For protonic ceramic fuel cells,it is key to develop material with high intrinsic activity for oxygen activation and bulk proton conductivity enabling water formation at entire electrode surface.However,a higher water...For protonic ceramic fuel cells,it is key to develop material with high intrinsic activity for oxygen activation and bulk proton conductivity enabling water formation at entire electrode surface.However,a higher water content which benefitting for the increasing proton conductivity will not only dilute the oxygen in the gas,but also suppress the O_(2)adsorption on the electrode surface.Herein,a new electrode design concept is proposed,that may overcome this dilemma.By introducing a second phase with high-hydrating capability into a conventional cobalt-free perovskite to form a unique nanocomposite electrode,high proton conductivity/concentration can be reached at low water content in atmosphere.In addition,the hydronation creates additional fast proton transport channel along the two-phase interface.As a result,high protonic conductivity is reached,leading to a new breakthrough in performance for proton ceramic fuel cells and electrolysis cells devices among available air electrodes.展开更多
In Côte d’Ivoire, the decline in soil fertility strongly impacts the productivity of maize (Zea mays L.) on heavily leached ferralitic soil. In this study, the general objective was therefore to improve the prod...In Côte d’Ivoire, the decline in soil fertility strongly impacts the productivity of maize (Zea mays L.) on heavily leached ferralitic soil. In this study, the general objective was therefore to improve the productivity of maize EV87-28 on the Ferralsols in pre-forested areas during different cropping seasons. Eight (8) micro-plots were set up according to a total randomization device with three repetitions. Two factors were studied: nitrogen fertilizer modalities (main factor) and crop season (secondary factor). Growth, flowering and yield parameters were measured and analyzed. The results showed that there was no interaction between the nitrogen fertilizer factor and the cropping season factor. In addition, this study showed the short rainy season had the most positive impact on growth, flowering and yield parameters than the long rainy season. The results also showed that the different nitrogen fertilizer modalities had no statistically different effects on growth, flowering and yield parameters. However, quantitative differences were reported, highlighting one nitrogen fertilizer modality, which is the combination of urea granule + farm manure (75% urea indorama granules and 25% farm manure). The combination of urea granule + farm manure (75% urea indorama granules and 25% farm manure) had the best effect on corn grain yield. So, the combination of urea (75%) and manure (25%), that resulted in yield gain, could be recommended for corn fertilization during the small rainy season.展开更多
The expansion of a thick-walled hollow cylinder in soil is of non-self-similar nature that the stress/deformation paths are not the same for different soil material points.As a result,this problem cannot be solved by ...The expansion of a thick-walled hollow cylinder in soil is of non-self-similar nature that the stress/deformation paths are not the same for different soil material points.As a result,this problem cannot be solved by the common self-similar-based similarity techniques.This paper proposes a novel,exact solution for rigorous drained expansion analysis of a hollow cylinder of critical state soils.Considering stress-dependent elastic moduli of soils,new analytical stress and displacement solutions for the nonself-similar problem are developed taking the small strain assumption in the elastic zone.In the plastic zone,the cavity expansion response is formulated into a set of first-order partial differential equations(PDEs)with the combination use of Eulerian and Lagrangian descriptions,and a novel solution algorithm is developed to efficiently solve this complex boundary value problem.The solution is presented in a general form and thus can be useful for a wide range of soils.With the new solution,the non-self-similar nature induced by the finite outer boundary is clearly demonstrated and highlighted,which is found to be greatly different to the behaviour of cavity expansion in infinite soil mass.The present solution may serve as a benchmark for verifying the performance of advanced numerical techniques with critical state soil models and be used to capture the finite boundary effect for pressuremeter tests in small-sized calibration chambers.展开更多
Piezo proteins are mechanically activated ion channels,which are required for mechanosensing functions in a variety of cell types.While we and others have previously demonstrated that the expression of Piezo1 in osteo...Piezo proteins are mechanically activated ion channels,which are required for mechanosensing functions in a variety of cell types.While we and others have previously demonstrated that the expression of Piezo1 in osteoblast lineage cells is essential for boneanabolic processes,there was only suggestive evidence indicating a role of Piezo1 and/or Piezo2 in cartilage.Here we addressed the question if and how chondrocyte expression of the mechanosensitive proteins Piezo1 or Piezo2 controls physiological endochondral ossification and pathological osteoarthritis(OA)development.Mice with chondrocyte-specific inactivation of Piezo1(Piezo1^(Col2a1Cre)),but not of