Utility optimization of grouping-based uplink OFDMA random access for the next generation WLANs

Wireless Networks - In this paper, a grouping-based uplink orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) random access method is studied which can improve users’ satisfaction in the...     

Synergistic effect of high-intensity ultrasound and β-cyclodextrin treatments on browning control in apple juice

This work evaluated the synergistic effects of combined high-intensity ultrasound (HIU) with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) treatments on inhibiting browning of apple juice and explored the mechanism through simulation system. The combined treatment of 300 W HIU with 0.006 g mL⁻¹ β-CD had a synergistic impact on maintaining juice colour, resulting in a 39.06% reduction in browning degree, only a 36.64% decrease in total phenolic content, and a 17.82% reduction in PPO activity. The inhibition of enzymatic browning in simulated system revealed that HIU suppressed the enzyme (Polyphenol oxidase, PPO) and β-CD inhibited enzyme (PPO) and embedded substrate (polyphenol). The results of spectroscopic analysis showed that the particle-size distribution of PPO narrowed, the content of α-helix in the secondary structure increased, the fluorescence intensity increased, and the maximum wavelength was red-shifted after HIU and β-CD treatment. Changes in structure could further result in PPO activity loss. Hence, the combined treatment could synthetically alleviate the browning of apple juice.     

Preparation of high-activity coal char-based catalysts from high metals containing coal gangue and lignite for catalytic decomposition of biomass tar

The potential of using high metals containing coal gangue and lignite to prepare high-activity coal char-based catalysts is investigated for effective biomass tar decomposition. Loose structure and rough surface are formed for these char-based catalysts with heterogeneous distribution of a large number of inorganic particles. In the biomass tar decomposition, the performance of the coal char-based catalysts is significantly influenced by the content of the metals in the raw materials and coal gangue char (GC) with the ash content as high as 50.80% exhibits the highest activity in this work. A high biomass tar conversion efficiency of 93.5% is achieved at 800 °C along with a significant increase in the fuel gas product. During the five-time consecutive tests, the catalytic performance of GC increases a little at the second or third times reuse and remains relatively stable, showing the remarkable stability of the catalyst in biomass tar decomposition applications.     

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.     

Toughness and R-curve behaviour of laminated Si3N4/SiCw ceramics

Laminated Si₃N₄/SiC_w ceramics were successfully prepared by tape casting and hot-pressing. Its mechanical properties were measured and the impact resistance was discussed. The toughness of the laminated Si₃N₄/SiC_w ceramics was 13.5 MPa m^1/2, which was almost 1.6 times that of Si₃N₄/SiC_w composite ceramics, namely 8.5 MPa m^1/2. Moreover, the indentation strength of laminated Si₃N₄/SiC_w ceramics was not sensitive to increasing indentation loads and exhibited a rising R-curve behaviour, indicating that the laminated Si₃N₄/SiC_w ceramics had excellent impact resistance. The improved toughness and impact resistance of laminated Si₃N₄/SiC_w ceramics was attributed to the residual stress caused by a thermal expansion coefficient mismatch between the different layers, resulting in crack deflection and bridging of SiC whiskers in the interface layer, thus consuming a large amount of fracture work.     

Prevention of breast cancer by dietary polyphenols—role of cancer stem cells

Abstract

Breast cancer is a common malignancy with poor prognosis. Cancer cells are heterogeneous and cancer stem cells (CSCs) are primarily responsible for tumor relapse, treatment-resistance and metastasis, so for breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). Diets are known to be associated with carcinogenesis. Food-derived polyphenols are able to attenuate the formation and virulence of BCSCs, implying that these compounds and their analogs might be promising agents for preventing breast cancer. In the present review, we summarized the origin and surface markers of BCSCs and possible mechanisms responsible for the inhibitory effects of polyphenols on BCSCs. The suppressive effects of common dietary polyphenols against BCSCs, such as curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and related polyphenolic compounds were further discussed.     

