The Effect of Connected Vehicle Environment on Global Travel Efficiency and Its Optimal Penetration Rate

The effect of connected vehicle environment on the transportation systems and the relationship between the penetration rate of connected vehicle and its efficiency are investigated in this study. An example based on the classical two-route network is adopted in this study, in which the drivers consist of two types: informed and uninformed. The advantages and disadvantages of the connected vehicle environment are analyzed, and the concentration phenomenon is proposed and found to be mitigated when only a fraction of drivers are informed. The simulation tool embodying the characteristics of the connected vehicle environment is developed using the multiagent technology. Finally, different scenarios are simulated, such as the zero-information environment, the full-information environment, and the connected vehicle environment with various penetration rates. Moreover, simulation results of the global performance of the transportation system are compared. The results show that the connected vehicle environment can efficiently improve the performance of the transportation system, while the adverse effects due to concentration rise out from the excessive informed drivers. An optimal penetration rate of the connected vehicles is found to characterize the best performance of the system. These findings can aid in understanding the effect of the connected vehicle environment on the transportation system. Document type: Articl

Phase-field simulation of grain nucleation, growth, and Rayleigh distribution of U3Si2 nuclear fuel

U3Si2 is a potential accident-tolerant fuel (ATF) due to its high thermal conductivity and uranium density relative to UO2. The grain size and distribution play an essential role in the service performance of U3Si2. However, the grain evolution is quite complicated and remains unclear, which limits further application of U3Si2 in the ATF assembly. In the present work, a phase-field model is employed to investigate the nucleation and growth of grains in U3Si2. Our results show that the number of grains rises rapidly at the nucleation stage until they occupy the whole system. After that, the grain radius and area continue to grow, and the grain number decays. The grain area increases in time according to the linear law, while the mean grain radius increases with time in a power law form with the scaling growth exponent z = 0.42, which is quite close to the theoretically predicted value. Finally, we performed statistical analysis and found that the grain size evolution of U3Si2 obeys Rayleigh distribution. Our simulation not only elucidates the nucleation and evolution of grains in U3Si2 during the thermal treatment process unambiguously but also provides a fundamental study on the investigation of grain growth, subdivision, and even amorphization in the irradiated condition, which is very important for U3Si2 used as ATF in the light water reactor

Role of the IgM Fc Receptor in Immunity and Tolerance

Immunoglobulin (Ig) M is the first antibody isotype to appear during evolution, ontogeny and immune responses. IgM not only serves as the first line of host defense against infections but also plays an important role in immune regulation and immunological tolerance. For many years, IgM is thought to function by binding to antigen and activating complement system. With the discovery of the IgM Fc receptor (FcμR), it is now clear that IgM can also elicit its function through FcμR. In this review, we will describe the molecular characteristics of FcμR, its role in B cell development, maturation and activation, humoral immune responses, host defense, and immunological tolerance. We will also discuss the functional relationship between IgM-complement and IgM-FcμR pathways in regulating immunity and tolerance. Finally, we will discuss the potential involvement of FcμR in human diseases

Mechanistic study of visible light-driven CdS or g-C₃N₄-catalyzed C–H direct trifluoromethylation of (hetero)arenes using CF₃SO₂Na as the trifluoromethyl source

The mild and sustainable methods for C–H direct trifluoromethylation of (hetero)arenes without any base or strong oxidants are in extremely high demand. Here, we report that the photo-generated electron-hole pairs of classical semiconductors (CdS or g-C3N4) under visible light excitation are effective to drive C–H trifluoromethylation of (hetero)arenes with stable and inexpensive CF3SO2Na as the trifluoromethyl (TFM) source via radical pathway. Either CdS or g-C3N4 propagated reaction can efficiently transform CF3SO2Na to [rad]CF3 radical and further afford the desired benzotrifluoride derivatives in moderate to good yields. After visible light initiated photocatalytic process, the key elements (such as F, S and C) derived from the starting TFM source of CF3SO2Na exhibited differential chemical forms as compared to those in other oxidative reactions. The photogenerated electron was trapped by chemisorbed O2 on photocatalysts to form superoxide radical anion (O2[rad]−) which will further attack [rad]CF3 radical with the generation of inorganic product F− and CO2. This resulted in a low utilization efficiency of [rad]CF3 (&lt;50%). When nitro aromatic compounds and CF3SO2Na served as the starting materials in inert atmosphere, the photoexcited electrons can be directed to reduce the nitro group to amino group rather than being trapped by O2. Meanwhile, the photogenerated holes oxidize SO2CF3− into [rad]CF3. Both the photogenerated electrons and holes were engaged in reductive and oxidative paths, respectively. The desired product, trifluoromethylated aniline, was obtained successfully via one-pot free-radical synthesis.</p

