Entropy production in thermal phase separation: a kinetic-theory approach.

Entropy production during the process of thermal phase-separation of multiphase flows is investigated by means of a discrete Boltzmann kinetic model. The entropy production rate is found to increase during the spinodal decomposition stage and to decrease during the domain growth stage, attaining its maximum at the crossover between the two. Such behaviour provides a natural criterion to identify and discriminate between the two regimes. Furthermore, the effects of heat conductivity, viscosity and surface tension on the entropy production rate are investigated by systematically probing the interplay between non-equilibrium energy and momentum fluxes. It is found that the entropy production rate due to energy fluxes is an increasing function of the Prandtl number, while the momentum fluxes exhibit an opposite trend. On the other hand, both contributions show an increasing trend with surface tension. The present analysis inscribes within the general framework of non-equilibrium thermodynamics and consequently it is expected to be relevant to a broad class of soft-flowing systems far from mechanical and thermal equilibrium.

Discrete Boltzmann modeling of multiphase flows: hydrodynamic and thermodynamic non-equilibrium effects.

A discrete Boltzmann model (DBM) is developed to investigate the hydrodynamic and thermodynamic non-equilibrium (TNE) effects in phase separation processes. The interparticle force drives changes and the gradient force, induced by gradients of macroscopic quantities, opposes them. In this paper, we investigate the interplay between them by providing a detailed inspection of various non-equilibrium observables. Based on the TNE features, we define TNE strength which roughly estimates the deviation amplitude from the thermodynamic equilibrium. The time evolution of the TNE intensity provides a convenient and efficient physical criterion to discriminate the stages of the spinodal decomposition and domain growth. Via the DBM simulation and this criterion, we quantitatively study the effects of latent heat and surface tension on phase separation. It is found that the TNE strength attains its maximum at the end of the spinodal decomposition stage, and it decreases when the latent heat increases from zero. The surface tension effects are threefold, prolong the duration of the spinodal decomposition stage, decrease the maximum TNE intensity, and accelerate the speed of the domain growth stage.

[A Concept Design of Flat-Field Spectrograph for Wide Wavelength Range].

The radiation spectrum from the plasmas contains a large amount of information of plasmas. Thus, one of the most effective methods to detecting the plasma parameters is measure the plasma radiation spectrum. Until now, since the restriction of the Toshiba mechanically ruled aberration-corrected concave gratings, the measurable wavelength range of the incidence flat-field grazing spectrometer in the soft X-ray range are only from 5 to 40 nm. In order to extend the wavelength rang of grazing incidence flat-field spectrometer, first, a grazing incidence concave reflection grating ray-trace code is written using optical path equation. Second, under the same conditions with reference 6, we compare our numerical results with Harada's results. The results show that our results agree very well with the results of Harada. The results of comparison show that our ray-trace code is believable. Finally, the variety of the flat-field curves are detailedly investigated using the ray-trace code with the different grazing incidence conditions. The results show that the measurable wavelength range of the incidence flat-field grazing spectrometer are extended to 5~80 nm from the soft X-ray wavelength range of 5~40 nm. This result theoretically demonstrates the possibility of expanded the traditional band flat-field grazing incidence spectrometer from soft X-ray band to the extreme ultraviolet (XUV), and also bring a new design ideas for improving the use of grazing incidence flat field concave grating.

The different roles of Pu-oxide overlayers in the hydrogenation of Pu-metal: an ab initio molecular dynamics study based on van der Waals density functional (vdW-DF)+U.

