Nitric oxide(NO)is a gaseous molecule produced by 3 different NO synthase(NOS)isoforms:Neural/brain NOS(nNOS/bNOS,type 1),endothelial NOS(eNOS,type 3)and inducible NOS(type 2).Type 1 and 3 NOS are constitutively expre...Nitric oxide(NO)is a gaseous molecule produced by 3 different NO synthase(NOS)isoforms:Neural/brain NOS(nNOS/bNOS,type 1),endothelial NOS(eNOS,type 3)and inducible NOS(type 2).Type 1 and 3 NOS are constitutively expressed.NO can serve different purposes:As a vasoactive molecule,as a neurotransmitter or as an immunomodulator.It plays a key role in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury(CIRI).Hypoxic episodes simulate the production of oxygen free radicals,leading to mitochondrial and phospholipid damage.Upon reperfusion,increased levels of oxygen trigger oxide synthases;whose products are associated with neuronal damage by promoting lipid peroxidation,nitrosylation and excitotoxicity.Molecular pathways in CIRI can be altered by NOS.Neuroprotective effects are observed with eNOS activity.While nNOS interplay is prone to endothelial inflammation,oxidative stress and apoptosis.Therefore,nNOS appears to be detrimental.The interaction between NO and other free radicals develops peroxynitrite;which is a cytotoxic agent.It plays a main role in the likelihood of hemorrhagic events by tissue plasminogen activator(t-PA).Peroxynitrite scavengers are currently being studied as potential targets to prevent hemorrhagic transformation in CIRI.展开更多
Inspired by hexaazanaphthalene-based conjugated copper metal-organic framework(HATNA-Cu-MOF),we designed 161 HATNA-TM-MOF-based SACs(TM@N_(x)O_(4-x)-HATNA)with varying TM or ligands creating distinct coordination envi...Inspired by hexaazanaphthalene-based conjugated copper metal-organic framework(HATNA-Cu-MOF),we designed 161 HATNA-TM-MOF-based SACs(TM@N_(x)O_(4-x)-HATNA)with varying TM or ligands creating distinct coordination environments(x=0-4)with superior thermodynamic and electrochemical stabilities.Volcano plots can be constructed using(AGOOH^(*)-ΔGO^(*))/ΔGO^(*)as descriptors for oxygen evolution/reduction reaction(OER/ORR)activity,also serving as target parameters for machine learning(ML)models to identify high-performance OER/ORR catalysts.The efficient monofunctional and bifunctional electrocatalysts were successfully predicted,where the ML prediction results well matched the DFT calculation results.We employed Shapley additive explanations(SHAP)for feature analysis and utilized sure independence screening and sparsification operator(SISSO)for generalization.ML analyses reveal that TM-based OER/ORR activities predominantly correlate with three key descriptors:metallic atomic radius,d-orbital electron population,and the heat of formation of the oxide,demonstrating the pivotal role of TM's inherent electronic configuration and physicochemical characteristics in governing electrocatalytic efficacy.The constant-potential approach emphasizes the key role of electric double-layer capacitance in adjusting the kinetic barrier,where changes in the Fermi level influence the occupation of d-orbitals.Variations in electrochemical potential significantly alter the electronic structure of representative Rh@N_(1)O_(3)-HATNA,affecting both the Fermi level and adsorption properties,with the unique 4d^(8)5s^(1)configuration leading to inverted O_(2)adsorption energies as the potential decreases.This study contributes insights into the origin of oxygen evolution-reduction activity for the HATNA-TM-MOF-based SACs and reveals the fundamentals of structure-activity relationships for future applications.展开更多
Wheat fungal infections pose a danger to the grain quality and crop productivity.Thus,prompt and precise diagnosis is essential for efficient crop management.This study used the WFD2020 image dataset,which is availabl...Wheat fungal infections pose a danger to the grain quality and crop productivity.Thus,prompt and precise diagnosis is essential for efficient crop management.This study used the WFD2020 image dataset,which is available to everyone,to look into howdeep learningmodels could be used to find powdery mildew,leaf rust,and yellow rust,which are three common fungal diseases in Punjab,India.We changed a few hyperparameters to test TensorFlowbased models,such as SSD and Faster R-CNN with ResNet50,ResNet101,and ResNet152 as backbones.Faster R-CNN with ResNet50 achieved amean average precision(mAP)of 0.68 among these models.We then used the PyTorch-based YOLOv8 model,which significantly outperformed the previous methods with an impressive mAP of 0.99.YOLOv8 proved to be a beneficial approach for the early-stage diagnosis of fungal diseases,especially when it comes to precisely identifying diseased areas and various object sizes in images.Problems,such as class imbalance and possible model overfitting,persisted despite these developments.The results show that YOLOv8 is a good automated disease diagnosis tool that helps farmers quickly find and treat fungal infections using image-based systems.展开更多
In a world where supply chains are increasingly complex and unpredictable,finding the optimal way to move goods through transshipment networks is more important and challenging than ever.In addition to addressing the ...In a world where supply chains are increasingly complex and unpredictable,finding the optimal way to move goods through transshipment networks is more important and challenging than ever.In addition to addressing the complexity of transportation costs and demand,this study presents a novel method that offers flexible routing alternatives to manage these complexities.When real-world variables such as fluctuating costs,variable capacity,and unpredictable demand are considered,traditional transshipment models often prove inadequate.To overcome these challenges,we propose an innovative fully fuzzy-based framework using LR flat fuzzy numbers.This framework allows for more adaptable and flexible decision-making in multi-objective transshipment situations by effectively capturing uncertain parameters.To overcome these challenges,we develop an innovative,fully fuzzy-based framework using LR flat fuzzy numbers to effectively capture uncertainty in key parameters,offering more flexible and adaptive decision-making in multi-objective transshipment problems.The proposed model also presents alternative route options,giving decisionmakers a range of choices to satisfy multiple requirements,including reducing costs,improving service quality,and expediting delivery.Through extensive numerical experiments,we demonstrate that the model can achieve greater adaptability,efficiency,and flexibility than standard approaches.This multi-path structure provides additional flexibility to adapt to dynamic network conditions.Using ranking strategies,we compared our multi-objective transshipment model with existing methods.The results indicate that,while traditional methods such as goal and fuzzy programming generate results close to the anti-ideal value,thus reducing their efficiency,our model produces solutions close to the ideal value,thereby facilitating better decision making.By combining dynamic routing alternatives with a fully fuzzybased approach,this study offers an effective tool to improve decision-making and optimize complex networks under real-world conditions in practical settings.In this paper,we utilize LINGO 18 software to solve the provided numerical example,demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed method.展开更多
