Design Principles and Mechanistic Understandings of Non-Noble-Metal Bifunctional Electrocatalysts for Zinc-Air Batteries

Zinc-air batteries(ZABs)are promising energy storage systems because of high theoretical energy density,safety,low cost,and abundance of zinc.However,the slow multi-step reaction of oxygen and heavy reliance on noble-metal catalysts hinder the practical applications of ZABs.Therefore,feasible and advanced non-noble-metal elec-trocatalysts for air cathodes need to be identified to promote the oxygen catalytic reaction.In this review,we initially introduced the advancement of ZABs in the past two decades and provided an overview of key developments in this field.Then,we discussed the work-ing mechanism and the design of bifunctional electrocatalysts from the perspective of morphology design,crystal structure tuning,interface strategy,and atomic engineering.We also included theoretical studies,machine learning,and advanced characterization technologies to provide a comprehensive understanding of the structure-performance relationship of electrocatalysts and the reaction pathways of the oxygen redox reactions.Finally,we discussed the challenges and prospects related to designing advanced non-noble-metal bifunctional electrocatalysts for ZABs.

Mechanistic associations between dietary patterns and colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer(CRC)is a common cancer with high morbidity and mortality rates.Its occurrence and development are determined by many factors,including genetics,the environment,lifestyle,and so on.The occurrence of CRC is often accompanied by changes in the intestinal microenvironment.Numerous studies have focused on the association between dietary patterns,dietary components,and CRC now.This article reviews five different dietary patterns:the Western diet,the Mediterranean diet,the ketogenic diet,the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet,and fasting,and themechanistic associations between their food components and CRC.The finding can provide a reference for further studies on the association between different dietary patterns and CRC and will help clinicians formulate reasonable and feasible dietary interventions.

Xihuang pills induce apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma by suppressing phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase- B/mechanistic target of rapamycin pathway

BACKGROUND The phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase-B/mechanistic target of rapamycin(PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signalling pathway is crucial for cell survival, differentiation, apoptosis and metabolism. Xihuang pills(XHP) are a traditional Chinese preparation with antitumour properties. They inhibit the growth of breast cancer, glioma, and other tumours by regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway. However, the effects and mechanisms of action of XHP in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) remain unclear. Regulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway effectively inhibits the progression of HCC. However, no study has focused on the XHPassociated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway. Therefore, we hypothesized that XHP might play a role in inhibiting HCC through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway.AIM To confirm the effect of XHP on HCC and the possible mechanisms involved.METHODS The chemical constituents and active components of XHP were analysed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Cellbased experiments and in vivo xenograft tumour experiments were utilized to evaluate the effect of XHP on HCC tumorigenesis. First, SMMC-7721 cells were incubated with different concentrations of XHP(0, 0.3125, 0.625, 1.25, and 2.5 mg/mL) for 12 h, 24 h and 48 h. Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay, followed by an assessment of cell migration using a wound healing assay.Second, the effect of XHP on the apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells was evaluated. SMMC-7721 cells were stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate and annexin V/propidium iodide. The number of apoptotic cells and cell cycle distribution were measured using flow cytometry. The cleaved protein and mRNA expression levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were detected using Western blotting and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR), respectively.Third, Western blotting and RT–qPCR were performed to confirm the effects of XHP on the protein and mRNA expression of components of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway.Finally, the effects of XHP on the tumorigenesis of subcutaneous hepatocellular tumours in nude mice were assessed.RESULTS The following 12 compounds were identified in XHP using high-resolution mass spectrometry:Valine, 4-gingerol, myrrhone, ricinoleic acid, glycocholic acid, curzerenone, 11-keto-β-boswellic acid, oleic acid, germacrone, 3-acetyl-9,11-dehydro-β-boswellic acid, 5β-androstane-3,17-dione, and 3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid. The cell viability assay results showed that treatment with 0.625mg/mL XHP extract decreased HCC cell viability after 12 h, and the effects were dose-and timedependent. The results of the cell scratch assay showed that the migration of HCC cells was significantly inhibited in a time-dependent manner by the administration of XHP extract(0.625mg/mL). Moreover, XHP significantly inhibited cell migration and resulted in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Furthermore, XHP downregulated the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway, which activated apoptosis executioner proteins(e.g., caspase-9 and caspase-3). The inhibitory effects of XHP on HCC cell growth were determined in vivo by analysing the tumour xenograft volumes and weights.CONCLUSION XHP inhibited HCC cell growth and migration by stimulating apoptosis via the downregulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway, followed by the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3.Our findings clarified that the antitumour effects of XHP on HCC cells are mediated by the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway, revealing that XHP may be a potential complementary therapy for HCC.

