In order to clarify the effect of spherical light-weight aggregates addition on properties of A12 07 - Si02 system castables, adopting ATO mullite traditional light-weight aggregates and ATO mullite spherical light-we...In order to clarify the effect of spherical light-weight aggregates addition on properties of A12 07 - Si02 system castables, adopting ATO mullite traditional light-weight aggregates and ATO mullite spherical light-weight aggre- gates, bauxite homogenization powder, microsilica , cal- cium aluminate cement as main raw materials, light- weight Al2 03 - SiO2 system castables were prepared by replacing conventional light-weight aggregate with spherical light-weight aggregates. The effects of spheri- cal light-weight aggregates addition on workability, me- chanical properties of castables after heated at different temperatures were researched; the microstructure of the aggregates was analyzed by SEM. The result shows that the introduction of spherical light-weight aggregates can significantly improve the flowability and reduce the water addition of the castables. Water demand of the castable is reduced from 18% with the conventional light-weight aggregates to 14% with spherical light-weight aggre- gates. In addition, light-weight castables prepared by spherical aggregates can keep the same workability with- in a wider range of water addition. Therefore, spherical aggregates are user-friendly. The introduction of spheri- cal light-weight aggregates is favorable to packing densi- ty and mechanical properties of castables, such as cold crushing strength, cold modulus of rupture, hot modulus of rupture at 1 200℃.展开更多
知识追踪旨在评估学习者的学习状态,并根据先前的答题情况预测他们未来的答题表现.然而现有的知识追踪模型大多仅关注问题或技能间的关联,忽略了学生与问题间的结构关系.为此我们提出了基于学生问题关联的异构图知识追踪模型(StudentPro...知识追踪旨在评估学习者的学习状态,并根据先前的答题情况预测他们未来的答题表现.然而现有的知识追踪模型大多仅关注问题或技能间的关联,忽略了学生与问题间的结构关系.为此我们提出了基于学生问题关联的异构图知识追踪模型(StudentProblem association based heterogeneous graph Knowledge Tracing model,SPKT).该模型在知识追踪中融合了学生的学习能力和问题的重要性,并使用图注意力网络学习学生问题间的关联,获得学生、问题的嵌入表示并进行知识状态的预测.通过在真实公开数据集上的性能对比和模型消融实验,并可视化SPKT模型的知识追踪效果,证明了SPKT在预测性能上优于现有的知识追踪模型.展开更多
This paper presents a hybrid ensemble classifier combined synthetic minority oversampling technique(SMOTE),random search(RS)hyper-parameters optimization algorithm and gradient boosting tree(GBT)to achieve efficient a...This paper presents a hybrid ensemble classifier combined synthetic minority oversampling technique(SMOTE),random search(RS)hyper-parameters optimization algorithm and gradient boosting tree(GBT)to achieve efficient and accurate rock trace identification.A thirteen-dimensional database consisting of basic,vector,and discontinuity features is established from image samples.All data points are classified as either‘‘trace”or‘‘non-trace”to divide the ultimate results into candidate trace samples.It is found that the SMOTE technology can effectively improve classification performance by recommending an optimized imbalance ratio of 1:5 to 1:4.Then,sixteen classifiers generated from four basic machine learning(ML)models are applied for performance comparison.The results reveal that the proposed RS-SMOTE-GBT classifier outperforms the other fifteen hybrid ML algorithms for both trace and nontrace classifications.Finally,discussions on feature importance,generalization ability and classification error are conducted for the proposed classifier.The experimental results indicate that more critical features affecting the trace classification are primarily from the discontinuity features.Besides,cleaning up the sedimentary pumice and reducing the area of fractured rock contribute to improving the overall classification performance.The proposed method provides a new alternative approach for the identification of 3D rock trace.展开更多
The work addresses to the study of the molecular and crystal structure and properties of a new energyintensive compound 3,6-bis(2,2,2-trinitroethylnitramino)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine(NBTAT),first obtained by the authors in 2...The work addresses to the study of the molecular and crystal structure and properties of a new energyintensive compound 3,6-bis(2,2,2-trinitroethylnitramino)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine(NBTAT),first obtained by the authors in 2020.NBTAT compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system,space group P2(1)/n,density at room temperature 1.939 g/cm^(3).The energies of crystal packing and pairwise intermolecular interactions in NBTAT and its unnitrated analogue BTAT were calculated,and their comparative analysis was carried out.The enthalpy of formation of NBTAT molecules was calculated by quantum-chemical methods using Gaussian 09,and the enthalpy of formation of NBTAT in the solid phase(618 kJ/mol)was estimated.The energy capabilities of NBTAT as an oxidizer of solid composite propellants are estimated.It is shown that in metal-free compositions NBTAT is significantly superior to ammonium perchlorate(AP),dinitramide ammonium salt(ADN),HMX,BTAT at all stages of rocket systems,and is comparable to the superdense CL-20 yielding to the latter at the lower stages and slightly winning at the upper stages.展开更多
Optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy in conjunction with energy dispersed X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDX), have been used to study the minerals and the concentrations of 12 trace elements in the No.14 c...Optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy in conjunction with energy dispersed X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDX), have been used to study the minerals and the concentrations of 12 trace elements in the No.14 coal from the Huolinhe mine, Inner Mongolia China. The distribution, affinity and removability of the trace elements were studied by float-sink experiments and petrological methods. A high mineral content, dominated by clay minerals, was found in the No.14 coal from the Huolinhe mine. The concentrations of As, Sb and Hg are relatively high compared to the average values for Chinese coals. As, Cr, Hg, Li, Mn, Pb are mainly associated with the minerals while Cd, Co, Ni, Sb, and Se are evenly distributed between the minerals and the organic matter. Be and Ba are mainly distributed in the minerals with a minor proportion in the organic matter. Most elements have a low organic affinity, although Sb, Se, Co, Cd, Ni are closely integrated with the organic matter. High theoretical removabilities are indicated for most trace elements. So it may be possible to lower the concentrations of trace elements during coal preparation.展开更多
Coal fly ash originated from coal combustion has high concentrations of metals. If suitable leaching techniques are identified, then coal fly ash could serve as a useful source of valuable minerals including rare eart...Coal fly ash originated from coal combustion has high concentrations of metals. If suitable leaching techniques are identified, then coal fly ash could serve as a useful source of valuable minerals including rare earth elements (REEs). In this study, three microbial strains, Candida bombicola, Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Cryptococcus curvatus were tested on their performance of leaching trace elements and REEs from fly ash. Through comparing mineral loss and leaching efficiencies resulting from indirect leaching or use of the culture supernatant, C. bombicola was identified to be the best leading to the highest mineral loss and extracting efficiencies of trace elements and REEs among the three strains. The highest mineral loss observed from using the supernatant of this yeast strain was 59.7%. Among all trace elements, As and Mo had the highest leaching efficiency of 80.9% and 79.5%. respectively. The same leaching test led to 67.7% of Yb and 64.6% of Er dissolved from the ash. This study, thus, demonstrated that bioleaching is feasible for leaching metals out of fly ash. The C. bombicola strain deserves further investigation due to its robust actions on metal leaching.展开更多
This study is aimed at determining the level of environmental degradation as well as the concentration of trace elements in soil and stream sediments in order to evaluate the environmental impact of the mining operati...This study is aimed at determining the level of environmental degradation as well as the concentration of trace elements in soil and stream sediments in order to evaluate the environmental impact of the mining operation.Twenty-five(25) soils and ten(10) stream sediment samples were collected from the study area. The physicochemical parameters were determined using appropriate instrumentation with the aid of a digital p H meter(Milwaukee meter) to measure the p H and electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, moisture content and loss on ignition of the soil and stream sediment samples. The p H of the soil sample ranged from(6.10 to 7.19); Electrical conductivity ranged from(21.3 to 279.4 μS/cm), moisture content varied from(0.60% to 7.20%), and the LOI ranged from(2.03% to 18.62%). The results of the analysis showed that the concentrations of the trace elements in the soils and stream sediment samples were slightly higher than the background values. Plots of the trace elements in stream sediment samples show