BACKGROUND According to the guidelines in the United States,individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer should be screened at the age of 40 years.Data on the prevalence of adenomas and sessile serrated lesi...BACKGROUND According to the guidelines in the United States,individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer should be screened at the age of 40 years.Data on the prevalence of adenomas and sessile serrated lesions(SSLs)in individuals aged 40-49 years in Japan are lacking.AIM To investigate the effect of family history on the detection of adenomas and SSLs during colonoscopy in Japan.METHODS This retrospective,single-center cohort study included individuals aged 40-79 years who underwent colonoscopy by expert endoscopists with an adenoma detection rate(ADR)≥40%between 2021 and 2024.The ADR and adenoma plus SSL detection rate(ASDR)were investigated according to age.Multivariable analyses were performed to examine the effects of first-degree family history of colorectal cancer,fecal immunochemical test,and sex on the ADR and ASDR for each age group.A binomial logistic regression model was used.RESULTS In 10248 participants,the overall ADR and ASDR were 53.6%and 59.1%,respectively.The ADR and ASDR increased with age.Among 2317 participants aged 40-49 years,the presence of a family history significantly increased the ADR(47.6%vs 38.2%).The odds ratio of a family history for the ADR adjusted by sex and fecal immunochemical test was 1.59(95%confidence interval:1.13-2.25).In contrast,there was no significant association between the ADR and family history in participants aged 50-59,60-69,and 70-79 years.Similarly,a family history significantly increased the ASDR(58.0%vs 43.7%)in participants aged 40-49 years.The odds ratio of a family history for the ASDR was 1.92(95%confidence interval:1.36-2.71).CONCLUSION Participants with a family history exhibited significantly elevated ADR(47.6%)and ASDR(58.0%),in their 40s.Individuals with a family history should initiate colonoscopy at 40 years old.展开更多
The combining microelectronic devices and associated technologies onto a single silicon chip poses a substantial challenge.However,in recent years,the area of silicon photonics has experienced remarkable advancements ...The combining microelectronic devices and associated technologies onto a single silicon chip poses a substantial challenge.However,in recent years,the area of silicon photonics has experienced remarkable advancements and notable leaps in performance.The performance of silicon on insulator(SOI)based photonic devices,such as fast silicon optical modulators,photonic transceivers,optical filters,etc.,have been discussed.This would be a step forward in creating standalone silicon photonic devices,strengthening the possibility of single on-chip nanophotonic integrated circuits.Suppose an integrated silicon photonic chip is designed and fabricated.In that case,it might drastically modify these combined photonic component costs,power consumption,and size,bringing substantial,perhaps revolutionary,changes to the next-generation communications sector.Yet,the monolithic integration of photonic and electrical circuitry is a significant technological difficulty.A complicated set of factors must be carefully considered to determine which application will have the best chance of success employing silicon-based integrated product solutions.The processing limitations connected to the current process flow,the process generation(sometimes referred to as lithography node generation),and packaging requirements are a few of these factors to consider.This review highlights recent developments in integrated silicon photonic devices and their proven applications,including but not limited to photonic waveguides,photonic amplifiers and filters,onchip photonic transceivers,and the state-of-the-art of silicon photonic in multidimensional quantum systems.The investigated devices aim to expedite the transfer of silicon photonics from academia to industry by opening the next phase in on-chip silicon photonics and enabling the application of silicon photonic-based devices in various optical systems.展开更多
Transarterial chemoembolization （TACE） is a form of intra-arterial catheter-based chemotherapy that selectively delivers high doses of cytotoxic drug to the tumor bed combining with the effect of ischemic necrosis i...Transarterial chemoembolization （TACE） is a form of intra-arterial catheter-based chemotherapy that selectively delivers high doses of cytotoxic drug to the tumor bed combining with the effect of ischemic necrosis induced by arterial embolization. Chemoembolization and radioembolization are at the core of the treatment of liver hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） patients who cannot receive potentially curative therapies such as transplantation, resection or percutaneous ablation. TACE for liver cancer has been proven to be useful in local tumor control, to prevent tumor progression, prolong patients＇ life and control patient symptoms. Recent evidence showed in patients with single-nodule HCC of 3 cm or smaller without vascular invasion, the 5-year overall survival （OS） with TACE was similar to that with hepatic resection and radiofrequency ablation. Mthough being used for decades, Lipiodol~ （Lipiodol~ Ultra Fluid~, Guerbet, France） remains important as a tumor-seeking and radio-opaque clrug delivery vector in intervendonal oncology. There have been efforts to improve the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to tumors. Drug-eluting bead （DEB） is a relatively novel drug delivery embolization system which allows for fixed dosing and the ability to release the anticancer agents in a sustained manner. Three DEBs are available, i.e., Tandem~ （CeloNova Biosciences Inc., USA）, DC-Beads~ （BTG, UK） and HepaSphere~ （BioSphere Medical, Inc., USA）. Transarterial radioembolization （TARE） technique has been developed, and proven to be efficient and safe in advanced liver cancers and those with vascular complications. Two types of radioembolization microspheres are available i.e., SIR-Spheres~ （Sirtex Medical Limited, Australia） and TheraSphere~ （BTG, UK）. This review describes the basic procedure of TACE, properties and efficacy of some chemoembolization systems and radioembolization agents which are commercially available and/or currently under clinical evaluation. The key clinical trials of transcatheter arterial therapy for liver cancer are summarized.展开更多
The development of new/different management and feeding strategies to stimulate gut development and health in newly-weaned pigs, in order to improve growth performance while minimizing the use of antimicrobial compoun...The development of new/different management and feeding strategies to stimulate gut development and health in newly-weaned pigs, in order to improve growth performance while minimizing the use of antimicrobial compounds such as antibiotic growth promotants （AGP） and heavy mineral compounds, is essential for the long-term sustainability of the pig industry. Factors including the sub-optimal intake of nutrients and energy, inappropriate microbiota biomass and （or） balance, immature and compromised immune function, and psychosomatic factors caused by weaning can compromise both the efficiency of digestion and absorption and intestinal barrier function through mucosal damage and alteration of tight junction integrity. As a consequence, pigs at weaning are highly susceptible to pathogenic enteric conditions such as post-weaning diarrhea that may be caused by serotypes of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coil Many dietary components, e.g., protein, fiber, feed additives and minerals, are known to influence microbial growth in the gastrointestinal tract that in turn can impact upon pig growth and health, although the relationships between these are sometimes not necessarily apparent or obvious. In a world climate of increased scrutiny over the use of antibiotics per se in pig production, certain feed additives are seen as alternatives/replacements to antibiotics, and have evolved in some cases to have important roles in everyday commercial pig nutrition. Nevertheless and in general, there remains inconsistency and variability in the efficacy of some feed additives and in cases of severe disease outbreaks, for example, therapeutic antibiotics and/or heavy minerals such as zinc oxide （ZnO） are generally relied upon. If feed ingredients and （or） feed additives are to be used with greater regularity and reliability, then it is necessary to better understand the mechanisms whereby antibiotics and minerals such as ZnO influence animal physiology, in conjunction with the use of appropriate challenge models and in vitro and in vivo techniques.展开更多
