Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME): Current Developments, Applications, and Future Prospects.

The human gastrointestinal microbiota plays a vital role in maintaining host health and preventing diseases, prompting the creation of simulators to replicate this intricate system. The Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME), a multicompartment dynamic simulator, has emerged as a pivotal in vitro model for studying the interactions and interferences within the human gut microbiota. The continuous and real-time monitoring hallmarks, along with the programmatically flexible setup, bestow SHIME with the ability to mimic the entire human intestinal ecosystem with high dynamics and stability, allowing the evaluation of various treatments on the bowel microbiota in a controlled environment.

Targeting HBV cccDNA Levels: Key to Achieving Complete Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B.

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) caused by HBV infection has brought suffering to numerous people. Due to the stable existence of HBV cccDNA, the original template for HBV replication, chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is difficult to cure completely. Despite current antiviral strategies being able to effectively limit the progression of CHB, complete CHB cure requires directly targeting HBV cccDNA.

Establishment of an Immortalized Porcine Alveolar Macrophage Cell Line That Supports Efficient Replication of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Viruses.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), which is caused by the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), has a significant impact on the global pork industry. It results in reproductive failure in sows and respiratory issues in pigs of all ages. Despite the availability of vaccines, controlling the PRRSV remains challenging, partly owing to the limitations of cell culture systems.

Improvement of the Thermal Performance of the GaN-on-Si Microwave High-Electron-Mobility Transistors by Introducing a GaN-on-Insulator Structure.

GaN-on-Si high-electron-mobility transistors have emerged as the next generation of high-powered and cost-effective microwave devices; however, the limited thermal conductivity of the Si substrate prevents the realization of their potential. In this paper, a GaN-on-insulator (GNOI) structure is proposed to enhance the heat dissipation ability of a GaN-on-Si HEMT. Electrothermal simulation was carried out to analyze the thermal performance of the GNOI-on-Si HEMTs with different insulator dielectrics, including SiO, SiC, AlN, and diamond.

High-Efficiency Precision Polishing Using Fiber Brush-Shear-Thickening Fluid Composites.

Shear-thickening fluid (STF) is widely applied in various practical engineering fields due to its rheological properties of increased viscosity under load. We investigated the integration of STF with fiber brushes to prepare a novel composite material for polishing applications. The impact of composite material properties is studied in surface finish, specifically roughness and morphology, across flat and uneven surfaces.

Design and Implementation of a CMOS-MEMS Out-of-Plane Detection Gyroscope.

A MEMS gyroscope is a critical sensor in attitude control platforms and inertial navigation systems, which has the advantages of small size, light weight, low energy consumption, high reliability and strong anti-interference capability. This paper presents the design, simulation and fabrication of a Y-axis gyroscope with out-of-plane detection developed using CMOS-MEMS technology. The structural dimensions of the gyroscope were optimized through a multi-objective genetic algorithm, and modal, harmonic response and range simulation analyses were carried out to verify the reasonableness of the design.

Low-Temperature Bonding for Heterogeneous Integration of Silicon Chips with Nanocrystalline Diamond Films.

Integrating nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) films on silicon chips has great practical significance and many potential applications, including high-power electronic devices, microelectromechanical systems, optoelectronic devices, and biosensors. In this study, we provide a solution for ensuring heterogeneous interface integration between silicon (Si) chips and NCD films using low-temperature bonding technology. This paper details the design and implementation of a magnetron sputtering layer on an NCD surface, as well as the materials and process for the connection layer of the integrated interface.

Design and Growth of P-Type AlGaN Graded Composition Superlattice.

A graded composition superlattice structure is proposed by combining simulation with experimentation. The structural factors affecting graded symmetric superlattices and graded asymmetric superlattices and their action modes are simulated and analyzed. A Mg-doped graded symmetric superlattice structure with high Al content, excellent structural quality, good surface morphology and excellent electrical properties was grown by MOCVD equipment.

Research on Stability of Removal Function in Figuring Process of Mandrel of X-Ray-Focusing Mirror with Variable Curvature.

Over the past 30 years, researchers have developed X-ray-focusing telescopes by employing the principle of total reflection in thin metal films. The Wolter-I focusing mirror with variable-curvature surfaces demands high precision. However, there has been limited investigation into the removal mechanisms for variable-curvature X-ray mandrels, which are crucial for achieving the desired surface roughness and form accuracy, especially in reducing mid-spatial frequency (MSF) errors.

Recent Research Progresses and Challenges for Practical Application of Large-Scale Solar Hydrogen Production.

Solar hydrogen production is a promising pathway for sustainable CO-free hydrogen production. It is mainly classified into three systems: photovoltaic electrolysis (PV-EC), photoelectrochemical (PEC) system, and particulate photocatalytic (PC) system. However, it still has trouble in commercialization due to the limitation of performance and economic feasibility in the large-scale system.

Advances in Nanocomposites: Preparation, Characterization, Properties, and Applications.

Nanocomposites are a class of nanomaterials wherein one or more phases, of a nano-sized dimension (zero dimensions, one dimension, and two dimensions), are embedded in ceramic, metal, or polymer materials, etc [...

Gibberellin-Induced Transcription Factor MYB71 Negatively Regulates Salvianolic Acid Biosynthesis in .

, the valuable traditional Chinese medicinal plant, has been used in clinics for thousands of years. The water-soluble salvianolic acid compounds are bioactive substances used in treating many diseases. Gibberellins (GAs) are growth-promoting phytohormones that regulate plant growth and development.

Functionalities of Polysaccharides Modified with Gallic Acid.