moderate, consistent decrease downstream except at points where there was mine water discharge into the main river. The pollution levels of heavy metals were examined in stream sediment and soil samples using different assessable indices, such as the enrichment factor, which showed significant-moderate enrichment for Cr, Th, Nb, Zn, Pb, Y and Zr and the geoaccumulation index, which showed practically moderate contamination with Cr, Ni and Sr based on regional background reference values. Geo-accumulation index and contamination index for soils and stream sediment revealed uncontaminated to moderate contamination. Likewise,elements with moderate contamination were Cr, Ni and Sr.The Pearson correlation showed that there were significant positive associations among selected metals in soil and stream sediment samples.展开更多
Identification of waste characteristics is an important step towards improving waste recovery. The aim of this research was to determine the physical and physico-chemical characteristics of waste of Abomey–Calavi cit...Identification of waste characteristics is an important step towards improving waste recovery. The aim of this research was to determine the physical and physico-chemical characteristics of waste of Abomey–Calavi city and to study the relationship between standard of living and average ratio of daily waste generated by each person. In this study the methodology used French standards to characterize particle size and typology of solid waste generated by the population of Calavi City in Benin, West Africa. According to home criteria, the study area was stratified into three distinct levels of standard of living called: high standing, medium standing and low standing;Waste from 60 households was weighed daily. The total waste produced by each household was collected seven (7) days a week, for a period of three weeks. Waste characterization was performed using ratio, size granulometry and typological composition. Physico- Chemical analysis including organic mater, pH, Total Organic Carbon, total Kjeldahl nitrogen and metal trace element were also performed. To better assess waste compostability, water extractable organic matter was quantified and qualitative identification was made with XAD8 and XAD4 resins. Results show that the amount of waste increases with the standard of living;the average ratio of daily waste generated is 0.89 kg day-1 person-1. Independently of the standard of living, fermentable compounds represent the largest proportion of waste materials (45%). Qualitative difference of waste content in organic matter is shown as a function of the population’s living standards. These results could be explained by a higher consumption of meat in the households with a higher standard of living, reflecting a greater proportion of transphilic (TPI), and hydrophilic (HPI) fractions. The C/N ratio is lower in the high standing households than in low ones. Metal trace element analysis showed a low but still significant pollution, whereas high iron and alu minum concentrations were found in all standings. In conclusion we propose a strategy for waste management in Abomey-Calavi based on sorting at the source to eliminate plastic waste and valorization of wastes via composting.展开更多
<strong>Background:</strong> Recently, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been affected by the extreme acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and has developed important global health a...<strong>Background:</strong> Recently, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been affected by the extreme acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and has developed important global health anxiety. At this time, the treatment options for this disease are only moderately successful. Smoking has been related to COVID-19 and its mortality, and it has the potential to affect bacteriological and viral conversion, clinical effects, and treatment outcomes. <strong>Methods:</strong> The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between critical essential trace {zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu)} and toxic {cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni)} elements in human biological samples such as scalp hair, serum, saliva, blood, nasal fluid, and sputum of smoking and nonsmoking male COVID-19 patients (n = 139, age range 25 - 38 years) from Hyderabad, Pakistan. For comparative purposes, the biological specimens of referent persons (n = 83), pulmonary Tuberculosis (T.B) patients (n = 67), Pneumonia (n = 56) of the same age groups were also be analyzed. Microwave oven mediated digestion method was