Based on the non-local van der Waals density functional (vdW-DF)+U scheme, we carry out the ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) study of the interaction dynamics for H2 impingement against the stoichiometric PuO2(111), the reduced PuO2(111), and the stoichiometric α-Pu2O3(111) surfaces. The hydrogen molecular physisorption states, which cannot be captured by pure DFT+U method, are obtained by employing the vdW-DF+U scheme. We show that except for the weak physisorption, PuO 2(111) surfaces are so difficult of access that almost all of the H2 molecules will bounce back to the vacuum when their initial kinetic energies are not sufficient. Although the dissociative adsorption of H2 on PuO2(111) surfaces is found to be very exothermic, the collision-induced dissociation barriers of H2 are calculated to be as high as 3.2 eV and 2.0 eV for stoichiometric and reduced PuO2 surfaces, respectively. Unlike PuO2, our AIMD study directly reveals that the hydrogen molecules can penetrate into α-Pu2O3(111) surface and diffuse easily due to the 25% native O vacancies located along the ⟨111⟩ diagonals of α-Pu2O3 matrix. By examining the temperature effect and the internal vibrational excitations of H2, we provide a detailed insight into the interaction dynamics of H2 in α-Pu2O3. The optimum pathways for hydrogen penetration and diffusion, the corresponding energy barriers (1.0 eV and 0.53 eV, respectively) and rate constants are systematically calculated. Overall, our study fairly reveals the different interaction mechanisms between H2 and Pu-oxide surfaces, which have strong implications to the interpretation of experimental observations.

Effect of water-soluble polymers on the transport of functional group-modified polystyrene nanoplastics in goethite-coated saturated porous media.

The research on the impact of water-soluble polymers (WSPs) on the migration and fate of plastic particles is extremely limited. This article explored the effects of polyacrylic acid (PAA, a common WSP) and physicochemical factors on the transport of polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNPs-NH2/COOH) with different functional groups in QS (quartz sand) and FOS (goethite-modified quartz sand, simulates mineral colloids). Research has shown that PAA can selectively adsorb onto the surface of PSNPs-NH2, forming ecological corona heterogeneous aggregates. This process increased the spatial hindrance and elastic repulsion, resulting in the recovery of PSNPs-NH2 always exceeding that of PSNPs-COOH. Overall, PAA can hinder the migration of PSNPs in QS but can promote their migration in FOS. When multivalent cations coexist with PAA, the transport of PSNPs in the media is primarily affected by cation bridging and CH-cation-π interaction. The presence of oxyanions and PAA prevents PSNPs from following the Hofmeister rule and promotes their migration (PO43-: 82.34 ± 0.16% to 94.63 ± 2.82%>SO42-: 81.38 ± 2.73% to 91.15 ± 0.93%>NO3-: 55.85 ± 0.70%-87.16 ± 3.80%). The findings of this study contribute significantly to a better understanding of the migration of WSPs and group-modified NPs in complex saturated porous media.

Transport of reduced PBAT microplastics in saturated porous media: Synergistic effects of enhanced surface energy and roughness.

Microplastic (MP) pollution presents significant global environmental challenges, exacerbated by reduction aging processes in anoxic environments, thereby increasing environmental risks and potential threats to human health. However, the mechanisms underlying the transport of reduced MPs remain poorly understood. In this study, laboratory-scale column experiments were conducted to investigate the transport behavior of polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), a common biodegradable MPs, and its reduced products obtained through the aging process mediated by two typical reducing agents, NaBH4 and Na2S, under varying conditions (ionic strength (IS), divalent cations, and low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs)). The results indicated that reduction aging improved the hydrophilicity of PBAT by increasing the surface roughness (roughness factor increased from 1.300 to 1.642) and surface energy (from 51.80 to 107.03 mN m-1), thereby increasing the mobility of reduced PBAT (with recovery rate increased from 53.77 % to 63.18 %). Increased IS decreased the mobility of reduced PBAT by decreasing the surface negative charge density. Divalent cations inhibited the mobility of both pristine and reduced PBAT in porous media, with pristine PBAT, containing more oxygen functional groups, exhibiting stronger inhibition. Furthermore, LMWOAs promoted the retention of reduced PBAT in porous media, which was dependent on the type of LMWOAs. This study revealed the alterations in MPs properties caused by reduction aging and their effects on transport mechanisms, offering new insights into the transport behavior and environmental risks of reduced MPs.

Nerolidol reduces depression-like behavior in mice and suppresses microglia activation by down-regulating DNA methyltransferase 1.

