The Role of CaMKII and ERK Signaling in Addiction

Nicotine is the predominant addictive compound of tobacco and causes the acquisition of dependence through its interactions with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and various neurotransmitter releases in the central nervous system. The Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) play a pivotal role in synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. CaMKII is involved in long-term potentiation induction, which underlies the consolidation of learning and memory; however, the roles of CaMKII in nicotine and other psychostimulant-induced addiction still require further investigation. This article reviews the molecular mechanisms and crucial roles of CaMKII and ERK in nicotine and other stimulant drug-induced addiction. We also discuss dopamine (DA) receptor signaling involved in nicotine-induced addiction in the brain reward circuitry. In the last section, we introduce the association of polyunsaturated fatty acids and cellular chaperones of fatty acid-binding protein 3 in the context of nicotine-induced addiction in the mouse nucleus accumbens and provide a novel target for the treatment of drug abuse affecting dopaminergic systems.     

LaCr0.7Fe0.3O3-NiMn2O4 supported NTC composite ceramics with a sandwich-like structure

A novel sandwich-like structure was first proposed to adjust the electrical properties of NTC thermistors. The LaCr_0.7Fe_0.3O₃-NiMn₂O₄ supported composite ceramics with sandwich-like structure were initially fabricated via traditional solid-state reaction and uniaxial pressing methods, which allowed for the advantages of each component to be integrated into one material. X-Ray diffraction analysis indicates the ceramics mainly consisting of orthorhombic perovskite LaCr_0.7Fe_0.3O₃ and cubic spinel NiMn₂O₄ phases. SEM images manifest that the three layers adhered well to each other and exhibited high density. For electrical properties, the ρ_25°C was expanded to a wide range of 1182–110,233 Ω?cm and could be adjusted to the desired values by tuning the volume ratio of two basic layers, the B value was enhanced from 3358 K to 4167 K by NiMn₂O₄, and the thermal stability was improved by LaCr_0.7Fe_0.3O₃ with a resistance shift less than 0.55 % after annealing at 150 °C for 1500 h.     

Solution-Synthesized Multifunctional Janus Nanotree Microswimmer

Synthetic active matters are perfect model systems for non-equilibrium thermodynamics and of great potential for novel biomedical and environmental applications. However, most applications are limited by the complicated and low-yield preparation, while a scalable synthesis for highly functional microswimmers is highly desired. In this paper, an all-solution synthesis method is developed where the gold-loaded titania-silica nanotree can be produced as a multi-functional self-propulsion microswimmer. By applying light, heat, and electric field, the Janus nanotree demonstrated multi-mode self-propulsion, including photochemical self-electrophoresis by UV and visible light radiation, thermophoresis by near-infrared light radiation, and induced-charge electrophoresis under AC electric field. Due to the scalable synthesis, the Janus nanotree is further demonstrated as a high-efficiency, low-cost, active adsorbent for water decontamination, where the toxic mercury ions can be reclaimed with enhanced efficiency.     

Recent advances during CH4 dry reforming for syngas production: A mini review

Given the continuing issues of environment and energy, methane dry reforming for syngas production have sparked interest among researchers, but struggled with the process immaturity owing to catalyst deactivation. This review summarizes the recent advances in the development of efficient and stable catalysts with strong resistance to coking and metal sintering, including the application of novel materials, the assessment of advanced characterizations and the compatibility to improved reaction system. One feasible option is the crystalline oxide catalysts (perovskite, pyrochlore, spinel and LDHs), which feature a fine metal dispersion and surface confinement effect via a metal exsolution strategy and exhibit superior reactivity and stability. Some new materials (h-BN, clays and MOFs) also extend the option because of their unique morphology and microstructure. It also is elaborated that progresses were achieved in advanced characterizations application, leading to success in the establishment of reaction mechanisms and attributions to the formed robust catalysts. In addition, the perspective described the upgrade of reaction system to a higher reaction efficiency and milder reaction conditions. The combination of efficient reaction systems and robust catalysts paves a way for a scaling-up application of the process.     

Life cycle cost of conventional,battery electric,and fuel cell electric vehicles considering traffic and environmental policies in China

Electric vehicles (EVs) are considered a promising alternative to conventional vehicles (CVs) to alleviate the oil crisis and reduce urban air pollution and carbon emissions. Consumers usually focus on the tangible cost when choosing an EV or CV but overlook the time cost for restricting purchase or driving and the environmental cost from gas emissions, falling to have a comprehensive understanding of the economic competitiveness of CVs and EVs. In this study, a life cycle cost model for vehicles is conducted to express traffic and environmental policies in monetary terms, which are called intangible cost and external cost, respectively. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs), fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), and CVs are compared in four first-tier, four new first-tier, and 4 s-tier and below cities in China. The comparison shows that BEVs and FCEVs in most cities are incomparable with CVs in terms of tangible cost. However, the prominent traffic and environmental policies in first-tier cities, especially in Beijing and Shanghai, greatly increase the intangible and external costs of CVs, making consumers more inclined to purchase BEVs and FCEVs. The main policy benefits of BEVs and FCEVs come from three aspects: government subsidies, purchase and driving restrictions, and environmental taxes. With the predictable reduction in government subsidies, traffic and environmental policies present important factors influencing the competitiveness of BEVs and FCEVs. In first-tier cities, BEVs and FCEVs already have a competitive foundation for large-scale promotion. In new first-tier and second-tier and below cities, stricter traffic and environmental policies need to be formulated to offset the negative impact of the reduction in government subsidies on the competitiveness of BEVs and FCEVs. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis reveals that increasing the mileage and reducing fuel prices can significantly improve the competitiveness of BEVs and FCEVs, respectively.     