Piezo2,developed a near absence of trabecular bone below the chondrogenic growth plate postnatally.Moreover,all Piezo1^(Col2a1Cre) animals displayed multiple fractures of rib bones at 7 days of age,which were located close to the growth plates.While skeletal growth was only mildly affected in these mice,OA pathologies were markedly less pronounced compared to littermate controls at 60 weeks of age.Likewise,when OA was induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection,only the chondrocyte inactivation of Piezo1,not of Piezo2,resulted in attenuated articular cartilage degeneration.Importantly,osteophyte formation and maturation were also reduced in Piezo1^(Col2a1Cre) mice.We further observed increased Piezo1 protein abundance in cartilaginous zones of human osteophytes.Finally,we identified Ptgs2 and Ccn2 as potentially relevant Piezo1 downstream genes in chondrocytes.Collectively,our data do not only demonstrate that Piezo1 is a critical regulator of physiological and pathological endochondral ossification processes,but also suggest that Piezo1 antagonists may be established as a novel approach to limit osteophyte formation in OA.展开更多
In this paper,a frictional contact problem between an electro-elastic body and an electrically conductive foundation is studied.The contact is modeled by normal compliance with finite penetration and a version of Coul...In this paper,a frictional contact problem between an electro-elastic body and an electrically conductive foundation is studied.The contact is modeled by normal compliance with finite penetration and a version of Coulomb’s law of dry friction in which the coefficient of friction depends on the slip.In addition,the effects of the electrical conductivity of the foundation are taken into account.This model leads to a coupled system of the quasi-variational inequality of the elliptic type for the displacement and the nonlinear variational equation for the electric potential.The existence of a weak solution is proved by using an abstract result for elliptic variational inequalities and a fixed point argument.Then,a finite element approximation of the problem is presented.Under some regularity conditions,an optimal order error estimate of the approximate solution is derived.Finally,a successive iteration technique is used to solve the problem numerically and a convergence result is established.展开更多
1.Introduction and context Enormous emphasis is currently being paid to the decarbonization of the global built environment as a leading priority for the engineering community and related industrial sectors[1].One of ...1.Introduction and context Enormous emphasis is currently being paid to the decarbonization of the global built environment as a leading priority for the engineering community and related industrial sectors[1].One of the main contributors to the overall emissions footprint of the built environment-and thus a cornerstone of efforts to achieve decarbonization-is the emissions profile of construction materials during their production and utilization.The cement and concrete sector is the largest-volume contributor to the emissions incurred in meeting the world’s construction material needs and is therefore targeted in the discussion of the deep,rapid decarbonization that must be achieved in order to minimize irreversible damage to the Earth and its ecosystems.展开更多
Phosphorus bioavailability has long been a recurring problem in tropical acid soils. A pot experiment was carried out during three (3) successive rice production cycles at Adiopodoumé to evaluate the response of ...Phosphorus bioavailability has long been a recurring problem in tropical acid soils. A pot experiment was carried out during three (3) successive rice production cycles at Adiopodoumé to evaluate the response of the NERICA 5 rice accession to various doses of calcium, magnesium and phosphorous. The experiment was conducted using a randomized split-plot design. The interactive effects of calcium carbonate (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg·Ca·ha<sup>-1</sup>) and magnesium sulfate (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg·Mg·ha<sup>-1</sup>) and Togo natural phosphate (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg·P·ha<sup>-1</sup>) were determined at each production cycle. The results showed that single-dose natural phosphate supplementation for three cropping cycles resulted in an average enrichment of around 2 mg·P·kg<sup>-1</sup> after each trial following its continuous dissolution, with an increase in DSP (33.31% to 70.52%). The study revealed one strategy for managing and enhancing native P with cations and another for exogenous P: there would be a synergy of Ca/Mg on native P, whereas an antagonism would characterize the two parameters in phosphate fertilization.展开更多
