Autonomic Nervous System in Obesity and Insulin-Resistance—The Complex Interplay between Leptin and Central Nervous System

The role of the autonomic nervous system in obesity and insulin-resistant conditions has been largely explored. However, the exact mechanisms involved in this relation have not been completely elucidated yet, since most of these mechanisms display a bi-directional effect. Insulin-resistance, for instance, can be caused by sympathetic activation, but, in turn, the associated hyperinsulinemia can activate the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system. The picture is made even more complex by the implicated neural, hormonal and nutritional mechanisms. Among them, leptin plays a pivotal role, being involved not only in appetite regulation and glucose homeostasis but also in energy expenditure. The purpose of this review is to offer a comprehensive view of the complex interplay between leptin and the central nervous system, providing further insights on the impact of autonomic nervous system balance on adipose tissue and insulin-resistance. Furthermore, the link between the circadian clock and leptin and its effect on metabolism and energy balance will be evaluated.     

A robust model-free controller for a three-phase grid-connected photovoltaic system based on ultra-local model

In this paper, a robust model-free controller for a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system is designed. The system consists of a PV generator connected to a three-phase grid by a DC/AC converter. The control objectives of the overall system are to extract maximum power from the PV source, to control reactive power exchange and to improve the quality of the current injected into the grid. The model-free control technique is based on the use of an ultra-local model instead of the dynamic model of the overall system. The local model is continuously updated based on a numerical differentiator using only the input–output behavior of the controlled system. The model-free controller consists of a classical feedback controller and a compensator for the effects of internal parameter changes and external disturbances. Simulation results illustrate the efficiency of the controller for grid-connected PV systems.     

面向老龄化社会的产品服务系统设计赋能

目的 针对面向老龄化社会的产品及产品服务系统设计,将赋能的设计理念和价值引入其中,探索设计结果提升老年人能动性和参与性的赋能品质,为设计师开展设计赋能实践提供参考.方法 以设计教学中的学生设计方案作为研究材料,邀请设计研究者参与工作坊,对设计结果的赋能属性进行分析,并通过聚类获得类别化的设计属性,产生了能描述赋能品质的属性词汇表.结果 总结了包含5组形容词组的设计赋能品质集,这一集合包含"顺应性"和"激励性"两个面向.结论 研究结果为设计师进行老龄化设计提供了知识参考,有助于提升设计师的赋能意识.揭示了设计赋能充满矛盾性的品质,提出面向老龄化的设计赋能需要在"顺应"和"激励"之间找到平衡.     

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.     

宰前倒挂应激对鸭血凝胶特性的影响

宰前倒挂因能有效提高屠宰效率成为肉鸭宰杀前必经的一个工艺过程，但倒挂往往会加剧肉鸭的应激程度，影响其血液品质，已成为工厂生产中亟待解决的问题。因此，本实验旨在借助血液学与凝血相关指标探究宰前倒挂应激对鸭血凝胶特性的影响。在屠宰前，将40 只樱桃谷鸭随机分为2 个处理组：对照组和宰前倒挂组（宰前倒挂2.5 min），屠宰后采集血样并制备血凝块，随后分析血液指标（应激指标、血液学指标、凝血指标）以及鸭血凝胶特性。结果表明，宰前倒挂组鸭血中皮质酮激素及促肾上腺皮质激素的水平均高于对照组，说明实验所建立宰前倒挂模型成立。倒挂应激后，红细胞计数、血小板计数、血红蛋白质量浓度增加，红细胞比容、平均红细胞体积及平均血小板体积增大；凝血酶原的水平极显著上升（P＜0.01），组织因子的水平显著上升（P＜0.05）。宰前倒挂最终导致鸭血凝胶化加快，鸭血凝胶体系中水分迁移速率增大，结合水与自由水比例减少，不易流动水比例增大，质构特性和保水性变差。研究揭示了宰前倒挂应激通过影响鸭血的血液学指标和凝血系统从而改变其凝胶行为及凝胶特性，可为工厂改善应激对鸭血凝胶品质的影响提供理论依据。     

Novel measurement system for respiratory aerosols and droplets in indoor environments

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has created a great demand for a better understanding of the spread of viruses in indoor environments. A novel measurement system consisting of one portable aerosol-emitting mannequin (emitter) and a number of portable aerosol-absorbing mannequins (recipients) was developed that can measure the spread of aerosols and droplets that potentially contain infectious viruses. The emission of the virus from a human is simulated by using tracer particles solved in water. The recipients inhale the aerosols and droplets and quantify the level of solved tracer particles in their artificial lungs simultaneously over time. The mobile system can be arranged in a large variety of spreading scenarios in indoor environments and allows for quantification of the infection probability due to airborne virus spreading. This study shows the accuracy of the new measurement system and its ability to compare aerosol reduction measures such as regular ventilation or the use of a room air purifier.     

H_2S制硫酸装置外部安全防护距离设计

以某酸性气制硫酸装置酸性气缓冲罐为例,进行外部安全防护距离设计,结合当地多种气象,使用PHAST软件和LEAK软件进行H_2S气体扩散和爆炸计算,扩散结果应用于周边人员集中场所的防毒设计以及企业的应急救援,H_2S爆炸计算结果应用于周边人员集中场所建构筑物的抗爆设计,并和《石油化工工厂布置设计规范》(GB 50984-2014)中的建议值进行比对。     

基于参数预标定的长行程PMLSM无传感器控制

为了解决长行程定子不连续永磁直线同步电机存在的因无法全程安装位置传感器和不同动子和定子之间的电磁参数不固定所造成的控制性能下降的难题,提出一种在每一段定子内先进行参数标定,再进行速度控制的控制系统设计。首先,在动子进入过程中,对电机进行电磁参数标定,根据标定参数对控制器参数进行调整,以达到更好的控制效果。然后,使用无位置传感器控制系统使动子快速达到设定速度值并稳定运行。实验结果表明:动子进入过程参数标定精度分别为0.002Wb和0.000 4H;无位置传感器控制中位置估计精度为0.63mm,速度收敛时间为0.45s,稳态误差为0.02m/s。基本满足永磁直线同步电机用于长行程运输的控制快速性、稳定性等要求。     

Design and synthesis of side-chain optimized poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide)-g-poly(styrene sulfonic acid) as proton exchange membrane for fuel cell applications: Balancing the water-resistance and the sulfonation degree

Side-chain optimized poly (2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide)-g-poly (styrene sulfonic acid) (PPO-g-PSSA) is designed with balanced water-resistance and sulfonation degree. The PPO-g-PSSA is synthesized by controlled atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) from brominated poly (2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO-xBr) and ethyl styrene-4-sulfonate and followed by hydrolysis. A series of PPO-g-PSSA are prepared possessing different bromination degree (x) of PPO-xBr and polymerization degree (m) of the side-chains and the water-resistances of the fabricated membranes are investigated. The results show that a PPO-g-PSSA at relatively low x (x < 0.2) and high m (m > 4) exhibits good balance between the water-resistance and the sulfonation degree. Namely, it displays suitable proton conductivity with compromised water-resistance. Moreover, a maximum ion exchange capacity (IEC) of 3.24 mmol g^?1 is reached without the sacrifice of water-resistance. In addition, PPO-g-0.08PSSA-13 and PPO-g-0.14PSSA-4 are chosen characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, proton conductivities and mechanical properties. At 90% RH, the optimized PPO-g-0.08PPSA-13 possesses a proton conductivity of 37.9 mS cm^?1 at 40 °C and 45.5 mS cm^?1 at 95 °C, respectively.