.Multiscale visualization techniques and a whale optimization-variational mode decomposition algorithm were employed to investigate the rock failure patterns and drilling energy characteristics.Results indicated that multi-dimensional percussion enhances brittle-ductile mixed failure in granite,characterized by transgranular,intergranular,and combined fracture patterns that promote rock cracking.In contrast,carbonatite drillhole displays enhanced brittle fragmentation and tortuous failure surface dominated by transgranular fracture pattern.Frequency-domain characteristics of penetration force signals for multidimensional percussion,especially the significant dominant frequency,amplitude,and high-frequency dissipation,indicate an increase in net energy for drilling into HDR and intensified rock fragmentation.Further,the effect of impact frequency on rock fragmentation performance was emphasized to maximize drilling efficiency.The optimal regulation schemes between axial and torsional impact frequencies are identified as 15 Hz+15 Hz for granite and 30 Hz+15 Hz for carbonatite.The reliability of the optimization approach was validated through a field test that employed a novel impactor in the geothermal well Fushen-1.展开更多
As a typical sedimentary soft rock,mudstone has the characteristics of being easily softened and disintegrated under the effect of wetting and drying(WD).The first cycle of WD plays an important role in the entire WD ...As a typical sedimentary soft rock,mudstone has the characteristics of being easily softened and disintegrated under the effect of wetting and drying(WD).The first cycle of WD plays an important role in the entire WD cycles.X-ray micro-computed tomography(micro-CT)was used as a non-destructive tool to quantitatively analyze microstructural changes of the mudstone due to the first cycle of WD.The test results show that WD leads to an increase of pore volume and pore connectivity in the mudstone.The porosity and fractal dimension of each slice of mudstone not only increase in value,but also in fluctuation amplitude.The pattern of variation in the frequency distribution of the equivalent radii of connected,isolated pores and pore throats in mudstone under WD effect satisfies the Gaussian distribution.Under the effect of WD,pores and pore throats with relatively small sizes increase the most.The sphericity of the pores in mudstones is positively correlated with the pore radius.The WD effect transforms the originally angular and flat pores into round and regular pores.This paper can provide a reference for the study of the deterioration and catastrophic mechanisms of mudstone under wetting and drying cycles.展开更多
Black wolfberry(Lycium ruthenicum)is enriched in phytochemical metabolites which can benefit human health.However,few studies have examined the effects of different fruit drying methods on its polyphenol content,antio...Black wolfberry(Lycium ruthenicum)is enriched in phytochemical metabolites which can benefit human health.However,few studies have examined the effects of different fruit drying methods on its polyphenol content,antioxidant activity,and anti-inflammatory activity.In addition,whether and how consuming dried black wolfberry affects gut microbiota has not been reported.This study assessed the phytochemical profile and bioactivities of black wolfberry dried through different methods,and subsequently characterized changes in human fecal microbiota associated with freeze-dried black wolfberry in vitro.The results showed that freeze-dried samples retained higher total phenolics((49.68±1.62)mg GAE/g DM),tannins((38.64±1.35)mg GAE/g DM),and proanthocyanidins((3.35±0.30)mg/g DM)compared to sun drying or hot air drying(P<0.05),and exhibited higher antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.In human fecal inoculum bioreactor fermentations,freeze-dried black wolfberry was associated with increased species richness andα-diversity.At the genus level,fermentations treated with black wolfberry had a higher abundance of lactic acid bacteria including Lactococcus,Bifidobacterium,Lactobacillus,Pediococcus,and Weissella,as well as butyrate-producing bacteria compared to the untreated samples,suggesting enrichment for taxa associated with a healthy gut microbiome.In addition,the black wolfberry treatment group had higher levels of short-chain fatty acids,which were consistent with PICRUSt2 inference.This study defines an optimal method for black wolfberry preservation to retain the beneficial compounds,and provides a foundation for further exploration of its potential benefits for human gut microbiota.展开更多
