Search Results (303)

Considering the supply chain of new energy vehicles composed of a local manufacturer, an authorized distributor in the domestic market, and a competitive manufacturer in the export market, this paper studies three different cases of parallel export as well as their decisions about prices, sales scale, and the degree of production differentiation. Three game models are constructed and solved under the cases of no parallel exports (CN), authorized distributors’ parallel exports (CR), and third-party parallel exports (CT), respectively, and the equilibrium analysis is carried out, and finally, the influence of relevant parameters is explored through numerical simulation. It is found that (1) the manufacturer’s decisions on production and sales are influenced by the characteristics of consumer preferences in local and export markets, the cost of differentiated production, and the consumer recognition of parallel exports; (2) the manufacturers’ profits will always be damaged by parallel exports; (3) differentiated production can reduce the negative impact of parallel exports under certain conditions, and then improve the profits of manufacturers; (4) manufacturers can increase their profits by improving the purchase intention of consumers in the local market, improve the level of production differentiation in the export market, or reducing the cost of differentiation. Full article

Compared with vanadium extraction by sodium roasting followed by water leaching, the calcification roasting–sulfuric acid leaching method is considered a promising approach for the comprehensive utilization of vanadium titanomagnetite, as it avoids the introduction of alkali metals. However, during vanadium extraction by sulfuric acid heap leaching, the diffusion of leaching reagents and leaching products was hindered by the deposition of leaching solid products. To address this issue, this study systematically investigated the leaching kinetics and the mechanisms underlying the deposition of leaching solid products. The results indicated that vanadium leaching was governed by a combination of liquid film diffusion and internal diffusion through solid-phase products during days 0–2, and by internal diffusion alone from day 2 to day 9. The primary solid products formed during leaching were calcium sulfate and silica gel. Calcium sulfate precipitated and grew within the pore via two-dimensional nucleation, while silicates formed silica gel through dehydration. By optimizing the sulfuric acid leaching conditions—specifically, maintaining an H⁺ concentration of 2 mol/L, a leaching temperature of 40 °C, and a liquid-to-solid ratio of 5:1—the formation of calcium sulfate and silica gel was effectively suppressed. Under these conditions, the vanadium leaching efficiency reached 75.82%. Full article

There are many advantages of the smelting of vanadium–titanium magnetite pellets by hydrogen-based shaft furnace pre-reduction and electric arc furnace process, including high reduction efficiency, low carbon dioxide emission and high recovery of titanium and so on. However, vanadium–titanium magnetite pellets are highly susceptible to severe reduction disintegration when reduced in the gas-based shaft furnaces. H₂ and CO are the primary reducing gas components in the gas-based shaft furnace process, which significantly influences the reduction behavior of vanadium–titanium magnetite pellets. In this study, the reduction disintegration behavior and reduction kinetics of vanadium–titanium magnetite under mixed H₂–CO atmospheres at low temperatures (450–600 °C) were investigated. The differences in the reduction capacities and rates of H₂ and CO on iron oxides and titanium–iron oxides were revealed, along with their impact on the reduction disintegration behavior of the pellets at low temperatures. At lower temperatures, CO exhibited a greater reducing capability for vanadium–titanium magnetite. As the reduction temperature increased, the reduction capacities of both H₂ and CO improved; however, the reduction capacity of H₂ was more significantly influenced by the temperature. The disparity in the reduction capacities of H₂ and CO for vanadium–titanium magnetite pellets caused an inconsistent expansion rate in different regions of the pellet, increasing internal stress, contributing to a more severe reduction disintegration of vanadium–titanium magnetite pellets in the mixed H₂–CO atmospheres. Full article

With the gradual depletion of high-quality iron ore resources, global steel enterprises have shifted their focus to low-grade, high-impurity iron ores. Using low-grade iron ore to produce pellets for blast furnaces is crucial for companies to control production costs and diversify raw material sources. However, producing qualified pellets from limonite and other low-grade iron ores remains highly challenging. This study investigates the mechanism by which basicity affects the consolidation and reduction behavior of high-Al₂O₃ limonite pellets from a thermodynamic perspective. As the binary basicity of the pellets increased from 0.01 under natural conditions to 1.2, the compressive strength of the roasted pellets increased from 1100 N/P to 5200 N/P. The enhancement in basicity led to an increase in the amount of low-melting-point calcium ferrite in the binding phase, which increased the liquid phase in the pellets, thereby strengthening the consolidation. CaO infiltrated into large-sized iron particles and reacted with Al and Si elements, segregating the contiguous large-sized iron particles and encapsulating them with liquid-phase calcium ferrite. Calcium oxide reacts with the Al and Si elements in large hematite particles, segmenting them and forming liquid calcium ferrite that encapsulates the particles. Additionally, this study used thermodynamic analysis to characterize the influence of CaO on aluminum elements in high-aluminum iron ore pellets. Adding CaO boosted the liquid phase’s ability to incorporate aluminum, lessening the inhibition by high-melting-point aluminum elements of hematite recrystallization. During the reduction process, pellets with high basicity exhibited superior reduction performance. Full article

