Thermal radiative properties of zirconium oxide films in the near-infrared wavelengths

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) using yttria-stabilized zirconium dioxide (YSZ) are widely used in gas turbines to protect metal components against the high combustion product temperature. Increasing combustion temperature and pressure, radiative heat transfer becomes an essential portion of the overall heat transfer in TBCs. This necessitates a greater understanding of the thermal radiative properties of YSZ films, especially in the near-infrared wavelength range. The commonly used Kubelka–Munk (KM) method in the radiative property reduction from the measured transmittance and reflectance spectra of YSZ films can incur inaccurate results when the coating optical thickness is not sufficiently large. The discrete ordinates method with the asymmetric spherical ring angular quadrature can solve the radiative transfer equation with good accuracy in optically thin media. Considering the solution accuracy and computational efficiency, a hybrid approach of combining the KM and discrete ordinate methods is used to invert radiative properties. The absorption and scattering coefficients of air plasma sprayed YSZ films are determined over the wavelength range from 1 to 2.6 μm at room temperature. Over this near-infrared wavelength range, the scattering coefficient decreases with the increasing wavelength, and the absorption coefficient is very small overall.     

CuInSe2 Formation from CuSe/In2Se3 and Cu2Se/In2Se3 Powders: Reaction Kinetics and Mechanisms

CuInSe₂ (CIS) powders were synthesized using CuSe, Cu₂Se, and In₂Se₃ as the raw materials. The formation mechanisms and reaction kinetics from CuSe/In₂Se₃ and Cu₂Se/In₂Se₃ powders in a selenium atmosphere were investigated. It was observed that the formation temperature of α‐CIS powders synthesized using Cu₂Se/In₂Se₃ as the raw materials was higher than that using CuSe/In₂Se₃. Both reactions for Cu₂Se/In₂Se₃ and CuSe/In₂Se₃ mixtures follow one‐dimensional diffusion‐controlled reactions with apparent activation energies of 124.3 and 73.2 kJ/mol, respectively. For both mixtures the indium‐rich β‐CIS phase resulting from Cu⁺ ion diffusion toward the In₂Se₃ phase was observed. The particle size and morphology of the newly formed CIS was similar to In₂Se₃, which indicated that the CIS formation kinetics may be dominated by the diffusion of Cu⁺ ions. The Cu–Se liquid phase resulting from the peritectic decomposition of CuSe₂ and CuSe at a relatively low temperature may promote Cu⁺ diffusion into the In₂Se₃ surface, assisting CIS formation.     

External stimulus-responsive biomaterials designed for the culture and differentiation of ES,iPS, and adult stem cells

The physical and chemical characteristics of biomaterial surface and hydrogels can be altered by external stimuli, such as light irradiation, temperature changes, pH shifts, shear stress forces, electrical forces, and the addition of small chemical molecules. Such external stimulus-responsive biomaterials represent promising candidates that have been developed for the culture and differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells, induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, and adult stem cells. Biomaterials that are designed to respond in a reversible manner to specific external signals can be formed on micropatterned or non-micropatterned surface, in hydrogels, or on microcarriers. Stem cells and the cells differentiated from them into specific tissue lineages can be cultured and/or differentiated on dishes with immobilized external stimulus-responsive polymers. Cells can be detached from these dishes without using an enzymatic digestion method or a mechanical method when the appropriate external stimulus is generated on the surface. This review discusses the polymers and polymeric designs employed to produce surface and hydrogels for stem cell culture, differentiation, and/or cell detachment using various external stimuli.     

Electrochemical Performance of PrBaCo2O5+δ and Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3−δ Infiltrated Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 Cathodes

Cathodes with PrBaCo₂O_5+δ (PBC) and Sm_0.5Sr_0.5CoO_3−δ (SSC) infiltrated on Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_1.95 (CGO) backbones are prepared using metal nitrates as precursors and ethanol as wetting agent. Electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) are measured from cathode/CGO/cathode symmetrical cells in 400–650 °C under humidified air. The results indicate that interfacial area specific resistance (ASR) value decreases and then increases with infiltrate loading and minimum values occur at 50 wt.% loading (relative to sum of infiltrate and backbone) for both PBC and SSC infiltrates. ASR values of PBC infiltrated cathodes are lower than that of corresponding SSC infiltrated cathodes in general, and in particular ASR values as low as 1.36 × 10⁻² and 2.27 × 10⁻² Ω cm² are obtained at 650 °C in air for 50 wt.% PBC and 50 wt.% SSC infiltrated cathodes, respectively. Conductivity values of CGO electrolyte increase with infiltrate loading and agree with the reported values when the loading reaches 50 wt.%.     

A wavelet transform based POCS Superresolution algorithm

Research interest in multi-frame Superresolution has risen substantially in recent years.This paper presents a modified Projection Onto Convex Set (POCS) superresolution method based on wavelet transform.The method analyzes the image formation model from wavelet multiresolution analysis point of view and defines an closed convex set and its corresponding projection based on wavelet transform.An iterative procedure is utilized to reduce the estimated errors of the result image,and this guarantees the estimated image to lay in the intersection of different convex sets,thus produces a high resolution image with a reduced error.The effectiveness of the algorithm is demonstrated by experimental results.     