Betula alnoides is a fast-growing hardwood species grown in large plantations in Southeast Asia and South China.Nitrogen requirements for producing robus seedlings,growth and nutrient dynamics were investigated using ...Betula alnoides is a fast-growing hardwood species grown in large plantations in Southeast Asia and South China.Nitrogen requirements for producing robus seedlings,growth and nutrient dynamics were investigated using exponential fertilization treatments.Root collar diameter,height,dry mass and nutrient contents of seedlings increased exponentially in all fertilization treatments as time progressed.Moreover,with water soluble fertilizer（Plant Products plus microelements N–P2O5–K2O：20–20–20）,300 mg N seedling-1was adequate.Vector analysis revealed that P was the most responsive nutrient element followed by N and K.Dilutions of N and K were evident in the plants without N addition,which induced initial P sufficiency and then luxury consumption probably due to the antagonistic interaction between N and P.However deficiencies of N,P and K were mostly observed in al exponential regimes during the experiment because seedling growth rate exceeded nutrient uptake rate,inferring that further study on improving the nutrient uptake efficiency is needed.Analysis of relationships among nutrient supply,dry mass,N content and N concentration demonstrated that 100–400 mg N seedling-1induced sufficiency to luxury consumption of nitrogen without significant change in dry mass,and 400 mg N seedling-1is recommended to apply for nutrient loading of seedlings before outplanting.The findings will help improve seedling quality and enhance the production of robust seedlings for plantation forestry of this species.展开更多
Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), an endoscopic procedure for the treatment of gastric epithelial neoplasia without lymph node metastases, spread rapidly, primarily in Japan, starting in the late 1990s. ESD enab...Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), an endoscopic procedure for the treatment of gastric epithelial neoplasia without lymph node metastases, spread rapidly, primarily in Japan, starting in the late 1990s. ESD enables en bloc resection of lesions that are difficult to resect using conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). However, in comparison to EMR, ESD requires a high level of endoscopic competence and a longer resection time. Thus, ESD is associated with a higher risk of adverse events, including intraoperative and postoperative bleeding and gastrointestinal perforation. In particular, because of a higher incidence of intraoperative bleeding with mucosal incision and submucosal dissection, which are distinctive endoscopic procedures in ESD, a strategy for endoscopic hemostasis, mainly by thermo-coagulation hemostasis using hemostatic forceps, is important. In addition, because of iatrogenic artificial ulcers that always form after ESD, endoscopic hemostasis and appropriate pharma-cotherapy during the healing process are essential.展开更多
AIM: To explore the anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) effects of Boehmeria nivea (B. nivea) root extract (BNE) by using the HepG2 2.2.15 cell model system. METHODS: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B virus e ...AIM: To explore the anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) effects of Boehmeria nivea (B. nivea) root extract (BNE) by using the HepG2 2.2.15 cell model system. METHODS: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg), and HBV DNA were measured by using ELISA and real-time PCR, respectively. Viral DNA replication and RNA expression were determined by using Southern and Northern blot, respectively. RESULTS: In HepG2 2.2.15 cells, HBeAg (60%, P < 0.01) and particle-associated HBV DNA (> 99%, P < 0.01) secretion into supernatant were significantly inhibited by BNE at a dose of 100 mg/L, whereas the HBsAg was not inhibited. With different doses of BNE, the reduced HBeAg was correlated with the inhibition of HBV DNA. The anti-HBV effect of BNE was not caused by its cytotoxicity to cells or inhibition of viral DNA replication and RNA expression. CONCLUSION: BNE could effectively reduce the HBV production and its anti-HBV machinery might differ from the nucleoside analogues.展开更多
Thymosin alpha 1 is a peptide naturally occurring in the thymus that has long been recognized for modifying,enhancing,and restoring immune function.Thymosin alpha 1 has been utilized in the treatment of immunocompromi...Thymosin alpha 1 is a peptide naturally occurring in the thymus that has long been recognized for modifying,enhancing,and restoring immune function.Thymosin alpha 1 has been utilized in the treatment of immunocompromised states and malignancies,as an enhancer of vaccine response,and as a means of curbing morbidity and mortality in sepsis and numerous infections.Studies have postulated that thymosin alpha 1 could help improve the outcome in severely ill corona virus disease 2019 patients by repairing damage caused by overactivation of lymphocytic immunity and how thymosin alpha 1 could prevent the excessive activation of T cells.In this review,we discuss key literature on the background knowledge and current clinical uses of thymosin alpha 1.Considering the known biochemical properties including antibacterial and antiviral properties,timehonored applications,and the new promising findings regarding the use of thymosin,we believe that thymosin alpha 1 deserves further investigation into its antiviral properties and possible repurposing as a treatment against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2.展开更多
Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of diseases that includes Crohn＇s disease （CD） and ulcerative colitis. CD is characterized as a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract, ranging from the mou...Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of diseases that includes Crohn＇s disease （CD） and ulcerative colitis. CD is characterized as a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract, ranging from the mouth to the anus. Although there are gross pathological and histological similarities between CD and Johne＇s dis- ease of cattle, the cause of CD remains controversial. It is vital to understand fully the cause of this disease because it affects approximately 500 000 people in North America and Europe. It ranges from 27 to 48 cases per 100 000 people. There are many theories on the cause of CD ranging from possible association with environmental factors including microorganisms to imbalance in the intestinal normal flora of the pa- tients. Regardless of the environmental trigger, there is strong evidence that a genetic disposition is a major key in acquiring CD. Many studies have proven the link between mutations in the ATG16L, NOD2/CARD15, IBDS, CTLA4, TNFSF15 and IL23R genes, and CD. The purpose of this review is to examine all genetic aspects and theories of CD, including up to date multiple popu- lation studies performed worldwide.展开更多