Modern medicine has unveiled that essential oil made from Aquilaria possesses sedative and hypnotic effects. Among the chemical components in Aquilaria, nerolidol, a natural sesquiterpene alcohol, has shown promising effects. This study aimed to unravel the potential of nerolidol in treating depression. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) was utilized to induce depression-like behavior in mice, and open field test, sucrose preference, and tail suspension test was conducted. The impacts of nerolidol on the inflammatory response, microglial activation, and DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) were assessed. To study the regulatory role of DNMT1, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to treat BV2 cells, followed by the evaluation of cell viability and DNMT1 level. Additionally, the influence of DNMT1 overexpression on BV2 cell activation was determined. Behavioral analysis revealed that nerolidol reduced depression-like behavior in mice. Nerolidol reduced the levels of inflammatory factors and microglial activation caused by CUMS. Nerolidol treatment was found to reduce DNMT1 levels in mouse brain tissue and it also decrease the LPS-induced increase in DNMT1 levels in BV2 cells. DNMT1 overexpression reversed the impacts of nerolidol on the inflammation response and cell activation. This study underscores the potential of nerolidol in reducing CUMS-induced depressive-like behavior and inhibiting microglial activation by downregulating DNMT1. These findings offer valuable insights into the potential of nerolidol as a therapeutic option for depression.

Intermolecular interactions in mixed dye systems and the effects on dye wastewater treatment processes.

Dye wastewater discharge is a critical concern across textiles, paper, cosmetics, and other industries. This study explores the impact of dye-dye interactions on chemical coagulation and ultrafiltration process. Using basic and reactive dyes, representing cationic and anionic compounds, the intricate interplay between these dyes was examined through spectroscopic analysis. Remarkably, interactions between dyes of opposite charges exhibited significant effects on both techniques. Electrostatic attractions played a key role. Positive coagulant hydrolysates selectively attracted negative dyes, while negatively charged membranes effectively captured positive dyes. Combining dyes with opposite charges resulted in enhanced removal efficiency, addressing challenging dyes collectively. This discovery offers a novel approach to improving dye removal, utilizing opposite-charged dye mixtures can tackle stubborn dyes unmanageable by conventional methods.

Efficiently Removing Heavy Metals from High-Salinity Wastewater via Ionic Liquid-Based Aqueous Biphasic Systems.

For the separation of metal ions, ionic liquid-based aqueous biphasic systems (IL-ABSs) offer a promising alternative to solvent extraction. However, the incorporation of an extensive quantity of inorganic salts restricts their practical application. Because heavy metal wastewater often contains high concentrations of inorganic salts, it offers good prospects for the application of IL-ABSs in the separation of heavy metals. In this work, an IL-ABS was formed by tributyltetradecylphosphonium chloride ([P44414]Cl), and simulated high-salinity wastewater (NaCl and Na2SO4 as the main inorganic salts) was used for the separation of heavy metals. The phase diagram results indicated that the formation of a two-phase system required a relatively high salt concentration. The extraction process followed the mechanism of anion exchange; thus, heavy metals such as zinc and cadmium that formed complexes with chloride ions could be effectively extracted (extraction rate >99.5%) with a very fast rate (extraction time <1 min) at a wide pH range (pH = 2-7). After extraction, the metals could be stripped well (stripping rate >99.5%) after contact with the NaOH solution. This research provided a new approach for treating heavy metals in high-salinity effluents, which has the advantages of IL-ABS and avoids the disadvantages of adding large amounts of inorganic salts at the same time.

Transport of functional group modified polystyrene nanoplastics in binary metal oxide saturated porous media.

Metal oxides exist in porous media in the form of composite metal oxides, which can significantly affect the transport and transformation of pollutants in the soil environment. In this study, binary metal oxide porous media were prepared to explore the effects of solution chemistry, and the presence of binary metal oxides on the transport of functional group modified polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) in saturated porous media. The results show that the existence of binary metal oxides significantly affects the migration ability of PSNPs in saturated porous media. The increase of ionic strength and the presence of multivalent cations affect the transport capacity of PSNPs in porous media. The types of binary metal oxides affect the migration of PSNPs in saturated porous media. The surface roughness and electrostatic interaction are important factors affecting the retention of PSNPs on the surface of binary metal oxide saturated porous media. The surface morphology has a more far-reaching impact. In addition, DLVO theory cannot fully explain the interaction between PSNPs and saturated porous media in the presence of Al3+. This study's results help provide some theoretical support for the migration of microplastics in the soil environment.