Drying operations are of grave importance to realize the reduction and utilization of sewage sludge resources,but the conventional thermal evaporation drying(TED)technology presents challenges due to the need for a la...Drying operations are of grave importance to realize the reduction and utilization of sewage sludge resources,but the conventional thermal evaporation drying(TED)technology presents challenges due to the need for a large amount of thermal energy to conquer the phase-change latent heat of moisture.Herein,we report a non-phase change technology based on particle high-speed self-rotation in a cyclone for fast,low-temperature drying of viscous sludge with high-moisture contents.Dispersed phase medium(DPM)is introduced into the cyclone self-rotation drying(CSRD)reactor to enhance the dispersion of the viscous sludge.The effects of carrier gas temperature,feeding rate,size,and proportion of DPM particles in the drying process are systematically examined.Under optimal operating conditions,the weighted content of moisture in the viscous sludge could be reduced from 80%to 15.01%in less than 5 s,achieving a high drying efficiency of 95.79%.Theoretical calculations also reveal that 89.26%of the moisture is removed through non-phase change pathway,contributing to a 522-fold increase in the drying rate of CSRD compared to TED technology.This investigation presents a sustainable effective approach for high moisture viscous sludge treatment with low energy consumption and carbon emissions.展开更多
文摘CeO_(2) based semiconductor are widely used in solar-driven photothermal catalytic dry reforming of methane(DRM)reaction,but still suffer from low activity and low light utilization efficiency.This study developed graphite-CeO_(2) interfaces to enhance solar-driven photothermal catalytic DRM.Compared with carbon nanotubes-modified CeO_(2)(CeO_(2)-CNT),graphite-modified CeO_(2)(CeO_(2)-GRA)constructed graphite-CeO_(2) interfaces with distortion in CeO_(2),leading to the formation abundant oxygen vacancies.These graphite-CeO_(2) interfaces with oxygen vacancies enhanced optical absorption and promoted the generation and separation of photogenerated carriers.The high endothermic capacity of graphite elevated the catalyst surface temperature from 592.1−691.3℃,boosting light-to-thermal conversion.The synergy between photogenerated carriers and localized heat enabled Ni/CeO_(2)-GRA to achieve a CO production rate of 9985.6 mmol/(g·h)(vs 7192.4 mmol/(g·h)for Ni/CeO_(2))and a light-to-fuel efficiency of 21.8%(vs 13.8%for Ni/CeO_(2)).This work provides insights for designing graphite-semiconductor interfaces to advance photothermal catalytic efficiency.
文摘In today's fast-paced modern life, whether for fitness training, outdoor adventures, or daily commutes, we all yearn for quick-dry apparel that can rapidly wick away moisture and keep our bodies dry and comfortable. As a standout in functional textiles, quick-dry fabrics are becoming the top choice for more and more people, thanks to their exceptional moisture-wicking performance and rapid drying capabilities.
文摘The design and development of solar dryers are crucial in regions with abundant solar energy,such as Bhopal,India,where seasonal variations significantly impact the efficiency of drying processes.The paper is focused on employing a comprehensive mathematical model to predict the dryer’s performance in drying the materials such as banana slices.To enhance this model,Hyper Tuned Swarm Optimization with Gradient Tree(HT_SOGT)was utilized to accurately predict and determine the optimal size of the dryer dimensions considering various mathematical calculations for material drying.The predictive model considered the influence of seasonal fluctuations,ensuring an efficient drying process with an objective function to optimize the drying time of an average of 7 hrs throughout the year.Across all recorded ambient temperatures(ranging from 16.985○C to 31.4○C),the outlet temperature of the solar dryer is consistently higher,ranging from 39.085○C to 66.2○C.The results show that the optimized dryer design,based on HT_SOGT modelling,significantly improves drying efficiency of the materials across varying conditions,making it suitable for sustainable applications in agriculture and food processing industries in the Bhopal region.
