Experimental Study on the Influence of Sulfate Reducing Bacteria on the Metallic Corrosion Behavior under Disbonded Coating

A rectangle disbonded coating simulation device was used to research the effect of sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) on the metallic corrosion behavior under disbonded coating by the electrochemical method. The results showed that the metal self-corrosion potential at the same test point had little change in the initial experiment stage, whether the solution was without or with SRB. The potential amplitude in the solution with SRB was larger than that without SRB in the later corrosion period. The corrosion current density of the metal at the same test point increased gradually over time in the solution with or without SRB, and SRB could accelerate the corrosion of the metal in the disbonded crevice. The metal self-corrosion potential in the crevice had little change in the SRB solution environment after adding the fungicide, but the corrosion current density decreased significantly. That meant the growth and reproduction of SRB were inhibited after adding the fungicide, so the metal corrosion rate slowed down. Among the three kinds of solution environment, increasing the coating disbonded thickness could accelerate the corrosion of the metal in the crevice, and it was the largest in the solution with SRB

A novel QoS-awared grid routing protocol in the sensing layer of internet of vehicles based on reinforcement learning

This paper proposes a novel Quality of Service (QoS) grid routing protocol in Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks (WMSN) based on reinforcement learning to guarantee Quality of Service in WMSN based on the sensing layer of the Internet of Vehicles (IoV). The sensing layer of IoV acquires abundant information to handle complex road traffic problems. Moreover, WMSN is rich in perceptual data. This suggests a need for complex acquisition, processing, storage, transfer of text and video data. These issues are elevated due, impart, increased requirements for QoS in WMSN. However, WMSN is heterogeneous, and its network topology is changing dynamically. Therefore, ensuring high QoS in a complex environment has become a challenge. This research suggests that least delay can be accomplished by calculating the distance among the nodes through grid identification number (GID) to acquire the nearest path from the source to the sink. Additionally, optimal grid coordinators with the highest reliability can be elected by making all the nodes in the grid for reinforcement learning to acquire their performance knowledge of reliability and delay. This enables high QoS performance in terms of reliability and end-to-end delay. The results indicate that the QoS of QoS-awared grid routing (QAGR) protocol is higher compared with the traditional grid-based clustering routing protocol.Published versio

A Novel Functionalized MoS₂-Based Coating for Efficient Solar Desalination

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has emerged as a promising photothermal material for solar desalination. However, its limitation in integrating with organic substances constrains its application because of the lack of functional groups on its surface. Here, this work presents a functionalization approach to introduce three different functional groups (-COOH -OH -NH2) on the surface of MoS2 by combining them with S vacancies. Subsequently, the functionalized MoS2 was coated on the polyvinyl alcohol-modified polyurethane sponge to fabricate a MoS2-based double-layer evaporator through an organic bonding reaction. Photothermal desalination experiments show that the functionalized material has higher photothermal efficiency. The evaporation rate of the hydroxyl functionalized the MoS2 evaporator evaporation rate is 1.35 kg m−2 h−1, and the evaporation efficiency is 83% at one sun. This work provides a new strategy for efficient, green, and large-scale utilization of solar energy by MoS2-based evaporators

Understanding the effect of cobalt on the precipitation hardening behavior of the maraging stainless steel

The effect of cobalt on the precipitation hardening behavior of the maraging stainless steels was studied. The hardness test indicated that cobalt addition could advance peak aging time and generate a higher peak hardness. The statistical results of nano-size precipitates distribution demonstrated that cobalt increased the density of precipitates, thus resulting in a stronger precipitation hardening contribution. Based on the first-principles calculations and atom probe tomography (APT) results, a possible mechanism has been proposed to reveal the underlying mechanism: cobalt promotes the nucleation of precipitates by decreasing the diffusion activation energy of Ni and Ti

Lymphadenectomy and optimal excise lymph nodes count for early-stage primary fallopian tube cancer: a SEER-based study

