Biodegradable double-network GelMA-ACNM hydrogel microneedles for transdermal drug delivery

As a minimally invasive drug delivery platform, microneedles (MNs) overcome many drawbacks of the conventional transdermal drug delivery systems, therefore are favorable in biomedical applications. Microneedles with a combined burst and sustained release profile and maintained therapeutic molecular bioactivity could further broaden its applications as therapeutics. Here, we developed a double-network microneedles (DN MNs) based on gelatin methacrylate and acellular neural matrix (GelMA-ACNM). ACNM could function as an early drug release matrix, whereas the addition of GelMA facilitates sustained drug release. In particular, the double-network microneedles comprising GelMA-ACNM hydrogel has distinctive biological features in maintaining drug activity to meet the needs of application in treating different diseases. In this study, we prepared the double-network microneedles and evaluated its morphology, mechanical properties, drug release properties and biocompatibility, which shows great potential for delivery of therapeutic molecules that needs different release profiles in transdermal treatment

GenBank

GenBan

A set theoretic approach to object-based image restoration

The approaches that analyze local characteristics of an image to impose constraints are prevailing in image restoration, but they are less effective in the cases of severe degradation and heavy noise corruption. In this paper, we incorporate the common characteristics that the images of a class of objects present into image restoration, termed as object-based image restoration. The characteristics are represented as deterministic sets, which is combined with the set describing the image degradation model in a set theoretic formulation. A parallel subgradient projection algorithm is applied to find the solution in the intersection of these sets. Experiments performed on frontal face images show the improved performance of the approach in both mentioned cases, by comparing with local analysis based algorithms. With the concise formulation and the efficient algorithm, the object-based restoration can be implemented with ease and resolved with less complexity

Flexural Behavior and Fracture Mechanisms of Short Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polyether-Ether-Ketone Composites at Various Ambient Temperatures

In this study, the flexural behavior and fracture mechanisms of short carbon fiber reinforced polyether-ether-ketone (SCFR/PEEK) composites at various ambient temperatures were investigated. First, the crystallinity and glass transition temperature (Tg) of PEEK and SCFR/PEEK were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis tests, respectively. The addition of SCFs increases the Tg but does not change the crystallinity of the PEEK matrix. Then, the three-point flexural tests of PEEK and SCFR/PEEK were performed over the temperature range of 20 to 235 °C, and the temperature-dependencies of the flexural properties of PEEK and SCFR/PEEK were discussed in detail. Finally, the microstructure of SCFR/PEEK was observed using a digital microscope and scanning electron microscope. The results show that the tension crack occurs first, and the crack extends upward leading to the shear crack and compression crack at room temperature. The fracture of SCFR/PEEK is mainly due to the extraction and rupture of SCFs. At high temperatures (above Tg), the tension crack and compression crack both occur, and the strong ductility of the matrix prevents the generation of shear crack. The fracture of SCFR/PEEK is mainly due to the rotation and extraction of SCFs, while the SCFs rupture plays a minor role

CO2 emission change in China's aviation industry: A fleet-wide index decomposition and scenario analysis

A fleet-wide index decomposition and scenario analysis model is developed to identify the influencing factors of CO2 emission change in China's aviation industry and predict CO2 emissions in multiple emission reduction scenarios through 2040. It was discovered that all aircraft types experienced operational improvements during 2009 and 2019. The fleet utilization growth resulted in the most of CO2 emission reduction. However, slowdown in fleet updates existed for most of aircraft types, and the decreased fleet fuel intensity only resulted in CO2 emission reduction in specific years. The rising air transport demand continues to be the greatest obstacle to reducing emissions. Under the baseline scenario, aviation carbon intensity can only realize the 60–65% target by 2035. With endeavours on traffic demand control and technology, aviation CO2 emissions will peak at 123 Mt in 2035. The rapid sustainable alternative fuels substitutions will be essential for achieving China's 35–40% target before 2040.</p

Formability and Failure Mechanisms of Woven CF/PEEK Composite Sheet in Solid-State Thermoforming

In this study, the formability of woven carbon-fiber (CF)-reinforced polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) composite sheets in the solid-state thermoforming process were investigated, and the failure mechanisms were discussed. The formability of the woven CF/PEEK sheets were analyzed using flexural tests, Erichsen test, and microscopic observation. The results show that the formability of CF/PEEK sheets significantly increases as the temperature rises from 165 to 325 &deg;C, and slightly decreases as the deformation speed rises from 2 to 120 mm/min. The deformation of the sheets is caused by plastic deformation, shear deformation and squeeze deformation, without plastic thinning and fiber slippage, which is due to the restriction of the solid matrix and locked fibers. Moreover, the wrinkles will cause fiber fracture at lower temperatures and delamination at higher temperatures. At higher temperatures, the wrinkles mainly occur at the position with [0&deg;/90&deg;] fibers due to the squeezing of the matrix and fibers

A

hybrid parallel projection approach to object-based image restoratio

A modern concept for Helicascus with a Pleurophomopsis-like asexual state

Helicascus presently comprises two marine species, H. kanaloanus and H. nypae. During investigations of freshwater ascomycetes in Egypt, Malaysia and northern Thailand, we collected two new species of Helicascus from freshwater, which is a new habitat for the genus. Helicascus aegyptiacus sp. nov. is characterised by its smaller asci and ascospores with verruculose walls. Helicascus aquaticus sp. nov. is distinct in having 1-3-septate ascospores and producing a Pleurophomopsis-like anamorph when grown in water agar with sterilized pine needles. During this study we also collected Massarina thalassioidea from freshwater and molecular data confirm this as a species of Helicascus. Thus, we combine this species under Helicascus. All Helicascus species, Massarina thalassioidea and Morosphaeria elaterascus form a strongly supported monophyletic clade and the latter species is also transferred to Helicascus. A key to Helicascus species is provided