[en] Amphiphilic viologens were electrostatically adsorbed on the surface of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) to form viologen–MWCNT hybrids, in which the content of viologens was about 5–10% in weight. Although both viologens and MWCNT hardly dispersed in the water-insoluble organic solvents, the as-prepared viologen–MWCNT hybrids were well dispersed in them with a strong long-term stability, the features of which provided a possibility to prepare their insoluble monolayers at the air–water interface. The surface pressure–area isotherms of these hybrids revealed that they could form stable monolayers, which were transferred on the substrate surfaces by the Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) method. Morphologies of the LB films were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, the images of which revealed the formation of network two- or three-dimensional films of the functionalized MWCNT. Cyclic voltammograms of the LB films revealed one or two couples of one electron transfer process corresponding to the viologen–MWCNT hybrids with the cathodic and anodic potentials closely related to the alkyl chains of the viologens. - Highlights: ► Amphiphilic viologen–carbon nanotube hybrids were prepared. ► The as-prepared hybrids were well dispersed in organic solvents. ► Two- and three-dimensional network multilayers were constructed and characterized. ► Langmuir–Blodgett films of hybrids showed reversible redox behaviors.

[en] Under the uncertainty of the value of Energy Performance Contracting Projects (EPCPs), this paper develops a revenue-sharing bargaining model between an Energy Service Company (ESCO) and an Energy-Using Organization (EU). Based on the model the paper analyzes the impacts of energy prices, risk-adjusted discount rates and accidents on the ESCO’s bargaining strategies. The research shows that the greater the probability of adverse circumstances is, the higher is the revenue share (of the EU), and the more disadvantageous is the ESCO’s position in the game. Furthermore, we design a forecast–commitment contract between an ESCO and an EU and analyze the optimal product’s energy savings commitment strategy of the ESCO to cope with uncertain energy savings and contract risk. The research illustrates that by introducing penalties and commitments, the contract can eliminate the impact of the uncertain energy savings on the contract execution to a certain extent; when the EU takes a greater commitment risk, the ESCO is willing to provide a higher commitment, thus enhancing the strategy value of the bilateral relationship and reducing the contract risk. Finally, the policy recommendations about improving shared savings contract standard, third-party energy savings measurement and verification mechanism and arbitration mechanism of EPCs are provided. - Highlights: • We provide a method for determining the revenue-sharing bargaining strategy space in a finite bargaining game of the ESCO. • The increase of the probability of adverse circumstances will increase the revenue share (of the EU). • We design a forecast–commitment contract between an ESCO and an EU. • The forecast–commitment contract can eliminate the impact of the uncertain energy savings on the contract execution to a certain extent. • When the EU takes a greater commitment risk, the ESCO is willing to provide a higher commitment

[en] Highlights: • Proposing aeroengine data reconciliation model. • Analyzing the moving track of cooperative working point on characteristic map. • Using Automatic differentiation to calculate Jacobian and Hessian matrixes. • Applying data reconciliation model to eliminate test errors in a ground-run. -- Abstract: Aeroengine measuring data usually contain random errors and gross errors. Meanwhile some parameters cannot be measured directly due to costs or technology limitations. To improve the accuracy of these data, this paper proposes a novel reconciliation model based on cooperative working equations and characteristic maps. The interior-point method is applied to solve the objective functions and constraint equations. Robust estimators are verified, and the moving track of the cooperative working points during the reconciliation process is analyzed. The results show that the errors of the measured and unmeasured data can be reduced through data reconciliation, and the proposed data reconciliation model is not sensitive to gross errors, thereby indicating satisfactory performance.

[en] Electroactive nanocomposites composed of phosphomolybdic acid (PMA) and viologen-functionalized carbon nanotubes were synthesized and used as heterogeneous catalysts for the electrocatalytic reduction of bromate. Viologen (V) was first covalently anchored on the surface of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) to produce positively charged MWNT-V polyelectrolyte, which was then combined with PMA through electrostatic interaction to form MWNT-V@PMA nanocomposites. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the organic species in the MWNT-V polyelectrolyte was about 30% in weight. Composition, structure, and morphology of the nanocomposites were investigated by using UV-vis, infrared, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy as well as field emission transition electron microscope. The thickness of organic substituents, viologen, and PMA in the nanocomposites was approximately 10 nm covered on the surface of MWNTs. Cyclic voltammogram measurements for the casting films of MWNT-V@PMA nanocomposites revealed four couples of redox waves with cathodic potentials at about −0.56, −0.19, 0.02, 0.21 V, and anodic ones at about −0.46, −0.11, 0.12, 0.31 V (vs Ag/AgCl), respectively, among which the first one corresponded to the electron transfer process of viologens and others to that of the PMA adsorbed. Finally, the MWNT-V@PMA modified electrodes were used as heterogeneous catalysts for the electrocatalytic bromate reduction, which revealed an almost linear correction between the current density and the bromate concentrations in the concentration range from 1 to 15 mmol/l. .

