A discrete KdV equation hierarchy: continuous limit,diverse exact solutions and their asymptotic state analysis

In this paper, a discrete KdV equation that is related to the famous continuous KdV equation is studied. First, an integrable discrete KdV hierarchy is constructed, from which several new discrete KdV equations are obtained. Second, we correspond the first several discrete equations of this hierarchy to the continuous KdV equation through the continuous limit. Third, the generalized (m, 2N − m)-fold Darboux transformation of the discrete KdV equation is established based on its known Lax pair. Finally, the diverse exact solutions including soliton solutions, rational solutions and mixed solutions on non-zero seed background are obtained by applying the resulting Darboux transformation, and their asymptotic states and physical properties such as amplitude, velocity, phase and energy are analyzed. At the same time, some soliton solutions are numerically simulated to show their dynamic behaviors. The properties and results obtained in this paper may be helpful to understand some physical phenomena described by KdV equations.     

Multivariate optimization and comparison between conventional extraction (CE) and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) of carotenoid extraction from cashew apple

Carotenoids are an essential component of cashew and can be used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, natural pigment, food additives, among other applications. The present work focuses on optimizing and comparing conventional and ultrasound-assisted extraction methods. Every optimization step took place with a 1:1 (w:w) mixture of yellow and red cashew apples lyophilized and ground in a cryogenic mill. A Simplex-centroid design was applied for both methods, and the solvents acetone, methanol, ethanol, and petroleum ether were evaluated. After choosing the extractor solvent, a central composite design was applied to optimize the sample mass (59–201 mg) and extraction time (6–34 min). The optimum conditions for the extractor solvent were 38% acetone, 30% ethanol, and 32% petroleum ether for CE and a mixture of 44% acetone and 56% methanol for UAE. The best experimental conditions for UAE were a sonication time of 19 min and a sample mass of 153 mg, while the CE was 23 min and 136 mg. Comparing red and yellow cashews, red cashews showed a higher carotenoid content in both methodologies. The UAE methodology was ca. 21% faster, presented a more straightforward composition of extracting solution, showed an average yield of superior carotenoid content in all samples compared to CE. Therefore, UAE has demonstrated a simple, efficient, fast, low-cost adjustment methodology and a reliable alternative for other applications involving these bioactive compounds in the studied or similar matrix.     

Intensified sonochemical degradation of 2-Picoline in combination with advanced oxidizing agents

2-picoline is a very important pyridine derivative with significant applications though it is also poisonous and harmful having considerable adverse influence on aquatic life, environment and organisms. The need for developing effective treatment methodologies for 2-Picoline directed the current work focusing on degradation of 2-Picoline using the combination of ultrasound and advanced oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), potassium persulphate (KPS), Fenton’s reagent, and Peroxymonosulphate (PMS) along with the use of Titanium oxide (TiO₂) as catalyst. Ultrasonic bath having 8 L capacity and operating frequency of 40 ± 2 kHz has been used. The effect of parameters like power, initial pH, temperature, time and initial concentration of 2-Picoline were studied to establish best operating conditions which were further used in the combination treatment approaches of ultrasound with oxidising agents. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction for the optimized approaches of ultrasound in combination with oxidizing agents was also determined. Degradation experiments were performed using oxidising agents also in absence of ultrasound to investigate the individual treatment capacity of the oxidants and also the synergetic index for the combination. Kinetic study demonstrated that second order model suited for all the treatment approaches except US/Fenton where first order model fitted better. Ultrasound in combination with Fenton reagent demonstrated a substantial synergy for the degradation of 2-Picoline compared to other treatment approaches showing highest degradation of 97.6 %, synergetic index as 5.71, cavitational yield of 1.82 × 10⁻⁵ mg/J and COD removal of 82.4 %.     

BMP-6 Loaded Polyelectrolyte Complex Nanoparticles Inducing Osteogenic Differentiation and Apoptosis of Malignant Plasma Cells for Local Treatment of Multiple Myeloma

In the malignant plasma cell disease multiple myeloma (MM), bone lesions and resulting fractures caused by MM cell (MMC) accumulation represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Despite recent advantages in systemic treatment, residual MMCs remain, especially in bone lesions. Therefore an interfacial delivery system for local treatment of MM and induced bone disease based on polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles (PEC NP) loaded with bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP-6) inducing de-novo bone formation and MMC apoptosis is presented herein. BMP-6 loaded PEC NP are fabricated by defined mixing bio-related cationic and anionic polysaccharides and BMP-6 according to molar ratio of BMP-6/PEC-NP of 1/3. BMP-6/PEC NP bound to a model substrate releases 10% BMP-6 sustainably within two weeks as accessed by infrared spectroscopy. BMP-6 loaded PEC NP adheres to cell membranes of MMCs and MSCs and activated phosphorylation of Smad 1/5. Osteogenic differentiation (ALP-concentration) is enhanced in MSCs (p < 0.05). All patient samples (10/10) of MMCs show significant induction of apoptosis (median 84%, p < 0.05). Finally, BMP-6/PEC NP are successfully integrated in a commercial hyaluronic acid based hydrogel material revealing MMC death as principal proof for the local treatment of MM induced bone lesions.     