Abstract Backgrounds There is still no consensus on the significance of Lymphadenectomy (LD) and the number of lymph nodes that need to be excised (ELNs) for adequate LD in patients with early-stage primary fallopian tube cancer (PFTC). Our endeavor is geared towards deepening comprehension of LD in early-stage PFTC and identify the optimal cut-off of ELNs. Methods This SEER-based study analyzed the clinical data of patients with early-stage PFTC between 2000 and 2018. X-tile was employed to confirm the optimal cut-off of ELNs. The survival data between groups were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier estimates, Log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model. Results There was significant improvement in both mean cancer-specific survival (CSS, p  11, n = 574) were significantly longer than these in inadequate LD group (ELNs ≤ 11, n = 738). Adequate LD, FIGO stage, tumor grade and histology were significant prognostic factors for CSS and OS. Conclusion LD is an independent protective prognostic factor of patients with early-stage PFTC. The association between ELNs > 11 and an improved prognosis is evident. Future studies are needed to further clarify the results above

Hesperetin Alleviated Experimental Colitis via Regulating Ferroptosis and Gut Microbiota

Hesperetin (HT) is a type of citrus flavonoid with various pharmacological activities, including anti-tumor, anti-inflammation, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties. However, the role and mechanism of HT in ulcerative colitis (UC) have been rarely studied. Our study aimed to uncover the beneficial effects of HT and its detailed mechanism in UC. Experimental colitis was induced by 2.5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) for seven days. HT ameliorated DSS-induced colitis in mice, showing marked improvement in weight loss, colon length, colonic pathological severity, and the levels of TNFα and IL6 in serum. A combination of informatics, network pharmacology, and molecular docking identified eight key targets and multi-pathways influenced by HT in UC. As a highlight, the experimental validation demonstrated that PTGS2, a marker of ferroptosis, along with other indicators of ferroptosis (such as ACSL4, Gpx4, and lipid peroxidation), were regulated by HT in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, the supplement of HT increased the diversity of gut microbiota, decreased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria, and restored beneficial bacteria (Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and Prevotellaceae_UCG-001). In conclusion, HT is an effective nutritional supplement against experimental colitis by suppressing ferroptosis and modulating gut microbiota

Area-selective growth for patterning and separation of molecules at allocated sites: Designed kinetic Monte Carlo simulation for anisotropic molecules

Micro-patterning of organic thin films plays a crucial role for organic electronics. Due to the high resolution over large areas, several photo-lithography compatible techniques for the patterning of organic films were developed. As a promising candidate, area-selective growth (ASG), i.e., the growth of molecules on patterned surface for nucleation control, has been proposed. Experimentally, two typical molecules, categorized into non-planar and planar molecular configuration, exhibit different growth behavior, which is mechanistically attributed to binding energy difference and step-edge induction on patterned surface. Benefiting from the diffusion and nucleation sites control of the different configuration molecules, patterning and separation of multi-species molecules at micro-scale were demonstrated. For the ASG of non-planar molecules, the molecular dynamics has been well explored using the kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulations. However, little attention is paid to the step-edge induced ASG for anisotropic molecules. Here, we introduce a coarse-grained anisotropic interaction model in the KMC algorithm to simulate the step-edge induced ASG. Our results reveal that the edges of electrode (Au) patterns become preferential nucleation sites at initial stage, followed by the lateral growth of subsequent particles due to the strong π-π interactions. In combination with the KMC simulation for binding energy difference mechanism, separation of different particles on designed locations are theoretically demonstrated to mimic the molecular separation that experimentally observed. Our results also validate the KMC simulation as a powerful means for the ASG process of anisotropic molecules in a microscopic view, in addition to the ASG process of isotropic molecules. We believe that the KMC method will provide a deeper insight of the ASG method for organic molecules with different molecular architectures

Association of serum unsaturated fatty acid patterns with the risk of diabetic nephropathy

