A Novel Filled Function Method for Nonlinear Equations

A novel filled function method is suggested for solving box-constrained systems of nonlinear equations. Firstly, the original problem is converted into an equivalent global optimization problem. Subsequently, a novel filled function with one parameter is proposed for solving the converted global optimization problem. Some properties of the filled function are studied and discussed. Finally, an algorithm based on the proposed novel filled function for solving systems of nonlinear equations is presented. The objective function value can be reduced by quarter in each iteration of our algorithm. The implementation of the algorithm on several test problems is reported with satisfactory numerical results

Mutation spectrum of PTS gene in patients with tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency from jiangxi province

Background: Hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) is the most common inborn error in amino acid metabolism. It can be primarily classified into phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) deficiency and tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) deficiency. BH4 deficiency (BH4D) is caused by genetic defects in enzymes involved in the biosynthesis and regeneration of BH4. 6-pyruvoyl-tetrahydropterin synthase (PTPS/PTS), which is encoded by the PTS gene, participates in the biosynthesis of BH4. PTPS deficiency (PTPSD) is the major cause of BH4D. In this study, we investigated that the prevalence of BH4D in Jiangxi province was approximately 12.5 per 1,000,000 live births (69/5,541,627). Furthermore, the frequency of BH4D was estimated to be 28.8% (69/240) in the HPA population of Jiangxi. In this study, we aimed to characterize the mutational spectrum of the PTS gene in patients with PTPSD from Jiangxi province.Method: Newborn screening data of Jiangxi province from 1997 to 2021 were analyzed and 53 families with PTPSD were enrolled for the analysis of the PTS gene variants by Sanger sequencing.Results: 106 variants were identified in 106 alleles of 53 patients with PTPSD, including 13 types of variants reported previously, and two novel variants (c.164-36A>G and c.146_147insTG). The predominant variant was c.259C>T (47.2%), followed by c.84-291A>G (19.8%), c.155A>G (8.5%), c.286G>A (6.6%) and c.379C>T (4.7%).Conclusion: The results of this study can not only provide guidance for the molecular diagnosis and genetic counseling in cases of PTPS deficiency but also enrich the PTS mutation database

Shape-Controlled Synthesis of ZnS Nanostructures: A Simple and Rapid Method for One-Dimensional Materials by Plasma

In this paper, ZnS one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures including tetrapods, nanorods, nanobelts, and nanoslices were selectively synthesized by using RF thermal plasma in a wall-free way. The feeding rate and the cooling flow rate were the critical experimental parameters for defining the morphology of the final products. The detailed structures of synthesized ZnS nanostructures were studied through transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and high-resolution transmission electron microscope. A collision-controlled growth mechanism was proposed to explain the growth process that occurred exclusively in the gas current by a flowing way, and the whole process was completed in several seconds. In conclusion, the present synthetic route provides a facile way to synthesize ZnS and other hexagonal-structured 1D nanostructures in a rapid and scalable way

Mater. Lett.

Well dispersed nickel nanoparticles with uniform size were synthesized via a modified hydrazine reduction route without any surfactant introduced. Ethanol was used as solvent and played the complementary reducing role. The as-prepared samples were characterized by XRD, FESEM, TEM and TG. Pure metallic Ni could be easily obtained when ethanol instead of water was used as solvent. The particle surface was much improved when ethanol was involved in the reduction process at high temperature. The resultant particles have smooth surface and uniform size of about 50 nm. The nickel powders have an oxidization temperature of about 200 degrees C. The formation process was discussed based on the experimental results. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Well dispersed nickel nanoparticles with uniform size were synthesized via a modified hydrazine reduction route without any surfactant introduced. Ethanol was used as solvent and played the complementary reducing role. The as-prepared samples were characterized by XRD, FESEM, TEM and TG. Pure metallic Ni could be easily obtained when ethanol instead of water was used as solvent. The particle surface was much improved when ethanol was involved in the reduction process at high temperature. The resultant particles have smooth surface and uniform size of about 50 nm. The nickel powders have an oxidization temperature of about 200 degrees C. The formation process was discussed based on the experimental results. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Progress in Preparation of ZrB2 Nanopowders Based on Traditional Solid-State Synthesis

ZrB2 is of particular interest among ultra-high temperature ceramics because it exhibits excellent thermal resistance at high temperature, as well as chemical stability, high hardness, low cost, and good electrical and thermal conductivity, which meet the requirements of high-temperature components of hyper-sonic aircraft in extreme environments. As raw materials and basic units of ultra-high temperature ceramics and their composites, ZrB2 powders provide an important way for researchers to improve material properties and explore new properties by way of synthesis design and innovation. In recent years, the development of ZrB2 powders’ synthesis method has broken through the classification of traditional solid-phase method, liquid-phase method, and gas-phase method, and there is a trend of integration of them. The present review covers the most important methods used in ZrB2 nanopowder synthesis, focusing on the solid-phase synthesis and its improved process, including modified self-propagating high-temperature synthesis, solution-derived precursor method, and plasma-enhanced exothermic reaction. Specific examples and strategies in synthesis of ZrB2 nano powders are introduced, followed by challenges and the perspectives on future directions. The integration of various synthesis methods, the combination of different material components, and the connection between synthesis and its subsequent application process is the trend of development in the future

Synthesis of tunable 3D ZnO architectures assemblied with nanoplates

A simple hydrothermal method has been used to synthesize 3D ZnO architectures without any surfactants. The assemblies were composed of thin nanoplates with the thickness of about 35 nm. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and photoluminescence (PL) characterized the structure, morphology and optical property of products. The thickness of plates and assembly pattern can be controlled by adjusting the experimental parameters. Furthermore, these ZnO nanoplate assemblies exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity in the degradation of methylene blue (MB). (C) 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinhei

Partially-shared pessimistic bilevel multi-follower programming: concept, algorithm, and application

Abstract When multiple followers are involved in a bilevel programming problem, the leader’s decision will be affected by the reactions of these followers. For actual problems, the leader in general cannot obtain complete information from the followers so that he may be risk-averse. Then he would need a safety margin to bound the damage resulting from the undesirable selections of the followers. This situation is called a pessimistic bilevel multi-follower (PBLMF) programming problem. This research considers a partially-shared linear PBLMF programming in which there is a partially-shared variable among the followers. The concept and solution algorithm of such a problem are developed. As an illustration, the partially-shared linear PBLMF programming model is applied to a company making venture investments