Self-Healing and Highly Stretchable Hydrogel for Interfacial Compatible Flexible Paper-Based Micro-Supercapacitor

Most reported wearable electronic devices lack self-healing chemistry and flexible function to maintain stable energy output while irreversible damages and complex deformations. In this work, we report a dual-dynamic network electrolyte synthesized by micellar elastomers introduced into strong hydrogel matrix. The gel electrolyte is fabricated by physically cross-linking the borax-polyvinyl alcohol (B-PVA) network as tough matrix and poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO)-poly (propylene oxide) (PPO)-poly (ethylene oxide) (Pluronic) to frame elastic network, followed by immersion in potassium chloride solution. Under the action of dynamic borate ester bond and multi-network hydrogen bond, the as-prepared electrolyte exhibits high stretchability (1535%) and good self-healing efficiency. Based on the electrolyte, we assemble the interfacial compatible micro-supercapacitor (MSC) by multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) interdigital electrode printed on cellulosic paper by direct ink writing (DIW) technique. Thanks to the large specific area and compressive deformation resistance of cellulosic paper, the MSC with tightly interfacial contact achieves high volumetric capacitance of 801.9 mF cm−3 at the current density of 20 μA cm−2. In the absence of stimulation of the external environment, the self-healing MSC demonstrates an ideal capacity retention (90.43%) after five physical damaged/healing cycles. Our research provides a clean and effective strategy to construct wearable MSC

Impact of discharge port configurations on the performance of sliding vane rotary compressors with a rotating cylinder

With the increasing requirements of compressed gas energy storage systems for compressors and expanders, sliding vane rotary compressors are worth trying. To study the influence of different configurations of discharge ports on the performance of compressors, numerical simulations are conducted on the innovative sliding vane compressors with a rotating cylinder. The reliable Renormalization Group k-ε turbulent model is adopted in Fluent 2020R1. The results show that as the coverage angle increases, the averaged mass flow rates increase, the averaged exhaust gas temperature decreases and the leakage between the rotor and rotating cylinder and at sliding vane tips decrease. When the coverage angle increases from 15° to 45° at the central position angle of −28°, the volumetric efficiency increases from 89.38% to 92.65% while the isentropic efficiency increases from 76.43% to 86.19%. When the central position angles range from −28°, −23° to −18° at the coverage angle of 30°, the farther the discharge port is to the narrowest gap between the rotor and cylinder, the lower the outlet temperature, the less the leakage flow, and the higher the isentropic efficiency. The scheme with the central angle of −28° and coverage angle of 45° is recommended as the best one

Analysis, modeling and simulations of an innovative sliding vane rotary compressor with a rotating cylinder

A novel sliding vane rotary compressor with a rotating cylinder is proposed in this paper. The sliding vane dynamics analysis reveals that, compared with the traditional compressor, the friction loss at the sliding vane tips and between rotor and cylinder can be reduced to 0.25% and 10.23%. To numerically investigate the internal flow mechanism, a reliable three-dimensional simulation method is developed via Fluent 2020R1. Three pressure ratios are considered. During transient calculations, all parameters begin to fluctuate periodically after the fourth round. Both temperature and pressure for a single chamber reach the maximum near the exhaust port. As the pressure ratio εp increases from 5, 10 to 15, the outlet temperature increases from 496.9, 623.0 to 754.4 K and the mass flow rate decreases from 0.03089, 0.02946 to 0.02764 kg/s, the volumetric efficiency and isentropic compression efficiency decrease, with the maximum values of 97.14% and 90.33%. The gaps between the rotor and the cylinder and at the vane tips are 0.03 and 0.01 mm, but the leakage mass of the former is one order higher than that of the latter. The research can provide guidance for the design and practical application of sliding vane rotary compressors

Novel Mutations in the PKD1 and PKD2 Genes of Chinese Patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

