Loess Particles Loaded Petaloid Bi2S3 Nanowires for Highly Efficient Photodegradation of Dyes under Sunlight

In this paper, using loess particles (LoP), a kind of extremely common and inexpensive natural silicate particles with metastable structure, as inorganic carrier, the petaloid Bi2S3 nanowires were loaded by in-situ depositing, which afforded loess particles loaded petaloid Bi2S3 nanowires (PBiNw@LoP) with one-step hydrothermal procedure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and adsorption-desorption isotherms of N2 were employed to characterize the prepared composite photocatalyst. The results showed that the petaloid Bi2S3 nanowires are evenly dispersed on the loose surface of loess particles. The photocatalytic activity of PBiNw@LoP was evaluated by photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) irradiated with sunlight. It demonstrated PBiNw@LoP exhibited the superior photocatalytic performance, and the photocatalytic degradation rate got to 99.50%. The petaloid Bi2S3 nanowires with larger specific surface helps to absorb light, while the loose surface of loess with certain adsorption capacity. Therefore, the photocatalytic activity have been improved by the synergistic effect in photodegradation of dyes, while the ratio of Bi2S3 in catalyst was decreased without affecting the photodegradation performance. In conclusion, a cheap and efficient photocatalyst has been successfully prepared for the degradation of dye wastewater

Design and analysis of a novel long-distance double tendon-sheath transmission device for breast intervention robots under MRI field

Cancer represents a major threat to human health. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides superior performance to other imaging-based examination methods in the detection of tumors and offers distinct advantages in biopsy and seed implantation. However, because of the MRI environment, the material requirements for actuating devices for the medical robots used in MRI are incredibly demanding. This paper describes a novel double tendon-sheath transmission device for use in MRI applications. LeBus grooves are used in the original transmission wheels, thus enabling the system to realize long-distance and large-stroke transmission with improved accuracy. The friction model of the transmission system and the transmission characteristics model of the novel tendon-sheath structure are then established. To address the problem that tension sensors cannot be installed in large-stroke transmission systems, a three-point force measurement method is used to measure and set an appropriate preload in the novel tendon-sheath transmission system. Additionally, experiments are conducted to verify the accuracy of the theoretical model and multiple groups of tests are performed to explore the transmission characteristics. Finally, the novel tendon-sheath transmission system is compensated to improve its accuracy and the experimental results acquired after compensation show that the system satisfies the design requirements

The ICT and SME business internationalization: the perception on the importance of the internet for the entrepreneurs / Nasirah Abu Yan @ Abu Haiyan

The small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) sector has an important role to play in developing economies not only in economic development, but also in poverty improvement and job creation. The sector faces a number of constraints especially in accessing finance, markets, training and technology. Access to business information services has been identified as one area that needs attention from governments and business services providers if the SME sector in developing countries is to achieve sustainable levels of growth and development. Accessing business information services has over the years been greatly enhanced with the emergence of various information and communication technologies. SMEs nowadays should aware of the important of the Internet in their business in order to help them growth internationally. The Internet will increasingly empower SMEs to participate in the knowledge economy by facilitating connectivity, helping to create and deliver products and services on a global scale, and providing access to new markets and new sources of competitive advantage to boost incom

Low Expression of DYRK2 (Dual Specificity Tyrosine Phosphorylation Regulated Kinase 2) Correlates with Poor Prognosis in Colorectal Cancer.

Dual-specificity tyrosine-phosphorylation-regulated kinase 2 (DYRK2) is a member of dual-specificity kinase family, which could phosphorylate both Ser/Thr and Tyr substrates. The role of DYRK2 in human cancer remains controversial. For example, overexpression of DYRK2 predicts a better survival in human non-small cell lung cancer. In contrast, amplification of DYRK2 gene occurs in esophageal/lung adenocarcinoma, implying the role of DYRK2 as a potential oncogene. However, its clinical role in colorectal cancer (CRC) has not been explored. In this study, we analyzed the expression of DYRK2 from Oncomine database and found that DYRK2 level is lower in primary or metastatic CRC compared to adjacent normal colon tissue or non-metastatic CRC, respectively, in 6 colorectal carcinoma data sets. The correlation between DYRK2 expression and clinical outcome in 181 CRC patients was also investigated by real-time PCR and IHC. DYRK2 expression was significantly down-regulated in colorectal cancer tissues compared with adjacent non-tumorous tissues. Functional studies confirmed that DYRK2 inhibited cell invasion and migration in both HCT116 and SW480 cells and functioned as a tumor suppressor in CRC cells. Furthermore, the lower DYRK2 levels were correlated with tumor sites (P = 0.023), advanced clinical stages (P = 0.006) and shorter survival in the advanced clinical stages. Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that DYRK2 expression was an independent prognostic factor (P < 0.001). Taking all, we concluded that DYRK2 a novel prognostic biomarker of human colorectal cancer

Driving green bond market through energy prices, gold prices and green energy stocks: evidence from a nonlinear approach

One of the most controversial concerns among the researchers is the expansion of the green bond markets, so as to reduce environmental pollution. The present study estimates the factors that help drive the global green bond markets, such as energy prices, gold prices, and green energy stocks. The study has applied Quantile Autoregressive Lagged Approach (QARDL) and Quantile Granger Causality test to estimate the causal relationship among the variables for January 2010 and June 2021. The QARDL findings reveal that for all the quantiles, the error correction term is statistically significant with the predicted negative sign. This confirms the existence of a strong long-run equilibrium relationship between the relevant variables and the green bonds market on a global level. The findings revealed that gold and energy prices have a lower effect on the green bonds market on every quantile, and also from the low to medium quantiles, respectively. While at the same time, the green energy stocks have an increasing effect on the green bonds market at higher quantiles. The results of the causal examination using Granger-causality in quantiles show a bi-directional causal relationship between the green bonds, energy prices, gold prices, and green energy stocks in the world econom

Employing a Narrow-Band-Gap Mediator in Ternary Solar Cells for Enhanced Photovoltaic Performance.

Ternary organic solar cells (OSCs) provide a convenient and effective means to further improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of binary ones via composition control. However, the role of the third component remains to be explored in specific binary systems. Herein, we report ternary blend solar cells by adding the narrow-band-gap donor PCE10 as the mediator into the PBDB-T:IDTT-T binary blend system. The extended absorption, efficient fluorescence resonance energy transfer, enhanced charge dissociation, and induced tighter molecular packing of the ternary blend films enhance the photovoltaic properties of devices and deliver a champion PCE of 10.73% with an impressively high open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 1.03 V. Good miscibility and similar molecular packing behavior of the components guarantee the desired morphology in the ternary blend films, leading to solar cell devices with over 10% PCEs at a range of compositions. Our results suggest that ternary systems with properly aligned energy levels and overlapping absorption among the components hold great promises to further enhance the performance of corresponding binary ones