Although uncommon, sporadic nonampullary duodenal adenomas have a growing detection due to the widespread of endoscopy. Endoscopic therapy is being increasingly used for these lesions, since surgery, considered the st...Although uncommon, sporadic nonampullary duodenal adenomas have a growing detection due to the widespread of endoscopy. Endoscopic therapy is being increasingly used for these lesions, since surgery, considered the standard treatment, carries significant morbidity and mortality. However, the knowledge about its risks and benefits is limited, which contributes to the current absence of standardized recommendations. This review aims to discuss the efficacy and safety of endoscopic mucosal resection(EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD) in the treatment of these lesions. A literature review was performed, using the Pubmed database with the query: "(duodenum or duodenal)(endoscopy or endoscopic) adenoma resection", in the human species and in English. Of the 189 retrieved articles, and after reading their abstracts, 19 were selected due to their scientific interest. The analysis of their references, led to the inclusion of 23 more articles for their relevance in this subject. The increased use of EMR in the duodenum has shown good results with complete resection rates exceeding 80% and low complication risk(delayed bleeding in less than 12% of the procedures). Although rarely used in the duodenum, ESD achieves close to 100% complete resection rates, but is associated with perforation and bleeding risk in up to one third of the cases. Even though literature is insufficient to draw definitive conclusions, studies suggest that EMR and ESD are valid options for the treatment of nonampullary adenomas. Thus, strategies to improve these techniques, and consequently increase the effectiveness and safety of the resection of these lesions, should be developed.展开更多
Cholangiocytes are the epithelial cells that line the biliary tree.In the adult liver,they are a mitotically dormant cell population,unless ductular reaction is triggered by injury.The ability of cholangiocytes to pro...Cholangiocytes are the epithelial cells that line the biliary tree.In the adult liver,they are a mitotically dormant cell population,unless ductular reaction is triggered by injury.The ability of cholangiocytes to proliferate is important in many different human pathological liver conditions that target this cell type,which are termed cholangiopathies(i.e.primary biliary cirrhosis,primary sclerosing cholangitis and biliary atresia).In our article,we provide background information on the morphological and functional heterogeneity of cholangiocytes,summarize what is currently known about their proliferative processes,and briefly describe the diseases that target these cells.In addition,we address recent findings that suggest cholangiocyte involvement in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transformation and liver fibrosis,and propose directions for future studies.展开更多
Recently,several studies have reported local full-thickness resection techniques using flexible endoscopy for gastric tumors,such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors,gastric carcinoid tumors,and early gastric cancer(EG...Recently,several studies have reported local full-thickness resection techniques using flexible endoscopy for gastric tumors,such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors,gastric carcinoid tumors,and early gastric cancer(EGC). These techniques have the advantage of allowing precise resection lines to be determined using intraluminal endoscopy. Thus,it is possible to minimize the resection area and subsequent deformity. Some of these methods include:(1) classical laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery(LECS);(2) inverted LECS;(3) combination of laparoscopic and endoscopic approaches to neoplasia with non-exposure technique; and(4) non-exposed endoscopic wall-inversion surgery. Furthermore,a recent prospective multicenter trial of the sentinel node navigation surgery(SNNS) for EGC has shown acceptable results in terms of sentinel node detection rate and the accuracy of nodal metastasis. Endoscopic full-thickness resection with SNNS is expected to become a treatment option that bridges the gap between endoscopic submucosal dissection and standard surgery for EGC. In the future,the indications for these procedures for gastric tumors could be expanded.展开更多
The objectives of this review are to outline the recent findings related to the morphological heterogeneity of the biliary epithelium and the heterogeneous pathophysiological responses of different sized bile ducts to...The objectives of this review are to outline the recent findings related to the morphological heterogeneity of the biliary epithelium and the heterogeneous pathophysiological responses of different sized bile ducts to liver gastrointestinal hormones and peptides and liver injury/toxins with changes in apoptotic, proliferative and secretory activities. The knowledge of biliary function is rapidly increasing because of the recognition that biliary epithelial cells （cholangiocytes） are the targets of human cholangiopathies, which are characterized by proliferation/damage of bile ducts within a small range of sizes. The unique anatomy, morphology, innervation and vascularization of the biliary epithelium are consistent with function of cholangiocytes within different regions of the biliary tree. The in vivo models [e.g., bile duct ligation （BDL）, partial hepatectomy, feeding of bile acids,carbon tetrachloride （CCI4） or α-naphthylisothiocyanate（ANIT）] and the in vivo experimental tools [e.g., freshly isolated small and large cholangiocytes or intrahepatic bile duct units （IBDU） and primary cultures of small and large murine cholangiocytes] have allowed us to demonstrate the morphological and functional heterogeneity of the intrahepatic biliary epithelium.These models demonstrated the differential secretory activities and the heterogeneous apoptotic and proliferative responses of different sized ducts. Similar to animal models of cholangiocyte proliferation/injury restricted to specific sized ducts, in human liver diseases bile duct damage predominates specific sized bile ducts.Future studies related to the functional heterogeneity of the intrahepatic biliary epithelium may disclose new pathophysiological treatments for patients with cholangiopathies.展开更多
High-chromium white cast iron （HCWCI） is one of the most widely used engineering materials in the mining and cement industries. However, in some components, such as the pulverizer plates of ash mills, the poor machi...High-chromium white cast iron （HCWCI） is one of the most widely used engineering materials in the mining and cement industries. However, in some components, such as the pulverizer plates of ash mills, the poor machinability of HCWCI creates difficulties. The bimetal casting technique is a suitable method for improving the machinability of HCWCI by joining an easily machined layer of plain carbon steel （PCS） to its hard part. In this study, the possibility of PCS/HCWCI bimetal casting was investigated using sand casting. The investigation was conducted by optical and electron microscopy and non-destructive, impact toughness, and tensile tests. The hardness and chemical composition profiles on both sides of the interface were plotted in this study. The results indicated that a conventional and low-cost casting technique could be a reliable method for producing PCSYdCWCI bimetal. The interfacial microstructure comprised two distinct lay- ers： a very fine, partially spheroidized pearlite layer and a coarse full pearlite layer. Moreover, characterization of the microstructure revealed that the interface was free of defects.展开更多