基金Funded by the Major Special Projects of Technological Innovation of Hubei Province(No.2017ACA168)the Open Fund Project of Sanya Science and Education Innovation Park of Wuhan University of Technology(No.2021KF0012)the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(No.2021B1515120091)。
文摘To improve the controlled release ability,we prepared attapulgite into microspheres by spray drying.This research began with a thorough thermogravimetric analysis to optimize attapulgite's heat treatment for drug loading.By advanced spray drying,attapulgite was transformed into microspheres,refining its drug release characteristics.Various parameters were examined,achieving optimal particle size and morphology at 25%solid content,2.5%dispersant,and 3% binder.Attapulgite microspheres demonstrated exceptional encapsulation efficiency,exceeding 95% for doxorubicin hydrochloride,highlighting their versatility in drug delivery.FTIR and XRD were used to predict changes in material properties after spray drying.Notably,cytotoxicity tests confirmed the high biocompatibility of attapulgite microspheres,devoid of cell death induction.Attapulgite microsphere loaded with doxorubicin enable sustained drug release and maintain killing ability against tumor cells.This study confirms the viability of spray dried attapulgite microspheres for efficient drug loading and delivery and provides insights for innovative drug delivery systems that utilize the unique properties of attapulgite to advance therapeutics.
基金supported by the Key-Area Research and Development Program of Guangdong Province(No.2023B0101200006)Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(No.2024A1515011926)+1 种基金Fund of Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Luminescence from Molecular Aggregates,Guangzhou 510640,China(South China University of Technology)(No.2023B1212060003)State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China(No.SKLAM008-2022)。
文摘The dynamics of the drying process of polymer solutions are important for the development of coatings and films.In the present work,digital holographic microscopy(DHM)was performed to capture the drying dynamics of poly(ethylene oxide)(PEO)droplets using a gold nanoparticle tracer,where the heterogeneous flow field in different regions was illustrated.This demonstrates that the gold nanoparticles at either the center or the edge regions of the droplet exhibit anisotropic kinematic behavior.At early stage,Marangoni backflow causes gold nanoparticles to move towards the edge firstly,and the circles back towards the droplet center after arriving the contact line with a sudden increase in z axis for 10.4μm,indicating the scale of the upward-moving microscopic flow vortices.This phenomenon does not occur in water droplets in the absence of polymers.The gold nanoparticles underwent Brownian-like motion at the center of the PEO droplet or water droplet owing to the low perturbation of the flow field.At the late stage of pinning of the PEO droplets,the motion showed multiple reverses in the direction of the gold nanoparticles,indicating the complexity of the flow field.This study enhances the understanding of the drying dynamics of polymer solution droplets and offers valuable insights into the fabrication of surface materials.
基金Funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China project(Nos.52108219 and U21A20150)the Lanzhou University of Technology Hongliu Outstanding Young Talent Program,China(No.04-062407)the Research on Quality Control Technology of High-performance Concrete Prepared by Manufactured Sand(No.2020Y21)。
文摘To study the effects of fine-aggregates on the drying-shrinkage properties of concrete,two types of manufactured-sand and one type of natural sand(excluding<75μm particles)were selected for tests,and nine sets of concrete drying shrinkage tests were designed with three strength grade(C30,C40,and C50)as variables.By observing the drying-shrinkage deformation of the specimens over 360 days,the effects of fine-aggregate properties on the drying shrinkage properties of concrete of different strength grades were analyzed and a prediction model was developed.Compared with natural sand concrete,the development of drying shrinkage of manufactured-sand concrete exhibits the phenomenon of advancement.The apparent density of the fine-aggregate and the strength grade are the two main factors affecting the limit value of the drying shrinkage of concrete.With a reduction in the water absorption or apparent density of the fine-aggregate or the strength grade of concrete prepared using the same fine-aggregate,the prediction accuracy of the existing models decreases.According to the GL 2000 model,two coefficients-and-were introduced to propose a prediction model for the drying shrinkage of fine-aggregate concrete,which is applicable to different strength grades.
基金support from APC LLC,Ankeny,IA,USA,is greatly appreciated.