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the major subtype, accounting for more than 85% of all lung cancer cases. Recent advances in precision oncology have allowed NSCLC patients bearing specific oncogenic epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations to respond well to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Due to the high EGFR mutation frequency (up to more than 50%) observed particularly in Asian NSCLC patients, EGFR-TKIs have produced unprecedented clinical responses. Depending on their binding interactions with EGFRs, EGFR-TKIs are classified as reversible (first-generation: gefitinib and erlotinib) or irreversible inhibitors (second-generation: afatinib and dacomitinib; third-generation: osimertinib). While the discovery of osimertinib represents a breakthrough in the treatment of NSCLC, most patients eventually relapse and develop drug resistance. Novel strategies to overcome osimertinib resistance are urgently needed. In Asian countries, the concomitant use of Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is very common. Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi) and Coriolus versicolor (Yunzhi) are popular TCMs that are widely consumed by cancer patients to enhance anticancer efficacy and alleviate the side effects associated with cancer therapy. The bioactive polysaccharides and triterpenes in these medicinal mushrooms are believed to contribute to their anticancer and immunomodulating effects. This review presents the latest update on the beneficial combination of Lingzhi/Yunzhi and EGFR-TKIs to overcome drug resistance. The effects of Lingzhi/Yunzhi on various oncogenic signaling pathways and anticancer immunity, as well as their potential to overcome EGFR-TKI resistance, are highlighted. The potential risk of herb–drug interactions could become critical when cancer patients take Lingzhi/Yunzhi as adjuvants during cancer therapy. The involvement of drug transporters and cytochrome P450 enzymes in these herb–drug interactions is summarized. Finally, we also discuss the opportunities and future prospects regarding the combined use of Lingzhi/Yunzhi and EGFR-TKIs in cancer patients. Full article

Organic nonvolatile transistor memories (ONVMs) using a hybrid spiro [fluorene-9,7′-dibenzo [c, h] acridine]-5′-one (SFDBAO)/polystyrene (PS) film as bulk-heterojunction-like tunneling and trapping elements were fabricated. From the characterization of the 10% SFDBAO/PS based on ONVM, a sterically hindered small-molecule SFDBAO with rigid orthogonal configuration and a donor–acceptor (D-A) structure as a molecular-scale charge storage element demonstrated significantly higher charge trapping ability than other small-molecule materials such as C₆₀ and Alq₃. The ONVM based on 10% SFDBAO/PS presents ambipolar memory behaviors with a wide memory window (146 V), a fast-switching speed (20 ms), an excellent retention time (over 5 × 10⁴ s), and stable reversibility (36 cycles without any noticeable decay). By applying different gate voltages, the above ONVM shows reliable four-level data storage characteristics. The investigation demonstrates that the strategical bulk-heterojunction-like tunneling and trapping elements composed of small-molecule materials and polymers exhibit promising potential for high-performance ambipolar ONVMs. Full article

Hypertension and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) are both common chronic diseases globally. Nearly half of patients with hypertension are complicated by MAFLD. The mechanisms of the bidirectional promotion between the two remain unclear. The (pro) renin receptor ((P)RR) is one of the classic members of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) and serves as the receptor for prorenin. Although the role of (P)RR in the induction and progression of hypertension has been extensively studied, its role and underlying mechanisms in MAFLD remain underreported. In this study, we aim to investigate the role of (P)RR in the pathogenesis of hypertension combined with MAFLD. In this study, SHRs were used for the model for hypertension combined with MAFLD. Liver lipid content analysis, liver H&E staining, the detection of (P)RR, ERK and downstream proteins related to fatty acid synthesis and transport, and RNA sequencing and data analysis were performed. In the in vitro experiments, we activated (P)RR using renin and established the lipid deposition model of HepG2 cells induced by renin for the first time. (P)RR was specifically blocked using handle region peptide (HRP), and Nile red fluorescence staining, (P)RR/ERK/PPARγ protein expression analysis, and immunofluorescence were performed to further verify the role of (P)RR in the pathogenesis of hypertension combined with MAFLD. Our results demonstrate that (P)RR plays a role in the development and progression of hypertension combined with MAFLD. The hepatic TG and FFA levels in the SHRs were increased, and the protein expression of the (P)RR/ERK/PPARγ pathway and downstream proteins related to fatty acid synthesis and transport were upregulated. HRP reversed the activation of these proteins and reduced intracellular lipid accumulation. In conclusion, our study first reveals that (P)RR is a potential therapeutic target for hypertension combined with MAFLD. And we found the (P)RR/ERK/PPARγ axis for the first time, which plays an important role in the progression of spontaneous hypertension combined with MAFLD. Full article