ER predicts poor prognosis in male lung squamous cell cancer of stage IIIA-N2 disease after sequential adjuvant chemoradiotherapy

IntroductionThe efficacy of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) is still unclear in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with pIIIA-N2 disease. Estrogen receptor (ER) was proven significantly associated with poor clinical outcome of male lung squamous cell cancer (LUSC) after R0 resection in our previous study.MethodsA total of 124 male pIIIA-N2 LUSC patients who completed four cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy and PORT after complete resection were eligible for enrollment in this study from October 2016 to December 2021. ER expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry assay.ResultsThe median follow-up was 29.7 months. Among 124 patients, 46 (37.1%) were ER positive (stained tumor cells≥1%), and the rest 78 (62.9%) were ER negative. Eleven clinical factors considered in this study were well balanced between ER+ and ER- groups. ER expression significantly predicted a poor prognosis in disease-free survival (DFS, HR=2.507; 95% CI: 1.629-3.857; log-rank p=1.60×10-5). The 3-year DFS rates were 37.8% with ER- vs. 5.7% with ER+, with median DFS 25.9 vs. 12.6 months, respectively. The significant prognostic advantage in ER- patients was also observed in overall survival (OS), local recurrence free survival (LRFS), and distant metastasis free survival (DMFS). The 3-year OS rates were 59.7% with ER- vs. 48.2% with ER+ (HR, 1.859; 95% CI: 1.132-3.053; log-rank p=0.013), the 3-year LRFS rates were 44.1% vs. 15.3% (HR=2.616; 95% CI: 1.685-4.061; log-rank p=8.80×10-6), and the 3-year DMFS rates were 45.3% vs. 31.8% (HR=1.628; 95% CI: 1.019-2.601; log-rank p=0.039). Cox regression analyses indicated that ER status was the only significant factor for DFS (p=2.940×10-5), OS (p=0.014), LRFS (p=1.825×10-5) and DMFS (p=0.041) among other 11 clinical factors.ConclusionsPORT might be more beneficial for ER negative LUSCs in male, and the examination of ER status might be helpful in identifying patients suitable for PORT

EFFECTS OF CIJI HUA’AI BAOSHENG GRANULE FORMULA (CHBGF) ON LIFE TIME, PATHOLOGY, PERIPHERAL BLOOD CELLS OF TUMOR CHEMOTHERAPY MODEL MOUSE WITH H22 HEPATOMA CARCINOMA CELLS

Background: Ciji Hua’ai Baosheng Granule Formula (CHBGF) is a traditional Chinese empirical formula that can help the tumor patients who have received chemotherapy antagonize the toxin and side-effects so as to improve and prolong the life. This study is to evaluate the effects of CHBGF on improving life quality in terms of survival time, pathology of tumor tissue and ameliorating peripheral blood cells in mouse chemotherapy model with subcutaneous transplanted tumor or ascitic tumor of H22 hepatoma carcinoma cells at an overall level. Materials and Methods: 71 mice among the 92 Kunming mice were injected subcutaneously into the right anterior armpit with H22 hepatoma carcinoma cells, after 7 days, which had formed tumors and were used peritoneal injection of Cytoxan (CTX) (200mg/kg) to establish the mouse chemotherapy model with transplanted tumor, and then which were commensurately divided into 8 groups by random digits table. 21 mice were injected into peritoneal cavity to use CTX and the same method to establish the model. The groups for evaluating the effects on the survival time were the model, CHBGF and positive control group respectively with 7 mice in each group. The groups for evaluating the effects on anti-cancer were the model group, three treatment groups and positive control group with 10 mice in each group. The survival-time-observing groups were given intragastric administration of normal saline, CHBGF (64g/kg) once a day, and peritoneal injection of 5-Fluorouracil (25mg/kg) once every other day respectively. The survival time of each group was observed. The five anti-cancer-observing groups were given intragastric administration of normal saline, CHBGF (64g/kg, 32g/kg and 16g/kg) once a day, and peritoneal injection of 5-Fluorouracil (25mg/kg) once every other day respectively. After treatment for 21 days, the transplanted tumors were peeled off. Blood was collected through pricking eyeball and analyzed by hematology analyzer. And postchemotherapy transplanted tumor inhibition ratios were calculated. Pathological changes of tumor tissues and blood smears were observed with light microscope. Results: The life prolonging rate of CHBGF (64g/kg) group with transplanted tumor is 20.14%, and their survival time was longer than that of the 5-Fluorouracil group (