文摘Background Feeding spray dried plasma(SDP)to weanling pigs improves growth,but there is a lack of research on how SDP impacts oxidative stress and inflammatory response in lactating sows,and performance of their piglets after weaning.Therefore,an experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that sows fed a diet with SDP in late gestation and lactation have improved reproductive performance and reduced inflammation compared with sows fed no SDP.The second hypothesis was that pigs weaned from sows fed 0.5%SDP in lactation have reduced diarrhea incidence and improved growth performance during the initial 14 d of the nursery period regardless of dietary SDP.Results The percent of low vitality or starved pigs during lactation was less(P<0.05)from sows fed 0.5%dietary SDP compared with sows fed the diet without SDP.Dietary SDP did not influence oxidative stress markers in the plasma of sows,but serum cytokines increased(P<0.05)in sows fed the diet with 0.5%SDP compared with sows fed the diet without SDP.Pigs weaned from young sows fed no SDP or from mature sows fed 0 or 0.5%SDP had a greater gain to feed ratio when fed a phase 1 diet containing 6%SDP compared with pigs fed a diet without SDP,but the gain to feed ratio of pigs weaned from young sows fed 0.5%dietary SDP was not affected by dietary SDP in phase 1(interaction,P<0.05).Regardless of sow treatment,pigs fed a phase 1 diet with 6%SDP had greater(P<0.05)growth performance than pigs fed a phase 1 diet without SDP,and pigs fed the phase 1 diet with 6%SDP had reduced(P<0.05)diarrhea incidence in phase 1.Conclusions Feeding 0.5%dietary SDP to sows may reduce the number of mummified pigs and increase pig vitality during lactation,but adding 0.5%SDP to sow diets during lactation did not improve post-weaning performance of pigs fed a starter diet with 6%SDP.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(award no.52408309)National Natural Science Foundation of China(award no.52438002).
文摘Purpose–Severe scarcity of natural river sand(RS),exacerbated by environmental protection policies and extraction constraints,has significantly impacted aggregate supply for railway concrete.While manufactured sand(MS)offers a substitute for RS in railway applications,its widespread adoption in high-strength railway prestressed structures is challenged by lack of drying shrinkage and creep research data on concrete.Design/methodology/approach–High-strength manufactured sand concrete(MSC)was prepared using MS with varying lithologies and stone powder contents.Its drying shrinkage and creep behaviors were evaluated in accordance with the Chinese standard GB/T 50082.The deformation mechanism was analyzed by combining nano-scratch testing.Findings–Compared to RS concrete,MSC from all tested lithologies showed higher drying shrinkage but lower creep deformation.The drying shrinkage rose steadily with increased stone powder content,while the creep strain displayed a distinct non-linear trend,decreasing first before rising.To prepare low-deformation MSC,select high-strength MS and limit stone powder content not greater 10%.Nano-scratch tests indicated that harder MS particles suppress microcracking at the interfacial transition zone(ITZ),improving the creep resistance.The predictive models for drying shrinkage and creep were also developed by incorporating coefficients for stone powder and lithology effects.Originality/value–These findings serve as a foundation for the application of MSC in railway prestressed structures,offering both theoretical and practical guidance.
基金financial support from the National Key R&D Program of China(2022YFE0126500)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52261135635.52372165,U23A2091,22150610467)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province(2308085MB32)the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey(TUBITAK,122N434).
文摘Ni-based catalysts hold great potential in the light-driven dry reforming of methane(DRM)for syngas production due to their low cost and comparable catalytic performance to conventional noble-metal catalysts.However,the currently available Ni-based catalysts are confronted with low light-driven DRM efficiency and poor stability attributed to the coking.Herein,an atomically dispersed Ni-loaded CeO_(2)(Ni/CeO_(2))for light-drivenDRMis prepared by employing a polyol-mediated doping method to allow the high loading concentration of Ni on the CeO_(2),which overcomes the conventional atomically dispersed metal problem of low loading content.The atomically dispersed nature of the Ni can induce enormous CH4 activation sites for the reaction and photothermal effects for driving the reaction,while the CeO_(2) can facilitateCO_(2) activation.Therefore,the optimized atomically dispersed Ni-loaded CeO_(2) demonstrates an excellent light-drivenDRMperformance forH_(2)(626.5 mmol gcat^(-1) h^(-1))and CO(728.5 mmol gcat^(-1) h^(-1))production.More importantly,the optimized sample sustains its DRM performance after 100 h of continuous test,and such excellent stability of the presence of enormous Ni–O pairs can prevent the rapid conversion of CH_(x) intermediates into coke.This work demonstrates the meticulous design of non-noble metal catalysts for the lightdriven DRM with both high performance and stability.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82171022No.81974128).