济阳坳陷下古生界潜山油气藏特征及成藏模式

济阳坳陷下古生界潜山具有多样性、复杂性的特点，潜山差异性的形成演化、油气成藏主控因素和控藏模式不明确，严重制约了该区潜山油气勘探。在潜山分类的基础上，综合利用系统恢复、分类对比和典型解剖等方法，揭示了济阳坳陷下古生界不同类型潜山的形成演化过程和油气成藏主控因素差异性，分类建立了油气成藏模式。研究表明，济阳坳陷下古生界主要发育高位新盖侵蚀残丘潜山、中位古盖拉张断块潜山、中位新古盖拉张剪切断块潜山、中位中古盖挤压拉张断块潜山和低位古盖拉张滑脱断块潜山5种潜山类型。不同类型潜山的形成演化和油气成藏各具特色，其中，高位新盖侵蚀残丘潜山的发育受隆升、侵蚀作用控制，油气成藏主要受控于油源和盖层条件，表现为"单向供烃、砂体-不整合岩溶体联合输导、残丘控藏"的成藏模式；中位古盖拉张断块潜山的发育受掀斜、断裂作用控制，油气成藏主要受控于储集条件，表现为"单向供烃、顺向断层输导、反向断层控藏"的成藏模式；中位新古盖拉张剪切断块潜山的发育受反转、翘倾和走滑切割作用控制，油气成藏主要受控于输导条件，表现为"多源供烃、断溶体立体输导、断裂控藏"的成藏模式；中位中古盖挤压拉张断块潜山的形成受强烈挤压、拉张滑脱作用控制，油气成藏主要受控于储集条件，表现为"多源供烃、断缝体输导、断褶控藏"的成藏模式；低位古盖拉张滑脱断块潜山的形成受强烈拉张滑脱作用控制，油气成藏主要受控于输导条件，表现为"顶部供烃、断缝体输导、断裂控藏"的成藏模式。     

川北某黑色页岩型铼矿工艺矿物学研究

通过矿相显微镜、扫描电镜、电子探针、X射线能谱元素面分析等多种手段综合研究了川北某黑色页岩型铼矿中铼的赋存状态。样品为黑色页岩,有机碳含量较高。粘土矿物总量为14.6%,黄铁矿含量16.2%,石英含量37.7%。样品具典型的粘土结构,矿物粒度微细。铼有两种赋存状态,一种呈类质同象形式赋存于黄铁矿内,另一种则以分散形式存在。典型黄铁矿测点Re平均含量为0.024%。黄铁矿是Re的重要载体矿物。建议通过浮选分离黄铁矿,从而实现Re的富集。      

Assembly of a DNA Origami Chinese Knot by Only 15% of the Staple Strands

As a giant leap in DNA self-assembly, DNA origami has exhibited an unprecedented ability to construct nanostructures with arbitrary shapes and sizes. In typical DNA origami, hundreds of short DNA staple strands fold a long, single-stranded (ss) DNA scaffold cooperatively into designed nanostructures. However, large numbers of DNA strands are expensive and would hinder applications such as pharmaceutical investigations because of the complicated components. Therefore, one challenge is how to reduce the number of staple strands needed to construct DNA origami. For a DNA origami structure, the scale-free folding pattern of the scaffold strand is determined by staple strands at the branching vertexes. Simple duplex regions help to define the size-related features of the origami geometry. In this study, we hypothesized that a scaffold strand can be correctly folded into a designed topology by using only staple strands involved in branching vertexes. After assembly, any remaining, flexible, single-stranded regions of the scaffold could be converted into rigid duplexes by DNA polymerase to achieve the designed geometric structures. To demonstrate the concept, we used only 18 staple strands (covering 15 % of the scaffold strand) to assemble a porous DNA nanostructure, which was visualized by atomic force microscopy (AFM). This study helps understanding of the role of cooperativity in origami folding, and provides a cost-effective approach for small-scale prototyping DNA origami.