[en] Objective: To investigate the ability of Shenqi Fuzheng Injection on release of TGF-β₁ mRNA in human lung adenocarcinoma GLC-82 cells by ionizing radiation in vitro, and find the regulation mechanism to reduce the radiation-induced lung injury by traditional Chinese drug. Methods: GLC-82 cells were cultured in media with serum containing 1.563 mg/ml Shenqi Fuzheng Injection, then TGF-β₁ mRNA after exposure to different irradiation doses(O, 20, 30, 40 Gy) and time intervals (12,24,48 h) were investigated. The expression of TGF-β₁ mRNA detected semi-quantitatively by RT-PCR. Results: For the different irradiation doses group, TGF-β₁ expression were increased after irradiation, which was significantly elevated at 20 Gy compared with unirradiated cells. The GLC-82 cells, treated by Shenqi Fuzheng Injection, revealed a minor radiation mediated TGF-β₁, response on mRNA level, which was significantly different at 20 Gy compared with the irradiated group (P<0.05). For the different time intervals group, following irradiation exposure in 20 Gy, the TGF-β₁ mRNA levels in cells, which were treated by Shenqi Fuzheng Injection, were down-regulated and significantly decrease at 48 h (P<0.01). Conclusions: The transforming growth factor beta 1-TGF-β₁ is a key mediator for the pathogenesis of radiation-induced lung injury. Shenqi Fuzheng Injection down-regulates the radiation- induced TGF-β₁ release, and it might reduce the lung toxicity after thoracic irradiation. (authors)

[en] Artificial pigments of metalloporphyrin derivatives are effective catalysts for the degradation of toxic organic dyes, phenols, and other pollutants. We reported here an interfacial layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly of multiporphyrin arrays on the surface of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) with the use of Na₂PdCl₄ as a connector and manganese (III) meso-tetra(4-pyridyl)porphine acetate (MnTPyP) as a linker, respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the relative content of organic species in the MWNT@(Pd-MnTPyP)_n nanocomposites increased gradually with more layers of Pd-MnTPyP assembled. The Soret absorption band of MnTPyP displayed approximately 20-nm redshift in the nanocomposites due to the increase of porphyrin-porphyrin interaction within the Pd-MnTPyP ultrathin films. The specific surface area was about 513.1 and 47.7 m²/g for the original MWNTs and MWNT@(Pd-MnTPyP)₃ nanocomposites, respectively. Finally, the nanocomposites were used as heterogeneous catalysts for catalytic degradation of toxic 1-naphthol, 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene, 5-amino-1-naphthol, and 1-naphthol-5-sulphonic acid in phosphate buffer, using H₂O₂ as the oxidant. It was revealed that, when the nanocomposites were used, the catalytic efficiency could increase by 2 to 3 orders of magnitude. Higher catalytic efficiency was observed for the naphthols bearing the electron-donating group of hydroxyl or amino than those bearing an electron-withdrawing group of sulfonic acid.

[en] To predict early intracerebral haemorrhage expansion (HE) by comprehensive evaluation of commonly used noncontrast computed tomography (NCCT) features. Two hundred eighty-eight patients who had a spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) were included. All of the patients had undergone baseline NCCT within 6 h after ICH symptom onset. Ten NCCT features were extracted. Univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to select the features. Using the finally selected features, a logistic regression model was built with a training cohort (n = 202) and subsequently validated in an independent test cohort (n = 86). Additionally, stratification analysis was performed in cases with and without anticoagulant therapy. HE was found in 78 patients (27.1%). The blend sign and black hole sign were finally selected. The logistic regression model built with the two features exhibited accuracies of 76.7% and 75.6%, specificities of 98.6% and 98.4%, and positive predictive values (PPVs) of 83.3% and 75.0% for the training and test cohorts, respectively. The model also showed specificities of 100% and 98.5% and PPVs of 100% and 76.9% for the anticoagulant and non-anticoagulant drug use groups, respectively. These performances were better than those of each of the separate features. By comprehensive evaluation, the model comprising the blend sign and black hole sign showed good performance for predicting early intracerebral haemorrhage expansion, particularly for high specificity and PPV, regardless of the anticoagulant status.

