On the neutron flux flattening problem

In this paper, we present the critical neutron flux flattening problem governed by the critical transport equation in a nonuniform slab with periodic boundary conditions. Existence and uniqueness theorem of the optimal solution is shown in continuous function space.     

Microwave-absorbing properties of NiCoZn spinel ferrites

In this paper, the microwave-absorbing properties of (Ni_1−x−yCo_xZn_y)Fe₂O₄ spinel ferrites have been investigated within the frequency range of 0.5–14 GHz. There are two kinds of resonance peaks observed in the permeability spectra: domain-wall resonances at lower frequency and spin-rotation resonances at higher frequency. The reflection loss (RL) calculations show that the prepared NiCoZn spinel ferrites are good electromagnetic (EM) wave absorbers in microwave range. In terms of the absorbing frequency band (AFB) and the matching thickness (t_m), (Ni_0.407Co_0.207Zn_0.386)Fe₂O₄ shows the best performances: t_m=3.15 mm and the AFB is 8.64–11.2 GHz. Decreasing the weight ratio of NiCoZn ferrites in ferrites/wax composites, the matching thickness decreases and the AFB shifts to higher frequencies. Compared with the absorbers with single-layer ferrites, the absorbers with double-layers ferrites have better absorbing performances, such as a thinner matching thickness and a wider EM wave AFB.     

The fine structure levels and spin-singlet contributions to zero-field-splitting parameters of Cr2+ ion in CdGa2S4

A theoretical investigation is reported of the fine structure levels and the spin-singlet contributions to zero-field-splitting (ZFS) parameters for Cr²⁺ ion in CdGa₂S₄ crystals. Firstly, the complete energy matrix including all spin states for a 3d ⁴ ion in tetrahedral D _2d symmetry is constructed according the double-group chain in the strong-field scheme. Then, by diagonalizing the complete energy of electron–electron interactions, the crystal field and the spin–orbit coupling for the Cr²⁺ (3d ⁴) ion in CdGa₂S₄ crystal, the fine structure levels and the spin-singlet contributions to ZFS parameters a, D and F are calculated. The results show that the spin-singlet contribution to D is negligible, but the contributions to a and F are very important. So, to obtain more accurate ZFS parameters for 3d ⁴ ions in the tetrahedral crystals, all spin states should be considered.     

Molecular Design of a New Diboronic Acid for the Electrohydrodynamic Monitoring of Glucose

A new dicationic diboronic acid structure, DBA2+ , was designed to exhibit good affinity (K_d≈1 mm ) and selectivity toward glucose. Binding of DBA2+ to glucose changes the pK_a of DBA2+ from 9.4 to 6.3, enabling opportunities for detection of glucose at physiological pH. Proton release from DBA2+ is firmly related to glucose concentrations within the physiologically relevant range (0–30 mm ), as verified by conductimetric monitoring. Negligible interference from other sugars (for example, maltose, fructose, sucrose, lactose, and galactose) was observed. These results demonstrate the potential of DBA2+ for selective, quantitative glucose sensing. The nonenzymatic strategy based on electrohydrodynamic effects may enable the development of stable, accurate, and continuous glucose monitoring platforms.     

Carbon Molecular Sieve Membrane Preparation by Economical Coating and Pyrolysis of Porous Polymer Hollow Fibers

Dip coating and pyrolysis processes are used to create multi‐layer asymmetric carbon molecular sieve (CMS) hollow fiber membranes with excellent gas separation properties. Coating of an economical engineered support with a high‐performance polyimide to create precursor fibers with a dense skin layer reduces material cost by 25‐fold compared to monolithic precursors or ceramic supports. CMS permeation results with CO₂/CH₄ (50:50) mixed gas feed show attractive CO₂/CH₄ selectivity of 58.8 and CO₂ permeance of 310 GPU at 35 °C.     

Thermal impact on spiking properties in Hodgkin-Huxley neuron with synaptic stimulus

The effect of environmental temperature on neuronal spiking behaviors is investigated by numerically simulating the temperature dependence of spiking threshold of the Hodgkin-Huxley neuron subject to synaptic stimulus. We find that the spiking threshold exhibits a global minimum in a specific temperature range where spike initiation needs weakest synaptic strength, which form the engineering perspective indicates the occurrence of optimal use of synaptic transmission in the nervous system. We further explore the biophysical origin of this phenomenon associated with ion channel gating kinetics and also discuss its possible biological relevance in information processing in neuronal systems.      

