What Can We Learn from FGF-2 Isoform-Specific Mouse Mutants? Differential Insights into FGF-2 Physiology In Vivo

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), ubiquitously expressed in humans and mice, is functionally involved in cell growth, migration and maturation in vitro and in vivo. Based on the same mRNA, an 18-kilo Dalton (kDa) FGF-2 isoform named FGF-2 low molecular weight (FGF-2LMW) isoform is translated in humans and rodents. Additionally, two larger isoforms weighing 21 and 22 kDa also exist, summarized as the FGF-2 high molecular weight (FGF-2HMW) isoform. Meanwhile, the human FGF-2HMW comprises a 22, 23, 24 and 34 kDa protein. Independent studies verified a specific intracellular localization, mode of action and tissue-specific spatiotemporal expression of the FGF-2 isoforms, increasing the complexity of their physiological and pathophysiological roles. In order to analyze their spectrum of effects, FGF-2LMW knock out (ko) and FGF-2HMWko mice have been generated, as well as mice specifically overexpressing either FGF-2LMW or FGF-2HMW. So far, the development and functionality of the cardiovascular system, bone formation and regeneration as well as their impact on the central nervous system including disease models of neurodegeneration, have been examined. This review provides a summary of the studies characterizing the in vivo effects modulated by the FGF-2 isoforms and, thus, offers a comprehensive overview of its actions in the aforementioned organ systems.     

An active balancer with rapid bidirectional charge shuttling and adaptive equalization current control for lithium-ion battery strings

This article proposes an active balancer, which features bidirectional charge shuttling and adaptive equalization current control, to fast counterbalance the state of charge (SOC) of cells in a lithium-ion battery (LIB) string. The power circuit consists of certain bidirectional buck-boost converters to transfer energy among the different cells back and forth. Owing to the characterization of the open-circuit voltage (OCV) vs SOC in LIB being relatively smooth near the SOC middle range, the SOC-inspected balance strategy can achieve more precise and efficient equilibrium than the voltage-based control. Accordingly, a compensated OCV-based SOC estimation is put forward to take into account the discrepancy of SOC estimation. Besides, the varied-duty-cycle (VDC) and curve-fitting modulation (CFM) methods are devised herein to tackle the problems of slow equalization rate and low balance efficacy, which arise from the diminution in balancing current as the SOC difference between the cells decreases in the later duration of equalization especially. The proposed strategies have taken the battery nonlinear characteristic and circuit parameter nonideality into account and can adaptively modulate the duty cycle with the SOC difference to keep balancing current constant throughout the balancing cycle. Simulated and experimental results are given to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the same prototype constructed. Compared with the fixed duty cycle and the VDC methods, the proposed CFM has the best balancing efficiency of 81.4%, and the balance time is shortened by 27.1% and 18.6%, respectively.     

Hydrophobic Cross-Linked Poly(dimethylsiloxane)-Based Sorbents for Oil Spill Applications

With the increase of industrialization and urbanization, humankind faces massive oil-based pollution due to tanker accidents, human error, and natural disasters. For this, hydrophobic sorbents are fabricated and their applications for the removal of oil from polluted water sources are investigated. These hydrophobic sorbents are prepared by the condensation reaction of poly(dimethylsiloxane) and tris[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]isocyanurate cross-linker via bulk polymerization. The obtained sorbents exhibit high oil sorption capacity, fast absorption–desorption kinetics, and great reusability. Moreover, they can selectively absorb oil from the water surface, thus making them practical for water clean-up applications.     

Material encapsulation in poly(methyl methacrylate) shell: A review

Material encapsulation is a relatively new technique for coating a micro/nanosize particle or droplet with polymeric or inorganic shell. Encapsulation technology has many applications in various fields including drug delivery, cosmetic, agriculture, thermal energy storage, textile, and self-healing polymers. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is widely used as shell material in encapsulation due to its high chemical stability, biocompatibility, nontoxicity, and good mechanical properties. The main approach for micro/nanoencapsulation of materials using PMMA as shell comprises emulsion-based techniques such as emulsion polymerization and solvent evaporation from oil-in-water emulsion. In the present review, we first focus on the encapsulation techniques of liquid materials with PMMA shell by analyzing the effective processing parameters influencing the preparation of PMMA micro/nanocapsules. We then describe the morphology of PMMA capsules in emulsion systems according to thermodynamic relations. The techniques to investigation of mechanical properties of capsule shell and the release mechanisms of core material from PMMA capsules were also investigated. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 48039.     

外墙保温系统中粘结材料的检测技术分析

选择了几份典型的外墙外保温系统标准,通过对这几份标准中胶粘剂和抹面胶浆的成型和检测方法的比较,分析了现有检测技术的优劣,并结合工作实践提出了建议。     

A Voltage Control Method for a Distributed Line Feeder by means of Multiagent Approach

This paper proposes a method for the coordinated control of power factor by means of a multiagent approach. The proposed multiagent system consists of two types of agent: single feeder agent (F_AG) and bus agent (B_AG). In the proposed system, an F_AG plays as an important role, which decides the power factors of all distributed generators by executing the load flow calculations repeatedly. The voltage control strategies are implemented as the class definition of Java into the system. In order to verify the performance of the proposed method, it has been applied to a typical distribution model system. The simulation results show that the system is able to control very violent fluctuation of the demands and the photovoltaic (PV) generations.     

基于现场监测与数值模拟的浅层采空区稳定性分析

隐患采空区是目前影响露天开采矿山安全生产的主要危害源之一。随着台阶开采的不断剥离,露天开采境界内各台阶与地下空区群的隔离层厚度越来越薄,随时有可能发生采空区顶板坍塌事故。考虑到露天矿采空区地质赋存条件和围岩稳固性等特征,以弓长岭露天铁矿浅层采空区为工程背景,运用现场监测和数值模拟相结合的手段综合分析了浅层采空区的稳定性。将液体静力水准地表沉降监测系统的监测数据与FLAC数值模拟结果对比,调整蠕变参数使得数值模拟的蠕变速率与现场监测结果一致,而后据此进行未来结果的预测。最终根据地表沉降数据确定的蠕变参数取值为A=1.0×10^-12、m=1.75、n=0.35。研究表明:静力水准测点地表最大沉降位移为-9.8 mm,蠕变计算结果顶板最大垂直位移约20.4 mm,应力最大值约25 MPa,综合分析显示该采空区较稳定。上述研究提供了一种基于采空区现场监测数据的数值模拟蠕变分析方法,可为类似矿山采空区稳定性分析提供借鉴。     

应用独立分量分析的激光测风雷达湍流频谱分解

针对大型风力发电机机组中常见的脉动湍流、风机尾流与涡流等湍流信号,研究了利用自然梯度下降的独立分量分析方法的湍流频谱分离效果,以区分中心风速与湍流信号,提高风机机组的综合工作效率。首先分析了风机组中常见湍流信号的后向散射与频谱分布特点,然后依据这些特点设计了对应的独立分量分析模型。在仿真结果符合要求的基础上,进行了双目激光雷达天线的风速采集与实际分离效果检测。实验结果表明,在大气折射率结构常数C2n≤10-14同时广义大气常数α≥4的通常情况下,利用双目信号能够分离出一个湍流中心和一个中心风速。对1 s内两个谱峰的波动范围进行统计,获得(2.59±0.05)MHz的中心风速以及(1.22±0.19)MHz的湍流中心估计,且二者的平均信噪比分别为25.93 dB和31.01 dB,能够在获得稳定的中心风速估计的同时得到一个较为稳定的湍流中心估计。