In order to expand the cell coverage of wireless cellular systems, the number of passive components in wireless systems has been substantially increased. There can be many passive intermodulation(PIM) pointsources eve...In order to expand the cell coverage of wireless cellular systems, the number of passive components in wireless systems has been substantially increased. There can be many passive intermodulation(PIM) pointsources even in a device or a radio link, which may add up constructively or destructively. A modified point-source model with lossy components is proposed to evaluate the superposition effect of the forward and refl ected PIM in case of series connection. The index of the series connection factor(SCF) is employed for systems that incorporate multiple PIM sources to predict the important characteristics of the cumulative PIM, such as the maximum and minimum values and the limit form. Furthermore, some initial experimental results are given out and the deviation in the above-mentioned prediction is also analyzed.展开更多
A multi-objective optimization model for draft scheduling of hot strip mill was presented, rolling power minimizing, rolling force ratio distribution and good strip shape as the objective functions. A multi-objective ...A multi-objective optimization model for draft scheduling of hot strip mill was presented, rolling power minimizing, rolling force ratio distribution and good strip shape as the objective functions. A multi-objective differential evolution algorithm based on decomposition （MODE/D）. The two-objective and three-objective optimization experiments were performed respectively to demonstrate the optimal solutions of trade-off. The simulation results show that MODE/D can obtain a good Pareto-optimal front, which suggests a series of alternative solutions to draft scheduling. The extreme Pareto solutions are found feasible and the centres of the Pareto fronts give a good compromise. The conflict exists between each two ones of three objectives. The final optimal solution is selected from the Pareto-optimal front by the importance of objectives, and it can achieve a better performance in all objective dimensions than the empirical solutions. Finally, the practical application cases confirm the feasibility of the multi-objective approach, and the optimal solutions can gain a better rolling stability than the empirical solutions, and strip flatness decreases from （0± 63） IU to （0±45） IU in industrial production.展开更多
文摘Nitric oxide(NO)is a gaseous molecule produced by 3 different NO synthase(NOS)isoforms:Neural/brain NOS(nNOS/bNOS,type 1),endothelial NOS(eNOS,type 3)and inducible NOS(type 2).Type 1 and 3 NOS are constitutively expressed.NO can serve different purposes:As a vasoactive molecule,as a neurotransmitter or as an immunomodulator.It plays a key role in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury(CIRI).Hypoxic episodes simulate the production of oxygen free radicals,leading to mitochondrial and phospholipid damage.Upon reperfusion,increased levels of oxygen trigger oxide synthases;whose products are associated with neuronal damage by promoting lipid peroxidation,nitrosylation and excitotoxicity.Molecular pathways in CIRI can be altered by NOS.Neuroprotective effects are observed with eNOS activity.While nNOS interplay is prone to endothelial inflammation,oxidative stress and apoptosis.Therefore,nNOS appears to be detrimental.The interaction between NO and other free radicals develops peroxynitrite;which is a cytotoxic agent.It plays a main role in the likelihood of hemorrhagic events by tissue plasminogen activator(t-PA).Peroxynitrite scavengers are currently being studied as potential targets to prevent hemorrhagic transformation in CIRI.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.62264015 and U2233206)the Civil Aviation Administration of China(No.U1933109)Hubei Province Technology Innovation Program Project(No.2024BCB073)
文摘Inspired by hexaazanaphthalene-based conjugated copper metal-organic framework(HATNA-Cu-MOF),we designed 161 HATNA-TM-MOF-based SACs(TM@N_(x)O_(4-x)-HATNA)with varying TM or ligands creating distinct coordination environments(x=0-4)with superior thermodynamic and electrochemical stabilities.Volcano plots can be constructed using(AGOOH^(*)-ΔGO^(*))/ΔGO^(*)as descriptors for oxygen evolution/reduction reaction(OER/ORR)activity,also serving as target parameters for machine learning(ML)models to identify high-performance OER/ORR catalysts.The efficient monofunctional and bifunctional electrocatalysts were successfully predicted,where the ML prediction results well matched the DFT calculation results.We employed Shapley additive explanations(SHAP)for feature analysis and utilized sure independence screening and sparsification operator(SISSO)for generalization.ML analyses reveal that TM-based OER/ORR activities predominantly correlate with three key descriptors:metallic atomic radius,d-orbital electron population,and the heat of formation of the oxide,demonstrating the pivotal role of TM's inherent electronic configuration and physicochemical characteristics in governing electrocatalytic efficacy.The constant-potential approach emphasizes the key role of electric double-layer capacitance in adjusting the kinetic barrier,where changes in the Fermi level influence the occupation of d-orbitals.Variations in electrochemical potential significantly alter the electronic structure of representative Rh@N_(1)O_(3)-HATNA,affecting both the Fermi level and adsorption properties,with the unique 4d^(8)5s^(1)configuration leading to inverted O_(2)adsorption energies as the potential decreases.This study contributes insights into the origin of oxygen evolution-reduction activity for the HATNA-TM-MOF-based SACs and reveals the fundamentals of structure-activity relationships for future applications.
基金supported by Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Researchers Supporting Project number(PNURSP2025R432),Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University,Riyadh,Saudi Arabia.
文摘Wheat fungal infections pose a danger to the grain quality and crop productivity.Thus,prompt and precise diagnosis is essential for efficient crop management.This study used the WFD2020 image dataset,which is available to everyone,to look into howdeep learningmodels could be used to find powdery mildew,leaf rust,and yellow rust,which are three common fungal diseases in Punjab,India.We changed a few hyperparameters to test TensorFlowbased models,such as SSD and Faster R-CNN with ResNet50,ResNet101,and ResNet152 as backbones.Faster R-CNN with ResNet50 achieved amean average precision(mAP)of 0.68 among these models.We then used the PyTorch-based YOLOv8 model,which significantly outperformed the previous methods with an impressive mAP of 0.99.YOLOv8 proved to be a beneficial approach for the early-stage diagnosis of fungal diseases,especially when it comes to precisely identifying diseased areas and various object sizes in images.Problems,such as class imbalance and possible model overfitting,persisted despite these developments.The results show that YOLOv8 is a good automated disease diagnosis tool that helps farmers quickly find and treat fungal infections using image-based systems.
基金the financial support of the European Union under the REFRESH-Research Excellence for Region Sustainability and High-tech Industries project number CZ.10.03.01/00/22_003/0000048 via the Operational Programme Just Transition and has been done in connection with project Students Grant Competition SP2025/062"specific research on progressive and sustainable production technologies"and SP2025/063"specific research on innovative and progressive manufacturing technologies"financed by the Ministry of Education,Youth and Sports and Faculty of Mechanical Engineering VSB-TUOThe authors would like to extend their sincere appreciation to Researchers Supporting Project number(RSP2025R472)King Saud University,Riyadh,Saudi Arabia.