Background/Aims: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common inherited kidney disorder with mutations in PKD1 or PKD2. This study aimed to identify novel PKD1 and PKD2 mutations in Chinese patients with ADPKD. Methods: Mutational analyses of both PKD genes were performed in 120 Chinese families with inherited ADPKD using long-range PCR and targeted next-generation sequencing approaches. Sanger sequencing was performed to check the positive mutations, while multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification was adopted to examine those without mutations for the presence of large deletions. Results: A total of 93 mutations in PKD1 and PKD2 were identified in 98 Chinese families with ADPKD inheritance and the detection rate was 81.7% (98/120). The mutation rates of PKD1 and PKD2 were 91.4% (85/93) and 8.6% (85/93), respectively. Among the 93 mutations, 59.1% (55/93) were reported for the first time. A total of 65 mutations (26 nonsense, 33 frameshift, 2 large deletion, and 4 typical splicing mutations) were identified as definite pathogenic mutations. The remaining 28 mutations (21 missense, 3 in-frame deletion, and 4 atypical splicing mutations) were determined as probable pathogenic mutations. In addition, 9 de novo mutations were found by pedigree analysis. Correlation analysis between genotype and phenotype revealed that patients with PKD1 mutations or truncating mutations exhibited the most severe clinical outcome. Conclusion: The newly identified sites for known mutations will facilitate the early diagnosis and prediction of prognosis in patients with ADPKD, and provide fundamental genetic information for clinical intervention to prevent the inheritance of this disease in affected families

Enhanced Nitrogen Removal of Steel Rolling Wastewater by Constructed Wetland Combined with Sulfur Autotrophic Denitrification

Constructed wetlands (CWs), an ecological treatment technology, is suitable for advanced treatment, but has an unsatisfying denitrification performance for steel rolling wastewater with low C/N ratio. This study combined sulfur autotrophic denitrification (SAD) with conventional constructed horizontal subsurface flow wetlands to treat steel rolling wastewater, exploring the feasibility of applying SAD to enhance the denitrification performance of CWs. The reactor consists of two sections, one filled with manganese sand and gravel (HFC) and another filled with ceramic, sulfur, and lime (HFSAD). Results showed that HFC had a good performance on removing turbidity, DO, COD, and TP, while the average removal efficiency of total nitrogen (TN) in HFC was just 25.6%. On this basis, HFSAD could remove 45.6% of TN subsequently, whose denitrification rate was 4–6 times as high as that of HFC. Increasing hydraulic retention time could improve removal efficiency of contaminants in HFC and HFSAD in different degrees. The analysis of microbial community structure, observation results of fillers and monitored sulfate all provided proofs for the occurrence of SAD. CWs combined with SAD can be applied in the treatment of steel rolling wastewater with low carbon, which can provide reference for ecological wastewater treatment, water saving, and recycling in iron and steel enterprises

Pharmacokinetic Properties of Single- and Multiple-Dose Pitavastatin Calcium Tablets in Healthy Chinese Volunteers

Background: Pitavastatin is a newly developed 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor approved for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Pharmacokinetic properties of pitavastatin have been studied previously. Objective: To investigate the pharmacokinetic properties of pitavastatin in healthy Chinese volunteers after single-dose and multiple-dose administration. Methods: An open-label, randomized, single-dose and multiple-dose study was conducted in healthy Chinese volunteers. The study included 4 stages, each separated with a 5-day washout period. A randomized, 3-way crossover design was carried out in Stages 1 to 3 for the single-dose study. Eligible subjects were randomized to receive a single 1 mg, 2 mg, or 4 mg pitavastatin calcium tablet. Blood samples were obtained predose and up to 36 hours following dosing. In Stage 4 the subjects received a 2-mg pitavastatin calcium tablet once daily for 6 days. At the last day of multiple dosing, blood samples were collected predose and up to 48 hours following dosing. Plasma pitavastatin was quantified by a validated liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method. Tolerability was assessed by the adverse events, physical examination, 12-lead ECG, and laboratory tests. Results: Twelve volunteers (6 male and 6 female) were enrolled in the study and 11 of them completed all 4 study stages. Following a single dose of 1 mg, 2 mg, and 4 mg, the mean (SD) Tmax values were 0.63 (0.17) hours, 0.65 (0.17) hours, and 0.79 (0.36) hours, respectively; the corresponding Cmax values were 66.80 (16.32) ng/mL, 106.09 (31.59) ng/mL, and 232.91 (66.42) ng/mL, respectively. AUC0−36 values were 190.04 (38.97) ng/mL/h, 307.87 (57.94) ng/mL/h, and 785.10 (166.08) ng/mL/h, respectively, whereas t1/2 values were 10.99 (2.70) hours, 9.52 (2.58) hours, and 10.38 (4.28) hours, respectively. The AUC and Cmax showed dose proportionality after single dosing according to linear-regression analysis. In the multiple-dose study, a rapid absorption (Tmax of 0.68 [0.20] hours) and marked peak concentration of 90.99 (36.88) ng/mL were observed. AUC0−48 and AUCss were 306.28 (130.02) ng/mL/h and 256.16 (116.34) ng/mL/h, respectively. The elimination half-life after multiple dosing was significantly prolonged, which amounted to 13.31 (2.58) hours. Comparison of the pharmacokinetic parameters between the male and female groups revealed no significant differences. Conclusions: In healthy Chinese volunteers, single dosing of 1 mg, 2 mg, and 4 mg pitavastatin resulted in linear plasma pharmacokinetic properties. Compared with single dosing, multiple dosing of pitavastatin showed different distribution and elimination characteristics. Sex did not appear to affect the pharmacokinetic properties of pitavastatin. Chictr.org identifier: ChiCTR-OO-13004294