Immunosuppressive potency of mechanistic target of rapamycin inhibitors in solid-organ transplantation

Mammalian target of rapamycin, also known as me-chanistic target of rapamycin(m TOR) is a protein kinase that belongs to the PI3K/AKT/m TOR signaling pathway, which is involved in several fundamental cellular functions such as cell growth, proliferation, and survival. This protein and its associated pathway have been implicated in cancer development and the regulation of immune responses, including the rejection response generated following allograft transplantation. Inhibitors of m TOR(m TORi) such as rapamycin and its derivative everolimus are potent immunosuppressive drugs that both maintain similar rates of efficacy and could optimize the renal function and diminish the side effects compared with calcineurin inhibitors. These drugs are used in solid-organ transplantationtoinduceimmunosuppression while also promoting the expansion of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T-cells that could favor a scenery of immu-nological tolerance. In this review, we describe the mechanisms by which inhibitors of m TOR induce sup-pression by regulation of these pathways at different levels of the immune response. In addition, we par-ticularly emphasize about the main methods that are used to assess the potency of immunosuppressive drugs, highlighting the studies carried out about immunosuppressive potency of inhibitors of m TOR.

Modeling mechanistic responses in asphalt pavements under three-dimensional tire-pavement contact pressure

A three dimensional finite element program incorporating actually measured vertical tire-pavement contact pressure(TPCP) was utilized for modeling the mechanistic responses in asphalt concrete(AC) layers by simulating various vehicle motions:stationary and non-stationary(i.e.in acceleration or deceleration mode).Analysis of the results indicated the following items.1) It is critical to use the vertical TPCP as the design control criteria for the tensile strains at the bottom of the AC layer when the base layer modulus is lower in magnitude(e.g.≤400 MPa);however,when the base layer modulus is higher in magnitude(e.g.≥7 000 MPa),the horizontal TPCP and the tensile strains in the X-direction at the surface of the AC layer should also be considered as part of the design response criteria.2) The definition of "overload" needs to be revised to include tire pressure over-inflation,i.e.,a vehicle should be considered to be overloaded if the wheel load exceeds the specification and/or the tire inflation pressure is higher than the specification.3) Light trucks have more structural impact on the strain responses and pavement design when the thickness of the surfacing AC layer is thinner(e.g.≤50 mm).4) The acceleration of a vehicle does not significantly impact the AC surface distresses such as rutting at the top of the upgrade slopes or intersections;however,vehicle deceleration can dramatically induce horizontal shear strains and consequently,aggravate shoving and rutting problems at the highway intersections.Evidently,these factors should be taken into account during mechanistic stress-strain modeling and structural design of asphalt pavements.

Mechanistic Study of Anticancer Activity of Some Known Aminopyrimidoisoquinolinequinones via QSAR Classification Methodology

The impact of lipophilicity as represented by the logarithm of octanol/water partition coefficient (logP), the combined steric/polarizability effect as represented by molar refractivity (MR) and bulk as represented by molar volume (MV) on the biological activity of 29 known aminopyrimidoisoquinolinequinones APIQ were analyzed using quantitative structure activity relationships methodology (QSAR). The activity data chosen was the inhibitory concentration (IC50) against human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cell line. On running regression analysis, the physicochemical parameters and IC50 show very weak correlations as evident by the low values of Pearson Correlation R2 (0.1 to 0.2). Since the individual compounds show appreciable activity (ranging from 20 to 0.5 μM), classification was resorted to in order to expose mechanistic nesting subgroups. This was done by clustering data points around various trend lines extracted from the scattered plot relating parameters to activity using R2 as an index. The correlation of IC50 versus MV was chosen a base of classification owing to higher statistical metrics it yield. This gave five regression lines, each of which is believed to represent a separate mechanistic profile. Additional descriptors were used to consolidate the clustering approach and to give depth to the assumed mechanistic profiles of each cluster.

Mechanistic Drifting Forecast Model for A Small Semi-Submersible Drifter Under Tide–Wind–Wave Conditions

Understanding the drifting motion of a small semi-submersible drifter is of vital importance regarding monitoring surface currents and the floating pollutants in coastal regions. This work addresses this issue by establishing a mechanistic drifting forecast model based on kinetic analysis. Taking tide–wind–wave into consideration, the forecast model is validated against in situ drifting experiment in the Radial Sand Ridges. Model results show good performance with respect to the measured drifting features, characterized by migrating back and forth twice a day with daily downwind displacements. Trajectory models are used to evaluate the influence of the individual hydrodynamic forcing. The tidal current is the fundamental dynamic condition in the Radial Sand Ridges and has the greatest impact on the drifting distance. However, it loses its leading position in the field of the daily displacement of the used drifter. The simulations reveal that different hydrodynamic forces dominate the daily displacement of the used drifter at different wind scales. The wave-induced mass transport has the greatest influence on the daily displacement at Beaufort wind scale 5–6; while wind drag contributes mostly at wind scale 2–4.