Nymphoides peltatum as a novel feedstock for biomethane production via anaerobic co-digestion with waste sludge

Nymphoides peltatum (NP) is exploited as a novel feedstock for biomethane production via anaerobic co-digestion with waste sludge (WS). Batch experiments are conducted under mesophilic condition at NP/WS of 1/3, 2/2, 3/1, 0/4 and 4/0 based on volatile solids (VS). Prior to anaerobic digestion (AD), NP undergoes only natural drying and grinding. The maximum net cumulative methane yield (265.16 mL CH₄·g VS_added^?1) and the highest gross VS removal rate (56.12%) are obtained at NP/WS of 1/3. The kinetic analysis by the modified Gompertz model fit hinted that 28 days is adequate for methane recovery and co-digestion significantly accelerates the digestion rate. Synergetic effect is corroborated to exist in co-digestion due to amiable conditions in term of total ammonia nitrogen, free ammonia, pH, volatile fatty acids and total alkalinity. High-throughput 16S rRNA pyrosequencing reveals that Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Methanosarcina and Methanosaeta are conducive to AD of NP.     

消防战勤保障体系建设的思考

随着经济的发展,消防救援队伍承担的任务越来越繁重.重大灾害事故的发生,对消防战勤保障方面提出了更高的要求.文章主要从消防战勤保障的主要任务职能、消防战勤的任务分类以及消防战勤保障体系建设存在的问题与建议等几个方面进行了详细的阐述,以期消防战勤保障得到更好的发展.     

中空激光光内送粉熔池温度控制研究

在激光增材制造过程中,熔池温度的稳定性是表征加工过程稳定性的一个重要指标.设计一套控制熔池温度的闭环反馈系统,以达到控制熔池温度,提高成形件质量.基于C#编程软件实现了温度信号的传递,采用PID控制算法设计了温度控制器.实验结果表明,此系统能实时、准确地实现熔池温度的闭环控制,能够有效消除直壁墙熔覆过程中因热累积而造成的“蘑菇云”现象,且成形件几何精度有显著提高,各处显微组织差异较小,组织致密均匀.     

Doping manganese into CsPb(Cl/Br)3 quantum dots glasses: Dual-color emission and super thermal stability

CsPbX₃ (X = Cl, Br, I) perovskite quantum dots (QDs) represent bright and tunable photoluminescence, it is regrettable that the air instability and poor water resistant properties prevent their application in optoelectronic devices. At the same time, the toxicity of lead is also a major factor restricting its development. As a consequence, we demonstrate the partial replacement of Pb with Mn through conventional melt-quenching and heat-treatment method preparation of Mn-doped CsPb(Cl/Br)₃ QD glass. Mn-doped CsPb(Cl/Br)₃ QD glass exhibits high luminescent intensity like QDs. It is important that Mn-doped CsPb(Cl/Br)₃ QD glass with Dual-Color maintained the same lattice structure like Mn-doped CsPb(Cl/Br)₃ QDs, and highly homogeneous spectral characteristics of Mn luminescence. The intensity and position of this Mn-related emission are also tunable by altering the experimental parameters, such as the Pb-to-Mn feed ratio, annealing temperature. More importantly, the as-prepared orange Mn-doped CsPb(Cl/Br)₃ QD glass was employed to fabricate white LEDs combined with a commercial Ce³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂ phosphor-in-glass (Ce-PiG) on top of a InGaN blue chip. And the constructed WLEDs generate a warm white with an optimal luminous efficacy (LE) of 67.00 lm/W, a high CRI of 81.4, and a low CCT of 4902 K.     

A fuzzy logic PI control with feedforward compensation for hydrogen pressure in vehicular fuel cell system

In a vehicular fuel cell system, alternative load and frequent purge action can lead to anode pressure varies with the hydrogen mass flow fluctuation. It's crucial to control the pressure difference between anode and cathode within a reasonable range to avoid adverse phenomena such as membrane failure, reactant starvation, or even water management fault. In this paper, an improved proportional integrative (PI) controller by the fuzzy logic technique that considers the engineer experience and knowledge on the hydrogen supply system behavior is proposed for hydrogen pressure control, in which the PI parameters are tuned by a fuzzy decision process. Furthermore, load current and purge action regarded as input disturbances are applied for feedforward compensation to reduce the pressure response hysteresis. A hydrogen supply subsystem based on the proportional valve is modeled, and corresponding parameters are determined by analyzing the response time and steady pressure fluctuation. The performance of the conventional PI controller, the fuzzy logic PI (FLPI) controller and fuzzy logic PI with feedforward (FLPIF) controller is validated. The presented results indicated that the FLPI controller significantly improves the dynamic response of hydrogen pressure compared to the PI controller, and the FLPIF controller can further reduce overshoot caused by disturbance. Finally, the proposed FLPIF controller is implemented on a rapid prototype platform of the hydrogen supply subsystem and an actual fuel cell system, exhibiting satisfactory performance.