Optical and Electronic Properties of Different Kinds of Water‐Soluble Porphyrin Films

Water‐soluble porphyrin‐porphyrin and porphyrin‐CdSe nanoparticle monolayer films were self‐assembled on different substrates. The influence of substrates, types of films, and heat treatment temperature on fluorescence of different kinds of porphyrin films was investigated. The SEM images showed the formation of monolayer films on porous alumina foil. The films assembled on porous alumina foil possessed higher fluorescence intensity and thermal stability. The result of conductance measurement indicated that the interaction of trimethylamidophenylporphyrin iodide (TAPPI) molecules with hydroxyl groups on porous alumina foil was weakened after CdSe nanoparticles assembled with TAPPI.     

Optimizing Age Penalty in Time-Varying Networks with Markovian and Error-Prone Channel State

In this paper, we consider a scenario where the base station (BS) collects time-sensitive data from multiple sensors through time-varying and error-prone channels. We characterize the data freshness at the terminal end through a class of monotone increasing functions related to Age of information (AoI). Our goal is to design an optimal policy to minimize the average age penalty of all sensors in infinite horizon under bandwidth and power constraint. By formulating the scheduling problem into a constrained Markov decision process (CMDP), we reveal the threshold structure for the optimal policy and approximate the optimal decision by solving a truncated linear programming (LP). Finally, a bandwidth-truncated policy is proposed to satisfy both power and bandwidth constraint. Through theoretical analysis and numerical simulations, we prove the proposed policy is asymptotic optimal in the large sensor regime.     

An improved detailed chemical kinetic model for C3-C4 linear and iso-alcohols and their blends with gasoline at engine-relevant conditions

Propanol and butanol isomers have received significant research attention as promising fuel additives or neat biofuels. Robust chemical kinetic models are needed that can provide accurate and efficient predictions of combustion performance across a wide range of engine relevant conditions. This study seeks to improve the understanding of ignition and combustion behavior of pure C3-C4 linear and iso-alcohols, and their blends with gasoline at engine-relevant conditions. In this work, a kinetic model with improved thermochemistry and reaction kinetics was developed based on recent theoretical calculations of H-atom abstraction and peroxy radical reaction rates. Kinetic model validations are reported, and the current model reproduces the ignition delay times of the C3 and C4 alcohols well. Variations in reactivity over a wide range of temperatures and other operating conditions are also well predicted by the current model. Recent ignition delay time measurements from a rapid compression machine of neat iso-propanol and iso-butanol [Cheng et al., Proc. Combust Inst. (2020)] and blends with a research grade gasoline [Goldsborough et al., Proc. Combust Inst. (2020)] at elevated pressure (20–40 bar) and intermediate temperatures (780–950 K) were used to demonstrate the accuracy of the current kinetic model at conditions relevant to boosted spark-ignition engines. The effects of alcohol blending with gasoline on the autoignition behavior are discussed. The current model captures the suppression of reactivity in the low-temperature and negative-temperature-coefficient (NTC) region when either isopropanol and isobutanol are added to a research grade gasoline. Sensitivity and reaction flux analysis were performed to provide insights into the relevant fuel chemistry of the C3-C4 alcohols.     

Highly selective synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes from methane in a coupled Downer-turbulent fluidized-bed reactor

For the synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) from CH₄ over a Fe/MgO catalyst, we proposed a coupled Downer-turbulent fluidized-bed (TFB) reactor to enhance the selectivity and yield (or production rate) of SWCNTs. By controlling a very short catalyst residence time (1–3 s) in the Downer, only part of Fe oxides can be reduced to form Fe nano particles (NPs) available for the growth of SWCNTs. The percentage of unreduced Fe oxides increased and the yield of SWCNTs decreased accordingly with the increase of catalyst feeding rate in Downer. SWCNTs were preferentially grown on the catalyst surface and inhibited the sintering of the Fe crystallites which would be formed thereafter in the downstream TFB, evidenced by TEM, Raman and TGA. The coupled Downer-turbulent fluidized-bed reactor technology allowed higher selectivity and higher production rate of SWCNTs as compared to TFB alone.     

