Microbial fuel cell (MFC)-based biosensor for combined heavy metals monitoring and associated bioelectrochemical process

To explore the feasibility and related mechanism of MFC biosensor for wastewater detection under the action of combined heavy metals. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and scanning electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to explore the related bioelectrochemical process. The response of the reactor to single/combined heavy metals, low/high heavy metal concentrations, and the differences in ohmic resistance (Rs) and charge transfer resistance (Rct) were investigated using Ni as the core heavy metal and the combined action of Cd, Cu and Zn. The results indicated that there was a linear relationship between the concentration and output voltage of the MFC biosensor under the action of combined heavy metals (R² = 0.8803–0.973). However, the internal resistance (Rint) of the MFC biosensor under the action of single heavy metal was far less than that of the combined heavy metal group, and the power density (19.849 W m^?3) was 4 times that of the combined heavy metal group (3.109–4.589 W m^?3). The Rs of the biosensors in the combined heavy metal group were 0.868Ω and 0.860, which were higher than 0.768Ω of the single heavy metal sensor. With the increase of the concentration of heavy metals in the influent, the increase of Rct was more obvious in the combined group, while the Rs in the single group significantly increased (P < 0.05). The results imply that it is possible for MFC biosensors to be used in the detection of actual water polluted by various heavy metals, but the biosensor performance is mainly limited by Rct, which needs to be further improved.     

Formation of Sn filled CNTs nanocomposite: Study of their magnetic,dielectric properties and enhanced microwave absorption performance at gigahertz frequencies

The Simplistic formation, advantageous configuration, non-colossal magnetoresistance and broadband absorption are important parameters for microwave absorbent materials. In this study, a core-shell nanocomposite comprising of Sn-filled carbon nanotubes (Sn/CNTs) was prepared by arc discharge method. The microstructure, morphology and surface composition of Sn/CNTs-based core-shell nanocomposites were characterized in detail. Sn/CNTs nanocomposite showed a magnetic signal due to the broken bonds and defects at interfaces in Sn/CNTs. The weak ferromagnetism was found to be helpful in improving magnetic permeability in the Sn/CNTs which confirms its role as a magnetic loss material under incident electromagnetic wave. Sn-filled CNTs revealed an appropriate value of dielectric constant, which plays an important role in impedance matching upon incident electromagnetic wave. The composite of Sn-CNTs and paraffin with a 50 wt % loading showed the lowest reflection loss (RL) of ?43.87 dB at 10 GHz, with a wide effective absorption band (RL ≤ ?10 dB) of 3 GHz in thickness of 2.3 mm. This enhanced performance is attributed to the combined effect of the conduction loss in one-dimensional core-shell architecture, the interfacial loss Sn-CNT interface, the magnetic loss due to defects-induced ferromagnetism in Sn shell, and in the carbon-containing atomic layers of CNTs.     

楚雄盆地白垩纪晚期盐湖风成砂微观组构特征研究

白垩纪是地球历史上一个持续时间较长的典型温室气候期，受区域古地形叠加影响，在东亚地区促成了广泛的干旱气候带，并伴有大面积出露的古沙漠和蒸发岩沉积，而楚雄盆地上白垩统江底河组即为该时期形成的一套干盐湖相红色碎屑岩夹膏盐沉积。通过光学显微镜和扫描电镜(SEM)及能谱（EDS）分析，对江底河组砂岩石英颗粒结构形态及表面微形貌特征进行研究。结果显示，楚雄盆地江底河组砂岩的石英颗粒具有高磨圆度和分选性、碟形撞击坑、“沙漠漆”以及强化学作用溶蚀孔（洞）群等现象，展现出风成砂的典型特征。同时基于石英颗粒表面机械作用、化学（溶蚀、沉淀）作用及其组合特征，系统总结了石英颗粒在不同沉积阶段和环境背景下，其表面微形貌特征的演化规律。这项研究有助于对盐湖环境中风成砂的特征以及风成沉积和水成沉积相互作用机制的认识。      

An optimal configuration for hybrid SOFC,gas turbine,and Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer using a developed Aquila Optimizer

In this research, a technical, economic and environmental analysis has been proposed to a Hybrid Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) system-based hybrid system including biomass, gas turbine, and Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer. A multi-objective optimization technique has been utilized to improve the overall product cost and the exergy effectiveness based on a developed version of Aquila Optimizer (DAO). The main idea of using the developed version is to improve the accuracy and the precision of the original Aquila optimizer. The system is then authenticated in terms of energy/exergy effectiveness, and energy-economic efficiency. The achievements indicate that employing the optimization algorithm for different configurations provided satisfying results for the system.     

Diffusion and perfusion MRI parameters in the evaluation of placenta accreta spectrum disorders in patients with placenta previa

Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine - To evaluate the placental function by monoexponential, biexponential, and diffusion kurtosis MR imaging (MRI) in patients with...     