文摘In a world where supply chains are increasingly complex and unpredictable,finding the optimal way to move goods through transshipment networks is more important and challenging than ever.In addition to addressing the complexity of transportation costs and demand,this study presents a novel method that offers flexible routing alternatives to manage these complexities.When real-world variables such as fluctuating costs,variable capacity,and unpredictable demand are considered,traditional transshipment models often prove inadequate.To overcome these challenges,we propose an innovative fully fuzzy-based framework using LR flat fuzzy numbers.This framework allows for more adaptable and flexible decision-making in multi-objective transshipment situations by effectively capturing uncertain parameters.To overcome these challenges,we develop an innovative,fully fuzzy-based framework using LR flat fuzzy numbers to effectively capture uncertainty in key parameters,offering more flexible and adaptive decision-making in multi-objective transshipment problems.The proposed model also presents alternative route options,giving decisionmakers a range of choices to satisfy multiple requirements,including reducing costs,improving service quality,and expediting delivery.Through extensive numerical experiments,we demonstrate that the model can achieve greater adaptability,efficiency,and flexibility than standard approaches.This multi-path structure provides additional flexibility to adapt to dynamic network conditions.Using ranking strategies,we compared our multi-objective transshipment model with existing methods.The results indicate that,while traditional methods such as goal and fuzzy programming generate results close to the anti-ideal value,thus reducing their efficiency,our model produces solutions close to the ideal value,thereby facilitating better decision making.By combining dynamic routing alternatives with a fully fuzzybased approach,this study offers an effective tool to improve decision-making and optimize complex networks under real-world conditions in practical settings.In this paper,we utilize LINGO 18 software to solve the provided numerical example,demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed method.
文摘BACKGROUND According to the guidelines in the United States,individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer should be screened at the age of 40 years.Data on the prevalence of adenomas and sessile serrated lesions(SSLs)in individuals aged 40-49 years in Japan are lacking.AIM To investigate the effect of family history on the detection of adenomas and SSLs during colonoscopy in Japan.METHODS This retrospective,single-center cohort study included individuals aged 40-79 years who underwent colonoscopy by expert endoscopists with an adenoma detection rate(ADR)≥40%between 2021 and 2024.The ADR and adenoma plus SSL detection rate(ASDR)were investigated according to age.Multivariable analyses were performed to examine the effects of first-degree family history of colorectal cancer,fecal immunochemical test,and sex on the ADR and ASDR for each age group.A binomial logistic regression model was used.RESULTS In 10248 participants,the overall ADR and ASDR were 53.6%and 59.1%,respectively.The ADR and ASDR increased with age.Among 2317 participants aged 40-49 years,the presence of a family history significantly increased the ADR(47.6%vs 38.2%).The odds ratio of a family history for the ADR adjusted by sex and fecal immunochemical test was 1.59(95%confidence interval:1.13-2.25).In contrast,there was no significant association between the ADR and family history in participants aged 50-59,60-69,and 70-79 years.Similarly,a family history significantly increased the ASDR(58.0%vs 43.7%)in participants aged 40-49 years.The odds ratio of a family history for the ASDR was 1.92(95%confidence interval:1.36-2.71).CONCLUSION Participants with a family history exhibited significantly elevated ADR(47.6%)and ASDR(58.0%),in their 40s.Individuals with a family history should initiate colonoscopy at 40 years old.
文摘The combining microelectronic devices and associated technologies onto a single silicon chip poses a substantial challenge.However,in recent years,the area of silicon photonics has experienced remarkable advancements and notable leaps in performance.The performance of silicon on insulator(SOI)based photonic devices,such as fast silicon optical modulators,photonic transceivers,optical filters,etc.,have been discussed.This would be a step forward in creating standalone silicon photonic devices,strengthening the possibility of single on-chip nanophotonic integrated circuits.Suppose an integrated silicon photonic chip is designed and fabricated.In that case,it might drastically modify these combined photonic component costs,power consumption,and size,bringing substantial,perhaps revolutionary,changes to the next-generation communications sector.Yet,the monolithic integration of photonic and electrical circuitry is a significant technological difficulty.A complicated set of factors must be carefully considered to determine which application will have the best chance of success employing silicon-based integrated product solutions.The processing limitations connected to the current process flow,the process generation(sometimes referred to as lithography node generation),and packaging requirements are a few of these factors to consider.This review highlights recent developments in integrated silicon photonic devices and their proven applications,including but not limited to photonic waveguides,photonic amplifiers and filters,onchip photonic transceivers,and the state-of-the-art of silicon photonic in multidimensional quantum systems.The investigated devices aim to expedite the transfer of silicon photonics from academia to industry by opening the next phase in on-chip silicon photonics and enabling the application of silicon photonic-based devices in various optical systems.
文摘Transarterial chemoembolization （TACE） is a form of intra-arterial catheter-based chemotherapy that selectively delivers high doses of cytotoxic drug to the tumor bed combining with the effect of ischemic necrosis induced by arterial embolization. Chemoembolization and radioembolization are at the core of the treatment of liver hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） patients who cannot receive potentially curative therapies such as transplantation, resection or percutaneous ablation. TACE for liver cancer has been proven to be useful in local tumor control, to prevent tumor progression, prolong patients＇ life and control patient symptoms. Recent evidence showed in patients with single-nodule HCC of 3 cm or smaller without vascular invasion, the 5-year overall survival （OS） with TACE was similar to that with hepatic resection and radiofrequency ablation. Mthough being used for decades, Lipiodol~ （Lipiodol~ Ultra Fluid~, Guerbet, France） remains important as a tumor-seeking and radio-opaque clrug delivery vector in intervendonal oncology. There have been efforts to improve the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to tumors. Drug-eluting bead （DEB） is a relatively novel drug delivery embolization system which allows for fixed dosing and the ability to release the anticancer agents in a sustained manner. Three DEBs are available, i.e., Tandem~ （CeloNova Biosciences Inc., USA）, DC-Beads~ （BTG, UK） and HepaSphere~ （BioSphere Medical, Inc., USA）. Transarterial radioembolization （TARE） technique has been developed, and proven to be efficient and safe in advanced liver cancers and those with vascular complications. Two types of radioembolization microspheres are available i.e., SIR-Spheres~ （Sirtex Medical Limited, Australia） and TheraSphere~ （BTG, UK）. This review describes the basic procedure of TACE, properties and efficacy of some chemoembolization systems and radioembolization agents which are commercially available and/or currently under clinical evaluation. The key clinical trials of transcatheter arterial therapy for liver cancer are summarized.