Detecting the Critical States of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Based on Degree Matrix Network Entropy by Cross-Tissue Analysis

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disease caused by multiple etiologies, the development of which can be divided into three states: normal state, critical state/pre-disease state, and disease state. To avoid irreversible development, it is important to detect the early warning signals before the onset of T2DM. However, detecting critical states of complex diseases based on high-throughput and strongly noisy data remains a challenging task. In this study, we developed a new method, i.e., degree matrix network entropy (DMNE), to detect the critical states of T2DM based on a sample-specific network (SSN). By applying the method to the datasets of three different tissues for experiments involving T2DM in rats, the critical states were detected, and the dynamic network biomarkers (DNBs) were successfully identified. Specifically, for liver and muscle, the critical transitions occur at 4 and 16 weeks. For adipose, the critical transition is at 8 weeks. In addition, we found some “dark genes” that did not exhibit differential expression but displayed sensitivity in terms of their DMNE score, which is closely related to the progression of T2DM. The information uncovered in our study not only provides further evidence regarding the molecular mechanisms of T2DM but may also assist in the development of strategies to prevent this disease.     

An Improved Human-Body-Segmentation Algorithm with Attention-Based Feature Fusion and a Refined Stereo-Matching Scheme Working at the Sub-Pixel Level for the Anthropometric System

This paper proposes an improved human-body-segmentation algorithm with attention-based feature fusion and a refined corner-based feature-point design with sub-pixel stereo matching for the anthropometric system. In the human-body-segmentation algorithm, four CBAMs are embedded in the four middle convolution layers of the backbone network (ResNet101) of PSPNet to achieve better feature fusion in space and channels, so as to improve accuracy. The common convolution in the residual blocks of ResNet101 is substituted by group convolution to reduce model parameters and computational cost, thereby optimizing efficiency. For the stereo-matching scheme, a corner-based feature point is designed to obtain the feature-point coordinates at sub-pixel level, so that precision is refined. A regional constraint is applied according to the characteristic of the checkerboard corner points, thereby reducing complexity. Experimental results demonstrated that the anthropometric system with the proposed CBAM-based human-body-segmentation algorithm and corner-based stereo-matching scheme can significantly outperform the state-of-the-art system in accuracy. It can also meet the national standards GB/T 2664-2017, GA 258-2009 and GB/T 2665-2017; and the textile industry standards FZ/T 73029-2019, FZ/T 73017-2014, FZ/T 73059-2017 and FZ/T 73022-2019.     

A Simplified Linearized Lattice Boltzmann Method for Acoustic Propagation Simulation

A simplified linearized lattice Boltzmann method (SLLBM) suitable for the simulation of acoustic waves propagation in fluids was proposed herein. Through Chapman–Enskog expansion analysis, the linearized lattice Boltzmann equation (LLBE) was first recovered to linearized macroscopic equations. Then, using the fractional-step calculation technique, the solution of these linearized equations was divided into two steps: a predictor step and corrector step. Next, the evolution of the perturbation distribution function was transformed into the evolution of the perturbation equilibrium distribution function using second-order interpolation approximation of the latter at other positions and times to represent the nonequilibrium part of the former; additionally, the calculation formulas of SLLBM were deduced. SLLBM inherits the advantages of the linearized lattice Boltzmann method (LLBM), calculating acoustic disturbance and the mean flow separately so that macroscopic variables of the mean flow do not affect the calculation of acoustic disturbance. At the same time, it has other advantages: the calculation process is simpler, and the cost of computing memory is reduced. In addition, to simulate the acoustic scattering problem caused by the acoustic waves encountering objects, the immersed boundary method (IBM) and SLLBM were further combined so that the method can simulate the influence of complex geometries. Several cases were used to validate the feasibility of SLLBM for simulation of acoustic wave propagation under the mean flow.     