Feasibility and Carbon Footprint Analysis of Lime-Dried Sludge for Cement Production

Cement manufacturing and the treatment of sludge are considered both energy-intensive industries and major greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters. However, there are still few studies on comprehensive carbon footprint analysis for adding municipal sludge in the cement production. In this study, the lime-dried sludge blended with calcium oxide at the mass mixing ratio of 10% was utilized as raw material for the preparation of Portland cement. The chemical and physical properties of sludge were analyzed. A set of carbon footprint calculation methods of lime-drying treatment of sludge and reuse in cement kilns was then established to explore the feasibility of coprocessing lime-dried sludge in cement kilns. The results showed lime-dried sludge containing CaO, SiO2, Al2O3, and Fe2O3 was ideal for cement production as raw material. However, the water content of lime-dried sludge should be strictly limited. The lime-drying process presented the biggest carbon emission (962.1 kg CO2-eq/t sludge), accounting for 89.0% of total emissions. In the clinker-production phase, the lime-dried sludge as raw material substitute and energy source gained carbon credit of 578.8 and 214.2 kg CO2-eq/t sludge, respectively. The sludge used for producing cement clinker could reduce carbon emissions by 38.5% to 51.7%. The addition ratio of lime and stacking time in the sludge lime-drying process could greatly affect the carbon footprint of coprocessing lime-dried sludge in cement kiln

Dihydromyricetin Attenuates Diabetic Cardiomyopathy by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Necroptosis via Sirtuin 3 Activation

Dihydromyricetin (DHY), the main flavonoid component in Ampelopsis grossedentata, has important benefits for health. The present study aimed to investigate the exact effects and possible mechanisms of DHY on diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Male C57BL/6 mice and sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) knockout (SIRT3-KO) mice were injected with streptozotocin (STZ) to induce a diabetic model. Two weeks later, DHY (250 mg/kg) or carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) were administrated once daily by gavage for twelve weeks. We found that DHY alleviated fasting blood glucose (FBG) and triglyceride (TG) as well as glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels; increased fasting insulin (FINS); improved cardiac dysfunction; ameliorated myocardial hypertrophy, fibrosis and injury; suppressed oxidative stress, inflammasome and necroptosis; but improved SIRT3 expression in STZ-induced mice. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were pre-treated with DHY (80 μM) with or without high glucose (HG) stimulation. The results showed that DHY attenuated cell damage but improved SIRT3 expression and inhibited oxidative stress, inflammasome and necroptosis in cardiomyocytes with high glucose stimulation. Moreover, the above protective effects of DHY on DCM were unavailable in SIRT3-KO mice, implying a promising medical potential of DHY for DCM treatment. In sum, DHY improved cardiac dysfunction; ameliorated myocardial hypertrophy, fibrosis and injury; and suppressed oxidative stress, inflammation and necroptosis via SIRT3 activation in STZ-induced diabetic mice, suggesting DHY may serve as a candidate for an agent to attenuate diabetic cardiomyopathy