文摘AIM:To investigate the association between active corneal epithelial dendritic cells(CEDCs)and ocular pain in patients with dry eye disease(DED).METHODS:This cross-sectional study enrolled 67 DED patients,who were divided into two groups based on numerical rating scale(NRS)scores:the mild pain group(n=44)and the moderate-to-severe pain group(n=23).In vivo confocal microscopy(IVCM)was used to image the subbasal layer of the central cornea.Corneal nerve characteristics were analyzed using ACCMetrics software,while CEDCs were quantified manually with Image J software.Regression and correlation analyses were performed to assess the impact of active CEDCs on ocular pain.Additionally,the Luminex method was employed to compare the concentrations of inflammation-related cytokines in tears between patients with≥2 CEDCs and those with<2 CEDCs.Differences in cytokine levels between the two groups were analyzed using Student’s t-test.RESULTS:The study included 44 eyes of 44 patients with mild ocular pain(12 males and 32 females)and 23 eyes of 23 patients with moderate-to-severe ocular pain(3 males and 20 females).The mean age was 36.2±13.5y in the mild pain group and 39.7±12.4y in the moderate to severe pain group.There were no significant differences in age or sex between the two groups(P=0.30;P=0.19).Multivariable regression analysis showed that older age[odds ratio(OR)=1.05,95%confidence interval(CI)1.00–1.11]and a higher number of CEDCs(OR=1.80,95%CI 1.17–2.76)were associated with ocular pain.Patients with≥2 CEDCs had significantly higher tear concentrations of interleukin(IL)-6(P<0.05),IL-8(P<0.05),and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α(P<0.05)compared to those with<2 active CEDCs.CONCLUSION:The findings suggest that infiltrating CEDCs in the corneal subbasal layer are a potential risk factor for ocular pain in DED.
基金the support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42107247)the National Key Research and Development Project(No.2022YFD1901605)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Province(Nos.2025YFHZ0142 and 2024NSFSC0800)the Tobacco Science Foundation of Sichuan Province(No.SCYC202407)。
文摘Soil microorganisms and labile soil organic carbon(SOC)fractions are essential factors affecting greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions in paddy fields.However,the effects of labile SOC fractions and microorganisms on GHG emissions from flooding to drying after organic fertilizer replacing for chemical fertilizer remain unclear.Here,a long-term experiment was conducted with four treatments:chemical fertilization only(control),organic fertilizer substituting 25%of chemical N fertilizer(NM1),50%of chemical N fertilizer(NM2),and NM2combined with crop straw(NMS).GHG emissions were monitored,and soil samples were collected to determine labile SOC fractions and microorganisms.Results revealed the GHG emissions in the NM2 significantly increased by 196.88%from flooding to drying,mainly due to the higher CO_(2) emissions.The GHG emissions per kg of C input in NMS was the lowest with the value of 9.17.From flooding to drying,organic fertilizer application significantly increased the readily oxidizable organic carbon(ROC)contents and C lability;the NM2 and NMS dramatically increased the SOC and non-readily oxidizable organic carbon(NROC).The bacterial communities showed significant differences among different treatments in the flooding,while the significant difference was only found between the NMS and other treatments in the drying.From flooding to drying,changing soil moisture conditions causes C fractions and microbial communities to jointly affect carbon emissions,and the NMS promoted carbon sequestration and mitigated GHG emissions.Our findings highlight the importance of the labile SOC fractions and microorganisms linked to GHG emissions in paddy fields.
基金funded by the Water Research Commission through the grant K5/2582 and the Gates Foundation through the grant OPP1170678.
