Preparation of Low Rolling Resistance Modified Asphalt and Analysis of Its Rolling Resistance and Viscoelasticity

Tire tread of running vehicles generates rolling resistance with the pavement, thereby influencing energy consumption. Thus, developing low rolling resistance pavement can improve the service function of tires. Common matrix asphalt and high module binder modifier (HMB-W) was used to obtain low rolling resistance of asphalt and effectively reduce energy consumption. Its low rolling resistance performance was analyzed via internal heat-generating test, rolling resistance test, and dynamic shear rheological test. Then, a rolling resistance model was constructed to evaluate its thermal losses. Test results show that compared with styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) modified asphalt and its mastic, the heat generation rates of HMB-W modified asphalt and its mastic are reduced by 14.4% and 15.5%, respectively. Thus, energy loss can be effectively reduced. The generated heat quantity and power loss were reduced by 3.7% and 5%, respectively, compared with the SBS modified asphalt. In addition, the low rolling resistance is evident. HMB-W asphalt has low-temperature sensitivity and superior high-temperature stability. Under the same stress level, the complex shear module G* of HMB-W asphalt is evidently higher than that of SBS modified asphalt. Under the same temperature condition, the energy stored is high when HMB-W asphalt goes through elastic deformation with small viscosity loss

Infimum of the spectrum of Laplace-Beltrami operator on Cartan classical domains of type Ⅲ and Ⅳ

Let $R_{{\cal A}}$ be the Cartan classical domains of type Ⅲ and Ⅳ, and $\Delta_g$ is assumed to be the Laplace-Beltrami operator associated to the Bergman metric $g$ on $R_{{\cal A}}$. In this paper, we derive an estimate for $\lambda_1(\Delta_g)$, which is the bottom of the spectrum of $\Delta_g$ on $R_{{\cal A}}$

Host Lipids in Positive-Strand RNA Virus Genome Replication

Membrane association is a hallmark of the genome replication of positive-strand RNA viruses [(+)RNA viruses]. All well-studied (+)RNA viruses remodel host membranes and lipid metabolism through orchestrated virus-host interactions to create a suitable microenvironment to survive and thrive in host cells. Recent research has shown that host lipids, as major components of cellular membranes, play key roles in the replication of multiple (+)RNA viruses. This review focuses on how (+)RNA viruses manipulate host lipid synthesis and metabolism to facilitate their genomic RNA replication, and how interference with the cellular lipid metabolism affects viral replication

Occurrence and Fate of Ultramicrobacteria in a Full-Scale Drinking Water Treatment Plant

Ultramicrobacteria (UMB) are omnipresent and numerically dominate in freshwater, as microbes can present in drinking water systems, however, the UMB communities that occur and their removal behaviors remain poorly characterized in drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs). To gain insights into these issues, we profiled bacterial cell density, community structure and functions of UMB and their counterpart large bacteria (LB) using flow cytometry and filtration paired with 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing in a full-scale DWTP. Contrary to the reduction of bacterial density and diversity, the proportion of UMB in the total bacteria community increased as the drinking water treatment process progressed, and biological activated carbon facilitated bacterial growth. Moreover, UMB were less diverse than LB, and their community structure and predicted functions were significantly different. In the DWTP, UMB indicator taxa were mainly affiliated with α/β/γ-Proteobacteria, Deinococcus–Thermus, Firmicutes, Acidobacteria, and Dependentiae. In particular, the exclusive clustering of UMB at the phylum level, e.g., Parcubacteria, Elusimicrobia, and Saccharibacteria, confirmed the fact that the ultra-small size of UMB is a naturally and evolutionarily conserved trait. Additionally, the streamlined genome could be connected to UMB, such as candidate phyla radiation (CPR) bacteria, following a symbiotic or parasitic lifestyle, which then leads to the observed high connectedness, i.e., non-random intra-taxa co-occurrence patterns within UMB. Functional prediction analysis revealed that environmental information processing and DNA replication and repair likely contribute to the higher resistance of UMB to drinking water treatment processes in comparison to LB. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the occurrence and fate of UMB regarding community structure, phylogenetic characteristics and potential functions in a full-scale DWTP, and it is a useful reference for beneficial manipulation of the drinking water microbiome

Jianpi Bushen, a Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy, Combined with Chemotherapy for Gastric Cancer Treatment: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective. To investigate the effects of Jianpi Bushen (JPBS), a traditional Chinese medicine that is used to invigorate the spleen and tonify the kidney, combined with chemotherapy for the treatment of gastric cancer. Methods. Literature retrieval was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, CNKI, Wanfang Data Information Site, and VIP from inception to October 2017. Randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effects of JPBS combined with chemotherapy were identified. The primary reported outcomes were KPS (Karnofsky Performance Status), clinical curative efficiency, immune function, blood system, and nonhematologic system. Review Manager 5.3 (RevMan 5.3) was used for data analysis, and the quality of the studies was also appraised. Results. A total of 26 studies were included with 3098 individuals. The results of the meta-analysis indicated that treatment of gastric cancer with the combination of JPBS and chemotherapy resulted in better outcomes compared to chemotherapy alone. Conclusion. Evidence from the meta-analysis suggested that JPBS combined with chemotherapy has a positive effect on gastric cancer treatment. However, additional rigorously designed and large sample randomized controlled trials are required to confirm the efficacy and safety of this treatment