Effects of Different Short-Term UV-B Radiation Intensities on Metabolic Characteristics of Porphyra haitanensis

The effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, particularly UV-B on algae, have become an important issue as human-caused depletion of the protecting ozone layer has been reported. In this study, the effects of different short-term UV-B radiation on the growth, physiology, and metabolism of Porphyra haitanensis were examined. The growth of P. haitanensis decreased, and the bleaching phenomenon occurred in the thalli. The contents of total amino acids, soluble sugar, total protein, and mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) increased under different UV-B radiation intensities. The metabolic profiles of P. haitanensis differed between the control and UV-B radiation-treated groups. Most of the differential metabolites in P. haitanensis were significantly upregulated under UV-B exposure. Short-term enhanced UV-B irradiation significantly affected amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and phenylpropane biosynthesis. The contents of phenylalanine, tyrosine, threonine, and serine were increased, suggesting that amino acid metabolism can promote the synthesis of UV-absorbing substances (such as phenols and MAAs) by providing precursor substances. The contents of sucrose, D-glucose-6-phosphate, and beta-D-fructose-6-phosphate were increased, suggesting that carbohydrate metabolism contributes to maintain energy supply for metabolic activity in response to UV-B exposure. Meanwhile, dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) was also significantly upregulated, denoting effective activation of the antioxidant system. To some extent, these results provide metabolic insights into the adaptive response mechanism of P. haitanensis to short-term enhanced UV-B radiation.     

Public perceptions on artificial intelligence driven disaster management: Evidence from Sydney,Melbourne and Brisbane

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) is being increasingly utilised in disaster management activities. The public is engaged with AI in various ways in these activities. For instance, crowdsourcing applications developed for disaster management to handle the tasks of collecting data through social media platforms, and increasing disaster awareness through serious gaming applications. Nonetheless, there are limited empirical investigations and understanding on public perceptions concerning AI for disaster management. Bridging this knowledge gap is the justification for this paper. The methodological approach adopted involved: Initially, collecting data through an online survey from residents (n = 605) of three major Australian cities; Then, analysis of the data using statistical modelling. The analysis results revealed that: (a) Younger generations have a greater appreciation of opportunities created by AI-driven applications for disaster management; (b) People with tertiary education have a greater understanding of the benefits of AI in managing the pre- and post-disaster phases, and; (c) Public sector administrative and safety workers, who play a vital role in managing disasters, place a greater value on the contributions by AI in disaster management. The study advocates relevant authorities to consider public perceptions in their efforts in integrating AI in disaster management.     

Colossal dielectric response and relaxation behavior in novel system of Zr4+ and Nb5+ co-substituted CaCu3Ti4O12 ceramics

In this work, we developed a novel system of isovalent Zr⁴⁺ and donor Nb⁵⁺ co-doped CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ (CCTO) ceramics to enhance dielectric response. The influences of Zr⁴⁺ and Nb⁵⁺ co-substituting on the colossal dielectric response and relaxation behavior of the CCTO ceramics fabricated by a conventional solid-phase synthesis method were investigated methodically. Co-doping of Zr⁴⁺ and Nb⁵⁺ ions leads to a significant reduction in grain size for the CCTO ceramics sintered at 1060 °C for 10 h. XRD and Raman results of the CaCu₃Ti_3.8-xZr_xNb_0.2O₁₂ (CCTZNO) ceramics show a cubic perovskite structure with space group Im-3. The first principle calculation result exhibits a better thermodynamic stability of the CCTO structure co-doped with Zr⁴⁺ and Nb⁵⁺ ions than that of single-doped with Zr⁴⁺ or Nb⁵⁺ ion. Interestingly, the CCTZNO ceramics exhibit greatly improved dielectric constant (~10⁵) at a frequency range of 10²–10⁵ Hz and at a temperature range of 20–210 °C, indicating a giant dielectric response within broader frequency and temperature ranges. The dielectric properties of CCTZNO ceramics were analyzed from the viewpoints of defect-dipole effect and internal barrier layer capacitance (IBLC) model. Accordingly, the immensely enhanced dielectric response is primarily ascribed to the complex defect dipoles associated with oxygen vacancies by co-doping Zr⁴⁺ and Nb⁵⁺ ions into CCTO structure. In addition, the obvious dielectric relaxation behavior has been found in CCTZNO ceramics, and the relaxation process in middle frequency regions is attributed to the grain boundary response confirmed by complex impedance spectroscopy and electric modulus.     

In vivo Targeting of DNA Vaccines to Dendritic Cells via the Mannose Receptor Induces Long-Lasting Immunity against Melanoma

Herein, we report effective, C-type lectin mannose receptor (MR)-selective, in vivo dendritic cell (DC)-targeting lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) of a novel lipid-containing mannose-mimicking di-shikimoyl- and guanidine head group and two n-hexadecyl hydrophobic tails (DSG). Subcutaneous administration of LNPs of the DSG/p-CMV-GFP complex showed a significant expression of green fluorescence protein in the CD11c⁺ DCs of the neighboring lymph nodes compared to the control LNPs of the BBG/p-CMV-GFP complex. Mannose receptor-facilitated in vivo DC-targeted vaccination (s.c.) with the electrostatic complex of LNPs of DSG/pCMV-MART1 stimulated long-lasting (270 days post B16F10 tumor challenge) antimelanoma immunity under prophylactic conditions. Remarkably, under therapeutic settings, vaccination (s.c.) with LNPs of the DSG/pCMV-MART1 complex significantly delayed melanoma growth and improved the survival of mice with melanoma. These findings demonstrate that this nonviral delivery system offers a resilient and potential approach to deliver DNA vaccines encoding tumor antigens to DCs in vivo with high efficacy.     