文摘Onsite sanitation offers a sustainable alternative to centralized wastewater treatment;however,effective faecal sludge management is crucial for safe disposal and resource recovery.Among emerging treatment solutions,solar thermal drying holds significant promise to reduce sludge moisture content and enhance handling.Despite this potential,its application remains limited,with important knowledge gaps,particularly concerning the drying kinetics under different environmental and operational conditions.This study aims to fill these gaps by investigating the solar thermal drying behaviour of faecal sludge from ventilated improved pit latrines(VIPs)and urine-diverting dry toilets(UDs),with a specific focus on how air temperature and velocity influence drying performance.A bench-scale solar drying apparatus was used to investigate thin-layer sludge drying kinetics under controlled airflow conditions.The drying experiments were conducted at varying air temperatures(ambient,40℃,and 80℃)and velocities(0,0.5,and 1 m/s),where heated air was supplied via an electric resistance heater.Key drying parameters-including drying rate,critical moisture content,effective moisture diffusivity,and activation energy-were determined.Results showed that drying proceeded through a constant-rate period followed by a falling-rate period,with the critical moisture content ranging from 1.41 to 1.78 g/g db.Higher temperatures and airflow reduced the duration of the constant-rate phase,increased drying rates(0.31–0.99 g/g·min·m^(2)),and enhanced moisture diffusivity(4.56×10^(−9) to 1.52×10^(−8) m^(2)/s).Activation energy decreased with increased airflow,suggesting reduced temperature sensitivity.Thermal efficiency ranged from 14.6%to 35.1%,with solar energy contributing 73%–95% of total input.VIP sludge dried faster than UD sludge,which showed signs of surface crusting that limited moisture transfer.This research offers valuable insights into solar drying design and operation,providing scientific evidence to improve faecal sludge treatment strategies in decentralized sanitation systems.
文摘The effect of a storage system on drying time and estimation of drying parameters of cocoa beans using an indirect solar dryer with a sensible heat energy storage system (stones which act as both absorber and heat storage media) is the main subject of this article. This dryer, which uses stones as storage material and is made of wood and plywood, was used to dry a quantity of 5 kg of fermented cocoa beans. The drying parameters for the drying curves and the drying efficiency of cocoa beans were established and studied. The drying curves were modelled from semi-empirical models. The results showed that the moisture of cocoa beans decreased from 60% to 7% in wet basis. With a solar collector and drying efficiency of 40% and 34%, respectively. And this with a maximum average difference temperature between the drying air and the ambient temperature of 13.25˚C day or night. The best concordances are obtained with R2 values of 0.9983, 0.9843, 0.9813 and 0.9837 respectively from the models of Hii, Jena and Das, Demir et al. and Alibas.
基金supported by the Major Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52192624)the Innovative Research Group Project of National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52421002)+3 种基金Major Science and Technology Project of Yunnan Province(No.202302AF080001)NSFC Key International(Regional)Cooperative Research Projects(No.52020105001)General Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52204019 and 52274016)the Foundation of State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Prospecting(No.PRE/DX-2402)。
文摘Percussion drilling is a promising approach for hot dry rock(HDR)fragmentation.However,understanding of HDR fragmentation mechanism under multi-dimensional percussion remains limited and hinders the corresponding drilling performance.Herein,an innovative true triaxial multi-dimensional percussion device was developed for the study of HDR fragmentation mechanism under in-situ temperature and stress conditions.Multi-dimensional percussion,involving both axial and torsional components,was applied to drilling in granite and carbonatite rocks sampled from the typical HDR target areas.Multiscale visualization techniques and a whale optimization-variational mode decomposition algorithm were employed to investigate the rock failure patterns and drilling energy characteristics.Results indicated that multi-dimensional percussion enhances brittle-ductile mixed failure in granite,characterized by transgranular,intergranular,and combined fracture patterns that promote rock cracking.In contrast,carbonatite drillhole displays enhanced brittle fragmentation and tortuous failure surface dominated by transgranular fracture pattern.Frequency-domain characteristics of penetration force signals for multidimensional percussion,especially the significant dominant frequency,amplitude,and high-frequency dissipation,indicate an increase in net energy for drilling into HDR and intensified rock fragmentation.Further,the effect of impact frequency on rock fragmentation performance was emphasized to maximize drilling efficiency.The optimal regulation schemes between axial and torsional impact frequencies are identified as 15 Hz+15 Hz for granite and 30 Hz+15 Hz for carbonatite.The reliability of the optimization approach was validated through a field test that employed a novel impactor in the geothermal well Fushen-1.