Enhanced Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Activity by Fe(Ш)-Doped Graphitic C3N4

Fe(Ш)-doped graphitic carbon nitride (Fe(Ш)-CN) photocatalysts with various Fe(Ш) ions content were prepared via ultrasonic method. Detailed physical characterization indicated that Fe(Ш) ions had been successfully doped into the frame of g-C₃N₄. The photocatalytic activities were investigated, and methyl orange (MO) and tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) were used as the targeted pollutants. The as-prepared Fe(Ш)-CN materials exhibited higher photocatalytic activities than those of the pure g-C₃N₄. Specifically, the degradation rate of 2Fe(Ш)-CN under visible light was 2.06 times higher for MO and 2.65 times higher for TC than that of g-C₃N₄. The increased photocatalytic activities of Fe(Ш)-CN were mainly attributed to the enhanced light absorption ability and the rapid separation of photogenerated carriers. Moreover, the importance of active species during the reaction process was also explored, and the results indicated that •O₂⁻ is the main active species.     

Chemical Composition and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Sida rhombifolia L. Volatile Organic Compounds

In the current study, the phytochemical constituents of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) obtained from Sida rhombifolia L. were identified by GC-FID and GC-MS analysis. A total of 73 volatile organic compounds were identified. The major components of S. rhombifolia VOCs were identified as palmitic acid (21.56%), phytol (7.02%), 6,10,14-trimethyl-2-pentadecanone (6.30%), oleic acid (5.48%), 2-pentyl-furan (5.23%), and linoleic acid (3.21%). The VOCs are rich in fatty acids (32.50%), olefine aldehyde (9.59%), ketone (9.41%), enol (9.02%), aldehyde (8.63%), and ketene (6.41%). The antioxidant capacity of S. rhombifolia VOCs was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH), 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazolin-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) methods with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and Trolox as standard. The VOCs showed dose-dependent antioxidant activity with IC50 (50% inhibitory concentration) values of 5.48 ± 0.024 and 1.47 ± 0.012 mg/mL for DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively. FRAP antioxidant capacity was 83.10 ± 1.66 mM/g. The results show that the VOCs distilled from S. rhombifolia have a moderate antioxidant property that can be utilized as a natural botanical supplement or an antioxidant.     

Synthesis and Evaluation of 11-Butyl Matrine Derivatives as Potential Anti-Virus Agents

Matrine derivatives were reported to have various biological activities, especially the ester, amide or sulfonamide derivatives of matrine deriving from the hydroxyl or carboxyl group at the end of the branch chain after the D ring of matrine is opened. In this work, to investigate whether moving away all functional groups from the C-11 branch chain could have an impact on the bioactivities, such as anti-tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), insecticidal and fungicidal activities, a variety of N-substituted-11-butyl matrine derivatives were synthesized. The obtained bioassay result showed that most N-substituted-11-butyl matrine derivatives had obviously enhanced anti-TMV activity compared with matrine, especially many compounds had good inhibitory activity close to that of commercialized virucide Ningnanmycin (inhibition rate 55.4, 57.8 ± 1.4, 55.3 ± 0.5 and 60.3 ± 1.2% at 500 μg/mL; 26.1, 29.7 ± 0.2, 24.2 ± 1.0 and 27.0 ± 0.3% at 100 μg/mL, for the in vitro activity, in vivo inactivation, curative and protection activities, respectively). Notably, N-benzoyl (7), N-benzyl (16), and N-cyclohexylmethyl-11-butyl (19) matrine derivatives had higher anti-TMV activity than Ningnanmycin at both 500 and 100 μg/mL for the four test modes, showing high potential as anti-TMV agent. Furthermore, some compounds also showed good fungicidal activity or insecticidal activity.