employed, and digestion of samples was carried out with the help of 2:1 mixture solution of HNO<sub>3</sub> (65%) and H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> (30%). Atomic absorption spectrometry was employed for the determination of elemental concentrations from the microwave oven employed digested samples. <strong>Results:</strong> The found average of essential elements (Zn, Fe, and Cu) in biological specimens of smoker and nonsmoker male COVID-19, T.B, and Pneumonia patients was found to lower, whilst cadmium and nickel were found to be higher when compared with samples from referents (p < 0.001). <strong>Conclusions:</strong> Improved elemental (Cu, Fe, Zn) concentrations may also decrease the risk of bacterial co-infection by enhancing the mucociliary clearance and respiratory epithelial barrier function, in addition to providing direct antibacterial effects against <i>S. pneumoniae</i>. Our findings also suggest that higher Cd and Ni concentrations are linked to cigarette smoking, which could lead to COVID-19 and other lung-infected diseased recurrences. However, further clinical and experimental research is required.展开更多
Developing industrially moldable catalysts with harmonized redox performance and acidity is of great significance for the efficient disposal of chlorinated volatile organic compounds(CVOCs)in actual exhaust gasses.Her...Developing industrially moldable catalysts with harmonized redox performance and acidity is of great significance for the efficient disposal of chlorinated volatile organic compounds(CVOCs)in actual exhaust gasses.Here,commercial TiO_(2),typically used for molding catalysts,was chosen as the carrier to fabricate a series of Ce_(0.02)Mn_(0-0.24)TiO_(x) materials with different Mn doping ratios and employed for chlorobenzene(CB)destruction.The introduction of Mn remarkedly facilitated the synergistic effect of each element via the electron transfer processes:Ce^(3+)+Mn^(4+/3+)■Ce^(4+)+Mn^(3+/2+)and Mn^(4+/3+)+Ti^(4+)■Mn^(3+/2+)+Ti^(3+).These synergistic interactions in Ce_(0.02)Mn_(0.04-0.24)TiO_(x),especially Ce_(0.02)Mn_(0.16)TiO_(x),significantly elevated the active oxygen species,oxygen vacancies and redox properties,endowing the superior catalytic oxidation of CB.When the Mn doping amount increased to 0.24,a separate Mn_(3)O_(4) phase appeared,which in turn might weaken the synergistic effect.Furthermore,the acidity of Ce_(0.02)Mn_(0.04-0.24)TiO_(x) was decreased with the Mn doping,regulating the balance of redox property and acidity.Notably,Ce_(0.02)Mn_(0.16)TiO_(x) featured relatively abundant B-acid sites.Its coordinating redox ability and moderate acidity promoted the deep oxidation of CB and RCOOH-intermediates,as well as the rapid desorption of Cl species,thus obtaining sustainable reactivity.In comparison,CeTiO_(x) owned the strongest acidity,however,its poor redox property was not sufficient for the timely oxidative decomposition of the easier adsorbed CB,resulting in its rapid deactivation.This finding provides a promising strategy for the construction of efficient commercial molding catalysts to decompose the industrial-scale CVOCs.展开更多
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.51402089)
文摘In order to clarify the effect of spherical light-weight aggregates addition on properties of A12 07 - Si02 system castables, adopting ATO mullite traditional light-weight aggregates and ATO mullite spherical light-weight aggre- gates, bauxite homogenization powder, microsilica , cal- cium aluminate cement as main raw materials, light- weight Al2 03 - SiO2 system castables were prepared by replacing conventional light-weight aggregate with spherical light-weight aggregates. The effects of spheri- cal light-weight aggregates addition on workability, me- chanical properties of castables after heated at different temperatures were researched; the microstructure of the aggregates was analyzed by SEM. The result shows that the introduction of spherical light-weight aggregates can significantly improve the flowability and reduce the water addition of the castables. Water demand of the castable is reduced from 18% with the conventional light-weight aggregates to 14% with spherical light-weight aggre- gates. In addition, light-weight castables prepared by spherical aggregates can keep the same workability with- in a wider range of water addition. Therefore, spherical aggregates are user-friendly. The introduction of spheri- cal light-weight aggregates is favorable to packing densi- ty and mechanical properties of castables, such as cold crushing strength, cold modulus of rupture, hot modulus of rupture at 1 200℃.