基金Project(41877240)supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China。
文摘As a typical sedimentary soft rock,mudstone has the characteristics of being easily softened and disintegrated under the effect of wetting and drying(WD).The first cycle of WD plays an important role in the entire WD cycles.X-ray micro-computed tomography(micro-CT)was used as a non-destructive tool to quantitatively analyze microstructural changes of the mudstone due to the first cycle of WD.The test results show that WD leads to an increase of pore volume and pore connectivity in the mudstone.The porosity and fractal dimension of each slice of mudstone not only increase in value,but also in fluctuation amplitude.The pattern of variation in the frequency distribution of the equivalent radii of connected,isolated pores and pore throats in mudstone under WD effect satisfies the Gaussian distribution.Under the effect of WD,pores and pore throats with relatively small sizes increase the most.The sphericity of the pores in mudstones is positively correlated with the pore radius.The WD effect transforms the originally angular and flat pores into round and regular pores.This paper can provide a reference for the study of the deterioration and catastrophic mechanisms of mudstone under wetting and drying cycles.
基金supported by Key Research and Development Program in Xizang Autonomous Region(XZ202301ZY0018N)Xizang Autonomous Region financial special project(XZCZ-SS-2024)+1 种基金the Science and Technology Program of Gansu Province(22JR5RA463)the Science and Technology Program of Guangdong Province(2023A0505050104)。
文摘Black wolfberry(Lycium ruthenicum)is enriched in phytochemical metabolites which can benefit human health.However,few studies have examined the effects of different fruit drying methods on its polyphenol content,antioxidant activity,and anti-inflammatory activity.In addition,whether and how consuming dried black wolfberry affects gut microbiota has not been reported.This study assessed the phytochemical profile and bioactivities of black wolfberry dried through different methods,and subsequently characterized changes in human fecal microbiota associated with freeze-dried black wolfberry in vitro.The results showed that freeze-dried samples retained higher total phenolics((49.68±1.62)mg GAE/g DM),tannins((38.64±1.35)mg GAE/g DM),and proanthocyanidins((3.35±0.30)mg/g DM)compared to sun drying or hot air drying(P<0.05),and exhibited higher antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.In human fecal inoculum bioreactor fermentations,freeze-dried black wolfberry was associated with increased species richness andα-diversity.At the genus level,fermentations treated with black wolfberry had a higher abundance of lactic acid bacteria including Lactococcus,Bifidobacterium,Lactobacillus,Pediococcus,and Weissella,as well as butyrate-producing bacteria compared to the untreated samples,suggesting enrichment for taxa associated with a healthy gut microbiome.In addition,the black wolfberry treatment group had higher levels of short-chain fatty acids,which were consistent with PICRUSt2 inference.This study defines an optimal method for black wolfberry preservation to retain the beneficial compounds,and provides a foundation for further exploration of its potential benefits for human gut microbiota.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2019YFA0705800)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52030001)the Science&Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality(20dz1207600).
文摘Drying operations are of grave importance to realize the reduction and utilization of sewage sludge resources,but the conventional thermal evaporation drying(TED)technology presents challenges due to the need for a large amount of thermal energy to conquer the phase-change latent heat of moisture.Herein,we report a non-phase change technology based on particle high-speed self-rotation in a cyclone for fast,low-temperature drying of viscous sludge with high-moisture contents.Dispersed phase medium(DPM)is introduced into the cyclone self-rotation drying(CSRD)reactor to enhance the dispersion of the viscous sludge.The effects of carrier gas temperature,feeding rate,size,and proportion of DPM particles in the drying process are systematically examined.Under optimal operating conditions,the weighted content of moisture in the viscous sludge could be reduced from 80%to 15.01%in less than 5 s,achieving a high drying efficiency of 95.79%.Theoretical calculations also reveal that 89.26%of the moisture is removed through non-phase change pathway,contributing to a 522-fold increase in the drying rate of CSRD compared to TED technology.This investigation presents a sustainable effective approach for high moisture viscous sludge treatment with low energy consumption and carbon emissions.