This study is a contribution to improving rice productivity on acidic plateau soils of the tropical rainforest zone. It is based on taking into account the cationic balances of the soil in order to optimize the phosph...This study is a contribution to improving rice productivity on acidic plateau soils of the tropical rainforest zone. It is based on taking into account the cationic balances of the soil in order to optimize the phosphorus (P) nutrition of rice on these acidic soils, where this nutrient constitutes a limiting factor for agricultural production. Three (3) pot trials were conducted in Adiopodoumé in the forested south of Côte d’Ivoire. The interactive effects of calcium carbonate (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg Ca ha<sup>−1</sup>) and magnesium sulfate (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg Mg ha<sup>−1</sup>) were evaluated on the response of NERICA 5 rice at doses 0, 25, 50 and 75 kg P ha<sup>−1</sup> of natural phosphate from Togo, applied only once at the start of the experiment. Additional fertilizers of nitrogen (N) (100 kg N ha<sup>−1</sup>) and potassium (K) (50 kg KCl ha<sup>−1</sup>) were added to each of the tests in a split-plot device. The test results revealed a paddy production potential of approximately 3 to 5 t⋅ha<sup>−1</sup> for NERICA 5 on an acidic soil, under the effect of the interaction of P, Ca and Mg. The quadratic response of rice yield to the doses of these fertilizers would be more dependent on their balance, itself influenced by Ca nutrition. For the sustainability and maintenance of rice production in agro-ecology studied, it was recommended doses of 38 kg Ca ha<sup>−1</sup>, 34 kg Mg ha<sup>−1</sup> in a Ca/Mg ratio (1/1) with intakes of 41 kg P ha<sup>−1</sup>, overall in a ratio 1/1/1 (P/Ca/Mg) more favorable to the availability of free iron considered a guiding element of mineral nutrition. Thus, these promising results should be confirmed in a real environment for better management of the fertilization of rice cultivated on acidic plateau soils in Côte d’Ivoire.展开更多
Background:Choosing the appropriate antipsychotic drug(APD)treatment for patients with schizophrenia(SCZ)can be challenging,as the treatment response to APD is highly variable and difficult to predict due to the lack ...Background:Choosing the appropriate antipsychotic drug(APD)treatment for patients with schizophrenia(SCZ)can be challenging,as the treatment response to APD is highly variable and difficult to predict due to the lack of effective biomarkers.Previous studies have indicated the association between treatment response and genetic and epigenetic factors,but no effective biomarkers have been identified.Hence,further research is imperative to enhance precision medicine in SCZ treatment.Methods:Participants with SCZ were recruited from two randomized trials.The discovery cohort was recruited from the CAPOC trial(n=2307)involved 6 weeks of treatment and equally randomized the participants to the Olanzapine,Risperidone,Quetiapine,Aripiprazole,Ziprasidone,and Haloperidol/Perphenazine(subsequently equally assigned to one or the other)groups.The external validation cohort was recruited from the CAPEC trial(n=1379),which involved 8 weeks of treatment and equally randomized the participants to the Olanzapine,Risperidone,and Aripiprazole groups.Additionally,healthy controls(n=275)from the local community were utilized as a genetic/epigenetic reference.The genetic and epigenetic(DNA methylation)risks of SCZ were assessed using the polygenic risk score(PRS)and polymethylation score,respectively.The study also examined the genetic-epigenetic interactions with treatment response through differential methylation analysis,methylation quantitative trait loci,colocalization,and promoteranchored chromatin interaction.Machine learning was used to develop a prediction model for treatment response,which was evaluated for accuracy and clinical benefit using the area under curve(AUC)for classification,R^(2) for regression,and decision curve analysis.Results:Six risk genes for SCZ(LINC01795,DDHD2,SBNO1,KCNG2,SEMA7A,and RUFY1)involved in cortical morphology were identified as having a genetic-epigenetic interaction associated with treatment response.The developed and externally validated prediction model,which incorporated clinical information,PRS,genetic risk score(GRS),and proxy methylation level(proxyDNAm),demonstrated positive benefits for a wide range of patients receiving different APDs,regardless of sex[discovery cohort:AUC=0.874(95%CI 0.867-0.881),R^(2)=0.478;external validation cohort:AUC=0.851(95%CI 0.841-0.861),R^(2)=0.507].Conclusions:This study presents a promising precision medicine approach to evaluate treatment response,which has the potential to aid clinicians in making informed decisions about APD treatment for patients with SCZ.Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry(https://www.chictr.org.cn/),18 Aug 2009 retrospectively registered:CAPOC-ChiCTR-RNC-09000521(https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=9014),CAPEC-ChiCTRRNC-09000522(https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=9013).展开更多
Appropriate materials for injection pipelines and tubing for carbon dioxide geologic storage is fundamental to ensure asset integrity and save cost.This paper evaluates the corrosion behaviour of X65,1Cr,3Cr and 5Cr,w...Appropriate materials for injection pipelines and tubing for carbon dioxide geologic storage is fundamental to ensure asset integrity and save cost.This paper evaluates the corrosion behaviour of X65,1Cr,3Cr and 5Cr,which have the potential to be injection pipeline/tubing materials.The influence of steel Cr content on the general and localised corrosion behaviour was investigated at time periods from 6 to 192 h at 60℃and 100 bar.The evolution,morphology and chemistry of corrosion products on the surface of each material were evaluated using a combination of scanning electron microscopy,energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction and related to their overall corrosion protection.Results indicate that prior to the formation of protective films on the steel surfaces,the resistance of the materials to corrosion increase with increasing Cr content(Corrosion resistance:X65<1Cr<3Cr<5Cr).However,as corrosion products evolve,the protection afforded to the different steels significantly varies and decreases with increasing Cr content.