Hydrogen-based reduction followed by the electric furnace smelting of vanadium–titanium magnetite pellets offers notable advantages, including high reduction efficiency, reduced energy consumption, lower CO₂ emissions, and improved titanium recovery. However, the disintegration of pellets during the reduction process presents a major barrier to industrial application. In this study, the reduction disintegration behavior and underlying mechanisms under hydrogen-based conditions were systematically investigated. The most severe disintegration was observed at 500 °C in an atmosphere of H₂/(H₂ + CO) = 0.25, where titano–magnetite [(Fe,Ti)₃O₄] was identified as the dominant phase. The complete transformation from titano–hematite [(Fe,Ti)₂O₃] to titano–magnetite occurred within 30 min of reduction. Extended reduction (60 min) further intensified disintegration (RDI_−0.5mm = 81.75%) without the formation of metallic iron. Microstructural analysis revealed that the disintegration was primarily driven by volumetric expansion resulting from the significant increase in the titanium–iron oxide unit cell volume. Raising the reduction temperature facilitated the formation of metallic iron and suppressed disintegration. These findings provide essential guidance for optimizing reduction parameters to minimize structural degradation during the hydrogen-based reduction of vanadium–titanium magnetite pellets. Full article

The development of shale bedding and fractures exacerbates the invasion of drilling fluid, leading to significant reservoir damage. This article elucidates the strength degradation behavior of shale with bedding orientations of 0° and 90° under drilling fluid immersion, as determined through triaxial compression experiments. An improved Hooke–Brown anisotropic strength criterion has been established to quantitatively characterize the degradation effects. Additionally, a dynamic mechanism of pore pressure accumulation was simulated. The research findings indicate the following: (1) As the intrusion pressure increases from 6 MPa to 8 MPa, the penetration depth significantly increases. In the horizontal bedding direction (0°), cracks dominate the flow mode, resulting in a sudden drop in strength; (2) An increase in bedding density or opening exacerbates the degree of invasion and strength degradation in the horizontal bedding direction, with a degradation rate exceeding 40%. In contrast, the vertical bedding direction is influenced by permeability anisotropy and crack blockage, leading to limited seepage and minimal degradation. By optimizing the dosage of emulsifiers and other treatment agents through orthogonal experiments, a low-viscosity, high-shear-strength plugging oil-based drilling fluid system was developed, effectively reducing the invasion depth of the drilling fluid by over 30%. The primary innovations of this article include the establishment of a quantitative model for Reynolds number degradation for the first time, which elucidates the mechanism of accelerated crack propagation during turbulent transition (when the Reynolds number exceeds the critical value of 10). Additionally, a novel method for synergistic control between sealing and rheology is introduced, significantly decreasing the degradation rate of horizontal bedding. Furthermore, the development of the Darcy–Forchheimer partitioning algorithm addresses the issue of prediction bias exceeding 15% in high-Reynolds-number regions (Re > 30). The research findings provide a crucial theoretical foundation and data support for the optimized design of drilling fluids. Full article

As an important part of the emerging energy portfolio, the coordinated development of the photovoltaic (PV) industry and ecological environment is a core factor in realizing the high-quality development of the energy industry. Xinjiang, located in northwestern China, possesses vast open land, abundant solar radiation, and low land-use conflict, making it a strategic hub for large-scale PV power station deployment. However, the region’s fragile ecological background is highly sensitive to land-use changes induced by PV infrastructure expansion. Therefore, scientifically evaluating the ecological impacts of PV construction is essential to support environmentally informed operation and maintenance (O&M) strategies.This study investigates the spatial distribution of PV installations and their macro-scale ecological effects across Xinjiang from 2000 to 2020. Utilizing multi-temporal satellite remote sensing data and geospatial analysis techniques on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform, we constructed a Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI) model to quantify the long-term ecological response to PV development. It was found that PV installations were concentrated in unutilized land (37.10%) and grassland (34.45%), with the smallest proportion being found in forested land (1.68%). Nearly 70% of the PV areas showed an improving trend in the ecological environment index, and there were significantly more ecological quality-improving areas than degraded areas (69% vs. 31%). There were significant regional differences, and the highest ecological environment index was found in 2020 for the Northern Xinjiang Altay PV area (0.30), while the lowest (0.10) was observed in Hetian in southern Xinjiang. The results of this study provide a spatial optimization basis for the integration of PV development and ecological protection in Xinjiang and provide practical guidance to help the government to formulate a comprehensive management strategy of “PV + ecology”, which will help to realize the synergistic development of clean energy development and ecological safety. Full article