Pathogenesis and Treatment of Myeloma-Related Bone Disease

Multiple myeloma is a hematologic malignancy of plasma cells that causes bone-destructive lesions and associated skeletal-related events (SREs). The pathogenesis of myeloma-related bone disease (MBD) is the imbalance of the bone-remodeling process, which results from osteoclast activation, osteoblast suppression, and the immunosuppressed bone marrow microenvironment. Many important signaling cascades, including the RANKL/RANK/OPG axis, Notch signaling, the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathways, and signaling molecules, such as DKK-1, sclerostin, osteopontin, activin A, chemokines, and interleukins are involved and play critical roles in MBD. Currently, bisphosphonate and denosumab are the gold standard for MBD prevention and treatment. As the molecular mechanisms of MBD become increasingly well understood, novel agents are being thoroughly explored in both preclinical and clinical settings. Herein, we will provide an updated overview of the pathogenesis of MBD, summarize the clinical management and guidelines, and discuss novel bone-modifying therapies for further management of MBD.     

Transcriptomic Analysis Suggests Auxin Regulation in Dorsal-Ventral Petal Asymmetry of Wild Progenitor Sinningia speciosa

The establishment of dorsal–ventral (DV) petal asymmetry is accompanied by differential growth of DV petal size, shape, and color differences, which enhance ornamental values. Genes involved in flower symmetry in Sinningia speciosa have been identified as CYCLOIDEA (SsCYC), but which gene regulatory network (GRN) is associated with SsCYC to establish DV petal asymmetry is still unknown. To uncover the GRN of DV petal asymmetry, we identified 630 DV differentially expressed genes (DV-DEGs) from the RNA-Seq of dorsal and ventral petals in the wild progenitor, S. speciosa ‘ES’. Validated by qRT-PCR, genes in the auxin signaling transduction pathway, SsCYC, and a major regulator of anthocyanin biosynthesis were upregulated in dorsal petals. These genes correlated with a higher endogenous auxin level in dorsal petals, with longer tube length growth through cell expansion and a purple dorsal color. Over-expression of SsCYC in Nicotiana reduced petal size by regulating cell growth, suggesting that SsCYC also controls cell expansion. This suggests that auxin and SsCYC both regulate DV petal asymmetry. Transiently over-expressed SsCYC, however, could not activate most major auxin signaling genes, suggesting that SsCYC may not trigger auxin regulation. Whether auxin can activate SsCYC or whether they act independently to regulate DV petal asymmetry remains to be explored in the future.     

Genetic Deletion of HLJ1 Does Not Affect Blood Coagulation in Mice

HLJ1 (also called DNAJB4) is a member of the DNAJ/Hsp40 family and plays an important role in regulating protein folding and activity. However, there is little information about the role of HLJ1 in the regulation of physiological function. In this study, we investigated the role of HLJ1 in blood coagulation using wild-type C57BL/6 mice and HLJ1-null (HLJ1^-/-) mice. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were used to assess the expression and distribution of HLJ1 protein, respectively. The tail bleeding assay was applied to assess the bleeding time and blood loss. A coagulation test was used for measuring the activity of extrinsic, intrinsic and common coagulation pathways. Thromboelastography was used to measure the coagulation parameters in the progression of blood clot formation. The results showed that HLJ1 was detectable in plasma and bone marrow. The distribution of HLJ1 was co-localized with CD41, the marker of platelets and megakaryocytes. However, genetic deletion of HLJ1 did not alter blood loss and the activity of extrinsic and intrinsic coagulation pathways, as well as blood clot formation, compared to wild-type mice. Collectively, these findings suggest that, although HLJ1 appears in megakaryocytes and platelets, it may not play a role in the function of blood coagulation under normal physiological conditions.     

Green and Highly-Efficient Microwave Synthesis Route for Sulfur/Carbon Composite for Li-S Battery

Multiporous carbons (MPCs) are prepared using ZnO as a hard template and biomass pyrolysis oil as the carbon source. It is shown that the surface area, pore volume, and mesopore/micropore ratio of the as-prepared MPCs can be easily controlled by adjusting the ZnO/oil ratio. Sulfur/MPC (S/MPC) composite is prepared by blending sulfur powder with the as-prepared MPCs followed by microwave heating at three different powers (100 W/200 W/300 W) for 60 s. The unique micro/mesostructure characteristics of the resulting porous carbons not only endow the S/MPC composite with sufficient available space for sulfur storage, but also provide favorable and efficient channels for Li-ions/electrons transportation. When applied as the electrode material in a lithium-ion battery (LIB), the S/MPC composite shows a reversible capacity (about 500 mAh g⁻¹) and a high columbic efficiency (>95%) after 70 cycles. Overall, the method proposed in this study provides a simple and green approach for the rapid production of MPCs and S/MPC composite for high-performance LIBs.     

Quantitative evaluation of color harmony via linguistic-based image scale for interior design

In order to develop a computer-based color consultation system, a quantitative evaluation of color harmony for interior images is constructed by using a linguistic-based image scale. Conventionally, color harmony from any engineering perspective has received limited attention, because its successful evaluation requires the development of pleasure-related features. In this study, a new pleasure-related function of color linguistic distribution (CLD) is proposed to quantitatively represent the mental color impression of interior images upon a designed one-dimensional linguistic-based image scale of EXCITING-CALM. Supported by a database that includes fashion trends, the distribution state of CLD is capable of indicating the fashion trends in Taiwan. Also, on the image scale, the grade of color harmony can be measured by its CLD similarity to a reference harmony distribution (RHD). Evaluated results demonstrate that interior design is primarily dominated by (low) saturation and (high) brightness. Also, results based on CIE1976 L*a*b* and CIE1976 L*u*v* color spaces are observed to be better than those based on the hue-dominated method of Moon-Spencer theory in corresponding with human's linguistic similarity, questionnaire-based harmony evaluation, and social trends. Moreover, our solution percentage has been investigated as 72.3%, which is better than those of the Moon-Spencer theory and of the “Law of Inverse Ratios of Areas.” For application purposes, the proposed system is suitable to analyze the mental impression of products from the perspective of the customer. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.