×65 becomes the material with the lowest general corrosion rate by the end of the 192 h experiments and 5Cr exhibits the highest corrosion rate(ranking of corrosion resistance:X65>1Cr>3Cr>5Cr).In terms of the corrosion products on X65,both inner amorphous and outer crystalline corrosion layers consist of FeCO3.For the Cr-containing steels,the outer layer also comprises FeCO3,but the inner layer is enriched with Cr,and is predominantly amorphous Cr(OH)3.The extent of localised corrosion(determined using surface profilometry)is noticeably less for X65 compared to the Cr-containing steels.The paper raises questions about the benefits that low Cr steels offer towards extending component design life compared to carbon steel under the test conditions considered here.展开更多
This paper is prepared in honour of Professor E.T.Brown for his outstanding contributions to rock mechanics and geotechnical engineering and also for his personal influence on the first author’s research career in ge...This paper is prepared in honour of Professor E.T.Brown for his outstanding contributions to rock mechanics and geotechnical engineering and also for his personal influence on the first author’s research career in geomechanics and geotechnical engineering.As a result,we have picked a topic that reflects two key research areas in which Professor E.T.Brown has made seminal contributions over a long and distinguished career.These two areas are concerned with the application of the critical state concept to modelling geomaterials and the analysis of underground excavation or tunnelling in geomaterials.Partially due to Professor Brown’s influence,the first author has also been conducting research in these two areas over many years.In particular,this paper aims to describe briefly the development of a unified critical state model for geomaterials together with an application to cavity contraction problems and tunnelling in soils.展开更多
AIM: To compare seven commercially available bone graft substitutes(BGS) in terms of these properties and without using any additional biological growth factors.METHODS: Porcine osteoprogenitor cells were loaded on se...AIM: To compare seven commercially available bone graft substitutes(BGS) in terms of these properties and without using any additional biological growth factors.METHODS: Porcine osteoprogenitor cells were loaded on seven commercially available BGS and allowed to proliferate for one week followed by osteogenic induction. Staining for live/dead cells as well as scanning electron microscopy(SEM) was carried out to determine viability and cellular binding. Further outcome measures included alkaline phosphatase(ALP) assays with normalisation for DNA content to quantify osteogenic potential. Negative and positive control experiments were carried out in parallel to validate the results.RESULTS: Live/dead and SEM imaging showed higher viability and attachment with β-tricalcium phosphate(β-TCP) than with other BGS(P < 0.05). The average ALP activity in nmol/mL(normalised value for DNA content in nmol/μg DNA) per sample was 657.58(132.03) for β-TCP, 36.22(unable to normalise) for calcium sulphate, 19.93(11.39) for the Hydroxyapatite/Tricalcium Phosphate composite, 14.79(18.53) for polygraft, 13.98(8.15) for the highly porous β-Tricalcium Phosphate, 5.56(10.0) for polymers, and 3.82(3.8) for Hydroxyapatite.CONCLUSION: Under the above experimental conditions, β-TCP was able to maintain better the viability of osteoprogenitor cells and allow proliferation and differentiation(P < 0.05).展开更多
A multi-dimensional conductive heterojunction structure,composited by TiO2,SnO2,and Ti3C2TX MXene,is facilely designed and applied as electron transport layer in efficient and stable planar perovskite solar cells.Base...A multi-dimensional conductive heterojunction structure,composited by TiO2,SnO2,and Ti3C2TX MXene,is facilely designed and applied as electron transport layer in efficient and stable planar perovskite solar cells.Based on an oxygen vacancy scramble effect,the zero-dimensional anatase TiO2 quantum dots,surrounding on two-dimensional conductive Ti3C2TX sheets,are in situ rooted on three-dimensional SnO2 nanoparticles,constructing nanoscale TiO2/SnO2 heterojunctions.The fabrication is implemented in a controlled lowtemperature anneal method in air and then in N2 atmospheres.With the optimal MXene content,the optical property,the crystallinity of perovskite layer,and internal interfaces are all facilitated,contributing more amount of carrier with effective and rapid transferring in device.The champion power conversion efficiency of resultant perovskite solar cells achieves 19.14%,yet that of counterpart is just 16.83%.In addition,it can also maintain almost 85%of its initial performance for more than 45 days in 30–40%humidity air;comparatively,the counterpart declines to just below 75%of its initial performance.展开更多