[en] Objective: To investigate the changes of hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive dysfunction induced by cranial radiation therapy. Methods: C57BL/6J mice aged 10 d were subjected to 10 Gy whole brain irradiation with 6 MV X-rays to develop irradiation-induced brain injury model. Morris water maze was designed to estimate spatial learning and memory. At different time post irradiation, brain tissue was removed to stain with hematoxylin-eosin for the pathological results. DCX and PCNA immunohistochemical staining was used to mark the level of neurogenesis in the hippocampus, and ED1 immunohistochemical staining to mark the activation of microglia. The TUNEL assay was used to assess the apoptotic neuron death in situ in the hippocampus. Real-time PCR was supplied to inspect the expression of TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was tested for the concentration of TNF-α in the plasma. Results: Pathological studies demonstrated that radiation could induce interstitial edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, cell degeneration, necrosis, apoptosis in the acute phase, edema subsiding, reduction of inflammatory cells, and cytothesis in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. IHC studies revealed that, at different time post irradiation, the number of DCX-positive cells and PCNA-positive cells decreased (F = 4.9 - 12.5, 5.2 - 15.7, P < 0.05) but ED1-positive cells increased significantly (F = 20.8, P < 0.05). TUNEL-positive cells began to appear in the dentate gyrus of hippocampus 6 h post-irradiation, and its number reached to the highest level at 48 h post-irradiation (F = 15.1, P < 0.05). The formation of γ-H2AX foci got at the top 0.5 h post-irradiation (F = 18.4, P < 0.05) and then decreased. After irradiation, the expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA in the the irradiated group was higher than those of the control group (t = 16.3, 12.7, P < 0.05). The concentration of TNF-α in the plasma of the irradiated group was higer than that in the control group 3 h post-irradiation, and maximized at 1 week post-irradiation (F = 10.5, P < 0.05). Morris water maze tests showed that the latency had no significant differences between the irradiated group and the control group at 1, 2, 3 d post-irradiation, but the latency in the irradiated group was longer than that in the control group with a significant differences at 4, 5, 6 d post-irradiation (F = 7.01, 8.17, 4.22, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Irradiation-induced cognitive dysfunction may be caused by microglial activation and suppression in hippocampal neurogenesis following cranial radiation therapy. (authors)

[en] Mistrust of the Energy Using Organisation (EUO) in Energy Services Company (ESCO) is a key factor that hinders the development of Energy Performance Contracting Projects (EPCPs) in China, especially the EPCP is the shared savings type. A payment guarantee that is able to hedge the credit risk of the EUO is the rational choice for the ESCO. Considering an EPCP payment guarantee with a limit on the total amount that is essentially a multi-period European put option portfolio with multiple uncertain exercise prices that the guarantor sells to the ESCO, this paper constructs a valuation formula of an EPCP payment guarantee, in which the exercise price follows the geometric Brownian motion with a Poisson jump, and analyses the effects of the factors on the value of the payment guarantee. The results revealed the following. First, the value of the payment guarantee is affected by the total guaranteed amount, uncertainty in ESCO’s revenue, and uncertainty in EUO’s net cash flow, and consideration of the impact of unexpected shocks on the exercise price can avoid overrating the value. Second, the value of the payment guarantee for each period within the scope of the full guarantee increases with an increase in the ESCO’s initial revenue flow, proportion of the revenue sharing and expected revenue growth rate, and it decreases with an increase in the risk-adjusted discount rate and EUO’s initial net cash flow; the value of the payment guarantee for each period within the scope of the full guarantee first decreases and subsequently increases with an increase in the risk-level of ESCO’s revenue and the EUO’s net cash flow. Third, the results of the Sobol’s sensitivity analysis indicate that, within the scope of the full guarantee, the ESCO’s initial revenue flow, proportion of the revenue sharing, the risk-adjusted discount rate and EUO’s initial net cash flow play relatively important roles in changing the EPCP payment guarantee and its exercise prices. According to the above conclusions, the payment guarantee contract can provide the ESCO with a basis for decision-making in the formulation of a strategy to safeguard energy conservation revenues in accordance with the relationships embodied by the value of the payment guarantee. Finally, the policy recommendations about relieving the mistrust between EUOs and ESCOs are provided.

[en] A ductile polycaprolactone (PCL)/modified polyurethane (PU) composite with double mosaic structure was prepared through a novel technology. The composite would be used to reduce waste of resources and the environmental hazards of hogwash oil and expand the application of hogwash oil. Composites with different microstructures were obtained by regulating the proportions of “hard segment-phase” PU and “soft segment-phase” PCL. Meanwhile, the influences of microstructure on the macroscopic physicochemical properties of composites were investigated. Results demonstrated that when the PCL content was 30%, a wrapping structure was similar to “Punica granatum L.” and embedded network structure between organic silica-modified PU and PCL were observed in the composite. Owing to the double mosaic structure, the water permeability of the composite was reduced by 61.9% lower than that of modified PU. However, the hydrophobicity of the former was 15.6% higher than that of the latter. The component fixation rate reached 80.8%, resistance to humidity and heat was strengthened. Coated fertilizers were prepared using the composite as the coating material were slightly superior to organic-silica-modified PU in terms of slow N releasing performance. The prepared composite exhibited good physicochemical properties and showed promising application values in many fields, such as coating materials, thermoplastic elastomer and fertilizers. This study provides a novel strategy for preparing porous materials.