Introduction: Unsaturated fatty acids play an essential role in the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Previous studies were mainly focused on the role of individual unsaturated fatty acid. The serum unsaturated fatty acid patterns in patients with DN remains to be determined. Methods: A total of 135 patients with DN (DN group) and 322 patients with type II diabetes without nephropathy (non-DN group) were included in this study. Clinical data, serum levels of unsaturated fatty acids and other laboratory indicators were collected. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to identify risk factors for serum unsaturated fatty acids level in both groups. Serum unsaturated fatty acids were subjected to factor analysis to identify distinct fatty acid patterns (FAPs). Multivariable logistic regression was employed to assess the risk of DN associated with different serum FAPs. The role of FAPs major components was further validated at the cellular level. Results: After adjusting for confounders, three types of unsaturated fatty acid including C20:5 (eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA), C22:6 (docosahexaenoic, DHA) and C22:5 n-3 (docosapentaenoic acid, DPA n-3) were significantly associated with DN in the population. The odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence interval [CI]) of DN were 0.583 (0.374, 0.908), 0.826 (0.716, 0.954) and 0.513 (0.298, 0.883), respectively. Factor analysis revealed five major FAPs, among of which, only FAP2 (enriched with EPA and DHA) exhibited a significant inverse association with DN. In the multivariate-adjusted model, the OR (95% CI) was 0.678 (0.493, 0.933). At the cellular level, DHA and EPA enriched in FAP2 reduced and a combination of which further decreased extracellular matrix production induced by transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) in podocytes and tubular cells. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that FAP2, enriched with DHA and EPA, is associated with a reduced risk of DN. This highlights the potential of targeting FAP2 for the patients with DN

Risk factors of cardiovascular involvement in patients with Behcet's disease

Objectives: Behcet's disease (BD) is a multi-systemic inflammatory vasculitis which may be life-threatening if combined with cardiovascular problems. The aim of the study was to identify potential risk factors associated with cardiovascular involvement in BD. Methods: We reviewed the medical databases of a single center. All BD patients identified as fulfilling the 1990 International Study Group criteria or the International Criteria for Behcet's Disease criteria. Cardiovascular involvement, clinical manifestations, laboratory features, and treatments were recorded. The relationship between parameters and cardiovascular involvement was analyzed. Results: 111 BD patients were included: 21 (18.9%) had documented cardiovascular involvement (CV BD group) and 99 (81.1%) had no cardiovascular involvement (non-CV BD group). Compared with non-CV BD, the proportion of males and smokers were significantly increased in CV BD (p = 0.024 and p < 0.001, respectively). Levels of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), cardiac troponin I and C-reactive protein were significantly higher (p = 0.001, p = 0.031, and p = 0.034, respectively) in the CV BD group. Cardiovascular involvement was associated with smoking state, the presence of papulopustular lesions, and higher APTT in multivariate analyzed (p = 0.029, p = 0.021, and p = 0.006, respectively). The ROC curve showed that APTT predicts the risk of cardiovascular involvement (p < 0.01) at a cut-off value of 33.15 s with a sensitivity of 57.1% and specificity of 82.2%. Conclusion: Cardiovascular involvement in BD patients was associated with gender, smoking state, the presence of papulopustular lesions, and higher APTT. All patients newly diagnosed with BD should be systematically screened for cardiovascular involvement

Non-coding RNA methylation modifications in hepatocellular carcinoma: interactions and potential implications

Abstract RNA methylation modification plays a crucial role as an epigenetic regulator in the oncogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Numerous studies have investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the methylation of protein-coding RNAs in the progression of HCC. Beyond their impact on mRNA, methylation modifications also influence the biological functions of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Here, we present an advanced and comprehensive overview of the interplay between methylation modifications and ncRNAs in HCC, with a specific focus on their potential implications for the tumor immune microenvironment. Moreover, we summarize promising therapeutic targets for HCC based on methylation-related proteins. In the future, a more profound investigation is warranted to elucidate the effects of ncRNA methylation modifications on HCC pathogenesis and devise valuable intervention strategies. Video Abstrac