文摘知识追踪旨在评估学习者的学习状态,并根据先前的答题情况预测他们未来的答题表现.然而现有的知识追踪模型大多仅关注问题或技能间的关联,忽略了学生与问题间的结构关系.为此我们提出了基于学生问题关联的异构图知识追踪模型(StudentProblem association based heterogeneous graph Knowledge Tracing model,SPKT).该模型在知识追踪中融合了学生的学习能力和问题的重要性,并使用图注意力网络学习学生问题间的关联,获得学生、问题的嵌入表示并进行知识状态的预测.通过在真实公开数据集上的性能对比和模型消融实验,并可视化SPKT模型的知识追踪效果,证明了SPKT在预测性能上优于现有的知识追踪模型.
基金supported by Key innovation team program of innovation talents promotion plan by MOST of China(No.2016RA4059)Natural Science Foundation Committee Program of China(No.51778474)Science and Technology Project of Yunnan Provincial Transportation Department(No.25 of 2018)。
文摘This paper presents a hybrid ensemble classifier combined synthetic minority oversampling technique(SMOTE),random search(RS)hyper-parameters optimization algorithm and gradient boosting tree(GBT)to achieve efficient and accurate rock trace identification.A thirteen-dimensional database consisting of basic,vector,and discontinuity features is established from image samples.All data points are classified as either‘‘trace”or‘‘non-trace”to divide the ultimate results into candidate trace samples.It is found that the SMOTE technology can effectively improve classification performance by recommending an optimized imbalance ratio of 1:5 to 1:4.Then,sixteen classifiers generated from four basic machine learning(ML)models are applied for performance comparison.The results reveal that the proposed RS-SMOTE-GBT classifier outperforms the other fifteen hybrid ML algorithms for both trace and nontrace classifications.Finally,discussions on feature importance,generalization ability and classification error are conducted for the proposed classifier.The experimental results indicate that more critical features affecting the trace classification are primarily from the discontinuity features.Besides,cleaning up the sedimentary pumice and reducing the area of fractured rock contribute to improving the overall classification performance.The proposed method provides a new alternative approach for the identification of 3D rock trace.
基金The Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation(Agreement with Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry RAS No 075-15-2020-803).
文摘The work addresses to the study of the molecular and crystal structure and properties of a new energyintensive compound 3,6-bis(2,2,2-trinitroethylnitramino)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine(NBTAT),first obtained by the authors in 2020.NBTAT compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system,space group P2(1)/n,density at room temperature 1.939 g/cm^(3).The energies of crystal packing and pairwise intermolecular interactions in NBTAT and its unnitrated analogue BTAT were calculated,and their comparative analysis was carried out.The enthalpy of formation of NBTAT molecules was calculated by quantum-chemical methods using Gaussian 09,and the enthalpy of formation of NBTAT in the solid phase(618 kJ/mol)was estimated.The energy capabilities of NBTAT as an oxidizer of solid composite propellants are estimated.It is shown that in metal-free compositions NBTAT is significantly superior to ammonium perchlorate(AP),dinitramide ammonium salt(ADN),HMX,BTAT at all stages of rocket systems,and is comparable to the superdense CL-20 yielding to the latter at the lower stages and slightly winning at the upper stages.
文摘Optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy in conjunction with energy dispersed X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDX), have been used to study the minerals and the concentrations of 12 trace elements in the No.14 coal from the Huolinhe mine, Inner Mongolia China. The distribution, affinity and removability of the trace elements were studied by float-sink experiments and petrological methods. A high mineral content, dominated by clay minerals, was found in the No.14 coal from the Huolinhe mine. The concentrations of As, Sb and Hg are relatively high compared to the average values for Chinese coals. As, Cr, Hg, Li, Mn, Pb are mainly associated with the minerals while Cd, Co, Ni, Sb, and Se are evenly distributed between the minerals and the organic matter. Be and Ba are mainly distributed in the minerals with a minor proportion in the organic matter. Most elements have a low organic affinity, although Sb, Se, Co, Cd, Ni are closely integrated with the organic matter. High theoretical removabilities are indicated for most trace elements. So it may be possible to lower the concentrations of trace elements during coal preparation.
