Xanthohumol for Human Malignancies: Chemistry,Pharmacokinetics and Molecular Targets

Xanthohumol (XH) is an important prenylated flavonoid that is found within the inflorescence of Humulus lupulus L. (Hop plant). XH is an important ingredient in beer and is considered a significant bioactive agent due to its diverse medicinal applications, which include anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antiviral, antifungal, antigenotoxic, antiangiogenic, and antimalarial effects as well as strong anticancer activity towards various types of cancer cells. XH acts as a wide ranging chemopreventive and anticancer agent, and its isomer, 8-prenylnaringenin, is a phytoestrogen with strong estrogenic activity. The present review focuses on the bioactivity of XH on various types of cancers and its pharmacokinetics. In this paper, we first highlight, in brief, the history and use of hops and then the chemistry and structure–activity relationship of XH. Lastly, we focus on its prominent effects and mechanisms of action on various cancers and its possible use in cancer prevention and treatment. Considering the limited number of available reviews on this subject, our goal is to provide a complete and detailed understanding of the anticancer effects of XH against different cancers.     

Application of artificial neural network method to predict the breakage properties of PGE bearing chromite ore

In the present investigation, systematic grinding experiments were conducted in a laboratory ball mill to determine the breakage properties of low-grade PGE bearing chromite ore. The population balance modeling technique was used to study the breakage parameters such as primary breakage distribution (B_{i, j}) and the specific rates of breakage (S_i). The breakage and selection function values were determined for six feed sizes. The results stated that the breakage follows the first-order grinding kinetics for all the feed sizes. It was observed that the coarser feed sizes exhibit higher selection function values than the finer feed size. Further, an artificial neural network was used to predict breakage characteristics of low-grade PGE bearing chromite ore. The predicted results obtained from the neural network modeling were close to the experimental results with a correlation of determination R² = 0.99 for both product size and selection function.     

煤峪口矿81010工作面煤层底板裂隙发育特征及防治

针对煤炭开采过程中出现的突水事故,采用RFPA数值模拟软件建立采动模型,对底板裂隙破断过程和声发射进行模拟,研究煤层底板采动裂隙扩展突水通道,结果表明:离断层越近,断层内水压导升高度越高,断层出现活化,裂隙扩展发育,最终贯通形成导水通道,在进行注浆改造后,单个钻孔的最大涌水量为8 m³/h,说明注浆加固防治水效果较好,能确保工作面的安全回采。     

An infinite chain, {[Ni(tn)2]3[Fe(CN)4(μ-CN)2]2}n,a new catalyst for electrochemical-driven water splitting and photochemical-driven hydrogen evolution from water under blue light

A new catalyst for both water reduction and oxidation, based on an infinite chain, {[Ni(tn)₂]₃ [Fe(CN)₄ (μ-CN)₂]₂}_n, is formed by the reaction of NiCl₂, 1,3-propanediamine (tn) and K₃ [Fe(CN)₆]. {[Ni(tn)₂]₃ [Fe(CN)₄ (μ-CN)₂]₂}_n can electro-catalyze hydrogen evolution from a neutral aqueous buffer (pH 7.0) with a turnover frequency (TOF) of 1561 mol of hydrogen per mole of catalyst per hour (H₂/mol catalyst/h) at an overpotential (OP) of 837 mV {[Ni(tn)₂]₃ [Fe(CN)₄ (μ-CN)₂]₂}_n also can electro-catalyze O₂ production from water with a TOF of ～45 mol O₂ (mol cat)^?1s^?1 at an OP of 591 mV. Under blue light (λ = 469 nm), together with CdS nanorods (CdS NRs) as a photosensitizer, and ascorbic acid (H₂A) as a sacrificial electron donor, {[Ni(tn)₂]₃ [Fe(CN)₄ (μ-CN)₂]₂}_n can photo-catalyze hydrogen generation from an aqueous buffer (pH 4.0) with a turnover number (TON) of 11,450 mol H₂ per mole of catalyst (mol of H₂ (mol of cat)^?1) during 10 h irradiation. The average of apparent quantum yield (AQY) is as high as 40.96% during 10 h irradiation. Studies indicate that {[Ni(tn)₂]₃ [Fe(CN)₄ (μ-CN)₂]₂}_n exists in two forms: a cyano-bridged chain ({[Ni(tn)₂]₃ [Fe(CN)₄ (μ-CN)₂]₂}_n) in solid, and a salt ([Ni(tn)₂]₃ [Fe(CN)₆]₂) in aqueous media; Catalytic reaction occurs on the nickel center of [Ni(tn)₂]²⁺, and the introduction of [Fe(CN)₆]^3- can improve the catalytic efficiency of [Ni(tn)₂]²⁺ for H₂ or O₂ generation. We hope these findings can afford a new method for the design of catalysts for both water reduction and oxidation.     

4D Printing of Shape Memory Materials for Textiles: Mechanism,Mathematical Modeling,and Challenges

Shape memory materials (SMMs) in 3D printing (3DP) technology garnered much attention due to their ability to respond to external stimuli, which direct this technology toward an emerging area of research, “4D printing (4DP) technology.” In contrast to classical 3D printed objects, the fourth dimension, time, allows printed objects to undergo significant changes in shape, size, or color when subjected to external stimuli. Highly precise and calibrated 4D materials, which can perform together to achieve robust 4D objects, are in great demand in various fields such as military applications, space suits, robotic systems, apparel, healthcare, sports, etc. This review, for the first time, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, focuses on recent advances in SMMs (e.g., polymers, metals, etc.) based wearable smart textiles and fashion goods. This review integrates the basic overview of 3DP technology, fabrication methods, the transition of 3DP to 4DP, the chemistry behind the fundamental working principles of 4D printed objects, materials selection for smart textiles and fashion goods. The central part summarizes the effect of major external stimuli on 4D textile materials followed by the major applications. Lastly, prospects and challenges are discussed, so that future researchers can continue the progress of this technology.     