Magnetically Guidable Proteinaceous Adhesive Microbots for Targeted Locoregional Therapeutics Delivery in the Highly Dynamic Environment of the Esophagus

The esophagus is a tubular-shaped muscular organ where swallowed fluids and muscular contractions constitute a highly dynamic environment. The turbulent, coordinated processes that occur through the oropharyngeal conduit can often compromise targeted administration of therapeutic drugs to a lesion, significantly reducing therapeutic efficacy. Here, magnetically guidable drug vehicles capable of strongly adhering to target sites using a bioengineered mussel adhesive protein (MAP) to achieve localized delivery of therapeutic drugs against the hydrodynamic physiological conditions are proposed. A suite of highly uniform microparticles embedded with iron oxide (IO) nanoparticles (MAP@IO MPs) is microfluidically fabricated using the genipin-mediated covalent cross-linking of bioengineered MAP. The MAP@IO MPs are successfully targeted to a specific region and prolongedly retained in the tubular-structured passageway. In particular, orally administered MAP@IO MPs are effectively captured in the esophagus in vivo in a magnetically guidable manner. Moreover, doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded MAP@IO MPs exhibit a sustainable DOX release profile, effective anticancer therapeutic activity, and excellent biocompatibility. Thus, the magnetically guidable locomotion and robust underwater adhesive properties of the proteinaceous soft microbots can provide an intelligent modular approach for targeted locoregional therapeutics delivery to a specific lesion site in dynamic fluid-associated tubular organs such as the esophagus.     

激光在线测厚振动分析与精度优化

激光测厚具有安全可靠、测量精度高、测量范围大等优点,广泛应用于纸张、电池极片等薄膜类材料厚度的在线测量。带材宽幅方向扫描测厚时由于扫描架往复运动会产生机械振动,影响在线测厚精度。针对该问题,以锂离子电池极片厚度测量为例,使用双激光差动式测厚平台对电池极片和铜箔分别进行厚度测量,然后对测厚数据进行频谱分析,探究其振动规律的相似性,并基于频谱分析结果采用滑动带阻滤波方式对测厚数据进行处理,滤波后极片和铜箔的厚度极差分别降低了33.4%和73.8%,有效过滤了机械振动导致的测量误差,可满足极片和铜箔厚度测量的精度要求。     

The microstructure and magnetic properties of Ca2+ ion doped GdCrO3

In this paper, the crystal structure, vacancy defect, local electron density and magnetic properties of Gd_1-xCa_xCrO₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) polycrystalline samples were investigated systematically. The crystal structural analyses show that all the samples are orthorhombic phase and a structural distortion happens around x = 0.3. Due to the formation of Cr⁴⁺ ions, both the lattice constant and the Cr–O bond length decrease. The results of positron annihilation spectrum reveals that the vacancy defect concentration increases and the local electron structure changes with the introduction of Ca²⁺ ions. The field-cooled (FC) and zero-field cooled (ZFC) curves of Gd_1-xCa_xCrO₃ samples measured under H = 100 Oe exhibits negative magnetization characteristics due to the interaction between Gd³⁺ and Cr³⁺ ions, and the magnetism can be affected by the structural distortion.     

Use of a smartphone-based Student Response System in large active-learning Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics classrooms

Smartphones are a promising tool as student response systems (SRS) for interactive teaching due to their widespread diffusion. Here, the main purpose is to assess the efficacy of smartphone-based SRS in large classroom settings of undergraduate Thermodynamics, as representative of engineering courses requiring high-level cognitive skills for problem solving. Four sets of multiple-choice questions were presented during the course. Overall, the results refer to 1055 students between control and SRS classes, each corresponding to a3 years period.One of the main results of this work is the strong linear correlation between the average questionnaire score and the final exam grade (R² = 0.91). A similar correlation, although with a lower value of R², is already found in the first questionnaire, thus showing the SRS high predictive power of class performance. The results of this study provide guidance for a quantitative use of smartphone-based SRS in teaching basic disciplines. The SRS monitoring capability allows early detection of struggling students, thus paving the way to personalized tutoring and improved student engagement in active learning practices. This approach is especially important in emergency situations, such as the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic, when distance learning is widely adopted, and remote interactive tools are highly needed.     

一种低载噪比突发扩频信号的快速捕获方法实现

针对突发扩频信号用户资源扩大、终端功率降低、系统容量提升等需求,提出了一种低载噪比突发扩频信号的快速捕获硬件实现方法。采用分段匹配滤波器加多普勒并行相干积累的方法,基于硬件实现从算法到工程进行全流程优化设计,最终实现最优的捕获性能。应用结果表明,该硬件设计实现方案的快速捕获性能优越,设计方案正确、可行,已成功应用于工程建设中。