According to previous studies, dynamic light regimes might enhance seedling development, survival rates, or economic efficiency in factory-based seedling production systems compared to continuous red and blue light irradiation. However, there have been few studies revealing the effects of discontinuous red and blue light on the carbohydrate accumulation and metabolism of tomato seedlings. Therefore, we planted tomato seedlings in an artificial light plant factory under a red background light with intermittent blue light intervention, namely R (as the control), R/RB₃₂, R/RB₄₀, R/RB₆₄, and R/RB₈₀ at an equal daily light integral. The growth, carbohydrate accumulation, and sugar metabolism were analyzed to investigate the effects of dynamic lighting modes on tomato seedlings. The results demonstrated the following: (1) Pure red light induced spindling of tomato seedlings, while intermittent blue light treatments enhanced stem thickness, leaf number, and leaf area, resulting in greater biomass accumulation. Among these treatments, the highest antioxidant enzyme activity and the lowest reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, accompanied by the highest biomass, were all observed in tomato seedlings subjected to R/RB₈₀ (intermittent supplementation of 80 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ blue light under red light background). (2) The carbohydrate accumulation in tomato seedlings was increased under all treatments relative to the control. The sucrose content, enzyme activity, and gene expression level of sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) were all up-regulated in tomato leaves treated with blue light irradiation compared with pure R. In addition, the highest soluble sugar content, along with the peak SPS activity and gene expression, was observed under the R/RB₈₀ treatment. Meanwhile, the lowest fructose content accompanied by the lowest activity and gene expression of sucrose synthase (SS) were observed in tomato leaves treated with R/RB₃₂. This implies that blue light supplementation may regulate sugar accumulation by modulating the activity or expression of enzymes involved in sucrose metabolism. (3) Moreover, shoot biomass, enzyme activity, and expression level of SPS were all found to increase with the increase in supplementary blue light intensity, indicating that short-duration high-intensity blue light was more effective in promoting carbohydrate accumulation in tomato seedlings than long-term low-intensity blue light based on the equal DLI. Full article

This study focuses on the chemical synthesis of nano-titanium dioxide (nano-TiO₂) via ammonium fluorotitanate ((NH₄)₂TiF₆) precipitation with ammonia solution, aiming to elucidate the effects of experimental parameters—including reaction temperature, duration, molar ratio of (NH₄)₂TiF₆ to ammonia, and (NH₄)₂TiF₆ concentration—on the particle size of synthesized nanoparticles, as well as the correlation between particle size and photocatalytic performance. The synthesized nanoparticles predominantly exhibited spindle-shaped morphology. Direct TEM imaging revealed the crystallization and growth mechanisms during synthesis: higher molar ratios, combined with lower temperatures and shorter durations, facilitated the formation of ultrafine particles, whereas lower molar ratios, with elevated temperatures and prolonged reaction times, yielded larger particles. Notably, nanorod structures emerged under low-temperature conditions with F⁻ ion adsorption. To investigate the relationship between particle size and photocatalytic performance, a Taguchi method-inspired experimental design was employed to evaluate the positive or negative impacts of particle size on photocatalytic activity. An experimental matrix was constructed using coded values for each factor, and regression coefficients were calculated to quantify input-output correlations. Results demonstrate that titanium dioxide catalysts with a particle size range of 50–75 nm exhibit optimal photocatalytic efficiency. Full article

