Real-time and online lubricating oil condition monitoring enabled by triboelectric nanogenerator

An intelligent monitoring lubricant is essential for the development of smart machines because unexpected and fatal failures of critical dynamic components in the machines happen every day, threatening the life and health of humans. Inspired by the triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) work on water, we present a feasible way to prepare a self-powered triboelectric sensor for real-time monitoring of lubricating oils via the contact electrification process of oil-solid contact (O-S TENG). Typical intruding contaminants in pure base oils can be successfully monitored. The O-S TENG has very good sensitivity, which even can respectively detect at least 1 mg mL-1 debris and 0.01 wt % water contaminants. Furthermore, the real-time monitoring of formulated engine lubricating oil in a real engine oil tank is achieved. Our results show that electron transfer is possible from an oil to solid surface during contact electrification. The electrical output characteristic depends on the screen effect from such as wear debris, deposited carbons, and age-induced organic molecules in oils. Previous work only qualitatively identified that the output ability of liquid can be improved by leaving less liquid adsorbed on the TENG surface, but the adsorption mass and adsorption speed of liquid and its consequences for the output performance were not studied. We quantitatively study the internal relationship between output ability and adsorbing behavior of lubricating oils by quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) for liquid-solid contact interfaces. This study provides a real-time, online, self-powered strategy for intelligent diagnosis of lubricating oils

Multifaceted Regulation of Translational Readthrough by RNA Replication Elements in a Tombusvirus

Translational readthrough of stop codons by ribosomes is a recoding event used by a variety of viruses, including plus-strand RNA tombusviruses. Translation of the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) in tombusviruses is mediated using this strategy and we have investigated this process using a variety of in vitro and in vivo approaches. Our results indicate that readthrough generating the RdRp requires a novel long-range RNA-RNA interaction, spanning a distance of ∼3.5 kb, which occurs between a large RNA stem-loop located 3'-proximal to the stop codon and an RNA replication structure termed RIV at the 3'-end of the viral genome. Interestingly, this long-distance RNA-RNA interaction is modulated by mutually-exclusive RNA structures in RIV that represent a type of RNA switch. Moreover, a different long-range RNA-RNA interaction that was previously shown to be necessary for viral RNA replicase assembly was also required for efficient readthrough production of the RdRp. Accordingly, multiple replication-associated RNA elements are involved in modulating the readthrough event in tombusviruses and we propose an integrated mechanistic model to describe how this regulatory network could be advantageous by (i) providing a quality control system for culling truncated viral genomes at an early stage in the replication process, (ii) mediating cis-preferential replication of viral genomes, and (iii) coordinating translational readthrough of the RdRp with viral genome replication. Based on comparative sequence analysis and experimental data, basic elements of this regulatory model extend to other members of Tombusviridae, as well as to viruses outside of this family

Roosting habitat selection of Hume's Pheasant (Syrmaticus humiae) in a fragmented forest patch, northwestern Guangxi, southwestern China

Knowledge of roosting site preference has shown a great importance for the conservation of Galliformes. The selection of good roosting habitats may prevent an excessive energy expenditure and reduce the risk of predation. The night roosts selected by two male and two female Hume's Pheasants (Syrmaticus humiae) were studied using radio transmitters in the Jinzhongshan National Nature Reserve, Guangxi, southern China. Thirty-five night roost sites were detected between February and August 2012. Hume's Pheasant roosted in family groups, predominantly in Tung oil tree (Vernicia fordii). The roosting site characteristics of Hume's Pheasant, including the distance to the habitat edge and road, shrub coverage, and height of roost branches between the breeding and non-breeding period showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). The factors discriminating roosting habitat selection in the breeding season from that in non-breeding season were: slope position, distance to habitat edge, distance to road, height of roost branch, and height of the lowest branch. Our results suggested that the selection of night roosts is determined by predator avoidance, and energy saving strategies aimed at reducing flight activity and increasing feeding opportunities. Furthermore, roost microclimate seemed to also influence the selection of night roosts. Keywords: Roosting habitat selection, Discriminant analysis, Hume's Pheasan

Advances in Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft (PDTX) Model from Lung Cancer

With the development of tumor molecular biology and genomics, it has been recognized that there are great heterogeneity in the biological characteristics, molecular typing and reactivity of the same tumor species among different individuals. In order to achieve true tumor individualized and precise therapy, a new concept of human tumor tissue xenograft model (patient derived tumor xenograft, PDTX) is proposed. The previous study has revealed that PDTX model can truly reflect the biological characteristics of tumor tissue and drug efficacy. And PDTX model could be used to select individual chemotherapy regime, evaluate drug resistance and explore efficacy and safety of new drug. PDTX model has been used in clinical practice of several type of cancer including lung cancer. In this paper, the current research progress of lung cancer PDTX is reviewed

High prevalence of early childhood infection by KSHV in a minority population in China

In China, KSHV seroprevalence varies considerably among different regions and ethnicities. But in Xinjiang province, located in the northwestern China, there is a very high seroprevalence of KSHV in adults of Kazak and Ughur ethnicities. However, KSHV prevalence in children and the risk factors associated with the acquisition of infection are currently not known. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of KSHV infection, identify associated socio-economic or behavioral risk factors and the humoral immune response among children in this population. This is a cross-sectional study (N=178) to screen children and their caregivers from Xinjiang for total KSHV antibodies, KSHV neutralizing antibodies and HIV infection. Structured questionnaires were utilized to investigate risk factors associated with KSHV prevalence. KSHV seroprevalence in children and caregivers in Xinjiang was 48.3% and 64.7%, respectively. Neutralizing antibody was detected in most seropositive caregivers (93.8%) but was detected in only 5.8% of the infected children. Significant association was observed between child KSHV seroprevalence and sharing of food among family members. These results suggest that similar to other endemic areas in Africa, KSHV infection in the minority populations of Xinjiang is likely to be occurring during early childhood likely via horizontal transmission through saliva and results to high seroprevalence in the adult population

Accurate Modeling of Distributed Bragg Reflector Laser Power and Wavelength Using Gaussian Process Regression

Distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) lasers are widely used in many physics experiments. However, regarding the power and frequency control of DBR lasers, obtaining complete and accurate output characteristics is challenging due to the need for general and accurate quantitative models. In this study, we propose and validate a method based on Gaussian process regression to quickly and accurately establish the DBR laser output power and wavelength model. Two models are developed to describe the output power, wavelength, input current, and temperature. The findings show that our power model explains the laser’s power change from the current threshold to the maximum value more precisely, with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.16921 mW, less than one-fifth of that of the classic power model. Moreover, our wavelength model is feasible for accurately describing the laser wavelength with a RMSE of 4 × 10−4 nm. This study can improve DBR laser power and frequency control efficiency and precision

Application of polymer cement repair mortar in underground engineering: A review

Polymer-modified cementitious repair materials have gained attention as innovative and environmentally friendly construction materials due to their superior water retention, adhesion, freeze-thaw resistance, corrosion resistance, air permeability, and shrinkage resistance compared to ordinary repair materials. Adding a small amount of polymer can alter the concrete microstructure and form a composite material through the interaction between polymer film formation and cement hydration. This review shows that adding a certain percentage of polymers to concrete can improve the physical, fresh properties, durability, mechanical properties and microstructural development of concrete and improve the effectiveness of concrete repair treatment of underground structures. The discovery of different types and amounts of polymer cement from both physical and chemical perspectives can significantly enhance the performance of cement mortar. Various modifications, such as fibers and nanomaterials are explored to improve the properties of polymer cement for optimal treatment results. Finally, this paper summarizes key findings and provides recommendations for future research