Single-Atom Control of Single-Molecule van der Waals Junctions with Semimetallic Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Electrodes

Electrodes play an essential role in controlling electrode-molecule coupling. However, conventional metal electrodes require linkers to anchor the molecule. Van der Waals interaction offers a versatile strategy to connect the electrode and molecule without anchor groups. Except for graphene, the potential of other materials as electrodes to fabricate van der Waals molecular junctions remains unexplored. Herein, we utilize semimetallic transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) 1T'-WTe as electrodes to fabricate WTe /metalated tetraphenylporphyrin (M-TPP)/WTe junctions via van der Waals interaction. Compared with chemically bonded Au/M-TPP/Au junctions, the conductance of these M-TPP van der Waals molecular junctions is enhanced by ∼736%. More importantly, WTe /M-TPP/WTe junctions exhibit the tunable conductance from 10 to 10 (1.15 orders of magnitude) via single-atom control, recording the widest tunable range of conductance for M-TPP molecular junctions. Our work demonstrates the potential of two-dimensional TMDCs for constructing highly tunable and conductive molecular devices

Dual protective role of velutin against articular cartilage degeneration and subchondral bone loss via the p38 signaling pathway in murine osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint condition associated with inflammation and characterized by progressive degradation of the articular cartilage and subchondral bone loss in the early stages. Inflammation is closely associated with these two major pathophysiological changes in OA. Velutin, a flavonoid family member, reportedly exerts anti-inflammatory effects. However, the therapeutic effects of velutin in OA have not yet been characterized. In this study, we explore the effects of velutin in an OA mouse model. Histological staining and micro-CT revealed that velutin had a protective effect against cartilage degradation and subchondral bone loss in an OA mouse model generated by surgical destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM). Additionally, velutin rescued IL-1β-induced inflammation in chondrocytes and inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorption in vitro. Mechanistically, the p38 signaling pathway was found to be implicated in the inhibitory effects of velutin. Our study reveals the dual protective effects of velutin against cartilage degradation and subchondral bone loss by inhibiting the p38 signaling pathway, thereby highlighting velutin as an alternative treatment for OA

The Effect of Connected Vehicle Environment on Global Travel Efficiency and Its Optimal Penetration Rate

The effect of connected vehicle environment on the transportation systems and the relationship between the penetration rate of connected vehicle and its efficiency are investigated in this study. An example based on the classical two-route network is adopted in this study, in which the drivers consist of two types: informed and uninformed. The advantages and disadvantages of the connected vehicle environment are analyzed, and the concentration phenomenon is proposed and found to be mitigated when only a fraction of drivers are informed. The simulation tool embodying the characteristics of the connected vehicle environment is developed using the multiagent technology. Finally, different scenarios are simulated, such as the zero-information environment, the full-information environment, and the connected vehicle environment with various penetration rates. Moreover, simulation results of the global performance of the transportation system are compared. The results show that the connected vehicle environment can efficiently improve the performance of the transportation system, while the adverse effects due to concentration rise out from the excessive informed drivers. An optimal penetration rate of the connected vehicles is found to characterize the best performance of the system. These findings can aid in understanding the effect of the connected vehicle environment on the transportation system

Adaptability of a deep profile control agent to reservoirs: Taking the Lamadian Oilfield in Daqing as an example

Lamadian Oilfield in Daqing is characterized by thick layers, complex facies combination, and serious interlayer heterogeneity, so influential factors of a deep profile control agent on deep profile control and oil production increase and its adaptability to reservoirs were studied using core flooding tests. The results show that the agent amount, intensity, and permeability variation coefficient (VK) of reservoir all influence the effect of oil production increase after profile modification. The larger the injected volume, the better the stimulation effect. The increment of recovery ratio showed an increase and then decrease trend when agent intensity increased. Larger VK resulted in better stimulation effect. Core flooding tests and instrument detection results show that, the profile control agent can flow in the pore only when the value of molecular group size and the medium value of pore throat radius are in the compatibility zone. Therefore, for a heterogeneous reservoir, the characteristics of high, middle, and low permeability layers and the match relations of agent molecular group size and medium value of pore throat radius of reservoir rock must be taken into consideration when designing the agent intensity and slug, so as to reduce the damage to middle and low permeable layers as much as possible. Key words: profile control agent, injected volume, intensity, permeability variation coefficient, molecular group size, stimulation effect after profile control, adaptabilit