Polyamide 11/Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Blends as Novel Flexible Materials for Capacitors

A novel capacitor with high dielectric constant (ε) has been developed by blending poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) with polyamide (PA11). The blends show high dielectric constants (ε_blend = 40), which give better frequency stability (1 MHz), and excellent mechanical properties. Based on certain volume fractions, the measured dielectric constants (ε _blend ) were found to exceed those of the corresponding polymers, in contrasted to conventional composites, where ε_polymerA < ε_composite < ε_polymerB. SEM investigations suggest that the enhanced dielectric behavior originates from significant interfacial polymer‐polymer interactions. DSC and XRD demonstrate that blending PA11 with PVDF affects the crystalline behavior of each component. However, the PA11/PVDF blends exhibit a slightly high dielectric loss (tanδ ≈ 0.17), which is a great disadvantage to a capacitor. Adding a copolymer of styrene and maleic anhydride decreased the dielectric loss (tanδ ≈ 0.057) and increased the dielectric constant (ε_blend = 60). Our findings suggest that the high‐ε polymeric blends created represent a novel type of material that is flexible and easy to process, of relatively high dielectric constant, of high breakdown strength and, moreover, is suited to applications in flexible electronics.

     

An Evolving Technology That Integrates Classical Methods with Continuous Technological Developments: Thin-Layer Chromatography Bioautography

Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) bioautography is an evolving technology that integrates the separation and analysis technology of TLC with biological activity detection technology, which has shown a steep rise in popularity over the past few decades. It connects TLC with convenient, economic and intuitive features and bioautography with high levels of sensitivity and specificity. In this study, we discuss the research progress of TLC bioautography and then establish a definite timeline to introduce it. This review summarizes known TLC bioautography types and practical applications for determining antibacterial, antifungal, antitumor and antioxidant compounds and for inhibiting glucosidase, pancreatic lipase, tyrosinase and cholinesterase activity constitutes. Nowadays, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to identify original, natural products with anti-COVID potential compounds from Chinese traditional medicine and natural medicinal plants. We also give an account of detection techniques, including in situ and ex situ techniques; even in situ ion sources represent a major reform. Considering the current technical innovations, we propose that the technology will make more progress in TLC plates with higher separation and detection technology with a more portable and extensive scope of application. We believe this technology will be diffusely applied in medicine, biology, agriculture, animal husbandry, garden forestry, environmental management and other fields in the future.     

Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Zinc Phosphate with 28‐Ring Channels

An organic–inorganic hybrid zinc phosphate with 28‐ring channels was synthesized by use of an organic ligand instead of organic amine template under a hydro(solvo)thermal condition. This crystalline zinc phosphate contains large channels constructed from 28 zinc and phosphate tetrahedral units. The walls of the channels consist of two types of zincophosphate chains, in which the Zn atoms are coordinated by 2,4,5‐tri(4‐pyridyl)‐imidazole ligands as pendent groups. This compound exhibits yellow emission and interesting properties of removing cobalt, cadmium, and mercury cations from aqueous solution. A new two‐dimensional organic–inorganic hybrid zincophosphate was also obtained by changing the solvent mixture ratios in the synthesis.     

Spleen and thymus metabolomics strategy to explore the immunoregulatory mechanism of total withanolides from the leaves of Datura metel L. on imiquimod-induced psoriatic skin dermatitis in mice

Our previous work demonstrated that total withanolides of Datura metel L. leaves (TWD) exhibited excellent therapeutic effects on psoriasis. However, current knowledge of its mechanisms is incomplete. In this study, integrated spleen and thymus untargeted metabolomics were used to analyze the changes in endogenous metabolites underlying the immunosuppressive activity of TWD on psoriasis animal models induced by imiquimod. The results suggested that TWD treatment markedly attenuated imiquimod-induced psoriasis and showed significant immunosuppressive activity as evidenced by decreased elevation index of spleen and thymus. Meanwhile, TWD significantly reversed the elevation of immunoregulatory factors, including IL-10, IL-17, IL-22 and IL-23. Multivariate trajectory analysis revealed that TWD treatment could restore the psoriasis-disturbed spleen and thymus metabolite profiles towards the normal metabolic status. A total of 25 and 27 metabolites associated with the immunomodulatory effects for which levels changed markedly upon treatment have been identified in spleen and thymus, respectively. These differential metabolites were mainly involved in amino acid metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, fatty acid metabolism and lipid metabolism. Our investigation provided a holistic view of TWD for intervention in psoriasis through immunoregulation and provided further scientific information in vivo about a clinical value of TWD for psoriasis.