Hierarchical porous poly( l -lactic acid)/SiO 2 nanoparticles fibrous membranes for oil/water separation

From Springer Nature via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2020-05-19, registration 2020-08-17, accepted 2020-08-17, pub-electronic 2020-09-02, online 2020-09-02, pub-print 2020-12Publication status: PublishedFunder: University of ManchesterAbstract: A two-step strategy has been developed to introduce silica nanoparticles into highly porous poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) nanofibers. Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) were firstly synthesized and then modified to be hydrophobic. After PLLA/SiNPs composite fibrous membranes were electrospun and collected, they were re-crystallized by acetone at room temperature for a few minutes. With the re-arrangement of PLLA chains, the nano-/micro-electrospun fibres were transformed from non-porous ones to be porous ones with high surface area. Consequently, SiNPs that were completely covered by PLLA before acetone treatment showed up at the fibre surface. Higher PLLA crystallization also enhanced the Young’s modulus and tensile strength (420 and 8.47 MPa) of the composite membrane. However, incorporation of SiNPs into porous PLLA membranes reduced their modulus and tensile strength (280.66 and 5.92 MPa), but an increase in strain to fracture (80.82%) was observed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), focused ion beam SEM, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were applied to confirm the presence of SiNP in PLLA fibres. The presence of SiNPs inside and outside fibres enhances the hydrophobicity of PLLA/SiNPs nano-fibrous membrane as the water contact angle is greater than 150°. The oil absorption of these porous composite membranes was also tested using four different oils, which can reach the highest absorption capacity when the weight ratio of PLLA and SiNPs is 1:1. The flux of prepared membranes was investigated, and results indicated that SiNPs-loaded membrane effectively enhanced the flux (5200 Lm−2 h−1)

On-chip coherent beam combination of waveguide amplifiers on Er3+^{3+}-doped thin film lithium niobate

We demonstrate on-chip coherent beam combination of two waveguide amplifiers on Er$^{3+}$-doped thin film lithium niobate (Er: TFLN) platform. Our device is built based on an electro-optic modulator fabricated on Er: TFLN. The output power of the coherently combined amplifiers is measured as high as 12.9 mW, surpassing that of previous single waveguide amplifiers based on Er$^{3+}$-doped thin film lithium niobate platform

Characterization of viral RNA splicing using whole-transcriptome datasets from host species

RNA alternative splicing (AS) is an important post-transcriptional mechanism enabling single genes to produce multiple proteins. It has been well demonstrated that viruses deploy host AS machinery for viral protein productions. However, knowledge on viral AS is limited to a few disease-causing viruses in model species. Here we report a novel approach to characterizing viral AS using whole transcriptome dataset from host species. Two insect transcriptomes (Acheta domesticus and Planococcus citri) generated in the 1,000 Insect Transcriptome Evolution (1KITE) project were used as a proof of concept using the new pipeline. Two closely related densoviruses (Acheta domesticus densovirus, AdDNV, and Planococcus citri densovirus, PcDNV, Ambidensovirus, Densovirinae, Parvoviridae) were detected and analyzed for AS patterns. The results suggested that although the two viruses shared major AS features, dramatic AS divergences were observed. Detailed analysis of the splicing junctions showed clusters of AS events occurred in two regions of the virus genome, demonstrating that transcriptome analysis could gain valuable insights into viral splicing. When applied to large-scale transcriptomics projects with diverse taxonomic sampling, our new method is expected to rapidly expand our knowledge on RNA splicing mechanisms for a wide range of viruses

Postural Difference between the Interventions Reflecting the Concept of Mirror Therapy in Healthy Subjects

(1) Background: Mirror therapy is one of the promising interventions for the upper limb rehabilitation of stroke patients. Postural asymmetry during mirror therapy was pointed out as a possibility to influence stroke patients’ rehabilitation negatively. However, it is still difficult to find studies on the postural changes in mirror therapy concept interventions. This study compared three methods of postural differences as follows: traditional mirror therapy (mirror); displaying the real-time movement of the unaffected side on the screen above the affected side (screen); and playing a pre-recorded movement of the unaffected side on a tablet placed on a movable box where the affected hand is put inside (movable). (2) Methods: to observe a kinematic difference, we recruited 16 healthy volunteers to go through three different interventions (mirror, screen, movable). The motion capture system made observations on the postures before and during interventions, then compared and analyzed. (3) Results: while using the mirror, the sitting posture was observed to become asymmetric, and the following unique posture was observed where the target hand went further from the trunk while performing tasks. In addition, the shoulder of the target side came forward, and the difference between both elbow flexion angles was also observed. On the other hand, the screen or movable device did not cause a significant change in the sitting posture, and no additional postural differences were observed either. (4) Conclusions: mirror therapy showed a tendency to cause lateral flexion opposite the target hand, thus, creating additional postural change. However, developed methods controlled spine tilt, and enabled the keeping of the midline while sitting during the intervention