This research aimed to modify polysaccharides extracted from the edible mushroom with gallic acid (GA) and to complex them with zinc ions. The functionalities of the modified polysaccharides (TFPs) were investigated. Regarding antioxidant activity, TFP-GA demonstrated effective scavenging activity against DPPH radicals, nitric oxide, and hydrogen peroxide.

Biological Properties and Phytochemicals of Multipurpose Tree Plant .

(HA) is a monotypic tree species used as traditional medicine against various diseases and conditions in African countries. HA is also a multipurpose plant used for furniture, fuel wood, soil fertility management, and rainwater conservation, along with medicinal usage. In different in vitro, in vivo, ex vivo, and human studies, the potential of HA for different pharmacological properties, including anti-parasite, antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic, anticancer, anti-diabetes, antidiarrheal, wound healing, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities were observed.

Heterogenous Epoxidation of Isobutene Selectively Enabled by MoSe in Hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP).

Herein, a high selective epoxidation of isobutene was achieved by heterogeneously dispersed MoSe with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), which further showed versatile substrate scopes and well-retained activity among recycling tests. A rational mechanism is proposed based on extensive control experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, surprisingly unveiling the metal-oxo and radical mediated pathways dramatically accelerated by hydrogen bonds of hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP).

The Influence of the Strain Rate on Texture Formation During the Plane Strain Compression of AZ80 Magnesium Alloy.

Controlling microstructure and texture development is a key approach to improving the formability of magnesium alloys. In this study, the effects of the strain rate and initial texture on the texture evolution of magnesium alloys during high-temperature processing are investigated. The plane strain compression of three types of AZ80 magnesium alloys with different initial textures was assessed at 723 K and a train rate of 0.

Study on the Bending and Shear Behavior of a New Type of Wet Joint in Precast Concrete Deck for Composite Bridges.

According to the mechanical characteristics of joints in steel-concrete composite bridge decks under the combined bending and shear, improved joint details with simple structure and convenient construction were studied, including lapped U-bars, lapped headed bars, and lapped hook bars. In order to test the mechanical properties of the three joint details and compare them with the existing lapped/welded linear bars, the tests of five specimens were carried out. The cracking load, ultimate load, failure mode, crack pattern, and reinforcement strain were analyzed.

Improving the Fracture Toughness of Boron Carbide via Minor Additions of SiC and TiB Through Hot-Press Sintering.

Boron carbide (BC) is an essential material in various high-performance applications due to its light weight and hardness. In this work, BC-based composites were fabricated via a powder route consisting of powder mixing, precursor preparation, and hot-pressing under vacuum. The composites' mechanical properties and microstructure were analyzed to investigate the effect of adding minor second-phase particles.

Mechanical Behavior of 3D-Printed Zig-Zag Honeycomb Structures Made of BASF Ultrafuse 316L.

The aim of this study is to determine the mechanical behavior of 2D honeycomb cellular structures with deformation initiators subject to quasi-static compression testing. Two different loading directions were studied: in-plane (IP) and out-of-plane (OP). The deformation initiators sought to stabilize the mechanical response by decreasing the initial peak force in the case of OP loading.

Investigation of Shear Behavior in High-Strength Bolt Connectors for Steel-Concrete Composite Beams.

High-strength bolt connectors, known for their robust strength and ease of disassembly, are suitable not only for the construction of new steel-concrete composite beams but also for reinforcing existing composite or steel beams. Static push-out tests were performed on nine specimens to examine their shear behavior. The primary failure mode was observed at the steel-concrete interface, characterized by the tensile-shear failure of the bolt and localized crushing of the concrete beneath the bolt.

Evolution of Chemical, Structural, and Mechanical Properties of Titanium Nitride Films with Different Thicknesses Fabricated Using Pulsed DC Magnetron Sputtering.

Considering the application of titanium nitride (TiN) films as a release layer in producing Wolter-I X-ray telescope mirror shells by the electroformed nickel replication (ENR) technique, this research pays attention to the influence of nanometer-scale thickness variation in the microstructure and physical properties of TiN films deposited by the pulsed direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering method. This topic has received limited attention in the existing literature. TiN films (9.

Improving the Antioxidant Properties of Tin-Based Perovskite for the Enhanced Performance of Near-Infrared Light-Emitting Diodes Through the Synergy of Sn and SnF.

Tin-based perovskite has emerged as an excellent luminescent material due to its non-toxicity and narrow bandgap compared to lead-based perovskite. However, its tin ions are easily oxidized by oxygen, which leads to increased vacancy defects and poor crystallinity, presenting a significant challenge in obtaining high-quality perovskite films. In this context, we introduced an approach by synergistically adding SnF and tin powder into the precursor solution to enhance the antioxidation of Sn ions.

Effect of Temperature Gradient and Cooling Rate on the Solidification of Iron: A Molecular Dynamics Study.

In this study, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were employed to compare the effects of different solidification conditions on the solidification behaviour, stress distribution, and degree of crystallization of iron. The results indicate significant differences in nucleation and microstructural evolution between the two solidification methods. In the homogeneous temperature field, the solidification of iron is characterized by instantaneous nucleation.

The Stress Response of Aphids to the Accumulation of Heavy Metals Along L. Under Cadmium Treatment.

Due to the intensification of human activities, the ecosystems are being polluted by heavy metals. The pollution of heavy metals in agricultural systems has become a serious issue of global concern. This study detected the bioaccumulation of cadmium (Cd) in broad beans and aphids through continuous exposure to varying concentrations of Cd pollution (0, 3.

Impacts of Sublethal Doses of Spinetoram on the Biological Traits and Detoxifying Enzymes of the Tomato Leaf Miner, (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae).

is a major pest, damaging tomato crops in many countries. Spinetoram, a novel insecticide, is increasingly used for the management of various insect pests. However, limited information is available on its lethal effects on .