文摘The development of new/different management and feeding strategies to stimulate gut development and health in newly-weaned pigs, in order to improve growth performance while minimizing the use of antimicrobial compounds such as antibiotic growth promotants （AGP） and heavy mineral compounds, is essential for the long-term sustainability of the pig industry. Factors including the sub-optimal intake of nutrients and energy, inappropriate microbiota biomass and （or） balance, immature and compromised immune function, and psychosomatic factors caused by weaning can compromise both the efficiency of digestion and absorption and intestinal barrier function through mucosal damage and alteration of tight junction integrity. As a consequence, pigs at weaning are highly susceptible to pathogenic enteric conditions such as post-weaning diarrhea that may be caused by serotypes of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coil Many dietary components, e.g., protein, fiber, feed additives and minerals, are known to influence microbial growth in the gastrointestinal tract that in turn can impact upon pig growth and health, although the relationships between these are sometimes not necessarily apparent or obvious. In a world climate of increased scrutiny over the use of antibiotics per se in pig production, certain feed additives are seen as alternatives/replacements to antibiotics, and have evolved in some cases to have important roles in everyday commercial pig nutrition. Nevertheless and in general, there remains inconsistency and variability in the efficacy of some feed additives and in cases of severe disease outbreaks, for example, therapeutic antibiotics and/or heavy minerals such as zinc oxide （ZnO） are generally relied upon. If feed ingredients and （or） feed additives are to be used with greater regularity and reliability, then it is necessary to better understand the mechanisms whereby antibiotics and minerals such as ZnO influence animal physiology, in conjunction with the use of appropriate challenge models and in vitro and in vivo techniques.
基金financially supported by The Ministry of Science and Technology,China(2012BAD21B0102)
文摘Betula alnoides is a fast-growing hardwood species grown in large plantations in Southeast Asia and South China.Nitrogen requirements for producing robus seedlings,growth and nutrient dynamics were investigated using exponential fertilization treatments.Root collar diameter,height,dry mass and nutrient contents of seedlings increased exponentially in all fertilization treatments as time progressed.Moreover,with water soluble fertilizer（Plant Products plus microelements N–P2O5–K2O：20–20–20）,300 mg N seedling-1was adequate.Vector analysis revealed that P was the most responsive nutrient element followed by N and K.Dilutions of N and K were evident in the plants without N addition,which induced initial P sufficiency and then luxury consumption probably due to the antagonistic interaction between N and P.However deficiencies of N,P and K were mostly observed in al exponential regimes during the experiment because seedling growth rate exceeded nutrient uptake rate,inferring that further study on improving the nutrient uptake efficiency is needed.Analysis of relationships among nutrient supply,dry mass,N content and N concentration demonstrated that 100–400 mg N seedling-1induced sufficiency to luxury consumption of nitrogen without significant change in dry mass,and 400 mg N seedling-1is recommended to apply for nutrient loading of seedlings before outplanting.The findings will help improve seedling quality and enhance the production of robust seedlings for plantation forestry of this species.
基金Supported by A Grant-in-Aid for Cancer Research from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan, in part
文摘Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), an endoscopic procedure for the treatment of gastric epithelial neoplasia without lymph node metastases, spread rapidly, primarily in Japan, starting in the late 1990s. ESD enables en bloc resection of lesions that are difficult to resect using conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). However, in comparison to EMR, ESD requires a high level of endoscopic competence and a longer resection time. Thus, ESD is associated with a higher risk of adverse events, including intraoperative and postoperative bleeding and gastrointestinal perforation. In particular, because of a higher incidence of intraoperative bleeding with mucosal incision and submucosal dissection, which are distinctive endoscopic procedures in ESD, a strategy for endoscopic hemostasis, mainly by thermo-coagulation hemostasis using hemostatic forceps, is important. In addition, because of iatrogenic artificial ulcers that always form after ESD, endoscopic hemostasis and appropriate pharma-cotherapy during the healing process are essential.
文摘AIM: To explore the anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) effects of Boehmeria nivea (B. nivea) root extract (BNE) by using the HepG2 2.2.15 cell model system. METHODS: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg), and HBV DNA were measured by using ELISA and real-time PCR, respectively. Viral DNA replication and RNA expression were determined by using Southern and Northern blot, respectively. RESULTS: In HepG2 2.2.15 cells, HBeAg (60%, P < 0.01) and particle-associated HBV DNA (> 99%, P < 0.01) secretion into supernatant were significantly inhibited by BNE at a dose of 100 mg/L, whereas the HBsAg was not inhibited. With different doses of BNE, the reduced HBeAg was correlated with the inhibition of HBV DNA. The anti-HBV effect of BNE was not caused by its cytotoxicity to cells or inhibition of viral DNA replication and RNA expression. CONCLUSION: BNE could effectively reduce the HBV production and its anti-HBV machinery might differ from the nucleoside analogues.
文摘Thymosin alpha 1 is a peptide naturally occurring in the thymus that has long been recognized for modifying,enhancing,and restoring immune function.Thymosin alpha 1 has been utilized in the treatment of immunocompromised states and malignancies,as an enhancer of vaccine response,and as a means of curbing morbidity and mortality in sepsis and numerous infections.Studies have postulated that thymosin alpha 1 could help improve the outcome in severely ill corona virus disease 2019 patients by repairing damage caused by overactivation of lymphocytic immunity and how thymosin alpha 1 could prevent the excessive activation of T cells.In this review,we discuss key literature on the background knowledge and current clinical uses of thymosin alpha 1.Considering the known biochemical properties including antibacterial and antiviral properties,timehonored applications,and the new promising findings regarding the use of thymosin,we believe that thymosin alpha 1 deserves further investigation into its antiviral properties and possible repurposing as a treatment against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2.
基金Supported by The Broad Foundation grant,No. IBD-0207R
文摘Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of diseases that includes Crohn＇s disease （CD） and ulcerative colitis. CD is characterized as a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract, ranging from the mouth to the anus. Although there are gross pathological and histological similarities between CD and Johne＇s dis- ease of cattle, the cause of CD remains controversial. It is vital to understand fully the cause of this disease because it affects approximately 500 000 people in North America and Europe. It ranges from 27 to 48 cases per 100 000 people. There are many theories on the cause of CD ranging from possible association with environmental factors including microorganisms to imbalance in the intestinal normal flora of the pa- tients. Regardless of the environmental trigger, there is strong evidence that a genetic disposition is a major key in acquiring CD. Many studies have proven the link between mutations in the ATG16L, NOD2/CARD15, IBDS, CTLA4, TNFSF15 and IL23R genes, and CD. The purpose of this review is to examine all genetic aspects and theories of CD, including up to date multiple popu- lation studies performed worldwide.
文摘Although uncommon, sporadic nonampullary duodenal adenomas have a growing detection due to the widespread of endoscopy. Endoscopic therapy is being increasingly used for these lesions, since surgery, considered the standard treatment, carries significant morbidity and mortality. However, the knowledge about its risks and benefits is limited, which contributes to the current absence of standardized recommendations. This review aims to discuss the efficacy and safety of endoscopic mucosal resection(EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD) in the treatment of these lesions. A literature review was performed, using the Pubmed database with the query: "(duodenum or duodenal)(endoscopy or endoscopic) adenoma resection", in the human species and in English. Of the 189 retrieved articles, and after reading their abstracts, 19 were selected due to their scientific interest. The analysis of their references, led to the inclusion of 23 more articles for their relevance in this subject. The increased use of EMR in the duodenum has shown good results with complete resection rates exceeding 80% and low complication risk(delayed bleeding in less than 12% of the procedures). Although rarely used in the duodenum, ESD achieves close to 100% complete resection rates, but is associated with perforation and bleeding risk in up to one third of the cases. Even though literature is insufficient to draw definitive conclusions, studies suggest that EMR and ESD are valid options for the treatment of nonampullary adenomas. Thus, strategies to improve these techniques, and consequently increase the effectiveness and safety of the resection of these lesions, should be developed.