A Research of Simplified Method in Boiler Efficiency Test

AbstractIt is needed to make ultimate analysis of coal when testing boiler efficiency by traditional method. However, it is so costly and so long that it is impossible to test boiler efficiency frequently. However, it is much easier to make proximate analysis of coal, and most enterprise may operate. In this paper, a mathematics model has been established based on proximate analysis so as to replace ultimate analysis of coal in boiler efficiency testing. Theoretical air requirement, heat loss due to exhaust gas, and heat loss due to unburned gases were compared by this new model. Errors are no more than 5%, and it shows that the method is feasible and valid

The CDK1-Related lncRNA and CXCL8 Mediated Immune Resistance in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Background: Limited therapeutic options are available for advanced LUAD without driver gene mutations. Anti-CDK therapy has shown effectiveness in several kind of cancers, however, the mechanisms still need to be elucidated. Materials and Methods: The lncRNA associated with CDK1 and the immunomodulatory factors that regulate CDK1 were found by bioinformatics analysis and experimental verification. The prognostic model and immune resistance mechanism of lung adenocarcinoma were revealed by single cell analysis, immune infiltration analysis, and signal pathway analysis. Results: LINC00261 was found to be an important CDK1-related lncRNA with a better prognosis in LUAD. In addition, high CDK1 expression indicates a poor immunotherapy response, which may be associated with overexpression of CXCL8. CXCL8 decreased in patients who were immunotherapy-responsive but increased in patients who were immunotherapy-resistant. Signaling pathway analysis suggested that increased CXCL8 and decreased LINC00261 may participate in hypoxia-induced tumor angiogenesis and cause a poor prognosis for the patients. CXCL8 and CDK1 may change G2-M transformation and EMT and promote tumor proliferation. Conclusion: This study explained that LINC00261, CDK1, and CXCL8 may have a mutual regulation relationship, which affects the occurrence of LUAD and the efficacy of immunotherapy

Differential accumulation and distribution of natural gas and its main controlling factors in the Sinian Dengying Fm, Sichuan Basin

In order to disclose the genetic relationship between the hydrocarbon reservoirs and the transformation mechanism between ancient and modern gas reservoirs in the Sinian Dengying Fm in the Sichuan Basin, by using the drilling data, and geologic, geophysical and geochemical methods together, the differential accumulation and distribution of natural gas and its main controlling factors in this study area were identified following the idea of corroborating macroscopic, mesoscopic and microscopic results each other. The results demonstrate as follows. (1) The crude oil in the paleo-oil reservoirs of the Dengying Fm cracked into gas to form the early overpressure paleo-gas reservoirs 100 Ma. From 100 Ma to 20 Ma, the constant uplifting of the Sichuan Basin coupled with the shift of structural highs and the initial occurrence of Weiyuan anticline caused the adjustment of the early overpressure paleo-gas reservoirs into the late overpressure paleo-gas reservoirs. (2) With the increase of uplifting magnitude since 20 Ma, the formations overlying the Dengying Fm in Weiyuan structure experienced rapid erosion, resulting in decline of the caprock sealing ability and damage to the preservation conditions. Therefore, the natural gas in the Dengying Fm started to leak and dissipate from the eroded window of the Lower Triassic Jialingjiang Fm located on the top of the Weiyuan anticline, which is the beginning of the differential accumulation and dissipation of the natural gas in the Dengying Fm across the Sichuan Basin. During the process of the differential accumulation and dissipation, the gas below the spill point of the structural gas traps in Ziyang, Jinshi and Longnüsi–Moxi–Anpingdian–Gaoshiti areas migrated to the Weiyuan anticline along the unconformity of the Dengying Fm, and dissipated through the eroded window of the Jialingjiang Fm on the top of the Weiyuan anticline, resulting in a transformation of abnormal high pressure of gas reservoir to normal pressure in the Dengying Fm. The differential accumulation and dissipation mode in the Dengying Fm in the Sichuan Basin has both similarities with and differences from the classic hydrocarbon differential entrapment theory, and will give great inspiration to and guide the further gas exploration in the Sichuan Basin