Thermally Evaporated Ag–Au Bimetallic Catalysts for Efficient Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) has indispensable significance for carbon recycling and renewable energy production. As typical electrochemical catalysts, Au and Ag show relatively high reaction activity and selectivity in CO₂RR. In this study, a series of Ag–Au bimetallic catalysts are designed and synthesized through the thermal evaporation method for efficient yet massive production of electrochemical catalysts. The Ag–Au catalysts show significantly enhanced activity and selectivity in CO₂RR, which is mainly attributed to the increased grain boundaries with well-dispersed single Ag atoms. After the optimization, Au20Ag10 exhibits the best performance with a CO Faraday efficiency of 89% at −0.9 V (vs the reversible hydrogen electrode) with good stability.     

Iron Oxychloride/Bovine Serum Albumin Nanosheets as Chemodynamic Therapy Agents

Iron oxychloride (FeOCl) is known for reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation through Fenton chemistry. The activity of FeOCl is preserved in the slightly acidic pH value of the tumor microenvironment (pH 6.5−6.9). Such property can be advantageous in biobased systems, where ROS generation can be modulated in slightly acidic conditions, which is characteristic of the solid tumor microenvironment. In the present study, BSA-stabilized FeOCl nanosheets (NSs) are synthesized and characterized by transmission electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, zeta potential analysis, dynamic light scattering, and UV–vis spectroscopy. The morphology of the nanoparticles is flake-like, and their hydrodynamic diameter is around 200 nm. MTT, apoptosis assay, and trypan blue staining evaluate the toxicity of FeOCl NSs toward the 4T1 cell line. It is found that the toxicity of the NSs is higher in physiological conditions of solid tumors (pH 6.5, H₂O₂ 100 × 10⁻⁶ m ) than in the conditions of healthy organs (pH 7.4). Specifically, cancer cells are in their late apoptotic stage by more than eight times higher at pH 6.5 than pH 7.4. The toxicity results are in agreement with the in vitro catalytic assay of the NSs. Therefore, the FeOCl NSs can be the building blocks for constructing chemodynamic therapy agents.     

Two-Qubit Local Fisher Information Correlation beyond Entanglement in a Nonlinear Generalized Cavity with an Intrinsic Decoherence

In this paper, we study a Hamiltonian system constituted by two coupled two-level atoms (qubits) interacting with a nonlinear generalized cavity field. The nonclassical two-qubit correlation dynamics are investigated using Bures distance entanglement and local quantum Fisher information under the influences of intrinsic decoherence and qubit–qubit interaction. The effects of the superposition of two identical generalized coherent states and the initial coherent field intensity on the generated two-qubit correlations are investigated. Entanglement of sudden death and sudden birth of the Bures distance entanglement as well as the sudden changes in local Fisher information are observed. We show that the robustness, against decoherence, of the generated two-qubit correlations can be controlled by qubit–qubit coupling and the initial coherent cavity states.     

HL-2M 磁体系统安装中的定位与测量

为提高磁体系统安装精度,在 HL-2M 集成大厅建立 63 个基准点构成测量基准网,并利用激光跟 踪仪等高精度测量设备建立每个磁体的局部坐标系,测量特征点的局部坐标;基于测量基准网和公共测量点,采 用最佳拟合得到坐标转换矩阵,以此得到特征点在测量基准网的位置,指导磁体安装。完成安装后的中心柱同支 撑基础的同轴度为∅2.03mm;PF1~PF4 线圈安装标高偏差为±0.5mm,与中心柱的同轴度为∅2.60mm;PF5/6/7/8 线圈与中心柱的同轴度偏差小于∅3.00mm,标高偏差在[−1mm, 1mm]区间内。基于以上方法所得到的线圈安装精 度都满足设计需求。     

HL-2M 装置真空室设计

HL-2M 真空室结构为“D”形截面的双层-薄壁-全焊接式-环状结构,内环直径 2m,外环径 5.22m, 高 3.02m,由 20 个扇形段组成而成。真空室上开设有 121 个窗口以满足真空抽气、实验诊断、辅助加热及工程安 装等方面的要求;支撑采用滑动杆式结构;材料选用 Inconel625、Inconel718 与 316L 组合。运用有限元法对真空 室进行了结构强度评估,真空室满足设计要求。     

HL-2M 真空室保温层设计及安装

基于 HL-2M 真空室烘烤保温要求,通过有限元分析和原型件实验确定采用陶瓷纤维与纳米级微孔材 料组合作为 HL-2M 真空室保温材料。在 30℃时,保温层的导热系数小于 0.027W⋅m⁻¹·℃⁻¹;300℃时,导热系数 小于 0.038W⋅m⁻¹·℃⁻¹。在保温层厚度 25mm、热面温度 300℃且达到稳态时,冷面可控制在 85℃以下,线圈侧的 温度低于 60℃,整体热损失小于 12kW,满足 HL-2M 真空室烘烤需求。