In this paper, the contents and various forms of Cd, Cu, Zn and Pb in the sediments of the Xiangjiang River have been investigated. The presentation of this paper focuses on the various forms and characteristics of th...In this paper, the contents and various forms of Cd, Cu, Zn and Pb in the sediments of the Xiangjiang River have been investigated. The presentation of this paper focuses on the various forms and characteristics of the heavy metals in the column sediments at Xiawan Port of Zhuzhou, which has been severely polluted by a metallurgical plant.The forms of the heavy metals discussed in this paper are: The concentration of the exchangeable forms of Cd, Cu, Zn and Pb, in the forms of carbonates and Fe/ Mn oxide in water, the combination of Cu with organic matter and form, and the proportion of the residue form at each section have been studied.展开更多
基金supported from the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2022YFB4002502)National Natural Science Foundation of China under(No.22278203,22279057)+4 种基金the Jiangsu Funding Program for Excellent Postdoctoral Talentthe Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions(PAPD)support from the Max Planck-POSTECH-Hsinchu Center for Complex Phase Materialssupport from the Fulbright Foundation Global Scholars Programthe U.S.Army Research Office under grant number W911NF-17-5401-0051
文摘For protonic ceramic fuel cells,it is key to develop material with high intrinsic activity for oxygen activation and bulk proton conductivity enabling water formation at entire electrode surface.However,a higher water content which benefitting for the increasing proton conductivity will not only dilute the oxygen in the gas,but also suppress the O_(2)adsorption on the electrode surface.Herein,a new electrode design concept is proposed,that may overcome this dilemma.By introducing a second phase with high-hydrating capability into a conventional cobalt-free perovskite to form a unique nanocomposite electrode,high proton conductivity/concentration can be reached at low water content in atmosphere.In addition,the hydronation creates additional fast proton transport channel along the two-phase interface.As a result,high protonic conductivity is reached,leading to a new breakthrough in performance for proton ceramic fuel cells and electrolysis cells devices among available air electrodes.
文摘In Côte d’Ivoire, the decline in soil fertility strongly impacts the productivity of maize (Zea mays L.) on heavily leached ferralitic soil. In this study, the general objective was therefore to improve the productivity of maize EV87-28 on the Ferralsols in pre-forested areas during different cropping seasons. Eight (8) micro-plots were set up according to a total randomization device with three repetitions. Two factors were studied: nitrogen fertilizer modalities (main factor) and crop season (secondary factor). Growth, flowering and yield parameters were measured and analyzed. The results showed that there was no interaction between the nitrogen fertilizer factor and the cropping season factor. In addition, this study showed the short rainy season had the most positive impact on growth, flowering and yield parameters than the long rainy season. The results also showed that the different nitrogen fertilizer modalities had no statistically different effects on growth, flowering and yield parameters. However, quantitative differences were reported, highlighting one nitrogen fertilizer modality, which is the combination of urea granule + farm manure (75% urea indorama granules and 25% farm manure). The combination of urea granule + farm manure (75% urea indorama granules and 25% farm manure) had the best effect on corn grain yield. So, the combination of urea (75%) and manure (25%), that resulted in yield gain, could be recommended for corn fertilization during the small rainy season.
基金funding support from the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2023YFB2604004)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.52108374)the“Taishan”Scholar Program of Shandong Province,China(Grant No.tsqn201909016)。
文摘The expansion of a thick-walled hollow cylinder in soil is of non-self-similar nature that the stress/deformation paths are not the same for different soil material points.As a result,this problem cannot be solved by the common self-similar-based similarity techniques.This paper proposes a novel,exact solution for rigorous drained expansion analysis of a hollow cylinder of critical state soils.Considering stress-dependent elastic moduli of soils,new analytical stress and displacement solutions for the nonself-similar problem are developed taking the small strain assumption in the elastic zone.In the plastic zone,the cavity expansion response is formulated into a set of first-order partial differential equations(PDEs)with the combination use of Eulerian and Lagrangian descriptions,and a novel solution algorithm is developed to efficiently solve this complex boundary value problem.The solution is presented in a general form and thus can be useful for a wide range of soils.With the new solution,the non-self-similar nature induced by the finite outer boundary is clearly demonstrated and highlighted,which is found to be greatly different to the behaviour of cavity expansion in infinite soil mass.The present solution may serve as a benchmark for verifying the performance of advanced numerical techniques with critical state soil models and be used to capture the finite boundary effect for pressuremeter tests in small-sized calibration chambers.
基金supported by the German Research Foundation(SCHI 504/19-1(to TS)and IG 18/22-1(to AI))the Else Kröner-Fresenius foundation under grant no.2021_EKEA.23(to TR)financial support from the Open Access Publication Fund of UKE–Universitatsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf and DFG–German Research Foundation.