Modeling unaccounted-for gas among residential natural gas consumers using a comprehensive fuzzy cognitive map

Residential natural gas consumption depends on several factors. Available tools and methods to identify, categorize, and validate effective factors have some limitations, making consumption modeling more complex. Once a comprehensive model of effective consumption factors is developed for residential gas consumers, it can predict consumption. In addition, such a model could be used to verify the accuracy of measuring devices in order to reduce unaccounted for gas (UFG). The key factors affecting residential gas consumption were identified based on previous studies and their mutual effects were analyzed using a fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM) method. The most significant factors and their effects on natural gas consumption in the residential sector were determined. In this study, for the first time, the expected consumption for each consumer was estimated using a consumption index. Generally, if the estimated consumption is significantly different from the amount recorded by the meter, it could suggest a potential source of UFG. The proposed method was applied to the data collected from the residential gas consumers of a small region in Iran (Dasht-e Arjan region, Fars province), and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.     

Reusable and durable electrostatic air filter based on hybrid metallized microfibers decorated with metal-organic-framework nanocrystals

As global air pollution becomes increasingly severe,various types of fibrous filters have been devel-oped to improve air filter performance.However,fibrous filters have limitations such as high packing density that generally causes high-pressure drop and ultimately deterioration in the filtration effi-ciency.High-pressure particulate matter precipitators are limited in terms of scope for commercialization because they require high voltage supplies and ozone generators.In this study,we develop fibrous fil-ters with enhanced durability and improved performance using metallized microfibers decorated with metal-organic-framework(MOF)nanocrystals.Not only does the efficiency of the developed filters remain at or above 97％for 0.50-1.5 μm PMs but the durability also significantly increases.In addi-tion,using the water purification ability of the MOF,we explore the dye degradation effect of the hybrid microfibers by immersing them into Rhodamine B aqueous solution.In such an experiment the Rho-damine B aqueous solution is completely purified by the presence of the hybrid microfibers under the UV irradiation.     

煤矿冲击地压与冒顶复合灾害研究

随着煤矿向深部发展,矿井动力灾害既表现出冲击地压的部分特征,又表现出冒顶的部分特征。2种典型的灾害打破以往冒顶与冲击地压的发生具有一种互为逆向性的认知规律,在深部高应力煤巷,特别是留顶煤巷道中出现了相互诱导、复合发生的新灾害类型。在总结山东、山西和新疆矿区典型巷道冲击致顶板(顶煤)动力灾害特征的基础上,提出了深部巷道冲击地压与冒顶复合灾害的概念、机理与分类,指出复合灾害机理关键点在于揭示巷道整体系统和破碎区子系统的稳定原理及其2者间的相互影响。建立了巷道发生复合灾害的力学模型,根据扰动响应失稳判据,提出并得到了巷道发生复合灾害的临界应力Pcr、临界软化区半径ρ_cr和最大容许采扰应力增量σ_max,厘清了灾害发生的主控因素,分析了煤岩冲击倾向指数K、支护强度ps、巷道半径ρ₀、煤岩强度σ_c等对灾害发生的影响规律,同时阐明了围岩塑性软化、破碎深度随地应力增加的发育规律。研究结果表明,破碎发育巷道的动力失稳主体为弹性区、软化区与破碎区构成的不稳定系统,垮落主体为破碎区;稳定的破碎区提升了巷道冲击启动临界值,使其启动难度增大,但破碎区的发育又易引起顶煤垮落;巷道稳定支护是解决复合灾害的关键,科学合理支护既能有效调控围岩破碎防冒,又能提升冲击启动临界值。通过理论研究,揭示了巷道冲击地压与冒顶复合灾害的发生机理,阐明了巷道软化与破碎区及其稳控支护对深部破碎发育巷道动力灾害防治的重要性。     

灾害孤岛潜势风险分群与降雨警戒值探讨

台湾本身地貌特性以及近年来强降雨事件发生频繁,促使山区地带发生复合式灾害,如崩塌、泥石流与山洪等,因此灾害孤岛效应有必要仿效泥石流以及洪水灾害,制定出参考警戒值以及警戒线,将有助于防灾决策、救难资源投入以及灾害风险判释。本文针对台湾发生过灾害孤岛效应的114个村进行分析,且着重于首次发生灾害的台风降雨事件。首先通过群集分析并依照各样本的6个灾因指标进行分类,群集结果显示可分为8个群,并再以象限分布描述各群的潜势相对风险。采用2004—2015年台风降雨事件的观测雨量数据,并利用距离反比权重法,得出各村的累积降雨量(R)与最大时雨量(I)。整合各群集样本雨量数据后,使用台湾水土保持局使用的RTI模式概念,计算出各群集之RTImin、RTI30、RTI50和RTI70,以绘制低风险区(0～30%)、中风险区(30～70%)和高风险区(70%～100%),其中着重探讨灾害孤岛事件的下限值RTImin,以便可得知最易发生灾害的群集。结果显示,各群的潜势风险反映RTImin的效果良好,如潜势风险越高则其RTImin值越低,即雨量驱动灾害发生的条件较低。群集中,第1与2群为低风险群、第3、5与6群为中风险群、第4、7与8群为高风险群,仅第5群无法透过RTImin验证潜势风险关系,故本文挑选的6项灾因指标,为辨别灾害孤岛效应潜势等级的重要因子。