文摘Coal fly ash originated from coal combustion has high concentrations of metals. If suitable leaching techniques are identified, then coal fly ash could serve as a useful source of valuable minerals including rare earth elements (REEs). In this study, three microbial strains, Candida bombicola, Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Cryptococcus curvatus were tested on their performance of leaching trace elements and REEs from fly ash. Through comparing mineral loss and leaching efficiencies resulting from indirect leaching or use of the culture supernatant, C. bombicola was identified to be the best leading to the highest mineral loss and extracting efficiencies of trace elements and REEs among the three strains. The highest mineral loss observed from using the supernatant of this yeast strain was 59.7%. Among all trace elements, As and Mo had the highest leaching efficiency of 80.9% and 79.5%. respectively. The same leaching test led to 67.7% of Yb and 64.6% of Er dissolved from the ash. This study, thus, demonstrated that bioleaching is feasible for leaching metals out of fly ash. The C. bombicola strain deserves further investigation due to its robust actions on metal leaching.
基金the Chinese Academy of Sciences and The World Academy of Sciences for sponsoring this research through the CAS-TWAS President’s Fellowship program
文摘This study is aimed at determining the level of environmental degradation as well as the concentration of trace elements in soil and stream sediments in order to evaluate the environmental impact of the mining operation.Twenty-five(25) soils and ten(10) stream sediment samples were collected from the study area. The physicochemical parameters were determined using appropriate instrumentation with the aid of a digital p H meter(Milwaukee meter) to measure the p H and electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, moisture content and loss on ignition of the soil and stream sediment samples. The p H of the soil sample ranged from(6.10 to 7.19); Electrical conductivity ranged from(21.3 to 279.4 μS/cm), moisture content varied from(0.60% to 7.20%), and the LOI ranged from(2.03% to 18.62%). The results of the analysis showed that the concentrations of the trace elements in the soils and stream sediment samples were slightly higher than the background values. Plots of the trace elements in stream sediment samples show moderate, consistent decrease downstream except at points where there was mine water discharge into the main river. The pollution levels of heavy metals were examined in stream sediment and soil samples using different assessable indices, such as the enrichment factor, which showed significant-moderate enrichment for Cr, Th, Nb, Zn, Pb, Y and Zr and the geoaccumulation index, which showed practically moderate contamination with Cr, Ni and Sr based on regional background reference values. Geo-accumulation index and contamination index for soils and stream sediment revealed uncontaminated to moderate contamination. Likewise,elements with moderate contamination were Cr, Ni and Sr.The Pearson correlation showed that there were significant positive associations among selected metals in soil and stream sediment samples.
文摘Identification of waste characteristics is an important step towards improving waste recovery. The aim of this research was to determine the physical and physico-chemical characteristics of waste of Abomey–Calavi city and to study the relationship between standard of living and average ratio of daily waste generated by each person. In this study the methodology used French standards to characterize particle size and typology of solid waste generated by the population of Calavi City in Benin, West Africa. According to home criteria, the study area was stratified into three distinct levels of standard of living called: high standing, medium standing and low standing;Waste from 60 households was weighed daily. The total waste produced by each household was collected seven (7) days a week, for a period of three weeks. Waste characterization was performed using ratio, size granulometry and typological composition. Physico- Chemical analysis including organic mater, pH, Total Organic Carbon, total Kjeldahl nitrogen and metal trace element were also performed. To better assess waste compostability, water extractable organic matter was quantified and qualitative identification was made with XAD8 and XAD4 resins. Results show that the amount of waste increases with the standard of living;the average ratio of daily waste generated is 0.89 kg day-1 person-1. Independently of the standard of living, fermentable compounds represent the largest proportion of waste materials (45%). Qualitative difference of waste content in organic matter is shown as a function of the population’s living standards. These results could be explained by a higher consumption of meat in the households with a higher standard of living, reflecting a greater proportion of transphilic (TPI), and hydrophilic (HPI) fractions. The C/N ratio is lower in the high standing households than in low ones. Metal trace element analysis showed a low but still significant pollution, whereas high iron and alu minum concentrations were found in all standings. In conclusion we propose a strategy for waste management in Abomey-Calavi based on sorting at the source to eliminate plastic waste and valorization of wastes via composting.
