Investigation of a novel composite sorbent for improved sorption characteristic

Novel composite sorbents are developed. Strontium chloride (SrCl2) is selected whereas expanded natural graphite and nanoparticle i.e. carbon coated nickel are integrated as the additive with different densities for the better heat transfer and sorption performance. Thermal properties such as thermal diffusivity and conductivity are investigated by the laser flash method. The sorption performance is tested by the unit which is especially designed. It is indicated that the highest thermal diffusivity could reach 2.242 mm2\ub7s-1 when the density is 1000 kg\ub7m-3 and testing temperature is 20oC. For different testing temperature and density, the thermal diffusivity range from 1.3 mm2\ub7s-1 to 2.242 mm2\ub7s-1. Also worth noting that the highest thermal conductivity could reach 2.5 mm2\ub7s-1 for the environmental temperature. One paramount factor i.e. the global conversion rate of the novel composite SrCl2 is compared and analyzed under different working conditions. It can be found that the higher desorption temperature results in the faster variation of the global conversion rate. In addition, It takes about 15 minutes and 40 minutes to finish the reaction SrCl2 8-1 and 1-0 when the desorption temperature is 180oC and 130oC, respectively. For sorption process, it is indicated that the global conversion rate varies faster with the increase of the sorption temperature. When the global conversion is 0.7, it takes about 14 to 28 minutes when sorption temperature range from -5oC to 15oC

Current–Voltage Characteristics in Individual Polypyrrole Nanotube, Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Nanowire, Polyaniline Nanotube, and CdS Nanorope

In this paper, we focus on current–voltage (I–V) characteristics in several kinds of quasi-one-dimensional (quasi-1D) nanofibers to investigate their electronic transport properties covering a wide temperature range from 300 down to 2 K. Since the complex structures composed of ordered conductive regions in series with disordered barriers in conducting polymer nanotubes/wires and CdS nanowires, all measured nonlinearI–Vcharacteristics show temperature and field-dependent features and are well fitted to the extended fluctuation-induced tunneling and thermal excitation model (Kaiser expression). However, we find that there are surprisingly similar deviations emerged between theI–Vdata and fitting curves at the low bias voltages and low temperatures, which can be possibly ascribed to the electron–electron interaction in such quasi-1D systems with inhomogeneous nanostructures

Current–Voltage Characteristics in Individual Polypyrrole Nanotube, Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Nanowire, Polyaniline Nanotube, and CdS Nanorope

In this paper, we focus on current–voltage (I–V) characteristics in several kinds of quasi-one-dimensional (quasi-1D) nanofibers to investigate their electronic transport properties covering a wide temperature range from 300 down to 2 K. Since the complex structures composed of ordered conductive regions in series with disordered barriers in conducting polymer nanotubes/wires and CdS nanowires, all measured nonlinearI–Vcharacteristics show temperature and field-dependent features and are well fitted to the extended fluctuation-induced tunneling and thermal excitation model (Kaiser expression). However, we find that there are surprisingly similar deviations emerged between theI–Vdata and fitting curves at the low bias voltages and low temperatures, which can be possibly ascribed to the electron–electron interaction in such quasi-1D systems with inhomogeneous nanostructures

Repair Wind Field of Oil Spill Regional Using SAR Data

In this paper, we compared the normalized radar cross section (NRCS) of the synthetic aperture radar in the cases of oil spill and clean sea areas with image samples and determined their thresholds of the NRCS of SAR. we used the NRCS of clean water from the adjacent patches spill area to replace NRCS of oil spill area and retrieval wind field by CMOD5.N and comparison of wind velocity mending of oil spill with Model data the root mean square of wind speed and wind direction inversion are 0.89m/s and 20.26 satisfactory results, respectively. Therefore, after the occurrence not large scale oil spill, the real wind field could be restored by this method.&nbsp

Geochemical characteristics and 40Ar- 39Ar ages of the amphibolites and gabbros in Tarlang area: Implications for tectonic evolution of the Chinese Altai