Fully Physically Crosslinked Conductive Hydrogel with Ultrastretchability, Transparency, and Self-Healing Properties for Strain Sensors.

Currently, conductive hydrogels have received great attention as flexible strain sensors. However, the preparation of such sensors with integrated stretchability, transparency, and self-healing properties into one gel through a simple method still remains a huge challenge. Here, a fully physically crosslinked double network hydrogel was developed based on poly(hydroxyethyl acrylamide) (PHEAA) and κ-carrageenan (Car). The driving forces for physical gelation were hydrogen bonds, ion bonding, and electrostatic interactions. The resultant PHEAA-Car hydrogel displayed stretchability (1145%) and optical transparency (92%). Meanwhile, the PHEAA-Car hydrogel exhibited a self-healing property at 25 °C. Additionally, the PHEAA-Car hydrogel-based strain sensor could monitor different joint movements. Based on the above functions, the PHEAA-Car hydrogel can be applied in flexible strain sensors.

Effect of different aging treatments on the transport of nano-biochar in saturated porous media.

Widely used for soil amendment, carbon sequestration, and remediation of contaminated soils, biochars (BCs) inevitably produce a large number of nanoparticles with relatively high mobility. Geochemical aging alters chemical structure of these nanoparticles and thus affect their colloidal aggregation and transport behavior. In this study, the transport of ramie derived nano-BCs (after ball-milling) was investigated by different aging treatments (i.e., photo (PBC) and chemical aging (NBC)) as well as the managing BC under different physicochemical factors (i.e., flow rates, ionic strengths (IS), pH, and coexisting cations). Consequences of the column experiments indicated aging promoted the mobility of the nano-BCs. Compared to the nonaging BC, consequences of spectroscopic analysis demonstrated the aging BCs exhibited a number of tiny corrosion pores. Both of these aging treatments contribute to a more negative zeta potential and a higher dispersion stability of the nano-BCs, which is caused by the abundance of O-functional groups. Also the specific surface area and mesoporous volume of both aging BCs increased significantly, with the increase being more pronounced for NBC. The breakthrough curves (BTCs) obtained for the three nano-BCs were modelled by the advection-dispersion equation (ADE), which included first-order deposition and release terms. The ADE revealed high mobility of aging BCs, which meant their retention in saturated porous media was reduced. This work contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the transport of aging nano-BCs in the environment.

Meta analysis of the curative effect of acupuncture on post-stroke depression.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the curative effect of acupuncture on post-stroke depression (PSD). METHODS: The internet was used to retrieve the Wanfang Medical Data System, Chinese Periodical Net, the Weipu Information Resources System, PubMed and the Cochrane Library Database. Relevant articles, up to September 2010, were manually retrieved. These papers included studies that had performed random and semi-random control trials for the use of acupuncture to treat PSD. Fifteen random control tests involving 1096 patients were included in this study and individual cases, interventional measures and curative effects were extracted from this research. Grade methodological quality evaluation and meta-analysis were performed on these studies. RESULTS: Comparison between the acupuncture group and the Western medicine group for the curative rate on PSD revealed an OR of 1.48, 95% CI = [1.11 1.97] and P = 0.008. Comparison of obviously effective rate shows that OR = 1.39, 95% CI = [1.08 1.80] and P = 0.01. Comparison of effective rate shows that OR = 0.83, 95% CI = [0.631.09] and P = 0.18. CONCLUSION: Comparison between the acupuncture group and Western medicine group in treating PSD revealed that there is a statistical difference in curative rate and remarkably effective rate, but no difference in effective rate.

How Does the Change of Information Source Affect Residents' Risk Attitudes?

Using data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this paper investigates the effects of Internet use on residents' risk attitudes. Both Generalized Ordered Logit Model and Logit model are used to identify the effects of Internet use. The results reveal an association between Internet use and increases in both subjective and objective risk preferences that remains even after we adjust for possible endogeneity. The heterogeneity analysis also reveals that these impacts are different among groups with different reasons for Internet use and different personal characteristics. Our study expands the research on the effects of Internet on people's concepts from the micro perspective and suggests that while promoting the application of information technology we should also pay attention to the individual characteristics of residents so that we can better share the "digital dividend" brought by the popularization of information technology in the whole society.