Validation and Evaluation of a Mechanistic Model of Phasic and Phenological Development in Wheat

Three sets of data from the field experiments with different wheat( Triticum L. ) varieties and sowing dates in China and USA were used to test the performance of the mechanistic model of wheat development. The results showed that the absolute prediction errors for most phasic and phenological stages ranged within 0 - 5 days, and the root mean square errors were generally less than 5 days. The model was of high accuracy and low error especially for emergence, tillering, stamen and pistil initiation, and heading stages, reflecting an enhanced level of mechanism and prediction.

Mechanistic-empirical pavement design guide(MEPDG):a bird's-eye view

Past editions of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials （AASHTO） Guide for Design of Pavement Structures have served well for several decades; nevertheless, many serious limitations exist for their continued use as the nation＇s primary pavement design procedures. Researchers are now incorporating the latest advances in pavement design into the new Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide （MEPDG）, developed under the National Cooperative Highway Research Program （NCHRP） 1-37A project and adopted and published by AASHTO. The MEPDG procedure offers several dramatic improvements over the current pavement design guide and presents a new paradigm in the way pavement design is performed. However, MEPDG is substantially more complex than the AASHTO Design Guide by considering the input parameters that influence pavement performance, including traffic, climate, pavement structure and material properties, and applying the principles of engineering mechanics to predict critical pavement responses. It requires significantly more input from the designer. Some of the required data are either not tracked previously or are stored in locations not familiar to designers, and many data sets need to be preprocessed for use in the MEPDG. As a result, tremendous research work has been conducted and still more challenges need to be tackled both in federal and state levels for the full implementation of MEPDG. This paper, for the first time, provides a comprehensive bird＇s eye view for the MEPDG procedure, including the evolvement of the design methodology, an overview of the design philosophy and its components, the research conducted during the development, improvement, and implementation phases, and the challenges remained and future developments directions. It is anticipated that the efforts in this paper aid in enhancing the mechanistic-empirical based pavement design for future continuous improvement to keep up with changes in trucking, materials, construction, design concepts, computers, and so on.

Atypical variants of takotsubo cardiomyopathy: mechanistic and clinical implications

Over past decades,takotsubo cardiomyopathy(TTC)has drawn a substantial interest as a unique form of acute and reversible cardiomyopathy that usually emerges in response to adrenergic hyperactivation associated with a variety of emotional and physical triggers.[1,2]Even though,this phenomenon is generally characterized by an apical balloning pattern(classical variant),it might occasionally present with atypical morphological variants including mid-ventricular,inverted and focal forms of myocardial involvement.

Mechanistic Model for Predicting NO_3-N Uptake by Plants and Its Verification

Some mechanistic models have been proposed to predict the No3- concentrations in the soil solution at root surface and the NO3-N uptake by plants, but all these relatively effective non-steady state models have not yet been verified by any soil culture experiment. In the present study, a mathematical model based on the nutrient transport to the roots, root length and root uptake kinetics as well as taking account of the inter-root competition was used for calculation, and soil culture experiments with rice, wheat and rape plants grown on alkali, neutral and acid soils in rhizoboxes with nylon screen as a isolator were carried out to evaluate the prediction ability of the model through comparing the measured NO3-concentrations at root surface and N uptake with the calculated values. Whether the inter-root competition for nutrients was accounted for in the model was of less importance to the calculated N uptake but could induce significant changes in the relative concentrations of NO3- at root surface. For the three soils and crops, the measured NO3-N uptake agreed well with the calculated one, and the calculated relative concentrations at root surface were approximate to the measured values. But an appropriate rectification for some conditions is necessary when the plant uptake parameter obtained in solution culture experiment is applied to soil culture. In contrast with the present non-steady state model, the predicted relative concentrations, which show an accumulation, by the Phillips' steady-state model were distinct from the measured values which show a depletion, indicating that the present model has a better prediction ability than the steady-state model.

Mechanistic Model versus Artificial Neural Network Model of a Single-Cell PEMFC

Model-based controllers can significantly improve the performance of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) systems. However, the complexity of these strategies constraints large scale implementation. In this work, with a view to reduce complexity without affecting performance, two different modeling approaches of a single-cell PEMFC are investigated. A mechanistic model, describing all internal phenomena in a single-cell, and an artificial neural network (ANN) model are tested. To perform this work, databases are measured on a pilot plant. The identification of the two models involves the optimization of the operating conditions in order to build rich databases. The two different models benefits and drawbacks are pointed out using statistical error criteria. Regarding model-based control approach, the computational time of these models is compared during the validation step.