基金Supported by the Grant Awarded to Dr.Glaser from Scott and White Hospitalby a NIH RO1 Grant,No.DK081442
文摘Cholangiocytes are the epithelial cells that line the biliary tree.In the adult liver,they are a mitotically dormant cell population,unless ductular reaction is triggered by injury.The ability of cholangiocytes to proliferate is important in many different human pathological liver conditions that target this cell type,which are termed cholangiopathies(i.e.primary biliary cirrhosis,primary sclerosing cholangitis and biliary atresia).In our article,we provide background information on the morphological and functional heterogeneity of cholangiocytes,summarize what is currently known about their proliferative processes,and briefly describe the diseases that target these cells.In addition,we address recent findings that suggest cholangiocyte involvement in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transformation and liver fibrosis,and propose directions for future studies.
文摘Recently,several studies have reported local full-thickness resection techniques using flexible endoscopy for gastric tumors,such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors,gastric carcinoid tumors,and early gastric cancer(EGC). These techniques have the advantage of allowing precise resection lines to be determined using intraluminal endoscopy. Thus,it is possible to minimize the resection area and subsequent deformity. Some of these methods include:(1) classical laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery(LECS);(2) inverted LECS;(3) combination of laparoscopic and endoscopic approaches to neoplasia with non-exposure technique; and(4) non-exposed endoscopic wall-inversion surgery. Furthermore,a recent prospective multicenter trial of the sentinel node navigation surgery(SNNS) for EGC has shown acceptable results in terms of sentinel node detection rate and the accuracy of nodal metastasis. Endoscopic full-thickness resection with SNNS is expected to become a treatment option that bridges the gap between endoscopic submucosal dissection and standard surgery for EGC. In the future,the indications for these procedures for gastric tumors could be expanded.
基金a grant award from Scott & White Hospital and The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, a VA Merit Award, a VA Research Scholar Award and the NIH grants DK58411 and DK062975 to Dr. Alpini, by grant awards to Shannon Glaser and Heather Francis from Scott & White Hospital.
文摘The objectives of this review are to outline the recent findings related to the morphological heterogeneity of the biliary epithelium and the heterogeneous pathophysiological responses of different sized bile ducts to liver gastrointestinal hormones and peptides and liver injury/toxins with changes in apoptotic, proliferative and secretory activities. The knowledge of biliary function is rapidly increasing because of the recognition that biliary epithelial cells （cholangiocytes） are the targets of human cholangiopathies, which are characterized by proliferation/damage of bile ducts within a small range of sizes. The unique anatomy, morphology, innervation and vascularization of the biliary epithelium are consistent with function of cholangiocytes within different regions of the biliary tree. The in vivo models [e.g., bile duct ligation （BDL）, partial hepatectomy, feeding of bile acids,carbon tetrachloride （CCI4） or α-naphthylisothiocyanate（ANIT）] and the in vivo experimental tools [e.g., freshly isolated small and large cholangiocytes or intrahepatic bile duct units （IBDU） and primary cultures of small and large murine cholangiocytes] have allowed us to demonstrate the morphological and functional heterogeneity of the intrahepatic biliary epithelium.These models demonstrated the differential secretory activities and the heterogeneous apoptotic and proliferative responses of different sized ducts. Similar to animal models of cholangiocyte proliferation/injury restricted to specific sized ducts, in human liver diseases bile duct damage predominates specific sized bile ducts.Future studies related to the functional heterogeneity of the intrahepatic biliary epithelium may disclose new pathophysiological treatments for patients with cholangiopathies.
文摘High-chromium white cast iron （HCWCI） is one of the most widely used engineering materials in the mining and cement industries. However, in some components, such as the pulverizer plates of ash mills, the poor machinability of HCWCI creates difficulties. The bimetal casting technique is a suitable method for improving the machinability of HCWCI by joining an easily machined layer of plain carbon steel （PCS） to its hard part. In this study, the possibility of PCS/HCWCI bimetal casting was investigated using sand casting. The investigation was conducted by optical and electron microscopy and non-destructive, impact toughness, and tensile tests. The hardness and chemical composition profiles on both sides of the interface were plotted in this study. The results indicated that a conventional and low-cost casting technique could be a reliable method for producing PCSYdCWCI bimetal. The interfacial microstructure comprised two distinct lay- ers： a very fine, partially spheroidized pearlite layer and a coarse full pearlite layer. Moreover, characterization of the microstructure revealed that the interface was free of defects.
文摘In order to expand the cell coverage of wireless cellular systems, the number of passive components in wireless systems has been substantially increased. There can be many passive intermodulation(PIM) pointsources even in a device or a radio link, which may add up constructively or destructively. A modified point-source model with lossy components is proposed to evaluate the superposition effect of the forward and refl ected PIM in case of series connection. The index of the series connection factor(SCF) is employed for systems that incorporate multiple PIM sources to predict the important characteristics of the cumulative PIM, such as the maximum and minimum values and the limit form. Furthermore, some initial experimental results are given out and the deviation in the above-mentioned prediction is also analyzed.
基金Projects(50974039,50634030)supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘A multi-objective optimization model for draft scheduling of hot strip mill was presented, rolling power minimizing, rolling force ratio distribution and good strip shape as the objective functions. A multi-objective differential evolution algorithm based on decomposition （MODE/D）. The two-objective and three-objective optimization experiments were performed respectively to demonstrate the optimal solutions of trade-off. The simulation results show that MODE/D can obtain a good Pareto-optimal front, which suggests a series of alternative solutions to draft scheduling. The extreme Pareto solutions are found feasible and the centres of the Pareto fronts give a good compromise. The conflict exists between each two ones of three objectives. The final optimal solution is selected from the Pareto-optimal front by the importance of objectives, and it can achieve a better performance in all objective dimensions than the empirical solutions. Finally, the practical application cases confirm the feasibility of the multi-objective approach, and the optimal solutions can gain a better rolling stability than the empirical solutions, and strip flatness decreases from （0± 63） IU to （0±45） IU in industrial production.