Efficacy of the Integrative Acupuncture and Moxibustion Treatment in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder: The Study Protocol for a Multicenter, Single-Blinded, Randomized Trial in China.

Introduction: Antidepressants are the front-line treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD), but remain unsatisfactory in outcome. An increasing number of patients are interested in acupuncture and moxibustion treatment as complementary therapies. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of integrative acupuncture and moxibustion (iAM) treatment in patients with MDD. Methods and Analysis: This multicenter, single-blind, 2 × 2 factorial randomized trial will enroll 592 patients with MDD of moderate severity from nine hospitals. All patients will be randomized, in a ratio of 2:2:2:1, through a computerized central randomization system, into four groups (the combined, iAM-only, sertraline-only, and placebo groups). Participants will undergo a 12-week intervention with either 50 mg of sertraline or a placebo once a day and active/sham iAM treatment three times per week. The primary outcome is depression severity, assessed using the Hamilton Depression Scale-17. The secondary outcomes include self-rated depression severity, anxiety, and sleep quality. The primary and secondary outcomes will be measured at weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, and the 8th week posttreatment. Safety will be evaluated through liver and kidney function tests conducted before and after treatment and through monitoring of daily adverse events. An intent-to-treat principle will be followed for the outcome analyses. Conclusion: This trial will provide sufficient evidence to ascertain whether iAM is effective and safe for treating MDD and provides a suitable combination strategy for treating MDD. Clinical Trial Registration: [www.chictr.org.cn], identifier [ChiCTR2100042841].

Preparation of the WO X /MCM-41 Solid Acid Catalyst and the Catalytic Performance for Solketal Synthesis.

In the present work, an efficient and stable WO X /MCM-41 solid acid catalyst was prepared by the wet impregnation method. The characterization of powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible, H2 temperature-programmed reduction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, NH3 temperature-programmed desorption, and N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms confirmed that the impregnation amount and calcination temperature of WO X speciation affected the dispersity and acidity of the resulting catalyst. This WO X /MCM-41 solid acid catalyst was subsequently applied in the ketalization reaction of glycerol and acetone to produce solketal. By catalyst screening and reaction condition optimization, WO X /MCM-41 obtained by impregnating 20 wt % and calcining at 350 °C exhibited the highest solketal yield and catalytic stability.

Applying synchronous fluorescence and UV-vis spectra combined with two-dimensional correlation to characterize structural composition of DOM from urban black and stinky rivers.

UV-visible spectroscopy and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS) combined with two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS) were applied for extracting fluorescence components, tracing organic functional groups, and revealing variations of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in Puhe River. Water samples were collected from the mainstream and two tributaries (Nanxiaohe River and Huangnihe River). DOM in three rivers was composed of protein-like fluorescent (PLF), microbial humus-like fluorescent (MHLF), fulvic-like fluorescent (FLF), and humic-like fluorescent components, which were relative to aromatic groups, phenolic groups, carboxylic groups, and microbial products. The PLF and MHLF were dominated in DOM fractions in the rivers, and the average content of the PLF was the highest in Nanxiaohe River. Humification degree of DOM was the highest in Puhe River, followed by Huangnihe River and Nanxiaohe River. However, molecular mass of DOM in Puhe River was the lowest, followed by Huangnihe River and Nanxiaohe River. Based on the 2D-COS of the SFS and UV-visible spectra, the variation order of DOM fractions in Puhe River was PLF → MHLF → FLF, and the PLF was consistent with the phenolic groups, aromatic groups, and carboxylic groups, but the adverse trend with the microbial products. The variation order in Nanxiaohe River was MHLF → PLF → FLF, and the MHLF was consistent with the aromatic groups, phenolic groups, carboxylic groups, and microbial products. The variation order in Huangnihe River was MHLF → PLF → FLF too, and the PLF was consistent with the carboxylic groups and aromatic groups. The results of the present study demonstrate that UV-visible spectroscopy and SFS combined with 2D-COS are useful methods to characterize structural composition of DOM from urban black and stinky rivers so as to investigate their pollution status.