Mechanistic Insights of Cells in Porous Scaffolds via Integrated Culture Technologies

This research aimed to combine 3 cell and tissue culture technologies to obtain mechanistic insights of cells in porous scaffolds. When cultivated on 2D （2-dimensional） surfaces, HDFs （human dermal fibroblasts） behaved individually and had no strict requirement on seeding density for proliferation; while HaCat cells relied heavily on initial densities for proliferation and colony formation, which was facilitated when co-cultured with HDFs. Experiments using a 3D CCIS （3-dimensional cell culture and imaging system） indicated that HDFs colonised openpores of varying sizes （125-420 ~tm） on modular substrates via bridge structures; while HaCat cells formed aperture structures and only colonised small pores （125 txm）. When co-cultured, HDFs not only facilitated HaCat attachment on the substrates, but also coordinated with HaCat cells to colonise open pores of varying sizes via bridge and aperture structures. Based on these observations, a 2-stage strategy for the culture of HDFs and HaCat cells on porous scaffolds was proposed and applied successfully on a cellulosic scaffold. This research demonstrated that cell colonisation in scaffolds was dependent on multiple factors; while the integrated 2D＆3D culture technologies and the 3D CCIS was an effective and efficient approach to obtain mechanistic insights of their influences on tissue regeneration.

Preliminary <i>k</i>-Values of Unbound Natural Quartzitic Gravels for Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design

The generalized constitutive model relating the resilient modulus (MR) of flexible pavement layer materials to stress state, adopted by the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG), contains a set of constants known as k-values (k1, k2, and k3) which are associated with the physical state of the layer materials. In Ghana, natural gravels constitute the predominant and sometimes the sole layer materials for most flexible pavements yet representative k-values of gravel materials, have not been determined to permit full application and implementation of the mechanistic-empirical design concept to pavements involving such materials. In this study, k-values characterising typical natural quartzitic gravels used for road construction in the country were derived by regression techniques from MR values determined using laboratory repeated load triaxial test. Using multiple linear regression technique, correlation relationships were then developed between the k-values and the physical properties of the gravels, namely, percentages of materials passing the 9.5 mm (P9.5) and 2.0 mm (P2.0) sieves, liquid limit (LL), maximum dry density (ρdmax), and optimum moisture content (wopt). The regression analysis returned k1 values which ranged between 441 and 958 with a mean of 516;k2 which varied between 0.0636 and 0.2168 with a mean value of 0.1216;and, k3 values which ranged between 0.1257 and 3.1590 with a mean value of 1.723. Contrary to what is mostly reported in literature, the analysis returned positive k3 values for all but one gravel material, suggesting stress hardening under octahedral shear stress for those materials. While an expanded sample base is required to fully characterize the whole gamut of natural gravels used in pavement construction in the country, this study on limited quartzitic gravel samples has given a good indication of strong linear correlations between the k-values and the index properties of the gravels, to permit estimates of the constants for such gravels be made where capability and opportunity for conducting resilient modulus tests do not exist.However, further work is recommended to fully characterise the exact nature of k3 values for quartzitic gravels in the country.

质子交换膜燃料电池多物理场建模及模型参数敏感性分析

受限于外部运行工况及内部多物理场参数的耦合作用机制,质子交换膜燃料电池的精确机理建模成为其研发和应用的瓶颈。该文通过探究燃料电池内部“电-热-流”多场耦合关系,构建准一维电堆动态模型,并基于单参数敏感性和多参数敏感性分析,得到不同模型参数的敏感度指标,完成了建模中部分关键参数的权重分析。为验证模型精度及耦合参数变动对输出特性的影响,在搭建Ballard NEXA 1.2 kW燃料电池测试平台的基础上开展变载及参数变动实验。结果表明,所构建的模型能够较为精确的模拟电堆特性,且对称因子、活化面积和压力系数的变动对电堆输出的影响较大。结果可为燃料电池电堆的测试及改型提供理论基础,并揭示电堆故障及老化过程中主要参数的衰退变化趋势。