First reported in 1987, the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has significantly disrupted the major regions affected by PRRSV in the pig breeding industry. Recently, outbreaks of disease caused by recombinant PRRSV strains in China have raised serious concerns. Effective immunization and infection control in pig populations is critical, as the virus frequently undergoes mutation and recombination. This study characterized a novel recombinant PRRSV strain, BX/CH/22, isolated from Northeast China. Genetic analysis revealed that BX/CH/22 is a recombinant of JXA1, NADC 30-like, and NADC 34-like strains. Phylogenetic analysis of the non-structural protein (NSP) 2 region classified BX/CH/22 as JXA1 PRRSV-like, with a characteristic deletion of 30 discontinuous amino acids in NSP2. However, Open Reading Frame (ORF) 5 analysis classified it as NADC 30-like PPRSV, while whole-genome phylogenetic analysis classified it as NADC 34-like PPRSV. Recombination analysis revealed that BX/CH/22 contains an NADC 34-like PRRSV backbone, an NSP-coding region from NADC 30-like PRRSV, and an ORF2-ORF6 region from NADC 34-like PRRSV. The strain was isolated from serum samples obtained from commercial swine farms undergoing active PRRS outbreaks. In animal experiments, all BX/CH/22-challenged piglets exhibited persistent fever, with peak temperatures >40.5 °C at 4–9 dpi resolving by 11 dpi, accompanied by cough, anorexia, and lethargy. A significant reduction in daily weight gain was observed in infected groups compared to asymptomatic controls, with a 100% survival rate. Our findings provide early warning for PRRSV immune control strategies. Full article

Wellbore instability is a major constraint in large-scale shale oil extraction. This study focuses on the shale–sandstone interbedded shale oil reservoirs in the Chang 7 area, delving into the evolutionary principles governing wellbore stability in horizontal drilling operations within these formations. A geological feature analysis of shale–sandstone reservoir characteristics coupled with rigorous mechanical experimentation was undertaken to investigate the micro-mechanisms underpinning wellbore instability. The Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion applicable to sandstone and the multi-weakness planes failure criterion of shale were integrated to analyze the stress distribution of surrounding rocks within horizontal wells, facilitating the computation of collapse pressure and fracture pressure. A finite element model of wellbore stability in shale–sandstone horizontal drilling was established, and then we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the impacts of varying elastic moduli, Poisson’s ratio, and in-situ stress on wellbore stability. The findings reveal that under varying confining pressures, the predominant failure mode observed in most sandstone samples is characterized by inclined shear failure, coupled with a reduced incidence of crack formation. The strength of shale escalates proportionally with increasing confining pressure, resulting in a reduced susceptibility to failure along its inherent weak planes. This transition is characterized by a gradual shift from the prevalent mode of longitudinal splitting towards inclined shear failure. As the elastic modulus of shale rises, the discrepancy between circumferential and radial stresses decreases. In contrast, with the increasing elastic modulus of sandstone, the gap between circumferential and radial stresses widens, potentially inducing potential instabilities in the wellbore. An increase in sandstone’s Poisson’s ratio corresponds to a proportional increase in the difference between circumferential and radial stresses. Under reverse fault stress regimes, wellbore collapse and instability are predisposed to occur. Calculations of collapse pressure and fracture pressure reveal that the safety density window is minimized at the interface between shale and sandstone, rendering it susceptible to wellbore instability. These research findings offer significant insights for the investigation of wellbore stability in interbedded shale–sandstone reservoirs contributing to the academic discourse in this field. Full article

Background/Objectives: Persistent pulmonary nodules are at higher risk of developing into lung cancers. Assessing their future cancer risk is essential for successful interception. We evaluated the performance of two risk prediction models for persistent nodules in hospital-based cohorts: the Brock model, based on clinical and radiological characteristics, and the Sybil model, a novel deep learning model for lung cancer risk prediction. Methods: Patients with persistent pulmonary nodules—defined as nodules detected on at least two computed tomography (CT) scans, three months apart, without evidence of shrinkage—were included in the retrospective (n = 130) and prospective (n = 301) cohorts. We analyzed the correlations between demographic factors, nodule characteristics, and Brock scores and assessed the performance of both models. We also built machine learning models to refine the risk assessment for our cohort. Results: In the retrospective cohort, Brock scores ranged from 0% to 85.82%. In the prospective cohort, 62 of 301 patients were diagnosed with lung cancer, displaying higher median Brock scores than those without lung cancer diagnosis (18.65% vs. 4.95%, p < 0.001). Family history, nodule size ≥10 mm, part-solid nodule types, and spiculation were associated with the risks of lung cancer. The Brock model had an AUC of 0.679, and Sybil’s AUC was 0.678. We tested five machine learning models, and the logistic regression model achieved the highest AUC at 0.729. Conclusions: For patients with persistent pulmonary nodules in real-world cancer hospital-based cohorts, both the Brock and Sybil models had values and limitations for lung cancer risk prediction. Optimizing predictive models in this population is crucial for improving early lung cancer detection and interception. Full article