Amphibolitic and gabbroic rocks occur in Tarlang area in Chinese Altay. Amphibolites are metamorphosed products of mafic magmatic rocks (SiO 2 = 45.42% - 52.96%) and contain high Al 2O 3 (13.14% - 17.92%), Fe 2O 3 T (9.08% - 16.88%) and TiO 2 (0.82% - 3.23%) contents. The amphibolite samples show relatively flat REE patterns, without significant fractionations of REEs (La/Yb N = 1.53 - 1.79). These samples are depleted in HFSEs slightly, with slightly Ti-Nb-Ta negative anomalies, which suggest a subtle relation to subduction-related environment. The gabbroic samples (SiO 2 = 46.96% - 49.86%) have intermediate TiO 2 (0.38% - 1.89%) and relatively low K 2 O contents (K 2 O = 0.34% - 1.03%), belonging to subalkali rocks (Na 2 O > K 2 O). They have relatively high Al 2O 3 (15.0% - 20.81%), CaO (10.13% - 11.60%) and moderate MgO (7.3% - 8.3% ) contents. The gabbroic samples show two types of REE patterns. One is characterized by slight fractionation of REEs (La/Yb N = 1.10 - 1.67) and weak Eu anomalies (δEu = 1.03 - 1.10), while the other is enriched in LREE s (La/Yb N = 5.97 - 6.39), with significantly positive Eu anomalies (δEu = 1.31 - 1.44), which may reflect accumulation of plagioclase in the magma chamber. These gabbroic rocks all exhibit Ti-Nb-Ta troughs and Pb-Sr spikes, also implying a subduction-related origin. The 40Ar/ 39Ar spectrum of the gabbroic sample is simple and flat (plateau age of 266.9 ± 4.2Ma; isochron age of 261 ± 23Ma), indicating that its K-Ar isotopic system was not seriously disturbed by subsequent thermal events and may reflect the intrusion time of the gabbro. However, 40Ar- 39Ar analysis of the amphibolite give rise to a saddle-like spectrum, and its youngest plateau (297.3 ± 6.1Ma) probably reflects the last metamorphic event. The difference on age and geochemistry between the amphibolitic and gabbroic rocks implies that they probably represent different mafic magma. The protolith of amphibolites probably formed in a seamount near a subduction zone and subsequently accreated to the Altai. The gabbro exhibits subduction-releted characteristics and was coeval with transtensional movement in the Chinese Altai, probably reflecting a tectonic transition in the Permian.阿爾泰塔爾浪地區出露一些斜長角閃巖和輝長巖。其中,斜長角閃巖為基性巖漿巖變質的產物,SiO_2含量為45.42%～52.96%,具有較高的Al_2O_3(13.14%～17.92%)、Fe_2O_3~T(9.08%～16.88%)和TiO_2(0.82%～3.23%)含量。斜長角閃巖樣品稀土元素曲線比較平坦,輕重稀土元素分餾不明顯(La/Yb_N=1.53～1.79),無明顯的Nb和Ta虧損。通過野外產狀及地球化學特征分析,認為該斜長角閃巖形成于海山的構造環境。輝長巖SiO_2(46.96%～49.86%)含量稍低,TiO_2(0.38%～1.89%)變化較大,并富Al_2O_3(15.0%～20.81%)、CaO(10.13%～11.60%),具有中等至較高MgO含量(7.3%～8.3%)和相對較低的鉀含量(K_2O=0.34%～1.03%),屬亞堿性巖石系列(Na_2O>K_2O)。輝長巖呈現兩種稀土元素組成特征。一種輕重稀土分餾不明顯,配分曲線比較平坦(La/Yb_N=1.10～1.67),具有輕微的Eu正異常(δEu=1.03～1.10);另一種輕重稀土元素分餾較明顯(La/Yb_N=5.97～...published_or_final_versio

Superconductivity in HfTe5 across weak to strong topological insulator transition induced via pressures

Recently, theoretical studies show that layered HfTe5 is at the boundary of weak & strong topological insulator (TI) and might crossover to a Dirac semimetal state by changing lattice parameters. The topological properties of 3D stacked HfTe5 are expected hence to be sensitive to pressures tuning. Here, we report pressure induced phase evolution in both electronic & crystal structures for HfTe5 with a culmination of pressure induced superconductivity. Our experiments indicated that the temperature for anomaly resistance peak (Tp) due to Lifshitz transition decreases first before climbs up to a maximum with pressure while the Tp minimum corresponds to the transition from a weak TI to strong TI. The HfTe5 crystal becomes superconductive above ~5.5 GPa where the Tp reaches maximum. The highest superconducting transition temperature (Tc) around 5 K was achieved at 20 GPa. Crystal structure studies indicate that HfTe5 transforms from a Cmcm phase across a monoclinic C2/m phase then to a P-1 phase with increasing pressure. Based on transport, structure studies a comprehensive phase diagram of HfTe5 is constructed as function of pressure. The work provides valuable experimental insights into the evolution on how to proceed from a weak TI precursor across a strong TI to superconductors