文摘<strong>Background:</strong> Recently, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been affected by the extreme acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and has developed important global health anxiety. At this time, the treatment options for this disease are only moderately successful. Smoking has been related to COVID-19 and its mortality, and it has the potential to affect bacteriological and viral conversion, clinical effects, and treatment outcomes. <strong>Methods:</strong> The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between critical essential trace {zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu)} and toxic {cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni)} elements in human biological samples such as scalp hair, serum, saliva, blood, nasal fluid, and sputum of smoking and nonsmoking male COVID-19 patients (n = 139, age range 25 - 38 years) from Hyderabad, Pakistan. For comparative purposes, the biological specimens of referent persons (n = 83), pulmonary Tuberculosis (T.B) patients (n = 67), Pneumonia (n = 56) of the same age groups were also be analyzed. Microwave oven mediated digestion method was employed, and digestion of samples was carried out with the help of 2:1 mixture solution of HNO<sub>3</sub> (65%) and H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> (30%). Atomic absorption spectrometry was employed for the determination of elemental concentrations from the microwave oven employed digested samples. <strong>Results:</strong> The found average of essential elements (Zn, Fe, and Cu) in biological specimens of smoker and nonsmoker male COVID-19, T.B, and Pneumonia patients was found to lower, whilst cadmium and nickel were found to be higher when compared with samples from referents (p < 0.001). <strong>Conclusions:</strong> Improved elemental (Cu, Fe, Zn) concentrations may also decrease the risk of bacterial co-infection by enhancing the mucociliary clearance and respiratory epithelial barrier function, in addition to providing direct antibacterial effects against <i>S. pneumoniae</i>. Our findings also suggest that higher Cd and Ni concentrations are linked to cigarette smoking, which could lead to COVID-19 and other lung-infected diseased recurrences. However, further clinical and experimental research is required.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2020YFC1910100)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.22006156 and 21876193)+1 种基金the Chengdu Science and Technology Bureau(No.2018-ZM01-00019-SN)the Youth Innovation Promotion Association CAS。
文摘Developing industrially moldable catalysts with harmonized redox performance and acidity is of great significance for the efficient disposal of chlorinated volatile organic compounds(CVOCs)in actual exhaust gasses.Here,commercial TiO_(2),typically used for molding catalysts,was chosen as the carrier to fabricate a series of Ce_(0.02)Mn_(0-0.24)TiO_(x) materials with different Mn doping ratios and employed for chlorobenzene(CB)destruction.The introduction of Mn remarkedly facilitated the synergistic effect of each element via the electron transfer processes:Ce^(3+)+Mn^(4+/3+)■Ce^(4+)+Mn^(3+/2+)and Mn^(4+/3+)+Ti^(4+)■Mn^(3+/2+)+Ti^(3+).These synergistic interactions in Ce_(0.02)Mn_(0.04-0.24)TiO_(x),especially Ce_(0.02)Mn_(0.16)TiO_(x),significantly elevated the active oxygen species,oxygen vacancies and redox properties,endowing the superior catalytic oxidation of CB.When the Mn doping amount increased to 0.24,a separate Mn_(3)O_(4) phase appeared,which in turn might weaken the synergistic effect.Furthermore,the acidity of Ce_(0.02)Mn_(0.04-0.24)TiO_(x) was decreased with the Mn doping,regulating the balance of redox property and acidity.Notably,Ce_(0.02)Mn_(0.16)TiO_(x) featured relatively abundant B-acid sites.Its coordinating redox ability and moderate acidity promoted the deep oxidation of CB and RCOOH-intermediates,as well as the rapid desorption of Cl species,thus obtaining sustainable reactivity.In comparison,CeTiO_(x) owned the strongest acidity,however,its poor redox property was not sufficient for the timely oxidative decomposition of the easier adsorbed CB,resulting in its rapid deactivation.This finding provides a promising strategy for the construction of efficient commercial molding catalysts to decompose the industrial-scale CVOCs.