Effect of MnOx phase on Pt-based catalyst for enhancing CO/C3H6/NO oxidation performance

To improve the fuel economy, it is crucial to promote the low-temperature performance in eliminating diesel emissions. The work investigates the impact of different MnO₂/Mn₂O₃ phase ratio on the low-temperature performance of Pt-based monolithic diesel oxidation catalyst. Near equal ratio of MnO_x phase could form the three-phase (platinum, MnO₂, Mn₂O₃) interfacial structure, leading to the smaller platinum particle size and exhibiting the higher interface rate (1.6–11.1 times) than other mono-manganese oxide with platinum. Besides, the higher oxygen mobility and more active oxygen species could be contributed to the positive effect of Pt/MnO_x interface, which are prevalent to activate the reactant and greatly enhance the TOF value (1.4–20.8 times). The results imply that the modification of multi-phase metal/oxide interface is potential in dispersing platinum for greatly enhancing the catalytic efficiency.     

Comparative analysis on temperature characteristics of hydrogen-powered and traditional fossil-fueled vehicle fires in the tunnel under longitudinal ventilations

Vehicle fires in the tunnel are a great threat to the safe operation of the tunnel. Due to the rapid development of the hydrogen economy, the fire due to the hydrogen leakage could not be avoided and may bring great damage to the passengers and infrastructure. Due to the large difference between pool fires of traditional fossil-fueled and jet fires of hydrogen-powered vehicles, it is in doubt whether the existing longitudinal ventilation design could still be effective for the safety issue of hydrogen powered vehicles. To solve this problem, it is necessary to compare temperature characteristics of hydrogen-powered and traditional vehicle fires with and without longitudinal ventilations. In present work, we conducted a numerical investigation to discuss the different temperature distributions of traditional and hydrogen-fueled vehicle fires. Results indicate that the high temperature zone of the pool fire only exists above the ceiling of the vehicle. For hydrogen-powered vehicle fire, the high-speed hydrogen jet with the strong inertial force could push the hot smoke flows back to the ground. The ceiling temperature of hydrogen-powered vehicle fire is larger since hydrogen-powered vehicle has a larger heat release rate and the fire hazard of jet fires bring more danger compared with the pool fire. Although the temperature stratification is also obvious for the hydrogen-powered vehicle fire, the air temperature in the lower region could be heated and still high enough to bring a great damage to the passengers’ lives. This is quite different with the traditional pool fire. In addition, the critical ventilation velocity is also discussed. The theoretical equation could well predicted the critical ventilation velocity of traditional vehicle fires. For hydrogen-powered vehicle fires, the critical ventilation velocity could reach up to 6 m/s. The theoretical equation could not well predict the critical ventilation velocity of hydrogen-powered vehicle fires due to exist of hydrogen jet fires.     

泸县6.0级地震文化遗产震害调查与分析

2021年9月16日，四川省泸县发生6.0级地震，对当地的文化遗产造成了不同程度的损坏。为掌握文化遗产在此次地震中的破坏情况，对古建筑、古桥、渡槽、摩崖造像、古遗址以及可移动文物进行震害调查，分析破坏原因，提出不同文化遗产的震害等级，并统计其在此次地震中破坏占比。研究结果表明：古建筑中木结构的震害较轻，砖木结构和石木结构的损伤较为严重，表现为墙体开裂、倾斜、倒塌和屋面损毁等破坏；古桥的桥面板产生裂缝和起壳，桥头堡基石发生移位；摩崖造像发生开裂、石像脱落，部分岩石发生坠落；古遗址的原有缝隙增大，石砌墙歪闪或倾斜；可移动文物与陈列台连接的金属卡件在地震下崩落。根据震害调查结果，将文化遗产的震害划分为4个等级，并对古建筑的维修与加固、摩崖造像的一体化监测、古桥的维护与应急抢险、可移动文物的隔震保护提出几点建议，为我国文化遗产的抗震保护提供参考。     

Impact of silkworm pupae (Bombyx mori) powder on cream foaming,ice cream properties and palatability

Food fortification with edible insects can offer high nutritional values, improve consumer acceptance and sustainability of resources. This study elucidates the ramifications of silkworm pupae flour (SWF), i.e. dried and pulverized, on the rheological, textural, and sensorial properties of whipping and ice-cream. Results indicate SWF supplementation attenuates cream overrun (p < 0.05) with an observed viscosity increase. Contrary, SWF addition reduced (p < 0.05) separation of foam implying a shelf-life improvement. SWF enriched ice-cream exhibited altered texture attributes (hardness and adhesiveness) especially when using more than 1% (w/w) SWF. In addition, a notable effect on product color was registered which explains the reduced visual appeal of ice-creams containing 2.5% and 4% (w/w) SWF. Moreover, an untrained tasting panel (mean age: 28.6 ± 8.6) reported a strong aftertaste. Overall, this study concludes that SWF at concentrations of ≤1% (w/w) can enhance ice-cream techno-functional properties while maintaining palatability.Industrial relevanceEdible insects are a promising, cost-effective and highly sustainable food resource for proteins and other macro and micro-nutrients. Besides their nutritional advantages, they possess potential techno-functional properties that persist during processing operations and comply with various food matrices. This study offers an original use of bombyx Mori powder, to foam applications, like whipped cream and ice cream. Although not devoid of a on ice cream sensorial attributes, it is still palatable as ascertained by a tasting panel of 40 adult volunteers.