Remote Manipulation of Droplets on a Flexible Magnetically Responsive Film

The manipulation of droplets is used in a wide range of applications, from lab-on-a-chip devices to bioinspired functional surfaces. Although a variety of droplet manipulation techniques have been proposed, active, fast and reversible manipulation of pure discrete droplets remains elusive due to the technical limitations of previous techniques. Here, we describe a novel technique that enables active, fast, precise and reversible control over the position and motion of a pure discrete droplet with only a permanent magnet by utilizing a magnetically responsive flexible film possessing actuating hierarchical pillars on the surface. This magnetically responsive surface shows reliable actuating capabilities with immediate field responses and maximum tilting angles of ???90??. Furthermore, the magnetic responsive film exhibits superhydrophobicity regardless of tilting angles of the actuating pillars. Using this magnetically responsive film, we demonstrate active and reversible manipulation of droplets with a remote magnetic force.open0

Innate Recognition of Fungal Cell Walls

The emergence of fungal infections as major causes of morbidity and mortality in immunosuppressed individuals has prompted studies into how the host recognizes fungal pathogens. Fungi are eukaryotes and as such share many similarities with mammalian cells. The most striking difference, though, is the presence of a cell wall that serves to protect the fungus from environmental stresses, particularly osmotic changes [1]. This task is made challenging because the fungus must remodel itself to allow for cell growth and division, including the conversion to different morphotypes, such as occurs during germination of spherical spores into filamentous hyphae. The cell wall also connects the fungus with its environment by triggering intracellular signaling pathways and mediating adhesion to other cells and extracellular matrices. Here, important facts and concepts critical for understanding innate sensing of the fungal cell wall by mammalian pathogens are reviewed

MicroRNAs targeting oncogenes are down-regulated in pancreatic malignant transformation from benign tumors

BACKGROUND MicroRNA (miRNA) expression profiles have been described in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), but these have not been compared with pre-malignant pancreatic tumors. We wished to compare the miRNA expression signatures in pancreatic benign cystic tumors (BCT) of low and high malignant potential with PDAC, in order to identify miRNAs deregulated during PDAC development. The mechanistic consequences of miRNA dysregulation were further evaluated. METHODS Tissue samples were obtained at a tertiary pancreatic unit from individuals with BCT and PDAC. MiRNA profiling was performed using a custom microarray and results were validated using RT-qPCR prior to evaluation of miRNA targets. RESULTS Widespread miRNA down-regulation was observed in PDAC compared to low malignant potential BCT. We show that amongst those miRNAs down-regulated, miR-16, miR-126 and let-7d regulate known PDAC oncogenes (targeting BCL2, CRK and KRAS respectively). Notably, miR-126 also directly targets the KRAS transcript at a "seedless" binding site within its 3'UTR. In clinical specimens, miR-126 was strongly down-regulated in PDAC tissues, with an associated elevation in KRAS and CRK proteins. Furthermore, miR-21, a known oncogenic miRNA in pancreatic and other cancers, was not elevated in PDAC compared to serous microcystic adenoma (SMCA), but in both groups it was up-regulated compared to normal pancreas, implicating early up-regulation during malignant change. CONCLUSIONS Expression profiling revealed 21 miRNAs down-regulated in PDAC compared to SMCA, the most benign lesion that rarely progresses to invasive carcinoma. It appears that miR-21 up-regulation is an early event in the transformation from normal pancreatic tissue. MiRNA expression has the potential to distinguish PDAC from normal pancreas and BCT. Mechanistically the down-regulation of miR-16, miR-126 and let-7d promotes PDAC transformation by post-transcriptional up-regulation of crucial PDAC oncogenes. We show that miR-126 is able to directly target KRAS; re-expression has the potential as a therapeutic strategy against PDAC and other KRAS-driven cancers