Matrix Non-Structural Model and Its Application in Heat Exchanger Network without Stream Split

Heat integration by a heat exchanger network (HEN) is an important topic in chemical process system synthesis. From the perspective of optimization, the simultaneous synthesis of HEN belongs to a mixed-integer and nonlinear programming problem. Both the stage-wise superstructure (SWS) model and the chessboard model are the most widely adopted and belong to structural models, in which a framework is assumed for stream matching, and the global optimal solution outside its feasible domain may be defined by the framework. A node-wise non-structural model (NW-NSM) is proposed to find more universal stream matching options, but it requires a mass of structural variables and extra multiple correction strategies. The aim of this paper is to develop a novel matrix non-structural model (M-NSM) for HEN without stream splits from the perspectives of global optimization methods and superstructure models. In the proposed M-NSM, the heat exchanger position order is quantized by matrix elements at each stream, and a HEN structure is initialized by the random generation of matrix elements. An approach for solving HEN problems based on a matrix real-coded genetic algorithm is employed in this model. The results show that M-NSM provides more flexibility to expand the search region for feasible solutions with higher efficiency than previous models

Structural Response of High-Strength Wire-Reinforced UHPC Slabs Subjected to Bending

Using high strength wire (HSW) as a longitudinal reinforcement in UHPC can make full use of the outstanding properties of UHPC. In this paper, the flexural test was carried out on normal rebar-reinforced UHPC (NRRU) and HSW reinforced UHPC (HSWRU) slabs. The cracking resistance, failure modes, bearing capacity and deformation characteristics of specimens were investigated. The test results indicated that both HSWRU and NRRU specimens exhibited excellent flexural performance under concentrated loads. Fewer inclined cracks and a slower cracking development process were observed for HSWRU specimens, and brittle failure did not occur during the whole loading process. As compared to HSWRU specimens, the cracking and ultimate load of NRRU specimens increased by 24.64% and 85.47%, respectively, due to a higher reinforcement ratio. Then the theoretical method available for flexural capacity and ductility calculation was proposed, and the feasibility was substantiated through test results. In addition, the traditional deformation ductility coefficient was found to be 30% conservative against the applied energy ductility coefficient. Finally, the extensive parametric analysis revealed that the increase of the reinforcement ratio and the strength of the steel rebar significantly enhanced the ultimate capacity, while the ductility coefficient was obviously weakened. Inversely, those two factors had little impact on the cracking capacity. Moreover, section height was found to be beneficial for both the flexural capacity and ductility of specimens

25,26,27,28-Tetrabutoxy-5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butylcalix[4]arene chloroform tetrasolvate dihydrate

The title compound, C60H88O4·4CHCl3·2H2O, is the alkylated product of 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butylcalix[4]arene. It adopts a distorted cone conformation which leads to an open cavity. All the phenolic rings are tilted so that their tert-butyl groups are pitched away from the calix cavity. Two opposite aromatic rings are close to being perpendicular to one another [dihedral angle 85.0 (2)°], while the other pair of opposite rings is almost parallel [dihedral angle 8.1 (2)°], and adjacent phenolic rings are almost perpendicular [dihedral angles 82.4 (1) or 87.9 (1)°]. In the crystal, the water molecule and calixarene interact by way of O—H...O hydrogen bonds

Knockout of Sema4D alleviates liver fibrosis by suppressing AOX1 expression

Liver fibrosis can occur in many chronic liver diseases, and no effective treatments are available due to the poorly characterized molecular pathogenesis. Semaphorin 4D (Sema4D) has immune functions and serves important roles in T cell priming. Here, we found that Sema4D was highly expressed in fibrotic liver, and the expression of Sema4D increased with hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation. Knockout of Sema4D alleviated liver fibrosis. Mechanistically, knockout of Sema4D alleviated liver fibrosis by suppressing the expression of AOX1 in retinol metabolism. Further investigation demonstrated that retinoic acid receptor α (RARA), an important nuclear receptor of retinoic acid, was reduced by Sema4D knockout during liver fibrogenesis. Sema4D knockout-mediated suppression of liver fibrosis was partly mediated by regulating the balance of Th1, Th2, Th17, and T-bet+Treg cells via inhibiting AOX1/RARA. Thus, targeting Sema4D may hold promise as a potential therapeutic approach for treating liver fibrosis