Continuous Flow Synthesis of a ZSM-5 Film in Capillary Microchannel for Efficient Production of Solketal.

This work presented the microfluidic preparation of zeolite film in a capillary microchannel with different length-to-diameter ratios. In the quartz capillary with an inner diameter of 0.53 and 0.32 mm, Zeolite Socony Mobil-5 (ZSM-5) film was prepared by a continuous flow hydrothermal method. Considering the chemically inert surface of quartz capillary and the difficulty of preparing uniform and continuous zeolite film by conventional static synthesis, the ZSM-5 seed layer was precoated as active sites to induce film growth. The parameters of length-to-diameter ratio, seed coating, feed flow rate, and synthesis time were investigated. It revealed that the crystallinity of the ZSM-5 film was significantly affected by the capillary length-to-diameter ratio and seed coating in this flow system. The film morphology and thickness could be precisely controlled by adjusting the feed flow rate and synthesis time. This hydrogen form of the ZSM-5 (HZSM-5) film capillary microreactor was applied in the ketalization reaction of glycerol with acetone to produce solketal. The single-pass yield of solketal could reach ∼30% under mild conditions. This work provided a convenient stratagem of preparing zeolite catalytic coating or other support coatings in closed microchannels with a high length-to-diameter ratio and the potential application in valuable transformation of biomass glycerol.

Biochemical composition distribution in different grain layers is associated with the edible quality of rice cultivars.

Clarifying the association of differences in endosperm biochemical composition with nutrient and edible quality can guide rice breeding and cultivation. In this study, very-low-amylose-content (LAC), Japanese good-taste (JTC), Northeast China good-taste (CTC), and Northeast China high-yield (CHC) cultivars were milled to obtain four layers (L1-L4) from outside-in, and then analyzed for apparent amylose content (AAC), protein content (PC), amino acids, soluble sugars, and minerals. The association of these compositions and Rapid-Visco analysis values with taste was also examined. LAC had low AAC, high amino acid and mineral content, and the highest taste value. Taste was significantly affected by AAC and soluble sugar in L3, and by PC in the L2 layer. High levels of amino acid in L2 and L3 improved the taste, as did Mg, P, and Ca in L1. On the whole, starch factors had the highest contribution to taste, followed by minerals, amino acids, and PC.

[Allocation and Stabilization Responses of Rice Photosynthetic Carbon in the Plant-Soil System to Phosphorus Application].

This research studied the response of the input and allocation of photosynthetic carbon (C) to phosphorus (P) in paddy soils. Two treatments were conducted in this experiment:no P application (P0) and the application of 80 mg·kg-1 of P (P80). The rice cultivar was the indica Zhongzao 39. The 13C-CO2 continuous labeling technique was used to identify the photosynthetic C distribution of the rice. The results showed that the application of P80 significantly increased the photosynthates allocation in the rice aboveground, but reduced their allocation in the rhizosphere soil (P<0.05). At the jointing stage, P80 application increased the photosynthetic C content of the rice by 70%, but the root dry weight decreased 31%. Compared with P0, the total C content of the aboveground rice was increased 0.31 g·pot-1 by P80. The ratio of rice roots to shoots decreased with the P80 treatment. Moreover, P80 application led to an increase in the photosynthetic microbial biomass in the non-rhizosphere soil C (13C-MBC) of 0.03 mg·kg-1, but still decreased its allocation in the rhizosphere soil. The allocation of photosynthetic C to the particulate organic matter fraction (POC) and mineral fraction (MOC) in the non-rhizosphere soil showed no significant differences between P0 and P80. Additionally, the P80 fertilization treatment significantly lowered the content of POC in the rhizosphere soil. In summary, P application increased the allocation of photosynthetic C in the soil-rice system, but reduced the accumulation of photosynthetic C in the soil. This research provided a theoretical basis and data supporting the rational application of P fertilizer, and was also of great significance as a study of the transportation and allocation of photosynthetic C and its sequestration potential response to the application of P to the rice soil.