A bionic controllable strain membrane for cell stretching at air–liquid interface inspired by papercutting

Lung diseases associated with alveoli,such as acute respiratory distress syndrome,have posed a long-term threat to human health.However,an in vitro model capable of simulating different deformations of the alveoli and a suitable material for mimicking basement membrane are currently lacking.Here,we present an innovative biomimetic controllable strain membrane(BCSM)at an air–liquid interface(ALI)to reconstruct alveolar respiration.The BCSM consists of a high-precision three-dimensional printing melt-electrowritten polycaprolactone(PCL)mesh,coated with a hydrogel substrate—to simulate the important functions(such as stiffness,porosity,wettability,and ALI)of alveolar microenvironments,and seeded pulmonary epithelial cells and vascular endothelial cells on either side,respectively.Inspired by papercutting,the BCSM was fabricated in the plane while it operated in three dimensions.A series of the topological structure of the BCSM was designed to control various local-area strain,mimicking alveolar varied deformation.Lopinavir/ritonavir could reduce Lamin A expression under over-stretch condition,which might be effective in preventing ventilator-induced lung injury.The biomimetic lung-unit model with BCSM has broader application prospects in alveoli-related research in the future,such as in drug toxicology and metabolism.

Controlled low-strength material incorporating recycled fine aggregate from urban red brick based construction waste

Sixteen controlled low-strength material( CLSM)mixtures with various cement-to-sand( C/Sa) ratios and water-to-solid( W/So) ratios were prepared using recycled fine aggregate from urban red brick based construction waste.The fluidity and bleeding of the fresh CLSM mixtures were measured via the modified test methods, and the hardened CLSM mixtures were then molded to evaluate their compressive strength and durability. The results showthat the fluidity of the fresh CLSM mixtures is 105 to 227 mm with the corresponding bleeding rate of 3. 7% to 15. 5%, which increases with the increase in fluidity. After aging for 28 d,the compressive strength of the hardened CLSM mixtures reaches 1. 15 to 13. 96 M Pa, and their strength can be further enhanced with longer curing ages. Additionally, the strength increases with the increase of the C/Sa ratio, and decreases with the increase of the W/So ratio under the same curing age. Based on the obtained compressive strength, a fitting model for accurately predicting the compressive strength of the CLSM mixtures was established, which takes into account the above two independent variables( C/Sa and W/So ratios).M oreover, the durability of the hardened CLSM mixtures is enhanced for samples with higher C/Sa ratios.

Performance Appraisal of Controlled Low-strength Material Using Sewage Sludge and Refuse Incineration Bottom Ash

This research evaluated the use of sewage sludge and refuse incineration bottom ash to replace calcium sulfoaluminate cement （CSA） in making controlled low-strength material （CLSM）. Various properties of CLSM mixtures were characterized in terms of unconfined compressive strength, microstructure and leachability. It was found that the strength of tested CLSM mixtures ranged from 3.6 to 9.0 MPa, over the upper excavatable limit of 2.1 MPa. The micro-structural analysis revealed that sewage sludge and bottom ash were crystallochemically in- corporated within CLSM system_s by forming the needle-like ettringite （C3A＇3CS＇_H32） with exiguous tu.bers via the typical Pozzolanic Reaction, leading to a dense and low-porosity microst;＇ucture. Furthermore,-the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure evidenced that the cumulative leachable metals in the leachate were much below the regulatory thresholds. The potential for us!ng sewage sludge and bottom ash!n CLSM makin.g was thus confirmed.

Vibration analysis and active control of nearly periodic two-span beams with piezoelectric actuator/sensor pairs

The piezoelectric materials are used to investigate the active vibration control of ordered/disordered periodic two-span beams. The equation of motion of each sub-beam with piezoelectric patches is established based on Hamilton＇s principle with an assumed mode method. The velocity feedback control algorithm is used to design the controller. The free and forced vibration behaviors of the two-span beams with the piezoelectric actuators and sensors are analyzed. The vibration properties of the disordered two-span beams caused by misplacing the middle support are also researched. In addition, the effects of the length disorder degree on the vibration performances of the disordered beams are investigated. From the numerical results, it can be concluded that the disorder in the length of the periodic two-span beams will cause vibration localizations of the free and forced vibrations of the structure, and the vibration localization phenomenon will be more and more obvious when the length difference between the two sub-beams increases. Moreover, when the velocity feedback control is used, both the forced and the free vibrations will be suppressed. Meanwhile, the vibration behaviors of the two-span beam are tuned.