文摘Piezo proteins are mechanically activated ion channels,which are required for mechanosensing functions in a variety of cell types.While we and others have previously demonstrated that the expression of Piezo1 in osteoblast lineage cells is essential for boneanabolic processes,there was only suggestive evidence indicating a role of Piezo1 and/or Piezo2 in cartilage.Here we addressed the question if and how chondrocyte expression of the mechanosensitive proteins Piezo1 or Piezo2 controls physiological endochondral ossification and pathological osteoarthritis(OA)development.Mice with chondrocyte-specific inactivation of Piezo1(Piezo1^(Col2a1Cre)),but not of Piezo2,developed a near absence of trabecular bone below the chondrogenic growth plate postnatally.Moreover,all Piezo1^(Col2a1Cre) animals displayed multiple fractures of rib bones at 7 days of age,which were located close to the growth plates.While skeletal growth was only mildly affected in these mice,OA pathologies were markedly less pronounced compared to littermate controls at 60 weeks of age.Likewise,when OA was induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection,only the chondrocyte inactivation of Piezo1,not of Piezo2,resulted in attenuated articular cartilage degeneration.Importantly,osteophyte formation and maturation were also reduced in Piezo1^(Col2a1Cre) mice.We further observed increased Piezo1 protein abundance in cartilaginous zones of human osteophytes.Finally,we identified Ptgs2 and Ccn2 as potentially relevant Piezo1 downstream genes in chondrocytes.Collectively,our data do not only demonstrate that Piezo1 is a critical regulator of physiological and pathological endochondral ossification processes,but also suggest that Piezo1 antagonists may be established as a novel approach to limit osteophyte formation in OA.
文摘In this paper,a frictional contact problem between an electro-elastic body and an electrically conductive foundation is studied.The contact is modeled by normal compliance with finite penetration and a version of Coulomb’s law of dry friction in which the coefficient of friction depends on the slip.In addition,the effects of the electrical conductivity of the foundation are taken into account.This model leads to a coupled system of the quasi-variational inequality of the elliptic type for the displacement and the nonlinear variational equation for the electric potential.The existence of a weak solution is proved by using an abstract result for elliptic variational inequalities and a fixed point argument.Then,a finite element approximation of the problem is presented.Under some regularity conditions,an optimal order error estimate of the approximate solution is derived.Finally,a successive iteration technique is used to solve the problem numerically and a convergence result is established.
基金funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council(EPSRC),UK(EP/S019650/1)funded by EPSRC via an Early Career Fellowship grant(EP/R001642/1)+2 种基金the Transforming Foundation Industries:Network+Towards Value by Innovation(EP/V026402/1)funded by the National Nature Science Foundation of China(U2001225)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(22120230174 at Tongji University),and Geopoly Fundamental Genomic Research project.
文摘1.Introduction and context Enormous emphasis is currently being paid to the decarbonization of the global built environment as a leading priority for the engineering community and related industrial sectors[1].One of the main contributors to the overall emissions footprint of the built environment-and thus a cornerstone of efforts to achieve decarbonization-is the emissions profile of construction materials during their production and utilization.The cement and concrete sector is the largest-volume contributor to the emissions incurred in meeting the world’s construction material needs and is therefore targeted in the discussion of the deep,rapid decarbonization that must be achieved in order to minimize irreversible damage to the Earth and its ecosystems.
文摘Phosphorus bioavailability has long been a recurring problem in tropical acid soils. A pot experiment was carried out during three (3) successive rice production cycles at Adiopodoumé to evaluate the response of the NERICA 5 rice accession to various doses of calcium, magnesium and phosphorous. The experiment was conducted using a randomized split-plot design. The interactive effects of calcium carbonate (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg·Ca·ha<sup>-1</sup>) and magnesium sulfate (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg·Mg·ha<sup>-1</sup>) and Togo natural phosphate (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg·P·ha<sup>-1</sup>) were determined at each production cycle. The results showed that single-dose natural phosphate supplementation for three cropping cycles resulted in an average enrichment of around 2 mg·P·kg<sup>-1</sup> after each trial following its continuous dissolution, with an increase in DSP (33.31% to 70.52%). The study revealed one strategy for managing and enhancing native P with cations and another for exogenous P: there would be a synergy of Ca/Mg on native P, whereas an antagonism would characterize the two parameters in phosphate fertilization.