基于微观连续介质模型的反应溶质运移数值模拟方法

地下环境中流固间的反应溶质运移过程控制着地质介质演化规律,并受岩石固有非均质性的影响,衍生出非线性行为与多尺度效应。为了面向更为复杂化的应用需求,解析微观特征与表观行为间的响应-反馈机制成为了重要的科学与工程命题。本研究系统地介绍了微观连续介质概念与模型框架,以及该模型方法的实现方式,并归纳了其在不同研究体系中的应用实例,最后重点分析了该方法在实验-数值联合研究中的发展前景与预期挑战。数值模拟方法已被广泛应用于反应溶质运移过程的定量研究之中,但单一孔隙或达西尺度数值模型难以应对机理研究与实例应用间的时空尺度跨度。近年来多尺度数值模拟方法体系不断发展,其中将Darcy-Brinkman-Stokes方程作为多流态数学统一表达,以微观连续介质模型作为多尺度信息关联方式的数值模拟框架,在流固界面追踪、高效数值求解等方面展现出一定的方法优势与应用潜力。

高校提升新时代伟大变革青年化阐释效果的机制化探索

党的创新理论青年化阐释的重要内容之一就是向青年讲好新时代伟大变革。为此,需要构建提升阐释效果的长效机制,不断探索机制化阐释路径,进而促进阐释效果转化。建立青年化阐释长效机制,首先要明确目标,形成目标体系。本文在设计青年化阐释具体目标方面,分为三阶目标层次:在知识层面引导青年学生将社会生活积极变化的零碎感知系统化、将现象化的认识本质化、将当下的体悟纵深化;在能力层面引导青年学生运用政策理论思维来观察和解决现实问题;在价值层面引导青年学生坚定投身民族复兴的人生选择。此外,还需要从细化阐释内容、创新阐释形式、丰富阐释主体和进行效果评价四维路径统筹考虑、协调运行,最终优化阐释机制并实现效果转化。

碳纳米纤维混凝土抗盐-冻性能研究

为研究碳纳米纤维混凝土在盐-冻融循环作用下的抗冻性能变化规律,以3.5%NaCl溶液作为冻融循环介质,对4种不同碳纳米纤维(CNFs)质量掺量(0%、0.1%、0.2%、0.3%)的混凝土试件进行快速冻融循环试验,通过扫描电镜、X射线衍射和氮气吸附等微观测试手段分析纤维改性机理,并建立冻融损伤模型以评价盐-冻融循环条件下碳纳米纤维混凝土的损伤演化规律。结果表明,CNFs可提高混凝土抗盐-冻性能,改善效果与碳纳米纤维掺量呈正相关,质量掺量为0.3%时抗冻等级及耐久性指数较基准组提高100%。CNFs通过桥接裂缝、控制纳米级裂纹、成核、改善孔结构提高混凝土密实度,进而改善混凝土的抗盐-冻性能。基于不同评价指标建立的冻融损伤模型符合威布尔分布且R2均大于0.9,可用于评价和预测盐-冻融循环条件下碳纳米纤维混凝土损伤情况。

河南地矿CORS省域地面沉降监测与机理分析

为了进一步研究省域尺度范围地面沉降,分析河南地矿CORS省域地面沉降的监测方法与其形成机理:针对河南省地面沉降分布特征,采用河南省地质信息连续采集运行系统(HNGICS)的62个基准站数据,时间序列为2012—2019年,获得国际地球参考框架下无净旋转条件的河南省三维速度场;然后分解三维速度场获得河南垂直速度场,发现河南省地面沉降呈现“西稳东沉”的现象,开封附近出现沉降漏斗;最后将河南省地质图、河南省耕地面积占比、河南省年均降雨量与沉降等值线对比分析。结果表明:不同地质条件下,河南省地面沉降分布于豫东地区的第四系冲积层,而相同地质条件下,耕地占比和区域年均降雨量是地表差异性沉降的主要原因,如豫东地区耕地约占总面积的70%,地下水用于农业灌溉是豫东平原出现沉降漏斗的主要原因。

机理模型与遥感数据同化的草地生物量估算相关研究

受人为和气候变化的影响,草地退化、沙化的现象愈发严重,对草地的监测和保护亦变得愈发重要。生物量是评价草地生态状况的重要指标之一,草地生物量的估算对草地资源管理、生态修复与保护都有着重要的意义。随着遥感技术的发展与植被机理模型的广泛应用,针对草地生物量的估算方法也不断发展,主要分为遥感反演和植被机理模型估算两种方法。本文系统地阐述了遥感反演中的经验回归方法和辐射传输模型,还有基于植被机理的作物生长模型和草地生长模型。此外,本文还介绍了在农业估产领域已经被广泛应用的数据同化技术,分析了在草地生物量同化估算过程中,遥感数据与机理模型存在的互补优势,提出了目前存在的问题,并指出在简化模型的同时,保证估算的稳定性和准确性并兼顾植被的机理性是未来草地生物量估算的研究重点。