Structural failure mechanism and strengthening method of fracture plugging zone for lost circulation control in deep naturally fractured reservoirs

Focused on the lost circulation control in deep naturally fractured reservoirs, the multiscale structure of fracture plugging zone is proposed based on the theory of granular matter mechanics, and the structural failure pattern of plugging zone is developed to reveal the plugging zone failure mechanisms in deep, high temperature, high pressure, and high in-situ stress environment. Based on the fracture plugging zone strength model, key performance parameters are determined for the optimal selection of loss control material(LCM). Laboratory fracture plugging experiments with new LCM are carried out to evaluate the effect of the key performance parameters of LCM on fracture plugging quality. LCM selection strategy for fractured reservoirs is developed. The results show that the force chain formed by LCMs determines the pressure stabilization of macro-scale fracture plugging zone. Friction failure and shear failure are the two major failure patterns of fracture plugging zone. The strength of force chain depends on the performance of micro-scale LCM, and the LCM key performance parameters include particle size distribution, fiber aspect ratio, friction coefficient, compressive strength, soluble ability and high temperature resistance. Results of lab experiments and field test show that lost circulation control quality can be effectively improved with the optimal material selection based on the extracted key performance parameters of LCMs.

Material flow control technology of ironmaking and steelmaking interface

In order to achieve higher efficient cohesion match of procedure and equipment between ironmaking and steelmaking interface, the theory of multi-dimensional material flow control was applied to analyze torpedo ladle-iron ladle transportation process between blast furnace and basic oxygen furnace. Moreover, basic parameters of material flow were analyzed and optimized, such as time, temperature and material quantity. Based on operating principles of material flow, control methods were optimized, such as product organization mode, scheduling discipline and scheduling plan of hot metal ladle. Finally, the material flow control technology of ironmaking and steelmaking interface was integrated. Satisfactory effects are obtained after applying the technology in practice. The total turnover number of torpedo ladle decreases from 20 to 18, the hot metal temperature of 1# BF torpedo ladle decreases from 36 °C to 19.5 °C, the hot metal temperature of 2# BF torpedo ladle decreases from 36.6 °C to 19.8 °C, the temperature drop of desulfurization hot metal decreases by 4 °C, and the temperature drop of non-desulfurization hot metal decreases by 2.8 °C. Furthermore, the ironmaking and steelmaking interface system will realize high-efficiency control by using this control technology.

Modeling and Simulation of Equipment Material Inventory Control Based on System Dynamics

The paper discusses how the inventory control of army equipment material runs sytematically under the two-level maintenance system,and establishes the inventory control model based on system dynamics.On the basis of modeling and simulation,the influence of different inventory upper limit on the whole system is studied,and the optimal inventory control mechanism under the model condition is foud.In addition,through the simulation of two replenishment strategies(s,S) and(T,s,S),the advantages and disadvantages and feasibility of each replenishment strategy are analyzed.

Structural formation and evolution mechanisms of fracture plugging zone

A coupled CFD-DEM method is used to simulate the formation process of fracture plugging zone.A photo-elastic system characterizing mesoscale force chain network developed by our own is used to model the pressure evolution in fracture plugging zone to reveal the evolution mechanism of the structure of fracture plugging zone.A theoretical basis is provided for improving the lost circulation control effect in fractured reservoirs and novel methods are proposed for selecting loss control materials and designing loss control formula.CFD-DEM simulation results show that bridging probability is the key factor determining the formation of fracture plugging zone and fracture plugging efficiency.Critical and absolute bridging concentrations are proposed as the key indexes for loss control formula design.With the increase of absolute bridging concentration,the governing factor of bridging is changed from material grain size to the combination of material grain size and friction force.Results of photo-elastic experiments show that mesoscale force chain network is the intrinsic factor affecting the evolution of pressure exerting on the fracture plugging zone and determines the macroscopic strength of fracture plugging zone.Performance parameters of loss control material affect the force chain network structure and the ratio of stronger force chain,and further impact the stability and strength of fracture plugging zone.Based on the study results,the loss control formula is optimized and new-type loss control material is designed.Laboratory experiments results show that the fracture plugging efficiency and strength is effectively improved.

QUALITY CONTROL OF HERBAL MATERIAL:ALTERNATIVE AND/OR COMPLEMENTARY TOOLS BASED ON BIOSENSORS, DNA PROFILING, NEAR INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY AND NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE

Phar.Eur.Herbal Drug(HD)monographs state which aspects have to be considered for quality assurance through the relevant chapters'Definition'.'Characters','Identification','Tests',and'Assay'.Identification of botanical material is achieved by macroscopic and microscopic morphology,generally examined by a trained expert.Content or assay is the most difficult area of

Assemblies of covalent organic framework microcrystals:multiple-dimensional manipulation for enhanced applications

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are well known as the next generation of shape-persistent zeolite analogues, which have brought new impetus to the development of porous organic materials as well as two-dimensional polymers. Since the advent of COFs in 2005, many striking findings have definitely proven their great potentials expanding applications across energy,environment and healthcare fields. With thorough exploration over a decade, research interest has been drawn on the scientific challenges on chemistry, while making full play of COF values has remained far from satisfactory yet. Thus opening an avenue to modulating COF assemblies on the multi-scale is no longer just an option, but a necessity for matching the application requirements with enhanced performances. In this mini-review, we summarize the recent progress on design of nanoscale COFs with varying forms. Detailed description is concentrated on the synthetic strategies of COF assemblies such as spheres, fibers,tubes, coatings and films, thereby shedding light on the flexible manipulation over dimensions, compositions and morphologies.Meanwhile, the advanced applications of nanoscale COFs have been discussed here with comparison of their bulky counterparts.