文摘This study is a contribution to improving rice productivity on acidic plateau soils of the tropical rainforest zone. It is based on taking into account the cationic balances of the soil in order to optimize the phosphorus (P) nutrition of rice on these acidic soils, where this nutrient constitutes a limiting factor for agricultural production. Three (3) pot trials were conducted in Adiopodoumé in the forested south of Côte d’Ivoire. The interactive effects of calcium carbonate (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg Ca ha<sup>−1</sup>) and magnesium sulfate (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg Mg ha<sup>−1</sup>) were evaluated on the response of NERICA 5 rice at doses 0, 25, 50 and 75 kg P ha<sup>−1</sup> of natural phosphate from Togo, applied only once at the start of the experiment. Additional fertilizers of nitrogen (N) (100 kg N ha<sup>−1</sup>) and potassium (K) (50 kg KCl ha<sup>−1</sup>) were added to each of the tests in a split-plot device. The test results revealed a paddy production potential of approximately 3 to 5 t⋅ha<sup>−1</sup> for NERICA 5 on an acidic soil, under the effect of the interaction of P, Ca and Mg. The quadratic response of rice yield to the doses of these fertilizers would be more dependent on their balance, itself influenced by Ca nutrition. For the sustainability and maintenance of rice production in agro-ecology studied, it was recommended doses of 38 kg Ca ha<sup>−1</sup>, 34 kg Mg ha<sup>−1</sup> in a Ca/Mg ratio (1/1) with intakes of 41 kg P ha<sup>−1</sup>, overall in a ratio 1/1/1 (P/Ca/Mg) more favorable to the availability of free iron considered a guiding element of mineral nutrition. Thus, these promising results should be confirmed in a real environment for better management of the fertilization of rice cultivated on acidic plateau soils in Côte d’Ivoire.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(81825009,82071505,81901358)the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences(2021-I2MC&T-B-099,2019-I2M-5–006)+2 种基金the Program of Chinese Institute for Brain Research Beijing(2020-NKX-XM-12)the King’s College London-Peking University Health Science Center Joint Institute for Medical Research(BMU2020KCL001,BMU2019LCKXJ012)the National Key R&D Program of China(2021YFF1201103,2016YFC1307000).
文摘Background:Choosing the appropriate antipsychotic drug(APD)treatment for patients with schizophrenia(SCZ)can be challenging,as the treatment response to APD is highly variable and difficult to predict due to the lack of effective biomarkers.Previous studies have indicated the association between treatment response and genetic and epigenetic factors,but no effective biomarkers have been identified.Hence,further research is imperative to enhance precision medicine in SCZ treatment.Methods:Participants with SCZ were recruited from two randomized trials.The discovery cohort was recruited from the CAPOC trial(n=2307)involved 6 weeks of treatment and equally randomized the participants to the Olanzapine,Risperidone,Quetiapine,Aripiprazole,Ziprasidone,and Haloperidol/Perphenazine(subsequently equally assigned to one or the other)groups.The external validation cohort was recruited from the CAPEC trial(n=1379),which involved 8 weeks of treatment and equally randomized the participants to the Olanzapine,Risperidone,and Aripiprazole groups.Additionally,healthy controls(n=275)from the local community were utilized as a genetic/epigenetic reference.The genetic and epigenetic(DNA methylation)risks of SCZ were assessed using the polygenic risk score(PRS)and polymethylation score,respectively.The study also examined the genetic-epigenetic interactions with treatment response through differential methylation analysis,methylation quantitative trait loci,colocalization,and promoteranchored chromatin interaction.Machine learning was used to develop a prediction model for treatment response,which was evaluated for accuracy and clinical benefit using the area under curve(AUC)for classification,R^(2) for regression,and decision curve analysis.Results:Six risk genes for SCZ(LINC01795,DDHD2,SBNO1,KCNG2,SEMA7A,and RUFY1)involved in cortical morphology were identified as having a genetic-epigenetic interaction associated with treatment response.The developed and externally validated prediction model,which incorporated clinical information,PRS,genetic risk score(GRS),and proxy methylation level(proxyDNAm),demonstrated positive benefits for a wide range of patients receiving different APDs,regardless of sex[discovery cohort:AUC=0.874(95%CI 0.867-0.881),R^(2)=0.478;external validation cohort:AUC=0.851(95%CI 0.841-0.861),R^(2)=0.507].Conclusions:This study presents a promising precision medicine approach to evaluate treatment response,which has the potential to aid clinicians in making informed decisions about APD treatment for patients with SCZ.Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry(https://www.chictr.org.cn/),18 Aug 2009 retrospectively registered:CAPOC-ChiCTR-RNC-09000521(https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=9014),CAPEC-ChiCTRRNC-09000522(https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=9013).
文摘Appropriate materials for injection pipelines and tubing for carbon dioxide geologic storage is fundamental to ensure asset integrity and save cost.This paper evaluates the corrosion behaviour of X65,1Cr,3Cr and 5Cr,which have the potential to be injection pipeline/tubing materials.The influence of steel Cr content on the general and localised corrosion behaviour was investigated at time periods from 6 to 192 h at 60℃and 100 bar.The evolution,morphology and chemistry of corrosion products on the surface of each material were evaluated using a combination of scanning electron microscopy,energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction and related to their overall corrosion protection.Results indicate that prior to the formation of protective films on the steel surfaces,the resistance of the materials to corrosion increase with increasing Cr content(Corrosion resistance:X65<1Cr<3Cr<5Cr).However,as corrosion products evolve,the protection afforded to the different steels significantly varies and decreases with increasing Cr content.×65 becomes the material with the lowest general corrosion rate by the end of the 192 h experiments and 5Cr exhibits the highest corrosion rate(ranking of corrosion resistance:X65>1Cr>3Cr>5Cr).In terms of the corrosion products on X65,both inner amorphous and outer crystalline corrosion layers consist of FeCO3.For the Cr-containing steels,the outer layer also comprises FeCO3,but the inner layer is enriched with Cr,and is predominantly amorphous Cr(OH)3.The extent of localised corrosion(determined using surface profilometry)is noticeably less for X65 compared to the Cr-containing steels.The paper raises questions about the benefits that low Cr steels offer towards extending component design life compared to carbon steel under the test conditions considered here.
文摘This paper is prepared in honour of Professor E.T.Brown for his outstanding contributions to rock mechanics and geotechnical engineering and also for his personal influence on the first author’s research career in geomechanics and geotechnical engineering.As a result,we have picked a topic that reflects two key research areas in which Professor E.T.Brown has made seminal contributions over a long and distinguished career.These two areas are concerned with the application of the critical state concept to modelling geomaterials and the analysis of underground excavation or tunnelling in geomaterials.Partially due to Professor Brown’s influence,the first author has also been conducting research in these two areas over many years.In particular,this paper aims to describe briefly the development of a unified critical state model for geomaterials together with an application to cavity contraction problems and tunnelling in soils.
基金Supported by Educational grant by Smith and Nephew
文摘AIM: To compare seven commercially available bone graft substitutes(BGS) in terms of these properties and without using any additional biological growth factors.METHODS: Porcine osteoprogenitor cells were loaded on seven commercially available BGS and allowed to proliferate for one week followed by osteogenic induction. Staining for live/dead cells as well as scanning electron microscopy(SEM) was carried out to determine viability and cellular binding. Further outcome measures included alkaline phosphatase(ALP) assays with normalisation for DNA content to quantify osteogenic potential. Negative and positive control experiments were carried out in parallel to validate the results.RESULTS: Live/dead and SEM imaging showed higher viability and attachment with β-tricalcium phosphate(β-TCP) than with other BGS(P < 0.05). The average ALP activity in nmol/mL(normalised value for DNA content in nmol/μg DNA) per sample was 657.58(132.03) for β-TCP, 36.22(unable to normalise) for calcium sulphate, 19.93(11.39) for the Hydroxyapatite/Tricalcium Phosphate composite, 14.79(18.53) for polygraft, 13.98(8.15) for the highly porous β-Tricalcium Phosphate, 5.56(10.0) for polymers, and 3.82(3.8) for Hydroxyapatite.CONCLUSION: Under the above experimental conditions, β-TCP was able to maintain better the viability of osteoprogenitor cells and allow proliferation and differentiation(P < 0.05).
基金supported by the Science & Technology Project of Anhui Province (16030701091)the Natural Science Research Project of Anhui Provincial Education Department (KJ2019A0030)+2 种基金the Support Project of Outstanding Young Talents in Anhui Provincial Universities (gxyqZD2018006)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(11704002, 31701323)the Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation (1908085QF251,1808085MF185)
文摘A multi-dimensional conductive heterojunction structure,composited by TiO2,SnO2,and Ti3C2TX MXene,is facilely designed and applied as electron transport layer in efficient and stable planar perovskite solar cells.Based on an oxygen vacancy scramble effect,the zero-dimensional anatase TiO2 quantum dots,surrounding on two-dimensional conductive Ti3C2TX sheets,are in situ rooted on three-dimensional SnO2 nanoparticles,constructing nanoscale TiO2/SnO2 heterojunctions.The fabrication is implemented in a controlled lowtemperature anneal method in air and then in N2 atmospheres.With the optimal MXene content,the optical property,the crystallinity of perovskite layer,and internal interfaces are all facilitated,contributing more amount of carrier with effective and rapid transferring in device.The champion power conversion efficiency of resultant perovskite solar cells achieves 19.14%,yet that of counterpart is just 16.83%.In addition,it can also maintain almost 85%of its initial performance for more than 45 days in 30–40%humidity air;comparatively,the counterpart declines to just below 75%of its initial performance.
文摘In this paper, the contents and various forms of Cd, Cu, Zn and Pb in the sediments of the Xiangjiang River have been investigated. The presentation of this paper focuses on the various forms and characteristics of the heavy metals in the column sediments at Xiawan Port of Zhuzhou, which has been severely polluted by a metallurgical plant.The forms of the heavy metals discussed in this paper are: The concentration of the exchangeable forms of Cd, Cu, Zn and Pb, in the forms of carbonates and Fe/ Mn oxide in water, the combination of Cu with organic matter and form, and the proportion of the residue form at each section have been studied.
